emilia-plater.com

And the Winners Are... + A Kitten

2011-10-27T06:45:00.002-04:00

The giveaway from last week is over - thanks for participating, everyone! The prizes were an ARC of Shatter Me, a $25 iTunes gift card, and a $10 Barnes and Noble gift card. Thusly are the winners:

1) Sommer Leigh, 2) Bianca, and 3) Jpetroroy!

Selected randomly by random.org! CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!! Your emails are on the way.

Now that that's done, here's some footage of a kitten playing basketball.

College is one of the most hectic, yet fun things... and watching cat videos is probably my most favorite way of procrastinating important assignments. Also, watching [INSERT SECRET GENRE] movies as "inspiration" for Hysteria. Right. Inspiration. Correct. Yes. *nervous laugh* What's been your favorite way to procrastinate lately?

Love you guys!!! I can't say I'll be posting a lot because of College, but I'll definitely keep you updated. And I welcome emails anytime! HUGS HUGS HUGS and kittens. :)

YAY UPDATE Feat. Fun Life Stuff and Scrolling (Also, a Giveaway!)

2011-10-20T06:45:00.064-04:00

Hiiiiiiii!

OH GOSH IT HAS BEEN SO LONG. If you're reading this, I love you. SO MUCH. That's because it's been a long while since I wrote anything here, which means you're here after a long while, and man, that is love-worthy!! Also, I just love you really creepily.

I'm going to stop before this turns into the creepiest love fest ever (that's later!) and instead tell you the story of what the heck I've been up to for the past whole summer! Get ready, Internet, because this shizz reads like some kind of cah-razy YA novel!

1. *~Graduated High School~*

With my sister at the ceremony! :)

You know those times in your life when everything changes and you're like, "Whaaaat?" But you love it. Graduating from high school in June was like that. To be honest, I'm so glad be out of HS and into college - but it's still scary to me that I've officially left what was, in order to run head-on into what will be.

And by scary, what I really mean is EXCITING AND WONDERFUL. Yes!

2. *~Backpacked in Freakin' Europe!~*

3 weeks in July. 2 girls (me and one of my best friends!). 5 major cities: London, Paris, Nice, Venice, and Rome. 3 years spent dreaming and saving up the moolah. 6 months of preparation. 1 majorly awesome experience!

Seriously, backpacking in Europe was just as life-changing and eye-opening and YA-novel-esque as I could have hoped. The only pieces missing were a couple of cute foreign love interests (next time)! I learned that I want to keep traveling for the rest of my life, and I learned a ton about patience (have it), flexibility (have it), adventure (embrace it), cultural diversity (appreciate it), the world (it's beautiful)... even writing! (More on that here. Plus more pictures!)

(I like parentheses. ONWARD TO THE NEXT THING!)

3. *~Started College~*

If you're currently at a point in your life where you're considering which colleges to apply to, I recommend Vassar College because it is AMAZING! Okay, now that I'm done advertising: it's true. I'm a College Person now. What??! I don't know, dude.

This is the library. No joke AUGH.

Coming to college is pretty much the biggest life step I've ever taken - and even though term started in August, the fact that I'm here still hasn't quite sunk in. But I'm still so thankful, every day, for the fact that this step has been made.

Nonsensical feelings aside, I gotta wonder: where are all the relatable New Adult novels written to help peeps like me understand this crazy-yet-fun newness? There's a market! Let's make it happen! Right? Right? Well... someday soon. Muahaha.

So, that's the story. Overall... yeah, oh man, wow. And between all of this has been writing - slow writing, but writing! A non-contemporary novel by the name of Hysteria is coming... oh yes, it is coming. Dun-dun-dun-dun... *Jaws theme*!!

If you're reading this, and you are currently writing, or revising, or outlining, or brainstorming, or editing, or struggling to finish an essay, or trying to earn money for books, or freaking out about the upcoming holidays, or anythinging, I just want to say this to you: you can do it. You are amazing. You are fantastic. It's going to take work, for sure, but it's going to rock. YAY I LOVE YOU HUGS

OKAY NOW LET'S GET TO THE FREE STUFF!

I want to give one of these things to you: a $25 iTunes gift card (also good for buying books in iBooks) ~ a $10 Barnes and Noble gift card ~ an ARC of Tahereh's Mafi's SHATTER ME (coming out November 15th)!!

3 free things, 3 random winners! The winner picked first gets to choose first, etc. HOW DOES ONE GET THESE THINGS? Forreal, just comment saying you want to enter, and you shall be entered for a chance to win. No tweeting or following required, although of course I would appreciate that kind of thing so so so much. Giveaway ends at 11:59PM on Wednesday, October 25th!

And that concludes this update. Thanks so much for listening, fellow traveler! :) Have a mind-bogglingly wonderful day!

The Secret Life of a Graduating High School Kid

2011-05-16T06:45:00.101-04:00

YAAAY. I'm not dead! Holy grilled cheese, though, it's gotta have seemed like it thanks to this extended Interwebs disappearance I've been conducting. Before I attempt to explain, I want to talk about why it's a really, really excellent thing I'm not dead. And why the same goes for you. THE ANSWER MAY SURPRISE YOU. (Not really. But I love you, so run with me?)

First, some background. D'you know what this week is? It's the week of my eighteenth birthday! And prom. Also, signed forms for the college I'm attending this fall are due. Also, high school graduation is in exactly one month. O LAWDY!

Is life moving as fast as a shark on speed, or what? Okay, probably not that fast, BUT. A lot of Life Stuff going on recently has made me feel like I'm at the center of some epic fast-paced YA novel, complete with momentous changes, existential wonderings, and lots of exciting teen traditions.

What momentous changes? The obvious one is that I'll soon be a college student at - it's official - Vassar College! The somewhat less obvious one is, oh my gosh, my whole life is changing. I've spent the past eighteen years at home, with parents, with plenty of cushioning and protection. College isn't quite the real world. But it's a HUGE step - one I can't stop thinking about. Which leads in to...

What existential wonderings? Ones like: what am I gonna do with my life? How do I know if I've made the right decisions so far? Oh man, last week I spent a whole minute looking for my phone only to realize it was in my hand - are they really letting me go off on my own? What if I drop out and become a writer-hobo? WHAT IF...? Obvs, all these questions have the same sensible answer: *~*calm down*~* and let things go as they will. Hee, hee. Then again, it's tough to stay calm when so much is going on...!

What exciting traditions? There's prom. There's grad parties. There's last-minute, what-if-I-never-see-you-again? socializing. And - get this - there's the post-graduation trip my friend and I taking in July: three weeks backpacking across Western Europe! (I'm looking at you, Ginny from 13 Little Blue Envelopes.) So nerve-wracking... and so exciting!

Honestly, all this YA-esque Life Stuff is making me feel a lot like a YA character: scared. Confused. Happy. And a whole bunch of other emotions that I'm so grateful to be experiencing because I'm a young adult, because everything's new and wonderful, and because life is in motion now - nothing can hold it back.

Changes, graduations, the future - those are scary concepts. But I'm realizing that it's up to us to meet the challenge head-on, to take advantage of the chance, like the courageous people we are, like the awesomely alive people we are. Wh00t! The future is coming... and that's why it's excellent to be not dead!

So to finally attempt that explanation I promised in the first paragraph: all that Life Stuff? It, paired with feverish work on Big Sekrit Project, has been enacting cuts on my Social Internetz Time!!! W.T.H. Seriously, though, I love you all out there even though I haven't been showing it enough, and I can't wait to get back to bloggin'/Twitterin' like a mofo. Hopefully before the summer ends!

Well, those are all the ~~boring~~ Emilia secrets fit to ~~ignore~~ blog. Now, I want to hear about YOU! What Big Things are happening or will soon be happening for you? And if no Big Things can be forseen, what about Small-but-Secretly-Kinda-Big things? And if there are no Small-but-Secretly-Kinda-Big things, well... get your suitcase ready, 'cause I'm comin' over tomorrow, and we are embarking on a wicked life-changing road trip. Hell yeah! Hugs for all, and everyone have a great start to summer!

Making the Leap of Awesome, OR: A Genre-Switching Misadventure

2011-03-29T06:45:00.008-04:00

You're standing on the edge of a cliff. Jump across the gap, and there's no guarantee you'll make it to the other side - heck, there's no guarantee what's there is worth jumping for. But something won't let you back down. Something inside you keeps urging you to try. Do you jump?

You guys. I've been holding this in, hiding this away, for too long. I HAVE A SECRET.

This secret has been sucking my time. It's been sucking my brainpower. It's been sucking my will to live! No, it hasn't actually been doing that last one (I just can't resist a Wayne's World reference). In truth, it's been injecting me with such an uncontrollable fervor to live and write that it's making. Me. Wonder. If. I'll. Survive!

The secret is: I've started a new YA book. And it's not contemporary.

WHY HAS THIS BEEN A SECRET? I don't even know. Okay, I do: I've been scared. Ashamed, even. Why? That's a good question. I mean, what happened was, I was working for a while on that other book about the beach town and stuff, and man, I still love that project and hope to return it, but then - then - this new idea came along. Well, it less "came along" and more "slapped me in the brain, whooped beach-book's ass, then started moving its furniture in without permission."

Brain-slapping ideas = good. Right? So what did it matter if this idea was different from anything I'd ever written or dreamed of writing? Why should I be such a wuss in the face of a genre-switch?

Oh, genre. Some writers define themselves by theirs. Technically, if you're published, that's the advisable thing to do. It creates an identity for your readers to come back to when they want X and Y. Of course, writers of all breeds can genre-hop: whether you mix everything together or create a separate pen name for each hop, it's all fine and fun. That's what I've been telling myself these past few weeks. But...

I adore contemporary/realistic YA, guys. It is what I've always written. So when I realized I needed to write this Idea, I felt a little like I was betraying something at my core. Plus, I was probably going to fail miserably. Contemporary: that was my place, my heart, ma gangsta hang (never let me say "gangsta" again)!

Or so I thought. As this new book has grown and flourished at a crazy pace, leaving me wide-eyed and breathless, my perspective has begun to shift.

For any writer, switching to a new genre - or literary format, or POV, or [insert Big Thing here] - can be a little like leaping over a canyon. That's a canyon filled with uncertainty, inexperience, and possibly some worry. For all anyone knows, you could fall flat on your face and have to crawl back to where you came from.

But part of being a writer means being brave. Being fearless. In the case of that question at the start of this post - it means jumping. In the words of George Prince, "Creativity is another word for courage."

So I invite you to try and live that job description with me. Failure is possible - I know I'm wary of it - but without the possibility of failure, there would be no possibility of awesomeness. Some people call it a leap of faith. I call it: A LEAP OF AWESOME.

So what the heck is the subject matter of this new book I keep rambling about, anyway? I'm not set to spill that info just yet. But I can tell you I'm absolutely in ~~lesbians~~ love with it, and I can tell you the title, and I can tell you what it's not about, under the umbrella of "non-contemporary"! Pumped? The title is...

HYSTERIA

And it does not involve in any way...

Zombies, werewolves, vampires, vegetarian vampires, a dystopian or post-apocalyptic world, fairies, mermaids, elves, angels, reapers, demons, possessed dollies, a historical setting, a futuristic setting, precognition, postcognition, telekinesis, time travel, dream travel, ghosts, witches, spells, gods, superheroes, chatty animals, dragons, monsters, other assorted fantasy creatures, mind control (sort of), OR unicorns (I tried, I tried)

Maybe that will give you a hint. Or maybe I'm just being super annoying, hee, hee... Love you all like always! Have you ever made a leap of awesome? What was your experience like? Everyone have an amazing week, and I wish you all the best of luck with your writing projects, new and old! XOXO!

Your Most Badass Self, & Other In-Demand Identities [RTW]

2011-03-09T06:50:00.011-05:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fabulous YA Highway. This week's question, inspired by YAHer Kirsten Hubbard's new book Like Mandarin: who did you want to be like when you were a youngin'?

P!nk: THE ULTIMATE GIRLCRUSH.

Have you ever felt like you weren't living up to your true potential? Man, I know I have. Around fourteen - that age of disorderly limbs and awkwardness - I really wasn't digging who I was. I felt trapped inside myself, and blossoming into a more confident, more badass gal felt like a goal as far away as Antarctica.

Just like Grace in Kirsten Hubbard's amazing debut-that-came-out-yesterday Like Mandarin (EPIC PLUG YO), I would have given anything to be like someone different. Especially this one rockin' imaginary girl in my head. Who I described thusly in a 2007 diary entry. Why yes, I did go on to become a fiction writer; how did you guess?

Hairstyle inspiration? Oh yeah.
P.S. NO SMOKING

Name: Jolie (pretty en français)
Appearance: "Super-short hair, gelled up, dyed halfway platinum blonde."
Clothes: "All crazy fashion outfits~"
Social cr3d: "She's friends with everyone who's friendly... but she has her own circle of friends... And she likes everyone, too, and she sees the good in everyone. She goes to all the parties..."
Opinion of roller-coasters (yeah, I'd just gone to Six Flags): "Being afraid of a stupid roller coaster is NOT her. She isn't afraid of annyyyything~"

Simply put, Jolie was the girl I yearned to become. She was my most badass self - or so I thought at the time.

I wonder, what would life be like if everyone was their most badass self? If everyone could think of themselves as 100% self-fulfilled - the ultimate picture of who they've always wanted to be?

Maybe we'd have a lot more people with supermodel bodies walking around. Maybe we'd have a lot more supermodels - and artists, and straight-A students, and (holla!) successful authors. In a world of universal self-fulfillment, nobody would need to cry out and yearn for inner change. It would go down just like that.

But that, I think, would mean losing an important part of the process. Perhaps the most important part.

I tried to make it bigger, but Blogger yelled
at me for being obnoxious.

Four years after writing that description of the girl I wanted to be, I don't have a spiky pixie cut. (Tried it. Didn't look so hot.) I don't go to all the parties (what happens at those, anyway?), and fashion still isn't my forté (let's blame the wallet).

Luckily, I don't think I've failed little me in all respects. I've gained a lot: amazing friends, the courage to face a rollercoaster, and - this still shocks me every day - confidence and a liking for who I am.

Am I my most badass self, yet? No way. Who is? And maybe this question isn't such a crazy one to pose: who would want to be?

It's obvious that self-fulfillment doesn't happen easily. We struggle for it our whole lives, filling ourselves with yearning, drive, a passion for improvement and achievement. Even our idols, our non-imaginary Jolies, aren't perfect: they're struggling, too. Grace learns that well in Like Mandarin, with some sad consequences.

But that struggle doesn't have to be sad. In fact, I think it's beautiful. Honestly, it seems like it's the constant journey towards self-fulfillment that makes us who we are, imperfections and all. And whoever you are now - well, some would say that's your most badass self. (Like me! I would say that. BECAUSE YOU'RE AWESOME.)

Who did you want to be like when you were a youngin'? While you're remembering, don't forget to check out a copy of Kirsten Hubbard's Like Mandarin, which chronicles 14-year-old Grace's wild journey towards a new self. Help me help Like Mandarin take over the world! Why? Because it's already headed that way anyway, and who wants to impede the inevitable? Wh00t!

3 YA Books Winning the Universe Right Now

2011-02-22T06:50:00.006-05:00

[Cue Ominous Movie Announcer Voice] Imagine a world... where there were three books... books that contained so much win and awesome that the very universe was at risk of exploding due their existence... and the only way to prevent this explosion, the only way to diffuse their awesome win, was to read them! [/End OMA Voice... For Now]

Are you imagining? What a world, right? I'd give anything to live in a world with those three books! Books that called out to read like the magical forest unicorn calls out to be ridden. Books whose authors possessed brains of pure genius, and sweet personalities to boot.

BUT WAIT.

There are three books like that. In this world. Coming onto the YA scene now. And their authors? Having met each one, I can honestly attest to their genius brains and sah-weet personalities. And so, I present to you: three books winning the universe right now!

#1. A TOUCH MORTAL by Leah Clifford (February 22nd, HarperCollins)

"Eden didn't expect Az..."

When I first read A Touch Mortal in ARC stage, I wasn't sure what to expect. But just like the rockin' protagonist, Eden, I was soon swept up into a world of tragic romance, unforgettable characters, and insanely intriguing mystery! With this intense story, fabulous author Leah offers an imagining of the afterlife that should leave anyone reeling.

The best part? This book officially comes out TODAY! So if you're not afraid of meeting (actual) tortured souls, finding out your boyfriend is an angel, or facing the dangerous allure of a certain sexy musician, then come along with Eden on her wild paranormal ride. Just know that I recommend wearing a seatbelt. (Safety is fun!)

#2. ANGELFIRE by Courtney Allison Moulton (February 15th, HarperCollins)

"Ellie's powers have been awakened..."

Okay, so no one likes getting punched, right? (On second thought, don't answer that.) But when a book named Angelfire punches in you in the gut with its kick-ass heroine and crazy action scenes - that's another thing. Oh, and don't forget the excellent romance: one sewn into the layers of history, reaching its peak in a world packed with mythology, surprise attacks, and cool parties.

Forreal: if you're looking for a book to set your day on fire in a good way, gorgeous author Courtney's got the goods. So check it out, and get ready to wave an imaginary sword in your bedroom! (That was so not me. Who got video of that? Oh, man!)

#3. LIKE MANDARIN by Kirsten Hubbard (March 8th, Random House)
"Grace would give anything to be like Mandarin..."

To communicate the epicity of Like Mandarin to you, I shall utilize the perfect words of fellow YA writer Phoebe North, who described it as "intense and engaging and thoroughly beautiful." Beyond the beautiful book itself, I want to let y'all in on a not-so-secret secret: author Kirsten is the ultimate. As in, it's almost impossible for me to fathom what an incredible friend, writing partner, blog teammate, and person Kirsten is.

Come March 8th, I'm so happy everyone will have a window into the mind of this ultimate girl. To sweeten the deal, Kirsten's hosting a rad blog tour all this week into March! Seriously, you guys - in one vlog, we get to meet her puppy. Warning: ADORABLE AHEAD.

So there you have it: three books on the current scene that deserve their own flash-bang Hollywood trailer. Pick them up, devour them (it's the only way to prevent a deadly explosion!), and come back to tell me what you thought!

Which new books have gotten you excited recently? High-five if your answer includes any of the above - and even more high-fives if it's something completely different. Love to you all, and I hope you have a wonderful week!

The Power of Love (A Message to My Followers)

2011-02-14T17:42:00.021-05:00

VALENTINE'S DAY! What better way to celebrate the deliciousness of chocolate? And pink glitter. And paper hearts with tape on the back so you can stick them on people and run off laughing maniacally. Wait, these things are what Valentine's Day celebrates, right?

Uh-oh. I'm getting a report it's about something else. It's about... love. Specifically, between couples. Of young age, in fit physical shape, sitting in expensive restaurants. (Possibly making out via spaghetti.)

PSH. Screw that!

Okay, okay, it can be about love. We can give it that. But how about, instead of just making it about physically-fit couple love... we also make it about love for friends? And family? And books and writing? And Cee-Lo's outfit at the Grammys? And, of course, most notably... blog/Twitter followers?

Yes. Regardless of the day, or whether or not we are in an expensive restaurant, I have this message to give y'all, my absolutely awesome and fantastic followers and friends: I love you guys. It's true! JUST LOOK AT MY* EYES AND TELL ME IT'S NOT TRUE:

*Animal representation of me

Legit, though, here's to the all-encompassing power of love on this Valentine's Day. If I could eat an expensive plate of spaghetti over candlelight with all of you, I would. (Accidental make-out may or may not occur.) Who or what do you love? P.S. Congrats to fabulous follower and friend Cory Jackson on her book deal for her novel If I Lie! DEETS here!

From Egypt to Writerland: A Revolution of the Mind

2011-02-07T06:50:00.022-05:00

Cairo, Egypt, February 1st. Source

Have you been following the events in Egypt? If not, there's a stellar run-down here! To summarize: on January 25th, the Egyptian people started a series of impassioned protests in response to the 30-year "democratic rule" - really, corrupt and violent dictatorship - of President Hosni Mubarak.

Protests are still going on, and a recent development is that Mubarak has promised not to run in the next election cycle - although he still hasn't resigned as president. (Update: as of 2/11, Mubarak has stepped down, and a new government is forming! How awesome is that?)

This revolution is legit history in the making. These are ordinary people rising up, just as various disenfranchised groups have risen up for thousands of years, in a determined attempt to change their lives for the better.

It sucks that it had to come to this - that Mubarak couldn't've just listened to his people, that violence had to become part of the equation. 'Course, when you're faced with a problem, it doesn't do any good to wish it didn't exist. The people of Egypt know that well. This picture of human action, IMO, is admirable and "wow!"-worthy.

And it's a little bit inspiring.

A lot of us go through life being held down. This can be super true for writers. Obviously, the oppression we experience is nowhere near comparable to the kind found in a place like Egypt, where issues include a dictator and the violation of human rights.

But some oppression is there. The forces that hold us down are quiet, almost able to be ignored. It could be the cutting derision of a family member in response to your writing dreams. It could be a life circumstance that makes it seem like you'll never be able to sit down and finish something. It could be a financially-squeezed publishing market not willing to take the plunge on your project.

Tahrir Square, Janurary 30th. Source

More often, though, that sense of oppression comes from within. We are the ones who hold ourselves down. As writers, we do it in so many ways: by believing we're not good enough; by doubting the realism of our goals; by letting distractions take over; by stalling at a certain stage instead of moving forward; by attempting to be a one-writer island; by trying too hard to be perfect. The list could go on and on, and each way could make up its own essay.

In reality, these issues don't press on us all the time, or we'd never write at all. But they're always there in the background, leeching off our passion and drive - preventing us from being our best, truest, most awesome creative selves.

When a problem arose, the people of Egypt rose in response. So here's my proposition for the people of Writerland: let's start a revolution in our minds. It'll be small - the news probably won't report on it. But I say that the rule of whatever is holding us down has reached its expiration date. And there's only one group who can do the overthrowing: us!

When one person changes for the better, the people around them notice. Who knows? We might be able to start a whole era of creative freedom - complete with yummy pro-freedom Egyptian chocolate cake! (Don't judge, man. Chocolate belongs in EVERY revolution.) What holds you down?

How to Care for Your New WIP, Kitten-Style

2011-01-31T06:55:00.001-05:00

Man, January - it went by so fast! Seems like just yesterday ol' Jan and I were frolicking together in the Field of Apocalyptic Thundersnow... I mean, Dreams. Yeah, that.

Well, I hope you all had a fabulous first month to your 2011! Mine went by fast, I think, because I've been all wrapped up in this wacky new book I've been working on. It requires constant attention, and I feel like I need to be with it constantly, otherwise it's going to fall off the table and break its head open. Not unlike...

