Originally posted to http://taylormorris.livejournal.com

Since I’m asking my writer friends to talk about their best friends, I guess it’s only fair that I talk about mine, right?

There was only one author who I asked flat-out turned me down for the BFF blog saying, “My best friend is my husband, which feels like a cop-out.”

I totally understood what meant. Not that it was a lame cop-out, but that I felt the same way. Spouse as best friend? Isn’t that sort of cliché? Or does it mean you don’t have any real friends? Then I thought about, and I thought about him. Him being my husband, Silas. What I realized is, there’s no one in the world I’d rather hang out with—go to dinner, movies, concerts, vacations, road trips, walks, watch TV, gossip with, complain to, celebrate with—than my husband, Silas. When I have a bad day or need to talk something out, he’s the one I want to turn to. He’s the most important person in my life. He’s also very funny, smart, charming and terribly beautiful. So I think that makes him my best friend, without a doubt. So what’s wrong with that? Nothing. In fact, I think it makes me incredibly lucky.

My husband will be gone most of this year training for a new job, and my friends have been overwhelmingly supportive of me (and us). In fact, some people I’ve only met once or twice have emailed me just to check in, see how I’m doing and if I need anything. That’s an amazing person. The friends who I mention in the acknowledgments of BFF BREAKUP (out today!) each have a special quality that makes me so thankful to have them in my life. I thought today of all days is the perfect day to tell them thanks.

Damaris has become an even more important friend this year, especially since Silas headed out in February. Before he even left, she said, “When he leaves, we’re taking you out.” She and Jen were there right from the beginning, ready to make sure I didn’t say home alone on weekends all depressed and that I was well taken care of. Even now, months later, they’re still checking in on me.

Angie is my cheerleader friend who always reminds me that everything is going to be okay. She’s one of the most genuine people I know—there’s not a fake bone in that girl’s body. She’s also one of those friends who is just there for you no matter what.

P.G. is my sanity in writing. He’s my closest writing friend and has become one of my good friends in the past couple of years. He’s the one I complain and fret to about my writing, the deadlines, the edits and everything else. He knows when to tell me it’s all going to be okay, and when to tell me to get over it and get back to work already.

Sarah is the one who has always been there. She’s the least judgmental person I’ve ever met and the best listener. She actually (acts like she) cares about the mundane details of my life and always asks lots of questions to prove it. There have been two ways that Sarah has shown what an amazing friend she is: she stepped up into the role of my maid of honor at a time that we were only becoming good friends but hadn’t gotten there just yet. When I asked her, she didn’t even hesitate, even though it meant flying all the way to Costa Rica for the wedding.

Secondly, she has kept in touch with Silas as he’s been off training this year, writing him letters (actual letters!) when the only other people who wrote him were his closest friends and family. That touched us both beyond anything she’ll ever know. Sure, her husband suspected she was having an affair with Silas, but it was all just one huge, good deed.

These are the good friends I’m thankful for and lucky to have. Thank you for being there for me, especially this year. I love you all so much! And I’ll see you all (and then some) tonight at the small celebration for the launch of BFF BREAKUP.

Read about other authors and their BFFs each Tuesday at my blog: http://taylormorris.livejournal.com

Taylor Morris
BFF BREAKUP (Simon & Schuster Mix)
HELLO, GORGEOUS! (series, Penguin Grosset & Dunlap)
More titles at www.taylormorris.com

Can you feel it? The sun shining warm on your face? The breeze blowing gently through your hair? The layers upon layers of clothing slowly being discarded in favor of—gasp!—short sleeves and light jackets?

Spring is finally fully here which means that summer is just around the corner. Here’s a list of five things I think of when I think of summer.

1.      Mister Softee, that wonderful ice cream truck of the city. I grew up on a dead-end country road and it was such a rare occasion that an ice cream truck would grace our street. Now, in New York City, I hear the Mister Softee jingle from March through September, and even though the music piping through the streets can be annoying at 10 p.m. on a Tuesday night, it’s all worth it when I get my first Softee of the summer—chocolate ice cream with chocolate sprinkles.

