Contest coming soon!!

In the next couple of days I'll be starting another Naughty List contest! I have a Very Naughty Gift Bag along with an ARC to give away. Sound good? Peachy!

I'll post the rules later in the week! See you then!!!

I saw Pearl Jam!

To top off a fantastic weekend, I went to another concert last night. But not just any concert. FREAKING PEARL JAM!! And I'll be honest, I could follow them on tour. They were that good!!!

And I have to apologize to my husband because last night I may have screamed things like, "I love you, Eddie" and "Eddie, will you marry me?" But I didn't mean it. Total concert-induced hysteria. I mean, really. Who would want to marry Eddie Vedder? (raises hand) :-)

Well, a few of the high points were when they played Black, Daughter, or when Eddie sat down with just the guitar. I honestly swooned. Along with the rest of the crowd. To finish it off, they sang my favorite: Yellow Ledbetter. Oh, man. What a moment.

Here are some pics!

Walking from the car to the ampitheatre was like a mile. But we were too stoked to care

I was never so happy to have a hot dog. Really.

Cupholders? How freaking awesome is that?



Their background was typewriter that had Pearl Jam lit up. Because Eddie loves writers!!

Encore!

Meeting bloggers and author Suzanne Selfors!

Oh, it was such a great night. Wonderful (and adorable) blogger Ashley was one of the first people to get an ARC of The Naughty List. So when she said she was coming to town and asked to interview me, I knew I HAD to meet her. Luckily she brought along her friends Sarah and Ariel who are just as adorable!!!!!!

We all met up at a signing for the AMAZING Suzanne Selfors. I was excited to read Coffeehouse Angel, but after hearing her read from it, I was SOLD!! I'm so stoked to read it and her other novel Saving Juilet!

To make it like the best night ever, Lisa Schroeder (author of I Heart You, You Haunt Me and Far From You) was there to hang out! (and help me from losing my kids) :-)

Anyway, here are the pics! It was a GREAT TIME!!!!!!!!

Ashley, Sarah and Ariel

Me and Ashley!


Me and Ariel

And me and Sarah

The Suzannes :-)

It was great meeting you, Suzanne! And Ashley, Sarah and Ariel: Email me!!! :-)

I've got soul...

But I'm not a soldier! Just got home from The Killers concert! Fun stuff!!!

This is me with friend and photographer Dawn!


First we went to The Cheesecake Factory. Yum...



Then, we hit the beer garden.












Then The Killers took the stage!!!!!!!!!





On Sunday, we're seeing PEARL JAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You know what they say

You should never blog while you're drunk. I'm not drunk, but I've been SO SICK the past few days. I mean, in my bed coughing and crying sick. Know why? School. My kids started school and brought home all of their filthy diseases!!!

Anyway, if you've noticed on my twitter, I've been sort of... cranky lately. But I'm hoping that will change this weekend. I have the most AMAZING plans!!! I'll post them soon and they are fun and exciting!

So before I go, I just wanted to pass on this new link I stumbled upon.

Professional cakes... that maybe shouldn't have been: http://www.cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

Have a happy day!

SCBWI Midsouth Conference

Hey! If you'll be in Nashville this weekend, you might be heading to the SCBWI Midsouth Conference. Some amazing presentations to see! If you can't be there in person, be there in spirit. Or in cyberspace! My good friend Amanda Morgan will liveblogging the event along with some great bloggers!

Head on over to the conference blog at: http://www.scbwimidsouth2009.blogspot.com/ and click follow! This way, you won't miss any of the action!!!

Have fun!!!!!

To all the Boys I've loved before...

The Naughty List isn't out yet, but I've already been getting one question over and over. From both people that've known me forever and new friends. And here's the answer:

The Naughty List is not autobiographical. None of the Wonderful Young Men (sarcasm if you can't tell) from my past are in it. Nope, TNL is Tessa's story.

And although I never formed a club of cheerleaders to track down cheating boyfriends (after all, I wasn't a very good cheerleader) I think I could have been a detective. Once I get a scent, I'm like a freaking bloodhound tracking down the evidence.

However, none of that is in the book. It's tough when I have friends from high school that are like, "Oh my God. That is totally "dumbass", right?" (name changed to protect the guilty.)

Nope. Sorry folks. All fiction. Now of course, this is for book one. I have at least three other books coming.... Hm....

GOING GREEN (the blog story)

To catch up on the ongoing blog story, GOING GREEN, click here!

“Do you want me to stop to get a corsage?” my father asked.

“Ew, no.”

“Suit yourself. I figured that way if anyone asks, you can pretend you have a date in the bathroom.”

I looked across the car at him and raised my eyebrow.

“Just thinking ahead, kid.”

