Blog Tour: L.K. Madigan!!

Okay, my next blog tour guest is L.K. Madigan, whose book Flash Burnout debuted on October 19. I'm very excited to read this story!

Here’s a blurb 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.

Aaaaaand, a little about author L.K. 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.

Visit her online at http://www.lkmadigan.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 have a photo of a little girl we used to know – she’s about five in the photo – and she is beaming. But she has circles under her eyes. Of course, it’s probably a hereditary trait, but every time I looked at her photo, a sentence came into my head: “She had the most heartbroken eyes in the world.”

Right around the same time, I was talking to a friend about a different young adult novel I had written. I had received a few rejections, and was wondering if I should stop submitting it. My friend, a medical examiner, said, “You know, I see a lot of meth cases. Did you ever think of writing a book about the meth problem?”

Suddenly, the sentence that kept pinging around in my head – the one about the heartbroken eyes – blossomed into a story. A teenage boy’s voice began talking about a girl he knew, but it wasn’t his girlfriend. It was a friend. The better he got to know her, the more he learned about her troubled life, including her meth-addicted mother. How much was he willing to risk to help this friend?

I started writing, and FLASH BURNOUT was born.

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?)

I loved going off-campus with my best friend during senior year to Chuck E. Cheese! Maybe it was the flavor of freedom that tasted so good, but I remember that pizza as being DELICIOUS.

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

The thrill of epiphanies when you least expect them.

Thanks for coming to my blog, L.K.--and I'm so happy about the release of your novel!

How I Rocked Robert Palmer

This Halloween at work has been kind of a bittersweet one. We all know this is probably our last one together, since they're closing our work site down sometime next year.

So, our team decided to do a group costume. One coworker had the brilliant idea of us going as the Robert Palmer video Addicted to Love. Remember this classic 80's video, with all the models in dramatic makeup, fake playing instruments and excessively jiggling?

If you don't, click HERE, then come back. I'll wait.

Okay, welcome back! Anyway, we went as that--um, without the jiggling, of course. And for me, without pantyhose too, because I don't own a pair. I hate them so, so much, with the passion of a thousand burning suns. It was a lot of fun, though. We even had the song playing in the background.

So, here's a pic of us (I'm on the far right)--note the fake guitars we're holding, as well as the intense looks on our faces:

We didn't win, but we had a blast! I'm glad we got to do it, because I'm sure I'll remember this for a long time. :D

Are you dressing up this year? What are you going as?

Stupid Cupid release party info!

Well, folks. We've been going along this pre-publication path together for a long time, haven't we? Twenty months so far, to be exact. Can you believe it's been so long for us? Why, I do believe you get more attractive every year! *pinches your cheek*

We're nearing the promised land now...there are only 55 days until STUPID CUPID releases. I'm feeling rather sentimental, thinking about my journey to publication. It's been a long haul, but I'm truly glad I got to experience it all. I've met so many awesome people and have made contacts I never would have dreamed. I've stressed out, I've cried buckets of tears, I've laughed until my sides ached, and I've done the sacred booty dance in my kitchen. And no, I didn't tape that, sorry.

Anyway, I'm getting stuff ready now to prepare for my release. Here's what I've been doing:

First: planning my launch party. Whoop whoop! I have it all finalized--it'll be January 14, 2010 at the Parma-South Library in Parma, OH, at 6:30 PM (check out the library link HERE). And Joseph-Beth bookstores in Cleveland is providing the books for purchase! If you're able to attend, PLEASE let me know. You can leave a comment here or drop me a line. I want to make sure I send you an e-vite!

Second: organizing contests. I have a few fun contest ideas in the works that will be starting in just a week or two. Stay tuned! I'll be giving away copies of Stupid Cupid (once they are available), as well as other fun goodies. What kinds of goodies, you ask me? Well, you'll just have to come back and find out. haha

Third: creating promo items. I ordered new business cards, and also some postcards. I really like them! I put my book cover on one side and the blurb/ISBN/my website on the back. I plan to stand on a street corner and hand them out. haha if only that would work...

Fourth: lining up signings. I'm going to be going around to some different places next year, which should be a blast! So far, I plan on hitting Chicago, NYC, Toronto, Huntington WV, Louisville, and probably will try for Cincy too, if I can. I'll be sure to let you know when I get stuff finalized!