A KITTEN.

Drawing this parallel might seem crazy, and it's true that my kitten-obsessed brain is only bringing up the subject now as an excuse to spam pictures. HOWEVER, if you ask me, the process of effectively raising a kitten and of effectively developing a new Work-in-Progress are purdy darn similar!

Skeptical? Here's an unsolicited guide to caring for your new WIP... kitten-style!

STEP 1: PREPARE FOR ARRIVAL (Gather Thoughts)
Prep time! Whether you prefer to write a 10-page outline or, y'know, just sit in contemplation for a few minutes, the objective here is to create an open, yet safe environment for your new WIP (i.e. no exposed electricity sockets). Build up an idea of what you want to achieve with your writing-household's newest addition. This will be a journey with lots of twists and turns, so stock up now on inspiration, patience, and pet fur rollers. Vamos!

STEP 2: BRING IT HOME (Start Writing)
You've gone to the Idea Shop - or even better, your local Idea Rescue center - and come home with a WIP to call your own. Now it's time to test the waters! Write a little, introduce characters, and observe how the WIP reacts when you try new things, like dangling a piece of string in its face. (Answer: ADORABLY.)

Take this time to let your heart fill with boundless love for your new bundle of joy. Why? Because as little WIPpy grows and learns how fun it is to mutilate furniture, you may become frustrated and wonder what you got yourself into. It'll all be worth it, of course! (Right? Right.)

STEP 3: TRAIN IT (Get Serious)
During this stage, the WIP is the most fragile it'll ever be. It can't be pushed too hard to be perfect, or it will crack under the pressure; moreover, it can't be left on its own for too long without nurturing, or it will forget its previous progress and start ripping up your couch. You're building a literary foundation made from dedication and determination. So type with passion - full steam ahead!

STEP 4: LET IT GROW (Write That Thang)
At this point, your WIP should be gaining some autonomy. It's no longer just an idea or the fragile beginnings of a story: it is a full-blown Work (In Progress). As long as you don't stop feeding it entirely (nom nom, wordage) or forget about its existence, it will thrive. Yay!

Is it slightly less adorable, less full of endless possibilities? Sure. But with that loss of adorability comes a beautiful sense of knowing each other, of loyalty, of great days to come. Even if you worry sometimes whether it's plotting to kill you, this WIP of yours is a great friend to come home to.

~~And that's why cats are awesome~~ And that's how to care for your new WIP, kitten-style! What are you working on writing-wise now? Also, have you ever raised a kitten or other baby animal? That's right, I'm not picky. (Who is when it comes to cute things?)

And We Have a Winner! [RTW]

2011-01-12T06:45:00.018-05:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fab YA Highway. This week's question: what is your favorite line in your WIP?

It's always party time on the Boardwalk.

Warning: the title of this post has a double meaning! (No, it's not sexual. GEEZ. Okay, okay, knowing me it totally would be.) The first meaning is... we have a contest winner! That's right, the Hello 2011 Giveaway ended last night, and the randomized winner of that $25 Barnes and Noble gift card is... (I really like ellipses...)

Lisa @ Lost In Literature

Congratulations, Lisa! For anyone wondering, Lisa is the creator of the book blog Lost in Literature, and just a quick visit over there told me she's awesome. So is everyone who entered! Thank you, guys, for making that such a fun giveaway.

Now, onto the second meaning...

Occasionally when you're toiling away at a WIP (Work In Progress), a line of words will fall from your fingers, splosh onto the keyboard, and leave you feeling 100% stunned. Did your brain just produce that? It might not be perfect - heck, it might've taken a round or two of edits to make readable - but man, it seems like a winner!

A winning line can be unusually imaginative, devastating, snappy, or just plain perfect for the scene it's in. It gets you excited and gives you the stamina to continue. Ideally, it will do the same for your readers!

I absolutely love when these lines pop up, considering how shy they can be. With Autochromatic edits done, right now I'm working on a new WIP tentatively named Bad Sun. It's so exciting to be working with all-new words - after all, the potential for new winning lines in a first draft is huge.

Oh hello there.

Here's my favorite WIP line so far (at this moment, at least). Context: main character Harper is eating dinner on the Boardwalk in the fictional beach town of Sun City, USA. It's silly, it's off-base, but it's so like Harper - and who could ask for anything else?

Somebody somewhere was the first person to deep-fry an Oreo, and I swear to all that is delicious, one day I am going to track that person down and make out with them. (...)

Yes, you are, Harper. Yes you are. What's your fave "winning" line in your WIP? Also, assuming you someday have the chance to try them and don't have a heart condition, fried Oreos = A YES. I will personally cover the increase in your health care costs later in life.* *This is not a guaranteed guarantee

The Resolution You Didn't Need to Make + GIVEAWAY!

2011-01-04T02:03:00.022-05:00

GPOK (Gratuitous Picture of Kitten)

Hey there, amazing dudes! Holy cats almighty, I cannot articulate how good it feels to be climbing back on top of things after the wackiness that was applying to college. Instead, I'll let some GIFs do the job: it feels a little like this. And this. And this.

Now, I know something happened during the wackiness... oh, yeah, THE YEAR CHANGED. I'd like to give a warm (if somewhat belated) welcome to the new year on the block, 2011! Actually, I wonder if it would be possible to really give 2011 a warm welcome... oh, hell, let's go for it. Come on in, 2K Double-1!

[Massive applause]
2011: Thanks, everyone, I really appreciate it.
PWK: So, 2011, how does it feel to be smashed between the decade-beginning 2010 and the famously apocalyptic 2012, effectively losing your own identity in the process?
2011: Well, uh... I don't exactly -
PWK: Don't answer that. What everybody really wants to know is: what are going to bring for us this year? Success? Joy? Doom? Relative mediocrity?
2011: I think that depends on the person and what they're determined to ach-
PWK: I disagree.
2011: You - what?
PWK: I think you are going to absolutely fantastic no matter what.
2011: Well, thanks, but -
PWK: And that's all the time we have! Thanks, 2011, and seriously - you're gonna be great!
2011: But I -
[Curtains close]

Wow! Quite an interesting interview, right there. In retrospect, 2011 may have had some points. What a year brings depends on what the person experiencing it is determined to achieve. That's why we have New Year's resolutions - to set the course for the coming twelve months.

Of course, when you're in the business of making resolutions, it's easy to get wrapped up in the things you lack, underperform at, and/or need to fix. In other words, you start the year off with a sense of previous failure layered beneath that sense of hope.

That's not necessarily a bad thing - in fact, it's a motivator. But I'd love to take a moment to remind everyone of the great things that have already been done. The key idea being: you have the power and the will to make even more greatness happen. So here's my question for you:

What's a resolution you didn't need to make this year?

In my case, although at the start of 2010 I was floundering re: how to buckle down and finish Autochromatic, by December I realized I'd learned how to sit myself down - and get stuff done. As 2011 begins, I know work-evading in writing will no longer be a (major) issue for me. Wh00t! I can now look at that achievement as proof that my 2011 goals won't be impossible.

Speaking of possibly wh00t-worthy things... how do y'all feel about a Hello 2011 Giveaway?

Let's do it. A $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble or BN.com - that's what goes to the winner! Leave a comment (e.g. your unneeded resolution) and you're officially entered to win (international is AOK). Extra entries apply, too: get +1 for Tweeting or blogging this baby and +1 for following PWK or being a follower. Contest ends at midnight on January 11th. Here's an easy Tweet format, if you'd like to use it:

A $25 B&N gift card is up for grabs over at @EmiliaPlater's Hello 2011 Giveaway! Comment to win: http://dft.ba/-pwk2011

With that, I hope you all have an absolutely fabulous beginning to this potentially fabulous new year. Here's to good friends, good times... and kittens! (Just thought I'd throw some kittens in there for health purposes.) YAY!

First You Got It, Then You Don't, Then You Do Again

2010-12-17T06:46:00.004-05:00

It's 6AM. A disheveled teen girl sits grinning like crazy in front of her computer. She probs should have gone to bed eight hours ago, but sleep is totally for the weak. Also, school starts in two hours, but who gives a flipped pancake? Her manuscript is REVISED.

Is this disheveled girl me? Yes! Guys, I'm so excited - Autochromatic is new and improved, and I actually finished revising it a little earlier than I thought I would. Mostly because, I, uh, stayed up 'til 6AM on Wednesday night to do it [insert evil genius laugh].

Honestly, there wasn't even a deadline looming - it just felt right, and as time passed I felt like the Energizer Bunny. I came to school two hours later feeling gloriously hung over and giggling uncontrollably, but oh man, it was worth it! (Forreals, is there anything better than being a writer?)

For what it's worth, I got more done that night than I'd gotten done in the past week. Which, I think, raises some cool points about productivity. Sense says that in a rad ideal world, every writer's productivity graph - charting level of output as days go by - would look like this:

We're talking all insane 6AM-level output, all the time. Now, that's pretty epic, but it's also kind of unrealistic - most people's brains and bodies can't maintain it. So let's say the "real world" perfect graph is this:

Here the line is steadily productive, not spiking to either extreme. It's deff possible to maintain this, and set deadlines encourage it (that's why they're awesome). Still, I feel like most of the time, the average writer's graph is more like this:

As in, very unpredictable and random. Why? Because sometimes life gets in the way; sometimes it's happy to let you write. Sometimes you need time to think through a tricky scene, and sometimes you find yourself typing like a madman until late into the night.

I used to get so unnerved whenever my graph hit bottom for an extended period. But I've realized now that just because you don't got it one week doesn't mean you won't the next. As long as you love writing, you are still a writer, whether that chapter takes a day or a month to work through. Just because the oxygen for the fire is momentarily gone doesn't mean the coals aren't still burning, ready to roar to life again.

In truth, we all go at our own pace - and that's great. It means having a blast as you let your own personal ebb and flow guide you through this crazy voyage they call writing.

My question for you is: what does your productivity graph look like? Man, December has been wild so far, and now the holidays are upon us! I'm probably going to stay lamely internet-dead until my early-January college applications deadline, but after that I can't wait to get back in the swing of things. Somehow I know 2011 is going to hold great things for all of us. Wh00t!

When Six Words Equal a Life Sentence [RTW]

2010-12-08T06:55:00.017-05:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fab YA Highway. This week's question: what is your six-word memoir?

Poems. Novels. Short stories. News articles. All these types of writing are mega-different, but for writers, they all have one requirement in common: keep things concise. Now add to that list - drumrollplz - six-word memoirs! To up the short-and-sweetness level, these abridged autobiographies describe a lifetime, not just a single romance or a missing kitten. (Missing kitten? Where? MUST FIND IT.)

Six-word memoir n. The compression of one's life story into six words, as featured in this book. E.g.: "Most successful accomplishments based on spite." "Nothing profound, I just sat around."

Writing this baby is a challenge for the ages. Or in this case, your ages. So exciting! Here's mine to start. It was freaky hard to think of, so I kind of... well, uh... I kinda... UM. Bloggerly malfunction

Found some unicorns; they were awesome
¿Qué? Okay, so while my go-to birthday wish is for this memoir to be literal, as of now 'tis only metaphorical. Unicorns = the impossible, incredible, magical, world-expanding (non-illegal I swear) experiences that lil' me only ever dreamed of as being real. The things that make it all worth it when it's been a while and hmmm, is anything happening around here? Such as:

Realizing writing was The Thing
Feeling 100% (err, 99.5%) self-confident for the first time evah
Getting an agent (note picture)
Those random moments when you're just sitting there and suddenly everything hits you, the beauty and weirdness and potential and greatness of everything, and usually it's 4AM but who cares, dude, let's go explore!
This song
Waffles for dinner

Admittedly, lil' me also had the experience of waffles for dinner, but damn, that buttery euphoria is the gift that keeps on giving ~~heart disease~~. Overall, unicorn-experiences have defined this writergal's life, and I can't wait to have more stampede through. I think we've all had them - aren't they great?

In seasonal news, the holidays are here, and Xmas is only eighteen days away! In fact, I'd say New Years' is the perfect time to conduct a sentence-length reflection on how life has been going for you so far. What's your six-word memoir? Also: what have been your unicorns? Have a fantastic day, guys!

Show Me Your Themes, Groovy Baby

2010-11-30T07:05:00.003-05:00

Ah, teenagerdom. It's a time of confusion, firsts, and some seriously awkward dancing. Am I an awkward dancer? No way! Ego translation: yes oh God yes a million times yes. But just 'cause I'm a maniac on the floor doesn't mean I'm not a normal teen. Right? What does it mean to be a normal teen, anyway?

The actual act of being a teenager is hard to put in a box, and I think that's because everyone has a different experience. Some of us graduate high school without having once done something dangerous. Some of us go through a lifetime of pain and heartbreak before leaving the -teen suffix. Everyone experiences these years in a personalized way.

But could it be that there is some common ground in the teen experience? Like, a permanent and deep common ground, one that goes past crushes and dances and into a sort of powerful core of experience? A core that can be recognized and used in stories to a YA writer's benefit? Yeah, you know I wouldn't be asking those sweet rhetorical questions if there wasn't.

If you're feeling groovy, check out the post I wrote today about these very questions over at YA Highway: That 70s Show, Timelessness, & the Groovy Old Themes. I seriously love That 70s Show, so I'm mega excited to have the opportunity to write about it. I feel like it really relates to that core of being a teenager - plus, it's freakin' hilarious.

In the meantime, I want to know: what TV show do you think depicts the teen experience perfectly? And will you come to the disco with me? I swear, I won't start trying to do the worm while everyone watches. I swear. I can't swear that. Have an psychedelic Tuesday, guys, and an amazing rest of the week!

3 Reasons For Givin' Thanks the Writerly Way

2010-11-25T06:55:00.011-05:00

This TG turkey is a BAMF.

Hello, holidays! Can you guys believe the New Year is almost here? Seems like just yesterday the summer heat was beating down like an oppressive heat-beast, and now Old Man Winter is knocking at our doors. (Southern hemisphere buddies: reverse that previous sentence. Sweet.)

The 25th is Thanksgiving in the U.S., which means there will be much belt unbuckling and TV a-watching going down. I'm going up to NYC to hang with fam, which should be mega fun. And as soon as I get back, it's time to finish these book revisions! Hells yeah.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share with y'all some thoughts this crazy brain's been having on the reasons writers can feel thankful - reasons that may sometimes slip our minds. I know they tend to slip mine, so it was nice to think of these little reminders in the spirit of the holidays!

So what is there to be thankful for as a writer? Well, to write, you need to have...

The Ability I really love this infographic - it points out in a radly designed way the fortunes that members of first world countries often take for granted. Most notably: those amazing literacy rates!

If it weren't for our ability to read and write, well... we wouldn't be able to read or write. Which is an idea that can't be phrased in a more fear-inducing way. Having this skill is one of the easiest things in the world to take for granted, but at the same time, it's an incredible gift that opens up a gazillion doors. Like the one to the world of Harry Potter nerddom! That's, you know, obvs a top one.

The Means With NaNoWriMo coming to a close, it can be assumed that those amazing participators among us have been spending lots of quality time with their keyboards lately. (The best kind of time!)

It's true that it's 100% possible to write with nothing but paper and a pen - heck, that's how it's been done for centuries. But with the advent of technology like computers, the process has been made easier, faster, funner, and many more fabulous -ers. And you know that little tool called the Internet? It lets writers share knowledge, help each other, keep each other sane, and more. So fantastic! Personally I don't think this 'Net trend is going to catch on, but that's just me. Yeah.

The Right We're all at different stages of getting published, if we're going after that goal yet at all. So most of the time, censorship may seem like a problem only for well-known authors who write apparently controversial material. Plus, it's generally a scattered occurrence - one that literary forces work to fight against every day.

But the fact that censorship is a relatively scattered occurrence in places like the YA world... the fact that writers like you and me have the right to write about most anything we want, using most any language we want, and that right is protected by our governments? Now that is cool. Freedoms FTW!

Overall, I feel like the chance to be a writer is a lucky one. Often when we're engrossed in a certain way of being, it's easy to see nothing but the stressful or the objectionable. We all have so much invested in this art we love, and when something goes wrong, it can - understandably - feel like a blow.

But it's important to step back at times and take a look at the things that enable us to have this life - one that, more often than not, delivers happiness and meaning all over the place. Plus, if we couldn't write, who KNOWS what we'd be doing... (Uh-oh.)

What are you thankful for as a writer? As a regular ol' person? (I think there's a difference.) Happy Thanksgiving, guys. I hope your holiday season starts off with a bang! Not the lethal oven-accident kind. The awesome kind. Wh00t!

Craziness With a Side of Greatness [RTW]

2010-11-17T06:55:00.035-05:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fab YA Highway. In celebration of the upcoming release of YAHer Kirsten's wildwind-y debut, Like Mandarin, this week's prompt is: explain a time you did something crazy!

Say you're walking down the street and this hobo dressed in a Lady Gaga mask and wizard robes corners you and exclaims, "You're crazy, man!" How do you react?

I know, I know. This incredibly excellent hypothetical situation will probs never happen to any of us. Aaand you might feel a little worried for your personal safety. But looking past that, one of the first thoughts to come to your mind might be: "I'm crazy? You're crazy, you magic hobo!" Right? It's obvious you're not the insane one around here.

One thing to consider when making a statement like that is that crazy is a matter of perspective. Like, when faced with the question of what's something crazy I've done, my first instinct is to dig up some wacko feat I've achieved, like bungee-jumping or harassing people while dressed like a pop star wizard. This is a problem because I suck and haven't done those things yet. (I will, though, oh yes, I will.)

But that's just the traditional definition of crazy, isn't it? There are so many other ways of looking at the term. Maybe it's the thing that made you the most scared. Or the event that was over quick but changed your life forevah. Or the leap of faith that shifted your view of the world. Or hey, it could be a mix of all three...

I think I've got it. The craziest thing I've ever done is... and maybe, maybe the craziest thing you've ever done is...

Written a book.

SUCH A COP-OUT ANSWER. Oh man. But... okay. Hear me out.

This thing we writers do. It's crazy, dude. First making the decision to risk failure. Then stripping the essence from our hearts and our minds and sticking it on a page in around 50,000 words. And then looking at that essence we've stripped from ourselves and declaring it crap and trying to fix it. And fix it. And fix it. Until we've taken the essence of our hearts and minds and made it into this visible, readable thing. That is coherent. And stuff.

And it takes time. Anywhere from a time to a long, long time, depending on your way of doin'. And it takes tears (maybe not the physical kind, but they always show themselves at some point). And questions. And wondering if we even have the right to do this. Or the way. Or the will.

But we fight through it like crazy peeps because storymaking what we love. Heck, the only thing that gives us a sense of sanity is the thing that drives us most towards the edge. Love, that's what it's all about - love, the thing that's been the main source of human craziness for eons, manifested in our nerdy funny writer heads, and the result is a book.

It's cah-razy!

Like Grace in LM, I blame
the wildwinds.

... And it's beyond great.

Also I have one more answer: SEEING THE MIDNIGHT SHOWING OF DEATHLY HALLOWS ON A SCHOOL NIGHT when? oh I don't know tomorrow. SoexcitedholycowIloveyouall. (Edited to add: it was awesome!!) What's something crazy you've done? Plus, am I totally weird for thinking an act as mundane as typing words is crazy? (Answer: probably yes. But you knew I was totally weird already. Holla!)

Above all, don't forget to check out Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard when it comes out on March 8th! Any craziness aside, Kirsten is very possibly the most epic author-girl ever. You can trust me on that one. Have a great week, guys!

Ninjas, NaNo, & Beyond: The 3 Stages of Speed Writing

2010-11-08T06:30:00.064-05:00

Hola amazing chicos and chicas! How you guys been doin'? I've been good, good. November is upon us, which can only mean three things: 1) Thanksgiving break is soooon! 2) DEATHLY HALLOWS AAHH. And most relevantly... 3) It's National Novel Writing Month!

I wasn't able to participate in NaNo this year, but I did get my own little taste of that writerly pressure, that word-count craziness, just this past weekend. It was traumatic. It was kind of fun. It was... The SATs (Standardized Aptitude Tests for colleges). More specifically, the 25-minute essay portion. Oh yeah!

Before I get into that, let me say I hardcore admire all of you who are doing or have done NaNo (or any of its variations). I mean, deadlines are my lifeblood, but 30 days to write 50,000 words? Dude. I rack up my dumbfoundedness to a healthy dose of inner perfectionism, and by healthy I mean analogous to a double-fried corndog stuffed with Oreos and wrapped in bacon. Mmm, Oreos.

Truth is, perfectionism can be a gift or a curse. And in the story I'm about to tell you in the hopes of spreading that thesis, it was the latter. (DUN DUN DUN.)

To set the scene: it's 8AM. The classroom is full of bright-faced little SAT-takers. The first section is The Essay. I can already feel my perfectionism buzzing through my pencil, but I swear I won't get all obsessive. I will finish in 25 minutes! The proctor says go, sadly not using a shotgun.

And the three mental stages of speed writing begin.

Stage 1: THE CALM

Hey, it's all chill at this point. I read the prompt, which is something about ~~SECRET INFORMATION REMOVED BY COLLEGE BOARD MONKEY NINJAS~~. I take my sweet time thinking of examples, and then I take more high-fructose time writing a flashy-fab introduction and topic sentence. Look at how smart I sound! Talking about the dawn of mankind and human society and stuff. Aww. I'm adorable.

After all that time perfecting with my words like a baby playing with duckies in the tub, I look back at the clock. Oh, crap. I've taken 9 minutes to complete the first paragraph. Not so good. So starts...

Stage 2: NNGHH

A slight uncomfortableness washes over me, and I pull at my hair as though the goddess Athena will spring forth from my forehead and write this for me. Faced with a block, I scrap my first example and lay all hopes on the second one. It regards The Fountainhead, which is super predictable. Dagnabbit, this has gotta be perfect...

Howard Roark! Big words! Varied sentence structure! I'm still not going that fast, but I'm feeling better. This will work out great. Hmmm, what's a better a more pretentious-sounding word for truly? Veritably! Sweet. Bask in my perfect analysis, College Board essay readers. Baask.

Then the proctor says it: "Five minutes left, everybody."

Stage 3: NUCLEAR PANIC

What? WHAT?!?!? NOOOOO. (Simba: Daaaaad!) I'm nowhere near finished! I only have a page! You need to fill all two pages to get a good score! That's all they care about! Oh. My. God. I'm going to get a zero OR WORSE. (Retrospectively, I'm not sure what could be worse than a zero, but the threat was there.) AND IT'S ALL MY FAULT.

