My Fellow Canadians -BSP- (Blatant Self Promotion)

Christmas is creeping up. And what better way for my fellow Canadian hockey lovers to celebrate than by going into their local Chapters store and ordering their very own copy of Waiting To Score by...ummm me. When you order in store you don't have to pay for shipping and the book will be ready to pick up at your local stores in days!

Waiting to Score is a book for teen boys and teen girls but it also appeals to older audiences. About more than sports, it's a little romantic and a lot of emotion, and of course, complete with hockey action. It's about finding out who you are and struggling with how to be that person. Something I STILL struggle with some days, way past my teen years.

Friday Five

1. Blizzard. Enough said. Reminds me why I hate winter. And winter driving.

2. I am sitting in Second Cup enjoying a cup of peppermint tea while Superson is off playing Laser Tag at a birthday party. Woo hooo. Will get some writing done while he plays pretend guns in a dark, black lit room. And I don't have to play.

3. Time is becoming more of a precious commodity. Time to step away from the computer and be present for Superson. Time to clean the house. Time to write. Time.

4. In the "cutting back" times went to a total "swishy" Christmas party with my hub last night put on by some of his clients. We're talking first class all the way. The best lamb I have ever eaten in my life. It was interesting to see how many layers of chefs there were in the kitchen and serving the food. They served fancy hors d'oeurves as well. The best...they called fish and chip. A baked piece of fish on top of a thinly sliced and cooked potato. So. Good.

5. Went to Chapters and admired all the books by people I "know", mostly in an online writing community way. Some I have met in person though, like the recently nominated William Morris Award books by Malinda Lo and L. K. Madigan. Both who are wonderful people as well as wonderful writers and richly deserve the accolades. Life is cool.

Monday Meanderings

Monday Monday. La la. La la la la. Meeko shows her thoughts on Monday..

So, in time for Monday the snow it came. Boo. I think November was the mildest in memory. Loved loved loved it. Since I've grown up with snow and LOTS of it, I don't miss it at all when it's not around...would help if I could ski or snowboard, but well. I have klutz issues.

I discovered Glee thanks to iTunes. Watched the pilot and the first couple of shows and now I'm hooked.

Saw New Moon and liked it better than I thought I would. I also really liked Jacob in the movie better- much than Jacob in the book. Shark Boy did good.

Working in the toy industry is busy. But not as busy as working in the liquor industry. However. People at liquor stores seem happier than people in toy sections looking for presents. Hmm. Take a moment to ponder that one. The liquor industry in December is the polar opposite of the publishing industry. Hmm. Another moment to ponder.

I need a good book to read. I've been taking a reading/writing break again, mostly because of being busy with work and trying to catch up on my house work. Making slow progress on the novel, but slow is the key word. Hope to get time to write over the holidays. Work shouldn't be as crazy either. What with the toy primo buying season being right now.

That's the meandering for now. Hope all is well with you.

Flash Burnout

I had the pleasure of reading FLASH BURNOUT and loved it! An intriguing premise with great characters. Go out an get a copy already!!

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

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

In a tangle of life, death, and love, Blake will emerge with a more sharply defined snapshot of loyalty.


How did you come up with the fab idea for FLASH BURNOUT and how long did it take you to write it?

The character of Blake was hanging around in my head, waiting for me to come up with a story for him. The book took about 9 – 10 months to write, like growing a human.

Characters that hang out in our heads. Get it. So. Writing for teens must bring back a lot of memories... tell us about something traumatizing and/or embarrassing that happened to you when you were a teen?

I’ve gotta say, just thinking about some of the traumatizing times from my teen years is making me anxious!

Here’s one: I failed Algebra II.

I was a really good student … in everything except math. I remember that semester my report card had five A’s and an F.

And look. Now you're a writer, with no need for Algebra. So....what would be the worst thing that could happen to Blake in FLASH BURNOUT?

Being forced to hang out with his girlfriend’s parents for a whole evening.

What do you think Blake will do for a living when he's "grown up"?

Blake will end up doing something that brings comfort or enjoyment to people.

Yes. Love Blake.

ABOUT LK MADIGAN

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

Hi. I am married with one son, two big black dogs, hundreds of books, and a couple of beaters, I mean vintage cars.

Five on a Friday

This could be a brain stretch this morning. Ever have one of those mornings where you wake up so tired you feel like you could sleep the day away? Yeah? Today is like that. But must hop off to work in a while....so let's see what I can yank out of the cobwebs in the back of my head.

1. New Moon Craziness. I know I'll go and see it eventually. I love movies so much. I did find Twilight really funny in a not supposed to be funny way and I read one review online that said New Moon is similar.

It is nice to see Kristin Stewart more confident in her media frenzy promotional mode. What a crazy place to be for Rob P and her. Crazy.

2. I really want to see Blind Side with Sandra Bullock. How much do I love her? Lots. She is such a great actor and so funny and so fun to watch. She's a girl's girl. Well. Without being overly girly.

3. I went on an extreme reading binge recently and read some great YA books including Hate List, Audrey Wait and Jumping off Swings. I have digested and am ready for a new binge. Want to read Sara Zarr's new book and more DEBS books. (Interviews to come- late of course)

4. I have decided on my New Year's Resolution early. I am horrible, just horrible at acknowledging friends and families birthdays. I don't know why. I always remember them and think about the person whose birthday it is but neglect to call, send a card on time or do something about it. It's stupid and makes me feel bad and it's time to change that. How hard is it to call or send a card on time, right?? Right.

5. Water. That is the theme of my week. Up my intake. It is a small step. But it is a step....off to working the day job.

4.

Two(ish) Things on Tuesday

Christmas is getting closer. Now that I'm working as a Rep for a Toy Company I can see people are starting to shop. I'm busy putting out Bacugan and Tech Deck and trying to make sure stores bring in lots of product for their shelves and don't have out of stocks for Christmas. Fun and busy.

On the writing front I had a good time at the Children's Writing Festival in Calgary. I met a few really cool writers so it was a good day for me. I gave a talk on working with an agent and it was great except for the one guy who kept closing his eyes. I'm going with the I was inspiring him so much he had to close his eyes to contemplate my brilliance rather than I was boring him with my babbling...
I got the gift of a story idea from a man I spoke with at the festival and started a new story when I got home. Since it's Tuesday, which is often Teaser Tuesday in writer's land....here's a teaser.

THE URN

Chapter One- June 2011

Three weeks until the holiday we’d been planning for years. Three major cities in Europe. The three mouseketeers.

We’d considered every detail. We’d figured out how much money we needed and worked hard to raise it. Babysitting, waitressing and teaching little kids to swim.

We just hadn’t accounted for the one thing that could stop the trip from happening.

Win With The Debs!!

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