Today is Tracey's Birthday

Tracey is old. Ha ha. I can say that because she is older than ME!! Older sisters will always be older. That is mostly true.

I don't care if she has less wrinkles, which is totally unfair because she's also taller and thinner and was skinny during our whole teenage era while I was like a yoyo on speed when it came to weight--yup ha ha....she's older.

Age has a way of becoming a reverse appeal. Used to be a good thing reaching those milestones first, right? Driver's license. Legal drinking age. Boobs. Ability to gamble in Vegas. But then it changes. 30. 40. and so on and so on.

But oh. I wildly digress. Today is Tracey's birthday.
And she is older than me. Even if she doesn't look it.

Happy Birthday!!

Four Thursday Things That Don't Matter in The Scheme Of Things

1. My puppy is chewing on the smelliest thing in the entire world. Right at my feet. I think it is a dried up bull testicle. Seriously. And it smells. But it keeps her busy. So we are all happy.

2. I am deep in story mode right now. Deep in. The entire day goes by from dropping off son at school to picking him up and I haven't showered or put away the dishes. I probably smell as bad as the dog. But I did shower after school today. I promise.

3. Jay, from Canada's Next Top Model. Yah, I would not want to go for dinner and drinks with him.

4. I am not in New York. Most Young Adult writers are in New York this weekend. But. Me. Nope.

I will be in LA in August though. Yup. Booked tickets and everything!

A Moment To Ponder Date Rape

I wanted to post this portion of a blog interview that I did. It's a pretty deep topic but one that I think is really relevant. This question and answer is taken from author Lauren Bjorkman of My Invented Life coming out in September 2009.


My guest is J.E. MacLeod, the talented author of YA novel WAITING TO SCORE, a book I gulped down in a single bite. It has so much to recommend it, a fast moving plot, gritty and authentic details, and a boy that really thinks.


In Waiting to Score, you address the issue of date rape. What inspired you to take on this topic?

That’s a pretty deep question, but one I will try to answer as honestly as I can. I’m kind of a tell it like it is person in many(not all) ways. Indeed, many of the issues I wrote about in WAITING TO SCORE are close to my heart.

Like the characters in my book, my teen years and into my twenties were filled with drinking parties and for me alcohol abuse. I think pretending teens aren’t involved in these kinds of things doesn’t do anyone any favors. And the girls who get too drunk are at risk.

According to Wikipedia, “As many as 70% of college students admit to having engaged in sexual acts primarily as a result of being under the influence of alcohol, when they wouldn’t have if they had been sober. Although alcohol is not normally considered a date rape drug, it is because it causes loss of inhibition, disorientation, and loss of muscle control. 55% of girls & 75% of boys admit to have been drinking or using drugs when acquaintance rape occurred.”


So does drinking make date rape okay? Of course it doesn’t.

In WAITING TO SCORE, I wanted Zack, my main character, to represent those boys who know that taking advantage of drunken girls is wrong. I want the girls who read the book to feel that it’s wrong. If it happens to them, it’s not their fault. I also hope the boys who read the book feel the same thing. Date rape is wrong. I also know there are many instances where girls do absolutely nothing to provoke date rape. Date rape also happens without drinking or parties and sometimes girls are drugged.

“90% of rape victims, who knew their attacker, do not report the attack to authorities because of fear of guilt/responsibility, self blame, embarrassment, helplessness, denial, and a number of other emotional factors. There is also often confusion of whether or not consent was given, further causing the attack to remain anonymous. A person who has been a victim of rape may become distant, quiet, and may lack motivation. Some become depressed, anxious, or suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), while others may become promiscuous. Some of the victims choose to seek help through counseling.”

I have friends, good friends, who were raped. It’s something that horrifies me to the core of my being.


Thank you for that powerful and honest answer.

Thanks to

Stomach Explosion?

Is it possible for your stomach to explode from eating too much Kernels popcorn?

Stay tuned my friends. Stay tuned...

I'm a little in love

ABOUT SLIDING ON THE EDGE
Shawna Stone is a heartbeat away from making the worst mistake anyone can. She’s close to taking her own life. Kay Stone is a grandmother Shawna has never known, and at sixty-four Kay feels there is little left in her life to look forward to. When they are thrown together they circle each other in a crucible of secrets and distrust until saving a doomed horse unites them and gives each a reason to live.

C. LEE is a fellow Westside Books debut author. I was lucky enough to read the first chapter of her book and it is amazing! I CAN'T wait to read the rest. Now. For the questions....

