The other day I pulled out my TOUCHING THE SURFACE playlist. I love going back and listening to the music that inspired me while I was creating this story. Here’s Jack Johnson singing NEVER KNOW…
What music is making an impact on your writing?
I know that it seems like all I’m doing is posting about the fantastic new books I’m getting the opportunity to read, but I can’t help it. I am surrounded by talent. I believe that 2012 is going to be an amazing year for MG/YA books. I’ve pulled some info from Sarah Tregay’s website and Goodreads so that I can tell you a little bit about LOVE & LEFTOVERS.
My debut novel, LOVE AND LEFTOVERS, will be available in stores on January 1, 2012. It is published by Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint o fHarperCollins.
I am represented by Danielle Chiotti of Upstart Crow Literary. To learn a little more about Danielle, please visit Chuck Sambuchino’s Guide to Literary Agents Editor’s Blog, on Mother. Write. (Repeat.) or in theOctober 2010 issue of Writer’s Digest in “The Hot List.”
I was so excited when an ARC of WHAT SHE LEFT BEHIND showed up in my mailbox. Yes, I did a little happy dance because Tracy is my pub-sister at Simon Pulse and a fellow Apocalypsie, making me double eager to read this book! I’ve pulled some information from Goodreads and Tracy’s website so I could share this amazing book and author with you.
Sara and her mom have a plan to finally escape Sara’s abusive father. But when her mom doesn’t show up as expected, Sara’s terrified. Her father says that she’s on a business trip, but Sara knows he’s lying. Her mom is missing—and her dad had something to do with it. Each day that passes, Sara’s more on edge. Her friends know that something’s wrong, but she won’t endanger anyone else with her secret. And with her dad growing increasingly violent, Sara must figure out what happened to her mom before it’s too late…for them both.
I went running this morning. (Thursday) I needed to be connected to the earth again after yesterday’s overwhelming cover reveal. I spent Wednesday glued to my seat, in front of my lap top, amazed at the outpouring of love and support. I smiled non-stop for over twelve straight hours and I shall cherish the wrinkles that I earned from that experience.
As I pounded the pavement, I felt sure that I would be writing a post today that would thank everyone who was so kind. But I can’t. One foot after the other, this post started to take shape in my head–my footfalls like my fingers on the keys. And like most of my writing–I start in one place and then let go–allowing my inner compass to take me home.
But before I write that post, I still need to say a quick thank you to Anica Rissi and everyone at Simon Pulse, to Michelle Wolfson, to the Class of 2k12, to the Apocalypsies, to all my writer buds and most of all…to the local friends in my life. I know, that for me, the term local has changed and expanded as I’ve traveled. But no matter where you are, you all have stayed in my heart. I consider you part of my home–the place I love most. To all of you…
I need you to know that I was moved by your generosity and support. You make me want to write better books and be a better person.
So, today’s blog post IS about thanking people, but it’s about giving a shout out to the people in my life who have hurt me. I’m not going to name names. *cackles and rubs hands together* Yeah, it might be a little fun, but seriously it doesn’t matter. What matters, is that while I was running, I was thinking about what comes next after the cover reveal. After the love and support. After the fan fair and joyous celebration.
Next….
Comes the smack down!!!!!! *dum, dum, dum, dum*
Sure–I’m still expecting lots and lots of good things to happen with TOUCHING THE SURFACE. Sheesh, I’ve spent years of my life working on this book, pouring my heart and soul into it and I think it will be good. I know it will make a difference in someones life. I believe it will matter. But, just like in my own life (the freaky place where not everyone likes me) there will be people who are vocal about not liking my book and perhaps…even it’s author. *gasp* I won’t lie, the thought of that made my steps falter while I was running. It made my stomach clench. But then I remembered–I have good training for this.
I can handle being wounded because people in my life have hurt me.
I don’t get over it easily. Usually it takes me at least a novel and one or two blog posts to work through a problem in a semi-satisfactory manner. And even then, there are no guarantees. But I survive. And more important, I suck the freaking essence from the haters’ mean asses and use it to become a better person.
(There might be a little residual anger involved, but I’m working on that.)
What I’m trying to say is that I believe our life prepares us for our life. If someone had handed me a newborn, without allowing me to carry the little critter in utero for nine months, I never would have made it. I slowly built up to the level of sleep deprivation, poor grooming skills and weeping that I needed in order to be a successful mother. Without the inability to touch my toes for weeks at a time, I never would have had the proper perspective that I needed for when the baby came along. The universe has a built in training program to help us survive. It’s the equivalent of a GOOD parent guiding a teenager. The teenager CAN NOT see the forrest through the trees. Later they understand. In life…we are that teenager. More often than not…oblivious.
Okay…it’s only a theory and the next person to hurt me will make all of these larger than life thoughts fly right out of my head. I’ll curl up in a little ball and lick my wounds until I can start the healing process. You know how it goes… two steps forward–one step back. But I’m a big-picture girl at heart. And it’s good to know that at the end of each bump in my road, I can always get to that spot where I believe that the people who hurt me the most–give me the greatest gift off all–strength.
Nanny, nanny, boo, boo.
It’s here!!!!! My cover is finally here…well…it’s not here. It’s HERE!!!!