mark and julie gchat

Insider view of the Intricate Process of Author Collaborations (Halfway Perfect Edition)

2015-05-05T12:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Release Day Halfway Perfect

Everyone has been asking, how does co-writing work? What is the process like? Well the science behind it is so complex, we can't reveal it's brilliance in one blog post. But today, we're going to give you a secret inside tidbit of our co-author experience that hopefully will show the importance of communication during idea sharing and the professionalism required to create a project like Halfway Perfect. Below you'll find a list of email subject headings from me to Mark or the other way around, all from crucial moments in this publication journey.

Email Subject Lines

4/27/15 - I’ll check yours if you check mine
10/21/14 - This dude kinda Looks like you? Maybe a little
8/23/14 - Help!
6/27/14 - The post shower conversation
6/24/14 - makeup? make-up? make up?
6/18/14 - going much faster now
6/17/14 - Justin Beiber
2/28/14 - Nevermind
2/20/14 - I deviated
1/29/14 - I think we dodged a bullet
11/19/13 - I’m losing my mind a bit…
10/9/13 - Sorry I’m being such a pain in the ass
6/16/13 - Snooze
4/23/13 - Needs Spanish scene
4/12/13 - my facial symmetry
2/4/13 - okay I changed my mind
1/23/13 - My Salad
1/5/13 - My thumb
12/31/12 - Rocket Barbie
9/11/12 - Fruity cheerleader drink
8/22/12 - Underwear scene looks great
7/28/12 - Calvin Klein...Dead or Alive??
7/23/12 - I’m having one of those moments

Need a Halfway Perfect Sign?

2015-05-05T10:00:00.000-04:00

A Halfway Perfect Giveaway

2015-05-05T07:00:00.000-04:00

A Halfway Perfect Giveaway

Five Facts About HALFWAY PERFECT

1) Co-author, Mark Perini, was the model who portrayed the main character on Julie Cross’

Tempest series books. He’s also been on many other YA covers

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/21313153?shelf=books-i-am-on-the-cover-of

2) In the book, main character, Alex books a big job modeling for Calvin Klein. CK is one of

the few big designers/labels Mark hasn’t worked with (yet). Both authors are big CK fans

3) co-author, Julie Cross, started out writing Eve’s chapters, and Mark writing Alex’s, but plot

elements and scenes required occasional swapping

4) Mark wrote parts of Halfway Perfect while in Milan, Italy for Fashion Week

5) Julie has never met a model in real life, not even Mark.

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ONLY ONE DAY TILL RELEASE DAY!!! Halfway Perfect MADNESS!!!

2015-05-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

Only 2 Days Till Release DAY!!

2015-05-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

A Halfway Perfect Countdown

2015-05-02T10:52:00.003-04:00

Get Your Signed Copy Today!

Don't forget about the Launch Event on the 8th!!

Fashion Tutorial (9) Star Wars Couture

2013-10-28T10:00:00.000-04:00

Fashion Tutorial (8) So Chickity-Check Yo Self Before You Wreck Yo Self Fashion

2013-10-21T12:29:00.000-04:00

NSFW

Fashion Tutorial (7) -Got the shaft

2013-10-08T00:48:00.000-04:00

NSFW...

Why are they so shiny?

Julie

•

27 mins

It's oil they lube you up to make you look better lol

Doesn't come off easily in the shower either

24 mins

but what are they doing? waiting for a movie to start? slumber party?

Julie

•

24 mins

I'm confused as to why some are randomly upside down I don't get the significance of that?

23 mins

that's what you're confused about? Not the fact that there's 5 of them?

Julie

•

22 mins

I would be glad to be the dude on the right he got the long boxers hahaha guy in the middle got the shaft

Wait was that a pun?

unintentional

22 mins

omg.

Julie

•

21 mins

Fashion Tutorial (6) - Prada is cloning models?!

2013-09-30T10:00:00.000-04:00

I thought high fashion people never dressed alike?

Julie

•

9 mins

When you really get down to it, if you are hype, high fashion and on trend you tend to all look the same because it's what's going on at that moment...So this isn't that far off...In trying to differentiate yourself you become a clone...

7 mins

that's why I like Forever 21. They don't have two of anything.

I know people who have gotten buried inside that store for days.

and when you finally do emerge you're wearing a ripped up Dirty Dancing t-shirt and electric blue leggings

Julie

•

3 mins

I lost my sister for an hour in Forever 21 during Christmas...She didn't even realize I was looking for her...But Prada has so few pieces every season, so if you buy Prada you are bound to have a couple outfit twins out there...

puts out*

Now

yeah, good idea. I'll buy Prada from now on.

