Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-Ghost Hunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost by Cornelia Funke

Shannon Whitney Messenger's brain child Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is growing in leaps and bounds and that is such a wonderful thing! I love middle grade. Reading it and writing it. When I was younger I was fascinated with ghosts and scary stories. These days favorite book talks (October or not) for kids include ghost stories. For NANOWRIMO I am working on my middle grade novel HAPPY MEDIUM (I should say I am writing it this month, been researching, note taking, character developing for a bit now).

So, each of my Marvelous Middle Grade Monday's for the month of November will highlight some of my favorite middle grade novels featuring...ghosts!

Starting off with Cornelia Funke's Ghost Hunter series. Quirky, silly, funny, imaginative and...spooky. Even includes a glossary of ghost hunter terms for different kinds of ghosts that is wonderful fun. Often you will find this in the chapter book section of bookstores but these are books I would put into the hands of kids as old as twelve because of the fun of ghost hunting and the crazy good characters and humour. A great quick read for them.

I love it when the dark and scary is mixed with laugh out loud funny. That's why I love these.

Here is the description from Good Read:

The last thing that Tom Tomsky wanted was a ghost in his house. For this nine-year-old klutz, life was already a mess; finding a spook in the cellar seemed like the final straw. Fortunately, Tom has family connections to world-renowned ghost hunter Hetty Camomile. With Hetty's help, Tom turns the tide on this untimely spirit intrusion.


And honestly? If you know someone you think would enjoy these, get the rest while you are at it! Here they are, all descriptions are from Good Reads.

Can Tom and the team “dampen the spirit”–permanently!–of a fiery phantom, or are they about to get burned? 
Boy hero Tom, Hugo the Averagely Spooky Ghost, and famed ghoul hunter Hetty Hyssop have formed an agency dedicated to dealing with difficult apparitions. No spook can defeat them–until their too close encounter with a Gruesome Invincible Lightning Ghost. 
This superheated specter (or “GILIG,” in ghosthunter-speak) has taken over the penthouse suite of a beachfront hotel, where it’s passing its eternal vacation by turning guests into ghosts themselves! 

Horrifying things are happening at Gloomsburg Castle. To begin with, the creepy place is crawling with Tiny Biting Ghosts (or “TIBIGs,” in official ghosthunter code). And now it appears as if the murderous spirit of a brutal Baroness has taken hold of the land-lady, infecting her with a killer case of hic–hic–hiccups!Of course Hugo the Averagely Spooky Ghost is instantly smitten with Her Hideous Highness, only to find out that love stinks! And it smells something awful, too. Looks like the time has come for Tom to put an end to the “foul” play and concoct a plan that will dispel this decaying royal for good. 

With the fate of the world resting on the outcome of his battle against the mud-dripping minotaur, Tom's final exam is one that is certain to test his combined knowledge in the field and, if he survives, rightfully earn him his Ghosthunting Diploma.

The following are more MMGM bloggers:

Joanne Fritz-My Brain on Books
Shannon Whitney Messenger-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe 
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Myrna Foster-The Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen- Write About Now 
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Anita Laydon Miller-her middle grade blog
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jessica Lei-her blog  
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty
Akoss-Nye Louwon – My Spirit | a search for the writer in me
Andrea Mack-That's Another Story

NANO is all about the Spooky Creepy BOO's!

I am working on my middle grade novel HAPPY MEDIUM.


The research I have been doing includes watching shows like Paranormal Cops, Paranormal State,  Pyschic Kids. Researching people like The Fox Sisters. Wandering about and absorbing the feel and vibe of sites like TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) , A.G.H.O.S.T (Advanced Ghost Hunters of Seattle-Tacoma) and Paranormal Studies and Investigations Canada.

Sommer Leigh of Tell Great Stories is sharing some great pictures of abandoned places.  Inspiration all over the place. Including where I live. The hubby and I are renovating at old church. Huge lot, big trees. Next door is an very old white house-creeky and creepy when you walk by it at night.



I have an outline that I have worked out based on two different methods. Spent weekend working through the Plot Whisperer Series Part One and also have, on my ipad, the Save the Cat App. Just a way of thinking through and sinking into my story.


And of course I love THE BOOKSHELF for setting, mood, character traits, personalities--it is a must have. I've linked to the appropriate sections and added them to Scrivener (my writing tool of choice when I am on the computer and writing out a book.

Like Danika over on the Accidental Novelist I also have a notebook filled with notes and thoughts and stuffs related to HAPPY MEDIUM.



Feel like I am preparing the soil--filling it with nutrients and richness so I can grow the story. Two more days and it will be time to start planting one word at a time.

I am also doing this Be Champion. 

Happy Writing this November!

Getting Ready for NANO!

