Monday 24 December 2012

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Happy Holidays everyone! I wish you, your families joy this season. Even as I type this post from my phone I am next to the hubby whoa is driving us into Calgary for breakfast with a good friend. After that we spend the day visiting family and that is the absolute best part. Christmas for me. See you all soon when I return with all my #Cybils love. What a privilege it has been to be a part of that. It's my love of Children's literature family. As all of you are too. Here is to 2013.

CHEERS!

Monday 17 December 2012

Making a Difference

Hey all. I've been reading up a storm. Eyes still intact.

Since Friday I've been thinking and reading about the teachers and children of Newtown. All that potential we will never know. All that difference the teachers were making to the children in their lives. All that difference the children were making in to those around them. And who knows what more they might have accomplished, other lives they would have influenced, the potential they had. That is lost to us now. But what is not is what we can do when we step out into the world today and all the days from now on. Many of you already make a difference and for that I more appreciative than ever. From today on I want to make even more of  difference and be more aware of that difference I can make, especially in the lives of children.

Hugs and love to you all.

Monday 10 December 2012

MMGM with the #Cybils & #Readathon

Greetings fellow MMGM-ers. I swear December is a flying by, but in a good way. Lots of wonderful reading this last while. Before I get to the Monday MMGM #Cybils read, here is the winner of my mini-challenge from the #readathon as chosen using Random.Org :

Joli from Actin' Up With Books! Congrats Joli, I will be contacting you via email to find out what book you would like. Thanks to everyone who stopped by over the weekend and a HUGE other thanks to Liza @ The WhoRU Blog. Already looking forward to next year!





Speaking of a book, on with today's MMGM! One of the books I read this weekend was Buddy by M.H. Herlong.

Check out this trailer:




 From the publisher: 

 Tyrone "Li'l T" Roberts meets Buddy when his family's car accidentally hits the stray dog on their way to church. Buddy turns out to be the dog Li'l T's always wished for--until Hurricane Katrina comes to New Orleans and he must leave Buddy behind. After the storm, Li'l T and his father return home to find a community struggling to rebuild their lives--and Buddy gone. But Li'l T refuses to give up his quest to find his best friend. From the author of the BBYA Top Ten selection The Great Wide Sea comes a powerful story of hope, courage, and knowing when to let go.

From me:

This took me to a place I've never been and a world I've never experienced. I was drawn in immediately and wanted to know what happened and how the aftermath of Katrina would affect not only Buddy, but the family that took him in (under some protest from Mama I will say) and the boy that cared for him. And yes, found it mighty hard to not read the end to find out what happened to Buddy. I can only say this. The author drew it to the right and best conclusion and not one I saw coming, which I love. Along the way we see a boy trying to find himself and his way in a tough world, learning the meaning of sacrifice and doing the right thing even when it hurts. It's one I recommend highly and one I found myself writing the book talk for even as read. One of those books you can't wait to get out there and talk about. Funny, gritty, doesn't shy away from the rougher truths of living in a neighbourhood where kids can turn to drugs and crime just to survive, this is a book well worth the read (and read again).

More about the author:

Website
Blog

Want more MMGM marvelousness? Head over to Shannon Messenger's site and that is just what you will find.

Enjoy your Monday all!





Friday 7 December 2012

Holiday #Readathon and #Cybils

Greetings fellow readers! Looking forward to hanging with you all and reading, reading, reading. I'm a first round Cybils judge for middle grade realistic fiction so lately I've been....reading, reading and reading! So seemed to me that it would be fun to combine the two this weekend. If you've not heard of this read-a-thon or thinking it would be fun to join in (it would!) there is time to join. Click on the icon and it will take you to Liza's WhoRuBlog for details. Read one book, read ten, it is up to you.

My mini-challenge (updated):

Donate a book.   To the kid next door. Hospital. Library....anywhere you choose, just let me know. I will enter you to win one of the #cybils books I am reading. 

Here is the list of your choices (127 to chose from!)  (er,not reading them all this weekend, but am pushing myself to get at least ten more read by Sunday night). OR-if there is another book (adult, YA, MG Fantasy) That you've been hankering to read...let me know and I will get that for you!

Here's a pic of the first four for me to read:



Looking forward to reading with you all. Thanks to Liza...our #readathon Mom!




Wednesday 5 December 2012

Reading Rainbow Remixed....Books really do rock.

Thanks to Angela at The BookShelf Muse and Matthew MacNish, I started my morning watching this:




And all can say is THANKS for sharing you two. Love it. Alot.





Monday 3 December 2012

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-Adventures of Beanboy

It was a whirlwind of a reading and writing month and now here we are in December? Whoa. The time      
it really does fly! Nice to be back in the land of blogging, I must say and I'm starting off with a MMGM  post to tell you all about THE ADVENTURES OF BEANBOY by Lisa Harkrader, one of the books I read for The Cybils.

From GoodReads:

Never underestimate the power of the bean. Tucker MacBean has been drawing comic books almost as long as he’s been reading them. When his favorite comic has a contest for kids, he hopes he has finally found a way to fix his family—all he has to do is create the winning superhero sidekick . . . Introducing “Beanboy”—the first comic book character to truly harness the power of the bean for good. He is strong, he is relentless, he can double in size overnight (if given enough water). 

Tucker's a good kid. A really good kid with a tough life. Dad keeps in touch with the odd email here and there after he walked out on the family. Mom has to work some long, always on call hours while going to school so Tucker is left to care for his little brother who has special needs. And you know, he does a pretty amazing job at doing what needs to be done. Doesn't mean he wants it to be that way. In fact he wants his Mom around more, his little brother needs her and so does he. So when an opportunity to realize his dream of becoming a world famous cartoonist and helping his mom out so she doesn't have to be working and going to school all the time you can bet he is all over that. But can he do it? Especially when he has the school nasty girl picking on him and turning up in his life in the most unexpected ways?  Not only is he on a quest to create the best superhero sidekick in order to win a contest, he's also on a quest to find the hero's heart within himself. The hero's heart that will allow him to stand up for himself and what he wants. This book is funny, well written and tells a story kids will love because they can relate to the main character-whether they've have or are experiencing the kind of life he has or, like him, are middle grade students just trying to be themselves amidst a cast of other middle graders just...trying to be themselves.

