Janet Gurtler- YA Addict

Can you spot the differences? Maybe you'll win!

2012-03-08T13:08:00.003-07:00

Remember that fun game from when you wer a kid, "Spot the Differences?"

Well, the cover for Who I Kissed is undergoing some fun tweaks!

I RESERVED an ARC of WHO I KISSED (they're not done yet) for the first people who tweeted me three differences on this version vs formers.

*** OKAY. I GOT MY TWEETS. I AM GIVING OUT THREE ARCS OF WHO I KISSED!!!!

Hint. You can find older covers on this blog.

Sister Questions....

2012-03-08T11:29:00.001-07:00

Oh hello my neglected blog. Can I get you something? A drink? A snack? You've been left all alone out in cyber space with no one to keep you company.

I suck as a blogger. That much is clear. But I have been out and about in the social media world. I spend way too much time on twitter and facebook. True true true.

So things are moving along with WHO I KISSED. I love my publisher Sourcebooks so much and they keep playing with the cover, trying to get it just right. I am gushing over the newest tweaks. Gushing I tell you. I am a fan of white tank tops. I would wear them everyday. Well. With a sweater or blazer now that I'm kind of past the days of having awesome arms. But still. LOVE THEM. (you can sing the capitalized words in your head or out loud if you'd like)

Another thing. I am looking for a girls to tell me what they LOVE best about having a sister. What they HATE about having a sister. Or. If they don't, why they WISH they had a sister. Call it book research. Because that's what is is.

Anyone want to give a few answers? There is no wrong answer. Just would like to hear from others.

Thanks and hope March is treating everyone well. I am waiting for winter to end. Bring on SPRING. My favorite season.

Tweaks

2012-02-08T09:44:00.001-07:00

Tweak is a cool word. Tweak. Tweak. Tweak.

Anyhow. I digress. Take a look at the slightly Tweaked Cover for WHO I KISSED.
Can you see the differences?
Do you like?

WHO I KISSED COVER!

2012-02-02T09:14:00.001-07:00

It's not the greatest resolution but you get the gist of it, yes??? Do you love? I love!

YUMMY NEW COVER

Workshop This Monday for Calgary Writers!!

2012-01-19T11:30:00.002-07:00

January 23 2012

Special Topic: Ready Set Write!

Presenter: Janet Gurtler

Join Janet Gurtler, author of "If I Tell" and "I'm Not Her" (Sourcebooks, 2011), to learn some useful and practical writing techniques using Donald Maass' workbook, "Writing the Breakout Novel." Bring along your novel or work-in-progress and get ready to get to work. Suitable for all Genres of Writing!

Cost: Free for SCBWI members and $5 for non-members

Time: 7:00 - 8:30 pm Doors open at 6:30 pm

Location: Southcentre Mall, Calgary -- Community Meeting Room, Lower Level

Contact: Pamela McDowell, pmcdowell@shaw.ca

Where the heck is Janet?

2012-01-13T10:08:00.001-07:00

Disclaimer- This is not really me. Or. Is it??

I'm thinking of me dressed in red and white stripes like Waldo. I'm hiding somewhere. Blending in. It could be a hot yoga class. It's probably in my living room with a laptop on my lap.

You've probably noticed by now that my blogging skills lately. Well. They kind of suck. I want to blog. I like the idea of blogging. But really sometimes I get too ~~lazy~~ busy. I have been busy writing a new book and doing some awesome Write For Hire Books. I have some workshops coming up and frankly, some days I struggle with things to say to the blog world in general. I'm not so much a teacher in my blogs. I have opinions, but I usually keep them to myself. So that really leaves babbling. And really. Do I need to babble at you? I don't think so either.

I'm definitely not going away. I'm on Twitter alot.

Find me on Twitter

I also still love me some Facebook.

Look! Here I am on Facebook!

You can also email me with burning questions, like what do I love to eat for breakfast more than anything? Or even better questions of your own. My email is listed on my Contact page on my Website.

So I'm still here. I'm just not here. If you get my meaning. Big wink.

Stay in touch baby.

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-22T14:26:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone who has popped by my wee bloggie, and everyone who has supported my books in 2011!

Hope you holidays are full of great joy and create wonderful memories!

See you in the NEW YEAR!!

Hello? Is it me you're looking for?

2011-12-16T09:34:00.000-07:00

Oh hello badly neglected Blog. You are still here? Waiting for me to return? How sweet and loyal. Thank you.

Well. I did it! I finished Who I Kissed and turned it into my editor exactly less than 24 hours ago. (I was going to give an exact time but seriously, I'm tired. My brain is fried. Estimations will suffice)

I know it's not done. As in done done. Lovely Leah, super editor, will read and contemplate and send me back revisions, and that's okay. I actually really like the revision process of a novel. Not that I haven't already done lots of work and re-work. Who I Kissed was an edit as I go project. A weaving journey.

Right now. Today. I'm pleased with it. Of course my brain is still really really full of it, as in I worked on it pretty hard and in pretty high gear to get it written to a fairly short deadline. Again. That's okay. I'm a pretty fast writer. But I haven't really had a chance to step back from it and then look at it with fresh eyes. That will come in January.

But it has some good bits I think. Hope. Pray. Of course there are sad points. The synopsis kind of acts as a spoiler for that. Girl has a peanut butter sandwich, kisses boy and kills him not realizing he is deathly allergic to peanuts. But there's lighter things. And cute boys.

It's a journey of self discovery. Angels even have a role. And a funny little dog named Fredrick who looks kind of (okay exactly) like this:

But now as I emerge from my writer cave, I see that Christmas is almost here. Funny how it does that the same time every year, yet it always seems to sneak in unexpectedly. My house is a true disaster zone. My boy is having a sleepover party tomorrow, and there's domestic work to be done. After this weekend I am planning to collapse for a while. And then we'll be off to visit family and then back and ready for a brand new year.

2011 has been a full one. That's for sure. But that's another talk for another day.

Happy Christmas Shopping. See you on the flip side!

Warning. More Writer Deadline Confessions.

2011-11-21T20:58:00.001-07:00

When writing a new book, once in a magical while (usually at the beginning when brains are enamoured with new shiny stories) it sometimes seems like it's the best thing ever written by anyone ever. There may be laughing out loud while writing, there may be tears as characters suffer. These moments are usually replaced by fear that this is the most horrible drivel ever conceived and that the editor will rip up the contract and block email when she receives her first copy of the manuscript. There may have to be intervention from other writers.

Thinking about people especially professional reviewers reading your work at this stage can only cause major carbohydrate binging. It is best avoided.

Even when it doesn't look an author on deadline is working. She is. She's watching and thinking and contemplating the way real life scenarios or conversation bits might be useful in books. She`s thinking about what her characters are doing and why. She`s wondering how she can make that person more alive. All this is secretly done while driving, eating, talking, watching our children play sports and even sleeping.

An author on deadline secretly wishes that everyone could just stop needing her for a couple weeks. Going away to a secluded room with wifi and coffee and snacks seems like the best idea. Ever. And a personal maid would be awesome too. The author still loves her family and her dog, she just wishes they could function without her for a couple weeks.

Coffee and pop become food staples. Exercise seems much less important in the whole scheme of things.

Daily chores are really aggravating. And often aren`t done. Laundry starts to breed and multiply.

Google becomes a writer`s best friend. Real friends are only communicated with on Twitter, Facebook or in a real emergency, by email.

Worry. There is lots of worry. And hope. Lots of that too.

Happy writing!!

Confessions and a Deadline

2011-11-14T14:41:00.002-07:00

I'm not Catholic but I live in a house with them and therefore this feels like a good time for a confession.

Hello Blog. I have not visited you in two weeks. During that time I have often been busy working on my new novel as I should be. I also had to stop to write two non fiction write- for- hire books about Football. It was fun but way more work than I thought. The time she is ticking. November, she is a busy busy month. Plus I have begun a run program with plans to run my first half marathon in March 2012?. Yes. I might be crazy. Have I mentioned that I am not a very good runner?

I have spent ~~wasted~~ time reading celebrity gossip. What is up with Blake Lively? Did she really dump Leo or did he dump her? Should I really care? I suppose I'll never know the truth. Seriously she'll always be Bridget from The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants to me. No matter who she is sleeping with or how much cleavage she shows in a dress. Okay. Yes. I'm jealous.

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I also rediscovered that I am really not a fan of Jesse James. Really not. Did you know he fooled around on that tattoo girl 19 times? Well with 19 different woman, probably more times. Which is bad enough, but what makes it worse to me is that he said something that was a total SLAM to Sandra Bullock,while engaged to tattoo girl. Something about the tattoo girl being the very best lover he ever had. So he purposely went out of his way to make Sandra Bullock feel bad when he was fooling around on Tattoo girl too. Grrr. He has really scary eyes I think. Plus have I mentioned how much I love Sandra Bullock? She handled the whole thing with mega class.

Please Blog. Tell any teen readers to never ever let themselves be fooled by the bad boy antics of boys like Jesse James. They will break your heart. Every time. There may be a character who has similarities in my new book. But I don't want to give spoilers. So shhhhhhh.

During my absense I also watched almost two full seasons of Drop Dead Diva. This. This is an awesome show. I need to hunt down Season Three. But not until I finish writing.

I am working working working on book 3, WHO I KISSED. I promise. And you know what, it has some really awesome parts. Unfortunatley right now it also has some parts that need work. ALOT of work. This deadline stuff is kind of freaky.

The next few weekends I have swim meet committments. I have lots of work to do. Did I mention this deadline stuff is kind of freaky?

I will be back soon, Blog. In the meantime. If I'm not here, I'm writing. (or catching up on celebrity gossip. But shhhhh. Let's pretend it's all writing)

Read all about The First Time!

2011-11-01T18:25:00.000-06:00

You never forget your first...

In THE FIRST TIME, 25 young adult authors contribute 25 stories all about firsts: first loves, first kisses, first zombie slayings, and more. Featuring New York Times bestselling authors Carrie Ryan and Jessica Verday, plus a host of others. From humor to horror, and everything in between, these stories will make you laugh, cry, cheer, (and maybe even scream) as you experience something brand new from the authors that you love.

Contributing authors include: Cyn Balog, Lauren Bjorkman, Leigh Brescia, Jennifer Brown, Kirstin Cronn-Mills, Janet Gurtler, Teri Hall, Cheryl Renee Herbsman, Stacey Jay, Heidi R. Kling, C. Lee McKenzie, Saundra Mitchell, Jenny Moss, Jackson Pearce, Shani Petroff, Carrie Ryan, Sydney Salter, Kurtis Scaletta, Jon Skovron, Kristina Springer, Rhonda Stapleton, Charity Tahmaseb, Jessica Verday, J. A. Yang, and Lara Zielin

Get it from Amazon:

Get it from Barnes & Noble

If you don't have a Kindle, you can still read this eBook on your phone, computer, iPad, e-reader, etc. Just grab the Amazon Kindle app here:

Happy Halloween!!

2011-10-31T13:08:00.000-06:00

I am in the cave. Doing that writing thing. Whew. My brain is frying hard. But. A break is needed since I reached my goal for the day. Word count wise. And so. A quick blog. A quick blog with my current writers brain. Scattered.

True Fact- There are mini chocolate bars in my home and I have not eaten any of them. Today. Yet.

True Fact- Since we last spoke, I have became addicted to Drop Dead Diva on Netflix. OMG I love this show so frickin' much.

True Fact- I feel like Halloween is over already since we had our Halloween party last weekend. Tonight I will go out with Superson and his buddy and my buddy to trick or treat for a short while. Then all the decorations come down.

And now, some pics of Halloween past before I move on...

A Most Amazing Gift For An Author

2011-10-24T09:52:00.002-06:00

One of the things I try to remember as an author is that no story is for everyone. What speaks to one reader may say something completely different to another. It's a personal thing and everyone has their own tastes and preferences in stories.

That said, one of the very best parts of being an author is hearing from readers who connected with a story. I've been fortunate enough to hear great comments and even have had requests for sequels or questions about what happened next. To me it's awesome that a story I wrote was vivid enough readers want to know how lives turn(ed) out or what happened later!

If you think notes like this don't make a writer's day, think again! Well, I can't speak for everyone, but I can speak for myself. It's AWESOME.

When I'M NOT HER first came out, I invited my friends to a launch party, a celebration for me sticking in there and getting a new book out in the world. It was a great chance to celebrate I'M NOT HER. I dare say I really love the book and wanted to share my happiness and accomplishment with "my peoples". It's hard to brag about my own work, but I am pretty proud of I'M NOT HER.

Paula, one of my girlfriends who was at the launch, (who is always great for my writing ego and a good publicity person as well) passed the book on to her friend and her daughter read the story. Well, this teenager, Hailey Bell, not only wrote me the most beautiful note, a hand written note about the book, but she is also a talented artist and she drew me a picture from the novel. First of all the note brought tears to my eyes and then the drawing. Wow!!!

It touches my heart to say the least. Later, not long ago, I got to meet her in person (at my IF I TELL launch). I even got to give her a hug! She's a beautiful (much taller than I thought) girl with a warm open heart and lots and lots of talent. Thanks so much to Hailey for honoring me with the gift.

Without saying too much about it and giving away a spoiler....this is Hailey's version of a drawing by the character Nick in I'M NOT HER. If you've read the book, you'll know that this is a drawing that won a major prize.

Thanks again to Hailey for such a wonderful drawing! It hangs on my wall and is an amazing amazing gift!

If I Tell, Who I Kissed and More

2011-10-17T12:44:00.001-06:00

Whew!

I've been a little quiet on the blog front, but the good news is that I've been writing. Book 3- aka - The Peanut Butter Book which according to a note from my editor MIGHT be called WHO I KISSED (kind of loving that title now).

It's an engaging book to work on and includes some cool Parkour scenes, one I worked on yesterday. I only hope it's going to be as good a book when it's done as I want it to be while I'm drafting! I'm hoping for lots of emotional response from readers and maybe even some tears like with I'M NOT HER but I think the ending might be a little more resolved and happy in this book! Oh writing. You are so fun and yet so hard.

I spent the past weekend celebrating IF I TELL, my second Sourcebooks title. My lovely friends joined me on Friday night at Chapters/Indigo for cupcakes. I signed some books and chatted and caught up and had a great time. I do admit to feeling kind of bad making people come out again so soon after the launch of I'M NOT HER, but you know, it's not often that authors get to actually publicly celebrate our writing so I thought, what he heckles Jannie. Let's do it again!

On Saturday I was at MONKEYSHINES Bookstore, a funky and fun independent Children's Book store in Calgary. Sue, the owner, was so gracious and amazing. If you are in Calgary and are intending on picking up IF I TELL, I'd LOVE it if you could go to her store for copies!!!

I was thrilled to see Jan Markley, another local author and another amazing woman with deep passion for Young Adult literature- Betsy Fraser. She's kind of a YA rock star in my eyes, and I was so pleased both came by.

Now, it's back to getting the next book written and off for another run outside. Okay. Here goes!!!

Goals. On running. And writing.

2011-10-13T16:19:00.000-06:00

Today I went for a run outside and it was hard. Actually it kind of sucked. But I did it. My cheeks were bright red and hot after and my lungs hurt after the first five minutes. But I did it. It made me mad because I've slacked off of it for MONTHS and I'm back at a beginning point in the running. AGAIN.

I always want to make great running goals. Like a half marathon. That would be so cool. But I always forget one important thing.

I hate running.

I'm quite bad at it. Or maybe it's just that I believe I'm bad at it that makes it true. After five years or so running on and off I can still pull off a 5km run with no problem. Okay. Some walking intervals and lots of internal grumbling, but nothing too bad. (That's 3.11 miles for my American friends.)

But I want to go further. 10km. So how do I do it? In some ways, maybe I believe I can't do it. Or I just don't want it bad enough. Something always stops me from getting past the 7km mark, and I always fall back on the comfort and ease of a slow 5km.

But it's pretty easy to liken running to writing.

The more you run, the easier it becomes. Writing. Yes. The same.

Right now I am in the process of writing my third Sourcebooks novel. I have a deadline when it has to be done. This is new for me. Having a book sold that isn't finished yet I mean. We want to get the book out next year, and that makes for a quick turnaround. So in order to meet my deadline, I have daily writing goals. Weekly writing goals. And doing it every day like this keeps me inside the story and forces me to write even when I don't feel like writing. Like today. I have been putting off my writing all day. Well. I was busy this morning and had some chores that had to be done, but I know I HAVE to get my word count in and I'm not there yet. But I did get in the run. Actually what I did was change up the order. Usually I exercise while my son is swimming. But today I ran during writing time and will write during exercise time.

But the run made me realize how easy it is to get things done when you break them down into smaller chunks. I broke my runs into smaller intervals today and it made it easier for me. I know if I keep it up I'll be back to my 10:1 intervals (which is the way the Running Room taught me to run) I KNOW I CAN run 10km. I just have to want it a little more. I have to DECIDE I want it.

I will finish the book. That I WANT. That I NEED. Break it down until I get the first draft done and then for me comes the fun part- the revisions. That is when I am so immersed in a book that I have to be forced back to real life.

Let's see if I can a similar thing with running goals. How about a 10km in a Spring Race? Half Marathon in the Fall? By this time next year, Book 3 will be complete and launching out into the real world. How about my half marathon?? How about it, indeed.

Shall you check back with me. Let's chat at book launch #3.

If I Tell - Jennifer R. Hubbard

2011-10-08T04:52:00.003-06:00

Jennifer R. Hubbard http://www.jenniferhubbard.com/ is the author of contemporary YA novels The Secret Year, which is about a secret relationship and a sudden death, and the upcoming Try Not to Breathe (Viking, 2012).

Are you good at keeping secrets? Why or why not?

I think I'm good at keeping private things that should be private. To oversimplify: Privacy is about keeping confidential what is nobody else's business. A secret is something another person has the right to know, but is being kept from him or her.

Do you easily forgive friends for their mistakes? What is something you could never forgive a friend for?

Betrayal of trust is very difficult to get over. I like to think I'm a more forgiving person now than I was years ago. But there's a difference between forgiving and condoning--for example, if a relationship is abusive, there's no need for a person to continue to take abuse.

Let’s just go ahead and stereotype you for a moment, okay! What kind of a teen were you, as in what “group” did you associate with?

My friends were good in school; they tended to be in the band rather than on the football team; some of them played Dungeons & Dragons. I liked to dance and spent hours on the phone. I also worked on my writing after school, and sold my first short story while still in high school. I don't know what "category" that would make me.

Describe your fave teen outfit.

T-shirt and jeans.

If you could go back to high school knowing now what you didn’t know then, what is one thing you would change? What do you wish you could have told your teen self

"Relax: things really do get a lot better."

Digging Sourcebooks for the GREAT COVER!

2011-10-07T03:56:00.001-06:00

So it's October.

I know, I catch on quick, right? I love this month. Well. I love this month when the snow doesn't come early and bug me. There's plenty of time for that. I am anti-snow right now. And so far, so good.

October is the month I was born. And while I've never really been all about my birthday, I do love an excuse for cake. So yeah, that's good. Then there's HALLOWEEN and my son is a huge fan. We have a party every year, and yes I admit I go a little overboard sometimes (*always*).

This year October was also special because of the release of IF I TELL.

I'm seeing lots of reviews on IF I TELL because it's been on Netgalley and hopefully people start picking it up in stores or purchase it for their ebooks. (subtle begging or blatant? You decide)

Anyhow, the one thing that I'm not really seeing discussed on blogs or in reviews, something that I thought might come up is how absolutely wonderful and COOL Sourcebooks was about the cover.