Anyway, just wanted to check in with you and let you know I'm still alive. She's ALIIIIIIVE! *rubbing hands together evilly*

Awesome YA books!

So, I've gotten my hands on some great YA novels recently. Here are two books that are on my mind right now:

I just recently finished SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater...and let me tell you, this book is amazing. I am not a "werewolf" person--never have been interested in them (in fact, they totally freaked me out, to be honest). But after reading SHIVER, I admit I am now a convert. This book was beautifully written...the language is magnificent. Evocative. Poetic. I found myself rereading passages just to soak the words in. And I hardly ever do that. So anyway, if you haven't read this one, you must--get thee to a bookstore immediately and buy this book!

I'm reading HATE LIST by Jennifer Brown right now. She's a fellow 2009 Debut author with me. Wow, this book is intense. It's raw, real, and I feel like I am deep inside the main character's head, feeling things as she does. In case you don't know what this one is about, it's about a girl whose boyfriend takes the "hate list" the two of them created and uses it in a mass shooting at school, right before shooting himself. The girl returns to school and has to face what happened, plus deal with her own turbulent emotions. I am loving this story so far!

Have you read anything amazing lately? Dish it up--I want more book recommendations! :D

Blog Tour: Pam Bachorz!!

Okay, my next blog tour guest is Pam Bachorz, whose book Candor debuted on September 22. This book has gotten amazing buzz, and it sounds fantastic!

Here’s a blurb about Candor:

Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town where his father brainwashes everyone, he’s found a way to secretly fight the subliminal Messages. He’s got them all fooled: Oscar’s the top student and the best-behaved teen in town. Nobody knows he’s made his own Messages to deprogram his brain. But then Nia Silva moves to Candor, and Oscar falls in love. He must choose whether to let Nia be lost to brainwashing—or to sacrifice himself.

Aaaaaand, a little about author Pam Bachorz:

Pam Bachorz grew up in a small town in the Adirondack foothills, where she participated in every possible performance group and assiduously avoided any threat of athletic activity. Pam attended college in Boston and finally decided she was finished after earning four degrees. Her mother is not happy that Pam’s degrees are stored under her bed.

Pam lives just outside Washington, DC with her husband and their son. She likes to read books not aimed at her age group, go to museums and theater performances, and watch far too much television. She even goes jogging. Reluctantly.

As far as she knows, Pam has never been brainwashed. Or maybe that’s just what she’s supposed to say. Visit her online at http://pambachorz.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 was living in a planned community in central Florida, and took the dog for a walk one late night. The mosquito truck drove by and we were coated in the white spray that the town swore was harmless. What if, I wondered, it had Prozac in it? That would explain why everyone in the town was so happy and friendly. From there I developed my idea of a town where everyone pays a premium to be brainwashed (but neglects to clue their kids into the plan).

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?)

I liked hitting the snack machine in the caf. Nutty Buddies all the way. You got two to a pack so you could share with a friend and not feel disgusting for eating them.

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

I get to tell stories and people actually listen to them. For me, writing is performance, and now I am standing on a big old stage--with all eyes on ME!

Thanks for coming to my blog, Pam--and big congrats on your release!

Rhonda's Top Ten Creepy Songs

I like doing lists of things. It makes me feel productive, for some bizarre, type-A reason. It also helps me share my thoughts with you guys--and I know you're a captive audience to my every word. Okay, stop laughing now. Anyway, here's a list for ya:

Rhonda's top 10 most creepy songs, in no particular order:

1. Benny Mardones -- "Into the Night." These so-called classic lyrics start off, "She's just 16 years old / Leave her alone / They say". Um, HELLO, pedophile much? Here's your well-worn copy of Lolita, sir.

2. The Police -- "Don't Stand So Close To Me." Ah, everyone knows the theme to this one, summed up in the following line: This girl is half his age." Come on, kids--it's fun to get into a relationship with your teacher! Just don't stand next to him in school, because he has to pretend he doesn't LIKE you like you. (Bonus: their song "Every Breath You Take" is also totally freaky--gotta love stalkers!)

3. Patti Smith -- "I am the Warrior." There's a line in there that goes, "Your eyes touch me physically." I shudder every time I hear that. I don't know about you, but I don't want anyone's eyeballs touching me physically.