Julie

•

Now

Fashion Tutorial (5) - Breezy Levis

2013-09-23T23:37:00.000-04:00

NSFW...

Do you actually have to pay for these jeans?

Julie

•

49 mins

I think the idea here is that the jeans become part of your body, they become a piece of you...

48 mins

Wedgie

Julie

•

48 mins

HAHAHAHAHA...It kind of looks like a heart above the pockets

47 mins

and now I see what Ed Sheeran was talking about in the song he wrote for 1D...dimples above the spine or something...? she's got them

Julie

•

46 mins

I also don't know how much you would want to put in those pockets

45 mins

Mark steps out of the shower...

2013-09-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

I figured that title would make you look. And I was right. I'm a huge fan of ALL the books written by the lovely Simone Elkeles and just days ago she released the first episode in a web series based on her forthcoming novel WILD CARDS. And guess who's on that cover? My co-author and part namesake of this blog, Mark Perini. Wild Cards releases October 1st. I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy and it's fabulous!

He's also in the web series, though he only has one tiny role in this first episode and I think you might like it...

Fashion Tutorial (4) - Do they get their own dressing room?

2013-09-16T10:00:00.000-04:00

I thought models were supposed to be tall?

Julie

•

10:31 PM

Child modeling is a huge business actually there are whole agencies that are set up to only deal with kids...

59 mins

I bet those clothes are dry clean only

Julie

•

59 mins

Hahaha they are dressed in their Sunday best that's for sure...Would you ever buy your kid something that was dry clean only?

57 mins

yeah, when I have a nanny, housekeeper and personal laundry folder. So basically never

and that girl on the right...pink shirt and black skirt...she's doing the secret glare. Probably at her mom, "You're so not my manager anymore."

Julie

•

55 mins

Hahahaha she knows she's the boss she's made for the spotlight...I can see her saying "Mom, if I don't want to nap I won't because now I'm a famous runway model"

53 mins

It's Called Fashion Look It Up... Lie Witness News - Fashion Week 2013

2013-09-13T13:50:00.001-04:00

"It's Called Fashion Look It Up"

Fashion Tutorial (3) - Just a little peck

2013-09-09T10:00:00.000-04:00

NSFW...

does PETA know?

do you often work with livestock?

Julie

•

10:07 PM

I understand the play on words but this is just terrible...Actually, the job I just did I was wrestling pigs...Also did a shoot riding a horse once...

10:08 PM

riding a horse....lol.

sorry, couldn't help it

Julie

•

10:09 PM

NSFW

lol

10:09 PM

they've got something covering their...you know....right?

Julie

•

10:10 PM

Blurred Lines (Unrated Version)

A lot of times with these kind of shoots they give you flesh colored underwear...So your "tackle" doesn't get injured...Just like that blurred line video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwT6DZCQi9k

10:12 PM

this is really great timing cause I just got a thank you email from your mom

Julie

•

10:13 PM

Lol NSFW

10:13 PM

there's a warning on this video...

okay, I see the panty hose/underwear stuff. As long as the pecking doesn't get out of hand

Julie

•

10:20 PM

Hahahaha...Are we talking about the chickens or the youtube video now?

10:22 PM

both?

Julie

•

10:22 PM

Fashion Tutorial (2) - Aliens have acne too

2013-09-02T10:00:00.000-04:00

This is so robo-cop

Julie

•

9:53 PM

I just think this is awful advertising...Sorry Maybelline but this is hot garbage...LOL http://wfiles.brothersoft.com/t/terminator_2_judgment_day_58609-1920x1080.jpg

9:54 PM

that's exactly what I was thinking! Like it says, peel my skin and see what's really under there.

um...no thanks.

Julie

•

9:55 PM

http://2a56b976980e0793ddee-5cc5435fcbc367bb03f9a415e7067a97.r91.cf2.rackcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/1.jpg

9:57 PM

In 50 years we'll all look like that

Julie

•

9:57 PM

Your last statement reminded me of that Blades of Glory quote"I totally want to cut off your skin and wear it to my birthday... It's coming up."

9:59 PM

"I WILL BE BACK" that's what's stuck in my head right now thanks to your Terminator picture

Julie

•

10:00 PM

Fashion Tutorial (1) - Wrap it up before sex?

2013-08-26T10:00:00.000-04:00

NSFW...

Talk about eye catching advertising...Huh?

9:44 PM

it looks very...happy.

Julie

•

9:44 PM

I would say maybe even satisfying?

9:44 PM

so satisfying she didn't even have time to take her shoes off first

Julie

•

9:45 PM

I think the whole thing is perfect and so smart...My title for it would be "Let Marc Jacobs Satisfy all your needs"

9:46 PM

oh boy...you're not in that bag, are you? Can you even breathe in there? And is Mary Poppins joining you for tea?