How did you come up with the idea for your SLIDING ON THE EDGE and how long did it take you to write it?

I probably would never have written Sliding on the Edge if I hadn’t read this: “ For some young people, self-abuse is an extreme coping mechanism that seems to help relive stress; for others it’s a way to make deep emotional wounds more visible.” This newspaper article brought me up short. I remember thinking something's terribly wrong.

Once I started writing, the first draft came in about six months; I either abandoned the book or completed the last draft in about a year.


I love the way you came up with the story! So...writing for teens must bring back alot of memories... tell us about something traumatizing and/or embarrassing that happened to you when you were a teen?

Egads! Now you're asking me to dig into the archives. I guess the most traumatizing event was my family's move from southern California to northern California in my junior year of high school. First,I had to leave all my friends. I even had to tell my junior prom date adios. My high school in the south was very large with lots of fancy facilities and college prep classes. The one in the north was pretty rural. I stuck out as the outsider. At first the boys didn't know if they should talk to me. The girls didn't like me one bit. Everyone knew each other, except. . . guess who? It took some getting used to, but I did.

Yeah. Moving as a teen is HARD. Been there, done that! Back to your book! What would be the worst thing that could happen to Shawna in SLIDING ON THE EDGE.

Hmmm. I have two choices here. She could choose to return to her mother or she could die. I know these choices must sound odd, but guess you have to read the book to understand why either one could be "the worst" thing for my character.

I can't wait to read it and find out!! If someone close to you wanted to write a book, like a child or a loved one, what would you tell them?

Take up coal mining

Awesome! I'll take your word for it!!! Lastly, what do you think Shawna will do for a living when she's "grown up"?

I'm pretty sure Shawna (my main character) will take over her grandmother's ranch. Horses will always be a part of Shawna's life from here on out.

Definitely on my to read list!!! SLIDING ON THE EDGE IS AVAILABLE AT AMAZON AND ONLINE. BETTER YET, ASK FOR IT AT YOUR FAVORITE INDIE BOOK STORE!!!

ABOUT C. LEE MCKENZIE

A native Californian, C. Lee McKenzie has always been a writer, but to eat and make contributions to children's college funds, she’s also been a university lecturer and administrator. Lee’s written and published non-fiction articles, both in her field of Linguistics and Inter-cultural Communication, and in general readership magazines. For five years Lee wrote, edited, and published a newsletter for U.S. university professors who were managing global classroom issues. Since she turned in her academic hat and began writing for young readers, Lee’s fiction and non-fiction works have been frequently published in the award-winning e-zine, Stories for Children, and Crow Toes Quarterly has published her ghostly tales. Sliding on the Edge is her first young adult novel. Writing for teen readers keeps Lee in touch with the young members of her family, and allows her to re-visit those wonderful years in life when everything is possible. When she isn’t writing, Lee’s hiking in the Santa Cruz Mountains in Los Gatos, California.

A few things that don't matter on Wednesday

1. Totally embarrassing fact- I do not know how to text. Hmm. Perhaps I should clarify. I kind of know how to text, but I never do it. My cell phone is usually somewhere where I can't find it. Like right now I think it's in my husband's car. He is at work. With his car. And my cell phone.

2. I don't like to talk on the phone. I can't explain why. I'd rather talk in person. Or by email. Is there a phobia for phones? I should ask Carrie Jones.

3. When my dad says Wednesday he pronounces the ne part. As in 3 syllables. Must be because of his Scottish accented Mom.

4. Speaking of accents....I love them. English, Scottish, Irish are my faves. I went to Scotland and England when I was 30 and single. I probably would have married any man who asked, just so I could listen to him talk. No one asked. Six months later, I met my husband back at home. He doesn't have an accent, but I married him anyways.

5. When I was in Scotland I saw the MacLeod castle. And went to the Isle of Sky, where MacLeod's rule the world. It was cold and windy and they had one way roads, but it was beautiful. I went inside a Peat Moss house and imagined my ancestors living in them. I was kind of glad Jean and John went to Canada.

