Anna Elliott's Blog, page 4

Bella's Surprise

Those out there with kids will be nodding their heads sagely, but a general truth of parenting I've discovered is that it's almost never a good sign when your kids are being too quiet. Generally speaking, it means they're eating play-dough, pouring entire bottles of dish detergent down the sink, cutting their own hair . . . the list is long in my household alone.

Which means that I really should have known better yesterday when I didn't hear from Bella the ENTIRE time I was making lunch and feeding Vivi. But we'd had a busy morning going to a storytelling class for her, she'd been running around lots and said she was going to rest on Vivi's bed. What could go wrong, right?

So, after the (ominous, I now realize) 20 minutes of silence, Bella came RACING down the stairs.

Bella: "Mommy! Mommy! I have a surprise for you in your room!"

Me: "Great! Um, what is it?"

Bella: "I'll give you a clue! It starts with an H. Come up with me. And close your eyes! Don't look until I tell you!"

I closed my eyes and let her lead me upstairs. And when I opened them, this is what I saw on my bedroom floor:

Actually, this image doesn't even convey the full multi-layered reality of Bella's pile. Basically she had dumped a hamper of dirty clothes, the plastic bag recycling, half my bookshelf, a package of Vivi's diapers, the entire contents of our medicine cabinet . . . it was, without a doubt, the biggest mess I have ever seen. And–those with kids will be nodding again–for any mother of a 4 year old and a 1 year old, that is saying something.

And she was SO delighted with her creation. "Look," she told me proudly. "It's a HOUSE. Get it? House starts with H! I've made a house for us, and I've thought of everything we might need! Do you want to live in it with me?"

What to say . . . what to say . . . I took a deep breath. "You bet, sweetie," I said. "It's a fantastic house." Mama-of-the-year? Or epic parenting fail? I'm still not entirely sure. I just couldn't bring myself to scold her when she was so incredibly excited and had clearly worked so diligently.

And then it occurred to me while we were 'living' in the house–having a great time, actually–that this is one of the reasons that having kids is actually GREAT for a writing career. It's all about surrender of control. Yes, as an author I'm in charge of my story–but I have to let myself surrender to it, too, if I'm going to faithfully capture what it needs to be. Sometimes that leads to a gigantic mess. But that's how you uncover hidden truths about your characters and plot. Like the missing bottle of baby tylenol that rolled out of Bella's pile. Sometimes you just have to give in and let your characters wreak havoc with what you thought was going to be your plot, sink into the current of your story and let it carry you wherever it will.

I'm going to keep reminding myself of that. Right after I mobilize my entire family to clean up my bedroom floor.

The Raven Queen

Thanks so much, everyone! Bella is MOST excited that her story was read and enjoyed by so many people. Her eyes got very big when I said that people all over the world had read it and she said, "Did they know it was a children's story?"

Cutie. I'm going to go with 'yes' on that one.

She'd like to share a book recommendation with you today. Well, okay, maybe I want to share a book recommendation. Jules Watson's The Raven Queen released this week, and if you only buy one historical fantasy book this year, buy this book–it's the story of Queen Maeve from Irish legend, and it's amazing amazing amazing.

And Bella did pick up my copy and say she liked it. I said, You mean, you like the cover? Which is gorgeous, see above. And she said, No, I like the words inside!

I'm sure this of course had nothing to do with the fact that Jules came to Bella's birthday party and gave her a coloring book, stamps, and a stuffed koala. Not that I am name-dropping or anything. But yes, I actually KNOW Jules Watson. Isn't that so cool? The reigning queen of the Celtic fantasy, and she lives right here in the same city I do. I was the biggest fan girl of her writing even before I met her in person, and I always feel like she should be wearing a superhero cape or at least a sparkly tiara every time we meet.

(graphic proof of coolness)

But, even if I had never met Jules in my life, I would still say: read this book. I don't know any other author as skilled at creating a world of mists and legend that truly lives and breathes.

I actually got to interview Jules for Writer Unboxed last month. (This being part of my playing catch-up that I'm only posting the link now). But you can read the interview either here or here. She shares some great insights into writing and researching historical fiction.

