GCC presents Diana Rodriguez Wallach

Well, as you can see the GCC tours have been thick and fast this year which is definitely a great sign that there is a LOT of awesome books out there and today I'm really happy to tour Diana Rodriguez Wallach and the third book in her young adult series, Adios to All the Drama.



Diana has a Puerto Rican father and a Polish mother and many of the multi-cultural themes expressed in her novels are based on her personal background. She also holds a journalism degree from Boston University, and has worked as a reporter and as an advocate for inner city public school. And finally she has the cutest website I've ever seen - in fact there is some major web envy going on right now, so don't forget to go and check it out. But enough from me, let's pass the floor over to Diana:

Tell me a bit about your book.

Adios to All The Drama is the third and final book in my Amor and Summer Secrets series. In it, Mariana Ruiz discovers that the summer fling she thought she left in Puerto Rico , Alex, will soon be coming for a visit. And as her old flame settles into the guestroom two doors down from her, Mariana finds herself conflicted between him and her lingering feelings for her Locker Buddy Bobby.

Additionally, her best friends are little help as Madison deals with her IM-only “boyfriend” and Emily sinks into secret mode after her parents’ recent breakup. The only relationship that seems to be working is her estranged aunt Teresa who’s tying the knot on New Years Eve with Mariana and her cousin Lilly as bridesmaids. But as the wedding details unfold, one question remains. Who will Mariana kiss at midnight?



What was the inspiration for writing it?

Well, Adios to All the Drama is the third book in the series. So it was inspired by the two books that came before. However, the first book in the series, Amor and Summer Secrets, was initially inspired by a conversation with my agent, Jenoyne Adams. She had mentioned seeing a recent increase in interest from editors seeking multi-cultural novels, and she asked the infamous question, “Got any ideas?” I didn’t. But by the end of our conversation, I had pitched the story for what became Amor and Summer Secrets.

Part of the inspiration was derived from my first trip to Puerto Rico after I graduated from college. I met my relatives there for the first time, and I got to see where my dad grew up. I wanted to share some of those experiences with my character while showcasing that the stereotypes about Latinas are just that—stereotypes.

I'm a sucker for a sale story, so I'd love to hear how you sold your first book.

Well, I started writing my first novel because I had a dream one night that I was a young adult author, and I dreamt the concept for an entire series of books. Seriously. When I woke up and told my husband, he reminded me of a vacation we took five years earlier through New England where I had visited a psychic in Salem , MA . At the time I was a reporter, and psychic immediately stated, “I was a writer.” But she said I was “the writer of little books, like children’s books.” Being raised Catholic, I took these things as signs, and decided to write my first novel.

To make things even more mystical, my first novel sold on Fat Tuesday while I was in New Orleans at Mardi Gras wearing beads and feathered mask. I give a much more detailed account of this story on my website at http://www.dianarodriguezwallach.com/for_writers.html.

Since you've been a published writer, what's been the coolest thing that's happened to you? (though be warned if it somehow involves meeting David Boreanaz, there will be jealousy issues to deal with).

Did you know that David Boreanaz is from Philly, and his father is a weatherman here? That’s gotta make me only a few degrees separated (okay, so like seriously you're the first girlfriend who actually has had a connection to DB and now I am very, very jealous!!!!!). But one cool thing that happened to me recently was I was asked to speak this summer at the Chica Lit Club Fiesta hosted by Alisa Valdes Rodriguez. This is particularly meaningful to me because a couple of years ago, before I was published, I was thinking of saving up money so I could attend the conference and meet other Latina authors. Now I’m going to be one of the featured speakers. Crazy.

What authors inspire you and why?

I have several favorite authors. One of my favorite books is The Little Prince. I think the lessons in that story are useful at any age (even the dedication inspires me). And I’m a huge Jane Austen fan, especially Pride & Prejudice. And I love Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight.

Finally, what's the best movie you've seen in the last six months?

I saw Slumdog Millionaire and really like it, the cinematography was amazing. I also liked Twilight (however, not as much as the book). And I thought Josh Brolin was great in “W” (especially the Yale initiation scenes). Retweet this button on every post blogger

nice review

Woot. I just a 5 star review from teensreadtoo, which is definitely a nice way to start the day!

Mia Everett is just a normal teenage girl: she fears heights, she loves the Buffy series, she has a crush on the hottest guy in school, she's the neighbor of the popular cheerleader, her sister is a popular wannabe, and...