As in the authenticity of the model.

If you follow book news and YA news, you'll remember past controversy when publishing houses "whitened" up cover models. So I was really thrilled when I saw the first comp for IF I TELL and it was really clear that the model is biracial. She actually resembles the Jaz I had in my mind when I wrote the book. Awesome hair, naturally thin and BIRACIAL skin tones!!

Fabulous job I must say to the wise folks at Sourcebooks. And they are a wise and wonderful bunch over there. I couldn't be happier to be a part of the Sourcebooks Fire Team!

Hello Jaz!

IF I Tell- Maureen McGowan

2011-10-06T04:45:00.016-06:00

Maureen McGowan is the author of the YA novels, Cinderella: Ninja Warrior and Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer. Maureen’s always been making up stories, but sidetracked by a persistent practical side, it took her a few years to see the light and channel her energy into writing novels. After pummeling her sensible side into submission, she quit her career in finance and hasn't looked back.

Aside from books and writing, she's passionate about art, dance, films, fine handcrafted objects and shoes. Maureen takes her shoes to a lot of movies in Toronto, Canada.

So what about secrets? Are you good at keeping secrets? Why or why not?

Maureen: Oh, I so wish I could unequivocally answer yes. I'm very good at keeping other people's secrets. Secrets where I know the person who shared the information would be devastated if I anyone else knew. But I'm not so good at keeping my own secrets. People know way too much about me.

Ha ha, I think that's awesome. I love people who tell all about themselves!! Do you easily forgive friends for their mistakes? What is something you could never forgive a friend for?

Maureen: I think I do... I can't think of any specific things (other than major crimes against people I love) that I couldn't forgive a true friend for. I suppose if a friend purposefully said something negative about me in public (online) that would be hard to forgive. But I can't really imagine any of my true friends doing that.

Let’s just go ahead and stereotype you for a moment, okay! What kind of a teen were you, as in what “group” did you associate with?
Maureen: Oh, this is a tough one for me. I hung with a bunch of groups in high school. If I have to pick one, I'll go with "brain" or "brownnoser?" I got really good grades and didn't get into much trouble. But I also was on a lot of athletic teams (jock) and was in the Musical and choir (nerd).

Jock/nerd/brownnoser. Describe your fave teen outfit.

Maureen: This will date me. I was totally into the Annie Hall look. Except more often with skirts/kilts instead of the pleated slacks she wore. (I'm too short to pull of pants like that.) Imagine me in a man's shirt, skinny tie, skirt, cable tights, loafers. Sometimes a vest over top. Occasionally a cool man's hat. That was probably my favorite teen outfit.

I think it still sounds cool. Have you seen the hats they're wearing these days. Man hats. If you could go back to high school knowing now what you didn’t know then, what is one thing you would change? What do you wish you could have told your teen self?

Maureen: I wish I could have told my teen self to have more confidence, especially around boys. I remember this one time when I was in grade 9 or 10 and in the halls after hours in my gymnastics uniform. One of the older, really popular boys smiled at me -- really smiled at me. I think I sneered back, thinking he was making fun of me in some way. Now I look at photos of me back then and totally know why he was smiling. I wish I could have realized it then. LOL.

Yeah I hear you. Listen up teen girls. You are HOT. Work it!

If I Tell- Sydney Salter

2011-10-05T04:00:00.002-06:00

Today to talk secrets, we have a wonderful author and a wonderful person as well, Sydney Salter. Confession. My fave name for a girl is Sydney. I always wished I was named Sydney.

Sydney Salter writes middle-grade and young adult fiction. She is the author of My Big Nose & Other Natural Disasters, Jungle Crossing, and Swoon At Your Own Risk. Sydney lives in Utah with her husband, two daughters, lazy cats, big hairy dogs, and a pair of quiet tortoises. When not writing, Sydney likes to read, think up adventures, experiment with new recipes, sample exotic chocolates, hike with her family and go to movies and rock concerts with her husband.

http://www.sydneysalter.com/

I love your books so much!!! Thanks for stopping by. So. Right to it. Are you good at keeping secrets? Why or why not?

Sydney: I am good at keeping secrets because I'd rather hear juicy new stuff than tell someone what I already know!

Love juicy new stuff too! Do you easily forgive friends for their mistakes? What is something you could never forgive a friend for?

Sydney: I consider learning to forgive people--even for awful behavior--one of the best life lessons I've learned. I could forgive a friend for anything, although that doesn't mean forgetting what kind of person he/she can be. I don't always continue to hang out with those I've forgiven, but at least I'm not carrying around a bunch of bitterness and resentment.

Ah yes, the life lessons. Bitterness turns inward, best to move on! Okay. Let’s just go ahead and stereotype you for a moment, okay! What kind of a teen were you, as in what “group” did you associate with?

Sydney: My Biology teacher once called me a "smart rah-rah." I floated between the jocks and nerds, known, but not super popular.

A smart rah rah. I think it's a compliment. Smart and cheery! Full of pep! It fits!! So describe your fave teen "rah rah" outfit.

Sydney: A little red overalls mini-dress that I wore with a yellow spaghetti-strap tank. Combine that with my fluffy 80s perm & I felt SO cute!

You were so cute I bet. Oh 80's hair. I wonder if you'll ever come back. If you could go back to high school knowing now what you didn’t know then, what is one thing you would change? What do you wish you could have told your teen self?

Sydney: I would have believed in myself and not worried so much about my flaws (duh, we all have them!). I would've told myself what I'm telling my daughter who starts high school this week: the key to high school is self-acceptance. Quiet confidence combined with genuine friendliness is incredibly attractive! And anyone who judges you based on the circumference of your thighs (or nose-width, in my case) isn't worth knowing, anyway.

True dat. And I think you have a lovely nose. And genuine friendliness! Thanks so much for stopping by Sydney!

IF I TELL- Judith Graves

2011-10-02T04:20:00.003-06:00

Judith Graves is the smart and sassy author behind the young adult paranormal trilogy SKINNED. Library technician, singer, songwriter, author, and book club haunter, Graves loves all things a bit creepy. Thankfully, her sidekick, and lick-the-boogy-man-to-death labrador retriever, Weeping Willow, is always nearby.

Welcome Judith! I was lucky enough to meet Judith at a library presentation she did in OKOTOKS, ALBERTA (where I just happen to be appearing at 7pm on MONDAY!) Judith was an amazing presentor and is a very talented author and a really nice person as well!

So do tell Judith! Are you good at keeping secrets? Why or why not?

Judith Graves: I am to a certain extent. If the secret involves some delicious and twisted surprise for a friend, I’m likely to spill the beans or set off their internal alarms with cryptic remarks or wayward grins. However, if the secret is that of a personal confidant, I consider it “in the vault” and sealed forever.

Much like me. Good secrets are so much easier to spill imo. So. What about forgiveness? Do you easily forgive friends for their mistakes? What is something you could never forgive a friend for?

Judith: Chocolate and a sincere apology go a long way to ensuring we remain friends, but once trust is broken, things will never really be the same again.

Note to mistake makers in Judith's life, stock up on chocolate! So. Let’s just go ahead and stereotype you for a moment, okay! What kind of a teen were you, as in what “group” did you associate with?

Judith: I had a blast in my teens because I didn’t have one particular group. I walked the fringe of many. I got along with the nerds, the drama crowd, dancers and musicians, but I also hung out with the goths and loners. The only group I avoided like the zombie plague - the jocks. Ironically, I ended up falling madly in love with and marrying one of their ilk. My husband (who is now a high school history teacher and basketball coach) and I would have HATED each other in high school. Go figure.

Ahh ha haha. That totally cracks me up. So then describe your fave teen outfit.

Judith: Since I didn’t belong to one particular crowd and therefore assume their related costume – my style was a mish-mash of everything and anything. I did favor vintage finds and would often offset a trendy bit of fluff with a used classic from Value Village.

Ah. The mash of the mish. I am pressing the like button!! So, if you could go back to high school knowing now what you didn’t know then, what is one thing you would change? What do you wish you could have told your teen self? P.s. It probably shouldn't be that you're going to end up marrying a high school coach.

Judith: I would have gotten out of private schools a lot sooner. My world opened up when I convinced my parents to send me to a public school for my senior year. What would I have told myself? Enjoy those skinny jeans while they last, kid. Thanks, Janet, this was a blast from the past.

Ah yes. Skinny jeans. Only the young can rock them really well.

Visit Judith at http://www.judithgraves.com/

Twitter: @judithgraves

Upcoming goodness: The Crossroads Blog Tour

http://judithgraves.com/events/the-crossroads-tour/crossroads-2011/

15 YA paranormal authors. 7 days. SWAG. ARCS. Bwahhhahhhaaa…..

OFFICIAL Release Day for IF I TELL

2011-10-01T04:34:00.004-06:00

Say hello to Jaz!

Last Chance to Win one of 15 IF I TELL copies from Goodreads!

2011-09-29T11:16:00.000-06:00

15!!! That's a lot of chances!

Good luck. Winning free stuff rocks!

Click Here to Enter

Best Eyebrow Picture EVER

2011-09-29T04:15:00.000-06:00

I like Jennifer Aniston. I like her new boyfriend. He's kind of delicious and I love how both of them always wear black. He's a cool looking dude. A bit of the bad boy thing going on, but seemingly tamed for now. This is how I am seeing it in my romantic head. Okay.

But.

The best thing about him? His eyebrowlift. I love boys that can rasie one eyebrow. Swoonworthy. Swwoooon. Many, many of my male characters in my novels can do this exact move. Well played, Justin Theroux.

If I Tell - The Book Shelf Muse- Angela Ackerman

2011-09-28T05:00:00.000-06:00

Angela Ackerman is not only my agent mate, she also lives in the same city as me and we are real life friends! She's funny and nice and just plain awesome and also has an AMAZING website with a million followers because it is made of WRITER WIN. If you haven't, you must drop by for the amazing writer thesaurus's.

Visit Angela at THE BOOKSHELF MUSE

Thanks for stopping by, Angela. So tell us, are you good at keeping secrets? Why or why not?

Angela: I hate secrets because my inclination is to be honest with everyone. But, if the secret is for a good thing, like a surprise birthday party, etc, I can totally keep my lips zipped, because the end result is that someone else will end up happy. But keeping a secret that can harm another? I can't do it. I try to convince the person involved to be honest and solve the issue rather than hold onto the secret (if it's theirs) and if the secret belongs to someone else and they are passing it along...I try to help the person who is in need without revealing that I know their secret. So, I don't necessarily 'tell', but I will try and do whatever I perceive to be right.

Honesty is the best policy, yes? You sound like someone I should trust with my secrets. Do you easily forgive friends for their mistakes? What is something you could never forgive a friend for?

Angela: I think we all make mistakes. I make them all the time! :) I definitely forgive others, but I am human and sometimes I make judgements based on what the mistake is. I don't like this side of myself, but it's true and like the last question, I tend to be ruled by honesty...even when it might make me look bad. I'm trying to change :)

The one thing I could never forgive a friend for is betrayal. If there was something that they knew would hurt or devastate me or my family but they did it anyway for personal gain...I would feel a profound sense of betrayal and I think we'd be done as far as friendship goes.

Don't mess with mama bear! I promise never to betray you for personal gain. Okay, let's go ahead and stereotype you for a moment, okay! What kind of a teen were you, as in what “group” did you associate with?

Angela: I was the 'in-between-er', I guess. The group I hung out with sort of marched to its own band. We weren't geeks, because we were socially accepted by everyone else. We weren't popular in the sense that we wouldn't think to go to the popular parties by 'It crowd', but in school we could talk to some popular kids and no one thought twice about it. None of us were overly athletic, some of us were artsy, some brainy...we were an eclectic crowd.

Sounds about perfect. And now you're the it crowd in my mind! And I think you have the best stories from high school about your hubby! But don't worry, I won't tell. Secret. Get it. Describe your fave teen outfit.

Angela: Oh man...*reaches back in brain* Okay, I think I liked it best when we all wore our jeans rolled tight at the ankle and long button shirts with beads or crazy belts. And popped collars of course. 'Cause we were cool like that. :) Oh and I loved my acid washed jean jacket decorated with chains and pins that looked like dead happy faces. Good times, I tell you. :)

If you could go back to high school knowing now what you didn’t know then, what is one thing you would change? What do you wish you could have told your teen self?

Angela: I think I would tell myself to stop obsessing about my own weight and appearance. I was so insecure, and now looking back I realize I had nothing to be insecure about! Oh and I would definitely tell myself to not date Erik Graves. BIG mistake...they guy was only interested in one thing, and even when I dumped him, he still was hoping for it as a 'way to say goodbye'. Yeah, right. Dream on buddy...dream on.

Ba ha ha ha. I'm imagining Erik googling himself and going, "Damn. Thought I still had a chance!" Silly rabbit.
All right, thank you for stopping by, Angela! See you at lunch soon. Yes. We get to go for lunch together with our other Calgary writer friends! Yay writer friends!

IF I TELL- Danielle Joseph

2011-09-27T05:08:00.077-06:00

Danielle Joseph is the author of SHRINKING VIOLET from MTV/Pocket Books and INDIGO BLUES and PURE RED (September 2011) from Flux Books.

When not writing, Danielle can be found listening to music, eating chocolate or swimming--sometimes all at once!

For more info visit her website at: http://www.daniellejoseph.com/

First off, I would really like to see you swim while eating chocolate. But never mind that for now. Let's go to the questions. First. Are you good at keeping secrets? Why or why not?

Danielle: Yes, I am. I attribute it to the fact that I have three sisters and adhere to the "sister code". That means no matter how mad we are at each other, we never spill one of our secrets to anyone, especially to our parents.

Ah. The sister code. Good practice for secret keeping indeed. So what about mistakes? Do you easily forgive friends for mistakes? What is something you could never forgive a friend for?

Danielle: Not so easily but it really depends on what they did. One thing I really can't stand is when people flat out lie. Luckily, that does not happen very often and I have made many great friends over the years.

Note. Do not lie to Danielle! Okay. So let’s just go ahead and stereotype you for a moment, okay! What kind of a teen were you, as in what “group” did you associate with?

Danielle: I'd say my group was the 90's version of goth. Grunge Punkers I'll call it!

Yay Grunge Punkers!!! So this should be interesting. Please describe your fave teen outfit.

Danielle: I usually went for comfort so I'll pick a pair of vintage blue jeans, Newbury Comics tee, black and white striped socks and my maroon Dr. Martens.

Swoon. Maroon Dr. Martens. I am in love with them. And you. Okay, if you could go back to high school knowing now what you didn’t know then, what is one thing you would change? What do you wish you could have told your teen self?

Danielle: I would just tell myself that high school is not the end of the world and that really the world is waiting for you. The only thing I would change is how I dealt with the social situations. I would tell myself not to worry so much about what others think and do what I think is right. I believe we learn from experience and that is no different from what I did.

Yes. I totally know of what you speak. So much worry about people who were not worrying about me at all. But it all brings us to where we are now and that is not such a bad thing.

Thank you for stopping by Danielle! And I know you have a great secret to share, so hopefully we'll hear more about that soon!!

Bio

2011-09-22T11:18:00.000-06:00

Janet Gurtler is the author of contemporary Ya novels, I’M NOT HER and IF I TELL, as well as a new novel from Sourcebooks Fire coming out in 2012. Although she is chronologically (way) older, in many ways Janet will always be a 16 year old girl in her head. Follow Janet on Twitter or Facebook or reach her through her website.

Silly Points To Ponder When faced with a Deadline

2011-09-13T20:00:00.000-06:00

Oh! So I just got the official deadline for my third Sourcebooks YA, Just Breathe aka The Peanut Butter Book which will have a new title soon.

I have been working on it on and off while I waited for the contract to come in and now it's official so I must get my butt in GEAR!!! There's a book to be finished baby!! I have to admit I kind of am a deadline person. There may or may not be a procrastinator living inside my head (okay there totally is). I like a little kick in the pants.

Plus, I really am very much in love with this story (remind me of this in a couple of months when I'm panicking!) so writing it is pleasurable. I hope it comes out as good as it presently is in my mind.
Of course, books are always incredibly brilliant before they're written. Yes. It is true!

So while I'm thinking about this book I have also been pondering the following not so deep thoughts.

1. What happened to the guy who was married to Jerry Seinfeld's wife? The one she dumped after meeting Jerry and (apparently) traded up? Where is he now. Did he get paid off? Is he happy? Hmm.

2. What about the lady who was married to Julia Roberts husband when they hooked up. Vera something if memory serves me. Didn't Julia wear a rude shirt because she wouldn't divorce him? Oh Julia. Does she hate Julia's children? Does she boycott Julia's movies? Is she happy? I hope she got paid off. She deserves it. That would be hard to take.

3. What about George Clooney's ex-girlfriends? They must get a pretty good package when he lets them go? I'm starting to wonder about his sexual orientation. I can't help it. This new girlfriend of his just seems so conveniently timed. Do you think he's using these women to hide something else? Would that be a great job or WHAT? George Clooney's girlfriend. Hmm. If only I were younger. Taller. Thinner and you know, liked high heels and was um...single.

4. Is Jennifer Lopez really going to date Bradley Cooper. I love BC something fierce. She doesn't seem his type. Renee Zellwfunnylast name and then JLo? I don't get it. I just don't.

5. And speaking of, I wonder if the rumors about Ben Affleck are true? Remember the way he spiralled downwards before he and JLo broke up? Does he love his wife. I love his wife. I think Jennifer Garner seems down to earth and you know, kind of real. Beautiful and she was in Alias dude. I miss Alisa. Anyhow, Ben kind of seems like a player. Is he still off the booze? I hope so. Does he still hang out with Matt Damon anymore? I love Matt. Does Ben's mom totally love Jennifer Garner? Is Ben still hung up on Gwyneth Paltrow.

You know, these are the kinds of things that are fun to think about when your mind starts getting all serious and deadline freaky. I love me some movie star gossip. There I said it. It's true.

And if you know the answers to 1 or 2, please let me know.

Remembering some things a published author should be thankful for.

2011-09-08T09:57:00.001-06:00

I haven’t done a thankful Thursday post for a while and I feel a need. My soul feels the desire to pause for a moment to ingest the imaginary scent of virtual roses.

As I get close to my second book launch this year and feel some shame because I’m constantly shouting at the world about myself and my books on Twitter and Facebook--as I spend too much time stalking Goodreads and book blogs for reviews and words about my work--I need to remember that I have so much to be thankful for to be where I am. Right now. Not where I want to be. Not where I hope to be, but where I am. This second.

It’s easy in the crazy world of book publishing to get caught up in the ‘need to do’s’, the ‘have to do’s’ the’ want to do’s’ and forget to just take it all in. Inhale the incredibly wonderful thing that it is to have a book published and appear in bookstores. Exhale the feeling similar to being exposed to the world in your underpants.

Things I’m thankful for (in no particular order) And I will forget some important ones. So I’ll probably have to add to this next week. But for now…

• Readers who get my books and take the time to tell me that they like my work. My ego, she does like to be stroked.

• Good book reviews from professional reviewers. Sigh. The feeling it is delicious.

• My editor Leah Hultenschimdt who is a pleasure to work with and so very supportive.

• Kay Mitchell, the publicist at Sourcebooks who I want to miniaturize and carry around in my pocket because I love her so much. Heck all the Sourcebooks group who are truly fantastic. Really.

