Anne Osterlund's Blog, page 9
April 23, 2011
And the Wnners Are . . .
Countdown to Exile--5 days!
First, for more Exile reviews, check out the following:
My Love Affair With Books
YA bibliophile
Sugarpeach
And for another Exile guest post (Aurelia & I are rather fond of this one):
The Neverending Bookshelf
The winners for the advanced reading copies of Exile are ...
For Option 2 (Name your cat. And tell me his or her special talent): Michelle!
Michelle's answer:
My cat, Belle (who I'm totally just realizing has a namesake who also shares her interest…Hint: Disney princess), has a knack for reading…or maybe just nudging books with her little pink nose until she can get them to pop open. Then she sits on them. I'm thinking she might be lucky enough to have the ability to absorb knowledge through osmosis. Wouldn't surprise me. (She's staring at me looking very smug right now). Lucky cat.
For Option 1 (If a very strong female character started talking to you, what would her particular strength be?): Lacey!
Lacey's answer:
I walk into the coffee shop, the scent of coffee beans lingers in the air. I survey the room before taking a seat by the window where I look out at the soft rain hitting against the window. I sigh before pulling out My laptop and turning it on. As I was waiting for my old machine to boot up, I heard footsteps walk up to me and ask if she could sit down. I nod my head, briefly lifting my eyes before concentrating on my computer once more.
"School work?" She asks.
I sigh once more and look up and my eyes nearly pop because sitting across from me is Grace, THE GRACE. She looks exactly as the Grace in my story, she even sounds like how I would imagine her to sound like. I stare at her in wonder, it takes all my willpower to stay rooted in my seat.
"Are you alright?" She asks, her eyebrows lift in concern.
I nod my head, "Your Grace, " I mutter out.
She smiles. "Yes, your Grace, my creator."
I take in a deep breath, I must be losing it, I HAVE to be losing it.....
"Can you tell me what my greatest strength is?" She asks challenging me.
I nod my head in excitement, "Of course....your greatest strength is the ability to comfort your family and friends by putting up a false shield and convincing everyone else that they're okay and you're okay... You create an appearance of togetherness. You're the leader,their guardian angel that leads them out of the darkness....but deep down, you're suffering. You're eyes show it, but you're intelligent enough to avoid any long periods of contact.... But I think your greatest strength can be your own downfall, but isn't that like that with every strength? Doesn't every strength end in turmoil eventually?" I ask, my mind rambling on and twisting down rocky and cloudy paths....
Grace just sits there and shrugs, "I suppose so..."
I stare at my computer that is now booted up, the screen glowing back at me, demanding me to put in a password before it'll proceed forward.With frustration I slam the screen back down and stare over at Grace. She is growing uneasy. I have unrattled something inside her; I have started her downfall and I can do nothing but watch her shatter as she tries to put everything back together, but I smile. I know her; I know she will fix this because, unlike her, I know her ending.
I pack my laptop back in my bag and get up from the table, I can see that Grace has finally shattered all she is going to. She gives me a brief smile before poofing into golden dust and floating out the opened door to the coffee shop as a customer came in. I wasn't sad to see her go; I'll be seeing her soon in my story. I'll fix everything because her strength will manifest into something greater. I leave the shop and see the rain finally stop and the sun try to break through the clouds. I push back my bangs and walk down the sidewalk, thinking of only Grace.
Congratulations Michelle & Lacey! Wonderful answers!
First, for more Exile reviews, check out the following:
My Love Affair With Books
YA bibliophile
Sugarpeach
And for another Exile guest post (Aurelia & I are rather fond of this one):
The Neverending Bookshelf
The winners for the advanced reading copies of Exile are ...
For Option 2 (Name your cat. And tell me his or her special talent): Michelle!
