Where I Belong - Gwendolyn Heasley

Young Adult
Pages: 304
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 8, 2011

Meet Corrinne. She's living every girl's dream in New York City—shopping sprees at Barneys, open access to the best clubs and parties, and her own horse at the country club. Her perfect life is perfectly on track. At least it was. . . .
When Corrinne's father is laid off, her world suddenly falls apart. Instead of heading to boarding school, she's stripped of her credit cards and shipped off to the boonies of Texas to live with her grandparents. On her own in a big public school and forced to take a job shoveling manure, Corrinne is determined to get back to the life she's supposed to be living. She doesn't care who she stomps on in the process. But when Corrinne makes an unlikely friend and discovers a total hottie at work, she begins to wonder if her life B.R.—before the recession—was as perfect as it seemed.

Cute, charming and adorable.

I really enjoyed this book! Yes, its the typical, predictable 'rich and spoiled city girl is forced to live in a small town' story, but it was fun and sweet all the way. The characters were very well done and the plot line was smoothly developed. I loved Corinne and her cool personality. The clash of lifestyles was very interesting to experience through Heasley's writing. Both, Corinne and Waverly, experience hilarious moments while discovering Broken Spoke. Of course, there's also the fact that she comes to Texas and is forced to adapt--and ultimately join-- to the crazy Texan pride (much like I did) and that made me like the book even more!

I also liked the fact that even though there is romance, it does not take front row, nor does it become Corinne's main reason for loving Broken Spoke. It just swiftly blossoms on the background of the story and the reader can feel it throughout the whole book.

This is a heart-felt tale about accepting the situations we face and making the most of them. A fresh debut for those who want to cozy up and read a book that will make you smile.

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Writing Process - Guest Post by Gwendolyn Heasley

When I first started writing WHERE I BELONG, I wasn’t nearly as well versed as I am now in YA.  I am not sure I could have even told you that there was a category of YA called “contemporary YA.” I can tell you that I have always been drawn to novels that occur in the present day and that I enjoy realistic novels more than any other type of novels.   So for me, it made the most sense to write a realistic present day novel.  For my second novel, however, I am writing a supernatural novel, and I have learned for me genres don’t really matter.  I think characters and voice are the two most important elements of writing.  If you focus on developing those elements and making them memorable, you will succeed as a writer.

As for process, I don’t believe there’s any right way to write. I think that some people need to write everyday and other people don’t.  For me, I don’t write fiction every day.  I take days (and weeks off), but I try to make sure that I spend time reading both fiction and nonfiction. And reading YA and adult. I think writers that don’t read enough put themselves at a disadvantage. So I’d suggest a healthy diet of both writing and reading!  And I am a big believer in podcasts! There are so many amazing podcast that you can download for free! Podcasts have truly been one of my greatest teachers.  They both inform and inspire me. I’d recommend “This American Life” and “This I Believe” if anyone is looking to get into podcasts.

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