tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154787679383279502024-03-13T23:53:35.253-04:00Kristen Lippert-MartinPlease visit me at my main author site, www.kristenlippertmartin.com!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-63329720455411613592013-10-25T13:49:00.000-04:002013-10-25T13:49:03.461-04:00Forwarding<span style="font-size: large;">Hello, lovelies!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've permanently moved to my new author site and am blogging exclusively over there now.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Please come see me at <a href="http://www.kristenlippertmartin.com/">www.kristenlippertmartin.com</a>!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Cheers!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Kristen</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-60015260976611158052013-09-16T14:14:00.003-04:002013-09-16T14:14:53.428-04:00Fast and Furious and Kinda ... BlahHere's a <a href="http://kristenlippertmartin.com/2013/09/16/fast-and-furious-and-kinda-blah/">post</a> on trying to write too fast. <br />
<br />
SPOILER ALERT: It doesn't work so well. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-26403617022410294432013-08-20T11:15:00.001-04:002013-08-20T11:15:52.410-04:00Two Wrongs Do Make a Write<br />
Yes, I know.<br />
<br />
It's been a while since I blogged. So long I almost forgot the password on my blog account, but I can <a href="http://kristenlippertmartin.com/2013/08/20/two-wrongs-do-make-a-write/">explain</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-91217140103682868892013-07-19T12:12:00.000-04:002013-07-19T12:12:51.566-04:00Talking 'bout InspirationHello, friends!<br />
<br />
I'm over at the YA Valentines blog today, vlogging about the inspiration behind my novel, <i>Tabula Rasa</i>.<br />
<br />
I make a lot of weird faces in my videos. I should probably hire teams of media consultants to help me stop doing that. Maybe they could put a shock collar on me and whenever I grimace in some weird way, they could give me a little zap. <br />
<br />
The post is titled, <a href="http://yavalentines.blogspot.com/2013/07/passion-inspiration-implosions.html">Passion! Inspiration! Implosions</a>!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-38391947198342435482013-07-16T07:00:00.000-04:002013-07-16T07:00:10.448-04:00Call Me CrazyHmmm. That's an interesting post title. Wonder what that's all about?<br />
<br />
(Spoiler: there's a lemur in this post!) <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://kristenlippertmartin.com/2013/07/16/call-me-crazy/">Take Me to Kristen's New Blog Right This Minute!</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-24161263240891457502013-07-03T14:29:00.000-04:002013-07-03T14:29:01.766-04:00Girl, Where You Been At?Off you go then, like a good little shuttlecock bouncing over the net to my other blog:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://kristenlippertmartin.com/2013/07/03/girl-where-you-been-at/">CLEVER LINK TITLE</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-32201693057064300752013-06-18T09:21:00.001-04:002013-06-18T09:21:44.070-04:00How to Deal with Your Edit Letter in a Proper & Mature Way<span style="font-size: large;">Let's test this new blog referral system out, shall we? Here's link for my latest post over at the new site: </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://kristenlippertmartin.com/2013/06/18/how-to-deal-with-your-edit-letter/">CLEVER LINK TITLE</a> </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and I did add a "Subscribe by Email" widget at the new blog, so that might make it easier to keep up with my literary shenanigans.</span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Gotta get back to revising now, peeps!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-33956486240292300822013-06-15T11:43:00.001-04:002013-06-15T11:43:31.240-04:00Housekeeping!<span style="font-size: large;">I mentioned in my last blog post -- <a href="http://www.arockinmypocket.blogspot.com/2013/06/blog-graduation-day.html">vlog</a>, what have you -- that I plan to transition all my online yakkity-yakking over to the blog at my new author <a href="http://kristenlippertmartin.com/">site</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Welllll, sure. Good idea in theory, but I find that it's not so easy letting go of this one. One, because, though we have grown apart, I still care for this goofy blog, but also because I know people find following blogs on Blogger much easier than having to track people down hither and yon on the Internet. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v3lqsINTfSs/UbyFJbQfyQI/AAAAAAAAAvI/_OFweycyhZU/s1600/fiftiesmom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v3lqsINTfSs/UbyFJbQfyQI/AAAAAAAAAvI/_OFweycyhZU/s320/fiftiesmom.jpg" width="292" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I, for example, will search out information on someone or her blog for only so long, and if I hit the least bit of resistance or the search lasts more than twelve seconds, I'm done. I could never cut it as a stalker. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So for the next couple months (aka "The Kristen's Blog Transition Period"), I'm going to do this: Every time I do a blog post at the new site, I'm also going to put the title and link to it here. That way it'll still show up on people's Blogger feeds. And then eventually, everyone -- myself included -- will reprogram their brains, and we'll just go straight to the new site. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sound good? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't blogged much in the last few months because I've been in this weird limbo of post-book deal but pre-edit letter. But now that edit letter is here, and my book is moving slowly through the digestive tract of the great publishing python. I'll have much more to report in the months to come. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Why, as a matter of fact, I'll be dealing with the subject of The Edit Letter in my next super silly post, which I've planned for next week. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But please do check out my new <a href="http://kristenlippertmartin.com/">site</a>, and while you're at it, feel free to go and subscribe to my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/KLipMart?feature=guide">YouTube Channel</a> or chuck a few thumbs at me over at<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kristen-Lippert-Martin/186329801522649"> Facebook</a>. Because you're super nice and supportive like that. Which is why I have a tattoo of your face on my neck. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you!</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-29148552152894425192013-06-03T06:00:00.000-04:002013-06-03T06:00:00.763-04:00Blog Graduation Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/GIGlFLo5qTI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(P.S. If you read my last post, you should also refer to this vlog as proof that </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my hair de-frizzifying treatment worked. Hurrah!) </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-57825259457203041082013-05-17T07:00:00.000-04:002013-05-17T07:00:04.667-04:00Hello, Gorgeous!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I’ve talked openly -- and I dare say, bravely -- about my personal struggle with <span style="font-size: large;">f</span>rizzy hair. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mostly this soul-baring has occurred on Twitter, where I regularly converse with several other women who share my
Tragically Frizzy Hair Syndrome. We discuss the near constant bad days and exult in those
rare, good days when frizz does not dominate our lives.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The degree and severity of my frizz is dictated by weather conditions, which, of course I have no control over. Really, the perfect place for me to live, seeing as I have this problem, would be the polar ice caps. Either of them would do. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">H</span>ot, humid Washington, D.C., however, is no place for people like me, and <span style="font-size: large;">yet h<span style="font-size: large;">ere I am. </span></span>I’m
serious when I say that if I’d lived in the 19<sup>th</sup> century, without
aid of a hair dryer and heaps of hair care products, I’d have been sent off to
a work house or a nunnery or an asylum for people who share my incurable
hair condition. And if I had somehow managed to marry, I’d eventually have been shut away like that crazy wife in the attic in <i>Rebecca.</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">So, yes, my hair is a source of continuing hilarity to my
husband, who finds my desperate attempts to de-frizz myself laughable and
endearing, like when a dog has peanut butter in its mouth. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">But today! Today, good people! My fortunes will turn <span style="font-size: large;">and b<span style="font-size: large;">ecome smoother, sleeker, and more manageable. I'm sure of it! </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’m going