2.      The Hamptons Jitney. The jitney simply a big bus that goes from Manhattan to the Hamptons. It’s a nice bus, but a bus nonetheless. I’ve never taken the jitney or even been to the Hamptons (even after ten years in New York!), but when I see people lined up in various parts of the city, usually on Thursday afternoons, I always think, “I guess this means it’s summer.”

3.      Flip flops, because when else would I wear flip flops outside my apartment? And of course, you can’t wear flip flops without…

4.      Pedicures, a summer must. I am not one of those women who get pedicures throughout the winter, so the first one of the summer is a big deal. And the poor girl who has to give it to me! But my feet are finally breathing and I can wear the few pairs of cute heels and wedges I own, which means…

5.      Blisters, the final reality of summer. Along with skirts, dresses, indoor heat, sweating, sunglasses, lethargy, and on. All winter my little feet stay safely protected inside big boots and thick socks and are not subjected to little strappy things that make me three inches taller.

For me this summer will be spent working on deadlines, which I feel is what I do most summers. Someone else will have to write about beaches, road trips and summer romances. Even right now, the sun is shining, it’s 67 degrees, and I’m inside my dark living room writing about the joys of good weather. How ironic is that?

What are you most excited about for summer?

XO,
Taylor Morris

Originally posted to Taylor Morris’ blog.

It must be Tuesday because I’m back with another BFF post, this time from Hillary Homzie, another Simon & Schuster Mixer. Take it away, Hillary!

BFF’s first name:
My best friend growing up was Claire Brill.

How long friends:
We met when we were two years old.

How did you meet?
Her mom and my mom met at the University of Virginia faculty wives newcomer’s club. They were new to town and discovered that they had daughters born six weeks apart and lived two blocks away from each other. Within days, they set up a toddler-style play date and the rest was best friend history!

What’s the best thing about your best friend?
Oh, I can’t possibly say one thing, but I’ll try. Claire’s so creative and thoughtful. She’d often make special things for my birthday. For example, when I turned twelve, she knew I wanted to change my room color scheme from pink and green to blue and green. So she hand-embroidered a blue and green pillow. And then she wrapped the pillow in the shape of ladybug—to throw me off and because it looked cool.

What makes a good best friend?
A good best friend is reliable, a great listener, shares some of your same interests but also has her own things going on as well. She’s fun to be with, and someone with whom you can safely share your secrets.

Did you and your BFF ever get into a major fight? If so, can you tell us about it, and how you resolved it?
I have this memory of Claire and I getting into some sort of fight in my backyard, but I can’t honestly tell you what it was about. We really got along well and I don’t remember us bickering very much. Of course, I’m sure Claire might have been annoyed with me at times for being in my head and un-present. And I was a little jealous of her ability to be organized and self-govern. I remember sometimes calling her and she’d say, “I can’t talk right now. I’ve got homework.” And I’d feel like—hey, if you call me, I’d never say that. I’m always willing to drop whatever I’m doing to talk with you. But stepping back and looking at it now, I see that it was just that I never wanted to do my homework and was looking for any excuse to goof off! And it wasn’t as if Claire was blowing me off. She was always there for me when I really needed her and we spent countless hours together. The truth is, I’m working on being more like Claire—present, task-orientated, organized, thoughtful, as well as creative/artistic. I feel so lucky that I had a best friend growing up as amazing as Claire!

I love what you say about being there for your friend, but knowing that it doesn't always mean dropping everything for a little chat. Thanks, Hillary!

And here's a few other things you might like to know about Hillary, the author:
Hillary has written six books, including Things Are Gonna Get Ugly (S&S Mix) and a chapter books series for young readers, Alien Clones From Outer Space (S&S Aladdin). Hillary's newest book, The Hot List (Mix), launched earlier this month and is a sweet, entertaining look at seventh grade friendships.