She turned all of the seniors - and even some teachers - into flesh-eating zombies through a love potion gone wrong.

That's when Chase comes into the picture. He's always been the quiet, anti-social guy in her Biology class, but when he comes to her saying that she didn't perform a love potion - that she really performed a spell that turned her classmates and best friend, Candice, into zombies - well, she immediately starts to fall for her knight in shining armor.

And if all of this wasn't enough to take in, Mia also has to worry about her prom, which is just days away! Will she be able to cure her classmates, and her prom date, before the actual dance? And if not, what will happen to her friends and the students? Will they really become zombies? And why do all of them seem to salivate whenever she's around?

Amanda Ashby writes a very entertaining and quick read about a teenage protagonist who has to fix the catastrophic problem she created - or else she'll never be able to enjoy the ball with Prince Charming. Many readers will be able to relate to Mia and her quirky ways, and others will simply fall in love with her witty humor. And if that doesn't work, there are always hunks Rob and Chase.

ZOMBIE QUEEN OF NEWBURY HIGH deserves the five stars. This is a very original story that isn't too far-fetched that teenage readers can't relate at all - it's the perfect mix of reality and imagination. Retweet this button on every post blogger

Whoops

Where did the week go? Oh, yes. I was at the mercy of two young children! Actually, it's been a really fun week. I did an interview and had my photo taken for the local paper and I've got another interview today, which is very brave of me since the reason I'm a writer is so that I can edit the large amounts of rubbish that comes out of my brain. Which basically means I've got no idea what I talked about in the interview but I guess I'll find out soon!

I'm still planning a comp for my lastliest arc (tis a word) and even more exciting I've been making a majorly cute trailer for my upcoming blog party and will unleash it on you as soon as my husband has made me some cool zombie music to go with it!!

Oh and another cool thing that happened yesterday was that my book order arrived! I can't wait to dive into Tina Ferraro and Lauran Baratz-Logsted's new books, plus Jessica Burkhart's Taking the Reins should arrive here today. Somehow I think they'll all be jumping the TBR queue!!

Not much lease to report. I'm working at the library on Saturday and have visitors coming for the weekend but I'll still be posting a GCC tour tomorrow and next week I should be back in full bloggy glory. Or not, you know what I'm like!!!!

Anyway, hope everyone has had a great week. Retweet this button on every post blogger

One of those days

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

It's ten o'clock at night and between invisible spiders, mysterious noises and sore stomachs, my kids have only just gone to bed. Let's just say it's been a long day. One week until they're back at school. I'm ready. Retweet this button on every post blogger

GCC presents Teri Brown

Today I'm touring Teri Brown and her debut book Read My Lips which came out last year - doesn't it just have the most gorgeous cover you've ever seen? And even better, the book itself is fab and I pretty much read it in one sitting.

I also had the pleasure of hanging out with Teri in person when I went over to RWA conference last year (sniff, it sounds soooo long ago doesn't it?) and I can tell you that she totally rocks. Oh and one final bit of information about her. It is her fault ENTIRELY that I started jogging a few months ago. You see Teri set herself a big goal to lose weight last year and as part of it she took up jogging. Well, every time I read her blog, there she was going out jogging and for some reason something clicked in me and I wanted to be a jogger girl too. Anyway, I love my jogs and they are so much part of my routine now that I don't really think about it - all thanks to Teri.

So here is Teri to tell you a bit more about her book and everything else you ever wanted to know about her!!!!!

Tell me a bit about your book.

The one liner pitch for Read My Lips is: A deaf skater chick uses her ability to read lips to infiltrate the popular crowd, take down a secret sorority and tame the school rebel. Read My Lips came out last summer from Simon Pulse. And my characters are fairly typical teenagers. What I wanted to show was that a teen with a disability worries about the same things as teens who don’t have the same challenges.

What was the inspiration for writing it?

My niece is profoundly deaf and after she was diagnosed, my mother-in-law became very active in deaf advocacy. She used me as a sounding board for her ideas and the seeds of Read my Lips were planted during that time.


I'm a sucker for a sale story, so I'd love to hear how you sold your first book.

