Brainstorming

Brainstorming a new book idea is a scary thing sometimes. I'm supposed to make a new book concept appear out of nothing. How do I do this? LOL. Sometimes, an idea pops up out of nowhere, literally--something will strike me in an odd way and I start playing the "what if" game...what if this happened, or that happened?

Sometimes though, I have to force Inspirado to visit me. I try to think of elements I like in stories and see if that jars anything (e.g., fish out of water). I dig through old ideas and see how to revamp them into something useful.

Right now, I'm spending time doing a weird mix of both. I want to find just the right ideas to give to my editor and agent, ones that they'll think are super cool. It's a fine balance, trying to take the advice of the people you work with, but still please yourself--not that my agent or editor are difficult or anything. They actually rock super hard and have been crucial in my career and writing growth. And I love having them filter my ideas because it's important for me to know what they, as industry pros, consider to be salable, unique, interesting concepts.

Therefore, I'm trying to take my time and come up with some good ones.

So, are you a brainstormer? Do ideas spring into your head fully formed? How do you get ideas--for poems, stories, novels, paper topics, anything? I'm always eager to learn new methods. LOL

Blog Tour: C. Lee McKenzie!!

Okay, my next blog tour guest is C. Lee McKenzie, whose book Sliding on the Edge debuted on April 24! This story looks great, and I can't wait to pick up a copy.

Here’s a blurb 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.

Aaaaaand, a little about author 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. Check her out on the web at http://www.cleemckenziebooks.com.

You can visit your local bookstore, or go to Amazon HERE to buy a copy of her book online!

And now, onto the vastly important 3 interview questions:

1--What was the spark of inspiration for this story? Tell us what event, or idea, or dream got this book started.

I read a news article about self abuse that stopped me cold. My first thought was, "Something's wrong." That's how my book starts.

2--What food did you looooove getting from the cafeteria at lunch in high school, and why? (or if you didn't eat cafeteria food, what was your favorite brown-bag lunch?)

It was always tuna fish sandwiches. I think I ate the weight of planet earth in tuna, and if these guys are over-fished today I take total responsibility.

3--What is your absolute favorite part of being a writer?

When the scenes pop, I'm in heaven. It's like I can't strike the keys fast enough because the characters are talking and moving and the dialog is building and the tension is perfect and I can't wait to read what I've written.

Thanks for coming to my blog, C. Lee--I'm thrilled for you!!

I have Stupid Cupid ARCs!!!

I was tickled pink to come home today and find a padded envelope waiting for me in front of my door!! It contained two ARCs of my novel, Stupid Cupid. Unfortunately, they aren't able to send me more, since the rest of the ARCs are going to sales, marketing, reviewers, etc. (but that's okay, 'cause I want this bad boy to SELL SELL SELL!)--but hopefully, the pictures will tide everyone over for a while. See, it's really real! :D

So, of course, I took the opportunity to snap a few shots to share with you guys.

Here are the books, fresh out of the package. My son told me I had to put chocolate around them. haha

I had my kids pick up the novel, flip to a random page, and pretend to be riveted by what they were reading. Ooooh look--mom's a literary genius! And super humorous, to boot:

And here's a shot of the first page--I love the linework heart around the chapters:

Thanks for sharing in my excitement! I'm so thrilled...I nearly kissed them, but I figured it probably wasn't a good idea to first-base my own novel. Oh well. haha

Blog Tour: Sydney Salter!!

Okay, my next blog tour guest is Sydney Salter, whose book My Big Nose & Other Natural Disasters debuted on April 1! I was fortunate enough to read the ARC recently, and laughed my hiney off. I looooved this story!

Here’s a blurb about My Big Nose & Other Natural Disasters:

Seventeen-year-old Jory Michaels wakes up on the first day of summer vacation with her same old big nose, no passion in her life (in the creative sense of the word), and all signs still pointing to her dying a virgin. In spite of her driving record (it was an accident!), Jory gets a job delivering flowers and cakes to Reno's casinos and wedding chapels. She also comes up with a new summer goal: saving for a life-altering nose job. She and her new nose will attract a fabulous boyfriend. Jory survives various summer disasters like doing yoga after sampling Mom's Cabbage Soup Diet, enforced-mother-bonding-with-crazy-nose-obsessed-daughter night, and discovering Tyler's big secret. But will she learn to accept herself and maybe even find her passion, in the creative (AND romantic!) sense of the word?

Aaaaaand, a little about author Sydney Salter:

Sydney Salter held a variety of jobs before becoming a full-time writer, including her brief stint delivering pies and flowers, wrecking vans, and destroying wedding cakes in Reno, Nevada. Sydney now lives in Utah with her husband, two daughters, two cats, and two big Bernese Mountain dogs. She loves reading, writing, traveling, and, of course, baking and decorating cakes (but not driving them anywhere). Check her out on the web at http://www.sydneysalter.com.