SHRINKING VIOLET

About SHRINKING VIOLET

For high school senior Teresa Adams, every day is an ordeal. She’s so painfully shy that she lives in dread of having to speak to anyone in the hallways or answer questions in class. But after school, in the privacy of her bedroom with her iPod in hand, she rocks—doing mock broadcasts for Miami’s hottest FM radio station, which happens to be owned by her stepfather. When a slot opens up, Tere surprises herself by working up the nerve to ask her stepfather to give her a chance—and finds herself The SLAM’s newest intern on one of the station’s most popular shows. Behind the mike she’s Sweet T, her sexy, confident on-air persona. To everyone’s shock—especially her mother’s—Sweet T is a hit. Even Gavin, the only guy in school who she dares to talk to, raves about the mysterious DJ’s awesome taste in music, making Tere wonder if it’s possible to be jealous of yourself. But when The SLAM announces a songwriting contest—and a prom date with “Sweet T” is the grand prize--Sweet T’s dream could turn into Tere’s worst nightmare. . . .

Such a great book! I really loved it! So many teens will relate to the shyness that stifles Teresa. So, how did you come up with the fab idea and how long did it take you to write it?

I wanted to write about something I love and I love music! At the same time I was entertaining the idea of writing about a really shy girl and things took off from there! It took me about three months with a break here and there.

Writing for teens must bring back alot of memories... tell us about something traumatizing and/or embarrassing that happened to you when you were a teen?

When I split my pants along the seam when I was pretending to skateboard! That's back when we used to wear pajama pants to school!

I remember that trend, but that was definitely, um...after my time. What would be the worst thing that could happen to Teresa in SHRINKING VIOLET?

She could split her pants while giving an oral presentation!

No doubt about it! So, if someone close to you wanted to write a book, like a child or a loved one, what would you tell them?

Go ahead and enjoy yourself! If you love it, you'll follow through!

What do you think your Teresa will do for a living when she's "grown up"?

Be a number one morning show DJ!


Of course she will! Don't miss this great book!!!

About DANIELLE JOSEPH

Danielle Joseph was a college DJ for five years on the Gyroscope, a world music show. She also interned at several top Boston radio stations while earning her BFA in Creative Writing and an MA in Marketing Communications and Advertising from Emerson College. She has taught Creative Writing and English to Middle school students.

Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Danielle now lives in Miami, Florida with her husband and two young sons. These days you can find her cruising around with the tunes blaring and her internal DJ hard at work.

Click on the Picture to Find Things Out...and Win!

Here Comes Da Judge

I'm excited and honored to be judging an award for the Writer's Guild Of Alberta, called the Isabel Miller Award. I'll be busy over the next couple of weeks, but I'm looking forward to judging the entries from Alberta youth!

The Isabel Miller Young Writers Award For Poetry or Fiction
The award was established in memory of Isabel Miller, a school teacher and writer who was active in Celebration of Women in the Arts, the Stroll of Poets, and the Writers Guild of Alberta.

First Prize: $300 (cash prize or partial scholarship to attend YouthWrite)
Second Prize: $200 (cash prize or partial scholarship to attend YouthWrite)
Third Prize: $100 (cash prize or partial scholarship to attend YouthWrite)
Honourable Mentions: Cool swag from the Edmonton Public Library

Selected entries will also be published in a special chapbook produced by the Edmonton Public Library and the Writers Guild of Alberta.

Eligibility: Writers must be 12-18 years of age

ONE WISH, LEIGH BRESCIA

A big welcome to my fellow Westside Books author, Leigh Brescia. One Wish is a heartfelt book about a girl and her warped relationship with food and mixed up relationship with herself.

About One Wish
Overweight Wrenn Scott desperately wants to be popular and snag a hot boyfriend. Her amazing voice (for once) overshadows her weight when she lands a lead role in the high school musical. Pushing to get thinner by opening night, Wrenn's waistline shrinks as she learns all the wrong ways to lose weight from a new "it-girl" friend in the show. By opening night, the old Wrenn has almost disappeared. After a crisis reveals her weight-loss tricks, Wrenn realizes there are much more important things than being thin, popular, or even dating a hunk.

Now for the questions!!

How did you come up with the idea for ONE WISH book and how long did it take you to write it?

Ya know, that’s a good question. I’m not sure. I started the story by focusing on Wrenn’s desire to be popular, which stemmed from my similar feelings in jr. high and high school. I kind of let the story write itself after that.

It took a few months (3-4) to write the first draft (which I did, longhand, in a 5-subject notebook). I did revisions before I sent it to an agent. I did more revisions based on a critique from one of the potential agents who contacted me. I did more revisions based on the suggestions from the agent I eventually signed with . . . and then I did a boatload of other revisions for my editor. By the time I was through, the only thing that was the same was that the story was about an overweight girl who gets a part in a musical. . . . I added around 30,000 words by the time it was all over. So honestly, it took three years to get from the original ms to what you will read.