Elana Johnson has some gearing up thoughts. Particularly like her idea of have a buddy email group that shares daily word counts and last lines written!

YA Author Elana Johnson: How To Gear Up For NaNoWriMo:

And as I noted in a previous post, Danika Dinsmore (The Accidental Novelist) is taking the NANO plunge and inviting us to follow along on her blog. She has some great advice and thoughts up already.

Weekend Workout: PrepWork, NaNoWriMo, and an Invite to Join the Insanity « The Accidental Novelist (Writes Again)

And, of course, there is the National Novel Writing Month website itself!

National Novel Writing Month

MonsterFest 2011-Griffin (and another character possibility?)

I am so enjoying taking part in this MonsterFest hosted by Sommer Leigh at Tell Great Stories. And today I'm taking a quick look a The Griffin, a creature I have always been fascinated with. And have to say I am also reading Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone . Talk about taking a mythical creature (monster, maybe not so much depending on your point of view) and spinning it (and whole lot more) into a marvelous urban fantasy! Highly recommending this book to teens and adults who are fans of the genre. The characters, the setting---it all sucks you in.

AnyWHO! On to some quick Griffin facts and places you can go to hunt down more if you are so interested. As I read more about it and pulled myself away from the very little knew that made me think of them as a monster (half lion, half eagle--scary to the kid me) I realized there may be more to admire than fear.

-guard treasures
-mate for life
-not always a lion and eagle
-feed their young (with horses and, er, humans...okay, that's kind of scary)
-known to dig for gold (still working on researching why the interest in doing that)
-sometimes known to have the tale of a snake
-deadly enemy of the horse

I particularly like this from  Mythical Creatures Meanings & Fantasy Animals in World Traditions :

"The griffin is a symbol meaning one who refuses to be taken captive at all costs. The griffin is a mythical creature with a lion's body and the wings and head of an eagle. The griffin is a symbol of both dominion and destruction. In christian symbolism, Christ is compared to both the lion and the eagle. Thus, the griffin became a symbol of Christ, particularly used by Dante. In medieval scripture, however, the griffin symbolized the devil due to its purported ability to swoop down and carry off animals and humans. Eventually the griffin became a symbol of valor and magnanimity due to the inherent characteristics of the lion and the eagle. The griffin became an emblem of nobility and was depicted in the coat of arms of many noble families in Europe."


And even though I don't illustrate (I am more of a doodle and thinker...watching the following vid made me want to try and learn to draw the griffin as I think on him or her as a possible character in a future books.






Sources and more reading for you:

Griffin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Medieval Bestiary : Griffin


Greek and Roman World Mythology: Mythical Creature Griffin

Happy Hunting!

Three Writing Reads and three GIVEAWAYS!

Each writer is different, as we know. Some use writing exercises, some don’t. I used to use them all the time, they kept the flow going for me and helped me develop ideas. Trying to get back into the habit. Find them very handy for taking advantage of bits of writing time here and there.

Weekend Workout: Handy Dandy Fallback Exercise « The Accidental Novelist (Writes Again)

Love this post that rounds up some writing devices you can and maybe already do use! Most excellent.

QueryTracker.net: Spice It Up!

And I am rounding this out with an interview with AJ Hartley. He wrote DARWEN ARKWRIGHT AND THE PEREGRINE PACT. Not only is he a TOTALLY cool person, reading him talking about the process of writing this book was great. He talks about finding his inner child, capturing and relaxing into a middle grade voice, going from being pantser to an outliner (and why). In other…most excellent. Go. read it!

Interview with A.J. Hartley | From the Mixed-Up Files...

And finally…I have a crazy number of giveaways going on right now, love for you to check out the books, the authors, the post…and enter to win, too!

Just Deb: Judith Graves Interview & GIVEAWAY of UNDER MY SKIN!

Just Deb: Spooktacular Giveaway Hop- Take your pick-Mary Downing Hahn

Just Deb: Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-Tuesdays at the Castle ARC Giveaway

Judith Graves Interview & GIVEAWAY of UNDER MY SKIN!

It's time for another Oh MG YA Canada and I am thrilled to have Judith Graves, author of the SKINNED series, on the blog. We have been planning this for a while now so very excited the time is here! And not only that, Judith is providing a giveaway of her first book UNDER MY SKIN (a fun, smart, scary, sassy read). 

Judith agreed to a some questions. I asked...she answered. Enjoy!

What has the publishing journey been like for you so far. Do you feel like a veteran now that your second book is coming out and the third is on the way (love the cover btw!)? 

It’s been a wicked ride. From six months pre-release of Under My Skin in March 2010 I’ve been immersed in publishing - either writing for the SKINNED series or other projects, blogging, or promoting fellow authors. While I feel I have a handle on certain aspects, I’m far from a veteran. There’s just so much to learn.

