YA Audiobook Addict

Valentine's Day Short Story

2012-02-13T09:04:00.003-05:00

What's longer than a blog post but much, much shorter than a novel? (only 1,500 words)

My Valentine's retelling of A Christmas Carol.

I'm reposting it from last year. Think I'll make it a V-day tradition.

Happy Hearts Day!!!

A Cupid’s Carol

I held the phone against my ear with my shoulder so I could talk and type at the same time.

“Bethany. Are you still there?”

“Yeah, Todd.” My neck killed me already. How did we get by before headsets? I’d thrown mine against the wall earlier that week, so I only had myself to blame.

“It’s Valentines, Bethy. Remember, our annual meeting of Singles United Against Valentines.”

“I know. SUAV, right?”

“I made plans,” Todd said.

I looked over the last line of gibberish then pounded the backspace key. “I can’t tonight, Todd. I’m on major deadline.” I typed again. “This weekend? I could use a Twinkie, Bacardi and action-movie vedge-fest.”

“Come over late tonight?”

I tried to read the next line of gibberish. “I can’t.”

“Well. Then I can’t either.”

I sat up at the coldness in his tone. “Can’t what?”

“Wait for you.” Then he hung up.

My best friend had hung up on me. Could this week get any worse?

“Miss Lathrop?” My assistant’s voice shot out of the intercom. “Could I go home now?”

I hit the speaker button. “Home? You can’t go home. I need you tonight.”

“But Miss Lathrop. It’s Valentine’s Day. My husband—”

“I don’t care if it’s the Second Coming. The Lansing proposal due tomorrow at three.”

“But Miss Lathrop. I’ve been here since eight.”

I thought of the long-stem roses delivered to her desk and imagined smashing all the petals with my bare hands. Not that I had anything against her husband or the flowers, just the holiday. I breathed in deep, calling up my calm manager voice. “Claire. You’re the one who wanted to go on salary with the hope of a promotion.”

“I know, but—”

“Well, salary means we work according to deadlines. Not clocks. Or holidays.”

My office door opened, and a man with a body almost as round as his head walked in. No. He sort of floated in a way that seemed detached from the stark surroundings—like a mediocre CGI effect. Odd.

“Claire. Who is this—” Crackling came through. I let go and pressed the speaker button again. Only crackling.

“Can I help you?” I sat but didn’t lean back. I needed to appear professional. The man wore a suit. He could be some big wig I’d never met.

“I’m Que Pidello.” He reached a rounded hand over the desk, and I shook it. Pleasant warmth spread though me. I relaxed into my seat after he let go. As if on command.

Que angled a chair to face me. He sat with surprising ease for his short stature and large girth.

He’s mirroring me, I thought, sitting forward to break the spell. You couldn’t con a PR person. “Can I help you?”

“Beth.” He met my eyes. “Bethy.”

Only Todd called me Bethy. “I’m Bethany here at work. Or Miss Lathrop.”

“Of course. But Beth to those who knew you growing up, and Bethy to Todd.”

Despite his reassuring smile, a few tendrils of panic from hit me. I jabbed at the speaker button again. Crackling. Then the security button. Only crackle. I stood, motioning toward the door. “I’m sorry, Mr.—”

“Pidello. Que.” He dragged that out. “Pidello” Then he swung into his last name as if putting the two words together.

“Listen, Mr. Pidello.” I switched to my manger voice. “I don’t have time for personal matters tonight, so if you could please make an appointment.”

He shook his head, making soft, “Tsk, tsk,” sounds. “Sorry Beth. I’m not going anywhere. We have unfinished business.”

Unfinished business? I perused my desk with its imminent-avalanche of papers. He had no idea about unfinished business.

Que laced his fingers over his girth. “I tried. You wanted college. You wanted all the wrong guys. Then you wanted your career.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Ah Beth.” He turned his head to contemplate some unknown spot on the floor. His hair stood out silver at his temples and he’d combed it straight back so it tapered like a wing. “You’ve been my one failure. I’ve always followed the rules, but you dodged me every time.”

My manager voice disappeared, replaced by barely restrained fury. “What. Are you talking about?”

“I have to retire now. You’re my last open case. My longest open case ever.”

I half stood again. “I think you should leave.”

He motioned with both palms for me to sit, and for some inexplicable reason I did. “I have the lowest divorce rate of any cupid. Only point two percent,” he said, returning his hands to his belly.

“Cupid?”

“These young upstarts.” Que went on. “We’ve added so many novices, with the population boom and all. They’ll shoot at anything, thinking a little attraction is all you need to build the rest. They don’t take the time to get to know their targets.”

I tried to formulate a response.

He waved his hand. “Never mind all that. I’ve tried to change things, but no one will listen. It’s time for me to get out. Abandon the sinking ship, if you will.” He patted his stomach. “So, for the first time in my illustrious five-hundred year career I’m going to break the rules.”

My computer monitor flickered. Two kids ran through a park. Fifth graders. Todd and me. I touched the screen. “How?”

“Just watch,” he said in a pleasant command I couldn’t ignore.

We sat under a tree—popping heads off daisies to see how far they could fly. One fell on my shoulder, and Todd brushed it off. We stopped for a moment, staring at each other.

“This is where it happens” Que stood beside me, his stubby fingers leaning on the desk. I hadn’t heard him move.

On screen, I could see Que, almost invisible, floating behind a tree. “I got the first shot off fine.”

An arrow flew into Todd’s shoulder. The next arrow flew so fast I didn’t even see Que reload.

“But I missed the second,” he said as my fifth-grade self lean against the tree, causing the arrow to zoom right past me.

“Oh,” I said, feeling the lost moment like a tangible thing.

The next scene flashed. Senior prom. Todd and I had gone as each other’s pity dates. Dancing with our friends. Such freedom. The kind of confidence only the insular world of adolescence can give, or take away just as easily.

“Here,” Que said. The music slowed, and I could see Que beside a pillar. Todd closed the distance between us. I stood with an out-of-breath smile and a question in my eyes. Then Rod Hartly came between us, and the arrow, intended for me, slammed into the back of his arm.

“It took me a year to get rid of that guy.”