to get that miracle <a href="http://burrridge.patch.com/articles/ask-the-stylist-are-keratin-treatments-the-way-to-go">keratin treatment</a> thing. It costs <i>waaaaay </i>more than I’ve
EVER spent on my hair, but I decided that if it works, it will be worth the
money and time and might just change the course of my life in much the same way that Tony
Stark’s atomic heart has allowed him to rake in a billion dollars at the box
office.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sorry, folks, you’ll see no freak show exhibits here, but I can show you an approximation of me in my natural frizzy state. Here you go.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-izisS9Ilnjw/UZVp_7guDFI/AAAAAAAAAug/33SD2h47_BE/s1600/animalmuppet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-izisS9Ilnjw/UZVp_7guDFI/AAAAAAAAAug/33SD2h47_BE/s320/animalmuppet.jpg" width="284" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’m
way too chicken to take a before picture, but I’ll certainly post an after one. And
I’ll let you know if I’ve keratinized in vain. Stay tuned!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">OK, now all that being said, the post title does NOT in fact
refer to my hair. I want to direct you to a contest over at artist/author <a href="http://katejarvikbirch.blogspot.com/2013/05/win-banner.html">Kate Jarvik Birch’s blog</a>. Last year, I won this very contest, and Kate made me a new
banner for my blog, which has now been incorporated into my brand-spanking new
<a href="http://kristenlippertmartin.com/">author website</a>!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’ll have more to say about my transition to the new site very
soon. In the mean time, go enter Kate’s contest because she’s so super talented,
and you will be a lucky person if she creates some original art work to embellish your online presence. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">And, listen, if you don’t win, perhaps you can console yourself that
at least you don’t have Tragically Frizzy Hair Syndrome. Unless you do. In which case, I feel your pain, sister. I really do. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-63263631824730076012013-05-10T09:53:00.000-04:002013-05-10T10:23:49.179-04:00Emotional Investment: CANNOT DO<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Guys.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">This writing thing, it’s my whole life and all, but, man, it does
get in the way of watching some awesome television.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’ve now had a bunch of friends tells me, “OMYGODINHEAVENABOVE
you must watch <i>Sherlock! </i>You bloody
well must!<i>” </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JwITCAY29EE/UYz4C-Ms_iI/AAAAAAAAAtg/LBmr_fbaIPM/s1600/Sherlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JwITCAY29EE/UYz4C-Ms_iI/AAAAAAAAAtg/LBmr_fbaIPM/s320/Sherlock.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">These are folks who I know share my taste in movies and TV,
so I do not doubt the awesomeness at all, but I just … not right now. I find that when I’m deep in the middle of a
first draft, I’m so emotionally spent by day’s end, I cannot invest any time or
energy in getting up to speed on a new show and can hardly keep up with the
ones I do follow. </span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">PLUS. There’s the betrayal thing. You know what I’m talking about. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Let’s take for example, that freaking <i>Downtown
Abbey</i> Season 3 finale. At the end of the episode, I stared at the screen
for a moment, with this expression of ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME?! Then I slapped my thighs and said to no one in
particular, “Al<span style="font-size: large;">r<span style="font-size: large;">ighty then, </span></span>that’s the end of me watching that show.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">W</span>riting first drafts drains me utterly. I feel like I'm doing push-ups all day while listening to a<span style="font-size: large;">udio </span>tra<span style="font-size: large;">nscripts from war crime tribunals. With </span>opera as a soundtrack<span style="font-size: large;">. The <span style="font-size: large;">ups! The <span style="font-size: large;">downs! The <span style="font-size: large;">torment! </span>The heavy lifting! </span></span> </span>I just cannot invest in any new fandom
right now. Maybe I’ll play catch up over the summer, go on a TV
bender, and finally be able to stop avoiding all spoilers, but for the moment, it’s
all cooking shows and re-reading familiar books. I need some comfort after
thrashing the keys all day.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is there anything you avoid while you’re drafting?</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-25773760144997203852013-04-29T10:42:00.000-04:002013-04-29T10:42:33.167-04:00Use Your Words, Please<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->I don’t get Tumblr. I really don’t.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not to get all Grumpy Old Man about it, but I don’t
see the appeal. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe it’s that I’m not all that into GIFs. I don't know. But the fact is,
for writers, I kinda feel like GIFs are cheating. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, yes, I know there’s that whole “a picture’s worth a
thousand words” thing, but we're wordsmiths. Using GIFs as short-cut explanations for your mood/thoughts/yearnings is espousing a medium
of communication that eliminates the very thing you produce. It’s like, I don’t know,
a whaler not using whale oil for his own lamps or something. Crazy!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JVFLx8uF5mE/UX6Boo59zpI/AAAAAAAAAso/qCdXeK4b4a4/s1600/whaling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JVFLx8uF5mE/UX6Boo59zpI/AAAAAAAAAso/qCdXeK4b4a4/s320/whaling.jpg" width="212" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Aye, you
go ahead and use that kerosene, young man! </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Who needs this smelly oil that I’ve wrung </i></div>
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<i>from the blubber of the sea beast with my own gnarled and briny hands? </i></div>
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Am I right?</div>
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Please feel free to persuade me to fall in love with Tumblr.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-90376864912222057632013-04-08T08:00:00.000-04:002013-04-10T09:24:50.028-04:00My Talk Show Interview with YA Author Extraordinaire, Blythe Woolston<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to the studio, Blythe! So glad you could be here. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVLLZOsM4Kg/UWGbLtf1KnI/AAAAAAAAArA/NFaSezSa13U/s1600/mike+douglassand+blythe.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVLLZOsM4Kg/UWGbLtf1KnI/AAAAAAAAArA/NFaSezSa13U/s320/mike+douglassand+blythe.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me: far left. Blythe, far right. Not sure who that guy in the middle is.</td></tr>
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And the reason we're here today is that your third YA novel, <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";"><i>Black Helicopters</i>,</span>
just came out from <a href="http://candlewick.com/default.asp">Candlewick</a>. Congratulations! Let's hold this book up so our studio audience can get a better look at it. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A teenage girl. A survivalist childhood. And now a bomb strapped to her
chest. See the world through her eyes in this harrowing and deeply
affecting literary thriller.</i></span><br />
<i></i><br />
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Whoa.</div>
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<b>Viewers at home, you'll have a shot at winning a signed copy of this fabulous book, don't you worry. </b></div>
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Shall we start with a few quick questions to get you limbered
up, Blythe? That’s a rhetorical question, you don’t have to start
answering questions just yet….</div>
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*waits*</div>
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All right, NOW you have to start answering questions. Here
we go:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xPu3gam0BxQ/UWF_46zSNdI/AAAAAAAAAqo/fBKJrVp4FQg/s1600/freakobservercover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xPu3gam0BxQ/UWF_46zSNdI/AAAAAAAAAqo/fBKJrVp4FQg/s200/freakobservercover.jpg" width="132" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">KLM</span></b>:
I’m sure you get this question all the time: Is that your heart on the cover
of your Morris Award-winning debut, <i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">The
Freak Observer</span></i>? </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">BW</span>:</b> No. I am
heartless. And not photogenic.</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">KLM</span></b>: Yes. Well, not
everyone has attractive ventricles. That’s understandable. So...you live in a place called
“Montana.” As I understand it, “Montana” is somewhere way, way over there.