Second Skin was originally set to release October 31^st and has been pushed back to December 1^st. However, I do have a short story in Spirited: 13 Haunting Tales which DOES have an October 31^st release date and it’s perfect for this project – bestselling authors like Maria V. Snyder, Candace Havens, Shannon Delany, as well as wicked debuts. Three of the Spirited authors are from Alberta. YEAH! Myself, Dawn Dalton and Halli Dee Lilburn. Quite the honour for us to be on the author roster and promoting such a worthy cause. Proceeds of Spirited go to 826 National, a literacy-based charity.

Favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite? Anything major change now that you are writing to deadlines? More coffee in your diet?

My approach has definitely evolved. I’ve always been a plotter, but now I have specific plotting strategies, not just general jotting the plot down. I use bulletin boards, white boards and the storyboard feature in Scrivener to work through plots. I divide stories into acts, acts into scenes and characters into their related development arcs. Whoa…that sounds so anal and nerdy…lol…but the process of establishing all these factors is my way of eliminating plot threads, characters, and scenes that lessen the impact of the overall story.

Coffee…yes. Chocolate too. ;)

In my book club there are some keen readers (of course!), but also some keen writers. They range in age from 8 to 15. Do you have any advice for them?

Invest in a good pen and many coil notebooks. Keep handy at all times. Write every day - words, phrases, poems, lyrics, plot ideas, anything that rings true for you in some way. Read. Everything. Ignore anyone who tells you to only write what you know. That’s bunk. The trick is to tap into what you know or have experienced, sure, but dare to write what you dream.

And on the topic of book clubs. Any recent reads you'd recommend for middle graders and or teens? An all time favorite read from when you were a kid?

For MG and YA readers with a yen for dark and sarcastic, I’d recommend:

Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy

Monster Squad series by Laura Dover

Ghosthunters series by Cornelia Funke

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

And any titles from ANY authors who joined me this October for the Crossroads Blog Tour ........................................................>

All time fav read? 


Anne of Green Gables, of course. Anne is smart, sassy and a kick-ass female lead – she puts many characters written today to shame.

And of course when you aren't reading, you're writing-what's your writing space like? All spooky and howly, close to graveyards? Which leads me to wonder if you scare yourself when you write.  

I do collect Halloween decorations, pop culture horror figurines, etc. I’m a geek and proud of it – my Buffy figures are still in their packages. ;) Wherever my husband and I travel, I do drag him to old graveyards. There are some amazing ones in Quebec and eastern Canada (can’t beat tombstones from the 1700s for macabre beauty), however this summer we visited Europe and the medieval graveyards of France and Germany were to DIE for.

I’ve had the odd shiver go down my spine while writing a suspenseful scene, and, okay, maybe I only work on my laptop as long as my back is to a wall…hmmm….I guess I do freak myself out a smidge sometimes. That’s part of the fun. Bwahhahhaaa….

Thanks so much for having me, Deb!


It was my pleasure! Have fun on your Crossroads Tour and thanks for the giveaway~! 


Learn even more about Judith on her website.  More about her books here.

AND--the give away is for UNDER MY SKIN, the first in her Skinned series 

From Good Reads-All her parents wanted was for Eryn to live a normal life...

Redgrave had its share of monsters before Eryn moved to town. Mauled pets, missing children. The Delacroix family is taking the blame, but Eryn knows the truth. Something stalks the night. Wade, the police chief's son and Redgrave High's resident hottie, warns her the Delacroix are dangerous. But then so is Eryn--in fact, she's lethal.

But she can't help falling for one of the Delacroix boys, dark, brooding--human Alec. And then her world falls apart. A normal life? Now that's the real fairytale.



If you would like to win a copy of this book, comment by midnight MST October 31. Make sure I have a way to contact you please. US and Canada Only.

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop- Take your pick-Mary Downing Hahn

Thanks for stopping by in your Spooktacular Giveaway Hopping. I'm sharing one of my favorite middle grade authors with you. Once you are done here all you need to do is click on the icon

<<<<<< right there

and it will take you back to the original post and the massive (YAY!) list of blogs taking part!

Big thanks to I Am A Reader, Not a Writer & The Diary of a Book Worm for organizing this (and us!).

I love Mary Downing Hahn and have for many, many years. Dating back to 1986 when I was a newbie at doing school visits for the library, WAIT TILL HELEN COMES was one of my go to books for book talking. A few months ago I talked about that book, along with GHOSTS OF CRUTCHFIELD HALL in a previous Marvelous  Middle Grade Monday post.  Mary Downing Hahn weaves a darn good ghost story.

So! 

