I wore a hole in the knee of my jeans last week. I’m kinda particular about jeans because I have long legs . . . I can’t wear traditional dept store jeans: I prefer Eva boot cut Express jeans . . . my size Long.
They’re fairly pricy, considering (65 bucks+ on a good day), and it’s hard throwing around that kind of money when I have bills to pay and a book habit to feed. Still, Express jeans are SO good to me. I can wear them and wash them nonstop for like, a year and a half (or until I get a hole in the knee) so I figure I get my money’s worth.
I went shopping this weekend, and decided that maybe 65 bucks was too much to spend on a pair of jeans. Plus, Express had reorganized their store, and their jeans selection was *not* what it use to be. Long story short, I made the fatal mistake of buying regular department store jeans.
Yes, I tried them on, but it’s three days later and I am clearly having buyer’s remorse (after I removed the tags and washed them, no less). They’re long, so they fit lengthwise, but they came in odd sizes. I went one number up, and they were too tight (I’m assuming juniors’ sizes are different from ladies’?). Then I went the next size up. Keep in mind I’m now three numbers up from my traditional size. (Sigh.) I have to pull them up whenever I stand, and I can’t bend over too far or . . . FLASH!
And they’re all new and stiff.
Why can’t I just stick with what works? Honestly. I’m not at all obsessive about clothes, but I am so the denim person. I should’ve considered it an investment. I’m wondering how fast I can wear a hole in the knee in this pair. They were on sale, so maybe the quality isn’t what it should be.
The good news is I still have a few back-up pairs of semi-retired Express jeans that I snagged during a 2 for 1 sale. That makes me feel slightly better. I will be pulling them back out.
Also, the fact that my new pair is a size and a half larger than my last pair is doing *nothing* for my self confidence. I should either eat lots ice cream today to make up the difference, or throw them in a hot washer.
Or . . . maybe ice cream first, and then the washer! :)
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
J.E. MacLeod is Here!
Today I’m thrilled to have my writing friend and publishing sister, J.E., on the blog! J.E. is celebrating the release of her novel, Waiting to Score.
. . . . . . . . .
We interrupt this regularly scheduled blog tour post to announce that Waiting to Score is an *awesome* book (yes, I was lucky enough to get to read it before the masses!) and I’m *so* excited that it’s on sale!
Okay. Back to the interview . . . but first:
About Waiting to Score
Zack Chase, new in town, gets a crash course in the dangerous, fast-paced lives of local teen athletes. A good-looking, book-loving hockey star, Zack’s also expected to be a womanizing, alcohol-abusing party animal, but it’s not who he is. As jealous, obnoxious team captain Mac hounds him, Zack falls for Goth-girl Jane and befriends her teammate brother, both with their own secrets. Tragedy strikes and affects them all in this true-to-life debut novel, giving readers an insight into the lives of high school students and athletes.
. . . . . . . . .
Another hijack!
(Even though it’s written from a guy’s point of view both guys and girls will love this story. It’s not a hockey book: it’s a book about friendships and relationships and choices. Guys: Zack is totally cool, and definitely someone you’d want to be your best friend. Girls: Zack is . . . Sa-Woon!)
Okay. Back to the real post:
About the Author
J.E.‘s path to becoming an author was a windy one. After college, she wrote advertising copy for radio and then television and eventually moved on to work in sales and marketing for too many years.
After having a son, J.E. followed her dreams and wrote her first book. Once she started writing YA, she felt like she’d found her home and has been writing it ever since. J.E. lives near the Canadian Rockies with her husband and son and a new puppy named Meeko. She does not live in an Igloo or play hockey, but she does love maple syrup and says “eh” a lot.
Let’s get on to the official Interview! Eh? (Hoping I used that in the appropriate context!)
Me: Without giving away too many spoilers, what is your favorite part of the novel/what was the part you had the most fun writing?
J.E.: This sounds really awful but my fave part of the book is when one of the characters dies. Fave in a 'sometimes when I'm sad I like to watch sad movies' kind of favorite. I really love that character and writing some of the scenes that led to the tragic choice was cleansing for my soul.
Me: That was one of the parts of the book where my mouth dropped in astonishment. It completely took me by surprise: didn’t see it coming at all. V. sad, but such a good lesson for teens who pick up the book and read about it.
What kind of writing projects are you currently working on? Or, if you aren't working on anything new, is there a different demographic/genre you wouldn't mind tackling in the future?
J.E.: I have two contemporary and edgy YA's that are done, one still in revision stage. One is a girl POV and one is a boy POV. I also am working on a YA that is more an Alias tone. I have another paranormal YA in my files that I'd love to work on. So many ideas, so little time. I would love to tackle an MG story idea too, and have a chapter book I want to write. Someday.
Me: I hear you! And finally: Who is your writing hero and why?
