Friday Five: Friday the 13th edition 06.13.2014

In honor of Friday the 13th, 5 movies or books that scared me as a kid:

• 5. Shocker:
  
  I didn't watch or read many scary things for a few reasons: I was an only child with no cable. Also, I would get nightmares. This, along with probably any other scary movie that still haunts me, I watched with my cousins (because that's what cousins are for!).
  
• 4. Cujo.
  
  Is this even considered among King's scariest books? It was to me. After it, The Stand was the only other one I've ever read.
  
• 3. Gremlins
  
  These buggers scared me like whoa. I was probably too young when I saw it.
  
  
• 2. Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's Witch Saga.
  
  I LOVED these books even though they scared me.
  
• 1. Nightmare on Elm Street. The original.
  
  I STILL have nightmares and the song still makes me shiver. 

So, what scared YOU when you were a kid?

Friday Five 05.16.2014

5 things I read this week ending 5/16/14, or since the last Friday Five...

• This truly fabulous post from Brigid Kemmerer (whose Elementals series I LOVE, btw) on expectations vs. reality for the published author. It's so honest and open and not blowing sunshine and rainbows. It's realistic. I wish she didn't have to repeat something along the lines of I'm not complaining! but I understand that she did--literally, she had to. Without the disclaimer (or even with) it's pretty much impossible to be published, even for super small time me, and talk about the non-magical aspects of publishing without hearing, either from real voices or the perfectly self-defeating ones in your head, how every single unpublished author ever would happily trade places with you and not complain at all. So often we shut ourselves up out of fear of sounding ungrateful. But you can discuss the realities, even the occasional negatives, of something without being ungrateful. Takeaway: "Regardless of whether you publish traditionally or on your own, it generally stands to reason that writing and self-editing the book is the easy part."

• On the more pep-talk side of the spectrum, Christa Desir's blog post on backing away slowly from the Amazon ranking. Takeaway: "But then, after that first day, that first month, those first six months, you wake up to the morning when your book is ranked 700,000 on Amazon. So basically the world wants to read 699,999 books more than yours. Perfect.... At the end of the day, writers need to remember that they created something and it is a thing that some people will love and some people will hate and some people will never know even existed and really that's okay. Go about the business of being you."
  
• One of a million "life-hacks" lists, which was not what I'd call genius overall, except that Imma try the popsicle trick. Takeaway: Gelatin in your popsicles will make them less melt-y.
  
• This TOTALLY GENIUS confirming-once-again-how-I-totally-adore-teenagers where a 16-year-old shows us mainstream/counter-culture styles through the decades. Takeaway: Just look at it.
  
• The WSJ article on John Green and this sort of rebuttal from Anne Ursu. For the record, I don't think John Green in any way asks to be elevated to this savior status, and I respect that he doesn't tend to comment after the fact on how the media portrays him. He seems like a genuinely good human. The takeaway, however, from Anne's piece: "Jacobs is talking with a lot of authority for someone who has no idea what he’s talking about. He’s not alone, though—lots of people who have no idea what they are talking about believe that YA is two genres: Twilight and its imitators and John Green and those he supposedly inspired. Guess which one they think is better?... These articles about YA are based entirely on accepted truths from people who live entirely outside the field; they keep getting perpetuated, and everyone nods sagely as someone else proclaims John Green is saving poor teenage girl readers from those silly silly vampire books." And much more.

What do you think? What have YOU been reading?

Friday Five 05.02.14

5 things I read this week ending 5/2/2014:

• This great advice to young critics by Matt Zoller Seitz, pretty much all of which works for writers too. #9 especially. Takeaway: "Nobody wants to read a piece that's structured that way. Even if they did, the form would be more a hindrance than a help to the writing process, because it makes the writer settle on a thesis before he or she has had a chance to wade around in the ideas and inspect them. So to Hell with the outline. Just puke on the page, knowing that you can clean it up and make it structurally sound later."
  
• Kate Messner telling it straight: if we want more diverse children's/YA literature, we must also BUY IT. No one likes to talk about money, but it is a factor here. Employ all your means to effect change. If dollars are one of your means, spend them to encourage diverse books. Takeaway: "At the end of the day, publishing is a business that needs to make money to survive. Given that reality, the best way for readers to ask for more diversity in children’s literature is not with words and tweets and blog posts alone but also with dollars."
  
