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megancrewe.com - Blog » We can write in omniscient but we’re not omnipotent
I think one of the most important things any writer who is or is attempting to be published has to realize is that as soon as you share that story with anyone other than yourself, you not longer have control over its content. And that the more people read it, the less control you have.
That might sound counterfactual. After all, ...
[Link]Angie Frazier » Ouch & a Revelation
After months of not attending spinning class at my local women's gym, I finally got my butt back in gear and went this morning. Ouch. Double ouch. I've been running and stuff, but spinning? Yeah, that's a whole different ball game.
But aside from my aching thighs and backside, Sharon, the spinning instructor (who is unbelievably fun and awesome) said something ... [Link]
Officially Twisted » Where Have All The Young Men Gone? : Guys In YA
I had a very interesting conversation last night with fellow author-folks, Adam Selzer and Heather Petty about guys in YA. Look at the section in your local bookstore: see many guys on the cover? Read some back copy: see much non-romance plot? We agreed that the market seems to clamor for "boys books" (the Gender Studies part of me shudders ... [Link]
Author2Author » A new side to this author thing
Tip of the day: Librarians and teachers, you can win some adorable cupcake notecards plus a copy of my latest mid-grade release, IT'S RAINING CUPCAKES. Go HERE to enter.
Suzanne Young » The Emo-Coach weighs in on Cheerleaders
Today I'm featuring writer Bethany Griffin--fantastic author of Handcuffs-- available now!
***
So, I’m guest blogging for Suzanne today, and I’m sitting here with The Naughty List on my desk, in all of its…pinkness. So what do I write about? I won’t make you guess since I put it in the title. Today I am musing about cheerleaders. First, let me say that ... [Link]
Love, Leigh » Stacey Jay is Here!
Another late post. I swear, I feel so Made of FAIL lately. Head is above water with the day job—but just barely. Revisions of last ms are completed. I am *trying* to take a month off from writing, but wouldn’t you know that a new story is already brewing. . . .
Can’t stop it! I swear!
In the meantime, I have ... [Link]
Suzanne Young » And the Winner is...
Sage!!
Sage you just won a signed copy of The Naughty List and an advanced copy of The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May and June! Holy crap that's cool!!!! :-)
Email me and I'll get those out to you!!
Look out for the next contest where I'll be giving out another SUPER AWESOMELY COOL ARC!! And if you'd like a signed copy of ... [Link]
Into that world inverted... » Winners of the Advance Reader Copy Contest!
Ladies and gentlemen of the blog audience, welcome to the AWARDS CEREMONY I am hosting here today. Please imagine me in a froofy violet ballgown.
Now imagine me tearing out all my hair. I am bald (but in a fabulous ballgown).
You see, I was expecting the entries to be awesome, but I was not expecting them to be quite so awesome. ... [Link]
Through The Wardrobe » Lovely Blog Award!
I was delighted and honored to receive the One Lovely Blog award today from fellow YA writer and blogger (and incoming VCFA student – yay!) Beverley BevenFlorez
This is such a nice way to “grow” the blogging community, so I’m returning the favor by nominating 15 other blogs for the same honor.
For you guys on the list, if you would like ... [Link]
meganfrazer » Admirations & Inspirations with Stacey Jay
Stacey Jay is the author of last year’s zombie comedy You Are So Undead to Me. This year’s she’s back with two more zombie books starting off with Undead Much?, which came out in January. She’s here today to talk about an artist she admires.
There are so many artists I admire, but one I’d love to bring attention to ...
[Link]A View of My Room » RULES OF ATTRACTION by Simone Elkeles
My Bloomsbury/Walker editor Emily Easton e-mailed a link to this book trailer & said it's meant to be shared.
Simone (PERFECT CHEMISTRY) went to Hollywood for help with this trailer.
Wow. Wow. Wow.
[Link]
Just Your Average Crazy Writer » A Day...in the Life...of Rhonda!
Let me take you on a journey, dear Reader, a journey from which you will never recover. Mwahahahaaaaaa...
Seriously, now that I'm done rubbing my hands together evilly, I thought it would be fun to show you how exotic and dream-worthy the life of an author is. To make things easy, I'll just take a typical Monday and describe it for ... [Link]
» Edgar Certificate
This came in the mail this week. It looks so official! I can’t wait to get it framed!