*gestures in a westerly direction* I’m curious to know how many bison you
personally own. Not including the one you ride to do errands to the grocery
store, etc. I’m gonna guess four. Is that correct?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7YLKC8koTY/UWF5YFogmtI/AAAAAAAAAqU/VNZJid50HjY/s1600/bisonrunning.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7YLKC8koTY/UWF5YFogmtI/AAAAAAAAAqU/VNZJid50HjY/s1600/bisonrunning.gif" /></a> <b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">BW</span></b>: In your innocence
you have blundered into the middle of one of the most vitriolic feuds in
Montana. I am pro-bison. The anti-bisoners have the politicians by the dangly
bits, and it is, therefore, extremely difficult to keep backyard bison. That is
why I can’t have this, which is one of my heart’s desires.</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">KLM</span></b>: Right then.
*puts bison on shopping list for Blythe’s birthday, politics be damned* Onward to our next
question…. In a post-apocalyptic world, let’s say I had my own Thunderdome, and
you’ve just stumbled across it while fleeing killer, sentient robots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What non-writing life skills do you possess
that would make me want to keep you around instead of chucking you into my
gladiator-style entertainment arena?</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">BW</span></b>: I will be your
Salacious Crumb.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNXEs2JFe-Y"><span style="color: #00127f;"></span></a></div>
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And I know
how to operate the methane generators. Plus, the best defense against sentient
robots is chaotic random cluckery. I got that. I got all of that.</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">KLM</span></b>: Oh, yes! I would
very much like a cackling lackey at my side at all times. OK, you’re in. I also
think you’re sufficiently warmed up now so let’s get to talking about your
latest book, <i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Black
Helicopters</span></i>. This is a dark, intense, can’t-stop-reading book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell us about Valkyrie White. What about her
and her situation captured your imagination so much that you wanted to write
this novel? </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">BW</span></b>: You are familiar
with the “chestburster” in <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">ALIEN</span>?
I wanted to write this book as much as I wanted an alien to blow my ribs apart
and escape into the world. The writing process had a
deceptively innocent beginning. I needed a chapter to bring to the BigSky SCBWI
workshop. I sat down and wrote the first chapter, which is pretty much
word-for-word as it appears. I could pretty much plug into Valley’s voice whenever
I sat down to write, but it was painful. I still don’t like to think about it.
<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">KLM</span></b>: Was she notable
in that way? The way you could plug right into her voice. Have you felt that
way with previous MCs?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">BW</span></b>: Come to think of
it, the others—Loa, Polly, Odd, and even my WiPs storytellers Velma and Bunny
Bun—have been just as easy to find. Although Velma is a little extra weird
since she has writerly aspirations and indulges in mimicry. So what made me say
that in particular about Valley? I was more creeped out by the experience. It’s
a little pathological, the voices in the head thing, at best.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">KLM</span></b>: What makes a
character a villain for you? What trait do they possess or not possess that
puts them in that category? </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">BW</span></b>: I always turn to
the etymological dictionary when I face these questions, and, you know what? It
says that villains are low-born. Low born. Working class. Not two coins to rub
together, not-a-pot-to-piss-in poor. So that’s the definition of a villain.
It’s an antiquated fossil of class prejudice. So I am not going to use that
word. For me, the Big-Bad is about abuse of power and ruthless self-interest.
There are Big-Bads in <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Black
Helicopters</span>. </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">KLM</span></b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you think of Valkyrie as a villain? </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">BW</span></b>: What what? NO! Is
she not a kick-ass her-against-them heroine? Does she not take on the
monumental powerful government in the name of justice? Okay, I am sorry,
really, really sorry. The deal is this: Until we get over some of our hero(ine)
worship, until we get over giving formulaic answers to complex questions, we
are all going to have the blood of children on our hands. </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">KLM</span></b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your MCs are kids with few options for
pulling themselves out of their life situation. How does the rural setting and
socio-economic class affect your MCs in <i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">Black
Helicopters</span></i>? </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">BW</span></b>: In every
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are all Cinderella—without a
fairy godmother. So they don’t have fancy clothes, and their little mouse
friends aren’t much help, and meeting the Prince at the ball isn’t going to
happen. And they know that. We all know that.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">KLM</span></b>: Did you ever
consider alternate endings for the novel or were you always pretty sure how
Valkyrie’s story was going to end?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">BW</span></b>: The end of
Valkyrie’s story was always inevitable. I knew what happened, but I still
resisted writing it. When the book went to my agent and to the editors, it just
sort of stopped without ending. This is one of the reasons I need editing so
desperately—I’m a coward and I step back, I blink, I pretend I don’t know. I
must be a freaking nightmare to work with. I’m a feral cat hiding under the
couch and my poor, patient editor needs to resort to tuna cans and broomsticks
to get me to act right.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">KLM</span></b>: You have mad
writing skillz. I’m sure you could probably write an award-winning Denny’s
menu, but you choose to write YA. What is it about the genre that attracts you?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-arF2ywZoUzU/UWF6G036OaI/AAAAAAAAAqY/l6AggjsSYKA/s1600/baconalia-plate-home-marquee.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-arF2ywZoUzU/UWF6G036OaI/AAAAAAAAAqY/l6AggjsSYKA/s320/baconalia-plate-home-marquee.png" width="320" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">BW</span></b>: You flatter. How
could I ever top BACONALIA’s “Belly flop in an empty pool? EAT BACON. Boom.
