Writing-N-Words:

In Celebration of Dr. Seuss

2010-03-01T17:31:00.003-07:00

Not that Dr. Seuss is particularly known as a young adult author, but there are many teens out there that (whether they want to admit it or not) still appreciate the honest and ridiculous qualities of their favorite Dr. Seuss books. So while I wouldn't normally feature a children's book author...I'm making an exception because Dr. Seuss is appropriate for all ages and...tomorrow's his birthday!

So Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! To find out more about the man check out this fun site: Seussville.

And if you're thinking about celebrating with a recreation of Dr. Seuss's magical world you should try one of these fun recipes.

Moose Juice and Goose Juice:

Moose juice is a dreamy orange and Goose juice is a sleepy green just like in the stories!

Ingredients for Moose Juice:

3/4 cup orange juice

1/2 cup orange sherbert

1/2 banana, sliced

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon whipped cream

Ingredients for Goose Juice:

3 kiwis, peeled and sliced

1/4 cup lime juice or 1 1/2 tablespoons frozen lime concentrate

1/2 cup lime sherbert

3 ice cubes

1 tablespoon whipped cream

Moose Juice directions:

1. Combine the juice, sherbert, banana, and extract. Mix it in a blender until smooth.

2. Pour it in a glass and top with the whipped cream.

Goose Juice directions:

1. Get out the blender again. Mix the kiwis, lime juice or concentrate, sherbert and ice cubes and puree until smooth.

2. Pour the mixture in a glass and serve it topped with whipped cream.

Both recipes are for 1 serving! Enjoy.

Other ideas I've heard mentioned in connections with celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday this week included:

1. to wear pajamas to school

2. to wear a wacky hat on Wednesday

3. to miss school because you're "sick today"

4. make your own "Foot Book" by painting with your feet

5. eat green eggs and ham for breakfast (stock up on the green food coloring)

6. dress like a Sneetch (wear all yellow and put a star on your belly)

7. only eat foods beginning with a "d" or "s" for a whole day

8. plant a tree for the Lorax

These are just a few suggestions...what did you come up with?

Step Two: Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards 2010

2010-02-28T18:34:00.004-07:00

Well...the initial rush has passed and I've stopped texting my sisters randomly reminding them that Meeting Lizzy has been pushed through to the next round in the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards. Now that I'm a bit calmer I've realized that I didn't provide you with near enough information about the actual process.

So! The initial submissions for the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel awards were sent in between 1/25/2010 and 2/7/2010. The contest accepts no more than 10,000 submissions per year. The entries were plowed through (very quickly) and the selected novels in both general fiction and young adult fiction were announced on 2/25/2010.

Meeting Lizzy was amongst those selected to move forward in the competition. (Again...yeah!) The next step involves Amazon editors and Amazon Vine Reviewers reading 3,000 to 5,ooo word excerpts of each entry that passed through the first round of competition.

500 Quarterfinalists will be announced on 3/23/2010. The 500 Quarterfinalists' manuscripts will then be read in full by Publishers Weekly. They will be rated and reviewed based on five elements:

1. originality of idea

2. plot

3. prose/writing style

4. character development

5. overall strength

100 Semifinalists will be announced on 4/27/2010 and Publishers Weekly reviews will be posted for the selected group's manuscripts.

Penguin editors will then read each Semifinalist's manuscript using the same 5 element judging criteria to select three entries in each category (YA and general fiction). The 6 Finalists will be announced on 5/25/2010.

At this point it will be time for Amazon readers to weigh in on the subject! Excerpts will be posted for Amazon customers to read and then vote for the best in each category. Amazon readers will select the final winners who will then be announced on 6/14/2010. During this final stage of the contest there will be a celebrity judging panel that will post their professional opinions and comments regarding the entries so they can be considered by Amazon readers when voting for the winners.

Exciting, right? I hope it continues to be fun for Meeting Lizzy, but if the fun ends here then I have to say...that it was already pretty fun!

2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards

2010-02-27T00:42:00.004-07:00

The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards for 2010 are underway. Meeting Lizzy was sent in for consideration. Why not, right? And guess what? The list of books that are moving on to the second round for award consideration was released today. And yours truly saw her book listed on the list of Young Adult Fiction Entries moving on to the next round.

Can I release a quick, "Wahoo!!!!" for that? I've approved my own premature celebration because sometimes it's exciting just to be considered for winning...even if the contest isn't yet over.

So the basics of the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Awards are looking for the next "popular novel." It's an international competition being hosted by Amazon.com, Penguin Group (USA) and CreateSpace. 2010 marks the third annual Amazon Breakthrough Awards competition and for the first time there will be two grand prizes awarded; one in each category. The categories are: General Fiction and Young Adult Fiction. Each winner will receive a publishing contract with Penguin (which includes a respectable $15,000 advance).

To view the full list of books selected to move on to the next round of review...click here.

For contest details...click here.

Where to Buy Used Books:

2009-10-19T07:11:00.004-07:00

Is it bad mannered of me to admit that I love buying books at used book prices? I'm thinking it might be, but I'm going to go ahead and do it anyway. I love buying books at used book prices. I love keeping books after I read them. I'm one of those fanatics who will check books out at the library in order to cut back on the amount I spend at the bookstores, and then have to go out and purchase the books after I've read them if I REALLY liked them. Is this strange? I've never actually questioned it before, but I'm afraid that's because I already know the answer.

I like to have a small library of my own so I can remind myself of all the good stories and characters I've read in the past, recommend books to friends and family, and suggest appropriate (and GOOD) books to my kids. They're getting old enough now that they are interested in some of the same books as their mom!

So what with all the book purchasing...I need to keep the costs down somehow so I like to get books used. I figure I'm going to use them anyway so what's the difference? Here are a couple of my favorite online destinations for used books:

1. abebooks.com: At abebooks.com I try to watch out for the shipping costs. The price of the books is often ridiculously low, but they do have typical $2-4 shipping costs depending upon the seller. And since it's a directory of sellers you will accrue more than one shipping fee if you don't pay attention to which books you're ordering from which bookseller.

2. betterworldbooks.com: This is a site I ran across fairly recently. It offers books at good used book prices and doesn't charge shipping within the US. And worldwide shipping is only $3.97. This particular bookseller seems to be dedicated to making the world a better place and offers a running tally of books they've saved from landfills (29,861,420) and funds raised for global literacy ($7,280,541.87)...at least those were the numbers last time I looked. You'll have to check out current stats for yourself. They're right at the top of the home page so you can't miss it.

So there you have it; two of my favorite spots for purchasing books online. You should check them out!

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

2009-10-06T20:03:00.003-07:00

The general public only becomes more and more aware of the issue of domestic violence. And I can only hope that awareness continues to spread and safe solutions continue to be offered to those in need.

The first time I can remember being aware of the issue of domestic violence was when a friend played a Tracy Chapman song for me in Junior High School. It was Chapman's "Behind the Wall." I remember struggling not to cry and simultaneously thinking that my friend was absolutely so amazing for knowing such a fabulous song and wondering how she could listen to it over and over without breaking down. I still love that song and I still struggle not to cry whenever I listen to it. My children think I'm a bit of a nutcase since I advise them to avoid things that make them sad or hurt, yet I play music that brings tears.

As the YA book this blog is dedicated to is a fictional account of a teen dating violence situation I feel it's only right to dedicate a bit of space to recognizing what's being done to generate more awareness of the issue during Domestic Violence Month.

Here are a few items worth noting:

1. The Family Crisis Center in Rexburg Advertises Domestic Violence Awareness Month

2. Organizations and Individuals Promote Domestic Violence Awareness in October and All Year Round

3. BlogTalk Radio had an expert scheduled to discuss Domestic Violence as Directly Related to the Military

4. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Continues to Support those who have suffered through their Remember My Name Program

5. President Obama Speaks Out About the Issue

6. The National Domestic Violence Hotline Continues to Aid Those in Need: They began their work in 1996.

7. Domestic Violence Vigil in Hanover Park

8. The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center Continues to Provide Necessary Info Regarding How the Issue Affects our Nation's Youth

This is, of course, a very limited list. The amount of time and effort and thought that is put into the cause by professionals and organizations dedicated to the issue and individuals who have decided on their own to make it their business are truly making a difference. While there is still a lot of work to be done to eradicate the problem (I continue to long for the possibility of perfection) we've really come a long way. Sometimes it might not seem like we've made a difference, but all I have to do is listen to Tracy Chapman's song "Behind the Wall" and I know that we've made progress. I like to think that that the situation described by Chapman in her astounding song is no longer the norm, but the worst case scenario.

Books Made into Movies, Summer 2009

2009-08-29T19:52:00.007-07:00

This summer seems to be the summer of books I've read and loved being made into movies. Besides the obvious Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and XMen Origins: Wolverine...there's The Time Traveler's Wife, My Sister's Keeper and Julie and Julia.

I tend to look on the bright side of things when it comes to movies. They're fabulously entertaining for me. I was even able to take my kids to see G Force and once I was actually sitting in my seat and the lights went down it wasn't that bad. I gave it a 6 out of 10. (Just to be fair, my son, upon whose insistence we actually ventured out to see this particular film gave it 9 out of 10). So I'm sure that there will be many who disagree with my favorable view of the movies based on books that have been released recently because I'm just not very critical. But here's my take on it!

XMen Origins: Wolverine, 9 out of 10

I loved it, of course. But I love the stories presented by the XMen. I was actually quite depressed when the show came to a screeching halt before the stories in my head had been recreated in full on the big screen. I would have sat there enthralled for hours...well, I guess I should say many more hours. It was a great story with lots of action, drama, romance, twists and turns and openings for more movies to come. And Wolverine himself was utterly yummy. It just had to be said.

Julie and Julia, 8 out of 10

This is another great film. I'm not an avid cook and I enjoyed it. I say this because I've heard a few friends say that it's only fun if you are a big fan of Julia Child or a very involved cook. I am neither and I'm still intrigued by the story. I especially loved the presentation of the two different stories. They were both very interesting and very different and equally meaningful in my mind.

