Keri Mikulski is the guest author for this Thursday’s Author Tales! Keri is the author of Screwball, which I haven’t had a chance to read yet, but is currently hanging out in my to be read pile, so you can expect a review soon!
__________________________________________________________
The prom season is coming to a close. How about a dance do over?
What’s the deal with dances, anyway? Do they freak you out like they used to bug me? I mean, the pressure of finding the perfect one of a kind dress, deciding who you’re going with, what table you’re going to sit at, what you’re going to eat, whether or not you’re getting your hair done or doing it yourself, etc. is enough to make even the coolest cringe.
Don’t get me wrong, the prom or dance itself is fun, but it’s like a mini wedding. The prep sucks, but the actual day is worth every minute.
Even Ashley Clarke, my main character in SCREWBALL deals with a dance dilemma. Instead of going to the Homecoming dance with her new hot boyfriend, Andrew, Ashley is committed to attend a softball tournament in another state. Consequently, Andrew asks Ashley if it’s okay if he takes a senior ‘friend’, since Ashley can’t attend. Does Ashley skip the tournament and go to the dance? Or does Andrew go to the dance with his ‘friend’?
8th grade Holly Ball – I would have never agreed to ditch my date and spend the whole night dancing and talking with another guy that I liked, but blew me off after the dance to make out with another girl. Sorry, I’m a jerk. And it’s been like 18 years, so I forget your name, but thanks for the really sweet silver corsage that matched my braces and silver fake jewelry.
6th grade Graduation Dance (In Maple Shade, we graduated a bunch of times. J) – When a certain boy asked me to dance, who I happened to like, I shouldn’t have ran into the bathroom and hid until Journey’s “Open Arms” was over. I should have said yes and extended my straight arms barely touching his shoulders. Then, he could have reached out and barely touched my waist with his fingertips like everyone else. Instead, I declared “Open Arms” our song and liked him even more.
Would you re-do a dance? What would you change? Or if you can’t think of a dance do over, tell me about your fave prom, dance, or formal of all time. A lucky commenter will be chosen at random to win a loved hardback copy of Laurie Halse Anderson’s PROM. Have a great summer everyone and thanks for the blog invite, Story Siren. Keri
Thank to Keri for her awesome post and for an even more awesome contest!!!
Related posts:
I loved this guest blog!
Well… I’ve been to one dance in my life. The ones in middle school always got cancelled because, like, one person would by a ticket to each one, and I was away for homecoming this year. But I was at Snowcming.
If I could change one thing about it… I wish I wasn’t sick. Plain and simple. I was all drugged up on like three different cough and cold medicines trying to make myself feel better because I had an singing competition earlier in the day. I was tired, sick, and when we got to my friends house the next day, went to bed at midnight before everyone else. lol. It was defenietly an experience I’ll remember forever.
hope.
HI, Hope – Being sick sucks.. And being sick at a dance is even suckier. The loud pumping music must have driven you ballistic.
Hope you won your singing competition.
Hey, well I’ve never been to a dance. My school can only afford sucky dj’s and the dances always suck so why waste money going to a sucky dance. If I went to a different school I would probably go to that dance.
Oh, God. Can I say I wish I could re-do every dance I ever went to? Dances were mandatory for me, because I was involved in Student Council and you pretty much had to go to every school event (even the really AWFUL ones. Hello, Math Olympics.). I was a total wallflower and I wish I could’ve gotten up the courage to ask someone to dance, or possibly just enjoyed dancing with my friends. Rather than worrying what everyone would think of me.
I’d love to win Prom, but looking back at those horrible school dances maybe I don’t deserve it!
Too Funny, Keri!
Teri
Bunnies can’t dance. I just went to enjoy the people and food, but that wasn’t too good either
I guess what I would wanna change would be my hairstyle and makeup cos I wasn’t doing enough to look good 
most of the dances i’ve been to have been great. with one exception: the first sadie’s dance i went to (not that i brought anyone), but it turned out to be really lame so i left early. it was a waste of my money
No dance re-dos mentioned by me today! Not to say I don’t have any. But you know…
Why do 80s pictures look so humorous? It makes me want to pull out my scrapbook and get a good laugh!
@Gabbi: Your mathletes got a dance? Lucky ducks.
@Keri: You might try modern strapless dresses. Two of my formals and several of my casual dresses are strapless and they stay up despite my tiny chest.
