Emily Talks

Paris/London Travel Question

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:05:41 GMT

I'm very excited to finally be able to use this gem of a passport holder that I picked up several months ago. However, before that happens I have to find a cheap trip to London and Paris.

The travel company we normally use doesn't have the best options for the time we want to go, and considering I know many LJ friends who are well-traveled, I thought I would ask you for companies or even cheap travel suggestions.

1.) Have you used a Travel Company in the past that you've liked and is also cheap, cheap, cheap
2.) Or do you have any cheap hotel, air fair suggests for traveling to Paris or London specifically
3.) And last do you have any must see things to recommend in Paris or London

Thanks so much.

There's just so much on the Internet and it's much better to hear suggestions from people that actually worked.

Slumdog Millionaire and the little movie that could

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:17:24 GMT

So I have a confession: as a movie buff, I rarely watch the Oscars. I have no idea why, but award shows just aren't my thing. Maybe it's because it feels like it takes hours until one award is announced, and that generally speaking you have to sit through hearing about 20 films you have no interest in just to get to an award where you know the film or actor/actress.

But funny enough, I love surfing the web the morning after to read all about them. See what people were wearing. See who won what award, etc.

And I'm so delighted to hear Slumdog Millionaire won for best picture. The husband and I went to see it yesterday before the Oscars (in a cramped, really small theater--the local movie place apparently moved it to one of the small theaters in the complex right before the Oscars, which was kind of stupid in my opinion, but oh well, I digress).

And all I can say is this movie TOTALLY DESERVED TO WIN. So, so, so, so good. And not merely because I have a little crush on Dev Patel because he's in one of my favorite BBC shows Skins, but because this movie totally rocks. Such a good love story, incredible moving performances, and the music in this was awesome (coming from a girl who rarely notices music in movies).

So YAY for Slumdog!!

And I was really inspired to read on IMDB that this movie was almost released straight to DVD, apparently because they thought it wouldn't be big enough. Almost gives you hope to know that a little movie (or say book) could make it big, even without a push from executives, a blockbuster budget, or the like.

Hollywood here we come!!!

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 17:59:28 GMT

Guess who's going to be an extra in a movie this Tuesday?

And of course The Husband--whom had to be dragged to the audition--gets a Lead Role!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, I'm officially married to an actor, how cool is that?

Emily = Actor ?

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:47:10 GMT

As a writer, I think all of us are on the lookout for fun research trips for our books. It just so happens that I'm writing a book now involving a girl that works on movie sets.

Getting on set of an actual film isn't that easy to do, but more and more movies are shooting in Michigan due to tax breaks film companies receive. As a result, I've been spending a lot of time on the Michigan Film Office Web site. I found out there was an extra's casting call for a wedding scene not to far from my apartment and decided to try out.

What happened turned out to be incredibly exciting as I got to go in front of a green screen and audition for a "lead role" in the scene. A great research opportunity to see in person, and SO MUCH FUN!!!!! I wrote more about the adventure at Adventure Year.

Now I'm going to have to write some more exciting books, merely to get to do these Adventures in Research.

Take the Reins releases today

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 04:23:38 GMT

Congrats to Jessica on her release today!!!

I'm very excited to read these books. Not only because Jessica is a friend, but also because I've been wanting to read a horse-related book. Almost every week girls come into my library looking for horse books, and I've wanted to see what all the fuss is about.

I'm not exactly an animal person, though I did grow up on a farm and either had a horse or lived next to a stable my entire childhood. The "non-animal" thing might stem from being thrown off my own horse when I was about seven or as a coping mechanism after my parents surprised us by telling us when we were eating a hamburger one day that it happened to be our beloved pet Ferdinand the Bull (okay, I can't believe I just shared that). Finding out you are eating your pet makes you a non-pet person pretty fast.

Regardless, I'm giving this book a shot, and hoping maybe I'll find my inner animal lover in the process.

Congrats again Jess on the release!!