• M.G. Buehrlen on ebook piracy. This is not a diatribe; it's a story. A good, honest one about how we make mistakes or tell ourselves little justifications...and how sometimes NOT getting everything you want leads to the things you REALLY DO. Takeaway: "So I get it. That urge and sudden need to HAVE THIS ART RIGHT NOW OR OMG I’M GOING TO DIE. I totally get it. But that didn’t make me any less of a selfish douche. My lack of money was just a fact of life, and I was in the same boat as pretty much every other college kid. It was a fact of life that wouldn’t have harmed me in any way. NOT downloading or listening to that music wouldn’t have killed me, even though it felt like it now and again.It may have even made me better."
  
• One more honest post (do you see the trend?) from Stefanie Gaither on how sometimes it's not so simple as just loving writing. And it's not. There's a lot of spin out there, people. It's hard to make our private doubts public because we're conditioned to pretend we don't have them. But we do. We really do. Writing is a hard business and it's not always easy to say (or pretend) "I'd do this for freeeeeeeeee, foreeeeeeeever, because I just looooooove to write!" I never say that, actually. It's not part of my personal narrative, and I don't have it in me to pretend. Takeaway: "I am ETERNALLY grateful to know that I will have a book on the shelves in September, even if it's the only one that ever makes it to said shelves. But ...The warm-and-fuzzy feeling that writing gives you may not always be as warm and fuzzy as it was when you first started. Sometimes it will be downright cold and prickly and you'll probably wonder if it was ever there in the first place, or if you were just fooling yourself. I personally don't think that makes you less of a 'real writer'; it just makes you human."
  
• Annnd a late addition here at posting time: Smart Bitch Sarah Wendell on the dreadful coverage of the Harlequin to HarperCollins deal. In short: a whole lot of everybody, including the media, still treats romance, and their readers, like shit. It's gross. Don't be gross. Takeaway: "You'd think that this was enough of a story with very wide reaching ramifications that business reporters would be able to take it seriously. But instead of examining the differences between the two companies, how Harlequin has often led the way in digital transitions in romance, how readers perceive the different publishers as brands, how each publisher has markedly different approaches to reader cultivation, library relations, and community building, and how each has followed very different timelines for all of the above plus many other initiatives in digital and print publishing, it's much easier and a well-worn path to just make sex jokes and call it a day."

What else have YOU been reading?

Friday Five 04.18.2014

5 things I read this week ending 4.18.14:

• Sweet little article from TeenVogue with popular authors explaining how to become a published writer. Takeaway: It's hard work, and there's no perfect path. Nothing in this article was new to me, but I just love reading things directed at teens telling them how to pursue their dreams--realistically.
  
• Sarah Negovetich on writing a newsletters that is actually interesting to readers. Takeaway: It's not all about you! Also, get a mailing list. I'll get working on that. :)
  
• This really amazing post from YA Love on are teen girls seeing themselves reflected in what they read--for themselves and for school. Read this. Takeaway: The short answer is yes, in what they choose, and NO, a big, fat, glaring no, in school. I accept the limitations, that this is one survey from teens at one school, BUT, having been both a teacher and a teen girl, once upon a time, it all rings true to me.
  
• A really great (old) article from the LA Times on how the musical acting was acheived in The Red Violin. I adore--adore--this movie. I've watched it a billionty times. If you have any interest in music and the interweaving of tragic stories, watch it! Takeaway: "The story is more concerned with the violin itself than any of its transient caretakers, and [the director]'s  challenge was to make his audiences care deeply for an inanimate piece of wood." And you do!
  
• Another stop at Cynthia Leitich Smith's blog for a post by Michele Weber Hurwitz on comparison. For the second time in two weeks, comparison is the thief of ... (a brill little quote from Teddy Roosevelt) caught my eye. Because it is, and I am as guilty of it, while trying not to do it, as anyone. Takeaway: "While glowing reviews and awards are certainly wonderful, I've come to realize that rewards arrive in many forms, and often the best are the most heartfelt, touching, and personal."

What have YOU been reading?

Friday Five 4.11.14

5 things I read this week ending 4.11.14:

• Fat Chance, on approaching fitness for the (significantly) overweight. It's lengthy and gives a lot to think about, not all about fitness. Takeaway: "'Finally, do not compare yourself to anyone, ever. Your journey is unique. Comparison is the thief of dreams...You can't be a back-of-the-pack runner and not have some fun," she laughs. "It's time to celebrate your efforts and find the joy in the journey.'"
  