Take your pick of anyone of her ghost stories (or, honestly if another one of hers is high on your list to read, pick that) and I will send a copy your way if random org picks your name. All you need to do is comment and let me know which on you would like. Open internationally, until midnight MST Oct. 31, 2011

Happy Hopping..................BOO!  AND-here is another one for you to enter if you like-Interview and giveaway with Judith Graves author of UNDER MY SKIN. Judith's an author of YA paranormal with bite!

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-Tuesdays at the Castle ARC Giveaway

I am fortunate enough to have a FABULOUS FRIEND who, when at Book Expo America, grabbed a copy of TUESDAYS AT THE CASTLE by Jessica Day George.

Now.

My reading is way way behind. I am reading this book this week (whilst at the daughters I have me a pile of books for night time readings). I am also fortunate enough to have a copy of TUESDAYS AT THE CASTLE on my Kindle....seeeeoooo, it means...

A MMGM GIVEAWAY. All you need to do is comment to let me know you'd like to be entered. This is an international giveaway. GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED.



A little more on TUESDAYS AT THE CASTLE:

From Indie Bound-Tuesdays at Castle Glower are Princess Celie's favorite days. That's because on Tuesdays the castle adds a new room, a turret, or sometimes even an entire wing. No one ever knows what the castle will do next, and no one-other than Celie, that is-takes the time to map out the new additions. But when King and Queen Glower are ambushed and their fate is unknown, it's up to Celie, with her secret knowledge of the castle's never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom. 


Kirkus-This enjoyable romp turns mischief into political action and a stone palace into a cunning character. (read full review here.)


Sorry this is so short today--off to help the bed resting daughter. More MMGM marvelous can be found here. And as always big, BIG thanks to the amazing leader...Shannon Whitney Messenger!





(BTW, that fabu friend is Janet Gurtler, if you love and know teens who love contemp YA along the lines of Sarah Dessen, Sarah Zarr, Courtney Sommers, she's the one for you. I know I am a good friend of hers...but trust me on this, I know good writing too)

MonsterFest 2011-Banshee (and a new character for my book?)

The first time I became aware of the banshee was long, long ago in a movie called Darby O'Gill and the Little People. (made the same year I was born, eek!)

There is a scene on the side of the mountain with a screaming, scary, determined banshee after a soul. I was fascinated and terrified all at the same time. Over the many many years since that time my imagination drifts when the wind howls and I think about the ban-shee or....bean-sidhe. 

Now.  My child imagination was scared by the banshee. But the more I read I doubted the monster status I gave them. Basically they wail at the death or just before the death of a family member. And, it was only for certain families. Often said to be the soul of a murdered woman or a woman who died in childbirth, sometimes beautiful, sometimes a hag, even a washerwoman! Not dangerous, just scary, especially to hear with a wail that could break glass.

But.

What  if they get the foretelling wrong? Will they give up or will they haunt the family until they get the soul they want?

Further reading reading revealed that in the U.S., though, the banshee is a ghoul and then I came up the information that if you come upon a comb beware picking it up. It could have been placed there by a banshee trying to trap your soul (similar stories about mermaids doing this, by the way).

So.

Changed my mind back. Monster indeed!

Needless to say this monster hunt has my imagination fired. Will be researching more, because I really want to create a banshee character now. The possibilities with her are endless.







Some links to images:

Banshee, Norma Peters, SciFi Fantasy Art (this one is good and scary)

"Banshee" by Rebecca Röske | RedBubble (definitely the beautiful one)

Irish Banshee Images (this is where I got the images for this post-there are many, many more here)

Where I did my reading up on banshees:

Irish Fairies | Banshee

Banshee - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Other places to go to find out more and I will. MUST finish my current wip first, I must must. Although, because HAPPY MEDIUM is a paranormal a banshee character is entirely possible. I know. Focus, Deb, focus.

 Banshee - Mythical Creatures Guide

The Banshee of Ireland

And of course need to head to the library, get books!

Happy hunting! Thanks to Sommer Leigh @ Tell Great Stories for leading the charge.

Three Writing Reads and a BOO!

One of my writing jobs is my blog. I love doing it, but still have a long way to go much to learn. I so, so appreciate those of you who are following along with me as I try to make this the best it can be. So--how cool is it that the first article I read this morning is about writing the break out blog AND the face on the article is so wonderfully familiar! Angela Ackerman is in the Guide to Literary Agents house with this must read article. Go Angela!!

Creating the Breakout Blog: A Platform Guide for the Pre-Published Writer | WritersDigest.com

As a picture writer I’m pretty cooled out by this:

Picture Book Month

And rounding my morning reads out with:

Barbara Ann Watson: The ABC's of Middle Grade Writing

Now…on to the BOO!

There are some boo-licious blogging events taking place in cyber space. Great, I find, for inspiring my latest MG, HAPPY MEDIUM (which may end up closer to a chapter book. huh. even as I typed that there was a little voice in my head saying yes YES I am a chapter book, man!)