Friday Five--Favorite TV Mysteries

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:07:29 GMT

I'm a huge mystery TV fan. I'm one of those people that can't get enough CSI, Cold Case, or crime drama. So today I'd thought I'd share my five favorite mystery TV shows of all time (if you ask me tomorrow they might change).

5.) Psych--this is quite possibly the funniest and most fun mystery TV show I've ever watched. Any show that has mysteries centered around Roller Derby, missing mummies, or an aging daredevil gets my attention.

4.) Bones--this one has slowly grown on me. I didn't like it much at first because it remined me too much of the now gone Crossing Jordan. But somehow I've fallen in love with this show despite that. And after last night's traveling circus show, I can say I'm a big fan now.

3.) Crossing Jordan--this show was the original Bones in my opinion. Centering around the characters just as much as the forensics. And Jordan and Woody's chemistry was slightly hotter than Booth and Bones currently.

2.) Tru Calling--this show every time I mention very few people have heard of it, but it was one of the best mystery shows I've ever seen. It centered around a girl that relived days in order to save murder victims. But often in order to save them she had to figure out who wanted them dead. So good. This was the very first show I ever wrote a letter to a TV station over it's cancellation. Especially because they refused to release the final episodes of Season 2 that were already filmed. Luckily the DVD version contained the lost episodes, but not knowing some of the big secrets of this show that never got revealed because it was canceled mid-season still annoys me. But i am SO EXCITED that Eliza Dushku is returning to TV in Joss Whedon's Dollhouse.

1.) Veronica Mars--this was the second (and last show) I've ever written a TV station over the cancellation of. This show was pure brilliance in every way.

So when I just saw on Sarah Dessen's blog just a second ago that there might be a possible movie remake of this show, I can't think of anything else today. I"m SO EXCITED about this possibility. I know sometimes they do screw up making movies over TV shows, but I honestly don't care. If it gives us one more chance to see Veronica and her world (and hopefully Logan--please let it include Logan if it's made), I'm all over it.

So what about you. What are your favorite mystery shows? What do you think of a possible Veronica Mars remake?

Teaser Tuesday--Stunt Princess

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:37:24 GMT

I posted my first ever public Teaser Tuesday post on the Author2Author blog today. Check it out here. It's for the book I'm working on this January called Stunt Princess (or Stunt Camp Drama depending on what day you ask) about a girl whose dad owns a Hollywood Stunt Camp in the mountains of California.

Here's a brief summary of the book:
Fifteen-year old Katie Markman doesn’t think anything could get worse then being forced to train her archenemy A-list actress Halley Chaplin to take over her job doing stunts on the hit TV show Jr. Super Agents. But when the one person she hates even worse than Halley shows up at Markman Stunt Training Camp her desire to have a quite, drama-free summer is shattered in an instant. Eternal bad-goy Ethan Reynolds brings more to camp than a sulky attitude, tortured family life, and a one kiss fling with Katie last summer. He might just have a few secrets of his own that are ready to bring Katie’s entire world crashing down on her faster than she can say, “action.”

And if anyone has a good title suggestion (since you guys are WAY better at titles then I am), I'm also taking suggestions. I really want a catchier title.

And, of course, Happy Inauguration Day everyone.

2008 in Meme Form

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:26:20 GMT

shanasilver tagged me for a 2008 meme

1. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
An agent, book deal, and a kick-butt vacation, like no other.

2. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
December 31, 2008 because I was so excited to start 2009. Not because 2008 was a bad year, but 2009 just feels ‘right’ and like it’s going to be an awesome year.

3. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Growing as a writer and growing the programs at the library I work at to the highest attendance in the library’s history (and of course hearing from the kids that they had fun and were excited to read books!)

4. What was your biggest failure?
I was going to say not getting an agent, but I’m not sure that’s a huge failure. Because it means I might be finding a better fit this year. I’m trying to think positive here.

5. What was the best thing you bought?
My hot pink fleece-line pants from American Eagle. Seriously, these things are priceless.

6. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My nephew for the conversation we shared in the car last week:

Me: [rambling about my newest book]
Him: Are there boys in this book?
Me: There have been boys in all my books
Him: Yeah, but the last one seemed really girly. Like with that scene with the girl sticking hairspray to her butt so her cheerleading uniform didn’t ride up.
Me: That’s not in there anymore
Me: [Secretly really, really excited that he actually remembered something from my book that he read snippets of almost two years ago.]

And of course my husband for being generally awesome and accomplishing so much with his own publications this year! Yay for him.

7. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Certain people in my community who said some really nasty and unwarranted things about Barack Obama after he got elected the next President. But the fact so many people disagreed made me smile for how far our country has come.

8. Where did most of your money go?
Bills, movies, vacations, a new bike, Wii, and restaurants

9. What song will always remind you of 2008?
"I Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry

10. Compared to this time last year, are you...
i. happier or sadder? Definitely happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner, and trust me I earned every one of those lost pounds (if only the holidays had not come)
iii. richer or poorer? richer (finally all those years of school and living on $5 an hour are starting to pay off)

11. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Relaxed and had fun!

12. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worry.

13. What was your favorite TV program?
How I Met Your Mother

14. What was the best book you read?
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

15. What was your favorite film of this year?
27 Dresses (an early one in the year, but no other ones topped it, although some did come close)

16. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Umm…I honestly don’t remember what I did. Maybe a movie? And I told someone last week I was 27 actually forgetting I was in fact 28 (oops).

17. What kept you sane?
My husband! And blizzards from Dairy Queen.

18. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Edward Norton. He just seems so deep and interesting. And of course he’s easy on the eyes. And Chelsea Handler. She cracks me up.

19. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
To not take myself too seriously (I’m slowly relearning this every year. And just when I think I have it figured out, I realize I don’t. I’m hoping this time will stick.)

20. Word you said often enough that it should have been your catchphrase:
kick-butt (can you tell by this post?). Or maybe “seriously.”

I tag anyone.

Book research

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:21:11 GMT

Okay, I promise I won't keep cross-posting videos from the new adventureyear blog. But this one dealt with what you do when researching characters unlike yourself.

Plus, it involves me getting kicked from my adorable 11-year old nephew, so I'm posting here too. Enjoy!!

Adventure Year

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:06:07 GMT

Happy New Year everyone.

Hope you all had a safe and happy holiday. And here's to good writing-related things for all of us in 2009!!!

As promised, I'm cross-posting my first ever vlog here. If you are interesting is seeing my husband and my year of adventure, you can friend us adventureyear

Or if you have an obsession, like I do, of seeing if people's voices match their pictures, then you can check it out. But a warning: we are definitely vlog newbies.

A year of new and scary adventures (i.e. a new blog)

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:42:49 GMT

It’s Official!

I’m 100% sure I’m a Nut case.

I had my suspicions when people started making fun of me for jamming to my Miley Cyrus CD’s in the car, agreeing to post less-than-flattering High School pictures on the author2author blog, or for buying bright red Ronald McDonald boots and deciding red boots were the new black. But now that I’ve agreed to spend the entire year of 2009 doing crazy and scary adventures, it has tipped the scale.

And now not only am I sure I’m a Nut case, I also am taking a companion along to Nut City: my husband.

Or more specifically to our new blog venture together called

adventureyear

Basically what we are going to be doing is for the entire year of 2009 one or both of us will be doing at least one thing that scares us or something new we want to try every week (we are shooting for seven a week).

In all seriousness now, some of you may remember me mentioning on my first ever Teaser Tuesday post a few weeks ago that my goal this coming year was to do something that scares me every day, I really wasn’t kidding.

There are so many things in my life I’ve always wanted to do: like skydiving, sledding as an adult, or just visiting so many more foreign places, and instead of doing them I’ve been sitting back and dreaming about them. Whether it be because of money, I’m too scared, or I’m just plain lazy.

This year is going to be about changing that. One challenge at a time. I don’t think we’ll get to visit all the places we want to go or all the things we want to do before we die in just this one year, but we hope it will make a dent in the list.