Recovered.”? </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">KLM</span>:</b> That <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">is </span>pretty hard to
top. Except maybe with whipped cream.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">BW</span></b>: But why YA? As in
everything else, I came to it accidentally. That said, I could not have washed
up on a more hospitable shore. Here’s the deal about YA: It’s a real frontier.
The rules are muddy and streets are fluid. (I should qualify that by saying I
lurk in a side alley of the bunny-eat-bunny world—some neighborhoods are
petunia-scented and well-lit.) As a writer, I have all the room for
experimentation and exercise of craft I could possibly desire. I know my
readers are smart and motivated. I know if they don’t like the book, they are
going to drop it and go find something they <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif";">do</span>
like. That’s pretty much perfect.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">KLM</span></b>: Lastly, what are
the odds that you’re ever going to write a light-hearted rom-com, Blythe?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PNH7KrEu150/UWF87psj0qI/AAAAAAAAAqk/DLwLRj0CVQk/s1600/alpacino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PNH7KrEu150/UWF87psj0qI/AAAAAAAAAqk/DLwLRj0CVQk/s200/alpacino.jpg" width="131" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif";">BW</span></b>: I was about to
say never; then it occurred to me that the gauntlet has been thrown. </div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />“Tony has snagged his dream summer job at a five-star resort. It sucks. In a world where everyone else is on vacation, he’s expected to dress like an old-timey barbershop tenor and wear a name badge that announce she is “Tony Montana”--because he’s Tony. From Montana. The only bright spot, and it is super-nova-rainbow-at-midnight bright, is Blue Hawaii, the drop-dead-gorgeous girl who scoops ice cream in the main lodge. Sadly, Tony can’t get up the courage to ask for a Hokey-pokey cone. So he’s stuck sweating and trundling linen carts packed with dirty sheets and towels to the laundry room. It’s a good thing he has the other “Toni Montana” to keep him sane. She gives him romantic advice while they play “guess that stain” and commiserate about the number of times they have heard the words “Say hello to my little friend.” BLUE HAWAII is a light-hearted rom-com for YA audiences that is now complete as a 172 word synopsis.”</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold","serif"; mso-ansi-language: #0400;">KLM</span></b><span style="mso-ansi-language: #0400;">: Hey, I see anybody out there using the name
“Blue Hawaii” for one of their MCs, and I will have the intellectual property
lawyers on your </span>@<span style="mso-ansi-language: #0400;">ss in a hot
second. You got that, Internet?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: #0400;">Thank you, Blythe! And now for the best part.
I’m going to give away a signed copy of </span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Italic","serif"; mso-ansi-language: #0400;">Black Helicopters</span></i><span style="mso-ansi-language: #0400;">. Yes, signed! And if you ask nice Blythe might </span>even <span style="mso-ansi-language: #0400;">write, “I will be your Salacious Crumb.” </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: #0400;">To enter to win, just leave a comment (click on the post title to get the comment box to come up). I’ll
make a random selection using some sort of randomizing thing. You’ve got until
<b>noon on MONDAY, April 15</b>. Go! Hurry! Comment!</span></div>
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-75931455876473112942013-03-29T09:30:00.000-04:002013-03-29T17:35:44.197-04:00That Video I Was Telling You About<span style="font-size: large;">Remember a coup<span style="font-size: large;">la posts ago, </span>I was telling you about that video I needed to make and how <a href="http://www.arockinmypocket.blogspot.com/2013/03/simply-horrifying.html">horrifying</a> it was? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yeah. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3_SzNnUZXIU/UVGd1rOiL2I/AAAAAAAAAqA/7G8p-uTBpZM/s1600/yavalentinebadge.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3_SzNnUZXIU/UVGd1rOiL2I/AAAAAAAAAqA/7G8p-uTBpZM/s200/yavalentinebadge.gif" width="181" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://yavalentines.blogspot.com/2013/03/cupids-arrow-star-wars.html">Here</a> it is<span style="font-size: large;">. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Be nice. </span><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-76879657457542384752013-03-26T08:00:00.000-04:002013-03-26T08:00:07.966-04:00Editing: If and When You Have Need of It<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Guys, you will not find me endorsing many things on this
blog. Not since those disastrous stock tips I gave you back in 2007 when you lost your shirt on alpaca futures. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I <span style="font-size: large;">know you're still a<span style="font-size: large;">ngry about that, and once again, al<span style="font-size: large;">l I can say is I'm very sorry.</span><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: large;">I had no idea that the ma<span style="font-size: large;">rket would be flooded with cheap, foreign alpacas.<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But verily I tell you this, if you’re in a need of a profes<span style="font-size: large;">sional </span>editor for your
novel, go and visit this <a href="http://www.deniselogsdon.com/">site</a>. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.deniselogsdon.com/wp-content/themes/atahualpa/images/deniselogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Denise Logsdon" border="0" class="logo" src="http://www.deniselogsdon.com/wp-content/themes/atahualpa/images/deniselogo.png" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Denise Logsdon is a good friend of mine<span style="font-size: large;">.</span> She has read
and copy edited just about everything I’ve written in the <span style="font-size: large;">last five<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span>years. She
gets several dozen thumbs up from me, and now, lu<span style="font-size: large;">cky you,</span> she’s hung out her shingle for
general hire. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She's fantastic and ... hey, actually ... you know, it hadn’t occurred to me until now, but I wonder
if this will create a problem insofar as I won’t be able to monopolize her time
anymore.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hmmm<span style="font-size: large;">....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That would make me sad.<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And possibly very aggressive. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I may have to request special treatment or <span style="font-size: large;">make Denise create one of those <span style="font-size: large;">FASTPASS systems like they have at Disney</span></span>. That way I can <span style="font-size: large;">jump ahead of you in line on the grammar <span style="font-size: large;">co<span style="font-size: large;">aster</span></span>. </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, that might work. </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">OK, so I may regret this endorsement for my own selfish reasons, <span style="font-size: large;"></span>but
you will not.<span style="font-size: large;"> If you need someone to unsplit your infi<span style="font-size: large;">nitives and unmuddle<span style="font-size: large;"> your plotlines, Denise is your girl. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tell her Kristen sent <span style="font-size: large;">you. Hopefully she won't hold that against you.<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-3083541819271765472013-03-14T10:32:00.000-04:002013-03-14T10:32:43.969-04:00Simply Horrifying<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You know what the opposite of writing is?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Making a video.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yet I must do this shortly for my YA debut group, <a href="http://yavalentines.blogspot.com/">The 2014Valentines</a>.*</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">And it’s not going to be some informational “Hi, I’m
Kristen, and my book is called blah, <span style="font-size: large;">b</span>lah, blah….” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PXG4kYITeiE/UUHaDw0-qbI/AAAAAAAAAn8/M42rHOflCIs/s1600/monstrous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PXG4kYITeiE/UUHaDw0-qbI/AAAAAAAAAn8/M42rHOflCIs/s320/monstrous.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hair is not unlike this most days.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have to make a silly video. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">S</span>illy is