Read My Lips is my first saleJ I’ve always loved books and I have always written, but it wasn’t until I got online that I found the support I needed to really go for it and try to write professionally. I started in nonfiction and wrote articles and essays for magazines and websites, but I kept writing fiction because that is where my heart is. I wrote a horrible nano chicklit book and tried to get it published. Soon after that I was invited to join a critique group. That was the real beginning of my education, both writing-wise and industry-wise. I made the switch to young adult during that time realizing that my voice was best suited for that genre. Because I have teens and really enjoy that age, that is probably where I’ll stay. Soon after, I signed with Jenny Bent from Trident and she subbed my first YA which didn’t end up selling. Then she subbed Read my Lips. It took eight months before selling to Caroline Abby at Simon Pulse. (Caroline moved and is currently with Bloomsbury),


Since you've been a published writer, what's been the coolest thing that's happened to you? (though be warned if it somehow involves meeting David Boreanaz, there will be jealousy issues to deal with).

Probably my launch party. My book is about a deaf teen, so I held it at the Washington School of the Deaf. There were about fifty high school students attending and it was awesome. They brought in two interpreters for me and we had a blast.


> What authors inspire you and why?

Pat Conroy- his perfect use of adjectives

Rachel Vincent- her ability to keep me absolutely riveted.

Alyssa Day- The way she rolls with the punches and reads the markets.

Finally, what's the best movie you've seen in the last six months?

Vicky Christine Barcelona. Wow. Woody is back! Retweet this button on every post blogger

stuff

I'm blogging over at Tote bags and blogs today where I'm rambling about zombies and trends and everything in between. Yesterday was a wash out as far as writing was concerned but am still happy with how things are going, plus I accidentally started a second book. Whoops.

I'm working at the library this weekend but I'll still find time to do a GCC tour. Also, remember how I only had one spare zombie arc? Yeah, well apparently I lied because it turns out I've got a second one spare. Woot. So stay tuned for a competition sometime next week (which is code for whenever I manage to get my shizz together and run it!!!!) Retweet this button on every post blogger

You Are So Undead To Me

Woot! Today is the day that my fellow zombie girl, Stacey Jay's awesome book hits the shelves!!!! I was lucky enough to read You are So Undead to Me awhile ago and I can tell you that it is amazing. Full of funny characters, chunky zombie goodness and a twist like you ain't never seen a twist before. Still not convinced? Check out the adorable cover which is even prettier and shiner in real life. Oh, and here is a blurb before I hit up Stacey with the questions on everyone's lips!

YOU ARE SO UNDEAD TO ME:

Megan Berry is a Zombie Settler by birth, which means she's part-time shrink to a whole bunch of semi-dead people with killer issues. All Megan really wants is to go to homecoming, but when you're trailed by a bunch of slobbering corpses whenever you leave the house, it's kinda hard to score a date. Let's just say Megan's love life could use some major resuscitation.

Megan's convinced her life can't get any worse - until someone in school starts using black magic to turn average, angsty Undead into scary, hardcore flesh-eating Zombies. Now it's up to Megan to stop the Zombie apocalypse. Her life - and more importantly, the homecoming dance - depends on it.

1 How did you first get the idea for your current book?

I was listening to Radio Disney with my kids and that song "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen" came on, and I started thinking "what if this chick had something REALLY dramatic to deal with". Like zombies. Who showed up on her doorstep. Rotten and stinky, with major issues she had to solve. Thus, Megan the Zombie Settler was born.

2 I often say that everything I know about writing has come from Buffy. Is there any movie/tv show/book/author that you think has helped your writing career?

Hmmm...that's a good question. I think 80's teen movies were one of my biggest inspirations. I must have watched "Some Kind of Wonderful" a zillion times. The high drama and comedy combined in John Hughes' films and the other greats of the genre have informed my writing. No doubt about it.

(I didn't watch Buffy until after my book had finished second edits, by the way. Then I watched all the seasons on DVD and was hooked. How could I have missed that the first time around? So good! Buffy and Spike 4ever.) no, no, no. We don't care that Spike saved the stupid old world, say it after me. Buffy and Angel. Mind you if she went off with Spike, then that would leave Angel all for me. Okay, as you were...

3 What's a normal writing day for you?

There is no "normal" anymore. Not since the baby came in November. I used to get my older kids off to school and Mom's Day Out and write like a madwoman for five hours straight at least three times a week. Now I grab little snatches of time when I can in between diaper changes and rocking and feeding and cuddling. I'm not getting nearly as much done, but such is the nature of the mom-writer business. I'm sure I'll get back into my groove...by the time little dude is two or so. Lol. hahaha my brain is turning all mushy just remembering those days!

4 The best blooper I've ever done as a writer was when I had my heroine hand the hero something. Problem was they were sharing the same body at the time! So to help lessen my embarrassment, I'd love to know what your best writing blooper is and did someone catch it before your book went into print?