We will then blog about each adventure, vlog about, maybe even sky write about it (merely because what’s a cooler way of communicating then through sky writing?—side note: how expensive would sky writing be? Hmmm…must check), or just plain post pictures about all our adventures. And we hope since we are blogging about it, we’ll actually have to go through with these adventures.

We also hope to suggest to our readers if we think you should try these scary adventures for yourselves. And will be taking adventure suggestions from readers.

I think this is going to be a really exciting project to help with my writing. Because I really do believe that in order to have something good to write you need to really experience life more. I keep reminding myself that daily, and it’s just now starting to sink in.

I’ll probably post our first vlog entry on January 1 on this blog too. But if you want to check out the site or friend us now, go ahead (We like friends—nutty ones or non-nutty. We aren’t picky.).

Five Happy Things Blog

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:15:40 GMT

lisa_schroeder tagged me for the Last Five Thing that Made Me Smile Meme.

And I love to smile, so thanks for making me remember these Lisa.

1.) The fact my WIP is making great progress and that my main character is 10 times funnier than me.

2.) The new Asian restaurant in our town that serves not only awesome Pad Thai, but Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and tons of other awesome Asian foods. And finding out that they do take out.

3.) Getting a big box of books from Amazon this week.

4.) Every time I've woken up this winter after it snowed and been in a hurry to clean off my car to make it to work in time that I've walked outside to find that my husband had already cleared the snow off my vehicle!!

5.) And last, but certainly not least, this Project Runway/Kanye West joke on Chelsey Lately this week (it starts at about 5:20 minutes into this video). Enjoy!

And I tag anyone that wants to join in on the smiling!

FAR FROM YOU release celebration and contest

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:19:44 GMT

Just passing this info along. Not only can you win so much cool stuff, but vlogs will be involved. Yay!

"Lisa Schroeder, author of I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME, is celebrating the release of her upcoming YA novel, FAR FROM YOU, and hosting a contest with LOTS of great prizes!

For three days leading up to the book’s release date of December 23rd, you can watch VLOGs and hear some excerpts read from the book. The VLOG schedule is as follows:

Sunday, December 21^st – Liv’s Book Reviews - http://livsbookreviews.blogspot.com/

Monday, December 22^nd – What Vanessa Reads - http://whatvanessareads.wordpress.com/

Tuesday, December 23^rd – Lisa Schroeder, author - http://lisa-schroeder.livejournal.com/ AND http://myspace.com/writerlisa

Help spread the word, and you might win a fabulous prize!

Copy and paste THIS entire blog entry into your blog between now and December 21st, then come back to Lisa’s blog at either Livejournal OR Myspace and leave a comment with the link to your blog and you will get TWO enteries to win a number of prizes.

Wondering what you might win? Here is the list (there will be multiple winners):

~ An Advanced Review Copy of THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH, by Carrie Ryan

~ An Advanced Review Copy of SOMETHING, MAYBE, by Elizabeth Scott

~ Young adult novel GIRL, HERO by Carrie Jones

~ Young adult novel, THE POSSIBILITIES OF SAINTHOOD by Donna Freitas

~ Young adult novel, UGLIES by Scott Westerfield

~ Pair of YA fairy tale retellings by Cameron Dokey (BELLE and BEFORE MIDNIGHT)

~ TWILIGHT movie soundtrack

~ $15.00 Barnes and Noble gift card along with some Harry & David’s chocolate moose munch

~ And of course, a signed copy of FAR FROM YOU

For more chances to win, watch one or all of the VLOGs and leave a comment on that vlogger’s page, and you get another entry. That means if you post the schedule on your blog AND comment on all three VLOGs, you can have FIVE entries for the contest!

A live drawing with winners announced will be done by Lisa Thursday morning, December 24^th, in a special holiday VLOG."