• This stop on the yearly YA scavenger hunt blog thingy, at Sarah B. Larson's (Defy) site, featuring a Finn Belastra scene from Jessica Spotswood (Born Wicked, Star Cursed). I love me some Finn, but don't read it unless you've read Star Cursed because spoilers.
  
• An interview with Lamar Giles about his debut Fake ID and diversity in writing--authors and characters. Takeaway: Lots, but particularly liked: "But, I believe if you’re writing fiction with the goal of pleasing everyone who reads it, you’re writing bland fiction."
  
• Janice Hardy for Pub Crawl on turning the shiny new idea into a novel. Takeaway: "If [your character's] the same person at the end as the beginning, that’s a red flag that she might just be acting out plot, and doesn’t really have anything to gain (or risk) by going through this experience."
  
• A little kid-craft goodness from No Time for Flashcards on simple flower suncatchers for spring. Takeaway: sequins, glue, fun.

What have YOU been reading lately?

Friday Five: 4.4.14

Resurrecting my Friday Fives! Can't promise weekly, but I resolve to do...more. :)

5 things I read this week:

• Great post from Sean Ferrell on feeling small and writing on. Takeaway: "Caring gives the work power over you, and it’s not afraid to use it. Let it."
  
• Natalie Whipple's too practical, blunt, and totally true advice on staying in the game. Takeaways: "Sometimes you gotta give up on something to move forward." and "Sometimes when you get into the writing community it feels like EVERYONE in the whole world writes, but they don't. So be proud of yourself."
  
• The recipe for this milkshake. Takeaway: Um, cake batter milkshake + bourbon. What part of that doesn't sound delicious?
  
• This article on parenting and the magic inherent in childhood, which felt like a sort of affirmation of my parenting 'philosophy' (which, let's be honest, when you're a parent, you're always looking for affirmation that you're at least not f-ing things up royally). Takeaway: "It is not our responsibility to manufacture contrived memories on a daily basis. None of this negates the importance of time spent as a family, but there is a huge difference between focusing on being together and focusing on the construction of an 'activity.' "
  
• Susan Dennard's beyond helpful post on how to write a synopsis. Takeaway: seriously, the whole thing. Just read it.
  

What have YOU been reading lately?

Friday Five #9: Reading Roundup

Happy Friday! Lots of interesting reads to share this week:

1. A seriously beautiful post from a writer with serious chops: Libba Bray on what haunted her at seventeen (for Nova Ren Suma's 17 & Gone release)
2. A YALSA post about Boy Books, Girl Books, and what we're teaching kids about who should read what. I think everything about the situation is more complex than the article presents, but what it does say is true.
3. Perfectly accurate post on how to be a perfect parent in 5 easy steps! (Hint: you'll never be, and that's okay)
4. Two on education, starting with this thought-provoking article full of hard truths and minimal educational-rhetoric-blah-di-blah on the exhaustion of American teachers and finishing with this on one what exactly the Finnish did to climb to the top of the education mountain. (Hint: it's probably not what you think!; but also, the entire population of their country is a relatively homogeneous 5.3 million, or ~1/4 the population of New York State)
5. And finally, this Salon article with the typically inflammatory headline about the reality of a self-publishing bestseller's dollars and cents. (Hint: it's less than you think, but more than the title implies)

Whew. So, what have YOU been reading?

Friday Five #8: Reading Roundup

5 things I read this week:

1. Interesting post from author Jo Knowles on a particularly challenging revision. Reading authors' posts on "how do you...?" is always for me both fascinating and stressful. On one hand, I enjoy seeing how different it is for everyone. On the other, it's different for everyone and, therefore, easy to feel like you're doing it wrong or they're doing it better, and to fall prey to the Doubt Monster. As much as possible, I try to ignore the monster and enjoy the diversity, seeing if I might glean something that might work for me too.
2. Author Fiona Paul's two-part post on her experience writing for hire. Part 2 lists her pros and cons.
3. 12 ideas to improve writing productivity from author Marissa Meyer.
4. A smart and not-super-judgey opinion piece on living with less by Graham Hill for the NYT. I don't think I'd abide a fold-down bed, but I find a particular truth in what he says here: "But my experiences show that after a certain point, material objects have a tendency to crowd out the emotional needs they are meant to support."
5. Lovely blog Mostly YA Lit's rant in favor of GOOD BOYS. Earning a hearty cheer from me!