• My friends and family who came to my book launch(es) and were so very excited for me and with me. Old faces, new faces, wonderful bookstore people- just so much support. Pure amazingness.

• Being able to thank people who I love and who have supported me over the years by putting their names into print in the acknowledgements and dedications of my books. It’s a kick for me, I don’t really know if it’s the same for them, but assume it’s kind of neat-o.

• Going to New York and feeling overwhelmed and unworthy at times, but also feeling like I found “my people”.

• The writer friends I’ve made over the years. The book people I’ve met. My renewed respect for librarians and all that they do and booksellers who are so passionate about the written word.

• The numerous times I’ve been humbled. Don’t want me getting a big ol'ego head.

• An overall sense of finally finding me. The writer. The author. And striving to accept the kind of writer I am. And embrace those strengths and limitations and to be okay with it. And me.

Thanks.

IF I TELL- Is Kristina Springer JUST YOUR AVERAGE PRINCESS?

2011-09-07T11:22:00.003-06:00

Welcome, welcome to Kristina Springer, an amazing Young Adult Author with a new book coming out OCTOBER 11!

JUST YOUR AVERAGE PRINCESS by Kristina Springer

Is this an amazing cover, or is this an amazing cover????
Um yeah it's an amazing cover!

Jamie Edwards has loved everything about growing up on a pumpkin patch, but ever since her cousin Milan Woods arrived, things have really stunk. Jamie can’t imagine it was easy for Milan to leave her life back in Los Angeles and move to Average, Illinois, population one thousand. But it’s kind of hard to feel sorry for her since (a) Milan’s drop-dead gorgeous; (b) she’s the daughter of two of Hollywood’s hottest film stars; (c) she’s captured the attention of everyone in town, including Danny, Jamie’s crush since forever; and (d) she’s about to steal the title of Pumpkin Princess right out from underneath Jamie!

Kristina is also the author of THE ESPRESSOLOGIST and MY FAKE BOYFRIEND IS BETTER THAN YOURS. She has a Masters in Writing from DePaul University and she resides in a suburb of Chicago with her husband and children.

Plus. She has really great hair. (Oh this MIGHT be Janet's addition to the bio) But seriously. Look at her hair. Covet, covet!

So, Kristina! Thanks for stopping by to ~~let me~~ ~~snoop inside your brain~~ chat! Tell us! Are you good at keeping secrets? Why or why not?

I am excellent! Most of the time. Really, if someone stresses to me NOT to say something then I won't. But I do have a really hard time not telling at least my husband and mom.

True date. Word to my teen friends (did I really just say word to my teen friends?) when you get older, please know that it is very hard not to tell your husband most of the secrets you hear. Much harder than not telling a boyfriend imo. Btw Kristina- I love that you have a close enough relationship with your mom that you tell her stuff (like secrets!)

Do you easily forgive friends for their mistakes? What is something you could never forgive a friend for?

Totally. I know no one is perfect and I don't have the energy to hold grudges. Even when I thought there was something completely unforgivable and I'd never forgive the person for? I still got over that about 6 months later. Now if a friend hurt someone in my family or made moves on my husband or something-- yeah I don't think I'd forgive that.

Also note teen friends, no making moves on future friends' husbands. Okay. So let’s just go ahead and stereotype Kristina for a moment! What kind of a teen were you, as in what “group” did you associate with? (cheerleader, Goth, nerd, jock , loner etc.)

Total dork! I was in all the school musicals, swing choir (we were so not Glee but it was cute anyway), and I played the flute in band.

Dorks for-evah! And um, could someone please explain to me what a swing choir is? I should have done the musical thing in high school, but I was too busy getting into trouble. Do-over! Anyhow, I know swing band is not what I'm imagining in my head. (shaking images from my head and returning to teen Kristina) So, describe for us your fave teen outfit.

Jeans and a tee shirt.

Simple and classic, no? So. If you could go back to high school knowing now what you didn’t know then, what is one thing you would change? What do you wish you could have told your teen self

Hmm, I probably wouldn't have sprayed my bangs up so high. I would have avoided the hair dryer and curling irons too. And I wish I would have taught my teen self proper facial care! I don't think I figured out the whole face wash, toners, moisturizers thing until college.

Ha ha ha. The bangs cracked me up! And proper facial care. Oh yes. Based on my serious face wrinkleage, I think I still need to figure that out.

Well, thanks so much for stopping by to chat about secrets and swing bands and hair!!!

You can find Kristina on her website at http://www.kristinaspringer.com/

And don't forget to check out JUST AN AVERAGE PRINCESS OCTOBER 11!

Delay and .........Winners

2011-09-06T09:55:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the delay in announcing the winners of a signed copy of I'M NOT HER and a copy of IF I TELL when it releases.

I was away building a cabin with the family. Which I could moan and complain about but what's the point really?

So without further babbling from yours truly-- from the followers, tweets and comments here are the two winners!

ROGIER (new follower)

PRECIOUS (precious_shusky at yahoo dot com)

Please get ahold of me so I can send you the books!

Also, if you didn't win this round, SOURCEBOOKS put up an AMAZING draw for 15 copies of I'M NOT HER on Goodreads. Click HERE

More IF TELL AUTHOR INTERVIEWS

Can you please email me at write4me at shaw.ca so I can get all the deets etc and send you out the copies!

Thanks for playing!!!!

J

IF I TELL CYN BALOG, what will she do?

2011-08-30T08:18:00.003-06:00

Now THIS woman who is talented and prolific!

Cyn Balog is the author of the young adult paranormal novels FAIRY TALE, SLEEPLESS, and STARSTRUCK and also--coming in 2012, TOUCHED and in 2013, DEAD RIVER.

Cyn lives outside Allentown, Pennsylvania with her husband and daughters. Visit her online at http://cynbalog.com/

Hey Cyn. Nice photo. Great hair. Hate you a little. Oh just kidding! I love Cyn and her books are truly amazing. So lets chat. Are you good at keeping secrets? Why or why not?

CYN: Yes, depending on the secret. I tend to want to tell good news to people too soon.

Uh oh. Surprise parties drive you wild then? Me too actually. What about forgiveness? Do you easily forgive friends for their mistakes? What is something you could never forgive a friend for?

CYN: Yes, I do forgive people easily. I am fully aware I am not perfect, so I don't expect others to be. I do think owning up to one's mistakes is the most important thing. But if a person makes the same mistake consistently, well, that's another story! There is no excuse for stupidity.

True dat! Once is learning -over and over is just not making best use of the old noodle. So, let’s just go ahead and stereotype you for a moment, okay! What kind of a teen were you, as in what “group” did you associate with?(cheerleader, Goth, nerd, jock , loner etc.)

CYN: I was a studious loner. I liked to say I drifted among the crowds but that's probably because nobody wanted to hang out with me. Maybe because I tell secrets all the time.

I refuse to believe no one wanted to hang with you. Nah uh, can't make me. I refuse to believe. *hands over my ears* Shy. Yes. I get that. I like that you were studious. I forgot to do that in high school. Ooops. All right, describe your fave teen outfit.

My favorite outfit I wore as a teen was my purple miniskirt and my high black boots!

See how could no one like you if you were wearing a PURPLE miniskirt and high black boots. A studious cool dresser. Boys were secretly in love with you and girls wanted to be your friend but you didn't know it! I am in awe! All right, last question, if you could go back to high school knowing now what you didn’t know then, what is one thing you would change? What do you wish you could have told your teen self

CYN: I probably wouldn't have spent so much time on my appearance. I swear, I spent HOURS getting ready for school and fretting if one hair was out of place. There are so many other, more worthwhile things I could have done with that time.

I was terrible at doing hair. I still am actually. I would have tried to be more studious too. Like you. And worn shorter skirts when they actually would have looked good on me! (in my high school years it was jeans/cords 24/7)

Thanks so much for coming by Cyn. Oh and CONGRATS for STARSTRUCK appearing in ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY!! How cool is that?!

If I Tell- Win a Copy of I'M NOT HER and MORE

2011-08-29T11:40:00.001-06:00

I have a couple of copies of I'M NOT HER that are waiting to be sent out to a contest winner. Would you like it to be you?? Well read on. It's so easy it might even be illegal in some States. But I live in Canada. So I'm totally hiding behind that border.

Plus! I will send you a copy of IF I TELL when it comes out. Yes I will. I promise! Which is not that far off my pretties. 32 DAYS!!!

August is almost done. School has almost started. Can we scream YES as a group. YESSSSS! Oops. Got carried away with my back to school excitement. Hee. I love Superson yes I do, but I also LOVE SCHOOL. All day writing time. House quiet. All Mine. Mine Mine Mine.

Anyhow, IF I TELL comes out October 1st. To celebrate good times "oh yeah", so two lucky winners will be shipped a signed copy of I'M NOT HER and a future copy of IF I TELL.

All you have to do is comment on this here blog. Follow me too if you're not following already. And if you are so inclined, tell me why telling me a secret you're holding is not a good idea. Like the secret about the surprise party that's coming up for your best friend. Or the secret of what you're buying your sig other for CHRISTMAS ( I admit I plan ahead when it comes to Christmas shopping). Or a really juicy secret about boys and girls and stuff like that.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL ME YOUR SECRETS (even though I totally want to know) I've learned from trying. Most of you are pretty good at this secret stuff. Rats I say. Rats.

So. Leave a comment. Or retweet me on Twitter. Or add my countdown widget to your blog for IF I TELL--but let me know-- and you're in. Like skin. Or flin. Or the mailing bin.

I'll do a random pick with help from the random number picker thingy on the computer .Really. It exists. Click here! Each entry will get a number. The generator will speak! So easy!

Happy almost school's back! Off to the Zoo with the boy.
Oh. Almost FORGOT. You have until THURSDAY! The first day of school. Contest closes midnight September 1. I'll do the draw on September 2!

IF I TELL JOY PREBLE- Struggling with Secrets!

2011-08-18T09:50:00.002-06:00

Today we're going to ~~snoop inside the mind of~~ chat with JOY PREBLE! Joy is a lovely author I've actually met in person! She is wonderful! We share the same publisher and editor now, so it's kind of like being related. Only not really.

I LOVED Joy's first two books and can't wait for the third!

Joy’s debut young adult novel, DREAMING ANASTASIA, a contemporary fantasy retelling of the disappearance of Anastasia Romanov, released in September, 2009, from Sourcebooks, and the sequel, Haunted is out now, too. The third of the trilogy is slated for 2012.

So Let's get to the gritty stuff. Are you good at keeping secrets? Why or why not?

I am actually terrible at keeping secrets, which is not to say that I don’t keep them. It’s just that it is a huge struggle – sometimes because I’m so excited about something, like a gift I bought you and I really want to keep it a surprise but then it just slips out. Sometimes it’s because I feel the weight of the confidence that’s been given to me; I worry that this is something that shouldn’t be kept a secret, so I keep my mouth shut but I angst over it… let’s just say that the CIA won’t be hiring me as a spy any time soon.

That makes total sense to me, the excited oh, I have something to tell you. I HATE having to keep surprise parties a secret. I'm always terrified I'll spill!!! And the angsty secrets. Yes. Those are hard too. Man. Secrets are TOUGH! So, what about forgiveness. Do you easily forgive friends for their mistakes? What is something
you could never forgive a friend for?

JOY: I am big on forgiving. You won’t find me holding grudges very often, either. If a true friend betrayed me in some way, that might be hard to forgive.

Somehow this doesn't surprise me about you. Because you are so nice. Yes. I said it. I called you nice! Not that it was a secret, and if it was, well. It's not now. Wait. I'm confusing myself so let’s just go ahead and stereotype you for a moment, okay! What kind of a teen were you, as in what “group” did you associate with?

JOY: Gotta go with the nerds – grade nerds, orchestra nerds, sci-fi fan fiction writer nerds… Geeks forever!

Nerds rule, yes? So describe your fave *~~nerd~~ teen outfit. * hee hee. Teasing.*

JOY: Jeans and sweater (shirt and hoodie) and boots – the clunkier and heavier the better. Or skirt, sweater, tights and clunky boots.

Ah yes. The clunky boots. Todays teens are going to look back fondly on totally different footwear. Although I had pink and yellow Converse runners and I see some teens rocking those today. And clunky boots come to think of it. Ah. What do I know? Okay. Lastly, if you could go back to high school knowing now what you didn’t know then, what is one thing you would change? What do you wish you could have told your teen self?

JOY: I would chase after more boys rather than having silent crushes! I would have told myself not to be afraid of speaking my mind.

Um. YES. I was queen of the silent crushes. I think I would also tell myself to invest heavily in Mircrosoft. Instead of spending all my money on clothes. Oh. If only we could go back!

Joy Preble grew up in Chicago, Illinois and now lives in The Woodlands, Texas, where she has learned to use the phrase “y’all” without any hint of irony and developed a serious appreciation for country music and Friday night Texas high school football. A former high school teacher, Joy earned a degree in English from Northwestern and is married to the guy she met her first week in college when she mistakenly slammed a volleyball into his stomach rather than over the net. Want to know more about Joy? Head to her website at http://www.joypreble.com

Discussion Guides for I'm Not Her and If I Tell!

2011-08-16T22:15:00.002-06:00

That is what I am working on this week. Discussion guides. These are actually pretty fun to do--coming up with thoughtful questions about my own books and characters is kind of cool. The thought of teens sitting in groups discussing my books is so amazingly thrilling I kind of want to giggle out loud just imagining it. How incredibly awesome. Please. If anyone has a book club or a discussion about either book, please let me know! I would do a phone in or a Skype in appearance. Honestly I would!

If you are so inclined to want said DISCUSSION GUIDES for I'M NOT HER or IF I TELL they will be available for downloading on my website very, very soon. I know you wait with baited breath. Yes?

The other thing I'm working on is doing video clips about the books. Um. I kind of suck at it. Yeah. I do.

It took me about 300 hours to figure out how to actually get the video off the camera and onto my computer. Which involved borrowing my brother in law's Mac. Downloading the video straight to the Mac. Realizing the MAC movie maker thingy was too hard for me to figure out edits and cuts, so then I emailed the file to myself on his computer and copied it to my own PC and on and on until hours and hours had passed and I finally got to the point where I video taped, downloaded to Mac and then uploaded to a hard drive thingy and then downloaded to PC and then used the Windows Movie Maker to download it to my lovely and patient publicist using YOU TUBE because I couldn't figure out how to zip it so I could email it. Am I showing my age or WHAT????

Next time I'm hiring a teenager.

If I Tell FIVE - JULIET IMORTAL author Stacey Jay

2011-08-15T04:00:00.003-06:00

OH ROMEO! I am so in love with Stacey Jay who is a prolific and wonderful storyteller. JULIET IMMORTAL is out now and you must read this haunting retelling of Romeo and Juliet. You must!

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.

BIO: Stacey Jay is a recovering workaholic (or at least working hard at recovering) with two pen names, two small children, and a passion for playing pretend. Her former careers include theatre performer, professional dancer, poorly paid C-movie actress, bartender, waiter, math tutor (for real) and yoga instructor. She's the author of the Megan Berry, Zombie Settler series and JULIET IMMORTAL, out now from Delacorte Press.

Okay, Stacey! Thanks for joining me to talk about secrets and being a teen! (Stacey is a friend from THE DEBS (authors who debuted in 2099) and I ADORE her and her books.) So, Stacey, are you good at keeping secrets? Why or why not?

STACEY: Yes, I am good with secrets. I cherish the trust of the people who confide in me and would never betray them (unless forced to in order to protect their life/health). I have told that type of secret before, and I don't regret it.

I sensed you would be good with secrets. I *may* have shared one sometime in our journey! So, do you easily forgive friends for their mistakes? What is something you could never forgive a friend for?

STACEY: I forgive most mistakes easily, but I have a problem with mistakes in threes. If I'm repeatedly let down by a friend, it can be hard to reestablish trust.

Makes sense, the whole three times you're out thing. I like it. Okay, so let’s just go ahead and stereotype you for a moment, okay! What kind of a teen were you, as in what “group” did you associate with?
(cheerleader, Goth, nerd, jock , loner etc.)

STACEY: I was the captain of the pom pom squad, a National Honor Society nerd who watched Monty Python way too much, and ran with a bunch of amazing hippie/alternative people and we all experimented with controlled substances more than we should have. I didn't fit any one group. I was a person who liked to roam the lunch room and sit with all my different friends. Though, looking back, I wish I'd spent more time with my fellow "nerds." I think they would have kept me out of trouble, and they always had a lot of fun.

I think I love you a little more now. A nerdy, hippy cheerleader. I must hear about your fave teen outfit.

STACEY: Bell bottom jeans from a thrift store with a tight tank top and a flannel (it was the late 90's and grunge was good). I also liked really short kilts with my Doc Marten boots.

Oh my Gosh! I want grunge to come back in style. I loved it so hard. Oh fashion world- please bring back the grunge. P.S. I would totally wear kilts with Doc Marten boots if my son and my husband wouldn't have me committed or refuse to be seen with me. Ever. But enough about me. If you could go back to high school knowing now what you didn’t know then, what is one thing you would change? What do you wish you could have told your teen self.

STACEY: I would spend more time with my friends and less with boys. Fun boys are easy to find, good friends are not. I miss those intense, intimate friendships so much. As a working mom and a wife, there is a LOT less time for strong girl bonds. And I wish I could tell my teen self to relax. It's only life. You're going to die. At the end the only things you'll regret are the times you could have been loving life/people and having fun and didn't.

Words of wisdom from Stacey people. Thank you so much for stopping by.

And don't forget to add Juliet Immortal to your reading list!

IF I TELL Jon Skovron- Will he hold a grudge?

2011-08-11T07:33:00.001-06:00

Jon Skovron has never really fit in, and has no plans to start now. After twelve years of Catholic school, he went on to study acting at a conservatory program for four years before returning to his first love, writing. Best-selling author Holly Black called his new novel, Misfit, "A diabolically delightful paranormal" and Kirkus (Starred Review) called it, "Thoughtful, scary and captivating." His first novel, Struts & Frets, was published in 2009. Washington Post Book world said, "Skovron perfectly captures that passion--sometimes fierce, sometimes shy--that drives so many young artists to take the raw stuff of life and transform it into something beautiful." Bestselling author Cory Doctorow said, "Struts & Frets will feel instantly authentic to anyone who's ever felt the pride and shame of being an outsider". Jon lives with his two sons outside Washington, DC. Visit him at jonskovron.com

Okay, I will refrain from mentioning that if I were a teenage girl I would be crushing hard on Jon Skovron. Oops, too late, but with that intriguing photo and bio and the fact that his writing is just AMAZING, well he's a pretty cool guy, yes? I loved STRUTS AND FRETS and I am reading MISFIT right now and it is SO GOOD! Kirkus Star earned. And by the way, this bio makes so much sense when you read MISFIT! But enough gushing, let's talk to Jon about SECRETS and TEEN STUFF!

So Jon, are you good at keeping secrets? Why or why not?

JON: I'm good at keep secrets if someone tells me it's a secret that must be kept. I'm bad at picking up on subtle hints that something should be a secret if the person doesn't explicitly tell me so.

Note to self. If divulging secrets to Jon, spell it out. Ha. I think that's pretty much the way I am too. I am amazing at secrets if explicitly asked not to share. What about mistakes? Do you easily forgive friends for their mistakes? What is something you could never forgive a friend for?

JON: I can't hold grudges. It's not really that I think it's "wrong". I've tried to do it. Honestly I have. But it takes way too much effort and makes me nauseous. That said, trust is important to me. I assume a person is trustworthy until they prove me wrong. Once someone breaks my trust, I assume they are untrustworthy. They can earn back my trust, but takes a while.