I enjoyed all my dances. The two I would change something are:
7th Grade Fall Dance – my first year at a new school so I didn’t realize their dances were really casual. I showed up in a velvet skirt and satin shirt when everyone else was in jeans.
8th Grade Fall Dance – I got Sprite poured on me by some jerk who took his refreshment on the dance floor. I left early.
But the two spring dances, the two homecomings (freshman and senior), and two proms I went to were fun (junior and senior).
I would also like to mention that I only had a real date to one of those. ^_^
Please don’t enter me to win Prom, I already have a signed copy.
Well, there was the dance where I sat in the lobby with my head down on the admissions table because I was running a high fever and instead of going home I hung around until my ride was ready to leave.
So. you know, I would have reconsidered going that night had I know I was coming down with chicken pox.
I love your guest blog! This one really made me smile.
Alright so about my prom. It totally sucked. It was incredibly lame. First off the place we had it at was tiny, the building was big, but the room in it was in was tiny. There was only a small space to dance in. Second off, they only played rap music, that was it. Nothing else. So my friends and I left like an hour into it and instead just went and talked at my friend’s boyfriend’s apartment. So not the night I expected. But I was damn pretty in my sleeveless black and white polka dot dress. I loooved that dress. If I were to re-do my prom I’d make sure it was held in a place with lots of room and I’d definitely have them play some of all different kinds of music so everyone would be happy.
Thanks for the great blog and the giveaway! =)
Keri’s awesome :]
Uhm, I’ve had pretty much fun at all of the dances that I’ve been to, so no horror stories. Sorry.
Hi, Carol – That stinks. Well at least you don’t have to worry about dance do overs.
Hi, Gabbi – I know. I wish I could go to a dance or formal now. I’d have sooo much more fun – not caring what people think. Of course you deserve it.
Thanks, Teri! Can’t wait to read your book.
Hi, Bunny – Hilarious. Can you shake that cotton tail?
Hi, Book Muncher – I hate to waste money.
What’s a sadie’s dance???
Hi, PJ – Please share.. I was going through some pics yesterday and thought – OMG what was I thinking?
HI, Liviania – Thanks for the tip. I have a wedding to go to soon. I’ll check it out.
I loved the 7th grade dance moment. Hilarious. 
Lucky you – a signed copy!
Hi, Amy – Urgh. The chicken pox.. That sucks.
Hi, Breanna – Thanks bunches.
Sorry the prom sucked. Was it your last prom?
Hi, Paperxxflowers – Thanks so much. You’re lucky. Can’t wait to read your review. Talk soon.
Okay, first off, I’m asking not to be entered into the contest! I’ve already read this book, and so I’d like to give everyone else a chance to win =D
But I do want to share about my memories. This year, my Sophomore year in high school, has been the greatest year for dances. I went to Homecoming and Prom with two different amazing guys, and I had so much fun… and I have to say, my dresses were amazing… not to sound self-centered or anything…;)
I wouldn’t change a thing about either of them!
Yeah it was my last prom. It was the only one I ever went to. Actually it was the only dance I ever went to. I thought it would be great because it was prom. But it turned out to suck, oh well.
And you’re welcome of course!
Ummmm…. I couldn’t think of many dancy do overs:
First dance 6th or 7th grade – I would have spent more time actually at the dance instead of ‘learning dance moves’ in the girls locker room with my friends. (Were we avoiding something?)
There are a few rock concerts I would do over (but that’s probably another blog post!)
LOVE the photos!!
Um, I didn’t go to Prom. Though I did send the guy I was dating with someone else (he was an exchange student and I thought he should have that experience), while I hung in LA with a friend. And since I ended up having a great time- I would not change this decision!
I’m really not the girl that digs dances. I agree that the getting ready is really annoying and tedious sometimes…and then you usually end up going to eat at some place that is nicer but not all that great/can’t find anything decent to eat…and I don’t dance, so I just walk around and visit people.
Re-Do: Senior year Snowball. I went with a friend but I barely saw him…which is fine, but I should have known that since none of my other friends-hardly-would be there that it would be a sucky time. We got there late. Left early. Went and got ice cream…which was the best part of the evening! That and before the dance. hahah
So yeah, I’ve had some good dance times (good friends, hanging out, going to the park before prom one year, etc.) but some weren’t all that great and I should have done something else instead and saved the money.
-Lauren
I’d re-do my prom because the guy I like had to go to a robotics competition and my friend spent the night avoiding her boyfriend, then made me wait an hour for her to finish making out with him in the parking lot before the party we were going to. I felt really awkward for pretty much the entire night!