Michelle's answer:
My cat, Belle (who I'm totally just realizing has a namesake who also shares her interest…Hint: Disney princess), has a knack for reading…or maybe just nudging books with her little pink nose until she can get them to pop open. Then she sits on them. I'm thinking she might be lucky enough to have the ability to absorb knowledge through osmosis. Wouldn't surprise me. (She's staring at me looking very smug right now). Lucky cat.
For Option 1 (If a very strong female character started talking to you, what would her particular strength be?): Lacey!
Lacey's answer:
I walk into the coffee shop, the scent of coffee beans lingers in the air. I survey the room before taking a seat by the window where I look out at the soft rain hitting against the window. I sigh before pulling out My laptop and turning it on. As I was waiting for my old machine to boot up, I heard footsteps walk up to me and ask if she could sit down. I nod my head, briefly lifting my eyes before concentrating on my computer once more.
"School work?" She asks.
I sigh once more and look up and my eyes nearly pop because sitting across from me is Grace, THE GRACE. She looks exactly as the Grace in my story, she even sounds like how I would imagine her to sound like. I stare at her in wonder, it takes all my willpower to stay rooted in my seat.
"Are you alright?" She asks, her eyebrows lift in concern.
I nod my head, "Your Grace, " I mutter out.
She smiles. "Yes, your Grace, my creator."
I take in a deep breath, I must be losing it, I HAVE to be losing it.....
"Can you tell me what my greatest strength is?" She asks challenging me.
I nod my head in excitement, "Of course....your greatest strength is the ability to comfort your family and friends by putting up a false shield and convincing everyone else that they're okay and you're okay... You create an appearance of togetherness. You're the leader,their guardian angel that leads them out of the darkness....but deep down, you're suffering. You're eyes show it, but you're intelligent enough to avoid any long periods of contact.... But I think your greatest strength can be your own downfall, but isn't that like that with every strength? Doesn't every strength end in turmoil eventually?" I ask, my mind rambling on and twisting down rocky and cloudy paths....
Grace just sits there and shrugs, "I suppose so..."
I stare at my computer that is now booted up, the screen glowing back at me, demanding me to put in a password before it'll proceed forward.With frustration I slam the screen back down and stare over at Grace. She is growing uneasy. I have unrattled something inside her; I have started her downfall and I can do nothing but watch her shatter as she tries to put everything back together, but I smile. I know her; I know she will fix this because, unlike her, I know her ending.
I pack my laptop back in my bag and get up from the table, I can see that Grace has finally shattered all she is going to. She gives me a brief smile before poofing into golden dust and floating out the opened door to the coffee shop as a customer came in. I wasn't sad to see her go; I'll be seeing her soon in my story. I'll fix everything because her strength will manifest into something greater. I leave the shop and see the rain finally stop and the sun try to break through the clouds. I push back my bangs and walk down the sidewalk, thinking of only Grace.
Congratulations Michelle & Lacey! Wonderful answers!
April 17, 2011
Aurelia's Song
Countdown to Exile--11 days!
"Hi, Aurelia," I say, piling my current edited draft of my upcoming fourth book, Salvation, on top of last weekend's edited draft.
"My book is coming out. My book is coming out. My book is coming out," she sings, dancing around the room to The Music Box Dancer.
"Yes," I sigh.
"Something wrong?" she pauses, her skirt swishing around her, an expression on her face which says that clearly nothing is allowed to go wrong when her book is coming out.
"Just thinking about final rehearsals all week for The Taming of the Shrew," I say. Final rehearsals are always my most stressful week of the year.
"They'll go fine," she says.
As I said, nothing can go wrong in her opinion right now.
"The Oregon Book Awards are next Monday night!" she adds. And starts spinning again. "Aerin and Dane are all excited about going."
"Yes." I manage a weak smile, thinking about the eight hours I'm going to spend in the car between school on Monday and school on Tuesday in order to attend the Monday night awards ceremony.
"And the Portland Writing Festival is coming up in early May!" She spins faster.
I need to prepare a forty minute speech for the festival and find a way to feed thirteen children at least three meals for two days. "Yes." My voice gets weaker.