Ouch. I don't want to risk it. Second note to self. Don't do something to break Jon's trust. Okay, so let’s go ahead and stereotype you for a moment. What kind of a teen were you, as in what “group” did you associate with?(cheerleader, Goth, nerd, jock , loner etc.)

JON : Goth+nerd+theater geek+punk

The fact that someone can call themselves a goth and a nerd at the same time is pretty amazing. And explains to me why you write such wonderful books. Okay. Describe your fave teen outfit.

JON: Gray West German Army Overcoat, torn jeans with long underwear underneath, black combat boots, and a cartoon character t-shirt (Pink Panther, Joker, Mad Hatter, etc).

I love the long underwear touch, and this does perfectly encapsulate the type of teen I am imaging you as. Last question. If you could go back to high school knowing now what you didn’t know then, what is one thing you would change? What do you wish you could have told your teen self?

JON: In high school I was pretty angry in general, and impatient with others who didn't share my opinions. I said unkind things to people. Some of them provoked me, and perhaps those people "deserved it". Other people didn't deserve it at all. I should have been more generous with all of them. Meanness begets meanness, and kindness begets kindness. I could have done with a little more kindness, and offering it myself would have been a great place to start.

Wise words indeed! Thank you for your honest and thoughtful answers, Jon. And you who are reading this. Have you picked up MISFIT yet? You're going to LOVE IT!

New Book Deal Announced

2011-08-10T08:56:00.000-06:00

This morning's Publisher's Marketplace announced the new deal that my agent, Jill Corcoran has been working on for me!

Janet Gurtler's JUST BREATHE, in which a girl struggles with boy problems and serious regret after accidentally killing a boy she barely knows when she kisses him after consuming a peanut butter sandwich, not aware he has a deathly allergy to peanuts, to Leah Hultenschmidt at Sourcebooks Fire, by Jill Corcoran at The Herman Agency.

I'm really excited about this book and Leah, the YA/Romance editor over at Sourcebooks is a dream to work with. Seriously. When I was unpublished and imagined working with an editor someday, she is the person I would have conjured up.

This is the first book I've sold that isn't actually finished yet (it was bought on a partial and synopsis) so it will be a little different going in. I love the story though and think it will give me lots of room to go deep and explore character emotions and complexities as I so love to do. (And hope I accomplish sometimes!)

The title will be changing for sure as Just Breathe isn't quite the perfect one, but since I was calling it the Peanut Butter book when I started working on it, Just Breathe is definitely an improvement.

I've never made it a secret that my son has a serious peanut allergy and some people look at me like there's a screw floating around in my brain when I tell them the premise, but I think it's a great story and I've talked to my son about why I'm writing it with a death and he gets it. I know that almost every single person knows someone with a peanut allergy, especially in today's world.

Peanut allergies, like many deathly allergies, are serious stuff and scary for parents and families to live with sometimes. There are accidents. I'm going to have to take my imagination to some dark places while writing this book, but I think it will be worth it.

Wish me luck as I work on it over the next few months. I hope it's as good a story as I want it to be!!

IF I TELL FIVE- Talking Secrets with a Canadian Book Publicist

2011-08-09T13:14:00.002-06:00

I am Canadian, so not only do I get great health care (*wink*) I'm lucky that I also get to have an extra arm on publicity from Sourcebooks and that is from the Sourcebooks Distributor in Canada- Raincoast Books! Raincoast Teen Blog

Crystal Allen is the Children's Book Publicist at Raincoast Books. She lives in beautiful Vancouver, BC with her 3 year old daughter, husband and their 4 pound Yorkie. She is also the owner and designer of Lilikoi Lane, a Vancouver based custom shirt company. You can find her on facebook at http://www.lilikoilane.info/

Crystal has been doing a wonderful job promoting I'M NOT HER to Indigo/Chapters and the amazing Independent Bookstores in Canada!

I asked her to be the first participant in the IF I TELL FIVE. So without further ado, here we go!

JG: Are you good at keeping secrets? Why or why not?

CRYSTAL: I am, and I'm not. I'm definitely not the girl who is going to run around blabbing your secret to the whole wide world, but if I know something really big I have a hard time keeping it in. Usually if someone tells me a huge secret that I just can't keep to my self I will tell my husband (who is probably the best secret keeper alive!) or my friend Amy, who lives in Colorado and who I have never actually met face to face and knows none of the same IRL (In Real Life) people who I do so even if she blabs no one would find it very interesting since they don't know the people in question. I think it's important to be able to have someone who you trust to confide your secrets to. It's not healthy to keep them all bottled up and to yourself.

I find myself using the same techniques sometimes if it is not the kind of secret I absolutely must keep. My husband never gossips, hates it actually so he's a good person to share with. Or I'll do the tell someone who doesn't know anyone involved and don't mention names. I worry about bursting too. ;) Now...let's talk forgiveness. Do you easily forgive friends for their mistakes? What is something you could never forgive a friend for?

CRYSTAL: My sister and I are 3 years apart. Growing up we would get into huge, monumental fights constantly and then we would have forgiven each other 5 minutes later. Now that I'm grown up it always confuses me when people hold things that they are upset about inside and hold a grudge about it. If you are upset, let me know you are upset, let's have it out and then hug and make up. I'm a pretty forgiving person. I can't think of any friend that I have had a fight with that I'm still mad at so, yes, I would say I forgive friends for their mistakes.

As for something that I couldn't forgive a friend for, I am fiercely protective of my family and friends. I can forgive people for things that they do to me but if someone were to do something that really hurt my daughter or husband, that would probably be harder to get over.

Wow. I admire your candor and totally get the protective thing. All right, so let’s just go ahead and stereotype you for a moment, okay? Okay! What kind of a teen were you, as in what “group” did you associate with? (cheerleader, Goth, nerd, jock , loner etc.)

CRYSTAL: Funny enough I didn't really fit into any of those categories. I was the type of girl that tried to be friends with everyone. I had friends that were in the "popular" crowd but I definitely wasn't one of the popular girls, I had friends who were in the "theater"group and I took a pretty heavy schedule of drama classes but again I definitely wasn't a theater girl. I had friends who were nerds, jocks, "the bad kids", artsy, etc but I don't think I fully fit in with any of the groups and I kind of bounced back and forth from one group to the next. I guess I was just me.

Great person to be. Yourself. Good advice to teens and beyond!
Okay. Now that we're thinking like teens, can you describe your fave teen outfit?

CRYSTAL : I started working at a restaurant as a hostess when I was 14 years old. I had a HUGE crush on the prep cook who was 5 years older than me. We became very good friends and eventually started dating after I graduated from high school. When I was 16 years old my Mom bought me a red dress to wear to a wedding and it ended up becoming my Christmas Party dress. It was my first real "grown up" dress. It fit my body perfectly, had just the right amount of cleavage and was a bold color choice. Everyone noticed the girl in red. I was wearing that dress the first time my crush and I slow danced together at the company Christmas Party and when I left the party at the end of the night he kissed me (on the cheek, daringly close to the lips). The dress made me feel very glamourous and like a girl out of a book. It still makes me smile when I think about it.

You were MUCH cooler than me. I would have been terrified of a boy 5 years older than me that I had a crush on! So, if you could go back to high school knowing now what you didn’t know then, what is one thing you would change? What do you wish you could have told your teen self?

CRYSTAL: This was a tough one for me to answer. My first thoughts were the typical "that the way things are in high school really don't matter once you grow up", or to try and "buckle down and get better grades". Honestly though I don't think either of those things would have changed anything in my grown up life.

So I think it would be this: "Crystal, I know that things are really rough between you and your mom right now. You guys will get through it. One day she will be your best friend, the person who you confide your secrets in. She will make huge sacrifices in her life so that she can help take care of your daughter. The two of them will have a bond that you weren't lucky enough to have with your own grandmas. Play nice and know that the two of you will get through it and be stronger for it."

Aw. That is SO sweet. I know Mom/Daughter relationships can be REALLY tough during teen years. Actually the Mom/Daughter relationship in IF I TELL is really a tough one, but the main character tries to deal with it the best she can. Not always easy though.

Thanks so much CRYSTAL for stopping by and sharing your wonderful answers! I look forward to working with you soon on IF I TELL!!

If I Tell Janet Gurtler

2011-08-08T23:34:00.000-06:00

That search combination that leads a few people to this blog just cracks me up for some silly reason. If I Tell Janet Gurtler. What?? What will happen to you??? Tell her. TELL HER!

Yes. It is late. Yes. I need to get off the computer. :)

Anyhow. I am finally back from what feels like being away for the entire summer. I have been cabin building in the wilds and it's been okay and all --but weeks without Internet are hard on a writer type person let me tell you. I have much to do and much to write and I just **may** have some good news to share soon. Shhh. Secret.

I'm going to be talking about secrets a lot over the next couple months actually! I am going to be adding a fun new feature to the blog, where I interview writers/agents/bloggers whoever wants to be on my page to answer the IF I TELL FIVE. This is coming soon. I hope to have some groovy people join me, so stay tuned. Well. Keep on with your life and all, but watch for it.

In the meanwhile, I must get back to real life. I'm kind of happy about that. What's new with you??

Living with a Teenager inside My Head

2011-08-04T05:43:00.001-06:00

I was a teenager longer ago than I care to actually do the math on. Before cell phones. Before Texting and Facebook and Twitter. I had no idea what a blog was. Man, truth be told, I learned how to type on a TYPEWRITER. I had little nail polish like tubes of white out when I wrote essays in high school and then college.

I could go on and on about the old days. But I won’t. I know there are differences being a teen today of course. It’s a faster pace, and teens are more sophisticated in many ways. They certainly have better clothes and cars! But some of things don’t change despite advances in technology or changes in social norms.

Because I write teen fiction I spend a lot of time thinking like a teen. Or trying to remember feelings that were so important to me as a teen. I purposely go there in my head especially when I’m trying to figure out how my characters would act or talk or what they would do in a situation. And of course, I read teen fiction all the time. I’m not complaining, trust me. I love teen fiction. Writing it and reading it. But one side effect is that I dream about my teen years and my teen friends all the time. And I am so not a teenager. But I remember things perhaps more clearly than people who don’t write stories about this time in their lives.

I was taken back when someone I know (my sister in law actually) told me she read I’M NOT HER and was surprised by the drinking party in the opening scene. She said things must have changed since she was a kid since she couldn’t remember the teen years being like that. My brows wrinkled and I held in a huge raspberry sound like Pssssssshaaaaaaaaaaaaawwww.

Um. This was a woman who partied A LOT when she was a teen. I know that for a fact. But I simply said, well, it certainly happens and I did when I was a teen. Then I laughed and said I was actually worse than any characters in I’M NOT HER, since I was kind of a rotten teen. And then she laughed too, and said she did a lot of things too when she was a teen that would be too risqué for books. And yeah, I thought to myself. I kind of knew hat. Hmm. So when I thought about it later, I wondered if her initial reaction was like a memory loss or if it was denial or what? I’m still not sure.

It made me think about how connected I feel to teen experiences. Not that I think I’m a just like a teen and super hip and young and could totally hang with them and stuff. God knows teens certainly don’t want me and my age spots walking up to them and trying to hang. And I’m way beyond wanting that. I’m pretty much a mom and in my mind teens are like little kids. Only bigger. With more attitude.

But I feel a rather spiritual connection to what it is like to be a teen. That transitional time when the world is emotional and raw. Everything is dramatic! I love exploring stories with a teen brain and for me that includes seeing the worlds they live in with as authentic an eye I can. Drinking, drugs and sex don’t scare me. I don’t want to preach to teens, but I do like to think that I explore consequences of actions. I try not to judge. I like teenagers. I remember being one.

Anyhow, I better like them because in three more years my house will be filled with them. Hopefully I’ll still be writing teen books and talking to the teen in my head. It should horrify me son. I’ll try to check back and let you know.

Summer, Panels and If I Tell

2011-07-20T14:30:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I met with writer pals and blog geniuses - Angela Ackerman and Stina Lindenblatt to discuss our panel at the upcoming When Words Collide Writers Conference.

We met at the beach. Yeah. Life is tough like that sometimes. Anyhow, while Stina and my kids roamed around (Ang's are old enough to fend for themselves) we talked about Writing YA. It was good for the soul and interesting and of course there was a *little* general conversation about books and the publishing life.

Today was a great day too! I saw a wonderful, wonderful glowing review sheet that Kay Mitchell, Publicist Extraordinaire put together for publishing people. It is beautiful and full of wonderful quotes from readers who loved I'M NOT HER. Of course, readers who did not were purposefully ignored. (kidding, kidding, kidding. Sort of.)

I also got word that I'M NOT HER was on the Sony Reader's Ebook Staff Picks. Cool beans, yes.

Best of all I got to have a conversation with my lovely editor at Sourcebooks, and we talked about a new book idea that I am SOOOOOO excited about and she loved the idea too! Yay! Great news! Now all I have to do is write it! Oh. Wait. That's kind of the hard part.

But seriously I haven't been this pumped about a new book for a long time, so let's hope it all works out and there will be some official news soon!!! But meanwhile, back at the book store...

I am starting to realize too, that IF I TELL comes out in less than 3 months. Oh my GOSH. Less than three months.

Please love my book world. No pressure. But please. :)

Missing in Action

2011-07-08T09:58:00.000-06:00

I have been completely missing in action! Yes I have. I have been to Winnipeg for my niece's grad and she is far too beautiful for her own good. Hee hee.

Niece and Grandma

I also had a wonderful book signing at the amazing INDIE - McNally Robinson. Such a great store and wonderful people who work there! Some old friends came by and I even did a reading!!

Came home for two parties and then immediately headed to BC for cabin building. And no Internet. Eek! No Internet! I painted and painted but also managed to find a couple hours to finish my short story for the Debs FIRST anthology. Whew!!

Back home now for a quick few days and then back to BC. Did I mention the pile of laundry I am facing today??? Did I mention how behind I am on all my writing "stuff"? Did I mention I haven't exercised and that I've been eating nonstop for weeks??

Oh and I also learned just yesterday that I am a new AUNTIE!!! My younger brother and his wife and son are the proud new parents of a little baby girl from China. They will be going to pick her up in China to welcome her to their family in September. So excited for them. It was a long time coming and they will be fabulous. I can't wait to meet her though we live so far away I may have to wait awhile.

Last of the good news....my review of I'M NOT HER came in for the SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL. And they liked it, they really liked it!!! Hooray!!!!!

"The author seamlessly develops complexity in all of the characters ...This quick and heartbreaking read realistically shows how one person’s illness affects an entire community"

Look at This Beautiful Cover

2011-06-24T09:30:00.001-06:00

Coming out in the Fall featuring a story by yours truly. Is ths a beautiful cover or WHAT??

CRACK THE CODE WINNER!

2011-06-19T07:00:00.002-06:00

A loud click sounds within the door. Heart drumming, you pull on the handle and the monstrous round door swings open.

*08 46 10 *

Congrats goes to *Jenni Merritt * who successfully CRACKED the CODE at The Bookshelf Muse, winning my 3 chapter critique of your YA novel, plus an ARC of IF I TELL. Please contact me as soon as possible so I can get your prize to you! Thanks everyone for playing along & helping to celebrate a great writing community. :)

How to Write What You Don't Know- Chandler Craig

2011-06-13T12:30:00.001-06:00

Chandler Craig is an up and coming YA writer who is repped by Daniel Lazar at Writer's House, which pretty much guarantees she's a fabulous writer. She is also currently ghost writing novels which means she's being published but it's all secret agent like, because if she told us her pen name she might have to kill us or something. So we won't even ask. For life preservation and such.

Chandler also has a great blog, Fumbling with Fiction that you can find here.

So, not only is Chandler a brilliant writer with a truly cool author name, but she's also a law student, which pretty much guarantees that her brain is full of smart. And to top it off, she's gorgeous. However, despite the unfair distribution of beauty, brains and writing finesse I decided we should not hate her because she's also a really, really nice person!

And now... a GUEST POST from CHANDLER CRAIG!

Writing What You Don't Know

So, I thought since I was coming on Janet’s blog, it would only be fitting to write a little something about, well, writing sisters. See, I know from the dedication to Janet’s book that she is lucky enough to have a sister! So, having a sister + writing about sisters, it makes a certain amount of sense, yes?

I, however, have not been so lucky. While writing my book, I knew my main character, Scout, needed someone who would be honest with her and who would see her as she truly was—you know, the type of person who can tell which eye looks better once you put on your makeup. Well, who better to fill that role than a sister, right?

One problem.

I’m an only child. That’s right. Not only do I not have a sister, I have nary a sibling in sight. Sort of a typical writers’ conundrum, isn’t it? Follow the age old adage to write what you know or venture out beyond experience? I guess, I decided to do a little of both. And since I know many other writers struggle with what to do when writing on a topic with which they have no personal experience, I thought I’d give my top three tips for making your writing feel “real.”

1. Don’t be afraid to ask. Although I don’t have a sister, that doesn’t mean I don’t know any sisters. In fact, I know quite a few. One of my best friends has three sisters who have all lived together at one point or another and whose house I spend a good deal of time at and, as it turns out, the sister relationship in my book began to grow out of my friend’s relationship with one of her sisters. So then what do you do when you have no personal experience with a subject? Find someone who does! Okay, okay, I know what you’re thinking. It’s not always cool to go up to someone and ask if you can interrogate them for some random novel you’re writing. We’ve all been met with the awkward pause when we say we write novels. So know that you don’t have to lead with that. People love to talk about themselves, so let them. The note jotting can come later.

2. Find specific kernels of truth. You know what they say—a good lie lies in the details. Fine, so “lying” isn’t the nicest way to put it. Let’s call it “convincing.” You have to convince your audience you know what you’re talking about. After all, your characters are living in this world. They certainly know enough to be specific! Use the correct lingo and write with honesty. Use the specific kernels you are able to include as fence posts on which to hang the rest of your narrative. From there, you can spin a narrative about a setting, relationship, or event as you see it unfold, but be sure to write with confidence and not revert to generalities.

3. Google like your life depends on it. This isn’t college. Nobody is going to be upset if citing the website you’re checking out would have been a cardinal academic sin if included in a dissertation. But, if, say, your character is a big Dungeons and Dragons player and you don’t know the difference between an Animal Domain and an Astral Plane, reading through comments in a D&D forum might be just the ticket. The trick to internet research, though, is doing a lot of it. So much that you feel as if you DO know what you’re talking about. Read, read, read…internalize. And in this case, personal accounts such as blogs and message boards may serve better than articles since you are, in fact, trying to recreate a personal account.

Thanks to Chandler for great words of wisdom!! And now I love her just a little more because she is an only child and since I have one, I'm kind of partial to them!

Book Launch/Signing- I'M NOT HER!

2011-06-12T15:20:00.001-06:00

Well, I've been rather quiet on the blog front. Mostly because it's been a busy week. My mommy flew in this week to come to the I'M NOT HER book party. Of course that meant I had to clean and get ready for her visit. All good. Actually I like when people visit me, the house gets a good cleaning!

So Friday night was the big night at Calgary Chapters on MacLeod Trail. I was so darn happy with my friends who not only turned up to support me, but were so genuinely happy for me too. Yay friends!

The store manager, Tracey, was also amazing, as were the staff at Chapters.

They'd recently renovated the Teen Section and we set up our tables and snacks and chairs in the area and the ambiance was perfect for a night of friends celebrating my book!