Things I Have Done Meme

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:49:31 GMT

Borrowed from saputnam

1. Started your own blog (way too many to count)
2. Slept under the stars (it’s my preferred sleep method. Unless it’s winter. Then no thank you.)
3. Played in a band (and I still have the flute to prove it. Man, I was such a bad a**)
4. Visited Hawaii (In college I worked for five months to win a trip through a PR contest. The finals were being held there, but sadly all the hard work didn’t win me a trip to Hawaii. Boo.)
5. Watched a meteor shower (my husband proposed during a “supposed meteor shower”)
6. Given more than you can afford to charity (I could probably give more)
7. Been to Disneyland-- (only Disneyworld)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (does singing in the car count? Then yep, I’ve sang a million solos.)
11. Bungee jumped (Not yet, but I have something in store for next year that might change this)
12. Visited Paris (and I want to go back)
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child (Not one that lives with us. But we have an adopted foreign child. We actually just got a new one, and I have to say it was kind of sad when the charity we “adopted” through replaced our child. It’s kind of like they switch kids on us long after birth. I’m going to miss all her letters, but I look forward to meeting the new child, too.)
16. Had food poisoning (probably, but not that I did anything about it)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables (not technically, but my dad has a huge garden and I have helped him with some of the tasks before)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight (definitely!!)
22. Hitch hiked (Not on purpose. But my car broke down (actually the friends car I was driving broke down) and some nice guy with two kids drove me to my destination so I wasn’t late).
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (what that’s no allowed?)
24. Built a snow fort (many elaborate snow forts were built as a kid)
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (does partial skinny dipping count?)
27. Run a Marathon (uh yeah, no)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run (and I have the winning game softballs to prove it. If you believe my hand written Home Run and date notes written with Sharpies that is.)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person (for the first time last week!!!)
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (went to Germany in high school and definitely want to go back. But I went more to hang out with my friends going on the trip than to visit or think about ancestors)
35. Seen an Amish community (I had Amish neighbors that literally lived next door, if that tells you anything. Plus, I had tons of Amish friends growing up. Playing at their house was definitely another-world experience)
36. Taught yourself a new language (Does making up words on a frequent basis count? And I actually did teach myself German, but don’t ask me to speak it now because I don’t remember a thing.)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (indoor that is)
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke (this next year this is coming off the list)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (and I actually had lunch there, which would have to be on the Top 5 coolest experiences of all time)
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (in a pool. Snorkeling to find the keys my grandmother threw in at the bottom. What a fun way to spend an afternoon. For both of us. I got to swim and she just had to keep throwing keys in the pool.)
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud (Mud Volleyball anyone?)
54. Gone to a drive-in theater (I heart drive-in’s with a capital H)
55. Been in a movie (home movie that is)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (we won’t talk about that failed business)
58. Taken a martial arts class (pretend ones from my brother)
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving (also want to cross this off last year)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp (I am embarrassed to say on the above mentioned school trip I wanted to spend the day with my friends shopping rather than visit a peace of incredibly sad history. But I have seen mass graves from the concentration camps, and let me tell you it’s not a pleasant experience.)
67. Bounced a check (not technically, but I had to quickly reopen an old checking account and pay a ton of money to wire money into the account, so I could beat it before the check bounced.)
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (They don’t call me Pack Rat Emily for nothing)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job (actually I was technically laid off right before the company sold itself)
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (it wasn’t on record, but I’m fairly certain I’ve fractured several small bones on numerous occasions. But I’m not a fan of going to the doctor without a life-threatening illness.)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (no—dang it. Not yet. But hopefully soon!!)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car-- (not new)
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (Many times and in each one I look like a big dork)
85. Read the entire Bible (that’s one seriously big book)
86. Visited the White House (at least the outside)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (um, no on the killing part)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (Authors count for this of course, right!!)
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone (I couldn’t live without mine now. Land line, what?)
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Wow, I've always wanted to be a color!

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:07:48 GMT

It's probably didn't help the quiz that I wanted to push everything. But sometimes you're just a combination of opposites.

you are teal
#008080

Your dominant hues are green and blue. You're smart and you know it, and want to use your power to help people and relate to others. Even though you tend to battle with yourself, you solve other people's conflicts well.

Your saturation level is very high - you are all about getting things done. The world may think you work too hard but you have a lot to show for it, and it keeps you going. You shouldn't be afraid to lead people, because if you're doing it, it'll be done right.

