Friendship and Writing through Stress

Writing can be a solitary. We sit in front of our computers. Stare at it. Smirk at it. Stick out tongue out at it. Cry at it. Curse at it. And eventually, sometimes, we pound out a scene.

What keeps me sane between trips into the kitchen?

Kristen Simmons.

I met Kristen Simmons in the winter of 2011 and we quickly became friends. Our joint love of Panera, YA fiction, and well written kissing scenes made us inseparable.

Today, Kristen’s fabulous book, Article 5, is launching into the YA world! Here is a description of the book:

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials and maybe worse. People who get arrested don’t usually come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. That life in the United States used to be different.

In the three years since the war ended, Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs—like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes—and how to pass the random home inspections by the Federal Bureau of Reformation. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow. That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And what’s worse, one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.

Wow! Makes you want to run out and read it, right? But before you do why don’t you check out the below and see what also keeps Kristen sane while writing.

What’s your favorite thing to do other than reading/writing?

Kristen: I like exercising, which is a really good thing because my other favorite activity is eating.

What’s your favorite stress out food?

Kristen: I currently have a bag of peanut m&m’s sitting beside my laptop. Does that count?

When you feel like your creative tank is low, what do you do to fill it up?

Kristen: Bake. A lot. I like to try new recipes when I’m stuck – usually things with chocolate. Chocolate always helps me think.

What’s your favorite stress reducing music?

Kristen: Something groovy, because if it’s groovy, I’m dancing, and if I’m dancing, I’m not stressing!

When all else fails, what do you do?

Kristen: CALL KATIE MCGARRY. (Not joking.)

Just for kicks, what would Chase and Ember’s stress reducing music be?

You know, a super sweet blogger sent me a song that reminded her of Chase and Ember and I really like it! The music on the A5 Soundtrack mirrors their journey, which is not always relaxing, but this song certainly is: Ron Pope, “Reason to Hope.” LOVE it!

Kristen Simmons: ARTICLE 5

BIO: Kristen was raised in Sparks, Nevada, just below Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In high school she was a triple threat of awesomeness: Girl Scouts, Jazz Choir, and marching band. She attended several colleges in several states before finally receiving a BA in psychology and a master’s in social work. After working everywhere from a domestic violence shelter to a group home for at-risk teens, she became a mental health therapist. After surrendering to the addiction of all things chocolate, she became a Jazzercise instructor.

Kristen is married and has a rescued greyhound named Rudy. Her first novel, ARTICLE 5, the first installment of her young adult dystopian trilogy, will be released by Tor Teen in February 2012. Read more about Kristen and her writing at www.kristensimmonsbooks.com.

DEBUT: ARTICLE 5 (Tor Teen, February 14, 2012)

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police — instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior — instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested don’t usually come back.

17-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. That life in the United States used to be different.

In the three years since the war ended, Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the Federal Bureau of Reformation. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow. That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And what’s worse, one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.

5 places to hide out in the Apocalypse:

Military base (should have everything we need...)
Prison (fortified walls, weapons)
Super Target (now I KNOW this has everything we need)
IKEA (just because it's the apocalypse doesn't mean we can't be trendy and space-conscious. Hope those cinnamon rolls last a while)
Lake Tahoe (hard for zombies to climb the pass, endless supply of fresh water)