hwmfeed

http://hipwritermama.blogspot.com/2008/05/summer-blog-blast-tour-starts-monday.html

olmue

What were you doing ten years ago?

Hm, in 1998 I was finishing my masters degree in ESL at the University of Illinois. We lived in a miniscule apartment owned by the university and I still had a year to go. That was also the summer we drove to New York, NJ, and MA with our oldest, who was around 6 months.

What are five things on your to-do list for today (not in any particular order):

1  Hug my family
2. Lie down.
3. Read a book.
4. Brush my teeth.
5. Completely space out and empty my brain and enjoy having the youth trip behind me!

What are some snacks you enjoy?

Any kind of German chocolate (especially if it's Lindt's Weihnachtsschokolade, and yes, I know it's Swiss, not German)
pistacios (and yes, I know it's misspelled)
corn chips (I notice my body craves corn and misses it whenever I'm in Germany for a long time--they don't each much corn here.)

What would you do if you were a billionaire?

Pay off all debts.

Help out my family with financial matters.

Find a way to fund education in Afghanistan. I can read. It's not fair that they can't.

Donate to the Perpetual Education Fund (a fund in places like South American where otherwise smart people who don't have money can get loans to study, and then replenish the loan as they are able so others can study.)

Go visit Britain

Do lots of genealogy.

Buy lots of books!

What are three of your bad habits?

Jumping to conclusions
Not being patient enough
Not liking housework (I would rather read!)
And, no doubt in someone's eyes, not dressing my kids in Strumpfhose all the time.

What are five places where you have lived?

Bonn, Germany
Olmue, Chile (thus my screen name)
Arkansas Ozarks
Charleston, SC
New Jersey

What are five jobs you have had?

Fast food slave
illustrator (university press, educational materials)
editor (university press, educational materials)
writer, of course! (even if I'm still working on the financial renumeration part...)
MOM :)

What six people do you want to tag?

cathyipcizade

I was tagged an eternity ago, so here goes!

What were you doing 10 years ago?

Hmmm...ten years ago, in 1998, I was working for a private investigation agency as a receptionist. 

I was thin for the first  (and only) time in my life. Had just had a "procedure" whereupon I went from a size F to a size B in a certain area, so I was feeling FREE! :)

I had been in California for about a year and was working toward my Bachelor's degree. 

I was dating, then engaged to my husband, and having MUCH relationship drama. You see, when you take a guy from Turkey who is here to get his MBA and then plans to go BACK to Turkey and pair him with a girl from Arizona, who comes out to see her sister, falls in love, and decides to spontaneously MOVE to California (a romantic fool), you get a ton of HOLY COW before the happily ever after.

I had written a few picture books before I stopped writing for about 4 years (I didn't have a clue how to "do" it and gave up, thinking two rejections meant I was sunk). :)

What are 5 things you need to do today?

1. Go to a wedding --a Persian wedding--can't wait for the yum-o food!
2  Work on my THREE school assignments...due tomorrow at midnight. ACK!
3. Clean my house. I told my sister yesterday it looks like we've been robbed four times in a row. :)
4. Work on a paid critique, if there's time
5. Lament that I can't go to Kim's reading today. :(

What are some snacks you enjoy?

I really love chocolate. This is exactly why I try NOT to keep it in the house--milk chocolate.

Coffee and biscotti--my favorite

Banana pudding

Cheeze-its

Yoplait fat-free thick and creamy yogurt in vanilla and strawberry


What would you do if you were a billionaire?

SO MUCH!!!!

I'd buy a house--but not a big one, even if I was a millionaire. I'm a "cottage" sort of girl

I'd buy my sister a house, too, and give my parents $$ to buy a new house or fix theirs up

I'd buy as many first edition books from the 1800's and early 1900's as i could get my hands on

I'd help children--somehow--in as many ways as possible

I'd start a writing program at schools--a creative writing program, where students actually get to express themselves uniquely

I'd take a trip around the world WITH my kids (and a nanny) and my husband :) and EXPERIENCE other cultures

I'd buy my husband a boat

I'd go to Turkey with my husband for two months and swim in the sea and visit farmer's markets

And SO MUCH more!


