Lydia Kang's Blog, page 12

It's been a while since I've done a Medical Mondays! But here, I'll make it up to you.

Have a glass of absinthe.
Or maybe...don't?

Absinthe is a highly alcoholic beverage that became popular in the late 18th to 19th century, even into the early 20th century. You've probably seen it in paintings, in movies, in books, since for a while, it was everywhere among artists and regular folk alike. Hemingway, Baudelaire, Toulouse-Lautrec, Verlaine, Wilde, van Gogh, Modigliani, etc. The list of artists who adored this bewitching, green drink is impressively long!

Absinthe contains essence of wormwood (Artemesia absinthium), anise, fennel, hyssop, Melissa (a kind of mint) and other herbs. Absinthe often had a clear, greenish tint (from the herbs, but occasionally from additives, see below.)

Artemisia absinthiumIts consumption grew very popular between 1840-1860. One of the favorite ways to drink it was to place a sugar cube over a slotted spoon and pour water over the cube. The resulting liquid would be sweetened and turn cloudy.

Absinthe was its own party trick.Absinthe soon came under fire when opponents of the ubiquitous liquor claimed it caused societal problems and violent psychoses in the drinkers. It was thought to be a possible hallucinogen, which is likely not true. It's possible that some of the adverse effects were from the additives used to occasionally deepen the green color, such as toxic metal salts (whose effects might have been part of the reason why it had such a bad reputation!)

Later, a chemical component from the wormwood, thujone, was blamed for this alleged behavior. Thujone is a psychoactive substance that affects GABA and a sub-type of the serotonin receptor. However, it's more likely that the high alcohol content caused more of these symptoms and problems in drinkers, rather than the thujone itself.

It was soon banned in several countries around the world, including the U.S. and France, among others. But in the last 20 years, it's become popular, with many countries lifting the ban, but with strict rules over thujone content.

So...if you want some Absinthe, you can get it (not for me, though--I'm not a huge fan of anise-flavored stuff). Today, it may not be quite the same thing they had in 1860's. In the U.S., for example, it has to be thujone-free.

It's it a fascinating history? And there's so much more. If you're interested, check out:

Wikipedia
New York Times
The Wormwood Society

So! Could you imagine writing absinthe into a scene? Or have you ever tasted it?

Medical Mondays is a series intended to help writers with their fictional scenarios. Please check out the boring but necessary disclaimer on my sidebar. :)

(photos from Wikipedia)

It's been a crazy few weeks since ALA and I'm back from vacation. Hope you all had a great 4th of July!

In case you missed it, Meagan Spooner (author of Skylark and These Broken Stars) featured me on "In Search of the Write Space" feature on her blog. There are a few surprises in there (payphones? bird poop? bugs? manatees?) plus a swag giveaway, so check it out!

Also, today I'm posting at the League of Extraordinary Writers on Glowing Bunnies and caveats when writing sci-fi. There's a fun doodle I made, so please stop by!

And finally, don't forget to enter Mila Ferrera's SPIRAL Ebook and $50 gift card giveaway down below. :D

Happy Thorsday, everyone!

Hello! I'm here to celebrate the release of Mila Ferrera's fantastic NA book, SPIRAL!

SPIRAL is one of those read-in-one-sitting books. It's an intelligent romance that is so gripping, with a romance that is pretty sweet and spicy for you new adult fans out there. Seriously, you won't be disappointed and I'm very picky when it comes to NA!

So today's Blogfest is about doing the thing that scares you. And let me tell you, I've done that a few times. But there is one situation that I'm particularly proud of.

Rock climbing. 

See, I have a fear of heights. Any situation where there is a real possibility of falling and smashing my head scares me crazy. 

So I was a little worried when I went rock climbing for the first time many years ago. It was at the Gunks in New Paltz, NY.


FYI, this is not a picture of me. I was wearing a purple Dinosaur Jr t-shirt.
You could practically see the waves of fear surrounding me like a big, black aura.I was terrified. With the help of my experienced friends, I panted, squeezed, shoved and grappled my way up that cliff face. There were moments of panic, of nearly screaming "I can't do this!" I did at one point stick my elbow into a crack to keep from falling. Yes, it was painful.  A few times, I nearly considered purposely falling, just to get the whole thing over with. 

But you know what was just as strong? My inner voice that said, "Don't quit. Focus. To hell with the fear. Just do it."

