My Big Nose And Other Natural Disasters

On The Go with Lucienne Driver

2012-01-19T13:36:00.002-07:00

Please welcome Lucienne Driver, author of the Vamped series. The next installment is here! You can win a copy, if you leave a comment.

You have beengiven your Dream Vacation. Where are you going & what are you doing?

My family and I visited mainland Greece last year, and it was amazing, but too short. In my dream vacation, we'd spend more time, at least two weeks, touring around the Greek isles and Crete. I've always wanted to see Knossos. I was an anthropology and writing double-major in college, and I think the only other place on earth I want to visit quite as much is Egypt, particularly the Valley of the Kings.

What if you could travel to a different time period?

I'm pretty happy in modern times. Like my heroine, I have to admit to being a fan of my creature comforts. However, I think it would be amazing to travel to the height of the various civilizations as an observer... Mayan, Egyptian, Ottoman, Greek and Roman, Imperial China...

Are you a planner or seat-of-the pants traveler?

I'm a planner. I like to leave time in each day for those side trips or surprises that are often the best part of any visit, but there's always so much I want to see or do that I plan very carefully to make sure we don't miss out on a thing! For instance on that week-long trip to Greece we managed to hit Athens, the Corinth Canal, Epidaurus, Olympus, Mycenae, Delphi, Meteora, Thermopylae Pass, and Cape Sounion (for the Temple of Poseidon). I so want to go back for Delos, Santorini, Rhodes, Crete...

What's the worst thing that's happened to you on vacation?

As an adult, I've had pretty amazing vacation karma. But as kids, my sister and I nearly got swept away by the undertow on a black sand beach in Hawaii. We weren't even up to our knees in the water, but the current was so strong that we were carried away in no time. My father had to dash in and save us both. I'll never forget it. And I'll never underestimate the forces of nature.

About the Book

What do you wear to face down a cadre of killer kids?

Gina Covello would rather be working on her manicure than missions for the Feds’ paranormal unit to which she’s been recruited. That changes when a group of killer kids takes out a family in the sunshine state and disappearances begin to plague the lifestylers who only play at the kind of existence our fanged fashionista leads. She and her crew are sent undercover into the vampire clubs…which turn out to be run by real vampires. While Gina’s BFF Marcy hangs with the steampunk-styled Burgess Brigade that seems to have spawned the killer kids, Gina herself is supposed to get in good with the fanged fiends behind the scenes, even to the point of playing double-agent, offering to hand over her powerful boyfriend Bobby. Her playacting threatens to become a bit too real when she discovers things about her spy handlers that make her wonder whether she’s truly on the right side of the battle between Feds and fangs.

“As ever, Gina'sfeisty, funny narration carries the day. Gina never fails to please, as shestrides down the runway of afterlife with just the right mix of humor, make-upadvice, youthful lust that never crosses the line and a kung-fu style all herown. This one doesn’t miss a beat.” —Kirkus Reviews

About The Author

Lucienne Diver is the author of the popular Vamped series of young adult novels (think Clueless meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer). School Library Journal calls the first book, “a lighthearted, action-packed, vampire romance story following in the vein of Julie Kenner’s “Good Ghouls” (Berkley), Marlene Perez’s “Dead” (Harcourt), and Rachel Caine’s “The Morganville Vampires” (Signet) series.” VOYA has suggested that the books “will attract even reluctant readers.”

Her short stories have been included in the Strip-Mauled and Fangs for the Mammaries anthologies edited by Esther Friesner (Baen Books), and one of her essays appears in the anthology Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories (HarperTeen).

To win a copy of the book, please leave a comment. See Lucienne's website for more contests!

On The Go with Eileen Cook

2012-01-18T13:05:00.000-07:00

Welcome Eileen Cook! If you'd like to win a copy of Unraveling Isobel, please leave a comment.

1. You have been given your DreamVacation. Where are you going & what are you doing?

Oooh hard question, so much depends onmy mood. I love mucking about in Europe poking in old castles, but lyingon a beach with a book is never a bad thing either.

2. What if you could travel to adifferent time period?

I love history so it would be fun to goback to Tudor England. However, I also love my modern toys. I’d miss my laptopand phone if I went back in time, not to mention indoor plumbing and hotshowers.

3. Are you a planner or a seat-of-thepants traveler?

I come from a family of travelplanners. When my parents go on vacation they know exactly what they want tosee, when, what time and where they will eat. It drives them crazybecause my husband and I are much more by the seat of our pants travelers. Ilike to leave things open so I can explore or spend more time in a placewithout feeling rushed. Some of my best travel experiences have been randomaccidents.

4. What's the worst thing that's everhappened to you on vacation?

I find a lot of bad travel experiencesare funny when they’re all over. I traveled with a friend once and weended up in this complete dive of a hotel. There was a hole in the bathroomthat looked down into the room below. (And yes, they could look up). Thebed linen had someone else’s hair on it and the blanket must have been abathroom mat at one point because it has a rubber backing. The place was nasty,but there was nowhere else to go until the next day. I slept in myclothes.

About the Book:

Isobel’s life is falling apart. Her mom just married some guy she meton the internet only three months before, and is moving them to his sprawling,gothic mansion off the coast of nowhere. Goodbye, best friend. Goodbye, sociallife. Hello, icky new stepfather, crunchy granola town, and unbelievablygood-looking, officially off-limits stepbrother.

But on her first night in her new home, Isobel starts to fear that itisn’t only her life that’s unraveling—her sanity might be giving way too.Because either Isobel is losing her mind, just like her artist father didbefore her, or she’s seeing ghosts. Either way, Isobel’s fast on her way tobeing the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.

“This blend of paranormal romance, murder mystery andquirky, coming-of-age narrative offers tasty moments….Cook gives readers afast-paced plot, a likable narrator, and interesting characters.” -Kirkus

"Isobel,all snark and sharp edges covering some intense vulnerability as shecontinuously checks in to see if she has crossed into mental illness (as herfather did when she was young), is a compelling narrator."- Horn Book Magazine

About the Author:

Eileen Cook is a multi-published author with her novelsappearing in six different languages. She spent most of her teen years wishing shewere someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for awriter.

You can read more about Eileen, her books, and thethings that strike her as funny at www.eileencook.com. Eileen lives in Vancouver with her husband and two dogs and no longer wishes tobe anyone or anywhere else.

Want to win a copy? Leave a comment by Tuesday, January 24th at midnight!

Contest Winner!

2012-01-18T12:56:00.002-07:00

Congratulations to Gabriella Skory! You've won DEADLY LITTLE VOICES!!!!

Guest Blogging

2012-01-10T16:03:00.001-07:00

Today I'm blogging about my trouble with "firsts" over at YA Outside The Lines, but I'm hosting Laurie Faria Stolarz here. Her latest installment in the TOUCH series is on bookstore shelves now. Leave a comment to win a copy!

How to bring your psychometric senses tofruition

By Camelia Hammond, main character, TOUCH series by Laurie FariaStolarz

1. Make yourself comfortable in a place that feels “sacred”to you. For some it’s outside, surrounded by nature; for others it’s a favoritechair or surrounded by candles; for me, it’s wherever I’m doing pottery.
2. Close your eyes and concentrate on your breath, letting go of any stray ornervous thoughts.
3. Now, take an object in your hand. A good idea is to have someone give yousomething they’ve owned for a long time, i.e. a favorite bracelet or a set ofkeys.
4. Close your eyes again and concentrate on this object. Be aware of anythoughts or feelings that come about as a result of holding this object. Talkthose ideas through, even if they seem silly or insignificant, but never makeinformation up.

Remember, this takes practice and a bit of experimenting.The goal is to begin tuning in to your own inner awareness and your ability ofperception. What often works for me is asking a question aloud, and thensculpting out the answer, using my power of touch in a creative and organicway.

Good Luck!

For more information, go here: www.lauriestolarz.com

About Deadly Little Voices:

Camelia Hammondthought her powers of psychometry gave her only the ability to sense the futurethrough touch. But now she’s started to hear voices. Cruel voices. Beratingher, telling her how ugly she is, that she has no talent, and that she'd bebetter off dead. Camelia is terrified for her mental stability, especiallysince her deranged aunt with a suicidal history, has just moved into the house.As if all of that weren't torturing enough, Camelia's ex-boyfriend, Ben, forwhom she still harbors feelings and who has similar psychometric abilities, hasstarted seeing someone else. Even her closest friends, Kimmie and Wes, are unsurehow to handle her erratic behavior.

With the line betweenreality and dream consistently blurred, Camelia turns to pottery to get a gripon her emotions. She begins sculpting a figure skater, only to receivefrightening premonitions that someone's in danger. But who is the intendedvictim? And how can Camelia help that person when she’s on the brink of losingher own sanity?

More About Laurie:

LaurieFaria Stolarz is the author of DeadlyLittle Secret, Deadly Little Lies,Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, Project 17, and Bleed, as well as the bestselling Blue is for Nightmares series. Born and raised in Salem, Massachusetts, Stolarz attendedMerrimack College and received an MFA in creative writing from Emerson Collegein Boston. For more information, please visit her Web site at www.lauriestolarz.com.

Leave a comment to win a copy of Deadly Little Voices! Or if you're new to the series, I'll send you a copy of the first title. Contest ends at midnight on January 15th.

Mayan Calendar

2012-01-06T09:56:00.003-07:00

During every school visit I've done for Jungle Crossing, eventually students ask me about the Mayan calendar's prediction that the world will end in 2012. I explain how that's only one calendar of many Mayan calendars & reassure them that the world will continue. But I kind of like this answer better (a friend sent it to me on New Year's Day):

Silly Stuff

2011-12-16T10:41:00.000-07:00

Spotted on my way to writing group:

Do porta potties get embarrassed?

Gifts for Writers

2011-12-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

Next week my critique group is having our annual holiday breakfast. We always exchange small writerly gifts. And I have no idea what to do this year. Some of my favorite writerly gifts that I've received are:

A framed ornament of my first ever book cover. Both my critique partner & I wrote stories that appeared in Blooming Tree Press' Summer Shorts anthology. I love seeing this on my tree & remembering how hard I've worked at writing for all these years.

A tote bag for all my critique group needs: notebooks, pens, books, and manuscript pages. And it's true: if you're interesting, in any good or bad way, I will put you in my novels! (That means YOU impressively grumpy woman at post office yesterday.)

I place all sorts of knick knacks on my writing desk, mostly so I can play with them when I get stuck. Or haven't quite started yet... I was thrilled to receive this little framed message reminding me simply to WRITE. I loved that the message was composed in kitchen utensils because I also enjoy cooking.

The students at Two Rivers High School, where I've been teaching a class this fall, gave me this cute little journal. Now I always love a cute diary, whining, I mean writing, my way through several volumes each year. But this one is extra special because each student wrote a short message to me. I love peeking at the messages--especially on bad days!

What are you favorite things to give to writer friends or to receive from writing & reading friends?

(I need some ideas to borrow!)

Blogging Elsewhere

2011-12-10T11:54:00.001-07:00

I'm excited to have recently joined many of my very favorite authors over at the YA Outside The Lines blog! You can read my very first post about my New Year's goals at: http://yaoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/

Hope you enjoy it!

NaNoWriMo: I did it!

2011-12-02T15:57:00.001-07:00

Yay! (Well, really it's more like phew!) I crossed the finish line, writing 50,510 words by the end of the day November 30th (only because the official NaNoWriMo word counter shorted me 400 words--grrr). I've got an empty box of chocolate truffles, ten patches on my book bag, scary household clutter, and 193 pages to show for my efforts.

About those 193 pages... My other three NaNo novels poured out in a lovely organized fashion. Yes, I experienced tough days and needed to do a thorough revision, but at 50,000 words I'd written solid first drafts. Not so much this time. NaNo #4 came out all mixed up. Despite my efforts to outline, organize, and prepare in October, I found myself writing everything out of order in November. My characters kept saying, no, wait, wait. I have to tell you about this first. No, no, no--skip that part and go to this part instead.

It drove me crazy! But I was determined to add that "Winner" patch to my book bag, so I muddled forward (and backward).

I really have no idea what I've concocted with this mass of pages, but I'm proud of myself for soldiering on through my self-doubt and finishing 50,000 words. Now I'm going to clean my house, pay attention to my family, and read polished work for a week or two. And then I'll look at those 193 pages.

I never thought I'd say this, but I can't wait to start revising!

NaNoWriMo Day #29

2011-11-29T12:11:00.001-07:00

I've discovered that I don't really need my thumb to type, begging the question: could a monkey write a better NaNo novel than I've written?

Maybe.

The Infinite Monkey Theorem postulates that a monkey, given an infinite amount of time, could eventually type the complete works of Shakespeare, randomly.

Well, I don't have an infinite amount of time, even though I do lack an opposable left thumb. I've got two days to make it from 45,172 words to 50,000. Will some of my writing be a tad random?

Yes.

NaNoWriMo Day #24

2011-11-25T12:58:00.001-07:00

I accidentally added the tip of my thumb to my Thanksgiving stuffing, so I spent my writing time getting stitches.

NaNoWriMo Day #23

2011-11-23T10:45:00.001-07:00

I love writing away from my desk, sipping hot coffee at a crowded cafe, overlooking the mountains from a desk on the 4th floor of the Salt Lake City library, or surrounded by books at a bookstore... But yesterday I found myself typing away in the Toyota service waiting area. Next to a guy slurping strawberry yogurt.

No wonder I added a few extra explosions to the scene I was working on!

38,665 words written--and now I'm off to bake Thanksgiving pies. Tomorrow I'll type away while my turkey roasts, but at least that smells a whole lot better than bright pink strawberry yogurt.