Your outlook on life can be bright or dark, depending on the situation. You are flexible and see things objectively.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

Five Tips on Beating a Gambling Addiction in Reno

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:06:52 GMT

If you find yourself in Reno (or really any casino town) and don't know how to fight the urge to spend too much money, then I suggest following my 5 Tips on Beating a Gambling Addiction in Reno.

The lure of the mighty spinning wheels is hard to resist, especially for any gaming enthusiast such as myself. But it can be done.

1.) Don’t Look Directly at the Spinning Wheels

Note: taking a picture doesn't fall under this category, because your camera is doing the looking. But be careful to not then look at your camera and see how much you won this round. Because if you win once, chances are the same machine won't pay off until you leave the machine and the person waiting behind you sits down and wins on the first spin.

2.) Same goes for the Mirrors (as in don't look directly at them)

Why shouldn't you look directly at the mirrors? Because there are so many of them on the ceilings, walls, floor, and every surface imaginable that a mirror can adhere to that it's just scary (at least at the casino we were at which had the honor of being voted The Gaudiest Interior in Reno--which I'm sure they proudly display the certificate on the wall, but we were unable to find due to being blinded by the mirrors and all). And being scared isn't good when you have money in your hand.

3.) Don’t get in the way of these ladies. I’m pretty sure if you are in their direct path they can convince you to do anything.

4.) If you say you are only going to spend $20, it means $20 not $21, $22, or $33.

5.) Make Day trips to Lake Tahoe. Because half of it is in California where no casinos exist.

And not only is seeing the lake fun, but then you too can have cheesy photos of yourself pretending to touch the lake from three stories up. And who doesn't love a good corny photo?

Mind you these aren't proven anti-gambling techniques, but they seemed to work for my recent trip.

Book Giveaways

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:17:37 GMT

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to give you a heads up that I'm giving away TWO BOOKS over on the Author2Author blog today: DEATH BY BIKINI and DEATH BY LATTE.

Also Linda Gerber stopped by and shared what she was thankful for in her writing life.

Friday Five--Casino and Valentine edition

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:58:32 GMT

1.) Officially, I'm not doing NaNo this year, which is a good thing considering I'm making slow progress on the book I wanted to get 20K in by the end of the month. But slow progress is better than no progress, right?

2.) I've been wanting to write a MG novel for quite some time and this morning I came up with a title. Now the prospect of a new novel is distracting me not only from No. 1, but the fact I'm supposed to be working on revisions of another book, which is my priority this month. However wonderful the shiny, new novel looks, I will take the advice of my BFF Meg Cabot and follow her NaNo email suggestions this week and stick with the novel I should be working on and not cheat with another novel.

3.) Has anyone seen the new show Valentine on CW? I somehow missed hearing about this show, and now that I've discovered it CW has decided to cancel it. Boo. But it's a show that involves a romance author being recruited by Greek Gods to help with a matchmaking business. Except the romance writer might not be who she appears. Seriously, people, does that not sound exciting or what? I'm bummed it's canceled before I even heard about it. That's the dangers of being obsessed with your DVR and not watching commercials anymore.

4.) If that last suggestion didn't convince you of the awesomeness of the show. Look at this picture, or the fact they use a heart with bullet holes with it's logo during the credits (sorry I couldn't find that image to post):

Seriously who would cancel this show? I understand it's probably geared toward very specific people (people like me that love romance and nice bullets that shoot love). I'm hoping it's a rumor. Or at the very least the episodes I haven't watched yet aren't as good as the ones I did see, so I feel justified it was canceled.

5.) Tomorrow morning at 5:30 I will be on a plane to Reno. Aside from being majorly bummed our flight schedule got changed and I have to be up at the butt crack of dawn, I'm super excited to take a vacation. And I haven't seen a Nevada casino since I was ten. Considering the lasting impression the Las Vegas Circus Circus casino left on me, it will be hard to surpass. Flying trapeze artists and games you can play for stuffed animals is hard to beat.

Writing and I are no longer Frenemies

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:42:39 GMT

First, make sure to VOTE TODAY. If you haven't already.