"And you're presenting at Highland Hills Elementary in between!"
"I believe so."
"And then there's--"
"OK!" I shout.
She stops and stares at me.
But I keep going. "And I have a newsletter to type and interviews to complete and Goodreads messages to answer and bills to pay and a car headlight to fix and event updates to send to my editor and web designer. And followers to track down—since the pictures of all 117 of them have apparently disappeared from my blog. And--"
"Is Salva giving you a hard time?" She eyes the manuscript I've just set down.
He doesn't want to go on a date, but I'm hopeful that he, Beth, and I can work our way around this before June.
"I'm just . . . a little overwhelmed," I admit.
She shakes her head, then smiles and I know exactly what words are going to come out of her mouth. "My book is coming out," she whispers.
April 9, 2011
A Dizzying Conversation
Exile Countdown--19 days!
For details on my Exile Giveaway, see my March 26th blog post.
"It's almost here!" Aurelia bounds into the room spinning.
I pause, my spoon midway to its bowl of Cocoa Puffs. "What is?"
This is just me, pushing her buttons because I know perfectly well what she's excited about.
She stops spinning, looking appalled. "The release date for Exile."
"Is it?" I laugh.
And she returns to her spinning. Apparently this is one of those things that cannot be spoiled by an obtuse author. "I've been waiting forever!" she declares.
"I know," I say, setting aside the bowl of Cocoa Puffs. "I've been waiting just as long."
"Yes, but you didn't have to trek through a forest or climb the Gate, or cross a desert."
Her spins become a little less steady, and I hope she doesn't crash into a potted plant.
"I certainly did," I argue. "How do you think we made it to the far reaches of your kingdom?"
She stops spinning and shrugs. "Robert." Which I suppose is fair. He was the expedition guide, and I did make him do most of the planning.
"Really," I say, "I think we've all earned a reading vacation."
She collapses onto a purple bean bag. "Where?" Her eyebrows rise in a challenge.
Read the rest of "A Dizzying Conversation" and a new Exile review on Melina's blog, A Reading Vacation!
And another Exile review at Yearning to Read !
For details on my Exile Giveaway, see my March 26th blog post.
"It's almost here!" Aurelia bounds into the room spinning.
I pause, my spoon midway to its bowl of Cocoa Puffs. "What is?"
This is just me, pushing her buttons because I know perfectly well what she's excited about.
She stops spinning, looking appalled. "The release date for Exile."
"Is it?" I laugh.
And she returns to her spinning. Apparently this is one of those things that cannot be spoiled by an obtuse author. "I've been waiting forever!" she declares.
"I know," I say, setting aside the bowl of Cocoa Puffs. "I've been waiting just as long."
"Yes, but you didn't have to trek through a forest or climb the Gate, or cross a desert."
Her spins become a little less steady, and I hope she doesn't crash into a potted plant.
"I certainly did," I argue. "How do you think we made it to the far reaches of your kingdom?"
She stops spinning and shrugs. "Robert." Which I suppose is fair. He was the expedition guide, and I did make him do most of the planning.
"Really," I say, "I think we've all earned a reading vacation."
She collapses onto a purple bean bag. "Where?" Her eyebrows rise in a challenge.
Read the rest of "A Dizzying Conversation" and a new Exile review on Melina's blog, A Reading Vacation!
And another Exile review at Yearning to Read !
April 4, 2011
Exile--Cool Stuff!
Exile Countdown: 24 Days!
Check out Melissa's new Exile review from The Book Nut!
And see my March 26th blogpost to participate in the giveaway!
Aurelia: Three exclamation marks in a row?
Me: Too much?
Aurelia: A bit.
Aurelia: Why are we updating your review list here instead of on the Mar. 26th blogpost?
Me: Because of the scary "html error" message that won't let us edit that page.
Aurelia: Oh yes.