J.E.: I have lots of writing heroes. One is John Green because he is so obviously great at writing, but also because he's done so much for the contemporary YA genre. His vlogs are flippin' awesome too.
Me: (sigh) He’s amazing! Thank you so much for giving me an opportunity to swoon at the thought. . . .
Readers: You can visit J.E. at her home on the web: http://www.jemacleod.com
And . . . Waiting to Score is officially on sale. You can buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Score-J-E-MacLeod/dp/193481301X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234020736&sr=8-1
It doesn’t disappoint! I promise!
J.E. will be chatting with Danielle Joseph tomorrow at: http://daniellejoseph.livejournal.com
Thank you so much for stopping by J.E.!
. . . . . . . . .
We interrupt this regularly scheduled blog tour post to announce that Waiting to Score is an *awesome* book (yes, I was lucky enough to get to read it before the masses!) and I’m *so* excited that it’s on sale!
Okay. Back to the interview . . . but first:
About Waiting to Score
Zack Chase, new in town, gets a crash course in the dangerous, fast-paced lives of local teen athletes. A good-looking, book-loving hockey star, Zack’s also expected to be a womanizing, alcohol-abusing party animal, but it’s not who he is. As jealous, obnoxious team captain Mac hounds him, Zack falls for Goth-girl Jane and befriends her teammate brother, both with their own secrets. Tragedy strikes and affects them all in this true-to-life debut novel, giving readers an insight into the lives of high school students and athletes.
. . . . . . . . .
Another hijack!
(Even though it’s written from a guy’s point of view both guys and girls will love this story. It’s not a hockey book: it’s a book about friendships and relationships and choices. Guys: Zack is totally cool, and definitely someone you’d want to be your best friend. Girls: Zack is . . . Sa-Woon!)
Okay. Back to the real post:
About the Author
J.E.‘s path to becoming an author was a windy one. After college, she wrote advertising copy for radio and then television and eventually moved on to work in sales and marketing for too many years.
After having a son, J.E. followed her dreams and wrote her first book. Once she started writing YA, she felt like she’d found her home and has been writing it ever since. J.E. lives near the Canadian Rockies with her husband and son and a new puppy named Meeko. She does not live in an Igloo or play hockey, but she does love maple syrup and says “eh” a lot.
Let’s get on to the official Interview! Eh? (Hoping I used that in the appropriate context!)
Me: Without giving away too many spoilers, what is your favorite part of the novel/what was the part you had the most fun writing?
J.E.: This sounds really awful but my fave part of the book is when one of the characters dies. Fave in a 'sometimes when I'm sad I like to watch sad movies' kind of favorite. I really love that character and writing some of the scenes that led to the tragic choice was cleansing for my soul.
Me: That was one of the parts of the book where my mouth dropped in astonishment. It completely took me by surprise: didn’t see it coming at all. V. sad, but such a good lesson for teens who pick up the book and read about it.
What kind of writing projects are you currently working on? Or, if you aren't working on anything new, is there a different demographic/genre you wouldn't mind tackling in the future?
J.E.: I have two contemporary and edgy YA's that are done, one still in revision stage. One is a girl POV and one is a boy POV. I also am working on a YA that is more an Alias tone. I have another paranormal YA in my files that I'd love to work on. So many ideas, so little time. I would love to tackle an MG story idea too, and have a chapter book I want to write. Someday.
Me: I hear you! And finally: Who is your writing hero and why?
J.E.: I have lots of writing heroes. One is John Green because he is so obviously great at writing, but also because he's done so much for the contemporary YA genre. His vlogs are flippin' awesome too.
Me: (sigh) He’s amazing! Thank you so much for giving me an opportunity to swoon at the thought. . . .
Readers: You can visit J.E. at her home on the web: http://www.jemacleod.com
And . . . Waiting to Score is officially on sale. You can buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Score-J-E-MacLeod/dp/193481301X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234020736&sr=8-1
It doesn’t disappoint! I promise!
J.E. will be chatting with Danielle Joseph tomorrow at: http://daniellejoseph.livejournal.com
Thank you so much for stopping by J.E.!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Sarah MacLean is here!
Sarah MacLean is on the blog!! Sarah is celebrating the debut of her novel: The Season.
About The Season
Seventeen-year-old Lady Alexandra Stafford doesn't fit into the world of Regency London — she's strong-willed, sharp-tongued, and she absolutely loathes dress fittings. Unfortunately, her mother has been waiting for years for Alex to be old enough to take part in the social whirlwind of a London Season so she can be married off to someone safe, respectable, wealthy, and almost certainly boring. But Alex is much more interested in adventure than romance.