Happy MMGM all! Here's the link to take you back to Shannon's site and more MMGM posts.


Thursday 15 November 2012

Taking a Blog Break for Reading and Writing

It has been a wonderful busy time of reading and writing these last couple of weeks. The reading is for Cybils and the writing for Nano. The next few weeks will be the same with full focus on those two things. Will be returning December 4 to start sharing what I have been reading Cybils wise. Until then enjoy the rest of the month and see you in December!

Sunday 4 November 2012

MMGM-Time of Honor-Margo Sorenson

Welcome to MMGM! Today I am featuring TIME OF HONOR by Margo Sorenson.
From the publisher:
Fourteen-year-old Connor’s smart mouth gets her in and—luckily—out of trouble on her prep school’s debate team and in the classroom. On a field trip to the U.K., when she is suddenly catapulted into the year 1272, she finds her royal new friends’ lives are threatened by a conspiracy fueled by greed. When William and Maud learn that their father has been murdered on the Crusade, they beg her to help them find who is plotting against them. William must confront his enemy in battle, but what does Connor discover about herself and her ability to use words well when she tries to save her new friends—and herself?


Connor is a fourteen year old with a travel writing, jet setting mother. For Connor it's a life she'd rather not have because of mother who'd rather be writing or traveling than spending time with her own daughter. So Connor takes on her mom and the world the way she knows how best. With words. And yes, sometimes those words get her into a heck of a lot of trouble. In fact, it's what lands her in a boarding school so her mom doesn't have to deal with it.

Connor is a believable, smart mouth kid. She's a debater and she's good at it, well, because she knows how to use her words. That's very clear from the first page. Beyond that first page, the author wastes no time in upping the action and tension. By the end of chapter one, Connor is back in time and having to use her "smart mouth" to keep her out of trouble. Sometimes it works. Sometimes not, but in the end it will serve her well. All of this is wrapped up in a mystery that keeps you guessing from page turn to page turn. Who is determined to kill William and Maud? So many possibilities and Connor soon finds herself wanting to help her two new friends just as much as she wants to get back to her own time. I'd recommend this one to upper middle grade fans of historical fiction you know will enjoy a great mash up historical fiction, mystery and time slip fantasy with a good dose of coming of age.  Worth a check out, for sure.

More reviews and interviews:

Introducing Time of Honor by Margo Sorenson - C.K. Volnek - Author - Story Teller
Middle Grade Mafioso

Where to find Margo this week:

11/7-Strands of Thought - Children's Author, Kai Strand
11/8-Write Stuff
11/12- Nerdy Book Club

Where to find Margo online:

Author Website- Margo Sorenson
Twitter Margo Sorenson (ipapaverison) on Twitter

Where to purchase TIME OF HONOR

Muse it Up-Time of Honor
Time of Honor: Margo Sorenson: Amazon.com: Kindle Store


Thanks for stopping by for a read. Happy MMGM all and be sure to check out Shannon Messenger for more MMGM posts.


Deb!

Monday 29 October 2012

#Wipmadness October Check-In Five

Morning all!

Happy Monday and here we are on the last Monday of October. Thanks so much for coming to my blog to check in, share your stories, your ups, your downs. All of you are _so_ inspiring. And I want to say to you what I told our Angelina. The books and stories you work on make their way to kids who want and need to read them. I've seen the power of story first hand, the connections, the differences. You make a difference in a child or teens life when you connect with them in a story that makes them laugh, takes them on a wild adventure, makes them cry or makes them go "hey, that's me, I know what that's like". I could tell you story after story of experiences I've had when handing kids books. I won't right now. Why? 'Cause we got some #wipmadness to do!

School is done! So here is my #wipmadness for this week.


  • Get organized and started with NANO and PIBOIDMO
  • Read, read and read for #Cybils MG realistic fiction panel
  • Start writing blog posts for the above reads!
That's it for me. What about you? How was your last week? What are your plans for this week?

AND---see you all over @ Hanging on to Wonder for our November check-ins.

Thanks again for hanging out here. Shout out and thanks to Jaye for taking on Novemeber! Happy Halloween!

Sunday 21 October 2012

#Wipmadness October Check-In Four

Greetings all #wipmadness peeps, new and old! It has indeed been a busy week of schooling for me. But, midst it all a possible NANO novel came to mine. Granted it is another idea and one entirely different from the other one I've written a synopsis for. This one is middle contemporary and is about coping with grief. I wrote about 500 random-ish words from the pov of a possible almost thirteen year old character. A working title is LITTLE GIRL BLUE. It's still tumbling about my head, so we shall see where it goes this week. Speaking of this week, it's still all about the school and getting it done, with bits of time captured here and there for writing. That writing to include prepping a picture book for next round of crits for my picture book group and getting crits done for members of that group. And-thinking more on LITTLE GIRL BLUE.

Now.

Way more that enough from me.

I'm looking forward to seeing where you all are with #wipmadness and reaching/adjusting/moving your goals from last week. And really looking forward to hearing how SIWC went for all you writing roaring twenty-ers!

Let's rock and write this week and with that in mind, I leave you with this:

May your imagination soar to the top of a mountain, set sail across the ocean blue, traverse the frozen north or swing through the rainforest. May it take you to just where you need to be with no limits, no boundries. May it let you soar and do what imagination does. If you need to take your inner editor with you for revisions. Just let her know to buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Editing this post to share Brain Pickings post on Freud, Dreams and Creative Writing! 


Monday 15 October 2012

MMGM and Last Day for #Cybils Nominations!

Oh how I love MMGM! Today I am over on Shannon Messenger's blog sharing my thoughts on one of the #Cybils Middle Grade Realistic Fiction nominees, THREE TIMES LUCKY by Sheila Turnage. I'm sharing the cover here, too. I forgot to mention in the post how I like it. It's speaks volumes about what the book is about and so kid friendly.  Shannon's doing a giveaway on the book. Thinking you might want to enter.


And speaking of the Cybils. As many of you know today is the last day to get your nominations in. After that, I'll be in some reading kind of heaven. What? Housework? Sorry, I have to read. 

Finally-I'm hosting a giveaway of Heather Beck's HAUNTED.  'Tis the season to get your scare on...BOO!

For more Middle Grade Marvelousness make a stop over on Shannon's blog and see who's talking about what.