When we pulled up to school, my stomach twisted in disgusted knots. What was I doing? Could I really walk into prom dateless, especially when everyone hated me? Like they needed more fuel.

“Don’t overthink it,” my father said softly as he parked. I stared into my lap, anxiety crawling up my skin. “And besides,” he added. “It’s high school. It traumatizes everyone. Right of passage.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “You really should have just let me stay home.”

My father’s face became serious. “You would have regretted missing your prom. And of course, you’ll need something to talk to a therapist about in the future.”

“Oh my God, old man. You are demented.” But I loved him. After all the crap I’d been through with my mom, Conner, the entire school…. It was nice to have someone in my corner. Even if it was my dad.

“Let’s go,” he said, interrupting the quiet. “I don’t want to miss the electric slide.”

“Dear Lord. Please don’t dance.”

He scoffed. “You don’t think I came here without practicing, do you? Give me more credit, Stella. I’ve got the Macarena down pat.”

“I’ll die.”

***

The prom was a mix of pastel fabrics, glittery balloons and a butt load of flowers. It looked exactly like how I imagined hell. This feeling was confirmed when I looked over to the dance floor. In the middle, like they were already crowned king and queen, was Conner and Trish. Slow dancing.

I darted my eyes away, hoping they didn’t see me. There was still time to go hide in the car. There was still time to stop this before I was completely humiliated. But instead I look over at them again. Trish’s too-tan back faced me as she rested her head on Conner’s shoulder. I hated that she could be so comfortable with him. I hated him.

Just then, Conner’s beautiful blue eyes looked up to catch mine. His lips parted, and then he smiled softly. And as much as I resented him for everything he’d done, I found myself smiling back. But I caught myself and spun around.

No. I wouldn't do this. I wouldn't… but I felt the tears well up in my eyes. Damnit. I wouldn’t become a prom cliché, crying in a perfect prom dress over a boy. No. I would cry in the bathroom like any self-respecting woman.

My heels clacked on the gym floor as I hurried toward the girl’s room. Once I pulled myself together I was going to go back out there and fake fun. Nothing said revenge like having a good time.

“Stella!”

I stopped, only a few feet from the safety of the toilets. I wasn’t sure I could turn around.

“Can I talk to you?” Conner asked.

I closed my eyes, the first tear running down my cheek. Fantastic. I sniffled and turned around, crossing my arms dramatically across my chest. I wasn’t expecting him to be directly in front of me. Looking gorgeous. I gasped.

Conner reached out and put his hands on either side of my face before using his thumb to wipe away my tear.

“You look beautiful tonight,” he whispered, looking me over.

My entire body shuttered with relief. Despair. “Yeah?” I asked. “You and Trish look really cozy out there. I think you two have King and Queen of doucheness locked up, don't you?”

But instead of answering, he leaned in and kissed me.
.

Rock Star Life: Starring Frank Portman

I had a blast last night because friend and fellow author Frank Portman was in town promoting his new book Andromeda Klein, his follow up to King Dork.

Frank also happens to be HILARIOUS! Oh, and did I mention he's a rock star?? Well, let's start from the beginning:

He had a pretty amazing turnout at Barnes and Noble:

And he played guitar AND read from his new book. Not an easy task. Favorite audience question? From here will your books keep getting harder to read? Frank: Yes.

Then we headed over to Plan B where Frank Portman transformed into Dr. Frank-Rockgod

Really, we were just getting started. Once again, he had a great turnout. I was amazed at the people that knew him, knew his songs; cuz, you know, Frank doesn't live here! So I was pretty impressed.

Friend and author Alexa Martin came by to hang out. You can catch her new book next year from Hyperion.

Yes, that's her grilled cheese sandwich. And yes, it is SLATHERED in ketchup. Ew!

Then it was time for Dr. Frank to rock out! And he did. It was awesome!

It's never easy to see friends go. :-( If you get a chance, catch Frank on tour. He's in Chicago right now, tearing up a B & N or bar near you!!

PS. I missed my LA girls-Heather and Mandy

The True Face of Evil

And her name is Basil Marie Young. Whenever I start to work, she squeaks--not whines, mind you--but stares at me and squeaks. Then the minute I think I've given her what she needs, she gets into the trash. She attacks the other dog. She annoys the kids. IT'S NEVER ENDING!!!!!

Tell you what, if I ever finish this book, Basil will NOT be in the acknowledgements.

Random Cuteness

Yeah, can she just stay this cute and excited about school forever?

Where does the time go?

Oh, have I been forgetting to blog? Shoot. Well, I've been writing, writing, writing, so I haven't lived much life. So I don't have super awesome news or anything.

But I am enjoying following along with Goodreads. I know I might come to regret that statement, but for now, it's been very positive! (from people that actually read the book) haha

Hope you're all enjoying your week!