Julie

•

9:49 PM

big Big BIG News!

2013-08-07T12:41:00.003-04:00

FROM JULIE:
Mark and I are super excited to announce the sale of our co-authored novel, HALFWAY PERFECT! If you guys are just discovering this blog for the first time, Mark Perini is the model who portrays main character and teen time traveling extraordinaire, Jackson Meyer, on the covers of my YA sci-fi trilogy, the Tempest series. He also happens to be a full time model living in NYC and a writer (obviously). We first began writing HALFWAY PERFECT in April of 2012 after becoming facebook friends and discovering that our very different lives made for an interesting working relationship/friendship and for some pretty hilarious gchats (hence the blog title). So why not write a book together? Or better yet, two books...

Before I get on to the big official sounding announcement, just want to add a special things to our agent, Nicole Resciniti (The Seymour Agency) for believing in the story and in our author story. She put in hours and hours not only on preparing the project (which also included countless hours on the phone), but also dealing with negotiations and contracts and all the legal stuff, always having our best career and personal interests in mind.

And a special thanks to Leah Hultenschmidt and the Sorcebooks team for their belief in the project and for producing amazing YA/NA authors like Miranda Kenneally and Geoff Herbach who's books have a similar raw honesty and beautiful coming-of-age themes that Mark and I tried so hard to hit upon with HALFWAY PERFECT. Because of those authors, I knew Sourcebooks would know exactly what to do with Eve and Alex's story in HALFWAY PERFECT.

Also, though I'm often more silly than sentimental when it comes to all my online Mark Perini mentions and interactions, I just wanted to say a special thanks to my co-author. It's been so much fun creating this story, but also a lot of fun becoming friends. Our relationship has evolved from acquaintances to almost sibling-like except the grown up kind of siblings who don't fight and squabble as much. Working with Mark is always very relaxed and easy and I never feel like I have to be anyone but myself.

*As a side note ( cause I can't just NOT mention it), I released a new book a couple days ago, a mature YA contemporary/NA crossover set in the world of elite gymnastics and today it's on sale for only $2.99 (ebook form)!

Letters to Nowhere by Julie Cross

FROM MARK:

Writing Halfway Perfect with Julie has been such an amazing experience. Julie has been the motivating force behind me going from a writer to a published author. Without her, none of this would be possible and I'm so glad that we're friends, writing partners and that I got to be Jackson. Sorry if I embarrassed you, Julie, but it's all true! I just want to say that I'm extremely excited for the announcement of Halfway Perfect. Not only because this is my first published novel, but I'm equally excited for everyone to read our book and have a positive takeaway. For me, writing is all about creating a world where the reader can get lost in and I look forward to you all getting lost in Halfway Perfect.

Drum roll.....

From today's Publisher's Market Place deals email

New Adult
TEMPEST author Julie Cross and Ford Agency model Mark Perini's HALFWAY PERFECT, a behind-the-scenes novel of the modeling world in which a former runway star fights not to get sucked back into the industry that nearly destroyed her despite her attraction to an on-the-rise male model, to Leah Hultenschmidt at Sourcebooks, in a two-book deal, for publication in Fall 2014, by Nicole Resciniti at The Seymour Agency (World English).
nicole@theseymouragency.com

So yeah, to say that we're pretty stoked would be a huge understatement. What do you think? Plan on reading HALFWAY PERFECT next fall? Got questions for me or Mark or maybe you're super awesome and want to celebrate with us in the comment section? Go for it!

Gettin' Laid at Dairy Queen

2013-04-18T20:17:00.002-04:00

**Just some basic set up info, the aforementioned Eve is one of two main characters in the NA novel Mark and I have co-authored called HALFWAY PERFECT. Eve is 18, a former model turned Columbia University student. She moved to NYC at 14 to model as a way to escape her white trash Indiana upbringing.

Mark Perini: Talk on the street is that there are some new songs to add to the playlist?!?

10:14 AM me: yes! I've recently become re-antiquated with my 18 year old self and came up with what I'm calling Eve's Anthem

hang on though...gotta make another cup of coffee

10:18 AM Mark Perini: Lol could it be? A rebel Julie Cross from the Midwest? I'm on my first cup is that bad?

I'm still jet lagged

10:19 AM me: I'm making my second cup now. I try to stop at 3

used to drink it all day long...

ok so first I have to ask if I've told you the story of how I met my husband Nick?