It was so great to see different friends from different parts of my life all together and all of them so darn happy for me. And me all happy! All in all, quite a happy fest!

As I promised/bribed everyone, there were cupcakes!!

But mostly it was me signing books and my friends mingling and making me feel special and fabulous.

I had a great time and thanks to all who came out to support me on my special night!
I even got not one but two beautiful and unexpected vases of FLOWERS!

A couple of readers who didn't even KNOW me bought books (lol!!)

FREE BOOKS BEACH CONTEST

2011-06-01T12:59:00.001-06:00

Teen READS. COM AMAZING GIVEAWAY!

Holy frickin frackin batman chasing bootie butts. Which means absolutely nothing but sums up my thoughts when I saw the friggin' cool giveaway of friggin' amazing books and I'M NOT HER is included. THUNK (me fainting to the ground in a heap of disbelief)

There's a free look at the first chapter of I'M NOT HER on the site too. Wowza coolza binga banga boom!
(I think I may have lost my mind a little)

Look at all the books you can WIN!!! Plus other beach goodies complete with beach bag!!!!!

DIVERGENT
BEAUTY QUEENS
CLARITY
BEASTLY
IRON QUEEN
*I'M NOT HER* (SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE)
LOST VOICES
A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL
NIGHT SPELL
PROM AND PREJUDICE
RUBY RED
SHIVER
STAR CROSSED
SUPERNATURALLY
10 THINGS WE DID AND PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAVE

YOU CAN ENTER HERE!
FRIGGIN' AMAZING BOOK CONTEST

I HEART INDIES! MONKEYSHINES BOOK STORE!

2011-05-31T09:51:00.002-06:00

I love bookstores. I love the smell of them. I love the hopeful anticipation when you walk inside one, knowing that you are going to find a perfect treasure. A book. A book that will whisk you away and take you on an adventure. The experience is so much more personal and nurturing in an INDIE BOOK STORE! It's their passion for books, the passion for the kids who will read the books and the absolute love of READING!

I have a confession. One of my secret dreams is to open a bookstore. There are so FEW Indies where I live now. It's not something that I could financially ever manage, but if I could --my model would be MONKEY SHINES BOOK STORE in CALGARY ALBERTA. Another confession, I once asked the staff if they had franchise stores, just because I LOVE IT SO MUCH and wanted to replicate one in my neighbourhood!

Monkey Shines is completely fabulous. Not only is it Calgary's only Book Store just for Children's Books, the store atmosphere is lively and happy and FUN!

Actually, my son and I discovered it because it's located right next door to my son's DENTIST. And yet every time we have to go to the DENTIST both of us are excited because it means a trip to MONKEY SHINES!!! How cool that a bookstore can make a dentist trip fun!

Monkey Shines Book Store

I want to thank Monkey Shines for what they do and for being a wonderful part of Calgary and especially the cool and eclectic neighbourhood of Marda Loop!

Thanks to the amazing sisters Lisa and Laura Roecker for banding together authors to show love for Indies! Check out their blog and contest by clicking on their name above!

Check out all of the Indie-love and if you have something to add, send them your link and they'll tack it to the list! You can also follow them on Twitter using the hastage #iheartindies. Because today is all about spreading the love. In fact, one lucky commenter will win a book of their choice ordered from the Learned Owl and another commenter will win a book of their choice ordered from Anderson's.
Sarah Frances Hardy

Shana Silver

Elana Johnson

Stasia Kehoe

Shannon Messenger

Carolina Valdez Miller

Mundie Moms

Myra McEntire

Sara Bennett Wealer

Janet Gurtler

Joy Preble

Ty Drago

Kate Walton

Julia Karr

Randy Russell

Adele Griffin

Helen Landalf

Andrea Higgins

Beth Revis

Tess Hilmo

Sheela Chari

Gail Handler

So, go ahead and tell us about the Indies in your neighborhood!!

Dork in New York

2011-05-30T12:08:00.002-06:00

Wow! Home from BEA 11 already! Pooped and about five or a hundred and five pounds heavier. Did I mention I tried my first red velvet cupcake? Yeah. It was the size of my head. Did I mention it was so good I had to try another one the next day. :)

Plus there was Ziggy Cake to celebrate Ziggy's 40th Anniversary. And Starbucks full fat Frappacuinnos. And Donuts. For some reason I showed no restraint.

But enough about the food, what about the BOOKS. The AUTHORS. The BLOGGERS!! The LIBRARIANS. This is what New York librarians look like...

Okay. Not ALL of them but here's two!! Librarians were not this gorgeous and cool when I was a teen!

So. To start up. Tuesday morning EARLY I met up with Shana Silver and Laura from Laura's Reviews. (We weren't blurry, but my blackberry was...)

They were pro's and knew what was up, which was why they were already staked out at the front of the line to get into the Expo. Which was great, because I had no idea what was going on or what to expect. I met lots of great book bloggers in line and was totally impressed by their levels of professionalism and passion for books. Very cool!

There was even a group of bloggers who were so smart they rented a house together and paid a FRACTION of what my hotel room cost me! Smart bloggers!

So. Then the doors opened and WOW! BOOKS! ARCS! AUTHORS --in autographing booths giving away signed copies of books. Books at Publishers booths. Line ups. Craziness ensued. I still had no idea what was going on and pretty much lost my peeps immediately. But wandered and nabbed some great books and then eventually wandered over to the Sourcebooks booth where I met my cool editor Leah Hultenschmidt, (but forgot to take our picture together.) I also met other great people from Sourcebooks, including Todd Stocke and CEO, Dominique Raccah.

Tuesday night, before the Soho Press Party (where I was dying to go to meet the fabulous author and editor Daniel Ehrenhaft), I first went out for dinner with Laura from Laura's Reviews. She is an amazingly nice woman with the cutest hint of a Boston accent. Laura is very outgoing and went out of her way to introduce me to many authors and bloggers, including Barry Lyga. As a huge fan of Boy Toy I was thrilled!

The Soho Press party was one of my BEA highlights. It was a cool old bookstore and it was filled with people from the NY literary scene. Agents, editors, authors, bloggers and so many friggin' cool people. I was truly in my dorky element. When I left the party (early) because remember the dork part, I actually went out into the streets of New York and flagged a cab. It was a good moment. I also hung out on Times Square and it was super cool to be a gawking tourist checking out the sights and sounds! Of course I had to go to the giant Toys R Us store where there is (among other things) a Ferris wheel inside the store. I shot some photo's of Lego sculptures for Superson.

Wednesday I met up with Shana and Laura again and spent the day waiting in more lines and watching panels and exploring the trade show. I had dinner with Editor Leah on Wednesday night and then on Thursday more trade show during the day. I met my agent's agent, Ronnie Herman and the fabulous and friendly, Anastasia Suen.

Later on Thursday the fabulous Converse shoe wearing Publicity Manager from Sourcebooks, Derry Wilkens, took Sourcebook authors, Ty Drago, The Undertakers, Geoff Herbach, Stupid Fast, Leanna Renee Hieber, Darker Still, Katrina Kittle, Reasons to be Happy and ME to a Book Blogger reception. It was fun to meet the bloggers and librarians!!

Other highlights besides the enormous box of books that will be shipping to me (soon I hope), was meeting and seeing lots of authors I love and admire!

Kody Keplinger, author of DUFF and soon to be released SHUT OUT. I got a signed copy and can't wait to read it!! Kody is adorable and sweet and so friggin' young and talented and poised I kind of wanted to hate her! Ha ha, just kidding! She was amazing!

I also got to meet fellow DEB and AMAZING author Sarah MacLean. She wrote a YA, The Season, and is now a NY Times Bestselling Romance Author. She is as sweet in person as she is online and she is also really really tall!!! Which I envy now in addition to her amazing prose!! I got a signed copy of TEN WAYS TO BE ADORED WHEN LANDING A LORD!

I caught the last part of a panel with Laini Taylor, who is hard to miss with her trademark PINK hair ( love!). I got a little teary eyed when she spoke about a passage in her new book (DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE) that she wrote when she was on a book retreat with the lovely and prolific author, Lisa SchroEder and the amazing L.K. Madigan, who recently passed away.

I got to meet and get an autographed book from TONY HAWK for my skateboarding nephew!

I saw Jimmy Fallon (adorable) and listened to the AMAZING Jane Fonda speak. I saw Mike Holmes (smaller than I thought) and was so sorry I missed his book and autograph as husband is a HUGE fan,

I saw Coco and Ice-Tea and Candace Cameron.

I saw Ellen Hopkins and Scott Westerfeld and so many, many other authors whose work I admire. I missed Sarah Dessen (sigh) but got an autographed book from Elizabeth Scott..

All in all- it was an amazing experience and despite the added girth and forge into horrid eating habits it was worth every penny.

Vive la New York!

New York- Day One

2011-05-23T20:25:00.002-06:00

True fact. I almost FORGOT my luggage. Hub and I stopped for coffee on the way to the airport and as we're leaving the coffee place he says, "Did you bring your luggage from the house". Um Not. So we went back home to get it. D'oh.

I read OKAY FOR NOW (Gary D. Schmidt) on the plane. And teared up. It is THAT good. Amazing really. You must read it. If you are a writer you will hate him just a little.

Arrived in NY. Got into a cab. No. First I spilled the bag of trail mix I bought because I didn't eat on the plane and was HUNGRY. Spilled it all over the luggage pick up area. Whoops. Clumsy nerd in New York.
The cab driver was a wild driver, but in a good way. Drove through the longest tunnel in the world and looked for ways to escape it, but didn't see any.

Arrived at hotel. Oh.

Really close to the conference center. Kind of old though. And tiny little tiny room. Hoping like crazy there are not alive things crawling in the bed. Making myself itchy thinking about it.

Walked down to shopping area, but didn't have lots of time. Saw Madison Square Gardens and went into the BORDERS right beside it. They had copies of I'm Not Her on the shelf. That was a kick!!! Saw lots of people and lights and tourists walking around with luggage. Oh. Also walked past some groovy looking fashion gala or something with lots of fancy looking people in expensive clothes and paparazzi. Do they have paparazzi at BEA? They totally should.

Went and ate a large thin crust slice of pizza in the subway station. Felt kind of groovy. Had no idea where any of the major attractions were and kind of afraid to walk in the late, late darkness in my hotel area so returned to hotel.

Meeting up with Shana Silver and Laura tomorrow early for the first day of BEA!

More later dudes.

Nerd in New York - Me at BEA 11

2011-05-19T09:07:00.000-06:00

Oh my gosh, have I mentioned 365 times how excited I am to be going to New York friggin City. Whoooo!

I am doing it alone, but meeting up with some people at various points, and hopefully will run into some "virtual" friends while I'm out there as well. Crawl me off of my introverted couch and into the real world baby! I'm a comin'

I am going to lose my mind when I see all the authors I love and admire. And the books. The books!!! I am going to get ARC's. (Well, I hope. I keep secretly thinking that no one will give me books because I am just a fraud, not a book blogger or librarian.)

I am going to go to NY bookstores and walk down the street where all the publishing houses are. Eeek eek. I'm going to go to Toys R Us, the biggest toy store in the world. I am going to do STUFF!

When I come back I'll post a report on what I saw and what I learned and hopefully I'll have some great books to use as give-aways!!!

Until then.

Happy Long Weekend and I LOVE NEW YORK!!!

FUN Facts about I'm Not Her

2011-05-18T09:48:00.001-06:00

Originally posted here!
Reclusivebibliophile

10 Fun Facts about I'M NOT HER!

1.In a hospital scene in I’m Not Her one of the nurses is named Tracey and she takes Kristina’s flowers home to her daughter, Carly. Tracey is the name of my sister, Carly is her daughter in real life.

2.Every single one of my books has a character named Carly in it. This is a tribute to my niece, Carly. The characters are not based on her per se, but there has to be a Carly in my books. Like a superstition or good luck charm or something.

3.This book is dedicated to my sister Tracey. I was able to keep it a secret until Final Page Proofs came in.

4.My niece Ciara plays volleyball and her nickname is CEE. She got recruited by a university in the States and is playing there. None of the volleyball players in the book were based on her though. She is a cool like a rock star.

5.I thought Clark Trent was a funny name because of Superman’s secret identity. The Superman cape Clark wears in a scene cracked me up.

6.I named a couple of the teachers in I’m Not Her after dogs I’ve had. Peppsy (Mr. Pepson) and Meeko (Mr. Meekers)

7.In a scene Tess listens to Hedly on her iPod. I LOVE Jacob, the lead singer for the band. He was on the only season of Canadian Idol I watched.

8.I named the golf course that Nick works at and Tess’s Dad plays at after my husband. Largurt (Larry Gurtler)

9.I’m Not Her was originally called The Weight of Bones, but when I first started writing it I titled it Dance Big Sister.

10.Tess’s love of the Discovery Channel and Myth Busters were inspired by my son

Monday means....THE HAMSTER DANCE

2011-05-16T09:10:00.000-06:00

It's Monday. You know what that means? The HAMSTER DANCE SONG is here to cheer you up!

What???

You didn't come here to learn right?? It's Monday. We could all use a little HAMSTER DANCE!!

Watch this video. You can thank me later!

Not so Deep Thoughts on Sunday

2011-05-15T07:47:00.001-06:00

Mood- thoughtful.

I had a wonderful time at the Okotoks Library yesterday where a small but attentive crowd came to my presentation about Voice and the publishing business. Son had to come with me as hubby is off building and fixing things at the cabin. Son reports he almost fell asleep but assured me I didn't sound as boring as he thought I might. Now there's some great feedback!

As a reward I took him to see THOR last night and then afterwards we dropped by our local Chapters/Indigo store to visit my books. Unfortunately they weren't on the shelves yet but when I checked with the store computer it showed 3 in the store. I asked a nice young employee about it and she magically took over the computer and typed in mysterious numbers and then told me they had arrived a couple of days ago and were still in the back room. She was about to go get one but I told her I wasn't buying one, I was just checking on them because I wrote the book. She acted very impressed and made me feel wonderful with her kind words. If I had chocolate in my pocket I would have offered her some.

It's 14 days post "official" RELEASE day, though Indigo/Chapters listed the book release as May 15 so it's about right that the books are just starting to hit the shelves in my homeland of Canada.

It's a roller coaster ride this publishing thing, let me tell you! Some things happen that send authors to incredible high and wonderful euphoric places. Good reviews, spotting books in stores, increases in sales numbers. Then there's the inevitable dips. All part of the business and all part of the reason authors need to have thick skin when they put their work out in the world. It's a learning process how to deal with it all that's for sure. (For example I think it's about time I stopped stalking Goodreads and book blogs andTwitter for reviews and mentions of the book.)

Next week I'm heading out to the cabin for the long weekend for painting and fixing and building and then a week tomorrow I'm heading to New York City for my very first time. AHHH! I have so much to do next week. Color my hair! Pick out outfits. Figure out a schedule! I'm really excited to be visiting New York. Nervous but excited!!

Happy Sunday!

Five on Friday

2011-05-06T10:00:00.001-06:00

1. I have become secretly addicted to listening to Cee Lo Green's UNCLEAN version of Forget You. Which uses the F word in place of Forget. Yes THAT word! It makes me giggle like a ten year old boy. Of course, I only listen on my iPod. My son and my husband would both disapprove. I like in a house of non swearing rule followers people. It's my small act of rebellion! Giggle giggle.

2. I am getting super excited and nervous about going to NEW YORK CITY. My first time. I'm going alone. I am going to start begging for friends to hang out with. Oh. Who am I kidding. I've already started asking for friends to hang out with.

3. I have been working on INSTINCT again. I swear this book is the most difficult one to finish. When I am done I will be celebrating in a MAJOR way. That means, maybe TWO scoops of ice cream on my chocolate fudge three layer cake.

4. I am going to the bookstore today! Yes I am!!! Unfortunately I'M NOT HER doesn't release until May 15 at Chapters/Indigo, but I'm going to check out some Indies around town. Plus I need to drop by the store where I'm having my LAUNCH!!!! June 10th baby. If you're in Calgary you are invited. Heck. You're invited no matter where you live if you want to make the trip! Germany! China! Brazil! Come one come all! There will be cupcakes!

5. Swim meet weekend ahead. Which is going to be kind of nice, because I have been on my laptop pretty much almost every waking hour for the last couple weeks and I think my fingers and eyeballs need a break. And thanks to Superson too for motivating me. I have FINALLY started adding time/distance to my runs because I think of him swimming for one and a half hours straight and expecting him to keep getting better and then I have to think- man I can really pick up my own pace here too.

Tell the Truth Tuesday

2011-05-03T13:06:00.000-06:00

1. I keep thinking I should make this blog more writing related, as in with helpful links and helpful writing tips and then I get scratchy and realize how much work that would be and my laziness gene kicks in.

But here's brilliant and helpful links from three of my writing peeps who I get to lunch with almost every month. Yes you should be jealous. :) But check them out for great posts!!

Angela Ackerman - The Bookshelf Muse

Stina Lindenblatt

Deb Marshall- Just Deb

2. I am trying not to stalk the internet for any little tidbits about I'm Not Her. I am not succeeding.

3. I have an interview with a newspaper tomorrow! For my library presentation in Okotoks. A phone interview. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate talking on the phone? Hopefully I will do okay!

4. Here is a picture of me with my launch day cake. Yes. The only way to celebrate in my books is with a piece of triple chocolate layer cake. With ice cream on the side.

ps.I *may* have eaten the whole thing!

It's OFFICIAL!!

2011-05-01T08:53:00.000-06:00

Wow! So today is the official release day for I'm Not Her. My countdown widget is zero'd out. How cool. How weird.

I'm hoping I'm Not Her is starting to show up in bookstores, although in Canada it's release date for the major bookstore says May 15.

Of course, to celebrate I am going to do one of my favorite things in the world. Eat cake. Seriously. Chocolate cake.

The other thing I'll be doing, something close to my heart is the WALK FOR KIDS HELP LINE.

On Sunday, May 1st, thousands of Canadians will come together to break the silence on mental health. Will you be one of them?

Why yes, yes I will. And I'll be wearing my I'M NOT HER shirt too!

Dudes Check out the Countdown Widget

2011-04-30T12:48:00.002-06:00

11 hours.
Just sayin'

Better yet....let's watch Kool and the Gang sang it- check out the white shoes and their funky moves. Love!! They even say they're going to celebrate their party with ME!

Everyone around the world- Come on! Woo Hoo!

IF I TELL...Catalouge Copy!

2011-04-26T22:36:00.000-06:00

The Winner!

2011-04-25T22:17:00.000-06:00

So I'm home from cabin building. I've painted and shop vac'ed for days on end. I am filthy and in need of a very long and hot shower, but first I had to do the draw for the ARC and I'M NOT HER chocolate!!!

I emailed the winner, so if you didn't hear from me, sorry!!! There will be more book giveaways on my blog as well as on other blogs so don't give up! I'll post the giveways as they come!

P.S. I almost had a heart attack when I logged on and saw the countdown until launch day. GACK. 5 Days people! * faints to the ground*

Hope everyone had a great Easter!!

Hoppy Almost Easter- Win a Signed ARC of I'M NOT HER (and Chocolate!)

2011-04-21T08:01:00.004-06:00

It's Thursday. It's my husband's birthday. It's almost Easter. So what better way to celebrate than by doing a giveaway!!!

Because of Easter, there MUST be CHOCOLATE!! And look what we have HERE!

I'M NOT HER Chocolate Bars!!