Wow. Hard. Um...YASUTM is my first Young Adult book in print and I haven't caught any bloopers...yet. I'm sure there are a few in there, however. No matter how closely you check, you're always going to miss something. I have had a couple of bloopers in my adult stuff--clothes coming off in the wrong order and such--but I won't go into detail on that :).

5 And now for the big question. Zombies - love them, hate them, couldn't eat a whole one? Enquiring minds want to know.

Zombies=love. So much love and loving to hate. They are some of my favorite Undead people. If they weren't I couldn't have written three books about them and be hoping to write a fourth if "You are so Undead to Me" and its sequel, "Undead Much" sell well. Long live zombies, I say!

And so say I - so go one you all, race and get Stacey's book right this instant, you won't regret it! Retweet this button on every post blogger

It's Tuesday. How did that happen?

Honestly, sometimes I think I'm having a permanent senior moment because how can it be Tuesday already? Hmmmm? Anyway, I only just survived my daughter's birthday party at Ocean Spa (which is a fancy set of swimming pools right next to the beach here in good old Napier). It was lots of fun but tres exhaustment.

Not much else to report. The wip is still racing along at a reasonable pace and I'm slowly getting ready for the release of Zombie - and by getting ready I mean that I'm once again fine tuning my mind control skills to help convince everyone to buy my book. Will keep you posted on how that one turns out!

In other news, Phoebe very kindly gave Halo a nice review, which totally made my day. The rest of the week is going to be pretty mellow. The kids have a couple of parties to go to but apart from that we might just laze around the house and I can look at my garden and wish it would weed itself. Later in the week, I'm also doing a guest blog post plus I've got a great GCC tour coming up, so stay tuned. Retweet this button on every post blogger

Taking the Reins

Hooray, today I'm hanging out with my teen fiction cafe buddy , Jessica Burkhart. Oh, but be warned, I'm afraid she's impossibly young and glamorous, however I'm going to forgive her that on account of her being so nice.



Anyway, Taking the Reins in the first in Jessica's awesome looking series, Canterwood Crest and here is the blurb:

When Sasha Silver and her horse, Charm, arrive on the campus of the elite Canterwood Crest Academy, Sasha knows that she's in trouble. She's not exactly welcomed with open arms. One group of girls in particular is used to being the best, the brightest, and the prettiest on the team, and when Sasha shows her skills in the arena, the girls' claws come out.

Sasha is determined to prove that she belongs at Canterwood. Will she rise to the occasion and make the advanced riding team by the end of her first semester? Or will the pressure send Sasha packing?


Now, I'm not a horse person but I've been HANGING OUT to read this book and I can't wait until my copy arrives - though I think I might have to fight with my daughter over who gets it first!!!!! And now, as I promised, I have new questions. Yup, out with the old light weight ones and in with the hard, ground breaking journalist prose. Okay, I kid, I kid, but they are new, which has got to count for something, right?

1. How did you first get the idea for your current book?

I'd always wanted to write a horse book. I was a serious equestrian for most of my life until I had to stop riding after spinal surgery. After that, I pushed away all of my thoughts about horses and took myself out of the horse world for almost six years. Finally, the idea for a horse-themed book hit me and wouldn't go away. In November 2006, during NaNoWriMo, I sat down and banged out the draft in 30 days. It was a HORRIBLE draft, but it gave me something to work on. While writing it, I reignited my passion for horses and knew I'd never let it go again.

2 I often say that everything I know about writing has come from Buffy. Is there any movie/tv show/book/author that you think has helped your writing career?

I always turn to Mean Girls for inspiration. I know every line in that movie, but it never bores me! I bow to Tina Fey.

3 What's a normal writing day for you?

Since I'm writing a series, things are always different. Some days are just drafting. Others, I'm doing copy edits for book three while outlining four. I'm never bored that's for sure! I like to get started early in the day, write till lunch and then catch up with my fave soap--General Hospital--while I read over whatever I've written that morning. After TV time is over, I'm back on the computer and typing until late evening.

4 The best blooper I've ever done as a writer was when I had my heroine hand the hero something. Problem was they were sharing the same body at the time! So to help lessen my embarrassment, I'd love to know what your best writing blooper is and did someone catch it before your book went into print?

Oooh, LOL. That's a good one! :) A few days ago, I sent a query to a magazine and I didn't catch a mistake in my bio paragraph. Instead of, "Jessica Burkhart's debut novel, Take the Reins,..." I wrote and sent, "Jessica Burkhart's debut model, Take the Reins..." Argh!! LOVE IT!!!!