Playing Catch-Up

I think about updating this blog all the time. Really, I do. I have whole posts all planned out in my mind, even the titles all chosen . . . and then somehow there's a giant black hole in between thinking about it and the actual execution. This month, of course, that black hole involved 2 sick kids and a sick husband and copy edits on Sunrise. Oh, and a snowstorm that knocked out our heat and power. So maybe I have a little more excuse than usual. But anyway, I am now playing catch up. This week (really really I swear) I'll have some new posts and announcements up. But today's post is taken, because I promised my 4 year old I would put up a story she told me on my blog.

A little backstory–way back before Twilight of Avalon was even published, I wrote my very first blog post EVER about Bella's first story ever. I mean, the first original story she made up on her own. Bella awhile back overheard me talking to a friend about this story and how I'd blogged about it, and ever since she's been asking me if I'll 'put another of her stories on my web page'. I'm not entirely sure that at 4 she has any idea what that means, but she's very excited about the idea. So, fast forward to today, when she and I are at a weekly storytelling/improv class that we take together. Bella loves the acting and the dancing and the art. But then every week it comes time to sit down and write a story together and . . . she digs in her heels. Why? I have no idea. Does it feel too much like work? Is she distracted by the other kids? I don't know. So this week, I told her, "Bella, if you tell me a story to write down, I'll put it on my blog!"

Yep, mama of the year that I am, when all else fails, I go for bribery. However, in this case, I am kind of glad I did, because otherwise I might have missed out on this gem of a Bella story, which I will set down verbatim as she dictated it to me. As you can see, she has shifted genres from her first story and is now going for a fairy tale/horror/crime/police procedural/family drama blend.

Bella's story:

Once upon a time there lived an old castle. There lived an old ghost who didn't like people to come inside or outside his bedroom door. Then a naughty boy came inside his bedroom and asked if he could have a chance to write. Then another little girl who was naughtier than the boy came in and asked for a chance to build a wall. Finally, the ghost hit her. (He's an old ghost, remember). The girl fled out of that home and the ghost chased her. Then the ghost finally catched (sic) up to her and threw a net over her head!

(Interjection from me, when Bella showed signs of wandering off to play with the stickers here: You can't just leave the poor girl there with a net over her head! What happened next?)

Bella again:

(Imagine a 4 year old eye roll here).

Well, she could see through the net. The firemen couldn't come because there was another fire. She called her mommy and daddy, but they couldn't come because they weren't home. Then she was in prison for A WHOLE YEAR. Her mommy and daddy got her after a whole year in prison. And she said– well, she didn't say anything because she felt foolish.

And that's it–word for word the story as Bella dictated it to me. It's so amazing for me to read her first story at barely two and then see what a difference there is between 2 and 4. And is it me, or is the poor kid doomed to be another writer for sure?

Thank you, Michael Flatley

I'm a complete Irish dance junkie. It all started when I was pregnant with my first daughter and writing the first of my Twilight of Avalon trilogy. Living in an apartment on my husband's grad student stipend, a research trip over to England wasn't really an option, especially since I hadn't yet sold the book or even landed an agent. So to put myself in a misty, dark-age Celtic frame of mind, I watched Riverdance approximately 4 million times.

This means that from before birth, my oldest has been brainwashed into loving Irish dance as much as I do. She can't wait to be five and take official lessons. But for now she loves watching Riverdance herself and mimicking the moves. We don't have tv, but sometimes on a cold, snowy evening I'll find some Riverdance videos on Youtube and let her dance across the floor of my office. So last night, I found a Riverdance playlist. Terrific, I thought, she can dance for a few minutes while I run into the other room and feed her sister. Perfect. Which it was. Until this little number from Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance popped up in the playlist. Of COURSE while I was out of the room.

Now, let me say that these are all lovely talented girls dancing. But the kind of thing I want my four year old daughter to learn? Um, well.

Bella came streaking into the dining room where I was feeding her sister, SO excited. "Mommy, mommy," she said. "You have to come and see this. It's a dance I've never seen before! The ladies have the most beautiful dresses! And then they throw their clothes off!"

Awesome. Thank you, Michael Flatley.

Tell Me a Story, Mama

After I put my baby down to sleep for the night, all tucked into her crib with her baby doll under one arm, I head into my older girl's room to spend a few minutes with her before she goes to sleep. And every night as soon as I settle next to her in her bed, the first thing she says is, "Tell me a story."