“I know. I had to shoot five other girls. Then countless guys for the girls to get over him.” Que shook his head. “Such a waste of arrows.”

“So your misfiring causes all heartbreak?”

“No. We rarely miss. Most of the time it’s either some newer cupid who’s too quick on the draw, or humans who think it’s love when it’s not.”

At his words different images flashed. My exes. Only not my exes. Each time—from my punk phase in college to sitting in my tight skirt in the bathroom at work—showed me on the phone with Todd, crying out my heartbreak.

I ached with each image. Not for me, but for Todd.

Que patted my shoulder. “It’s not your fault. It’s mine.”

The images faded into another full-screen view. Todd, at his apartment, blowing out candles on a dinner table set for two. “Is this now? Is this tonight?”

Que nodded, his worldly-wise smile in place.

“So he planned to tell me? Tonight?”

Que continued to nod.

“I have to call him. To apologize. To—” I hurt so much for Todd. I hadn’t stopped to think, how did I feel about him?

“Maybe this will help.” Images flashed. Two weddings where Todd and I stood up for but not with each other. A divorce for me. A kid for him. Another wedding for me. Then our three kids playing together.

“Don’t.” I splayed both hands on the screen. “No more. Especially the kids.” I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to deny their innocent potential. “Is there a chance we could get together, after we have our families?”

“No.” Que’s voice gentled. “Once Todd marries, he’ll stay married for life. That has nothing to do with my arrows. It’s just the way he is.”

“So he’ll get over me?”

“No.” Que’s voice gentled even more. “As long as you’re in his life the arrow will still be there. Dulled and hidden, but there.”

My eyes stung with tears. “Please say it doesn’t have to be this way. Please say it’s not too late.”

Que touched me, light as a breeze, as he faded. “Go to him,” he whispered. “Just look at him. And for all that is holy on Heaven and Earth. This time, stand still.”

Road Trip Wednesday- Oops, I Did It Again

2012-02-08T09:59:00.003-05:00

This week's YA Highway Road Trip Topic:

What SNI were you psyched to work on, but discovered it was too close to something already done?

I remember working on my first novel. I'd done some word play off the phrase for a hot guy as a "tall drink of water." ...but after all my parched years I now had two tall drinks of water on my hands. Whatever else happened, I didn’t plan to end up thirsty.

I...in my writerly naivete...thought it was so clever and unique. The next night, I'm watching Desperate Housewives and there is almost the exact play on words...bummer.

I complained to my crit partner at the time. She told me that in the writing/creative world similar ideas do tend to pop up independently but at around the same time.

Think of these two movies:

Almost carbon copies of each other, and they came out within a few months of each other. I know more stealing of ideas happens in the screenwriting industry, but these were shot at the same time by different studios...I'd love to know how that came about.

Okay, so sometimes it's just that our SNI is only new in our own brains, but still, if there's room in the entertainment world for two teen angst movies about a president's daughter then there might be room for a tweaked version of your SNI (that's not so new) too.

What about you? Ever had this happen?

Contest winners and Indelibles Anthology

2012-02-07T09:21:00.004-05:00

First off, the winners of my How Many Have You Read/Heard Contest are: Chicklitgirl and Alicia. I'll be sending out emails later today.

Next, if you haven't checked out Indelibles, this great blog by a group of Indie-published/publishing authors, you should click on the button :)

But, even better, they've figured out a super clever way to get over that hump some buyers might feel when they're not sure what kind of writing they get when they buy a self-pub work. They're releasing an anthology of short stories...sixteen of them...all from each of their favorite male character's POV. It's called IN HIS EYES. Isn't it a cool cover? The official release date is Valentine's Day, but it's available now. For FREE (see link below).

Go HERE to find out how to download this for FREE.

What about you? Read any of this yet? What do you think of the opportunities epublishing and social medias give to self-pub authors?

How Many Have You Read/Heard Contest (My January Listens)

2012-02-02T10:41:00.003-05:00

This month, I'm giving away this book and ARC:

To win, let me know how many of my January listens you've read or listened to. Each book is worth one entry.

I had a sparse listening month again this month...I'm writing on a deadline and my house shows it, mostly in very large piles of laundry and only six books listened to this month.

My January Listens:

A very satisfying conclusion to this steampunk series.

I thought this was a conclusion, but then it wasn't... a little frustrating. Just wish I'd known ahead of time.

Just found out this one's a prequel. Looks like I have a new steampunk series to delve into.

Second book in the Greek meets Roman gods series. Percy's back, and there's a lost Roman Legion eagle involved.

I was a little slow to warm to this book about the bonds of sisterhood, but it was well worth sticking with, and the writing is as beautiful as the cover.

This long-awaited conclusion to the Eragon series was worth waiting for. And it should count as two books on my tally since it's so long...I'll count it as two entries for anyone who's read it.

What about you? Have you read any? What did you think? Let me know and you could win the book or ARC.

Road Trip Wednesday- You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth

2012-01-25T09:54:00.006-05:00

This week's YA Highway Road Trip topic:

Write a dialogue between two of your favorite YA characters

Okay, I know there are a lot of amazing fan fic writers out there. I also have a lot of favorite YA characters who I'd like to hear more from...The thing is, I can't seem to bring myself to do the writing. I can't speak or think or act for someone else's characters because those characters aren't mine.

Sooo, I'm going to totally wimp out and play matchmaker between some of my favorite YA charaters:

First off, I'd like to partner up Kat from Heist Society and Evie from Paranormalcy (two of my all-time favorite female protags) to work a case together...paranormal or high end art thievery...I just have a feeling they'd make a kick-ass team.

Next, there has to be someone out there for Tiny from Will Grayson, Will Grayson. David Levithan, if Paul from Boy Meets Boy has messed it up again with Noah then maybe you should give Paul and Tiny a shot...I'd definitely pay to read that one.

Finally, I want to do a little genre-bending to pair up Adina from Beauty Queens and Gale from Hunger Games since those two characters (both of whom I like sooo much) get shafted so badly on the romance end of things.

What about you? Which two YA characters would you like to see together?

BIG NEWS!!!!