10:21 AM Mark Perini: I usually have one otherwise I'm way to caffeinated, shaking and generally hyperactive...No I never heard the story in full I just know you met in college

10:22 AM me: well, that's pretty much the story and I promise this connects to Eve's Anthem

We met the day I moved into my dorm at Southern Illinois University. He was my student life adviser. a wise sophomore

10:23 AM Mark Perini: You were taken by his elder wisdom?

me: oh yes. He's incredibly wise. in fact...

10:24 AM I can't remember how this came about but I think I must have been complaining about my English 101 instructor

10:26 AM this led to me telling him my instructor's name and right away, he was like...wait? Does he have red hair and a red beard?

10:27 AM Mark Perini: Side note to the story isn't it ironic that the future successful author is complaining about a terrible English professor? There is some irony there...

10:28 AM me: Well he wasn't terrible, I was just struggling to understand his methods. I got a C on my first paper

10:30 AM Once I confirmed the red hair/beard and then pointed him out to Nick he was like, omg...that's one of the dudes from this Ska band I really like

of course I was like, wtf is Ska music? Is that Broadway?

10:31 AM Mark Perini: Hahaha no way

me: Yeah, I was clueless

10:32 AM Mark Perini: I would never picture a ska band member teaching English lol

10:33 AM me: of course Nick being a big fan had their music and this guy was hard-core English dude. And then I hear this song by the band that's called Digits and it's all about toe jam

10:35 AM Mark Perini: Lol ska has always been a really zany, fun, carefree genre

10:37 AM me: Yeah totally. But it wasn't my usual choice of music however I bought the CD and became addicted to it. Then I got brave enough to mention to this teacher that I really liked his music and then he helped me with my next couple of papers and my grades went way up.

10:38 AM Mark Perini: Lol Hahahaha that's as good as a bribe to a musician

me: the power of sucking up

10:39 AM Mark Perini: Lol nothing wrong with that

10:40 AM me: I don't think he's in the band anymore because his name isn't listed on the website so I won't mention it here

Mark Perini: So did you instantly connect to ska? Or was it the curiosity that fueled it

10:41 AM me: hard to say. I was insanely curious about an English teacher's secret band with funny obscene songs. But connecting back to Eve...

10:42 AM the first song on the album for the band called Mu330 is Hoosier Love and it's so fun and upbeat, I connected right away

10:45 AM Until yesterday, I hadn't thought about this band or that song forever. Then I realized Hoosier Love perfectly represents out main girl Eve's white trash Indiana up bringing and her need to use modeling to escape that destiny

10:46 AM Mark Perini: Yeah and I think that connects with Alex too even though he didn't so much need to escape he still used modeling as his way to bigger and better things in life

10:47 AM Of course I would be curious of a teacher in a band as well

10:48 AM me: totally. And maybe we should link Eve's anthem? I'm going to look for a video or something...

10:50 AM

Mark Perini: It's really is perfect

10:51 AM It*

me: can't believe it took me this long to remember it.

Mark Perini: It wasn't on your mind

Did something trigger it?

10:52 AM me: I was buying music on my phone yesterday (I've caved and started doing that now btw)

10:53 AM and I have an over-abundance of similar more mello sounding songs already (Mumford and Sons, Ed Sheeran, Lumineers, Parachute) and I needed something more upbeat and different for my half marathon training

10:57 AM Mark Perini: Lol first off I'm very proud second of all I know the feeling because I have so much mellow Indy Rock on my phone when I go to the gym I'm hard pressed to find anything appropriate

10:58 AM me: yeah, it's amazing how you need that different feel to get you moving quicker

10:59 AM Not right for this playlist but I highly recommend STUFF by Mu330 if anyone is looking for the anti-romance song

5 minutes

11:05 AM Mark Perini: For sure it's true I'm going to download the album because in high school I loved Ska

Not that I need an anti-romance song

11:08 AM me: but it's a fun song so it's okay to be anti-romance.

11:10 AM Mark Perini: Shhhh...that's a secret were writing a book with a lot of romance

Lol

11:11 AM me: I know. I'd love to add it to a book's playlist but it fits absolutely NOTHING that I've ever written

11:12 AM Mark Perini: You'll just have to dream something else up

Influenced by the song

11:14 AM me: now that would be a challenge. writing that character? no way.

I feel the same about She's So Mean by Matchbox Twenty. I love that song and I'm dying to write that girl's book but it would too hard. Not likable enough

11:15 AM Mark Perini: Yeah the liability of the MC is vital we made Alex more likable from when we first wrote him

11:16 AM me: yeah, it's so crucial. Flaws are fine, but unlikable...unforgivable

11:19 AM Mark Perini: It's funny how with writing you have this ultimate freedom to craft whatever you want however, there are some universal truths that stand the test of time

8 minutes

11:27 AM me: there's a lot of them actually. But I love the challenge of breaking the cardinal rules and making it work.