Let me tell you guys: I haven't experienced adrenaline like that in a long time. My hand starts shaking as I scribble about the epic fail that is Peter Keating. Legibility falls to the wayside like a bloody victim of war. I'm supposed to be analyzing, but instead it's a struggle to complete a single sensical thought! BREATHE. When the proctor calls pencils down, I scribble one more word, neutering my conclusion but kinda-sorta finishing the essay. Breathe.

Breathe.

Breathe.

And then it was time for the math section.

*~~~The Moral of the Story~~~* Or, Notes to Myself

Whether you're writing a 400-word essay in 25 minutes or a 50,000-word novel in 30 days, time management is key. And what ranks as one of the biggest opponents of time management? Mr. Perfectionism. He'll eat up your time like me devouring leftover Halloween candy, leaving you with no time to actually complete your goal. Though he's useful come revisions, if the whole point is to write - and write fast - he's just a lame-o. You heard me, Mr. P!

Have you ever been a victim of perfectionism? And are you doing NaNo this year? If so, I'd love a picture of you for my wall! (Specimen is creepy yet loving.) Good luck writing to all, and I hope everyone has a great week!

Save a Horse, Ride a -- Setting?

2010-10-26T08:06:00.001-04:00

They say home is where your heart is. Well, when it comes to books, setting is where the AWESOME is, dude!

... Sorry, I shouldn't come up with sayings. (Remind me to never apply for a job in greeting cards.) Despite that unfortunateness, setting is a big honkin' part of writing fiction. And now I've gone and blogged about the topic over at Kirsten Rice's blog, A Romantic Enters the World!

Kirsten is a college student and author, and her fabulousity knows no bounds, so I was mega honored to blog for her. Featured in the post is the beauty and desolation found within one of Autochromatic's main settings: the American West. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Cowboys, ghost towns, red rocks... the West is steeped in history and some incredible landscapes. I'd give anything to go visit it again. But here in the Northeast, the changing leaves make for a pretty cool setting, too! Those gorgeous reds and golds are a sign of transition.

Plus, they mean holidays are just around the corner! Mega exciting, foshiz. What's your favorite setting in nature? And what are you excited for between now and the New Year? (I know I can't wait to finish studying for these SATs... and to track down and STEAL THIS BIRD omg.)

Let's Get Speaking Comparatively [RTW]

2010-10-20T06:30:00.025-04:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fab YA Highway. This week's question: what would you say are your comp titles?

Everyone is special. Before we even learn what six times nine equals, we learn that universal truth. You're special. Adorable little Billy is special. I'm special! (No, really.) Everyone is special - including all writers. But could it be that everything we've been taught is a LIE?

Hey, it happened to Keanu Reeves.

I mean, okay, six times nine is definitely fifty-four. (I swear it didn't take just me half a minute to come up with that answer.) But the special thing... In the arena of writing, could it be that all literature is just a play off past works, recycling the same elements that have been recycled for centuries, only acknowledging similarities in certain beneficial circumstances?

Well, duh. And that's where the fun starts! We're talking comps: the comparison of a book to other already-published stacks o' words, often used by publishers for marketing purposes. In the little writer world, it's fun to look at your book and compare it to others - maybe works you want to emulate because they're so dang awesome. Oh yeah - turns out not being special isn't that bad! LET'S DO IT.

I'll go first, yo. For those who don't know or were indifferent until now, Autochromatic is the story of a sassy artist girl named Riley who starts getting texts from her dead boyfriend's phone number. The texts turn out to be addresses, and they lead Riley on a ~*very explosive*~ road trip involving dark pasts, secrets, breakdowns, and cherry smoothies! Wh00t.

Plz note that, relative to the genius found in the following books, I'd estimate that I suck, uh, like a vaccuum. (Alternatively, I kick ass at similes!) So these selections should be taken with a grain of salt, 'cause these writers are geh-henius and I'm shaky on basic multiplication. Yeah. It's all good, baby. COMP NUMBER ONE:

1. Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers. Largely because when I read this fab thing a while back, I skedaddled straight home and changed the first chapter of a little book of mine to present tense. And it was a tense love affair from then on - hawt, passionate tense love. You know the type. (Gracias for the introduction, Courtney!) Also, the dark story of a damaged girl with a secret that she can barely admit to herself? Holla. Secrets rock!

2. Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt. What can I say? Road trip novels 4EVA! I had the amazing chance to hang out with Lauren in NYC this past summer, and once I got home I knew I had to read TWS. It was fantastic, and the humor, slowly-building ex-boyfriend mystery, and crazy romantical twists made me think a lot of AC. Plus, vintage cars. Gotta have a vintage car or two.

3. The Bell Jar by Slyvia Plath. So this '60s novel comes out of left field - it's not even technically YA, man! But after reading and adoring it, I was amazed by how relevant it felt, as if it was the precursor to every Troubled-Girl-Comes-of-Age novel ever. And on top of that, how related the story's questions felt to those of AC - like what the heck a girl is supposed to do with her life, how she's supposed to fight for her freedom, and when she'll finally be able to figure things out once and for all.

In truth, Plath's writing is incredible, and I can only hope to one day come close to her level of awesome. But it's a goal I'm excited to pursue! (With, um... a quick detour around the oven. Y'know.)

So there you have 'em - comps! When it comes down to it, comparisons like these can help us feel less weird in our writer craziness, less alone in our art-making. Which is, truly, a nice feeling. Now for your stories! Which YA books compare to your own, or, which ones would you like to emulate?

That Crazy Will to Live

2010-10-12T06:30:00.006-04:00

You know Aron Ralston? The guy who got trapped by a boulder in Canyonlands, USA for over five days, then cut off his own arm using a dull knife, thus escaping and living to write a book about it? Oh yeah. That guy.

Well, they're making a movie about him starring ~~the incredibly attractive~~ James Franco, and let me tell you, it looks pretty awesome. In particular, a tagline shot in the trailer got me brain-wheels a-turnin'. (They do turn! Sometimes...)

The will to live. From a writer's perspective, you could call it the ultimate character motivation. And the truth is, that will doesn't have to translate into something as crazy epic and point-blank as cutting off your own arm. Or collecting seven horcruxes in an insatiable quest for immortality. (Sorry, Aron, I didn't mean to just compare you to Voldemort. These things happen, y'know.)

It can translate into something smaller. People might not always realize it - hell, for the sake of mental health, it's better if we don't - but every day is made up of struggles. Struggles to be happy, to pursue goals, to overcome obstacles, to pwn opponents. Basically, to live. It sounds dramatic, but check out some day-to-day examples:

- Wake up to the alarm. Lame! Press snooze to snatch a few more minutes of delicious sleep. (Be happy)
- Cruel person cuts in front of you in the line for coffee. You go into WANTCOFFEE mode and work up the guts to say something to them. It's worth it, ja? (Pwn opponents)
- Get home, and despite tiredness, eek out a few hundred words of that ol' book. One day, man, one day soon... (Pursue goals)
- It's late. You have an hour to [insert 50 tasks]. You can do it! (Overcome obstacles)

None of these struggles come close to stacking up to Aron Ralston's story. And hey, few do. But when it comes to writing - to telling compelling headline stories - maybe ask yourself:

What activates this character's will to live? And what is their Aron Ralston moment?

The Aron Ralston moment: when everything comes down to one act of pure crazy will. In a fantasy book, it could actually be a character's refusal to die by the hands of a foe. In contemporary, it could be the girl finally asking the guy she digs to prom. (Go girl!)

It's the result of all other options being lost. It's defining, revelatory, and intense to read. It makes for a bangin' climax. Literally or not, human life is on the line, dude.

IRL, the average person will probs end up only experiencing a few of these moments. A mixture of wimpiness, smarts, and self-preservation instincts keep us in the clear. But in books, we get to insert them, strip the human experience down to the bone. That's pretty cool, right?

'Cause no one gets in the way of coffee consumption. And no boulder gets in the way of Aron Ralston. Wh00t! What activates your protagonist's will to live? And have you ever had an Aron Ralston moment?

Also, a quickie blog update: posting's gonna keep being a little spotty this month and into the holidays - impending SATs and college stuff beckon. But oh, soon these things shall be lifted, and the ~~greatness~~ ~~semi-goodness~~ cute efforts of PWK shall surge forth once more!

In the meantime, here's a video of Aron describing the amputation process. I know, that totally made you want to go canyon-adventuring. Even if you don't... have a fantastic week!

Reading It Up on the Island of Coolitude [RTW]

2010-10-06T06:30:00.003-04:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fab YA Highway. This week's Q: as a reader and writer, which items would you pack for a month-long stay on a desert island?

Believe me, guys: you haven't known fear until you've been a 21st century teen faced with an EXTENDED POWER OUTAGE. What do you do in that situation? Lie in bed and weep, with nary a computer or seemingly cocaine-laced phone to comfort you?

I mean, there's always the option of getting a flashlight and like, doing homework, or whatever, but that's so... unstimulating. Weeping is the only way to go.

With this horrifyingly accurate cultural snapshot in mind, the question arises: for a month-long stint on an outlet-less desert island, which would be the key items to bring?

According to TV, this situation would be brought on by an epic plane crash, so it's obvs all gotta fit in one carry-on suitcase. (Airport regulations, yo!) Also according to TV, the island should provide enough resources for sustenance and shelter, so yay! The things can be writing- and reading-related! (As if anyone would ever pack anything else.)

Let's pack this suitcase.

TRIAL A. Okay. I apologize for this. I was thinking less about mental health and more about escaped island polar bears, here. Can you blame me (Lost FTW)?

Please note that I have no idea how to operate a handgun or even how to hold one without shooting my own face off. However, I feel, as I'm sure many of you do, that if faced with a stampeding polar bear, the use of a pointed gun matched with a rough-n'-tough "don't mess with me" look would surely cause that polar bear to turn around and retreat. TV tells us as much, man! ... Stopping now.

Verdict: Dead from boredom (and/or agitated polar bears)

TRIAL B. Here we go! We've got books galore, a great mix of old favorites and to-be-read YAs. A compact typewriter! Not sure if those exist, but it sure seems classy. Paper for the typewriter, plus a maximum supply of gummy worms for late-island writing sessions. It's true, I have a superb sense of nutrition.

Sharpies for instances of waking up on the beach and having nothing to write on but an old clamshell. Also, a mini-battleaxe. Just in case.

Verdict: It's all great! But... something's not quite right. It feels like I'm denying something. Maybe... Hold up. Could it be?

TRIAL C. Yeah. It could.

Pictured: one month of ah-maziing! Turns out a month-long stint on a desert island could end up being a cool paradise. And who could turn down free nerd points? What would you bring to your desert island? BTW, we'd totally be having a cross-island bash at some point. Party it UP!

P.S. In case you missed it: this past Saturday, I had the rad fortune to participate in YA Highway's Query Series! You can read about the query I used for Autochromatic, as well as peruse Suzie's comments on it. Have a rockin' Wednesday!

Cats and Dogs and Unicorn Stress-Relievers

2010-09-30T06:55:00.004-04:00

CUTEST THING EVER <3

September was Writer-Stress Awareness Month, baby! At least, it seems that way. A couple weeks ago, I quizzed you guys on whether social media was getting you all frizzed out - a highly scientific study. But now it's time to broaden the playing field.

What about the glorious growliness that comes purely from partaking in one of the most awesome, rollercoastery, life-affirming, life-consuming, hobby-dream-things in the world? For the record, that doesn't refer to cat collecting, though I've got full intentions to be a freaky cat lady one day. (Doesn't everyone?!?)

That refers to being a writer! Stress can stem from it, so over at YA Highway, I've proposed 5 totally weird techniques for dealing. Check it out - it haz unicorns! And other stuff. ...Less fun stuff. As a preview:

3. Take up a self-calming mantra. Like a monk! Only sexier. Anytime you feel that writer-blood pressure rising, whip out your chant. It can be short, like "I am awesome" (you are), or long, like "My percievance of this situation has been generated by my own neural passageways and will have no significant effect on the universe as a unit of space-time." Uh-huh.

In other news, the end of September marks Banned Book Week, so don't forget to celebrate by picking up a favorite book that has been banned from schools or libraries! Here's a pretty epic list of 'em, plus a New York Times blog article (!!) chronicling the #SpeakLoudly movement in the YA sphere. And in other stress-relieving animal-related news... this.

One take, dudes. One take. (Take number one hundred and something, but still.) This is the doggie wonder we must all live up to. How have your stress levels been lately? Know of any other adorable animal music videos? Feeeed the addiction.

When Inspiration Strikes, Hard, In the HEAD: A Comic

2010-09-24T06:30:00.005-04:00

As little writer children gathered around the hearth, we're told to never rely on inspiration when it comes to being productive. The idea-granting Muse, we're instructed, is just a figment of our imaginations, like Santa Claus. Yeah, about Santa Claus...

It follows that more than one dream is smashed. Violently. But is not waiting around for inspiration forreal the best route? I don't know, guys. I was thinking, and... decided to draw this comic instead of actually thinking! WH00T. Hey, it was a long week.

Artist's Notes: Notice the Van Gogh-like drawing pwnage. And uncanny ability to ~~utilize le Photoshop~~ render a computer with shocking realism! It takes skill. You know it.

With that, you have the answers! Sort of. Not really. I guess we've all got different tastes and methods. 2AM inspiration is awesome, as well as supremely annoying. Same goes for in-the-shower inspiration and doing-homework inspiration.

But the bulk of awesome will usually have to go down in the daytime, without waiting around for The Write Moment. (Get it? Get it? Yes.) Unless we're talking about some freaky sleep schedule experiments here...

When does inspiration strike you? And do you sometimes wish you could tackle your Muse to the ground and smash ITS dreams of Santa Claus? Uh, I mean, I'm not still peeved by that or anything. It's just that I don't think millions of children should be brainwashed, forced to eat gingerbread lies, only to - what? Here, have a gingerbread cookie. And everyone have a rockin' weekend!

You Encountered a Wild Scroggins! #SpeakLoudly

2010-09-20T06:55:00.002-04:00

We've all been censored before. Heck, you're probably being censored right now - if not by someone else, then by yourself. I know I sometimes get in that groove: I don't tell a friend how their words got me down in the dumps. Instead of telling my dad to put the freakin' peanut butter away after he uses it, I just stand there and fume. (Ah yes, FUME.)

Censorship can be a day-to-day thing, something that we experience in our lives without realizing it. What's important is when we do realize it. When we're walking along and suddenly it jumps out, pulls a ninja move, and challenges us to a battle. A battle we can't refuse, man.

And refuse it we haven't.

On Sunday, an article spread like wildfire across the YA and general book-reading Twittersphere. (Yay overworn similes!) In it, college professor Wesley Scroggins compares Laurie Halse Anderson's award-winning YA novel, Speak, to "soft pornography" thanks to its two scenes depicting the rape of the main character. Yeah, dude. No joke.

His verdict: bannity ban ban from the schools in his Missouri district. He also expressed lotsa support for banning Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler à cause de its sex scenes and lauded the censorship of Slaughterhouse 5 for its profanity.

Word got around. People got riled up. More specifically, a whole communityload of fabulous, brave, and eloquent YA writers and readers got pretty dang peeved. In reaction to Laurie's response, people started blogging their stories and #speakingloudly. And you know what? It ain't gonna stop.

The facts: a girl getting raped is not equivalent to "soft pornography" in any way. Declaring what's appropriate for one's own household is fine - for an entire school, not so much. And censoring the voice of millions of girls by way of censoring one is not cool.

These are universal truths we all know, but that kinda... elude bookbanners like Scroggins. The ones that want to censor everything disturbing and "filthy" about the teen world. Even though that's reality. And if teens, if survivors, if everyone can't share a common reality... then what are we besides alone?

As a teen girl who read Speak last year and felt whole, I gotta say to Scroggins and all his similarly close-minded brethren: I sort of hope y'all get eaten up by a Pokemon. Or even sweeter, by a Twitter bird.

In small ways, this is the beginning. Or maybe the middle. Or maybe we're closer to victory than we think - we just have to keep fighting like mofos. Hells yeah!

The key thing is, Twitter and blogland isn't where this baby ends. Laurie's encouraged us all: talk to people about it. Write to the newspaper responsible. Write to your newspaper. Get chattin' with your teachers or local librarian. Do anything you can - because a few anythings can turn into one awesome something.

Also, you should totally buy Speak, 'cause it rocks. (My words, not Laurie's, promise!)

This stuff happens. A lot. We're faced with censorship and ignorance every day - whether in our own lives or in a way that affects a whole nation of teens. It'll happen until the last rival is met with strength, until the last battle is won. That might be never, which sucks. But for now, we can keep fighting - and we can keep winning, yo.

It all starts with each one of us. So hey, never forget to speak loudly: what's your opinion on the issue?

QUIZ: Do You Suffer From SMS Syndrome? Find Out or Cry

2010-09-17T06:55:00.006-04:00

Social media! Just the phrase has the power to make authors worry, to ignite conversational fires, and to cook a twenty-pound turkey in twenty minutes flat (or something). Recent writerly discussion around the blogosphere has posed the question: what the heck's up with this 'Net world-thing?

If you're a writer or a reader or a publishing worker bee, is participation worth it? Is it harmful? Is it the Key to All Things Good Ever? Or something else entirely, something we haven't quite gotten a handle on yet?

Between Twitter, Facebook, blogging, email groups, Random Stalker Application 1, and Random Stalker Application 2, our shiny Internet-reliant world has become way smaller and more connected - while also becoming a lot more time-consuming. And just like eating more cookie dough ice cream means more regret when you realize the whole carton is GONE, more time consumption means stress.

The fact is, taking advantage of social media is important - how important and why is up for grabs, but it's pretty much true. At the same time, one can't help but be reminded of '50s housewife culture, which encouraged women to spend their days cleaning, fluffing and smiling, only to wake up one day and realize everything sucks and Betty Friedan has gone and written a book trashing your whole way of living. But is the situation really parallel? Only your heart holds the answer, baby.

For now, here's a quiz to evaluate whether or not you're suffering from Social Media Stress Syndrome, also known as SMSS! Your results, as well as some advice for any ailing souls, shall be revealed by a questionably qualified me at the end. It's fun and easy. ~~Just like your mom! WHOA WHAT.~~

Upon waking up in the morning, your first act consists of:
A) Eating breakfast, maybe going for a walk, then getting down to writing like a mofo. All that social goodness can wait until you've been at least a little productive. (Just a lil'.)
B) Checking your phone or computer for updates. It ain't the most zen start to a day, but if you wanted to go for a walk, you could. Honestly. It's a possibility!
C) Doing stuff online. Hell, that's your second act, and your fifth act... and your act during dinner... and right before you go to bed. Also, if you happen to wake up in the middle of the night for bathroom purposes. EPIC.

Trekking through the social media landscape makes you feel...
A) Cool. All these rad people actually want to talk to you! It's great to connect with everyone on a reasonable basis.
B) A little overwhelmed. It's so fun, but sometimes it seems like more of a job than a recreational activity.
C) Feel? Feelings? No time for those, man. Gotta keep updating and surfing. Gogogo!

A magic unicorn with recently evolved thumbs flies down, ties your hands together, and binds you to a chair. It then informs you of an Extremely Important Message waiting for you at your favorite 'Net hotspot. You:
A) Struggle, but soon surrender to staring at the unicorn's entrancing glittery tresses. The message can wait! No biggie.
B) Freak the heck out as your blood pressure rises. What if it's [Insert Important Thing]? You eventually give up and wait for release, but not before imagining all the ways this unicorn has just ruined everything.
C) Gnaw through the ropes and escape to check the message using a nearby axe. BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.

Why do you Tweetblogupdatestalk, yo?
A) To please yourself! O' course.
B) Um, because you should? Like, for yourself... sort of. Okay, so a lot of it's for others... but that's life. Right?
C) Question does not compute. No reason necessary. GTG TBUS mo' SRY

And now, your results!

Mostly A's: Ridin' Calm Congratulations! You've found a good balance of social media participation that caters to your particular needs and wants. In the words of Hyde from That 70's Show: "Where zen ends, ass-kicking begins." Advice Spread your wisdom to any stressed-out little bees you might notice. Because we're all in this together, oh yes!

Mostly B's: Showing Symptoms Social media has become a chore for you, although you might not want to admit it. This is lame-o, and part of you knows it shouldn't be this way. Advice Designate a guilt-free day or two in the week during which you're not allowed to touch social media. This'll activate your brain's desire to press the "Do Not Press" button and make your "on" days más enjoyable. Plus, you'll get to relax and focus on what really matters. Like cookie dough ice cream.

Mostly C's: Damn. You've got SMSS! Similar to a sugar-hyped kid, you're bouncing from wall to wall and making your destitute parents lose sleep in the process. Further advancement down this path may result in burnout, nervous breakdowns, and inability to talk in anything but 140-character units. Oh man! Advice Take a break from it all for as long as you can manage, then come back with a plan. Ration your time online, and hold yourself back by remembering that the world isn't going anywhere. Updates come and go, but every moment of your life can only be enjoyed once. Take control! 'Cause you rock.

Please do not take these results seriously, as they come from the mind of a crazy girl and hold no scientific merit. Unless you want to believe they do, in which case I am totes flattered. Are you suffering from SMSS? If not, what's your key to a balanced life? (Besides whole grains, duh.)

Flippin' Through the Pages of History [RTW]

2010-09-15T06:17:00.018-04:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fab YA Highway. This week's question: If you could travel back to any historical era for research purposes, which would you choose?

Oh, history. It comes to us in lots of ways: from the ninth-grade teacher with an epic mustache, from the strangely intriguing yet mentally degrading documentary about famous UFO sightings, from the friend who insists that Elvis is really, really, dead. (No. A'ight? I DENY THIS HERESY.)

And then there are historical novels. In this case, YA novels - where the shiny newness of youth goes kablam! with the sepia-toned richness of the past. Writing historical fiction means research like whoa, which usually serves as a roadblock for would-be scribes.

But what if instead of trawling Google for the happenin' slang of the time, YA writers could travel back in time to prod teens and awkwardly study their environment? Sah-weet!

Question is: ~~how many flips on the Time-Turner~~ which era is a must-visit?

For me, it's a recent one - right around the 1960s. It's got social upheaval. War. The jet of fire hoses and the melody of song. Speeches and bravery. Guns, slurs, and assaults. A common bond - hope. All this shizz and more defined a time: the Civil Rights Era. Ka-blam!

Man, it's mega cliche: twenty-first century youth, own time devoid of meaning beyond Justin Bieber, idealizes a period when thangs went down. But you guys... it's SO COOL.

It'd rock like early Led Zeppelin to have walked in the 1963 March on Washington, the one that prompted President Kennedy to pass the 1964 Civil Rights Bill. In a less rosy historical photo frame, the fiery controversy that blazed through New York City in the midst and aftermath of the 1969 Stonewall Riots is one that would have been wild to experience firsthand, on the news, in the streets. (I totally remembered both those events without looking them up. Mustache Teacher, your name has been upheld!)