4. Clay Aiken -- "Invisible." Innocent charmer Clay Aiken wishes he was invisible, so he could watch you in your room. Uber-romantic, or total creeper? I think we all know the answer to that one.

5. Jimmy Buffet -- "Escape (The Pina Colada song)" -- Wait, why did I add this one? Let me explain. It sounds like a classic fun song at first, until you really listen to the overall story. This guy is tired of his "old lady", so he answers a newspaper ad by some mysterious woman he's instantly attracted to. They meet, and it turns out to be his current girl. And they LAUGH IT OFF and decide to work it out with each other. Nice. I don't know about you, but both of these people are messed up in the head.

6. Kenny Rogers -- "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town." The guy is a war veteran, crippled, depressed, and his gal goes out cheating on him a LOT. He wants to kill her, but he can't. Cheery! Gotta love those good old country songs.

7. Eric Carmen -- "Hungry Eyes." First off, I don't want anyone with hungry eyes watching ME. And check out some more of these lyrics: "I've got a feelin' that won't subside / I look at you and I fantastize / You're mine tonight." Not if I can outrun you, buddy.

8. Union Gap -- "Young Girl." Another pedophile song. Here's a couple of lines: "Young girl, get out of my mind / My love for you is way out of line / Better run, girl / You're much too young, girl." Dude, when someone advises you to RUN away from them, you should take them up on that offer. Because you may not get another chance. Just sayin'...

9. Captain & Tenille -- "Muskrat Love." A romantic song about muskrats is just over-the-top frightening. They even have names: Muskrat Suzie and Muskrat Sam.

10. George Michael -- "Father Figure." With creeptacular lyrics like these, how could it not make the list? "I will be your father figure / Put your tiny hand in mine / I will be your preacher, teacher, / Anything you have in mind."

So, what songs creep you out, whether they're meant to be disturbing or not? I wanna know!

Debsness contest--today only!

Click on the pic above for your chance to win a bag of treats and goodies from a whole bunch of 2009 debut authors! But you only have TODAY to enter, so go go go!

Would you rather...?

Come visit me at the Fictionistas today HERE, where I ask "would you rather" questions in the hopes that people will jump in and share their answers too. It's more fun than a barrelful of cliches! Yee haw!!

Last week sucked *sigh*

Between job drama, kid drama, home drama, writing drama--you name it, it "drama'd" my life last week--I had a craptacular time of it. But today is new day, and I'm ready to shed the ick and leave it behind me.

Not much else going on here. I gave myself a much-needed break over the weekend. I read RAMPANT by Diana Peterfreund (have you guys checked this one out? Killer unicorns = one crazy ride), watched movies/TV, played games on my PC, chilled with the fam, planned my future as best as I could, and tried to reeeeelaaaaax. Basically, I was super-lazy and totally unapologetic about it. haha.

I think I'm ready to jump back in the saddle today, though. I found that my brain kept going back to my story in progress, telling me suggestions on twists I can do or ideas to throw in there.

That's one of the cool things about being a writer--even when I'm not technically writing, I'm "writing." My brain knows I take this job seriously, so it prods me into working and developing the parts of my story that need to be fine-tuned. I dig that.

I've also been working on promo/publicity ideas for Stupid Cupid's release in December (22, for those of you wanting to know the date). My debut comes out in a mere 69 days, 11 hours, and change. Not that I'm tracking it or anything. haha PSYCHO!

ANYWAY, I'm planning some really fun contests. MWAHAHAHA. You guys will have to stay tuned to see all of my crazy schemes. :D I'm also getting signings lined up. 2010 is going to be a SUPER-awesome year!!

Suspension For a Butterknife in School??

I had a very interesting talk with my 5th grade son's principal today. Apparently, my son brought a butterknife to school--which is considered a weapon.

And the circumstances of him bringing this "weapon?"

It was packed in his lunch so he could peel his orange.

An adult aide in the cafeteria saw him with it and told him it wasn't allowed. The issue was escalated to the principal, who called me at work.

To be fair, the principal sounded apologetic. He quickly said that my son wasn't in trouble and all was okay, but that weapons of any kind (even plastic butterknives) aren't allowed at all. Because of these circumstances (him bringing it for lunch), he was not going to be suspended--this time. But if it happens again, he would be.