most definitely in my wheelhouse but the video part … NO. Well outside my comfort
zone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">But I must do it. Because humiliation disguised as marketing? It’s a
thing now.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">So I just did a test run and watched it and let me tell you, it was simply </span><span style="font-size: large;">horrifying. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">HORRIFYING. <span style="font-size: large;">H</span>orror show horrifying.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You know how you hate the sound of your own voi<span style="font-size: large;">ce </span>when you hear it
on a recording? <span>Yeah, well, </span>I watched this video
clip and it was so bad, I wanted to punch myself in the face for ever being
born. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">But OK, I <span style="font-size: large;">HAVE to do it. </span>So I watched a bunch of “good” author videos. Good in the sense that they
seem to have a lot of views on YouTube and I’m trying to learn from them. Then I'll do a few more test runs. I’m
hoping that repetition will help me get over my knee-jerk mortification at the
sight of my own talking face on a screen. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">This vlogging thing is extremely painful, but I know it won’t
be the last time I'll have to do something that makes me <span style="font-size: large;">want to <span style="font-size: large;">retreat into my kangaroo pouch and breathe into a paper bag</span></span>. So I reminded myself that writing used to be
outside my comfort zone, too. Then I ate some Cheetos. Because that's how I <span style="font-size: large;">calm myself down when I'm inside my kangaroo <span style="font-size: large;">pouch.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">And just what have you done to stretch YOUR comfort zone
this week? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">*</span>Yes, I’ll let you know when the video goes live over at the YA
Valentines site. And you will go there and say reassuring things about it.
Because you’re nice like that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>(**Reminder<span style="font-size: small;">: Click the post title to get the comment box to come up.**)</span></i> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-67228622215668534022013-03-04T10:09:00.000-05:002013-03-04T10:09:09.460-05:00Maximum Literary Occupancy<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I’ve determined that the maximum
number of characters in any given scene cannot exceed eleven. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And by “in a scene,” I mean
participating in conversation in a real way, not merely hanging about to create
atmosphere<span style="font-size: large;">.</span> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltXnM2SQaUM/UTS0sV1byHI/AAAAAAAAAkY/2TTbUlklZJo/s1600/spinning+plates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltXnM2SQaUM/UTS0sV1byHI/AAAAAAAAAkY/2TTbUlklZJo/s1600/spinning+plates.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, of course, you might have a
scene taking place where lots of people are congregating in the background, say
in an epic battle scene. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But characters with names who are more than potted plants
actually interacting?</span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eleven. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That’s the limit. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beyond eleven, things <span style="font-size: large;">g</span>et dod<span style="font-size: large;">g<span style="font-size: large;">y. Time and space begin to warp. </span></span>And even at eight or nine characters
in a scene, you’ve got to be like one of those plate spinning guys, who I
imagine must all die of heart attacks before turning thirty. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I arrived at this number—we’ll call it the Maximum Scene
Occupancy rule—based on J.K. Rowling’s work. Because here’s <span style="font-size: large;">the thing</span>, if
J.K. Rowling won’t use more than eleven characters in any one scene then you
shouldn’t either. She has <span style="font-size: large;">enough </span>Imagination BTUs to
heat the entire Milky Way. She knows her character histories back several
generations. She knows that the bus driver who took one of her minor characters
to school was wearing mismatched socks last Wednesday during bowling practice,
which is a scene she cut out of the book six months earlier.</span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We’re talking HUGE,
CAVERNOUS MIND. </span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">But even she has her limits. </span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I once counted up the number of characters in one scene from
HP5. I think it was the scene when Harry arrives at Grimmauld Place for the
first time. There are, at one point, six or seven Weasleys, Harry, Hermione,
Sirius, Lupin, and Tonks discussing matters. (Yes, yes. I know you HP people
will point out that there are a few other characters come and go as well but they
don’t say or do much.) I checked a few other scenes and this seems to hold
true. Every ensemble scene maxes out at around eleven characters.</span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't kn<span style="font-size: large;">ow about you, but </span>I start getting a little wobbly when I have more than five
people in one place all interacting. Sometimes I forget characters are even in
a scene and that makes me feel terribly guilty. Especially when they call to tell
me I forgot to pick them up from soccer practice.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">What’s the biggest group of <span style="font-size: large;">c</span>haracters you’ve ever juggled in any
one scene you’ve written<span style="font-size: large;">?</span> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-38048853882898256412013-02-22T12:11:00.000-05:002013-02-22T12:11:50.188-05:00Redirecting in 3 - 2 - 1 ...<span style="font-size: large;">Please click <a href="http://mollyjaffa.blogspot.com/2013/02/tijuana-broccoli-fertilizer-and-writing.html">here</a><span style="font-size: large;">, </span>and you will be redirected to an interview I did with my lovely agent, Molly Jaffa.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you're not redirected within ten seconds, then ... shucks, I don't know. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Call somebody in IT, I guess. They might be able to help y<span style="font-size: large;">ou.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-21710831891960573462013-02-14T10:00:00.000-05:002013-02-14T10:00:22.902-05:00Passive-Aggressive Promotion Time!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aw9W5kzNzPk/URzycgY47ZI/AAAAAAAAAjw/rcvOnPOUZng/s1600/yavalentinebadge.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aw9W5kzNzPk/URzycgY47ZI/AAAAAAAAAjw/rcvOnPOUZng/s200/yavalentinebadge.gif" width="180" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, hey there! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">How are you today?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Soooooo. </i> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here it is. Valentine's Day.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">W<span style="font-size: large;">eird "holiday<span style="font-size: large;">," this one, huh?</span></span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">SO ANYWAY. <span style="font-size: large;">S</span>peaking of love, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind, you know, heading over <a href="http://yavalentines.blogspot.com/">here</a>. It's a fabulous new blog for a few of us YA authors debuting in 2014.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I mean, if you're not too busy. And you're so inclined. I know you've got a lot going on, and you don't have to or anything. I won't be like, <i>sheesh, what'</i><span style="font-size: large;"><i>s that all about</i>? </span>I'm just putting it out there in case you've got some time on your hands, and you were thinking, <i>Gosh, I really feeling like following even more blogs today!</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Did I mention there is a big book giveway? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">YES. Many<span style="font-size: large;">, many books. </span>I think we're giving away 3 billion YA books or something. The budget for this thing is huge. We have a blimp, too, and you know blimps ain't cheap.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fsB81ecNFUM/URz0I8IVulI/AAAAAAAAAj4/_i1jrcoGnuc/s1600/blimp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fsB81ecNFUM/URz0I8IVulI/AAAAAAAAAj4/_i1jrcoGnuc/s1600/blimp.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for your support. May you be enrobed in chocolate this fine, fine day and then rolled in sprinkles. Assuming you're into that sort of thing.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-29147378329063859132013-02-12T06:00:00.000-05:002013-02-12T06:00:12.376-05:00Nose in a Book<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Last week I was sitting in the orthodontist’s waiting room,