What have YOU been reading?

Friday Five #7: Snow Storm edition

We are snowed in. Again. So....

5 fun things we're going to do during the snowstorm:

1. Build:

Source: thebluebasket.blogspot.com via Elysha on Pinterest

2. Eat:

Source: randomitus.tumblr.com via Alexandria on Pinterest

3. Drink:  

Source: cellartracker.com via Joel on Pinterest

4. Read:

Source: amazon.com via Yadi on Pinterest

5. Watch:

Source: i.imgur.com via Meghan on Pinterest

What fun are YOU having this weekend?

Friday Five #6: More Blogs

5 more blogs/posts/articles I read this week (enjoyed doing this 5 roundup so much last week):

1. Absolutely thought-provoking post on finding the right scene temperature by Lorin Oberweger. This was a multi-time read and favorite for reference.
2. This BEAUTIFUL essay by Amy Boesky on ghostwriting Sweet Valley High
3. My friend Thomas's blog post on the launch of his second book Legacy! (sequel to The Time Weaver)
4. Author Malinda Lo's brilliant post on curating your online presence
5. Bookwyrming Thoughts- a lovely blog run by--cue epic music--an ACTUAL TEEN READER!

What have YOU been reading?

Friday Five #5: Blogs

5 blogs/posts I read this week:

1. Nancy Holder talks The Double Life @IndieRecon
2. Robison Wells talks frankly about mental illness and how it impacts so many things, including one's faith
3. Dude In Publishing talks straight about publishing anxiety and the creation of need (so great I even forgive the use of Oasis!)
4. Much-shared post by Rachelle Gardner on how not to hate self promotion (I'm not sure this spoke to me, but I can see it did speak to a lot of people and there's a bonus real life Bad Query in the comments section.)
5. 5 blogs of friends and supporters that you should check out:
• Rebecca Writes YA
• Hengist - The People of the Horse (Ms. Jacky Gray)
• Author Thomas A. Knight
• Vanilla Moon Book Reviews (and bilingual in ROMANIAN!)
• The British Book Nerd

I'll be doing a blog 5 like this periodically. So, what have YOU been reading?

Friday Five #4

Because last week I talked about getting away, and then I had a blizzard, which made getting away seem like such a nice idea. So I spent time reminding myself that I really DO love it in the Northeast and have never wanted to live anywhere else.

Think about today: 5 reasons you love where you are

1. SEASONS- all four of them, even with the blizzards
2. Trees- everywhere! all kinds!
3. Being within an hour of not just everything but several options for everything. Boston, Hartford, & Providence are an hour or less drive. So are beaches or mountains. NYC, Albany, & NH/VT are not much further.
4. Education- is a big deal here, in MA especially
5. Family- because I would never not want to be near them

What do YOU love about where you are?

Friday Five #3

Happy Friday! Today's topic:

5 places you would like to visit

1. Thailand
2. Prague (again... and again, and again, and again)
3. Chicago
4. Alaska
5. Easter Island/Chile

And Go!

Friday Five #2

Happy Friday! Today's topic:

5 songs that make you cry

1. 100 Years--Five For Fighting
2. The Freshman--The Verve Pipe
3. The Christmas Shoes--NewSong
4. Don't Take the Girl--Tim McGraw (or practically every Tim McGraw song)
5. Steady As We Go--Dave Matthews (It's a good cry though--this was my wedding song)

And Go!

Friday Five #1

This week, I had this super blog-inspiration for fun things I could easily do weekly, leading me to Thankful Thursday (see last post!) and the Friday Five (see this post!).

You might notice it is not Friday. I have fired my assistant who failed to post this on the requisite day. She is shamed, bears a permanent scarlet A forged of her own blood, and will never work in this town again. I could have waited until the next, official Friday to have my new assistant post this, but then I've never liked waiting.

And the first Friday Five is: 5 most recent books you've purchased!

1. With All My Soul (pre-order)
2.  Lost In Thought (Well, that's embarrassing. I sent a gift copy to someone.Who came up with this week's topic before checking the results?! Firing them too.)
3. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
4. Finnikin of the Rock (The Lumatere Chronicles)
5. The Odds

Go ahead and share--what are your five?