Innovative: A Word for the WriTeen

Good-bye and Good Luck!

2010-01-16T14:38:00.000-08:00

After almost three years in the blogging community, I'm officially closing the blog. I've loved this experience, interviewing so many fabulous authors, emailing such promising teen writers and reviewing the books that gracious publicists have sent my way. I'm not ending my time at Innovative because of lack of subject matter, but for lack of time. College is a new kind of adventure and one to which I need to devote all of my energy.

There are too many people to thank: my family and friends who supported the blog when it was an email attachment, the blogging community who helped me get started with ideas and reviews and links, Maria Schneider for spotlighting the blog during her time at Writer's Digest, the teens who were the reason I blogged. I thank Kent Healy for giving me the opportunity to share my story in Chicken Soup: Extraordinary Teens and for expanding the Innovative community.

I'll let you know if I attempt any other blog adventures, but otherwise, thanks and good-bye!

Meeting Shannon Hale

2009-09-30T19:26:00.000-07:00

So I have read her blog for four or five years, devoured her books, preached her gospel of fantastic fantasy, spread her good literature like a virus... and finally got to meet her. Shannon Hale, authoress extraordinaire, winner of the Newbery Honor, best-selling writer and wonderful person.

A Brief Aside: Marley and Me

2009-09-15T16:51:00.000-07:00

What college students do in their nonexistent free time (and you think I'm kidding) is read five-year-old bestsellers that everyone else read before it was popular and quotes on a daily basis.

Marley and Me: The Collegiate Perspective

I can't review a book that's been made into a movie. It's impossible. But I told myself that I would not cry during this book and found myself devastating the one Kleenex box I packed. John's story of his home life, his kids, his writing and above all his dog was just too heart-breaking for this first-year, however free from homesickness.

When in South Florida, John Grogan missed trees and hills and beautiful places. I have trees and hills and beautiful places, but I miss dogs and kids. Not even my dogs and kids. I miss seeing little runny noses and "MOM! I WANT THAT!" and dogs urinating on city property and running up with the most intelligent looks on their faces. There is a world outside of eighteen-year-old scholars; I think I've read about it.

The Bell at Sealey Head: A Review

2009-09-01T07:42:00.000-07:00

The Bell at Sealey Head

by Patricia A. McKillip

In this 2008 release by a World Fantasy Award winner, the inhabitants of sleepy Sealey Head are shaken when a mysterious stranger arrives to inspect the mystical bell that rings every night. His arrival sets off a chain of romances, adventures, discoveries and unravelled secrets full of magic and mayhem.

The best quality of this book is its sense of place. McKillip does a superb job of adding details and story tidbits to make you feel like Sealey Head exists. It's a British-esque town in an unnamed magical land, just enough removed from history to make it fantasy. Her style of writing-- halfway between formality and casual banter-- suits the telling, reminding me of Victorian fairy tales. I quibbled a little with the character developement: none of her protagonists seemed to change. They may get lost or get married or free themselves from an overlord, but inwardly they remained the same. Some of the romantic sections seemed a bit childish.

Overall, this is a stunning fantasy and suited for readers of every age. Don't miss Sealey Head, and don't be put off by the "small town" mindset.

Attention Publicists and Authors!

2009-08-31T16:35:00.001-07:00

I have moved from my home in Virginia to college and therefore have a new mailing address. If you are sending me books or had planned to send me copies, I will still be reviewing but need to give you my new address. Send me an email at innovativeteen@gmail.com.

Carpe Corpus: A Review

2009-08-25T09:59:00.000-07:00

Carpe Corpus

by Rachel Caine

This is my second attempt into the Morganville Vampire mysteries, and my second failure to finish one. The series is about the very life-and-death struggles featuring Claire, a human, and her vampire and nonvamp friends. Bishop is the Dr. Evil and Shane is the Uber Hottie. Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

The books aren't horribly written, but the author errs in assuming that their characters are likeable (even Nora Ephron has been faulted for this) and in having a heavy action-based plot. I don't like Claire. I don't care about Amelie and the fate of Morganville. Their behavior is so angst-ridden and tortured that I'm much happier watching Bishop devour them all. The second fault, the action, isn't a real problem for readers looking for a movie-as-book. I hate action movies (how many times can you tear off a leg, race over a roof?) and their only redeeming quality is a loveable hero to keep you interested (Bourne, Bond).

If you prefer books with lots of running around and breath-stopping action, try Rachel Caine. If you liked the last fifth of Twilight, don't miss it. I, however, will be sitting this one out.

Again.

Once a Witch: A Review

2009-08-19T17:40:00.000-07:00

Once a Witch

by Carolyn MacCullough

Tamsin is the witch that should have been. Proclaimed to be the Be-All Witch-All at birth, she has shown no sign of greatness, magical or otherwise. She's content (or pretending to be content) to practice normality at a NYC boarding school while waiting for her perfect older sister to steal the family glory... until a mysterious professor shows up at her grandmother's store and challenges Tamsin to change her future by changing herself.

I liked this book. Tamsin is gutsy enough to keep the book interesting, and the reader interested in her. Her old friend Gideon pops up, hot and gentlemanly, and his only fault is that he has none. While I would have liked him to have shown more foibles to balance the other characters, Tamsin and Gideon have fun chemistry. The adventures Tamsin has get a little overdramatic at the end, but are otherwise very enjoyable. MacCullough knows how to pace her book, and how to create a climax.

Fans of modern-day Tamera Pierce and all fans of Patricia C. Wrede should look this one up.

http://www.amazon.com/Once-Witch-Carolyn-MacCullough/dp/0547223994

INNOVATIVE goes CHICKEN SOUP!

2009-08-07T13:49:00.001-07:00

On page 182, there begins the tale of Gabrielle Linnell's freelancing career and the story of how the Innovative Teen blog began. First, thanks to all who have supported the blog since its inception, and to the friends we've made along the way.

Second, to celebrate the release on August 18th, I will be moving us out of our summer semi-hiatus with more reviews, hopefully some interviews and thoughts on what we've done and how far we've come.

Third, I will be entering Wellesley College this fall. I am so excited about that, but it means that Innovative activity will not be five-posts-a-week as we have done in the past. Reviewing and some interviews will continue to happen, but on a hectic college student's schedule.

Thank you, and look for a Once a Witch review this week.

Review: Simply Irresistible

2009-07-25T06:11:00.002-07:00

Simply Irresistible

by Jennifer Banash

It's hard to know where to start. The dramatic lives of the new TV show "DeLuxe" are fodder for Banash's latest title. Casey switched boy toys, Madison is fighting domestic change, Phoebe doubts her own feelings, Sophie adopts her birth mother. Banash does a good job of extending and inventing conflict for her series and no one can deny that "The Elite" isn't fun.

However, the characters themselves annoyed me and their lack of definitive action was frustrating. Drew's struggle with his wealth is an intriguing idea but the kid anguishes for the entire novel without any decision. The physical perfection alone in each and every character is surreal: teen girls do not all have aerodynamic metabolisms. I guess my main complaint with the novel is that it doesn't feel like a novel. It reads more like an elongated chapter in a Dickensian epic set in the Upper East Side.

So I've Been Out of the Country

2009-07-25T06:11:00.001-07:00

Gallivanting around the UK, pilgrimaging in Potter's footsteps, seeing the Sayers sites, etc. For a month. Many reviews to come in the next week or so. Thanks for your patience!

What's Been Happening

2009-05-28T17:21:00.001-07:00

I have copies of Jonas Brothers: The Unofficial Scrapbook, Carpe Corpus, Confidence is Queen! and... something else... which are being read and will be reviewed, no worries.

I had my last day of high school today. :S

Also, my "Dollar Store Designers" article was featured in this summer issue of Kiki.

Just so you know. :)

My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters

2009-05-16T08:19:00.000-07:00

My Big Nose (and Other Natural Disasters) by Sydney Salter

In this debut novel, Jory has a nose comparable to those on Mount Rushmore and an inferiority complex to match. Determined to change her face (and therefore her life), she gets a summer job to pay for a nose job. Yet through a crazy series of events-- finding love, losing it, finding it, making friends, losing friends, discovering jewelry-- Jory has to rethink her life and what the problems in it really are.

The book was cute. There were many positive messages about body image and relationships, which I appreciated and thought were cool. Gideon was absolutely droll and you just wanted to snatch him right out of the book. Jory's incessant self-centeredness, though, was annoying for the first three-quarters. I had the feeling that if Jory was real, I wouldn't be friends with her, and that made reading her story harder. From a writing perspective, Salter had a decently developed point of view and there were few signs of the self-aware style of new writers in the book.

Overall: good beach read with positive messages.

The First Best Book of 2009

2009-04-30T15:38:00.001-07:00

The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks

I loved this. Loved it loved it loved it. BUY IT!

This alternative vamp tale is told through Nina, a permanent 15-year-old whose funny, snarky view of life is clouded by the fact that she doesn't enjoy being a vampire. She has weekly meetings with other Australian down-under hidden-cover bloodeaters in the Reformed Vampire Support Group, but when one of their own is killed with a silver bullet, it's a race to figure out who the killer is, how to save their undead lives and maybe uncover secrets at the same time.

I loved Nina, I loved the supporting cast, I loved the whole story. I can't say this enough. Catherine Jinks is a genius (previous novel: Evil Genius) and I worship at her feet. If you're looking for witty, funny, sarcastic vampire tales with a dash of unusual romance and lots of adventure... heck, if you like great books, run out and get this one right now. Or Nina will come and suck your blood.

Bookshelf: Hello to Susane Colasanti!

2009-04-19T09:52:00.000-07:00

Susane Colasanti is the author of three novels, When It Happens, Take Me There, and Waiting for You.

INN: Your titles are awesome: When It Happens, Take Me There, Waiting for You. Did you know all of your titles when you started writing the novels, or did they evolve from many drafts?
SC: Before I started writing books, I always thought that coming up with titles would be the easiest part. I was wrong. It’s much easier for me to write a book than come up with a good title. At least, that was the case with these three books. I knew the title of my fourth book, Something Like Fate, in the early stages of writing it.

It’s interesting to see how titles evolve. When It Happens was originally called Trust and the plot was different in a few ways. After revising the manuscript, it was clear that Trust didn’t really fit anymore. The original title of Take Me There was My Way Home, but the sales & marketing team didn’t think that was catchy enough. By then, I’d decided that all of my titles would have three words. While I was writing Waiting for You, I knew the title would have to involve waiting in some way, so that title was easier to come up with.

INN: Your books often use multiple points of view. What is it like writing from several different perspectives in a single book?

SC: It’s a lot of fun! When I was a teen reading the limited supply of decent young-adult novels available back then, I was always so frustrated that the author only told one side of the story. If the book involved a main girl and boy character, we only saw the girl’s perspective. I was dying to know the boy’s side of things, like what he talked about with his friends and what he really thought about the girl. I promised myself that if I ever wrote a teen novel, I would tell it from both sides so my readers could know the whole story.

Take Me There was more challenging than When It Happens, since the story involved three different perspectives. Several chapters include scenes that we previously saw from another character’s point of view. I loved using this technique because I could have the reader wondering about certain things the first time they saw a scene, then fill in the blanks when the scene is shown from an alternate perspective. This technique was tricky, though. My obsessive attention to detail came in handy.

INN: Sometimes the grades in high school seem aeons apart, while other times they blur together. Having written characters in several different grades, what do you think makes each grade different for the writer and for the teen?

SC: I like writing about older characters. I find that time when high school is ending and an entirely different life is beginning the most interesting to explore. However, I wanted to also write a book a bit more accessible to younger readers, so Waiting for You takes place during sophomore year.

Senior year is the strangest. That’s when you realize that the microcosm you’ve become so familiar with is about to explode. For people like me who hated high school, this is a very good thing and a time for extensive celebration. This is when all of the people you have known forever are about to go their separate ways. You will probably never see most of them (or maybe even any of them) ever again. People who can seem like your whole world one day disappear the next. An interesting dynamic I noticed during my senior year is that people stop caring how you’ve been labeled all those years before and start caring more about who you are. Everyone sort of realized that we’re all distinct people about to start our real lives, not just parts of a larger group. They calm down. They’re nicer. It’s fascinating, really.

INN: How did you break into publication?

SC: After I read The Outsiders in seventh grade, I had this fantasy about becoming an author. I wanted to inspire other kids the way S.E. Hinton inspired me with the world of Ponyboy Curtis. That book was pure energy to me. I even slept with it under my pillow, wishing for some magical osmosis that might help make my dream a reality one day.

The other significant thing that happened when I was 12 was realizing I wanted to be a science teacher. I was a teacher for almost ten years. But I still carried that dream of becoming an author in my heart. While I was in grad school at New York University, I started writing some early pages of When It Happens. I kept writing and soon I had a manuscript. It was rejected by several publishers, but Viking Children’s Books saw something there and wanted to work with me. Now my books sit on my bookshelf next to The Outsiders, all of them with the Viking imprint on the spine. That dream I kept alive for so long has finally become reality.

INN: Do you have a favorite moment from one of your novels?

SC: Well, I love the scene in When It Happens with Sara and Tobey where he’s in the car and she’s outside his window and they press their hands together, separated by glass. I always thought that would make an excellent movie moment. I also love the iPod dancing scene on the pier from Take Me There. There’s something about being surrounded by the city lights and energy and night that makes the scene an emotionally powerful one for me.

INN: Any advice for teen writers?

SC: Read. Write. Repeat.

The more you read, the better your writing becomes. I developed strong skills in my high school English classes (not because I liked them, but because I had outstanding teachers). You definitely have to know the basics of grammar, punctuation, and spelling, so if you’re behind on developing those skills, dedicate time each day to learning. However, it was reading thousands of books that made me a writer. The rhythm of words, the flow of sentences, the intangible essence of a great book – all of these things can only be absorbed by reading.

If you’re feeling reluctant to write or just uninspired, maybe it’s time to think outside the box. You should be writing for fun because you love it, not feeling like you have to force yourself to write (unless it’s for school, in which case I feel your pain). Write about your passion. Whatever it is that makes you feel alive, write about that. Then, never give up. You can’t fail if you never stop trying.

Thank you, Susane!!

You can find out more about Susane Colasanti and her books on these sites:

Website: http://www.susanecolasanti.com/
Blog: http://windowlight.livejournal.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Susane-Colasanti/678479550
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/susanecolasanti

Review: Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side

2009-04-10T10:23:00.000-07:00

Where have you been dating?

This debut novel by Beth Fantaskey, Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side, tells the tale of a somewhat normal Pennsylvanian teen who finds a Romanian so-called vampire moving into her house, stalking her at the bus stop and announcing that Jessica's his long-lost betrothed, destined to be a vampire princess. Jessica deals with everything from interfering cheerleaders and her own mixed feelings to a vampire war in order to figure out what the problem is, who the hero is and what she wants out of all of this.

The book was entertaining. With all of this Twilight obsession, it's nice to see the funny side of vampire lore. The first half of the book doesn't take itself seriously, which was a good move by the author, with several funny scenes involving farm boys, horses and school.

The second half is much more serious and dramatic (cue vampire war threats), when Jessica has a change of heart about her vampire betrothed while he's changing other hearts. I felt like this didn't completely fit in with the beginning of the novel, giving it an uneven tone. Major vampire drama is hard to pull off (Stephenie Meyer flopped in Breaking Dawn) and I wish the author had kept it set in Pennsylvania and focused on the Lucius-Jessica chemistry instead.

The messages Lucius shares about women with Jessica are almost all refreshing (I have differences when it comes to chivalry) and unusual to find in YA lit (not advocating diets? what?!). Readers looking for a fun vampire read will like this one, and I'm interested to see whether the author chooses to write lighter or darker fiction later in her career.

Sophomore Undercover: A Review

2009-04-01T15:47:00.000-07:00

Original is the adjective for Ben Esch's Sophomore Undercover. I didn't know what to expect, but what I got was an incredibly personable Vietnamese sophomore with raging hormones and an ironic sense of humor, with Pulitzer-sized dreams and an acid trip for a school. It's a little disjointing until you realize Esch is writing a parody that is, at the same time, the realistic story of a young misguided character.

