Elizabeth Scott talks about "the unwritten rule"

About The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

Everyone knows the unwritten rule: You don't like you best friend's boyfriend.

Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for years. He's easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he's paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two things: Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend.

Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend. But when she's thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens. It's wonderful...and awful.

Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can't stop herself from wanting more...

What others are saying about The Unwritten Rule:

"Sarah and Ryan's relationship, with the visceral thrill of physical attraction, is beautifully captured, but it's the delicate balance between insecure Brianna's need to put Sarah down and Sarah's loyalty to her needy and lonely friend that will stay with the reader. The painfully abrupt ending fits the characters and story, and will leave readers wanting more. Scott's realistic dialogue and empathetic view of symbiotic relationships will have teens thinking she has been eavesdropping on their conversations. Romance readers will pick up this novel and discover fine, accessible writing many notches about the standard love story." -- Booklist

"I read this book in a few hours, all in the same night. It was impossible for me to walk away from, because I wasn't sure what was going to happen to the characters, and I couldn't even decide for myself what I actually wanted to happen. Did I think the best friend should get the guy and lose her best friend? Was the girl currently with the guy being mean? Was I mad at the guy for not going for what he wanted in the first place? I really liked how our main character considered the role of best friends in the media (especially movies). I found what she said to be so very true - best friends in movies are there to be awkward, to listen... not often to have as great a life as the more popular of the best friends. I was very satisfied with the ending, and agreed with the ways things turned out, even though I didn't know that that is what I wanted until it actually happened. Bravo, Elizabeth Scott!" -- Chick Loves Lit

"This is an emotional novel and one that will stick with you. It might sound like it'll be a fluffy chick lit romance, and while there is romance, it's certainly not fluff! If you've read anything by Elizabeth Scott, you know she writes great romances and this one is no exception. It's never an easy or light romance--it's heartwrenching and heartbreaking and real. The Unwritten Rule doesn't take the easy all will be perfect route to this story which I think makes the book even more realistic. This book will have you thinking about your friendships and relationships long after you read the last page." -- Green Bean Teen Queen

Author Bio: Elizabeth Scott

Elizabeth Scott grew up in a town so small it didn't even have a post office, though it did boast an impressive cattle population. She's sold hardware and panty hose and had a memorable three-day stint in the dot-com industry, where she learned that she really didn't want a career burning CDs. She lives just outside Washington, DC, with her husband; firmly believes you can never own too many books; and would love it if you visited her website,http://www.elizabethwrites.com.

THE UNWRITTEN RULE Simon Pulse / March 2010

My Interview with the Fabulously Talented Elizabeth Scott:

Elizabeth wrote one of the scariest books I’ve ever read called LIVING DEAD GIRL. It’s a book that has haunted me ever since I picked it up a year or so ago. So, I was so thrilled to be able to interview her for the Girlfriend’s Cyber Circuit. Here goes:

My second novel, THE LOST SISTER, deals with revenge and the repercussions of what happens when a hazing incident goes too far.

1. First topic: Revenge. What is your experience with it? Have you ever sought revenge? As the old adage goes, do you think that living well is the best revenge?

I've never really sought revenge for anything. And as for living well being the best revenge, I don't know if that's true. I mean, if we're talking in terms of material success, I definitely don't think it matters, because someone who hates you and wants revenge --well, they really aren't going to care how much money you have. But if living well means being the best person you can be, then yeah, I do think that's a good thing.

2. Cliques and mean girls are everywhere. At book signingsI've had everyone from 12 year old girls to 45 year old women tell me they still encounter them. Do you? How has it changed since you were a teen?

If you're female, you will never get away from cliques or mean girls. Ever! I do my best to avoid both, but you can't help but run into them from time to tome. I do think mean girls and women are actually meaner now because there are so many more ways to be mean than there were back when I was a teenager, like--well, like the internet.

3. I have a "Writing Music" playlist on my iPod. What would be on yours? What one song or artist captures the essence of your book?

I don't listen to music when I write so I have no idea what would be on my writing playlist, and as for what song captures The Unwritten Rulebest--I have no idea about that either, but I'd love to hear from readers about it!

4. What do you tell people is your favorite book/author? Now what is your "real" favorite book/author. (i.e. I tell people Pale Fire by Nabokov is my fave, but right now I'm really into Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea.)

I can't pick a favorite book or favorite author. I love too many to ever just have one!

5. If you could swap lives with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

I wouldn't mind being my dog for a day. She's got a pretty sweet life, plus I'd love to know what she's thinking.

6. Who would be in your dream cast if your book was made into a movie or television series? (And multimillion dollar salaries were no issue--they'd all do it for free!)

I have no idea!

7. As a publicist, I know that it's important for every novel to have journalistic hook. For The Lost Sister, it's mean girls, bullies and hazing. What's yours?

One of the cardinal unwritten rules of high school: don't like a friend's (much less a best friend's!) boyfriend.

8. Just because it hasn't been asked yet, favorite 1980's movie?

Heathers

9. Why should I choose your book for my book club?

Because it's a story about love, friendship, family, and figuring out who you really are. And I think those are things we all wrestle with.

10. I'm a huge and fabulously powerful movie producer and you have 30 seconds (an elevator pitch) to sell me on why your book is great and should be made into a movie. Go!

Actually, to be perfectly honest, I'm just going to ask the producer about his last film--and okay, for gossip about the stars!