My Sister's Keeper, 7 out of 10

I only give this one a 7 out of 10 because the book was so utterly amazing that I was disturbed by the few changes made to the story line. I always expect things to be cut from the story because they just have to remove parts of the story in order to stick to the general time limitations of the theatre. But there seemed to be unnecessary and odd changes to the story in this movie that I would have avoided. I missed several aspects of the story as presented in the book that were cut out as well. But I wouldn't have knocked the movie score for that purpose alone. Other than that...it's a very well done movie with a lot to offer.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Price, 8 out of 10

I love the Harry Potter movies. It seemed that they had a hard time jamming the story into the limited time frame for #6. That's not surprising since the books get longer as they progress. But it is, as always, a great story. My one biggest worry regarding the Harry Potter movies is that the actors/actresses won't be able to last in the roles cast. I'd hate for them to get too old to play the parts before the series is complete. This movie left me feeling the same way that book 6 left me feeling...a bit on edge until the next one comes out. The Harry Potter books are usually really good about giving enough closure at the end of each volume that you're okay with waiting for the next release. But if any of them end without closure...I'd say it's number 6.

The Time Traveler's Wife, 8 out of 10

This is based off such a fabulous, amazing story. I really liked the actor/actress cast for the roles. They seemed to fit perfectly. It was very well done and nearly as gripping (and heart wrenching) as the book; which is saying a lot.

On a similar note...I'm absolutely excited to see what Hollywood comes up with for Where the Wild Things Are and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Seeing how other people envision some of my all time favorites on the big screen is always exciting!

Gut Wrenching, Nauseating Books That I Often Recommend

2009-07-24T01:53:00.007-07:00

Anyone who knows me would attest to the fact that I love (and definitely believe in) happy endings. Everyone gets one in my world. But that doesn't mean that the road there isn't a bit (or really, really, really) rocky.

So today I'm going to throw out a few books that I frequently recommend to friends and acquaintances and readers who ask that don't necessarily come with a happy ending and are, in fact, slightly nauseating and definitely gut wrenching.

1. My Sister's Keeper: Please don't think you've got it covered because you've seen the recently released movie. The movie was really good, but it doesn't cover nearly as much ground as the book (isn't that just always the case?)

2. The Time Traveler's Wife: You still have time to sneak this one in before the upcoming movie release because I'm sure it will be another good movie that isn't as good as the book. It just couldn't possibly be THAT good. If it is...I'll eat my copy of the book (but I claim the right to flavor it with salsa).

3. Outlander: The woman who originally recommended this book to the woman who recommended it to me said, "This book changed my life." I wouldn't say that it has resulted in any drastic changes to my day to day life. But I'll definitely act differently if I ever find myself in the midst of an ancient circle of stones or if I ever find myself spontaneously traveling through time. And it left a definite mental mark that isn't going away any time soon.

Now...if you disagree with me, feel free to email me and let me know. I enjoy hearing other people's perspectives on my favorite book choices! And if you've read any lately that are worth a really severe gut wrench; pass the word. I love recommendations.

The Newest Addition to "Readers Who Write"

2009-06-08T14:55:00.007-07:00

This is the most recent addition to the Tell Me a Story portion of "Readers Who Write." I ran across this fabulous little treasure on the road in Mesa, AZ. I couldn't help but whip out the camera even though I was driving. (Although I must point out that this sort of behavior is absolutely out of the norm for me). I tried to get around the front and get a sneaky pic (or maybe just a glance) of who was driving, but they were driving like a maniac! I couldn't get in front of them. And that's really saying something because I can be something of a maniacal driver myself. But I did get a picture of the back end of the hearse before they zipped through a very, very yellow light and left me behind. I can't wait to use it at the next "Readers Who Write" event. It should provide the inspiration for some interesting stories!

The back window reads, "LUCKY STIFF FUNERAL HOME...We put the word FUN back in FUNeral!"

New Blog Feature: Great Books and Books to Read

2009-06-04T12:29:00.004-07:00

Just letting you know that after several requests for book recommendations I've decided it would be a great little addition to the blog. So from now on you'll be able to scroll down the sidebar and access lists of:

1. Books I Recommend
2. Books In My "To Read" Pile
3. Books Meeting Lizzy Readers Recommend

If you happen to see one in my "To Read" pile and you have a definite opinion on it, let me know! I'd love to hear what you think (just no spoilers, please!) I've found some of my all time favorite books by listening to other people's recommendations. And if you've got a book that you'd like to recommend...email it my way and I'll add it to the list of books the Meeting Lizzy readers have recommended.

Keep in touch. I love getting emails from readers and hearing what you think about Meeting Lizzy and all the other great YA books out there.

And on another note...I'm not quite ready to release a sneak peek at my next book. Sorry! But I'll keep you updated and as soon as it's a possibility I'll make it happen.

On the Shelf...

2009-05-25T16:49:00.003-07:00

There's nothing like seeing your book on the shelf at your favorite bookstore. I have to admit...the first time I walked into my local Barnes & Noble and saw Meeting Lizzy on the shelf I snapped a photo to document the happy moment. It was quite lovely. So I thought...better late than never! Why not share? So here's the photo of the first time I saw Meeting Lizzy on the shelf at my nearest bookstore.

I wandered into the Mesa, AZ Barnes and Noble at Val Vista and Baseline (I believe the center is called Dana Park). It's my favorite; possibly because it has a fountain out front where I like to throw coins and request wishes. You should give it a try. That particular fountain has a pretty good track record.

The only strange thing about the moment was my weird inclination to buy a copy even though I had a stack of promotional copies at home. I withstood the temptation, just so you know!

Google Alert! 8 YA Books to Read Again and Again...

2009-05-13T10:55:00.003-07:00

Google recently alerted me to the new posting of an article with my name on it and I have to say...WHAT? It's been totally mangled. So if you've already read this article in a previous post I apologize, but I have to re-post it because anyone who runs into it on the random site currently hosting it (in its very nearly unreadable version) are being redirected here in the comments on the article.

So if you've already read this...oh well! Next time you'll be more entertained. If you haven't...enjoy!

8 Young Adult Books Worth Recommending
By SarahBeth Carter

I am an avid reader with a definite weakness for YA (it’s like my mother-in-law’s love of chocolate). No matter how much I indulge myself…the books never lose their interest, their excitement, their ease, their sense of honesty. The genre seems to be filled with books, authors, and publishers that know exactly how I think and see the world. And if that’s not worth reading I don’t know what is!

So as an obsessive reader of YA there’s just no reason for me not to share the treasures I’ve found. If you haven’t checked out young adult books yet here are a few you should try. If you love Teen books and find any on the list you haven’t given a shot…you should rethink it and pick it up the next time you’re looking for a good book. And if you have no idea what I’m talking about just find one of the books below, open it and read. You’ll get it after a few pages.

The City of Ember by Jeanne DePrau. This book just seemed so clean and straight forward; so real. It is definitely set in the future, but in a future that seemed so simply inevitable after reading the book that it made me want to change my ways and be a different person. This book is followed by a sequel, The People of Sparks that is just as good. The City of Ember also has a movie based on the book that was released in Fall 2008 and it’s a fun addition to the reading. (Although…I enjoy movies almost as much as I enjoy books so I’m not the toughest critic when it comes to ripping up movies based on books. I usually just enjoy them despite their differences).

My next recommendation is an Advance Review Copy I received in 2008, Hot Girl by Dream Jordan. It presented the foster care system in a way that gave me a better glimpse of something I’ve never experienced first-hand. As such I can’t be the best judge of the realism used to portray the issues relating to foster care, but it left me more aware of the elements that can be involved and that most likely are involved in many cases. In addition it offered one of the most touching philosophies on friendship that I’ve run across in a new novel for a long time. I really enjoyed watching the growth the characters achieved (and sometimes endured).

Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman. This is not a recent YA book. It’s just one of my all time favorites. I’m asked quite often for book recommendations and I’ll usually ask the reader what they want in their book. Are they looking for meaning? Are they looking for distraction? Are they looking for answers? Are they looking for history? Son of the Mob is the book I recommend if they’re looking to laugh. This book is just full of hilarious moments that shouldn’t be funny in the first place, but somehow Korman pulls it all off and I find myself laughing out loud. And if laughter isn’t one of the most precious things you can gain from a book…I’ll need to downsize my personal library.

City of Bones, Book One in Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments Series, snagged me from the very first page. I am an absolute addict when it comes to good, likable characters. And I just love when they get to be so normal in such out of the norm situations. The entire Mortal Instruments series (well two books so far, but another comes out in March 2008) offers such a wide range of reading enjoyment that I’d feel pretty comfortable recommending it to almost any reader. Unless you despise things you can’t see with your own two eyes I’d say it’s a good bet that this book will have something in it you can appreciate. (And if you despise everything you can’t see with your own two eyes you might want to just stick to biographies and textbooks. But even then…you’ll find things to disbelieve. Oh, ye of little faith…and imagination).

Goose Girl by Shannon Hale was a book I picked up years ago. I can’t remember if I was drawn to the cover or if someone suggested I give it a try, but whatever happened to get it on my bookshelf doesn’t matter because it hasn’t moved since. It’s one I’m loath to loan out in case it doesn’t return. But in all honesty, I’d just buy a second copy if the first went missing. This is one that I’m excited to offer to my daughter when she gets a little older (she’s only 8 and isn’t quite up for the complexity of this 383 page novel). But I’m sure she will be soon. Goose Girl has politics, intrigue, adventure, deception, supernatural powers, royalty, fantasy, fairy tale, friendship, family, love, hate, confusion, frustration, and a lot more.

Is Kissing a Girl Who Smokes Like Licking an Ashtray? By Randy Powell. This is a book that I picked up for the title alone. Sometimes that works for me; sometimes it doesn’t. This one actually turned out to be very interesting and I’ve enjoyed it more than once. (I’m a re-reader). It’s funny. It’s fresh. It’s ironic. It’s just plain good.

House of Dance by Beth Kephart. This book falls into the category of “book I started recommending to others before I’d ever even picked it up.” Having had the opportunity to read Beth Kephart’s writing prior to the release of this particular novel, I knew that there was no way it couldn’t offer her surprisingly gentle style of questioning who, what and why that I find so intriguing.