#WipMadness October Check-In, Week Three

Slowly but surely.

Pedal to the metal.

Book deals that happen when you keep on forging ahead even when the going gets tough.

However we need to do it, we will do it we will get there. That is evident from all the responses to last week's post. I'm pretty darn glad we are taking this journey together and mighty grateful for the inspiration you provide to just keep on keeping on and looking forward. So, THANK YOU, for sharing.

This past week I've been slammed with course work as I try to get it done by the end of _this_ week. Decided to go this route so I can give my writing and reading next week my all and everything. SO--this week will be all about getting my assignments in and getting those exams writ. Not quite the #wipmadness I was going for when I stepped into October, but I think this change in plan is going to work. Feeling in the zone. 'Course, there will be the odd break in the schooling and you can bet I will do me a bit of writing.

How about all of you? Sticking with the plan? Changing the plan, even scrapping it for another? Looking forward to hearing how you are all doing. And hope to all of our  #wipmadness peeps heading to Surrey and the SIWC this week...have a blast and learn lots!

Now, as NANO doth approach I shall leave you with this short 'n' sweet TED TALK. Has me thinking about other 30 day possibles to try out once NANO has come and gone. They could be writing, reading...anything. Enjoy the week and go, go GO with #wipmadness!




Sunday 14 October 2012

Oh MGYA Canada Giveaway of HAUNTED by Heather Beck

Heather Beck, a Canadian author and screenwriter, contacted me some time ago about doing a possible interview and giveaway. After checking out her site and asking her what she had to offer middle grade wise,  I suggested we do something a little closer to Halloween. The following is what book she had offered to do a giveaway for. You'll see why mid-October is a good choice (although scary is good anytime of year when you get down to it!)



From the author's site:


When darkness falls and the air turns cold, ghosts come out to play.

Heather Beck presents Haunted, an anthology of ghostly encounters and paranormal events.

Ghost Park
After discovering a mysterious playground in the woods, Chase is stalked by angry ghost children.  
  
A Haunting Past
Truce’s class trip to an old native reserve turns deadly when Bear, an infamous chief who died two hundred years ago, blames him for the tribe’s extinction.

The Manor On The Rocks
Grey, damp and surrounded by jagged rocks, Calla Lily’s new home isn’t only unpleasant, it’s also haunted by the world’s most evil boy.

A Medieval Nightmare
When Ellie and Brandon get trapped in a medieval museum that’s a bit too real, they fall under a spell and become pivotal players in a ghostly regime.

A Watery Grave
A camping trip becomes a heart-pounding race for survival when Justine meets a ghost who’s determined to change her fate by trading bodies with a living entity.

Haunted includes volumes 1-5 of The Horror Diaries series.




Heather has been busy out in the blogosphere. Here is one of her most recent interviews. She is one busy writer!

Book Labyrinth: Interview with Heather Beck 

If you'd like to win a copy of this all you need to do is leave a comment by MIDNIGHT Monday, October 15, 2012. Yes, you read that right. When the witching hour tolls, the giveaway will end. Much thanks to Heather for offering to do this giveaway. Good luck to all the enter-ers...and, BOO!


Monday 8 October 2012

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday and Marvelous Middle Grade #Cybils

As you all know I love, love MMGM Monday's. Thanks to Shannon Messenger's idea we have an opportunity to blog hop and find some great middle grade reading. And we can join in the fun with our own posts about what we've been reading. Last couple of Mondays I've missed posting and reading as I try to get myself all organized for reading and posting about some of the #Cybils nominations for the realistic Middle Grade category. In the weeks to come, though, there will be posts a comin' and not just on Monday's. In the meantime here are a couple I'd like to share with you, no review attached yet.  One I am reading today, the other I've read.

UNGIFTED by Gordon Korman.

The word gifted has never been applied to a kid like Donovan Curtis. It's usually more like Don't try this at home. So when the troublemaker pulls a major prank at his middle school, he thinks he's finally gone too far. But thanks to a mix-up by one of the administrators, instead of getting in trouble, Donovan is sent to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction (ASD), a special program for gifted and talented students.

It wasn't exactly what Donovan had intended, but there couldn't be a more perfect hideout for someone like him. That is, if he can manage to fool people whose IQs are above genius level. And that becomes harder and harder as the students and teachers of ASD grow to realize that Donovan may not be good at math or science (or just about anything). But after an ongoing experiment with a live human (sister), an unforgettably dramatic middle-school dance, and the most astonishing come-from-behind robot victory ever, Donovan shows that his gifts might be exactly what the ASD students never knew they needed.

THE DOGS OF WINTER by Bobbie Pyron.

A small boy, a cruel city, and the incredible dogs who save him.

Based on a true story!

When Ivan's mother disappears, he's abandoned on the streets of Moscow, with little chance to make it through the harsh winter. But help comes in an unexpected form: Ivan is adopted by a pack of dogs, and the dogs quickly become more than just his street companions: They become his family. Soon Ivan, who used to love reading fairytales, is practically living in one, as he and his pack roam the city and countryside, using their wits to find food and shelter, dodging danger, begging for coins. But Ivan can’t stay hidden from the world of people forever. When help is finally offered to him, will he be able to accept it? Will he even want to?

A heart-pounding tale of survival and a moving look at what makes us human.

Enjoy your MMGM. In fact, I am off to check out more links over on Shannon's site!

#wipmadness October Check-In Week Two!

First up!

Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians! Hope you are all turkey filled or on your way to being so.

Second up!

This turkey filled writer peep is looking forward to another week of #wipmadness. What about all of you? Did it go well? Mine went pretty well. Got that work for hire project in the mail, another query sent out, some reading for #cybils done...oh! and a picture book popped into my head so I wrote it down fast. Also started reading Denise's book,  Writing with a Heavy Heart. It's good. Yep, it is.  Goals this week are to carry on with:

-writing each day
-finish reading, do some of Writing With a Heavy Heart exercises
-explore more work for hire possibilities
-#cybils...gathering more of the nominees, btw if you haven't yet do check it out and make your noms!


Third up!

Those of you who need to send your inner editor on a vaca here:



If that doesn't work. Use this:



And fourth...hope all you writer friends at SIWC have a fantabulous time and our very own Heather is going to be there signing her book. Maybe you could find some time to swing by her table and say hi!

