Stuff-o-rama

Not much to report really! I've been hard at work on some new proposals for my agent. Two of which are sent off and the third will be done by tomorrow and then I will have to once again get my mindset into that out of an eleven year old girl. An eleven year girl who is actually an orange djinn (and that's the just the good part of her life).

Actually, it should be fun. I'm very fond of Sophie, my heroine and I'm even more fond of Malik, her ghostly djinn advisor. In fact Malik has sort of become one of those runaway characters who completely tries to steal the show. Anyway, it's always good to find out what ridiculous things he will say next - and what mess he will get Sophie into.

Apart from that, I'm over at TFC today talking about blogitis, which is naturally a highly riveting and entertaining post. Okay, not really, but I've got blogitis so you have to cut me a break!

Also, for some unbeknown reason, there has been a sales spike with Zombie over at Amazon. So to all of you lovely and adorable people who have been buying it almost a year after it was released, thank you! I'm ridiculously grateful to you all - in an attractive and cool sort of way of course (as opposed to a pathetic and needy way!!!)

And finally, I've had to put my regular reading on hold to make my way through eight Rita books. I'm halfway through book number four now and so far, so good. I read the small press books first and was pleasantly surprised by all of them so let's hope those NY published books live up to the standard!!!!

What's everyone else been up to?

GCC presents Suzanne Young

Yay - today I'm touring another new GCC member, Suzanne Young and her brand spanking new book, The Naughty List, which is one book that I've sooo got to read. Even better, it's actually a series, with two more books coming out later this year!!!!! She has also just sold another book called A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL, in which a 17-year-old discovers that by performing the good deeds that her body compels her to, she will disappear into the Light and be forgotten, but by fighting "the Need," her fate could be even more dire.

I know, I know - the word over-achiever springs to mind but I think I can forgive her because all her books sound so amazing! Anyway, today it's all about The Naughty List and here is the skinny:

As if being a purrfect cheerleader isn’t enough responsibility! Tessa Crimson’s the sweet and spunky leader of the SOS (Society of Smitten Kittens), a cheer squad–turned–spy society dedicated to bringing dastardly boyfriends to justice, one cheater at a time. Boyfriend-busting wouldn’t be so bad . . . except that so far, every suspect on the Naughty List has been proven 100% guilty!
When Tessa’s own boyfriend shows up on the List, she turns her sleuthing skills on him. Is Aiden just as naughty as all the rest, or will Tessa’s sneaky ways end in catastrophe?

The Naughty List. Is your boyfriend on it?

And now that we're hooked, let's find out a bit more about Suzanne (aka what TV shows she likes to watch because it's all about priorities!)

What was the inspiration behind this book?

Ninja Cheerleaders. But eventually that evolved into girls who could bust cheating boyfriends. Even though I didn’t use my own experiences, I did tap into those emotions—the pain and loss. And I also used a lot of lipgloss references.

Are you a panster or a plotter and do you find your writing process changes from book to book?

I think it changes for me. With THE NAUGTY LIST sequels, I’ve found I have to outline—probably because it’s a series. But I don’t outline any of my other books. When I do… I get bored of them and start something new. Not knowing how the story will end always keeps me interested.

I'm a quote queen and there's nothing I like more than reading other people's words of wisdom. Do you have a favorite quote that motivates you or sums up the way the you write?

I really enjoy “Don’t sweat the small stuff” and “No news is no news”.

What's your favorite television series right now?Okay, I know this isn't a writerly question but I'm a very nosy person who has a very large television habit to feed!!!!

Oh, man. Last year I would have said Battlestar Galactica! But now… I really love Modern Family and Glee. With an occasional Vampire Diaries thrown in there.

Everyone has a talent. Mine is being able to discover
chocolate no matter where it is hidden in the house. What about you? What is
your secret talent (apart of course from being a fabulous writer!!!!!)