YA is all about striking out on your own, finding your place, declaring your freedoms. In that extended-metaphortastic way, the Civil Rights Era is almost like the YA section to the bookshelf of the 20th century. In the end, the world came out differently, with a new viewpoint and new strength to face future struggles - just like every YA protagonist. Oh yeah. Feel the tingle of the awesome.

MUSTACHE TEACHER VS. FRO TEACHER

Research works great, and the documentaries my fro-headed teacher showed my history class last year did actually offer some Valuable Insight. (No joke about the fro - it was almost as epic as the mustache!) But when it comes to forreals communicating the pure, electric awesome - and terror, and victory - of that period, would modern methods compare to traveling back in time? Nah, probs not.

Which is why we gotta get on building a time machine now, dudes! I'll supply the snacks. Which historical era would you visit for research purposes?

Three Winners Walk Into a Bar... + Some News

2010-09-10T06:55:00.001-04:00

One hundred and forty people. That's enough to build a house in five days like on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (I call the obnoxious megaphone!). Hell, that's enough to file a strongly worded petition against loitering teenagers in my local township. The power of one hundred and forty of you is mega-huge... and in these past two weeks, that number of you amazingly, heart-breakingly took the time to enter the Punkiversary Giveaway of Life-Changing Proportions (Sort Of)!

I am beyond happy and thankful - so much so that the only person who has an idea of it is my dog, who got to watch me periodically come home from school and fa-reak out when I refreshed this old blog. Those were good times for us. And now it's time for good times for YOU! Let's announce those winners!

First up for grabs is the Grand Prize: a partial and query critique from superstar agent Suzie Townsend, a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble, a signed copy of The Duff, a copy of Paranormalcy and The Mockingbirds, a custom drawing of your character and optional blog makeover, a poster from The Keep Calm Shop, and FINALLY, a whole package of gummy worms! (Saved the best for last, man.)

The randomly selected winner is...
↓

Jocelyn!

Jocelyn, please email me at struckheartera@gmail.com with your street address, as well as your query and partial if ready, and we'll discuss your drawing and blog makeover together. :)

Next, we have a query critique from the gorgeous Meredith Barnes, agent assistant to the one and only Janet Reid!

The randomly selected winner is...

Elizabeth Ryann!

Elizabeth, please email me at struckheartera@gmail.com with your query. Yay!

And lastly - wait, an explanation pit-stop. This prize wasn't included in the initial giveaway, but I was discussing it with my dog earlier today, and we decided that it would be right and proper to include a THIRD awesome prize, as a sign of gratitude for the support that you guys gave this contest through our tweets, blog posts and general amazing participation. And that prize is: a copy of Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers, out September 14th, as well as a Personal Demons bookmark signed by Lisa!

The randomly selected winner is...
↓

Kai!

Kai, please email me at struckheartera@gmail.com with your street address. :)

Congrats, congrats, congrats to all the winners! To those who didn't win, an absolutely massive virtual hug, a confused yet adoring look from my dog, and an assurance that you are AWESOME. (Seriously.)

If you're wondering at this point what the follow-up to the bar story in the title is, it's... "And Say Ouch." I know, you've probably been quivering this whole time in anticipation of the joke, and I land you with that sucker. I'm sorry. It's awful.

In other, uh, less awful news... Autochromatic went on submission to publishing houses this week! HOLY BATMAN. I can't comprehend or healthily handle this, guys. No, I can. With the help of a two-liter bottle of Sprite and four jars of cookies. YES. It will happen like that.

What I'm trying to say is: good luck to that dang book as it traverses the jungle! Okay, now for some cookies. What exciting thing has happened to you lately? (If you're a winner, I big-headedly assume it's winning this. Unless you just started fighting crime as an extremely wealthy masked vigilante, or something. In that case, omigod details?)

Some DUFF Expectations to Live Up To [RTW]

2010-09-08T06:55:00.015-04:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fab YA Highway. This week's question: what's in your DUFF kit?

In line at McDonald's on Kody's b-day
in August. It's real. It's really real!

I won't lie to you guys: few things in life are exciting. First day of high school? Overrated. Birth of your first child? Cool, but doesn't seem like that big of a deal. Now, though, an excellent book titled The DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend), written by an adorable girl named Kody Keplinger, has been RELEASED. UPON. THE WORLD. And that is exciting. Like unicorns! Except you can actually pet it in the wild.

In celebration, us Kody-lovers at YA Highway are putting the question forward: what's in our DUFF kits? A paraphrased definition:

DUFF Kit n. A collection of fun, comfy items to be used during a relaxing night alone or with friends; this collection entails zero pressure to be the prettiest, smartest or funniest person in the room. I was feeling like a disgrace to Earth, but then I broke out my DUFF kit, and it was AWESOME. (Yay!)

For me, the DUFF kit is all about defying expectations. Who cares what society, the opposite gender, or that hobo at the mall who gives you a strangely assuring thumbs up when he likes your outfit expect from you? A real person is made up of incongruities: ugly parts matched with beautiful parts, cynical parts matched with kind parts, and more.

Those incongruities are what make us human. And they're what make us awesome. So in the spirit of defied expectations, my DUFF kit would contain...

Food: Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake + Carrots
Damnit, I like carrots. When writing, they serve as a genuinely delicious no-crumbs-in-the-keyboard snack, all while providing a satisfying crunch that makes you feel like a dinosaur chomping someone's head off (an ideal sensation).

But does that mean I can't also enjoy the smooth, mind-blowing caloric experience of a Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake? No way! No, seriously, guys, that cake exists. Here. I'm thinking massive bake-off, like, immediately. You know it.

Entertainment: Cheesy-classic Disney movies + Fight Club
Ariel rockin' those seashells and singing ballads of unending love about utensils. Jasmine running away and into the arms of a sultry street-rat. Pocahontas... okay, Pocahontas is just badass. Most Disney movies contain elements of questionable cheesiness, but dude, that doesn't matter when it comes to the DUFF kit! They're just fluffy and supah fun.

On the other end of the spectrum, a story that focuses on angry men and blowing things up for revolutionary purposes: Fight Club. Who says The Little Mermaid and depressed-psycho Edward Norton can't be enjoyed by one girl? No pressure to fit a mold. They're both quality entertainment. (Not to mention Shirtless Brad Pitt. That's sort of a plus. Sort of.)

Pampering: Sparkle Neon Nail Glitter + A Nap
There is nothing better than looking down at your fingernails and seeing a veritable apocalypse of glitter. I'm sure even the guys can agree with me on that one. It's girly, it hurts your eyes - but they are so ~~distracting~~ FUN TO TYPE WITH.

But does all that glitter girliness mean I'm going out to party and mack on boys right after finishing this chapter? Oh hells no. I am taking a nap. And there is going to be drool on the pillow. Because that is the way to roll.

So with that, I shamelessly remind you to buy The DUFF, to embrace your incongruities, and to defy expectations! Society and that mall hobo be danged. Kody's launch party in NYC was so much fun - thank you to agent Joanna for hosting it, holla to everyone who came and made it a blast, and congrats once more to Miss Kody! What's in your DUFF kit?

Interview with a Vamp-Query

2010-09-03T07:05:00.002-04:00

Being intriguing, or at least mildly perplexing: that's the job of a top-notch entertainer. In a recent clumsy effort to achieve that ideal, guys, I've been stomping all over the Internet, like Godzilla or a babbling toddler. And the freaky part? People have actually been putting up with me TALKING AT THEM. I think. It's so weird and fun!

First, Matthew Rush, host of the Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment, let me use his lab to share a few quasi-insights on the query that snagged this writer an agent! Included are some tips on voice, a saga of obsession, and Matt's touching commentary.

Next, Steena of Chocolate Reality opened her blog for a quick Q&A, in which we cover querying, The Reason for It All, and the discrepancies between American and Canadian brands of chocolate. Steena was so sweet, and her blog will set off cravings.

And finally, the beyond-awesome Meg of In Which a Girl Reads had the incredible patience to host me for an interview full of excerpts from Autochromatic, writing superpowers, and LITERATE KITTENS. Which is basically the greatest scientific achievement the human race could ever hope to engineer.

Unlimited thank-yous to Matt, Steena, and Meg! It's an honor to talk with such amazing folks who are so willing to politely nod. And isn't that what blogging is all about? (I know, community, debates, that rad shizz too. But the polite nods are a niice perk.)

Everyone have a great Labor Day weekend! Notable dates coming up include the end of advertising for that Punkiversary Giveaway on the 9th and, way more awesomely, Kody's launch party for The Duff in NYC on Tuesday! I can't wait to attend and come back with crazy pictures. Holla lata! Where have you been spotted on the 'Net lately?

Choosing an Agent vs. Choosing a College

2010-08-31T06:55:00.005-04:00

It's been a while since I assaulted you guys with an over-involved analogy, and we all know how much I love over-involved analogies. So in honor of the start of my final year in high school before college, here's another one! It's colleges... VERSUS AGENTS.

Truth is, far fewer people have experienced the holyhappystresskablamity of choosing an agent than of choosing a college. Both choices represent an amazing chance in life. But beyond that, could they be parallel in nature? I mean, first we have...

THE IVY LEAGUE AGENT

Something went down to make this agent part of the elite. Maybe they only accept queries by request. Maybe they just made The Biggest Deal in the History of Deals OMGWTFBBQ. Maybe they were bitten by a radioactive spider and can now climb the walls of publishing houses, place your manuscript at the top any reading pile, and make a swingy getaway! YES.

Or maybe they take part in a circa-1902 sports league that somehow makes them and their fellow agentletes the best agents in the land. Whatever it is, their rockin' reputation makes writers everywhere go wild, which might explain their .03% acceptance rate. But forreals, there's life beyond the Agent League! Which leads us to...

THE SMALL LIBERAL ARTS AGENT

Choose a Small Liberal Arts Agent, and you've chosen a friend. They might not have tons of name recognition yet, but they'll put all the love and effort that is logistically possible into your sparkly future together. Need help with these line edits before you leave for Fiji next week? Sho thang! Need a characterization tutor for that big revisions deadline? Here, they'll hook you up.

It's true that hand-holding isn't something they're afraid to do, which comes in handy when you're having a mental breakdown over a plot arc at 3AM, but which might strike some as overkill. In fact, clients may become subject to the Agent Bubble, in which everything is so perfect and awesome that you kind of, um, forget about, um, the terrifying real world. But it's so awesooome!

THE BIG STATE AGENT

You are statistically more likely to query this agent, simply because everyone who knows what's up queries this agent. They've made a good name for themselves, fo sure, and they're thought to churn out book deals at a reliable rate. Lock and load.

Because they're pretty busy, the client experience might not be as personal - you may or may not have held an epic rager in your dorm room last weekend without them noticing. But freedom can be a good thing, and when you really need 'em, they're there for you. Specifically, when you need to spend the entire day in the nurses' ward, whispering at people to turn the lights down and stop yelling so loudly when they talk. Shh. Shhhh.

THE ART AGENT

These agents are mega serious about their craft. They know what they want from you - bangin' writing - and they expect you to know what you want. Because dudes? This business is tough. Their approach may be unique, but for those who click with it, it's a dream come true.

The Art Agent will make it clear that you may be living on steamed cardboard in a one-room studio for a while. You may be rejected until all the unicorns and rainbows disappear. (Noo!) But when you strike gold, it's the Art Agent who will have clobbered you into the fine specimen of an artist you are that day. Yay for clobbering!

In the end, the act of choosing an agent and of choosing a college are similar for one simple reason: this is the future we're talkin' about. It's the dawn of a new relationship, one that'll help you get a paying job - in this case, as a writer at a publishing house. Plus, as Hannah astutely points out, if things don't work well, there's always the option of transferring.

'Course, when it comes to college, the real question is... ARE YOU READY TO PARTAAY? No, that's not a real question. ~~Unless someone's interested in going streaking, call me~~

I may have finished a novel and gotten an agent (Suzie, you are my Small Liberal Arts Ivy League dream-muse), but I'm still procrastinating the applications that'll actually get me into college. Should probs start those... after the partaay! Which school-agent type would you prefer? Or, if you've made it past the gates, which one rocks your world?

The Punkiversary Giveaway of Life-Changing Proportions

2010-08-27T06:55:00.016-04:00

Win this.

CHANGE. We fear it. We desire it. We try to lose five pounds, only to gain ten back, except then we ban donuts from our lives until damn, we're looking pretty hot, holla!, all in the name of it.

And sometimes an awkward teen writer starts a blog as a way to change, and then she meets so many amazing people and gets to do so much awesome stuff that it makes her - okay, me - want to cry like a girl. A girl!

And this.

Dudes, it's been a year since the start of PWK. That is mind-blowing, like, on a I-just-read-Mockingjay level. So much change has gone down since then - including this fancay new layout! - and I want to celebrate by saying THANK YOU to all you amazing people who've made this blog thing possible. And what's the best way to say thank you? Free crap! YES.

So let's get to it. It's the Punkiversary Giveaway of Life-Changing Proportions! (See, I put the words punk and anniversary together, and it's so cute and - yeah, I totally understand if you're aiming a shotgun at the screen.)

Also, this.

THE SUPPOSEDLY LIFE-CHANGING PRIZES (NOT EXACTLY)

~ A 20-page partial critique from agent Suzie Townsend!

~ Also (because this gal is a goddess), a query critique from Suzie!

~ A $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble, because let's face it: take that thing to the cafe, and it can buy coffee.

Getting annoyed yet?

~ A copy of Paranormalcy by Kiersten White - the first 70 pages of which promise incredibility! Evie's character kicks ass.

~ A preorder of The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney, out in November for a great fall read.

~ A signed copy of The Duff by Kody Keplinger, out September 7th! GO KODY!

~ A fancay custom blog makeover (Not to say your blog is existent or ugly. This prize is totally optional. I won't go tell your blog to lose weight, unless you want me to, or - being quiet)

Last one, I swear.

~ A custom drawing of your character or fave fictional character

~ A mega-bag of Sour Brite gummy worms to celebrate the eye-burning colors of this new layout

~ And finally, a "Keep Calm And ___ On" poster of your choice from The Keep Calm Shop!

All that loot goes to YOU if you win. One other lucky person will also win a query critique from Meredith Barnes, agent assistant to Janet Reid!

I lied.

HOW TO ENTER

First, be sure to follow PWK. (Super annoying, I know - but trust me, I won't clog up your feed with posts. And when I do miraculously post, I try really hard!) Then, leave a comment. Sah-weet.

EXTRA SPECIAL ENTRIES

+1 for blogging it up
+1 for Tweeting it up
+1 for following my Twitter craziness
+1 for asking me a question that could go in that ol' as-of-yet-empty FAQ! Anything somewhat appropriate goes.

Giveaway ends at midnight on September 9th. Spread the word, and spread the life-changingness! Here's to another life-changing year... and here's to a fantastic weekend for everyone!

Epic Character Motivation with Jack and Jill

2010-08-23T09:00:00.010-04:00

They were motionless, just... watching.
Slightly terrifying, yes

When you're a teen, everyone expects you to explain your actions. Problem is, you have no idea why you do half the things you do, and the other half comes from a combo of hunger and misplaced hormonal yearnings. But when writing a YA book, the motivation behind each character's actions MUST be explained... in an epic way.

Example: I spent this weekend touring colleges in the Northeast with my older sister, and at one point I ran off like a rebel to stare at this wild herd of goats for 20 minutes. They were awesome. My sister, having called my phone multiple times to no response, didn't think so. WHY DO IT? Because... I've got a strong connection with animals.

No, it's a total mystery to me - but in a good book, I would have this deep, fascinating psychological reason! Which is the inspiration (sort of) behind Epic Character Motivation with Jack and Jill, available to read now at YA Highway.

All goats aside, I hope you guys have a great week! I've got mega-surprise in store for this Friday. Then, school starts here next week - not that I'm acknowledging that fact or anything. Can you believe summer is almost over? What's motivating you to push forward towards autumn?

Nerding It Up at the End of Harry Potter [RTW]

2010-08-18T06:55:00.013-04:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fab YA Highway. This week's question: if you could rewrite the ending of any book, how would you do it and why?

O dear reader! Let me present to you, possibly for the first time, possibly for the thirty-first time, the rather uneventful ending to the epilogue of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I guess at this point I should extend a spoiler warning, but listen, unless you've been trapped in cryogenic ice for the past three years, you don't really have a - wait, you were? Crap, I'm so sorry! Trust me, nothing big happened. Except this girl named Justin Bleeber or whatever got super famous and - I'll shut up now.

(For the record, yeah, this is another Harry Potter post. Because nerddom rules.)

"[Our freakishly named son, Albus Severus]'ll be all right," murmured Ginny.

As Harry looked at her, he lowered his hand absentmindedly and touched the lightning scar on his forehead.

"I know he will."

The scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years. All was well.

Let's be honest here, guys. As much as I owe the institute of Harry Potter my soul, my happiness, etc., I've still got a whiny problem with this ending. The whine is two-fold. One, it's sort of boring.

Two, how can THE END OF HARRY POTTER be SORT OF BORING? The series put a high value on explosions and screaming and snakes that try to eat your face. Also, hormones. And the ending is all was well?

Rowling has argued that Harry needed a rest, that after all those years of fighting, she "wanted to say it's over. It's done." Part of me agrees with her. The other part wrote this. Because more than anything, Harry Potter deserved to go out with a bang. At least, a certain (horrible) kind of bang.

The scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years. All was well.

OR WAS IT?

His freakishly named children finally gone, Harry turned to Ginny, expecting to celebrate their newfound ability to make hot magic love all day back home. Unfortunately, she was whispering with Hermione. After a moment, Hermione stepped back and clutched her heaving chest. "I apologize, Harry," Hermione whispered intensely. "She had to know."

"Oh, Harry!" Ginny sobbed through streaming tears. "You didn't tell me you were sleeping with someone else! After all these years, you still prefer Hermione's Chamber of Secrets, don't you?"

"What?" Harry exclaimed, panic roaring in his chest like a Horntail Dragon in heat. "I'm not -"

"NOT MY MARITAL TRUST, YOU #$@%^!"

With a flying leap and a streak of flaming red hair, Ginny crashed into Harry, the Ford Angela to Harry's Whomping Willow. The Veritaserum liquid sloshed down Harry's throat, and Harry yelled out as the truth came forth from his lips.

"It was a confusing night, Ginny, I'm sorry - but wait, it wasn't with Hermione, it was with - "

He turned to look down the platform, eyes wide like Hedwig's, and he saw Draco's icy orbs widen, and he knew then that he was remembering it too. That night. That forbidden broomstick.

"Draco."

Ginny gasped. "No."

Ron and Hermione stared, aghast. Suddenly, Dumbledore Apparated onto the platform, eyes sparkling like little gems of wisdom and fatherly replacement. "My dear Harry."

"Dumbledore!" everyone cried in unison. "But you are dead!"

"Of course, you're all dreaming," Dumbledore quipped. "You've been dreaming these entire twenty-six years. Except it wasn't that much time in the real world. I put you all under drugs, like in Inception."

"What?" Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Draco blinked back and forth at each other in surprise.

"Professor, but, does that mean all our adventures weren't real?" Harry whined. "Does this mean millions of people wasted their childhoods on a story that only existed in their heads?"

The gang seemed to quiver in anticipation. So many years, so many hours spent reading, obsessing, nerding it up... Dumbledore smiled.

"Of course it only existed in their heads, but why on earth would that mean it was not real?"

And that's how it's done. REPRESENT.*

*This is not representative of any writing that should in any way go in a book ever. Unless that book was titled "101 Disgraces of the Literary World." In which case, I will gladly contribute!

Everyone have an amazing rest of the week and forget what you just read. I love y'all! What book ending would you rewrite?

CliK ClaK ft. MC Procrastination: A Music Video

2010-08-12T09:51:00.001-04:00

You know what they never tell you about writing? I mean, you go to four years of writing school, and they never tell you the one mega-important thing. Which is lame, because man, average tuition for writing school these days is basically $YourSanity. (Worth it!)

They never tell you that writing - especially edits, in which I am knee deep right now, omgI'msorryforbeingdeadIloveyouall - can drive you to write and perform original songs to the tune of ear-assaulting Top 40 pop ballads. In particular, this one.

And so I present you with a day in the life of a writer. It's a story of hope, triumph, and most notably, procrastination. CHYEAH. (No, wait, not chyeah. Scream. Run. Do not watch this horrid thing. Oh crap, it's coming, it's com - )

Wake up in the morning feelin' like an author
I got my keyboard and my MS, gonna write this motha
Start to plot, then get hot with some character action
Build some arcs, make a mark, it's a novel reaction

I'm talking hanging on to our coffee
Time for some time wasting
Feelin' bad about tweeting (Oh God)
Slink back to Word again finally
Focus on our gdarn stories
Trying to get a little bit frisky

True fact, gotta break our backs
Or our books will be wack
Don't care - butt in chair is the only way to fare
Clik Clak goes the Mac, and the writing don't stop no
Oh oh oh oh, whoa oh oh oh

True fact, gotta break our backs
Or our books will be wack
Don't care - butt in chair is the only way to fare
Clik clak goes the Mac and the writing don't stop no
Oh oh oh oh, whoa oh oh oh

... Cool, now that that's over, I have a question for you awesomeheads: What have you been CliK ClaKing on the Mac (or, uh, PC) lately? ♥

Hide-and-Seek in the SCBWI Underwear Drawer

2010-08-05T06:55:00.003-04:00

Holy whoa, the 2010 SCBWI (Skwi-bee? Sci-bwy?) summer conference has ended! Seriously, it was a bangin' time - so worth giving my mom a nervous breakdown as I traveled across the country to Los Angeles. (Hugs, Mom!) If you please, you can check out pictures here and read YA Highwayer Michelle's awesome conference recap here!

One of my favorite breakout sessions was fab YA author Carolyn Mackler's: Creating Characters that Come to Life. After giving some sweet advice about voice and infusing each character with quirks - Heather has a great summary here - Carolyn encouraged her audience to do a writing exercise. I totally admit to fidgeting like an ADHD kindergartener at that point. But then... she dispensed the question.

What does your character hide in their underwear drawer - or other secret location?

For what it's worth, I sucked ass at hide-and-seek as a kid. I always went straight for the pile of clothes in my dad's closet, which got predictable after a while. (Also, tightie-whities. Uh, ew.) But this is a different kind of hiding. This is a Big Dramatic Act, even if the hider won't admit it, even if the thing being hidden seems inconsequential.