2012-01-19T08:00:00.007-05:00

CHEATER BEATERS, my YA novel about a girl who starts a P.I. agency to catch cheating boyfriends, is going to be released as a series through Coliloquy, a newly-launched e-publisher.

Yay!!!!!!! (I thought that news deserved a few extra exclamation points)

It means turning my 75K word novel into eight or nine 40-50K “episodes,” each with extras like case notes, side scenes from different POVs, and possibly even multiple plot paths. The cases could turn out in different ways or the main characters may end up dating different people, depending on choices made by readers.

Sound exciting? To me, too.

This new interactive format for fiction ebooks is compatible with Kindle.

Check out these titles already available:

Witch's Brew- Heidi R. Kling

Getting Dumped- Tawna Fenske

Dead Letter Office- Kira Snyder

Carcania- Liz Maverick

What about you?
Heard of Coliloquy? Are you revved about the idea of interactive fiction? Looking forward to one of these titles? Did you ever read those Choose Your Own Adventure books as a kid?

Why Audio- Playaways

2012-01-16T09:19:00.004-05:00

I haven't written about my love of audiobooks in a while. In my non-blogging life, I get asked/tell people about audiobooks from time to time, and I keep forgetting to tell people about Playaways...unless me holding one is the reason the topic comes up.

They're fairly new. You can probably get them at your library. They're like an Mp3 player with one book on them. You add a AAA battery and your own earphones.

I'm listening to this one now. I use them mostly for shopping, vacuuming, and hauling things in/out of the house...times when I need to be on the move. You can aso play them on regular speakers/boomboxes that have an audio Mp3 plug.

I put audiobooks on my regular Mp3 players too...I shop Audible and my library has free ones I can download...but this is a good alternative for those who haven't entered the digital age yet, would rather keep their Mp3 players dedicated to music, or find CD audiobooks inconvenient. Also, sometimes you just get different/newer book choices from your library with this media.

What about you? Anyone seen or used Playaways?

Road Trip Wednesday- What's in a name?

2012-01-11T07:40:00.003-05:00

This Week's YA Highway Road Trip Topic

If you couldn't use your own name, what would your pseudonym or penname be?

This one's a little complicated. It's not that I can't use my real name, but I already write under a psuedonym.

Hoffine is my maiden name.

There are a few different reasons I use it:

First off, my married name is almost as common as Jennifer...and that's saying a lot because it doesn't get much more common than Jennifer, esp among women my age.

Next, I wanted a little bit of cushion between my web and personal lives. I say a bit, since now that I've joined Facebook for High School Reunion purposes, that cushion is about as thin as a sheet.

Most important, and the reason my very first queries went out with the name Hoffine on them, is that I promised my dad that if I ever published anything it would be under his name, since he had no sons to carry on the name for him. Of course, as an education major, I think he figured that would be in a professional journal or maybe a curriculum book, but I think he'd approve of YA, and my writing. I still hope to do him proud with his name.

What about you? What name would you use?

New Year and New Winners

2012-01-06T09:44:00.006-05:00

First off, for my How Many Have You Read/Heard Contest this month, the winners are: Alison and Patti. (I'll be sending out emails later today).

Now, as I ate the leftovers of my traditional New Years beef cheese ball and Reubens this week, I've read a lot of takes on what the New Year means to everyone.

Resolutions or no resolutions, I've decided it is a good time to take stock of what's working/not working, what's important/not important, and where I want to go from here.

But what I think is most important is that we stop for a moment and try to see the big picture. The holiday season is when we do that for others...our family, friends and the world. New Years is when we do that for ourselves.

Whatever form that takes for you...be it lists of goals and resolutions, meditation, or just a silly movie with the ones you love most...we should all take the time to reflect before plunging back into the madness and forgeting about these things until next year.

And my resolution, you might ask?

To be open to all the possibilities this year will bring.

Ahhh, that felt good.

And I hope the same for all of you!

Road Trip Wednesday- Take Me Away

2012-01-04T10:06:00.003-05:00

This Week's Topic

Describe your dream writing retreat. Where would you go? Who and what would you bring?

They say you can take the girl out of the country but not the country out of the girl.

Still, when this country girl at heart thinks of a writing retreat, I become an Oregonian again. I want water, ocean and sand. Not a peaceful balmy paradice with palm trees, but a rugged shoreline with pine trees and waves crashing onto rocks.

And my retreat itself? Nothing with stilts, as I'm not the type to thumb my nose at mother nature, but a victorian style house set cliffside:

(add a wrap-around porch and a large greenhouse in the back)

My actual writing space would be the top turret room, surrounded by windows facing the ocean. Desk for my computer and a window seat with plenty of pillows and throws for reading/research and laptop work. Built-in drawers and bookshelves will cover the rest of the non-windowed space. Oh, except for the built-in alcove for the small fridge and coffeemaker.

Ah, paradise.

(The rest of the house will be so my family can be there with me.)

What about you? What would be your writing paradise?

How Many Have You Read/Heard Contest and Debut Authors Challenge #12

2012-01-02T13:08:00.002-05:00

First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone. Hope you had a wonderful holiday season!

I have two ARCs to give away this month:

THE MOCKINGBIRDS #2

AND

But...before I list my December listens (you can get an entry for each one you've read), I want to mention my twelfth debut author for 2011. I listed it as one of my November listens but forgot to review it:

Two gorgeous tigers turn out to be gorgeous guys in disguise.

As an author, what I found even more facinating than the were-tiger story and the adventures in India to break their curse, is Colleen Houck's road to publication, which started in self publishing and self e-publishing.

More on that HERE.

I applaud any author's efforts to self publish. It's a brave thing taking on all your own marketing. It's a shot in the dark...but going the traditional route can mean being responsible for most of your own marketing anyway...making that more of a shot in the dark these days too.

Go HERE if you're interested in doing the 2012 Debut Author's Challenge.

Now, for my December listens...sad to say that between the Christmas music and movies plus my traveling, I only got four YA books in this month...plus a few non-fiction books I'm not listing here.

Let me know which ones you've read/listened to. You'll get one entry per book.

Set in the seventies, about a boy who finds outlets to survive an abusive father.

This one kept you guessing until the end.

A great series, starting with The Maze Runner (if you haven't read it yet).