Happy Thanksgiving!

NaNoWriMo Day #17

2011-11-17T14:54:00.001-07:00

I've been behind all week. Lost in the middle. Fretting about my whole idea. Not only am I wandering nomad with a laptop--I visited three coffee places before finding an empty table at the bagel shop last Sunday--but I'm lost in the middle of my novel.

28,454 words. But are any of them the right ones?!?!?!

NaNoWriMo Day #9

2011-11-09T09:58:00.002-07:00

Many times during my first week of NaNo writing, people said to me, "I'd love to try it, but I don't have the time to write in November." I don't have the time either. That's what I love about NaNoWriMo.

As I head into Week #2, I'm hosting an SCBWI conference & dealing with all those last minute details. Coordinating my daughters' after school activities requires military-level planning--cloning would be even more helpful. I've had fun events, too, like last night's dinner with Two Rivers High Students (amazing kids who are passionate about reading & many who will become authors in time).

I even went to the dentist this week.

And I still have to exercise, sleep, and feed everyone. I wouldn't have started this novel in November. Or maybe I'd still be dinking around with my first chapter--getting it just right while doubting my whole idea. But NaNo has forced me to squeeze writing into my hectic days. We've had homework/writing field trips to the bookstore cafe late in the afternoon. I've woken up early on the weekend. And today I'll probably add to my word count while waiting for soccer practice to end.

NaNoWriMo reminds me that I can always make writing a priority--no matter what is happening in my life. I've written 13,583 words so far & I've added two official patches to my book bag. I plan to hit 15,500 today. I'll get to add another patch & I'm sure there will celebratory chocolates too!

NaNoWriMo Day #1

2011-11-01T05:00:00.000-06:00

Today I transform months of...

research, planning & character development--into a novel. 50,000 words in the next thirty days!!!

Find out more about National Novel Writing Month at www.nanowrimo.org

Contest Winner!

2011-10-31T17:31:00.003-06:00

Congratulations!!!

Sierra is the winner of Just Your Average Princess by Kristina Springer!!!

On The Go With Kristina Springer

2011-10-13T10:41:00.000-06:00

Please welcome Kristina Springer. Her new novel Just Your Average Princess is on the shelves now! Please leave a comment to win your own copy.

You have been givenyour Dream Vacation. Where are you going and what are you doing?

Travelingthroughout Europe for the summer with my hubby and kids. And the kids are allway well behaved: no one is fighting, they are feeding and dressing themselvesand wiping their own butts. Bliss! 

What if you couldtravel to a different time period?

Ooh, shoot me off to the future please.I’d like to see what’s up 100 years out.

What's the worst thing that's everhappened to you on vacation?

On the last day of our big Disney trip,Hubby lost our car keys on the Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios and wecouldn’t get into our car to get to my 8-year-old’s big birthday celebrationdinner back at the Crystal Palace in Disney World. Solution? We piled the sixof us into a friend’s minivan with the four of them (yep, ten of us), and allof their luggage, and made it to the dinner only a little bit late. Hubby wentback to Hollywood Studios later that night and found the keys in the lost andfound. Yay! We drove back to Chicago that night.

About The Book:

Jamie Edwards has loved everything about growing up on a pumpkin patch, but ever since her cousin MilanWoods arrived, things have really stunk. Jamie can’t imagine it was easy forMilan to leave her life back in Los Angeles and move to Average, Illinois, population one thousand. But it’s kind of hard to feel sorry forher since (a) Milan’s drop-dead gorgeous; (b) she’s the daughter of two ofHollywood’s hottest film stars; (c) she’s captured the attention of everyone intown, including Danny, Jamie’s crush since forever; and (d) she’s about tosteal the title of Pumpkin Princess right out from underneath Jamie!

“This cheerful and heartwarming novel set in a small town will appeal to teens whoenjoy YA chick lit.” --VOYA

About The Author:

Kristina Springer is also the author of The Espressologist, a A Society of School Librarians International Book Award Honor Book, My Fake Boyfriend is Better ThanYours, which Meg Cabot calls, “Irresistibleas a fluffy kitten. I laughed out loud and so will you!” You can visit her online at www.kristinaSpringer.com or follow her on Twitter @TinaSpringer, or friend her on Facebook atfacebook.com/KristinaSpringer.

Please leave a comment to win your own copy!

Creepy Cake N Bake: Witch Cupcakes

2011-10-08T07:00:00.000-06:00

To me Halloween has always meant witches. As a kid, I dressed up like a witch almost every year, and now that I'm advancing in age, I invite my fellow crones to a special Witches Luncheon on Halloween. Naturally my creepy baking traditions are witchy too!

I begin with black bottom cupcakes, a college dorm favorite, and since I trick-or-treated into my mid-twenties (young for a witch, I assure you), they fit nicely into our family traditions. Here's our fifteenth batch of witch cupcakes:

Black Bottom Cupcakes

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line your cupcake tins! The recipe says it will make 24, but I usually only net 18 or so after a bit of "potion testing," if you know what I mean...

Step #1 In a small mixing bowl beat the following ingredients to create the filling:
8 ounces of cream cheese
1 egg
1/3 cup of sugar
1/8 teaspoon of salt
Next stir in:
6 ounces (about 2/3 cup or so) of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Now set this mixture aside.

Step #2 Sift together the following:

1 1/2 cups of flour
1/4 cup of cocoa powder
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 cup of sugar

Set this mixture aside too.

Step #3 In a mixing bowl combine:

1 cup of water
1/3 cup of vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon of vinegar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Step #4 Now combine the sifted dry ingredients with the water/oil/vinegar mixture. Beat on high until smooth. Note: the batter will be a tad thin & won't taste as rich as many chocolate cake batters. That's okay, I promise!

Step #5 Cupcake Time!

Fill your cupcake liners about 1/3 full with the chocolate batter. Top each with a heaping spoonful of the cream cheese mixture. Bake for up to 30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean, or the cream cheese on top turns a golden brown.

Frost with cream cheese frosting, tinted your best witchy green. To create the witches, you'll need: peanuts in the shell, candy eyes, red gummy candy (cut to make mouths), mini chocolate chips, and black shoe-string licorice.

Here's a short video about how to decorate your cupcakes (I apologize for the shakiness--my videographer was on a bit of a sugar high!)

The Creepy Cake N Bake-a-Thon is ON! Vote for your favorite entry by commenting below. You can comment on EVERY Cake N Bake post, one entry per post, for a chance to win a $20 gift certificate from Barnes and Noble or an official Creepy Cake N Bake doll! Please include your email in order to be entered to win.Trophies will be awarded on Halloween for the top creeptastic creations. Winners will be chosen by our special Celebrity Judge, Adam Rex, author of such deliciously creepy creations such as FAT VAMPIRE, FRANKENSTEIN TAKES THE CAKE, FRANKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH, and PSSST!

Check the list of contestants and their post dates so you don't miss any of the fun:Mon Oct. 3 - Saundra MitchellWed Oct 5 - Stacey JayFriday Oct 7 - Erin DionneSaturday Oct 8 - Sydney SalterMon Oct 10 - Brenna YovanoffWed Oct 12 - Tara HudsonFriday Oct 14 - Karen HealeySaturday Oct 15 - Robin BridgesMon Oct 17 - Michelle ZinkWed Oct 19 - Julia KarrFriday Oct 21 - Victoria Schwab Saturday Oct 22 - C.Lee McKenzieSunday Oct 23 - E. Kristin AndersonMon Oct 24 - Natalie ZamanWed Oct 26 - Stephanie BurgisFriday Oct 28 - Dawn Metcalf

Thanks for joining me for our Creepy Cake N Bake!

Contest Winner

2011-09-30T14:01:00.000-06:00

Congratulations!!!!

Debi Murray won a copy of the Enthralled anthology!

(Please email me your address & send the book ASAP)

On The Go With Jeri Smith-Ready + Giveaway

2011-09-22T11:14:00.000-06:00

Today I'm giving away another anthology--paranormal stories! Here's what contributer Jeri Smith-Ready has to say:

You have been given your Dream Vacation. Where are you going & what are you doing?

Scotland! I would spend a week in Glasgow, then travel the highlands and islands.

What if you could travel to a different time period?

Ooh, I’d go to the 1940s, when men wore fedoras. They looked so cool.

Are you a planner or a seat-of-the pants traveler?

I’m a planner, but I like to leave a certain amount of wiggle room for spontaneity. Also, I forget to do things, so often the spontaneity is forced on me.

What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you on vacation?

Well, it didn’t happen to me directly, but my husband got the flu on our honeymoon. The only fortunate part was that our honeymoon was three months after our wedding. He missed the first couple of days while I went out on bus tours and stuff. He still gives me guilt trips, in a joking way, for leaving him behind in the hotel room.

ABOUT THE BOOK

ENTHRALLED: PARANORMAL DIVERSION, edited by Melissa Marr andKelley Armstrong

This collection of original paranormal YA short stories grewout of the 2010 Smart Chicks Kick It Tour, a multiauthor, multicity,author-organized tour of the US and Canada. With it, these 16 authors hoped to bring a little taste ofthe Smart Chicks experience to readers everywhere.

Contributors to ENTHRALLED:

Claudia Gray

Carrie Ryan

Margaret Stohl

Kami Garcia

Jackson Pearce

Rachel Vincent

Melissa Marr

Kelley Armstrong

Sarah Rees Brennan

Jeri Smith-Ready

Kimberly Derting

Ally Condie

Jessica Verday

Mary E. Pearson

Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Rachel Caine

ABOUT THE STORY “BRIDGE”

In the world of the SHADE novels, everyone seventeen andunder can see and hear ghosts, but no one else can. So when Logan Keeley dies and his eighteen-year-old brotherMickey blames himself, they can’t ease each other’s pain or reconcile theirrage. Over the course of SHADE andSHIFT, Mickey sinks into a near-suicidal depression over Logan’s death.

“Bridge” is the story, told in free verse, of how twobrothers, with the help of a stranger, forge the chasm between them to find alasting peace.

REVIEWS

“A solid collection of stories...Sarah Rees Brennan's ‘Let'sGet This Undead Show on the Road’ follows a vampire in a boy-band and standsout with its perfect blend of snark and sincerity. It's followed in a one-twopunch by Jeri Smith-Ready's intense and earnest ‘Bridge.’...This collection isideal as a sampler tray for paranormal readers looking to pick up new authorsto follow or to further explore the fictional worlds they already know. —Kirkus Reviews

A standout among the many paranormal-themed anthologies. -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books(Recommended review)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeri Smith-Ready has been writing fiction since the nightshe had her first double espresso. Her nine published books include two seriesfor adults and the SHADE trilogy for teens, about a world of ghosts only theyoung can see, which concludes May 2012 with SHINE. Like many of her characters, Jeri enjoys music, movies, andstaying up very, very late. Visither at www.jerismithready.com, or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JeriSmithready)or Twitter (http://twitter.com/jsmithready), where she spends way too much time. Logan himself can be found on Twitter@keeley_logan, as can his rival/”brother-in-pulp,” Zachary Moore(@moore_zachary). The boys love tochat with each other and with their real-life fans.

To win a copy of Enthralled, please leave a comment by Tuesday, September 27th

Contest Winner!

2011-09-22T10:08:00.001-06:00

Congratulations!!!!

Maryanne is the winner of the Dear Bully anthology.

Dear Bully Book Giveaway

2011-09-15T11:59:00.002-06:00

In 4th grade my daughter watched a fellow classmate endure constant bullying--and it traumatized her. She didn't want to tell anyone because she worried the group of girls would turn against her too. When I stepped in to help, the school handled the problem in the worst way possible. The teacher never responded to me, but asked the principal to call both my daughter and the victim into her office. My daughter had no idea why she was in the principal's office. And the victim, a boy, had to tell the principal what had happened in front of my daughter. Talk about humiliating!

Despite efforts to end bullying, it's still a huge problem for so many kids. That's why I'm pleased there's a new anthology addressing this issue: Dear Bully.

Please leave a comment to win a copy.

THOUGHTS ON DEAR BULLY

WHY THEY DID IT
Megan Kelley Hall and Carrie Jones formed the group YAAAB (Young Adult AuthorsAgainst Bullying) in April 2010 when they both coincidentally blogged about thePhoebe Prince case on the same day. Megan reached out to Carrie expressing herfrustration with this case and the fact that bullying that seemed to be growingat a ridiculously fast rate. As a Massachusetts resident and having alreadyspoken about bullying in schools, Megan was horrified after hearing about the bullyingthat took place in the Phoebe Prince case. While writing her books, SISTERS OFMISERY and THE LOST SISTER, she had to dig deep to make “mean girls as evil asshe possibly could. When she heard about all the bullying and bullycide storiesin the news, she felt like the bullies had jumped off the pages of her book andinto real life. She was also disheartened by the numerous times she’d done booksignings and would say to readers, “I hope you never meet girls as mean as theones in my book.” Shockingly, they almost always said, “We already have.”Carrie Jones was also moved to do something, as she was the target of bullyingas a young child due to a speech impediment. Together, they felt that they owedit to teen readers to discourage bullying -- to make it "uncool." MeganKelley Hall started by creating a Facebook page that kicked off an entire"movement" to end bullying. This was the day that Megan, Carrieand other authors decided to use their platform as Young Adult authors toactually facilitate change and to be a voice for those kids who cannot speakout or are too afraid to be heard.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Right away, a large number of authors jumped on board ofthis cause -- wanting to be involved in any way possible. The Facebook groupjumped from 5 to 1500 members in one weekend and is now closing in on nearly5,000 members. Carrie and Megan were thrilled when HarperTeen offered to putall of the stories into an anthology. The thought of having 70 authors –well-known, highly successful writers – sharing their personal bullying storieswith their fans was something beyond what they had ever hoped for.