5 And now for the big question. Zombies - love them, hate them, couldn't eat a whole one?
Enquiring minds want to know.

I know you're a zombie girl, Amanda, but I'm terrified of them!! I'm a total wimp and they freak me out. I need fluffy, sweeter things. I'd be stressing the entire time if I read a super scary zombie book. :) Hahaha - here's a confession - I'm a total wimp as well (as my husband will tell you when I hide behind the couch while he watches scary movies) and I only like funny zombie movies!!!! Retweet this button on every post blogger

The one with no title

Sorry to the person who spammed my comments section but we don't do that sort of thing here so I had to delete you.

Anyway, it's Friday morning in NZ. The sun pushed through yesterday so let's see what today can bring! Don't forget to go over to Tia's blog where I'm talking about how it's been since Halo came out and I'm also up at Teen Fiction Cafe talking about books (yeah, it was a challenge for sure!)

Apart from that I'm still writing, still hanging with the kids and still watching far too many DVDs at night. After the success of watching Alien V Predator (1 and 2) I went and got out the original Predator which I'm sort of looking forward to watching again. Plus, I finally get the whole Battlestar Galactica thing which is a relief!!! Oh, and if you like your football then Goal and Goal 2 are both definitely worth watching. Retweet this button on every post blogger

Where da sun?

Obviously I did too much 'oooh, I've been at the beach all week' boasting because the sun has all but gone this week. A big thumbs down from me. On the upside I took the kids to see Bolt yesterday which was very cute. I do love me some animated movies and since my kids do as well, we pretty much watch all of them - though my favorite ones are still Nemo and Monsters Inc which are both going back a few years now. Oh, and Shrek. Gotta love Shrek - especially Shrek two which had Rupert Everett and Jennifer Saunders in. Talk about stealing the scenes!!

The writing is still going really well which is such a nice feeling after last year's struggles and I've also started to organize my blog party for when Zombie comes out (which, is suddenly quite soon).

In other news I've got a blog post going up on Thursday with the lovely Tia Nevitt over at her Fantasy Debut blog where I talk about how life has been since Halo came out (which, between the Oscar invites and the power lunches in New York, it has been remarkably similar. Okay, I joke, I joke, but I'm a writer, I can think crazy whenever I want!!).

Also, head over and check out my buddy Book Chic and his very cute vlogs that he's been doing. I'll be blogging at Teen Fiction Cafe later in the week as well (note to self. Don't forget to blog at Teen Fiction Cafe) so I'll let you know when that's up - it's sure to be dazzling!!!

Okay, and that's me. What's everyone else been up to? Spill please! Retweet this button on every post blogger

Fun in the sun

The weather is gorgeous here in Napier so I've been spending most of my time at the beach with the kids, though believe or not I'm actually getting more writing done than normal. Hmmm, perhaps I should try and laze around in the sun more often since it obviously agrees with me.

Anyway, Michelle Rowen who is not only one of my fav authors but also a jolly decent person has very kindly given me an awesome blurb for zombie:

"Zombie Queen of Newbury High is a delicious treat! Who knew zombies could be both fun and funny? It's Zombilicious!" -- Michelle Rowen, author of Bitten & Smitten

Doncha just love that girl???

Not much else to report, in between the sun and the writing I've been watching a load of DVDs. The best of them is Summer Heights High which is a hilarious Australian mockumentary, which reminds me FAR too much of my own school days (and not in a good way!!!!).

So how is 2009 and treating everyone???? Retweet this button on every post blogger

GCC presents Eileen Cook

Okay, so today I've got Eileen Cook with her new young adult book, What Would Emma Do? and I've got to tell you that I'm majorly excited. I've been wanting to read this book for ages because I just love the premise so much and because Eileen is so wildly funny that I know it's going to be amazing (don't believe me about the funny thing? Just wait until you read the interview then!!! Still don't believe me? Then go and read the first chapter here and then come back and admit that I'm right - which by the way is something that I love being so there could be some smug dancing on my behalf!)

Anyway, enough from me, here is Eileen with the hard hitting questions (and you'll all be pleased to know that this is the last time I'll be subjecting anyone to these questions. In fact I might do a ritual burying of them so that they can never resurface again!!!!)

Tell me a bit about your book.

I think I’ll cheat and use the back copy blurb:
Thou shalt not kiss thy best friend’s boyfriend…again….