Probably my favorite zombie series so far. I've already ordered the next one from my library.

Loved this sequel as much as If I Stay.

Let me know which ones you've read. Hope I hit on something. I'll announce winners on Friday.

Road Trip Wednesday

2011-12-21T08:15:00.001-05:00

This Week's YA Highway Road Trip Topic:

Where do you buy most of your books? No one is judging!

I have to admit to being a scurge of the publishing industry since I get almost all of my personal reads/listens from the library, thrift stores and used bookstores (LOVE Half Price Books).

I do contribute extra in frequent late fees to the library (oops), but all this second-hand reading/listening does leave me at a disadvantage for new-release listens as a blogger. So...this year I broke down and joined Audible...which means I'm finally a direct personal monetary contributor to the industry I hope to become a part of :)

I do make up for this in gifts. At Christmas and birthdays, all of my neices and nephews get at least two books from us. My mother-in-law is also a reader and gets books from us as gifts.

I get most of the child gifts from Scholastic (LOVE Scholastic from my teaching days).

For my mother-in-law, a specific book for a child, or gift certificates, I go to Barnes & Noble. I also browse my warehouse store (BJ's) for periodic gift buys.

Oh, and Marshalls/T.J. Max is a surprising cheap resource for baby's board books (for showers and such).

What about you? What are your book-buying habits?

Up To My Ears In Gingerbread

2011-12-16T08:00:00.003-05:00

To explain why I've been pretty much MIA again this week, I'm going to repost some pics from the Gingerbread party we had last year...the annual event I'm getting ready for this Saturday...only I'm not even done rolling out the dough yet...eek!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Okay...back to rolling out dough!

Hope everyone is having a fun holiday season!!!!

Debut Author Challenge #11

2011-12-12T12:50:00.006-05:00

Sorry I was MIA last week...I had two sets of company come into town...one expected, one unexpected. Both welcome, of course, but I feel like I lost a week worth of doing all the things on my extra long holiday to-do list.

Anyway, the winners for my How Many Have You Read /Heard contest are: Meredith and Karla. I'll be sending out emails to them later today.

For anyone interested, Here's the link for the 2012 Debut Author Challenge.

BLOOD RED ROAD- Moira Young

Saba sets off into the unknown to save her twin brother who was taken from their isolated family farm by cloaked horsemen.

My eleventh debut book (an audiobook from the library) also ended up one of my favorite November listens. It surprised me, quite pleasantly. I'm not much for Western-style Historical or Dystopian books, but this one hooked me in from the beginning.

The mysterious bad boy love interest went a long way toward keeping me hooked, but the writer in me was impressed with how the author pulled off a flawed protag you still liked and wanted to root for.

What about you? Read this one? Any other debut favorites?

How Many Have you Read/Heard Contest (My November Reads)

2011-12-05T08:00:00.006-05:00

I had another great listening month, mostly YA.

I'm giving away this ARC and book:

(signed)

To win, let me know which of the following books you've read/listened to. You get one entry per book.

My November Listens:

I liked this one even more than Jellicoe Road...Melina Marchetta is amazing!

Tigers that turn into hot guys...oh my.

Love the edgy teen voice in this supernatiural series.

Another supernatural author goes YA. And with zombie jocks...I always had my suspicions, but this book proves it :)

A potential new were-couple with their own stories to tell adds interest to the ongoing Sam and Grace story.

The second in this angel series answers more questions, leaving many more unanswered.

A new YA series by the bestselling supernatural author based on Native American myths.

Part thriller, part fantasy, part dytopian, this somewhat disturbing story has it all.

One of my favorites this month. Paranormal boy fiction, complete with a talking head.

A YA version of her MG book, The Kind of Friends We Used To Be. Good stuff about female friendships and change.

Wild West style Dystopian. I don't normally like Wild West themes, but I loved this book.

Let me know which ones you've read or are currently reading. You get one entry per book. I'll announce winners this Friday morning.

Road Trip Wednesday

2011-11-30T12:52:00.004-05:00

This week's YA Yighway Road Trip topic:

What's the best book you read in November?

I've had another fabulous listening month. I'll tell all on Monday for my How Many Have you Read/Heard Contest.

For the best book, I had to go with a tie this month.

First off:

Sam, a somewhat-satisfied underachiever, has no clue about the paranormal world, let alone that he's a part of it...until a friend's head shows up, unattached from her body, but still talking.

The side characters alone (including the head) make this one an immensely enjoyable read. Well worth putting on your TBR list.

And as for the other favorite? Well, I just found out it's a 2011 Debut Author book, so I'm going to wait and review it as one of my last Debut Author Challenge books....Yay!

Remember to come back Monday and see how many of my November listens you've read/heard...it could win you an ARC or book...Anyone interested in FRACTURE by Megan Miranda, or IRON QUEEN signed by Julie Kagawa?

What about you? Favorite book this month?

Black Friday Bliss

2011-11-28T08:00:00.003-05:00

I love Black Friday...spending every non-cooking/non-family minute of my Thanksgiving day going through the ads and preparing my master list.

Then, post Black Friday this year, I read reports of crazy crowds, riots, tramplings and tasering...even a lady using pepper spray on some other customers who'd dared to get between her and a computer game...oh my.

I saw none of this.

The biggest headache I faced was a blocked off checkout area at Toys-R-Us, meant to organize the crazy crowds that weren't there yet.

Of course, to enjoy this sort of shopping bliss I had to arrive at the first store around 3:00 in the morning.

It also helped that I didn't have my heart set on any certain items or electronics...content with some $2.00 movies for my mother-in-law at Walmart, and a super deal on jewelry from my daughter's wish list at Kohls. Oh, and the $1.50 candy melts from A.C. Moore...got to have those for my Christmas baking:)

All in all, I made it to seven stores, returned to my still-quiet household before 10:00 am, and crawled back into bed with my hubby, dog and cat...as if I'd never left.

Ah, Black Friday Bliss.

Any other Black Friday fans out there? Anyone who'd never go there?