What are 3 bad habits?

Just three?

I frequently "shut down" at the exact moment I need to be productive

I freak out spontaneously about little things, making my family think I'm possessed

I like to cook and bake, which means my pants don't fit--ever



Name 5 places you have lived.

Phoenix, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Tustin, CA
Newport Beach, CA
Irvine, CA


What are 5 jobs you've had?

Candy Striper (striper NOT stripper)
Daycare worker
Data Entry Clerk
Receptionist at investigation agency
Substitute school teacher
Freelance writer/editor/writing coach

And now to tag 5 people  
Anyone who hasn't done this!

2k8

http://classof2k8.blogspot.com/2008/05/contests-and-more.html

CONTESTS

We've got game!

WIN a copy of Sarah Prineas's The Magic Thief and a whole bunch of other HarperCollins books by clicking HERE. What more can you ask for?

THIS:
Jody Feldman, author of The Gollywhopper Games (Greenwillow) is running a cool contest for kids to win a Nintendo DS Lite or a very cool Gollywhopper Games T-shirt. Info at http://www.gollywhoppergames.com/. Click on the Contests balloon.

AND THIS:
Nancy Viau, author of Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in Her Head (Abrams/Amulet) is having a fun drawing. Prizes include a hot-off-the-presses ARC of her middle-grade, a rock collection like her main character's, and much more. Check out her blog for details.

EXCELLENT REVIEWS & BUZZ

The buzz is building for Zu Vincent's The Lucky Place (Front Street Press), starting with a great review at School Library Journal, who call it "a stunning fiction debut by an author to watch." The rest of the review is HERE. Did you get that? Stunning. Go Zu!

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books liked The Lucky Place, too, calling it "Moving and multilayered."

Booklist finds even more strengths: "The 1960s setting is infused with small details from a child's viewpoint, providing a solid backdrop to the timeless story of changing family dynamics and allegiances." The reviewer also notes that "Fans of Nancy Werlin's Rules of Survival (2006) are a natural for this sad but hopeful story."

Debbie Reed Fischer has been interviewed by Alice Pope (and Deb's hilarious, as usual): Check it out HERE.

Have a great weekend, everybody. See you Monday!

discomer_feed

http://discomermaids.blogspot.com/2008/05/write-on-jay.html

www.themysteriesofharrisburdick.com

It includes stories written by children who were inspired by Mr. Van Alls—…I mean, Mr. Burdick’s artwork. There’s also a story written by Stephen King! Mr. King chose "The House on Maple Street" to inspire his story. In that illustration, a two-story house (with a light on in the attic) is beginning to blast off. It's a cool story prompt with a little bit of personal history for me.

When I was an assistant children’s librarian in Wyoming, I used The Mysteries of Harris Burdick to teach creative writing in an after-school program for elementary school students. The only story I still remember was written by a boy who was inspired by the same illustration as Mr. King. He was so excited to show me what he'd written because…I was the main character. Yes, I was in the house as it began lift-off. Of course, with a house pushing off against the Earth’s gravitational pull, there’s a lot of shaking that occurs. And things began flying off shelves. And one heavy object hit me on the head. And there was blood oozing out of my head. Lots of blood. Pools of blood.

And when I finished reading, I heard the author laugh. “Huh-huh. Heh-heh-huh.”

I don’t know what I’m trying to say with this post, but that laugh still gives me the chills.