Now, to be really super honest, as AWESOME and lovely as this request is, most nights I really have to dig deep to appreciate the awesomeness, because at this point in my day I am so, so ready for the day to be done. I've been with my girls all day long, fielding all those mama requests: Can I have a juice box? Can you play hide and seek with me? Mama, Vivi smushed banana into the carpet. You know, the usual. And in between I've spent every minute I'm not chasing a 1 and 4 year old chasing down the plot points of my own stories. Squeezing one final story out of my totally exhausted creativity well at the end of my day sounds next to impossible. And yet it always reminds me of why I write in the first place.

Bella's favorite stories for me to tell involve (coincidentally) two little girls named Bella and Vivi who are called to ride with the Dream Fairy in her snow-white horse drawn carriage to distribute dreams to all the children in the world. Either that or she likes stories about a little ghost named Casper who has a baby sister ghost and is (coincidentally) good friends with a little girl named Bella who has a baby sister Vivi.

She likes stories with her as a character, basically. And isn't that the magic that books and stories offer us all? Characters that we can see ourselves in, allowing us to vicariously live in a world made of magic. A world where a friendly ghost might knock on your front door wanting to play, or a dream fairy may tap on your windowpane at night and invite you for a carriage ride.

Coming Next September!

I just got the cover image for Sunrise of Avalon and (of course!) wanted to share:

This is another of those 'author moments' and one of my favorites. It's just pure, pure wonderful fun to see what image my book is going to wear when it meets the world. I'm so lucky the art department at Touchstone does such a lovely job every time!

And have I shared the back cover copy on Sunrise yet? Maybe so, but I'll share it again here in honor of the pretty cover. I'm so excited to have this book moving steadily closer to being out in the world–the final chapter in Trystan and Isolde's story, and I'll be able to share it at last. The publication date has been set for September 13 of 2011, so mark your calendars!

In the final installment of Anna Elliott's Twilight of Avalon trilogy, Trystan and Isolde continue their romance and adventure to protect their beloved Britain from threats both old and new.

Former High Queen Isolde and Trystan, a mercenary with a lonely and troubled past, have undertaken a dangerous mission and endured a perilous journey to keep the traitorous Lord Marche from the throne of Britain. But now a new traitor lurks amongst the kings on Britain's High Council, and a new danger calls Trystan from Isolde's side and tests the strength of their secret marriage vow.

As the clouds of war gather, Isolde and Trystan must once again fight to protect Britain's throne. Together, they hold the key that can defeat Octa of Kent and Lord Marche. And yet the cost of Britain's sovereignty may be their own forbidden love.

Author Moments

I don't usually feel like an 'author' most days. A writer, sure–I've been writing every day for more than ten years now and my stories are always, always in my head, every minute of the day and night, begging me to write them down. But the whole being a published author part? Honestly, it's still kind of surreal. I see my books on a bookstore shelf or see them mentioned online or get an e-mail from someone who's read one and it's like, Whoa, wait, I wrote that!

I call those moments 'author moments' when it suddenly hits me that my books really are out there in the world and that other people–thousands of people I've never met and never will–are reading it. It's wild. And wonderful! And amazing!

So this week I had one of my most fun author moments ever, when this video popped up on my google alerts in my in-box. Do you know about google alerts? Most authors have them, I think. You set it up so that any time someone mentions you or your book on-line, you get an e-mail about it. So be careful what you say, we authors are watching you! (Kidding! Kidding!)

Anyway, what popped up on my google alerts was this video from Youtube. It's Morgan and Arthur's story–my Morgan and Arthur from the prologue of Twilight of Avalon.

Twilight of Avalon–the beginning

I love it! It's so beautifully done and so amazing for me to watch. It captures the spirit of the book so well it's like watching my story brought to life.

Happy Holidays, everyone! And special thanks to Ana, the lovely creator of the video, for my favorite early Christmas gift and for letting me link to it here!

Books Books Books, Children's edition

Yesterday I was over on Writer Unboxed, blogging about maintaining enthusiasm in a career in writing. And I forgot to mention it here! But stop by, there were some very thoughtful responses in comments.

