Happy Wednesday.

I am all excited because I am getting into the groove of writing The Phoenix Five and I have that old feeling in my stomach. The one I used to get when I wrote The Clique. The one that assured me you were going to love these five new characters. I will spill details about them as I get a little further into it but you’re going to be psyched.

I have been reading your comments– as usual–and have noticed some of you have been feeling a little detached from me lately. While that makes me sad, I am also grateful for your honesty. It keeps me on my toes and helps me improve.

Looking back I can see why you would think that. My blah-gs haven’t been as loaded as the used to be. I can only guess that’s because I haven’t been writing. I have spent the last year in mental turmoil. Developing a new series is hard work. Developing two new series’ is insane. So of course, I decide to go the way of insanit and devleop The Phoenix Five and The Dirty Book Club at the same time. This is not an excuse. It’s an explanation. Developing is full of extreme highs and massive dig-to-China lows. I’d leave work one day thinking I was onto something major. The next morning scrap the whole thing and start over. My assistant eventually quit.

This madness has been going on since last July. It’s hard to get excited about something when you don’t know what that something is. Am I right?

But now I do know what it is!! And I’m finally, and LEGALLY, allowed to gossip about it. So I feel liberated x 2. So things are on the uptick around here. You’ll see.

Amber posted a question that I wanted to take a minute to answer.

“I just found out something interesting. I remember back when Monster High one came out, having read about being a six novel series. Now I just found out on the link above, about there being another series by a different author, with four more books…I wonder why Lisi hasn’t said anything, about the series being continued by someone else.”

For starters misinformation is a given when it comes to the press. You all know that. Maybe at one point they thought Monster High would be 6 books and then changed their minds. Maybe the person who leaked that has wax buildup in their ear and heard the wrong thing. Because I only signed up for four books. I was asked to continue the series and keep going with number 5. After a lot of thought I said no. I am VERY ready to go back to writing about humans.

As far as someone else continuing the series, I know there are Monster High books coming out for tweens by a different author. But my MH series is over.

I did, however, promise a big prize to the first sister (or brother) who correctly answers my Back and Deader Than Ever trivia question. So here it is.

LALA IS A BIG FANG OF ANIMALS. NAME FOUR OF HER PETS AND THE TYPE OF ANIMALS THAT THEY ARE.

The first one to post the correct answer will receive and email from my publicist. Her name is Jessica Bromberg. She will ask for your address so she can send you your bounty.

Ready…set…post!

I’M BACK!!!!

TTYW,

Lisi

Lisi: No.

Massie: Then why are you so fried?

Lisi: Well Massie, I’ll tell you. I just returned from Toronto, Canada like a second ago, and raced to the office to post this Blah-g. I didn’t anticipate this trip. But last Friday morning I got the dreaded call. My grandmother passed away.  I was on the next flight out.

I have read your comments long enough to know that many of you have experience with sick parents, friends, siblings, pets… and it’s gut wrenching. Or in my case; guilt wrenching.  Like, why didn’t I say more when they were well? Why didn’t I do a better job of staying in touch? How can I do better from this moment on? And that’s where I am. As you know I despise cliche, especially in my writing so I am hesitant to give a whole ‘life is short’ speech. Besides, you know that already. The question is what can you do right now to SHOW you know it.

No need to answer. It’s personal. Just think about it and try to do a little something every day. That way, if that dreaded phone call does come, and you are bombarded with emotions, guilt and regret will not be part of the mix.

One funny story about my late Bubbie Rose that I know you will appreciate. My mom did a great job of getting her my books. She read every single Clique book and ah-dored them. She was into fashion and mean girls because she said there were mean girls like the ones in the PC  at her condo in Florida (by “girls” she meant seniors. And not the high school or college kind. The ones who get discounted movie tickets and eat dinner at 4:30 pm.) She could relate to the drama in the Pretty Committee. What she couldn’t grasp was that these novels were not my memoirs. We would talk on the phone and she would say, “Lisi, I can’t believe this happened to you!” and “Why didn’t I know about this? Did your parents know this was happening?”  No matter how hard I tried to convince her that I made most of it up she refused to believe it.

In a way I am relieved she won’t be able to read The Dirty Book Club. Imagine what she would think of her precious granddaughter then?

***

Shout Out to Julie!! I love how you said the Brazille Boys from the Alphas are basically One Direction:
Melbourne- Zayn
Sydney- Liam
Darwin- Niall
Taz- Harrry
Dingo- Louis

And shout out to me because do you REALIZE I came up with the name iPad??? Yup. I completely forgot. When I was back home I started reading the Clique to my 8 year old niece Jaden. And right there in the first chapter it says Massie described her all white bedroom as the iPad. Um, that was 2003. The iPad wasn’t even a glimmer in Steve Jobs’ eye yet. He iJacked me! So how about a high-five sisters? Massie cut Apple to the core.