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen. This is another of my all time favorites when it comes to books for teens. The character, Remy, really became quite real to me with her insistent refusal to let go of her lack of faith in love. I enjoyed watching the many (and varied) characters Dessen created crash and collide through the story looking for their own spot to be.

So there you have it; 8 pieces of young adult literature you should definitely go out and try. If you’re a book buyer jump on B&N.com and get a few with free shipping. If you’re into the deal you get with used books check out Abebooks.com and see if they’ve got a few listed from the same bookseller so you can save on shipping as well as price. Or if you’re one of those special readers that have a favorite bookstore that you enjoy dropping by periodically…jot down the names of a few that sound intriguing and ask if they’re in stock the next time you’re in the area. You won’t regret it!

Recommending Someone Else's Book for a Change!

2009-04-01T17:14:00.004-07:00

So if you haven't already assumed that I love to read I'll state the fact loud and clear right now, "I am an obsessive reader!" And when my little boy was having a really hard time learning to read it was a huge struggle for me. The hardest part was knowing that he would love it as much as I do if he could only get past the tough beginning stages that require so much memorization and so little imagination and actual reading of fun and amazing stories.

He always loved books. So I knew there had to be something out there, somewhere that would help him get past his refusal or inability (it's hard to point the finger when they're so young) to learn the basics of reading. He's an amazing kid with lots going on in his head and never a dull thought so I was just positive that once he got the basics he'd be able to take it and run.

It was a long, long, long search for easy readers that filled both my requirements:

1. They had to actually be easy. Easy enough for him to successfully complete without feeling like a failure with me jumping in on every other word or him taking so long to figure out a word that he forgot the previous one and had to start over.

2. Had something interesting to say. The easy readers that worked for my daughter just weren't cutting it with my son. He needed color, action, an actual story being told...something to engage his attention.

I did finally find the right easy reader that helped my son catch on to reading so I have to give it a shout out.

Brand New Readers were absolutely fabulous for my son. He quickly got attached and worked his way through several sets. Within the year he was reading full chapter books. I'm so relieved because...I was right. He DOES love reading as much as I do. I'm so glad that he didn't have to miss out on all that reading offers. (And I adore being right...it just feels good).

So if you know any children who need an extra push or incentive to get them moving along and reading you've got to try the Brand New Readers series. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you; I know how frustrating it can be to want so much to help, but not knowing what to do next!

Fabulous Bookstores around the world:

2009-03-31T19:03:00.004-07:00

Who doesn't love a really fabulous bookstore? Me...I love almost any bookstore, but these bookstores are so amazing that it might be worth making the "trip" for them alone.

Click here to check out the amazing photos!

Mood Reading

2009-03-30T23:22:00.004-07:00

I've been indulging in a little mood reading lately. I have a stack of books about 3 feet high waiting for my attention, but rather than begin the next in the pile I've been wandering through my personal library picking up old favorites.

I have never had a problem re-reading a book. But then I can watch a movie countless times, too. My husband is one of a large group of people who think "re-watching" and "re-reading" make me absolutely insane, but if an old book can create a new smile on my face I have NO problem keeping it around and visiting it again and again.

I think most people will admit to having movies that they'll watch (and enjoy) over and over. Everyone has their own. Here are a few of mine: Some Kind of Wonderful, Sixteen Candles, Beaches, Willow (I know, I know...to each his own, I say), Disturbia, Pride and Prejudice, etc. Which one I throw in the dvd player depends upon the mood I'm in (or want to be in)!

It's the same with reading. I've got books I pick up when I feel like laughing. I've got books I pick up when I need a good cry. I've got books I pick up when I want to think about certain people. I've got books I pick up when I need to be reminded that my world is not the center of THE world. I've got books I pick up when I need to be reminded that "happily ever after" is worth the now.

If you've never attempted to use a book to alter or enhance your mood you should give it a try. I've even stumbled upon a few popular bibliotherapy books in my time that offer some sound recommendations. If you are having trouble getting started, pick one of them up so you can get moving. Mood reading is WAY cheaper than therapy.

Meeting Lizzy at ALA Midwinter Gathering

2009-01-31T19:19:00.005-07:00

The Moonbeam Children's Book Awards for 2008 were awarded at the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Gathering. Meeting Lizzy was the proud recipient of the Bronze Award recognizing exemplary children’s books and their creators, and to support childhood literacy and life-long reading.

The ALA Midwinter Gathering took place in Denver, Colorado just last week. I wasn't able to attend the event. (I really wish I could have made it!) But it looks like everything went well. I can only hope that Meeting Lizzy got into the hands of every YA librarian and that next time I'll be able to attend the show in person instead of just sending my book! Hopefully librarians from YA and teen sections throughout the nation wandered through the booth and picked it up!

Of course...if you wander into your local library and aren't able to get Meeting Lizzy make sure to let them know they're missing it and that you'd appreciate it if they looked into getting it for their collection! EVERY Young Adult librarian wasn't able to make it to the show so they may not have heard what a fabulous addition the book will be to their collections!

Library Lovers' Month!

2009-01-14T08:41:00.004-07:00

It's Library Lovers' Month! If you haven't been to the library lately take some time this month and drop by to see what your local library has got going on.

Every library is a bit different, but most have the fabulous books we're all looking for plus SO much more! For instance at my favorite local library I've got access to: the internet, copy machines, audio/visual rooms, study rooms (for when I'm desperate for some quiet), reference librarians that magically have ALL the answers I'm looking for, YA librarians that can ALWAYS tell me about a new book that I will inevitably love, storytimes and activities for the kids...you get the idea.

I've got fabulous memories of visiting the library when I was a kid. I hope you do, too. And if you don't...you should make some! Make the library one of your own personal places.

And while you're there...see if they've got a copy of Meeting Lizzy on hand for you to check out!

Of course...it's also "Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month." So you could work on that, too.

Merry Christmas!

2009-01-08T10:25:00.003-07:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! And thanks to all of those out there who decided that Meeting Lizzy was a must have and featured it in their gift guides! Working with the various outlets was a lot of fun not to mention the extra fun of providing "giveaways" to selected winners. Nothing's more fun than sending a gift...even if it's a gift to a stranger!

So Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! And...not quite as expected at this point...Happy Valentine's Day! I added that because Meeting Lizzy is being featured in a Valentine's Day Gift Guide in a week or two. Isn't that fun?

You can check out the most recent gift guide posting here: Gruntlings!

Hope your 2009 is off to a fabulous start!

The All American Mommy Award for Meeting Lizzy

2008-11-22T22:45:00.004-07:00

Meeting Lizzy was recently featured in several gift guides for the holidays as the perfect gift for the teen in your life! One such gift guide was The All American Mommy. In conjunction with the gift guide, Meeting Lizzy was also recognized with the All American Mommy Award! Thanks to those of you there at All American Mommy who read it and enjoyed it.

Winner of the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards Bronze for New YA Fiction

2008-11-04T08:54:00.004-07:00

Meeting Lizzy is the recipient of the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards Bronze for New Young Adult Fiction! The Moonbeam Children's Book Awards are designed to increase recognition of each year's greatest children's books, as well as supporting childhood literacy and encouraging life-long reading. Awards are given in 30 categories covering the wide spectrum of subjects, styles and age groups included the children's book category of today's publishing industry.

The Moonbeam creators, Jenkins Group, believe that, "As our society has gotten more complex and growing up has become more complicated, children’s book authors and publishers have risen to the occasion, creating books that not only celebrate the joys of childhood, but also help kids and families deal with its challenges. The Moonbeam Awards will recognize and reward the best of these books and bring them to the attention of parents, booksellers, librarians – and to children themselves." For more information on the awards program visit: Moonbeam Children's Book Awards.

The offical award ceremony is to take place in January 2009 at the ALA's Midwinter Gathering in Denver. During the event, the Caldecott, Newbery and Moonbeam Book Awards will all be awarded. I'm definitely looking forward to it!

Teen Read Week: Visiting with Teens!

2008-10-23T12:14:00.006-07:00

Teen Read Week 2008 has come and gone! Although I hope that doesn't indicate to anyone that their efforts to read and encourage those around them to read should cease and desist! Here are a few highlights of my efforts during Teen Read Week!

The "Readers Who Write" Author Event designed for use in public libraries (but adaptable for school and bookstore use as well) turned out to be a lot of fun! It included games: 25 Words or Less & Who, What, When, Where, Why as well as prizes from packs of gum to movies to books (of course)! Teen readers always seem to have some unique idea or thought to share and it keeps things interesting! To all you teens out there who love to read and want to write...go for it and have fun!

Semi-finalist in the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards!

2008-10-12T19:15:00.002-07:00

Meeting Lizzy has been selected as a semi-finalist in the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards' Young Adult Fiction category! I'll post more as they whittle it down in the coming months! Find more info here...

Library Visits for Teen Read Week!

2008-10-02T10:26:00.005-07:00

Teen Read Week is coming up! Drop by to see me at an Author Event at the Buckeye Public Library on October 18th, 2008 from 10 am to 12 pm if you're in the area. It wil be fun and there will be BOOKS! So come check it out...

I'll post pics after the event! Make sure to check back!

In Appreciation of Book Blogger Week!

2008-09-19T08:35:00.002-07:00

In appreciation of Book Blogger Week, Megan over at Simply Books has posted an author interview. Just in time for Meeting Lizzy's release date of TODAY!

Check it out here...

Meeting Lizzy's Official Publication Date!

2008-09-10T20:00:00.003-07:00

My first YA fiction novel, Meeting Lizzy, is being released officially on September 19, 2008. I've enjoyed reading the early reader reviews and discussing the story and the characters with those who got in touch with me personally to talk about the book.

Thanks to all of you who have read it, enjoyed it, reviewed it, pre-ordered it or recommended it! Here are links to a few of my favorite teen reviewers who picked up Meeting Lizzy:

Simply Books

Flamingnet

And many more...

It's fun to find out what enticed each different reader to pick up the book and open it and even more fun to hear what made them keep it open!

If you haven't read it yet...check out the excerpt and then head to your favorite bookstore (in person or online) to get your own copy!