Between sumptuous balls, lavish dinner parties and country weekends, Alex, along with her two best friends, Ella and Vivi, manages to get entangled in her biggest scrape yet. When the Earl of Blackmoor is killed in a puzzling accident, Alex decides to help his son, the brooding and devilishly handsome Gavin, uncover the truth. It's a mystery brimming with espionage, murder, and suspicion. As she and Gavin grow closer, will Alex's heart be stolen in the process?
Romance and danger fill the air, as this year's Season begins!
About the Author
Sarah MacLean is the author of THE SEASON, a YA novel coming in March 2009 from Scholastic. She grew up in Rhode Island, where she spent much of her free time bemoaning the fact that she was more than a century too late for own Season. Her unabashed addiction to historical fiction helped to earn her a degree in European History from Smith College before she moved to New York City to pursue a career in publishing. After receiving a Masters in Education from Harvard University, Sarah returned to New York, where she lives with her husband, their dog, and a ridiculously large collection of romance novels. She is currently working on a series of regency-set romances to be released in 2010 from Avon/HarperCollins.
On to the Interview!
About The Season
Seventeen-year-old Lady Alexandra Stafford doesn't fit into the world of Regency London — she's strong-willed, sharp-tongued, and she absolutely loathes dress fittings. Unfortunately, her mother has been waiting for years for Alex to be old enough to take part in the social whirlwind of a London Season so she can be married off to someone safe, respectable, wealthy, and almost certainly boring. But Alex is much more interested in adventure than romance.
Between sumptuous balls, lavish dinner parties and country weekends, Alex, along with her two best friends, Ella and Vivi, manages to get entangled in her biggest scrape yet. When the Earl of Blackmoor is killed in a puzzling accident, Alex decides to help his son, the brooding and devilishly handsome Gavin, uncover the truth. It's a mystery brimming with espionage, murder, and suspicion. As she and Gavin grow closer, will Alex's heart be stolen in the process?
Romance and danger fill the air, as this year's Season begins!
About the Author
Sarah MacLean is the author of THE SEASON, a YA novel coming in March 2009 from Scholastic. She grew up in Rhode Island, where she spent much of her free time bemoaning the fact that she was more than a century too late for own Season. Her unabashed addiction to historical fiction helped to earn her a degree in European History from Smith College before she moved to New York City to pursue a career in publishing. After receiving a Masters in Education from Harvard University, Sarah returned to New York, where she lives with her husband, their dog, and a ridiculously large collection of romance novels. She is currently working on a series of regency-set romances to be released in 2010 from Avon/HarperCollins.
On to the Interview!
Me: Without giving away too many spoilers, what is your favorite part of the novel/what was the part you had the most fun writing?
Sarah: The carriage scene . . . which didn't actually exist until the second draft of the book. . . . Now, of course, I can't imagine that scene NOT existing . . . probably because I had so much fun with it!
Me: What kind of writing projects are you currently working on? Or, if you aren't working on anything new, is there a different demographic/genre you wouldn't mind tackling in the future?
Sarah: I actually have three adult romances coming from Avon/HarperCollins next year...the first one is due to my editor in April...so I can tell you about that one! It's a Regency-set romance...the heroine is a 27-year-old spinster who has spent her whole life dreaming of adventure and romance...and finally decides to take matters into her own hands. She makes a list of the 9 things she would do if she didn't have to face society...or the consequences. And then she does them. Oh, and there's a dreamy rake in there, too.
Me: Sounds exciting! Finally, who is your writing hero and why?
Sarah: It's probably no surprise that it's Jane Austen. Her voice is amazing...her ability to write sentences as an omniscient narrator that also sound like they're coming from from the mind of the character. She knows her characters so well, she can speak as author and subject all at the same time. It's completely incredible.
Nope! No surprise there!
You can visit Sarah at her home on the web: http://www.macleanspace.com/
And . . . The Season is officially on sale. You can buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Season-Sarah-MacLean/dp/0545048869/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230416170&sr=1-1
And in stores! I saw it in the Greenville Barnes and Noble!
Sarah will be chatting with Sydney Salter tomorrow at: http://www.mybignose.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much for stopping by, Sarah!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Today Cynthea Liu is on the blog! Cynthea is celebrating the release of her book: “The Great Call of China.”
You know the routine:
About The Great Call of China
Chinese-born Cece was adopted when she was two years old by her American parents. Living in Texas, she's bored of her ho-hum high school and dull job. So when she learns about the S.A.S.S. program to Xi'an, China, she jumps at the chance. She'll be able to learn about her passion—anthropology—and it will give her the opportunity to explore her roots. But when she arrives, she receives quite a culture shock. And the closer she comes to finding out about her birth parents, the more apprehensive she gets. Enter Will, the cute guy she first meets on the plane. He and Cece really connect during the program. But can he help her get accustomed to a culture she should already know about, or will she leave China without the answers she's been looking for?