And as promised, I wanted to share my absolute favorite children's picture books. We love the 'classics' of course, but since everyone knows about Brown Bear Brown Bear and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, I wanted to share a couple of lesser-known titles here, ones you may not have heard about.

First: The Fourteen Bears in Summer and Winter

I LOVE this book. It was actually one of my favorites when I was small, and now my two girls love it just as much. The pictures are so gorgeous you'll want to crawl inside them and live in the bears' world, promise! And the stories are sweet and lovely. There's a repeated line: "The fourteen bears walked paw in paw through the forest. And the birds sang, and the breeze blew, and the sun beat on their ears." Now, when Bella was 2 or so, we were working on memorizing prayers and were learning one that reads, "Oh God, educate these children, these children are the plants of Thine orchard, the flowers of Thy meadow, the roses of Thy garden. Let Thy rain fall upon them; let the Sun of Reality shine upon them with Thy love."

Except that we had read the Fourteen Bears story so many times that Bella would consistently get mixed up and say, "Let Thy rain fall upon them; let the Sun of Reality beat down on their ears."

Hmmm, I seem to be running out of nap-time to blog, but I'll do one more:

Peek-a-boo, by Janet and Alan Ahlberg.

This book is so charming. So, so charming and sweet. Lovely rhyming verses and adorable, beautifully detailed pictures. And every time I read it, I am delighted by the fact that the house is much messier than mine!

More coming soon. And a cover for Sunrise of Avalon, too!

Books Books Books

Someone asked me in an interview recently what books I could recommend–which made me realize that even though I read constantly, I don't post nearly often enough about what books I've been reading recently. So here are just a few of my recent favorites. I'd say right in time for the holiday season, but I personally never need things like holidays for an excuse to buy books!

Seer of Sevenwaters, by Juliet Marillier.

I've read every single book Juliet Mariller has ever written–twice!–and oh my gosh, is this one a must-read for any fans of her Sevenwaters series. Utterly, utterly gorgeous, it's the story of Sibeal, a girl on the verge of making her final pledge as a druid. But when she helps nurse a survivor of a shipwreck back to health, she finds her heart torn between vocation and love. Stunningly gorgeous language; wonderful, magical immersion in Irish mythology and lore, just an utterly beautiful book.

On the Line, by S J Rozan.

This is the latest in Rozan's Bill Smith/Lydia Chin mysteries, and wow, what a read. I wouldn't recommend starting with it if you've not read others in the series. But it's a heart-pounding, thrill-a-minute ride for any fans of her mystery series. Be prepared to get nothing done and no sleep, it's that hard to put down!

Bayou Moon, by Ilona Andrews.

Ilona Andrews is actually a pseudonym for a husband and wife writing team–which, how amazing is that?–and this is the second in a series of paranormal romance/urban fantasy type books. From the back: "The Edge lies between worlds, on the border between the Broken, where people shop at Wal-Mart and magic is a fairy tale–and the Weird, where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny . . ."

This is one of the most unique, fun, fantastic fantasy worlds I've ever encountered. Combined with great characters and a compelling romance, it's a hugely fun read.

That's all for now, but tune in soon for more–and for my girls' favorite children's books, too!

The Last Two Weeks in Bullets

Eek, it's been so long since last I blogged! Here are the last two weeks in a nutshell:

* 3 more colds. I'm not kidding. I wish I were kidding. But those little rubbery germ guys? Have unpacked their little suitcases and plan on staying awhile, apparently. We've had 3 more colds in the last weeks, the last of which turned into . .

*Croup for Vivi, poor sweetie. But I'm SO thankful that it was a very mild case. Still, she . . .

* Also cut 3 new molars. All in the same week! Really, she should file a complaint with the Teething Board, right?

*Plumbing leak in our basement.

*Broken refrigerator. Which is still not fixed. But luckily it's cold enough outside that we can keep things in our garage. I really am thankful! Can't imagine what we'd do if we were in the midst of a 100 degree spell in the summer. And . . .

*I sent the first 30 thousand words of my new book to my agent, and he loved it! Which somehow makes all of the above perfectly okay. I love being a writer.

*Also, I've used Willow, Aisling, Rafe, and Kieran as character names in my new book. Every one of them is a Mr. Husband-rejected baby name! I love being a writer so much that I don't really need perks about the job. But it's always nice when they pop up!