Debut Author Challenge #10

2011-11-21T11:21:00.008-05:00

It looks like I'm going to finish the challenge this year. Thanks to Audible. After all my years of "free-loading" from the library (Though I do pay taxes...and more than my share of late fees), I guess it's high time I invest seriously in the thing I can't live without...audiobooks.

And, as a (hopefully) debut author myself someday, what better authors to invest in than debut ones :)

If anyone is interested, Here's the link for the 2012 Debut Author Challenge.

STARCROSSED- by Josephine Angelini

The Starcrossed Lovers in this book have all sorts of barriers between them...starting with the fact that they want to kill each other...literally.

Intrigued? So was I. This contemporary-set book has furys and demigods and even Helen of Troy.

More serious and romantic than the Percy Jackson series (by Rick Riordon), this book has demigods who fight each other, the gods, and even fate to save the world.

What about you? Read this one? Any other debuts to recommend?

Road Trip Wednesday

2011-11-16T09:21:00.004-05:00

This week's YA Highway Road Trip topic:

In high school, teens are made to read the classics - Shakespeare, Hawthorne, Bronte, Dickens - but there are a lot of books out there never taught in schools. So if you had the power to change school curriculums, which books would you be sure high school students were required to read?

As a person with an education background, this topic has me rubbing my hands together in glee!!!

Idealistically, literary required readings are there because they contain truths that endure...but it takes an amazing teacher sometimes to convey that message to teens.

So...I propose adding two units to the required curriculum.

First, some Dystopian. The kind that uses features from our present to get readers thinking about our future:

-Advertising

-Televised Violence

-Body image

The other unit would be on contemporary relationships...the kinds all teens are dealing with:

THE SECRET LIFE OF PRINCE CHARMING -Girl's perspective

-Guy's perspective

-Everyone's perspective

Ahhh. What a nice dream...time to wake up now and get back to reality.

What about you? What books do you think should be required reading?

Debut Author Challenge #9

2011-11-14T09:39:00.004-05:00

Number nine on my debut author list came from Audible. (Entwined was from my library, BTW)

It's A Long, Long Sleep, by Anna Sheehan:

In this Dystopian version of Sleeping Beauty, a girl wakes up after being cryogenically frozen for one hundred years, only to find out that her absentee parents are still managing her, even from the grave.

I loved the clever premise, and there were some surprising twists to keep things interesting. Overall, a great listen.

What about you? Read/Heard this one? Any other debut favorites?

Road Trip Wednesday

2011-11-09T08:00:00.026-05:00

This week's YA Highway Road Trip topic:

What are your writing/publishing superpowers (drafting? plotting? writing queries?) -- and what's your kryptonite?

Able to dart around large plotholes in a single bound, catch repetitions and redundancies that are paragraphs or even chapters apart, make readers fall in love with offbeat guys, and write dialogue that makes you want the characters to go on talking all day.

Look. Sitting in front of her monitor. Is it a computer programer? A Facebook junkie? No.

It's SUPERWRITER!

-Too bad doing outlines (before or after the book is done), writing action scenes, and giving verbal pitches can make her crash and burn...

What about you? What are your super-writer powers?

Oh, and the winners of my How Many Have You Read/Heard Contest are: Chicklitgirl, Carol and Alicia. Thanks everyone for participating, and I'll be sending out emails to winners later today.

Debut Author Challenge #8

2011-11-07T11:14:00.001-05:00

As some of you might have noticed from my September listens list, I've been busy finishing up my twelve debut author books, but not so busy blogging about them.

So, here's number eight:

ENTWINED, by Heather Dixon is a charming, romantic retelling of Twelve Dancing Princesses.

After the death of their mom, a mysterious man called The Keeper gives twelve sisters a chance to do what they love but aren't supposed to do in mourning...dance.

Heather Dixon does a wonderful job developing so many characters, and (best of all) there are three different love stories entwined in this magical novel...the kind of historical-style romances I love with suitors and misunderstandings and secret trists.

A novel well worth reading or listening to.

How Many Have You Read/Heard Contest (My September Reads)

2011-11-04T10:25:00.001-04:00

Wow, I got a lot of listening in this month. Ten YA plus five other adult and nonfiction. A personal record, I think.

I'm giving away the following ARCS and book:

(signed)

To win, let me know which of the following books you've read/listened to. You get one entry per book.

My September Listens/Read:

I'm still not totally sold on Steampunk, but I am sold on this series.

A Twelve Dancing Princesses retelling with wonderful historical-style love stories.

I actually read, read this intriguing Dytopian...time well spent.

The BONES author tries her hand at YA. Mainly a who-done-it with a superhero-style supernatural twist.

A mind-bending , shape-shifting supernatural world where curseworkers both control and are controlled.

An abducted teen starts to sympathize with her captor. I appreciated this story more than I thought I could (as an overprotective mom).

A modern retelling of Lysystrata where the girls of Hamilton High go on a sex strike to get their boyfriends to stop fighting. My favorite book of the month.

A clever Dystopian retelling of Sleeping Beauty.

Another adult mystery/thriller author trying a YA spin off.

Modern Greek demigods meet the Furies, Helen of Troy and fate.

Let me know which ones you've read or are currently reading. You get one entry per book. I'll announce winners next Wednesday morning.

Road Trip Wednesday

2011-11-02T14:33:00.004-04:00

This week's YA Highway Road Trip topic:

NaNoWriMo is starting! Writing a whole novel in one month is hard and you might need some motivation, but luckily, Sarah posted about writing coaches back in August. Today, we want to know:

What kind of writing coach do you need? When you have to coach friends, what kind of coach are you?

On Critique Circle, there is/was an unofficial group that calls/called themselves the Thick Skin Club. I was an unofficial member...mainly because I have mixed feelings about this idea.

On one hand, I've been blessed with some tough critters, even the tear-you-down-just-because-they-want-to types. They toughened my skin and opened my eyes to the fact that some people enjoy being critics. If/when I get published, I'm sure there will be plenty of those, and I won't be able to repond to them publicly without looking unprofessional.

On the other hand, I've been blessed with wonderfully supportive critters/betas. Also, the kindly honest, the brutally honest, those who've connected with my work and those who haven't. I'm so grateful to all of them.

In short, I want/need/appreciate any response to my work, as I feel like I learn from all of it.