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and smartphones and whatever else, and I notice this one guy is reading a BOOK.</div>
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Not just a book but this really old-looking book. I’m
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I leaned way forward and craned my neck, pretending to examine the gum disease pamphlets on the wall, but then he shifted in his seat and
despite all my squinting, I still couldn’t see the spine of the book clearly. </div>
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There was a time when you could pretty easily get a look at
the cover of somebody’s book on the subway and in so doing, JUDGE THEM. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But no more.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And it’s all because of these blasted e-readers. Don't get me wrong, I actually love my e-reader, but they do create certain problems. How, I ask
you, am I supposed to nosily figure out what you’re reading if I can’t pretend
to drop my glove just so I can lean way over and look at the cover of whatever
drivel you’re wasting your time on? Or, conversely, reading to impress
total strangers?</div>
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Please tell me that I’m not the only person who does this.* </div>
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I just like looking at what other people are reading. But I’m looking in a
non-creepy way. OF COURSE I AM. I’m not creepy. I’m nosy. There’s a big
difference, and it usually involves a restraining order. </div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sigh</i>. </div>
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Modern life. I guess being nosy about other people’s reading material is
yet another old-fashioned custom gone the way of the fax machine.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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*Why do so many of my blog posts feature a plea at the end
that basically amounts to, “I’m not that weird, right? RIGHT?”</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-82454700896918813302013-02-05T10:56:00.000-05:002013-02-05T17:00:38.296-05:00My Darkest Hour & the Book Deal at the End of the Tunnel<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So you guys wanna hear this book deal story or what?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I never know where to start or how much backstory to
include. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can I say? It’s a curse. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How about I’ll start in 2011? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some of you may recall this <a href="http://www.arockinmypocket.blogspot.com/2011/12/just-another-long-fly-ball.html">post</a>. I’d been on
sub pretty much all of 2011 with a book that I loved and my agent loved, but it
seemed we were the only two members of that manuscript’s fan club. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Did I mention that I also had a baby in 2011? Yeah. He’s super cute, but he was also a super bad
sleeper. SUPER. BAD. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I was dealing with this groaningly long, painful period
of waiting and rejection when my mental and physical reserves were about at
-459.67 degrees F. (That would be absolute zero, my friends.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not a bit fun.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, 2011 was not without a few promising moments. Literarily
speaking, I mean. That kid’s sleeping didn’t improve one whit all year despite
many, many offers of cash. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the summer I did have a glimmer of hope. I got a revise
and resubmit opportunity and I took it, but alas, in December, after having
done this exclusive revision—and it was a major overhaul, too—the editor ultimately
passed. That’s when I said, “No mas, por favor.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I felt it was time to set the ms aside and move on. And so I
did. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had started working on the ms that would go on to
sell in the fall of 2011, but I’d taken a break from it to do the revision for
the editor, and of course, once that didn’t work out, I was kicking myself for
having wasted my time. But what are you gonna do? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Right after the holidays—this
would be January 2012—I went into the cave and wrote my face off. The small
baby person was still not sleeping well, and thus, neither was I. The extreme
sleep deprivation meant that my brain was not at its best, but I kept working
as much as I possibly could. I swear, there were days I’d look at my ms and
think, “Did I write this? I don’t remember writing this. Hey! This isn’t half
bad.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(As a brief aside, this was around the time that I walked
into my kitchen and thought, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh, wow!
Somebody did the dishes!</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That’s so nice</i>!
And then a second later I realized that, no, in fact <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i> had done the dishes twenty minutes earlier, but I momentarily
didn’t remember having done them. WTH, man? I was, like, having black outs. Crazy. But, hey, it was nice to imagine that I had a cleaning woman while it lasted.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ll condense a lot here and just say that I finished <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tabula Rasa</i> at the end of February 2012 and
sent it off to my readers. And, hey, even taking into account the sleep
deprivation-writing, they liked it! I then sent it to my agent in March. And she liked it, too! And then it came time for submission again and on the
eve of going back on sub I felt so, so proud of myself for having persevered
through such a miserable and disappointing 2011. I was getting such great
feedback on the story, and I was letting myself think strange and wondrous things
like maybe this was finally it. Yes, maybe THIS WAS THE ONE. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So at the end of May, the ms went out on sub! And I was so
excited! I could not have been higher! The book was getting great initial
feedback!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
WHEEEEE!!!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*<i>cue ominous music</i>* </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One by one those editors … man,
they shot out my heart like they were shooting skeet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope this never happens to any of you, but I will tell
you, there comes this moment when you’re out on sub when you realize that your
book is not going to sell. And nobody wants to really say that, but it’s kind
of like that moment when you’re at a party and you just sense, “You know, right now,
right this minute, is the time to leave. Before things get ugly.” There’s just something
in the air. Some palpable feeling that you can’t explain, but you know the cops
are going to show up soon and start macing and tasing everyone. Except the thing
is, you can't really leave. You can’t say, “OK, thank you and good night! It’s
been great fun, but I gotta go!” No. You’re ON SUB,
and you’ve got to be a professional and see it through until the bitter end.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, bless my agent’s heart, she is a true believer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She hung in there until the last round. Until not only the
fat lady was singing, but the fat lady’s dog was howling along with her. Without
dragging everyone through the misery of interminable waiting and neurotic Inbox-checking that was my June
2012, I will just say that we had gotten word that one final editor was still
reading and would get back to us by the following week. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Please note: The phrase “will get back to (you) by the end of next
week” often means three weeks after NEVER. Just wanted to make that clear.