What I admire about the writing is that although this is a debut, Esch has managed to avoid writing cliched sentences. 90-95% of the sentences are Dixie Nguyenisms, unique to his character and perfectly situated. Beyond that, this is outright funny. I wouldn't recommend it for those who only do family-wholesome humor but for any high schooler, it's a riot. I look forward to reading Esch's next work, and meanwhile comment to win a copy of Sophomore Undercover!

Bookshelf: Interview with Lisa Yee!

2009-03-29T18:07:00.000-07:00

With the publication of Millicent Min, Girl Genius, Lisa has realized her lifelong dream of becoming an author. The winner of the prestigious Sid Fleischman Humor Award, there are over 300,000 copies of MILLIE in print. Lisa's second novel, Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time won the Chinese American Librarian Association Best Book of the Year award, and was named an American Library Association Notable Book. Lisa was also named the 2007 Thurber House Children's Author-in-Residence. Her third novel, So Totally Emily Ebers came out in 2007 and so did Good Luck, Ivy, an American Girl historical novel. Lisa Yee's most recent novel is Absolutely Maybe. - www.lisayee.com

INN: Absolutely Maybe features a cross-country road trip, crazy charm school mothers and Hollywood quests for unknown dads. Where did you find the idea for this novel-- or multiple ideas?

LY: The original title was CHARM SCHOOL DROPOUT and it was a much different book--lighter and for a much younger crowd. Then I started writing and even though I worked from an outline, the characters sort of hijacked the story. I always write my endings first, so at least I knew where we were headed. But some of the side trips surprised me.

Initally, I planned for the book to take place in thirds. The first being in Kissimmee, FL where a goth girl grows up with a ex-beauty pageant queen mom. I thought a road trip would be fun because I once drove across country with my best friend Henry. And then I wanted Maybelline (she calls herself Maybe) to land in Hollywood, the way Dorothy landed in Oz. Only, as I began to write, the LA/Hollywood part sort of took over, and I cut way back on the other two parts.
My struggle with writing is never lack of ideas, but having too many. In the deleted many subplots because it made Maybe's story meander. (However, I've saved them and they may appear in another book!)

INN: If Maybe had her own TV show, what would it be called and what would it be about?

LY: Oooh, great question! Hmmm . . . I know! It would be called TIPS 'n' TACOS WITH MAYBE. She would help people solve their problems. Plus, Maybe would figure out what kind of taco would make them feel better, and cook it for them.

INN: You've written very successfully for middle grade/middle school readers with Millicent Min, Girl Genius and the sequels with Stanford Wong and Emily Ebers: what was the transition to writing YA like?

LY: It was heaven. With YA there are no constraints either with topic or language. I felt a freedom writing Maybe's story that I hadn't felt before. I loved every minute of it.

INN: I'm a huge American Girl fan: can you talk about writing Good Luck, Ivy?

LY: American Girl approached me about writing a historical fiction. At first I said no, because I don't really write that sort of thing. But when I found out it was set in 1974, I was shocked! To me, that doesn't seem so long ago because I was alive then. Finally, I agreed to do it and had a great time. The story is set in San Francisco, so they sent me there to research. I said, "I really think there needs to be a scene that takes place at the Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory." And they said, "Well then, you should go there." And I thought, "Oh yeah!"

It was really weird/cool seeing the Ivy Ling doll. And the book and doll were on Oprah, so that was tres exciting.

INN: What's up next?

LY: I have a chapter book series that will debut in September. The first book is called BOBBY VS. GIRLS (ACCIDENTALLY) and the illustrator is the talented Dan Santat. He has a Disney Channel cartoon called THE REPLACEMENTS.

INN: Any advice for teen writers?

LY: Read, read, write, read, write and read some more. Every book you read is like getting a free writing class. If you love a book, reread it for style, pacing, plot, etc. And write all the time. It doesn't have to be stories, e-mails, journals, letters, they all count. Also, don't just write what you know, but write what you want to know. Explore. Have fun.

Find out more about Lisa Yee at www.lisayee.com.

Deadline Contemplations

2009-03-19T13:58:00.000-07:00

I'm working hard on an article assigned weeks ago... that of course I haven't started until recently. Due Friday. Procrastination is part of my teenage nature, and therefore natural. However, while I procrastinate, I contemplate to prevent this situations...

Commit to an earlier date. If your deadline is April 1st, email your editor and let her know you will be done the article by March 25th. Sound insane? It probably is, but it means you will be in the editor's good graces and not emailing the article at 11:59pm on April 1.

Use your query as an outline. I love copying and pasting the original query to keep myself on track, and remember what I promised to deliver to my editor. It keeps any unexpected tangents from taking over the piece.

Put your dates in your normal agenda. I have little reminders about this article next to my Calculus homework and weekend plans. It's one way to keep it together in the midst of a crazy senior semester, twelve days from college decisions...

Sophomore Undercover Giveaway!

2009-03-18T15:46:00.001-07:00

I was given an extra copy of the FABULOUS Sophomore Undercover by Ben Esch. Fans of John Green gone wacky and biting, funny other comic writers will enjoy this one. If you want a free copy, please:

1. Live in the United States of America
2. Comment and tell me what your thoughts on Sophomores are
3. Do so by April 8th, 2009

Have fun and comment!

So, the Blogger had a Mental Health Week...

2009-03-15T18:27:00.001-07:00

And completely flubbed the dates.

I apologize. If you're a second semester senior in a competitive school with acceptances and rejections flying about your ears, you will understand but it's no excuse.

SO!

Lisa Yee will be coming in 2 weeks.

The review of Sophomore Undercover will come this week along with details on our 2 upcoming giveaways.

I will be uploading some more posts on publishing. :) And enjoy, hopefully, a less insane seven days.

News from the Blogging World

2009-03-05T17:40:00.000-08:00

Susan McBride has re-designed her website at www.susanmcbride.com. All you Debs fans go and check it out!

Orb28, the lovely ladies' blog I've been guesting at for several months, is sadly closing due to the turn of events that are turning many people's lives at the moment. Go over to www.orb28.blogspot.com until March 14 to say your goodbyes.

Ben Esch's "Sophomore Undercover" was hilarious and I will be posting a review of it this Saturday. I have a copy to give away as well as a copy of Lord of Misrule because I can't finish the darn book. Details on Friday.

Bookshelf: Welcome to Micol Ostow!

2009-02-28T13:41:00.000-08:00

Micol Ostow is half Puerto Rican, half Jewish, half student, half writer, half chocolate, half peanut butter. When she is under deadline, she is often half asleep. She believes that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts except in the case of Chubby Hubby ice cream. She lives in New York City where she reads, runs, and drinks way too much coffee. - www.micolostow.com

INN: You have written many books for teens, spanning diverse topics: from high school politics in Popular Vote to the Simon Pulse romantic comedies like Crush du Jour and 30 Guys in 30 Days and even ethnic heritage in Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa. What inspires you to write about such different scenarios?

MO: Hmm...when you put it that way--maybe I just have a short attention span! Ha! Seriously, though, I have always had a broad range of interests and I love to read all kinds of books-- from chick lit, to thrillers, to literary fiction, and I think my writing reflects that. I'm very, very lucky that I have editors who encourage me to stretch and explore all of my areas of interest. And each project teaches me something new about myself. "Emily" was heavily based on my own experiences getting to know my Puerto Rican family, and I think it was a story that I always had inside of me. My graphic novel project due out this summer, "So Punk Rock," talks about life in a Jewish day school.

And of course, with "Bradford," I'm able to access my love of pop culture and the whole extended online community. The hardest part is balancing all of my deadlines and occasionally having to switch back and forth between projects very quickly--that can result in a bit of split personality and can be crazy-making. The truth is that not all of my readers will respond to all of my books. But if I keep publishing (knock wood) across a broad range of genres and topics, hopefully, there will be a Micol Ostow book out there for everyone.

INN: Have you always wanted to write books? If so, how is your present career different or similar to what you imagined?

MO: I have always, always, always wanted to write books. My summer camp bunkmates and I used to create the back cover copy to the Sweet Valley novels we were going to write when we grew up (okay, dork alert. You've got me. But hey--I knew where my talents lay). That being said, I never DREAMED that one day people would actually pay me to write the type of books that I love to read, and therefore, I took a very sensible job as a YA book editor when I graduated college. I loved that job (true story: I was an editor at Simon Pulse, which is just one of the many reasons why I adore publishing with them now--they're like family to me), and had no plans of leaving to write. But people knew that I was interested in writing and some opportunities came up, and literally, one thing led to another...

Eventually, I realized that I wouldn't be able to give 100% to my editing and 100% to my writing, so for now, at least, the writing has won out. But we'll see what the future holds. I guess you could say that my present is different than what I imagined in that I honestly never dreamed I would be able to do exactly what I've always wanted to do. I'm a lucky lucky girl.

INN: Your new series The Bradford Novels releases its first title, GoldenGirl, this January. What would you like to tell readers about this series?

MO: GoldenGirl and Bradford follow in the well-trod tradition of private school "mean girl lit," but I like to think that several things really set it apart. Firstly, I *hope* that the voice is one that readers will find distinct, funny, tongue-in-cheek, unique, etc.,etc., etc. But what is especially awesome about Bradford--and what really drew me to the project from the start--is the entire online "experience" that it offers to readers. I don't believe there's been anything like this in YA publishing yet. Sure, we've had dedicated websites for books and series, and Facebook accounts and that sort of thing.

But BradfordNovels.com offers you a huge network, and a chance to really experience the stories and the characters from new perspectives once you've actually finished with the books. You can read about the series, yeah, but you can also email the characters, visit their profile pages, follow them on twitter, and read new blogs in real time (one character, for instance, is a fashion designer, and you can bet she'll have a lot of opinions come Oscar night). You might find a tertiary character in the books whose online blog reveals an entire subplot involving a clique you were only peripherally aware of. And you can check out the websites of many of the locations we've created in the books.

So basically everything you'll find online is meant to enhance and build on your experience of reading the books, as opposed to merely supplementing it. Teens--and writers!--are more plugged in than ever, and I think it will be very exciting to see how we react to a book series that responds to the ways in which we express ourselves and communicate today.

INN: What is it like writing a series, as opposed to individual novels?

MO: The self-employed businesswoman in me will tell you that it's comforting to know you've got three titles slated for the upcoming year. But the truth is that the process of writing a book is much more ephemeral than most people realize. For instance, the first draft of the graphic novel project I mentioned, "So Punk Rock," was turned in to my editor literally a year ago, and won't be out until July. There's a lot of downtime in between projects for a writer. So what I love about a series is the chance to spend more time with my characters, as opposed to merely sending the manuscript off to my editor and saying goodbye for, if not forever, at least a good chunk of time.

I feel more grounded and in turn feel like I have a chance to get to know my characters and watch them grow and evolve. And of course, with Bradford, there's *always* something going on--if we're not working on the book, then my editors and I are creating online content, thinking about web design, plotting out story arcs...I'm always knee-deep in Bradford and I like the feeling of working on something solid and all-consuming that way. It helps me to combat that split personality that I mentioned above that comes from having my hands in lots of different projects at any given time.

INN: As a huge Grace Kelly fan, I'm guessing that Spencer Grace Kelly's name is not an accident (if so, a wonderful coincidence!) Why did you choose to connect the glamorous icon with the main character in GoldenGirl?

MO: Not an accident at all! She is meant to be a distant relative of Grace Kelly's (who was originally from Philadelphia, and therefore a local icon). Grace Kelly is the epitome of style and, as you say, glamour, that we associate not only with the series, but also with Spencer, who is by all accounts the "Grace Kelly" (that is, the golden girl) of Bradford Prep.

INN: Any advice for teen writers?

MO: The best advice--and what seemed to work for me--is to read everything you can get your hands on, and to keep writing. Writing isn't about being published (though that's always fun too)--it's about sitting your butt in your chair and *writing.* It's harder than it sounds, but it's worth it!... THANKS!

INN: Thank you so much!

You Know You Want To...

2009-02-23T17:29:00.000-08:00

Check out Micol Ostow when she comes to Innovative this Saturday, February 28!

www.micolostow.com

May I Recommend Some Good Books?

2009-02-17T17:05:00.000-08:00

Have to run, but--

The Blind Assasin by Margaret Atwood

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (Niffennegger?)

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

are all completely, 100% worth your time.

They are why we write.

Holiday Bookshelf: Chatting with Ben Esch

2009-02-15T18:46:00.001-08:00

While writing Sophomore Undercover (in bookstores February 24), Ben Esch slept on a fold-out sofa in his parents' basement, gained thirty pounds, and developed a crippling fear of raccoons. The author did not date much during this period. Ben now lives in Los Angeles and sleeps in an actual bed. Chase your dreams, kids.

INN: What inspired the unorthodox, unusual character of Vietnamese high school reporter and nerd, Dixie Nguyen?

BE: Dixie came from a couple of inspirations. First of all, I grew up in a small town in Northern California that was pretty homogeneous (homogeneous = chock full of white people). There was a Vietnamese kid in my high school class, and I used to think it looked interesting to see him walk around campus, completely surrounded on all sides by a bunch of huge, hickish white dudes. One day I got to thinking: what if he had an adventure?

As for the personality of Dixie Nguyen...well, to be perfectly honest, I'm not exactly sure how I came up with that. I guess I from the school of writing that when you write a character, you're basically writing about yourself. So, I suppose that means there's a fairly big chunk of the character that's me. A much more clever, adventurous, and slightly less of a big, goofy white guy version of me, but still me nevertheless. This fiction stuff is fun.

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INN: Dixie uncovers a drug scandal involving high school athletes. How did you approach this topic-- through research, asking teens, memories of your own high school experience or something else?
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BE: Though Sophomore Undercover took a lot of inspiration from my own time in high school, there was never a drug scandal in the football team. At least not that I'm aware of. No, let's just go ahead and say there wasn't a drug scandal. I just made up the drug scandal thing. Again, fiction is fun.

In terms of the rest of the story, I didn't really do any specific research until the book had gone through a few drafts, and even then, the "research" was just me walking around my old high school campus at night to remind myself where the buildings were. So, I got off pretty easy on this book. Unless you count the four years I went to the high school as research. In that case, I researched the hell out of this thing.

INN: If Dixie had his own game show, what celebrity would he choose to be the Vanna White and why?

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BE: That's a good question...I've spent a lot of time thinking about this and I think he'd probably go with one of the cute but somewhat nerdy girls from that G4 channel (I'm all about that Ninja Warrior show, by the way) so let's go with Kristin Holt, maybe? Of course, I'm guessing that Dixie would spent most of his time staring at his feet and stammering if he was around anyone that pretty, so that would probably hurt the game show a bit...

INN: The ultimate question: how did your book break into print?

BE: Well, the first step was writing a book. An underrated, but essential part of the process.
The second step was finding an agent. There's a lot of stuff on the internet on how to go about doing this, so I won't get into the more boring details about how all that works.

The third step was working with the agent (Steven "I look uncannily like David Blaine" Malk) to make the book I wrote actually make sense. Turns out that most publishers are looking for something like that, which was a bit of a shock at the time. Anyway, we worked together for about seven months, I knocked off a hundred pages or so, learned quite a bit about writing, and in the end we had something that he thought we could sell.

The fourth step was selling the book. This was a rough couple of weeks, but in the end Disney-Hyperion was into the book and we were into Disney-Hyperion. Everybody at Disney-Hyperion is remarkably cool, by the way. And I'm not just saying that because they pay me. I mean, the money thing doesn't hurt, but they're still really nice regardless.

And that's how my book got into print.

INN: What's up next in your writing career?

