Thursday, July 16, 2009

No Chocolate Needed

While I was up visiting my sister, I arranged to meet the mysterious Teri Hall, author of THE LINE. Back when her book was slated for a 2009 release, I was assigned as the 2010 author to interview her so we had established a nice email relationship. I was excited to meet Teri; her book was getting buzz and it sounded like something I would love—primarily because one of its Library of Congress designations is “Government, Resistance to.”

I got to Teri’s house at just after six in the evening, armed with wine and chocolate – two things that could prove to be essential props if it turned out we had nothing to talk about. I needn’t have worried; from the word “hello” we did didn’t stop talking for seven hours! My sister called just as we had hit a new juicy topic and said, “Where the hell are you? It’s one in the morning!” I swear I thought it was around ten. We never even opened the chocolate.

I hadn’t done that, sat around and chatted for endless hours, since college. But in a way, being a debut author feels a little like being a freshman again. You and your fellow freshman authors are alone in new territory, not knowing what to expect, not knowing who will flunk out and who will be valedictorian. We talked about agents and editors and plots and process and everything in between. Teri is smart and hilarious and has this strength of will that I admire so much. I could have stayed and chatted ‘till sunup! (Plus she set out this gorgeous spread of French cheeses and olives and other lovely nibbles that kept us fueled through our marathon chat session!)

After our meeting, I was even more intrigued to read her book so when I got the uncorrected proof this week I devoured it. It’s phenomenal. The buzz that it’s getting is no fluke, this is the real deal. I expect to see starred reviews rolling in over the next few months.

Well done, Teri! It will be fun to say I knew you when…

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I really need to read this book, it sounds so good!

teri said...

Awwww! Christy! You are so nice to me! I loved meeting you too and felt exactly the same!

Jennie Englund said...

After reading this, I'm totally sold! Plus, that cover is AWESOME!

Kimberly Derting said...

I REALLY want to read this one. There are so many great Tenner books!!!

Suzanne Young said...

Two fantastic people! And I can't WAIT to read The Line!!!!!

Little Ms J said...

The cover alone has my attention.

Katie Anderson said...

Oh man, I am so excited to read this! And what a cute post - made me wanna be there :-)

PJ Hoover said...

Now this is a great recommendation! I'll have to check it out!

Anne Spollen said...

You have so much fun, Christy! And your comments make me want to run to the bookstore.

MySharonAnne said...

oh how cool! I'm so so dying to read it. I'm not so happy with her mysteriousness though. Teri you need to make yourself more stalkable for ya bloggers. :D

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

that sounds like one of my ideal perfect evenings.