I can read the minds of animals. Just kidding. I’m great at finding lost things. Lost dice, missing socks, mail keys? They always call on me: the object whisper. It’s a gift. ooooh, I want this. Nay, I need this because my son always loses very small pieces of Lego and I seem to spend my entire looking for them. Not fun!!!!!!!

Let's hang with Caitlin Crews

You know there aren't many people who I am willing to share David Boreanaz with but Megan Crane is one of them. Not only is she gorgeous and uber-talented (not to mention one of my fav, fav writers ever) but she is so darn clever that she now has another name!

Yes, that's right she is also writing Presents books for Harlequin Mills and Boon under the name of Caitlin Crews and guess what? Her first book, Pure Princess, Batered Bride is out in the NA market this month and Aust/NZ in March.

Now I don't know if any of you have ever met any Presents writers before but I've meet loads of them and without fail they are the nicest, coolest (biggest party-animals) that I've ever had the pleasure to hang with and I can just tell that Megan is going to fit in just fine!!!!!!!!

So here is the skinny on Caitlin's new book

Bartered, betrothed and bedded!

As quiet and dangerous as a jungle cat, achieving the impossible is one of Luc Garnier’s defining characteristics.

Princess Gabrielle is invaluable – a pearl beyond price. Yet Luc has defied the odds, and a contract for marriage is drawn up. This will be a union on paper first, and of flesh later…
Except Gabrielle is just the same in private as in public – well-bred, well-behaved, and a credit to her country. Luc is determined to find the wanton within and leave his pure princess in total disarray!

Ooooh, I can't wait to get a copy of this book. It's been too long since I've read one of Megan's books but at least the wait is almost over. Another thing that is almost over is the wait to see what my stunning new tour questions for 2010. As normal they are incisive and cutting edge and will lead you all to wonder why I ever gave up journalism to write fiction instead!!!!

Are you a panster or a plotter and do you find your writing process changes from book to book?


I've spent my whole life as a panster, but I find that the more books I write (I am just starting #15--crazy!) the more I require a bit of plotting. Some people like to break down chapters and bullet point and flow chart--and the very idea of THAT gives me hives. But I do like to plot out the emotional turning points in the story, and figure out a broad map of the action. I'm talking maybe a page and a half of said mapping, with a lot of vagueness left in so I have a lot to play with as I write. So... I guess I'm a hybrid!

I'm a quote queen and there's nothing I like more than reading other people's words of wisdom. Do you have a favorite quote that motivates you or sums up the way the you write?

I keep a blank journal and fill it with quotes. I love reading what other people think about writing and art and life. Here are some favorites:

"The two hardest things about writing are starting and not stopping." --Stewart O'Nan

"Anyone can write. The trouble with writers is that they can't do anything else." --Mignon McLaughlin

"But you know, to be a writer you have to be in touch with that stubborn, rebellious dreamer who stared out the classroom window rather than listen to the teacher droning on. You do what you have to do, not what you should do." --Anne Stuart

"But I myself have shamelessly spoken in semi-colons, and I am not alone." --Doris Egan

"'Literature' changes with the times; good storytelling is forever." --Jennifer Crusie

"The universe is made of stories, not atoms." --Muriel Ruykeser

"Rules, for me, aren't meant to be broken just because they exist. That's ego. They should be broken if the story demands it. That's writing." --Nora Roberts

Clearly, I could go on for days!

What's your favorite television series right now? Okay, I know this isn't a writerly question but I'm a very nosy person who has a very large television habit to feed!!!!

Oh, let's see. I'm loving White Collar. I'm OBSESSED with Vampire Diaries. I still love Supernatural and Gossip Girl. And I love Fringe and Mercy, too. And thank goodness we have a DVR, or I would never get any writing done! What is this White Collar? I must go and google immediately and then hope like crazy that we will get it in NZ!!!!

Everyone has a talent. Mine is being able to discover chocolate no matter where it is hidden in the house. What about you? What is your secret talent (apart of course from being a fabulous writer!!!!!)