Second, it was never my intention to be away from this blog for so long. I blinked and it just sort of happened.

I don't know how many entries I wanted to write, but the only titles I kept coming up with were some variation of:

"Writing Sucks"

"You are so my Frenemy, Writing."

And I didn't think anyone would want a grouchy poster all the time. So I've stayed away.

Writing and I have since made amends, and are no longer Frenemies (at least most days). Such is the life of a writer.

I hope everyone is well. I haven't been commenting on blogs much, but I have been trying to keep up in my blog reading. And there sounds like theres tons of awesome news in the blogosphere. Excellent.

Love in the Corner Pocket release

Tue, 20 May 2008 14:03:26 GMT

Okay, I missed telling you all about an awesome book release from one of my writing friend's Marlene Perez.

“Chloe is used to seeing all the angles on the table, so she's shocked when Alex turns up at Gino's Pizza and turns her life upside down. Not only does he confuse her and steal her best friend Bridget, but -- perhaps worst of all -- he threatens to beat her at pool.”

What's even more fun, is that Mar agreed to be interviewed by me on the Author2Author Blog here. Hope you'll stop by and check it or the book out. I think you'll love the book!

Meme

Thu, 15 May 2008 14:07:28 GMT

lisa_schroeder tagged me

What were you doing 10 years ago?

Getting ready to graduate from high school. I was also probably planning for the prom. Not that I had a date or anything, but I wasn’t going to let that small detail ruin me from having an amazing time with my friends.

What are 5 things you need to do today?

Finish two more pages of my WIP for my writing group that’s meeting today (excellent motivation)
Pack
Try to find more garage sale items in my apartment to sell, since it’s overflowing with unnecessary clutter
Work out for our staff workout challenge (post to come about this, I'm sure)
Drive to Indiana tonight for an extended weekend visit

What are some snacks you enjoy?

Strawberries (I only put this because Lisa had it down and they sounded yummy. I love strawberries, but when asked about snack foods, they usually don’t come to mind.)
Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream
Rhubarb Pie
String Cheese
Is there food that exists besides snack food?

What would you do if you were a billionaire?

Frequently lounge by my pool that has a water slide coming through a water fall
Travel to every country in the world
Buy a fancy house, so I don't have to listen to my neighbors' blaring radio or barking dogs
Hire a maid (actually I’m close to doing this right now, on my non-billionaire salary, because Merry Maids could probably make my life much Merrier)
Hire a personal chef (since I need to try other food groups besides the snack group)
Give some to charity and family and friends

What are 3 bad habits?

I stress out and worry about very insignificant things
I curse in the car and frequently yell at little old ladies driving Cadillac’s that don’t deserve it
I’m addicted to my email and the Internet

Name 5 places you have lived

Fort Wayne, Indiana
Muncie, Indiana
Houghton, Michigan (go on, I dare you to look it up)
Knoxville, Tennessee
Brighton, Michigan

What are 5 jobs you've had?

Window saleswomen
AmeriCorps member
Department Store Event Planner
Engineering Development Graduate Assistant
Library Programming Coordinator

I tag:
jessicaburkhart
miss_shortskirt
mindiscott
dr_jordan
tinaya (but only if she needs something to do, while the baby takes his/her sweet time)W

Friday Five

Fri, 09 May 2008 19:39:33 GMT

This week has been extremely busy and incredibly cool.

1.) All week long, I've been attending a Michigan Library Association conference in Grand Rapids. My first official library conference, but what's even more fun is that there's been lots of authors in to speak. Including Tamora Pierce, Cynthia Lord, John Green, Hank Green (not an official author, but still cool), and Maureen Johnson. So not only have I learned tons of valuable information for my job, I've also had a bonus of getting writing tips.

2.) Cynthia Lord has pictures over here. Her pictures are much cooler than mine, since she not only has a carousal but another picture of her with John Green. I kept wanting to ask authors to take pictures with me, but I felt like an idiot fan-girl and chickened out. Any authors, please let me know if it's weird if people ask you to take pictures with them. If it's flattering, then I won't feel as weird asking people in the future for it.