About The Hot List: Sophie Fanuchi and Maddie Chen have always been BFFs. Then Maddie starts hanging out with Nia Tate--CEO of the popular girls and daughter of Sophie's father's new girlfriend. That's when Sophie comes up with a brilliant idea and a way to keep Maddie as her BFF--The Hot List, naming the cutest students at Travis Middle School, posted anonymously in the girls' bathroom. But what started as an act to save a friendship soon spirals out of control as the list takes on a life of its own.

Just last week I got my own copy and I can't wait to read it! I'll post more on that later this week or next. Until then, make sure you tell you best friend how much you love her, and please don't get in a fight with her like Madeline and Brooke in BFF BREAKUP, hitting shelves May 10!

Talk to you next week!

Taylor.

Happy pub day, Jo!

Now let's hear about her best friend forever.

BFF’s first name:
Mandy

How long friends:
20 years

How did you meet?
We had 9th grade gym together, and we'd walk the track, talking about boys

What’s the best thing about your best friend?
She's extremely nonjudgmental.

Best memory together?
Probably our road trip to New Orleans with a huge group of friends. Halfway there, we hit a bump and the CD player broke, forcing us to fill the dead air with questions like "For a million dollars, would you rather eat poo or a stranger's bathtub hair?" I'm pretty sure you can guess which one of us came up with that question.

What makes a good best friend?
Someone who makes you feel comfortable in your own skin and runs the whole gamut of emotions with you. A friend in need, as they say.

Did you and your BFF ever get into a major fight? If so, can you tell us about it, and how you resolved it?
We've only ever had a couple major fights, and since we're both passive-aggressive people, they involved incredibly lame attack techniques, like writing each other letters and telling mutual friends our feelings. That's right. You don't want to meet us in a dark alley.

Our two big fights involved boyfriends (one of hers and later one of mine) spending way too much time at our shared residence. Honestly, these fights were resolved by the fixer of all problems: time. If you give anything time, anger cools and hurt feelings heal. Also, you realize the boys are losers and break up with them. Sisters before misters, ladies. Remember that!

Great advice, Jo! Thanks so much for participating, and the next time I'm in Austin, the coffee's on me.

Read about Brooke and Madeline’s BFF BREAKUP when it hits shelves May 10, 2011

Talk to you next week!

XO,

Taylor

Welcome to the first-ever BFF Tuesday! Each Tuesday I’ll bring you a new set of BFFs—some celebs but mostly author friends—to talk about their best friend and what makes her special. BFF BREAKUP hits stores May 10.

First up is Anna Hays, a fellow M!X author who writes the adorable Portia books. Make sure you check her out.

A little more:

Anna Hays is a writer and producer for a variety of narrative and interactive media formats including books, toys, theme parks, retail environments, film, and television. She is the author of M!X books, Portia's Ultra Mysterious Double Life and Portia's Exclusive and Confidential Rules on True Friendship and is currently working on a new book about a girl magician.

Oh, the Rules on True Friendship book sounds like something Brooke and Madeline should of BFF BREAKUP should have taken a look at!

And now, here’s what Anna has to say about her best friend…

BFF’s first name:

Clare.

How long have you been friends:

Since the first day of kindergarten.

How did you meet?

We sat next to each other in class on our first day at school when we were five years old.

What’s the best thing about your best friend?

No time or space passes between us. Even though we live far away from each other, it's like we live right next door. There is an unspoken and unconditional bond that's forever.

Best memory together?

Spending the summer together after college at the beach balancing waitress jobs and exploring the world as "adults" on our own for the first time.

What makes a good best friend?

Respect, understanding and trust.

Did you and your BFF ever get into a major fight? If so, can you tell us about it, and how you resolved it?

Never.

I love how she says no time or space passes between them. What an amazing quality! In the photo, Anna is on the right, in the stylin' poncho. Love it!