lisa clark
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The wonderful Lisa Clark has just launched a new series of "go-for-it guides". The first is called Think Pink.

What inspires you to write?
Well, I'd be kinda stuck career wise if I didn't, because as a freelance writer-girl it's how I earn my pennies! Book wise though, it's the opportunity to create the people you hang out with on a daily
basis - how cool is that? Oh, and the fact I can wear my comfies to work - that rocks.

How long did it take you to write your book?
This is my first, so from idea to book-in-a-shop, it's been 4 years. To actually write it, with all the edits and tweaks, it took about 7 months, in between real lifey stuff like work, eating and maintaining a relationship with a boy type, which can I say, is the hardest work of all. Luckily, mine is a writer boy too, so there is a level of understanding but for some reason, he still requires regular conversation. Selfish.

Do you have a writing routine? If so, what is it?
Not so much. There is always chocolate and green tea involved, and huge-ass headphones that plug into my ipod and shut real-world noise out. But as for a set schedule, maybe I need to get me one of those? I do write better in the morning if that's any help, I'm a total good-for-nothin' waster after 7pm, yet I'll happily get up at 5.30 to write - does that count as a schedule?

Has your life changed since you became a published writer?
No, and it's really rather rude. I was assuming, as anyone who was about to have a book released would, that once I was a real life writer-girl I would no longer have to do the ironing, sweet-as-sugar guitar boys would feed me chocolate and I wouldn't have to make my own bed. This is not the case.
Like I said, rude.

How do you cure writer's block?
Singing in the shower. I don't know what happens, but if I get stuck and feel like throwing Martha the ibook out the nearest window (is it wrong to name inanimate objects?) I jump in the shower, and sing a classic ballad. My reportoire consists mainly of Celine Dion and Ronan Keating, and when I sit back at the 'puter, I'm good to go. It also makes one very clean girl.

Who is your all-time favourite author?
Francesca Lia Block - the woman blows me away, she paints the most beautiful pictures with her words. Read Weetzie Bat, it'll change your life.

What are you reading at the moment?
I have just finished Gary Barlow's autobiography, you can laugh, GB was a very big part of my childhood. I'm also reading, yep, I'm a multi-readin' kinda girl, Cupcake by Rachel Cohn and tge proofs of my second book Beauty*licious!

What's the biggest myth about being a writer?
That those cute skinny-hipped, guitar boys don't feed me chocolate. Boo. Oh, and that you're not makin' JK Rowling money. Dude, only JK makes JK money in the book world. Fact.

What advice would you give budding writers?
Be persistant.
Ask advice.
Never give up, ever.

What can readers expect from Lisa Clark in the future?
Think Pink is the first in a series of go-for-it guide books narrated by Lola Love and the Pink Ladies and the second, Beauty*licious will be out in June 07 - I'm working on books 3 & 4 right now as well as a few fiction ideas based in NYC which obviously I'll have to research, so I'm guessing a trip to NYC is inevitable too!

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