Any who!

Here the Boo.

Judith Graves |  Crossroads 2011

Confessions of a Bookaholic: Haunted Halloween 2011: Updated Posts and Giveaways

MonsterFest 2011 » Tell Great Stories

All the icons are in the left side bar but wanted to highlight them here, too. If you know of any others, do let me know!

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

No MMGM from me this week, at the daughters and trying to realign how I do the writing, blogging etc. She (my daughter) is on bed rest (preterm labour, all is fine!) so I am helping take care of the other wee ones.

So, in the meantime, I am working out a new (better) schedule. Happy MMGM, all!

(Deb)

yes, it would seem that parenthesis is my new thing.


P.S. Going to be reading some posts today, though. And here are some of the blogs I will checking out:


Joanne Fritz-My Brain on Books
Shannon Whitney Messenger-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe 
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Myrna Foster-The Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen- Write About Now 
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Anita Laydon Miller-her middle grade blog
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jessica Lei-her blog  
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty

All the pretty (dangerous) horses-The Kelpie

The hunt continues with  a big thanks to Sommer of Tell Great Stories for inspiring to search out and share a monster or two as part of Monsterfest.

I love horses. Love. them. And so when I first heard of the Kelpie oh so many years ago I thought, oooo, nice! A beautiful mythical horse that lives in the water. Then I learned a wee bit more.

• they may offer you a ride across the deep river, but rather than take you to the other side they drown you (or dump you off and you drown on your own)
• they have been known to lure men, women and children (wether you need a ride or not) into the water, drown you, then eat you

From Encyclopedia Mythica :

In old Scotland, the Kelpie is a treacherous water devil who lurks in lakes and rivers. It usually assumes the shape of a young horse. When a tired traveler stops by a lake to rest or to have a drink, he would see a horse, apparently peacefully grazing. When he mounts the horse, the Kelpie dives into the water and drowns its victim. Occasionally it has helped millers by keeping the mill-wheel going at night.

The mention the kelpie helping millers to keep the mill-wheel going intrigues me. It means they are a bit of good in them? Or maybe the miller offers up...food also known as people?

If this has wetted (I know--really bad pun) your appetite to delve a bit more into the world of the kelpie here are a couple of links to follow:

House Shadow Drake - Kelpie

Kelpie | Mysterious Britain & Ireland

And that is it from me. Short and sweet (ish). But. There is some more digging I want to know. In my travels (ie the last link, above-Kelpie|Mysterious Britain & Ireland) there is mention of the fact that Kelpie's or Water Horses were not always so evil. I want to know more. Won't be jumping on the back of anyone of them none to soon, but interested to find out if they are in fact a misunderstood monster.

SPELLBINDERS-Blog for Librarians, authors and educators

Think I may have just found a new favorite blog. SPELLBINDERS: A Blog for librarians, authors, and educators working together to create lifelong readers.

Well worth checking out. I'd recommend it for aspiring children and young adult authors, as well. Most recent post is on Carolee's The Secret Language of Stories (SLOS) that uses Joseph Campbell's Hero With a Thousand Faces.

Three Writing Reads and Winner of ASHES ASHES

As always, some great insight from the fab Jan Markley:

Three dead moths in my mailbox ...: Sushi, Sour Ju Jubes & the Sasquatch: Why Writers Need Deadlines!

Good reminder to mess up your character and a writing workout!

Weekend Workout: Make Your Characters Messy « The Accidental Novelist (Writes Again)

And finally, combating the fear-the doubt-the I don’t know what the hecks I am doing and how you battle.


Novel and Nouveau: The Doubt Monster of Writing


Happy to announce that Linsey Carmichael is the winner of ASHES, ASHES! It’s on the way to her even as I type.

Happy Thursday all, off to spend the morning writing with a writing buddy (always a good way to battle the writing doubts and just do the job) and then prep for kids book club this afternoon.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-THE WHOLE TRUTH-Kit Pearson

I read this in one sitting. Loved the characters, the setting (B.C.'s west coast, small island). And with each page turn I wanted to know what the whole truth was. Polly is ten and off with her sister, Maude to live with a grandma they barely know, to meet more family they've never met. And they are carrying a huge secret with them. It's so huge it's making it hard for Polly to eat or even to speak. There's no room in her for anything else. Not only that, Maud will be going off to boarding school in Victoria (even seems excited about it which doesn't make Polly feel much better), leaving Polly to face a new school, new kids, all by herself. I'm not sure I'd be eating or talking much either. Bit by bit Polly starts to open up, but she always holds tight to the terrible secret they carry with them. The one thing you learn, though, is they are not the only ones who are not telling the whole truth. Set during the 1930's in depression era Canada, kids will be transported back in time, but still feel the universality of trying to fit in and figure yourself out as you find your own way.