BE: Well, the first thing up is the release of my book, "Sophomore Undercover" on February 24th which is equal parts exciting and terrifying. So, that's been taking up most of my time. I should probably tell you guys to go to my website: http://www.benjaminesch.com/. Oh, and we just got the Sophomore Undercover video game launched which is a guaranteed good way to waste five minutes. (http://www.benjaminesch.com/1/post/2009/01/the-sophomore-undercover-video-game.html)

And after that...well, I'm under contract for another book with Disney-Hyperion that should be coming out in the Summer of 2010. So I should probably get cracking on finishing that.

INN: Any advice for teen writers?

BE: Three things:
1. Try to remember this time in your life. The stuff that you are going to be obsessed with for the rest of your life (for better or worse) is going to happen during your teenage years, and like it or not, this is the stuff that you're probably going to end up writing about. There's just way too much exciting stuff happening in your life right now for you to not remember it and use for creative fodder down the line. Keep a journal, hold onto your yearbooks, make a scrapbook...just make sure you remember it.

2. Write the story that you want to read. This is pretty much the only advice I feel qualified to give to any other writer. The neat thing about being a writer is that you get to craft the exact kind of story that you are interested in/want to read. I know it's tempting to try to write something that is popular, but if you're not really writing something that you're passionate about, it's going to show in the final product.

3. Read. And this just isn't to get you guys to read my book...but you know, it would be pretty awesome if you guys would read my book, actually. The best education you can have as a writer is reading. Read everything. I can't emphasize this enough. READ. Sorry I had to go all caps on you guys there, but I'm really serious about this.

Thanks so much!

Learn more about Sophomore Undercover and Ben Esch at http://www.benjaminesch.com/.

YA Blog Newsletter

2009-02-10T18:40:00.001-08:00

I've joined the new YA Blog Newsletter team and will be contributing on upcoming reviews. Check out www.yablognewsletter.blogspot.com to learn more. This is one of those "Duh!" things, like... how have we lived without it?

Also: look for In My Mailbox tomorrow, slightly tweaked to What Books I Have Been Given Recently. And Benjamin Esch will be joining us on V-Day!

_______ of the Week

2009-02-09T09:48:00.000-08:00

Essay of the Week

"I Wish I Could Read Like a Girl"

This was written a month ago, but this essay about teen reading by Michelle Slatalla is excellent as well as entertaining.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/01/fashion/01spy.html?_r=1&ref=books

Baby Steps to Better Bandwagon Behavior

2009-02-04T05:48:00.000-08:00

As you may have noted, I've been scarce in posting because of major exam and end-of-term nastiness. I have survived exams with fairly respectable grades and all of my internal organs intact, to become that amazing creature of American high schools: the second semester senior.

Woo!

This means I can finally get back to writing. I've put off working on my novel in favor of studying, and missed my January deadlines for sending out queries. February and early March will therefore be spent revising, with 10 queries being sent out by March 20th. Freelancing? That too. It was fun to have a magazine email me after 1.5 years to see if the article I queried was still available.

Career Week will be coming up, as well as some truly AWESOME interviews coming up with some spectacular authors. I'm looking to work with other bloggers to coordinate different Spring events, celebrating Spring Break and then finally graduation.

So: rest assured, I will be back and blogging well. My column for February is up at www.kidmagwriters.com/workday/fresh-ideas.htm for those who are interested in finding inspiration in your old clips.

Post-Exams Bookshelf: Hello and Welcome to Daphne Grab!

2009-02-02T07:19:00.000-08:00

Daphne Grab grew up in Rhinebeck, New York and attended Bard College, studying history. She's worked in Colombia, taught ESL in China and history in LA, and received an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School. Her debut novel, Alive and Well in Prague, New York, was released in May 2008 to wonderful reviews. - http://www.daphnegrab.com/

INN: Alive and Well in Prague, New York is such an unusual (and awesome!) title. Did you have this title in your mind as you began writing the book, or was it a last-minute suggestion?

DG: I am terrible at thinking up titles, in fact for my second book a friend’s husband is the one who came up with the title Halftime. But for Prague the title came to me before the book. I had this idea of best friends signing their emails in creative ways and suddenly the title popped into my mind. Originally I wanted it to be Matisse Osgood, Alive and Well in Prague, New York, but my editor thought it was too long and, as was the case with most things, she was right.

INN: Matisse deals with several serious challenges that other teenagers find, including moving to a new town in the middle of high school. Did you ever move as a teenager?

DG: I lived in the same small town until I went to college but I did change schools when I went to high school. My mom taught at a boarding school and I got to go for free which was awesome. It was really hard to leave my friends and the boarding school was another world. Kids there were about a thousand times more sophisticated than I was and I remember one senior said I was so innocent I was like a child of the sun. I think it was also that I skipped eighth grade so I was younger than everyone. But I wanted to write about that experience of being immersed in a whole social setting that is completely different from all past experience.

INN: If Matisse was a real person that you could take anywhere in the world, where would the two of you go and why?

DG: Hm, I think we’d have to hang out right here in NYC. Matisse could take me to all the cool places she shops and the fun restaurants where she hangs out with her city friends. I’ve lived in NYC for ten years but I’ll never know it the way a native like Matisse does!

INN: What was the most difficult part of writing Alive and Well?

DG: The rewriting. I pumped out a first draft quickly but it needed a ton of work and it was so hard to do. Major revisions are like surgery: you pull out an organ, put in a new one and then have to make sure each little vein and tendon attaches back up so smoothly you’d never know the surgery took place.

INN: How did you break into publication?

DG: I had a teacher at my MFA program bring in her editor to look at subs from our class and the editor liked mine. It can take ages for a story to fall into the right hands, those of an editor who will love it and help it reach it’s full potential, and to have it happen with the first editor who saw it is extremely good luck.

INN: Any advice for teen writers?

DG: Two things: work as hard as you can on your story, revising and revising until it’s as good as you can possibly make it. Then show it to other writers and stay as open as you can to their critique. Make the changes that resonate with you (and be honest- no story is perfect and good critique will make you a better writer if you can listen to it) and then get an agent. It’s so important to have an agent to handle the business side of your relationship with your publishing house and a good agent will nurture your whole career.

Thank you so much, Daphne! Visit Daphne's website at www.daphnegrab.com, and watch for her blog on our Author's Blogroll!

Update from the Very Busy Western Front in Statistics

2009-01-28T18:38:00.000-08:00

6,395 tissues used
4 college interviews had so far
1 acceptance
$30,000 offered in scholarship money
3 exams taken
3 exams to go
2 more days until I don't have to care about school any more and can watch American Idol-- I mean, Mad Men-- without feeling guilty
1 second before I return to massive studying

Sick

2009-01-25T17:47:00.001-08:00

The weekend before exams, I get completely, utterly sick. Posting will be scarce until I can get antibiotics.

Help Me Teach Teen Writers!

2009-01-22T03:59:00.000-08:00

I'm doing a presentation in a few weeks about getting published, hoping to cover everything from queries to contracts (and something in between!) Do you, fellow teen writers and adult writing experts, have any suggestions? If you came to the workshop, what would you want to hear? What are you interested in? What are you not coming to hear?

Thought for the Day

2009-01-21T14:15:00.000-08:00

Lone wandering, but not lost.

- William Cullen Bryant

When to Work for Free

2009-01-20T04:57:00.000-08:00

When young writers start out, you almost always start by writing for a byline. No cash, no contracts (as we talked about last week), only the pleasure of saying you got published in Examine Your Zipper or Orlando Bloom Quarterly. I've been freelancing for four years now, and only write for free in several situations.

Exploring a New Market. Travel is something I'm interested in writing about, so I'm hunting for travel zines or travel columns regardless of whether they pay. Once I've earned my stripes, I'll go after the heavy-hitting (and big buck-giving) travel zines (Geez, what's with the participles?).

Establishing a Reputation. Columns or guest positions are fantastic because now you can say, "I'm a columnist for Angelina Jolie Live Always and Everywhere." If you're offered a column position, take it. Your reputation will benefit if you do a good job (Hint: always keep track of your deadlines!)

Giving Back. Sometimes I write for free when I like the magazine editor and she's helped me out before. Write if you believe in a cause and want to support it. If there's a "giving" aspect, think about writing. Your art is not meant for pure profit.

The Prestige of the Prestige. If a big name approaches you about doing a piece for no cash, think about the name. In the bio part of your query letters, you don't put how much you were paid for an article, but you do note what the name of the magazine was.

A Book in Your Pocket

2009-01-19T09:36:00.000-08:00

Since I received all those amazing books over the holidays, I've carried books in my purse. This Gilmore Girl-like behavior isn't unusual, but now I'm being deliberate. Wherever I go, whatever purse I carry, I want to have a book on me.

I don't always have the time to read during school, or on the bus or waiting for a lesson; but I often do. Reading in between classes is a fantastic use of time, but it also serves a metaphysical purpose. Plugging in numbers or running from activity to activity means I'm not writing most of the time, not doing what I love most. It's easy to forget why you love what you do.

So my challenge to you, as writing teenagers and people who support writing teenagers, is to carry a book in your pocket or backpack or purse. It's good for those in-between moments when the teacher gives you 20 minutes to work on a project you finished last week. It's good to just search for your lip gloss and find your fingers on The Conde Nast Traveler's Guide or Cracked Up to Be, and remember for a moment that books exist, good books are possible and that one day you will write one.

Belated Bookshelf: Hey There to Tina Ferraro!

2009-01-19T07:52:00.000-08:00

Tina Ferraro believes in the adage that it is never too late to have a happy childhood. She, in fact, had a very happy one, living in Westchester County, New York, with her parents, her brother, and several cats. She was an avid bookworm, earned a shelf full of medals for competitive swimming, and would sometimes play Barbies for days on end. It was her teen years that she feels she failed to make the most of--probably because she was too busy daydreaming of the exciting life she wished she had.

All these years later, as a wife of two decades and a mother of three teens, she is giving herself that happy teenage experience by writing stories about girls who not only dream big--but make their dreams come true.
Some of Tina’s favorite things include reading, drinking lattes, hanging with her family, watching the TV shows "The Office" and “Lost,” and chatting with her readers through her website, www.tinaferraro.com.

INN: I first found your books when Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress came out because I was so intrigued-- what can you do with an unworn prom dress? Where did you find the idea for your debut novel?

TF: I came upon a nonfiction book called something like 101 Things To Do With a Bridesmaid Dress. And it started my mind racing...what if it was a prom dress? Because...because...the guy dumped her just days before the prom? And instead of 101 things, what if it was ten...

And I was off and running. I then took the idea to my on-line brainstorming group (which is composed of about 10 authors) and asked for input. I got great feedback, including the idea to go with “Top Ten” instead of just “Ten.” When I pitched it to my agent, she told me to drop what I was working on and start writing it right away!

INN: If Parker (protagonist of the upcoming The ABCs of Kissing Boys) had a New Year's Resolution, what would it be?

TF: Interesting question! Since the book takes place in August/September, I’d like to answer two ways, the New Years before and after. Before: to cut out the junk food and keep in tip-top shape for soccer season. After: to pay attention to the people in her life, and remember that not everyone is as they seem.

INN: How did you get published?

TF: Well, I started selling short stories back in college, but it took many years of reading, writing, networking, taking on-line classes and attending conferences to get to the point where I understood “my voice” and the situations that brings it to its fullest potential. That is in teen “dramedy” situations, where humor and internal struggle go hand-in-hand. When I found my niche, I found my agent, and the first sale happened relatively quickly.

INN: Did your own experiences in high school affect the way you write about teenagers now? What are some differences and similarities?

TF: Absolutely! I was a major people watcher and daydreamer in high school, spent hours creating exciting scenarios that I really, really wanted to happen. (In most cases, they never did, however.) So much of what I write today is based on those types of daydreams--larger-than-life drama. I stay current through my kids who keep me updated on the electronics and when to use IM, TM and what-not. And let me know when the phrases I use are horribly out-of-date!

INN: What are you most excited about with the release of ABCs?

TF: Well, modestly, I think I’m going to get good reactions from readers. ABC’s is probably my funniest book, and I had a great time researching and listing different kinds of kisses that readers can try out on guys (or, if they’re more like I was, simply daydream about trying out).
And I have to say, I put in several mentions of something called a Steam Kiss, which I did not research, so when my characters tried it, (obviously) they couldn’t get it to work. I’m looking for someone to try it for real and report back to me!

INN: Any advice for teen writers?

TF: Yes. It’s important to ask others (friends, teachers, other writers) for feedback on your writing. But sometimes that feedback conflicts with what you’re striving for, or what your gut tells you is right. In this case, I employ what I call my Rule of Three. The first time I hear criticism that I don’t agree with (say, someone says a scene is too slow), I ignore it. The second time, I seriously consider it. The third time, I throw up my hands and make the change. So far, this has worked for me.

Thank you so much, Tina!

Visit her website at www.tinaferraro.com and watch for her blog on our Bookshelf Authors' Blogroll.

Permissions, Releases and Contracts Part Two

2009-01-16T04:30:00.000-08:00

Permission releases are another form of contracts, although a more informal kind. In them, you are giving permission for the magazine or company to use your work for an agreed-upon sum or reward.

Watch for weird clauses. Know what rights you're giving up, and weigh them against what you're being paid or the prestige of the magazine. There are shady zines that will steal your words for no payment, so watch out.

Photo releases. Sometimes big magazines will want your photo in the bio line, and will ask for a photo release. Make sure these are photos that you or your family took and are not copyrighted photos with a professional photographer. Senior portraits won't qualify most of the time. Choose a good pic of yourself!

Always know your goals. The best situation is when you allow a magazine to publish your story with First North American Rights or minimal rights given, for a large sum of money or prestigious publication. However, you usually have to decide what's most important: getting published, being published again, payment and prestige. Don't be in such a hurry to get published that you make the mistake of selling your work for little profit.

If your story is publishable, you are worth being paid well. Read carefully and keep copies of all your contracts. It's good practice for later life, or so my parents tell me.

Minor/Major Matters of Business

2009-01-15T04:14:00.000-08:00

First, congratulations to everyone who applied for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards (www.artandwriting.org). The results won't be known at regional levels for another month or so, but congrats. You guys work so hard. Please let me know if you win anything!

The PUSH imprint contest, for unpublished novels written by teens, is open until March. If you have 30-50 pages of a novel, run over to the Scholastic page and see if you're interested in submitting. Please pay attention to the rights you give up for the contest; know what you're doing!

You can find me today over at www.orb28.blogspot.com, and my Fresh Ideas column at KidMagWriters.com has been published. Go read my life-altering words of wisdom-- or gently entertaining writing thoughts-- over at http://kidmagwriters.com/workday/fresh-ideas.htm.

Permissions, Releases and Contracts, Pt 1

2009-01-14T04:53:00.000-08:00

Negotiating the legalese world of permissions, releases and contracts as a teenager is confusing unless you're a prelaw student or your mom's an contract lawyer. However, there are some simple guidelines that I've found to be useful

Contracts. Contracts state that you are giving up certain rights (such as North American rights, all rights, etc.) to a magazine or e-zine in exchange for an agreed-upon sum. Make sure you know what rights you are giving away. I don't care as much about selling all the rights to my work if I'm being paid and I can't see myself re-using the article in question. Always note the price and date you will be paid.

Negotiating prices. You receive your contract and the payment is $25 less than you thought it would be. Do you email the editor and complain? This depends on how bureaucratic the magazine is. If the editor always responds within 24 hours to your emails and seems eager to work with you, you can bring up the price. However, this is best done before a contract is brought up. These are almost impossible to change if you're working with a major mag.

Negotiating rights. If you're unhappy with the rights you're supposed to be giving away, talk to the editor. Be prepared to wait, be prepared to be frustrated, make sure you know what is important and why it is important. That said, I relax my rights-worries when dealing with big name companies and magazines with good reputations. Be worried when dealing with Small Zine Nobody's Heard Of, and comb that dang contract.

