Angela Sage Larsen's Blog, page 7

Love notes to myself

Generally, authors write what they want to read. At least, I do. And today I found I wrote something that I need. I think generally I'm a pretty forgiving person…it might not always be instantaneous, but I work through it and work it out. But this morning, I was torqued. I wanted to make a special trip to see someone who I felt was being intentionally jerky and share some well-chosen biting words at a high volume. It was hard to calm down (Don't worry, I didn't break or damage anything, just felt like it).

I did make an effort to calm myself, though, as I sat in my studio huffing and puffing. Everywhere I look, I see my buddy Petalwink in here and she happened to catch my eye from a framed picture near my desk. I think she was actually winking, which is weird, I know, but true. We had this little conversation:

ME: "Have you ever dealt with someone like this?"

PWINK: "Duh. You wrote the book."

ME: "Oh, right; book 7. Belfry. He was pretty nasty."

THE WINKSTER: "Yeah, and on purpose, too."

ME: "You didn't handle it well at first, as I recall."

PETALDUB: *giggles*

ME: "I remember that you did what I'd really like to do right now which is take it into my own hands. But that wasn't the answer."

PW: *sighs knowingly*

At which point, I decided to pull up said story, Petalwink Makes Peace, in iBooks, and give it another read. I was awash in not only good memories of writing and illustrating the book, but remembering that what I write, I usually have to live (a "walk the talk" kind of thing). I loved being reminded that returning jerkiness for jerkiness is never the answer and that furthermore, the Golden Rule is always applicable.

I felt calmer after reading Petalwink's story so when I came across this Bible verse, I managed to not totally rebel against it: "Who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?" (Gal. 5:7). It reminded me of the phrase my husband so often voices, "Be a thermostat, not a thermometer!" Which basically means that it doesn't matter what anyone else is doing (how badly they might be behaving, for example), I can set the tone and do better if I know better instead of just registering the tone or atmosphere (temperature) and just going along with it.

So I'm grateful for that 7th Petalwink book which turned out to be a love letter to myself. The result is I haven't done or said anything I'll regret to this person who obviously needs a little more tender care than usual. I hope you are able to conquer the Belfrys in your life, too; and if you need a little help, feel free to have a chat with Petalwink. Sometimes it helps.

Belfry & Petalwink from "Petalwink Makes Peace" by me.

Hey! It's a giveaway!

Wander on over to Blkosiner's Book Blog to see my latest interview…and enter to win a copy of Fifties Chix: Travel to Tomorrow (you'll want to have read it because the second book in the Fifties Chix series, Keeping Secrets is coming out SOON!).

Brandi says about Travel to Tomorrow, "The book has a bit of everything: humor, happiness, sadness, and a little romance. The book is probably for middle schoolers. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone."

Enjoy! Best wishes for a win everybody…And, thanks, Brandi!

Review: True Colors by Kristin Hannah

True Colors by Kristin Hannah


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don't have sisters (at least by blood), but reading about the Grey sisters (in a charming and appealing Pacific Northwest, small-town setting) in this novel made me feel like I did. I'll admit that I was skeptical going in to read this book, so maybe my low expectations did the trick (that and I had just finished reading a book that left a bad taste in my mouth), but this was a thoroughly satisfying read. (To clarify, I think I'd have enjoyed it no matter what book I'd read immediately before).





Kristin Hannah knows how to set a scene and create rich, multi-dimensional characters; both things I require for a good read. I want to be convinced I live in their world, after all, and I was convinced. Repeated themes, symbolic details, likable characters, and a full, nicely-paced plot made for a rich reader experience. Well-written. I highly recommend!





View all my reviews

There's no such thing as a bad review…

Love this pic! from: http://bookhaven.stanford.edu/2011/02...

THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A BAD REVIEW.

Ha!

I was just trying it on for size, you know, like "there's no such thing as bad press" [articles about the children's author who got kicked off a Southwest flight for swearing comes blazing to mind]. I thought Tina Fey's chapter in her book Bossypants on the abuse she's taken on the Interwebs was soooo funny…because in this house, we continue to be astounded at *how mean* people can be on comment threads (where they can remain somewhat anonymous). Then there are customer service debacles that get published that can be pretty entertaining. BUT you forget (sometimes) that as a writer, you are writing words for the world to read and judge…….and review. On purpose. That's just crazy.

So, while a staggering high percentage of reviews for my books are pretty stellar, it's the "bad review" (oh, did you notice there was no link to it? yeah.) that I fuss over. And the timing's not terrific when I have a whole writing day planned. Talk about a creative block. I must write, write, write first and edit later (and doubt never). And by writing, I don't mean having a *3 hour internal debate* with said reviewer/s, justifying, explaining and rebutting [after all, isn't the book supposed to have done that?]. Or a *4 hour shame fest* mentally rewriting everything I've ever written because I'm obviously a complete and utter failure. But…you know what timing is terrific? When 2 blog posts about receiving bad reviews flit across my screen in a 24 hour period! (1: "Best Piece of Advice for Bad Reviews" 2. "Did that Bad Review Come with Ulterior Motives?") Awesome! I'm not alone! I'm in good company! [oh, yeah, then I'm reminded that I already knew that 'cause of the Beatitudes and stuff when Jesus said that I'm blessed when I'm "persecuted" and in good company with a lot of other high quality people--ie, prophets--who were also persecuted way worse than me for stuff way more important].