Bye, Bye Little Birdies...

First day of freedom...er... I mean school. First day of school. (haha! Fist pump!)






Think I'll sit around and do WHATEVER I WANT today. :-)

-Suz

A very important blurb

I think the next few months (five, really) are going to be very exciting. The Naughty List comes out February 4th, but Advanced Reader Copies are out in the world. I get several emails a day from readers and that is seriously one of the coolest things ever! In fact, just yesterday, I got five tiaras!!!

But then finally today, I got my first blurb. I couldn't believe it. This person is a harsh critic. Never have I known them to blurb any other book, so their endorsement means the world. It's a little late to add any blurbs to the actual book, so this one will just have to live here. Seriously, I'm so honored.

Here it is:

The Naughty List is AMAZING! It's addictive, cute, and suspenseful. It's going to be a huge hit!!!! (And I better get book 2 as soon as it's ready!)
-Suzanne's Mom

Thanks, Mom!!!!

So you want to be a writer?

Really? Well, I probably won’t be able to help you. If you read books and blog posts on how to get published, they most likely will tell you to do the opposite of everything I did. Haha.

I’ve met some folks lately who’ve decided to take the plunge and write a book. And they asked me how I did it. Sigh. This might take a while, so here’s the quick(ish) version of my journey. And my, what a long(ish), strange trip it’s been.

I’ve been writing since middle school, but oddly enough, never intended to write a novel. In college, I majored in Creative Writing, but again, it was because I thought it was fun, not because I thought I could write a book. I wrote short stories, mostly non-fiction.

After years of waiting tables (thanks, college degree!) I eventually fell into a teaching job. Seriously, it was one of those just-happen-to-meet-someone moments. I ended up teaching Language Arts to middle schoolers for five years before leaving Arizona. Again, never thought of writing a book, although I never stopped writing short stories.

Fast forward two years later. Completely out of the blue, I began a story and about a halfway through, I realized it was a novel. Had no idea what to do about that! I rarely paid attention in writing class. I was writing!

So I started emailing chapters to my friends who loved it. They kept me going, harassing me for the next chapter. Then I went online where I met some amazing writers. Ones who taught me about the process. Heather and Andrew became my readers and Heather told me about agents. Agents? I’d never heard of them. Like real estate agents?

That’s when I discovered my one talent—writing queries! Haha. Loved it. About nine months after writing my first book, I got an agent for my fourth book. Yes, in those nine months I wrote four books. But before I got an agent, I did the unthinkable—I queried editors. And got interest! Which was sort of how I got the agent.

Months went by without a sale. I kept writing—four more books to be exact—and made some more friends online. I still had so much to learn. When I started meeting published authors (whose books I hadn't exactly read... Sorry!) they would read my stuff and really encourage me. Just when I was about to give up.

Then my agent dropped me.

I was back to square one, hopeless really. But then I decided, I don’t need no stinkin’ agent! I subbed directly to editors again (which I’m not advocating. Sorry, editors!) and it was my favorite person in the world, Laura at Razorbill, that decided to take me on. Coincidentally, I got another agent just in time to get three offers and a two-book deal. Yay! A few months later, I got another two-book contract and suddenly, I was about to publish four books!!

But how? I didn’t have much of a plan. Hate to say this, there was a lot of luck involved. And probably the biggest thing… I kept writing. I didn’t pin everything on Broken (my first novel). Or my second, which will remain unnamed so that Heather won’t laugh her face off. Or even Began, Ginger Snaps!, or Unkissable. It was Sex Kittens—later to be renamed The Naughty List (Thank God!)

Less than two years of trying, no knowledge of the industry, multiple agents, querying editors directly… all of these possible roadblocks to publication. But hey, I’m glad it worked out.

I guess what it's made me see, especially after talking with so many other published authors, is that there is no right way. Everyone’s journey will be different. For me, I honestly believe it worked out because I kept writing.

So yeah, I say it a lot. Just keep writing.

Oh, the company I keep

I was strolling through the bookstore the other day and decided to pick up a book. Weird, right? It just so happened to be a Razorbill book. And it got me thinking, I seem to like a lot of Razorbill books! Another weird, right? And then I thought, I should blog about them!

So here are a few Razorbill authors that I really enjoy reading, and if you haven't read their stuff before, you should really consider it! And luckily they all have more to come!

And as a side yay, it's only 5 months until The Naughty List is on the shelves with them!!

AUDREY, WAIT! by Robin Benway

THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher

IN YOUR ROOM by Jordanna Fraiberg

PRADA AND PREJUDICE by Mandy Hubbard

VAMPIRE ACADEMY series by Richelle Mead (which happened to be the book I picked up at the store)

Do you have a favorite Razorbill book????

Suz