Exile Reviews: Check out the following sites for reviews of Robert & Aurelia's second story. (To be updated repeatedly)
The Book Nut: http://www.thebooknut.com/2011/04/exile.html
The Authoress: http://theauthoress-amelia.blogspot.com/2011/03/arc-exile-by-anne-osterlund.html
YA Book Nerd http://yabooknerd.blogspot.com/2011/03/review-exile.html
Exile Guest Posts & Interviews: Check out the following sites for witty guest blogs & interviews by yours truly—and sometimes Aurelia. (To be updated repeatedly)
YA Book Nerd http://yabooknerd.blogspot.com/2011/03/chatting-with-anne-osterlund.html
March 27, 2011
Exile Countdown & Giveaway!
Exile Countdown--32 days!
See my previous blog post to participate in the giveaway! And for Exile review links & interview/guest post links.
Aurelia: Why are you writing a whole new post just to update the countdown?
Me: Because the blog gods refused to let me edit yesterday's post. Something about an "html error."
Aurelia: Scary.
Me: I thought so too.
See my previous blog post to participate in the giveaway! And for Exile review links & interview/guest post links.
Aurelia: Why are you writing a whole new post just to update the countdown?
Me: Because the blog gods refused to let me edit yesterday's post. Something about an "html error."
Aurelia: Scary.
Me: I thought so too.
March 26, 2011
Exile Countdown & Giveaway!
Exile Countdown: 33 Days
Aurelia: It's time! It's time!
Me: Time for what?
Aurelia: To start counting down the days before Exile's release.
Me: Why do we need to have an Exile Countdown?
I receive a look of disdain. Which, truthfully, I deserve.
Aurelia: Because you sent out lots of ARCs to wonderful bloggers who are taking the time to read my story & review it.
Me: True.
Aurelia: And your readers need a location to find links to all those reviews.
I think to myself that Aurelia will not be very happy if I post links to negative reviews. But of course, we don't talk about those.
Aurelia: That location is here!
Me: OK.
Aurelia: And because you've been spending hours writing creative interview answers and quirky guest blogs which those bloggers will also be posting.
Me: True. (Admittedly not at my peak writing time).
Aurelia: And you need a location to post the links to those as well. That location is here!
Me: Yes, that sounds good. (Inspiration strikes). And because I have two—count them two—extra ARCs (advanced copies) of Exile to be given away the week before Exile's release.
Aurelia: And that location is. . .
Me: Here!
Exile Reviews: Check out the following sites for reviews of Robert & Aurelia's second story. (To be updated repeatedly)
--The Authoress
--YA Book Nerd
Exile Guest Posts & Interviews: Check out the following sites for witty guest blogs & interviews by yours truly—and sometimes Aurelia. (To be updated repeatedly)
--YA Book Nerd Interview
EXILE Giveaway Contest Rules:
Simple: Answer one of the following questions and post your comment below, or send me an e-mail with the answer at [email protected].
Giveaway Contest Question:
Option 1: If a very strong female character started talking to you, what would her particular strength be?
Option 2: Name your cat. And tell me his or her special talent.
______________________________________________________
Aurelia: Are you going to give them an example for the first question?
Me: For example, would your female character be particularly good at giving orders?
Aurelia: Very funny. Don't you think it's possible she might have many strengths?
Me: Like sarcasm?
Aurelia: Yes.
Me: And wit?
Aurelia: Yes.
Me: And intelligence?
Aurelia: Yes.
Me: And a particularly awesome ability to ride a horse.
Aurelia: No. I haven't been talking to any authors other than you.
OK readers, we need your answers!
Aurelia: It's time! It's time!
Me: Time for what?
Aurelia: To start counting down the days before Exile's release.
Me: Why do we need to have an Exile Countdown?
I receive a look of disdain. Which, truthfully, I deserve.
Aurelia: Because you sent out lots of ARCs to wonderful bloggers who are taking the time to read my story & review it.
Me: True.