The stories in DEAR BULLY come from all angles: from thepoint of view of the victim, the mother, the friend, the sibling, the classmate– even a few from the actual bully. Some of the stories are light-hearted,while others are raw and emotional. All of them drive home the point thatbullying is something that almost everyone has experienced. And while that is asad fact, they want to prove that it's not a rite of passage. It doesn't makeyou stronger, wiser, or better. But it is something that can be overcome,something that can be changed, something that is relatable, and something thatone should never be ashamed of. Through these stories, the authors want to showthat they understand what teens are going through today. It is important toencourage bystanders to speak up and make bullying unacceptable. Parents andadults must get involved. Bullying is something that people no longer have toendure--at least, not by themselves.

Though quite a lofty mission, the goal of DEAR BULLY is tohelp just one person get through a difficult time, and hopefully make bullyinga thing of the past.

Don't forget to join the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dearbully, visit the websiteat www.dearbully.com, or follow DEAR BULLY on Twitter at www.twitter.com/dearbully.

IN THE NEWS:

“FIGHT BACK WITH WORDS. Better Homes & Gardensrecommends DEAR BULLY: Remind youngsters heading back to school that gettingpicked on is tough—but that words can also heal as much as they can hurt, asone anthology proves.” – Better Homes & Gardens

“This anthology of personal essays provides empathetic andheartfelt stories from each corner of the schoolyard: the bullied, thebystander and the bully himself are all represented. Their words will be awelcome palliative or a wise pre-emptive defense against the trials of adolescentsocial dynamics.” --New York Times

“Two of them, both authors of novels for young adults (MeganKelley Hall and Carrie Jones), have drawn on the power of the written word tofocus attention on the problem and offer solace to the bullied.” – --The Boston Globe

“You’ll love it if… You know someone (or are someone)who’s ever been involved in any type of bullying incident. There’s something init for everyone, on all sides of the spectrum. You’ll love it even more if youcan find a story that inspires you to help someone else.” – Seventeen.com

“With authority often turning a blind eye and cyber-bullyingrampant, this timely collection is an excellent resource, especially for groupdiscussion, and the appended, annotated list of websites and further readingextends its usefulness.” – Booklist

“Powerful…All of these stories feel authentic and honest,and readers will find a story or a person to identify with, to look to forcomfort or guidance.” School LibraryJournal

“Bottom line is this anthology is a terrific tool for thecounselor who can customize the entries to the needs of the victimized student.” -- Harriet Klausner

Leave a comment to win your own copy of Dear Bully

Giveaway ends on Tuesday, September 20, 2011

The Outline Advantage

2011-09-13T15:25:00.000-06:00

My task this week: plan and plot my new WIP. I know, I know, outlining is not cool, not artistic, it hampers inspiration... Tony Hillerman says, "Usually the book is finished long before the outline is. Go with the flow. Sometimes plots don't make sense, but it avoids that awful problem of outlining." Anne Lamott (Bird By Bird) is against outlining. So is Stephen King (On Writing).

But I still love it. I'm not talking about one of those big I, little i nightmares from school research papers, but rather creating a plan for the work I plan to write, or as Strunk and White say, "a suitable design." Having an outline gives me an advantage as I draft a new novel.

Advantage #1: Plot. Outlining allows me to work out the structure of the novel. I like to see everything visually and puzzle out questions. If this happens, then what will happen next? I can see the pacing, story arc, etc.

Advantage #2: Avoid Meandering, Wandering, Getting Lost. An outline helps me keep to the story I intended to tell. I won't write hundreds of unnecessary words, or pages, that don't actually contribute to my main character's journey. Sometimes it's hard to cut clever or pretty sentences that sound good--even if they don't belong.

A good outline also gives me a map through the middle. Knowing where I'm going prevents those panicky moments, "Eek! I've written 100 pages, but I don't know what happens next, and, maybe the whole thing is bad, bad, bad."

But--it is important to be flexible. I'm always adding and deleting things from my outline.

Advantage #3: Tracking Subplots, Minor Characters, Themes. To make outlining even more fun, I'll use color for each aspect of the story. At a glance I can see if I'm ignoring a subplot for too long, or leaving out a minor character who will confuse my readers if she all of a sudden pops back into the story 75 pages later.

Advantage #4: Remembering The Good Stuff. I do a lot of research before I write, and I'd probably forget about some of my most interesting tidbits if I simply dove into the story and started wandering about. Outlining forces me to really think about my story and figure out how to fit all of my ideas into my plot in an exciting, relevant manner.

Advantage #5: Fast, Smooth, Writing. I rarely sit and stare at my blank computer screen wondering what the &#*!@ happens next. I've been letting my subconscious mind go to work. I always look at which scene I'm going to work on the next day, and think about it while I'm cooking dinner, driving carpool, walking the dogs, etc. I'm not worried about what will happen next, I'm focused on how to make it happen.

Advantage #6: Cleaner First Draft. My outline serves as a first draft of sorts. And that makes revision easier. Oh, I still have things to fix, but I usually don't need a bulldozer during revision.

So what if Stephen King thinks I'm a dork?

Writing A Pitch

2011-09-09T09:36:00.002-06:00

Today my goal is to create a pitch for my next YA novel idea--something so intriguing that people will say, "I've got to read that. Write fast!"

I've been researching my idea for months, reading like crazy, thinking like crazy, watching YouTube videos, picking up random bits on NPR, steering dinner party conversations in unusual directions... My brain is STUFFED with information. But now I have to explain it to people. Um...

I'm a rambling mess!

Lucky for me, I discovered Save The Cat by Blake Snyder. It's a book about screenwriting, but who better to teach me how to pitch than a Hollywood movie guy?

According to Snyder, a pitch answers this basic question: what is it?

(And it's not Snakes On A Plane meets Three Men And A Baby--although who wouldn't want to see that?!?!?)

A good pitch gives a clear sense of what the story promises to deliver (action, love, mystery). You want your audience to immediately form a compelling mental picture of your story. Better yet--you want to elicit an emotional response. A good pitch also includes a good title. Hunger Games? Yeah, I want to know what that's about!

People also want to know who the story is about. Short and sweet, a good pitch characterizes both the main character and the antagonist. Is your character's goal enthralling? The best way to hook someone with your pitch is to make sure that your character's mission involves primal needs: survival, love, protection. Snyder asks: would a caveman understand your character's needs?

Reducing all my research into a pitch only a few sentences long will probably be the hardest part to write. But I know that figuring out these basic elements will make the next 250 pages flow.

I'm excited and I want to write this story fast!

New Dictionary Words!

2011-09-06T13:48:00.000-06:00

For my writing exercise today, I challenged myself to write a paragraph using Merriam-Webster's new dictionary entries:

Mom says she's hoping my life will turn into a walk-off homer in the 9th inning of my twenties, otherwise I'll have to revive her broken heart with CPAP.

"You can't treat life like a duathlon," she says, "if you're not even bothering to enter the race."
"I'm gonna apply for that robocall job, I swear."
"Not if you don't get off the couch." Mom picks up her smart phone and whips up some crowdsourcing for her m-commerce vitamin business. She's always attached to some sort of electronic device, so I don't get why she bugs me about wasting time on social media. She tweets more than I do, hoping to sell supplements to parkour participants. Talk about a boring job!

I mean, it's not like I'm fist-bumping my buddies about being a boomerang child. And Mom's wrong about me going after the cougars in her book club, but could she blame me? My only relationship is a bromance with an old high school classmate based on our shared fondness for Americana banjo music.

Maybe I'm not doing the most I could with my life. But it's totally Mom's fault for being such a helicopter parent!

So what's your favorite official new word?

Still Collecting Characters...

2011-09-01T09:13:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite neighborhood "characters" is a man who walks three little dogs every morning. With his dark shoulder-length hair, bushy beard, and old-fashioned coat, he looks like someone from another era. He should be wandering cobblestone streets in the mist, not dodging early morning sprinklers watering manicured lawns in a dry climate.

Seeing him, I sometimes wonder if there's a time travel portal hidden among the white vinyl fences in my neighborhood...

But today I saw him walking his three little dogs, wearing shorts--Richard Simmons shorts. Oh, no! It turns out he's a man from another era alright, but that time is 1980!

Well, at least he can still be a time-traveling nomad in my imagination.

Back To School (And Writing)

2011-08-23T10:38:00.001-06:00

Yesterday I dropped my daughter off for her first day of 10th grade. Usually I drive away cheering the return of long uninterrupted writing days, but yesterday I found myself growing tearful, a bit nostalgic.

In 10th grade I started becoming myself. That year I began keeping the daily journal that would eventually give me the courage and voice to write fiction. I also started fighting against my failures. After a truly embarrassing drill team tryout at the end of freshman year, I decided to take ballet lessons and try again. I dragged my curvy post-pubescent body to a class of slim 5th and 6th graders. But I did make the dance team the following spring. And I've been working to overcome my failures ever since!

So while I happily dig into long days of writing, I'm wondering who is my daughter about to become?

Winners Galore!

2011-08-18T05:00:00.001-06:00

Congratulations!!!

Trudy won a copy of Love Story by Jennifer Echols.

Tiah won a copy of Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker

(Tiah please leave your email address in the comments)

Yan won a copy of A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young.

On The Go With Jennifer Echols + Giveaway

2011-07-28T05:00:00.003-06:00

Please welcome Jennifer Echols, author of Love Story. Leave a comment and you could win your own copy!

You have been given your Dream Vacation. Where are you going and what are you doing?

I am going to Hawaii and learning to surf. I’ve been to Hawaii before, so I know how beautiful it is, and learning to surf is the only thing on my bucket list.

What if you could travel to a different time period?

I think I would stay here. So many people nowadays lament the loss of “the old days” and “old-fashioned values,” but I look around and see how much better off we all are than before. My husband and I are not of the same race, so we couldn’t have gotten married and had a child too long ago.

Are you a planner or a seat-of-the pants traveler?

In theory, I’m a planner, but my vacations never work out that way. I plan to plan, but then I get busy and wait until the last minute. And even on the rare occasions when I do have time to plan, I like to build in time for unplanned wandering. I don’t feel like I’ve been to a place until I get away from the tourist attractions and see where the people actually work and live.

What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you on vacation?

I convinced my friend Amy that we should go on a ski slope that was too difficult for us, and she ran into a tree, which tore her earring out of her ear. I documented this in my novel THE EX-GAMES and dedicated the book to her.

About The Book

For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions – it’s her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family’s racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin’s college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a local coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter… so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?

Then, on the day she’s sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He’s joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin’s heart with longing. Now she’s not just imagining what might have been. She’s writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter… except this story could come true.

About The Author

Jennifer Echols is the author of teen romantic dramas for MTV Books and teen romantic comedies for Simon Pulse. She lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her family. Please visit her online at www.jennifer-echols.com.

Leave a comment and you could win a copy of Love Story!

Contest Winner!

2011-07-26T14:52:00.000-06:00

Congratulations!!!

Yan wins a copy of Possession by Elana Johnson!

On The Go With Melissa Walker + Giveaway

2011-07-21T13:53:00.000-06:00

Please welcome Melissa Walker! Leave a comment to win a copy of her new novel, Small Town Sinners.

You have been given your Dream Vacation. Where are you going & what are you doing?

I'm going to Spain, first to sit on the beach in Andalucia, then to spend a few days in Madrid, a city I love almost as much as NYC.

What if you could travel to a different time period?

I'd go to the 1920s, if only for the style. I love a vintage flapper dress.

Are you a planner or a seat-of-the pants traveler?

I'm a mix. I like to get flights and hotel in order, but for the day by day I go with what I feel like doing in the moment.

What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you on vacation?

Flying back from Brazil once, we almost landed at JFK but then had to divert to MIAMI! I spent four hours on the runway there before flying all the way back to NYC. Luckily, I had a good book--Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides--to keep me distracted. And actually, I feel lucky that this is the worst thing that's happened to me while traveling--not so bad!

About The Book:

Small Town Sinners is the story of Lacey Anne, daughter of the pastor and perennial good girl, who is eligible for a lead role in the season’s Hell House production—a role she’s been coveting for years. But when Ty moves to town as casting begins, a new perspective is added to Lacey Anne’s world and she starts to see her tight-knit, Evangelical community in a different light. With the help of her two best friends Starla Joy and Dean, and her potential first love Ty, Lacey Anne begins exploring her own thoughts and feelings about her religion, her community, and her place within both. While this novel deals with provocative issues like religion, teen pregnancy and underage drinking, it is not an “issue” book; the topics are masterfully interwoven into this story of friendship and family. Read an article about the book in the New York Times Book Review.

About The Author:

Melissa has worked as ELLEgirl Features Editor and Seventeen Prom Editor. She is the author of the Violet on the Runway series as well as Lovestruck Summer. Melissa manages I Heart Daily, an e-newsletter and blogs for ReaderGirlz, an online community for teens. www.melissacwalker.com

To win a copy of Small Town Sinners, please leave a comment!

Contest Winner!

2011-07-21T13:44:00.000-06:00

Congratulations!!!!

YA Vampire Books has won a copy of Amanda Ashby's Fairy Bad Day!