Writing and Extra-Curricular Activities

2009-01-13T05:32:00.000-08:00

How can writing and school intersect? I'm not an expert, but through different ECs I've been able to use writing and have fun with school friends. Writers having a social life? Not a completely impossible scenario... sort of...
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Debate Team. Lincoln-Douglas, or LD, Debate uses both prepared cases and on-your-feet thinking to let students argue about moral issues of the day. The current resolution is about the United States joining an international crimes court. If you're interested in writing about ethics, see if there's an LD Debate team at your school.
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Literary Magazine. This is a traditional way to be involved with literariness at school. Join your Lit-Mag and see how teen writing is different for "school" than it is for "publication." What can you learn? Loads. Most of these magazines focus on poetry rather than prose.
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Destination Imagination. This of-the-coolest EC is designed to make you solve problems creatively. Many of the Challenges can be met with a script: quite an opportunity for budding playwrights. It's a neat chance to use the arts, science and technology in a competitive environment... with PEOPLE!
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Newspaper. If journalism is your cup of tea, it only makes sense to start writing for your school paper. If your school paper stinks (it happens), ask the journalism teacher to give you the names of your local paper's community-friendly editors. Then get in touch with them about writing.
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School Newsletter. Many schools publish a monthly or quarterly newsletter for parents, to let them know about events and experiences at the school. Talk to your school secretary about writing a piece on a landmark activity for this, and see your writing in the hands of all your friends' parents. It's usually a good thing.
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Underground Blogging. If you're super rebellious, start an anonymous blog called The Secret Life of a ____ Student and write snarky reports about teachers and students and homework. Print out flyers and mysteriously spread them over the school. You could get suspended (minus) or super famous and never get caught (plus.) Just saying.

______ of the Week

2009-01-12T04:03:00.000-08:00

Literary Landmark Photo of the Week

This is Box Hill, the place where the oh-so-dramatic picnic scene in Jane Austen's Emma was set. (It's true, look it up on Wikipedia!) I took this while on my oh-so-fabulous British vacation. Oh-what-a-wonderful Monday!

Bookshelf: In Too Deep

2009-01-11T12:28:00.000-08:00

In Too Deep by Jennifer Banash is the continuation of her Elite series, about how newcomer Casey fits into the over-privileged life of the Bramford apartments and the private school where its residents are educated. The story is told in several different points of view, as each member of the clique debates their current crises.

As I mentioned in In My Mailbox, I wasn't expecting to like this book. There is a glut of books about the super-rich and I find they rarely offer something original. However, I did read In Too Deep incredibly fast while another book I need to review -- Lord of Misrule -- is taking me weeks.

I enjoyed reading it. The characters were just stereotyped enough to make you hate Madison and like Casey (Team Quirky!), but they had unusual traits as well. It was interesting to have a lone guy's perspective -- Drew's-- and to hear Sophie's struggle with her parental sitch. The betrayal Drew feels when he also has a "parental sitch" was believable. I was a little annoyed that there were "AP Cinema" and "AP Algebra" classes in the book, because I'm a collegebound senior who knows there are no such classes. It's also hard to believe that Phoebe, Sophie or Madison would ever have a shot at Harvard without serious extra-curriculars and grades.

Overall: In Too Deep is a seductive read. While it may not add a new dimension to rich-girl lit, it provides an example of how to do it well. Now, where did I put my Hermes scarf? Must be right next to the Louis Vuitton luggage.

Right.

Woo-Hoo for Review!

2009-01-08T18:28:00.001-08:00

My review of Letters to a Bullied Girl is in this month's January online edition of Teen Voices. Check it out at

http://www.teenvoices.com/issue_current/departments/tvo_arts_reviews.html

So... What Were the Best Books of 2008?

2009-01-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

I realize this is late, and because of this there's one more add. I read a number of books last year-- large number-- and out of those, I've kept a list of those I believe represent the best of young adult fiction published in 2008. There are a few ARCs I've read that are promising, but they won't count for this year.

I have five.

Sweethearts by Sara Zarr. This book was scathing and delicate and heartbreaking all at the same time. Last week I read one of Sara's essays in an anthology about weight loss; more and more, I think she's the YA author to watch.

A Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger. This one is responsible for my current obsession with old movies and the reason I love Lauren Bacall so much. It's the story of three unusual teenagers in Boston, and how baseball, musical theater and growing up make for a definitive year in Brookline. I read it three times in a week.

Undone by Brooke Taylor. This debut novel didn't cut any corners and cut straight to the core of teenage experience. Serena's relationship with her best friend was staggeringly real to what I see in my own hallways, and the devastation she felt once Kori left... I was so impressed by the writing and by the story that Taylor wrought, and can't wait to see what she writes next.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart. I am so proud of the fact that I loved this book the moment I read it, and that The Powers That Be agreed with me in making it a finalist for the National Book Award (and WHO did an interview with E. Lockhart earlier this year?) This book makes you laugh, cry, question female roles and the importance of the Ivy League and rejoice because life is life and P.G. Wodehouse exists.

AND

Graceling by Kristin Cashore. I am a picky fantasy reader-- I mean picky. So it is with great joy that I announce that Graceling is by far the best fantasy I've read this year. It's beautifully depicted with strong characters and story, scary in its evil and gorgeous in its good. Although it was a long book, I didn't want the story of Po and Katsa and Bitterblue to end. Nighttime may find me drifting in the shadows of a Lienid city.

That's what I think. Thanks to all the authors and publicists who sent me novels and did interviews. We'll be reflecting in the next month and looking ahead to the fabulousness that awaits-- for after all, this is senior year.

______ of the Week

2009-01-05T05:30:00.000-08:00

Awesome Blog Supportive Gesture of the Week

For writers interested in staying cool online

www.orb28.blogspot.com

JJ's resolved to get 28 comments on every orb28 blog post. Orb28's a blog aimed for girls 13+, as an offshoot of New Moon magazine. Their fun, intelligent posts are interrupted every Thursday by my own rambles on life, but otherwise this is a great place to be for teen girls. Help them get their New Year's resolution!

New Year Bookshelf: Welcome to Elizabeth Scott

2009-01-03T07:40:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth Scott is the author of Bloom, Perfect You, Stealing Heaven, Living Dead Girl (2008), Something Maybe (March 2009) and Love You Hate You Miss You (June 2009).

INN: Living Dead Girl deals with the horrible circumstance of child abduction and subsequent abuse. What moved you to write this story about Alice?

ES: Usually, when I get an idea for a story, it comes in bits and pieces. But once in a while -- great while, frankly -- an idea will come to me fully formed, a story demanding to be told.
Living Dead Girl was one of those stories. I woke up the night of April 5, 2007, from a disturbing dream. I write all my dreams down, and usually they're pretty nonsensical, but this one was different. I wrote:

"Alice." It is her name but it isn't her name. She thinks of who she was as someone far away. Long ago. Kidnapped when she was ten. Five years, and she lives with the kidnapper still. Now he wants someone else. New. She'll do anything to get him off her. Knows no one sees her, staring at blue thing, plastic like water but not water, reflection strange. Blurred, featureless. Flash of teeth, grinning not grinning, hands and pain, HIM. Thinks, I am a living dead girl.

By the time I was done writing, I knew Alice's story. I knew I had to tell it. But I had other projects I was working on, and I told myself to file it away. The night of April 6, 2007, I had the same dream again. By the night of April 8, 2007, I woke up from the now-familiar dream and wrote only one word:

Alice.

-
I wrote Living Dead Girl because it demanded to be told, and I hope it speaks to you as strongly as it did to me.

INN: How did you break into publication?

ES: Pure luck! I'd been writing for fun for about five years when some friends talked me into sending a few short stories out. To my complete shock, they were published, and I eventually ended up writing a query letter for my first book, Bloom. It sat on my hard drive for a while, but I eventually sent it off and was lucky enough to land an agent and sell Bloom.
-

INN: Living Dead Girl has received starred reviews from writers, reviewers and readers. What's it like to see people love your work?

ES: Fabulous! Especially hearing from readers. That's my favorite thing EVER.

INN: What are you reading right now?

ES: American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld.

INN: Any advice for teen writers?

ES: Well, I'd say if you're a teen writer, you're probably already super aware of what you need to do in terms of writing, and I'd just say to keep two things in mind:

1. Make sure you look into any agents/publishers you decide to query about your work, and don't rush to sign anything!

2. Read. And don't just read what you love--if you love science-fiction, try reading poetry. If you love poetry, try reading thrillers. I really think there's such an amazing variety of great writing out there--and really, what's better than a fabulous book?

Thank you so much, Elizabeth! Visit Elizabeth Scott at http://www.elizabethwrites.com/.

In My Mailbox / What I Brought Home / Hopelessly Plagiarized Attempts At Recounting Books Taken

2009-01-01T12:02:00.001-08:00

The Story Siren has had to cut back reviews over at www.thestorysiren.com to take care of her puppy. My heart goes out to her-- we have a puppy who just needs a birth certificate to be a legal member of the family, and if he ever got seriously ill... yeah. So, in honor of her and because I have found some new books lately, here is a version of In My Mailbox/What I Have Now/Books That Found My Address.
Lord of Misrule by Rachel Caine was sent to me by Penguin (thank you!) and I started this one on the flight over. So far, not in love, but I've got 200 pages to go.

In Too Deep by Jennifer Banash, also sent by Penguin. This I was prepared to hate, and read subsequently in about an hour. It's so addictive. Review to come soon.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart is one of the 4 books on my Best Books of 2008 list. I was given quite a lot of cash for B&N, so I promptly picked up this, my favorite book of the year. I ordered online (new and exciting!) and hopefully will have it soon...

Dramarama by E. Lockhart is the only E. Lockhart YA I have not read. It's in paperback and impossible to find in school, so on to the virtual shopping cart it went. (Weird. You buy books... without touching them. Strange.)

The Conde Nast Traveler Book of Unforgettable Journeys: Great Writers on Great Places. How could I resist? The cover alone is delicious.

Now, I'm planning on picking up Cracked Up to Be tomorrow and I still have about $9-10 leftover. The question is, what YA paperback written by a fairly new author would you recommend? I'll buy it if it looks good. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles comes to mind, but please recommend things!

(Ooh. I also received The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen and Graceling ... I am a spoiled brat. I have books. Goodness.)

How to Use a Writing Book

2008-12-31T06:42:00.000-08:00

I'm currently digging through Travel Writing by L. Peat Neil, a fabulous explanation of how to get into the exotic field of, well, travel writing. Here are some tips I have for getting the most out of your writing books.

1. Take lots of notes. Underline passages that you like, and rewrite the main points in a notebook. Don't forget to mark inspirational passages as well as technical how-tos.

2. Write down your ideas. As I read writing books, I usually think of new articles I could sell or techniques to try. Write these down! Don't hesitate to stop reading for 10 or 15 minutes to flesh out the next big idea.

3. Review the book. If you have a book reviewing blog, review the writing textbook. It's nice to formalize your opinion of a wri-book, it will boost your site hits and you can help the author out by spreading the word. (Yet, if it's a crappy book, say so.)

Another Reason My Parents Rock Socks

2008-12-30T11:40:00.000-08:00

In addition to Travel Writing by L. Peat Neil, which promises to be the best textbook on travel writing ever, they bought me The Complete Poetical Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. However, was this a normal store copy? Nope. My copy is over 100 years old, published circa 1890.

How does it get better than this?

(My sister bought me an Edward poster, but that's different.)

Pictures and blogging to flood the site in the next few days.

Holiday Bookshelf: A Conversation with Courtney Summers, Part 3

2008-12-28T13:24:00.001-08:00

Courtney Summers lives and writes in Canada where she divides her time between a piano, a camera, and word-processing program when she’s not planning for the impending zombie apocalypse. She enjoys Archie comics, Trailer Park Boys, and other fine art. Pierre Trudeau is her hero and if you are a volcano, she would like to know you. - www.courtneysummers.ca

INN: Have you ever read Judy Blume, and if you have, what's your favorite title by her?

CS: Judy Blume is an inspiration and an icon. So many of her books have resonated with me at different points in my life. From Superfudge to Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret--I honestly don't think I could pick a clear favorite!

INN: Any advice for teen writers?

CS: So often I see teen writers subtly discouraged from writing towards publication--they're told to wait until they're older and I hate that! So my advice to teen writers is this: don't let anyone tell you that you can't or shouldn't write right now. Just go straight at it!

Thank you so much, Courtney! Readers, run over to www.courtneysummers.ca to learn more about Courtney and her books, and visit her awesome blog.

And sorry this was later! I've had a few techie issues and conflicts with Christmas meals. Regular posting will resume Tuesday. Meanwhile, enjoy the break!

Holiday Bookshelf: A Conversation with Courtney Summers, Part Two

2008-12-24T05:52:00.000-08:00

- Happy Christmas Eve, everyone! Here's Part Two of our interview with Courtney Summers, debut author of Cracked Up to Be. -

INN: I absolutely love your title. How did you choose it?

CS: Thank you! My sister came up with it. I had a bad title that I knew wasn't going to fly, so we brainstormed over IMs. I sent her a really, REALLY not-so-great summary of the book and she started slinging potential titles at me and I kept rejecting them until she suggested "Not All It's Cracked Up to Be." I stared at it for a minute, chopped off the first three words, thanked her profusely and promised her if it got published, the world would know she thought it up (thanks, Megan!).

INN: What are your thoughts about perfectionism in teen life?

CS: That need for order and control, to be the best, can be so emotionally taxing, especially when you're a teenager because being a teenager is one of the most crazy, fantastically imperfect times in life. And so much personal growth comes from making mistakes and NOT being perfect. It's distressing to think of teens-- or anyone, really-- holding themselves to impossibly high standards and punishing themselves when they don't meet them.

Thanks to Courtney for participating! Part Three will come on Boxing Day. If you don't know what that is, look it up and guess what part of the world I'm in!

Bookshelf: Welcome to Courtney Summers! Part One

2008-12-20T03:34:00.001-08:00

- We'll be doing this in segments over the holiday! Thanks so much to Courtney for participating. -

Courtney Summers is the debut author of Cracked Up to Be (St. Martin's Press.)

INN: How did you break into publishing?

CS: It took a lot of time, a lot of writing, a lot of querying and a lot of rejections before I broke in (I'd call it chipping in, really!). Cracked Up to Be was my fourth completed novel. As with my other novels, I researched agents, made up a list of those I thought would be interested in it and queried them. My agent responded within a couple of days of my querying her, requested the full, and shortly thereafter, made an offer of representation. We worked together to clean up the manuscript and she sent it out to editors as the end of August, 2007. By the end of September, we got an offer and my agent sold my book to St. Martin's Press. It was very exciting and amazing to me at the time (it still is!)-- but fairly straightforward typed out like this.

INN: Your novel is about "perfect" Parker Fadley whose "perfect" life disintegrates for a mysterious reason. Where did you find the idea for this story?

CS: The idea for Cracked Up to Be came from the question, "What's the worst thing you've ever done?" Parker's voice came to me loud and clear, but I wasn't sure what her deal was so I built her story around that question. I'm really fascinated by how easy it is for people-- whether they do so intentionally or not-- make the kind of mistakes you can't easily recover from. If you can recover from them at all...

Part Two comes later this week!

Update from the Travelling Applicant

2008-12-20T03:32:00.000-08:00

Hello, all!

Posting will be scarce during the holidays as I'm celebrating Christmas and the end to applying to college with a trip to London, and don't have a laptop on me. Enjoy the coming-up interview with Courtney Summers, author of the just-about-to-be released Cracked Up to Be.

Tarry ho!

Your Austen-Loving Blogger

We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Programming to Announce

2008-12-16T05:03:00.000-08:00

Gabrielle Has Finished Her Last College Application!

______ of the Week

2008-12-15T15:39:00.001-08:00

The Best Book Trailers of the Week

For writers with cinematic inclinations towards literature

The Simone Elkeles "Perfect Chemistry" Book Trailer

Which Rocks My Socks Off

(Even though I didn't like Leaving Paradise, the writing was decent and this book looks hot!)

www.simoneelkeles.net

The Courtney Summers "Cracked Up to Be" Book Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W780uhhpM8g

(Because Courtney's visiting this Saturday! and I love this.)