Aurelia: And your readers need a location to find links to all those reviews.
I think to myself that Aurelia will not be very happy if I post links to negative reviews. But of course, we don't talk about those.
Aurelia: That location is here!
Me: OK.
Aurelia: And because you've been spending hours writing creative interview answers and quirky guest blogs which those bloggers will also be posting.
Me: True. (Admittedly not at my peak writing time).
Aurelia: And you need a location to post the links to those as well. That location is here!
Me: Yes, that sounds good. (Inspiration strikes). And because I have two—count them two—extra ARCs (advanced copies) of Exile to be given away the week before Exile's release.
Aurelia: And that location is. . .
Me: Here!
Exile Reviews: Check out the following sites for reviews of Robert & Aurelia's second story. (To be updated repeatedly)
--The Authoress
--YA Book Nerd
Exile Guest Posts & Interviews: Check out the following sites for witty guest blogs & interviews by yours truly—and sometimes Aurelia. (To be updated repeatedly)
--YA Book Nerd Interview
EXILE Giveaway Contest Rules:
Simple: Answer one of the following questions and post your comment below, or send me an e-mail with the answer at [email protected].
Giveaway Contest Question:
Option 1: If a very strong female character started talking to you, what would her particular strength be?
Option 2: Name your cat. And tell me his or her special talent.
______________________________________________________
Aurelia: Are you going to give them an example for the first question?
Me: For example, would your female character be particularly good at giving orders?
Aurelia: Very funny. Don't you think it's possible she might have many strengths?
Me: Like sarcasm?
Aurelia: Yes.
Me: And wit?
Aurelia: Yes.
Me: And intelligence?
Aurelia: Yes.
Me: And a particularly awesome ability to ride a horse.
Aurelia: No. I haven't been talking to any authors other than you.
OK readers, we need your answers!
March 21, 2011
New Kitty
I have a new kitty.
First, before I introduce her, I must share the sad news that my best feline friend, Dance, passed away last month. Dance, and her sister, Tease, were exceptionally special kitties, as you can tell if you read the bio on my website. I will be leaving the bio up, in honor of them (after all they took all that trouble to write it). And if you read the dedication at the beginning of Exile when it comes out, you will see that they were vital to the completion of that story, of which we are all very proud.
But today, I would like to introduce you to Charlotte.
I just met Charlotte last Tuesday. She arrived at my house around 4:30 p.m. and promptly decided that underneath the desk was a rather appropriate place for an author kitty to hide (beside several boxes of my books, school author visit brochures, Academy 7 postcards, and an all but empty box of Exile arcs). We discussed the fact that I could not pet her under the desk, and she scooted next to the outer edge to say that, "Yes, I could."
We have progressed from there. Here is what I have learned about Charlotte since then . . .
-Her name is Charlotte. The people at the Home at Last Humane Society in the Dalles were under the impression it was Cappuccino, but this was incorrect, and we have agreed that Charlotte is her true name. She is a lovely grey and peachy kitty with short fur and a long tail.
-She can open drawers. In fact she is exceptionally fond of opening drawers that roll, and she finds bathroom drawers with funky objects in them far more exciting than kitchen drawers with towels.
-She can also bang cupboards. (She can open and climb in them too, but she prefers just to bang the doors).
-She can, in fact, use a scratching post, though she prefers knocking it down. (She and Tease have this in common).
-She is missing the tip of her right ear. This I think gives her an air of mystery and intrigues me about what will happen when I permit her into the wide world for her first expedition outdoors.
-She does not like being "scooped;" however, she is considering altering her opinion upon this point in exchange for the following:
-Feathered toys are the way to her heart.
-She also approves of plastic balls that jingle and balls of green yarn.
-But feathered toys . . .
-Feather toys make her amenable to sleeping on the back of the couch, my fuzzy blanket, and the bed.
I think we will be investing in quite a few.
