LISA MCMANN

I would like to be able to disappear whenever I do something dorky.

I was a blueberry picker, bindery worker, bookstore clerk and later manager, and a Realtor.

Nearly every notable event in 'Wake' has a date or a time stamp.

I went to Holland Christian High School in Holland, Michigan, and to Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

I had one of those defining moments in the fourth grade when my teacher said the story I wrote was the best in the class, and therefore I would be going Young Authors Conference where I'd get to hang out with authors all day.

I don't see a day when teenagers don't read. They are very enthusiastic. That is so inspiring to me.

I love Chris Crutcher, Sara Zarr, Lois Lowry, Elizabeth Scott, Madeleine L'Engle, Gordon Korman, Michelle Magorian, Heather Bouwman.

I would love to go to Greece.

I've always found teenagers really interesting. I think they've got so much going on in their lives, so that lends itself really well to fiction because there's so much drama, so much activity, so much growth.

Seriously, I dreamed that I was in my husband's dream, watching what he was dreaming about. Like, I was in his dream as an onlooker. It was so weird that I immediately wrote it down in the middle of the night. In the morning, it still sounded cool.

Who hasn't had the 'I went to school/work in my underwear' dream?

I vividly remember sixth grade. It's the year when kids turn mean, and it's definitely no longer okay to cry in public. So we force our hot tears back, and they burn our throats all the way down.

One of my favorite ways to write paranormal, as in the 'Wake' trilogy, is to write very normal characters with just a hint of something other-worldly. Like somewhere, maybe, someone really can get sucked into other people's dreams.

They have an unusual relationship. And when things are good, it's magic.

It's the intent, not the word, that makes something harsh.

Oh baby," he whispers. Steps back. Out of the doorway. His face ashen. He walks slowly back to the kitchen. Leans over the counter. Puts his head in his hands. His hair falls over his fingers. The bathroom door clicks shut. She stays there for a long time. He's pulling his hair out.

You're asking for trouble, Hannagan," he growls. "And you would be....?" Janie asks. She giggles. "Trouble.

I highly regret this day in advance.

Because there's no way on earth she's going to make it through college unless she grows some serious ovaries and turns this train wreck around

He kisses her. She kisses him. They kiss.

Cabel gives her a quizzical look. "I am totally not getting enough attention here.

The Thickety is a sinister, magical debut with a marvelous and shocking heroine. J.A. White’s elegant writing and masterful plot kept me turning pages late into the night.

You - best secret boyfriend ever.

Hippie said he couldn't stay. Be back tomorrow -Love,Mom

Just stand. Bend. Balance.