Keep reading Back and Deader Than Ever. Next week I am going to post an MH4 trivia question. The first ghoul to post the correct answer wins a MH gift package (t-shirt, doll, book mark, and signed book!)

TTYW

Lisi

RIP:BR

Sorry for the interruption. Okay, back to the book.

Enjoy.

TTYW,

LISI

XXXX

A promise is a promise!!! It’s time to announce my new series. And let me tell you, this is the FIRST place to get the news. It has not been announced to the press or anything. You ghouls are getting the exclusive.

(TENSION BUILDING DIVERSION AHEAD)

Speaking of ghouls, Monster High 4- Back and Deader Than Ever will be out May 1!!!!  It’s the last book in the series. And It’s a goodie.

The RADs are free and Draculaura (Lala) is flashing her fangs with pride.
But when Daddy Drac pays her a surprise visit everything goes batty. Mr. D.
thinks RADs should have their own school, but Lala isn’t ready to give up
the rights they fought so hard for.

It’s father against daughter in a battle for Salem’s student body. Despite
the many challenges, Lala is determined to save Merston High. But she might
die twice while trying.

Melody joins a band and falls for the rock solid roadie. Will she join the group on their summer tour or give up her dream job to spend the summer with Jackson?

It’s seam against queen when Frankie and Cleo fight to the finish in a school-wide popularity contest.

Find out how the series ends next Tuesday. Last one to read it vv (like my font-fangs? They’re code for SUCKS!)

How poetic. I am announcing the end of one series and the beginning of a new one in the same blah-g. How Lion King- cycle of life- am I?

Okay, ready?

It’s a four book series (for now) called The Phoenix Five. Volume one will be called License to Spill. And now for the brief synopsis.

The Phoenix Five: License To Spill.

It takes place at a high school in New Jersey. Summer is over. Sophomore year begins tomorrow. Outfits are being planned. Lunch buddies are being secured. Texts are flying. All seems normal when…ping! Everyone in the sophomore class gets an email.

SUBJECT: The Phoenix Five: License To Spill.

Attached is a mega document.

A letter from a mysterious student starts the book. It explains that at the end of each year the school yearbook- The Phoenix- names the five most outstanding freshman.  She (or he) always suspected that last years’ five (3 girls, 2 boys) were phonies. She (or he) always thought they tried too hard to be popular. But she (or he) never had the proof. Until now. She (or he) stole the secret diaries they were asked to keep by their English teacher. She (or he) has compiled them into a book.

This is that book.
What do you think??? Intrigued? Like the title? I spilled, now it’s your turn. Please give me your feedback.

TTYW

Lisi

VV

1) Monster High 4- Back and Deader Than Ever will be LaLa-landing in stores May 1st. This is the last one in the series and the most action packed- fur-sure. Melody makes a shocking discovery that lures her away from Jackson and into the stone cold arms of a mysterious new rocker (puns intended). Lala is forced to fight her bad dad Vlad on behalf of the RADs. And Frankie and Cleo go all green-against-queen in a royal popularity contest.

What better time to celebrate a new MH book than on Friday 13th? That’s right THIS FRIDAY. Go to www.freakyfab13.com this Friday to get:

** the missing chapter 13 that will appear in the paperback version of Monster High 2- The Ghoul Next Door.

** the rest of this brand new mystery pic. Any guesses?

2) For those of you attending Harvest/River Middle School or Silverado in the Napa area I’ll see you next week. I’m heading up to San Francisco to hang at your schools. We’ll talk about writing, Monster High, The Clique, Alphas, and I might be tempted to leak a few details about my new series. Wine country makes me talk.

3) Since there will NOT BE A BLAH-G next Wednesday as I will be traveling I will make the one on April 25th super special. I will finally announce my NEW SERIES. Pinky Swear.

TTYW- April 25

Lisi

xxxxxxx

Unfortunately, I can’t blame it on the full moon–which weighs on my heart like the lead blanket my dentist heaves over my chest before she x-ray’s my teeth–because it wasn’t full last week.

But this week? This week I am absolutely blaming the moon for my malaise, my scatter brain, my manic mood swings, my inability to get out of bed. Because–look up!  There she is. All bloated and smug. Ready to shine her spotlight on my sallow skin.