Finally is have a great week and looking forward to seeing what you are all up to!





Sunday 30 September 2012

#WipMadness October-First Checkin

Greetings to all my fellow #wipmadness readers, writers, bloggers and more! Here we are at the beginning of October. Hope your Septembers went well? Mine was a bit of a crazy, plate filled kind of time and October will be no exception. I am serious going to have to remind myself (and some good, good writing and reading peeps have pointed that out in the comments on this post) to take the time to breath, enjoy the beauty of fall in my back yard, sit and listen to tunes for no other reason than enjoy the music. Heck, I also need to learn to just sit and enjoy the silence and still of the old church we are renovating.

I thought, if that's okay with you, I'd make that a theme to this months check-ins. Reminding ourselves to slow it down at some point in the day-enjoy a view, enjoy a song, play around with a sketch book and doodles. Read a book, allow yourself the time play on Pinterest, visit some blogs you've been missing. One of my favourite Sunday blogs is Brain Pickings. Haven't had much time to read it. So! Following my own advice today and going to read this:

Neil Gaiman's 8 Rules of Writing | Brain Pickings

Is there anything else you'd like to talk about or see me post? I'm all blogging ears and looking forward to offering support and a place to check-in, share your goals, voice your frustrations on days when you are think "gaaaaaaah, why won't my characters do what I want them to." "what the heck is wrong with the middle of this story?!?!"

Here's my month:


  • Reading for Cybils
  • beta read YA novel for friend
  • Explore writing a novel on grief, get Denise Jaden's book (this is a subject I know a fair bit about, but am always afraid to write. When I started reading about Denise's book it got me thinking maybe now is the time
  • Revise ZIP ZOOM JAKE IN THE NIGHT TIME
  • Including a course I am taking for work. Have to finish that this month.
What is your month like? Do you have goals set for the first week? How do you slow yourself down so you can take a breath, enjoy the moment, fill that writer's well?

I'll leave you with this quote from Susan Uhlig's quote section on her site:  

The smallest actual goal is better than the most magnificent promise of impossibilities.
Thomas Macauley

And this bit of quiet might and one of my favourite places in the world, Castle Mountain. Think I'll pause a while and imagine myself there. 





Wednesday 26 September 2012

Winner Announcement, #Cybils, Writing & Finding Balance

Greetings all! Starting off the post with an announcement. Winner of DREAMLINE by Nicole Luiken is:

Andrea Mack

Congrats to Andrea!

Next up is...#Cybils. I am beyond thrilled to announce that I am a first round judge for middle grade (realistic) fiction

Can't wait to start seeing the nominations role in beginning October first. Then it will be read read and read so there can be discussion and narrowing down of books to send on to the second round judges.

And boy, I am in some mighty fine company.


If you are reading this and thinking, what? What are these Cybils?

It's a wonderful opportunity to give even more recognition to the books for children and teens that have been published in the last year-books that standout and bring the best of what literature for children and teens is all about. And the best part is that from October 1 to October 15 you can nominate one book per the wide variety of categories. Get thee to the Cybils to learn more about it and start thinking of books that stood out for you. I mean, please get thee to the Cybils!

On the other bookly related fronts:

 -working on my Marvelous Middle Grade reading so I can get a post up this Monday and also be slightly ahead of the reading game when the Cybil nominations start rolling in.

-preparing kickoff post for #wipmadness.

-Working on my first work for hire project

-waiting mode on some requested picture book manuscripts sent to an agent yesterday whilst revising more and hanging with my fabulous online pb group

-revising HAPPY MEDIUM which is changing faster that I can keep up with it and now am wondering if I seriously start over, from scratch, no looking at the current draft

-thinking on NANO

-reading contemporary romance and chick lit and getting reviews ready for Brazen Reads (nice way to keep my reading horizons broadened 'cause I do read a whole lot of children and teen books)

-gearing up to crit a YA novel for a good writing friend of mine (she's just waiting on me to say "send it".

Needless to say it's been a wonderfully, busy book time and will continue to be so throughout October, November  and December. I live and breath books, reading and writing.

Get's me thinking on remembering to:

PLAY

FIND BALANCE

How do you do it all? Do you do it all?  Find balance, keep it fun and yet professional--do all you want to do related to your writing...and stay sane (ish)?

Monday 17 September 2012

Oh MGYA Canada: Interview and DREAMLINE Giveaway with Nicole Luiken


I have a Canadian Author to introduce to you.

But-before that, I have the winner of TILLY'S MOONLIT GARDEN. It is...

Julie!

Congrats, Julie. I'll be in touch to get your mailing details.

Now, it is my great pleasure to have Nicole Luiken on the blog. She's joining me for Oh MGYA Canada! and we're talking her books, her recent award nomination, her writing process, how she creates worlds, handles backstory and how she balances her writing life!

It's been some time since I've done one of these and I'm thrilled Nicole was able to do this. With all that said, let's begin with a little bit more about Nicole from her website:


Nicole Luiken wrote her first book at age 13 and never stopped.
She is the author of eight published books for young adults, including Violet Eyes and its sequel Silver Eyes, Frost, Unlocking the Doors, The Catalyst, Escape to the Overworld, Dreamfire and the sequel Dreamline. She also has an adult thriller, Running on Instinct, under the name N.M. Luiken and a fantasy romance ebook, Gate to Kandrith.
Nicole lives with her family in Edmonton, AB. It is physically impossible for her to go more than three days in a row without writing.
Most recently Nicole's book, DREAMLINE was a finalist for The Monica Huges Science Fiction Fantasy Award. So, it seems fitting that that is what the giveaway is for. More about DREAMLINE:

Cross over into the world of dreams...

 Years ago, Lissa decided she could either have friends or secrets, but not both. Now there's a new boy in town who sees past her social outcast label, but is he someone Lissa can trust, or a spy for the wulfdraigles?
 The wulfdraigles are ancient enemies of humanity who are trapped in the world of dreams. Eight years ago, Lissa helped her sister Brianne stop a wildfire from burning Grantmere to ashes, but now the wulf- draigles have returned. They have a new plan to spill their nightmares into our world, and live again. It is up to Lissa to stop them. It is her destiny; what she was born for. And quite possibly, what she will die for, too. Read an excerpt.