Carry on.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, the word finally came after a long,
excruciating wait, and my agent had to give me the bad news that the editor had passed. Coincidentally, this was one of those weeks where it
seemed everyone was blasting good news about book deals on Twitter, and I was
so, so upset. So emotionally churned up. When I got that final "no," I actually felt
sick to my stomach. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, wait. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That wasn't it. I wasn’t sick to my stomach because I was upset. I came down
with the FREAKING STOMACH FLU. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, indeed. About three hours after the last nail had been
banged into the coffin containing my poor, bedraggled dreams, I was tossing my
cookies. And as if this wasn’t bad enough, at almost that exact moment when I
realized, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You know, I’m kinda not really feeling
very</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">well right now</i> and started
shoving people out of my way so I could get to the bathroom, Washington, D.C. got
hit by this freak storm called a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derecho">derecho</a>, and all the power went out. So I
spent the night hurling in the pitch, black swelter (because, of course, no
power = no air conditioning) and then spent the next 48 hours flat on my back
in 102 degree heat (still no power) with nothing to think about except my own rotten, sweaty miserable
failure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, what could I do? This was truly my darkest hour. After
several long days of feeling like dog poop tartare, I did recover from the
stomach bug. The disappointment, though…ugh, that took much, much longer. I'd been knocked down before plenty, but this was a massive face punch like nothing I'd ever felt. I
spent the next few weeks trying to get my equilibrium back and regroup, but I
just couldn’t seem to bounce back. I was sad. Not disappointed, not angry, just horribly sad. Sad
like "episodic crying in the bathroom and then washing my face so my kids wouldn’t
see and be worried about me." That kind of sad. That lasted about six weeks,
I guess. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I tried not to jump to any conclusions about what to do or
where to go but how could I not? This was my second time on sub and both times
I’d come up short. I suppose you may be wondering if I thought about quitting
writing at that point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unbelievably enough I did not. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that was the weird bit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At some point in between those bouts of overwhelming sadness, I realized that I’m a writer, and success or failure—well, it was pretty
much beside the point. It was just a fact of my existence. Come what may, I was a writer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Certainly I did think that I would very much like to quit
trying to get published. I really felt like something snapped inside me during
that time, and ultimately I decided it was a good thing that it did. The whole
crushing experience made me realize that I was expecting publication to give me
something that it couldn’t possibly give me. I had completely and utterly lost
perspective, and I needed to tend to that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And here’s where I’ll skip ahead again and just say that my
agent and I had a long talk, and we decided to give it one more go. Because, yes, the
feedback after the first sub round was pretty clear and consistent. I still
felt like <i>Tabula Rasa</i> was a kick-ass story, and I didn’t want to give up on it because I knew I could make it even better.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Submission again. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you can imagine, I wanted to go back out on sub like I wanted to put my
eyeballs on skewers, roast them like marshmallows, and serve them up with
chocolate on graham crackers. But there was nothing for it. I had to man up and move
forward. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went back out on sub at a very non-optimum time of year—right after
Thanksgiving. The holidays were bearing down on us, and we knew that there
probably wouldn’t be much movement, possibly until the new year. But a week later,
a certain editor at Egmont named Alison Weiss—who now has first dibs on my
vital organs should she ever find herself in need of kidney or slightly-ill-used
liver—was the first to say those magic words, “I love it!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At this point I could go on and on and post a whole lotta GIFs
of flailing Muppet arms to express how I felt when I got my official offer
letter, but actually the real sense of triumph came upon me in a very quiet
moment later that night, when I realized that as hard as it had been, as much as I'd
suffered, as often as I had wished I could quit because I didn’t think I could take
the disappointment for one more second—despite all that—I DID NOT EFFING GIVE
UP. And that was a deeply satisfying thing to feel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s the last thing I’m going to say and I hope it helps, because
really, what’s the point of a book deal story but to give you some hope? We all yearn for the same things, the sense of validation that we hope
publication will bring. We all hope we’ll finally get to say, “I’m a writer”
and not feel like some silly imposter. But, you know, I really, truly
felt like a writer back when I was in the depths of my post-puking despair, and
I still believed I had a story worth telling and hopefully a story worth
reading.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So if you’re reading this and you’re having one of your down
days, I will tell you this: You send your work out to be judged and evaluated, and
that’s an act of bravery. That’s when you should feel proud. Agents and editors
may read your stuff, and they may tell you where your manuscript stands, they may
tell you what is or is not working. In other words, maybe they can tell you
where you ARE in your publication journey. And that place might be, for now, “not
quite there yet.” But nobody—NOBODY—can tell you where you’re going to go. Because
no one knows what’s inside you except you. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve gone on too long. Sorry about that. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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You just keep at it, and if you believe, deep down, that you've got a great story to tell, do not effing give up.</div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-57952532545266551082013-01-31T18:49:00.000-05:002013-02-01T13:33:49.293-05:00SOLD!That's my new favorite 4-letter word. <br />
<br />
More details when I can pull them together but here's the big news: <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Alison Weiss at Egmont has acquired world English rights to debut author <b>Kristen Lippert-Martin</b>'s <i>Tabula Rasa</i>.
