"My life is totally boring."

"If he doesn't call in five minutes, my life will be ruined."

Sound like a teen you know? It's odd how unique our feelings seemed when we were teenagers. Does anyone ever feel content or confident in high school?

Betty Jo Schuler recalls what it was like to be young and knows that many adults never lose these feelings and fears. She remembers teenage angst, insecurity, and discovery in her collection of short stories, No Rain, No Rainbows.

Her stories run the gamut of teen experience. From a diary chronicling the changes caused by parents divorcing, to the consequences when a chat room relationship becomes a face to face relationship, to bizarre behavior that tests a friendship, these stories depict critical moments in a teenager's life. The author empathizes with her characters and their plights. Her predicaments ring true, her details paint pictures, and her endings refresh our belief in humanity.

Schuler writes romances and non-fiction as well as fiction for Young Adults. Her broad range of experience and her ability to move a story forward help her tell a good story. Read her ideas and suggestions below.

LG: When did you start writing? How did you decide to write short stories for teens? What is your favorite genre?

BJS: I had articles published when my kids were little; then there was a long lapse while I went to college, got my degrees, and started teaching school. A part-time job as a diet counselor led to a diet book and several years of freelancing. My first published fiction book was for children (1991) and I've been writing "seriously" since then. My second print-published book was a YA romance (Bantam), and a Holt Medallion finalist. Over the last two years, I've had several books electronically published, in varying genres, and two of those have been EPPIES finalists. (You can visit my website at http://home.webworks2000.net/bschuler/bettyjo.html).

I was researching a "coming of age" book for a packager who wanted a proposal and samples. They decided not to pursue the project, but I thought the stories would appeal to teens and were important enough to write. So I continued until I had enough for an anthology.

Although I had fun writing my four children's books, I particularly enjoy writing romance. I have a YA romance I call "my heart transplant book," Second Chance at Love, available from DiskUs Publishing. My other romances are for grownups and two out of three are romantic comedies. One of these is Winning Chance (Treble Heart Books), a contemporary romance finalist in the 2002 EPPIES.

LG: Congratulations on the EPPIES. Did you do research to help you understand today's teens or do you have some living under your roof? Are your characters fictitious or based on people you know?

BJS: My four children are grown, and I have grandchildren in their teens. My characters are fictitious, but I identify easily with young people and the way they think and feel. I speak at high schools and middle schools to stay in touch with this age group.

LG: Which story was easiest to write, and which was the hardest? Why?

BJS: "Dear Diary" was easiest because it's written in first person with Deidre pouring out her problems, thoughts, and dreams. I kept a diary when I was growing up, and I think it's a custom that transcends time.

"When is a Thief a Thief?" was hardest. Linda faces a serious dilemma when her good friend, Danielle, starts shoplifting, and tries to taunt her and some other girls into doing the same. It's difficult to choose between loyalty and honesty, as well as being intimidated by someone who tries to make you feel like "a chicken" if you don't meet their dares. Identifying with Linda's struggle made this difficult.

LG: Very interesting. The first thing I had published was a series of articles written as diary entries. It's a great format for letting the character share her most hidden thoughts. You use details to move each plot forward very quickly. What are your tips for good plotting?

BJS: In stories, you have to get right into the action, and know your characters well. Their mannerisms must reflect who they are and what they might do. You don't have time and space to work in much back story. It's all about who they are and how they'll react in such a situation. You want to hold the reader in suspense, and this comes about through making the antagonist unpredictable.

LG: What messages do you hope teens will get from the stories? Which messages do teens most need to hear today?

BJS: I hope they'll be very careful about corresponding with strangers over the Internet and never meet that person, alone, for the first time, or second or third, and that any meetings will be held in a public place.

Popularity is an age-long challenge, and I hope these stories will reinforce what we know but don't always accept: that it isn't worth sacrificing your values. Real friends don't ask you to do things you don't want to do.

Most of all, I want teens to know they're not alone in the problems they face, and even though they don't seem like it at the time, all problems are solvable. Seek help if you need it, and remember, there are happier days ahead.

LG: How did you pick your book title? What image do you hope it will create in a teenager's mind?

BJS: I heard someone on a television show use the expression one day. "No rain, no rainbows," and I thought, "that's the title I've been looking for." We wouldn't recognize joy if we hadn't experienced moments without it. The sun wouldn't look so bright if there weren't gloomy days.

Picture raindrops sparkling in sunlight after a summer rain, and a rainbow popping out overhead. No matter how hard it poured or how wet you got, you feel a surge of joy at the sight. Without challenges, there would be no triumphs.

LG: Who is the publisher of this book and how did you find the company?

BJS: Atlantic Bridge is the publisher of No Rain, No Rainbows. I learned about Linda Eberharter's company through an author's chat line. Some fellow authors had signed with AB and were quite pleased, as am I.

LG: I checked out the Atlantic Bridge website. They look like a solid e-publisher. How has the Internet helped you market your books? What marketing tips can you share?

BJS: The Internet allows writers to work together on promotions--swapping promo materials for conferences and school talks, putting together discs with samples of different author's books in a particular genre, etc. I e-mail a monthly newsletter that makes it easy to reach interested parties. (E-mail bschuler@webworks2000.net, "subscribe.") Also, there are places, such as Authors Den, that offer services to authors who want to reach their reading audience.

LG: What are you working on now?

BJS: I'm brainstorming a new romantic comedy aimed at the adult market, although I think older teens often read and enjoy books written for grownups.

LG: Where can people find copies of No Rain, No Rainbows?

BJS: No Rain, No Rainbows is available from Atlantic Bridge. It's also available through eBookAd, from Handango (PalmOS site), and from Knowbetter.com.

LG: Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with us. I wondered if e-published YA books sell. Your experience with Atlantic Bridge indicates they must.

Buying for a teenager? Intrigued by the teenage mind? Learn what makes the youth of middle America tick in No Rain, No Rainbows.