Thanks for being here, Nicole. First thing I want to do is congratulate you on being a finalist for the Monica Hughes Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy! Given the storytelling, the world building and mythology and the list goes on, I'm not surprised. What about you? How did you hear and what does it mean to you receive that honour?

I was notified by email, and I was very surprised, because I'd never heard of the award before!  This is actually its inaugural year, though the CCBC (Canadian Children's Book Centre) puts on a whole slate of other YA awards.  I'm thrilled and honoured to be a finalist for such a prestigious award. 

The fact that the award is named after Monica Hughes makes it doubly meaningful to me.  When I was in junior high, I read all of Monica Hughes's books that I could get my hands on (and in many cases reread them.)  Keeper of the Isis Light and Guardian of Isis are  my favourites.  I recently read Keeper to my son Simon and so got to enjoy it all over again.  She was a wonderful writer. 

One of my favourite aspects of your book is the mythology you have around dreams, something you introduce in DREAMFIRE. What is your process for this? 
I'm not sure I have a process!  It grew rather organically over a number of years.  

Ever since reading Voyage of the Dawn Treader I've been intrigued by the idea of dreams coming true.  I was a little disappointed when in the book Lucy, Edmond and Caspian prudently sail away before landing on the Dark Island.  So, when I was in grade ten, I decided to write a book about a girl whose dreams came true.

I started work on the novel and then got stuck.  To kickstart the idea process I tried  to remember scary dreams that I'd had and recalled a real doozy of a nightmare I'd once had about being alone at a campfire and fighting off a ring of wolves.  At the end of the dream a voice said, "The wolves are bad, but the wallies are worse."  Hmm, I thought, is there such a thing as a wally?  So, I looked it up in the dictionary.  There was an entry for wally, but it was a adj, meaning sturdy.  However, the entry beneath it caught my eye: wally-draigle, a slovenly or feeble-minded creature.  I liked the way the word sounded and thought it had possibilities so I kept browsing: wallaby, wallet, etc.  Then I hit on Walpurgisnacht, 1/ the Eve of May Day on which witches are said to ride, and 2/ and event or situation with a nightmarish quality.  It was so perfect I got goosebumps.  

My mythology grew out of that dream (which Lissa also has in Dreamline) and Walpurgisnacht.

I love that DREAMLINE is about the little sister we meet in DREAMFIRE. Was this always your plan and has the book been in the works for sometime now then?

I wrote both books while still in high school so they've *definitely* been around for awhile. :)  When I originally wrote Dreamfire, I intended it as a stand alone, but because the wulfdraigles weren't fully defeated in book one, an editor suggested that the story could continue.  Lissa was such a spooky little girl in Dreamfire, that I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to grow up with the power to cross the dreamline at will.

Actually, there also used to be a second book, featuring the middle sister Suzy, but since she didn't have any supernatural powers like Brianne and Lissa the book didn't work as well.  I eventually took my favourite Suzy scenes from book two and added them into book one as well as giving Rex a cameo in book three.

Sometime back you and I briefly talked about backstory and how to include it in your book. That conversation was particularly about DREAMFIRE. I really was impressed with how you did it and especially taking notes on how you used backstory as a tool to keep the reader turning those pages because you want to know what happened before. But. You also knew when to let the reader in on the full story. Just as I felt myself thinking, okay, I really want to know what happened with Brianne...you showed me. Well done! Can you talk a little about that? 

In Dreamfire I use the mystery of Brianne's backstory as a secondary hook to draw the reader in.  In chapter one, there are several references sprinkled about, "If my nightmares were returning again, making a fool of myself in front of the class was the least of my worries."  "Just a dream... Right?  Wrong.  My dreams had a nasty habit of coming true."  Chapter two starts with Brianne remembering "being treated like a walking leper.. The last time I'd tried to use the knowledge my true dreams gave me to help solve a crime I'd ended up being accused of the crime myself.  Thinking about the unholy mess I'd made of my life last year... made me sick to my stomach," but the full story doesn't come out until she relates it to Ben in chapter six.  

I think the key to dropping these hints is to make them progress a little further each time.  If all I had done was make the same mysterious reference over and over it gets annoying (as my editor gently pointed out to me.)  

The big reveal needs to come before the big confrontation.  In Dreamfire it's at the 1/3 mark, but in a different story it might be delayed to the halfway of 2/3 mark.  Pushing the reveal much past that and you risk alienating or frustrating your reader.  I prefer to give them a pay-off for reading the earlier chapters.  By the 1/3 mark in the story, the reader should be well hooked on the main plot anyway or you've failed.

If the backstory reveal is the climax, then it shouldn't be backstory at all, it should be the main story (or at least book one).

Now,Wulfdraigles are bad bad and scary! (readers: note the image behind Lissa on DREAMLINE cover) Even typing this I love how scary and downright bad they are. What was it like writing them, carrying them around in your head? Did you write into the wee hours with them, scare yourself? 

I do find the wulfdraigles rather scary, and for years the words "dream come true" made me shiver.  We use the phrase so casually and yet I suspect few of us would wish our actual sleep dreams to come true.

The only time I remember being really freaked out was during the plotting process when I stumbled on the word Walpurgisnacht.  

You write for adults as well as teens. Do you work on one then the other or do you do both? In other words, are you are more than one project at a time writer? 


I am experimenting with working on more than one project at a time.  For the last year while I worked on the 2nd and 3rd drafts of my adult fantasy novel Soul of Kandrith, I set aside every Monday to work on a YA project.  (The sequel to Violet Eyes and Silver Eyes.)  I worried that it would be hard to switch tracks, but it worked quite well, and now I'm experimenting with working on two books every day, setting myself a quota for the 'priority' book and allowing myself to work on the second one if I meet the quota.


You've have been writing since you were 13. How has your writing changed over the years? Any particular pieces of advice you have for others? Thinking of keeping that writing routine going, in particular. Over the years I am sure the time you have to write has changed considerably. I do see in you bio that it is physically impossible for you to go three days without writing.

My writing process has evolved a lot over time.  My original model was  to plot out a book, do a first draft, then let it rest awhile and work on something else, then go back and do another draft.  Only sometimes I would be distracted by a third shiny new idea and never get back to the first draft.  This haphazard process resulted in books like Dreamfire and Dreamline which I wrote the first drafts of in high school not being rewritten and published until much later.  