About the Author
Cynthea spent her formative years in Oklahoma and Texas where she was a Whiz Quiz member, an Academic Decathloner, and a spelling bee champion. (Yes, she was very popular.) After attending college on the East coast, she worked at a corporate job where she mastered PowerPoint and racked up thousands of frequent flyer miles. Eventually, she traded in her suit for sweats to do the fun stuff–writing for children. In addition to PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE and THE GREAT CALL OF CHINA, Cynthea's nonfiction book WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS: A CRASH COURSE (how to write, revise, and publish your kid's or teen book with children's book publishers) is available in paperback. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1605301140/?tag=cynthealiu-20
On to the Interview!
Me: Without giving away too many spoilers, what is your favorite part of the novel/what was the part you had the most fun writing?
Cynthea: There's a water fountain scene I really enjoyed putting in the book. Who wouldn't want to be near a hot guy against a gorgeous backdrop of lights, music, and water streaming everywhere in pretty patterns. *Sigh*
Me: (Sigh) I am *so* there! What kind of writing projects are you currently working on? Or, if you aren't working on anything new, is there a different demographic/genre you wouldn't mind tackling in the future?
Cynthea: I'd really like to tackle the Easy Reader market. There's an innocence there that I'd enjoy capturing in new stories that would appeal to this younger age group.
Me: That sounds like fun! And finally, who is your writing hero and why?
Cynthea: My mom is my hero for everything (sorry, Dad. Love ya, but Mom always wins this one.) Problem is, Mom doesn't do much writing and assembly language doesn't count! (Inside joke for computer geeks). Anyway, I do admire quite a few writers but no one shall be named here for fear of annoying other writers who think they should be on my list. Who needs that sort of pressure? :)
Me: I agree! Like we don’t have enough to worry about already. Readers, if you’re still skeptical about this book and/or Cynthea, you must fly, not walk, here: http://www.cynthealiu.com/books/movies/ and watch her movie. It proves that she is fabulous, and *will* convince you to add The Great Call of China to your “must read” list.
In the meantime, you can visit Cynthea at her home on the web: http://www.cynthealiu.com
And . . . The Great Call of China is officially on sale. You can buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0142411345/?tag=cynthealiu-20
On top of that, her next novel, Paris Pan takes the Dare, will be available in June! Go Cynthea!
Cynthea will be chatting with Deva tomorrow at: http://www.devafagan.com
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Monday, March 2, 2009
A garbage truck came through at 6:45am today. The noise woke up my child, who then woke me.
In my house, we enjoy our sleep. NO ONE is up at 6:45. If at all possible, baby girl and I sleep until 9:00. (I know. Some of you are like, “Wah wah you poor thing I was up at 4am feeding the goats. . . .” Whatever. I work from home, and we all stay up late at night therefore we are allowed to sleep in.)
Still, I’ve come to dread Mondays more than usual, because not only is it my busiest grading day, but I’m running on 5-6 hours of sleep. Not good.
On top of that, half the state got slammed with snow, and what do we get? 48 hours of torrential downpour that flooded my yard and tiny, insignificant flurries that aren’t even sticking. They’re adorable, but come on! How about some accumulation?
UGH! AND I have to go to the grocery store. I think I’m going to make a chocolate pudding pie and wallow in all my Mondayness.
The irony is (sorry, back to the garbage truck thing) they aren’t even picking up MY trash!! I’m up at the crack of dawn, and I *still* have to take my trash down the road to the dump. (Sigh.) I will be glad for Tuesday.
(And Wednesday, because Cynthea Liu will be on the blog!)
I hope your Monday has been *fabulous*.
(Oh! The flurries are falling faster! Yay!)
In my house, we enjoy our sleep. NO ONE is up at 6:45. If at all possible, baby girl and I sleep until 9:00. (I know. Some of you are like, “Wah wah you poor thing I was up at 4am feeding the goats. . . .” Whatever. I work from home, and we all stay up late at night therefore we are allowed to sleep in.)
Still, I’ve come to dread Mondays more than usual, because not only is it my busiest grading day, but I’m running on 5-6 hours of sleep. Not good.
On top of that, half the state got slammed with snow, and what do we get? 48 hours of torrential downpour that flooded my yard and tiny, insignificant flurries that aren’t even sticking. They’re adorable, but come on! How about some accumulation?
UGH! AND I have to go to the grocery store. I think I’m going to make a chocolate pudding pie and wallow in all my Mondayness.
The irony is (sorry, back to the garbage truck thing) they aren’t even picking up MY trash!! I’m up at the crack of dawn, and I *still* have to take my trash down the road to the dump. (Sigh.) I will be glad for Tuesday.
(And Wednesday, because Cynthea Liu will be on the blog!)
I hope your Monday has been *fabulous*.
(Oh! The flurries are falling faster! Yay!)
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