Forreal, who hasn't stashed a not-so-good report card or a cheesy piece of memorabilia? Looking at what you hide from public sight tells you so much about yourself - about everything from your shames to what you treasure most. Same goes for characters, dude! It's so important for characters across all genres to have layers, juicy secrets, hidden things - including physical hidden things.

So, in the name of Carolyn, I ask you: what does your main character hide in their underwear drawer or elsewhere? You have five seconds, GO. (JK, take as long as you want!)

For Riley, the artist protagonist in Autochromatic, I wrote that she hid at the bottom of her paintbrush can a torn slip of paper: the first D she ever received on an art project, given by her favorite art teacher in 9th grade. Not as something to gripe over, but as something to look at with peace of mind, because doing badly isn't the end of the world. Actually, it's pretty freeing.

Thinking up all that shizz in the breakout room was a total OMG moment, and I "got" Riley that much more. I hope the same goes down for you!

P.S. You Wish by Mandy Hubbard has officially been released! Go check it out at your bookstore, because Mandy rocks. Chyeah!

The 5 Creepiest Things in SkyMall Magazine

2010-07-30T06:55:00.007-04:00

Hola from Los Angeles, dudes - I'm attending the summer SCBWI conference with the YA Highway chicas! I know a lot of you guys who wanted to come couldn't, which is depressingly lame. I couldn't come either, but I sort of snuck onto the plane in a dog carrier. (Am I kidding? I won't say.)

Point is, that plane ride was brutal, and I want to share it with you as a slice of the traveling experience! Specifically, the disturbingly creepy things in this month's SkyMall magazine. Look at this stuff.

Slanket Siamese for Two Okay, so this one doesn't seem that creepy... at first glance. But think about it. How the hell do you invite someone to get all Slankety with you without sounding like a total creeper? "Hey, wanna feel the warmth of my Slanket?" "I'd love it if you'd come and snuggle with my Slanket." "The Slanket's ready, baby." There's no way to escape it. Creepiness level: 6/10

The Spy Cable Basically, parents are supposed to buy this, attach it to their kids' computer, and track every keystroke and password their kid types. As in, come in and read it using the spy software. Want to quell your raging suspicions that your teen is having a lusty IM chat affair with a middle-aged Brazilian man? Now you can. You can even uncover her rants to friends about how you're a total privacy invader! Privacy, psh. Only over-18s deserve that. Creepiness level: 8/10

Deep Penetrating Light Therapy System First off, let's ignore the penetrating thing. (What?) Check out this picture. Can you imagine walking in on someone with their face shoved into a glowing red wafflemaker of doom? "Oh, I'll be right there, first I have to wafflemaker my face for 3 more minutes." Awesome. Reduce sun spots, wrinkles and blemishes all with a slightly forced, what-the-heck-am-I-doing-type smile! Creepiness level: 6/10

'Love You More' Bracelet How much would it suck to have a significant other who, whenever you express your love, blurts out, "I love you more"? Like it's a competition of who can stuff the most hotdogs in their face. Plus, with a message like that, you can't help but imagine it being said in a breathy, low, creepy voice. Which can be attractive sometimes. But not all times. Creepiness level: 5/10

Bigfoot, the Bashful Yeti Tree Sculpture This kind of... crosses the line. Why torture the innocents? Creepy in expression and everything else, this statue is sure to be defaced. By a child. Crying after another nightmare about it coming to kill them. Creepiness level: 10/10

All in all, the SkyMall magazine never fails to be a rad source of entertainment. And what writer wouldn't want to buy the one and only Massager Desk Chair? No, seriously, I want that so badly.

I'll be thinking of all of you for the next five days! For now, tell me... What's the creepiest thing you've ever bought or received? Bonus points if it came from a misguided family member.

A is for Ah Crap, I Got an Agent

2010-07-27T09:30:00.001-04:00

So guys, in the past week and a half, something has sort of... happened. It's so crazy, I haven't been able to blog about it (or anything) for fear of explosions. I mean, I talk about unicorns a little more often than necessary on PWK, and this was like I'd gone for a stroll in the woods and accidentally slammed into a unicorn. Who then starting chatting with me about kittens and the BP oil spill. THAT crazy.

It's real. IT'S REAL SHUT UP IT'S REAL

What the hell is something that happened? Well, um, I started ~~having seizures~~ querying, and then after a period of time, I had offers of representation from some heart-stopping agents - um, three - and then I ~~had more seizures~~ ultimately decided to sign with one, partly because, as quoted from an email sent to Kody Keplinger on a 4AM night within this Craziness timespan:

I WANT hER NAMeTATTOOED ON MY FACE.

So after a year and a half of sleeplessness, of frustration, of friendship, of the joy and fear and love and sadness and pure ecstasy that I'm guessing can only come from finding your One Legitz Passion, I am now represented by superwoman-agent Suzie Townsend of Fineprint Literary Management. And dude, it was worth it. It was more worth it.

It was like, UNICORN MASSACRE STARS EXPLOSIONS SEIZURE UBER-worth it. Which is saying a lot (I think).

I could probably drone on here, talking about Ze Journey, Ze Book Called Autochromatic, Ze Lessons Learned, and all the other Ze's that are so fun to drone on about. But I'm so excited I can barely think, and I might need to keep some rambling material for the future (oh man, there's a freakin' future now). Mostly, I just want to say one thing.

Thank you ♥

Thank you to everyone who has helped, who has read, critiqued, encouraged, chatted, forumed, cheered, given advice, commented, followed, friended, Tweeted, blogged, stalked, and everythinged. You know who you are, and you're beyond awesome. (FYI, if you're reading this, that includes you. Unless you're like, OMG I hate this girl, in which case... email me so we can be buddies!) I literally would not have made it this far without all you guys. I use the term would not have because I would not have.

And that's all I have to say about that.

P.S. Coming to the LA SCBWI conference? If you haven't talked about it with me yet, let me know so I can track you down and ~~attack-hug you~~ say hi! 3 days, baby!

The Publishing Channel's Sweet New Fall Lineup

2010-07-19T10:00:00.021-04:00

TV is a timesuck, for sure. But what better way to suck time (uh, we'll just ignore the weirdness of that) than by watching TV... on The Publishing Channel? A totally ~~fictional~~ awesome station, TPC is coming THIS FALL with shows like:

8:00-9:00 The Intern Diaries There's more to being an intern than getting coffee. Follow four publishing peons as they are dispatched upon the world with nothing but mostly-useless English degrees and wavering senses of self-worth. Will they impress their bosses? Or will they be eaten?

You can check out the listings here on YA Highway!

In crazy book news, I recently started querying, and so far, it's going great! I'm excited, freaked, and probs watching too much TV as a distraction. But hey, it's all part of the job, am I right? I hope everyone has a rockin' week. Love you all!

A Saga of 3AM Lit-Addictions [RTW]

2010-07-14T04:01:00.004-04:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fab YA Highway. This week's question: what's your fave reading memory?

Everything tastes better at 3AM. Great example: cereal. Also, blog posts, which is totally why I choose to write mine in the middle of the night (procrastawhat? What is that, French?). But there's one thing that tastes so awesome at 3AM, so good there should be a law against it: reading books, dude!

I remember ~~my childhood ending~~ finishing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at approx. 9AM on July 21st, 2007. I'd read for eight hours straight after getting home from the midnight release, and as I looked out the window into the soft morning light, I thought: I feel like I just snorted crack.

Okay, that's sort of inaccurate. What I really thought was, Can somebody bring me some freakin' breakfast? NO, just kidding. Honestly, I don't remember the exact thoughts, but I do remember the pure exhilaration of that night. Crying, laughing, and turning the pages like a mental patient, without a single break. (I may or may not have taken the book into The Room That Must Not Be Named.) Hell yeah!

The same kind of thing went down the night of The Hunger Games, of Courtney Summers' Some Girls Are, and - yeah, you don't have to point a gun to make me admit it - the night my best friend and I chowed down on Breaking Dawn. Unfiltered crack-exhilaration. And... a sense of peace.

They say a book is a glimpse into another world, and I'd venture that the same goes for that surreal window of time from 2AM to 6AM. You know, the time when you're, uh, really supposed to be in bed, CRAP. Put the two together, add some literary addiction, and you've got a sweet night ahead of you.

Sure, when morning shows up, you'll have to get up and do stuff and maybe consider sleeping soon (sleep is for suckas!). But for the time you get sucked up in that book, the rest of the world is asleep. You aren't a functioning member of society, and you sure as hell aren't worrying about food. You are reading.

And it is awesome. What book(s) have you read at 3AM?

Winners and Updates and URLs, Oh #@$&!

2010-07-09T06:55:00.017-04:00

Say what? It's the overdramatized moment you've all been waiting for! Or, you know, have been vaguely anticipating. Or reveling in complete unawareness of. WHATEVER.

Sappy prologue: when I held this thing called The Punk Summer Giveaway, so many people entered and tweeted and blogged that I thought I might combust with gratefulness. Seriously, thank you! I love you guys. Now let's see who won!

☆ For those punk summer days ☆

Including new copies of IF I STAY and CANDOR, a preorder of THE DUFF, some funky-ass sunglasses, a bag of deliciously unnatural gummy candy, and a choice between a custom blog header, book cover, or 5-page critique...

The randomly selected winner is...
↓

Maggie AKA Maggiesmoment!

Maggie, please email me at struckheartera@gmail.com with your street address, plus your choice between book cover, blog header, or 5-page critique. :)

☆ For those punk summer nights ☆

Including a preorder of MOCKINGJAY, a custom artsy bookmark, a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card, Emilia's Shameless S'mores kit (with secret ingredient), and a choice between a custom blog header, book cover, or 5-page critique...

The randomly selected winner is...
↓

Jenn S. Wood!

Jenn, please email me at struckheartera@gmail.com with your street address, plus your choice between book cover, blog header, or 5-page critique. :)

Congrats to the winners! And congrats to EVERYONE for being awesome. (Yeah, I went there.) In other less dramatic news, I got sum updatez.

You know that book I've been workin' on? Uh, Autochromatic? Uh, yeah, that one. I've gotten help from some beyond-fabulous beta readers, and... It is disturbingly close to being done-done. Like, within-the-next-week close to being done-done. And out the door. As in, that door marked with a bloody "Q." Dude.

GOING TO CRY IN CORNER BRB.

It has been such a rad journey, and - no, wait, I swore I would refrain from getting all Lifetime-y here, because I'm reserving that nasty stuff for a whole freakin' post someday. But basically... yeah. Crying. (Did I say I love you guys? I love you guys.)

Also, the URL of PWK has changed! The Blogger URL now redirects to fancy little emilia-plater.com. If you're wondering about the dash, the real Emilia Plater (I am not, in fact, the real Emilia Plater) was a famous Polish war heroine, and she totally stole my URL. But I forgive her, because she saved Poland's ass that one time.

Point is, PWK is going to be pretty wonky for a while, so watch out for sharks! Or missing comments. Same difference.

Now tell me, 'cause I'd love to know: Where are you in your writing (or reading) journey today?

Rad Dream Desk: Now With 100% More Robots [RTW]

2010-07-07T06:30:00.004-04:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fab YA Highway. This week's question: What would your perfect writing desk look like?

Coming in second only behind my phone - yeah, I'm one of those teenagers - my DESK ranks high as a Fifth Limb in my life. Doesn't yours? Seriously, my desk is awesome. It's like, multi-level and crap. And it came from IKEA, so you know it's not going to fall apart in a year or anything. (She said, nervously eyeing the corroding wood.)

However.

Sometimes you love something, but it's just not... the best. Case in point: ice cream is great, but wouldn't you rather have ice cream with hot fudge and M&Ms and oh man I'll stop now? Seeing a movie is fun, but wouldn't you rather see a Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I movie oh #$@% so excited? Right. Exactly.

So here it is. My BEST desk. My DREAM desk. The desk that they better have in production somewhere, or I will be extremely disappointed.

What, you can't tell what the hell's going on that picture? Okay, okay. Here's the lowdown:

Black: FANS. FANS EVERYWHERE. [Insert eye-roll inducing rant about current Northeast US heat wave] In conclusion... FANS.

Pink: Nice, pillowy surface, for those I'm-about-to-kill-somebody-with-a-stapler, let's-bash-my-head-on-here-and-see-how-much-brain-matter-spills-out writer moments. They're joyous!

Red: Direct phone line to Muse. Not the band, although that would be sweet. The mystical inspirational being!

Purple: Automated punishment robot. Sure, he looks cute, but that's just him being devious. If I try to go on Twitter, Facebook, Gmail, etc. within a specified time period, he will ATTACK! Main weapon: blinding glitter. Weakness: being thrown across the room by insatiable Internet addicts.

Blue: Fully-stocked snack machine. Why? Because editing is practically synonymous with hunger! My arteries cheer in joy at the thought of 24/7 preservative-laden donut access. (What, arteries? You don't want to cheer? Then you shouldn't be inside a WRITER, damnit!)

That's basically it. I'm sure if I acquired this desk, I would only begin to lust after a better one, perhaps one with rockets. But for now, I can dream about it... and so can you! What components would make up your bangin' dream desk?

I Didn't Fall, I Attacked the Floor

2010-07-01T06:55:00.105-04:00

Hey, we all fall sometimes. Maybe a malevolent plotline stuck a banana peel in your path. Maybe you got tripped up by a QEC (Querier's Emo Crisis). Maybe that bastard Writer's Block pushed you down. I mean, that guy is a legit bastard.

And the floor? We've all been there, dude. The floor is a place of depression, where you lay like a half-squashed ant as your limbs twitch. All you can see is the carpet and that Dorito you dropped yesterday! (To eat or not to eat, oh God, that is the question...)

The hard truth is that malevolent plotlines, emo crises, and bastard Blocks are all part of this writing gig. The harder truth? Falling is part of this gig, too. Without it, we'd never gain trophy-bruises, we'd never have the learning experience, and we'd never get to stare in the face of our own humanity. (Mine's got sparkles, what's yours look like?)

You gotta admit, the road to publication is sort of an eternal process of:

Skipping along in the happy meadow
Falling
Limb-twitching, considering eating that Dorito
Getting up, because that's what you do
Restarting like a mofo

And that's rad and everything. But despite this apparent eternality, I have an idea. Right now, right here, I've got a proposal regarding the way we fall. Basically: Instead of falling, attack the floor.

The key here is to minimize the depressed limb-twitching stage. Because as learning-experience-y as that stage can be, it's dangerous to hang out in. It can make us think crappy things, it can mess with our heads, and it can drive us to eat that stale Dorito. And stale Doritos aren't good things to eat... TRUST ME.

So when you fall - in that split second between skipping in the meadow and landing on the floor - I want you to change your stance a little bit. Don't surrender completely. Growl in defiance, keep your ~~claws~~ optimism up, and pretend like the floor is that Barnes and Noble salesperson who kicked you out at closing time even though you were thiis close to finishing that freakin' Twilight comic book (honestly, man?).

Not only will you totally save face with your friends - it was on purpose, DUH - but you'll also meet the floor in a different mindset. Instead of being content to lie there like a dying ant, you'll be looking for ways to get up as soon as possible.

In the end, uh, the floor isn't that terrifying of a foe. So don't let it terrify you - attack it! Hell yeah. What other advice do you have for dealing with a "fall"?

P.S. Thank you guys so much for 200 followers! My world has pretty much exploded into rainbows. No joke.

The Trailer for Every YA Book Ever

2010-06-28T07:31:00.007-04:00

Number one on the list of lame things: stereotyping. (Wait, you don't make lists for random crap like that? Oh man.) But there's one step that I think can turn a stereotype on its head - and help neutralize its lameness. Acknowledge it, baby!

That's one of my favorite things to do while writing, and it's a rad fit for Riley, my snarky protagonist. At one point, she starts to cling Bellaishly to a guy. She notices it - then gets mega annoyed with herself. Hey, wouldn't you?

With that in mind, after seeing The Trailer for Every Oscar-Winning Movie Ever, I totally had to do the same thing with YA books. The result is a little, uh, awful and shameless and youprobablyshouldn'tlookatit... but since you're awesome, you can watch it over at YA Highway now! YA 4EVAH!

Dude, You Write Novels? The 3 Classic Reactions

2010-06-25T06:45:00.002-04:00

Let's be upfront. Is the average writer skilled at handling human interactions? NO WAY! Between staring at our computer screens and staring at our computer screens, without proper care, our social skills can wilt like poor, tragically awkward flowers. And no situation can make us feel more clumsy in the social arena than...

Coming out as a Writer to Normal People.

Yeah, it's happened to you. For me, it usually goes down like this:

Normal Person: Blah blah that book blah blah book good blah blah book book
Me: I actually wrote a book! *cringes, mumbles* I mean, I'm working on editing it... stoplookingatmestoplookingatmestoplookingatme

The funny thing is, when a Normal Person finds out you Write, they tend to lose that... normal quality. Except for the enigmas who sort of mumble back a "that's cool," I've noticed three classic reactions. And they're pretty epic. First up?

WTF-TYPE DISBELIEF
Most commonly found in: peers who have not yet learned the art of deep-set procrastination

"Dude, you wrote a book? I could never do that. How did you find the time? I guess you just go home and... write? But writing's so hard. It's like, not fun at all. I mean, that's cool and all, but man. I can't even... what's it like?"

You almost want to give these guys a hug. They unintentionally make writing sound like a disease, when in reality, it's a super fun disease. The idea of giving yourself homework on purpose is foreign to them, like Kirsten Stewart and smiling. And in the end, they sort of have the right idea - who the hell gives themselves homework on purpose? (COOL people, that's who.)

CIA-GRADE INTERROGATION
Most commonly found in: sweetly overprotective family members

"How will you survive on a -$2,000 income? Are you sure your social life isn't dying a slow death? How do you know that agent isn't going to take your money and use it buy hookers in the Bahamas? Did you ask your Uncle Bill about this - you know he was a janitor at a publishing house in '78, right? Have you considered knitting? Did you know the average suicide rate for writers is 94.3%? Have you looked into this wonderful site my friend is using to publish her book, PublishAmerica.com? Are you writing a book about me behind my back? Didn't you want to be a doctor or something?"

Answers: Noodles and cardboard. I left the house two Saturdays ago. The Internet told me they wouldn't. I'll get on that. Yes, I hurt myself. Oh. Do you have your friend's phone number? Any similarities to any persons living or dead are entirely unintentional. IN 3RD GRADE.

SEIZUREFICATION
Most commonly found in: people whose idea of the publishing industry contains cocaine rainbows

"Whoa. Whoa. Wait. Hold on. You wrote a book? That is awesome! That is like an eighth Harry Potter! That is like Justin Bieber admitting he's a woman! When is it coming out? Soon, right? And you're going to be famous, right? I want to read it. GIVE IT TO ME. Who's your publisher? Can you sign it for me when it comes out? You better send me a copy. Guys, look, she wrote a book. EAT HER!"

Okay, so maybe "seizure" is an offensive overstatement. But it's not THAT much of an overstatement. These people deserve an award, because hell, they have more excitement for my book in their pinkie fingers than I have in my entire body. It's sort of depressing. Actually, it's really depressing.

At the same time, though, you gotta be thankful for these reactions. For Seizurefication, for WTF-Type Disbelief and, yeah, for CIA-Grade Interrogation. Why? Because they give our poor, awkward writer egos a chance to bask in the attention. We're Writers, damnit! And we rock - even if our social lives are, uh, dying slow deaths. What classic reactions have you noticed?

Teaser Tuesday: "Troubled Daughter"

2010-06-22T06:45:00.005-04:00

It sucks when you can't get what you want. Flying magenta unicorns? Nope. Macaroni and cheese that magically cooks when you desire it, instead of taking a whole freakin' minute to cook in the microwave? Sorry, SUCKA.

In Auchromatic, protagonist Riley wants one thing: to finally leave home for her dream school, the prestigious art college in New York City named Pratt University. But that dream gets all screwed up when Riley's parents decide she might not be ready to leave for Pratt - especially when she ignores curfew and takes a trip to the city without alerting them.

Goodbye, flying magenta unicorns - hello, working in a craft store for a year as your parents hoard your college savings. Here's what takes place once Riley returns home that day, after her parents have planted her in the dining room for a... talk. (YOU know the kind.) Enjoy, guys!

***

Mom takes a seat across from me with that look on her face like she’s trapped inside a Lifetime movie. It screams I have a troubled daughter. She doesn’t realize how troubled I am, but her subconscious must sense it, like an antelope sensing a lion. Dad just rubs at his stubble -- and keeps his threatening stance.

“It’s not a decision,” I say, clawing for words to use as a sledgehammer over their heads. “I’ve wanted to go to Pratt since I was twelve. You know that. I’m going.”

Shit, now I sound like a toddler. You know I’ve wanted a pony since forever, Mommy, and if you don’t get me one I’ll screech…

“Honey, I know you want to go," Mom says. "You will, whether it's this fall or after a gap year. But your dad and I have been considering whether you still need time.”

“Time to do what?”

“To get your shit together after Adrian,” Dad answers.

“John…”

“Aw, she says shit all the time. She’s like a cattle rancher.”

Please, someone land an airplane on top of our house right now. God, if you exist, that is my wish. A plane. A tornado. Whatever.

“Riley, he phrased it wrong,” Mom says, leaning in. “What we want is for you to show some responsibility. Show us that you’re honestly okay after dealing with his death. After all these months, you’ve convinced me you are, but -- ”

“I’m not so sure about you,” Dad says.

No. “I’m okay because I’m getting out of this town," I say, my voice dead. “If you keep me home, I won’t be okay anymore.”

“That’s the problem,” Mom says.

So this is how a rabbit feels when its paw gets caught in a trap. Frenzied terror.

“Look,” Dad says. “It’s your choice. You’re not eighteen yet, and you’re not an adult yet, not by a long shot. Buck the hell up or you’re staying where we can watch you.”

Watch you. No way. This room flashes to mine, zooms in on my bed, where sheets snarl around my ankles. People are studying me, Riley Tanner, age seventeen, boyfriend died in a car crash, isn’t that sad? They’re wondering, whispering as gunfire pain sears at my middle, shredding my organs, warping my spine. All day, all night, no medicine works and two words writhe in my ear. Suicide watch.

The scene dissolves. I open my mouth to say anything, as long as it’s loud.

“You’re both so clueless!”

Mom chirps, hurt, feathers puffed out. “How are we clueless, exactly?”

Hey, maybe she’s right. Maybe I’m the clueless one here. I get up without replying and stomp to my room like some stupid annoying teenager on TV.

The one I turned into eight months ago.

The Punk Summer Giveaway of Your LIFE

2010-06-17T06:55:00.032-04:00

Ever wondered what the deal is with actually having to pay for things? Screw that. Right here, right now, you can get all the supplies you need to have a blast this summer - for free! Because this is the Punk Summer Giveaway of Your Life. And free things are AWESOME.