11:30 AM Mark Perini: still a rebel at heart So what do you think of the song?
Later,JC

The Elegance

2013-04-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

11:12 AMWhere Julie and I talk about Chinese style and fighting crime in the nude...
me: Nǐ hǎo

How are you?

Julie Cross: awesome! How are you?

me: Good I'm in Hong Kong right now

Julie Cross: What time is it there?

me: 11:12 PM

11:13 AM Julie Cross: so weird, it's 10:12 AM here

me: I'm still not used to the time difference

Julie Cross: really? After all these weeks?

11:14 AM me: Not that I'm jet lagged or anything it's just weird to have everyone I know on a flip flopped schedule

11:15 AM Julie Cross: so you're blaming your American friends and family, huh?

I don't mind, I like that we can still chat even from across the world. Technology is awesome

me: Lol of course who else can I blame?

11:16 AM Your right I don't know what I would do without my iPhone...

Apple I'll be looking for a handout anytime now

Julie Cross: haha

okay, tell me about this strip of photos. Did you take these in Hong Kong?

11:18 AM me: Actually I took them in Guangzhou which is where all the catalogs are done

Totally an industrial city two hours from Hong Kong

11:19 AM Julie Cross: cool! Are you allowed to say what it was for?

11:20 AM me: Not till it's out

Julie Cross: okay, we'll work around that part.

me: But I think it's very much Chinese style

Which I think is awesome

Julie Cross: The second photo from the top is very Clark Kent

11:21 AM me: So different from other stuff I've done

Julie Cross: are you wearing tights under that suit?

me: Zero tights

Julie Cross: a new look for Superman?

11:22 AM me: Lol fight crime in the nude lol

11:23 AM Julie Cross: I think that could be dangerous...things hanging free and all

11:24 AM Okay, I'll stay on topic from now on

How many times did you have to change clothes?

11:26 AM me: Lol I don't know that much would get done

12 times

Julie Cross: wow, that's a lot

me: Different options

11:27 AM Julie Cross: I like the bow tie a lot. It's that Chinese style right now?

11:28 AM me: I hope to influence the change to bow ties

11:29 AM Julie Cross: The lighting in the bottom half of the photos is SUPER cool. How did they that?

11:32 AM me: In some they held up a net in others they held up a basket it looks awesome though

11:33 AM Julie Cross: wow, that's creative. I would have never thought of that.

how long did the whole shoot last?

10 minutes

11:44 AM me: Yeah the photographer was awesome the whole shoot took 4 hours

Julie Cross: that doesn't seem too bad?

11:45 AM me: No it wasn't I've been at editorials that have lasted 12 hours

Or days even

11:49 AM Julie Cross: or a week like out CK shoot in Halfway Perfect

me: Exactly

11:50 AM but this was short and sweet...

What do you guys think about the shoot? Bow Ties yes or no?
M.P.

The Specific Genetic Formula for Models!?!

2013-02-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

A chat in which Julie and I talk about the specific genetic formula for models!?!

8:36 PM Julie Cross: okay, so everyone always says models have to be tall but obviously there's models of all kinds so can you explain the whole height thing? Like runway versus...not runway...whatever that's called

8:37 PM maybe start with dudes and then we'll talk girls...hehe...girl talk

8:39 PM me: Lol okay so for fashion agencies men have to be at least 6 feet tall but the go up to 6'3" but agencies won't even look at someone that's not 6'...Having said that I've seen some guy models that are 5'11"...

Runway models who are guys are usually 6'2"

Or taller

8:40 PM Some 6'-6'1"

But mostly fall into the 6'2" range

8:41 PM Julie Cross: so like people sitting in the audience during a runway show are really going to notice if a guy is two inches shorter than another guy?

8:43 PM me: They would because at the end of the show all the guys go out together and if they are taller they have more presence but the real reason is the clothes are made to certain specifics its called sample size so they only use models that fit

So 34' inseam usually fits guys that are 6'2"

8:44 PM Which is the sample sizes

Julie Cross: okay then. it's good that we made Alex 6' 2" because I'd hate for him to get booted out of fashion week.

So...how tall are you?