[Link]Gabe's Meanderings- Exploring the Past » Shortlisted!
So thrilled to announce that The Kulak's Daughter is on the Manitoba Book Awards shortlist for Young People (Older Category) Book of the Year Award. Pinch me! The winner will be announced at the end of April at a Gala event that I wanted to attend last year, but then felt too intimidated. It's okay if I don't win, truly - ... [Link]
Author2Author » When Does the Research Stop?
Tip of the Day: I'll be at Author Fair 2010 with a bunch of other authors this weekend in Joliet, IL. If you're in the area, stop by!
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I had a new book that I'm working on and so so excited about. And you'd think I would have 5 or 6 chapters nailed ... [Link]
Officially Twisted » Coming of Age
I remember exactly when I stopped being a tomboy.
I was with my pack of goofy guy friends and we were galumphing through an obstacle course at a big athletic park: large walls to vault over, climbing walls to scamper up and jump down, disjointed balance beams snaking through imaginary crocodiles, that sort of thing. One of the challenges was to ... [Link]
writerjenn » Reading
A lot of the tips and writing tools I discuss on this blog are things I apply when I'm revising and editing. They're tools that I make conscious decisions to use; they're parts of a deliberate strategy.
But one thing I always say when I teach writing workshops is this: Read a lot. Nothing will ever do a better job of ... [Link]
Before I forget... » Why School Visits Rock
Instead of posting about the individual school visits I've done lately, I thought that it'd be more interesting to write about why I love doing them and some of the things I've learned from the experiences:
• Kids love talking about what they're reading, especially if it's NOT related to school. And they love getting recommendations for new books/authors to try. ... [Link]
Angie Frazier » It's Alive!! (and linky love)
My little blue iPod Shuffle lives! After letting it sit in a bag of rice all week, I finally dared to turn it on, and was so happy when Glen Hansard's voice came through the one ear bud that still works (those went through the wash too). Thank you for the rice suggestion Mindi!
My blog has been a bit abandoned ... [Link]
megancrewe.com - Blog » March Giveaway closed
Thank you to everyone who participated in the March Giveaway! I will be e-mailing the winners momentarily.
Originally published at Megan Crewe - another world, not quite ours. You can comment here or there.
[Link]Author2Author » House Shopping v. Revising for an Editor (or Home is Where the Laptop Is)
Tip of the day: Check out this video of a book cover being designed -- really cool. I love the part under "revision."
Welcome, Readers, for an exciting episode of...
HOUSE SHOPPING V. REVISING FOR AN EDITOR: Scarily Similar! Don't see the similarities? Oh, read on!
Both require working closely with your agent.
Both require moving quickly when the market is ready for you ... [Link]
Drenched in Words » Upcoming Event!
Oregon Authors Gala – Barnes and Noble Books
Saturday March 13, 2010
3:00 – 6:00
Clackamas Town Ctr Mall
12000 SE 82nd Avenue
Portland, OR 97086
503-786-3464
I will be appearing during the 4 – 5:00 p.m. hour of this Oregon authors’ extravaganza - along with Emily Whitman, Lisa Schroeder, Suzanne Young, Linda Zuckerman, and Anne Osterlund.
For more info:
http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/3029120 [Link]
Into that world inverted... » March Cookie!
Today my advance reader's copies arrived, and so tomorrow I will post the Contest Winners! Today, though, it is the tenth, and you all know that means cookie day.
'Sarah,' you may say at this point. 'When you said you were sorry for not posting more we did not expect you to post every day this week.' But so it is! ... [Link]
» The Dead-Tossed Giveaway Winner
Thank you guys so much for celebrating the debut of THE DEAD-TOSSED WAVES with me yesterday! And without further ado, the winner of the giveaway is:
Andrea at forthereading.blogspot.com
Congratulations!! Just drop me your mailing address at saundra AT saundramitchell DOT com, and I will get your books in the mail!
[Link]Suzanne Young » The Novel Graveyard
If you haven't seen it yet, I'm digging through my trenches of old manuscripts and sharing bits of them!
Last week I introduced WRONG ANSWER. You can read the excerpt HERE.
Here's the next installment of WA:
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“Thank you, Ms. Parrish,” Mrs. Hornsby said as I handed in my test. I stood awkwardly in front of her, shocked she’d called me up.
