What's Fresh with Denise Jaden's Never Enough

From the author of Losing Faith, a novel about two sisters and the eating disorder that threatens to destroy their family.

Loann’s always wanted to be popular and pretty like her sister, Claire. So when Claire’s ex-boyfriend starts flirting with her, Loann is willing to do whatever it takes to feel special…even if that means betraying her sister.

But as Loann slips inside Claire’s world, she discovers that everything is not as it seems. Claire’s quest for perfection is all-consuming, and comes at a dangerous price. And Loann is frightened she could lose the sister she’s always idolized.

As Claire increasingly withdraws from friends and family, Loann struggles to understand her and make amends. Can she heal their relationship—and her sister—before it’s too late?

Hi Denise, thanks for sharing with YA Fresh! Please share what your YA novel is about.

Denise: Never Enough is a story about Loann and her older sister, Claire. There’s a lot to their complicated relationship, but much of the story revolves around an eating disorder, and how it’s tearing their family apart. It’s also a story about first love and the strength of friendship.

How did you come up with the idea for Never Enough?

Denise: A good friend of mine struggled with eating disorders for many years, and as I got closer with her, I found myself wanting to understand her more and wishing I could help. I wrote Never Enough to sort out my feelings and to delve beyond my surface understanding.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Denise: No, actually I grew up doing everything I could to avoid writing and reading. I only came into my love of literature in my thirties and now try to make up for it by devouring several books a week.

As writers, we all love to procrastinate. What’s your favorite procrastination activity?

Denise: TWITTER!!! But Twitter helps spur me on sometimes to write sometimes as well. You can find me at @denisejaden , and I have a network of writers who procrastinate—I mean spur each other on—under the hashtag #wipmadness. You’re welcome to hang out with us any time!

Great! What are you working on now?

Denise: I’m working on another YA contemporary romance/mystery, tentatively titled FOREIGN EXCHANGE. It’s about a girl who sneaks away from her class trip in Europe, along with her crush, to find her missing best friend.

Thanks again for visiting with us, Denise! Best of luck with your writing!

Denise Jaden spent her high school lunch hours trying to tame her frizzy/curly hair in the bathroom, or playing freeze tag in the drama room. She attended the theatre program at college, and then enjoyed a variety of occupations, including stage production, mushroom farming, and Polynesian dancing. The first draft of her debut novel, Losing Faith, was written in 21 days during National Novel Writing Month. This is her second novel. She lives just outside Vancouver, Canada with her husband and son. Find out more online at http://www.denisejaden.com or on Twitter: @denisejaden