Bookshelf: Danika's Totally Terrible Toss

2008-12-14T11:48:00.001-08:00

It was fun to dip into middle grade after so much George Eliot and teenfic this week, with Danika's Totally Terrible Toss by Dannah Gresh. This is part of the Secret Keeper Girls series, where four different authors take four different stories about four middle school girls (the fourness!) who have different problems in school, and are united in a desire to be good friends and keep trust between each other.

The book was cute. Danika's life is ruled by the belief that your lunch table partners are the most important thing in the cafeteria, and her anger at the situation is directed towards a Flurp-throwing incident with the lunchlady. Through the book, Danika learns the importance of holding on to friends and of giving to others. It's nice to read this after the ridiculous Clique series tries to convince the world that all 12-year-olds date.

I would have enjoyed the book more if Danika had learned how to deal with anger, because that's a lesson that's never taught to young teen girls. We're not supposed to be angry, remember? Throwing Flurp across the caf won't solve much, but being honest and forthright does. The ending reminded me of Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (the movie), but overall the author did a good job of relating the self-consciousness that is the H2O of middle school. Thank God that's over, right?

Three Things to Do Right Now

2008-12-12T15:37:00.000-08:00

To get published:

1. Subscribe to "The Writing Kid," "Funds for Writers" and "Funds for Writers: Small Markets" over at www.fundforwriters.com. They're free newsletters with weekly advice on getting published and appropriate markets. If you're already a subscriber, go through the past 3 issues and outline 5 magazines or anthologies you could write for.

2. Spend ten minutes brainstorming article and short story ideas. Brainstorming: don't rule anything out, have fun being ridiculous, go to every extreme. The coolest ideas come out of the weirdest ideating sessions.

3. Start writing your bio. Write a summary of everything you've done so far; write a bio that you want to come true in a year; write a bio focusing on everything weird and wonderful about you; write a bio that makes you sound like the Rhodes Scholar of all Rhodes Scholars. Start creating the brand that is your name.

The Science of Being a Weird Teen

2008-12-11T14:02:00.000-08:00

I was at an NHS eligibility meeting at my high school and like every normal kid between the ages of 13 and 19, raised my hand and asked what we should do if we want to write about an activity that had no adult sponsor.

"What kind of activity?" asked the teacher.

"Um, like an independent project."

"What kind of independent project?"

"Like... well, it's a blog, for teen writ-- I'm sure the [200 people] here don't want to hear about it."

Sure enough, the [colloquial phrase] peanut gallery enjoyed repeating my question ("Does blogging count?") but somehow I doubt I will see them at the induction ceremony. You gotta love high school.

The vignette illustrates the reality we live in, being part of a writing universe online and the real world we can touch without a mousepad. I keep writing and life separate; it's easier than explaining to my lunch table the difficulties of query openers. Compartmentalized? Sure. But the differences between my so-called "night life" as a blogger and writer and "day job" as a fashionable and nerdy high school student make writing- real writing- more interesting.

Later I'll be posting some Top Publishing Tips, but in the meanwhile I need to work on my (last) college application and (too many) scholarship applications and then this thing called homework. This is after I've done a happy dance because of all the author emails I've gotten this week AND the crazy, wonderful people who like to follow my blog.

Moi? Quasi-popular? Never, I'm too weird.

Who Do You Want to Hang Out With (Author Interviews)

2008-12-09T06:03:00.000-08:00

We have another December interview and one in January lined up, but otherwise I'm looking for suggestions for bookshelf interviews. I'm game for every YA author and willing to look at adult authors too, if they're translatable into a YA genre. If you are an author, please nominate yourself! or email me at innovativeteen@gmail.com. If you're a reader, feel free to comment with as many authors as you want. Author website addresses are helpful.

January will also feature our Career Week, which I'm still putting together. School! Go away!

______ of the Week

2008-12-08T06:02:00.000-08:00

Edith Wharton Quote of the Week

For improving the writer's mind with great literature

The air of ideas is the only air worth breathing.
-
- Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence

Bookshelf: Hello to Janette Rallison!

2008-12-06T19:30:00.000-08:00

Janette lives in Chandler, Arizona with her husband, five children and enough cats to classify her as "an eccentric cat lady." She did not do this on purpose. (The cats, that is; she had the children on purpose.) Her books have sold over 650,000 copies, including It's a Mall World After All, All's Fair in Love, War and High School and How to Take the Ex Out of Ex-Boyfriend. Her 2009 releases are My Fair Godmother and Just One Wish.

INN: Why did you start writing?
-

JR: Partially I admit, to avoid housework. When standing in my kitchen and I think, "Hmmm, I could clean the fridge or I could write something," writing generally wins out. But I also write because I have characters and stories that constantly run through my head, and I want to write them down so I don't forget them. I'm sure in some times and places in history this was cause for heavy medication, but luckily nowadays you can just call yourself a writer and actually get paid for this malady. This is pretty cool and much better than, say, being burned at the stake.
-

INN: Several of your books (All's Fair in Love and War, Revenge of the Cheerleaders) feature cheerleaders. Were you a cheerleader, and if not, what did you think of cheerleaders when you were in high school?
-
JR: I was a cheerleader for my freshman year of high school. I liked cheerleading better than playing the sports because I'm not a competitive person. I just don't want to fight with anybody over who gets a ball. Howeve, it became apparent really fast that I wasn't cut out to be a cheerleader. I have double-jointed elbows and it isn't a pretty sight when you're doing cheers.
-
Cheerleaders carry a serious stigma in our society. Just the word 'cheerleader' is enough to evoke hate and disdain (or envy and approval) from certain groups of people. Really, cheerleaders are like anybody else--only wearing short, tacky skirts. Some are wonderful people and some should be banished to an island with Paris Hilton and ignored for the rest of their lives. -
INN: What can you tell us about your new 2009 releases, Just One Wish and My Fair Godmother?

-
JR: They are both fabulous books!!!! And I'm not just saying that because I wrote them. If I hadn't written them I would still love them and probably carry them around forcing them on strangers, saying, "Have you read these incredibly brilliant books?" This, by the way, is why I get invited to very few dinner parties. My Fair Godmother (January 2009) is romantic comedy about a girl who wishes for the perfect prom date (her boyfriend just dumped her for her older sister) and her less than competent fairy godmother sends her back to the Middle Ages, where she ends up being both Cinderella and Snow White. In order to get back to the present day she has to help a friend kill an ogre, slay a dragon, and defeat a mysterious and hunky black knight.

In Just One Wish Annika is trying to give her little brother (who is about to go into surgery for a brain tumor) his favorite wish--to meet the actor who plays Teen Robin Hood in a popular T.V. series. She sets off for Hollywood to find and convince him to come back with her to visit her brother. Although this book has a serious and thought-provoking undertone, it is still a romantic comedy too.
-
INN: Have you ever taken a funny scenario from real life (a prank, joke or awkward situation) and written it into one of your books?
-
JR: I use real events from my life and my friends’ lives all the time. Once I even went as far as taking the dialogue from my teenage daughter's cell phone and using it in a scene. That psychotic cat scene from All's Fair in Love, War, and High School--yeah, that actually happened to me, but I was by myself at the time and not on a date. There aren't a lot of advantages to driving through traffic wearing a psychotic on your head, but if you're a writer you can always use this kind of stuff in your novels.

INN: What's the craziest thing that's happened since you've been published?

JR: Crazy is just a way of life for me, although I don't think it has anything to do with being published. It's more about having five children. Seriously, you take your one-year-old twins and their three-year-old brother to a store and things get crazy real fast. (I'm so glad they’re all older now.) As far as writing goes . . . I still find it weird if people recognize me. It doesn't happen very often though. Mostly I'm just your average person, except that instead of dressing up to go to work somewhere every day, I stay in my pajamas and work on my laptop.

INN: Any advice for teen writers?

JR: Keep reading, keep writing, but go to college and get a degree in something that makes money because generally it takes a long time (if ever) for writers to be able to support themselves on a writing income. But trust me, it's still worth it!

Thank you, Janette!

Visit Janette Rallison at her website (www.janetterallison.com) and blog (www.janette-rallison.blogspot.com).

And the Winner Is...

2008-12-06T17:54:00.000-08:00

Christy!

Christy's won a copy of Chicken Soup: Teens Talk Relationships. This was done in the traditional Innovative manner with a kitchen bowl, paper and miniscule scissors. I photographed the process and had my sister pick the winner (Yay Christy!) blindly. I would post the photos now, except I've had an epic day (which I will blog about later) and last time I tried to connect our camera to the computer, the screen literally went AWOL. Fuzzy lines and noises and everything.

Christy, send me your mailing address (hopefully you live in the US or Canada, but if not, we can work it out.) My email is in the profile. If Christy doesn't claim the prize by Saturday, the 13th, there will be a new winner.

Thanks to everyone who commented and followed! We'll be running more giveaways and fabulousness next year.

Help Teens Run a Magazine

2008-12-03T17:49:00.001-08:00

Run over to www.genv.net/bestbuy and see a contest called Best Buy @ 15, with 30 teen finalists competing for $10,000 to fund their project. The Chen siblings (Jenny is a New Moon reader!) are trying to get increased funding for their start-up magazine, JJ Express, which sounds like an awesome idea and opportunity for teens. Take a minute and vote for them.

Writing Wisdom from Tiger-Loving Pantheist Authors

2008-12-02T17:36:00.000-08:00

In spite of the obvious, shining promise of it, there comes a moment when you realize that he whisper that has been pestering you all along from the back of your mind is speaking the flat, awful truth: it won't work. An element is missing, that spark that brings to life a real story, regardless of whether the history or the food is right. Your story is emotionally dead, that's the crux of it...

Along the way, I got the response, "A writer? Is that so? I have a story for you...

The elderly man said, "I have a story that will make you believe in God."

- Yann Martel, Life of Pi

______ of the Week

2008-12-01T16:43:00.000-08:00

Brand New YA Blog of the Week

www.yareads.com/forum/

Ivy from YAReads.com emailed me this week to tell me about her site. YAReads.com is a blog/site/forum dedicated to reviewing books, and they have a positively spiffy background. They've reviewed some cool books like Cycler and have started their forum with book swaps and the like. Have a happy Monday.

Recycling the Assigned Calendar of Life and Stress (WORD)

2008-11-30T18:46:00.001-08:00

That sounds very Zen of me, doesn't it? Weird.

Many of you know I have been working on a novel since last February, entitled The Destruction of an Honor Student. I love this book, I've loved writing it and I'm very positive about its future. Using tips from Kelly L. Stone's Time to Write, I set out a master goal to have the book written by September 1, rewritten by October 15 and finished by December 1. I met the first two deadlines with ferocity. I haven't edited my book since October.

What happened?

In a word: school. I'm taking four AP classes, two instruments with a performing ensemble and honors orchestra, applying to seven colleges (which takes MUCH longer than you'd think), going to see Twilight, participating in a thousand different clubs... I'm not complaining, and as hectic as life is, I love what I'm doing. But when I'm writing and re-writing essays every night, I don't have time to be working on a book.

At least in November I didn't.

So, I changed my schedule from Gabrielle-whining to Gabrielle-being-deliberate. I chose to take November off from novel-writing (and freelancing, but that's another story.) When I go back to my book on December 1 (and finish by midnight on New Years'), I will look at it with googly eyes and a fair amount of disgust. December will see the end of college applications and my life-in-bondage to College Board.* December will see Destruction finished.

Recycle the calendar that you have been given. Life will never stoop to accomodate writing, and sometimes writing can't happen because other things are more important. Just don't forget you're a writer. Look at the world with a writer's eyes. Journal every night. Check out books from your school library and read them in between classes. Then, when you go back to work with a sigh and a skip and a little tear, you will be a better writer for it.

*After December 6th, I will no longer be taking College Board tests. I have promised to burn my big blue book. If I can find a safe place to do so, I will burn the $%@! thing and take pictures to prove it.

That Sarah Dessen Mood

2008-11-28T12:12:00.000-08:00

I have resisted Sarah Dessen for about three years. My friend Rachel once said that authors who write a lot of the same kind of books are not very good, and said this while looking at Sarah Dessen's newest release. I agreed with her.

Yet one weekend this fall, I was exhausted and frustrated and low. This happens when my normal schedule (creature of habit, what can I say?) is thwonked and I have too much or too little going on. I needed a book that wouldn't require too much higher thought, that was well-written enough not to annoy me and that would convince me that true love and fulfillment are possible. I picked up Keeping the Moon, since I mistakenly thought this was her best one (it's not.)

I liked it.

I'm in the middle of This Lullaby right now (which I adore.) That's the thing about her books, I'm predicting: they're adorable. They won't rock your worldview or make you cry too hard or persuade you to join the Peace Corps, but they rock you to sleep when you're tired and change your mood from I am Cranky and Disillusioned to Maybe The World Can Be Beautiful.

To a Sarah Dessen mood.

Quick Thoughts on College Essay Editing

2008-11-26T05:34:00.000-08:00

- At this point, I'm thrilled if my parents tell me that a part of it is "good."
- At this point, I'm not emotionally attached to my essays (which is really good.)
- I've edited several of my friends' essays and learn more about my own writing in the process.
- Always use active verbs.
- Always put the focus on YOU and not the college/hero/school/toy in question.
- Don't be trite.
- Write like you talk to grown-ups and you'll be fine.
- It's a little unnerving to write an essay that may be worth more than $50,000 for merit scholarships.
- If I edited my freelance stuff as intensely as these college essays, I'd be the Writer of the Year. They don't even have that award but I'd win it.
- You learn a lot.

Peace and E. Lockhart

2008-11-24T18:38:00.000-08:00

It's strange.

After figuring out the college deadline I (almost) missed, after handing in a trillion assignments, after preparing for an all-day field trip and then Thanksgiving, after writing multiple college essays and re-writing and re-writing (about which I'll write more later), after surviving cold temperatures, after worrying and worrying and worrying and fixing a Physics lab, I'm feeling like there's not a heck of a lot to worry about right now.

Strange.

Oh. And the fact that the title of E. Lockhart's third Ruby novel is The Treasure Map of Boys. She is writing. The third. Ruby Oliver. Novel. By the time I read it, I'll almost be at college.

Wow.

______ of the Week

2008-11-24T04:59:00.000-08:00

Gabriellism of the Week

For writers in the college application process

Applying to college is like cheating on your boyfriend. You spend 500 words telling College X that they're the love of your life and press "submit." Then you write another 500 words naughtily describing to a second college how good it's going to be when you get together, while tearfully explaining to number three that their existence prevented you from committing suicide. Like all cheating, it's stressful.

- Gabrielle Linnell

Bookshelf: Hello to Jay Asher!!