Things I've Learned So Far

2011-07-19T16:51:00.000-06:00

I enjoyed the challenge of coming up with seven things I've learned about writing and publishing for Chuck Sambuchino's Guide to Literary Agents blog. Now if only life would stop teaching me SO many lessons! Here's the first one:

It’s not always about you. When my first novel hit the shelves, I came across a surprisingly violent review: a blogger, upset with a particular passage, threw my book against her wall! Shocked and dismayed, I showed my mother, a psychologist, the review. She simply nodded and said, “Wow. That sure says a lot about her.” Oh, right. Readers filter stories through their own experiences, values, and expectations. Sometimes our work simply won’t connect—with anything other than a wall.

To read the rest of my guest column, please go to the Guide To Literary Agents blog. Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Jungle Crossing.

On The Go With Suzanne Young + Giveaway

2011-07-14T05:00:00.000-06:00

Please welcome Suzanne Young. Leave a comment to win a copy of her novel A Need So Beautiful.

You have been given your Dream Vacation. Where are you going & what are you doing?

I would love to go to Italy. I just want to wander and take in the sights, eat good food, study the architecture of the buildings. I hope to actually make it there one day.
What if you could travel to a different time period?

I've always been fascinated by history, but I don't know... time travel sounds dangerous!
Are you a planner or a seat-of-the pants traveler?

I love traveling but haven’t been able to do much of it lately. I like to just go somewhere spur of the moment when I can.
What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you on vacation?

On the way back from the Grand Canyon we were in an RV and nearly got trapped driving up a mountain range. I cried the entire time because I thought we’d end up on an episode of I Shouldn’t be Alive.

About The Book:

We all want to be remembered. Charlotte’s destiny is to be Forgotten…

Charlotte's best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she's cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what's really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.

But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become—her mark on this earth, her very existence—is in jeopardy of disappearing completely.

Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny—no matter how dark the consequences?

« "A clever and well-written fantasy. Whether Charlotte is an angel or a being less freighted by religious tradition is left up to the reader, but the dilemma of how we can make a lasting impression is a very human concern. Young offers an elegant solution that is well worth consideration."

— Booklist, starred review

“A gripping supernatural romance… An imaginative twist on the timeless battle between dark and light.”

— Kirkus Review

Suzanne Young currently lives in Portland, Oregon, where she uses the rainy weather as an excuse to stay inside and write obsessively. After earning her degree in creative writing, Suzanne spent several years teaching middle school language arts. Now she can be found at home chasing after her two children and poorly behaved dog and writing novels for teens. You can visit her online at www.suzanne-young.blogspot.com or follow her on Twitter @suzanne_young.

Please leave a comment to win a copy of A Need So Beautiful.

On The Go With Elena Johnson + Giveaway

2011-07-12T05:00:00.000-06:00

Today I'm pleased to welcome fellow Utah author, Elana Johnson. Leave a comment to win a copy of Possession.

You have been given your Dream Vacation. Where are you going & what are you doing?

The White Cliffs of Dover, and I’m just going to absorb the awesomeness of the UK.

What if you could travel to a different time period?

That would be wicked awesome! I’d like to go to the Old West. Cowboys and all that…

Are you a planner or a seat-of-the pants traveler?

Well, if it involves a plane, then I plan. If it’s a road trip, I’m a pack-a-bag-let’s-get-in-the-car! kind of planner.

What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you on vacation?

Hmmm…we had to buy new tires on our last road trip to Arizona. So we did. I live in Utah. They don’t sell tires in AZ. So about six months later, I had to buy new tires again. Yeah, not my best vacay.

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don’t walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn…and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi’s future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they’re set on convincing Vi to become one of them….starting by brainwashed Zenn. Vi can’t leave Zenn in the Thinkers’ hands, but she’s wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous: everything Zenn’s not. Vi can’t quite trust Jag and can’t quite resist him, but she also can’t give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

"Possession held me completely captivated from beginning to end. And what an end! I fell in love with the characters and had countless moments of 'Wow.'"
--James Dashner, bestselling author of The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials

"Who Should Read This: Anyone who wants a challenge: This plot is so twisty, I had to read the last chapter twice before I could believe what happened. There's also a very nice balance between badass action and romantic tension for readers who like a good mix of the two."
--MTV.com

To find out more about Elana, check out her blog: http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/

Leave a comment to win a copy of Possession!

On The Go With Amanda Ashby + Giveaway

2011-07-07T05:00:00.001-06:00

Today I'm pleased to welcome Amanda Ashby. Leave a comment to win a copy of her new book Fairy Bad Day.

You have been given your Dream Vacation. Where are you going & what are you doing?

Oh, I love this game! I would go to Italy because I still regret that I somehow skipped it when I was traveling through Europe—okay, I didn’t skip it, I just forgot to get out of the train on the way to Greece (which considering the trip was something like 20 hours is a little bit stupid!) Anyway, I want to have about three or four weeks so I can do Tuscany as well as Rome, Florence and Vienna, and obviously apart from seeing lots of amazing and very worthy things I will eat gelato all day everyday!

What if you could travel to a different time period?

Regency period just to see if it was as awesome as Georgette Heyer made it out to be!

Are you a planner or a seat-of-the pants traveler?

I’m a panster who wishes that she was a plotter so I try my hardest to plot but it NEVER works. My brain just likes to through sensible suggestions out the window and change its mind ALL the time!

What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you on vacation?

We were on a train going through Spain and hadn’t validated our Eurorail passes so that they would last longer. We thought we could act dumb and pretend that we didn’t know we were meant to if we got caught. We did get caught and it turns out that Spanish train police have NO time for tourists who act dumb. We got away with a caution, though for awhile we thought we would lose our passes, which had cost a lot of money. We definitely never made that mistake again.

About The Book:

It’s going to be a fairy bad day

First, my rightful designation of dragon slayer is STOLEN right out from under me by Curtis Green. Sure, he’s really cute, but that doesn’t give him an excuse.

On top of that, I am assigned to slay fairies. I know what you’re thinking—how hard could it be, right? Wrong! These menacing beasts with their tiny hipster clothes and mocking sarcasm love taunting me. And they won’t STOP!

But the thing that tops my list of stuff to ruin my day? That would be the GIANT KILLER FAIRY that I have to hunt down and slay because I am the only one who can see it. There is someone who can help me. Unfortunately…it’s Curtis.

"Teens with a taste for the paranormal school story and a tolerance for raucous humor will be involved with and amused by this romantic fantasy. The exciting plot, humor throughout—often provided by the little fairies—and relatively innocent romance between characters will grab readers and keep them involved. " Kirkus Reviews

"In a fun mashup of the modern and the magical, Ashby (Zombie Queen of Newbury High) creates nicely developed characters and supports them with strong plotting and zippy writing. Laced with humor, danger, and romance, this book will have readers smiling all the way to the last page." Publisher's Weekly

About Amanda:

Amanda Ashby was born in Australia, and has spent the last fifteen years dividing her time between England and New Zealand before finally deciding that to move home. When she's not moving country, she likes to write books (okay, she also likes to eat chocolate, watch television and sit around doing not much, but let's just keep that amongst ourselves, shall we?)
She has a degree in English and Journalism from the University of Queensland and is married with two children. As well as writing, she works part-time at the children/teen desk of her local library, which basically means that someone pays her to talk about books. Her debut book, You Had Me at Halo was nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award, and her first young adult book Zombie Queen of Newbury High was listed by the New York Public Library's Stuff for the Teen Age 2010.
http://www.amandaashby.com

To win a copy of Fairy Bad Day, please leave a comment!

Other Kinds of Creativity

2011-07-05T12:14:00.000-06:00

I'm just home from a jaunt through the Northwest. I brought books, notebooks, and my laptop, but I didn't do any writing work. I simply appreciated other people's creativity.

With sand:

Latte foam:

Salty soccer chants:

And lyrics. (Our marriage entered its last year as a teenager, so we took it to a My Morning Jacket concert.)

Watching others exercise their creativity always inspires me. So now I'm home with my notebook, adding characters like this cat who does fundraising for an animal shelter at Pike Place Market in Seattle.

Contest Winner!

2011-07-05T11:51:00.000-06:00

Congratulations!!!

Niii** is the winner of My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody.

**Please leave your contact information in the comments!

Collecting Characters

2011-06-15T10:00:00.000-06:00

Summer vacation is here and that means a break from big chunks of quiet writing time. But that's okay because I plan to spend the next few weeks researching my next story; it's easier to squeeze reading between fun activities. But I'm still writing every day.

My challenge: collect 50 characters before school starts.

So far I've imagined a Starbuck's employee's tumultuous breakup, written a voicy piece about a rebellious teenage couple who actually have a really good relationship, and I stretched myself by seeing things from a too-curious Seeing-Eye puppy-in-training's point of view (I wish I had a photo of that cutie!). Last week I found a grocery list on the floor of my supermarket and wrote about the woman behind the ingredients. Here's the list so you can try it too:

Today I plan to write about the teen who wore her zebra snuggie to the pharmacy.

Is it wrong to take sneaky photos of strangers? Maybe. But I guess my friend gave me a "Careful, or I'll put you in my novel..." tote bag for a reason!

On The Go With Jessica Brody + Giveaway

2011-06-09T14:25:00.001-06:00

Please welcome Jessica Brody, author of My Life Undecided. Leave a comment to win a copy!

1. You have been given your Dream Vacation. Where are you going and what are you doing?

Nice! My dream vacation would be a cruise around the world. I LOVE boats and I’ve always wanted to live on one. So for me, a cruise would be the ideal way to see the world.

2. What if you could travel to a different time period?

I would love to travel back to visit the court of Henry VIII. I’m obsessed with Tudor history. I think it’d be fun. All the gossip and intrigue…and dresses! But my big, opinionated mouth would probably land me in the tower for some sort of treason.

3. Are you a planner or a seat-of-the pants traveler?

I can be both. My husband and I travel a ton and we’ve had trips that have been planned for months and trips we plan the day before we go. I’ve learned to be very flexible when I travel and to pack light. There’s something very exciting about traveling spontaneously, but I also love the build up that comes with a trip that’s planned a while in advance.

4. What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you on vacation?

When I was five years old I got pneumonia when my family was on vacation in Lake Tahoe. I don’t remember it all that well, but I do remember feeling like total crap! And feeling very left out when everybody was out skiing and I was stuck in the hotel taking ice baths to bring down my fever! Thankfully, nothing that bad has happened since (knock on wood!)

About The Book:

PLEASE READ THIS! MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!

Okay, maybe that was a bit melodramatic, but I’m sorry, I’m feeling a bit melodramatic at the moment.

Here’s the deal. My name is Brooklyn Pierce, I’m fifteen years old, and I am decisionally challenged. Seriously, I can’t remember the last good decision I made. I can remember plenty of crappy ones though. Including that party I threw when my parents were out of town that accidentally burned down a model home. Yeah, not my finest moment, for sure.

But see, that’s why I started a blog. To enlist readers to make my decisions for me. That’s right. I’m gave up. Threw in the towel. I let someone else be the one to decide which book I read for English. Or whether or not I accepted an invitation to join the debate team from that cute-in-a-dorky-sort-of-way guy who gave me the Heimlich Maneuver in the cafeteria. (Note to self: Chew the melon before swallowing it.) I even let them decide who I dated!

Well, it turns out there are some things in life you simply can’t choose or have chosen for you—like who you fall in love with. And now everything’s more screwed up than ever.

But don’t take my word for it, read the book and decide for yourself. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll scream in frustration. Or maybe that’s just me. After all, it’s my life.

Reviews:

"Brooklyn is a sympathetic protagonist with whom teens will identify. Her journey is fun to read, and decision-challenged readers will learn an important lesson about self-acceptance along the way."
--School Library Journal

"Brody taps into a universal human desire...An amusing coming-of-age story with many funny moments...[Brooklyn's] flustered, off-the-cuff narration should keep readers as invested in her actions as her blog followers are."
--Publisher's Weekly

A few fun facts about Jessica Brody’s own life undecided:
Jessica was born in Los Angeles, moved to Colorado when she was twelve, moved back to California after college and now indecisively splits her time between both states.
Jessica graduated from Smith College in Massachusetts with majors in Economics and French because she was convinced she wanted to be an “important business woman.” After a brief stint as a strategic analyst for MGM Studios, she abandoned her business background to become a full-time writer. Now she uses her mad spreadsheet skills to build complicated outlines for her books.
Appropriately, when writing this book, Jessica couldn’t decide on a title. So she polled 50 of her closest friends to finally come up with My Life Undecided.
Visit her online at: www.JessicaBrody.com

Coming soon: www.MyLifeUndecided.com, where you can post your own undecided questions, poll the community, and get some answers.

If you'd like to win your own copy, please leave a comment by Wednesday, June 15, 2011!

Tortoises

2011-06-07T18:38:00.000-06:00

Last weekend the weather finally warmed enough for our pet tortoises to play outside.

As I sat outside reading & watching Sunny and Sandy, I thought about my favorite tortoise quote:

"Turtles have everything a writer needs: tough shells to deal with criticism; soft, sensitive insides; the need to stick their necks out if they want to move forward; and the slow-and-steady patience to keep slogging away, day after day." --Martha Beck, Finding Your Own North Star

I've been collecting turtle figurines on my travels for many years, but none are as charming as the real thing!

U2: Creative Longevity

2011-06-02T11:23:00.000-06:00

Last Thursday my husband and I went to the U2 concert in Salt Lake City, his eighth, my fifth. Many of our memories together involve U2--like the time we bought the Joshua Tree album, a bag of Doritos, and headed out on our first road trip together through the Mohave desert's Joshua trees (so cool!) on the way to my dad's house. A few years later we had so much fun seeing a U2 show in Tacoma, Washington that we drove to Vancouver, BC the next night to catch it again. Many years later, we caravanned to Denver with young kids-in-tow to see the band.