I was then told that if I wanted to get my butterknife back, I'd have to come and pick it up, because in good conscience, he could not let my son take it home to me. And that if my son needed help with such kinds of food-related tasks in the future, there would be someone in the cafeteria who could assist him with that.

You know, I'm not mad at my son--not at all. I'd told him to pack an orange in his lunch (he makes his own). And he has a hard time getting peels off. Obviously, he was thinking logically--if he couldn't peel the orange with his fingernails, he could use a butterknife to do so. He had absolutely no malicious intent in using the butterknife, nor did he realize he would get in trouble for it. And I'm sure this scared the pants off him, so I doubt we'll run into this situation again.

I know in all fairness, I shouldn't be mad at the principal either. After all, his job is to ensure our children's safety, right? In order to keep a tight rein on problems before they start, he has to have ZERO tolerance. And I completely respect that.

So, I guess I'm furious that my 5th-grade son, an ELEMENTARY-SCHOOL KID, cannot bring a freaking BUTTERKNIFE to school with 100% innocent intent without having it confiscated and getting a serious warning and a call to his mom. What kind of world do we live in? How can we teach children responsibility with things if we punish them for bringing butterknives in their lunch?

Hey, pencils can stab people (in fact, I got stabbed in the arm with one in 2nd grade)--why not take those away too? And protractors? And pens? And you know, people can get papercuts from paper...are we sure we should allow that in school too?

Are we right to be so freaking paranoid in our society, to unfairly assume that a child with a butterknife is a danger waiting to happen? Or are we setting our children up to fail, because we offer them NO chance to prove responsibility in these aspects?

Maybe I'm being a little hot-headed about this issue. But that's because I KNOW MY SON. He's a good kid. He's scared of bugs. He likes to use a nightlight. He loves cuddling up beside me on the couch while I play my PSP or DS. He reads fast and devours action stories. He's smart as a whip and has a super-funny sense of humor.

My child is NOT a danger to school.

But because he brought a butterknife to peel an orange for lunch, he's been unfairly lumped in with those kids who are.

Blog Tour: Lauren Bjorkman!!

Okay, my next blog tour guest is Lauren Bjorkman, whose book My Invented Life debuted on September 29. I've heard really good things about this book and can't wait to get a copy!

Here’s a blurb about My Invented Life:

Roz and Eva are sisters, close friends, and fierce rivals. Roz fantasizes about snagging the lead in the school play and sexy skate god Bryan as her boyfriend. Sadly a few obstacles stand between her and her dreams. For one, Eva is the more talented actress. And Bryan happens to be Eva’s boyfriend. But is Eva having a secret love affair with a girl? Enquiring minds need to know.

Roz prides herself on random acts of insanity. In one such act, she invents a girlfriend of her own to encourage Eva to open up. The plan backfires, and Roz finds herself neck deep in her invented life. When Roz meets a mercurial boy with a big problem, she begins to understand the complex feelings beneath the labels. And she gets a second chance to earn Eva’s trust.

My Invented Life is set in a small California high school during rehearsals for a Shakespeare comedy.

Aaaaaand, a little about author Lauren Bjorkman:

Lauren Bjorkman grew up on a sailboat, sharing the forecastle with her sister and the sail bags. Against all odds, they are still friends. She enjoys making things up, chocolate in large quantities, and anything that makes her laugh. She lives in Taos, New Mexico with her husband, two sons, and a cat that plays fetch. Visit her online at http://laurenbjorkman.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.

Events around my high school reunion. That's when I discovered the secret lives and dramas of my LGBT classmates. And I mean drama. Well, intense and beautiful experiences, too.

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?)

Ha! My dad learned to cook from Diet for a Small Planet. For the unfamiliar, lentils, tamari, sprouts, and brown rice featured prominently. Fast food was strictly forbidden. So when I started earning my own money, I bought french fries every single day. They were only a dollar, and oh so salty and delectable.

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

The writing! I love being holed up creating and revising my story. With snacks to sustain me, of course. Some of my friends find this strange. Maybe I was a mole in a past life.

Thanks for coming to my blog, Lauren--I hope your book flies off the shelves!