My problem is that I enjoy the plotting and first draft part of writing more than I do the revising and polishing bits.  My current solution is to write the 2nd and 3rd drafts simultaneously.  Confused?  Let me try to lay it out: 1/plotting 2/first draft 3/second draft in which I attack large plot problems and deepen characterization 4/third draft in which I pore over the printed manuscript, looking at every scene as a unit, honing my word choice, tightening my sentences and adding in description.  (If the story is a movie playing in the author's mind, my movie has an extreme zoom focus in on the characters faces.)  The thought of facing several hundred pages of third draft makes me whine, so after I've done two or three chapters of 2nd draft, I set myself an additional goal of doing 3rd draft-level revision on one scene a day.  That way by the time I finish the 2nd draft I'm about halfway through the 3rd draft and it's not as daunting.

Advice to writers?  Read a lot and try to write every day.  I started out in junior high with a goal of writing 1 page a day and gradually increased to about 4 pages (1000 words).  When I was in college and working full-time I usually wrote in the evenings.  At that time if I didn't have at least 2 hours available, it didn't feel worthwhile to make the effort and I'd blow it off.  Then I had my kids.  Now 20 minutes is a valuable block of time.  Make writing a habit.  I have days when I don't get as much accomplished as I would've liked to, but very few days (like Christmas) when I don't fit in a little writing.  Oh, one more piece of advice, don't just count words.  That time you spend thinking about your book while you take a walk or shower still counts as writing.

What is up for you for the rest of 2012? Writing projects? School visits? Conferences?
My current project (tentatively titled Angel Eyes) is book three in my Violet Eyes series, featuring Mike and Angel.  I have another six chapters to revise.  My next priority project is a fourth draft of the first book in a YA fantasy series called Otherselves (think mirror magic and multiple worlds).

I am a member of YABS, but I don't have any school readings booked for this fall yet. :(  I plan to attend the Pure Speculations SF conference this fall.  And, of course, I'm hoping to go to the gala where the CCBC winners are announced in Toronto.

Oh my gosh yes, Nicole. I hope you can go to that gala, as well. Good luck with your current projects and enjoy that conference.

On to the giveaway details...the usual, leave a comment with a way for me to contact you.  You have until midnight MST next Sunday (Sept. 23). International! 

You can check out Nicole's Facebook fan page here and you can find her on twitter, here.

Say, if you go on and like that page, I'll give you another entry. Tweets will result in the same. 

I'd love for you to help me spread the love for this fantastic Canadian author!





Sunday 9 September 2012

MMGM-Tilly's Moonlit Garden by Julia Green


Tilly's Moonlight Garden by Julia Green has been on my MMGM to post about list for a few weeks now.

I wanted to wait until it was closer to the publish date and we are indeed close. October 2 is when this book will be released and I say it's one to buy or head to your library to borrow.


Pub Date: Oct. 1st, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7730-6
Page count: 208pp
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
From back of publisher provided ARC via Raincoast Books:
Tilly just moved into a drafty old mansion, away from all of her friends. She spends her afternoons wandering around her new backyard in order to excape the cold, dusty rooms of the new house. But one night, Tilly follows a fox she has seen from her bedroom window and he leads her deep into a hidden garden that is nothing short of magic in the moonlight. This mysterious garden and the special friend she meets there help her rediscover the magic in her own life. 

Tilly's life is turned upside down when her mother and father move her away from everything she knows and into a mansion that is anything but elegant and wonderful. For Tilly it is no dream location that she falls in love with at sight. It's cold, dusty and old. Not only that, her mother is bedridden and her health and the health of the baby she is carrying is uncertain. Or at least uncertain enough to worry Tilly, even though she's been told she doesn't need to. All of these things factor into Tilly's current state of being, filled with uncertainty and unhappiness. Her world is not what it was and Tilly is alone, lost and the victim of school yard bullying because she's the new kid. It makes her quiet.

The author captures the tone and feel of a young girl struggling in a world she is not used to. A young girl who has left behind her friends and who is worried about her mother and what is happening at school.  The book has quiet and thoughtful tone because Tilly is a quiet a thoughtful child who doesn't want to upset her parents. Plus, there is a magic in how the author describes the night time. Soft and whispery words that make you feel as if you are with Tilly as she steps into the night to follow the fox. A rather brave thing for her to do when you think of everything she is going through. But, you know, Tilly is brave. I truly enjoyed how the author wove this story to show how brave you can be, how you can find your way, even when there is much to fear and you feel surrounded by dark and cold. The world can still be filled with magic, you only need to find it and when you do there is a friend or two who will help you along the way. And that's where the real magic is.

Would you like a chance to win a copy of this? I'll pre-order it for a commenter chosen by Random Org. 


More details:

  • Open to US/Canada
  • Leave a comment to enter, include contact info
  • You have until next Sunday, Midnight MST


Speaking of winning commenters! Random Org picked #5 for week's giveaway and that is...

Rosi of The Write Stuff!

Congrats, Rosi! I will be contacting you for your mailing address.

Until next time everyone...Happy MMGM. Don't forget to check out the brains behind this day, Shannon Messenger, because she has links to more marvelousness AND she's letting me double up on my MMGM with my guest post on THE CAVENDISH HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS by Claire Legrand.


Friday 7 September 2012

More on The Power of Play in Writing.

Two articles crossed my blog reading path today.

How to Become a Better Writer

Feeding Your Muse

Both were good reminders, for me, to play. In spite of last weeks post I didn't follow through with my plan to Play Everyday. Didn't write that in the post, that was just the plan in my head. Like I said in that post, I used to play at the writing. It was my warm up. Whether it was to grab a sketch book or note book and doodle random things, or write out ten opening sentences for an imagined story, write out a bunch of fun titles, I did it everyday. Now that I've come back to it and realized that, for me, it works, it's fun, it's relaxing...I have to get back into the habit of playing. Well, I don't have to do anything. I want to.

What about all of you, is there anything you do to play at writing? Make it a game for the game's sake? Or maybe you'd like to share some spur of the moment opening sentences to an imaginary novel.

Here's a few from me, off top of head, may or may not make sense, but fun to do!


