Guest Blog by YA author E Lockhart and book giveaway
As part of her blog tour to celebrate the release of her new book, The Treasure Map of Boys: Noel, Jackson, Finn, Hutch, Gideon–and me, Ruby Oliver
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Finishing a large writing project is always bittersweet, because you’ve gotten attached to the characters and to the world you’ve created — and now you have to leave them. I never knew I was writing a series when I started The Boyfriend List
But the fourth one is the last. I am pretty sure. I have wrapped up my loose ends and found something close to a happy ending. So I should be glad, and feel satisfaction at having written a quartet.
Except, I am attached to Ruby, my heroine. I am going to miss her hugely. Or rather — miss expressing that part of myself hugely. Ruby is the most like me of any character I’ve written, even though she’s desperately and comically neurotic. Writing her is like writing out all my bad habits, all my quirks and anxieties. She’s also wittier than I ever could be in person: I work and rework her dialogue until she’s saying all the smart comebacks I wish I could say in social situations. So she is both my worst self and my best self.
The new covers for the books will launch with Real Live Boyfriends next December. They covers are really gorgeous — and you can see them throughout my blog tour, revealed for the first time! But for me, it is strange to see a model’s perfect face, representing the INSIDE OF MY OWN HEAD. Because Ruby’s over-dramatic life is pretty much what it’s like inside my brain: chaotic, ardent, wordy, complicated, analytical. And yet here she is, prettier than any normal human and smiling for the camera. I honestly don’t think I ever fully pictured how she’d look. Not in that much detail.
So I’ve seen her for the first time, just when we have to say goodbye.
–E Lockhart
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Thank you, E Lockhart! That was really interesting! It’s neat to hear that you care so much about your characters.
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Now for the book giveaway details:
One lucky winner who resides in the US will win a set of E Lockhart’s Ruby Oliver books. To enter, simply leave a comment below on this post, between today, Dec 10, 2009, and Dec 15, 2009. One winner will be randomly selected on Dec 16, 2009, and the publisher will send the winner the books. (Sorry everyone who doesn’t live in the US; it’s strictly a postage cost thing.)
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You can find E Lockhart at the following blogs as part of her blog tour in the next few days:
December 11: Sharon Loves Books and Cats
December 12: Park Avenue Princess
Royal Reviews
December 10th, 2009 at 7:11 am
I would looooooovvveee a set of the Ruby books!!
E. Lockhart is such a great writer.
I’m so excited for Roo 4.
December 10th, 2009 at 9:42 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Cheryl Rainfield, Jo Treggiari. Jo Treggiari said: RT @CherylRainfield: Win a set of the Ruby Oliver books by E Lockhart! #YA #kidlit (leave a comment on post, US only) http://ow.ly/KDmY [...]
December 10th, 2009 at 10:16 am
I absolutely adore Ruby and sometimes wish I could be her, even if she is at times a social leper. I wish I could pull of her vintage fashion!
December 10th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Parting is sweet sorrow!
ROCK the fishnets on that cover, lady.
December 10th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
So does this mean the new book will not match the previous covers? I’m so bummed. I liked the covers & wanted my complete set to match. Still, I’m looking forward to reading the new book as I love this series!
December 10th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I would love to be entered!
December 10th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
I agree, I wanted the fourth book to match the original three. Oh well….
Is the contest for the new covers? If it is, please enter me!
December 10th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I’m loving these new covers! I’ve been following this tour just to see all the new covers.
December 10th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Last time I was in a vintage shop, I couldn’t help but think of Roo =)
December 10th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
hm, it will be difficult to get used to the new covers, swell as they may be. still, having a shiny set of them on my shelves would help …
December 10th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
I LOVE E. Lockhart!
Pick me to win the books!!
December 10th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
I’d love enter! Thanks!
December 11th, 2009 at 6:35 am
It would seem difficult to say goodbye to your main character after living with her through the writing of four books.
December 11th, 2009 at 8:19 am
I LOVE ROO!!!
E. Lockhart rocks. I’d love to enter to win!
December 11th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Unlike the other comments I don’t happen to love E.Lockhart nor Roo…yet! I’ve yet to read any of her books so this would be a perfect opportunity.
December 11th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
I’d love to read this!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
December 11th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I still haven’t read treasure map of boys, but man, do I love Disreputable History.
December 12th, 2009 at 11:33 am
I’m kinda sad that the new cover came out (even though the girl is uber pretty and she totally rocks fashion-wise like Roo does). I really enjoyed the other covers because they were sooo cute! Anyway, I enjoy the post by E Lockhart. I already miss Roo so it must be even harder to let go of a character that has been modeled after herself and has been around for her entire life.
<3 Roo, Hutch, Noel, & Nora
December 12th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
i so love the ruby oliver series. and e. lockhart. e. has the best way of challenging the unwritten rules of teen relationships (like choosing a boy over your friend, for instance). am bummed my set of these books won’t match covers, but i suppose i understand the publisher’s reasoning for switching (even though i loved the old ones).
side note: can anyone read what it says under the title? i love the little subtitles these books have!
December 12th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
I would love to give these books to my local pediatric hospital where I volunteer. The children there would love these!
December 13th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I love YA books, and would love to read these!
December 13th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
I would love to have these books. Thanks for the chance.
December 14th, 2009 at 10:31 am
These books are so incredible and I would love to have the entire set. Please enter me in this giveaway. Thanks
December 15th, 2009 at 10:13 am
I love Roo. I read the latest Roo book all in one night because I just couldn’t put it down. I’d love a set for my very own!
December 15th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
please enter me in the ruby oliver giveaway. our school library could really use these books!
December 15th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
OMG, I’d love to win these books for my daughter. I know she’d just love them.
Marie
December 15th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I have heard tons of wonderful thngs about these books. Please enter me for them.
~Briana
December 15th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
I LOVE Ruby and Noel and everybody in these books they are so real!
December 15th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
My friend would adoree this
February 19th, 2010 at 1:39 am
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