I'll leave it to my husband and his music-loving friends to debate the quality of U2's recent albums, I'm simply impressed by the band's creative longevity. How has U2 managed to connect with so many fans for so many years? Among the 50,000 of us who watched Thursday's concert were elementary school kids perched on their dads' shoulders, teens swaying with friends, and many of us sporting gray hair.

I think the answer is authenticity. Whether it's "Sunday Bloody Sunday," "Bullet The Blue Sky," or "Walk On," Bono writes about issues that matter to him. And he backs up his words with political action.

As writers we receive a lot of mixed messages: don't follow trends...here are the trends. But I think we should learn a lesson from U2: write what matters to you, means something to you, and you'll connect with others.

And it doesn't hurt if you look good in leather pants!

Contest Winner!

2011-06-02T10:42:00.000-06:00

Congratulations!!!!

Gaby is the winner of Elizabeth Scott's new novel Between Here And Forever.

On The Go With Elizabeth Scott + Giveaway

2011-05-26T11:58:00.000-06:00

1. You have been given your Dream Vacation. Where are you going & what
are you doing?

I'm staying home and reading!

2. What if you could travel to a different time period?

I'm pretty good here, actually :-)

3. Are you a planner or a seat-of-the pants traveler?

Planner.

4. What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you on vacation?

Lost luggage for nine days of a ten day trip!

To find out more about Elizabeth Scott check out her blog here.

Leave a comment to win a copy of Between Here And Forever!

Giveaway ends, May 30, 2011.

My Fuzziest Fan:

2011-05-19T13:22:00.000-06:00

It's always nice to know that someone is eagerly awaiting to read the latest version of my WIP!

The Benefit of Small Conferences

2011-05-17T13:57:00.000-06:00

I spent last weekend speaking and critiquing at the SCBWI Canada East conference in Niagara Falls--and it got me thinking about how much I love small conferences.

I'm standing just above the waterfall.

We all slept, ate, workshopped, and socialized (the best part) at the Mount Caramel monastery and retreat center.

My roomie Fran Cannon Slayton and I could hear the waterfall from our room.

Before the conference, SCBWI volunteer extraordinaire, Jackie Garlick-Pynaert, took the faculty members on a tour of the falls. We got really close to all that thundering water.

Getting soaked with author Terri Farley.

But we also grew close to the attendees. By the end of the weekend, I'd had the chance to talk to nearly everyone. Small events allow the faculty to get to know you as a person--you're not just a face in the crowd or 5 critique pages. You're the person with school-aged kids (like me), or the one who tells hilarious bear stories.

Post-workshop Q&A time. I talked about character development.

Small workshops create a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Even a shy writer (and aren't we all a little bit shy) won't feel intimidated about asking questions. I also had the chance to talk to people about their work after my workshops. We chatted about stories, writing, and balancing writing with family over lunch, dinner, and during evening socializing. Only a small conference offers so many of those moments.

During our sight-seeing tour, I wondered if the American Falls, which would be a truly impressive waterfall in any other location, felt like the sidekick to a much more beautiful, impressive friend.

American Falls is downstream from the huge horseshoe-shaped Niagara Falls.

I used to feel overwhelmed by all the writers filling the ballroom at big conferences. I'd think, all of these people share my dream? Yikes! And I've never been good at squeezing myself into a group of professional schmoozers to chat with faculty. Small conferences allow me to be my quieter self. And I've made friends who've allowed me to connect with even more friends at bigger conferences. (I'm learning to schmooze.)

Veronica Rossi, Terri Farley, Hilary Breed Van Dusen, Josh Adams, me, and Fran Cannon Slayton.

So, if you've been thinking about attending a conference, but aren't sure if you're ready, try a small conference. I know Jackie already has a great lineup for Niagara Falls next year!

Much thanks to Jackie Garlick-Pynaert, Lizann Flatt, and Alma Fullerton for a wonderful weekend.

An Argument Against E-Readers

2011-05-09T10:41:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I snuck away with a good book (Stolen by Lucy Christopher) to soak my feet in the lotions and potions my husband gave me for Mother's Day.

I lit a candle, swished my toes in the fragrant bubbles, and read... Until my kitten Minnie joined me. And fell in the tub. Twice.

A much drier, but still embarrassed, Minnie.
(I wasn't going to interrupt my foot bath--or this great story--to take a wet cat photo.)

While I rescued Minnie, my book tipped off my lap into the sudsy water.

My first thought: I'm so glad this isn't an e-reader! Minnie skittered away, trailing her soaked tail, and I kept reading, carefully turning each wet page (it's a seriously compelling story!).

So, between not being able to read in the bathtub (or poolside or at the beach), and not being able to read during airplane take-offs and landings, I think I'll stick with paper books.

Like Minnie, I tend to be a bit klutzy.

Riding The Bus With 5th Graders

2011-04-28T10:28:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I squished onto a big yellow school bus with a few dozen 5th graders to chaperone a field trip. The bus smelled like wet socks. The girls across the aisle nibbled bits of neon green paper. The kid behind me kept jamming his knee into my back. One girl wore a cluster of key chains on her eye glasses--and my daughter informed me that the one that said "I *heart* Justin Bieber" was meant to be ironic.

I scribbled notes about all these potential characters in my little notebook.

But my biggest writing lesson happened during the play we went to see: Honest Abe Lincoln. The actors were fun to watch, but I couldn't imagine anyone except a school group watching this message-driven play. Abe was honest. Abe loved to read. Abe was honest. Abe loved to read. Abe was honest. Oh, and he loved to read.

Bam. Bam. Bam.

The writer hammered the message into almost every bit of dialogue, as well as dumping information into conversation, "As you know, Abe, [insert facts that no one really says in dialogue]."

I watched the sparkly-ballet flat-wearing girls, slumped in their seats, fuchsia-encased iphones resting on their laps. Earlier these girls showed off impressive dialogue skills as they flirted with the boys sitting behind them.

Kids are sophisticated these days. And smart. Even 5th graders deserve our best storytelling skills. Plus, they're at an age when most people talk down to them. And they hate that!

If the play had focused on an interesting anecdote in Abe Lincoln's life, it would've had more impact than constantly telling the audience that he loved to read and that he was *gasp* honest.

Tonight most of those 5th graders will be putting on a production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. The kids have embraced the challenge of learning new vocabulary, memorizing lines, puzzling out the meaning of each scene... Because they're smart.

Remember that in your own writing. Your readers are intelligent and sophisticated, even the ones who chew neon green paper on the school bus.

Teen Author Boot Camp

2011-04-26T14:45:00.000-06:00

Last Saturday I spent the day with 130 fabulous teen writers at the Teen Author Boot Camp. The teens impressed me with their intelligence and creativity as we busted stereotypes and figured out ways to make believable bad guys and interesting main characters.

Wanna try it yourself?

• List five stereotypes. How is this character the exact opposite of one of these?

• Think of three actions that will make this character sympathetic.

• Write this character’s history (parents, trauma, etc.). Add the best bits to your story.

Thanks so much to Writers Cubed for organizing a wonderful day!

A Few Books on Writing Craft

2011-04-21T11:01:00.002-06:00

I'm always surprised when I encounter one of those writers who thinks the struggle to master craft stops with publication. Learning is my favorite thing about writing and I'm always stretching myself to improve my craft.

April is Poetry Month so I'm working through Writing The Life Poetic by Sage Cohen and filling my practice notebook with a lot of mediocre verse. Poetry has always intimidated me (I never understood all the significance my high school teachers found in poems), but it's something I want to learn. So I'm practicing every day. The short chapters and exercises in this book are, for lack of a more poetic word, fun.

Here are some other books that have helped me along the way:

Writing Down The Bones by Natalie Goldberg. This book gave me permission to practice. Until I found this book I thought that becoming an author required some elusive mixture of alcoholism and magical talent that I didn't seem to possess. Twenty-three spiral notebooks later, I will always be grateful to Natalie Goldberg for showing me the first steps to becoming a writer.

The Write-Brain Workbook by Bonnie Neubauer. The gorgeous graphic design in this notebook has me looking forward to the next exercise. These short exercises are a great way to jump-start creativity, silence that annoying internal editor, and feel a sense of accomplishment no matter what else gets written that day. I meet a lot of writers who "just don't have the time." Everyone has the daily ten minutes needed for these quick prompts. No excuses!!!

If You Want To Write by Brenda Ueland. Published in 1938 this book provides timeless nuggets of advice as well as inspiration. Ueland writes, "Everybody is talented, original and has something to say..." After you've read Anne Lamott's Bird By Bird and Stephen King's On Writing try this one.

The Fire In Fiction by Donald Maass. I read this one so vigorously the pages came loose! I've got high-lighted sections, sticky note markers, notes jotted... I especially love the Practical Tools sections at the end of each chapter. I find myself returning to this craft-intensive book again and again.

Self-Editing For Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King. I bought this book when I first started revising Jungle Crossing, but I've returned to it every manuscript since. It's also the gift I give to all my friends who complete their first novel.

One last note: Take the time to do the writing exercises listed in craft books. It's often too tempting, too easy, to think, Yup. Did that. Mmm-hmm. Did that too. I'm obviously brilliant--no need to revise. YAY!

You're not really stretching your abilities unless you dig in and do the difficult work.

Contest Winner!

2011-04-21T10:19:00.000-06:00

Congratulations!!!!

Jolene wins signed copies of Joy Preble's series Dreaming Anastasia and Haunted!

Shake Up Your Story Settings

2011-04-19T14:51:00.002-06:00

Most of the time I hear bands play in concert venues like sports arenas, outdoor amphitheaters, or grimy bars. Here's Arcade Fire playing last week at Utah Valley University:

I had a whole blog post planned about how the lead singer forgot the words, singing "something, something," until the crowd helped him along. Moral: people forgive your mistakes & even Grammy-winning rock bands blank out sometimes, so don't freak out when your own words don't come.

But alas I had two presentations to give at our regional SCBWI conference in Boise, Idaho on Saturday so I didn't get that post written. Saturday afternoon, I found myself listening to another band play at Boise State University:

Most people don't equate children's writing conferences with electric guitars, right? And who knew that picture book author Judy Cox could really rock that bass! Come to find out, she's been in a band for thirty years & plays regular gigs.

I never would've known about Judy's inner Guitar Goddess had we not switched up the setting. Take the rock band out of the club and plunk it into a writing conference. Not only did the silly songs make us laugh, but the whole show revealed character. (I have crazy creative SCBWI volunteers in Boise!)

Now think about your own writing. What would happen if you took that big argument between your MC and her parents out of the kitchen--and put it in her dad's office? A bowling alley? Outside church?

Too often we rely on the same old settings in our stories: school cafeteria, home, home, home, Biology class, home, cafeteria... Shake things up. Make lists of all the unique places in your character's town or fantasy world. Are your scenes happening in some of these places? Why not?

Putting your characters in unique and varied settings will allow you to reveal new things about your characters. Try it!

On The Go With Joy Preble + Book Giveaway!

2011-04-12T05:00:00.001-06:00

One of my favorite author friends, Joy Preble, visited Utah last week, so I took her on a short adventure to Antelope Island. Where else in the world can you see bison roaming on an island in the middle of a huge, salty prehistoric lake?

I also attended Joy's book signings to celebrate the release of Haunted, the sequel to Dreaming Anastasia. Joy was also kind enough to kick off my new On The Go questions.

Leave a comment and you can win your own signed copies!

1. You have been given your Dream Vacation. Where are you going & what are you doing?

I am actually planning for one of my dream vacations - probably year after next if we can save enough money. We will be going to Australia and New Zealand to see everything we can see - including Sydney, koala bears, and the gorgeous scenery where they shot Lord of the Rings. I can hardly wait!!

2. What if you could travel to a different time period?

I'd like to travel to turn of the 20th century NYC and have tea at the Plaza Hotel. Because seriously, who doesn't want to do that? I could do that every afternoon, actually. Wouldn't that be amazing?

3. Are you a planner or a seat-of-the pants traveler?

I'm a ridiculously OCD-type over-planner. Just ask my husband. He referred to one New York trip as "The Bataan Death March of Vacations." I read travel guides. I search on line. I map quest like a mad woman. I ponder. I make lists. My lists make lists. I have plans for vacations we might never get to. It's scary.

4. What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you on vacation?

One time - on a spur of the moment trip to San Antonio and Sea World, we got to the hotel and the clerk said, "Your room isn't ready." What she meant was that this hotel was still being built and our room (which we'd booked from a central reservation line, not the individual hotel) wasn't actually built yet! But as it was late and every other hotel in the area was booked, they put us up in what had been the hotel night club. We were awake all night with the neon flashing in the windows. I guess that's more funny than awful, though.

Find out more about Joy Preble at http://www.joypreble.com/

Now it's your chance to escape into adventure & romance based on Russian folklore. Leave a comment to win a copies of Dreaming Anastasia and Haunted.

Contest ends on Tuesday, April 19, 2011.

So You Want To Grow Up And Be A Writer?

2011-04-07T13:02:00.004-06:00

Last week I spoke at Two Rivers High School's Career Day, presenting with writer friend, Wendy Toliver, about being an author. When I was a teenager I thought writers needed to be as troubled as Hemingway, possess grammatical super powers, or have something... something I certainly didn't have.

I wish someone had given me a few tips about things I could do as a teenager to prepare for a career in writing. You don't need to learn to leap run-on sentences in a single bound, but doing these things will help your writing:

Practice. Allow yourself to experiment, learn, grow, and write some not-so-good stuff. Fill up pages and pages with your practice writing. Try all kinds of writing!

Keep a diary or journal about your own life. You may think your life is boring, but it’s not. Write about your observations of other people, your dreams, the sucky things that happen, the exciting things... Your diary will help you develop your unique writing voice. (And you might turn some things into stories later.)