2008-11-22T18:25:00.000-08:00

13 Reasons Why was one of those books everyone kept recommending and I never could find the time to read. I finally did this summer, and was blown away. If I had done a 2007 Best Books of the Year list, Jay Asher's debut would be on it. This book is so appealing to both super-readers and non-readers and so accurate about teen life and struggle with depression. I could go on for hours and hours, but instead I am so happy to present Mr. Jay Asher.
-

INN: Why did you start writing?
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JA: I've enjoyed writing ever since I learned how to write. I was never great at drawing or music, so writing was the one creative outlet where I felt somewhat confident. After I took a college class on the history of children's literature, I finally discovered the type of writing I wanted to pursue. But I was only writing on humorous books for younger children until I began working on Thirteen Reasons Why.
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INN: Thirteen Reasons Why combines the tapes of Hannah's narration with Clay's "real time" thoughts and actions. When you wrote, what was it like combining the two?
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JA: It was fairly easy once I got going. At first, I tried writing their stories exactly as they are now, with Hannah saying something and then Clay reacting. But it became difficult to keep their voices distinct. So I spent about a year-and-a-half writing Hannah's story all the way through. And then I went back and added Clay's story. By the time I began writing from Clay's perspective, I'd forgotten many of the things that happened to Hannah, which actually helped me capture some of Clay's tension while he listened to the tapes...because I felt tense, too!
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INN: Which character resembles you the most? The least?
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JA: Clay resembles me the most, especially when I was in high school. He's a good guy overall, but sometimes he has trouble standing up for what's right. And I hope I'm the least like Bryce. From what we know about him in the story, he completely lacks any concern for others.
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INN: Your book has received universally outstanding reviews, by everyone from aged librarians to teens to critics. What has it been like to receive such recognition?
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JA: When they praise the writing itself, I feel very satisfied because I worked hard at that. But when someone tells me the stories of Clay and Hannah meant so much to them and made them a better person, I definitely glow inside, but I also get a little shy. This was a very personal story for me, and when someone really understands and appreciates what I was trying to say, there's an odd sense of being emotionally exposed.
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INN: What's up next in your writing career?
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JA: I'm working on my next book for teens, which you'll hopefully also enjoy. And then I'll write another one. And another. But someday I'd love to see those humorous books for younger children I've written sitting on bookshelves rather than just in my computer.
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INN: Any advice for teen writers?
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JA: The best thing anyone can do to improve their writing is join a critique group. It's one thing to write for yourself, but it's something else to write with the goal of having other people read your words. And the only way to make sure your words reflect exactly what you meant to say is to have someone else give you an honest critique.

I've been in groups where about ten writers met every-other-week to discuss what each other was working on, and I'm now in a group with only two other writers. As long as your group is honest and tells you your strengths and weaknesses...and as long as you're willing to honestly consider their suggestions...your writing will improve dramatically.

Thank you so much, Jay! Visit Jay at www.jayasher.com and www.discomermaids.blogspot.com.

One of Them

2008-11-20T19:37:00.001-08:00

I finished the essay about 1 hour and 20 minutes after starting, with several interruptions, so I think that's pretty good. I'll let you know how I do. Meanwhile, anyone up for a fabulous Chicken Soup: Teens Talk Relationships? Look on the sidebar. And, um, yeah. The most amazing debut author of 2007 is coming. To this. Blog. On. Saturday.
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I'm a little psyched, and not just because I wrote 720 words in about an hour.

One of Those

2008-11-20T18:16:00.000-08:00

To write a 700-word essay in 1 hour (not entirely from scratch, mind you, but the original copy was left at school with several original thoughts) it is best to follow to schedule below.

0-15mins: Write 250 words
15-30mins: Write 250 words
30-45mins: Write 250 words
45-58mins: Edit
58-60mins: Polish format and submit

Let's see if I can do it. Will report in approximately 1.1 hours.

Save Yourself Freelance Worries

2008-11-17T17:33:00.000-08:00

I recently submitted an article and after I sent it, realized I had failed to check whether a magazine was still in print. Checked it out and, sure enough, they had gone out of print several months ago. This was a classic example of a blonde moment (err- a dumb moment, anyway) that does no good for anybody. I've done this a few times throughout my 3+ years of freelancing and it's always embarrassing, though editors are very kind about it.

How can you save yourself from this?

Check and cite even the most well-known facts. Check to make sure pi is 3.14. That the world is round. That Columbus sailed it in 1492. That the ocean is blue. Worst case scenario, you lose fifteen minutes to confirming your own knowledge. Best case, you save yourself a lot of time and trouble.

Do the whole read-aloud thing. I'm much more of a fan of reading aloud short pieces because I don't get laryngitis as a result. Reading aloud can help you catch silly errors that otherwise your tired eyes glaze over.

Make a checklist of submission guidelines. Sometimes bloopers come in the form of forgetting to include your address, or formatting, or something that's a forgettable quick-fix. When you find magazine guidelines, make a brief Word checklist of how to submit the article so you don't get rejected on a stupid little thing like email attachments.

Any other tips for preventing silly preventable mistakes? Dying your hair brown might work, but then again, I've had auburn hair for my whole life.

______ of the Week

2008-11-17T05:04:00.000-08:00

Lyrics of the Week

Relient K: In Love with the 80s

...When you're the president of the breakfast club

And you're not hesitant to fall in love

To fall in love with the eighties, to fall away

To fall in love with the eighties.

I am going to wear a pink tux to the prom

Live without a care, what can possibly go wrong

I am going to wear a pink tux to the prom

Live without a care cause you threw it away to fall in love,

with the eighties

- www.spiritsounds.com

WORD: Impetus

2008-11-16T16:16:00.000-08:00

This is brief because I've got an impetus of my own and need to master it.

Impetus:
1. a force that moves something along [syn: drift]
2. the act of applying force suddenly; "the impulse knocked him over"
- www.dictionary.com

Impetus is what propels you, when you get that feeling that blows you away, when the plot problem finally makes sense and makes great art, the song that brings dance back, the ambition bright in the early morning when the world is possible.

Don't wait for the impetus to write, because you won't write much. But when you get it-- some way, some how-- take it and run.

Bookshelf: This Book Isn't Fat, It's Fabulous

2008-11-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

by Nina Beck
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I picked this one up because I'm interested in books about weight, especially non-diet books about such topics. Riley sounded awesome and she was: this snarky, mean size 14/16 who gets around and doesn't let anybody tell her what to do. The last line doesn't work with Dad, though, so she gets shipped off to fat camp... though not before making out with her BFF's crush and lying to the other BFF about where she's going.
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The book was fun and there were some awesome one-liners. I appreciated how Beck pointed out the obvious problems in any Riley-D romance and Eric can pretty much take me to prom right now. Howevah, darlings, I was disappointed by the ending. Why, you ask? Wasn't it a super happy ending?
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Exactly. I'm becoming a miser, ever since Breaking Dawn unleashed its venom on the world. I hate perfectly happy endings and This Book Isn't Fat, It's Fabulous had a perfectly happy ending. I wish Riley had had some serious consequences, or choices or decisions to make. The ending also felt badly plotted, and for me-who-hates-plot-in-all-its-forms to say this, it was badly plotted.
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Overall, characterization brilliant but I wish the characters had made difficult decisions, and that the ending was a tad more bittersweet than ultra milk chocolate. I want to see Riley play a butt-kicking plus-size Ophelia.

Some Notes on Selling Books

2008-11-13T16:26:00.000-08:00

I want to sell books in a bookstore. Not somebody else's; mine. I want to have the throngs of bubbling fans, gasping with love for their idol, swooning over the magnificence of literary prose and the author's extreme good looks and oh-how-much-they-think-she-rocks and maybe nominate her for the Entertainer of the Year award just like Stephenie Meyer...
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I'm not completely clueless, but I will sell my books one day. I met one author selling her books at B&N this week who got me thinking about the Dos and Don'ts of hand-selling in person. I'm a millenial, perpetually frightened of human-human interaction and much more comfortable on the Internet, so authors and will-be authors, pay attention.
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Big shiny things help. Author X had two great blow-up billboard things of her covers that were professional and bling-like. It drew attention to her books and reinforced that she was a Published Author.
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Push back a little. This author talked us the moment we walked in from the cold outside because she was right there. I didn't know what she was talking about till I put two and two together. Authors, please put yourself in the Correct Section or at least a little more into the store. In-your-face, not digging it.
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Be hip, cool, attractive. The "young" thing is hard to pull off when you're 65. But if you're selling to teens, I'll be honest: it helps to be a twenty or thirtysomething. I have serious ageism problems when it comes to trusting a fifty-six-year-old in a knitted vest with $8.99 about a rocker/model/Judy Blume deal.
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If you are an older author marketing to teen readers, dress well and age-appropriate, and bring along a team of drama kids. I'm not kidding. Find a group of drama nerds, pay them $20 to stand with you for two hours and do skits, hand out fliers, prank the bookstore people and act like monkeys because then I will believe you know something about teen life.
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Don't love your book. I know your book is the next Big Thing, but book-love comes off as excessive narcissism. Be friendly, ask about me and my interests, tease me about my ugly sweater, flirt with me if it's legal, find appropriate jokes or inappropriate ones that you can pan off as "so dumb," be interesting. If you are, then your book will be.
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I'm resisting the temptation that Facebook is, calling my name, promising me that it's so easy to sign up and that it's a social utility that connects you to the people around you... must not click, must not click, must not click or those Ivy League applications might as well be kerfluffel. And the fact that I'm on page 167 of Saving Zoe by Alyson Noel and the whole internet social thing isn't looking good. Nor is Marc, though I can't figure out whether I like him or not. (WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?)

Teens Talk Relationships, Gabrielle Talks Reviews

2008-11-12T15:06:00.001-08:00

Sibling #2 is screaming, "Thief! Thief! Sock thief!" at Sibling #3 who is conveniently deaf (and didn't know about the socks' origins.) Relationships are funny things, and all the funny, sad and romantic parts of our human-human connections are explored in Chicken Soup's compilation, Teens Talk Relationships.

I haven't read as many Chicken Soup books as I'd like, but I love this one. If anything, the franchise is incredible because it lives up to its name: the stories are comforting, often sweet, sometimes sad. I love the story of Michelle and the rose, the stories of first love and almost love and love lost. I'm not a huge fan of the poetry bits and some of the stories are not well-written. Overall, I'm impressed with the honesty of people sharing their stories, with the challenge to risk everything to gain a good relationship, with Chicken Soup for delivering another winner.

Look at the thingie on the right sidebar to win a copy of Chicken Soup.

______ of the Week

2008-11-10T05:23:00.000-08:00

Welcome the weekly feature, _____ of the Week, where Gabrielle spotlights a random WriTeenlike thing of the week. If you want to nominate a book/blog/barette for ____ of the Week, leave a comment.

Disney Product of the Week:

The Little Mermaid Broadway Pen

For writing your way out of the sea

http://disneyshopping.go.com/disney/store/DSIProductDisplay?catalogId=10002&storeId=10051&productId=1235558&langId=-1&categoryId=39512&catalogFromSearch=10002

Bookshelf: Hello to Blake Snyder!

2008-11-08T08:13:00.000-08:00

In his 20-year career as a screenwriter and producer, Blake Snyder has sold dozens of scripts, including co-writing Blank Check, which became a hit for Disney, and Nuclear Family for Steven Spielberg -- both million-dollar sales. Named "one of Hollywood's most successful spec screenwriters," Blake continues to write and sell screenplays, most recently a 2006 sale of a horror-comedy. His book, Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need was published in May 2005, and is now in its thirteenth printing, having sold over 50,000 copies. Blake has a B.A. in English from Georgetown University and lives in Beverly Hills, California. He is a member of the Writers Guild of America, west.

INN: When you were a teen, did you know you wanted to be a screenwriter?
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BS: Yes! My father was a TV producer. I was in "the business" from a very early age. He put me to work doing voices for his cartoon series like "Roger Ramjet" and "The Big Blue Marble." When I visited my Dad at his office, he always parked me in the "writers room." I got to hang out with the guys who wrote Roger Ramjet -- Jim Thurman and Gene Moss -- and I thought they had the greatest job ever! So when it came time to sit down and write anything, "Fade In" was the first thing I ever wrote.
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My first script was a comedy and I wrote it when I was 17 or I should say, I almost wrote it. I did not finish that script! I didn't finish it primarily because I did not know anything about how to structure a story. At the time it was very frustrating! I wanted to write a screenplay, I had read a few screenplays so I knew the secret meaning of what "INT." and "EXT." mean (these stand for INTERIOR and EXTERIOR the indiciation of whether a scene being shot is outdoors or indoors).

I had a lot of wonderful ideas and pictures and characters in my head, but I could not finish that script because I did not know what was expected of me. It's one of the reasons I wrote Save the Cat! Now as a successful screenwriter for many years, with million dollar sales to the likes of Steven Spielberg, and getting to write fun movies like Blank Check for Disney, I want everyone with a "great idea" to not have that frustrating experience of "running out of gas" and only being able to write "half a script."
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INN: Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies, your second book to Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need is a guide for all writers to the basic nature of stories. Why do you think that, as people, we still like to hear the same stories over and over again?
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BS: Well, I agree we like to hear the same story.... only different! Here's an example of a type of movie I talk about in that book called "Monster in the House" that we've all seen a million versions of, but it goes back to a very primal, very old story type we've been telling for centuries. I can tell you the Greek myth of the Minotaur and the Maze. It's scary! There's this really cool monster -- a half man/half bull! And there's this really scary place our hero is sent to do battle with this monster -- a maze. I can see it in my mind, it's dark and spooky in there, with lots of twists and turns, maybe a few survivors trapped in its dark corners, waiting for our hero to come free them and kill the monster. Great story.
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Now flash forward to the movie “Alien.” You have the same elements: a very scary monster -- a space creature that keeps morphing into a bigger and scarier creature; you have the twists and turns of the spaceship The Nostromo where the "monster" is running amok killing all on board. And you have a new kind of hero for our age -- a woman -- Sigourney Weaver. We love this story! And the lesson, the moral of the story is the same as the Minotaur in the Maze: don't... get... EATEN! And yet “Alien” resonates with us and this era -- relatively speaking -- because to us it's a slightly different version.

Now flash forward a little more. The movie “Saw.” Same set up. Same lesson. You may think it's brand new -- but it's not. It's just the same story told for a new age. The trick for writers is to learn why certain stories, and certain elements in them, will always attract us, and learn how to tweak any story to make it relevant to a new generation. To me, this is the coolest aspect of being a writer, learning a craft that has a long and honorable tradition.
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INN: You've been involved with a project in the LA school system, helping seniors write an industry-standard screenplay as their final paper. Why did you get involved, and what was that experience like? ( http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-draft12-2008may12,0,3848254.story )
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BS: I love writers. I love working with writers to help them formulate their ideas into stories that resonate. I love making it as simple as possible to jump in and play with these very powerful storytelling tools. Save the Cat! is the book that does this and has broken open the seemingly impossible to break into movie industry. This book fell into the hands of Peter Cook, a veteran high school teaacher who thought he could use it to teach screenwriting to his senior class. Peter contacted me, and I was thrilled to particpate along with our software partners Final Draft (the only screenwriting formatting software to use in my opinion). Well, would you believe it -- every one of the students in that class wrote a full, perfectly structured screenplay.

But we had even greater success there! One of those projects, a zombie movie called “Dead Halls,” was actually optioned by a major Hollywood producer. I am now working with Peter and with Final Draft to bring out a version of Save the Cat! specifically designed for a high school curriculum and I couldn't be more exicted. Again, my goal is to help everyone who want to write, do so.
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INN: Apart from being all dialogue, what makes screenwriting different from other writing genres?

BS: I don't know if it is. Story is story. That's my favorite motto. In my book, I have something called the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet (named after someone we all know and love!) It has 15 key plot points that occur in EVERY story. No, it's not a "formula" and no, it's not a strait jacket to make you feel confined into having to tell a story with certain beats happening at certain times, but it IS a guide, a map, a loose organization to help anyone who wants to tell a story. You will find these 15 beats in a 30 second commmercial on TV, you will find them in a novel, a musical, even in a speech by a politician.
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Why? For the same reason we like to hear similar stories over and over again -- because it works. The only real difference I see in screenwriting is that the finished product -- an actual script -- is not a finished product. Unlike a a book that is in itself complete, a screenplay is only a blueprint for further action. Someone must take it, invest in the possibility that it will be a successful final product, and use it to do something else -- use it for the basis of a film.

This is why it's so important for screenwriters to ask key questions that other writers don't have to ask, namely, who is this for? Will anyone else be interested in seeing this besides me? And is this easy to understand and attractive on its face? Can I get you interested in my script just based on its concept? All these considerations are talked about in my books, and I think it's what makes Save the Cat! readers the smartest and best prepared writers out there -- no matter what type of story they are telling!
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INN: What's the coolest thing about writing in Hollywood?
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BS: I had an office in Santa Barbara, (California) across the street from a movie theater. I wrote a script. Sold it. And a year or so later it was playing across the street from me. I kept thinking to myself: "I write it here, it comes out there!" (a paraphrase of Albert Brooks’ line in the movie, “Broadcast News”) but that was maybe the coolest thing about being a Hollywood writer. When your work actually shows up on screen for others to enjoy, it's an extremely rewarding feeling.