First, before I introduce her, I must share the sad news that my best feline friend, Dance, passed away last month. Dance, and her sister, Tease, were exceptionally special kitties, as you can tell if you read the bio on my website. I will be leaving the bio up, in honor of them (after all they took all that trouble to write it). And if you read the dedication at the beginning of Exile when it comes out, you will see that they were vital to the completion of that story, of which we are all very proud.
But today, I would like to introduce you to Charlotte.
I just met Charlotte last Tuesday. She arrived at my house around 4:30 p.m. and promptly decided that underneath the desk was a rather appropriate place for an author kitty to hide (beside several boxes of my books, school author visit brochures, Academy 7 postcards, and an all but empty box of Exile arcs). We discussed the fact that I could not pet her under the desk, and she scooted next to the outer edge to say that, "Yes, I could."
We have progressed from there. Here is what I have learned about Charlotte since then . . .
-Her name is Charlotte. The people at the Home at Last Humane Society in the Dalles were under the impression it was Cappuccino, but this was incorrect, and we have agreed that Charlotte is her true name. She is a lovely grey and peachy kitty with short fur and a long tail.
-She can open drawers. In fact she is exceptionally fond of opening drawers that roll, and she finds bathroom drawers with funky objects in them far more exciting than kitchen drawers with towels.
-She can also bang cupboards. (She can open and climb in them too, but she prefers just to bang the doors).
-She can, in fact, use a scratching post, though she prefers knocking it down. (She and Tease have this in common).
-She is missing the tip of her right ear. This I think gives her an air of mystery and intrigues me about what will happen when I permit her into the wide world for her first expedition outdoors.
-She does not like being "scooped;" however, she is considering altering her opinion upon this point in exchange for the following:
-Feathered toys are the way to her heart.
-She also approves of plastic balls that jingle and balls of green yarn.
-But feathered toys . . .
-Feather toys make her amenable to sleeping on the back of the couch, my fuzzy blanket, and the bed.
I think we will be investing in quite a few.
March 13, 2011
The Whole "Genre" Issue
How to Sell Your Book: Tip #1—Determine the genre.
Duh, I remember thinking back when I was writing AURELIA, it's a young adult fantasy. On to tip #2.
Why did I think it was so obvious that Aurelia was a fantasy? Because in my head I categorize it with the following novels I love: Alanna, the First Adventure by Tamora Pierce, Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn, and Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith. Strong heroine. Check. Palace/royal setting. Check. Fantasy world. Check.
I always thought of Aurelia as a fantasy. Had absolutely no doubt.
Until later when researching query letters online, I stumbled into a list of fantasy subgenres and realized that not one of the fifteen descriptions failed to include magic.
There is no magic in Aurelia.
"Why not?" you ask.
That is a whole other blog post.
So . . . concerned by this long list of fantasy subgenres that didn't include my book, I e-mailed someone on the SCBWI discussion page and asked, "Can't you have a fantasy without magic?" I explained the whole princess-in-a-fantasy-world thing.
"Yes," was the reply. "A fairytale fantasy."
Problem-solved, I thought. Moving on. And forgot about the issue.
Until the book came out. And I read—in the reviews, newspaper articles, and various synopsis—that Aurelia was a "mystery," a "teen romance," and "historical fiction."
This past week, an interviewer asked me if my books are "cross-genre." I'd never heard of that term before. (I know, you probably have, but clearly my master's degree in education; master's focus in ESL, ed, and Spanish; bachelor of arts degree; major in elementary ed; minor in Spanish; second teaching fields in Spanish and English; and multitude of haphazard post-graduate coursework have left me uneducated). To me, everything is a mix of genres. There are mysteries to be solved in fantasies, levels of suspense in horror novels, romance within contemporary fiction. It's just a matter of degrees. Isn't it?
Perhaps not.
I've also heard that some ideas are "too genre."
And here, I assumed everything was a genre.
So . . . LOL. I think it's very clear that I don't know what a "genre" is.