Longhand gives me the shivers but obviously, time well spent!! So, writing for teens must bring back alot of memories... tell us about something traumatizing and/or embarrassing that happened to you when you were a teen?

In many ways, I led a very low-key teen life: no wild parties or anything. Besides that, I am pretty good at forgetting, so there’s nothing major that I can remember that traumatized me.

My 7th and 10th grade class photos were pretty embarrassing (I think those were the two). My mom decided to provide me another little brother when I was in the 9th grade (and let me tell you: I *really* thought my life was over). Then there was the time I wore purple underwear with a white dress, and the time when a dude bumped into me in the cafeteria, causing my BBQ chicken and tea to go flying onto my shirt . . . after which my best friend told me it would be cool to wear my shirt inside out and knotted the rest of the day.

I was also famous for falling in “love” with highly unattainable guys, and making myself miserable over them . . . which embarrasses me *right* now . . . at this very moment, because no doubt, back then, they were embarrassed *for* me.

I can relate to the lure of unattainable guys in high school!! What do you think would be the worst thing that could happen to Wrenn in One Wish?

Probably that her original wish comes true (and she becomes popular).

So true! If someone close to you wanted to write a book, like a child or a loved one, what would you tell them?

Good luck! No, really. If they wanted to, I would support them and help them in any way I could: especially if they were working hard to make that dream come true. I don’t really fall for the “Oh, I’d love to write a book” line . . . because *everybody* would like to write a book. I mean, sure. Why not?

But if I could see that they were serious I would support them and tell them everything they wanted or needed to know. Most importantly? I would tell them to be patient and stick with it no matter what.

Yeah. It's certainly not the easiest thing in the world. But we love it, right?! Lastly, what do you think Wrenn will do for a living when she’s "grown up"?

You know, my mom is convinced I need to write a sequel where Wrenn goes to college and becomes a counselor so that she can help teen girls through some of the same issues she experienced. . . . I don’t plan to tackle that ms any time soon, though.

There’s still some time for Wrenn to figure things out, but I could see her doing something related to music: majoring in musical theater and heading to Broadway . . . or maybe even auditioning for American Idol. It may be that when Mr. Pike decides to retire she takes over her high school musical department and helps a whole new generation of students. She can do anything she sets her mind to. :)
Thanks!

No...thank you!!! And I totally see Wrenn doing that!

About Leigh Brescia

Leigh Brescia grew up in North Carolina, spending most of her days playing in the woods behind her home and imagining she was a princess. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Communication from Mount Olive College and her Master’s degree from Fort Hays State University. She currently teaches online English composition courses for three universities, and an online “Writing Novels for Young Adults” course for UC Irvine.

When she’s not grading papers or writing, she enjoys reading and watching movies. She sings when she’s in a good mood and has killed every plant she’s ever owned. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and her three-year-old.

WARNING! Don't miss this book! It's available now at AMAZON or ask for it at your independent book store! Check soon in other bookstores for copies!

Friday Five

1. Score-- this time I'm actually posting Friday Five on Friday. Instead of Saturday. Fail--this minor accomplishment is something I'm actually meriting with number one.

2. There are self cleaning ovens, right. So why not self cleaning houses? Shut all the doors, turn up the temperature and voila....

3. Best channel for story ideas and inspiration- The Discovery Channel. Watched part of a show the other day about superhumans. A man who could control his body temperature. A completely blind man who draws amazing paintings of people. A woman who sees sounds in color and also tastes sound.

4. Mother's Day at my house as it is also son's First Holy Communion. Which means I have to do another mad cleaning session. Which results in wishing for things like #2...

5. I am too lazy to make myself a pot of coffee but will drive all the way to the convenience store to pick one up...where have I gone wrong?
P.S. The picture is random ...one of my nieces. She is beautiful, yes?

BREATHING

What if the guy who took your breath away was the only one who could help you breathe?

Savannah would be happy to spend the summer in her coastal Carolina town lying in a hammock reading her beloved romance novels and working at the library. But then she meets Jackson. Once they lock eyes, she’s convinced he’s the one—her true love, her soul mate, a boy different from all the rest. And at first it looks like Savannah is right. Jackson abides by her mama’s strict rules, and stays by her side during a hospitalization for severe asthma, which Savannah becomes convinced is only improving because Jackson is there. But when he’s called away to help his family—and seems uncertain about returning—Savannah has to learn to breathe on her own, both literally and figuratively.