Nike didn't pay me to say that, but honestly, it really does mean something. And when I reached the top, it was one of the purest sensations of success I have ever felt. 

Was it worth the terror?

Yes. 

What did I learn?

That my mind can be stronger than my fear. That was a priceless lesson. 

So! Let me tell you a bit about this book! Because at it's core, it's about conquering fear for the sake of love.

About SPIRAL: 

Nessa Cavanaugh, psychology student, knows how to stay on an even keel. Despite the urging of her mother and her academic advisor to get a life and have some fun, “all work and no play” sums up her plan to survive her grueling internship year at a children's hospital. She doesn't want to end up like her father, whose constant ups and downs broke her family, and avoiding unnecessary emotional entanglements is a must.
Then she (literally) runs into Dr. Aron Lindstrom in the middle of her disastrous first day on the job. The attraction is instant—and terrifying. Nessa knows she should stay away—especially when she finds out he has a reputation for being a player—but Aron is brilliant, intense, and as sexy as they come. When he challenges her to take a chance on him, her plans to stay focused on work start to crumble.
But what begins as passion takes on a dangerous edge, becoming an emotional roller coaster that’s frighteningly familiar. As things spiral out of control, Nessa must decide whether she should hold on for the ride or run … even if it means leaving her heart behind.
And here's a fantastic giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Hey guys! Here's the rafflecopter for today's giveaway which includes CONTROL goodies!Thanks, and check over at Laurisa's blog for more stuff!
I'm at ALA today, hopefully not flailing like an eejut. Will report back next week! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hey guys! I'm going to the American Library Association's annual conference in Chicago this weekend.

Have you ever gone? It's my first time and I'm excited and nervous! In case you're going to be there, here's my schedule:

Friday at 11 AM, I'm in a panel with fellow Class of 2K13ers with Veronica Roth.
There are already almost 400 people signed up for it, which is sorta freaking me out. Also, Veronica Roth (Did you hear Divergent is becoming a movie? Like, now? OMG) is moderating, which also sorta freaks me out. And also, I'll be stuffing almost 160 swag bags with classmates the night before. I might get a stuffing-sprain.

Friday from 4-7PM, I'll be at the Bookcellar for Demitria Lunetta's IN THE AFTER book release and Class of 2K13 book/swag signing.
I'll be reading a passage from CONTROL. I haven't decided which passage to pick. I might decide, oh, five minutes before. Because I'm indecisive like that.

Friday 7:30-9:30 I'm going to try to make it to the Chicagoland Kidlit Drinks Night/YA Highway/Stacked ALA13 party. Come if you can! I'll be the person in the corner passed out from sensory overload, not alcohol.

Saturday, I will be recovering and wandering aimlessly around ALA in a daze. If you see me, feel free to hand me coffee and snacks. I will not say no. Also, I'll probably be carrying around swag so ask and I'll be happy to give some out!

CONTROL arcs will be given out at the Penguin booth and I'm going to try to snap a picture!

Are you going to ALA? If so, let me know in the comments or email. I'd love to meet and say hi!

*******
One last thing. So...there's this new New Adult author who wrote this fantastic, hyper-awesome romance called SPIRAL.  It's such a great book, with depth, and heart, and intelligence, and epic amounts of romance.  The author is Mila Ferrera and if you'd be interested in being part of her upcoming blog tour (I'll be in it!) called "Always Do The Thing That Scares You"  click here. :)

(Hey, so after posting on my blog at a sloth's pace, I'm a blogging maniac this week. Heh heh.)

My fellow Class of 2k13er's book, IN THE AFTER, is releasing today! 


"Debut author Lunetta crafts a bang-up, twisty sci-fi adventure/thriller that begs continuation. Plucky, smart, inquisitive Amy’s first-person narration is enjoyably snarky, and this end of the world is original enough to make it a good addition to any collection of post-apocalyptic fiction. Fans will be rabid for In The End, scheduled for summer 2014. (Science fiction. 13 & up)"   - Kirkus
“Consuming! Fascinating and full of twists. Scary in the best way! I couldn't look away. Once you start this book you won't close it until the story's over ... and then you'll sit there wanting more.”  – Sophie Jordan, New York Times Bestselling author of THE FIRELIGHT SERIES.
“Part adventure, part mystery, Demitria Lunetta's IN THE AFTER is an exciting and scary read that had me hyperaware of every noise, every breath, and checking over my shoulder for monsters. This book completely consumed me.” – Jodi Meadows, author of the INCARNATE TRILOGY.
Check out the chilling trailer!