And ... [Link]
Into that world inverted... » Come see me DANCE for you! Or, the Smart Chicks Tour
So let me speak briefly of author appearances. I like doing them! I like attending them too: I enjoy heckling from the audience. If you are ever at an author signing and you see a tall vaguely Irish lady asking about inappropriate people making out, that is me! Come say hi.
But back to me doing them. I love it! Talking ... [Link]
writerjenn » Big moments that seem small
Last week, I had an idea for a scene in my work-in-progress. It was about an undertow, a thread that ran through this scene. I wrote two and a half pages from that spark--and I ended up keeping one line.
But it's a really good line. ;-)
What I like about the line is that it captures a certain tension between the ... [Link]
megancrewe.com - Blog » Looking for song suggestions
Dear readers and fellow writers,
Please recommend to me your favorite songs about the creative process, creative industries (the music business, Hollywood, etc.), and/or fame.
The plot bunny that began here has started growing and wants a plentiful soundtrack.
Many thanks in advance,
Me
Originally published at Megan Crewe - another world, not quite ours. You can ...
[Link]megancrewe.com - Blog » Giveaway reminder
Just a quick reminder that you have until the end of the day to enter the March giveaway. Good luck to everyone who’s already joined in! I’ll start answering your questions next week.
Originally published at Megan Crewe - another world, not quite ours. You can comment here or there.
[Link]Gabe's Meanderings- Exploring the Past » Old Folks
I went to a seniors' place yesterday and gave a book talk. It was wonderful to connect with the mostly women there. It's funny, but I see them so much like the young girls they used to be. It's a fact that women live longer than men - and so many live alone. It's touching to see how they still ... [Link]
Author2Author » Ireland's a Book Lover's Paradise
Tip of the Day: if planning a trip to Ireland, be sure to take in all the book-related items. And maybe even stop in at the Writer's Museum!
Just got back early this morning from a brief visit to Ireland. As most of the trips I make, I like to know as little about the destination as possible and prefer to ... [Link]
Just Your Average Crazy Writer » Blog Tour 2010--Kristin Walker!!
My next blog tour guest is Kristin Walker, whose book A Match Made in High School came out on February 4. I can't even tell you guys how freaking HILARIOUS this book is. Seriously, you have to read it!
Here's a summary of A Match Made in High School:
When a mandatory marriage education course forces Fiona to “try the knot” ...
» 5 More Minutes with Carrie Ryan: The Dead-Tossed Waves Giveaway
We’re spending 5 more minutes with Carrie Ryan- and stay tuned after the interview for the giveaway!
Last year this time, you were getting ready for the launch of your debut novel, THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH. Today, the companion novel, THE DEAD-TOSSED WAVES comes out. What do you wish Now Carrie could tell Then Carrie ...
[Link]2009 Debutantes » Flirting With Disaster releases today!!!
Hi, all! I'm thrilled to announce that the second book in my STUPID CUPID trilogy is now out! You can find FLIRTING WITH DISASTER in most neighborhood bookstores. Or, check out my website here for links to your favorite online bookstore!
YAY, thanks for celebrating with me!!! [Link]
Catherine L. Osornio, Children's Author » Keep the Creativity Coming
It’s amazing how much marketing is involved in the promotion of a new book. As writers it sometimes seems a bit daunting because we’re supposed to be good at writing, not self-promotion. Yet more and more publishers are requiring their authors to make a presence to help boost sales. And you would think if we can pour out our imaginations or ...
[Link]writerjenn » A list of student favorites
Some good things:
The crocuses have come up in our front yard. Along with the witch hazel and snowdrops I saw the other day, they are the first harbingers of spring.
I received a wonderful packet of thank-you letters from a school visit that I did. This is unquestionably one of the best parts of being a writer. An item I thought ... [Link]
Into that world inverted... » No title
My beloved blog, I have neglected you too long! I am sorry, I am writing the Demon's Talisman in a state of uplifted madness, hoping to finish the draft before I am away to the Bologna book fair. Soon I promise you contest winners, book reviews, and Strange Adventures in Foreign Places.
For now though, I wish to dazzle you with ... [Link]
Before I forget... » While I sit in the car, waiting for the baby to wake up...