Aurelia: Yes you do.
Me: Oh, do I?
Aurelia: My story is a fantasy.
Me: Well, I'm glad you're certain. And does that go for Exile as well as Aurelia?
Aurelia: Of course.
Me: And what genre are people going to call Exile?
Aurelia: Um . . . a teen adventure historical romance?
Me: LOL! We'll see.
Duh, I remember thinking back when I was writing AURELIA, it's a young adult fantasy. On to tip #2.
Why did I think it was so obvious that Aurelia was a fantasy? Because in my head I categorize it with the following novels I love: Alanna, the First Adventure by Tamora Pierce, Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn, and Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith. Strong heroine. Check. Palace/royal setting. Check. Fantasy world. Check.
I always thought of Aurelia as a fantasy. Had absolutely no doubt.
Until later when researching query letters online, I stumbled into a list of fantasy subgenres and realized that not one of the fifteen descriptions failed to include magic.
There is no magic in Aurelia.
"Why not?" you ask.
That is a whole other blog post.
So . . . concerned by this long list of fantasy subgenres that didn't include my book, I e-mailed someone on the SCBWI discussion page and asked, "Can't you have a fantasy without magic?" I explained the whole princess-in-a-fantasy-world thing.
"Yes," was the reply. "A fairytale fantasy."
Problem-solved, I thought. Moving on. And forgot about the issue.
Until the book came out. And I read—in the reviews, newspaper articles, and various synopsis—that Aurelia was a "mystery," a "teen romance," and "historical fiction."
This past week, an interviewer asked me if my books are "cross-genre." I'd never heard of that term before. (I know, you probably have, but clearly my master's degree in education; master's focus in ESL, ed, and Spanish; bachelor of arts degree; major in elementary ed; minor in Spanish; second teaching fields in Spanish and English; and multitude of haphazard post-graduate coursework have left me uneducated). To me, everything is a mix of genres. There are mysteries to be solved in fantasies, levels of suspense in horror novels, romance within contemporary fiction. It's just a matter of degrees. Isn't it?
Perhaps not.
I've also heard that some ideas are "too genre."
And here, I assumed everything was a genre.
So . . . LOL. I think it's very clear that I don't know what a "genre" is.
Aurelia: Yes you do.
Me: Oh, do I?
Aurelia: My story is a fantasy.
Me: Well, I'm glad you're certain. And does that go for Exile as well as Aurelia?
Aurelia: Of course.
Me: And what genre are people going to call Exile?
Aurelia: Um . . . a teen adventure historical romance?
Me: LOL! We'll see.
March 7, 2011
L.K. Madigan
Fellow Oregon author, L.K. Madigan, passed away last week.
I met Lisa twice, once on a young adult panel last spring when she was spoke about her award-winning novel, Flash Burnout. And once this past fall when we presented together on the topic of realistic fiction for teens. My ultimate impression of her, after both meetings, was that she was very kind. (And quite brave, as she was presenting both times and both times mentioned her fear of public speaking). Her second novel, The Mermaid's Mirror, has been on my to-read list since October.
Her husband has posted a special blog on her site and set up a memorial fund to help pay for her son's college tuition.
I hope some of you will visit.
http://lkmadigan.livejournal.com/185397.html
There was also an article posted in the Oregonian recently about her life.
http://www.oregonlive.com/books/index.ssf/2011/02/friends_admirers_remember_gene.html
I met Lisa twice, once on a young adult panel last spring when she was spoke about her award-winning novel, Flash Burnout. And once this past fall when we presented together on the topic of realistic fiction for teens. My ultimate impression of her, after both meetings, was that she was very kind. (And quite brave, as she was presenting both times and both times mentioned her fear of public speaking). Her second novel, The Mermaid's Mirror, has been on my to-read list since October.
Her husband has posted a special blog on her site and set up a memorial fund to help pay for her son's college tuition.