Purchase it online: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound

Hey guys! It's here!  SUPER SWAG SUNDAY!!!
When:  June 24th thru July 1st

Where:  laurisawhitereyes.blogspot.com

Why:  For a chance to win lots of cool promotional items signed by 55 of today's best middle grade and young adult authors!


Every day for seven days, Laurisa's blog will spotlight some of the most amazing new books for kids and teens! Monday thru Saturday visitors will be able to enter for chances to win one of 6 swag packs containing everything from signed bookmarks and postcards, to pins, pencils, totebags, stickers, key chains, lip balm, charms and more!

Good luck! And hope you guys get to win some stuff!

(FYI: CONTROL will be highlighted on her blog on Friday--will post a reminder then!)

Hey guys! I'm interviewing fellow Class of 2k13 member Demitria Lunetta (I know, I know--her name is so crazy gorgeous!) on her post-apocalyptic book, IN THE AFTER, which releases from Harper Teen on June 25th.

Check it out!
Some more items:

1. THANK YOU for all your well wishes on my post-Start Trek gastrointestinal disaster. Not exactly post-apocalyptic, unless you're talking intestinal flora.

2. I got to guest teach a local creative writing class for highschoolers and test read the first chapter of my WIP and I *think* it was well received. I heard a rumor they were still talking about it in geometry later, so I'll consider that a win. :D

3. Also, I have a terrible, terrible crush on Benedict Cumberbatch that rivals my Loki crush (thank you, Star Trek-Into Darkness, my gateway drug). I'm rapidly consuming episodes of Sherlock as we speak.

Here's Cumby, in case you haven't met. Some sugar for your AM coffee. ;)

So last night I saw Star Trek.  I really loved all the Wrath of Khan parallels and had fun drooling over Spock. Also, Bones's reliance on metaphors was hilarious.

Afterwards, hubs and I had a little dinner and dissected the movie. I drank a few diet Cokes, thinking--I'm gonna use some of that movie inspiration to fuel a little late night writing fest! It's gonna be awesome!

Right? Wrong!

Two hours later, I got hit with debilitating nausea (visualize me hugging pillows with my head on the floor, because my bed--that's right, my soft cushie bed--was making me nauseous.)

I sounded like this:

"Don't pat my back, it's making me sicker. Please stop talking, it's making me more nauseated."
"I hate throwing up. I don't want to throw up. This would all go away if I threw up. But I hate throwing up."
*GRRRROOOAAAANNNN* *WHINNNNEEEEE* *GROANNNN*
"Why am I not throwing up yet?????"

(I have a slight care of emetophobia (fear of vomiting), if you haven't figured that out yet).

Two hours after that, I had chills, more nausea (still no puking!), a racing heart beat, cramping and sweats. I thought, I am dying. My innards are festering with the bad kind of E. Coli and my bowels are going to explode soon. It's going to look like the Ebola virus played jump rope with my small intestines. Food poisoning SUCKS. 

And the best part? All that caffeine I drank to keep me awake for my anticipated writing session? KEPT ME AWAKE THE WHOLE TIME. So I had little mini convos with myself all night long.

"Wow, it's three o'clock. What is the half-life of caffeine again?"
"No more house salads for me. For now on, I'm eating preservative-filled food. Nothing fresh. Tomorrow my menu will be  100% Twinkies, if I can find them."
"Wow, my heart rate is going at 120! I wonder if I'm in atrial fibrillation? Yes? No?"
"I want to throw up! I hate throwing up! I need to throw up! Why am I not throwing up?"

Etc, etc.

Anyway, I'm feeling much better now, albeit REALLY sleep deprived and sort of zombie-ish.

Hope you all are having a good Monday. Mine is sort of south-of-meh so far.

I've bit slapped in the head with a shiny new idea. This happens to me every few months, and I've now about three books sitting in my noggin, waiting to be written after the CONTROL series is wrapped up.


Except, erm. This one took fanatical possession of my fingers and I'm writing it now. It's fantasy. And I'm nuts.

In the words of Edna Mode, "This has completely confiscated my LIFE, dahling." 

Yep. That sums it up.

Are you guys writing anything new this week? Reading anything newish?