There is no greater sin than kissing you best friend’s boyfriend. So when Emma breaks that golden rule, she knows she’s messed up big-time. Especially since she lives in the smallest town ever, where everyone knows everything about everyone else….and especially because she maybe kinda wants to do it again. Now her best friend isn’t speaking to her, her best guy friend is making things totally weird, and Emma is running full speed toward certain social disaster. This is so not the way senior year was supposed to go.

Time to pray for a minor miracle. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s time for Emma to stop trying to please everyone around her, and figure out what she wants for herself.

What was the inspiration for writing it?

What Would Emma Do (Simon Pulse December 30 2008) came about when I recently re-read The Crucible. In the play a group of people begin blaming others of being witches and the situation burns out of control. It got me thinking about what would be the worst thing you could accuse someone of today and how easy it is for the mob mentality to take over. Those thoughts were the beginning of the story.

I wanted the characters to grapple with the question Can you still have strong relationships with people when you don’t want the same things anymore? I am fascinated by how we change and how those around us deal with that change.

I'm a sucker for a sale story, so I'd love to hear how you sold your first book.

I had always written, but for a long time I let the fear of rejection keep me from sending anything in. It took me a while to realize that I would rather deal with rejection than realizing I had never really tried. I started sending things out (and collecting those anticipated rejections.)

When I was writing my first book, Unpredictable, I read an interview in a writer’s magazine with Rachel Vater an agent. I don’t remember exactly what she said, but I remember thinking we were destined for each other. (Although not in a weird scary stalker kind of way.) I tore the article out and hung it on my bulletin board as a motivation. When I finally finished the book I sent her a query and I was lucky enough to get her to sign on as my business partner.


Since you've been a published writer, what's been the coolest thing that's happened to you? (though be warned if it somehow involves meeting David Boreanaz, there will be jealousy issues to deal with).

I’m not sure if it’s cool- but it is funny. After my first book, Unpredictable, came out I was out in a public place and saw a random stranger reading my book. I was beyond excited. This is what I had always dreamed of- someone reading (and seeming to enjoy) something I wrote. I went up and said that I was the author of the book she was reading. She asked me sign her book. When I took the book from her I realized it wasn’t my book, the cover looked similar, but is was another book. That was quite possibly the most embarrassing moment thus far- and also the most hysterical.

What authors inspire you and why?

I am a total author junkie. From the category I wish they were still around, I love Dorothy Parker, Oscar Wilde and Jane Austen. I also enjoy Meg Cabot, Jodi Picoult, Stephen King, Sarah Dessen, Jacqueline Mitchard, Meg Tilly- I could go on and on.

Anyone who writes (published or not) inspires me because it takes dedication to get the story down on paper and guts to put it out there for others to read.

Finally, what's the best movie you've seen in the last six months?

I’m cheating because I recently re-watched Love Actually, which is one of my favorite romantic comedies of all time.

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MIA

Sorry I've still been missing in action. Between working in the library, summer holidays and my daughter's birthday things have been a bit crazy. Anyway, I've just done a fun interview over at Wolfy Chick if you want to head over and check it out. Not much else to report but so far I'm enjoying 2009!!!!!!

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Woot - Hello 2009!!!

Wow, so it's a whole new year. I love the new year because it's a bit like getting a new book to write in - so much promise and potential all waiting there!!!!!! Anyway, last year one of my resolutions was to read more books because I only read 30 in 2007 and I'm pleased to say that I read 50 in 2008. BC (before children) I used to read at least two books a week and while that probably won't happen again, in 2009 I'm gunning for 60. I really enjoy listing them down the side of my blog so I'll be doing that again as well.

As for what my favorite books on 2009 were well there are so many great ones but I've got to say I've become a bit obsessed with The House of Night books by PC Cast and Kristin Cast. I heard they sold the TV rights for this series which makes very excited!!!!

My other resolution is to be a LOT MORE accepting of my writing process. I spent a lot of time working on one book in 2008 and I pretty much hated every single minute of it, though strangely enough it's a book that my agent absolutely loved and I must say now that I've got some distance from it I really love it as well (which makes me feel doubly bad about the Very Rude working title I had given it!!!!!!). So from now on I'm NOT going to beat myself up because I haven't been writing as many books as I used to, and I'm NOT going to get impatient when I decide to scrape the idea and start again. If crazy is the way I work then so be it!!!!!

Anyway, that's enough from me. What about everyone else? What have you got planned for 2009?? Retweet this button on every post blogger