As you can see, I'm still struggling with my New Year's resolution to blog 3 times a week. *sigh* Typically, I have short bursts of time when I can be online, and I spend most of them dealing with email and (I'll admit it) checking Facebook. So, yeah.
I've also been trying to put the laptop aside for a chunk of ... [Link]
Author2Author » My New Writing Hero: Wocka Wocka Wocka
Tip of the Day: My favorite hand cream to keep on my desk has always been Bath and Body Works antibacterial, but someone gave me Ulta hand cream and it's working a lot better for me than I would have imagined. Yay good hand cream.
Just Your Average Crazy Writer » Flirting With Disaster contest--winner!
We got some freaking HILARIOUS entries, as well as some cringe-worthy ones that made me wince. Nice job, you guys!! I feel like I was let into your secrets, and I promise to use that info for good and never for evil. :D
However, there can be only one. One winner. One big kahuna. And here it is, the winning entry: ... [Link]
Officially Twisted » My First Literary Crush
Two words: Peter Pan.
Peter Pan: When all the other girls want his attention, too, who am I to resist?
Peter Pan was my first die-hard literary crush who I found tucked beneath my comforter and two fluffy pillows, with my reading lamp on all night. He was mischievous, daring, a little bit clever, a little but naughty, a little bit ... [Link]
Deva Fagan's Journal » Skyping, Drafting, Dreaming
Three good writing things:
First, I did a Skype visit! I had not done one before, but I certainly hope to do more because it was so fun, and so easy! Author and teacher and generally amazing person Kate Messner invited me to visit her Advanced Writing class to answer questions. And they were some GOOD questions! We talked about beginnings, ... [Link]
Aprilynne Pike » The Cave
*poking my head out*
Hi guys! It's me! Your long-lost blogger! Sorry for the radio silence; I have descended into "the cave," as the lovely Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl dubbed it last year. Complete with this very appropriate picture that I have shamelessly yoinked.:))
That's right, it's revision time!
I'm really excited at the improvements that my editor of awesomeness has ... [Link]
Through The Wardrobe » Voices You Should Hear: Jan Godown Annino
Today I want to welcome Jan Godown Annino, who has written a fascinating picture book biography, illustrated by Lisa Desimini, about Seminole tribal leader Betty Mae Jumper.
Congratulations on the publication of your book, SHE SANG PROMISE: THE STORY OF BETTY MAE JUMPER. Can you tell us a bit about the story and what inspired it?
A pleasure Janet, & hello to ... [Link]
» A Trailer for Every Academy Award Winning Movie Ever
[Link]
A View of My Room » Lovely mother/daughter day
Beautiful, blue day.
Farmer's Market with free samples.
Bookstore (INCARCERON!)
Manicure (her) and pedicure (me).
Afternoon reading.
Into the Woods at her high school.
Enchanted by her talented friends in the cast.
Congratulating cast at the stage door.
Lovely talk on the long ride home.
Sleep ---
[Link]
writerjenn » Tension: Desire and Obstacles
Nothing keeps a story going like tension. I'm thinking of tension as desire balanced by obstacles, as forward movement into dark and twisty corridors where we're not sure where we'll end up. It's the electricity between two people who want to kiss but are afraid to, or forbidden to. It's the push-pull between haves and have-nots. It's the competition between ... [Link]
A View of My Room » Shadow in Kirkus!
Deleting the summary, it ends with:
". . . Neither Shadow nor knight know the answer, as they journey from castle to town to mountain, and each keeps confused secrets, stuck in distrust. Magic, wary romance and an unexpectedly vital old religion gracefully emerge and coalesce to solve all the mysteries, from the kingdom’s history to Shadow’s personal grief. Shadow’s first-person ... [Link]
Suzanne Young » An Awesomely Bad Contest!
Inspired by my Facebook status update:
I've had some awesomely bad songs stuck in my head lately. Part of this is due to American Idol, part my writing, and the rest is my husband's fault. It's not even that the songs themselves are that awful. It's just that on a loop--when you only know the chorus--it can get mindnumbing.
So... Here's the ... [Link]
Gabe's Meanderings- Exploring the Past » Book Expo America
Looks like I'm going to Book Expo in NYC in May. That's one place that's never been on my radar, but I figure why turn down an opportunity like this. Might never come again. I'm more of a camping kind of person and usually avoid the city life, but I gather NYC is more of a state of mind ... [Link]
