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Live in 10 minutes - "It's About to Get Real: High School, Heartache, and Searching for Home" with @loriagoldstein @MirandaKennealy @carmenwritesya & @ByChristinaJune 
Grab your virtual seat here: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/fftb_getreal?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=profile_web&utm_campaign=profile
Grab your virtual seat here: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/fftb_getreal?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=profile_web&utm_campaign=profile
Tune in to our YA author panel - happening now!!
"High school really is a microcosm for so much that is going on...but [my book] is very much a sister story." - Lori Goldstein speaking on the setting of her book, "Sources Say"
"I think that's typical of all high schoolers, you can have your heart aching in all kinds of ways." -Christina June on the themes of her book, "No Place Like Home"
"What I really wanted to explore in my book is how do two young characters who might not be right for each other when they're younger become right for each other over the course of 4 years of high school?" - Miranda Kenneally on her book, "Four Days of You and Me"
"It's really a story of home in the sense that the original title of the story was Carry You With Me...we build homes within each other and those homes become our safe place." -Carmen Rodrigues speaking on her book, "The Universal Laws of Marco"
"The moment I like to write about the most is when you realize that your parents aren't perfect...they're not on that pedestal anymore...when those expectations fall away, it can be difficult." -Christina June on her real-world inspirations
Our panelists provide insight on their writing processes and inspirations, sharing how their various backgrounds as journalists, government workers, high school counselors, and coaches influence how they approach writing young adult fiction.
"If you're having trouble right now with your writing, or anything right now, I would say be kind to yourself...cut yourself some slack." -Miranda Kenneally on how the pandemic has affected her writing
"I find that just engaging with the work, spending quality time in this relationship with the work is inspiring. It's like I'm taking the book out for a date. I've been working on finding the joy in the writing process rather than the end result." -Carmen Rodrigues on her process
Christina June offers advice for aspiring YA writers, saying "Be patient!"
"Those moments where you can share your story with someone else, and get that accountability, is really invaluable. It's important to have that support." -Lori Goldstein sharing what helps her with the writing and publishing process
"No matter what the outcome is with the publishing world, your voice matters. Keep writing!" -Carmen Rodrigues with advice for aspiring writers