In this contemporary YA thriller, a 16-year-old girl held in an
isolated research hospital undergoes a forced experimental treatment to
erase all recollection of her past. But when the procedure goes awry,
she must face off against mercenaries sent to eliminate her once and for
all. The projected pub date is fall 2014; Molly Jaffa at Folio
Jr./Folio Literary Management brokered the deal. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's the<a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/55756-rights-report-week-of-january-28-2013.html"> link</a> for the announcement in <i>Publishers Weekly</i>! </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-79879399126317317102013-01-15T11:40:00.004-05:002013-01-15T11:40:59.024-05:00Sneaking Up on It<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uB9C0wavoRA/UPVf6yzp80I/AAAAAAAAAgE/IV7oGbiEmMk/s1600/scarlettohara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uB9C0wavoRA/UPVf6yzp80I/AAAAAAAAAgE/IV7oGbiEmMk/s1600/scarlettohara.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"As God is my witness, I will meet my writing goal for the day!"</td></tr>
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Do you do this sometimes?</div>
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<br /></div>
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It’s slightly past that hour in the day, the hour you swore a
blood oath upon the souls of your ancestors that you were going to get some writing done. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But you KNOW—you just know that it’s going to be hard going. You need to fix that plot hole and then there's that other thing that doesn’t make any sense, but you’re not
sure what to do about it. Oh, and don't forget that character who’s acting like an
ass, and you kind of hate him right now. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But you can’t face it. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Not yet.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So you think, OK, I’ll push it off. I’ll deal with that
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back yard with more peanut butter."] </div>
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<br /></div>
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But then you’re walking past your computer and you have this
paltry little idea to fix this totally minor thing, and so you figure, OK, I can at least do
THAT. So you sit down. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_GmMDRYHMo/UPWFcOAyGKI/AAAAAAAAAgs/fhMYUyc0qDk/s1600/boxofshame.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_GmMDRYHMo/UPWFcOAyGKI/AAAAAAAAAgs/fhMYUyc0qDk/s320/boxofshame.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next thing you know, it’s an hour later, and gosh darn it, you
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<br /></div>
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Sometimes we must use our mental jujitsu to out-maneuver our inner critics. </div>
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<br /></div>
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And sometimes you’ve got to sneak up on your manuscript, real
quiet like, so it doesn’t see you coming. </div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JHn5nFPV0MQ/UPVgDTHAzFI/AAAAAAAAAgM/Aq34WasMkCQ/s1600/camouflage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JHn5nFPV0MQ/UPVgDTHAzFI/AAAAAAAAAgM/Aq34WasMkCQ/s1600/camouflage.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, yes, manuscript, I see you. You're not getting away this time.</td></tr>
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<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
What trick do you use to get your butt into your chair? Is it a carrot or a stick?</div>
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<br />
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Oh, my. I’ve become one of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">those</i> people.</div>
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<br /></div>
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One of those bloggers who only posts once in a while and
then sheepishly slinks back to the Internets, hoping no one will notice how
very long it’s been since my last post. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Go on, go ahead. Judge me if you must. I can see those pursed lips, that quizzical, <i>Oh, are you still blogging? I didn't realize.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QoJ0GArFmUE/UOoCUF9-7YI/AAAAAAAAAfc/Tx3yoVzW73Q/s1600/churchlady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QoJ0GArFmUE/UOoCUF9-7YI/AAAAAAAAAfc/Tx3yoVzW73Q/s1600/churchlady.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I deserve it. I do. But I swear I’ve got excuses a-plenty, and trust me, they’re extra
good excuses that may or may not involve a very time-consuming fiddling duel
with the Devil down in Georgia. (Charlie Daniels wasn’t the only one who’s
landed in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> situation.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I truly meant to blog this past week, but I’ve been digging out from the holidays. Like, literally. All I can say is thank
<i>gawd</i> I had the foresight to buy the “post-holiday hell pit” attachment for my
vacuum cleaner or else I’d be in big trouble. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Resolutions, you say?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sure. Yeah. I guess.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here they are:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop making fun of yoga and maybe do some myself
because I’m about as limber as a saltine cracker these days. When I walk there’s
so much popping and crackling in my knees it sounds like somebody dancing on
a stage covered in bubble wrap. I’ve got to see what can be done about this. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Write
an awesome novel. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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That’s it. I like to keep things simple if I can. I’m already hard at
work on the second resolution, and I’m very excited about my WiP. That first resolution may
take even more effort especially since it involves the acquisition of yoga
pants. Oh, boy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tell me two of your resolutions, writing or otherwise. I
promise I won’t be all like this: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qO1x7OEb5Pc/UOoC5lViGwI/AAAAAAAAAfk/u-N4xuwqiSQ/s1600/mrspock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qO1x7OEb5Pc/UOoC5lViGwI/AAAAAAAAAfk/u-N4xuwqiSQ/s1600/mrspock.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Oh, really? <i>That </i>sounds ... promising." </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>(As ever, click on the post title to get the comment box to come up.)</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15478767938327950.post-23701044681565977502012-12-10T10:16:00.000-05:002012-12-10T10:21:20.485-05:00Find Your Happy Place & Put a Moat Around It<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You’re a writer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sdQR7HdnKgY/UMX9zzaD_4I/AAAAAAAAAew/EmKmy_NPqyk/s1600/moat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sdQR7HdnKgY/UMX9zzaD_4I/AAAAAAAAAew/EmKmy_NPqyk/s320/moat.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
You know what I’m talking about when I say, “Life gets in
the way sometimes.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you're going through a very stressful patch—when
you're besieged—the first casualty always seems to be your creativity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s the first piece of ballast to get tossed when
the plane is overloaded and headed for the mountain top. And when the bullets
are flying and you’re ducking for cover, there’s your poor creativity crawling
on its hands and knees amidst the firestorm, insisting that you leave it behind. Because it’s a goner anyway. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Go! Save yourself, it says.<br />
<br />
Gosh, that creativity is one noble son of a gun.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We all need to have certain conditions met in order to work
productively, and for a long time we may not know what those are. Sure, we know
we need time. But more than time, we need focus. And it’s the thing that’s so
fragile, so easily disrupted by the daily wear and tear of life. And by rejection. And by the belief that creativity can only happen in the margins of life, after everything more important has been dealt with.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjiANn_8x5Q/UMX2HYl4UpI/AAAAAAAAAeU/YM6TYOE8DfQ/s1600/gator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjiANn_8x5Q/UMX2HYl4UpI/AAAAAAAAAeU/YM6TYOE8DfQ/s200/gator.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'll need a few of these in your moat, too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once you figure out the things that enable you to focus,
that allow you to be creative—fuzzy slippers, a certain cup of tea in a certain
cracked mug, a coffee house bustling with activity, whatever the case may be—you’ve
got to protect it. Defend it. You’ve got find that happy place and put a moat around it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There will always be things that come up and get in the way.
But you need to protect and defend your creativity as if your life and perhaps
dozens of fictional lives depend upon it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because it’s true. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WgEgMNYP0xM/UMX1Z_JqGPI/AAAAAAAAAeE/yqdvUtxp6-k/s1600/genade_teeth_2886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WgEgMNYP0xM/UMX1Z_JqGPI/AAAAAAAAAeE/yqdvUtxp6-k/s320/genade_teeth_2886.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Go on, I’ll cover ya.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17704845146768729518noreply@blogger.com