Obsessive Over Series Books

2008-08-13T16:19:00.008-07:00

Can I just admit it? My love of characters has led to a not-so-secret obsession with series books. I get so attached to the characters though that there's a slight problem when the series ends. It's often a bit anti-climactic for me and sometimes even disappointing because I've had so much time to build the story up in my head that I just can't accept the ending I'm provided! So when it comes right down to it...I'm messing up the story with my own disruptive imagination!

And the end of a series is often just plain sad because I know that I'll never get to read another story about the characters for the first time. I love getting to know fabulous characters, but I really dislike telling them goodbye!

That said...I love it when the last book in a series finishes up and it coincides with my silly preconceived notions. Nothing is worse than reading a series that started off with a fabulous book with wonderful characters that is followed by books that seem to gradually lose the strength of character that was presented in the first book. Sometimes it seems like the author forgot who their character was or just decided they didn't like them as much or found out that they were mistaken about several basic character traits. That's hard to accept from one book to the next in a series. Growth is one thing, but unprecedented personality change from Book One to Book Two can be unsettling.

There are so many great series books available out there right now in the YA section alone that I've had my hands full keeping up with those that catch my interest! The latest series that I've fallen into irrevocably is the Mortal Instruments Series. City of Bones and City of Ashes were both wonderful, but I have to admit...I'm a bit ANTSY for Book Three! Give it to me already! I hate waiting. I love when I stumble upon a great series that has all the books released by the time I discover it. Those are the best, but they're few and far between so most of the time I just have to suck it up and act like a big girl. Patience...bah! Who ever said it was a virtue...was almost positively right. Dang it!

Favorite Books Gone Movie

2008-07-31T11:24:00.005-07:00

I know there are many out there who despise the popularity of taking best selling books and making them into movies to please the masses. I've heard all (or at least many) of the arguments against the movies based off books, but I haven't been converted.

I still enjoy seeing an interpretation of the characters I got to know in a really good book portrayed on screen. They're rarely very close to the image I created in my mind, but it doesn't ruin it for me. The same thing can happen when I'm discussing a book with a friend. We all imagine differently. And, of course, I think MY version is the best version of the character because it's what I wanted. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy seeing what someone envisioned when they read the book.

I'll admit that I've been disappointed to find portions of favorite books missing from the movies that were created based on their story/characters, but at the same time I understand the necessity of making that type of production decision when you're cramming a really great story into a 2 or even 3 hour segment. You just can't fit it all in. I even find that the movies that stubbornly stick to story elements even when there isn't time to include every piece of the puzzle often come off awkward and forced. Sometimes it's just necessary to adjust the story a little bit to make it work for the medium of film.

It's kind of like reading your favorite book in an alternate universe or within the confines of another person's mind. And it might be someone you don't know very well, that you don't understand, or that you don't even like. But no matter which alternate universe I find myself in...it's almost always interesting! And I've yet to find a book gone movie that actually took the place of the book in my list of favorite things. I might add the movie as a separate entry, but my favorite book isn't hurt by the alternate interpretation its movie provides.

So now it's in writing that I refuse to argue whether the book or the movie is better. Because while I will almost every time choose the book over the movie if forced, they aren't really comparable to me. It's such a different experience; both should be savored as often as possible!

A Modern Take on Domestic Violence

2008-07-14T00:07:00.007-07:00

I think it's almost easier to find truth in fiction than in non-fiction. The purpose of non-fiction is to teach, to change your mind or to guide your thinking. I find that most of us learn, change our minds and think more deeply when we're not being told to do so. And that's where fiction comes in; fiction isn't technically real. But it's the easiest way many of us will ever find to understand the world around us on a more complex level, to witness life from perspectives far removed from our own comfort zone, and to delve more deeply into our personal convictions as we witness the acts of strangers on the written page and discover we didn't know ourselves quite as well as we may have thought.

That being said, every now and then I stumble upon a non-fiction title that really pulls me in and makes me listen to what it has to say. Due to my upcoming YA book release dealing with teen dating violence, I recently received a copy of a non-fiction book introducing new perspectives on the decades old discussion of domestic violence. It offers a honest and truthful portrayal of not just several case studies, but the author's own personal history of what she terms "intimate partner violence." It was good to see such a frank portrayal of the widely varying domestic violence circumstances prevalent in our society and to read the clear, concise text that challenges some of the accepted notions of domestic violence.

The book is titled Violent Partners: A Breakthrough Plan for Ending the Cycle of Abuse by Linda G. Mills, J.D., Ph.D, a lawyer and social worker with a personal connection to the issue. I hope Linda's theories and practices continue to benefit those who are caught in relationships with violent partners. Her up front portrayal of the problems with the current system results in a productive urge to change and evolve rather than the typical pointless rant without any suggested solutions. I hope her ideas continue to make a difference as they offer further options to stop the violence once and for all.

The Purpose of Fiction: Exceptions to Reality

2008-07-01T22:29:00.004-07:00

What is the purpose of fiction? I think it means something different to everyone. I agree with the theory that the very greatest works of fiction are those that can be interpreted differently depending upon the reader. The stories that I become attached to the most are those made up of exceptions: exceptions to the rules of society that I live by (I'm a pretty well behaved girl), exceptions to the norm, exceptions to the people I know, exceptions to the truth, and even exceptions to the most basic of basics - nature.

Exceptions to the rules of society occur in stories set in time periods/societies that I recognize, whether it's my own or one from the past that I feel familiar with for one reason or another. I love seeing people break the rules for good reasons. And I love to see a meaningful change come about in the society portrayed or the individual character.

Exceptions to the norm are actually a regular occurrence. I think we just don't notice them as much in our own lives as we do in the tales we read. It's unnerving to recognize an exception to the norm in a book that I never realized I'd seen before in my own life or the lives of those around me. I appreciate the fact that fiction makes my own life more clear because it's easier to look at something from the distance between my eyes and the page.

People exceptions are the best of all exceptions because they make all stories interesting whether they be fiction or fact. I truly adore meeting people in person and in writing that make me redefine what I know of people. Reading a story with a great character sometimes makes me feel as if I used to know them somewhere in my past and getting to know them through the story sometimes leads to a better understanding of who they might have been or done.

And lastly I have to mention exceptions to the truth and even exceptions to the most basic of basics - nature. I like to think that the exceptions we dream of are actually a part of our reality that is harder to see, harder to believe, or harder to understand. I took biology, human anatomy & physiology, geology, and many more (I won't claim Physics because I got a D...dang you Dr. Pullman). But I still love to hear a fictional account of how all the "truths" and "knowledge" we've accumulated as a people could be wrong; or at least how they could be superseded. I love exceptions to the accepted scientific limits of our day. I love tales of magic and unparalleled strength, super powers and futuristic societies that have evolved beyond the limits we accept in the present.

Basically, I think the exceptions are the things that make life and fiction interesting. They don't always result in good times, but they do always result in something worth thinking about. But when it comes to reading fiction, I have to say, a good exception makes for good times in my book.

Fairy Tales...Then and Now

2008-06-29T22:04:00.001-07:00

An Einstein quote popped up on my iGoogle Home page, "If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales."

I love it and I can't believe that I've never heard it before. Maybe I'm not really a good listener after all! This made me think of all the many classic fairy tales and fairy tale characters and how they never get old. They're classic for a reason; they've stood the test of time. YA Literature includes many adaptations of classic fairy tales that lend new perspectives and spunky characters to the tales we all know and love...so now we've got more options when it comes to reading more fairy tales so we can be more intelligent!

Here are a few fairy tale adaptations I've seen recommended by teens from today's popular YA Literature:

1. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine.
2. Briar Rose by Jane Yolen.
3. Little (Grrl) Lost by Charles de Lint
4. Beauty by Robin McKinley
5. The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang
6. Snow White, Blood Red by Ellen Datlow

There are countless re-tellings and adaptations of fairy tales available out there; if you find one you'd like to recommend let me know. I'm always looking for a great new book I haven't read!

An Online Site Devoted to YA Book Reviews by YA's!

2008-06-12T15:24:00.003-07:00

An online site called FlamingNet.com recently posted an early reader review of Meeting Lizzy by one of their teen readers. I really like their site philosphy of providing teen and YA book reviews by readers in the age group. They also provide a "bulletin board" for book club style chatting and you can access many interesting discussions about popular and not so popular YA books. Some will point you towards new books to try and others will give you the chance to discuss some of your favorite characters that you aren't willing to let go of yet (even though the book has ended). So if you've got YA book shopping in mind drop by their site and check out the wide variety of teen reader reviews to get some new ideas!

Early Reader Reviews: Watch for them on LibraryThing.com!

2008-06-02T23:04:00.003-07:00

Early review copies of Meeting Lizzy were mailed out to approximately 30 YA Lit readers through LibraryThing.com's early reader review program. They will be receiving them in the next couple days so watch for reviews to be popping up on LibraryThing.com shortly. And get online to pre-order the book at Barnes & Noble.com today!

Press Release: Upcoming YA Fiction Novel, Meeting Lizzy

2008-05-19T02:17:00.003-07:00

YA Lit Continues to Tackle the Topics that Teens Need to Hear About:
Upcoming Book Release: Meeting Lizzy by SarahBeth Carter

Meeting Lizzy by SarahBeth Carter, is an upcoming YA release that offers teens the chance to approach a dangerous and difficult situation from a safe position; an opportunity typical to many YA novels. Females ages 16-24 are more vulnerable to intimate partner violence than any other age group; at a rate almost triple the national average (US Dept. of Justice). Approximately 1 in 5 female high school students report being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner (The Journal of AMA). Yet 81% of parents believe that teen dating violence isn’t an issue (according to surveys collected by the Family Violence Prevention Fund and Advocates for Youth). The upcoming release, Meeting Lizzy, deals with teen dating violence in a way that teens can digest; while offering them characters and story that will keep them reading.

The Book: Meeting Lizzy
Publisher: LJW Publishing
Distributor: Atlas Books
Author: SarahBeth Carter
ISBN 13: 978-0-9761986-6-6
Publication Date: September 19, 2008
Book Details: paperback, perfect binding, 232 pages, $12.95
Book Category: Fiction/Young Adult, Contemporary

The Author: SarahBeth Carter
SarahBeth graduated from ASU with an English Literature degree (preceded by a slew of majors that she thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with). When asked why she wrote a book based upon teen dating violence she said, “It’s something that teens are affected by more than most of us realize. YA Lit gives them the chance to become aware of a dangerous issue prior to dealing with it on a personal level.”