And of course, there has to be something to READ while you eat the chocolate, so I'll include a signed ARC of I'M NOT HER!

All you need to do to enter is leave a comment on this blog page. Mention if you retweet the message on Twitter and I'll enter you twice!!! I'll do the draw on Easter Monday, late evening, and will notify the winner by email!

Have a great Easter Weekend (the family and I are checking out early)

Writing with a Partner

2011-04-20T11:17:00.005-06:00

I wish I had a really awesome writing partner, as in a co-author. How fun would that be?

Like Lisa and Laura Roecker...how cool are they and how fun would it be to write with your sister?

Or David Levithan and John Green. Two YA superstahs...

Or April Henry and Lis Wiehl

I would love to do a book with a co-author. A male one. So John or David can certainly feel free to give me a call. But no. For now, here's my new writing partner, Bruce.

Bruce as a puppy

Bruce trying to take over my lap

He's in a daily struggle with me. He wants my whole lap. I guess we just haven't got our groove on yet.

Meeko, thecutestdogintheentireworldwhometherdemisemuchtooearly, used to snuggle beside me on a pillow. We had time to work it out. But Bruce, the new and now slightly weighty Chihuahua, thinks the lap where the laptop belongs, is strictly for his personal use. I kick him off over and over again because our arrangement doesn't leave room for the laptop, and yet he crawls back until finally he goes to his crate to pout. Poor Bruce. He's only been around a few weeks and I have faith we'll get our partnership on track.

In the meantime. Other rock star authors who want to co-author can give me a call.

It's ALIVE!

2011-04-18T07:53:00.000-06:00

Look what is AVAILABLE for ordering!!!

The Final Steps of Publication

2011-04-15T07:59:00.002-06:00

Yesterday started out like any other Thursday. Well, except my house was clean. Really quite clean. That is an anomaly, I assure you. Yes. As much as I wish I'd been born with the neat gene, the clutter free, the clean as you go so things are never messy gene. I'm afraid I was not.

I digress. My day. So I spent the morning doing some blog interviews. Refreshed my email 1.2 billion times in a span of two or three hours. I worked on Instinct and then eventually forced myself upstairs and (kicking it old school like) put in a DVD of Billy Blanks and punched and kicked at the air like a possessed woman.

And then. The doorbell rang. I peered outside the upstairs window and saw this.

My heart pitter pattered as I hurried down the stairs to the front door. Sweaty and smelly, (thanks to Mr. Billy Blank) and holding a barking chihuahua in my arm. *Bruce likes to bark*

Anyhow, the Fed Ex man is holding a big cardboard box and pretending not to be offended at the sight of me. I peer at the box and see I'm Not Her printed on the label.

I held in a squee while I signed the electronic thingy ma jig the Fed Ex dude handed me. And then as soon as he left, I sliced the box open. Just as I suspected, inside the were books. Beautiful, beautiful books!

The final copy looks thicker than the ARC and the pages smell delicious. I sniffed just to make sure. When I open the cover of the book, I spot the dedication.

It thrills me a little bit.

And then I thumb through the pages and see something else that makes me squeal like a little girl at a Justin Beiber concert.

An excerpt from IF I TELL at the back of the book. I read it and think, hey, that sounds pretty good! (I hope that thought lasts)

Of course, then life called and I had to rush to shower and pick up the son and take him to swimming and do this and do that. But for a moment there I really felt one of the most wonderful feelings ever. Seeing the book you've worked so hard on come to life for the first time. It's truly a blessing.

I log onto twitter (which I also refresh 1.2 billion times a day) and someone tells me I'm Not Her is in Stock at Amazon. (I'd received a note earlier in the day that the copy I had ordered for someone is shipping April 17, so I assume that's what she meant.) but I go to the page and see this!

AMAZON shows I'm Not Her in STOCK!

And so the ride to publication accelerates!
Book signings are coming. Author talks. It's becoming real. And it's been quite a journey!

I remember to thank my lucky stars.

Sneak Peek and First Vlog!

2011-04-10T10:14:00.000-06:00

Not sure the words and the mouth match, and just used a basic webcam so it's not fancy or edited, (kicking it old school :)) but here's a sneak peek reading of I'M NOT HER.

Me, reading from the first chapter....

Friday Five

2011-04-08T12:34:00.000-06:00

1. I feel so social today. Went for coffee with Mom's from son's school this morning and going out tonight with some other mom friends. Enjoying the camaraderie. Adult conversation with real people instead of imaginary ones. This might catch on!!

2. Progress on my newest novel or ,WIP Instinct is going WELL. Finally!!! As in plot epiphanies. Wooo wooo. Still lots to do on the back half of the story, but it's all coming together. If it sells, it will be a SERIES. Paranormal series. How cool is that? Well, no counting before hatching and all, but it's nice to have progress!

3. Bruce Almighty has arrived. A boy dog. With a penis and everything. Kind of weird. He's cute and fat and spoiled rotten, so he'll fit in our household just fine. Bruce belongs to my husband's Aunt and Uncle and they are moving to another country and needed a home for him and so now he is with us.

4. I'M NOT HER ARC's are being sent out to book bloggers this week! Exciting!

5. Jodi Picoult tweeted me. Yes. She totally did. I am feeling rather fan-girl and squealy about it. I saw something in her newest book that struck me as really funny and asked her about it on twitter and she tweeted me back. #technologycanbesocool

Tell the Truth Tuesday

2011-04-05T10:12:00.000-06:00

1. I went on a diet yesterday. I lasted for 8 hours before I went off of it. I don't think I lost any weight.

2. 25 days until I'M NOT HER Releases. I'm freaking out a little inside. :)

3. I have a couple of posts this week about my drinking past. One is here and the other is here. I feel kind of naked admitting I was a boozing lush-head to anyone who cares to read about it online. But I figure if one teen (or even an adult like person) sees my post and it makes them think about their own drinking. Well. It's kind of worth it to tell the truth sometimes. Tell it like it is-ism. It's a disease people.

4. I am feeling the need to do charity work as a family. Like serving dinners at homeless shelters or something with hub and Superson. I think I need to atone for my sins (see above) I just haven't done anything about it yet. Must. Get. On. That.

5. I am starting to LIKE watching the Home and Garden channel. Curse you husband and your Mr. Fix It ways.

Freaky Friday!

2011-04-01T08:30:00.000-06:00

It's Friday. Yes. I am that observant! Quick someone hand me a cookie!

Actually it's quite a feat to remember what day it is, as I spent the week out at the cabin covered in insulation. Itchy and scratchy. One day runs into the next when you're stuffing walls with fibreglass, but now we're home again and life is returning to normal and it's Friday and April and I take a deep breath and realize....

Only 29 days until I'M NOT HER releases!!

Now that is FREAKY!

Shouldn't I be giving things away? Doing more stuff???

I have an excited feeling in the pit of my stomach. Does that count???

I am doing some work behind the scenes, but I have much more to do. I have planned a book launch for Calgary! I'm doing a Walk for Kids on May 1. I have some author talks and will be learning how to Skype and Kay Mitchell at Sourcebooks(the publicist) is busy behind the scenes setting things up.

Happy April Fools Day! I didn't even plan a prank. Not my thing so much.
I think I'll just go back to stalking the Internet and feeling anxious/excited!

Wacky Wednesday

2011-03-23T13:51:00.000-06:00

Doesn't feel that Wacky actually. It's snowing. Did I mention that it's Spring? And there's supposed to be more snow flurries tomorrow? Plus.I've been up since 5am. And I worked on taxes for about 3 hours. There's that.

So all in all, that's kind of the anti-wacky.

BUT...

A couple of groovy things DID happen today so let's go with the glass half full routine!

SARAH OCKLER talks about I'm Not Her

IF I TELL is on Goodreads!!

Plus I think our family is going to adopt a new dog. Dont' get me wrong. I am still heart broken over the loss of my dear little Meeko(who will always be the young spirited puppy of my heart) But it turns out my husband's Aunt and Uncle are moving to China and need new owners for their Chihuahua mix. He's litter box trained (which frankly just CRACKS me right up) They want a good home for him and they'd love to keep him in the family. I can totally understand that.

They're going to bring him by next week for a test run, but I'm sure he'll be great once he has time to get used to us. I know his owners are going to be heart broken to leave him, and I feel bad for them, but at the same time it kind of feels like the right thing to do. Kind of meant to be-ish.

So. Guess what this little guy's name is.....wait for it....

BRUCE.

Ha ha. A little dog named Bruce. That is kind of wacky for Wednesday!

Monday Madness

2011-03-21T14:44:00.000-06:00

It must be Monday.

I had three over ripe banana's browning on the kitchen counter and decided to be a little more ambitious in the kitchen and actually put them to use instead of disposing of them-- by baking banana bread. This was not a light decision. Wouldn't son and hubby be surprised and pleased with my domestic efforts? I felt pretty inspired. Dare I say, proud.

So --I googled a recipe, whipped it all up and shoved it in the oven. And then when the bread cooled down, and I had a little sample, I realized a crucial mistake had been made.

Yeah. I forgot to add the sugar. So it tastes like salted cardboard. Mmmmmm.

I think I will dispose of the evidence before I pick up Son from school. :)

Monday Madness- Back from BC

2011-03-14T09:19:00.001-06:00

I'm Baaaaaaaaack.

Took off for the weekend to cabin building country. A mere 8 hour drive to get there. One way. Hubby has us building a cabin out in the wilds of BC (British Columbia) This was a "quick trip" to check on a delinquent worker bee hubby hired who was supposed to do the insulation and drywalling over the winter. Yeah. He didn't. Insert bad name calling of the bad worker who didn't do his job.

So when we arrive at our cabin, which is on the side of a mountain, there's about 4 feet of solid snow all the way from the road to the deck. No driveway. Just snow. Hmm. Going to make it hard to unload all the flooring and other things we hauled out. Hubby gets on the cell phone.

An hour late, bobcat shovelling of the driveway is done and then we're in. (of course, like everything with this cabin, it cost us to have the snow plowed out and we've paid for it. Once there was a movie called the Money Pit. This is ours.)

Next day I get my first lesson in installing insulation.

Me- "Didn't I mention to you when we met that I didn't want to buy a house, I wanted a condo because I hated yard work and housework."

Hubby- "Yeah. That might have come up."

Me- "I guess you weren't listening, eh?"

Hubby- Looks away and whistles.

The insulation work wasn't so bad. And Superson Loves going to the cabin. So that's all good. And here I I am. Married to the guy who loves to fix and build and oh my gosh, I've been dragged into this huge project and sometimes it drives me crazy and sometimes I have to just grin and bare it.

Good thing I come with a few quirks of my own.

Sisters Saturday with Katie McGarry

2011-03-05T09:31:00.001-07:00

Today on SISTERS SATURDAY, I have with me upcoming debut author, Katie McGarry. Her novel, Redefining Normal comes out in 2012 and it sounds amazing. Plus. She got to be a teenager in the grunge era. Oh how I loved grunge. I am still hoping for a comeback. Bring back the Doc Martens. But let's talk to Katie about her sister!!

Katie was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. Her debut Young Adult novel, Redefining Normal, was sold by the wonderful Kevan Lyon of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency to Harlequin Teen. The novel is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2012. In Redefining Normal, two teens, brought together by their court ordered therapist, work together to learn the secrets of their case files, but neither foresaw the shattering consequences of the learning the truth regarding their families or of falling in love. Visit her website at http://www.katielmcgarry.com/

Hey Katie. Thanks for joining me. So how many sisters do you have?

Katie: I have one sister.

And where do you fit into the birth order in your family?

Katie: I'm one of two and the last of two, so that would make me the baby.
The baby. Aww. That's a good place to be. So what was your "role" in the family? Do you still have it?

Katie: I never liked uncomfortable situations, especially awkward silences, so whenever things got tense at home, I tried to smooth things over with a joke. This is a role I've continued to play in almost all of my relationships.

Joking is a great way to deflect discomfort that is for shizzle. So, what is the age difference between you and your sister?

Katie: Four years

A pretty big number when you're a kid, right? So what is the best part about having your sister?

Katie: Never feeling alone. No matter if I was being made fun of in middle school, getting dumped by a boy in high school, losing my best friend in college, or being rejected while trying to establish my writing career, I always felt better knowing that there was one person in the world who would stand by me regardless. My sister is always there and that gives me peace.

Yeah, I think that bond is so special. The one who will always be there, no matter what. The one girls without sisters kind of long for. You're lucky to have each other! But, on the other hand, what's the most challenging thing about being sisters?

Katie: We are exact opposites of each other and that was very challenging growing up.

Yes, especially with the age difference. But from my somewhat *cough* older perspective, the differences become almost more lovable as we get older. Trust. Do you write about sisters in your books?

Katie: No. Not yet. My characters always have a someone they consider like a sister.

Interesting. Okay. Here's my fave question. Does your sister know secrets about you? Can you share one? How about one of her secrets?

Katie: She was one of the first to know that I was pursing publishing, but other than that no. Any secrets worth having or telling were when I was younger and the four year difference affected our relationship during that time.

Rats. Okay, next question, what is something you never tell your sister, but you should?

Katie: That I love her. Emotional conversations make me uncomfortable so I avoid them, especially with family members.

That is an excellent something. Writing is a great way to get those uncomfortable emotions out, isn't it! I can relate to that. Lastly, how does your sister feel about having an “author sister?”

Katie: I know she's proud of me, but I think (like everyone else I know) she's scared I'm writing about her or our relationship. So when she reads my stories, she can sometimes read into characters and wonder if I'm writing about her, but I'm not. Most of my characters are some sort of a reflection of me.

Yeah. I think that our families do kind of worry we are going to divulge secrets, but the stories and characters while reflecting us, really are fictional. (for the most part ** wink wink)
Thanks so much for coming by. 2012 will be here fast than you know and I can't wait to read REDEFINING NORMAL!!

Ode to Meeko

2011-03-03T09:49:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was a really hard day.

Yesterday I had to say good-bye to the cutest little dog in the whole world. I know everyone with a dog thinks their dog is the cutest. We're all probably right. But Meeko, she was truly a sweetheart. Cute to look at. Adorable really. Like a little stuffed animal. She was skinny minny under all her gorgeous fur. Maybe 5 pounds on a good day. But the best part about Meeko was her personality. Meeko was such a good little soul.

She felt that every single person in the whole world was TOTALLY AMAZING. She wanted to say hello to each and every person who met her eye. There was not a mean bone in her tiny little body.

She was a perpetual puppy. Almost 2 1/2 in human years but full to the brim with happy energy. She could jump as high as my waist when it was treat time. Despite her tiny size, she loved to play catch. She would bring a ball or a stick back and drop it at my feet, shivering with the anticipation of it being thrown for her again.

Meeko was not a barker, but she loved her walks and when it was time to go to the dog run she honked and sounded a little like a sick goose. She knew when we were getting close and she'd start to squeak. She was a great passenger in the car on long trips to the cabin and short trips to take Superson to school.

At night she would snuggle under the covers with my husband. She had a special little spot by him in his chair in the bonus room. Every day when I wrote she would snuggle up beside me on a little pillow. She'd curl up into a warm little ball. If we ever lay down for a nap she would snuggle into our legs our lie right on top of us.

Her fur was soft like a teddy bear. She loved to mooch. When we went out she would lie on top of our dining room table, watching out the window for us to come home. She'd greet us with uncontained joy.

She brought us so much happiness and unconditional love. It's amazing how much a pet like Meeko gets into your heart and it seems so wrong that she had to leave us so soon.

Her worst fault was her running. She wanted to go visit. She wanted to say hi. We should have trained her better. I should have watched her closer. Accidents always come down to horrible timing. If only. What if.

And so we lost a precious part of our family. Not a person, but still a bundle of joy. A cute little dog who loved so big and so hard and left us much too soon.

I'm so sorry Meeko. If I could only have picked you up, or put a leash on you or closed the door faster. You were the best little dog in the whole world.

I miss you.

IF I TELL --sneak peeks!!

2011-03-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

Only 60 days until I'M NOT HER comes out. Do you know what that means?? Um. Yes. I'm Not Her will be available for purchase May 1-ish!!! GAH!!!

It may take some stores a little longer, like let's say May 15ish...but it's on it's way, baby.

And that is pretty amazing stuff!

Also---I am working on copy edits for IF I TELL. Yup. It's coming out this year too. And I have a cover comp. And it's pretty fabulous. Plus back cover copy.

** These aren't final yet...there may be tweaks but here's a sneak peek at the back copy:

"It was like watching a train wreck. I wanted to look away but couldn’t take my eyes off them."

Her best friend and her mom’s boyfriend. Locking lips. This is the secret Jasmine Evans has to keep at all costs. Because her mom is pregnant, and Jaz doesn’t want to ruin her life—again (just being born did it the first time). But the harder Jaz tries to pretend everything is okay, the faster her life spins out of control. Until Jackson. He doesn’t care about the popularity of her friends or the color of her skin. But can she really trust a guy who just transferred in from reform school? She might be willing to chance the heartbreak, but telling him everything and risking the truth getting out is a whole other level of scary.

ANDDDDDD....here's a sneak peek at the cover....

What do you think??

I'm BACK

2011-02-27T23:53:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh I just spent 3 days at a swim meet. I have been sweaty and my butt hurts and ohhhhhh my I could go on and on. But Superson did really great. Had lots of fun. Got a couple of ribbons and made his mama proud. Gooooooo Superson!

Grieving L.K. Madigan

2011-02-24T09:46:00.002-07:00

Sometimes a person comes into your life and you feel an instant connection to her. L.K. Madigan was like that.

I didn't know her as well as many others. I only met her once in person, but I was instantly in love. I did know her from The Debs, and was so fortunate to get to know her in our online community.

There's alot of words being written about her right now, because she was the type of person who touched others just by being herself. With Kindness. With Humor. With her Surprisingly Tall Height. The Warmest Smile. And Nice. Just really, really nice.

No doubt she was also talented. Her Debut, Flash Burnout won the Morris Award. I remember reading it and laughing out loud and thinking, holy crackers, this is what they mean when they talk about VOICE.
And starred reviews for Mermaid's Mirror. A book that came out as she was beginning to know that something was wrong. That she was ill.

And her post on live journal, where she told the world about her pancreatic cancer. So Brave. So Honest. So Dignified.

And yet in her words, there was one line that broke my heart and continues to linger in my mind. Talking about her son, Lisa wrote this:

"I would step in front of my son to take a bullet for him. But now I feel like the one pulling the trigger."

It's the voice of a truly wonderful mother who feels worst, not about dying but about leaving her son behind to cope without her. This is what breaks me the most. This is definitely the line I grieve the most.

From all accounts, Lisa went the same way she lived. With grace and dignity. Surrounded by people who love her. I feel her loss and my heart goes out to her son. I wish for him a wonderful life, the kind of life his mom wanted for him. I hope that he grows up and is able to feel her in his life, watching along with him as he grows and becomes a man.

Someday I hope that he is able to be comforted by how much she touched others. How much she was loved. And knowing that she loved him with all of her heart.

Her time here was not enough. But she left us with the memory of how to live.

Comment for a chance to WIN an ARC of I'M NOT HER!

2011-02-22T14:52:00.004-07:00

It's Tuesday and you know what that means??

I'm going to GIVE AWAY AN ARC of I'M NOT HER.

to one lucky winner.

That's what Tuesday means over here at Janet Gurtler's blog today, baby.

All you have to do is leave me a comment on this blog and you're automatically entered. Easy peasy.

