Monday, May 31, 2010

Things I Learned Today - 1

Welcome to a new series. It's called, as the title of the posts suggests, Things I Learned Today.

The reason for this series is this: I'm spending the summer prepping for PhD applications. That means studying...A LOT. That means four intensive Eng. Lit classes, plus a crap ton (that's a real measurement, trust me) of independent reading, and poetry, and French, and then a little German, etc etc.

So I figured, if I have to learn all these shiny new things, then so can you! But take heart! Sometimes I learn random things from researching for stories, and I'll throw those in, too.

-Pamplemousse is French for grapefruit.

-Poet Shelley (married to Mary Shelley of Frankenstein at one point) is brilliant. His sense of rhythm and rhyme makes my heart happy.

-I remember entire scenes from any movie seen before the age of 12. Evidence: Men in Black. Could recite first ten minutes while watching at lunch.

-Poet Whitman is too wordy for my tastes.

-I like titles that involve wordplay. I just titled my new book (nope, can't tell you about it), and then I made a list and realized every one of my titles involves wordplay. It makes me happy.

-It doesn't make sense for houses in a village with mostly hills and only scattered trees to be made of wood.

-Dr. Who is intriguing (I just started watching today, eps. 1 and 2 down)

-It's apparently still May.

That's all I've got today! (And don't worry, these segments will probably be incorporated into blog posts of actual substance most of the time). Did YOU learn anything fun/interesting/cool lately?

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Vlog! Distraction and Lady Gaga Dance Parties!

On a less serious note than last week's vlog...

This week's vlog is a day in the writing life. Co-starring Diet Coke, Cupcakes, and an Impromptu Lady Gaga Dance Party! WITH CROWN.



Saturday, May 22, 2010

Wednesday (on Saturday) Takes the Bad Boy TOO FAR.

Hey guys. My YARebels vlog this week: a quick look at abuse/manipulation in YA.





Now I'm off to Memphis for the weekend to help my aunt move! So busy! BUT you should be very happy to know that this morning I *gasp* SLEPT IN. Yes, yes, I know, it's a MIRACLE.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

A big day in Victorialand!!

Hey guys! So today was kind of a big day!

1. I signed my contracts!







2. My two auction co-hosts and I made the evening news!!!!!!



Sunday, May 16, 2010

CUPCAKE + VILLAIN = WIN.

Guys. You should watch this video if for no other reason than I somehow found the time to do it during the auction!!!

On little sleep.

IN A CUPCAKE COSTUME.

I present to you: Adorable baked good/super hero Sugar High decides she wants to be a villain, and turns into...SICKLY SWEET.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Auction Update...The End is Near.

The "Do the Write Thing for Nashville" auction is almost over. The last round goes up today, and it will last until Monday at midnight. We'll also have a closing message, and t-shirts for anyone who wants to make a small donation.

But man, it's been (and still is) a WILD ride. It's been a dream, and a roller coaster, and pretty much two weeks of bouncing up and down upon receiving emails from the likes of Lisa McMann, Meg (freaking) Cabot, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and so many more. More than 200, actually, if you consider only the items we were able to use, and almost 500 if you consider ALL of them.

It's also been two weeks of chugging diet coke, of not sleeping, of very long hours, a few neglected edits (I'm so sorry, Abby, I'm working on them!!!), and so on. But for every small down, there have been a dozen ups, and the fact is, no amount of fatigue will ever weigh down the SHEER JOY I have at being able to organize this with Myra and Amanda.

Somehow our small dream of raising a few thousand dollars exploded. At this moment we stand at $60,000 and that's with three rounds left to close.

We managed to find our way into GalleyCat, Publisher's Weekly, and about 8 straight pages of google when you search "do the write thing for Nashville". We continue to be shocked and humbled by our publishing community and the incredible support, through donation, bidding, and CHEERING. We could not have done this without our cheerleaders.

To all of you, thank you so, so, so much. And with that, we are HONORED to bring you the final round of the "Do the Write Thing for Nashville" auction (And my editor is in this round!).

http://dothewritethingfornashville.blogspot.com/


It's been an absolute pleasure hosting this.

Monday, May 3, 2010

PLEASE PLEASE Spread the word - NASHVILLE.

DEVASTATED.



In case you didn't know.

Nashville is drowning.

The Grand Old Opry - flooded.

The Music City Hall of Fame - flooded.

Downtown and the Riverfront - consumed.

The Symphony Hall - flooded. $2.5 million organ, and grand pianos - ruined.

Homes lost - thousands and thousands.

Heritage, culture, history lost - TOO MUCH.

Please spread the word. There has been FAR too little coverage of this nationally, and I find it horribly depressing. My city is being devoured.

*puts head down*


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