Nathan Bransford talks about the danger of getting too carried away with dreams of wild success and Oprah stickers for one’s (yet unpublished) books. Is it good to dream and aspire? Yes.
Is it bad to let those dreams turn into expectations, that later, turn you bitter and craven and into a Dark Lord of the Sith. Probably. (No really, he says that. Go see for yourself.)
John Scalzi is back from his blogging hiatus and is in fine form today, talking about writing and finding the time to do so. Excellent advice, but take a peek at the comments. One very astute commenter (#16 to be precise) talks about energy management vs. time management. Actually, many of the comments contain excellent advice. Have a look.
I’ll be signing in the vendor room (morning and afternoon) and also speaking on the afternoon authors panel. If anyone is planning on attending the conference, I’d love to chat with you. Stop by. I’m bringing Smarties and Nerds. Plus you can help me figure out what to say on the author panel. Those who know me in real life know that I’m all about the talking. (Ha.)
(Side note: I used the new link helper in WordPress. Why it only found some books and not others, I don’t know. But there you have it.)
1. Favorite childhood book?
I’m not sure how to define “childhood” re: reading. Do I answer The Lonely Doll? The Secret Seven? Trixie Belden? The Chronicles of Narnia? Jane Eyre, which I (first) read when I was twelve or so. See? This list is endless.
2. What are you reading right now?
Insatiable by Meg Cabot (audio book in the car)
The Road Home by Ellen Emerson White (on the nightstand)
3. What books do you have on request at the library?
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
I usually have two going at a time, one in the car and one for elsewhere.
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
No, they’ve changed since I started writing. I read a little less (a girl needs time to write after all) and I read more carefully, not to mention slowly.
9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far?)
Probably one (or two/three) books I judged for the Rita. And because I judged them for the Rita, I can’t tell you what they are. (You’re consumed with curiosity, aren’t you?)
Yes, I tend toward those that promise to make me smarter or a better writer. It’s a never-ending quest, really.
26. Favorite cookbook?
Bwhahahaha. That’s all I’m going to say.
27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
Nonfiction: Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity was short and fun, with some good advice. I like a book with attitude. Outliers also had some interesting information. (See #25 where I’m trying to be smarter and a better writer.)
Fiction: See favorite books.
28. Favorite reading snack?
Tea.
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
Ruined? Maybe When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead, which I enjoyed very much and think it deserves all the awards it has received. But by the time I read it, I was expecting it to also clean my house and make me coffee in the morning.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
Meh. Totally depends. Many times I wonder if we’ve read the same book.
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I don’t. Give them, that is. I do read books that simply aren’t for me, since I try to read widely (I think that’s important as a writer.) And I do analyze why a book didn’t work for me, but I generally keep those conclusions to myself.
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose?
I’d love to get back up to speed and read in Russian.
33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
Anna Karenina–in Russian.
34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?
All those big fat historical nonfiction books I have.
35. Favorite Poet?
Pushkin.
36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
A handful.
37. How often have you returned book to the library unread?
For audio books if I cannot stand actor’s voice, I hit eject and back it goes. Commuting is bad enough. Commuting with someone whose voice grates on you? No thanks.
38. Favorite fictional character?
Elizabeth Bennet
39. Favorite fictional villain?
Um, I can’t think of one. Maybe because I tend to think villain = moustache-twirling bad guy, and I like books with antagonists who: 1) are often redeemed, 2) relatable and human, if tragically flawed.
40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?
Whatever is next in the queue.
41. The longest I’ve gone without reading.
I don’t know. I’m drawing a blank on this one. Probably when I was deployed to the Gulf, during that window of time when things were happening. I don’t think I read then.
42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
Le Divorce. I got bored. I actually put it down at the 3/4 mark, right before the murder. That’s how much I didn’t care.
43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?
Kids’ TV programs. Oy.
44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?
The A&E version of Pride and Prejudice. Really, how can you not love this:
On a related note, I also think that Bridget Jones’s Diary is a better movie than book (especially the last act, structure-wise).
45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
I’m sure there are many, but I often avoid movies made from books I love. My son would probably say The Lightning Thief.
46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
A lot, especially around the holidays.
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
Not often. Plus, it’s really hard to skim an audio book.
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
Boredom.