You can visit your local bookstore, or go to Amazon HERE to buy a copy of her book online!

And now, onto the vastly important 3 interview questions:

1--What was the spark of inspiration for this story? Tell us what event, or idea, or dream got this book started.

Something good had to result from the day I wrecked a delivery van and some poor bride's wedding cake. That was my initial thought. Then I thought about my nose (I've always disliked it). What if I let my character learn the things about herself that it's taken me quite a bit longer to figure out?

2--What food did you looooove getting from the cafeteria at lunch in high school, and why? (or if you didn't eat cafeteria food, what was your favorite brown-bag lunch?)

With an open campus, you just didn't want to be seen in the Reno High cafeteria. Freshman walked to Godfather's Pizza, Safeway or 7-11. Those who had connections (or a drivers license) drove to nearby fast food places. I'm still not sure how my body survived eating so many French fries and water lunches. Or the year I subsisted mainly on frozen yoghurt.

3--What is your absolute favorite part of being a writer?

I love the act of writing like I love breathing. It's something I've just got to do. You don't want to be around me when I'm not writing. Just ask my family.

Thanks for coming to my blog, Sydney--and HUGE congrats on the release!!

Author school visits = made of win!

I just got back from a visit to a local middle school--I talked to a class of 6th graders about being a writer, the writing process, the publishing process, etc. It was so, so fun!

I'd whipped up a powerpoint presentation for the occasion (which awesomely enough, can be reused/fiddled with for other school visits in the future)...and I even brought chocolate, which I think was the biggest hit of all. haha

During my presentation, I showed a copy of my manuscript, pointing out the revision notes on it--they couldn't believe how much my lovely editor had written on it. LOL. I let them know that even adults had their papers bled on sometimes, but it makes you a better writer.

I also brought in my first-pass pages and read a wee bit from them. I showed how the first pass pages look different than the manuscript and all the cool formatting stuff they do to it at that stage.

I brought in an ARC (not mine) for the students to see how they're slightly different than published books, and how some of them will include a marketing plan on the back to let booksellers know what the publisher is planning.

AND, I showed what the Simon and Schuster catalog looks like and how booksellers/librarians can order from it (of course, I showed them page 23, where my book is, LOL).

All in all, a lot of fun! I think the concrete visuals, combined with the powerpoint, really helped make it a bit more tangible and interesting, instead of me just sitting up front and lecturing. We also did a Q & A session, and they asked some really great questions.

I kept it interactive by stopping and asking them questions along the way--e.g., what their favorite books are, how they brainstorm new story ideas, what careers they find interesting, etc.

If you're an author, definitely contact your local middle schools and do some talks with their English classes. It was a blast, and I can't wait to do it again!

Hopelessly Romantic

The last couple of Wednesday evenings, when the kids are with my parents and the manpanion is at school, I've been coming home and eating my dinner while watching The Thorn Birds. Have you seen this miniseries? It came out in 1983, and stars Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward. I bust it out once a year or so when I'm in the mood for a resonant romance.

Father Ralph is a priest with high ambitions that drive him up, up, up through the church heirarchy...even as he battles within himself over his forbidden love for Meggie Cleary, the woman who desperately loves him back. The miniseries chronicles their story through the decades.

Last night, I watched the part where Father Ralph and Meggie finally make love. After years and years of keeping himself away from her, of torturing himself with deep longing and hunger for her, he goes to her and finally claims what he's wanted for so long.

*sigh* I'm getting all swoony just typing this. LOL. Anyway, the manpanion called during a pinnacle scene in that episode, and I was crying (even though I've seen The Thorn Birds several times by now)--poor guy, he thought there was something wrong. I told him I was just watching The Thorn Birds and having a good, cathartic bawl.

Every time I watch The Thorn Birds, it lingers with me for days. This happens to me when I listen to romantic music too, and when I read a really, REALLY good romantic book.

What is it about romance that beckons me like this? What is it about that kind of love that pulls me? I think I'm drawn to the craving, if that makes sense. Watching two people who desperately want each other is magnetic. Compelling. Amazing!!

I've been a hopeless romantic since the 2nd grade, when I developed my first crush on a dreamy boy in my class. And through the years, through school and college and "real life", I've had the highest highs and lowest lows when it comes to love. I think those situations, those experiences have enriched me as a person. I'm stronger, I'm more self-secure, but I also love deeper now.

When I write, I always have romance in my stories. For me, it's one of the greatest, most painful journeys a person can undertake--risking the heart to fall in love. Risking pain and suffering for the hope of finding and keeping love. Writing about that experience allows me to feel those sensations again. And that's why I love reading romances, too--I want to feel that rush, that embarrassment, that fear, that hurt, that awakening to self-awareness, and then that ultimate satisfaction of two people finally able to love each other completely, wholly.