  • I was tired of my sister bugging me all the time and was determined to tell my parents it was time for Cass to know she was dead.
  • Running away seemed like great plan until I ran into a bear with major attitude issues and I was in the city.
  • Morgan was a vampire witch werewolf angel demon with a personality disorder.



Sunday 2 September 2012

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-Giveaway, Rebel McKenzie by Candice Ransom





It's the first MMGM of September! Hope you are all stepping into the month with a nice looking pile of books to read. Speaking of books to read...

Joanne Fritz will be adding CIRCLE OF SECRETS to that pile as she is the winner of last Monday's  giveaway. Congrats Joanne! I will be contacting you to get your snail mail, then forward that information to the author.


Here's my recommendation and giveaway (details at end of post)  for this Monday:

Rebel McKenzie by Candice Ransom.


From the author's website:


Rebel McKenzie
Disney-Hyperion Books
Ages 9 to 13
978-1-4231-4539-4
Twelve-year-old Rebel McKenzie wants to spend her summer at the Ice Age Kids’ Dig and Safari where kids discover prehistoric bones, right alongside real paleontologists.  But digs cost money and Rebel is broker than four o’clock. Instead she must spend her summer watching her 7-year-old nephew, Rudy, who picks out clothes for people’s funerals before they are dead and has lunch with God. Rebel decides to win the Frog Level Volunteer Fire Department beauty pageant to earn money to go to the dig. But things keep getting in the way, like a 22-pound Siamese cat named Doublewide, a bullying neighbor who is all bluff, and Bambi, the reigning queen of Grandview Estates, the mobile home community. Still, Rebel learns that friends are more important than winning and that the best discoveries are found in one’s own back yard.

“Spunky and sassy, Rebel redefines beauty pageants in this rollicking tale.”  Kirkus

“Surprises in both plot and character development create a quick pace; extra material like Rudy’s cartoons and pages from Rebel’s “field notebook” provide welcome and often amusing insight.”  Publisher’s Weekly

“Everyone is worth knowing in this rich and funny book.  While Rebel learns a thing or two about loyalty, family, and empathy, her sharp-as-a-tack wit and boatload of sass guarantees that no lesson is delivered with a heavy hand.”   Booklist, starred review.


And and AND...Candice Ransom has a vintage Trixie Belden collection. That's something I want to start my ownself. How I loved Trixie and the Bobwhites. Erm.  End of gush. Here is the interview with Candice where I discovered this cool fact. On to why I think this one deserves its MMGM spotlight.

Kids enjoy reading about other kids whose circumstances are very different from theirs. Whether those circumstances are difficult and sad with glimpses of hope (ie The Breadwinner series by Deborah Ellis) or quirky with a good dose of edge and reality like in REBEL MCKENZIE. Rebel has dreams. Big dreams. She is going to be a paleontologist and feels like she will seriously die of sadness if she can't go to the best paleontology camp for kids ever. Her parents can't send her, a fridge with no freeze needs the money more. A fridge! No worries. Rebel runs away with the clothes on her back and seven pairs of underwear on her butt. Unfortunately this lands her grounded for life and babysitting her really odd (and yet to the reader totally loveable!) seven year old nephew. Fortunately friendships unfold with the glam Bambi and crabby Lacey Jane. Friendships that could lead to win in a local beauty pagent, which leads to money which leads to...carrying on with the dream of becoming a paleontologist. Hilarity ensues with a cast of characters that are well developed and perfect foils for Rebel and mirrors of what happens when you follow your dreams--the good and the bad. When I wasn't smiling as I read this, I was laughing (and a lot of times at the cat named Double Wide). Rebel is sassy, speak your mind kind of kid who kids will enjoy reading about because she is so funny and so real. They will also be grabbed right from the beginning with the opening scene of Rebel, plumped out with all the clothes she has on, trying to convince a convict working with a roadside work crew that she is not running away. And a quick note to us writers...it's a smooth scene that incorporates backstory in a rather brilliant and funny manner. It also shows how a great writer can show you a whole lot about a character in the opening pages of a novel. Kind of loved it.

That's it from me. Looking forward to seeing what everyone else has lined up for MMGM. Enjoy the day and as you have time do check out Shannon Messenger's Blog for the round up of what else is happening, including my thoughts on WONDER by R.J. Palacio.


Here are the giveaway details:

  • Open to US/Canada
  • Leave a comment to enter, include contact info
  • You have until next Sunday, Midnight MST
  • RandomOrg.Com will be used to pick winner

Saturday 1 September 2012

Saturday Morning, Writing, Giveaways & Reflections

Heading off to see one of my daughters today. Going to hang out with the grandbabies, one of whom says, "Grandma! I am not a baby."

Before I do, though, I am taking some moments to do some blogging, writing, and giveaway-ing reflections/round-ups.

On the blogging and giveaway front:

The Power of Play in Writing-I used to warm-up with exercises all the time. Somewhere along the line I got it into my head that it was not worth my time. Probably because many do feel that way. The one thing I know after all these years of writing is? We are all different...for me playing, exercising etc before I write works. Relaxes me, gets the inner critter relaxed and out of the way, too! Gets those creative juices flowing. In other words--time to play!


MMGM-CIRCLE OF SECRETS by Kimberly Griffiths Little (Giveaway too!)-I love middle grade novels. They've been a part of my reading and writing life for a long time now. So needless to say I LOVE talking and sharing some of my favourites. CIRCLE OF SECRETS is rich with character, plot and setting-good book to read and just plain old enjoy-great book to read as a writer to see how it's done. Plus...you can win a signed hardcover from Kimberly!


Friends Along the Writing Trail and a Giveaway-We've been talking about meeting those special friends on our writing journey that keep us going. It amazes me that we do seem to often meet the right person at the right time, the one who helps us make the next step just as we are about to give up and head back. The giveaway is for a writing resource book of choice for you and one for a friend. And yep...it's hard to pick just one because I think we've met many. But if you had to pick...who would it be?

Must say, I've been enjoying exploring and thinking on how to add more content to my blog--it's like writing the first draft of your book, then going in for the first round revisions, setting it aside for a while, then going back for the second round of revisions. I'm ready for the second round of revisions on the blog!

On the writing front I am into major revisions on HAPPY MEDIUM and ZIP ZOOM JAKE AND THE QUIET TIME. Exploring character motivation has been HUGE in giving me the depth both were missing. Well, that and fantabulous crit partners!