- Jay


BONUS COOLNESS: Check out this article from Publishers Weekly regarding Thirteen Reasons Why. It is beyond cool!!!

sarahmillerbook

http://sarahmillerbooks.blogspot.com/2008/05/poetry-friday_16.html

jkrbooks

http://jkrbooks.typepad.com/blog/2008/05/may-issue-of-th.html

Sheesh! I go one day without reading any blog posts (because of, you know, that whole work thing, plus taking 3 hours out to go to the event at Hicklebee's). And that's the day that Kelly Herold publishes the new issue of The Edge of the Forest (THE online children's literature journal). Isn't that always the way? But seriously, it looks like another great issue. Here are the highlights (borrowed from Big A little a):

• An interview with Elizabeth C. Bunce, by Julie M. Prince
• Little Willow takes us to the Prom
• An interview with Brandon Mull, by Rebecca Laney
• Linda Urban is this month's Blogging Writer, interviewed by Julie M. Prince
• We have two great columns this month: Candice Ransom considers Magic Elizabeth for A Backward Glance and Sarah Mulhern tells us what her students are reading in our Backpacks column.
• Reviews in all categories—from Picture book to Young Adult.

Happy reading! The Edge of the Forest will be back in early June.

jkrbooks

http://jkrbooks.typepad.com/blog/2008/05/rick-riordan-at.html

All I really have to say is: Vivian (HipWriterMama) was right. Seeing Rick Riordan speak is an inspiration. I was fortunate to be able to attend Rick's event yesterday at Hicklebee's Children's Books in San Jose. And OK, I do have a bit more to say. It was 100 degrees out, and didn't seem that much cooler inside the store, which was completely packed (see photo below). But it was completely and totally worth it to see so many kids so excited to hear from an author. 

God bless the people at Hicklebee's. The event extremely well-organized, despite the heat and the crowds. They gave out numbers as you arrived, so that people didn't have to stand in line. Being compulsively early by nature, and not having to wait for any kids to get out of school, I was fifth. (To the young woman who was first, if you're reading this, I hope it was worth the trip, and I look forward to seeing your books on the bestseller list one day in the future). So I got to meet Rick, and get a photo taken, and have a couple of copies of the new book signed. He knew who I was right away, which was very cool. Of course my Hunters of Artemis shirt was a bit of a clue. But still, it was great to finally meet Rick in person, after interviewing him last year and all, although the crowd was too big for much of a chat.

[My Hunters of Artemis shirt was a source of considerable admiration among the kids, and the adults, in the audience. If you ever want to meet people, wear something related to the Percy Jackson books while in a crowd of children's book lovers. That's my advice.]

He spoke for a half hour or so. And because the Hicklebee's team cares passionately about kids, the kids were all on the floor in front, where they could see, with the adults standing in the back and around the sides of the store. Rick read from the new book (and man, can he ever channel Percy - you can tell he's spent lots of time with middle school boys in his life). He also spoke a bit about the background of the book, and then he mostly just took questions. I can't even express how great it was to see all of those kids, eager and excited and asking great questions (like, could a God and a demi-god ever have a child together? Answer: well, that would be interesting, wouldn't it, but the demi-gods don't usually live that long). As Vivian noted, there was much rejoicing about the prospect of the movie version of The Lightning Thief (scheduled for release in fall of 2009, and being directed by Chris Columbus). The kids were also very excited to learn that there will be another series after the Percy Jackson books wrap up, featuring the same world, but different, younger characters. Rick also talked a bit about his upcoming 39 Clues books, and the kids were pretty keen on that, too.

Honestly, you had the feeling that if his schedule permitted (and if it hadn't been so crazily hot), Rick would have stood there in front of the room until every kid had every question answered. He clearly loves seeing kids excited about books. And he doesn't talk down to them, or let the attention go to his head in any way. For me, it was a validating experience, to see how much of an impact one person with a passion can have on kids and reading. Of course he had a lot of help, especially from his family and his publisher. But still, one person sat down and wrote these books - and kids all across the country and around the world are enthralled, engaged, and READING. That, my friends, is how you make a difference in the world. I'm so glad that I went to the event!