So thank you, thank you, thank you to all you writers out there for hanging in there; all you reviewers (good and bad) who take the time and care to share your thoughts…and, not to go all Tim Tebow on y'all, but thank you, Jesus, most of all for the reminder that there really is no such thing as a bad review, just blessing.

Now…to get back to writing the next amazing book so you can review it, too!

Announcing the winner of the Fifties Chix Kindle Fire Giveaway!

Congratulations, Olivia and a big THANK YOU to everyone who participated!

Stay tuned for a sneak peek at Fifties Chix book 2, Keeping Secrets.

Happy holidays, happy reading…and much love!

 

Review of "The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks" by E. Lockhart

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the course of one measly summer, Frankie goes from invisible to…well, noticeable. She gets to figure out what she thinks of herself and how to navigate what others thinks of her at her [snooty] private school.





I was impressed with the premise of the book: school pranks + the social order + gender equality + growing up. I loved the style E. Lockhart uses, embracing the reader in the confidential tone she uses, revealing secrets that she trusts us with. The first few pages, I was curious how Lockhart was going to pull this thing off, but then we were off and running and I couldn't put the book down. It was clever, bright, funny, endearing and super smart, just like Frankie. I was impressed that Lockhart could portray Frankie as a strong character while also pointing out Frankie's need to be a part of a "club" as not a weakness or pitiful neediness.





Just a great book for escape, but you'll also feel smarter for having read it. Highly recommend.





View all my reviews

Counting Down…

I am a list maker (if you didn't already know this about me) and I also like to count down ("4 more days til Christmas!") and up ("our ninth time watching New Girl!"). Soooo…I am loving today counting down the last several hours of the Fifties Chix Kindle Fire Giveaway (12/20/11, 11:59 pm). There's still time for you! Quick like a bunny hop on over to the Fifties Chix Giveaway page and see what you gotta do to be eligible to win a Kindle Fire and an autographed Fifties Chix: Travel to Tomorrow donated in your name to a charity of your choice.

In the mean time, enjoy these two entries in particular.

One from Carl, a father of three (not exactly my demographic, as he points out in his video, but a reader–a funny and entertaining one–nonetheless, so we like him) and one from AbaGayle, a young blogger (you remember, she won a T2T book in our last giveaway!).

If you don't have time to check out the above, it's probably because you are scurrying to finish your reviews. For that, I thank you and I hope you win!

Love,

Win a Kindle Fire in time for Christmas!

I'm so excited! Fifties Chix is doing yet another giveaway! And it's a big 'un. Find out how you can win a Kindle Fire in time for Christmas by clicking here (the winner will also get an autographed copy of Fifties Chix: Travel to Tomorrow sent to a charity of their choice). Best wishes!

"Keeping Secrets"

My dog Daisy is extra clingy today…wonder what she knows that I don't?! (Relevant to nothing, just posting that so if in the next few days, I have some whopper news, you'll nod your head and go, "Yep, saw that coming because of the whole needy puppy incident.")

I'm soooo excited that we got word from my agent this morning that my publisher is getting the 2nd Fifties Chix book read for print!! It's called "Keeping Secrets." It's about government conspiracy concerning Israel/Palestine. K, not really (not at all). But now that I wrote that, I want to read that book. I'm also within a few thousand words of finishing the third Fifties Chix book, "Third Time's a Charm." (Get what I did there? Third Time's…Thanks for stickin with me.) There's so very much to wrap up, but I really want to be done. Tempting to use a lot of filler like "so very much" and "really truly" come to thought, but that would not a) wrap up my storyline b) be enjoyable to read.

Last day of NaNoWriMo (which I signed up for, but didn't intend to really do. I just like the idea and am prepping myself for next year. I did work on 3 manuscripts this month, but alas, I did not write 50,000 words). Did you do it? How did it go? Oh, sorry, you have one day left. Shhhhhh….we'll not disturb you. Keep going!

Daisy, what is your deal? (besides being incredibly cute)

And the Winner of the 2011 Cyber Monday Double Giveaway is…

Click here to see who Heather Vogel Frederick chose! AbaGayle and another winner will each get 1 copy of my new book, Fifties Chix: Travel to Tomorrow and 1 copy of Heather's new book: Mother-Daughter Book Club: Home for the Holidays. Be sure to "like" Fifties Chix and the new Mother Daughter Book Club pages if you're on Facebook! And…grab your own FC and MDBC  books anywhere books are sold! Happy reading, friends!