As for what kind of writer coach I am, I'm pretty honest...somewhere between gentle honest and brutally honest, depending on the writer. I use a lot of "This feels..." and "It seems like..." statements to make it clear I'm expressing my opinions. I'll always find something positive to say at the end, but I only give inline compliments if I feel moved to do so.

What About You? What are your coaching wishes and do you return in kind?

Oh, if anyone is wondering, I've been offline this week because of internet problems (due to five inches of pre-Halloween snow...ack!) I'll be posting my How Many Have You Read/Listened To Contest on Friday.

Road Trip Wednesday

2011-10-26T09:32:00.003-04:00

This week's YA Highway Road Trip topic:

What was the best book you read in October?

I've had another fabulous listening month. I'll tell all on Monday for my How Many Have you Read/Heard Contest.

Meanwhile, my choice for favorite this month matches last month's (DIVERGENT) in that they're both Highway contributer books:

In this modern retelling of Lysystrata, the girls of Hamilton High go on a sex strike to get their boyfriends to stop fighting.

I love that this book deals so directly and broadly with the issue of sex. I know, I know...as YA authors, we're told to avoid seeming like we're lecturing to the reader...we're also told that some agents/editors will cringe away from books that feel, in any way, like "issue" books, but Kody Keplinger has pulled it off again (the issue minus the lectures) in an even more direct way than her first book.

Yay, Kody! I love,love, loved it!

Also, my super-agent, Suzie Townsend, is having a Query Contest next week where everybody wins. Check it out, HERE.

What about you? Favorite book this month?

Pumpkin Love (shameless plugs for new-found products)

2011-10-24T08:00:00.006-04:00

I've always loved pumpkin pie, but ever since I tried my first pumpkin milkshake at a little mom and pop burger joint in Oregon I've been obsessed with pumpkin-flavored things in the fall.

For the last few years I've fulfilled my craving with pumpkin iced coffe from Dunkin Donuts (deee-lish), but this year I've found three new products that are a little easier on the pocketbook and healthier to boot:

Thomas's Bagels now has Pumpkin Bagels. (Even better than their seasonal cranberry ones.) Just don't toast them. The flavor is stronger when they're fresh.

Stash Tea has a pumpkin flavor that is wonderful.

Trader Joes has pumpkin flavored granola. Mmmm.

What about you? Any favorite fall food products?

Road Trip Wednesday

2011-10-19T09:29:00.002-04:00

This Week's YA Highway Road Trip Topic:

What's your numero-uno reason for writing

My first gut reaction to this question is: "Because I have to." This is true. I don't have much choice.

But...because I can't seem to leave it at that...(Me? With a short and to-the-point Road Trip answer?)...I dug a little further, remembering the first few pages of my first rough draft. I was hooked...no doubt...knowing I wanted/needed to do this always, but I also knew something else...

I wanted to share. My ideas, my stories, and the characters I fall in love with. I wanted others to fall in love with them too. Still do.

So...maybe wanting to share is the main reason I have to write.

What about you? What is your numero-uno reason to write?

Pay It Forward Blogfest

2011-10-14T07:26:00.007-04:00

I just found this this morning, and I'm so glad I did.

Thanks to Matthew and Alex, we get a chance to give a shout out to three of our favorite blogs. Then we go around to visit others.

First off, for any YA fans/writers, I'd like to recommend YA Confidential where teen spies and YA authors explore the teen YA perspective. Great angle and theme...informative and entertaining.

For any writer, especially those struggling with plot holes you could swim in and arcs with wacky trajectories *raises hand on that one*, I recommend Laura Pauling. She also shares some well-balanced opinions on the confusing (and changing) world of publishing and happens to be a critique partner of mine.

Finally, I'd like to mention Fairy Tales and Cappuccino. The name and tranquil picture of her personal writing corner in the heading says it all. No bells and whistles, which is part of what I like about it. Just a writer sharing her journey in a relaxed and personal way.

What about you? Any favorite blogs to share?

Road Trip Wednesday

2011-10-12T09:45:00.014-04:00

This Week's YA Highway Road Trip Topic: What has your writing road trip looked like so far? Excitement? Traffic Jams and detours? Where are you going next?

Warning sign: Full Disclosures Ahead

It all started with a strange, vivid pregnancy dream. Ever have any of those? I woke up thinking, That could be a novel. Unfortunately, motherhood being what it is, that thought only took me as far as a community college writing course.

Until three years later when I ended up in a flooded basement going through my high school things (the only stuff not in plastic totes). As I sifted through notes and programs and pieces of crepe paper from long forgotten events, I thought, This could be a novel.

Six weeks later it was.

It took another year where I revised and edited, got feedback from readers, then revised and edited again before I was ready to send out query letters. Yes, real snail-mail letters. I broke out in hives for the first and only time in my life when I did this.

A couple months later, I mailed out a hard copy of a full manuscript...yes, people used to have to do that...and in another month I had an agent.

All smooth driving, you think? Wrong. Six months later, I only had a close call with Simon And Schuster and a new novel my agent didn't like to show for it. Goodbye first agent.

It took me two more books to get my next and current wonderful agent, Suzie Townsend. By this time, I feel like I've been driving a well-worn vehicle past its limits. I'm so ready to crest the hill and cross the finish line. Get a publishing contract. A few months later we even have an auction set up with three publishers.

They all fall through.

We try a second round of submissions and a round with a second book. We have one revision request but, still, nothing comes through.

Where does that put me now? Working on a monster WIP that's taking far longer than any of my other books to finish. I'm not completely stalled, but sometimes I have to get out and push the car to keep it moving.

Now my agent has submitted my work to an e-publisher. I haven't decided if this route is right for me yet. Is this a fork in the road or something that can eventually lead to my original destination?

I don't know yet. All I know is that no matter how long the road is or how many bumps, potholes, detours, or dead ends I encounter, I'm on it for the long haul.

Congrats YA Highway on 100 Road Trips! And thanks! I so enjoy joining you each week!

What about you? What would your writing journey road sign say?

Debut Author Challenge #7 (Possession) and ARC Winners

2011-10-07T09:45:00.006-04:00

First off, the winners of my How Many Have You Read/Heard Contest are: Meredith, Carol, Rebecca and Alison. Thanks everyone for participating. I will be sending emails to winners later today.