To elaborate: I love you people. After almost a year of blogging at PWK, I want to give back. And with school finally over (holy hell), it should only be a few more weeks before Autochromatic is legit done. Events are going down all over the place, which means it's time for a giveaway - my first ever. Dude.

Look at the crap you could win!

☆ For those punk summer days - Winner #1 ☆

~ A new copy of IF I STAY by Gayle Forman
~ A preorder of THE DUFF by Kody Keplinger
~ Some funky-ass sunglasses
~ A new copy of CANDOR by Pam Bachorz
~ A bag of deliciously unnatural gummy candy
~ Choose one: a custom blog header, book cover, or 5-page critique!

☆ For those punk summer nights - Winner #2 ☆

~ A preorder of MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins: to be finished at 3AM
~ A custom artsy bookmark
~ A $25 Barnes & Noble (or Amazon) gift card
~ Emilia's Shameless S'mores kit: Graham crackers, Hershey's chocolate, marshmallows, & a SECRET INGREDIENT YOU CAN'T TELL ANYONE
~ Choose one: a custom blog header, book cover, or 5-page critique!

I mean, come on. S'mores? If that doesn't count for something, I don't know what does. (Uh, maybe a book deal. But not much else.) Plus, this baby is open internationally!

☆ Entering: Face it, you're here anyway ☆

~ One step gets you an entry: commenting. Forreal.
~ Twitter: +1 for Following (+2 if you already are), +1 for Tweeting about it
~ Blog: +1 for Following (+2 if you already are), +1 for blogging about it
~ Q&A: +1 for telling me what sort of content you'd like to see more of on PWK!

Giveaway ends at midnight EST on July 8th. Tell your friends, tell your pets... just make sure your pets understand that they live in an opposable thumb-discriminate world, and - no, seriously, have fun. You rock - so punk out with your s'mores out this summer!

YA Girls and the Battle of Female Badassery

2010-06-14T07:05:00.018-04:00

What is that? Seriously, what... Is that me wearing a dress for no reason? CRAP. ~~GET IT OFF GET IT OFF~~ No, it's okay, I can deal. Dresses are fun. Fun and flirty and - yeah, my twelve-year-old self would kill me if she saw that picture.

That inner conflict right there reminds me of a question posed today in YA literature. Call it The Battle of Female Badassery: just how anti-dresses is a female character allowed to be? More specifically, how long can she avoid being swept off her feet by some hot dude?

Some Amazon reviewers have criticized Katsa from Graceling for being "anti-men" and "too butch." The weird thing is, Katsa does end up gettin' busy with a guy or two. Same thing with wild Katniss from The Hunger Games... and with all those awesomely snarky narrators from the contemporary genre. Across the board, YA plots tend towards making out - despite the independent chica's misgivings.

The message? A little badassery is great - I mean, girls today are the children of bra-burners. But don't go overboard with the Beyonceism. Who wants to read about a girl who's doomed to own thirty felines? You can practically smell the litter in the pages.

Gina Gender Roles: Hi! I'm Gina. I'm a sassy young lady who kicks men to the curb!
Forces That Be: STOP BEING SO SASSY, GINA!!!
Gina Gender Roles: ): Okay

That leaves the question - what happens when the tables are turned? When those to-the-curb powers are extracted? (Sounds scientific.)

The other day, I came across a quote said by Walt Disney that made my Inner Baby Feminist sort of want to roundhouse-kick the screen.

"She believed in dreams, all right, but she also believed in doing something about them. When Prince Charming didn't come along, she went over to the palace and got him."

Uh, what? Cinderella declared her independence by attending a ball and hoping the prince liked her fine ass? Hell no. Women are fierce! They shouldn't be portrayed in YA books like Almost Every Paranormal Romance Ever as soft-limbed dolls, powerless to resist the courtship of any dazzlingly hawt guy that comes along, faced with no decisions greater than Fuzzy Wolf vs. Sparkly Vegetarian.

In addition to the overused example of paranormal, YA fantasy abounds with female characters on a quest to... leave the quests to the guys. Even contemporary falls prey to Sarah Dessen Syndrome: troubled girl has all problems solved by mysterious hot dude.

Gina Gender Roles: Hi! I'm Gina. I rely on my love interest for my emotional well-being.
Forces That Be: STOP RELYING ON YOUR LOVE INTEREST FOR YOUR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, GINA!!!
Gina Gender Roles: Gina will bbl

Yeah, Gina Gender Roles. You go cry in your shame. Come back when you've learned to be sassy and kick men to the curb! Except... wait.

Something's off here. Can Gina possibly be chill with everyone? What kind of measuring stick are we looking at?

On one side, too-sassy girls like Katsa - who end up gettin' it on anyway.
On the other side, too-reliant girls like Cinderella and Bella Swan - Bella, whose protests against marriage in Eclipse never had a chance against The Expectations of 10 Million Horny Readers.

It's true that market expectations play a huge part in this arena. Even YA books in no way labeled as romance are prone to delivering some yow-yow between the covers - regardless of whether the female in question seemed cool with livin' the Beyonce life.

And why not? That's what teens do: they have awkward romances. Girls like boys. Girls become reliant on boys. Love isn't a bad thing. Maybe Sarah Dessen Syndrome is just a reflection of a romantic dream... and maybe my twelve-year-old self should stop brandishing that knife and try on some dresses already.

Still, there's that problem with The Battle of FB. What about the sassily anti-boy girls who... stay anti-boy for the length of the book? Do they even exist in YA? Should they exist - or would that really stuff too much cat litter into a novel? What about the portrayal of an LGBT protagonist... wherein he or she is allowed to stay single, not defined by sexuality?

I open the floor to you, folks. And maybe you can convince me to stop buying dresses before twelve-year-old Emilia goes on a freakin' rampage. (IT COULD HAPPEN.)

When Not to Quit: A Twisty Fairytale [RTW]

2010-06-09T08:01:00.010-04:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fab YA Highway. This week's question: How do you know when to keep up work on a project - and when to call it quits?

More than a year. That is how long this teen writer has been working on her book. No doubt it's been sort of painful. But through all the monotony, the frustration, the epic Pre-Writing Syndrome tears, it's been a freakin' amazing trip.

Autochromatic has taught me how to write. A more well-adjusted person probably would have called it a practice novel and moved on, but once as a kid, I refused to wear anything but my Pokemon shirt for two weeks straight. So... YEAH.

Beyond total stubbornness, there are some common road-blocks in novelling that I've learned not to view as signs a project is d00med. Like Goldilocks, Goldiwriter will encounter her too-small chair, too-cold soup, and her too-hard bed. Problemos, yes - reasonos to quit, nah. Here's the twisty fairytale:

The story's too small. Your idea brain is SO not putting out, and it's usually a total ho. (Sorry, idea brain, it had to be said.) Still, with some convincing - and that could take weeks, months, even marriage (crap!) - it will give you something to work with eventually. And man, when it does? Hello, story of the century.

The passion's too cold. Passion is pretty tough to pinpoint. You can be revving to bring your story to the world in the morning and stuck in a bottomless pit of apathy that same night. Basically, passion comes and goes like creativity, and that Go period can last just as long as a birds-singing-in-the-treetops Come period. The key is to be there when the cartoon birds start belting, so you can sing along. Hell yeah, you know you want to.

The writing's too hard. This can be brutal. What are you, a Twilight fangirl who's forgotten how to scream for Edward? It always passes, though - whether by staring at the screen for 2.5^4x10 hours or taking a relaxing writing sabbatical. And then... watch out, ~~Rob~~ manuscript. Time to get written.

So is it always uncool to write off a project as unworkable? No way. Sure, we're all scrawny nerds who can't climb the rope sometimes, but this isn't gym class, where surrender means abject humiliation. (Why, gym teachers of America, why?) Surrender means a new story - A.K.A. a whole new world of radness.

A project isn't going to work out... when A PACK OF BEARS MAULS YOU FOR TRESPASSING. Uh, more specifically, when you'd rather get mauled by a pack of bears than keep working on that manuscript.

It happens, y'know? If this is a book you've already invested time in, it usually ain't a lack of story, or of passion, or of writing oomph - 'cause dude, trust me when I say that those problems bug off eventually. But a storm of violent [depression/hatred/need to rage at that innocent telemarketer even though he's just trying to make an annoying living] when you're forced to work on a manuscript probably isn't the best source of creativity.

In the end, the scale of whether or not a project's working is a flexible one. Maybe Goldiwriter shouldn't have been looking for a perfecto, trouble-free manuscript - because maybe trouble is what makes the whole trip amazing.

Just try to avoid those bears, all right? Sweet. When do you know not to quit yet? And when is it okay to do?

Tha Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Query

2010-06-03T06:26:00.005-04:00

This has been going on for too long, guys. You thinking I'm mentally stable. Because I'm so not. More like mentally instable. See the raw, epic power of a prefix? And now I'm gonna prove the insanity to you. Hold on to those reading belts (you know you wear one).

HOLLA EXHIBIT A: This query, written and sent by an obviously-on-crack me to a real, non-imaginary agent (not querying yet; let's say it was a weird-awesome circumstance):

*Input into karaoke machine: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Theme Song*

Now this is a story all about how I queried [a-gent] 'cause she was yow, and I'd like to take a minute to give you some shocks - I'll tell you how I became the prince of a town called your inbox.

*Instrumental*

Iiin the suburbs of New York, born and raised, Riley Tanner thought life was going okay. But her boi went and died, and that ain't relaxin', so now she's all screwed up and not taking action. Then a couple of texts - they're out to ruin her summa! - start comin' from her boyfriend's old phone numma. As she drives cross-country to find the sender's lair, she's gonna have to choose between truth and despair.

*Instrumental*

It's. Called. AUTOCHROMATIC, and it might be great - I want to find it a home, so yo, smell me later! Look at my kingdom, it's 45k words - and I can send more of it if it's preferred.

... Yeah. There's that. I mean, [a-gent] claimed to adore it, so I guess that insanity was a hit, but - okay, HOLD UP. This is seriously mind-boggling. Is there a chance that insanity is good? Should we all try to be a little more insane?*

Dude. Maybe we can learn something from the crazy antics of the Fresh Prince. And maybe Lady Gaga had the right idea when she said:

I want women - and men - to feel empowered by a deeper and more psychotic part of themselves. The part they're always trying desperately to hide. I want that to become something that they cherish.

YO GAGA. That lady can rock hard, just sayin'. My question for you: what insane thing(s) have you done recently?

*PWK DOES NOT CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY for any restraining orders or criminal charges made in response to other song queries, i.e. a sweetly creepy one written to the tune of "You Belong With Me," or otherwise

What to Expect When You're Expecting... A BOOK

2010-05-31T08:15:00.011-04:00

Yeah, I know, why the hell am I blogging about babies? I've never even been preggo (or so my mom thinks). (No, really, I haven't.) But this blog post isn't about BABIES. It's about a CONTRIVED WRITING ANALOGY. And it's only available to read here, at the awesome-giveaway-holding YA Highway. Check it out!

Last night, I jerked awake at 4AM. 4AM, people. Increasing in volume every second was a high-pitched, blood-curdling banshee wail - also known as the cry of my baby niece, not-sleeping in the other room. Because life is so hard when you're a baby, right? Life is just soo -

Uh, anyway, as I lied awake listening to that sound comparable to ten nails on a chalkboard accompanied by a cat in heat, I got to thinking: kids. Books. Both keep you up 'til 4AM, reading and obsessing and - if you're a writer - writing. And OMG, when it comes to writing, there are even more similarities... Continue reading?

By the way, the abomination that woke me up? Pictured top left. ... Okay, so maybe she isn't that much of an abomination. She's just a little bit of an abomination. Sort of an irresistible one. Happy Memorial Day, everybody!

An Ad That Doesn't Suck + Secret News

2010-05-28T06:55:00.017-04:00

Advertisements: we all hate 'em. An ad's favorite hobbies include assaulting children as they watch TV, getting in faces, demanding people hand over their money/time/firstborns, and causing those with low temptation resistance to shake in distress. Uh, dude, not cool. The whole idea of firstborn is YOU DON'T LOSE IT. So what's a writer or reader to do?

*~~!!!~Enter an insanely epic giveaway, of course~!!!~~*

What? You sense irony here? Really? How about no? There is nothing wrong with this proposition at all. Move along, people. Specifically, move along to...

*~~!!!~The YA Highway 3-Day Giveaway of Epicity~!!!~~*

Here's a list of the swag you could win. Are you ready? All right, you're ready.

Agent critiques from Suzie Townsend, Kathleen Ortiz, and Mandy Hubbard; author, intern, and writer critiques from the YA Highway gang, including yours truly; preorders, signed copies, and Advanced Reader Copies of the hottest books coming out this year; a mystery BEA package of unreleased books; a huge pile of new books that YA Highway adores; some -

(Are you freaking out yet?)

- artisan hot cocoa and chocolate packs, two specially-knitted book-bags, some retro journals, more fun and random stuff, AND a portrait of your fictional character of choice drawn by me!

That's not even all of the prizes. So get over to the there. Now. For real. This is For Serious.

Hope everyone has an awesome weekend. And good luck to all!

P.S. Also For Serious... I can't spill details here, but guys, something mega-exciting has happened involving Autochromatic. Yeah, I know, why am I relegating it to an annoyingly vague P.S. if it's so exciting? Because I'm an horrible person. Despite this... something amazing could be going down in the next month or two, depending on whether I can get my act together. And I CANNOT WAIT. Hyperventilate with me?

Got Stress? Grab Your CuteMeds™!

2010-05-25T07:48:00.012-04:00

Y'know, stress can mess you up majorly. Sometimes you're trying to finish writing a chapter, but the chapter's all, "Oh HELL no." Sometimes you just want to crawl under your bed and read a book while cramming your arteries with junk food. Sometimes you're trying to write a blog post in the dark, but a damn bug keeps flying into your screen like a kamikaze pilot, and now it's on your hand oh God get it off get it off please please. Thank you!

Stress keeps us running, jumping and functioning, but a lot of the time, stress sucks. It makes us nervous, it increases our heart rates, it sends us into violent fits of rage when told the lunch counter doesn't have any American cheese left. (Seriously? What am I supposed to use? Provolone? Canadian cheese? No offense, Canadians, I think you're awesome, but that sounds disgusting.)

I'm sure you guys can relate. Which is why I'm proposing a temporary - but effective - solution. One that'll totally decrease your risk of heart attack by 42%.

WATCH A FRICKIN' CAT LICK A PUPPY.

Love you all just like that. Holla at chya lata!

Livin' the Tattooed Life [RTW]

2010-05-19T06:55:00.004-04:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fantastic YA Highway. This week's question: What tattoo would you get to celebrate your book's success?

By rule of thumb, getting a tattoo is a majorly bad idea, right? It's ink. Under your skin. Unremovable unless you shell out a boatload of cash, and you're stuck with it until you're old and saggy. When you're in your casket, everyone will point at that unidentifiable mass and be all, "OMG, was that supposed to be a dolphin? It looks like a whale." Worst of all, some tattoos turn out like Stage Left.

Yeah. Not so good.

Except... what is life if you can't have your fictional lover's disfigured face doodled all over your bicep? I'll tell you what: NOTHING.

Actually, I take it back - if any of you get a tattoo like that, I will personally punch you and your tattoo in the face reprimand you. Still, some tattoos rock. So what makes for a good tattoo? Survey says... meaning! And where better to dig up some meaning than in our writing lives?

If Autochromatic someday snags a book deal, I can totally see myself being a stupid rebellious teenager and getting myself inked to celebrate. As for the design, I've had an inkling of what I'd request for a while. (Get it? Inkling? OH. WHAT.)

Tyklo z means only with in Polish. My dad immigrated from Poland, so the language would serve as a reminder of my connection to this gigantic world. Only with is part of a quote, one by which I've lived ever since a period last year when I almost quit writing, almost gave up on Autochromatic completely - all thanks to the pressure I felt to succeed.

The race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.

That quote pretty much saved my writing life, dude. The first time I stumbled across it, everything clicked: I didn't have to rush. Why was I so obsessed with proving my worth? I had plenty of time to grow, to learn, and to love. Since that epiphany, I've been able to keep my sanity. Which, you know, is tough, considering writing has a high insanity risk. Like, Empire State Building high.

I'd have it written across my left inner wrist, as a little reminder - like this! What quote tattoo would you get?

YA & Dru— DRUGS ARE BAD

2010-05-17T06:55:00.006-04:00

All right, people. This is gonna be awkward, but it's time we sat down as a blog-family and talked about something important (ominous music, ominous music).

Let's preface it: for my birthday tomorrow - I'm turning the big 1-7, holla! - my friends and I could totally go out to a park and smoke some pot. But we're not. We're going bowling, and my mom's making cupcakes (because we are cupcake-eating mofos).

Back to the smoking pot part, though - because that's the important something. Drugs in YA.

DRUGS ARE BAD

Wait, what just happened? Uh, as I was saying, drugs -

DRUGS ARE BAD

Oh, I get it. You know, I wish we could have an open discussion about drrruu-ms... No? Drrr-aminine. Drrr-UGS!

DRUGS ARE BAD

Okay, obviously we're having some technical difficulties here, so let's just use "the d-word." Yeah. Could be anything. Drapes! Drapes are awesome.

Now rest assured, ever since young Ughalugh decided to start smoking mammoth fur, or whatever the hell they smoked during the Ice Age, kids have been giving their parents ulcers over drug use. I'm sure Ughogugh never wanted to his son to touch mammoth fur. Either Ughogugh had some bad experiences as a young caveman, or he was simply afraid of the possible consequences, but the thought of his son using meefur sent him into a fury of anger and censorship.

And that's something to which all parents can relate, right? The fear that the d-word will transform your child from "straight-A smiley goodness" to "DEATH MURDER-SUICIDE UNEMPLOYABLE IN THE JOB MARKET." Yeah.

Fear is funny thing, though. Sometimes it originates from a sincere and commendable place. Sometimes those harboring it have all the best intentions. But most of the time, fear screws everything up.

Say I read a book about a protagonist who has this crazy journey involving the d-word, and OMG, they are not dead/pregnant/addicted/in jail/in rehab/a filthy hippie by the end of the story. Actually, they come out okay, not counting a few bumps and bruises and a semi-lesson learned. Am I going to go out, hunt down my nearest Suburban Kid D-Word Dealer, and run away to San Francisco? Is my opinion of what is or is not safe going to change?

Not likely.

Cautionary tales make for great entertainment. And if a fearful parent doesn't hate "pregnant/filthy hippie" d-word stories for exposing young, supple, virginal children to the horrors of illicit substances, they love them for serving as dramallamatic warning signs. DO NOT DO THIS, YOU WILL DIE, etc.

In fact, perhaps what's targeted with the most hatred-fear are those passing mentions. The stuff that's thrown in for the sake of realism. "After smoking a joint..." "Quigley always had a hook-up..." These references show the d-word in an accepted setting. One without consequences - immediate ones, anyway. That display of casual use is dangerous, the parents say. Except...

That's reality, dude.

Yeah, I'm not doing the d-word for my birthday tomorrow. I've never done 'em, and neither have most of my friends. But that's not the result of having abstained from YA literature that portrayed the d-word in an "accepted" way - or having read stories that warned me off. Hell no - it's the result of so many different factors, ones that are, frankly, unrelated to any literary or adult figure in my life.

Are there kids at my middle-class, suburban high school who do the d-word on a casual basis? Yes. Will a large percentage of them graduate without a sitch or a criminal charge, some even going on to great colleges? Yes. Is that how it should be? It doesn't really matter. That's how it is.

Literature should reflect reality. That platitude is twice as true for YA. Show me a protagonist who doesn't do the d-word for understandable reasons (anything from "morally opposed" to "too poor" works), and I'll believe it. Show me a protagonist who does the d-word in a realistic manner, and I'll believe it. No doubt those cautionary tales can bite with realism - this is dangerous, potentially life-ruining crap.

But a story where that crap is ignored, or worse, made into a caricature? Thumbs down. As writers and readers, we've gotta keep an open literary discussion going. Want to engage in a closed, fear-filled discussion about drugs?

DRUGS ARE BAD

No thanks, man. I got some bowling to do! What's your opinion?

No More Talking to Myself Like a Creeper

2010-05-11T11:39:00.003-04:00

Hey all! Just wanted to give you the heads up: I recently did an interview with the awesome-beyond-compare Kristin Otts for her blog feature, Teen Writer Appreciation Month! The interview is live now, and you can check it out here. Topics covered include teen writerdom, why contemporary is where it's at, and homicidal children. (Hint: I'm the homicidal child.)

Hope everyone is having a fabulous week. Catch you on the flip side!

Once Upon a Time in Bajongaland

2010-05-05T06:55:00.011-04:00

Thanks for the inspiration, Kristin!

It's a story you've pretty much heard before. Different faces, different people. Mine ain't no special snowflake, but maybe that's what makes it worthy of telling.

In eighth grade, I decided I wasn't skinny enough. So for about three months, I restricted my caloric intake to 700 calories a day - less than half of what I should have been eating. I dropped to 90 pounds on a 5'7" frame and went as far as to stick little weights in my pockets when I visited the doctor. Dude.

In the pictures, I look like a ghost (uh, moreso than usual). Can I still estimate the calorie count of pretty much any food? Yeah. And was I acting like a stupid idiot? Hell yeah.

The thing is, I knew what I was doing. I knew something bad was going on in my brain. I knew it was the magazine girls with perfect, airbrushed bodies controlling me. I knew eating a couple slices of deli meat for lunch would screw epically with my health. I didn't give a shizz. All I cared about was getting rid of my cheeks, getting rid of my butt, shedding the excess. (Looking back, damn, that was a pretty nice butt for a thirteen-year-old.)

None of that helped out in the body-image battlefield, but the worst enemy was something I had zilch control over. Seriously, imagine the most stereotypical tween female body angst, and you've got it. Oh yeah.

To quote my middle school diary (note the confusingly cryptic code name):

YO WHERE ARE MY FLOWERS???? MRRRRFFFFFFF

Let's take a look at how this situation turned out.

1. I gradually stopped freaking out about calories, gained back the weight (plus a few inches of height - alas, the butt would never fully return), and learned to view food as fuel, not an evil being of anti-happiness.
2. The flowers never arrived. Ever. SORRY, SUCKA. (Oh, wait, that's me.)
3. But I dealed with it. Am dealing with it. Will deal with it.

That's the main idea, isn't it? Dealed, dealing, will deal. Positive self-image is not eternal, nor is it an unachievable goal. It's a constant fight - one that swing either way by the hour, one that's easier and harder for some, one that makes us who we are.