3. Publish your writing. Work on the school paper or yearbook. Submit poems and stories to magazines. Enter contests. Create a blog. Review books.

4. Read, read, read. Reading will teach you how to craft your own stories—you’ll naturally learn what elements make good writing.

5. Learn. Take writing classes, attend teen writing workshops. Don’t worry if you’re the star student, or not (I've never been the shining storytelling student *sigh*). Your own passion for writing is what matters in the end!

6. Believe in yourself & follow your dream. Writing is a learned craft—and you can do what it takes to be published!

Websites:

Teen Ink: http://www.teenink.com/Contests

Cicada Magazine: http://www.cicadamag.com/

Teen Book Blogger: http://www.booknerdblog.com

Teen Book Review site: http://www.teensreadtoo.com

Contest Winner!

2011-03-23T11:14:00.000-06:00

Congratulations!!!!

Kim--you've won a signed copy of Bobbie Pyron's novel A Dog's Way Home.

Interview with Bobbie Pyron & A Book Giveaway!

2011-03-17T05:00:00.011-06:00

Today I'm so excited to introduce you to a wonderful new middle-grade novel, A Dog's Way Home by Bobbie Pyron. I love the way this story--alternating between the lost dog and his girl-- combines action and adventure with school and family issues. But I mostly loved the way my own 11-year-old daughter got lost in this story!

Leave a comment to win a signed copy of A Dog's Way Home.

I'm impressed by the way you depict Tam's doggie thinking in A Dog's Way Home. You obviously know a lot about canine sensibilities. Will you tell us a little bit about your very first dog?

The very first dog we had when I was a child was a wonderful beagle named Puck. I come from a family of big-time dog lovers and dogs were always members of the family. They were not dogs that were stuck out in the back yard--they lived in the house with us. Puck was probably one of the smartest dogs I've ever known and had an “old soul.” He was our nanny. We lived in a small beach town in Florida. Whenever my sister and I went out to roam the neighborhoods or the beach, my parents always said, “Take Puck with you and mind him.” We didn't think there was anything odd about that! And because I was a rather shy child, I often preferred to spend my time with Puck than with other kids.

Tam is separated from his little girl Abby, but neither gives up finding each other again. I once found my missing cat after six months (I phoned the animal shelter on my birthday--and my cat was there!). Have you ever found a lost pet?

This is kind of a “lost pet” story: when I was about five, our neighborhood was hit by a small tornado. It came on so suddenly, we barely had time to come in from the back yard and hide in the bathroom! When the storm passed, my sister said, “Oh no, Pucky is in the back yard!” My mother and sister and I ran to the back yard. Not only was Puck gone, but so was his dog house. We walked all over the neighborhood calling and calling his name. My mother even called my father at work and told him he had to come home and help find Puck. Right after my dad got home, we got a phone call from some folks several blocks away. The man said, “We got at dog house in our front yard and a dog in it that belongs to you”! Just like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Puck and his dog house had been picked up here, and dropped down over there. He never got in that dog house again.

I've always liked standard poodles, but my daughters don't think I'm fashionable enough to own one (poodles apparently don't like sweatpants!) What three dog breeds best represent you and why?

Wow, three...that's hard! My husband will tell you without hesitation that I'm a Border Collie. I'm always trying to get him to do something! And I need a job to do—I'm not a nap taker or lollygagger. But I'd like to think I also have the loyalty of a Sheltie and the stubbornness of a terrier.

Tam encounters many wild animals on his journey. Have you ever had a wild encounter while hiking with your dogs?

Ha! Well, living up here in Park City, it's not at all unusual to have close encounters of the wild kind. And I do spend a lot of time—all year round—out on the trails with my three dogs. We've frequently encountered moose, coyotes, foxes, deer, rabbits, grouse, elk, and unfortunately, skunks. One of my dogs, Boo, is a coyote mix so she loves to hunt. When she was younger, she'd run up and antagonize a moose until it had enough and chased her. Of course, she'd run straight to mom and hide behind me! Another time, she met a very friendly fox. They played and played together out in a field for a good ten minutes. It was so amazing—and of course, I didn't have my camera with me.

I admire the way Abby sticks to her belief that Tam will return--long after everyone else gives up. Tell us about a time in which you've stuck up for your beliefs.

I am by nature a fairly reticent, peace-making kind of person. I don't like to “rock the boat.” BUT, I will not back down when it comes to the importance of adopting pets and the rights of our animal friends, whether they be domestic or wild. I will also have to say, I also had to really stand up for my beliefs when I was trying to find an agent or publisher for my book, A Dog's Way Home. So many people (editors, agents, workshop critiquers) told me I “couldn't” and “shouldn't” write the book in two different points of view. But I knew in my gut and in my heart that that was the way the book had to be written. I stuck by my vision for the book until I finally found my wonderful agent who also believed in the way I had to tell the story. Eventually, she found my amazing editor, Molly O'Neill, who also believed in my vision (and may I point out, I originally met Molly at one of your SCBWI regional conferences the year before). What I learned from that is this: yes, you have to “pick your battles” but you also have to respect your instincts and your vision!

To find out more about Bobbie Pyron see her website: http://www.bobbiepyron.com Be sure to check out her blog too! You can see me with my big doggies featured in her Fido And Friend In Five series.

To win a copy of A Dog's Way Home, please tell me what kind of dog best represents you!

Contest ends at midnight on March 23, 2011.

Open to book and dog lovers worldwide!

Overdoing Dialogue Quirks

2011-03-15T16:17:00.001-06:00

"Hey, girl," the new receptionist at the salon greeted me as I pulled my wallet out to pay for my haircut. "You look great, girl," she said as I handed her my credit card. "Can I help you with any product, girl?"

I almost wanted her to call me "ma'am." I am old enough to be her mother--without having made poor choices in high school, or even college. And the term "girl" reminds me too much of all the terrible jobs I worked after being a college "woman" for four years.

One of the stylists walked behind the front desk and the receptionist immediately said, "What can I do for you, girl?" As I walked down the stairs, she called out, "See ya later, girl!"

That receptionist reminded me of a first draft character: too much of a good thing.

I often give my characters dialogue quirks to differentiate them from others in the story, to make them unique, to show personality, to create voice. Inevitably when I read through my rough draft, I realize that I've overdone those quirks. I find the snowboarder saying "dude" every time he speaks. "OMG!" exclaims the BFF on every single page. And then there's the word "like" -- Oh, I, like, use that word, like, all the time in my first draft dialogue.

Dialogue quirks are best used sparingly--a sprinkle here, a sprinkle there, as in ten pages later. I have to admit the first time the receptionist used the word "girl," I thought, Ooh. Interesting dialogue quirk, I'm going to write that down when I get to my car. But after the third mention, I only wanted to revise her speech like overdone first draft dialogue!

Okay, now I miss Simon!

2011-03-10T13:46:00.000-07:00

I love watching American Idol. I delight in watching the singers with promise juxtaposed with the delusional. I love watching underdogs overcome favorites. I hope to hear old songs sung new ways.

The process kind of reminds me of writing. Often you submit before you're ready, but you keep trying, you grow, and sometimes you make your dream come true.

And I really like the new judges. Jennifer Lopez is kind and charming. Steven Tyler makes me smile. Who else but a bona fide rock star could wear a pink ruffled shirt with such aplomb? My whole family enjoys pooching out our lips and mimicking his little head-bob to the music. And Randy will always be my dawg.

But last night I found myself missing the industry/marketing perspective: Simon's critical voice.

Last night Jennifer Lopez told one mediocre crooner that she'd do better next time. No! She sounded like a housewife, um, singing along to her ringtone at the grocery store past midnight... (I miss Simon's analogies too.) As creative people, the judges want to encourage and nurture the contestants.

I get that.

That's why I usually advise newer writers to seek out critiques from authors, not editors and agents, at conferences. An author will give a beginning writer a bit of cheerleading--yes, you can--along with concrete writing advice. Industry professionals often look at conference submissions in terms of marketability.

That's what the top 13 on American Idol needs: criticism with marketability in mind. All of these contestants can sing, but not all of them have what it takes--right now--to sing radio hits.

Just like not all stories are ready to be books. My inner Simon: this manuscript should be lining the cage of a canary who sings like a pitchy American Idol wannabe...

I do miss Simon's honest and colorful critiques. I wonder what he'd look like wearing pink ruffles?

Synopsis or Root Canal?

2011-03-08T14:31:00.004-07:00

With SCBWI Work-In-Progress Grant applications due soon, my writing group has been preoccupied with synopsis writing. How to sum up 50,000+ words in fewer than 750? One member joked that she'd rather have a root canal than write her novel synopsis.

Last year, I had a root canal. On my birthday. I'd rather write a synopsis. In fact, I usually begin the writing process by crafting a detailed synopsis. Things always change during the creative process of drafting a novel, but I like the security blanket my synopsis provides.

So I figured if I'm going to talk about *almost* enjoying synopsis writing, I better give you some hints to make the process less daunting:

The Basics:

Write in present tense.
Write in the 3^rd person POV, even if your story is told in 1^st person POV.
Give away the ending.

To Begin:

Think of your synopsis like a sales pitch—like a book jacket blurb. Keep it short, fast & exciting.
Establish the hook right away (this can also be your 30 second elevator pitch, you know, to avoid those long-winded explanations: oh, and then this happens, but wait, I have to explain so-and-so, oh, and then there's this other character who, but let me back up and say... Snooze!).
Introduce the main character and the main conflict.
What’s important about the main character? Include motivation, goals, conflict, but not physical description (unless vital to the plot).

The Middle:

Highlight the plot points (scenes) that move the story forward. Give the reader a clear idea of what the book is about.
Write your synopsis in chronological order. Do NOT make lists.
Weave everything together like you’re telling a story. Try to capture your main character's voice, even if you're writing in a different POV.
Focus on the main character and the main plot. Touch on the subplots and minor characters. Do not include every character or every subplot. A short synopsis shows things that reflect on the MC’s journey.
Show increasing tension, increasing conflict.
Think: action, reaction, decision.

The Ending:

Tell the reader how the main plot resolves.
Try to make the ending of your synopsis evoke the emotional response you hope a reader will feel upon finishing your story.

The Picky Stuff:

Does your synopsis reflect the style, tone, and voice of your story? If it’s funny, show humor in the synopsis. Writing something literary? Your synopsis should shine with gorgeous sentences.
Does the reader know which characters to care about? What’s at stake? How it will turn out?
Have you woven together your character’s external and internal journeys?
Did you select the best plot points--the ones that affect your MC’s emotional arc?
Did you make every word count? Use strong adjectives and verbs (avoid adverbs).
Did you select the most telling details to use? Don’t weigh down your synopsis with extraneous or confusing details.
Did you format your synopsis properly? Double-spaced, 12-point font, 1" margins.

Online resources:

http://misssnark.blogspot.com check out the “crapometer” archives

http://blog.nathanbransford.com great writing advice straight from an agent

http://kathycarmichael.com/articles-and-seminars good advice about synopsis writing

If you're still struggling to write an effective synopsis take a critical look at your story. Are you missing some key scenes? Does your main character lack internal motivation? Could you use an intriguing subplot to increase tension?

Really, it isn't that bad--you can still eat birthday cake after writing a synopsis. Not the case with root canals!

Goofing Around is Good For the Brain--So Is Housework!

2011-03-04T10:36:00.000-07:00

I've completely ignored my blog this week. Instead I've been lounging on my sofa, reading until the patch of morning sunshine moves. I de-cluttered my basement, giving boxes of unused stuff to charity. I've written, but it's all silly stuff--like a poem in the shape of Justin Bieber's hair. Let's just say I have more appreciation for his hair-stylist, and less appreciation for my poetry skills.

And I've felt a wee bit guilty and more than a bit unproductive. But--

Then I went to my monthly SCBWI meeting and learned that all that goofing around is actually good for my brain!

Kim Justesen, author of My Brother The Dog, explained that our brains constantly form new neural pathways. Trying new things--like Bieber hair poems--creates new pathways! (Kim asked us to write something with our non-dominant hand as a brain-enhancing exercise.)

Following old pathways, well-worn roads that form with routine actions like housework, frees our brains to think of creative ideas. That's why we often have great insights in the shower. So I guess I really should do more housework... I did spend my basement-cleaning time musing about my new WIP.

The bottom line: break out of your routine every now and then. Try new foods, go new places, write something wacky, or better yet write somewhere wacky... And then fold the laundry.

It's good for your brain.

Stories That Inspire Travel...

2011-02-22T16:55:00.004-07:00

I'm itching to escape cold short February days and find some adventure! And I blame books. Books that bring settings or history alive in a way that makes me really, really want to see it for myself.

Wouldn't a trip to Paris be wonderful? I found myself wanting to explore the catacombs and drink my own bowl of coffee after reading Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly. Croissants. Lots of croissants. A blister-inducing day at The Louvre. I could see Degas work--the sculptures that inspired Marie, Dancer by Carolyn Meyer.

Or maybe I should visit China--I really, really want to visit China--to see the landscape that inspires mystical tales like Where The Mountain Meets The Moon by Grace Lin and Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon. Oh, how I craved Chinese takeout after reading that one!

One vacation, much closer to home, that I'm determined to take this year: Yellowstone National Park. I want to see the geysers again through the eyes of Maggie from Janet Fox's novel Faithful. Or maybe I'd spot wolves like the characters in Wolves, Boys, And Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler.

Sigh. I'm not going anywhere soon. But I'll keep reading about far-off adventures. Which books made you want to book a plane ticket?