I hope some of you will visit.
http://lkmadigan.livejournal.com/185397.html
There was also an article posted in the Oregonian recently about her life.
http://www.oregonlive.com/books/index.ssf/2011/02/friends_admirers_remember_gene.html
February 26, 2011
Hot Lemonade
Aurelia: (to me) You look awful.
Me (croaking): I feel worse.
Aurelia: Your lips are cracked; your hair isn't brushed, and you're voice sounds like someone is grading the road behind your house.
Me (still croaking): You needn't elaborate.
Aurelia: Would you like some peppermint ice cream?
Me: Yes, but I had two bowls already today.
Aurelia: Three bowls are allowed when you're sick.
Me: I have the chills too.
Ni pops in. (Note to readers: you haven't met Ni yet. She is Beth's best friend in Salvation).
Ni: How about some hot lemonade?
Me: Mmm. I don't know . . .
The characters consult one another, then Aurelia turns back to me.
Aurelia: You were a very good teacher this week.
I know I look bad when I start earning sympathy praise from Aurelia.
Me: Maybe I'll just sleep.
Ni disappears into the kitchen. Aurelia follows her. I hear the fridge open, a cupboard closing, and the running of the water from the faucet. Someone pushes the button on the microwave, but the water keeps running. The characters' voices carry over the running water.
Ni: You know this is your fault, Aurelia. If she wasn't all anxious about Exile coming out, she would have postponed her magazine interview tomorrow and slept today. Instead of cleaning house.
The microwave beeps.
Aurelia: I think she's much more worried about your book coming back from the editor. It's causing stress.
Ni: Are you sure it's not all those ARCs of Exile waiting to be packaged and her school visit in two weeks, and preparations for the Portland Writing Festival?
Aurelia emerges from the kitchen, a steaming mug in her hands. Ni follows. They both look at me skeptically.
Aurelia: (to me) You can't do everything you know.
Me: (sigh) I don't think either of you are to blame for a sore throat & fever.
Aurelia hands me the hot lemonade.
Aurelia: The next time you're sick, you have my permission not to blog.
I close my eyes, take a sip, and say, "Thank you."
Me (croaking): I feel worse.
Aurelia: Your lips are cracked; your hair isn't brushed, and you're voice sounds like someone is grading the road behind your house.
Me (still croaking): You needn't elaborate.
Aurelia: Would you like some peppermint ice cream?
Me: Yes, but I had two bowls already today.
Aurelia: Three bowls are allowed when you're sick.
Me: I have the chills too.
Ni pops in. (Note to readers: you haven't met Ni yet. She is Beth's best friend in Salvation).
Ni: How about some hot lemonade?
Me: Mmm. I don't know . . .
The characters consult one another, then Aurelia turns back to me.
Aurelia: You were a very good teacher this week.
I know I look bad when I start earning sympathy praise from Aurelia.
Me: Maybe I'll just sleep.
Ni disappears into the kitchen. Aurelia follows her. I hear the fridge open, a cupboard closing, and the running of the water from the faucet. Someone pushes the button on the microwave, but the water keeps running. The characters' voices carry over the running water.
Ni: You know this is your fault, Aurelia. If she wasn't all anxious about Exile coming out, she would have postponed her magazine interview tomorrow and slept today. Instead of cleaning house.
The microwave beeps.
Aurelia: I think she's much more worried about your book coming back from the editor. It's causing stress.
Ni: Are you sure it's not all those ARCs of Exile waiting to be packaged and her school visit in two weeks, and preparations for the Portland Writing Festival?
Aurelia emerges from the kitchen, a steaming mug in her hands. Ni follows. They both look at me skeptically.
Aurelia: (to me) You can't do everything you know.
Me: (sigh) I don't think either of you are to blame for a sore throat & fever.
Aurelia hands me the hot lemonade.
Aurelia: The next time you're sick, you have my permission not to blog.
I close my eyes, take a sip, and say, "Thank you."