The Publisher: LJW Publishing
LJW Publishing is a division of LJW, Inc., founded 23 years ago and still experiencing new and exciting possibilities. LJW Publishing’s main offices are located in Mesa, Arizona just outside of Phoenix. LJW is excited about publishing Meeting Lizzy, their first YA novel.

For More Information:
For more information on the book, the author, or the publishing company visit LJW Publishing online at www.larryjohnwrightpublishing.com.

Teen Literature Day is Coming Up!

2008-04-08T12:01:00.004-07:00

So...Teen Literature Day is coming up on April 17th. What are you going to do about it? Have you discovered any fabulously entertaining or meaningful events that you're going to attend? Are you involved in an event? Did you know there was a Teen Literature Day? If you find this news surprising and want to get involved at the last minute, visit your local library's YA section and volunteer to help them with anything they may need for any upcoming events. You could also visit your favorite local bookstore and ask if they have anything planned for Teen Literature Day. You're bound to find it interesting!

I'm excited to check out the events that are happening in my area!

A Few Characterization Tid Bits from Upcoming Release Meeting Lizzy

2008-04-02T21:50:00.007-07:00

Here are a few interesting tid bits about the characters in my upcoming YA novel, Meeting Lizzy. You know how I love characters!

Meeting Lizzy Books Soon to be Available to Reviewers

2008-03-25T20:42:00.005-07:00

This is just a quick news update regarding my upcoming YA release. Meeting Lizzy is soon to be available to reviewers. The approximate ship date set by the printer is April 17th, 2008. So LJW Publishing will have them to appropriate reader and industry reviewers by the end of April. They're available for pre-order through Atlas Books and will be shipped out/available to the public on September 19th, 2008!

Ask for it at your local bookstore!

A Few Suggestions for the Obsessive YA Readers Out There!

2008-03-21T16:56:00.009-07:00

I'm an obsessive reader. I don't think I've ever tried to hide it. If you've got the same tendency...here are a few good books to try!

Vienna Prelude: This is a great book. I love a series! I haven't read the rest of them yet but I definitely will! I have to admit that the first time I picked up the book I put it down. And that's not normal for me. But once I pushed through the first bit and got into the story a bit...it was fantastic. I couldn't stop and was a bit out of sorts when it was over.

Little Grrl Lost: This book was intriguing. It gives more of the story of the "Littles" from the childrens' stories. I enjoyed it, but wouldn't give it top notch ratings. It's more of a between great books...book.

River Secrets: I love Shannon Hale. This is part of a series of her books that are some of my favorites...Goose Girl, Enna Burning and then River Secrets. She tells such fantastical stories in such a real way that it's great fun to read them.

A Great and Terrible Beauty: This has been added to my list of all time favorites. I LOVED it! This is the first in a series of three. The second is called Rebel Angels and the third is called The Sweet Far Thing. Possibly the best thing about this series is that they're all out right now; no waiting for the next installment. Wahoo. Gotta' love that. I'm not patient when waiting on stories!

Character or Story?

2008-03-12T14:39:00.003-07:00

I've recently had my taste in movies called into question. This led me to dissect my movie preferences to try to define why I like what I like. It's more difficult than you'd imagine! The result (after much thought, mental arguing, and talking to myself) was that I now know that I am obsessed with people.

I don't get obsessed with story lines near as much as I get attached to great characters. And they're not always likable. I love characters that are honest depictions. I love characters that are so real that I feel like I know them. I love characters that are so normal that when they do "normal" things it doesn't seem ridiculous. I love characters that are ordinary in every way except one (this is my explanation for my obsession with all movies "superhero"). I love to see ordinary people act extraordinary when the situation demands it and I believe this is a reflection of real life. (That last is an argument for my husband; apparently he doesn't think ordinary people are capable of acting extraordinary. This is his definition of unrealistic. I find that line of reasoning depressing and sad. But we've agreed to disagree).

I'm not saying that I don't love a good story. But ever since I started thinking about this I've realized how much it changes my perspective on things. If someone I know is relating an event in their life instead of finding myself asking questions along the lines of, "What happened next?" I find myself asking questions like, "How did you feel? Were you terrified?"

Some will question my sanity, but to those I say...it's been done and will be done again so feel free! I think characters are more important to a good movie than a good story. And I'll go so far as to take that same theory and say that it applies to books in the same way. At least that's a quality I find in my favorite books.

Reading Good Books...The First Lady Agrees it Matters

2008-03-11T12:16:00.003-07:00

"Both reading and a love of reading are learned behaviors that should be taught at home and in schools...I've spent my life in the company of good books, because my mother taught me to love them, and my teachers taught me to read them, and my library let me take them home free. Those early experiences had a profound impact on my life..." -First Lady Laura Bush, speaking recently at the AAP annual meeting in New York City.

I love this quote by the First Lady. It's so simple and so true. Reading is such a huge part of how we learn and grow and develop a sense of self and a sense of who we are in relation to the world around us. Go to the library today and check out something you've never thought to read before...let it take you somewhere you've never been and think about something you've never thought about before!

Brisingr: Does Anyone Else Feel Like They've Been Waiting FOREVER for the 3rd Book in Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Cycle Series?

2008-03-07T10:01:00.004-07:00

After saying that I avoid blockbuster books...I feel I should redeem myself because they're often huge hits because they're just THAT good. I've been waiting rather impatiently for the 3rd book in Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Series. They've finally announced that it will be released on September 20th of this year! YEAH!

Although, sadly, one of my first thoughts is that it's being released just one day after my very first young adult fiction novel (Meeting Lizzy)and I'm going to feel absolutely eclipsed by the sheer immediate success Brisingr is going to experience. Because I'm sure there are countless others waiting for more of the story of Eragon, Murtagh, Roran, Saphira, etc. just like I am.

But I insist on being positive so I'm going to take it as a sign of good luck that a book I've been looking forward to for quite a while (please don't leave me hanging so long for the 4th book) is releasing on the same weekend as my own Meeting Lizzy. And if you find yourself in stores or online getting your own copy of Brisingr...throw Meeting Lizzy into your cart. Maybe it will help you hit that $25 mark for free shipping on Amazon!

And then jump on and let me know what you think of them both. I know I'll have something to say! I can hardly wait to see how my book will do (and what happens when Eragon and Roran attempt to go after the Razac!)

Refusing to Be Told What to Read!

2008-03-06T08:27:00.004-07:00

From the title above and the rest of the blog (most of which is devoted to teen and/or young adult reading) you might expect this post to be all about the difficulties of teenagers and their insistence that they don't want to read anything you want them to read. But you'd be wrong. Actually, the title above refers to a habit of my own. And I can in no way be labeled a "young adult" no matter how immature I may act at times.

I have an obnoxious habit that pushes me to avoid at all costs the books that are SO widely read that they have become universal. Those books that are discussed among readers and non-readers alike. I'm not sure what my subconscious reasoning is...maybe that everyone else has already read it so why do I need to? Or maybe it's the fact that it's been discussed so thoroughly in every aspect that there are few surprises left to discover on my own. It's hard to say. But it drives my friends crazy.

I just barely broke down enough on the DaVinci Code by Dan Brown to read his preceding novel (and loosely related) Angels and Demons. It was terrific. It snared my attention on the first page and truly never let it go. And that is a major feat. I'm an avid reader, but even I am aware when I am pushing through a few pages or speed reading a less interesting chapter. Brown's Robert Langdon is a great character and I thoroughly enjoyed the way he dealt with his many escapades.

Now I just need to take a deep breath and read the much talked about and much "hurrahed" DaVinci Code because PLEASE...who hasn't read it? Right? I'll keep you updated and as soon as I have force fed myself one of the most popular novels in our day and age I'll let you know. I'm sure it's going to be fabulous. I'm telling myself that I need to sit down with one of the special editions with all the fabulous illustrations and really read it to enjoy. But I haven't yet been able to talk myself into it. Honestly, you'd think since it's no longer cutting edge and the talk has died down that I'd be able to ignore the hoopla, but the avoidance factor is killing me.

So this is me making a goal to read it before the end of the month. I'll get back with you upon completion!

I Leave No Footprints by SarahBeth Carter

2008-03-02T20:03:00.003-07:00

As I walk along the path I leave no footprints.
Everything around is barren.
The asphalt crumbles
merging into the dirt
with no definite distinction between the two.
Glancing to the side-
trees loom over me.
Their branches reach over my head
forming a thick ceiling.
Or maybe a net.

Does Reading a Romance Novel Automatically Mean You're Reading a Mushy, Gushy Story about an Ideal Relationship?

2008-03-01T14:30:00.006-07:00

Just saying, "this is a romance novel," turns a lot of people away from a book. But what if I told you that a lot of the adventures you read are romances? And a lot of the mysteries you read are romances. And a lot of the westerns you read are romances. That's right. I'm not hypothesizing...I'm saying it. You read romance novels. Have you ever heard the term "accomplishment romance?"

The accomplishment romance is a journey or quest a character (typically an "innocent archetype) begins and during which he/she experiences hardship, sacrifice, challenges, and antagonists. The innocent succeeds in the journey by receiving unexpected or supernatural help and by becoming a stronger person themselves. Accomplishment Romances CAN be exhibited through "love stories" and the title evolved from the traditional element of the adventurer being rewarded or awarded with the hand of the fair maiden at the completion of the quest or journey.

Now tell me you don't and never have read a "romance." I bet you have to think about it. Don't be stubborn now. There's a bit of "accomplishment romance" in most good books. Learn to recognize it and enjoy it!

Sample YA Lit Book Talk: Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman

2008-02-29T16:05:00.004-07:00

Vince Luca was just a normal teenager. He wanted to hang out with girls. He wanted his annoying brother to leave him alone, and according to everyone with even a small opinion on him and his life, he lacks motivation. But Vince Luca's life is anything but ordinary.

His father is Anthony Luca. Yes, the Anthony Luca. Vince's first hint that his family wasn't normal was when he was four years old. He noticed when his Mom was taking him to preschool that Daddy wasn't around and he asked where he was. He was still sleeping. Nobody ever said that Vince was slow and even as a four year old he knew that was strange.