Oh, I'm very talented. When I was single, I used to have the near-supernatural ability to walk into a crowded room and unerringly pick out the most emotionally unavailable, stunted and destructive guy there. I can't say that was fun, but it certainly led to many books! Now my talents are more mundane. I have one much like yours: if something contains sugar and it is anywhere near me, I can automatically locate it. I usually notice right as I am stuffing it in my mouth! Obviously we were separated at birth!


So please everyone make sure you go and buy Caitlin's new book because I know it's going to be fabulous. As for me, my wild children are finally back at school and I'm getting back into my second Djinn book and wildly trying to write out all the proposals that I sorta/kinda/maybe told my agent I was going to do over the holidays before lethargy over took me!!!!!!

Oh and I will back tomorrow with a new GCC tour!!!!

GCC presents Carrie Jones

No, in case you're wondering I'm not dead, I've just been distracted by grumpy children Who Are Going Back to School Next Week. Phew!!!!!!!!! Anyway, I've managed to lock them in a closest for half an hour so I can get some blogging done - okay, not really because they figured out how to pick the closet locks years ago!!!!!!

The truth is that they are happily playing outside which means we can talk about the ever-adorable Carrie Jones and her new book Captivate, which is the sequel to her NYT bestselling book, Need (which is still on my tbr pile but is going to be devoured Very Soon!!!!!!). Anyway, how great does this book look? For a start the cover seriously rocks and the story sounds just as amazing!!!! Here is the skinny:

Captivate:

Zara and her friends knew they hadn't solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king's needs grow deeper every day he's stuck in captivity, while his control over his people gets weaker. It's made him vulnerable. And now there's a new king in town.

A turf war is imminent, since the new pixie king, Astley, is moving in quickly. Nick nearly killed him in the woods on day one, but Zara came to his rescue. Astley swears that he and Zara are destined to be together, that he's one of the good guys. Nick isn't buying it, though Zara isn't as sure -- despite herself, she wants to trust the new king. But it's a lot more than her relationship with Nick that is at stake. It's her life -- and his.


What People are Saying About NEED and CAPTIVATE:

“If you asked Stephen King and Stephanie Myers to co-author a book, they would come up with NEED.” – Justine Magazine.

"An exciting venture filled with nasty evil creatures,
nail-biting action and heart-pounding romance." 
—teenreads.com

“Romance, suspense, and a very clever heroine 
make this a must-read!” —Toledo Blade

"Genre fans will enjoy the sizzle between Nick and Zara 
as well as the paranormal cast." —PW

“This book is for fans of Holly Black and Melissa Marr… fairy lovers crowd in! It’s got some really good reviews coming in already. We’re talking a love story people, with fairies - please, who would not buy this? So look out!”— Annette’s Book Blog

"Jones masterfully blends paranormal fantasy, suspense, and romance to craft a new supernatural tale that is certain to appeal 
to fans of dark urban fantasy like Marr's Wicked Lovely and paranormal romances like Meyer's Twilight books. A likeable cast 
of engaging and interesting characters combine with a plot that grabs readers and refuses to let go." —VOYA

"A fast-paced novel worthy of the fantasy greats, 
Need will take you for a ride." —VOYA, teen reviewer

About Carrie Jones:
1. Carrie can not drink coffee. It makes her insane. Do not give her caffeine.
2. Carrie is very responsive to loving strokes on the hair, kind of like a puppy. However, do not do this without asking first unless you are a ridiculously handsome man or an editor who is about to offer her a trillion dollars for the first draft of her novel.
3. Carrie is secretly really, really shy even though she’s pathetically outgoing in person. She has a very hard time calling people. So, if you want to talk to her, make the first move. And, if you’re her in-Maine female best friend, Jennifer, do NOT get mad at her because she is so bad at returning emails.
4. Carrie sometimes wears mismatched socks, if you do not think this is cool, do not tell her. You will hurt her feelings.
5. Carrie really, really wants you to like her books. Please like her books. PLEEEAASSSEEEE. She’ll be your best friend forever. That is, if you want a friend who is shy about calling and emailing and who wears mismatched socks and can’t drink caffeine and likes being pet on the head. Hhmmm….
6. Carrie is not above begging.
7. Carrie, like Belle in TIPS ON HAVING A GAY (ex) BOYFRIEND drinks Postum. It’s for the same reason, too.
8. Carrie loves Great Pyrenees dogs. They are huge and white, and furry and it looks like they have white eyeliner and mascara on, which is way too cute. Do you have one? Send a picture!
9. Carrie lives in Maine. She has a hard time with this in the winter. It is bleak in Maine in the winter. Imagine everything shades of gray and brown and no green anywhere except for in people’s noses. This is Maine in Winter. Maine in summer is the best place in the world, so it’s a trade-off. Feel free to invite Carrie to your house in the winter, but not if it’s in Greenland, Canada, or anywhere north of Florida. Forget that. She’d still probably come.