Now, for my Debut Author #7.

This author is a testament to the power of social networking. Because of my connection to her online, I Read, Read her book.

Yes, you heard/read me right. Me, the audiobook addict, does read, read sometimes, though my precious reading time is usually devoted to research for my WIP and the occasional market comparison fiction book.

Nevertheless, I did read this one, and it was well worth the time!

POSSESSION, by Elana Johnson

First off, the voice is amazing. The writing is sparse (which I love). The reader's understanding of this Dystopian world is peeled away like layers of an onion over the course of the book, and you are left wanting..no, needing...to know more.

So, if you haven't read this one yet, do. The audiobook addict herself says it's worth sitting down, putting everything else aside, and read, reading :)

What about you? Read this one yet? Any other debut authors to recommend?

Road Trip Wednesday

2011-10-05T11:46:00.010-04:00

This Week's YA Highway Road Trip Topic:

What supporting character from a YA book would you most like to see star in their own novel?

First off, for us team Gale folks who knew he never had a chance with Katniss...I think he deserves his own story and a girl who will appreciate him...Any takers for the role?

Two Will Graysons? Who cares? This book is all about Tiny. I've never loved any side character as much as Tiny Cooper...I'd read volumes of books staring him.

Now, they only appear in the epilogue of this book, but I want to read a whole new series with Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione's kids.

Hello J.K. Rowling!!!! Are you listening????

What about you? Any ideas?

How Many Have You Read/Heard Contest (My September Listens)

2011-10-03T08:00:00.005-04:00

This month, I have these ARCs to give away:

To win, let me know which of my September listens you've read (or listened to). You get one entry each.

As I mentioned before, I had a fabulous listening month.

Plague Dystopian set in a destroyed NYC.

Abuse, religion, redemption, freedom. As usual, Eleen Hopkins deals with it all, and so well.

Final battles are fought and truths are revealed.

I've said it before, but it bears repeating...I loved this as much as Hunger Games and Uglies.

The devil on one shoulder/angel on the other story has never been this fun...or sexy.

An amazing, funny, brilliant romp through the insane world of gender roles and the pop culture that propagates the madness.

This set of short stories by an amazing group of YA writers may not settle the question of which is better, zombies or unicorns, but readers will enjoy the fruits of their debate.

This second book of the High Fantasy series is as good as the first.

Read any? Let me know which ones. I'll announce winners on Friday.

International entries welcome.

Banned Books Week

2011-10-01T19:50:00.004-04:00

Phew! I almost missed it! Banned Books Week ends tonight.

To celebrate I'm going to bludgeon-ly paraphrase a quote from BEAUTY QUEENS, by Libba Bray. (A book that is definitely making my list of all-time favorites).

"Except for the towns that managed to ban TALE OF TWO CITIES because the author's name sounded suspiciously pornographic"

Sorry, Libba Bray, for butchering that one (I can't find it on the audiobook), but I hope the message is still there!

Parents, monitor what books your children read, but please leave other people's children out of it.

Road Trip Wednesday- Best of September

2011-09-28T11:02:00.001-04:00

This Week's YA Highway Road Trip Topic:
What was the best book you read in September?

I had a fabulous listening month. I'll tell all on Monday for my How Many Have you Read/Heard Contest (I have a signed ARC of Ally Condie's CROSSED to give away).

My favorite book this month was DIVERGENT.

But since I already raved about that one once. HERE. I'd also like to say that I loved:

And

I haven't finished BEAUTY QUEENS yet, but so far I love, love, love it!

What About You? Favorite Reads/Listens in September?

Debut Author Challenge #6

2011-09-26T09:30:00.002-04:00

The next debut book on my Mp3 playlist was ASHES, ASHES. I got this one from Audiobook Community. They offer a series of free YA audiobook downloads for several weeks each summer.

A ruined NYC is the setting for this plague-based Dystopian about surviving on your own and with others.

I enjoyed the strong MC in this, and there were some good twists along the way.

What about you? Read this one? How many debuts have you read this year?

Road Trip Wednesday and Peace Blogfest

2011-09-21T09:51:00.002-04:00

This Week's YA Highway Road Trip Topic:
What are your all-time favorite book covers?

I've come a little late to cover love. Audiobooks used to have totally different covers than the regular book, so sometimes I wouldn't even recognize books I've listened to at a bookstore.

That being said, I do have a few favorites:

This is one of the first times I saw a cover and thought, Ooo, I want to listen to that one. I love historical, and it's rare to find those on the YA shelves, so that might have had something to do with my reaction.

Others I love, in retrospect, because they fit the story so well:

This last one in particular (an adult series) fits the female perspective Arthurian legend perfectly.

The first time I fell into total cover love was with Libba Bray's new book:

The lipsticks are pure genius. I can't wait to see if this one lives up to its cover...with Libba Bray, I'm sure it will.

Today is International Day of Peace. To celebrate, Aimée Beatrice Jodoin has hosted a three day blogfest.

Today we were supposed to share how we connect with others.

I do think the face of connecting has changed with technology. Today, we all probably know someone we met on the internet better than we know our neighbors.

For all these changes, connecting does matter, and being open to connections matters most. It's not without risks, but the rewards are much greater.

What about you? Any cover loves or thoughts on connection to share?

Peace Starts At Home

2011-09-20T11:28:00.002-04:00

International Day of Peace is on Wednesday. To celebrate, Aimée Beatrice Jodoin is hosting a three day blogfest.

Today we were supposed to share our personal experiences with the negative things that make peace seem unattainable.

I've been blessed with a loving (if not perfect) family, both as a child and as an adult, but I've always felt strongly about the victimization of women and children. I've volunteered and/or donated to women's shelters in every place I've lived as an adult, and many of my professional jobs have focused on working with at-risk families.

Domestic violence and child abuse are major stumbling blocks to world peace. How can strangers from different races, religions and nationalities ever learn to accept each other and work together if a significant percentage of families haven't even learned to do so?

What about you? What are the barriers to peace you feel most strongly about?

All We Are Saying...