This debut novel has it all—an endearing, funny, hopelessly romantic main character, lots of down-home Southern charm, and a sunny, salty beach setting that will transport you to the Carolina coast


I LOVED this book. It's so rich with romance and ambiance. Jackson is one of my favorite YA characters ever! How did you come up with the idea for BREATHING book and how long did it take you to write it?

BREATHING began as a character talking in my head. I just let her do her thing and out came a book. I was working on a couple of things at the time and wrote this story over a period of about a year.

Writing for teens must bring back alot of memories... tell us about something traumatizing and/or embarrassing that happened to you when you were a teen?

My 11th grade English teacher yelled at me in front of the whole class to quit daydreaming about my long-distance boyfriend. I'm not sure how she knew about him, other than the 8x10 photos on my notebook.

What would be the worst thing that could happen to Savannah?

Jackson dying.

TOTALLY! If someone close to you wanted to write a book, like a child or a loved one, what would you tell them?

I would be excited for them. I'd tell them to have fun and never give up.

What do you think Savannah will do for a living when she's "grown up"?

I think Savannah will follow her dreams, but you'll have to read the book to find out what those are :)

Cheryl Renée Herbsman lives in Northern California with her husband and two children, but she grew up in North Carolina and often spent summer vacations at the Carolina coast. Like Savannah, she fell in love as a teenager, and like Savannah and Jackson, she and her boyfriend carried on a long-distance relationship. They are now celebrating their twentieth wedding anniversary.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTO OF CHERYL AND HER HUSBAND IN THE BOOK. IT WILL TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY!!!

New YA Books

There are so many good YA books coming out. I am excited to read so many of them. Books by Michelle Zink, Gail Gorman, Aprilynne Pike, Sarah Ockler, Sarah Reese Brennan. The list goes on and on.

I took a trip to the bookstore the other day and picked up Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. I've only just started it, but the thing that jumps out at me is how fearless she is when she's writing...she is so deep in character and writes so completely from her character's POV. No authorial intrusion, you don't feel her when you're reading it's about this girl and how she is feeling and experiencing things. Gritty, real and without apology. No preaching, just...raw. Wow.

I need to immerse myself in realistic fiction for awhile because I've been reading so much YA fantasy. Don't get me wrong I love the fantasy books, but since I write contemporary it's important for me to dive back into the genre and muck about in it too. And what better person to give me that than Laurie Halse Anderson?

Running and Writing

April Henry compared writing to running and man I can't agree more. Meaning that it's painful doing both sometimes but it feels so good when you're done. A big chunk of writing behind you feels like a nice 5km run when it's OVER. Plus, the more you do both, the easier they are to keep doing. The longer you can go. The better you get and the closer to the finish line.

On the other hand, when you avoid them both or take a break from doing either for awhile, it's hard to get back into, and you're never exactly where you were when you left off. Plus. They're both really easy to procrastinate about.

One big difference I found today though, is that when I haven't written for awhile getting back to it doesn't hurt my lungs and make me feel like I want to hurl. Not literally anyways. Running, yes. Of course, writing doesn't burn many calories and I run with an Ipod on and write in silence. Okay. Lots of differences too. But similar. I'll stick with that.

I am not a runner by build or by nature. But I persist. Sort of. I let my street running go for the fall/winter and getting back out on the road is indeed painful.
I'm a 5km girl. And getting beyond that is a total mental challenge for me. It's why I did Spring Triathlons. I'd rather do that than run 10km.

Writing is something I LOVE to do. Running is something I do because I have to. I mean, I wish I loved running. I love the IDEA of running. I love running when it's over. And sometimes when I finish writing something that I love I miss writing it.

Okay. I'll stop now. I'm starting to hurt my brain.

Friday Five on um....Saturday

Since I seem to be behind on most everything these days, Five on Friday is now appearing on Saturday.

1. Setting Word Count goals is a great way for me to get work done. I'm plugging along on WOB. I do know that it will need heavy revision though. But that's the fun part for me, so that' okay.

2. Babysitting nephew. Children are outside jumping on tramp. Laughter, silliness. Life is good. Sun is shining. Spring is in the air.

3. I must run outside today. Swim tomorrow. Just saying. I'm trying to convince myself to do a Sprint Triathlon again this year, but having a hard following through. Maybe I should sign up. That's one way of getting my butt in gear. Hey... May sign up when I'm done this blog.

4. Discovery Channel is the only TV I watch these days, because it's with Superson. Sometimes I watch Ellen when I'm down in the basement working out. Random, I know.

5. I wish my butt looked like Cameron Diaz's.