~Melissa N
pepsivanilla14@hotmail.com
Oh, what a great post! I never liked dances. I ALWAYS ran to the bathroom when the slow songs came on. I guess if I could change one thing, it would be my attitude. I would just ask my crush to dance…or even ask him TO the dance. OH! I’d also change the fact that I got pinkeye on the night of my high school midwinter formal (which I attended with two friends). And the dress. Oh, how I’d like to change the dress. Strapless black taffeta with the BIGGEST ruffles around the top. I had it custom-made, of course. I guess it was the height of fashion, since it was the eighties.
If I could re-do a dance, then I’d choose the one at the beginning of the year. This guy that liked me asked me, like, 20 times if I was going and I always said no. I didn’t go but I wish I had. He was nice and everything but dances just aren’t my thing. And who likes to wear semi-formal attire just to talk with their friends? Not me.
I really want to read Prom. Laurie Halse Anderson is a phenomenal writer and that’s pretty much her only book I haven’t read. That and Twisted, but I was going to read that soon anyways.
HI, Chelsie – Sounds like a fun year. Great memories.
Hi, Breanna – I’m sure you’ll always remember hanging out with your friends afterwards.. I don’t really remember my proms, but I remember the weekends.
Hi, Angeal – That’s so cute – learning the dance moves.
We used to hang out in the bathroom. 
Hi, Alyson! – Thanks. An exchange student. Interesting. You weren’t jealous?
Hi, Lauren – Ice cream – yummy! We had similar dance stories – some re-dos and some great ones.
Hi, Melissa – Ha! I love high school romances. What’s a robotics competition?
Hi, Alexa – Thanks. Oh, the eighties.. How I miss taffeta and big ruffles. Hilarious.
Hi, Hillary – It’s a great book. Different from her others. Good luck.
I would redo my 11th grade valentine dance. I went with a guyfriend who was really sweet but since he was just a friend I ended up ignoring him to flirt with other guys. It was really evil and I regret it. I honestly think if a guy asks you to a dance who is just a friend and you like someone else you should just go stag. It’ll be easier on everyone.
I’ve read Prom and I loved it! I would love to win it!
I never went to a dance or prom. They weren’t really my thing. My friends actually wanted to plan a camping trip instead of going to prom. I can’t remember what happened with that but we never did go camping either!
i would love to have a dance, in a gorgeous dress of course! i think im going to buy one of those dresses for my cousin’s wedding in july!
I wish I could redo my prom and “dance like no one’s watching” instead of sulking over an ex-bf…ugh.
since everyone is sharing there stories, i guess i will too!! i would redo every dance that i went too, and i only went to three.
6th grade dance was my first ever. i was new to school, all the cool people where going, so i thought i would. i was very shy and i thought this could be my way in…. i was literally trampled by a group of eighth graders. i woke up on the ground surronded by teachers, saying “don’t touch her” “let her get up on her own” i guess they thought i had a broken neck. but no just a concussion. maybe that is why i never went to anymore dances, until prom.
junior prom: went with my bf was at the prom for a total of 30 min. because it wasn’t his scene and he was ready for the after party, which consisted of his guy friends and a bonfire getting drunk, great fun, not.
senior prom: went with a guy friend, well i thought was a friends, but i guess he really liked me, but i pretty much ignored him and ended up leaving with the guy i liked! it sounds worse than it was, but it was still bad. i still feel like a jerk!
I meant to leave my email address but spaced.
So here it is now, queenbloop@gmail.com
Loved this guest blog!
Hi, Book-Adorer – I agree. I did the same thing and I always feel like a big jerk about it. BTW – I sent your copy of SCREWBALL from the Word for Teens contest.. Great team name. Enjoy!
Hi, Ambeen – A camping trip sounds fun!
Hi, Marjolein – Have fun at the wedding!
Hi, Books and Love – I know, me too.
Hi, Story Siren – Thanks for the invite. I’m having a blast! Great stories.
Hi, Heather – Thanks.
My School’s prom was just last Saturday. Unfortunately, I didn’t go but now I wish I did because everybody who went told me that it was the funnest dance of their life! But the best dance of my life so far was this year’s Sadies, themed Out of This World, because, for this dance, all of my friends went and we had so much fun!!
WHOOPS!!
i forgot to give my name!!
haha
Grace L
Hi, Grace – Bummer about the prom, but it sounds like you had a great time at Out of This World – what a cool name for a dance.
Have a great summer.