Developing A New Idea

2011-02-17T12:52:00.000-07:00

My WIP is off with its first readers, so I've allowed myself a few lazy days of lounging. But now it's time to think about developing my next idea.

My new idea came to me through random chance encounters...

Teen in bookstore cafe + a joke made during a dinner party = my cool new idea.

(I chose this idea because the challenge of pulling it off kind of scares me.)

But it's just an idea--an unformed blob. How do I give it shape? The idea sparked on June 13th last summer, so since then I've been collecting more information.

An essay in Men's Journal gave me a hint of voice, attitude... so I asked my hairdresser if I could keep the magazine. I've found a few more clippings--photos of the kinds of characters I plan to create, stuff that might interest my characters...

I've been gathering a stack of research books too. Some deal with my main topic, but others only relate to the themes a little bit. I plan to read a wide variety of stuff that will allow my mind to make unusual connections that will--hopefully--deepen my original spark of an idea. And add lots and lots of layers.

I won't be ready to write for several weeks, but I'll start playing with my characters' voices during my writing exercises. Let them talk without the pressure of creating WIP word count.

I'm also asking myself lots of "What If" questions about plot--jotting them down in the notebook I've set aside just for this story. Once I finish the bulk of my research I'll sit down with a thick yellow pad and list possible scenes, plot points, figure out each character's motivation, etc. For me, plot works like a puzzle.

Now I just have to find all the pieces...

The Bachelor, Brad Womack, Needs To Read More YA Novels

2011-02-10T11:11:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I was exercising to bad television, finishing up this week's episode of ABC's The Bachelor, hoping, hoping, hoping that Brad Womack would finally ditch mean girl Michelle.

She's fake, snarky, manipulative. But he just doesn't get it. The guy's clueless! Brad Womack & his bevy of beauties obviously need to read more YA lit:

Since the women on The Bachelor constantly struggle to maintain their rank, I recommend The Geek Girl Guide To Cheerleading by Charity Tahmaseb and Darcy Vance. High school hierarchy at its best!

For those nice bachelorettes who get caught up in all the drama, I recommend The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder. Be careful about who you hang out with!

To learn about truly manipulative behavior, Brad should read Her And Me And You by Lauren Strasnick. It's tricky trying to form a healthy relationship when someone's always out to sabotage you!

Finally, Michelle's got to realize she's a mean girl, right? She is thirty years old, not to mention someone's mother. I'd like her to read Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. Sucks to realize that you're a mean girl when it's too late to change!

Which books do you wish mean girls and clueless guys would read?

Work-In-Progress: The End

2011-02-03T13:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday after I announced celebrating the completion of my first draft, a friend confessed to me that she didn't experience joy in finishing her recent manuscript--because she felt as if there was so much more work to do.

Yes, I have much more work to do: characters to round, subplots to weave with thicker yarn, themes to emphasize...

But today I blissfully mismanaged my time. I nibbled the congratulatory chocolates I mailed to myself--while reading a book for pleasure; I took a long walk in the middle of the day; I flitted about online, window-shopping; I played long games of fetch with my kitten. I still haven't showered. And maybe I won't.

Yesterday I hosted a cupcake party for my daughters. Living with a writer isn't easy--I space off mid-conversation, talk about people who don't actually exist, sneak away from home on weekends, and ask weird questions about plot possibilities--again for a story that doesn't yet exist. The revision process is only more obsessive--so we all deserved a treat.

The truffles, however, were all mine. I stretched myself with this manuscript, trying out a new genre, working hard, fighting doubt and fear, finding courage. I learn so much with each story I write--no matter if it ever reaches a bookstore or not. And that's something to celebrate!

I urge you to mark your own milestones by doing something fun & slightly indulgent. Finding joy in the process of completing a big task--like a polished, ready-to-submit manuscript--is the best part of the journey.

Do to the fact that I have not yet showered, Minnie will be starring in today's vlog:

Just don't tell my mother that I've posted a cat video online (she'll never let me hear the end of it!)

Suffering Is Good For One's Writing...

2011-02-01T16:52:00.000-07:00

Unless you've already written about that particular brand of suffering. Recently my mother invited us over for a pancake breakfast (I should've known better):

The "pancakes" tasted far worse than they look. It's 2011 and my mother is currently avoiding carbs. Since she couldn't find the special coconut flour required by the so-called pancake recipe, she ground her own coconut flakes into a gritty approximation of a flour-ish substance.

Yup.

Usually, I'd be thinking, sure this is bad, but at least I'll be able to write about it someday. Except I've already mocked my mother's crazy diet fads in My Big Nose And Other Natural Disasters.

I suffered through that breakfast, knowing my only consolation would be an emailed photo to my brother stating simply: I miss tofu slabs with dill!

Oh, 1983...

Don't Clean Your Room...

2011-01-27T15:00:00.000-07:00

Messiness aids creativity! Instinctively, I've always known this. Just ask my mother. But I was thrilled to read in the December issue of U.S News & World Report ( "Unleash Your Creative Genius" ) that "A spotless playroom stifles creativity, because kids may not feel they can engage in messy experiments or art."

I feel the same way about my desk.

When I hit a tricky spot while writing, it helps to play with the toys on my desk, pet whomever is sitting on my desk, or read the little inspirational notes scattered around. Fussing with my clutter helps me think.

Now I do sometimes wish my house weren't so messy. I was fascinated by the Zero Waste Home featured in the January issue of Sunset Magazine. Everything looked so orderly, albeit a bit white. But I have to admit that I was slightly horrified by the photo of the boys playing with one measly box of legos. That's it? Our playroom looks like more like this (on a good day):

But with the toy and dress-up clothes mishmash my daughter comes up with creations like this:

So while my grandmother would be horrified to see her shoe used as spacecraft, I say viva the clutter! A little messiness makes for a lot of creativity!

You have my permission not to clean your room.

Work-In-Progress: 59,595 words

2011-01-25T17:45:00.000-07:00

As I recorded my word count today, I realized I probably should've written five more words to reach an even number. But aside from the fact that my 15 year old is most eager for driving lessons, I'm trying not to rush the end of this story (I sometimes do that). I'm taking it slow, but I am almost finished...

To see the vlog: www.mybignose.blogspot.com

Today I ordered a small box of Martines Chocolates for when I type the words "The End" sometime next week...

Giveaway Notice! Win Great Books!

2011-01-19T14:48:00.000-07:00

Hey, just wanted to invite you all to enter the 2009 Debutantes' LK Madigan's Feast of Awesomeness Giveaway to win her wonderful novels, Flash Burnout, as well as her new release The Mermaid's Mirror. Go to: http://community.livejournal.com/debut2009/1059044.html

Please help us spread the word about these truly great books & help cheer up one of my favorite authors during a really difficult time. Again to read the whole story & enter, please go to: http://community.livejournal.com/debut2009/1059044.html

Contests ends on Monday, January 31, 2011

Contest Winner!

2011-01-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

Congratulations!!!

Lost In Believing won a copy of Deadly Little Lies by Laurie Stolaz!

Work-In-Progress: 53,446 words

2011-01-17T17:54:00.000-07:00

I've decided that it's okay to leave my character bleeding in the street... in order to catch a matinee movie with my family. I'm doing better at finding a good life/work balance, and the novel is still getting written. Here's this week's vlog (at www.mybignose.blogspot.com for those of you viewing this elsewhere):

I can't wait to finish writing my scene tomorrow!

Relationship Advice from Laurie Stolarz & Giveaway

2011-01-12T10:30:00.000-07:00

Please welcome Laurie Stolarz, author of the TOUCH series. Leave a comment to win the new book in the series! Here's Laurie's advice:

What is the dumbest or smartest thing you've done after a breakup?

Nothing too exciting in my own break-up experience, but as for the dumbest thing...when a friend of mine found out that her BF was cheating on her, I’m ashamed now to admit that I helped her write up a bogus – and quite embarrassing for him – engagement announcement and had it published in the local papers. We made up details about him, i.e. that he worked as a part-time male escort, and that he only had a 5^th grade education. We said he was engaged to a taxidermist who worked as a part-time stripper at a local club. We made sure to put in just enough legit info about him so that people would know it was the right guy. It was all very petty, childish, and awful and I’d never go back and do anything like that again.

It's your turn to play Miss Swoon--give us your best relationship advice.

Find someone you can trust, who will be your best friend, who will wholly respect you, and will treat you like gold.

If you could go on a date with any fictional character, who would it be?

Do movies count? My teen self would love to go out with Lloyd Dobbler from Say Anything.

About The Book:

High schooljuniors Camelia and Ben have discovered a powerful bond: they both possess the power of psychometry, the ability to see the future through touch. For Ben, the gift is a frightening liability. When he senses a strong threat or betrayal, he risks losing control. Camelia’s gift is more mysterious. When she works with clay, her hands sculpt messages her mind doesn’t yet comprehend. Before either one has a chance to fully grasp their abilities, a new danger surfaces, but this time, Camelia is not the target. Adam, a familiar face from Ben’s past, is drawn into a puzzle he can’t solve. . . and his life is on the line. As the clues pile up, Camelia must decide whether to help him and risk losing Ben or do nothing and suffer the consequences. But in these games,who can be trusted?

From DEADLY LITTLE GAMES:
With only a few minutes of class remaining, I close my eyes again, still picturing Adam’s mouth. I try to imagine what he would say if he knew what I was doing. Would he suspect that I was interested in him? Would he think it was weird that I remember so much detail about the moment that night inside his car? Would he tell Ben what I was up to? I take a deep breath and try my best to focus on the answers. But the only words that flash across my mind, the ones I can’t seem to shake, don’t even address the questions at all. “You deserve to die,” I whisper, suddenly realizing that I’ve said the words aloud.

About The Author:

Laurie Faria Stolarz is the author of Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, Project 17, and Bleed, as well as the bestselling Blue is for Nightmares series, which has sold nearly 750,000 copies worldwide. Born and raised in Salem, Massachusetts, Stolarz attended Merrimack College and received an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College in Boston. For more information, please visit her Web site at www.lauriestolarz.com.

Want to win a copy of the book? Please leave a comment!

Contest ends Tuesday, January 18, 2011.

Contest Winner!

2011-01-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

Congratulations!!!!

The Itzel Library won a copy of The Education of Hailey Kendricks by Eileen Cook.

Work-In-Progress: 48,090 words

2011-01-10T16:23:00.001-07:00

My plans to sneak away and write over the holidays didn't materialize, but I'm back at my desk every morning now. I've made it through the middle & I'm ready to write to the finish! Too see the vlog: www.mybignose.blogspot.com

I'm already thinking of a 50,000 word reward involving some form of chocolate!

(That's Minnie, the klutziest kitten in the world, trying to jump down from my desk.)

Relationship Advice from Eileen Cook & Giveaway

2011-01-05T16:48:00.000-07:00

Today I'm excited to welcome Eileen Cook. To win a copy of her new book, The Education of Hailey Kendrick, please leave a comment.

What is the dumbest or smartest thing you've done after a breakup?

Hands down the calling (usually late at night, possibly slightly intoxicated, almost certainly crying) to ask what happened? Whhhhhhhhy? (be sure to draw this out as long as possible. Whining that "we should give it one more chance," is an optional stupid activity to add on top of already calling and asking why.

It's your turn to play Miss Swoon--give us your best relationship advice.

The best relationships are when the other person makes you want to be a better person. If the relationship is them trying to make you over into someone else (better or not) then it’s not the right fit.

If you could go on a date with any fictional character, who would it be?

I would not say no to going out on a date with Nathan Fillion who plays Castle on TV, but I don’t think that’s what you had in mind. Mr. Darcy is a tried and true favorite.

About the Book

Hailey Kendrick always does exactly what's expected of her. She has the right friends, dates the perfect boy, gets good grades, and follows all the rules. But one night, Hailey risks everything by breaking a very big rule in a very public way...and with a very unexpected partner in crime. Hailey gets caught, but her accomplice does not, and Hailey takes the fall for both of them.

Suddenly, Hailey's perfect life--and her reputation--are blowing up in her face. Her friends are all avoiding her. Her teachers don't trust her. Her boyfriend won't even speak to her for long enough to tell her that she's been dumped.

They say honesty is the best policy--but some secrets are worth keeping, no matter the cost. Or are they?

"Hailey may be an A student headed to the Ivy League, but when it comes to taking a chance on life, she’s clueless. She’s also enormously appealing and great company throughout this breezy read. Yes, it’s chick lit, but of the highest quality—like a gourmet truffle. Cook has whipped up a real treat.” --Kirkus starred review

"Cook effectively builds both Hailey's (justified) feelings of rebellion and the social dynamics of her ostracism, especially in her growing friendship with a challenging townie, Drew, who supervises her punishment working with the janitorial staff....Cook coaxes considerable empathy for the otherwise privileged Hailey as she abandons the achievement treadmill to explore her independence." --Publishers Weekly

About the Author:

Eileen Cook is a multi-published author with her novels appearing in six different languages. She spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer. You can read more about Eileen, her books, and the things that strike her as funny at www.eileencook.com. Eileen lives in Vancouver with her husband and two dogs and no longer wishes to be anyone or anyone else.

To win your own copy of The Education of Hailey Kendrick, please leave a comment.

Contest ends at midnight, Tuesday, January 11, 2011.

Getting Back To Work

2011-01-03T09:04:00.000-07:00

Today is the day I give up my life of leisurely pancake breakfasts, endless board games, and movie matinees. I will no longer consider chocolate fudge a legitimate snack food...

And I'm finally going to finish writing the scene in which my main character breaks up with her boyfriend (it's going to break his heart!).