INN: Any advice for teen writers?
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BS: Try every kind of writing there is. In my career I have been the editor of my high school and college newspapers, been a rock critic, a movie critic, written ads for a real estate magazine, been the poetry editor of my college literary journal and also worked in theater, radio and TV as an actor, editor and producer. Every experience in communication is valuable, and there really is no such thing as a small job, or a small part, they are all helping form your skills and your experience. Do it all! And mostly, have FUN doing it!

Thank you so much, Blake! Visit Blake's website at http://www.blakesnyder.com/ and buy Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies here http://www.amazon.com/Save-Cat-Goes-Movies-Screenwriters/dp/1932907351.

WORD: Read to a Friend

2008-11-08T07:58:00.000-08:00

I am not the biggest fan of reading work aloud. I hate reading out loud, I don't have time to do it and have said so. But a late-night experience proved disastrous for my ego and fabulous for my novel, and I should eat my humble pie before it gets cold.
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My best friend was over and we were eating candy at 2 or 3 in the morning when I had the brilliant idea to read sections of my novel out to her. She was somewhat familiar with the story and I filled in whatever plot points we missed. And learned a few things.
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1. Stark writing, anyone? I'm a huge fan of both stark, to-the-point writing and writing a la E. Lockhart and John Green, full of witty repartee. Reading my novel out loud, I realized it failed to do either. There were so many distracting comments that served to make me feel smarter and the reader more confused.
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2. Funny bits are strange. She laughed at the parts I didn't think were especially funny. As in: my grand opinion of my own humor was way off. One of Jessica's authors recently posted about humor and voice (www.bookendslitagency.blogspot.com) and I recommend reading it.
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3. Don't think so much of yourself. I realized how much of my novel was pretentious, more like a girl writing for The New York Times rather than a girl writing a good book. Don't write for critics. Write for yourself, and then your friends, who don't put up with any bull and deserve a story as straightforward as a phone call.
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I have a lot of revising to do before my December 1st deadline, and I'm submitting three college applications today (eek!). But reading my novel aloud to a live human being helps a lot. If I read to myself, I'm not thinking as deeply as I should about what's wrong. So find a friend and subject them to some novel reading and promise to acknowledge them in the back of your book. I will.

Write Your Butts Off

2008-11-06T17:16:00.000-08:00

I never blog about politics. Ever. I feel I don't know enough to make an intelligent contribution, and too much of political discussion is people getting mad without making points. I'm making an exception.
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I can't pretend that I've always been on the Obama bandwagon. I've had my doubts about economic and foreign policy, about experience, and about the validity of my own views. But I was excited by his acceptance speech; I'm excited about the potential new direction of the country. And, in an opportunistic way, thrilled because if you're not writing about being a teenager in this kind of history, you're stupid. I'll get to it this weekend.
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Write for your newspapers, for big magazines, little magazines, for anyone and everyone. Your thoughts right now matter so much- share them.

Giveaway! Giveaway! Give-a-What?!

2008-11-05T14:14:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all who have become followers of the blog; the less I blog, the more people read me... is this a sign?

A publicist for Chicken Soup has generously donated a copy of Chicken Soup: Teens Talk Relationships for an Innovative giveaway. I picked this one because a) I'm a huge romantic and b) relationships interest me more than any other category or topic. I'll be reviewing the book in a few days, but we can start the giveaway process right here.

RULES (Very Simple)

1. Comment on this post with a 2-3 sentence anecdote about a relationship you have. Whether with S.O. or parent or puppy, I do not care. Do you have a relationship? Then you can comment!

2. All comments are counted equally toward an out-of-the-hat drawing on December 1.

Extra Points! (Very Simple)

Extra credit has saved my butt so many times, I'll lend you some.

1. If you commented on Susan Johnston's "Comment for a Cure," you get 3 chances to win.

2. If you become a follower of this blog or have been a follower of this blog, you get 3 chances to win.

3. If you did both, you get 4 chances to win. Don't yell at me, I'm bad at math.

You have till December 1 to win a brand spanking new copy of this anticipated anthology that promises to be the perfect book for when you feel like escaping your own relationships and learning about someone else's.

I'm BACK!

2008-11-03T13:40:00.000-08:00

I have survived the first marking period of my senior year and the Week of Horrors ended, leaving me with straight As and an 80 in Physics (sigh.) This means, apart from a few odds and ends, an election project, the actual election, college applications and orchestra and CD deadlines, I have loads of free time. At least enough for Innovative.
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Thanks for putting up with the dearth of posts. It's my time for penance to the WriTeen community, so what do I have planned?
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Of the Weeks: I'm starting a regular feature every Monday called Of the Week. This will be a word/post/book/toothbrush/random object of the week that will relate to WriTeenism.
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Blake Snyder This Saturday! Blake Snyder is a screenwriter and author of books about screenwriting, including Save the Cat! The Last Book On Screenwriting You'll Ever Need. He'll be chatting with us about his involvement with inner city schools in LA, how he got started as a screenwriter and his advice for y'all. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0811414/
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Writing Career Week I'd hope to have done this earlier, but I am beginning to put together a Career Week. This will be done in a similar format to Behind the Blog, but focusing on different careers available for teens interested in publishing. No date as yet. If you're a writing professional who's interested in being interviewed, send me an email at innovativeteen@gmail.com with "Career Week" in the subject line.
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We're back in Kansas, people.

A Wonderful Wednesday with Megan Kelley Hall

2008-10-29T19:32:00.000-07:00

Megan Kelley Hall is the debut author of Sisters in Misery, a successful freelance writer and a founding partner in Kelley & Hall Book Publicity and Promotion. She studied creative writing at Skidmore College under Steven Millhauser. Megan lives in Salem, Massachusetts (near the setting of her novel!)

INN: Sisters of Misery is set in Hawthorne, Massachusetts, a place wherewitch-hunting was almost as common (and scary!) as it was in Salem. Why did you choose to set your novel there?

MKH: I live right next to Salem, Massachusetts and I’ve always wanted to write something that captured the essence of the gothic undertones of growing up in a place that had such a dark history. Plus, I wanted to show how people really haven’t changed all that much—that persecution and ostracism are still alive and well in today’s society. Plus, what better place to set a modern-day version of the Salem witch hunts than a fictional town right next to Salem, Mass?
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INN: Your book has been called "stunning," "amazing," "unforgettable" and "superb" by readers and reviewers alike. What's it like to read reviews of your own work?
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MKH: Completely surreal. Before your book gets published, you have no idea whether or not people will like it or connect with the characters or enjoy the story. The feedback that I’ve gotten from readers has been amazing and has gotten me through some tough days. I don’t think that readers realize the impact they have on writers. Their opinion means more than any review or magazine mention, at least in my opinion.

I love hearing directly from readers (and I always try to respond) because that is why I started writing in the first place: to connect with others. What makes me happiest about writing is entertaining people with my stories and giving them a little escape from their own lives. That’s what reading has always been for me. An escape.
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INN: How did you break into publication?
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MKH: Hmm… Let’s see, the book started off as an adult fiction. Then I had a preemie (2.5 pounds at birth) who stayed at Mass General for 60 days (I was there 8 hours a day for sixty days with her). Then a few years later, I had series of mini-strokes, lost partial vision in one eye, had a carotid stent, discovered that my carotid arteries were aged from radiation therapy I received when I had childhood cancer and had to undergo open heart surgery and a sternotomy. It was a nine hour procedure where they basically flatlined me for 96 minutes.

It was during my recovery period that I dusted off my manuscript, turned it into a YA, got and agent and sold it in a two book deal all within the same year. So….just a typical first book story, I guess. But seriously, I’ve been freelance writing for years for major mags like Glamour, Elle, Boston Magazine, etc. I’ve had a lot of jobs—advertising, radio, public relations, event planning. And I’ve found a way to incorporate writing into all of them. I am also a founding partner in Kelley & Hall Book Publicity, an independent literary publicity company (http://www.kelleyandhall.com/) that I started with my mother and sister a few years ago.

While I was at Skidmore College, I studied under Steven Millhauser for a few semesters in his fiction and creative writing courses. This was before he won the Pulitzer Prize for Martin Dressler. He was pretty inspiring and very supportive, but I didn’t realize at the time that I was studying under such an incredible writer. Writing has always been a huge part of my life. I like having control in a world that at times feels completely out of control. I enjoy creating characters and places and relationships. Writing has always been a form of therapy for me as well. When I was recovering from my recent open-heart surgery, the only way that I got through those difficult and painful months was to work on my novel and to write on my blog (as well as in my personal journals). Writing has gotten me through many difficult times in my life.

INN: If Alfred Hitchcock made a movie out of *Sisters of Misery,* who would play Kate, Maddie and Cordelia (either contemporary or old Hollywood
actresses)?

MKH: My dream cast (although they are too old to play teens now), would have been Jennifer Connelly as Maddie, Gwyneth Paltrow as Kate, and Angelina Jolie as Cordelia. And for the boys, I’d pick Josh Holloway as Reed and Johnny Depp as Finn. Again, they are about twenty years too old to play those parts.But if I were to cast it using age-appropriate actresses/actors, here’s my picks:

Cordelia: Blake Lively (though she’d have to dye her hair red)

Maddie: Rachel Bilson or Kristen Stewart (even though she’s already Bella in Twilight)

Kate Endicott: Katie Cassidy (Supernatural) or Kate Bosworth

Finn: Jared Padalecki (Supernatural)

Trevor: Chace Crawford (Gossip Girls)

Reed: Henry Cavill (The Tudors)

Rebecca: Julianne Moore

Abigail: Laura Linney or Sandra Bullock

Tess: Shirley MacLaine
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INN: Who's your favorite Gothic author?

MKH: I’m inspired by “gothic” writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Shirley Jackson, and William Faulkner. Today’s gothic writers that provide inspiration would be Stephen King, Donna Tartt, and Alice Hoffman. I’ve always loved suspense novels, especially as a teen. So many YA suspense novelists like Lois Duncan, Christopher Pike and V.C. Andrews inspired my writing.

INN: Any advice for teen writers?

MKH: Three tips: First, if you want to be a writer, stop talking about it and just do it. The more you talk about it, the less writing you actually get done. Believe me, I know from first-hand experience!I’ve heard people say again and again that they don’t have the time to write. NOBODY has the time to write (unless you’re James Patterson or JK Rowling). You have to be like Nike and JUST DO IT!

Second tip—an important one—develop a thick skin and expect rejection—it happens a lot in the publishing industry. The third, and you’d think this is strange, but READ. I’ve been to so many houses of people who want to write or be an author and there isn’t a book to be found. If you want to be a writer, you have to read endlessly, in different genres, in different time periods. If you’re not writing, you should be reading.

Thank you, Megan!

Visit Megan's websites at www.sistersofmisery.com and www.megankelleyhall.com, and buy Sisters of Misery at http://www.amazon.com/Sisters-Misery-Megan-Kelley-Hall/dp/0758226799.

As I write this, the Phillies have just won the World Series and our beloved city of Philadelphia is going bananas. I'm going pretty bananas myself because my *#$%ing mousetrap car has just travelled the 3m required for an Acceptable Grade and it appears I will enter postsecondary education. It is a Wonderful Wednesday.

On Hiatus (Except for Megan Kelley Hall)

2008-10-27T05:01:00.001-07:00

I'm going to have to put Innovative on hold for a week while the marking period ends. Teachers have created new definitions for the phrase, "cruel and unusual punishment," and I do have to go to college. However, Megan Kelley Hall will be joining us on Wednesday to talk about her fab debut, Sisters of Misery.

The Thing About Contests

2008-10-22T18:40:00.000-07:00

I don't enter contests much, unless they're scholarship-based. There are many different opinions about contests- they're fab, they're fly, they're flat- but I stay away from them for a couple reasons.
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There's likely to be an entry fee, and I'm in a perpetual state of being broke. Unless I've published something. Contests also have specific guidelines (stories about mad cats celebrating Kwaanza) and I find it hard to go that specific (mad cat celebrations in general are OK.) Contests have concrete deadlines and that's a good thing, but in the long run, contests are harder to put on query bios. I prefer straight-out working with an editor.
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What do you think?

NEXT WEEK: Megan Kelley Hall will be joining us for Wednesday Wonderfulness to talk about her spooky-and-acclaimed debut, Sisters of Misery

I Wanna Write a Teen Life Novel

2008-10-20T18:04:00.001-07:00

Which begs the question because I'm writing a book about high school academia.
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But still.
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The guy who read Crime and Punishment at age 7. The girl with the awesome blonde streak in her dark Asian hair. The friend who's already been accepted to college and lords it over us all, charitably. The debate team captain who's quiet and brilliant. The SCA president straight out of Mark Twain. The newspaper editor in love with her boyfriend.
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These people make up the mosaic of my Monday-Friday life, and sometimes weekends, when writing allows. They get cranky and fussy and mean and lovely, all the time, without reason. They are the ones that I want to write about, to explain the mystery of teenness to the outside world. Their dramas and stories, and whining and laughing are what feeds writers. They make my day. They will make my book.

Bookshelf: Hello to Kent Healy!

2008-10-18T04:08:00.000-07:00

Kent Healy wrote his first book, "Cool Stuff" They Don't Teach You In School, when he was 17. He's now the author of the "Cool Stuff" Coaching Course, The One Minute Student and co-author with Jack Canfield of The Success Principles for Teens. He's appeared on TV and radio shows more than 100 times, writes columns for several newspapers, and was the youngest contestant on The Messengers, a search for America's next great inspirational speaker.

INN: What prompted The Success Principles for Teens?
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KH: It all began over six years ago when I was 17 years old. While my brother and I were writing our first book, “Cool Stuff” They Should Teach in School, we were faced with some “doubtful opposition” (to be politically correct). Many of our friends didn’t believe we could actually write a book and many adults thought it was a “nice idea” that would never come into fruition. Part of us began to believe some of the feedback. After all, neither one of us had a strong writing background. We didn’t have any connections in the publishing industry and our business experience was minimal.
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Fortunately, we met somebody whose opinion put a new gust of inspiration in our sails. Six months earlier I had set a goal to meet Jack Canfield. Miraculously, a family friend mentioned he had two tickets to an entrepreneur’s conference in which Jack Canfield would be the key note speaker. It was a combination of déjà-vu and astonishment. To say the least, we were excited.
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After waiting in line for twenty minutes, we finally had our chance to speak with Jack. Upon sharing our “Cool Stuff” book idea with him, he was extremely supportive and helpful. Of course, we then had a newfound motivation to see the project through. Jack and I spoke a on a few different occasions over the next few years and slowly, he became a mentor and coach for me.
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When the original Success Principles was released, Jack sent me a signed copy. I read it and not surprisingly, I was inspired. I just knew that this information needed to be packaged for my generation as well. After speaking with Jack about it, he asked me to co-author The Success Principles for Teens with him.
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The information was important and powerful and I was thrilled to begin writing The Success Principles for Teens which took over two years to complete. I also couldn’t help but take the lead on personally managing the design process of the cover and the interior (I know how important those parts are). Now that the book is written and distributed through bookstores I can honestly say (with a sigh of relief and contentment) that I am very pleased with the way it’s turned out.

INN: In your opinion, what principle do you think is most important?
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KH: Well, all 20 principles are designed to work together. Jack and I were very careful when we chose these top 20 principles from the original 64. But the one principle that comes to mind immediately for me is the very first chapter titled, Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life—and it is first for a good reason.
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In order to make any positive changes in our lives we must take full responsibility for the results we are currently getting. We must give up all of our complaining and blaming if we want experience the level of success we deserve. Like we always say, the only way to a better life is a better you. And the only way to a better involves taking 100% responsibility for our actions.
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Although it’s a very simple concept, this can be a difficult lesson to learn. That’s why Jack and I have dedicated an entire chapter to address this topic.
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There are of course other topics in the book that are perhaps a little more interesting and unique, but this principle is the foundation that allows all other success principles to work. If you don’t FULLY understand this concept inside and out, then you won’t have the quality of life you deserve. It’s that simple.