It is 1932. Polly, almost ten, and her older sister, Maud, travel by train and boat from Winnipeg to an island between Vancouver and Victoria. There they will live with their grandmother, who will be their guardian. Maud will go to boarding school in Victoria, while Polly will live with her grandmother and attend the small school on the island.

Their grandmother and other family members welcome the girls warmly; new-school jitters give way to new friendships and even a new puppy; and slowly Polly feels that she is becoming part of a larger family she never knew until now.

But Polly and Maud have a dramatic secret, and they have promised each other never to tell anyone. A surprise arrival on th and e island, however, threatens Polly’s newfound happiness and tests the bonds of family love. Can Polly keep the secret and her new life on the island? (Amazon.ca)

Happy Marvelous Middle Grade Monday, all. And Happy Thanksgiving to all us Canadians, too!

For more wonderful that is Middle Grade Monday check out Shannon Whitney Messenger and then go check out these fine folk:

Joanne Fritz-My Brain on Books
Shannon Whitney Messenger-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe 
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Myrna Foster-The Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen- Write About Now 
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Anita Laydon Miller-her middle grade blog
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jessica Lei-her blog  
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty


Cheers!

Thankful (and recommending) my recent Canadian reads.

I am thankful for many things this weekend. My husband, my kids, my grandkids, my sister and sis-in-law and the list goes on and on...and on. Pretty lucky am I.

That thankful includes being able to buy and recently read the books of these FABULOUS Canadian authors. I am also thankful for living in the Chinook Arch Library area--gives me some serious good borrowing power that includes e-books (over-drive rocks!). Going to help with future plans of doing Oh (MG YA) Canada reading round-ups.

Some serious good talent in the great white north. In no particular order (although I guess alphabetical would have been a good plan) my recent recommended reads. These aren't reviews, just books I'd pull off the shelves and say...buy it, borrow it.


Y.S. Lee-THE AGENCY: A SPY IN THE HOUSE

Rescued from the gallows in 1850s London, young orphan (and thief) Mary Quinn is surprised to be offered a singular education, instruction in fine manners — and an unusual vocation. Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls is a cover for an all-female investigative unit called The Agency, and at seventeen, Mary is about to put her training to the test. Assuming the guise of a lady’s companion, she must infiltrate a rich merchant’s home in hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships. But the household is full of dangerous deceptions, and there is no one to trust — or is there? Packed with action and suspense, banter and romance, and evoking the gritty backstreets of Victorian London, this breezy mystery debuts a daring young detective who lives by her wits while uncovering secrets — including those of her own past. (Goodreads)


Kit Pearson THE WHOLE TRUTH

It is 1932. Polly, almost ten, and her older sister, Maud, travel by train and boat from Winnipeg to an island between Vancouver and Victoria. There they will live with their grandmother, who will be their guardian. Maud will go to boarding school in Victoria, while Polly will live with her grandmother and attend the small school on the island.

Their grandmother and other family members welcome the girls warmly; new-school jitters give way to new friendships and even a new puppy; and slowly Polly feels that she is becoming part of a larger family she never knew until now.

But Polly and Maud have a dramatic secret, and they have promised each other never to tell anyone. A surprise arrival on th and e island, however, threatens Polly’s newfound happiness and tests the bonds of family love. Can Polly keep the secret and her new life on the island? (Amazon.ca)

Kenneth Oppel THIS DARK ENDEAVOR

 Growing up, twin brothers Victor Konrad fill their lives with imaginary adventures...until the day they stumble upon The Dark Library, where they discover secret books of alchemy and ancient remedies. When Konrad falls gravely ill, Victor is drawn back to The Dark Library and uncovers an ancient formula, beginning a treacherous search for the ingredients to create the forbidden Elixir of Life. Their success depends on how far they are willing to push the boundaries of nature, science…and love. (Indie Bound)







Janet Gurtler IF I TELL

Jasmine Evans knows one thing for sure... people make mistakes. After all, she is one. Jaz is the result of a onenight stand between a black football player and a blonde princess. Having a young mother who didn't raise her, a father who wants nothing to do with her and living in a small-minded town where she's never fit in hasn't been easy. But she's been surviving. Until she sees her mom's new boyfriend making out with her own best friend. When do you forgive people for being human or give up on them forever? (Goodreads)





Lena Oakley WITCHLANDERS

High in their mountain covens, red witches pray to the Goddess, protecting the Witchlands by throwing the bones and foretelling the future.

It’s all a fake.

At least, that’s what Ryder thinks. He doubts the witches really deserve their tithes—one quarter of all the crops his village can produce. And even if they can predict the future, what danger is there to foretell, now that his people’s old enemy, the Baen, has been defeated?