8:45 PM or is that a secret?

me: I'm six foot not a secret lol

I still do runway because I have long legs

8:46 PM Julie Cross: so really I just needed to know that you're a 34" inseam. good to know. If I see some pants on sale in that size I can pick you up a pair

me: But I do more photo shoots than runway shows because there's more money in that

Hahahaha I appreciate that

8:47 PM Julie Cross: more money is good.

me: When you've been modeling so long you learn your measurements

Absolutely

8:48 PM Now we can talk about girls

They have to be 5'9" to 5'11" to be able to get a fashion agency

8:49 PM But I know plenty of girl models that are 5'8"

Just wear large heels

The runway girls are mostly 5'10"-6'

8:50 PM Julie Cross: Which is why you decided Elana and Eve would be 5' 11" I would have totally screwed that up

8:51 PM oops, typing malfunction. I reached for the remote and leaned on the keys

me: Yeah most girl models are really tall so it totally makes sense...

Lol no worries it happens to the best of us

8:52 PM So there is a very specific genetic formula for models

Julie Cross: I do not have that formula. I'm 5' 4" and one of the tallest in my family

8:53 PM me: Lol it's again just because of the sample sizes

Julie Cross: we also have Jo-Lo butts so that would be another strike against us

me: Yeah models are really skinny

Girls are usually 00-0

Maybe a 2

8 minutes

9:02 PM Julie Cross: wow...that's a bit depressing. But I'm actually really happy with my height. My sister is only 5' 1" so I got lucky

9:03 PM me: Yeah I think 5'4" is normal I think 5'11" for a girl is abnormal

9:04 PM Julie Cross: true
Have you guys ever met/known a model in real life?
M.P.

Halfway Perfect Playlist part 3

2013-02-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

11:31 AM Julie Cross: Awesome! Halfway Perfect Playlist part 3...let's add two songs each today?

11:33 AM me: I'm on board

11:34 AM Julie Cross: Okay, I'll start this one but just a warning...it's Kelly Clarkson

me: Ouch there goes our macho playlist

11:36 AM Julie Cross: I know...it's gonna get even worse. So I'm adding Darkside by Kelly Clarkson. It's just so Eve. Not much else to say then that.

11:37 AM me: Okay keeping it a little mysterious I like it...

11:39 AM For me my next pick is Mae Embers and Envelopes it's about getting over your pride and making love work no matter what Alex and Eve are gonna be faced with a lot of drama and if they want to succeed they need to be ready to change for the better

11:41 AM Julie Cross: And to think....we questioned whether we were really writing a love story or a while back...remember that?

11:42 AM me: Lol I know it just organically turned into a love story I suppose but there is a big element if coming of age too

11:43 AM Julie Cross: yes, but can you really come of age without experiencing love at least on a small scale?

11:45 AM me: Absolutely not your completely right that's why it just happened

Julie Cross: My next addition is Open Your Eyes by Snow Patrol

11:46 AM It's perfect for when Alex is trying to get Eve to see her relationship for what it truly was and to come to terms with that.

me: I really like that song

11:47 AM And I hadn't thought about it in that context

But your completely right

11:48 AM That took a lot for Alex too

Julie Cross: this verse is what sold me on this song, "The anger swells in my guts
And I won't feel these slices and cuts
I want so much to open your eyes
'Cause I need you to look into mine"

me: That's what I was looking at just now

I looked up the lyrics and that's what stood out to me

11:49 AM Julie Cross: It actually plays in my head during that one scene right after the Cosmo photo shoot. Can't remember what chapter

11:50 AM me: Yeah I don't remember either but you're exactly right because he's pretty broken up

Julie Cross: And all her wants is to just get through to her.

11:51 AM there's also this line, "Get up, get out, get away from these liars
'Cause they don't get your soul or your fire"

me: And she's blinded because she's so intertwined with the situation

Julie Cross: yeah. totally. Okay what's your next addition?

11:53 AM me: Okay my next song choice is a bit complex...Cartel Burn the City...and the explanation is 3 parts...

11:54 AM 1st the songs all about living your life with passion whatever that means to you whatever makes you happy even if that means doing something that maybe risky...

2nd it's about Alex in the beginning of the story feeling like he is invincible and nothing could touch him

11:56 AM Julie Cross: yes! that's perfect. And this line, "they're the ones who are missing out
We were elemental, talked down to bare essentials.
Who knew we'd get so far?" is so perfect for Alex's feelings like he didn't fit in with his family and they think his modeling is just a hobby

me: And finally it's about being a kid and just having fun and truly living

11:57 AM Exactly he followed his passion

And found his happiness

Julie Cross: It really goes well with the fake relationship with Elana too

11:58 AM me: I hadn't even thought about that

Your right

11:59 AM More complex than I realized

12:00 PM Julie Cross: the fake relationship with Elana combined with the secret relationship with Eve and this line, "Pack our bags and get away - they're catching on to us."