Because it's Thursday

OMG I just watched Aliens in the Attic with the kids and it was ridiculously funny. Has anyone seen it? Honestly, I think I have the brain capacity of a ten year old kid (which in fact would make me a genius) because I seriously laughed out loud at this movie. Especially when Nana and the evil boyfriend did some matrix/kung fu fighting. Genius stuff!!!

Anyway, I'm just about to go and do a couple of blog posts and I have a GCC tour coming up with the ever adorable (and slightly concussed) Carrie Jones, but in the meantime the awesomely cool Charlie Charters' debut book Bolt Action is up for pre-order in the UK (and most other online bookstores) so don't forget to check that out.

I'm also getting ridiculously excited about the American Idol starting tonight in NZ. For those of you who don't realize I am a massive Idol fan - in fact pretty much any reality tv show that has singing or dancing in will have me hooked. And now the first chapter of my new book awaits me, not to mention those two blog posts that annoyingly enough will not write themselves!!!!!

Finally, for writers. If you've ever struggled with character arcs then you must go and read Julie Cohen's blog where she has up a series of posts on this exact topic. Not only is Julie and lovely and talented writer but she's also a very talented teacher as well (and trust me not all great writers have the knack of teaching craft) so this is something you don't want to miss.

Excuse me while I scream

It's been a very trying day today and perhaps no co-incidence that it's week five of the summer holidays. My son has done his best to drive us all crazy - not to mention making himself unhappy in the process. Anyway, all writing plans for the week have pretty much gone out the window but at least the sun is shining and that has to be a good thing, right?

Not much else to report. I managed to cry myself through the Golden Globes and then again when I rewatched the Buffy episode when Joyce Summers died. Let's just say that I was a puffy eyed freak monster the following the day (and not in a good way either in case some of you are thinking that puffy eyed freak monsters are cool). In some slightly better news has anyone else heard the rumours that not only will Neil Patrick Harris will be staring in an episode of Glee but that Joss Whedon will be directing it. Oh please let it happen.

I just finished reading Fire by new literary crush Kristin Cashore. I didn't love it quite as much as Graceling but it was still amazing!!!! I had planned to go back and hit my tbr pile but now my Rita books have come through so I'm reading them instead. I got a fabulous haul and there are five that I'm dying to read and three others that all look good as well so I feel like I did really well!!!!!

What's everyone else been up to????

Whoops

Today I was a bit excessive with the whole domestic goddess thing so now I intend to sit and watch television and do nothing to help counter balance the effect. Even worse, I find the more I clean the dirtier everything else starts to look, which is probably why I try and ignore cleaning things very often!

Not much else to report. The lovely new idea finally has a plot and a character arc so now I just need to sit down and write a proposal for it - and perhaps find a jazzy title while I'm at it!!!!! I'm now halfway through Fire by Kristin Cashore and might be becoming slightly obsessed by these books - especially since I discovered that number three is going to be about Queen Bitterblue. If you haven't read them yet I can heartily recommend them to everyone. Definitely one of my fav books since The Hunger Games.

Finally, I'm blogging over at Teen Fiction Cafe today if you'd care to swing by and say hi!