But when a terrifying new magic threatens both his village and the coven, Ryder must confront the beautiful and silent witch who holds all the secrets. Everything he’s ever believed about witches, the Baen, magic and about himself will change, when he discovers that the prophecies he’s always scorned—

Are about him.

And speaking of all that fabulous...there is still time to win a copy of my recent OH (MG YA) Canada feature, ASHES ASHES! (midnight, mst, Sunday Oct. 9). There is also an interview with the author, Jo Treggiari, in which you gain some great insight into her inspiration, link to some her favorite blogs and find out she now has an office...with a door and everything! Check it out  here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

MonsterFest-Meet the Sluagh...

...then run for your life (or I should say soul). Seriously. And next time I pick something to learn about, something deep, dark and evil? I will not be writing about it in the wee hours of night while it is raining and the wind is howling in the trees. What. was. I. thinking. Oh, right...I was thinking:

Here are some quick info bits on the Sluagh:

• part of Celtic Mythology
• travel in flocks, on the wind, behind thunderstorms
• fly in from the west
• not welcome in heaven or hell
• happiest when snagging up the newly dead or the dying
• possible that not Sluagh are evil, some are innocent and trapped souls forced along for the ride (yikes!)
• associated with the wild hunt and therefore been known to grab up the living and carry them far far away to a not so wonderful end

In other words, they hunt down souls and, well, eat them. Usually it is the souls of sinners, but as noted above there are rumours of the innocent being taken prisoner to fly with them.

It's still howling and blowing outside. I really don't want to go and see if the wind is coming from the west, do I? The writer's imagination in me, though, is tempted. On the other hand there are tales of the Sluagh swooping down on the living and howling off into the ink black night with them. Yeah. Think I will stay inside.

If this has wetted your appetite to learn a bit more go here:

Sluagh - Monstropedia

And here:

The Wild Hunt - folklore and legend - tales by Cassandra Eason

I know I'm interested in learning more, especially incorporating some aspect of them into a story. That story will be written in the light of day, though. Does that mean I have to give up my membership in the Monstrologist club?

Happy hunting all! And special thanks to our fearless (and brave) leader, Sommer of Tell Great Stories.


*******

Still time to enter my giveaway for ASHES, ASHES right here.

Three Writing Reads and Following Your Passion

Today I read the words from a draft.  I write, therefore I revise. Some good advise from Rhonda Helms can be found here:

Wynter Daniels: Thursday with an Editor - Rhonda Helms

And a new (and already favorite) blog on the block has a Writing DNA post they will, er, post every Thursday. Well worth checking out and adding to your list of reads.

Sleuths, Spies, and Alibis: Writing DNA #2

Rounding out the writing reading this morning is a wow post.

Adventures in Children's Publishing


Recently came upon the following blog. What the author is doing inspires me, not to do the same, but to always remember the power of thinking outside the box, following your passion. He's struck a chord with the book itself, imo, but with me as an artist who can be a wee bit timid, second guessing....anyhoooo....


Noblemania: Stand by your man(uscript)

Interview Wednesday-Kidlitosphere

From Tina Nichols Coury, Interview Wednesday Mom-


"It's Interview Wednesday in Kidlitosphere, and my blog is your portal!"


The time is flying by and here we are with the first interview Wednesday of October. You can check out my previous post and interview with Ashes, Ashes author, Jo Treggiari. It includes details on how to win a copy of Jo's book!








If you have an interview let me know in the comments and I will add them to this post throughout the day. A little more about Interview Wednesday:


1.The interviews must be directly related to someone in children’s literature. Authors, illustrators, editors, agents and librarians

2. Interviews can be writing tips, illustration tips, cyber tips as long as it pertains to Kidlit.

3. Interview links can be written, video or podcast.




Here's what's up so far, plus I will be adding interviews as I come across them in my Wednesday Blog Travels.

• Interview and Giveaway with ASHES, ASHES author, Jo Treggiari

•  Q & A with Ken Spillan (MAGPIE MISCHIEF) @ Gathering BooksAngelina C. Hansen: 

• PULL OF GRAVITY Author--Gae Polisner Interview+Giveaway Angela C. Hansen Musing on the Joy of Writing 

• Royal Quiet DeLuxe: the tuesday interview: lindsey leavitt

• The Fourth Musketeer: Author Interview and Book Giveaway: Allan Wolf, author of The Watch that Ends the Night

• Teaching Authors--6 Children's Authors Who Also Teach Writing: Guest Teaching Author & Poet extraordinaire, Nikki Grimes!

• Episode #64 – Origami Yoda Says, “Listen, You Must!” | Katie Davis

OH (MG YA) CANADA with Jo Treggiari & ASHES, ASHES GIVEAWAY

Welcoming Jo Treggiari to OH (MG YA) CANADA today! After reading and loving her book I tracked her down (stalked?) and she agreed to answer a few questions. She has also, very kindly, endured my moments of fan girl.