I'm in a good place right now, largely thanks to the confidence I've gained as a writer. (Love you guys.) It's probably a better place than where most of my peers are - but I had to fight to get here. Evidently, it wasn't always this way. I used to look in the mirror and feel nothing but contempt. Not just for my weight, not just for my lack of bajongas, but for even more random crap - facial features, hair, skin. The classic buffet.

And some days those negative feelings come back to visit. Hell, it doesn't matter if I want to punch them in the face when they do. They'll always be there in some form, waiting for the weak moments.

This is a totally wild guess, but maybe they're there for a reason. Fighting means growth. Fighting means a chance at winning.

Fighting is how real beauty evolves.

Hey YouTube! A Recipe for a Funny Book

2010-05-03T06:51:00.004-04:00

THE BLOG HAS ARISEN. Now that the whole SATs debacle is over (pretty sure I failed the math section, but it's cool), I want to talk to you fabulous folks about funny. And contrived alliterations. No, not that second thing.

The burning question: what makes a book funny? Is it the snappy dialogue (Will Grayson, Will Grayson)? The emotionally cutting, yet physically side-splitting, narrative (Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian)? The allusions to threesomes (Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist)? The continuously random plot that makes the reader go all, WTFLOL (Going Bovine)? If you're a writer looking to stir up some laughs, how can you achieve the state of funny?

Honestly, it's hard. There is no end-all recipe for funny, and you can't force it. But here are a few possible ingredients - matched with Youtube flicks, because Youtube is the answer to everything.

Ingredient 1: Some Great "Oh, $#%&" Moments
Study the following video long and hard, and understand: you, the writer, are the kid. Your cast of characters is the cat. See that face of utter horror at :10? At some point, slap that face on every character you've got. Why? Because it is hilarious. Soul-crushing, but hilarious.

Ingredient 2: A Little Off-the-Cuff Craziness
Maybe it's an unexpected line of dialogue that'll have grandmas across the nation clacking their teeth in disapproval. Maybe it's a dose of snark from that character who's supposed to be shy. Insanity is the best policy - so let your foolery FLOW from that keyboard! Or, you know, from that microphone....

Ingredient 3: A Sprinkling of Sincerity
Sometimes the greatest jokes are the ones that sneak in, undetected, until suddenly the reader's laughing their ass off in the middle of a totally serious, guys, stop, this is so serious, you don't even know scene. It's either that, or the key to writing a funny book is being an adorable little French girl. Yeah, it's probably that.

Fact is, every writer has their own brand of humor. Some tend towards torturing their characters, some have a talent for improv, and some, uh, like to write about crocodiles. When it comes to books, what makes you laugh?

The Official YASAT Practice Test

2010-04-27T19:18:00.012-04:00

Bonjour tout le monde! Let's interrupt this hiatus craziness for a second. I'd love to point any interested awesome people (yeah, I'm talking about you, watchugunna doaboutit?) to a post I wrote recently for YA Highway. It's called The Official YASAT Practice Test.

I know, who wants to take a test, right? Definitely not me ~~OMG someone stop the pain SATs this weekend holy holy~~.

But this one is different, I swear. Guaranteed or your money back! (Guarantee only applies if you spend $0 reading it. Sorry, man.)

Question 1
When a protagonist converges with his or her love interest at Point A, all of the following must happen EXCEPT:
(A) All their friends know they're meant for each other
(B) An immediate explosion of fated true love
(C) One long, fluttering, emotional glance
(D) Protagonist considers her options and realizes she's not really ready for an epic life-changing romance at age 16 Keep going?

It's the Eye of the Writer

2010-04-20T07:05:00.003-04:00

Writers dig eyes. It's a fact proven by the mega-huge number of striking, long-lashed, violet-green and/or molten gold orbs of wonder expressing highly detailed emotion found on the fiction market today. But what about the eyes of writers themselves? Does anyone pay attention to their orbs of wonder?

The answer: no. And that just ain't right. LET'S INVESTIGATE 'EM!

Classic Writer Eyes

Man, this is your textbook set. Look up Writer in the dictionary, and you always get some grisly-looking guy with these eyes. See those hooded lids? That tint of purple swiped underneath? You can totally feel the emotion: "Oh God, it's 1AM again." Either that, or: "This must be what drug addicts feel like." Awesome.

Twitchy Edit Eyes
Wait, what is that? Is that a typo? Oh, HELL NO! Let's get rid of that, and... Oh, crap, there's another one. Okay, it's fine, just backspace... Oh my god, that's a run-on, isn't it? Okay, okay, just - #$%&, COMMA MISPLACEMENT! No, no, it's fine, it's fixable, it's all good...

Bed Eyes
Unlike their millionth cousin twice removed, Bedroom Eyes, Bed Eyes have ONE (1) desire. Hint: it doesn't involve seduction. Unless you count the call of the pillow as seductive. Which it honestly is after a long day of hard keyboard action. (HEY! Stop twisting my words, fool.)

Query Eyes
Like the household cat, the writer can leave one eye open during periods of rest in order to watch for prey and query letter responses. True fact. Watch that raised lid droop as the email inbox loads, then snap open the second it's finished! WARNING: repeated incoming-message bells as a result of nothing but that stupid sale on khakis at Gap will probably mutate Query Eyes into...

Existential Crisis Eyes
Why go into a profession with an estimated 30% suicide rate? That is NOT cool. Might as well microwave an Easy Mac and watch Friends reruns for the rest of eternity. Imagine a gravestone engraved with: "Well, they get an A for effort." Seriously? Why do this?

Great Success Eyes
Maybe it's a revision breakthrough. Maybe it's a manuscript request. Maybe that missing mojo turned up under the bed next to those old Backstreet Boys CDs (don't deny their existence). But damnit, it all makes sense again. Which writer-eyes are you wearing?

& the Boom de Contest Winner Is... + Links

2010-04-17T13:31:00.021-04:00

Hola chicos y chicas! It's time to figure out which fab person won the Boom De Ya Da contest. Prizes: a copy of Courtney Summers' Some Girls Are, plus a drawing of your MC or fictional character of your choice. Average level of awesome detected in those who entered: no clue, my detector machine got overloaded and broke. DAMN.

Before the reveal, let's take an annoying moment to reflect: I seriously love all of you guys in the publishing world. The amount of suppoRT (support + ReTweet, get it? HA, HA! Okay, will shut up now) expressed for that Boom De Ya Da video was pretty much like a sledgehammer over my head - so insane. All I can say is gracias. Way overflowing, muchas gracias.

The randomly selected winner is...
↓

Rachele Alpine!
Rachele, please email me at struckheartera@gmail.com with your address and a description of the character you'd like drawn. :)

If you didn't win, never fear - there are so many rad contests out there right now, waiting for you to enter them. Including...

YA Highway's giveaway of the very first ARC of Kody Keplinger's The Duff!
Author Sarah Wylie's contest offering a 30-40 page agent critique, an agent query critique, books, a lunch date with two agents in NYC, and most awesomely, Twizzlers!
Writer Becca Rogers's contest offering a prize for all the artists out there: a complete set of supplies for either watercolor painting, pencil drawing, or calligraphy!
Got YA's (previously known as OPWFT) giveaway of a $75 gift card, a $15 gift card, and a copy of Beautiful Creatures (thanks Jenn)!
Got another one? Add them in the comments!

In the meantime, here are a couple videos for anyone who got that boom de ya da tune stuck in their heads. Mega sorry you had to feel that pain. NOW FEEL MORE OF IT.

Gaga's Got Good Writing Advice [RTW]

2010-04-14T07:05:00.008-04:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the rad YA Highway! This week's question: What's the best writing advice you've ever received?

Trust me on this one, guys. I'm not having sex. According to most focus groups, I'm way too young ~~and tragically unwanted~~ to have it. Seriously, I don't even know what sex is. (Something involving cabbages?) But when I came across this quote by the freaky-awesome Lady Gaga, I was inspired anyway.

When you make music or write or create, it's really your job to have mind-blowing, irresponsible, condomless sex with whatever idea it is you're writing about at the time.

Wait, what's a condom? Is that the same thing as a condiment? It doesn't matter. I like the "mind-blowing, irresponsible" part. Because that's what writing is.

Man, that's all it is.

There are a ton of great pieces of writing advice floating around out there. "Kill your darlings." "Slaughter your adverbs." "Stop telling and start showing, or you will be assassinated." I mean, this is a violent hobby, no doubt about it. But I think sometimes, we writers forget to acknowledge the fluorescent magma core of what we do.

That's the mind-blowing part. The irresponsible part. The fun part. (Not saying sex is fun. Again, I have no idea what it is.)

You can argue about the importance of a) plot versus b) technical skill versus c) the presence of unicorns in a book all you want. But a hella awesome idea - a vision, a belief, a purpose - will rock the house harder than any of those things ever could. (Okay, maybe the presence of unicorns is an awesome idea on its own.) All novels, whether literary or commercial, YA or adult, vampire or zombie, deserve to be backed up with an idea like that. That is really your job.

Because what makes an idea hella awesome? YOU.

Exhibit A: Would Twilight have sold with such animalistic fervor if Stephenie Meyer hadn't thrown her hands up and thought: "I dreamt about a super hot vampire who sparkles, and now I'm going to write about how sparkly vampire love conquers all, DAMNIT!" NO.
Exhibit B: Would Animal Farm be the timelessly creepy classic it is today if George Orwell hadn't thrown his hands up and thought: "I'm really pissed at the corrupted communists in Russia, and now I'm going to slam those guys using pigs and goats and crap as metaphors, DAMNIT!" NO.
Exhibit C: Would The Fountainhead have elicited various emotions in the millions of people it did if Ayn Rand hadn't thrown her hands up and thought: "I freakin' love this Objectivism thing I came up with, and now I'm going to immortalize the perfect ginger man in a 700-page exercise weight, DAMNIT!" NO.

If you have an idea, or a seedling of an idea, or an idea that's been rattling around in your head for years, engage it. Worship it. Feel it, see it, know it. Follow Miss Gaga's lead and just dance with it. Then, once you start writing, go ahead and seduce it. Do nasty things to it... in a good, family-friendly way.

Or not. What's the best big-picture writing advice you've ever heard?

P.S. Hey, honeybee, you've got two more days to enter the Boom De Ya Da giveaway contest! The entries so far have been spot-on, and I can't wait to see who wins. Spread the word!

BOOM DE YA DA! I Love Publishing + CONTEST

2010-04-09T06:05:00.003-04:00

Hey guys! In honor of Colleen Lindsay's No Whining Week, I threw together a little somethin' somethin'. Or maybe it's a nothin' nothin'. Or maybe it's a wha' wha'? Watch and decide!

This goes out to all my friends in writerland. And my mom, for leaving the house so I could sing without embarassing myself. (Ignore the paradox.)

I love the passion
I love the helpfulness
I love the friendships
I love the late-night stints
I love publishing
and all its sights and books

Boom de ya da
Boom de ya da
Boom de ya da
Boom de ya da

I love the crushed souls (C. Lindsay mask)
I love the slush partays (K. Ortiz mask)
I love to be freakishly productive (N. Bransford mask)
I love to swing both ways (M. Hubbard mask)
I love publishing
And all its craziness

Boom de ya da
Boom de ya da
Boom de ya da
Boom de ya da

I love the bloggers
I love those with no name
I love the sharp jaws
I love the funny games

I love publishing
It's such a brilliant place
Boom de ya da
Boom de ya da
Boom de ya da
Boom de ya da

Boom de ya da
Boom de ya da
Boom de ya da
Boom de ya da!

BONUS CONTEST, DUDES! Get entered to win a copy of Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers (featured in video) plus a drawing of your MC or fictional character of your choice! How? By guessing at least 2 of the 3 industry blogs mentioned in the third stanza correctly. Yup, the ones in bold. Ends: next Friday. Hint: two of them are around here somewhere...

Happy guessing! Point me to your Tweet or blog post that links back here in the comments, and you'll get an extra entry - even if you don't guess. I hope y'all enjoy the video. It was a blast to make! What do you love about publishing?

A Future Writer's Report Card '99

2010-04-05T07:05:00.004-04:00

Just goes to show how tastes change, dude. Seriously, math? Gym? (Also, who's Josh?) Did you want to be a writer in first grade?

IS: Introducing... Debra Driza!

2010-04-01T07:27:00.004-04:00

The Introducing... Interview Series is my attempt to interview as many recently agented, amazing YA authors as possible. You can check out past installments using the menu in the sidebar. (& Happy April Fools, everyone!)

Met anyone fabulous lately? No? Okay, time to remedy that by saying hey to Debra Driza, the definition of YA writer fabulousness. Deb recently snagged an agent and is currently working on revisions for her novel – which is pretty much the best thing since Nutella on bread. After reading about her high school alter-ego and fear of sparkly vampires, check out Deb’s awesome blog and Twitter!

Debra Driza

Stats
Location: SoCal, baby!
Occupation: Former physical therapist turned stay-at-home-kid-wrangler and freelance writer
Genre(s): UF and contemporary YA
Name of Book: The Demon Guard
Represented By: The *awesome* Taylor Martindale of the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency

Favorite Five
Band: Oh, man, that’s so not fair—it changes on a daily basis! Silversun Pickups, at the moment.
Food: Anything yummy, and by yummy I mean filled with delicious, insulin-thrashing sugar.
Author: Again, no fair! Right now it’s probably Courtney Summers.
Book: Favorite book ever? Hm… probably a toss-up between Brideshead Revisisted and Fletch. Because those two titles are way similar. *scratches head*
Quote: I’m not much of a book quoter, so I’m going to cheat and throw this movie quote out there instead: “Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries!” Deep stuff, that.

THE DEMON GUARD When 16-year-old Summer washed her hands of all things Demon Guard, she never expected a burgeoning magical ability to plunge her back into that world. Or into the archaic DG Academy. Once inside, Summer must face past betrayals and uncover the mystery behind both her mom’s coma and an old flame’s dangerous behavior—or risk losing everything she loves.

What inspired you to write about a girl who’s an outsider in an already strange world? How did you develop Summer’s character?
Well, I'm sort of fascinated with people/kids who are outcasts for one reason or another. And then I thought, gee--how much harder would that be if you'd been on the OTHER side at one time, if you used to be popular and lost it all? *cues up Veronica Mars theme song* And I just can't seem to write wimpy heroines. None of them are the type to sit in the corner and whimper when the going gets tough. So Summer came out of that, a girl who grew a tough outer shell to protect herself from getting hurt again.

Missing, dead, or otherwise threatened parental units are a much-loved mainstay in YA. What do you think is the source of this phenomenon – especially in a world where teens reportedly spend an hour a day seething at their elders?
I think the source of that, especially in UF, is simple: it's an easy way to get the parents out of the story so you can focus on other things. ;) In my novel, though, it's actually a crucial piece of the premise that the MC's mom is in a coma. At least, I *hope* it is. *ponders*

On the other hand, in the contemporary YA novel I'm writing, the MC's relationship with her mom plays a pretty big role in her actions. Overall, I'd expect to see more parental involvement in contemporary YA than in the fantasy genres, because, like you said, dealing with parents is a pretty huge part of teen life in the real world.

What are your predictions for the YA fantasy genre? Will urban fantasy continue to reign supreme, or will other genres blossom and sell millions?
Dude, if I could predict trends that well, I would have written about a sparkly vamp and werewolf love triangle long, long ago! Seriously, though - I think trends will ebb and flow. UF is still hot at the moment, but all the buzz is about the rise of the dystopian. I also believe contemporaries will come on strong again. I don't see any of them ever being dead in the water, though - there's room for everyone under the huge umbrella of YA.

As you wrote The Demon Guard, what was your favorite experience? What didn’t you dig so much?
Um, can FINISHING be my favorite experience? As always, I loved writing the scenes that really called to me, the ones where I couldn’t wait to put my fingers to the keys. My least favorite experience? Probably fighting my fear of plotting to get a complete rough draft down.

Who were you in high school? And what would you tell your sixteen-year-old self if you could meet her now?
Would you believe I was…Elvis? No? Curses! Okay, so I was one of those straight-A students who was also on the swim team, confident one day, a mass of writhing nerves the next. Probably known by some as a total spaz, but I had lots of fun. And I was totally, 100%, completely boy-crazy.

I would tell my sixteen-year-old self to be true to herself all the time, and to have more confidence. ‘Cause you can never have enough at that age. Oh, and girl - wax those eyebrows!

If you could rocket back in time and talk to Deb à la 2009, what would tell her or warn her about?
Beware of sparkly vampires? No, no… actually, I’d warn her to get that rough draft on paper without editing first. It would have saved me a helluva lot of headache.

Describe your querying adventure - and the moment you snagged an offer of representation from Ms. Martindale, your future agent.
“Querying adventure”—love it! Well, I sent out a handful of queries at the same time I sent out a full to an agent I met at a workshop, and 50 pages to an agent who’d read my blog and liked my teasers. A few days later, I got a revise and resubmit invitation from the workshop agent. I was both excited and depressed, because the R & R request was really a call to rewrite my entire novel, and I was left with that feeling that maybe she just didn’t “get” it, you know? And then extrapolated that obviously I was a raving loony, and that no one in their right mind would “get” it.

I got several requests the following week—including a request for the full from the agent who’d read my blog. Four hours later, she called with an offer. And the best thing? She GOT IT! She really GOT IT! ☺

Would you agree with the Karate Kid philosophy, defined as, “You’re the best around/ Nothing’s ever gonna keep you down”? What have you learned about confidence and ambition on your way to the top?
Um, did you see my Two for Tuesday post with the Karate Kid montage? (Interviewer’s note: heck yes) And now that song shall be playing in my head all day - curse you!

Also, ROFL - who told you I was on my way to the top? Because I'm kinda afraid of heights. Honestly, I've learned not to let fear hold you back. Fear of writing a tough story, fear of sucking, fear of querying, fear of asking questions, fear that a beta will give you bad feedback... basically, fear of everything. You won't get anywhere unless you try. And try. And try some more.

I also think confidence often comes with practice. So get out there and WRITE. :)

Besides writing fiction, you also work as a freelancer. Which came first: the fiction or the freelancing? And what attracted you to the job?
Fiction totally came first. I tried to write a Harlequin romance several years ago (epic, Herculean-sized fail), and later started blogging. The blogging led to the idea to pursue writing again, both fiction and non-fiction.

Last one! Name three facts about yourself that nobody would guess.
Hm… I once got sent to the principal’s office in 4th grade for leaping around on the desks and pretending to be a frog when the teacher stepped out for a minute. I used to tell people my name was Adrina Rue back in high school - I even had it sewn on my swimming parka. (See? Suzanne Collins totally stole that name from me! Or not.) And my favorite party trick is balancing a full cup of beer on my head. (Mental note: always bring change of clothes to parties. Just in case.)

Monay-Monay-Monay-Mon-Ay, MON-AY [RTW]

2010-03-31T13:59:00.008-04:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fantastic YA Highway. This week's question: What would you do with the moo-lah if you struck it rich as a writer?

In the words of Donald Trump: "You're fired." Wait, wrong quote. In the words of Donald Trump: "Money is awesome." Okay, I don't think he ever said that, but roll with me. Despite the fact that it's just slips of paper with literally no real value, money is a pretty rad thing to have - especially when it's a reward for your own creative output.

As super-unlikely and nerve-wracking getting a huge advance for a manuscript would be, it's still mega fun to think of what you'd do with that cold, hard cash. (Not warm, soft cash. COLD AND HARD.) Here's my Christmas list!

Paint my walls chalkboard
Imagine this. Four walls. All painted with chalkboard paint and therefore write on-able. COVERED. IN. STORY NOTES. And the occasional over-elaborate drawing of a flower, but mostly story notes. It's like Outliner's Paradise. Imagine writing whole scenes in rainbow chalk and covering a wall. Seriously.

Buy a Macbook
Now that Outliner's Paradise is completed, it's time to buy something snazzy to type it all down in. I know I should just be happy with this desktop computer, but... it's so pretty. I love pretty things. Don't you?

Pay for college
Because that shizz is expensive.

Drop out of society to travel for 3-5 years
Why do I need a college degree if this is my ultimate goal, you ask? Well, it's ONLY for 3-5 years. My dream: traversing the globe with my aforementioned and hopefully un-stolen Macbook, writing, Twittering, and video chatting, all while seeing everything this crazy planet has to offer. Basically, being a global hobo. (Not that regular travel isn't possible on a practically nonexistent budget. It is, people, it is! Email me about it.) Then coming back to...

Adopt a Ragdoll cat
Look at this thing. IT IS HUGE AND THEREFORE AWESOME. It's called a Ragdoll cat. They're super sweet, fluffy, and easy to groom. It's like a dog-cat hybrid, except with more cat, which totally works for me. The best part? When you pick them up, they go limp - like a ragdoll. The only downside is that they're expensive. But that wouldn't be a problem for me, would it? That sound you hear is my maniacal laughter.

Donate the rest
"Live simply so others can simply live." Okay, despite the impression you might get from others in my generation, I really hate MTV. You know what I hate most? Those shows like My Super Sweet Sixteen and Pimp My Crib (or whatever) where people flaunt their goods for no purpose other than to have fun flaunting their goods.

I don't see why any homo sapien needs a huge mansion, or a gold toilet, or a twenty-layer cake on their birthday, or a flat screen the size of a chalkboard wall. I'd be totally happy with a cute house in the woods (or a teeny apartment in the city), a regular toilet, cupcakes, and a crappy fat-screen. PlusthatMacbookbecauseIamsuperficialatheart The rest goes to the people who are actually sort of in need right now. (My main need being phenomenally stupid stuff, like a waffle toaster.)

Yes. CASH FOR ALL!

What would you do if you struck gold as a writer? Would you buy a crazy pet, come be a global hobo with me, or do something else entirely?

The Importance of Deadline-Shark Safety

2010-03-30T07:35:00.005-04:00

Whether you didn't care about dumb fish or were a total science nerd, at some point in your childhood, someone took you to the aquarium. And that was an awesome event. If the aquarium you saw had sharks, make that a TRIPLE-LAYER awesome event.

Now imagine seeing the sharks again - except this time, they're deadlines. Writing deadlines, either set by you or by an outside force, swimmin' around, wondering why all these clothed filet mignons keep ogling them. Seriously, can they get some privacy?
YOU
Who's the boss now, huh? You're so far away. Who's cool? Who's got your number? I see those teeth you got! You can't use 'em. You're like a kitten. Poor, helpless kitten. Try to break the glass. You CAN'T. Because you suck.
DEADLINE

What's that deadline thinking, you wonder? Impossible to know. Actually, possible to know. He's thinking: Screw you, buddy. And you know what else he's thinking? Man, you're gonna get it.