2011-09-19T18:33:00.003-04:00

International Day of Peace is on Wednesday. To celebrate, Aimée Beatrice Jodoin is hosting a three day blogfest.

Today we were supposed to show something we created that expresses how we feel about peace.

Unfortunately, nothing I can create can express how I feel as well as John Lennon did. So, I'm trying my first video...crosses fingers...hope it works!

This song reminds me that if we can step beyond the artificial boundaries of race, religion, power, money, and nationality we can create a world that is beyond most of our imaginings but not beyond possibility.

I have hope for this. Do you?

Debut Authors Challenge #5

2011-09-16T08:00:00.005-04:00

Woo! Woo! I've got my new Mp3 loaded with my Audible selections, and I'm ready to fit in my twelve debut books before the end of the year.

In a Dystopian Chicago, A sixteen-year old raised to be selfless chooses to become dauntless.

I was so excited to hear DIVERGENT, and it exceeded all expectations. I rank it right up there with HUNGER GAMES and UGLIES...which is saying a lot as I LOVE both those series...and I believe the romance in this one is the most compelling of the three.

Believe all the hype, and read (or listen) to this one soon.

What about you? Read this one yet?

Road Trip Wednesday-Freudian Slips

2011-09-14T10:01:00.004-04:00

This Week's YA Highway Road Trip Topic:

What themes, setting, motifs, scenes, or other elements do you find reoccurring in your work?

Interesting how almost all us writers "write what we know" even when we aren't trying to...or maybe, more accurately, we write what we "want", "need", are "emotionally attached to" or "think is important."

Admitting this up front, feel free to go all Freudian on the repeated motifs I've noticed in my four books:

Midwestern settings- (know and emotionally attached to)

Protags with some experience dating- (think it's important to avoid cliche of the beautiful protag who's self-conscious about her looks and/or a total innocent)

Dating Around- (think it's important and more realistic for teens to explore options instead of being overwhelmed by one "perfect" and "everlasting" love...though, in the end, my protag only has one strong emotional connection with one guy.)

Quiet, deep, starving artist type side character- (want-ed to date this guy, but never did)

Wild girl side character- (emotionally attached to all my wild friends who provide contrasting viewpoints to my own life and my protag's lives)

Plot/character arcs that are more exploratory than goal driven- (exposes my need to understand comercial fiction plots better :)

I'm sure there are more...things Freud would have a hayday with...but these are the ones that stick out to me most.

What about you? Any repetitions you see in your own work or others?

Debut Author's Challenge #4

2011-09-09T10:04:00.000-04:00

I'm sadly behind in my debut challenge due to a war between my computer, my Mp3 player, and me. The computer won, the Mp3 player died, and I bought a new one for a fifth of the price of the old one...gotta love technology.

Now I've got several good debut books waiting to be listened to. Mostly thanks to Audible, but this one, WITHER, came from my library.

As described in my monthly How Many Have You Read/Heard Contest: Men only live to twenty-five and women only til twenty in this Dystopian where the heroine tries to escape her gilded cage as a polygamist's wife.

This one surprised me for being more character driven than plot driven. Primarily, it's a quest for freedom, but I was impressed with how it explores what happens when strangers are thrown together to make a family.

What about you? Have you read this? Are you doing Debut Author's Challenge? If so, how many have you read so far?

Road Trip Wednesday and Contest Winners

2011-09-07T09:34:00.000-04:00

This Week's YA Highway Road Trip Topic:
What non-YA character would you love to see star in a YA book as themselves?

I had a little trouble wrapping my brain around this one so early in the morning, but I think my answer has already been done.

I love Sex And The City , so when I saw this audiobook, I grabbed it up:

It did not disappoint....AND (unlike the show) it's YA appropriate (if anyone is concerned).

Now, if someone would write Lorelai's YA story...I think I'd enjoy that one too.

What about you? Any adult characters you'd like to see YA-ified?

For my August Listens contest, the winners are: Laura, Elana, Karla and Diana. Thanks, everyone, for participating. I'll be sending out emails to winners later today.

How Many Have You Read/Heard Contest (My August Listens)

2011-09-02T08:00:00.137-04:00

August was a sparse but incredible listening month for me.

Now I have these Oct pub date ARCs to give away to those who've read some of the books I listened to this month.

The ARCs:

To win, let me know which of my August audiobooks you've read/listened to. You get one entry per book.

My August Listens:

Meg Cabot's contemporary take on the Hades/Persephone myth. A different tone in this series...more serious than her other stuff but no less enjoyable.

Two sister werewolf hunters, one bound by a calling, the other by duty. A great twist on Little Red Riding Hood, and there are a couple great plot twists in it too.

Magic and motor cars combine for this Steampunk-ish Fantasy that will have you guessing the whole way through.

Men only live to twenty-five and women only til twenty in this Dystopian where the heroine tries to escape her gilded cage as a polygamist's wife.

To be honest, I finished the last CD of this one yesterday morning (Sep 1st), but I was so short on listens this month, I decided to include it. An amazing read that definitely deserves the Printz honor. I especially loved the brief comments from the Pagoda.

Finally, the one I picked as my favorite this month (for Road Trip Wednesday). I was a little slow to warm to this one, but around a third of the way through I fell in love.

I have an extra ARC of the third book in this series (out in September), if anyone entering is interested.

Let me know which ones you've read. One entry per book.

(International entries welcome. I'll draw names next Wednesday morning.)

Road Trip Wednesday

2011-08-31T08:27:00.003-04:00

This Week's YA Highway Road Trip Topic:

What's the best book you've read in August?

August was a slower but good listening month for me. On Friday, I'll list all my "reads" for my How Many Have You Read ARC Giveaway, but today I'm picking just one as my favorite:

Magic amulets, power-hungry magicians, royal lineages and a reluctant hero. High Fantasy is alive and well...for me, at least, and I can't wait to read the next one in this series.

It was a little confusing in the beginning, to get all the characters and settings straight...maybe more so since I was listening, not reading. But once I was into it, I was completely sold.

I also have an extra ARC of the third book to give away in Friday's contest, so check back if you are into this series too.

What about you? Have you read this one yet? What was your favorite book in August?