Guest Blogger Elizabeth Scott & Contest!

After reading Elizabeth Scott's novel, Love You, Hate You, Miss You, the thing that stuck with me the most was how our friendships really affect the type of people we become, and that teenage relationships are even more complex because they're often heavily influenced by peer pressure, insecurities and the need to belong. I asked her to write a guest post on this topic which she most graciously agreed to do.

BFFs Forever!.... Until You Aren't
by Elizabeth Scott

One of the things I thought about as I was writing Love You Hate You Miss You was friendships---and what it's like to lose one. In Love You Hate You Miss You, Amy struggles to cope with the loss of Julia, her best friend and the person who meant everything to her -- even as she's starting to realize that their "perfect" friendship wasn't quite as perfect as she thought it was.

And that realization, I think, is almost as disturbing for Amy as the loss of Julia is.

I've written about lost friendships before, in my novel Perfect You, and I think the most important thing about that loss is how *painful* it is. And this isn't just true for teens. Even as an adult, the loss of a close friendship is almost unbearable, and you find yourself asking why? and what happened? and pouring over conversations to try and figure out what went wrong. What you did wrong.

I think all best friend relationships--among teenagers and adults--are intense and incredibly emotional because your best friend is THE person you turn to. And when that person is gone, a part of you is gone as well.

I love writing love stories, but I'm also very drawn to writing about friendships--and in particular, about the ones that fall apart, because the pain of that loss isn't one that can be cured. Time may take most of the sting away, but there is always a part of you that misses that person. They will always have a tiny part of your heart.

THANK YOU ELIZABETH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO STOP BY!

Love You, Hate You, Miss You -It's been seventy-five days. Amy's sick of her parents suddenly taking an interest in her. And she's really sick of people asking her about Julia. Julia's gone, and Amy doesn't want to talk about it. No one knew Julia like she did. No one gets what life is without her.

No one understands what it's like to know that it's all your fault.

Amy's shrink thinks she should keep a journal but instead, Amy starts writing letters to Julia. And as she writes letter after letter, she begins to realize that the past holds its own secrets--and that the present deserves a chance.

As a special bonus, Elizabeth is giving me the opportunity to give one lucky winner a SIGNED copy of Love You, Hate You, Miss You! In order to enter, all you have to do is leave a comment telling us about your BFF's -for example, do you have a friend whose friendship has been especially meaningful in your life, or is there a friend you no longer have that you miss? Leave a comment about them or anything else that's topic related and you'll be entered.

Entries are limited to the US only and the contest ends September 4th 2009. NOTE: THIS CONTEST HAS CLOSED

Good Luck everyone!