Work-In-Progress: 60,070 words

Almost done... Here's this week's vlog post:

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving from me and my ugly pies.

Winner!

Congratulations to this week's Thanksgiving Giveaway winner:

Ari!

Thank you so much for sharing your stories--I was really inspired by those of you who met lifelong friends--and significant others. Amazing! I hope I get to meet more of you in the future.

Work-In-Progress: 45,117 words

Okay so here's this week's vlog--and I just realized that I'm wearing the same outfit I wore last week. But I swear that I searched through my giant pile of unfolded laundry to find it this morning. Okay, I'm off to write like crazy this week...

Did you hear my dog yawn in the background? Pretty funny!

Thanksgiving Giveaway!

I've been especially thankful this year for my online friends (including you!). Navigating my debut year has much easier with the help of my friends from The Class of 2k9 and The 2009 Debutantes. So I'm giving away two books this week (and a turkey)! Prophesy of The Sisters is signed because I got to meet Michelle Zink in person. I'm still waiting to meet Lauren Bjorkman, but I loved laughing all the way through My Invented Life. I hope to meet her soon!

To enter go to www.mybignose.blogspot.com and tell me if you've ever had a chance to meet an online friend in person (leave your contact info too). The deadline is Sunday, November 22nd at midnight. Anyone, anywhere, is welcome to enter--because being online makes the world a cozy place.

Work-In-Progress: 37,794 words

Very slow writing week. I got off to a nice start, but then conference planning got in the way. But the conference was a lot of fun (wonderful speakers!) and I'm ready to get back to writing, writing, writing... Here's my vlog:

In My Mailbox (11)

First of all: the winner of my Thanksgiving giveaway a signed copy of Tricks by Ellen Hopkins:

Valynne!

Congratulations!!!

(Watch for a new contest this week)

Now here's what came in my mailbox The National Book Award Nominees Edition:

Stitches by David Small

A graphic memoir of David Small's childhood.

Why I liked it:

The art is brilliant, the story heart-breaking. I do wonder who the ideal reader would be. Rather than pass it to my teenage daughter, I gave it to my psychologist Mom who is going to lend it to her abused teen clients.

Lips Touch Three Times by Laini Taylor

Three unrelated paranormal short stories, all linked by crucial kisses.

Why I liked it:

Absolutely gorgeous, must-read-passages-aloud-to-anyone-who-will-listen writing. I liked the second story best.

Jumped by Rita Williams-Garcia

Three girls, one day of school, an impending fight.

Why I liked it:

Voice! Each of the three characters have wonderfully distinct voices.

Much thanks to The Story Siren and Alea The Pop Culture Junkie for the this weekly feature.

Work-In-Progress: 33,533 words

Things got a little dismal toward the end of last week--on Thursday I only managed about 300 words while my daughters didn't try quite hard enough not to talk to me in the bookstore cafe... But then I retreated. Here's my vlog:

I think I look kind of nervous in this vlog--is it because I'm writing the MIDDLE of the novel now?!?!?

Thanksgiving Giveaway!

I've had so much to be thankful for in my writing life this year that I'm giving away signed books (and a turkey--because he's just so cute) during the weeks before Thanksgiving.

This week I'm feeling thankful for my writing role models...

So I'm giving away Tricks by Ellen Hopkins. Not only does Ellen write gorgeous, heart-wrenching poetry, she connects with her readers with warmth and generosity--and really cares about them. I also admire the way Ellen gives back to aspiring writers. She does an incredible job organizing workshops and conferences as a Co-Regional Advisor for SCBWI in Nevada. She's been a real inspiration to me over the years.

To enter the contest, leave a comment telling me about one of your role models by Thursday, November 12th. I love Ellen Hopkin's books so much that I'll send Tricks anywhere in the world!

Contests!!!

Here are some contests involving My Big Nose... Okay, that didn't sound right!

Kelsey at The Book Scout is celebrating her blog's anniversary with fun giveaways, including a copy of My Big Nose And Other Natural Disasters. Click here to find out more!

Jordyn at Ten Cent Notes is giving away a playlist of debut author favorites--lots of fun songs (including the one I played over and over and over again while writing about that big nose). Check it out here.

Good luck!

Guest Nose L.K. Madigan

Today it's my pleasure to welcome L.K. Madigan, debut author of Flash Burnout. I'm really excited to read this one! L.K. says:

In FLASH BURNOUT, the main character is 15-year-old Blake, a guy who doesn’t spend much time thinking about his appearance. In one chapter, he comes back from winter vacation with a monster zit … but that’s really the only time he suffers over a physical “defect.”

It was liberating for me, not only as a writer, but as a recovering teenager, (!) to not pay attention to his appearance.

I spent soooo many hours during my own teen years obsessing over my height (too tall), my weight (too skinny), and my skin (bad). I guess those memories were so painful I was unwilling to inflict such angst on Blake. He made it through the story with only one zit. :-)

About Flash Burnout

Fifteen-year-old Blake has a girlfriend and a friend who's a girl. One of them loves him, the other one needs him.

When he snapped a picture of a street person for his photography homework, Blake never dreamed that the woman in the photo was his friend Marissa's long-lost meth addicted mom.

In a tangle of life, death, and love, Blake will emerge with a more sharply defined snapshot of loyalty. Buy a copy at Indiebound or Amazon.

About L.K. Madigan

L.K. Madigan is a writer living in Portland, Oregon, who finds it odd to speak in the third person. Therefore:

Hi. I am married with one son, two big black dogs, hundreds of books, and a couple of beaters, I mean vintage cars. Find out more at http://www.lkmadigan.com

Work-In-Progress: 22,089 words

I'm finally getting into the swing of things with the writing, now if only I could get the rest of my life to cooperate!