49. Do you like to keep your books organized?
Since they’re not organized, I’m going with: no.
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
I do have books that are keepers, but I also like giving them away, especially if someone really wants a book.
51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?
Like doubling back the way I came when I see them on the street … oh, wait. No. I don’t think I have. Except those exceptionally long historical nonfiction ones, that is.
52. Name a book that made you angry.
The Dark Side by Jane Mayer (Actually, I think this was an excellent book, it’s the subject matter that made me angry.)
53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?
The Adoration of Jenna Fox. Interestingly enough, this one wasn’t working for me until the last fourth or so. I’m glad I listened to this one on audio, otherwise I might not have hung in there with it, but I’m glad I did.
54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?
The last in a YA trilogy I was reading. I really wanted to like it, but it felt off to me from the first chapters. I finally hit eject and went to read a spoiler-y review and realized I’d figured everything (pretty much) without having to read the last book. Sigh.
55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
YA and now middle grade. I’ve been reading a lot in the Aladdin imprint of Simon and Schuster (market research). These are sweet, fun, fast-paced books and I’ve really enjoyed them.
Guess which book is featured this week over at Dear Reader! Come on, guess! Okay maybe it’s obviously, since I’m blogging about it.
But … The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading is the featured book in the Teen Book club. Do any of you subscribe to Dear Reader? They have a club for just about everything from fiction, to nonfiction to even a pre-published club. It’s a great way to discover books you might not otherwise know about.
To celebrate the one year anniversary of The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading being in the wild–and still available in many bookstores–we’re teaming up with Stacey Jay to bring you two awesome prize packs.
Zombie Cheerleader prize pack #1:
A tote bag with original artwork inspired by MY SO CALLED DEATH
A signed copy of MY SO CALLED DEATH
A signed copy of THE GEEK GIRL’S GUIDE TO CHEERLEADING
One zombie emergency T-shirt (just in case)
Zombie Cheerleader prize pack #2:
A tote bag with original artwork inspired by UNDEAD MUCH?
A signed copy of UNDEAD MUCH?
A signed copy of The GEEK GIRL’S GUIDE TO CHEERLEADING
One zombie emergency T-shirt (just in case)
Yes, it’s true. Geek Girl has gone where no geek girl has gone before (that we know of):
That’s right! We’re in American Cheerleader Magazine, or more precisely, there’s a review of The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading in the May/June 2010 issue (which we haven’t seen yet, but copies are on the way).
Today Darcy and I are over at Brittany the Book Slayer’s blog. Brittany is a senior editor at American Cheerleader Magazine and an aspiring YA author.
Why, you may ask, are we chatting with a senior editor from American Cheerleader? All will be revealed soon. As in tomorrow. Pretty much tomorrow is the day.
But in the meantime, enjoy the interview at Brittany the Book Slayer. This interview contains some in-depth information on just how we go about writing as partners, which may convince you never to attempt to write with a partner.
While I haven’t knocked on anyone’s door … yet, I’ve been known to sing the praises of “The Donald” more than once. Okay. A lot. All the time. Actually, I probably need a 12-step program, the one where I promise not to annoy my writing friends.
But, but, but … their (writing) lives would be much more fulfilling if only they listened to Donald Maass. Try the gateway drug Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook. Just one exercise. Or two! How could it hurt? It’s an exercise, silly, not a way of life.
That comes later.
And look, he’s going to be in Madison, WI in November! I may have to make a pilgrimage.
Seriously. I used Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook extensively with Geek Girl. But you know, writing craft books are just like any other book–they work for some people and not for others. For me, voice and tone go a long way in whether I simply enjoy a writing craft book.
But, yeah. I’ll try to stop curb the proselytizing.
I’m always fascinated by how other writing partners work. I wonder if it’s like being a twin–you have a connection with someone most people don’t have.
So naturally, I loved every minute of this interview. I don’t think the process Darcy and I go through is quite as bloody. But we do trade scenes back and forth, and write over each other, and we do have sentences where I’ve probably written two words and she’s written three (and vice versa).
And we do talk about the characters as if they’re real people. (You mean they’re not? Oh.) We’ve been know to spend copious amounts of time shopping for the perfect prom/homecoming dress/shoes etc. for them.
And … we’re doing a lot of that right now, which is why the blog content has been a little thin.
Writing Wrongs 