The full moon does that to me too and she’s-a-gonna-be-full on Friday. For some that means growing beast hair and howling. For others it means hyper activity. For me it means I cease to being funny. Once it wanes I become Coke and Pop Rocks. I am explosive. But now? Cuh-rickets. Now I feel like a phone battery that is about to hit the red zone. Not quite there yet but operating on 6%.

Do any of you feel like this during a full moon? Start paying attention. It’s kind of freaky once you become aware of it. I mean, think about it. The moon affects the tides and more than half of our bodies are made of water. At least I tell myself it’s water when my bellybutton peers over the top of my jeans to beg for another slice of pizza.

So, whether you develop mutton chops and a craving for squirrels OR the personality of a puddle don’t blame yourself. Blame the moon. At least until Friday. Then it’s on you again.

Happy Passover. Happy Easter. Happy Howling.

TTYW,

Lisi

xxxxx

TTYW,

Lisi

Enter through that door and into the foyer. How ah-mazing is that glam light? Those books on the shelf are the books I have written. To the left is a mirrored cabinet. Inside is a collection of all the foreign books, dolls, clothing, etc…that came from the Clique and Monster High. See?

seriously organized.

Then you walk through a fab YELLOW door into the main office.

WELCOME!!!!! How cheerful is this? J’adore that striped post. See Bee Bee sleeping on the floor. She loves that rug. And if she pees on it it will match the rest of the place. I thought of everything.

Look to the right and you’ll see my desk with my WALLPAPER!!!!!

Then to the right of my desk is my “conference room.” The white wall is covered with dry erase paint so I can write on it. I was going to show you the wall with all of my latest scribblings and then I got paranoid someone would zoom the picture and steal my idea. Yup. I’m psycho. So here is the boring version.

Okay I lied. I used words. I can’t help it. It’s what I do. Change is the biggest inspiration in the world for me. If any of you are stuck or bored change things up. Rearrange your room, walk a different way to school, shower at night instead of the morning, read this Blah-g backwards. It helps. I swear.

TTYW,

Lisi

I am so excited to write The Dirty Book Club and even more pumped to start El Mysterioso. I feel like I’m dating two guys at once. Only I don’t know one of the guys’ names and it’s at the point where it’s too awkward for me to ask so I have to come up with a clever nickname so he doesn’t figure it out. In other words, El Mysterioso is nawt the real of my YA series. I can’t think of a good title. I have thought of a million so-so ones and a billion horrible ones. But I haven’t found The One.

I would love to tell you what it’s about and see if any of you can help me but Erin, my editor, told me I wasn’t allowed. She said we need to announce it to the press first. But in order to do that I need a title. See what I’m dealing with here? Unless…

(LOOPHOLE ALERT)

Can you come up with something based on the following synopsis? (This isn’t cheating is it?)

It’s the story of five super popular high school _____ who are asked to _____ a _____ . Someone ___ the ____ and _____ them to the _____. Life as they ____ it is so done.

Get back to me on that, will ya?

TTYW,

Lisi

XXXXX

This has been a busy week. Thank gawd it’s a leap year. I totally need the extra day.

1. I had my first meeting with the jewelry design team.

That’s Mary Beth, Gorjana, and Jason. We spent a lot of time talking about what I represent as a writer because I want this piece to do more than dangle off a wrist or scrape along a collar bone. I want it to mean something, not only to the charity it will benefit, but to you.

After last weeks post about accepting my crazy arms, I realized that an ongoing theme for me is finding the courage to accept ourselves, flaws and all. It doesn’t mean we should love our flaws. That’s not realistic. It means finding a way to live with them. So they don’t bum you out and make you self concision.  Because really, what choice do we have?

That said, I want my piece to inspire. I want it to give me strength to deal with whatever is freaking me out. It can be a new thing every day (I will not get stage fright, I will not eat fries) or it can be one thing that takes years to accept (I will smile and pretend I love my braces). Regardless, I want the freedom to be able to change that thing as my insecurities change.

Soooo, I’m thinking a bracelet that has a secret hatch. You can write your confidence mission on a piece of paper that goes inside and then close it up. Only you will know what’s inside (unless you tell your BFF). Everyone else will just see the sparkly exterior. And if you keep smiling through your insecurities, the same will apply to you.

I’ll post sketches as soon as I have them.

2. I am moving offices today. One floor up. It’s bigger and it has a window. I am going for a bright girly vibe this time. I went with the birds wallpaper and will show you the finished product when it’s done.

3. I will be in NYC next week meeting with my editors. I will be discussing The Dirty Book club with Karen, my new editor. And then I will be meeting with Erin, my YA editor. Erin and I will be going over the outline for my new  teen series. I am hoping she loves it so I can finally tell you what it is.

That means no Blah-g next week.

TTYWednesday March 14th.

Lisi