3.) In addition to having cool pictures, I learned Cynthia Lord is incredibly nice and very deserving of all her book honors. I got a chance to briefly talk with her and asked her what her favorite piece of writing advice is. She told me two things, which boiled down to (my horrible paraphrase here, she said it much better): when writing the first draft let yourself go and try not to worry about the story yet, otherwise you'll never get it written. And two, the people that make it in this business are the ones that don't give up. That's definitely advice I needed right now. So thank you, Cynthia.

4.) I got a signed copy of Hank Green's CD of Brotherhood 2.0 songs for my husband. I had him autograph it for my husband and I didn't read it until I got back to my hotel room, but it said, "[Husband's name] I hope you know your wife is made of awesome." I LOVE IT. Only thing is, I doubt my husband will believe me when I tell him I didn't make him write that.

5.) I got a copy of Maureen Johnson's Suite Scarlett that I'm so excited to read. But in addition, she was handing out free sleep masks. How awesome is that? Not that I've ever used one. But you know, it could come in handy.

Weekend attempt at Interesting

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:39:29 GMT

Thanks everyone for your weekend suggestions tips. They were all taken to heart and I definitely might be adding them to the "to do" pile for future weekends.

Though, I just found out in the next few weeks there will be both Stomp and roller derby nearby. And I really can't resist seeing roller derby live. I used to love both the shows RollerGames and the more recent Rollergirls, and have wanted to see it live for ever. I might get my wish soon.

Anyway, this weekend we opted to go here:

I'm all for festive towns that celebrate a culture. Whatever that culture maybe.

Here's me in lederhosen:

Good times. Good times.

Friday Five

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:58:46 GMT

1.) I'm getting ready to start a new novel, which I'm super excited about. One of my favorite stages of writing a novel is the planning and brainstorming stage. Because you just get to sit there and think of all these crazy ideas you can put into your novel. And then think of ways to actually make them fit together into a story.

2.) For the very first time, I have not one, but two story ideas that are calling me to be written. So not only do I have one idea that I can brainstorm, I have two, which is even better. Depending on my day, that's the one I'm dying to write next.

3.) On a typical weekend, my husband and I don't really do anything. We see a ton of movies (which will probably happen tonight), but other than that we don't do much. Not because we don't want to, but because we never think of anything fun to do. A few months ago, we tried to brainstorm idea after idea of things to do and wrote them all down in the hopes that when we couldn't think of anything to do, we'd just pull from the pile...and we'd automatically have something to do. The idea was good in theory, but then we started to forget about the pile, other times it would take us 15 pulls to find something we'd actually want to do. It just wasn't very effective.

4.) But pulling stuff out of a hat or not, I'm bound and determine I'm going to do something...interesting...this weekend. Before I start writing the above two novels. I just don't know what. I'm thinking a day trip of some sort. But I'm open to suggestions of Things to do of Interest for those that are incredibly talented and can think up fun stuff to do on the weekends.

5.) Speaking of my husband and randomness. On Tuesday afternoon, I randomly called him, expecting him to be at work. When he picked up the phone there was loud banging and clanking in the background, so I asked him where he was. His response: "a tattoo parlor." Which kind of surprised me, given the fact he hasn't gotten a tattoo, you know, the entire 7 years we've been married. But it wasn't that unusual since he has been talking about it for 2 years, even though it had been a few months since he'd brought it up. It was just unusual, since he didn't share that's what he was doing during the day. I guess he wanted it to be a surprise. Or maybe he thought I'd talk him out of it, which is weird, because I actually like tattoos (well...on other people...not me, because I'm more indecisive then Britney Spears and would be scared to death of doing anything that's permanent, let alone permanent to my body). So now my husband has a rampant lion he designed on his calf.

Have a nice weekend everyone!

I couldn't agree with this more...

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:52:34 GMT

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern.

A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock.

A unique soul like you needs a city that offers everything.

No wonder you and London will get along so well.

What City Do You Belong In?