Making the afternoon even better - I was able to hang out with Becky Levine and her son. Becky and I had a great chat, and it was wonderful to finally meet her in person, after exchanging blog comments for ages. Her son wasn't much of a conversationalist, because, you know, he had the book in his hands, but it was fun to see him completely tune out the crowd, in favor of the real reason we were all there - the wonderful Percy Jackson books. Becky's thoughts on the event are here.

Mheir came, too. He was a bit late, and wasn't able to meet Rick (because he - Mheir - had to go back to work), but he was able to hear the talk, and see the buzz. And now we have two copies of The Battle of the Labyrinth to read. So, if you don't hear from me for a bit, you'll know that I'm reading.

susanwrites

Here she is a few years later. Filled out a bit more but she still has the goofy black eye that I fell in love with.



#2 
When I lived in New Orleans she was always happy to see me come home from work.  I thought she was part kangaroo the way she would jump into my arms. I'd have to be quick to put my purse down so I could catch her.



Not so much anymore. I often have to go find her to let her know I am home. Part of it is I think she is starting to go deaf and part of is she just doesn't care as much as she used to.



For the longest time my cat Benjamin was her best buddy. (She mourned him for months after he died.) The two of them would wait anxiously for me to come home from work. We had a special cushion made to fit on this chest so they could look out the only window in this very tiny place we lived in when I first moved back to California.

Back then she could still jump up on all sorts of things but now that she is older and has had back surgery, she hesitates before deciding if she really wants to make the next step up or down between the library and the rest of the house. Now that we finally have a big house with a yard it is sad. She doesn't go upstairs at all and really doesn't care to be outside for any longer than it takes to do her business.


#3 
She is the least food motivated animal I have ever had in my life. At least now. When I was in New Orleans and she was still so afraid of everything and hungry she would do more for food but not anymore. She saves her treats until after dinner. No matter when you give them to her. No matter how many you give her. She just lets them pile up. At the end of the night she could have 5, 6,7 treats piled up. And while she will eat a milk bone or a greenie, she would much rather have a piece of a plain tortilla or lick the ice cream bowl.



She does, eventually eat them though. 



#4 
She's a bit of a snob.

She's not fond of most men and doesn't like other dogs. She takes a while to warm up to anyone new.

And she's easily bored.

She is also the first dog I've ever had who didn't know how to play with a ball. In all the years I've had her I've never been able to teach her how. She doesn't play much at all. Never did. She has some stuffed toys and will sometimes run after one once if you throw it, but only once.

She's also a bit silly. 

Whenever I sneeze, she leaves the room. And my office has two sets of French Doors, one from the library (where she spends most of her time) and the other from the living room (where no one spends any time.) If I close the ones to the library and leave the ones to the living room open, she can't figure out how to go around and get in the other way.


#5 

She appreciates a good nap.

In fact, nowadays that's what she spends most of her time doing. Sleeping. Behind the chair in the library or in the corner of my husband's office. Sometimes in my office but not often. Getting her to eat anymore is a major chore and she doesn't want to be petted or brushed so it is always a struggle. She just wants to be left alone and sometimes I find myself resenting the caretaking I am doing without any of the fun of having a dog. 


But then I remember being in New Orleans with only Chelsie and Benjamin to keep me company. I remember how Chelsie and I would run laps around the inside of the gated apartment complex (because it was too scary to run anywhere else) and how she would always stop to roll in a muddy puddle (of which there were always many) and then jump up and shake like it was the best joke she had ever heard. I remember when a stray mama cat deserted the last kitten in a litter and I brought it home. My own cat wanted to eat it but Chelsie let it sleep between her outstretched paws and growled whenever Benjamin came close. 

But most of all I remember how very lost and alone I felt living on my own for the first time (even though I was in my 30s) and how easy it was to get depressed and feel like my life was never going to get any better and how knowing I had to get up and take her outside was often the only thing that got me through the day.

And I figure being a caretaker to her in her old age is a mighty small price to pay for all she has done for me.

hwmfeed

http://hipwritermama.blogspot.com/2008/05/poetry-friday-shakespeare-sonnet-liii.html