Looking up and down the street as they drove to school, all the other Daddy's were all dressed for work getting in their cars to head out. When Vince pointed this out, his Mom answered, "Your father's in the vending machine business. He works different hours because you never know when a vending machine is going to break."

For a bit there, Vince honestly believed that when his Dad had to wake up and rush out of the house in the dead of night that there was honestly a jammed up vending machine somewhere and his Dad had to immediately fix it.

Vince started counting all his uncles once. He got to 60 before he gave up: Uncle Fingers, Uncle Puke, Uncle Shank, Uncle Fin, Uncle Pampers, Uncle Exit, Uncle Nose and Uncle Big-Nose, etc. Maybe that's why the family business is called Brothers Vending Machines, Inc. Anthony Luca didn't have any brothers. But Vince sure had plenty of Uncles.

As a seven year old, Vince wakes up for a drink of water in the night and comes upon a bathtub full of bloody towels. Scared to death, Vince runs for mom and dad's room and finds a little impromptu surgery in progress on the bed. Vince's Uncle Carmine is crying and whimpering as his dad holds him down forcibly and his mom digs in him with tweezers.

As Vince stands there his Mom comes up with some little misshapen object out of his butt cheek while Uncle Carmine screams bloody murder. They tell him it was a kidney stone.

By the time Vince is a teenager, he's seen enough to know what is going on with his father; his entire family. He's fed up. He doesn't want anything to do with the family business. He just wants to be normal. But will he be able to pull it off?

How Much do you Know About Teen Dating Abuse?

2008-02-28T13:28:00.004-07:00

How much do you really know about teen dating abuse? Click here to be directed to an informative site and take the quiz to find out the basics...

My upcoming Young Adult Fiction release, Meeting Lizzy, discusses an abusive teen relationship so I've been delving into the online resources to see what's available and what's happening.

This is one of the sites I thoght did a very good job of getting the info out there in a useful fashion; it's called ChooseRespect.org and is a great opportunity for teens, parents, and teachers alike to get updated on the topic. Their philosophy is based on offering respect in all relationships. and they've got a wide range of activites, games, short articles and references to ensure that the information is available and easy to get.

Providing Kids and Teens with a Wide Variety of Reading Options

2008-02-27T10:09:00.007-07:00

I've been told that I was a semi-strange child. I'm not one to have ultra clear memories that progress logically through the typical time line so I don't have a good argument. All I can say is that it's very possible. But I was also a very happy and well behaved child (for the most part). I had (well have, but it's hard to think of them the same way now that we're all "not" children) 6 brothers and sisters. Whew! I know. I've asked my mom how she did it many times and the only answer I've ever received was, "I have no idea." Laugh if you will, but somehow she did a good job. I'm proud of all my brothers and sisters at various times (and thoroughly annoyed at others) and I think that's how it should be.

One thing that I will be forever grateful for is the availability of books in my home growing up. You might say we had our own library. We didn't inherit a family fortune, so I can attest to the fact that it's not hard to accumulate a wide variety of books for the kids in your home on a shoestring budget.

Random memories remind me that we had a lot of library books. We checked out library books often enough, but in addition to that my parents also checked the little "Friends of the Library" Book Sale section religiously. This is where they sold out of date, overstocked, unwanted, torn or defaced, or just plain old library books that had either been replaced or had been labeled no longer necessary. They often sold for a dime or a quarter and we had a lot of books that came from the library's used book sale section!

My parents also loved finding books at garage sales. I remember my parents bringing home 2 full boxes of Louis L'Amour books when I was a teenager. I read every one and love them to this day. It's still exciting when I run across a Louis L'Amour book that I either haven't read or forgot that I read until I get partway through. (But I'm a re-reader so that's perfectly ok).

In a Young Adult Literature class I once took at Arizona State University from a guest professor named Diane Trucillo, I heard a true story that I think about fairly often. There was a young boy in a high school English class. (Let's call him Eddy). Eddy was disinterested at best in the class's reading assignments. Partway through the first semester the English teacher in question decided that she wasn't okay with that and she was going to find something that he wanted to read no matter what it was or how long it took.

She went to the school's library as well as the local library and checked out the widest variety of reading material she could think of: YA books, Thrillers, Mystery, Non-Fiction, How-to, Self Help, Reference, Kids' picture books, Comedy, etc. In addition to the book selection, she added 20 different magazines on various topics, newsletters on local politics, and several different options of literature and poetry written by other high school students in the area (provided by a teen group at the local library).

She suggested that the kids create their own reading list for the year using the cart of reading materials she provided. This English teacher's attempt to reach a student that had been labeled a chronic "remedial" reader was successful. Eddy discovered a great interest in architecture. He later went on to college to major in Architecture and I can only assume that someone somewhere is walking around in a building or home that he designed. And maybe...he still reads that same Architectural Digest on a consistent basis and maybe he still thinks about that one English teacher that decided it wasn't okay for his disinterest in the traditional reading material to inhibit his reading abilities.

Take the same technique and let your kid or teen create a reading list for the summer that you can read together. (I've discussed it before, but I'll say it again). Reading along with your teen is one of the best ways to instigate really meaningful, sometimes difficult, but often necessary, discussions about things they will have to deal with before they graduate from young adulthood. And, honestly, you'll enjoy the reading. Here's a sample list that you can work off to create a reading list for you and your kid or teen that will accommodate their tastes and interests.

1. Choose a new release from a contemporary author: For instance, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.

2. Choose a short story collection: For instance, Getting Even by Woody Allen (published 1978).

3. Choose a young adult book often taught in public school settings: For instance, Holes by Louis Sachar (published in 1998).

4. Choose a pre-1960 landmark book: For instance, Pollyanna by Eleanor Porter (published in 1913) or The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.

5. Choose an Adult Book often taught in High School: For instance, Lord of the Flies by William Golding (published in 1955).

6. Choose a Sports or Adventure/Survival Book: For instance, Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Cutcher (published in 2003). Chris Cutcher has many good books that fall in this category; go searching.

7. Choose an Honor List book: For instance, Big Mouth Ugly Girl by Joyce Carol Oates (published in 2003).

8. Choose a Realistic Problem Novel: For instance, Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman (published in 2002).

9. Choose a Romance: For instance, Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris (published in 2004).

10. Choose a Mystery, Horror or Suspense Book: The Seance by Joan Lowry Nixon (published in 2004). This author has many books that fall in this category; take your pick.

This is just an example for you to work off, but the variety is important. Exposure to various types of reading material will give you and your teen or tween or kid a wider base to build on as you create relationship based on meaningful discussions and build a reading repertoire.

Popular Culture's Effect on Young Adult Literature (YA Lit)

2008-02-26T21:02:00.008-07:00

Popular culture and media are affecting the content and format of young adult literature by offering an endless supply of information on serious, and previously taboo, subjects. The sheer accessibility of the info makes the topics fair game for YA Lit.

The fast pace of today's technologically advanced world leaves teens expecting things to move right along. Kids expect a quick pace and they receive it in their page turning literature.

Young Adult literature has also adjusted to the times by incorporating a wide variety of writing styles (possibly more accurately described as writing formats): journal entries, stories told through email, books based on text messages, etc.

Maybe more than ever before the book industry is offering teens, kids and young adults (whatever term you prefer) what they want. And I couldn't be happier. If we'd all read we'd all be better off!

Introduce Yourself to YA Lit!

2008-02-22T09:05:00.004-07:00

YA Lit has experienced an explosion since its "birth" way back in 1967 with Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones by Ann Head, The Contender by Robert Lypsyte, and The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Today's YA Lit readers have so much to choose from; so many types of YA Lit to go through. And there's not only a lot to choose from. There's a lot that's very good!

1. Tweener Books: P.S. Longer Letter Later by Paula Danziger & Ann M. Martin or Angus, Thongs & Full Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison.

2. New or Different Style or Format: Monster by Walter Dean Myers or Keesha's House by Helen Frost.

3. Modern Media Content: Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki

4. Multiple Points of Entry: Leap Day by Wendy Mass or One Night by Margaret Wild.

5. New Ideas of What is Appropriate or Acceptable: Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn.

6. A Lack of Subtlety: No Laughter Here by Rita Williams-Garcia.

7. Expanding Literary Canon: Sweet Blood by Pete Hautman or The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding.

If there are types of YA Lit listed that you haven't tried...get one in hand and give it a try.

Music and Poetry and Books...

2008-02-21T09:42:00.004-07:00

Sometimes people just don't read. Sometimes they just don't read because they aren't comfortable. Sometimes they don't read because they're just not interested. Sometimes they don't read because they've never been exposed to anything that caught their interest. Sometimes people don't read out of habit; a bad habit, in my opinion.

For those of you who don't read...do you like music? What do you like about it? Are you the type that listens to the instruments and the sounds as they combine to create a song or are you the type that listens to the words? A lot of non-readers love music; and really listen to the words in their music. If this is the case...maybe you should take the next step. And no, I'm not suggesting you run right out and purchase the current top selling book. You're an individual so treat yourself like one. Most people might like that book, but who knows if you will?

Start with something similar to your music. Go with some poetry on similar topics. You could even go with some major poets from the past like Keats or Byron or Blake...just pick up a book of poetry and flip through it to get a feel for the type of poetry, the topics, the feel of it and see if you like it. It's a great place to start for someone who has never been a big reader, but has a desire to find meaning in words (as many do with their music).

Spend some time with poetry and then...maybe...when you feel ready...move on to a book in verse. Or a book based off verse. There are entire Young Adult novels out there written entirely in verse and they're really good. There are others out there that include a lot of poetry as chapter introductions or dialogue, etc. Give them a try and see what they do for you. Reading shouldn't be something you do because you feel like you should. It should mean something to you. So expect that and don't accept anything less. Just because the book your uncle suggested didn't catch you doesn't mean that NO books will catch you. Take a look around for yourself; other people can make good recommendations, but no one knows you like you do, right?