INN: What's the craziest thing that has happened to you since getting published?

KH: So many things have happened in the past few years its hard to chose just one. However, one area that has changed my life completely is how I have befriended an entirely different peer group—people who are young, driven, and very successful. I love being around other young people who are optimistic, talented, and motivated—and those are the people I have been able to meet as a result of writing books and starting a company. It’s just proof that following your passion attracts more like-minded people into your life.

I’ve also been invited on TV shows, radio shows, exclusive events, and yes, even private yachts! To think how my life has changed in the last 5 years is difficult to fathom.

INN: What was it like working with Jack Canfield?
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KH: I always love working with people who are creative, hard-working, and those who walk-their-talk. It’s difficult not to like Jack! He is charismatic, wise, and he genuinely cares about others. He also happens to be one of the busiest people I know, so as a result, much of the time I was taking the lead on the project. But like any good coach, Jack challenged me to think—and I really liked the challenge of expanding my knowledge and awareness about behavioral science and success psychology. We also just enjoy each other’s company and share a common goal, which is energizing in itself!

INN: Any advice for teen writers?
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KH: Yes, be persistent, creative, and proactive. Those traits have enabled me to write five books, become a columnist, and enjoy many other successes in life. Here’s how it works:
Be Persistent: Jack and I both agree that persistence is probably the single most common quality of high achievers (not natural ability like we’re often lead to believe). It’s really a simple concept: The longer you hang in there, the greater the chance that something will happen in your favor. Since we cannot expect success to come overnight we must be prepared to persevere through challenges, fear, doubt and discomfort. Like Norman Vincent Peale says, “It’s always too soon to quit.”
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Be creative: In school we are sometimes trained to believe that there is only one answer to a problem. In reality, this is not always true. Sometimes we must challenge ourselves to try to look at life from a completely different perspective.
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Sometimes thinking different makes all the difference. Since questions direct our thinking and our focus, we can begin to change our outlook by changing the questions we ask ourselves. I’ve made a habit of asking myself two primary questions, “Is there a better way to do this?” and “What’s unique about this that I haven’t noticed yet?” These questions can help you recognize a new way to promote your writing, approach a mentor, and achieve your goals. Don’t get sucked into the train of thought that says, “This is the only way it can be done because this is only way it has been done.” That mentality will instantly limit your creativity and potential.
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Think outside the box, question everything, and develop a deep sense of curiosity. Long ago, the Greek philosopher Socrates said it best, “Wisdom begins with wonder.” Curiosity urges us to explore the unknown, step out of our comfort zone, and tap into the magnificent power of passion.
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Be Proactive: It’s possible that someone in the right position will “discover” you and offer you your dream job, but it is not likely. Gabrielle, you are a perfect example of a writer “putting herself out there.” You saw an opportunity to use the internet to hone your craft and market yourself as a professional writer. That is being proactive!
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Never be afraid to ask for help and support. The power of Asking is one of the Success Principles in our book—and I think it is one of the most powerful. When I was writing my first book, I was constantly asking everyone I met, “Who do you know in the publishing industry?” and “What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were my age?” Eventually, the right connections and advice began to shape my writing career.
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I even sold my book door-to-door when it came out to make sure as many people as possible knew about it. One of my favorite quotes is: Some people want it to happen. Some people wish it would happen. Successful people make it happen! Bottom line: Success requires action and that means being creative and persistent. It’s all related. Much success to all of you writers!

Thank you so much, Kent!

You can visit his awesome websites at http://www.coolstuffmedia.com/ and http://www.kenthealy.com/.

The Art of Amendable Deadlines

2008-10-17T05:50:00.000-07:00

I wanted to have a big query done tomorrow, but it will not happen.
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I wanted to finish my novel's 2nd draft by 8am on Wednesday, but it was 9:30.
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If you're super goal-oriented, channel this into your writing. Read Time to Write and get those WAP plans started. But, my dear little perfectionists, you will get published a total of three times (give or take .2) if you don't learn the art of amendable deadlines. What? Amendability? Is that even a word?
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Artistic Principle #1: Know the difference between amendability and procrastination. If you keep putting something off, it will not get done. However, if your original deadline was earlier than a contest deadline, you still have a little time.
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Artistic Principle #2: Work around your life. If you know that you have 5 tests this Monday, don't count on finishing three chapters of your novel. Homecoming, SATs, volunteering, massive parties: these are fabulous things that must be worked into our writing schedule.
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Artistic Principle #3: Amend by little amounts. I can't finish that Big Query Friday, but I can have a good chunk of it done tomorrow. I can have a complete draft by Monday, and send it off by Wednesday. Later than I'd hoped? Yes, but still submitted.
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And you will never get published if you don't submit, remember? Speaking of deadlines, Kent Healy's coming by tomorrow... yes, he is the co-author of my favorite 2008 nonfiction release, The Success Principles for Teens, along with a bunch of other books. Yes, he worked with Jack Canfield. Yes, he pretty much blows the mind and is very nice to interview. Look out for him tomorrow.

Bombs of the Alphabetical Variety

2008-10-15T16:39:00.000-07:00

I'm trashing any normal schedule for this week as PSATs have screwed up school and even though I'm exempt (seniors!) they're bugging me.

Bad Language

*%$$ is how it normally appears in cartoons. In one horrible 80s mystery, the girl's mother said h--- all the time. No, really. H---. With dashes.

For the responsible teenager (and many of us are that), the whole writing-bad-language-in-your-fiction can be a bit of a dilemma. Adults have an even bigger problem with it. I was at one writers' group meeting when the mom-aged writers were complaining about the crudeness of YA fiction and how shocked they were to see the f-bomb in a novel for teens. I didn't say anything but I was thinking You are shocked because...?

Look. I don't condone cursing; it's a bad habit that I and my friends pick up (and try to control) because of culture, because we're pissed off, because we're immature, for whatever reason. But for me, swear words in literature and swear words in real life are different.

You are a writer. Writers imagine worlds and write their stories true to that world. The most mild-mannered British grandmother will unleash the coarsest of words, if she's writing about the Boston drug world, because that is what her characters will do. Do your characters make mistakes? (I hope they do, or your book will be really boring; see Elsie Dinsmore) Are there murderers in your books? Are there villains? Sure. Does that make you a villain? No. Though you might be.

I try to talk clean. My book opens with a beep-out word. How is this? I'm writing about the overachieving American high school crowd, the same group of people I see five days a week. And part of writing about them is being true to the way they speak, and they speak badly. If I had all my characters say Goshdarnit! every time they got stabbed in the back, this would be an unrealistic and boring book.

Banned Book Week (last week!) celebrates the fact that fiction often expresses an ugly side of life, scenarios or characters or words that are not age-appropriate and will never be age-appropriate, yet life is many times inappropriate. If you want to clean up the world, clean it: but let the writers-- and yourself-- depict the world as they hear it.

Goshdarnit, we are totally off track.

We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Programming to Announce

2008-10-15T13:25:00.000-07:00

That E. Lockhart has been Selected as a Finalist*

For the National Book Award

For her March 2008 release

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

- Publisher's Lunch and Media Bistro

* Originally said Semi-Finalist, but no! It's a FREAKING FINALIST! THERE IS JUSTICE IN THIS WORLD!

WORD: Making It as a Teen Writer

2008-10-12T15:16:00.000-07:00

by Gabrielle Linnell

I've noticed a disturbing trend in my publishing efforts. More and more markets, leads, sources and opportunities are coming not from my magazine subscriptions but from... my Google Reader.
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Weird.
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Yet, this is not surprising. The only way you will learn to swim is if you jump into a pool. The only way you will be published, and be published again and be published with pizazz, is if you immerse yourself in the publishing world. Because teens have problems with abstract thinking, here are 3 concrete ways to do so.
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1. Call your local writing organization and offer to speak. Sound intimidating? Probably is. If you've been published at least a few times, find out who runs the writing shows in your town and volunteer yourself as a teen panelist. I'm doing writing workshops at my library this year, which I am very excited about. It gives me credibility and something new to add to my query bios.
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2. Read writing blogs. I cannot stress this enough. Freelancers' blogs are best for market opportunities, agents' blogs for biz updates and querying advice, and fellow teen blogs for teen-specific markets and inspiration. If you need help getting started, check out the Best of the Blogs panel on the right. The internet has changed the isolation of the writing world into a constant networking opportunity. Use it!
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3. Get published everywhere (kind of.) Authors are always advised to get their name out any way they can. WriTeens need to identify (1) what kind of writing they want to do and (2) who will publish it. If you love short fiction, make a list of 3 nonpaying-but-reputable e-zines (with editors and domain names!) that publish short fiction and submit. After two months, make a new list of paying e-zines and work your way up. I review books for one teen magazine without compensation, but it's a way for me to break into book reviewing and to get free books.
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Swim with them fishies. The water is a very cool place.

Bookshelf: The TTYLs

2008-10-11T17:59:00.000-07:00

Lauren Myracle's TTYL series has rocked the bestseller lists (TTYL, TTFN and L8R G8R) and they better darn well be rocking your bookshelves. Apart from the fact that she co-wrote with E. Lockhart for How to Be Bad, her books are must-reads because... well, they're written in IM.

Some may see this as the apocalypse of literature, but it's not. Myracle manages to create 3-D characters without any prose or description, and make it seem natural. I love the complex friendships between Zoe, Maddie and Angela because they're real without being boring. The problems they face with boys, Queen Bees, faith, doubt, each other and themselves are not easily solved and won't be fixed without sacrifice.

Put them on your TBR.

The Character Was Being Passive

2008-10-10T08:35:00.000-07:00

One of my biggest peeves in novels, and one of the most common, is when I don't have a vested interest in the main characters. It means I don't care about what happens to them. I checked out A Curse as Dark as Gold last week and let me tell you, this is one exquisite piece of literature. The writing is beyond superb. But I didn't finish the book because I didn't care enough about what happened to Charlotte. She was so stoic, strong and impervious to Wheeler's bad dealings. I'd rather see the story from Rosie's perspective, because she was superstitious and fun.
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Another book this week, Good Girls, had the same problem. It's the story of what happens when a compromising photograph of an honor student is spread around the school. Fantastic premise. But I found Ashley, however realistic, slow and depressing and not inviting. I didn't finish that one either, because it didn't matter to me whether she fixed it or not.
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Although annoying or mean characters tick me off, I hate passive main characters most of all. That is: characters to whom things happen, rather than characters that cause things to happen. Briony, in Atonement, is one heck of an unlikeable person but she makes things happen. Holden, well, Holden Caulfield was produced by a genius pen. If you're writing a book about the circus, should you write it about the BFF of the ringmaster or the ringmaster him/herself?
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The best example, as always, is Frankie Landau-Banks from E. Lockhart's March 2008 book. Frankie starts out as a "normal," intelligent girl with one ex-boyfriend. We can all relate. But as the book goes on, Frankie changes into someone who makes big things happen and pays the price for it. Gretchen Yee, in Fly on the Wall, goes on a similar transformation. I think of Maddie in Lauren Myracle's sharp and brilliant TTYL (more on that later), Jerome Foxworthy in The Moves Make the Man, Riley in This Book Isn't Fat, It's Fabulous.
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I have hated Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen the movie like no other movie. It redefined stupid. But Mary/Lola made things happen, as much as you hated her. That's an effective protagonist.

Query Letters, Part Tres: Who You Be?

2008-10-08T17:46:00.000-07:00

As a responsible WriTeen, I do not use proper outlets for my rebellious hormones and therefore stick to legal ways of trashing the establishment. In a new three-or-four-part series on query letters, here is Part Three first: the bio.

Writing Credentials. Without a doubt, this is the most important part of your bio. Where have you been published? When you start writing, you may not have been published anywhere and that is quite all right. Leave this part out if that's the case.

If you have been published, list fiction credentials for fiction queries and non-fic for non-fic. If you've been published 20+ times, pick the 6 biggest and most relevant names for your bio. For example:

I have been published more than twenty times, writing for Cusackipity, JohnCusackstan, Say Cusack-Thing, The Other Cusack, Martian Cusack and Cusack Life the John Way.

Other "Professional" Credentials. This applies to non-fic queries. If you're writing a doggie article, what is your experience with dogs? Do you write a doggie blog with good traffic? Have you been a dog walker for 5+ years? How much money have you made from dog grooming?

I also run the Cusack fan site, Where's John Now?, which receives 1.6 billion hits per day and was featured on Oprah. Entertainment Weekly called me the greatest living expert on this great actor, and said I probably "knew more about John than he did."

Tasteful, Funny Add-ons. Be careful. This is appropriate only if you can pull it off. You can add "extra" things if it's relevant, humorous and shows off your writing panache. Otherwise, stick to your big guns.

I have met John a total of one time, in which he stared at me and then asked me for a drink of water. I still have the cup.

If anyone actually is interested in learning more about John Cusack, please see Say Anything. It will break your heart and then mend it again. Sigh.

Sad Postponements

2008-10-07T16:35:00.000-07:00

Okeydokey, folks, bear with me. My mind is fried and if I tried to talk about query letters... I'd tell you to write it all in Sanscript. Sanskrit? Goodness. Posting will come, but to quote Reviewer X, real life is more important.

I Love Your Blog! Awardsiness

2008-10-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

That's so COOL!

Nicole B. over at http://www.wordforteens.blogspot.com/ nominated me for the I Love Your Blog award. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Nicole! I love yours too!

The rules to the ILYB awards are as follows:

1. You put the logo and the rules on your blog

2. You link the person who gave it to you

3. You give seven of your favorite blogs

4. You have to tell them they're given the award

Okeydokey. My nominations are:

Miss Couturable (http://www.misscouturable.blogspot.com/): Noel runs a peerless fashion + life blog that makes my day, every day.

The Pema Pad (http://thepemapad.freehostia.com/): Pema hands out fantastic advice and support for every writing teenager, and I'm so impressed with what she's accomplished.

All Five Stars (http://fivestarreading.blogspot.com/): Gabbi writes brilliant, straight reviews, devoid of flattery or high-fives, and I respect her opinion.

Melissa Walker (www.melissacwalker.com/blog): Melissa writes about fashion, body image, culture, books and cover stories (incroyable!) and is the perfect read for any day.

Janette Rallison (http://www.janette-rallison.blogspot.com/): Janette, apart from writing very funny books, writes a blog about the author's life and the dogs of Orlando Bloom. Wonderful combination.

Teen Fiction Cafe (http://www.teenfictioncafe.blogspot.com/): This is a collective blog that rocks my socks. I love them. So much.

AND I can't think of one more even though I read 35 blogs. Who would you nominate? Self-noms are fine.

Gabrielle Online

2008-10-06T05:00:00.001-07:00

I have an overwhelming inclination to yell, Wheerrre's Waldo?

My October column for KidMagWriters.com is online at www.kidmagwriters.com/work-day/freshideas.htm.

I blog every Thursday for Orb28, an online extension of New Moon magazine and blogged about cooking here: http://orb28.blogspot.com/2008/10/when-in-doubt-use-paprika.html.

And my post about the fantabulous Basket of Kisses was mentioned in their Lipp Gloss round-up. As I said, my life is now complete. Don't believe me? Visit at http://www.lippsisters.com/2008/10/04/lipp-gloss-week-of-september-29-2008/.

I updated our sidebar with quite a few things. The Innovative description has been rewritten, I've added a list of what I'm reading and now you can follow this blog as five lovely ladies have already done (Thank you Kristi, Lenore, Lana, Mags and KB!)

WORD will surface tomorrow as part of a 3-step guide to writing query letters. See ya!