But first I'm eating that last piece of fudge. (Don't tell my daughters!)

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!!

Work-In-Progress: 40,085

2010-12-18T13:22:00.000-07:00

Apparently I've got more in common with my dog than I realized... I wonder how many dog biscuits it would take to get him to finish my novel? Here's this week's vlog post (www.mybignose.blogspot.com):

Next week I plan to sneak in some writing along with holiday fun!

Fictional Characters Showing Up In Real Life...

2010-12-13T10:39:00.003-07:00

I always tuck a small notebook into my purse so I can record story ideas, interesting tidbits, strange human behaviors, cupcake places I'd like to try... But I especially collect potential characters.

(You can see why I did not pursue illustration!)

A cute grocery checker turned into a love interest in one of my stories, so did a teenager sipping a strawberry frappuccino that matched her hair... My next WIP idea sparked after a few random encounters with intriguing strangers (but I have to finish my current novel first!).

And it's no secret that a neighborhood skateboarding hottie inspired the character of Xander Cooper in Swoon At Your Own Risk.

But I was a little surprised when he showed up at my daughter's soccer game on Saturday. I did know that his little sister played on my daughter's team, but he's away at college now, and no longer skateboards down the street.

No one in his family knows that I've written him into a novel, and I really only borrowed his mop of curly hair and graceful skateboarding. Xander Cooper is a completely fictional character. Still--it felt so strange to sit close to someone who looks so much like the character I created...

But it was nice to see him cheer so sweetly for his little sister. (Nice guys DO live outside of books!)

Work-In-Progress: 34,700-ish

2010-12-11T16:52:00.001-07:00

I'm not really a superstitious person, but Chapter Thirteen... Ack! I'm still working on the right words, erasing the wrong ones. Here's this week's vlog post:

Next week if I make it to 40,000 words I'm buying myself a Peppermint Mocha! That's motivation :)

Contest Winners!

2010-12-11T12:16:00.000-07:00

Congratulations!!!

Jpetroroy won a copy of When The Stars Go Blue

Debbie/Cranberryfries won a copy of My Invented Life

Work-In-Progress: 32,045 words

2010-12-04T12:05:00.000-07:00

So it turns out that sitting in front of one's laptop for several hours a day actually does increase word count!

Here's this week's vlog:

* Also starring Minnie and Otis

Relationship Advice from Caridad Ferrer

2010-12-01T10:47:00.001-07:00

Please welcome Caridad Ferrer, author of When The Stars Go Blue. Leave a comment to win your own copy! Here's Caridad's advice:

1. What is the dumbest or smartest thing you've done after a breakup?

Well, it's embarrassing as all get out (which is why it was dumb), but after a college boyfriend broke up with me, I punched my car's windshield. Didn't break anything, but my hand swelled up to the size of a grapefruit. Not one of my better moments. I have since learned to control my temper a great deal. Punching windshields HURTS.

2. It's your turn to play Miss Swoon--give us your best relationship advice.

Well, make sure you set aside a drawer for the takeout menus and make sure your partner knows which drawer it is.

3. If you could go on a date with any fictional character, who would it be?

Boy, this is kind of tough-- I'm torn between Sebastian St. Cyr, the lead of C.S. Harris' mystery series (tall, dark, and brilliant) or Richard Castle (he's ruggedly handsome, you know-- as well as being brilliant and witty and incredibly devoted to the people he cares about).

About the Book:

A dancer driven to succeed.  

A musical prodigy attempting to escape his past.  

The summer they share.  

And the moment it all goes wrong.  

Dance is Soledad Reyes’s life. About to graduate from Miami’s Biscayne High School for the Performing Arts, she plans on spending her last summer at home teaching in a dance studio, saving money, and eventually auditioning for dance companies. That is, until fate intervenes in the form of fellow student Jonathan Crandall who has what sounds like an outrageous proposition: Forget teaching. Why not spend the summer performing in the intense environment of the competitive drum and bugle corps? The corps is going to be performing Carmen, and the opportunity to portray the character of the sultry gypsy proves too tempting for Soledad to pass up, as well as the opportunity to spend more time with Jonathan, who intrigues her in a way no boy ever has before.

But in an uncanny echo of the story they perform every evening, an unexpected competitor for Soledad's affections appears: Taz, a member of an all-star Spanish soccer team. One explosive encounter later Soledad finds not only her relationship with Jonathan threatened, but her entire future as a professional dancer.

About the Author:

Caridad Ferrer is a first generation, bilingual Cuban-American, whose young adult debut, Adiós to My Old Life won the Romance Writers of America’s 2007 RITA® for Best Contemporary Single Title Romance as well as being named to the 2009 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults list, awarded by the ALA. Her second novel, It’s Not About the Accent was released in 2007 with Publisher’s Weekly stating, “…this twisting book amply rewards readers.”

She has also contributed to the anthology, Fifteen Candles: 15 Tales of Taffeta, Hairspray, Drunk Uncles, and Other Quinceañera Stories. Her newest young adult novel, When the Stars Go Blue, is a contemporary retelling of Bizet’s Carmen, and will be released by Thomas Dunne Books in November 2010. Booklist calls it, “Beautifully written, with contemporary characters and an engaging story line.”

To win a copy of When The Stars Go Blue:

please leave a comment by midnight, December 7, 2010.

Open to everyone, everywhere.

NCTE, Magic & Many Mickey Mouses

2010-11-24T09:59:00.005-07:00

Today I'm shoveling snow, but last weekend I played in the sunshine with many of my favorite author friends in Orlando, Florida at NCTE. My roomie, Lauren Bjorkman, and I also snuck away from conference duties for a little Magic Kingdom fun. Mickey Mouse, here we come!

I started spotting Mickey Mouse everywhere--starting with my breakfast waffle!

I decided to find other unusual Mickey Mouse products. Hungry?

Enjoy some Mickey Mouse butter on your Mickey Mouse waffle.

I found Mickey Mouse lollipops, chocolates, and pasta. Oh, and lots of kitchen items.

Pizza cutters, spoons, measuring cups, pot holders... Done eating? Time to play!

Toss your Mickey Mouse baseball around. Or scratch your back. I seriously started thinking that I could replace every item in my house with something Mickey.

We had a great day--we even rode Space Mountain twice. Zoom!!! Before heading back to the hotel, we treated ourselves to some ice cream--shaped like Mickey Mouse, of course!

I loved chatting with so many wonderful, innovative teachers during our roundtable discussion. Much thanks to my co-presenters Lauren Bjorkman (My Invented Life), Jen Dutton (Stranded), Janet Fox (Faithful), Cheryl Herbsman (Breathing), Edie Hemingway (Road To Tater Hill), Danielle Joseph (Indigo Blues), Rosanne Parry (Heart Of A Shepherd), and Joy Preble (Dreaming Anastasia). We discussed all aspects of girl characters' fictional journeys & ways to help readers connect with literature.

I did come home with a Mickey Mouse sweatshirt... And lots of Advance Reader Copies of books I can't wait to read.

On my last day, I spotted soap bubble Mickey on the hotel towel carts...

I kind of miss the guy!

Leave a comment to win one my favorite girl characters with you--Roz from My Invented Life by Lauren Bjorkman.
Entries accepted until midnight, December 1, 2010.

Off To Disney World (and NCTE)

2010-11-19T16:47:00.001-07:00

I did add words to my WIP, but I'm going to include them in next week's vlog update. Today I wrote most of chapter eleven while flying to Orlando, Florida to attend NCTE (a big teacher conference). When my seat mate asked about my story, I realized that I've got to work on that snappy hook thing. But at least she went back to sleep and I wrote a few more pages!

Anyway, while I'm talking about THE OTHER HAPPILY EVER AFTER: TRANSFORMING AND EMPOWERING READERS THROUGH A RE-TOOLING OF THE FEMALE HERO JOURNEY (sounds fancy, huh?) at NCTE, please stop by and read the interview I did on Debbie's Cranberry Fries Blog http://cranberryfries.blogspot.com/2010/11/author-interview-with-sydney-salter.html

Here's the view from my room at The Coronado:

I'll post some fun Disney details next week!

Contest Winners!

2010-11-18T11:33:00.000-07:00

Congratulations!!!

(I'm announcing two winners today--that SCBWI conference stuff kind of got in the way last week.)

Bee wins Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

Kelley wins Uglies by Scott Westerfeld.

Writing More Emails Than Fiction

2010-11-11T09:26:00.000-07:00

In addition to writing, I'm also a Regional Advisor for the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). I hold monthly meetings & organize conferences in Utah and Idaho (with the help of my assistant Neysa Jensen in Boise). I love helping aspiring writers & illustrators improve their craft & make those helpful connections. Just like Carol Lynch Williams & Rick Walton did for me when I was just starting out.

Children's writers are friendly like that!

Volunteering as a Regional Advisor has also helped me learn skills I've needed as an author. I'm no longer a shy speaker & by promoting others I've gotten better at promoting myself.

Today I ended up on NPR--part conference promotion & part celebrating our supportive Utah writing community. Take a listen! http://tinyurl.com/29pop8g

So this week I'm spending more time phoning caterers, taking last minute conference registrations, and answering emails instead of adding to my WIP word-count. But maybe I'll have some small part in helping someone else's publishing dream come true.

And that's totally worth it!

Impromptu Kitten Acquisition!

2010-11-08T16:03:00.000-07:00

We went to the pet store for reptile reasons, but stopped to visit the cats waiting for adoption. One spunky kitten bounced around a cage of older cats, catching tails, and leaping in the air.

We hadn't planned on adding a kitten to our busy household quite yet--but this one had the kind of personality that meshed with our other pets. And our old cat needed a bit of relief from our young cat's playfulness. So we brought her home.

Everyone loves her. Especially Otis. And, even though she's tiny she's got our big dogs under her spell too!

Work-In-Progress: 25,189 words

2010-11-05T15:43:00.000-06:00

In the spirit of NaNoWriMo, I got back to work on the story I put on hold last summer to work on another novel. Taking what I learned during that revision process, I'm making a few changes as I get to know my plot and characters again. I hope to really add to my word count next week! Here's my vlog post:*

*Co-starring Ken & my dog Jack.

Relationship Advice from Daisy Whitney

2010-11-03T10:57:00.000-06:00

Today I'm happy to welcome Daisy Whitney, author of The Mockingbirds. Leave a comment and win your own copy! Now, here's Daisy's relationship advice:

1. What is the dumbest or smartest thing you've done after a breakup?

Dumbest thing. Oh dear. I supposed that would be going to his gig in the West Village and staring at his beautiful new girlfriend the whole time he played guitar and sang to her.

2. It's your turn to play Miss Swoon--give us your best relationship advice.

Trust your gut. If he’s too good to be true he probably is.

3. If you could go on a date with any fictional character, who would it be?

Etienne St. Clair from Steph Perkins’ ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS. Sigh. I love him.

More About Mockingbirds:

Some schools have honor codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.

Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way--the Themis Way. So when Alex is date raped during her junior year, she has two options: stay silent and hope someone helps her, or enlist the Mockingbirds--a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of their fellow peers.

In this honest, page-turning account of a teen girl's struggle to stand up for herself, debut author Daisy Whitney reminds readers that if you love something or someone--especially yourself--you fight for it. Buy the book!

To find out more about Daisy Whitney check out her website.

To win a copy of The Mockingbirds, please leave a comment by midnight, Tuesday, November 9, 2010.

Wanna Know Scott Westerfeld's Favorite Halloween Candy?

2010-10-31T14:18:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I got all dressed up as my most klutzy self and headed to the Provo Teen Lit Fest.

Scott Westerfeld started us off with an inside look at how text and illustrations merge in his Leviathan series. I'm always curious to see what doesn't make it into the book.

I loved spending the afternoon talking books and writing with teens, as well as chatting with author friends. We mostly talked candy. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCXyDkuYl5A

I'm a Reese's fan myself. Leave a comment telling me your favorite Halloween candy & you'll be entered to win a signed copy of either Uglies or Peeps by Scott Westerfeld (your choice!).

Contest ends, Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at midnight.

Playing Hooky With Jimmy Carter

2010-10-29T09:29:00.003-06:00

My daughters skipped school yesterday & I ignored my laptop so that we could meet President Jimmy Carter at his book signing at The King's English in Salt Lake City.

We waited in a line that stretched three blocks from the bookstore, but only two and half blocks from Starbucks. The hours went fast as we chatted with fellow Jimmy fans. Plus, the bookstore handed out patriotic taffy to the crowd. Local businesses handed out coupons--I can now get my dogs washed while eating a bucket of discounted bagels. And, of course, campaign volunteers took advantage of a captive audience. I will now be spending an hour making get-out-the vote calls on Monday.

All our local newscasters milled about with their satellite trucks and cameras. My daughters swear that the backs of their heads made it into one of the interviews as they waited in line for hot chocolate.

We finally got closer...

And it was over in a flash. Jimmy Carter signs fast! But he made eye contact and spoke to everyone in line. To my youngest he said, "here you go, sweetheart." So cool. The other cool thing: he sat right next to my YA novels on the bookstore shelves! I like to think that maybe as he finished signing, he thought: I must learn more about these Big Noses And Other Natural Disasters. Or maybe he thought, I lust in my heart for that girl on the Swoon At Your Own Risk cover.

What's not so cool. We could only take one photo--after we signed. So everyone has pictures of the people behind them in line. Some people traded email addressed to swap, but I lost sight of my line pal.

Afterwards we lunched at Caputo's Deli. And maybe we didn't rush right back to school, but stopped at the Red Balloon toy store. And we might have been spotted trying out a new cupcake place...

After all, it's not every day that you get to meet one of the guys on your presidential placemat!