Enjoy the long weekend. See you all for MMGM-I'll have a post here, announce the winner of CIRCLE OF SECRETS and be guest posting over at  Shannon's again (love being there, and LOVE that she always has a giveaway for you...) Hah, I am just filled with love :) Ciao!

Wednesday 29 August 2012

The Power of Play in Writing

When my storytelling partner and I used to do storytelling workshops and residencies we came to the realization that much of what was done was play. Now, from our point of view, it was play with a purpose. But. For the kids it was play. Lots of games that had them writing, socializing, writing, developing stories and their literacy skills. And I also realized it was also creating a safe atmosphere of risk taking. Recently I've starting taking a couple of courses for the daycare I am teaching at. One of them is on play in early education. It is bringing back many memories of the games we played in our storytelling workshops, but not only that. It is bringing back many memories of the writing games I used to play before I would settle in for the "work" of writing/revising/critiquing etc. Somewhere along the line I stopped. Not enough time. Hearing others say that it was something they never do and that they thought it was a waste of time (now there's a newbie mistake--assuming that advice and thoughts on certain processes are all encompassing). For them it probably was, because it just did not work. For me it worked. It loosened up my thoughts, created new ideas, helped me work out of tight spots in the writing, but more importantly it was just plain fun to do. I was playing.

Take listen and watch of this TED TALK (oh how I love those).




SO! I am returning to playing each day. Doodling, writing out first lines just for the fun of it. Taking characters out of the story I have them in and throwing them into another situation/book/story. For example what would your character do it he she ended up in THE HOBBIT? Help Bilbo? Want to go? Want to get out and get out fast?

Hah. Now I am truly curious. What would one of your characters do if they suddenly ended up in another book. What would the book be? And of course, we'll assume they know the book. One book that does this and does it well is...LITTLE WOMAN AND ME by Lauren Baratz-Logsted.

Off to ponder what Happy would do it she woke up to find herself in THE HOBBIT. Besides looking for ghosts, that is. Looking forward to hearing from you and where you'd put your character.

Sunday 26 August 2012

MMGM-CIRCLE OF SECRETS by Kimberly Griffiths Little (Giveaway too!)

The last Marvelous Middle Grade Monday of August is here! Hope you've all enjoyed your summer and found many a book to add to your to read lists and or piles. Before I get to the post at hand I have a couple of other things to share.

  1. The WINNER, thanks to RandomOrg, of Mira's Diary: Lost in Paris (ARC) by Marrissa  Moss is Barbara Watson. Congrats Barbara, you are on a winning roll!
  2. There's another giveaway on this post about support along our writing journey's. Comment and join in the conversation to win a writing resource book of your choice for you and a friend.
NOW! On the reason you all came here. 

Here is the book:



Here is the description from the publisher:

Critically acclaimed author Kimberley Griffiths Little weaves a haunting story of friendship and family and the power of faith, once again set against the lush backdrop of the Louisiana bayou.
After her mother walked out on Shelby Jayne and her dad, Shelby thought she'd never speak to her mamma again. But with her dad leaving the country for work, it turns out she doesn't have a choice: Shelby has to move back into her mamma's house, deep in the heart of the Louisiana bayou.
Her new classmates tease and torment her, so Shelby's relieved to finally find a friend in Gwen, a mysterious girl who lives alone on the bayou. But Shelby can't help wondering if Gwen has something to do with the puzzling messages she finds hidden in the blue bottle tree behind her house. The only person who might be able to explain is her mamma — but Shelby's not ready to ask. Not yet. It may take a brush with something from the beyond to help Shelby see that the power to put her own ghosts to rest is within her reach.

Here is the book trailer:

Here are my thoughts as a writer and a reader:

Just as in THE HEALING SPELL, the author is a master of capturing an authentic voice in THE CIRCLE OF SECRETS. A voice that is certainly middle grade and yet unique to the character. It is how Shelby views the world, the words she choses to tell us what she sees, hears and feels. How she puts those words into sentences, elegant and ladylike at the same time as sassy and funny. It's all Shelby. It is something well worth taking a good close look at if you are a writer working on bringing what seems like that elusive voice to your work. Studying the work of others to see how it is done is well worth your time. In fact I would suggest reading both of these books. Read them out loud and you will hear the difference.

As a reader I was pulled in immediately by that same voice-felt like I could hear Shelby right away. I like that. It makes me know this will also make a great read-a-loud. Take that and this:

"The summer I turned eleven, I found out ghosts are real."

I am so there. The author carries on with throwing the mc right up a tree. She has to go and stay with a mother who walked out on her and her father over a year ago. And a mother she has not seen in three months. You are, and kids will be, immediately sympathetic to her and will want to see what happens next, including learning more about Mirage (aka, the mother, but Shelby does not want to call her that). As for where Shelby has to go? To the swamp. Deep in the swamp and she doesn't like it so much...it's filled with snakes, spiders...frogs with creepy red eyes and who knows what else. Her view of  the swamp (Bayou) is the polar opposite of Livie in THE HEALING SPELL and yet just as well done and just as compelling. You can imagine what it would be like to be there and not like it one bit.

It doesn't end there for Shelby. School comes complete with bullies who tease her about where she lives and her mother, "The Swamp Witch". So, when a friend named Gwen comes along you breath a sigh of relief for Shelby because you are so invested in her story. Next thing you know, you are continuing to turn those pages because you know there is something "off" about Gwen...something deep and mysterious like the swamp. In other words, suspense, tension and mystery combined with amazing setting and strong voice make this one a must read. So, if it's in your to read pile move it to the top!

Here is more information about the author:

Website - you can send in a request for a teacher's and/or mother daughter book club guide 

Here are the giveaway details:

  • Open to US/Canada
  • Leave a comment to enter, include contact info
  • You have until next Sunday, Midnight MST
  • RandomOrg.Com will be used to pick winner
  • The author (thanks Kimberly!) will send the person picked one SIGNED hardcover copy of THE CIRCLE OF SECRETS. 

Good luck everyone.

And for more MMGM Marvelousness head on over to Shannon Messenger, the one who started it all!


#ReadtheNorth

Over the last while there has been a hashtag you may have seen about called Read the North. It's a campaign encouraging people to read C...