Hate to break it to you, but he's right. Because in two weeks, that deadline gets released back into the wild. For now, though, you're safe - free to catch up on TiVo, bake brownies at one in the morning, chat aimlessly on Twitter, all the good stuff. You even plan a trip to the beach... in two weeks.

When the day comes, the deadline is waiting. You get in the water, waving back to your friends on the sand. It's not until you're neck-deep in the ocean that you realize...

YOU
Oh, crap. I was supposed to have that writing done today, wasn't I?
MUSIC
Duh nuh. Duh nuh. Duh nuh. Duh nuh duh nuh, duh nuh duh nuh, duhnuhduhnuhduhnuhduhnuh.
DEADLINE

You freak. You scream. You desperately wish you had worked more or started it earlier! Sorry, dude. The deadline HAS FOUND YOU. And it wants you to sleep with the fishes.

YOU
WHY DID I PROCRASTINATE?
MUSIC
*CYMBALS CRASH*
DEADLINE
[Image redacted for terror]
Okay, I'll be mega honest: this is a personal account. Traumatic, I know. It's happened to all of us at least once - so how do you prevent the sneak-up from going down? What are your deadline safety methods? Also...

The 5 Protagonists You Meet in YA

2010-03-23T11:50:00.009-04:00

Hola! For those interested, I wrote a post for YA Highway this week about The Five Protagonists You Meet in YA. Check it out!

Scarface: Say hello to Scarface, and they'll either start crying for no apparent reason, flip you off, or both. That's because Scarface has a freakishly cruel god. Something bad and OMG-worthy affected their emotional development anywhere from ten years to ten minutes ago, and all their thoughts lead back to that OMG-worthy thing. Everyone has a history, but Scarface's defines them like crazy-genius defines Lady Gaga. Also, they're pretty badass.

Revisions are crawling along ~~like a non-ninja mutant turtle-snail~~ at a decent pace. The rest of March and April are gonna be a whirl of testing and last-minute assigments for this girl - but on the bright side, next week's spring break. Hell yeah!

I've got some cool stuff, including more interviews, lined up for PWK, so stay tuned. Love you all with the passion of a thousand suns, in a totally friends-only way. (We could make it more interesting if you want, though...)

IS: Introducing... Rachel Mercaldo!

2010-03-18T07:05:00.002-04:00

The Introducing... Interview Series is my attempt to interview as many recently agented, amazing YA authors as possible. You can check out past installments using the menu in the sidebar.

It's my insanely huge pleasure to present the first Introducing interview featuring a fellow teen. And not just any teen! 19-year-old Rachel Mercaldo, also known as Race on Absolute Write, is currently working on agent revisions for her novel. She's a stellar writer and one cool chick - trust me. Actually, you don't have to trust me. Find out by reading, then check out her blog and Twitter!

Rachel Mercaldo

Stats
Location: Pennsylvania
Occupation: Student
Genre(s): YA Contemporary Romance
Name of Book: The Virginity Thief
Represented By: Natalie Fischer/Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency

Favorite Five
Band: Nightwish
Food: Pizza
Author: Oscar Wilde
Book: The Importance of Being Earnest.
Quote: “Fine words, I wonder where you stole them.” Jonathan Swift.

The Virginity Thief Ex-movie star Mari Abdo isn't so excited about her new town - especially after she's rejected by the first boy she likes, Adam, and discovers he's part of the school’s elite club of male virgins. To prove no man can stay a virgin for long, Mari organizes a few wannabes to help down each club member - including Adam. But when Mari uncovers the club's twisted secret, she must reevaluate her feelings for this slow-town boy.

Guys these days seem to have one thing on their minds... and it's not X-Box. What inspired you to write about a group of guys who - on the outside, anyway - aren't interested in those illicit activities?
It really all started with my main character, Mari Abdo. I needed a situation where her personality and voice could be best shown off. Nothing shows a character off as well as surrounding them by their direct opposites! It is such an odd situation for a character like Mari to find herself in.

As you wrote The Virginity Thief, did you have any trouble portraying the reversal of gender roles? How did you develop Mari's character?
Interesting you mention this. The first time I heard about this reversal in reference to The Virginity Thief was actually during an agent pitch contest I took part in. Until I got the request and read the agent’s reason for it, I never considered the gender reversal. It certainly didn’t bother me as a writer. Like I said above, the story was all about this voice of Mari Abdo in my head. Admittedly, the character isn’t usual for young adult fiction, but the writing just flowed and everything fit beautifully.

Mari was the result of my pacing around the house and wondering what it would be like to say what I wanted all the time. I think parents would be amazed how many times teens actually resist being as impossible as said parents find us, and I desperately wanted to write a character who just didn’t hold back like I did.

As a recent escapee, how do you look back on your high school experience? And what would your sixteen-year-old self think if she saw you now?
I was homeschooled and didn’t have to deal with all the drama of the public school system, thankfully. I spent a lot of time pushing school away and reading, writing, and being bored. Now that I’m in college I feel like it is an extension of high school. Like grades 13 through 16. The pushing away continues…

16 year old me would be shocked I finished a decent book, but I think that is the only good part of getting older. Experience. I know some great teen writers of course, but something was wrong with me until I turned 18. I didn’t quite have the awesome stories that some of my friends have so young. Maybe mature me just studied the market more.

(Also, I’m getting old.)

When and why did you decide you wanted to become a fabulous YA author?
I’ve been writing for what seems like my whole life. For as long as I can remember dreaming of such things, my dreams were of being an author. As to the YA end of it, there was a time I was determined to write adult. I’m not one hundred percent sure how I made the switch to young adult. I believe it was in a query experience, when an agent told me my book sounded more young adult than adult. Whatever the reason, I’m so glad I made that choice. Not only are the stories wonderful and fun to write, but the people in the YA industry are so wonderful and fun and fabulous as well.

What’s one hard truth about writing that’s surprised you since you started working – and how have you learn to accept it?
The hard truth is that nothing is ever perfect. Ever. Even after you edit and edit and edit you will still feel like your work will never go anywhere. A friend recently told me she was loving my book and I was totally surprised and thrilled that someone liked it. I have yet to accept this truth. I’m determined to find a place where I love my work and become a snob.

Okay, maybe not a snob.

Describe your querying adventure, as well as the moment you snagged an offer of representation from Natalie, your future agent.
I started querying at 14, with a novel I’d be embarrassed to write today. Two more unsuccessful attempts followed that, and finally I gave in and joined the pack: AbsoluteWrite mixed with the Blogosphere is a very useful combination for a writer. I finally learned what a good query should sound like. I learned how to tell what the market was looking for and what each agent would be interested in. When The Virginity Thief was ready, I queried and actually got requests!

In the end, I found an agent through a friend, not a query. Karla Calalang recommended me to Natalie and together we interviewed Natalie for Teens Writing For Teens. Natalie found herself at my blog and liked the sound of VT, so she e-mailed a request.

The offer was so surreal. I mean, this was something I’d been waiting for for 4 years, and it was actually happening. It was a beautiful moment, and since I’d worked on some revisions for Natalie before the offer, I knew we would work together so well. Nothing could be more perfect.

You started your awesome blog, The Creare, back in November of 2008. Since then, you've updated it faithfully, with a total of 120 posts last year! What are your tips on maintaining a fun, useful writer's blog?
Since my “writing” blog is void of any writing advice, my strategy is to blind you all with mild amusement. Beyond that, the most important thing to remember when blogging is that people read blogs not just learn about writing or whatever interest they have but to learn more about the blogger. Be personable, even as you dish out useful knowledge or post snippets of your work. Draw your readers in. Let them in on your journey.

You're a mathematics buff - in fact, you're majoring in it! Lots of creative people tend to avoid math like a virus (including me). What's it like to have the best of both worlds?
It is awesome. I love numbers, playing around with them and discovering all their wonderful quirks. Every writer knows what it is like to feel your characters are real people. Numbers have almost the same attraction to me. They are unique and have personalities. Functions have these points, some where they bend in all sorts of wonderful ways and others where they spazz out all over the graph as if they had a tantrum. When they spazz out too much, I write. Writing is like breathing for me, like another basic body function that I have to go through. I get stressed if I stay away too long. And when I’m ready to take a break, the numbers call to me again.

As a college student, how do you balance revisions and writing with schoolwork and all those crazy college experiences?
I don’t. I fail as a college student. And all that fun stuff? It is lost in a sea of revisions. Honestly, I don’t mind. What is a college experience if you aren’t doing what you enjoy? I don’t want to look back on my college years as the years I squashed my love of writing to get what other people consider a fun time. Now, as to the education - I shall try to do better (this in case my mother reads).

Last one! Name three facts about yourself that nobody would guess.
Oooh, for one, I can count cards. It isn’t nearly as hard as people pretend it is, though. I probably shouldn’t put that fact on the internet. I may be kicked out of every casino I ever walk into. I was a violent child (broke my brother’s arm when I was three and somewhere, around 5, endeared myself to my mother by punching a chicken). I am a bit of thrill seeker.

Bloody Hell! Some Rowling Appreciation

2010-03-16T07:05:00.000-04:00

This is totally cliché. I get that. I feel your concern. I'm just one of a zillion young writers with their creative lives indebted to the author of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling. People go crazy all the time for the woman of the '00s, whose stories, inspirational background, awesome speaking skills, and general coolness has affected legions. Yeah, I said it - legions.

TOO BAD. For the fabulous Author Appreciation Week, I still want to give an overdue thank you to Ms. Rowling... with art to rival Mary GrandPré's! (Insert laugh track here.)

My life without the existence and works of J.K. Rowling:

My life with the existence and works of J.K. Rowling:

That's as simple as it gets, guys. Do you owe your creative life to anyone?

Laughter as Sparkling Brain Material [RTW]

2010-03-10T07:05:00.012-05:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fab YA Highway. This week's question: what are your favorite reading/writing blogs/resources?

Life sucks if you can't laugh. Sure, it's fun to get down and dirty with those formatting rules and query how-tos during the day. But at night? Time to let loose, people. Put a smile on that face! (Not in a creepy clown way, I swear.)

Some of my favorite writing-related blogs on the 'net are The Intern, The Rejectionist, and one from fellow YA Highwayer Kate, My Sphere of Domesticity. They share insider industry stories, prospectives from a masked agent, and an aspiring writer's take on publishing, respectively. Then there's The Vlogbrothers, which isn't so much a resource as Hank and John Green's unstoppable awesome machine. The point is, all these places have content - posts, compilations, vlogs, whatever - that's funny as hell. That humor sets them apart and wins them major cool points.

At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities. ~Jean Houston

To laugh is to be inspired. I totally just made that phrase up, but it's still valid (maybe) - so turn your attention to another website that's a secret gold mine for writers. Here, the gold consists of inspiration AND laughs. Two-for-one, man. Ever heard of The Onion?

If not: it's a fake news outlet that satirizes certain events and aspects of everyday society. It's hilarious in so many ways, and I'm a total addict. Reading the articles and watching the videos, you cringe, you nod, and you plan to stick them in your book because they're so dead-on.

Better than anything, they make you think. It's a writer's job to observe the world in an interesting, different way, and The Onion provides sparkly brain material for writers of ALL types. Seriously, check out these articles that relate to YA:

Let's throw some writer-related ones in there.

Laughter's the best medicine... and it also works as killer inspiration. Do any funny resources inspire you?

Make It a Rube Goldberg Story

2010-03-08T07:05:00.003-05:00

Rube Goldberg machine n. A creatively engineered chain reaction that performs a simple task (shoot paint at a rock band) in a complex and interesting way

Rube Goldberg story n. A creatively engineered chain reaction that performs a simple task (reach the reader) in a complex and interesting way

All right, guys, this is what you need to do: Formulate the ten steps to smash a TV. Send your protagonist rolling down hills and into safe-looking paths that end in disaster. Splatter neon romance everywhere. Spill plot points that bounce like they're alive. Swing the axe down on the villain's head. Let goals and hopes balance on a tightrope. Inject risk into every movement and never get boring. Introduce characters, places, and conflicts that spin things totally out of whack. Do it all on a computer-turned-laboratory.

Create what looks like chaos and back it up with an intricate melody. Construct beauty from trash. Take everything you've got inside you - doesn't matter how small or big - and ruin it, change it, twist it up and write it all down. Use unexpected tools. Build it, hope it works out, then let it go. Live on the quiet moments, the ones with streamlined order, and thrive on the wild moments, the ones that make you shake when you're typing them. Shock your reader - make 'em wonder how the hell you did that. End it with a bang in the loudest, craziest, best sense.

Make it unforgettable - make it a Rube Goldberg story - and I swear you'll get six million views.

Okay, maybe not that many, BUT CLOSE.

A Product of Procrastination [RTW]

2010-03-03T08:23:00.007-05:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fantastic YA Highway. This week's question: How do you procrastinate?

So it's 7PM, and you're thinking, "Man, I haven't written anything today." Then it's 8PM, and you're thinking, "Should probably get on that." Then it's 9PM, and you're thinking, "Why pretend?" Then it's 10PM, and you're thinking, "I'm going to write and record a parody for Kody Keplinger re: her everlasting love for Jacob Black."

This kind of stuff happens a lot, resulting in fanart, comics, and now... Hell yeah, procrastination can be productive. Or something.

Listen to the Avril Lavigne original here. And tell your ears I'M SO SORRY. How do you procrastinate?

Why - The Best of PWK

Why, did you have to do this to her?
Why, couldn't you see her, choose her?
How come, you act like this
Like her love is some passing fad

Do you expect her to believe she's gonna get over those abs?
She can feel, she can feel you near her, even though you're off in Forks
How can you love a vampire mutant, why

It's not supposed to be this way
She needs you, she needs you
Her werewolf boy, so sexy
It's not supposed to hurt this way
She needs you, she needs you, she needs you

Tell her, why can't she come to your gun show?
Tell her, why can't she touch your longbow?
Tell her, why

Gotta say, no name's more stupid than Renesemee
Hey, convert to the church of Kody today
Try, to look at her writing your name in her notepad

Do you expect her to believe she's gonna get over those abs?
She can feel, she can feel you near her, even when you're in wolf form
How can you love a vampire mutant, why

It's not supposed to be this way
She needs you, she needs you
Her werewolf boy, so sexy
It's not supposed to hurt this way
She needs you, she needs you, she needs you(r abs)

Tell her, why can't she come to your gun show?
Tell her, why can't she touch your longbow?
Tell her, why

Teaser Tuesday: Artsy Revamp (x2)

2010-03-02T01:39:00.008-05:00

Hey guys, how you like the new lay-yowwt? I know it says "by Deluxe Templates" at the bottom, but I totally custom-coded the shizz out of this thing. (Don't tell Deluxe Templates.) Warning - some of the links don't work yet, but I'm working on it. Night 'n' day, baby!

... Can you tell I'm writing this at 1AM? No? Good.

Now for the TUESDAY TEASER. I never do this anymore, mostly because I've run clean out of decent teasers. So in celebration of the new lay-yowwt, this teaser is a massive revamp of one posted in September last year - a flashback that Riley dreams, taking place in her school's art room. Compare the two, or just read this one. Because, you know, hopefully (?), it's better. ... Or something. Don't listen to me.

***

The lights flicker…

The lights flicker on, panel by panel, until the room starts beating. Painted projects form the walls, and veins of leftover color shoot across each table. Art room C2. This is home.

He walks backwards ahead of me, hands in his pockets. “I'm guessing this place gets messier every time you come in.”

I grin. My easel and canvas are waiting for me. My paints are gold and orange and brown like the sun on some dead leaves. He sees the clock and laughs. The sound reverberates against pulsing air.

“Five in the afternoon - are you sure this thing is due tomorrow?”

I flit my brush over his stupid nose. He growls and tugs at a fistful of his hair, then sits. His shirt comes up and off.

The assignment is forms of the body. My canvas is seriously unfinished. A taped photograph curls at the corner, but I wanted the real thing. Now my head buzzes and I can’t focus.

So I tell him to turn to the side. The faint shadows clinging to his muscles change and bend. Those are important. Not the track shorts. Not the dirt-stained sneakers. Not the perfection of the abs. I bite hard on the end of my brush.

“What? Should I put my jersey back on?”

I’m working, I swear to God. I dip my brush in the deep tan-orange and swipe it across the canvas. His dark eyes sprint around the room, but his chest rises slow. There - an umber shadow's hanging out below his bicep. It’s triangular, set off by the fluorescent bulb above us.

We talk as I paint - no, he shuts up and I rant about stupid stuff. The real words float between us, constantly shifting shape with this look or that one. They’re shining, brightly colored, invisible. They stream around my head and I inhale them. Amazing.

My brush drops.

“You need a break from this glory?”

I roll my eyes and walk over to him, my fingers laced with paint. I test out shades on my palms - the feel of cold color is the best.

His shoulders go rigid as he stands. I run my fingertips down his clavicle, not thinking. The half-dried paint leaves textured tracks. He catches my hand before it can make another streak. He's got a shadow for a smile.

“Whoa, the canvas is over there.”

I lean into the top of his chest, probably getting paint on my face. My fingers drift from his neck to his wrists and twine our hands together. I tell him he’s a loser and I like him better off paper.

His lips press into the top of my head. The colored words are suspended, like snowflakes caught on a spider’s web. I exhale. Mind-blowing. I lift my face up and kiss him soft.

Our hands fall apart. His rake through his hair again. “I have to…”

The words thaw and rejoin the current.

“Nevermind."

I pick up my brush.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Wish Fulfillment [RTW]

2010-02-24T08:24:00.010-05:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the fantastic YA Highway. This week's question: If you could be any character in any book, who would you be?

You know the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books? They were a seriously important thing at my middle school for a span of about three months. And in the inevitable and super-passionate discussions over who was who - Tibby, Lena, Bridget, or Carmen - in my group of friends, it was always determined that I was Tibby. Depressed, whiny, sarcastic Tibby. WTF. So not fair.

Okay, maybe a little fair.

Denial aside, I always wanted to be... Bridget. Blonde, awesome Bridget, with her confidence, charisma, philosophy to grab life by the horns, and ability to attract hot guys in Mexico. Sure, she was athletic, and I couldn't spike a volleyball in gym to save my life - I'm not kidding around, it was pathetic - but I decided not to care. Bridget was my hero.

The books aren't such a totally important thing anymore, and I've probably become even more of a Tibby since those discussions. (What can I say? The world's a dark, dark place.) But I still secretly want to be like Bridget. So I'm growing out my hair like a mofo, and every summer, I swear to start running. Hell yeah, fitness! Same thing this year.

Realistically, uh... I'll get back to you on the running. Which sister are you? Or if you're not a fan (or female), which character in any book do you aspire to be like?

TwIt Happened, OR: Not Dealing with Peer Pressure

2010-02-22T07:05:00.001-05:00

Informational excerpt lifted from Kidshealth.org (with minor edits):

"Come on! ALL of us are joining Twitter. Who wants to go focus on their writing and schoolwork? We're going to chat and network like mofos instead. Let's go!" says the coolest kid in your writing circle. Do you do what you know is right and focus on your ambitions, schoolwork and all? Or do you give in and go with them?

As you grow as a writer, you'll be faced with some challenging decisions. Some don't have a clear right or wrong answer - like should you outline or wing it? Other decisions involve serious moral questions, like whether to voice your support for Stephenie Meyer, submit before your manuscript is ready, or join Twitter.

Making decisions on your own is hard enough, but when other people get involved and try to pressure you one way or another it can be even harder. People who share your dreams, like your writing friends, are called peers. When they try to influence how you act, to get you to do something, it's called peer pressure. It's something everyone has to deal with - even non-writers. Let's talk about how to handle it.

Except I obviously didn't listen or keep reading because I JOINED TWITTER ANYWAY. Thanks, peers. Thanks.

Nah, I love you guys. Blogging has been a massive failure recently thanks to that aforementioned schoolwork, but you might see me flailing around On The Bird. (That sounds like a women's condition... I like it.) Revising's still coming slow, but it's coming. Cheers!

A Beautiful V-Day in South Park

2010-02-14T07:00:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to let you guys know that you are, in fact, my valentines. And if you're bowling alone this V-Day, don't worry. ~~Love is dead~~ I heart you more than any dumb boy or girl could ever heart you! So HAH.

And now, here's my boy Butters to deliver to you a highly fantastic V-Day message.

In other news... work on AC is finally coming along. Just one more draft to go before betatime! Also, it was really fun to see such an outpouring of support for the title After Cameron, but it's with great sadness that I announce its sacrifice, along with the name Cameron for the DLI (Dead Love Interest).

Why? Okay, this is mostly thanks to my nonexistent will, but there are a LOT of Camerons out there in YA these days, dudes. Too many for me. Now the title stands as Autochromatic, unless I - or you! - can think of something even cooler.

Seriously, I'd pay money. Okay, maybe not money, but definitely V-day hugs. XOXO! And don't forget to stand with Haiti!

The Hard, Blazing Look in Her Face [RTW]

2010-02-10T07:05:00.005-05:00

Road Trip Wednesday is a blog carnival hosted by the rad YA Highway! This week's question: What's your favorite display of affection in a YA?

You know that super awkward kiss scene between Harry and Ginny in the film for Half-Blood Prince? Don't get me wrong - I loved that movie as much as the next crazed fangirl, but damn, that scene was weird. "Close your eyes"? No, thanks, I'll keep them open.

And what was with Ginny tying his shoes on the staircase? I see you're having trouble with one of the most basic of human functions. Let me help you in a way that is NOT a total innuendo.

I'm getting off-topic.

The key point here is that neither of those scenes exist ~~in the gospel~~ in the book. What does exist? My fave display of affection of all YA time.

A roar of celebration erupted from the hole behind her. Harry gaped as people began to scream at the sight of him; several hands pulled him into the room.

"We won!" yelled Ron, bounding into sight and brandishing the silver Cup at Harry. "We won! Four hundred and fifty to a hundred and forty! We won!"

Harry looked around; there was Ginny running toward him; she had a hard, blazing look in her face as she threw her arms around him. And without thinking, without planning it, without worrying about the fact that fifty people were watching, Harry kissed her.

After several long moments - or it might have been half an hour - or possibly several sunlit days - they broke apart. The room had gone very quiet. Then several people wolf-whistled and there was an outbreak of nervous giggling.

Oh, the passion. The somewhat cringe-worthy (several sunlit days, really?), but altogether enjoyable, writing. The satisfaction of that "roaring creature" in Harry's "chest." In his "chest." The "creature."

We all know what you mean, Rowling, and we love it. All in all, it's bad, yet so good. What's your favorite moment of affection in YA?

Speaking of Ms. Rowling, if you haven't listened to her Harvard commencement speech yet, you should. I don't mean that in a watch-it-if-you're-bored way - I mean that in a watch-it-NOW way. Thanks to Kristin for the rec - it's incredible. Cheers!