Young Adult Literature: Bridging the Gap

2008-02-14T14:29:00.006-07:00

In the March 1999 issue of English Journal Chris Crowe had an article published that discussed Young Adult Literature. He defined it as the method providing "interplanetary understanding" between teachers and students. (The premise of his article was that English teachers are from Mars and teenage students are from Venus. Of course he is playing off the idea presented in John Gray's book Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, Harper Collins, 1992). He presented some ideas that I absolutely enjoyed seeing in print.

He stated at one point, "If we ignore their interests and needs, they'll ignore our literature and may very well turn into lifelong nonreaders." The thought of any child feeling such a lack of connection to books that they become a LIFELONG nonreader sends me running from the room screaming. (Or at least I think of doing that...)

His basic solution, after recognizing the many differences between Martians and Venusians, is that "the great works of literature that we Martians love must not be lost, but even we Martians should realize that we have to help students love reading before we can help them love the classics."

This is where YA literature steps in to the picture. It is a definite "in" that teachers and parents alike can take to get to their kids. And I suggest all of you out there take full advantage! We don't have many that I can see.

Avid Young Adult Readers!

2008-02-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

This post is for all you avid young adult readers out there...no matter your age! Here are a few books you can find in the young adult section (some old and some new) that I thoroughly appreciated!

1. Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman. (There's a sequel named Hollywood Hustle that is worth reading if you've read the first, but not near as great).

2. Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (followed by Enna Burning and River Secrets). These are great fantasy books with very real elements. These are good for those who might not normally do fantasy, but want to give it a go!

3. Witch Child by Celia Rees. This book is written diary style by a young girl that has a history connected to witches and ends up in a Puritan community in America. It's very catching and keeps you interested from beginning to end.

4. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen. I really enjoyed this book. Sarah Dessen has a great writing style that is very powerful and descriptive without overpowering the story or the characters. It's a good read. It also is a great story for reminding us that pretending we don't care won't make it so...it's like a more grown up version of Maurice Sendak's Pierre who always answered, "I don't care."

Those are just a few of my favorite young adult reads. If you haven't raided the young adult section yet...you're missing out on some great stuff!

5 Ways to Get Your Little Ones to Read

2008-02-06T09:37:00.000-07:00

Some kids just really adapt well to school. They want to learn and they want to please. They always do their best and their best is always very good. But there are a lot of other kids who take a little bit of prodding and poking in order to keep them on the rigtht track because no matter how much we acknowledge and insist that the school system is imperfect or there are more important things than traditional thinking and conservative learning methods...these are things that our kids are dealing with and that they're going to continue dealing with on a daily basis for quite a chunk of their lives. So I, for one, would really like to see my kids feel comfortable dealing with it; confident that they know what they're doing and they know why they're doing it and that they are capable of excelling.

There are a lot of different opportunities to provide your kids with this sort of strong foundation to support them even when they are in an educational situation that isn't based on their ideal learning methods, but the number one strength that I feel will pull them through just about anything is a love of reading.

So how to you get your kids to love to read? Here's a list of 5 ways to get your little ones to read:

1. Teach them the "magic" of books. Think hard about what really intrigues your little one and then go out and get several different really intense books that give all sorts of information that they'll find awe inspiring. This will give them a desire to have access of their own without having to ask you to read to them. For instance, my son is really interested in pirates so I went out and got a historical account of the various weaponry and artillery that was commonly used by pirates throughout history. It was jam packed with detailed diagrams and pictures. (It was obviously non-fiction and obviously above his reading level, but he REALLY wants to be able to read that book. He thumbs through it often and asks me to read "bits" all the time. We only read little pieces of it because it is a very LONG book. I tell him constantly that someday after he practices his reading enough he'll get to sit down and read the whole thing from beginning to end and then he'll know all there is to know about pirates). This works; all you have to do is find something that intrigues your child.

2. Think about instituting a "book" allowance. A lot of people provide their children with an allowance. Why not get a little more specific and specify a book allowance? Kids find it very empowering to be able to go to the bookstore with a certain amount of money (or a certain "number" of books they've been told they can pick) and choose their own reading material. I specify that when they're spending their "book allowance" they have to spend it on books at their reading level and that is the only stipulation I give them. You'll be surprised at how much thought they put into their choices and at how much more excited they are to read their new books!

3. Make reading time a reward. Many of us read books at bedtime, but reading can be for any time of day. It doesn't have to be everyday, but every now and then or maybe on special occassions (like half days from school) take a blanket in the backyard or to the park and sit on the grass with your kids and a stack of books and take turns reading to each other. Making it a reward will avoid the negative spin that sometimes gets placed on "reading" due to viewing it as MORE homework, etc.

4. DON'T push your child to read books that are too difficult. Don't worry more about making your child read at the "suggested reading level" for their age or grade than you do about what level they are actually at in their reading progression. This is a sure fire way to put an abrupt halt to both their progression and their confidence in their reading abilities. It's better for the book to be a little bit too easy than for the book to be far too difficult.

5. Talk to your kids about the books they're reading. I know...the books they're reading are probably pretty simple and really not that intriguing for someone of your advanced knowledge and experience, but take a step back and come up with just a couple questions about the book in relation to your child and you'll be very surprised at just how quickly they become little critics and reviewers. It helps them understand the concept of story and plot while teaching them the importance of illustrations and the added significance they can add to a story.

This is just a short list. If you think about it I'm sure you can come up with more to add to your own mental store of ideas on how to get your little one to read. And that's terrific because honestly, you'll need to make changes, add new things, and keep it fresh to make sure you don't lose your child along the way. Today's kids expect things to move right along and entertain them and sometimes that means jumping through hoops to get them to accept the ideas they may at first not recognize as "fun." They're still a little new around here and they're looking to you to teach them the ropes!

Sheep in a Jeep: Just One Great Kids' Book Amongst Many

2008-02-05T21:52:00.001-07:00

Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw (and illustrated by Margot Apple) is a great little read for kids honing their reading skills. It's a rhyming, silly, easily understood story with enough action to keep kids involved and wondering what will happen next. I bring the book up because I really appreciate any book that encourages imaginative reasoning in kids (especially my own for obvious reasons!) I got a real kick out of my little boy's spontaneous chuckling as he read the book, but the best was at the end when he closed the book, looked at the picture on the back cover and said, "When I looked at that sheep before I read the story he was sad; crying. But now he's dancing."

He was very satisfied with this and proceeded to roll over and go to sleep. (Alright I made that part up for effect. He never just rolls over and goes to sleep!) But he was very impressed with the sheep on the back cover for adapting to suit the story as necessary. And I thought I'd officially say...that I'm impressed with that sheep, too.

Nothing is more impressive to me than a piece of art (in this case a specific children's book illustration) that can be interpreted differently, yet accurately. It's like a poem that means something different to you depending on how you felt when you read it, where you were, who you were with, how old you were, or what was on your mind when you picked it up.

But then...I'm the type that can read a book over and over and still find myself laughing out loud, crying and sometimes talking so you might have an entirely different opinion about all of this. But really...that just makes it even more fun.

A Good "Book Talk" Forum!

2008-01-31T17:05:00.001-07:00

A friend suggested I check out this fun way of sharing book information, reader reviews, and recommendations: LibraryThing.com. Check it out and come up with your own opinions!

Mood Reading

2008-01-14T20:18:00.000-07:00

All people (big, young, small, old, tall, smart, naive, etc.) have moods. If I ever hear anyone say, "I've never said I was in a bad mood..." I won't believe them. Everyone has at one point or another been in a rotten mood and everyone has verbalized their knowledge of that fact at one point or another. Moods are a part of life.

There are certain things that are widely recognized as being contributors to "moods": music, friends, activity levels, certain foods, etc.

But what about books? It's about time we took advantage of the tool we have when it comes to young adult literature. If your teen is in a bad mood, provide them with a book that may just pull them out of it. What books do you like to read when you're in a bad mood to cleanse yourself of the bad and start fresh in a good mood?

Your teen may have different preferences, but they'll have a book that works for them. Young adult literature or teen novels can work wonders on your teen's mood. Give it a try. Talk to the young adult librarian in your town or city and discuss some of the popular options out there for your teenager. Or visit the young adult section of the local bookstore and grab a few good options and give them a try.

Reading can be very therapeutic; make it work for you!

Ten Great Ways to Instill a Love of Reading:

2008-01-03T13:44:00.000-07:00

I believe that reading is one of the most essential activities that we can teach our children. Here are ten great ways to teach your kids to love reading:

1. For younger kids, get books they want to look at. In the beginning stages you just want them intrigued by the whole idea. They can't read yet, but you want them to WANT to read. So get books with a lot of color, tons of insteresting illustrations and unless you are a FANTASTIC reader that can read aloud with so much expression that the child just won't lose interest...steer away from the books that have pages and pages of words with little visual interest.

2. As your kids are learning to read, encourage them to read with other kids their age or near their age. It's a great confidence builder and teaching tool. You'll be surprised how easily a child can explain something to another child in a way that an adult just would not come up with on their own.

3. Encourage your kids at a young age to think of reading as a talent: host a silly, fun and crazy family talent show (or let your kids invite some friends over for a slumber party incorporating talent show activities) in which they all get to read aloud a book at their own reading level in their most dramatic and exaggerated voice. Go all out and let them pick characters that will act out the story as they read.

4. Trade bedtime stories with your children. Most children like to be read to, but less want to read themselves. So when it comes to bedtime, trade stories. Have them read you a story in exchange for a book you read aloud to them.

5. Start the bedtime ritual off with each child reading aloud to the other kids. Then step in and finish it off with a bedtime book of your own read aloud to all. This particular trick is great for kids who have a hard time switching from day mode to night mode. It makes their bedtime routine a little longer so they have a period of time during which they can make that adjustment without stretching the "time limitations" of the busy mom or dad who sometimes feels they don't even have a couple minutes to spare.

6. When your children start to get a little older, use their reading preferences to get to know them. If you know what they enjoy reading it will tell you a lot about them.

7. Provide your kids with great, visually interesting books that teach them the things you want them to know and be prepared for as they grow. Mistakes are often made by kids who are presented with choices that they have never thought about before. Peer pressure is hugely difficult for most kids and it makes it that much easier if they've been presented with difficult, similar situations through ficiton that they can fall back on and use as virtual experience to base their choices on.

