Surprise Sunday with LISA MANTCHEV

Please welcome the awesome Lisa Mantchev to Surprise Sunday! I'll keep the introduction short so you can get a jump start on reading the questions and realize the awesome that is Lisa Mantchev.

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If you could be any household item, what would you be and why?

Probably the bread machine. Anything that produces freshly-baked bread is going to be loved. And cleaned regularly. (As opposed to everything else in my house, which can get a little grotty.)

Where were you when you got the idea for Eyes Like Stars?

ELS actually started as a short story called "All Her World's A Stage," which in turn started with just the name Beatrice Shakespeare Smith. Her full name popped into my head while I was sitting at my dining room table. And I am 99% certain I was working on a different story at the time.

Why is Bertie's hair blue? Why not indigo or magenta?

The original Bertie was significantly younger, and the first draft of the scene had her painting her bedroom set Cobalt Flame. The paint color jumped into my head (just like her name) and stuck there. I must have a very sticky brain. Then later, when I definitively made Bertie a teenager, I thought it would be fabulous to switch the paint to hair dye. I never once considered changing the color, though.

Who do you think would win in a fight, Nate or Ariel?

They're pretty evenly matched, even though I have the sneaking suspicion their fighting styles would be very different...

If you could meet any of your characters, who would it be?

I'd like to have a serious conversation with Ariel. Whenever I've been away from him for too long, it's tremendously hard to locate his voice. So if we ever met up, I'd staple his shoes to the floor.

What was your favorite part of writing Eyes Like Stars?

I really liked learning how to go through the copyedits, actually. I have a mad passion for office supplies, so I like to get out all my mechanical pencils, my heavy-duty eraser, my sticky notes (all kept in a zippered Chococat case) and go to town.

If you could meet any writer (dead or alive) who would it be and why?

Noel Streatfeild. Ballet Shoes was the first book of hers that I read, and the Fossil sisters acted in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. It was the first time I was exposed to Shakespeare, and it made An Impression. Obviously!

What is the best part of being an author?

Working in my pajama pants. Also, I'm allowed to drink coffee until I vibrate and no one looks at me funny.

If you could change one moment in history, what would it be?

I'd grab the Titanic's Captain Smith by the beard and make sure he paid attention to the ice warnings.

Would you rather drop 110 bouncy balls off the Empire State Building, or drop 100 ping pong balls off the Eiffel Tower?

Dang. I read that "100 golf balls off the Eiffel Tower" and made this face: O_O That would do some serious damage. And now, to actually answer your question, I'd stick with the Eiffel Tower, because then I could ride the elevator down and get a baguette sandwich and a lemon tart.

What is the weirdest/wackiest/wonderful dream you've ever had?

Best dream ever: Heath Ledger asked me to go to Prom with him. This was before he passed away, and I remember, when I heard he'd died, I was sad and angry at the same times because, darn it, he was supposed to take me to Prom!

What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?

Write what makes you happy. When I first started out, I was writing stories I thought other people wanted to read, but I didn't find my voice until I started writing stories I wanted to read. I think the same goes for Life In General. Life your live to make yourself happy. Er. Within reason. "Making yourself happy" doesn't mean you're allowed to bip your sister and steal her iPod.

Do you have anything to say to your fans who are eagerly anticipating your debut!

I... have fans?!

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Thanks again to the SUPER TALENTED Lisa Mantchev for agreeing to answer my questions! And her (amazing) debut book, Eyes Like Stars, will be releasing in two days! I suggest you run- no, hijack a motorcycle (but if you get arrested, don't tell the cops I told you ;D) and speed all the way to your nearest bookstore. Again... you didn't hear that from me.