Before the interview, here is a little bit about her book (which I am GIVING AWAY to one one lucky commenter and it's international)

FROM GOODREADS: Epidemics, floods, droughts--for sixteen-year-old Lucy, the end of the world came and went, taking 99% of the population with it. As the weather continues to rage out of control, and Sweepers clean the streets of plague victims, Lucy survives alone in the wilds of Central Park. But when she's rescued from a pack of hunting dogs by a mysterious boy named Aidan, she reluctantly realizes she can't continue on her own. She joins his band of survivors, yet, a new danger awaits her: the Sweepers are looking for her. There's something special about Lucy, and they will stop at nothing to have her.

************************

Jo, as you know I loved ASHES, ASHES. What really sold it for me was the main character, Lucy . For me she was the wall flower, quiet one that you could easily overlook, but boy did she rise to the occasion. Where did you get the inspiration for her?  


* The wallflower parts of her probably came from some of my high school memories. I felt all that teenage angst so acutely I can still summon it up all these years later. There's a bit in the book where I mention that she is marked absent in a class photo although in fact she is there, and that's something that happened to me in Grade 10. I think I tried to be both seen and invisible most of the time. The rest of her personality took shape as the story unfolded. I used characteristics from friends, and family, made stuff up, and ultimately allowed myself to be guided by what felt true to her. At some point in the writing process the characters start to take things over a little. I liked that she was strong and insecure, brave and scared, hot-tempered and kind. Those seeming contradictions are what make people interesting whether in real life or in books.



I read on your website that you had finished FIERCE. Can you tell us a little bit about it?


* I have two manuscripts finished. FIERCE is ultimately about friendship but it's also about making art, cheating boyfriends, punk rock, West Oakland, and coming of age. BRINY DEEP is an urban fantasy combining Celtic myth and great white sharks, and I am halfway through INKERS which is a neo-gothic YA.


Favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite?

* I love revising. I'm not so keen on the first draft process lately. In the past I've been able to get my first drafts down very quickly but recently, perhaps because I have 2 young kids, I tend to write in quick snatches. Once I get to the end though I love going back over it before sharing it with my beta readers, and then revising it again before sending it to my agent, and then of course, revising with my editor. If you write, you had better learn to love it! We all pretend that genius just pours out of out fingertips but sadly this is not true.


Any must read blogs that you start your day off with?


*I love author Kelly Barnhill's blog- lately she's been doing a poem a day. And writer Diana Peterfreund's blog which is always so smart and informative. And Donna Hosie's Musings of a Penniless Writer is great. Oh, and author Katherine Langrish's Seven Miles of Steel Thistles is wonderful too especially if you're interested in myth and fairytales.


In my former book club there were some keen readers (of course!), but also some keen writers. They range in age from 8 (the age you started writing) to 15. Do you have any advice for them? Even though I'm no longer running the club (we moved) I will be skyping with them from time to time, I can pass along your wisdoms!


* Writing is supposed to be fun. This is wisdom I need to remember too. Sometimes all the other stuff associated with writing for a living gets in the way and I need to remind myself of the joy of just putting different words together. 


And on the topic of book clubs. Any recent reads you'd recommend for middle graders and or teens? An all time favorite read from when you were a kid?


* Recent faves: MG: The Mostly True Story of Jack (Kelly Barnhill), Ghost Hunter (which is 6th in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michelle Paver), The Tanglewood Terror (Kurtis Scaletta), West of the Moon (Katherine Langrish). 


YA: The Near Witch (Victoria Schwab), The Piper's Son (Melina Marchetta), Shine (Lauren Myracle), Blood Red Road (Moira Young), Please Ignore Vera Dietz (A.S. King).


All-time favorite read: The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien) or maybe A Wrinkle in Time (Madeleine L'Engle), or A Wizard of Earthsea (Ursula K. LeGuin). I cannot choose just one!


And of course when you aren't reading, you're writing-what's your writing space like? How do you start your day?


*I finally, after many many years have my own office. With a door. This still does not keep the kids out but it's better than balancing a lap-top on my lap. Unfortunately I am now set in my ways and need a cup of coffee, and a hike with the dog, and then another cup of coffee before I get down to work. The walk tends to prepare my brain and often gives me ideas. I try and write every day and when I am working on something specific, I set word count goals of 1000 per day which is not too much or too little.

And, that's it! Thanks again for doing this Jo and I would say you and I have similar reading tastes. More than a few of your faves are mine too.

Next up...how to win the giveaway? Simple...leave me a comment. You have until Sunday, Oct 9, midnight MST.