I'll open it up to the whole world baby. That's right, you can enter from anywhere in the world. Even Canada. ;0

I'll take comments as entries from now until Thursday evening at 6pm Mountain Time(because I have to go on to a swim meet on Friday and I won't be online for a few days. Which falls into the category of too much silly information you don't need, but I'm feeling a little giddy)

Here's the blurb for I'm Not Her!!!

“For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel envy…”
Tess is the exact opposite of her beautiful, athletic sister. And that’s okay. Kristina is the sporty one, Tess is the smart one, and they each have their place. Until Kristina is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly Tess is the center of the popular crowd, everyone eager for updates. There are senior boys flirting with her. Yet the smiles of her picture-perfect family are cracking and her sister could be dying. Now Tess has to fill a new role: the strong one. Because if she doesn’t hold it together, who will?

Janet Gurtler tests the bonds of sisterhood in this moving debut that readers of Jodi Picoult and Sarah Dessen will savor.

Sister's Saturday with THE ROECKER sisters!!

2011-02-19T11:17:00.004-07:00

There are some people with such a knack for warm, quirky humor that when you read their blogs and tweets you feel an immediate desire to be their best friend forever. Lisa and Laura Roecker are totally those people.

And they're sisters! Who wouldn't want a sister relationship like these two have?? I mean they write books together. That just rocks hard. And they're funny and made of win and the witty blogs and tweets make you feel giggly inside!

Let's talk to Lisa and Laura!! Hey Roeckers, how did you two decide to become “sister authors?”

L&L: We decided on one of our many, random late-night phone calls. At the time, Laura lived in Baltimore and was on maternity leave and Lisa was doing the day job thing. We had both always wanted to write a book, but it was more or less one of those things we both said in passing. Once we teamed up and thought of a fabulous idea (um, yeah, turns out our fabulous idea was anything but), we just kind of dove into writing head first. Plus, Laura taught middle school and had read a lot of YA books--and she claimed it would be easy to get published. Famous last words.

Random late night phone calls. See? So cool. All right, where do you each of you fit into the birth order in your family?

L&L: Lisa is the oldest and 100% type A. Laura is in the middle and still has middle child syndrome.

Janet has that, too. MCS that is. (middle child syndrome) So what's the age difference between you two?

L&L: We are a little over 2 years apart.

Well. That certainly explains some of the closeness. What is the best part about being sisters?

L&L: Having a built-in best friend who never (okay, fine, rarely) screens your calls. We're all here for each other no matter what and that's so reassuring.

Yes, because rumor has it there's another Roecker sister lurking around somewhere. *Apology to other Roecker sister. I don't literally think you lurk.* What is the most challenging thing about being sisters?

L&L: I think growing up, it was being compared. We are all very different from one another, and sometimes it's hard to be lumped together as the Roecker sisters. Now I think it's just trying to find time to spend together. The older our kids get, the crazier the schedules. We try to do things without the kids, but that's equally hard.

Another geeky thing I find interesting is how different sisters and brothers are from each other. (I think this has intensified since I only have one child and I wonder how many of his personality quirks are my fault. lol) In families, in addition to being compared, we all seem to fall into "roles". What are your roles in the family?

L&L: Lisa is definitely the boss. We all listen to what she has to say. But the true boss is our mom, the Regulator. No matter how old we get, we want, we need to please her. It's kind of ridiculous.

Not so ridiculous. The Regulator is a wise one. Tell me a favorite childhood memory of your sister?

L&L: If we're being sentimental we'll reminisce about our post-bath story sessions with our dad where we all piled on top of Lisa's big bed and snuggled in. He used to tell the story of Teddy and his dog Moonglow who built a spaceship in their backyard shed and were always trying to get to the moon. He was so persistent!

If we're being real, we'll laugh about the summers that we were left to our own devices all day while our mom worked. We spent the long, hot days eating hohos, calling our mom out of meetings to settle our disputes and (occasionally) throwing underwear out the window.

Well at least this was probably in the days before thongs? Ohh wait. I am old, not you two, it could have been thongs. Don't tell me I don't want to know. And speaking of secrets, do you share secrets? Do you want to spill one?

L&L: Hmm...tough question. Yes, we do share all sorts of secrets. Lisa may or may not have known I was prego before my husband. The best part about having sisters is that you know you always have someone who will listen to you spill your guts and will never tell another soul.

Love!!! What is something you never tell your sister, but you should?

Laura: I'm not very good about confrontation. If I ever am upset (which is very rare), they'll never know it.

Lisa: I always worry that you guys are going to ditch me for being so bossy, but I just can't help myself. Sorry!

Aww. So sweet!!! Okay. How about sisters in The Liar Society?

So unfortunately, Kate is a big, old only child. No sisters for her! But, there are sisters in our WIP. They look almost identical, but couldn't be more different. The older sister has a dangerous, almost self-destructive streak and the younger sister is bookish and observant (almost obsessively so). Despite their differences, they do care about each other deep down, but it takes a strange turn of events to make them realize it.

Sounds super intriguing. But first, The Liar Society!!! I, for one, cannot wait to read Liar Society for even more of that snarky humor and it's out soon --as in March 1!!

Thank you Roecker sisters for stopping by!!! Visit them here: Liar Society Website of Cool

Kate Lowry didn’t think dead best friends could send e-mails. But when she gets an e-mail from Grace, who died mysteriously a year before, she’s not so sure. When the emails continue, Kate is forced to confront her school’s resident druggie, a sketchy administrator, and even her own demons.

As Kate moves closer and closer to the truth, she teams up with a couple of knights-in-(not so)shining armor–the dangerously attractive, bad boy, Liam and her love-struck neighbor, Seth. The three uncover an ancient secret lurking in the halls of their elite private school with the power to destroy them all.

But the truth doesn’t always set you free. Sometimes it’s only the beginning.

Lisa and Laura Roecker are sisters-turned-writing-partners with a love of all things Young Adult. Some call it arrested development, but the sisters claim it keeps them young. Plus, its cheaper than Botox. Lisa and Laura live in Cleveland, Ohio in separate residences. Their husbands wouldn't agree to a duplex. THE LIAR SOCIETY is their first novel.

Friday Five

2011-02-18T14:56:00.000-07:00

1. Going to NYC in May. Flight is booked. Hotel is booked. Oh yeah baby. I is going.
First BEA, first trip to the big city.

2. I am so over winter in so many ways. Every Spring and Summer I tuck the horrible memory of cold cars and winter coats away in my mind, and somehow every year I'm always shocked and dismayed when it returns. And lasts so darn long.

3. I have no plans for this weekend. My house is a mess. Guess what I should be doing. Wonder if I will.

4. I got a look at my cover for IF I TELL. Squeeeee!!!! It is totally not what I expected but very very cool.

5. I LOVE my ARC`s for I`M NOT HER so much I would marry them if book marriages were legal in the province of Alberta. And polygamy since, you know, I`m already married and all.

HAPPY WEEKEND!!

SISTERS SATURDAY- Meet a Twin Brother! J.A. Yang!

2011-02-12T09:34:00.006-07:00

Today I am happy to say that we have a twin on line to talk about his sister! Um. Yes!! A male author with a female twin sister, J.A. Yang, author of EXCLUSIVELY CHLOE. He has a really cool TWIN relationship (and I think you might just fall a little in love with the sweetness that is Jon)

J.A.Yang has slummed it in the valley with the Wakefield twins; slumber partied with Huey, Dewey and Louie; joined Krakow in stalking Angela; and climbed every mountain with the Von Trapps.

Originally from San Diego, he's lived and traveled the world (okay, not all of it) in pursuit of that most elusive of targets -- unicorns. He's just wrapped up his second book, a fiction novel for teens, and is hard at work on his third one. You can find him online at http://www.jonyang.org/.

So Jon. Where do you fit into the birth order in your family?

There's only two of us and I'm the older twin. However, family lore says that up until the last few weeks, my sister was slated to come out first but somehow I fought my way to the front and came out two minutes earlier. Whew! I wielded the "I'm older than you!" line quite a bit growing up, even if it was by just a few breaths.

Breaths are important and hey, we take what we can get right? So tell us what your sister is like?

My sister has a contagious excitement that tends to spread to the people around her. If she's psyched about something, she'll let you know about it repeatedly and after awhile you find yourself compelled to be excited along with her. Growing up, that meant I was pulled into her gravity and liked all the things she was obsessed with, such as New Kids on the Block and Sweet Valley High, etc.

My sister was boy crazy growing up and I saw her through a lot of boy drama. Saw from afar I might add, because we rarely talked about it. Any information we dug up about each other's crushes could potentially used for retaliation at a later point. We guarded our secrets carefully. Luckily we've mostly outgrown that habit but it took a good twenty five years.

Boy drama is good material for you books! And I bet you continue to grow closer! So, what is different about you and your sister?

In many ways we are complete opposites. She's good at math, I was good at humanities; she had cool friends in high school, my friends played video games and Dungeons & Dragons; she's responsible, I own a toaster. After spending our college and post-college years apart, we had some time in the same city recently and found out that we actually have more in common than previously imagined. We tend to react to things about the same, with her being a bit more emotional, but now we start to notice our similarities as opposed to our glaring differences.

Dude. A toaster is totally responsible! So, what is the best part about having a twin sister?

The best part is never feeling completely alone. Growing up we switched schools a few times and each time, regardless of the friends we had or didn't have, we'd have someone else experiencing the same basic life. Always having a person that knows you around, and who is (usually) loyal to you is something that can't be overlooked. At the end of the day, being twins means you've got a partner in crime any time.

A partner in crime can never be a bad thing! What's the most challenging thing about being twins?

She has the more unique name so we're always referenced as "Georgette and Jon," never "Jon and George." (Oh, everyone calls her "George.") She always gets top billing. Maybe deservedly but still. People tend to remember her more than me and I'm quite often referred to as "George's brother."

So people were all like, hey, George's brother wrote a book? Hee. I tease. What were/are your roles in the family?

Being from a somewhat traditional Chinese family, I was usually treated as the older brother. One thing my parents insisted on though, is that the house rules applied equally to both of us. Up through high school, I had no traditional social life to speak of and was constantly at home. My sister had actual friends and would battle for later curfews and I would reap the benefits even though I never did any of the fighting. Through primary school, I always got slightly better grades and she was more of a cause for parental concern. During college, my sister flipped the script on me, graduated with honors, and got a respectable job and career. Somehow I collapsed and became the black sheep of the family as I meandered to and fro. I'm still trying to dig myself out of that hole. One day!

Um. You have a TOASTER. But seriously (this is the mother in me now because yes I am one hundred years old and I was a late bloomer) we all develop and thrive at our own pace. But I guess with a twin, with all the good stuff there is also a lot of comparing. I think you're doing great though! Published author and all! So what is your fave childhood memory of your sister?

We grew up in Taiwan and because my parents weren't able to take care of both of us at the same time -- they both worked -- we were often in the care of our grandparents. George was with my dad's family and they lived an hour to the south. On the weekends we'd visit and she'd always rush to bring me our house slippers.

Awww. That is so cute. And what a fascinating background. Okay. So now we want to know. Does your sister know secrets about you? Can you share one? How about one of her secrets?

I can't share secrets about her, she would kill me! And I certainly can't give her any of my secrets because there's still a chance she'd use it against me! Usually we find out about each other's secrets through our mutual friends. Even with our newfound respect for each other's secrets, we still don't quite tell each other things straight out.

Arrrrgh. One of these days I will spill a major sister secret online. Yes I will!!! But not today. :) Okay, next question, what is something you never tell your sister, but you should?

Um, that I'm glad she's here and that I appreciate our bond and connection? No question mark, just an exclamation!

That is made of awesome! It's great to have a person who is always there for you in spirit. True confession, I totally miss that for my son. I wish he had a sibling, a SISTER who would have his back no matter what, cause it sounds to me like that`s what you and your sister have. Last question, how does your sister feel about having an author brother?

I went straight to the source for this one and here is her answer:

"It definitely has its benefits and is a great way to start a conversation when meeting someone for the first time. When someone finds out that I have a twin brother, one of the first questions they always ask is what his profession is and when I mention that he's a published author, the conversation easily flows into what type of book, the premise of the book and so forth. I pride myself on having extra autographed copies of the book at all times to potentially give away and it makes me feel just a little bit special. My one greatest fear though is that his books will one day blow up into Harry Potter status and I'll be left in the dust as a boring accountant. Oh wait, that might have happened already."

How much do I love George's answer! See! She thinks you' re awesome. And helpful in social situations. And you totally have a toaster dude!!

Thanks so much for answering my questions so thoughtfully and honestly Jon. I anxiously await your next book. Check out EXCLUSIVELY CHOLE by J. A. Yang.

Chloe-Grace can't help it she's spectacular. How could she not be with celebrity parents who have been the queen and king of Hollywood for years? And Chloe is a celebrity all unto herself as well she's the first celebrity-adopted kid in Hollywood. But now Chloe's sixteen, and she is tired of every undesired moment of the world's attention. She wonders what it would be like to be a "normal" kid in a regular school. To really understand it, though, she would need to go undercover. So after getting a "make-under" at the hands of her mother's fabulous stylist, she enters the "real" world. But she soon finds out that there is just as much drama there as there is in Hollywood....

Blurbing Awesome!

2011-02-07T16:20:00.000-07:00

Have you read TWENTY BOY SUMMER? FIXING DELILAH?

OMG such amazing books!! Sarah creates such wonderful emotional characters and her books are so rich and multi-layered and just plain delicious.

So. How THRILLED am I that Sarah has given me a blurb for I'M NOT HER????

Yes. Yes. VERY!!!!!

"Gurtler's writing unfurls with the exquisite grace of a flower. Readers will cheer Tess' triumphant awakening as she blooms in the shade of insecurity, family tragedy, and sibling rivalry to discover a strength and beauty all her own."

- Sarah Ockler, bestselling author of Fixing Delilah and Twenty Boy Summer

Check out my Blog at YA OUTSIDE THE LINES

2011-02-04T10:07:00.000-07:00

Posting on the group blog today. YA Outside the Lines!

Check it out! http://yaoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-got-music-in-me-just-not-when-i-write.html?spref=tw

Attention Wal Mart Shoppers

2011-02-03T11:44:00.001-07:00

I admit it. I love me some Wal Mart. I love bargains. I live for deals. I have been known to proudly boast paying only $3.94 cents for a new pair of cute green shorts (true story) when someone complimented me on them. Okay, they were from Superstore (you have to be Canadian to get that reference) and not Wal Mart. But really. Kind of the same idea.

And while yes, I did spend over a year as a toy rep, and that involved daily visits to numerous Wal Mart stores where I quickly learned to say "sorry, I don't work here," to cranky customers...I still love shopping for deals at the giant WM.

I don't go to the People of Wal Mart page on a regular basis. And while it's mean I have to admit it's kind of funny, oh thank god I haven't been caught and posted on the site (yet), funny.

Go Here if you are inclined

But I digress. Wal Mart has a warm fuzzy spot in my heart. Especially the day after holidays. Deals. Sales. RollBacks!!!!

And so how THRILLED was I to discover that I'M NOT HER is available for order online at Wal Mart. Be. Still. My. Beating. Heart.

AH! Look. I'm in WALMART!

On days like this, it rocks being a published author!!!

Tell the Truth Tuesday

2011-02-01T14:43:00.000-07:00

1. I do not like writing a synopsis. It is hard to summarize an entire novel in a couple of pages in a way that sounds even remotely exciting.

2. My stomach is not happy. Mexico and my stomach did not get along. I can quit you Mexico. Yes I can. I liked your beaches and your warmth, but it will take a while before I forget this.

3. I have been eating bread, bagels, muffins and butter exclusively for almost five days. I am feeling the weight as it piles back on. Curse you Mexico.

4. Explaining to a non writer how you can be on the computer for six hours and still not be done all your "stuff" is kind of a hard.

5. I don't like it when people call writing books a hobby.

6. I love spell check.

7. I like eating cinnamon toast and bagels even though my body doesn't.

8. I owe my mom a phone call.

9. I have never Skyped. Maybe I should start with my mom?

Monday Madness

2011-01-17T14:52:00.002-07:00

So I suck at blogging, right?

On Saturday, I was writing up my SISTERS SATURDAY post. I was 95% done and added pictures and all was well and then I ACCIDENTALLY DELETED all of it. And before I could react properly like a normal person and press the back button, I panicked and it all disappeared into cyber space. Can I tell you the depth of my despair? Do you know how very much I hate writing something and then losing it and then having to do it all over again. I simply couldn't do it. So there was no Sister's Saturday again. Sigh. Le fail equals me. Note to self. Look up equal in french, so can make an entire french sentence.

I will post that author's interview again, but I just couldn't make myself do it again after spending over half an hour on it.

I suck. Okay. I suck at some things. Not everything. I don't hate myself that much.

I did write my blog today for the Dear Teen Me site. My letter won't even appear for a few months so that's like the opposite of procrastination. AND. I have been working on my work in progress for a couple hours. So I am accomplishing things. My edits for All That Jaz are in to my editor. I await her feedback on my new subplot and character development.

But first I am going to have a little holiday. Not sure if I deserve it, but I'm taking it anyways. There will be sun. And beach. And heavy sunscreen for my aging screen. Ha ha, I wrote screen instead of skin and that cracks me up so I'm leaving it in! Toot a loo. Back at ya soon!

Tell the Truth Tuesday

2011-01-11T13:58:00.002-07:00

1. I am giggly happy about my new title and new cover but it is kind of freaking me out that so many versions of the old cover and title are still lurking around on online bookstores. What if they never get switched? What if people are confused? Worse. What if no one cares? Yeah. I worry about things like that.

2. I am addicted to Protein Bars. I eat them every single day and not just for breakfast some days. I would rather have a protein bar than most normal food. They are best consumed with coffee.

3. My Arc’s for I’m Not Her should arrive in a couple of weeks. This means they will go out in a couple of weeks. This both thrills and terrifies me. I’m Not Her is still in my pristine shiny love phase. Soon the reviews will come in. And as much as we’re not supposed to read bad reviews or pay them any mind. Well. Think about it. What would you do?

4. I am in deep revision mode. I am still wearing the same pair of pyjama pants that I wore two days ago. Even my dog wants me to go have a shower. (I am doing so right after I finish this up in case you’re worried. Or grossed out)

5. Pulling up my socks gives me great pleasure. It’s true. You must try it. When your socks have been on your feet for a few hours and they’re a little slouchy, you reach down and yank them up and it’s insta’ happy feet and legs. Trust.

New Cover for I'M NOT HER!

2011-01-08T07:46:00.001-07:00

So excited to show off the new cover for I`M NOT HER coming out April 1, 2011 from Sourcebooks Fire!

NEW YEAR'S MEME

2011-01-06T07:15:00.000-07:00

And now, without further ado, a MEME!

1. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

More time to write. Which I have already lined up since I quit my part time job and will devote that time to writing for a while.

2. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Etched. That sounds almost painful. But. Hmm. How about December 15. Superson's birthday, which is carved into my gray matter. In a good way.

3. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Two book deals was pretty darn amazing!

4. What was your biggest failure?

I really wanted to finish my book called INSTINCT, but was working and was not as productive as usual in the writing area. This year I will finish Instinct and one more book as I quit my other job and will have more time to devote to writing.

5. What was the best thing you bought?

Yoga clothes from Lululemon in much smaller sizes than last year! I am now a trendy stay at home mom with Lulu pants. Actually I kind of did a lot of shopping this year.

6. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My husband. My son. Different reasons, but the people you love always are the cause of celebration, right?

7. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

The guy who wrote books about how to molest children and sold them on Amazon appalled me. I think my own reaction to things depressed me at times, but life is about growing, right?

8. Where did most of your money go?

The boy. The cottage. The bills.

9. What song will always remind you of 2010?

Teenage Dream by Katie Perry will always remind me of driving to swim practice with my son.

10. Compared to this time last year, are you...

i. happier or sadder? Happier I think. I’m excited about the new books coming out

ii. thinner or fatter? Actually I am thinner. I lost a lot of weight in 2010. Keeping it off will prove to be the challenge!

iii. richer or poorer? Mostly the same.

11. What do you wish you'd done more of?

I wish I’d done more volunteering at son’s school. I miss seeing him there. This year for sure!

12. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Worrying about things I have no control over. Also less time wasting on the Internet.

13. What was your favourite TV program?

Hmmmm. It would have to be GLEE

14. What was the best book you read?

Wow. That`s a really hard choice to make. So I won't. Ha ha.

15. What was your favourite film of this year?

HMM. Not an overwhelming favorite, but I'd have to go with Inception.

16. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I went to the Cheesecake café and ate a giant piece of chocolate cake. I am right slap in the middle of forty.

17. What kept you sane?

Son`s swim practices when I work out.

18. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I fancy Johnny Depp.

19. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:

Hug the ones you love hard. We`re not here forever.

20. Word you said often enough that it should have been your catchphrase:

Pokemon.

I've Got The Hots For You. Or. Slang Gone Bad.

2011-01-03T11:27:00.002-07:00

Before Christmas I was going through page proofs for I’M NOT HER and I came across a note from my editor. One of the female characters was talking to another female about a boy and said, “I think he has the hots for you.”

My editor wrote a comment asking if this expression was dated. I think my cheeks started to burn and then I giggled out loud. Dated! Me?? Well, not exactly me per se, my character- but she was saying something that I put in her mouth. And it was DATED!

Once upon a time I was cool? OMG. Is cool dated too?? OMG. I just thought about how cool I was. And that has to make me totally uncool. It’s a vicious circle this being dated thing.

It’s not like I just realized that my teen years are well behind me, but I thought I still had it. Writing for teens, eavesdropping on teens, thinking I was still “in the know” But, “hots” is something I would have said as a teen and when it was pointed out in black and white- that it is now considered “dated” I realized, Oh my God. I AM DATED.

So I brought it up with some friends who like me because I am older than them and therefore make them feel younger. They laughed when I told them I had to ask for an opinion from parents with teens and a teen boy said, “HOTS? I would never say that. That is lame.”

So then we started talking about what our kids say these days. Our kids are ten years old and younger mind you, but they do manage to filter down some of the slang (sans profanity for a few more years.)

I understand why editors tell us to keep slang out of our books, because it quickly dates them. But sometimes, like “hots” it slips in without even realizing it’s not said anymore. All I can say is thank god for editors. And soon enough my son will be a teen, and I’ll have an urban dictionary right in my home.

Sisters Saturday with the Amazing Michelle Zink- Author of The Prophecy Trilogy

2011-01-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

Michelle Zink doesn't have any sisters in real life, but she sure created a memorable and unique sister relationship in her Prophecy of the Sisters Trilogy. Actually I think it's kind of a shame Michelle didn't have a sister, because she would be a GREAT one! Michelle is so generous in spirit both with readers and other writers. She also seems like a most amazing mom! Maybe she wasn't meant to have a sister because she had so much to share with the rest of the world!!! Truly, Michelle is a wonderful person and an amazing author!! So let's talk about the sisters in her story!

The Sisters in Prophecy Of Days have crazy dynamics. Can you describe it a little. Where did this sister story come from?

Michelle: Lia and Alice don't have a typical twin relationship. Bonded by their shared history and the inherent connection that comes with being a twin, they have never been close, per se. Alice is secretive, her moods mercurial, while Lia is more of a what-you-see-is-what-you-get type of person, at least in the first book. The two almost circle each other (figuratively speaking), always wary of sharing too much or getting to close. I don't have any siblings. The relationship between Lia and Alice is completely fabricated, but I wanted to create a fantasy that was more than just action moving the plot forward - one that explored the psychological underpinnings of the struggle between the light and dark parts of our nature.

Well, since your sister- Alice won the BEST VILLAIN award in Indigo's Top Teen Awards (for my American readers think Barnes and Noble Canadian style) you obviously did a great job with your creation!
Best villain: Alice Milthorpe from Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

So. What did the sisters in Prophecy hate about each other?

Michelle: I don't think Lia and Alice were ever able to hate each other. When Lia almost drowns in the river, it's Alice who pulls her from the water. Their respective roles in the prophecy make it almost a foregone conclusion that they will be enemies. Even when the fate of the world lay in the struggle between them, I think they're still always trying to reconcile their opposing roles and personalities with the connection as twins that they can never deny.

Deep. You have created an amazing world in this series. So...if not hate, what did they love about each other?

Michelle: Even love is too simple a word to describe their relationship. I think Lia admires Alice her confidence and spirit while Alice secretly wishes she had Lia's capacity for goodness. You'll see more of this in their interaction in Circle of Fire, the third and final book in the trilogy. There's a little teaser for you!

Ohhh... that sounds delicious and I can't wait. What a great story of internal struggle (with great external struggle to partner and contradict it) So, without giving spoilers (and if anyone hasn't already started this series, go pick up the first book NOW!) what is an important lesson about sisters from your books?

Michelle: As things build to a fever pitch in Circle of Fire, you'll see Lia struggle with her own darkness until the lines between the sisters and their actions on behalf of the prophecy are blurred. I hope the take away is that we DO have control over our own destiny. That while fate may play a part, nothing is more powerful than the choices we make on our own behalf. I also hope it will illustrate what I believe to be the truth about human nature; we're all a combination of light and dark. We have to learn to forgive one another - and ourselves - our failings and to hold out hope, always, that the better parts of our humanity will win out in the end.

EEEK. (Falls in heap of longing to read Circle of Fire) Now. Rumor has it you have a new series coming out. May I be one of the many to say.....YAY!!! Is there a sister relationship in your new series? If so, what’s it like?

Michelle: There isn't! There's a bit of a brother story, but my female main character in the new book is an only child.

So good news, more Michelle Zink books to read in the future! Thank you so much for stopping by to talk about the Sisters in the Prophecy trilogy, Michelle!

Unlock the Prophecy...

August 1, 2011

Prophecy of the Sisters

Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents’ deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

Lia and Alice don’t know whom they can trust.
They just know they can’t trust each other.

Five on Friday- Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T08:07:00.000-07:00

1. It's almost Christmas Day. I'd ask myself how that happens but it's kind of obvious. Days+Nights=Time passage.

2. Our house will be full tomorrow and that's a good thing. Gather your family and friends and hug them hard. The cleaning is all worth it.

3. I love the holidays, I do, but I am also kind of excited about them being over so I can get to work on All That Jaz. Plus I want to empty the house of all the treats that I can't stop eating. I am the Scrooge.

4. My page proofs for I'm Not Her are almost done. Now I just have to figure out how to transfer them to the PDF files.

5. See how I go back to the writing even when I'm trying to think Christmas thoughts. Enough of all of that!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all!

Tell the Truth Tuesday

2010-12-21T05:33:00.000-07:00

I've seen other people posting truths on Tuesday, so thought I would ~~copy them~~ follow along and join in. Okay. Here goes...

1. I can't stop eating the Christmas Bark that I made for "the family". It is a yummy conncoction made of milk chocolate, white chocolate and crushed candy canes. I am trying to convince myself it has no calories because it is Christmas.

2. I really hate talking on the phone. I'd rather email someone than call them. It is a sickness.

3. I wish that I'd been born with the cleanliness/organized gene. But I have not been. I need advance warning for visitors.

4. I do not carry a purse. I put all my necessary ID and plastic cards in my coat pocket and hope for the best. I replace my bank card at least 3 times a year.

5. The other day our dog went outside and ate snow because she had no water in her dish.

6. I love top forty music. I play it really loudly in my car. I sing.

7. Sometimes I like to go to movies by myself. To escape from the world.

8. The fact that some of these confessions make me sound like an unsociable creepy person kind of worries me. But not that much.

Sisters Saturday with Cheryl Renee Herbsman

2010-12-18T08:14:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to go the the national SCWBI conference in LA and lucky enough to meet Cheryl Renee Herbsman. She's gorgeous in person, both in spirit and well, just to look at.

I loved her debut BREATHING. It's a lush romantic tale that takes you away on a magical journey! If you haven't read it yet, you must add it to your list!

So, Cheryl. Where do you fit into the birth order in your family?

Cheryl: I'm the middle of five kids, but the oldest girl. My sister comes after me in the order. We have two older brothers and one younger brother.

Wow. I didn't know you had so many siblings. And to be in the middle. Hmm. What is it they say about the middle child?? Hee hee. I tease. So, what is the age difference between you and your sister?

Cheryl: We are three and a half years apart.

That's about the same as me and my sister. A lot when you're kids, but nothing when you're adults, right? So what is the best part about having your sister?

Cheryl: When we were kids it was always having a willing playmate. Now it's the love and understanding we have for each other, the acceptance that we're very different from each other and that's okay.

I totally get that. It's amazing how different we can be from our sisters, but we still share the most basic understandings of each other because of shared experiences and well, growing up together! What's the most challenging thing about being sisters?

Cheryl: I can't really think of any challenges we face now. When we were younger I think the fact that we were so different from each other was challenging, made it harder for us to relate to each other. But now I think we value each other's differences and enjoy them.

Nice. Sounds like you and your sister have evolved your relationship to a great example of sisterhood. What are your roles in the family?

Cheryl: I was the serious, sensitive, rule follower. She was always the outrageous free spirit.

Cool. I mean the free spirit part. I admire that quality so much in other people. Daring to take on the world! What is your fave childhood memory of your sister?

Cheryl: When we were young, playing imaginary games, she was always open to all kinds of ideas, never judged them. It created an environment for play in which I felt free to dream up all sorts of craziness :)

Does your sister know secrets about you? Can you share one? How about one of her secrets?

Cheryl: Dude, what kind of sister would I be if I shared her secrets!

An excellent one! We need some gossip on this blog. Darn sisters who won't sell each other out. ;) Okay, next question, what is something you never tell your sister, but you should?

Cheryl: That I admire her.

Awww. That's sweet. I feel the same way about my sister. She's pretty amazing at people stuff. Okay, last question, how does your sister feel about having an “author sister?”

Cheryl: I think she thinks it's pretty cool, but it doesn't really change anything.

No. It really doesn't. But I think it's kind of a cool thing to share with the world, don't you??

Savannah would be happy to spend the summer in her coastal Carolina town working at the library and lying in a hammock reading her beloved romance novels. 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.

Page Proofs

2010-12-16T19:36:00.000-07:00

EEk!!!

Page proofs are in. This is my last look at and chance to proofread I'm Not Her before ARC's come out!

Going in.

Back to real life soon!

Secret And Not So Secret Stuff

2010-12-06T19:50:00.001-07:00

You know how sometimes writer's have an inability to write and it's called writer's block? Well I kind of have that, only it's blogger block. But wait --there is a reason.

The brain works in strange ways and my brain is wired to be weird. It's an occupational hazard. Here's what is happening to cause my block. The Weight of Bones is getting a new name and a new cover!

I tried to hold out saying anything until I got the new cover, I really did but. I. Can't. Do. It. Anymore.
I wanted to wait until the cover and title on Goodreads and other places got switched, but I am weak.

And so...the new name of Weight of Bones is....(insert major drumroll here please)... I'M NOT HER. And I LOVE this new name for the book and I can't WAIT to see the new cover. But well. I'm waiting. And did I ever mention my patience problem??

So I have the new title, but the new cover isn't done yet. And while I've been waiting, I've been....well. Unable to write. Or blog. Because my silly brain, when it goes into wait mode, well, it won't work properly. . And now I have blabbed. New name, new name, new name!!!! And I hope it chases away that blocked blogging thing!

Stay tuned for the new cover reveal. In the meantime....I'm imagining what it might look like (and really have no idea) and hoping the team at Sourcebooks does as amazing a job with I'M NOT HER and they did with Weight of Bones!!

And while yes, I did love the title, Weight of Bones and I wanted to marry my cover, the truth is my publisher thought they didn't properly convey the tone of the book. And publishers are usually right about things like that. :) And so my book will go out into the world called, I'M NOT HER. And I think it does convey the tone of the book. An emotional story about two sisters discovering who THEY are. Not who the world wants them to be.

There will be lots to be done once the name and cover are officially revealed. Goodreads! ARC tours to schedule! Nails to chew! Blog tours! Bookmarks! Book Trailer!

And Blogging!

I hope to be back to it soon!

xxx

Insert Moans and Groans Here

2010-12-01T09:03:00.000-07:00

Ugh. Like everyone else in the world, I hate getting sick. But I am deep in the mode and thus the neglectful blog writing. I shall return to my regular life and update Thinking on Thursday and Sisters Saturday this week.

You may return to your life and I shall join you soon!

Black Friday and Breathing on Sisters Saturday!

2010-11-26T07:58:00.000-07:00

Happy Black Friday to my American friends. Nothing says happy like a good deal, so I must admit to a little bit of jealousy of all the shopping going on across the border right now. Of course, the line-ups I can do without!

Tune in for Sisters Saturday this week with Cheryl Renee Herbsman, author of one of my fave books in 2009, Breathing.

Sisters Saturday on um Monday. Sydney Salter on being Sisterless-ish

2010-11-22T11:02:00.002-07:00

(My entire weekend was spent in another city at a swimming pool (no lie) so Sisters Saturday is running a little late. But trust-- this blog is worth the wait!)

I have with me guest blogger, the wonderful author, Sydney Salter. Sydney has already released two YA novels, MY BIG NOSE AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS and SWOON AT YOUR OWN RISK and a middle grade novel, JUNGLE CROSSING.

SYDNEY: Growing up, I liked not having a sister. No one pillaged my closet. I didn’t have to worry about guys liking my sister better. Or endure crazy sister fights—like the twins I knew who crashed their car while arguing on the way to school.

I had a little brother. He never wanted to wear my clothes, but I did steal several pairs of his perfectly faded 501 jeans (I just had to snatch them before they got grass stains). He didn’t want to play dolls, but we had hours of fun with legos and matchbox cars. As I got older, I did sometimes wish for an older brother with gorgeous friends… but I liked that my little brother put up with hours of analysis about my limited communication with various crushes.

In college I had sorority sisters: girls who borrowed my clothes without asking, coveted my boyfriend, spread rumors, acted bossy, and adored drama. More than ever I appreciated my nice little brother. When I got married, I even asked him to be my man of honor.

And then I had a daughter.

While she was enough for me, I knew that I wouldn’t be enough for her. I wanted her to have the opportunity to create matchbox car racecourses, build lego spaceships, and snag perfectly worn-in jeans from her little brother’s laundry.

I had another daughter.

Our lives turned pink and plush. Armies of Littlest Pet Shop figures roamed our floors. Barbie clothes regularly turned up in the laundry. We collected enough stuffed animals to open our own gift shop (I won’t ever admit how much money we’ve spent on Webkinz).

And I started to realize that I’ve missed out by not having a sister. My daughters share a close bond of secrets, inside jokes, shared dreams, and a strong girly friendship. Sometimes I feel left out, other times I resort to begging, “please tell me—I used to tell my mom everything. Just tell me. Pleeeze?” I do have good relationships with both my daughters, but I’ll never quite be part of their sisterly closeness. All those whispers, giggles, and eye rolls—well, often they’re directed at me. I love their relationship and do my best to nurture their friendship…

But now I really wish I had a sister, too.

Anyone want to borrow my new blue sweater?

***

Thanks, Sydney for a insightful look at being sisterless and happy and then having daughters and being converted! I agree that brothers do have a wonderful purpose too, but they aren't sisters. (And they won't wear your blue sweaters)

Now-- go out and read Sydney's books! You must! Not only is she prolific, she's as warm and delightful in person as her books are to read. Humorous and uplifting, Sydney's books are about self discovery and acceptance with a delicious amount of romance sprinkled in.

Vist Sydney at her website.
Sydney's Website

The Truth about Titles - Thinking on Thursday.

2010-11-18T21:14:00.002-07:00

Coming up with a title for a book can be hard. Well. Sometimes. Other times a title falls into place. There may have been times (Weight of Bones cough, cough) when the title came before the book was even written. Other times I started with one title and changed it ten or so times before the book was finished. Yes. Another truth in publishing. Nothing is ever black and white. Or even the same from one book to another. For the same author.

I used to think I was really bad at titles when I first started writing books. And you know, in the whole scheme of things, I was probably right. Then I made the mistake of thinking I was getting really good at titles. I was probably wrong. Very very wrong.

The thing for me is I have a hard time writing a book until I give it a title. Even though I know now that it will probably change. Maybe a few times. As a matter of a fact, in the end, I might not even be the one to change it. But until I give it a name, it doesn't really feel like my baby. I guess I'm weird like that. I named my son in utero, too. It wasn't the name he has today. Or was even intended to have. I called him Rusty because I KNEW he was going to have red hair (which he did and does). I didn't plan on calling him that when he was born, but while he was baking, that was his name. Too much information? I agree. And...moving on...

When thinking of a title, I try to think of something catchy and different. Try is the key word. EZ LIKE SUNDAY MORNING was a title of a book I wrote under a pseudonym, because the boy main character's name was EZ. Yeah. Surprisingly that one didn't stick. :) It became Waiting To Score.

I've played around with character's names and changed a popular phrase for titles- All That Jaz is the working title of my second book that sold to Sourcebooks. I say working, because I KNOW that one won't stay stick

So what is a title of a published book INTENDED to do?? Well. My agent, Jill Corcoran wrote a great post on titles. So I won't rehash. You can read Jill's post here.

http://jillcorcoran.blogspot.com/2009/11/titles-covers-your-books-billboard.html

But for the writer a title is often a kind of personal connection to the book, which is probably why author's titles get changed so often! Because as writers we're so close to our books, since after all --we wrote them, and we may not see the same things that marketing people, sales people, book sellers do when they read and ultimately try to market the book to the public. After all, the reader is the person we really want to really. But the truth is there probably isn't a secret ingredient or formula to the perfect title.

But EZ is a great name, I said to myself and EZ's dad sang that song to his mom all the time before he died. Great, Janet. But what did the name say about the book? Would it make a reader want to pick it up? Can they relate to the genre of the book when they hear it or see it in a store? Um. Maybe not. And it became Waiting To Score.

And that's a pretty common thing. Titles change from acquisition to publication. I have lots of pre-published friends who worry and worry about titles (as published writers do as well) and I tell them it will probably change when it gets published and to try not to worry too much. Which like many things, is easy to say and not so easy to do. Getting your title changed, doesn't mean that the title was bad. Maybe it just didn't do the job the publisher wants it to do. Maybe there's another book coming out with the same title around the same time. Etc.

And of course, like most things publishing, remember that black and white thing. Sometimes a title does stick from submission to publication. But it might be safe not to get too attached to your title. Because changes happen. And I should know. So far I've zero for two on picking my own titles. Probably zero for three. ;) Good thing I'm not playing baseball.

And so, in this post there just might be a hint that a change is coming for Weight of Bones.
I think it's going to be great. And soon, I'll let you know why.

A CHANGE is coming

2010-11-16T20:15:00.002-07:00

Stay tuned....