8. Keep up to date with what your teen is reading. I would suggest going so far as buying two (or borrowing if you are a big library fan) of whatever book your teen is interested in reading. Read along at the same pace or keep just a bit ahead. You'll be able to create some very meaningful discussions; young adult literature is packed with controversial and difficult issues. You'll be surprised how quickly teens come to grasp with difficult topics and you'll discover that your teen just might have some interesting opinions worth discussing that you might not otherwise have discovered.

9. Be a good example. Do you read? Do your kids know you read? Do your kids know that you think reading is a fantastic pass time in addition to being a great social and educational tool?

10. Keep your kids' hands full of books. Whether it means visits to the library or the bookstore or the easiest online outlet, don't forget that without a book in hand, there will be no reading!

Final Cover Art for Upcoming Release of Young Adult Book: Meeting Lizzy!

2007-12-10T12:20:00.000-07:00

This is the final cover art for Meeting Lizzy. The graphic designer that created it is Lyndsay Johnson. She's terrific. I really appreciate all the work she must have put into it (not being graphically inclined...I've no idea what all creating a book cover entails, but I LOVED the final result!) If you happen to need a graphic designer...feel free to get in touch with me. I can give you contact information for her and she might be able to fit you into her busy schedule!

The cover copy is also finalized for Meeting Lizzy and it goes something like this:

If you heard a strange noise from the apartment upstairs would you make an effort to find out what happened? What if something happened, but the victim begged you to leave it alone? What if there was obvious evidence of violence, but the denials were adamant? Would you forget about it and walk away? What if you were only seventeen?

I'm Cy McEntire. I wouldn't call myself a typical teenager. I'm only average in the smarts department. I can boast of only a few insignificant run ins with girls of less than stellar moral character. I often have no idea what city or state my Dad is currently staying in, and I get up practically before the dawn to apply the tar like substance to my hair that finishes off my "look." (Purposefully becoming a freak everyday to try to give your Dad a conniption fit is more time consuming than it may at first appear).

Meeting Lizzy was an accident…but one I'd never be able to forget.

I was just sitting at home watching Law & Order reruns when I heard a girl in the apartment upstairs. She was hurt. I was breaking the golden rule of being a successful hermit, but I couldn't help it. If what I thought was happening in that upstairs apartment was actually happening…I had to find out. I was so sure that I would be wrong that when I wasn't I had no idea what to do. So I didn't do anything. It was obvious the girl was being abused, but she adamantly denied anything was wrong. What was I supposed to do? I'm not all knowing…I just left. But I couldn't get the girl out of my head.

Check back for more details to come or visit the publishing website: LJW Publishing.

Which came first Fiction or Reality?

2007-11-20T23:15:00.000-07:00

In Meeting Lizzy (coming out September of 2008) one of the main characters is involved in an abusive relationship. An advance reader of the manuscript once asked me if I was writing it for someone I knew. She thought it was odd that I wanted to put an afterword written by a dating violence specialist and a quick reference listing organizations willing and able to provide the necessary help for teens and others who find themselves in similar situations; after all it's just fiction. I had to think before I came up with an answer because it didn't seem odd to me.

Of course it's just fiction. (I clarify this on the copyright page just in case others come to the same conclusion). I didn't know a girl that lived through the story told in the book. But someone once told me that if we can imagine it or think of it...it's already happened or is happening somewhere in the world today. I remember thinking that was one of the scariest things I'd ever heard. And in a way it is...but, luckily, it's also magical and wonderful and surreal. Not everything we imagine is horrible. We're also able to imagine beauty and wonder and excitement. I still like to think that there's more good than bad.

So, no...I don't know Lizzy from the story. But I know that there are teens out there like her that find themselves stuck in situations they can hardly fathom and wish they didn't understand. And I thought it might be just a tiny bit helpful in a very, very, very small way for me to tack on some expert advice and where to go for more help just in case the book ever falls into the hands of someone who could use the information. So...in the same vein, if you've got a need for info on your own behalf or someone you know that is involved in an abusive relationship here are a couple of very accessible organizations that could get you what you need:

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Choose Respect

One in 11 teens reports that they've been involved in an abusive relationship each year. Pass the information on to as many as you can...let's try to lower that number.

LJW Publishing

2007-11-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

LJW Publishing has recently added a young adult novel manuscript that I wrote called Meeting Lizzy to their upcoming titles list. They are known as The Pragmatic Press because their owner/author, Larry John, founded The Pragmatic Thinker. His website gives a lot of information about his philosophies as do his books: Think Rich to Get Rich and Larryisms: Book One.

Meeting Lizzy is a fiction account of a teenage boy named Cy and a girl that lives in the apartment upstais. Cy discovers that the girl upstairs is being beat up by her boyfriend, but has no idea what to do about it. So he doesn't do anything. He can't stop thinking about it, but at the same time, he can't think of anything that might be the right thing to do.

The story is told in first person alternating between the two main characters; giving the reader a wider view of the story. Here's a sneak peak at the beginnings of the back cover copy:

If you heard a strange noise from the apartment upstairs would you make an effort to find out what happened? What if something happened, but the victim begged you to leave it alone? What if there was obvious evidence of violence, but the denials were adamant? Would you forget about it and walk away? What if you were only seventeen?

The book is scheduled for release in September of 2008! Put it on your calendars...

Big Mac and Fries

2007-07-13T21:57:00.000-07:00

Apparently Stephen King once said, "I am the literary equivalent to a Big Mac and fries." My first thought upon reading this was...does he like Big Macs and fries? I then drew the conclusion that he was probably very aware of what he was saying when he said it. Big Macs and fries are obviously addictive and satisfying in a very strange way to a large majority of people. Not only in the USA, but throughout the entire world. Other adjectives that would accurately describe both a meal (or snack) of a Big Mac and fries as well as Stephen King's literary contributions are: filling, frightening, popular, enticing, juicy and maybe, just maybe, a bit greasy.

Stephen King's comment indicates his awareness of the stigma sometimes placed on popular fiction in comparison to "true literature". But the division between popular fiction and literature is less adamantly enforced as the public embraces both simultaneously. The true measure of a great writer isn't actually their ability to write classic literature, but to write words that mean something to readers. The more readers that can comprehend and pull a personal translation from a work; the more meaningful it becomes. Regardless of what the author's original intent was, readers' conclusions are the mark that is left on the world.

Deathly Hollows

2007-05-12T15:43:00.000-07:00

As an avid young adult reader (who can no longer claim young adulthood), I am planning on having a very pleasant day on July 21, 2007. The very last book in J.K. Rowling's much loved series based on the shenanigans and very serious adventures of Harry Potter and his friends at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is due for release. I have to admit that I'll be there making my own purchase along with all the kids and the few adults obsessed enough to show for the midnight release party. I've often been asked what I think it is about the series that makes it so universally adored. And I have the answer. It makes you smile. Here's an excerpt from an article I wrote on a related subject:

There have been studies conducted that indicate reading as a successful therapy for depression. Particularly, Harry Potter books seem to be able to provide young people with the metaphorical understanding of depression and anxiety that they need to understand the effects and repercussions that depression can have on their lives and on their sense of self. In the stories, Harry Potter is a hero, but he isn't larger than life. He is very realistic and believable (other than the fact that he is a wizard, but we're still speaking of helpful metaphors so that's okay.) For instance, if the series were called the Cedric Diggory series it wouldn't work. He is too perfect, too full of a yearning for excellence. Harry Potter is a typical boy; and typical for him is very desirable. He wants to be normal. He stumbles through his day to day life making decisions; sometimes good and sometimes bad and sometimes purely by instinct.

The fear of failure is introduced throughout the novel by Harry Potter's own sense of inadequacy as a boy who didn't know who he was for a large portion of his life, but more obviously through the Boggart in Book 3. The Boggart is a magical being that is capable of transforming itself into the thing YOU fear the most. No matter who you are...the Boggart is your greatest fear because it knows that is the best way to defeat you. The children in the story are taught a spell to counteract the Boggart, but told explicitly that the thing that actually defeats the Boggart is laughter. Isn't that a basic truth that we all hope our children will know and use in their day to day lives? Bad things are going to happen. Things people are scared of cannot always be avoided. Altering individual perception of a situation is a skill that requires practice and patience, but it's worth all the effort since it enables normal people to overcome silly fears that are holding them back and defeating them before they've even begun to realize their own potential.

The Dementor is introduced as the perfect embodiment of Depression. If Depression took a physical form it would be the Dementor of the Harry Potter series. How fitting is it that Harry Potter finds himself more susceptible to the Dementor than any other character in the book? The descriptions of the Dementor's effect offered throughout the novel are very similar to real life descriptions offered of Depression and the way it makes teens feel. One of the most simple and adequate descriptions is offered by Ron, Harry's best friend throughout the series, "I felt like I was never going to be cheerful again."

A thorough comparison of real life case studies and their feelings on the effects of depression and the descriptions of the effect of the Dementors in the Harry Potter series gives us a perfect opportunity to present an example to teens in trouble with depression and early indicators of depression. How do you banish a Dementor? Once again, the simplistic remedy is presented alongside a fictional spell, but what gets rid of a Dementor are actually happy thoughts. Granted, reading isn't the answer for every victim of depression and every early indications of depression will not always be averted by an introduction of a Harry Potter book. But in today's society, it just may be true that we jump too readily towards the most desperate measures before trying the simple, and easily available remedies that will alleviate some of the struggle young adults are in for through their teen years without altering their perceptions of themselves. Don't teenagers of today have enough trouble finding out exactly who they are without the added confusion that often comes with misdiagnosed or over-diagnosed prescription drugs?

Anxiety, Stress and Gratitude

2007-05-11T17:12:00.000-07:00

Dr. Hans Selye was mentioned in a book I was recently reading, Dreamers, Discoverers and Dynamos by Lucy Jo Palladino. He theorized that the strongest opposition we have against stress is the ability to think opposing thoughts. The thoughts that most easily oppose those of a stressful nature are those that evoke a feeling of gratitude. It's hard to feel stressed when you're grateful and according to Selye...it's impossible.

It makes me wonder if there are "gratitude therapy" sessions in use for those who deal with massive anxiety disorders and if not...why not?