12:01 PM me: So true I really hadn't even thought about that
Check out the playlist so far right here!
Later,JC

Halfway Perfect Playlist: Part 2

2013-02-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

me: Halfway Perfect Playlist part 2?

Mark Perini: I'm in

6 minutes

6:43 PM Mark Perini: My next pick is Mae Just Let Go its all about falling in love and how confusing it can be and how you can be with with then but your mind can be somewhere far away

6 minutes

6:49 PM me: That's really good...I love it.

6:50 PM Mark Perini: Plus Mae is a killer band in general

me: thinking about my next pick...okay, I'm choosing Kiss Me Slowly by Parachute because it's so perfect for the scene with Alex and Eve's first kiss. I actually envisioned it playing it that scene

6:51 PM Mark Perini: See that's what these playlists are supposed to be like

As if their lives had a soundtrack

6:52 PM And that is why I picked the next song "Le Disko" by Shiny Toy Guns

6:53 PM I can totally envision this song playing when Alex is out and about in the clubs of NYC just fast living and quick choices without regard for the outcome

6:54 PM me: you mean when he's smoozing and snogging with all the interns?

6:55 PM Mark Perini: Lol exactly!

He's just living day by day doing whatever he wants

6:58 PM me: My next pick is Feel Again by One Republic...and again, it's about Eve...lol. And that moment when you realize that maybe you're ready to be in love again or let your guard down.

7:00 PM Mark Perini: I like that you have to be ready to love

Ready to feel love again

me: Exactly.

7:01 PM Mark Perini: Perfect
Listen to the playlist so far here
Later,JC

Stage Fright?

2013-02-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

Where Julie and I talk about stress induced narcolepsy...

12:14 PM How has everything been with all the Vortex release craziness? You been stressed?

12:15 PM Julie Cross: It has gotten a bit crazy all of a sudden and a little stressful but in a good way

12:16 PM me: Yeah a lot going on I'm sure...do you ever get nervous on the interviews or when your speaking?

12:17 PM Julie Cross: I always get very very nervous. To the point of anxiety.

12:18 PM You do stage performing too, what do you feel right before it starts?

12:20 PM me: Yeah I've been doing Improv for a year and before that I never preformed before I love it...Sometimes I get butterfly's in my stomach right before but I never really get nervous I'm always excited...

But even as a kid I was always fine public speaking

12:23 PM Julie Cross: I had an event on Saturday...a one hour solo presentation in front of about 100 people and I noticed something that happens to be right before these types of events, like minutes before, I get really drowsy. Like I might fall asleep at any moment

12:24 PM I've heard of all kinds of speaking anxiety symptoms but not this one

12:25 PM me: Really? That's really odd I never heard of something like that lol...I've heard of headaches, stomach pains, sweats but never pre-event napping lol

12:28 PM Julie Cross: I know it's weird and kind of hard to explain. I'm dying to find someone else who has this feeling. It's like I'm totally keyed up, senses alert, shaking hands and then it's just gone, and I'm suddenly tired, my eye lids are heavy...

12:29 PM me: Maybe it's like your body is so stressed that its exhausted and shutting down?

12:31 PM It's like stress induced narcolepsy

12:34 PM Julie Cross: or its a calming mechanism? I don't know...after I got done with the hour presentation I felt like I just ran a half marathon

12:35 PM Do you think the improve aspect takes the pressure off because you can't really prepare?

12:36 PM me: Maybe could totally be a calming mechanism...well stress is really tough on your body so the half marathon tiredness totally makes sense...

12:37 PM Maybe the improv is less stressful because you can't prepare but I've done speeches and stuff where I had to prepare and I was fine...takes a lot for me to be stressed I suppose

12:39 PM Having said that I know people that get super stressed every time they do improv

Julie Cross: Though I should say that when I do group events, like a panel with several authors, I get little butterflies before answering a questions but nothing major

12:40 PM and it's weird because I never panic during a speaking event, I can think and change and adjust on the spot better than a lot of people but before...

12:42 PM So how does the improve work? How big is the crowd? Does the audience choose the topic?

me: There is support up there just like in improv from all the other authors

12:44 PM So we go up on stage we have 9 people onstage and we get a suggestion of anything and then we do a show that is all influenced by that suggestion but it's all made up on the spot

12:45 PM Julie Cross: that's really cool! I would love to see a show sometime. In fact you should probably tell our blog readers where they can see a performance if they happen to be in NYC? And if it's grownups only?

12:49 PM me: Yeah it's a lot of fun and it's super supportive that's what I like about it it's about the group succeeding not just one performer...my team is named Big Make Me we preform at a lot of bars so you need to be old enough to come in but we do performances at theaters too and anyone can come to those but anyone can follow us at www.facebook.com/BigMakeMe

12:52 PM Julie Cross: Awesome!

