Crash Blog Tour: Guest Post + Giveaway

Hey everyone! Welcome to the next stop on the blog tour for Nicole Williams's awesome novel, Crash. I asked Nicole to write a guest post on:

What is the most important part of a novel, why, and how do you handle writing it?

Here's how Nicole answered it:

For me, the most important part of the novel is telling a story that is emotional enough it moves readers on an instinctual level. Of course plot, characters, pacing, dialogue, and the writing bones of the novel have to be there, but if the reader can walk away from the end of the novel and never give it another thought, I've failed in my job as a writer. My goal is to make the reader feel something, anything. If it's hate, so be it. If it's love, better yet. I just want the reader to be moved and keep coming back to the book. I want it to become a piece of them that they revisit over time.

I so agree with this! I'm sure you've all read those books that has amazing plots and amazing characters and yet you never really liked it. The emotional connection is an absolute must in this case, I think. The best books are the ones that make you feel, yeah?

Wondering what Crash could be about, after Nicole's great answer? Here's the synopsis:

Crash
By: Nicole Williams

Southpointe High is the last place Lucy wanted to wind up her senior year of school. Right up until she stumbles into Jude Ryder, a guy whose name has become its own verb, and synonymous with trouble. He's got a rap sheet that runs longer than a senior thesis, has had his name sighed, shouted, and cursed by more women than Lucy dares to ask, and lives at the local boys home where disturbed seems to be the status quo for the residents. Lucy had a stable at best, quirky at worst, upbringing. She lives for wearing the satin down on her ballet shoes, has her sights set on Juilliard, and has been careful to keep trouble out of her life. Up until now.

Jude's everything she needs to stay away from if she wants to separate her past from her future. Staying away, she's about to find out, is the only thing she's incapable of.

For Lucy Larson and Jude Ryder, love's about to become the thing that tears them apart.
-Summary from Goodreads
Release date: already released
Purchase: Barnes & Noble || Amazon

Here's a bit about Nicole herself:

Nicole Williams

I'm a wife, a mom, a writer. I started writing because I loved it and I'm still writing because I love it. I write young adult because I still believe in true love, kindred spirits, and happy endings. Here's to staying young at heart *raises champagne glass* . . . care to join me?

Find Nicole Online: Blog || Twitter || Facebook

Nicole was nice enough to offer up a set of Crash and its sequel, Clash, to one lucky winner, international or not! Enter the giveaway after the jump.

RULES: 
ONE entry per household.
- Must be 13 years or older to enter.
- Winner has 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen.
- Open to ALL.
- Giveaway ends Friday, October 19th, 2012 at 12:01am EST.
- Good luck!

NOTE: If the winner is from the United States, they can choose a paperback OR an e-book set. If the winner is international, they will receive an e-book set.''
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good luck! :)