I used to be embarrassed about how I feel about romance. That it was too "girly" or silly or fluffy or something. But why should I be? Love is one of the most important elements of life for both men and women...what's embarrassing about that? Yes, we all have our times where we think we'd be better off without love. That love is a weakness.

I've realized, though, that loving someone isn't a weakness, but a strength. It's a courageous act, one that deserves respect and honor. And I try to honor it the best way I can. I proudly tell people I write romance in my stories.

What about you? Do you enjoy romance? Are you ever a hopeless romantic? Are there any things that you return to time and again to evoke those feelings--music, books, DVDs?

Reading is FUNdamental

I hate to admit it, but I've done a LOT more reading in the last 3 months than I think I did probably all of 2008. LOL. Or, at least, for half of it. I think there are several reasons for that:

1--Lots of my writing friends (especially at http://www.feastofawesome.com/) are debuting in 2009, and I'm trying to pick up their books as they are released (or as I get my hands on their ARCs).

2--Last year was CRAZY busy with writing books 1 and 2 and then revising book 1, plus moving to a new house, teaching, etc. But I'm settled in at home now and not teaching. And writing-wise, things have slowed down a wee bit this year so far.

3--I am picking up more of my must-read authors' books as I find them (Sarah Dessen, Laurie Halse Anderson, Elizabeth Scott, etc) and making time to read them.

4--Reading a book is cheaper than going to a movie or whatever (and 99% of the time, more entertaining too, LOL). And many times, I'd rather read than watch TV.

So, what about you? Are you reading more or less than you were last year around this time, and why?

Blog Tour: Neesha Meminger!!

Okay, my next blog tour guest is Neesha Meminger, whose book Shine, Coconut Moon debuted on March 10!! This looks like a deep, moving story--I can't wait to read it.

Here’s a blurb about Shine, Coconut Moon:

Samar–-a.k.a. Sam–-is an Indian-American teenager whose mom has kept her away from her old-fashioned family. It's never bothered Sam, who is busy with school, friends, and a demanding boyfriend. But things change after 9/11. A guy in a turban shows up at Sam's house–and turns out to be her uncle. He wants to reconcile the family and teach Sam about her Sikh heritage. Sam is eager, but when boys attack her uncle, chanting "Go back home, Osama!" Sam realizes she could be in danger–and also discovers how dangerous ignorance is.

Aaaaaand, a little about author Neesha Meminger:

Neesha Meminger was born in India, grew up in Canada, and currently lives in New York City with her family. All of her writing explores the inner landscape of her characters, and how it merges or conflicts with the outer. She writes stories of women and girls defining themselves and shaping their own destinies within the confines of their day to day realities. Check her out on the web at http://www.NeeshaMeminger.com.

You can visit your local bookstore, or go to Amazon HERE to buy a copy of her book online!

And now, onto the vastly important 3 interview questions:

1--What was the spark of inspiration for this story? Tell us what event, or idea, or dream got this book started.

I wanted to write a story about the relationship between mothers and daughters, specifically when immigration played a role in the development of identity. I started with three generations of Indian women and explored the rifts between generations first, then went further into the cultural and identity divides with migration to a whole new culture and land and language.

2--What food did you looooove getting from the cafeteria at lunch in high school, and why? (or if you didn't eat cafeteria food, what was your favorite brown-bag lunch?)

French fries! They were greasy and salty and crispy and CHEAP.

3--What is your absolute favorite part of being a writer?

Getting to roam through my imagination in my sweats with a cup of steaming latte or chai tea.

Thanks for coming to my blog, Neesha--and YAYYYY on the book!!!

It's Finally Friiiiiiday...

YAY! I'm so glad Friday is here. This week has dragged. Blech. However, my editor sent me the first chunk of revisions for Flirting With Disaster (book 2 of my trilogy), and lookin' good so far! I'm thrilled with her feedback, and I'll be working on it this weekend. I'm also reading Sarah Dessen's The Truth About Forever--I'm a few chapters into it and loving it so far, of course.

Other than that, nothing going on here. I'm rather dull right now, haha. Snowed under with work--we're in the busy season at my job. FUN!

My kids, parents, sister, and sister's guy friend are all in DC this week, exploring our nation's capitol. Well, they've explored the pool a lot, given the pics they sent via phone. haha. Not a big surprise--my kids are water babies. They're there for the cherry blossoms, and today, they're going to the Smithsonian and the Spy Museum. How fun of a day will that be?? I haven't been to DC in ages...would love to have gone, but work beckons. Stupid grown-up responsibilities. haha

Speaking of, back to the grindstone for moi...hope you guys have a fabulous weekend!!