12:53 PM Okay, I gotta run and pick up #2 and #3 from gymnastics...
Do you guys get stressed before having to preform or public speak? M.P.

PSYCHOPATH CHECKLIST Part 2

2013-02-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

http://rodesmith.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/j-is-for-jealousy.jpg

In which Julie and I talk about the green eyed monster of jealousy...

1:51 PM Julie Cross: Since Eve is into Alex, do you think she'll be jealous seeing him all over Elana for the CK shoot and of course during the whole fake relationship? I'm torn with this because part of me thinks she understands but still, understanding and seeing it are very different things...

1:54 PM me: I think jealousy is a tough thing she would probably be jealous seeing it but the question is does she let that manifest itself into something unhealthy...I think no matter how calm you are if you really like someone you are going to be jealous seeing them with another person whether it is for work or not...but you can't let it get to you

1:57 PM Julie Cross: I'm not jealous by nature at all so that emotion often confuses me. When someone is doing better than me or is where I want to be, all of those feelings manifest themselves into my personal drive and then goal of beating myself rather than becoming better than someone else. I don't even think I had any jealous-type boyfriends in my younger days. I had a couple clingy ones though...

1:58 PM have you had a jealous ex?

2:01 PM me: Yeah see that is such a positive way to utilize something that could very easily be negative...

2:02 PM My EX from high school was really jealous especially of all the modeling stuff because that happened later in the relationship...

2:03 PM she just always thought I was cheating on her and I never was and it kind of ruined the relationship I had to keep defending myself for something I never did...

Got exhausting after a while

2:04 PM Julie Cross: I can imagine that it's exhausting dealing with that lack of trust. I guess that's always going to come with the high school relationships.

2:06 PM me: Yeah I think it was just an immaturity thing people can sometimes grow out of it...But in my mind a relationship is about 3 things Love, Respect and Trust without those things why be in a relationship? And if you are too jealous to Trust the person your with than you need to reevaluate the relationship and yourself...

2:07 PM Is it the specific person you don't trust or do you just distrust everyone?

2:08 PM Julie Cross: I think in relation to high school kids, it's so hard to be falling in love for the first time at the height of your insecurity. People are most insecure in the teen years.

2:10 PM But jealously in adult relationships is a whole different ball game.

me: Your totally right...

Yeah like I said most people feel it from time to time and there is nothing wrong with it, it's just how you handle it...

2:11 PM Julie Cross: my method of coping is what came naturally to me, but I do wonder sometimes how much more successful I would be if I let that jealousy drive me to working harder at something.

2:12 PM maybe in a similar sense jealously can get people to admit their feelings for someone else if they haven't done this already

2:16 PM me: yeah I mean it's something that occurs naturally in the body so it can be positive...in that it lets you know how you feel about someone...

but is that a healthy way to know that?

6 minutes

2:23 PM Julie Cross: I know what you mean....in relation to the Edward Cullen's and Christian Grey's of the world, I cringe at the idea of a guy telling a girl her hated seeing her with someone else and that's what does it for her. I think in relationships, jealousy is the immature response to feelings of extreme like or even love. But the problem occurs when that growth doesn't happen. When the possessive feelings stick around and drive the relationship. There are plenty of girls that get off on that sort of thing. It's empowering to them.

Or they're afraid no one else will feel as strongly.

2:24 PM and I think I've just described Wes Anderson...Eve's ex...lol

2:26 PM me: Yeah and I think that is such an unhealthy way to talk about love...You shouldn't love someone because you hate to see them with other people that's just being possessive...I find Fifty Shades of Grey and Twilight to be more about possessiveness and being domineering than about love...

2:31 PM Julie Cross: totally agree. And it took me awhile to be able to put it into words but Jackson goes through all the stages of love by the end of Tempest...first he's having fun and not wanting to admit he's in love with Holly...he has no reason to put a stamp on them. No urgency. Then when she's shot and he's stuck in 2007, he just wants to be with her, so it's love but it's still a little selfish. Eventually that evolves to him loving her enough to want her to be safe and happy even if that means he can't be with her.

2:35 PM me: Yeah see that makes sense I think that it's natural not to know exactly what you have or what you want I think young people are wishy washy when it comes to love because it's new and it's different and it's mature...But love is all about the two of you together as a unit...and you both have to be happy within that unit and separately you have to be happy with yourself...

2:38 PM Julie Cross: Exactly. I think Alex and Eve have the potential to achieve this.
Do you guys think jealousy has any place in a relationship? Is it always a bad thing?
M.P.