Jo Knowles's Blog, page 30

Beauty Queens have landed!!!!!!!

Hooray hooray!!!!!!

The world is in for a HUGE treat! The Brilliant libba_bray 's novel BEAUTY QUEENS is out TODAY!




From the catalog:

From bestselling, Printz Award-winning author Libba Bray comes the story of a plane of beauty pageant contestants that crashes on a desert island.

Teen beauty queens. A Lost-like island. Mysteries and dangers. No access to emall. And the spirit of fierce, feral competition that lives underground in girls, a savage brutality that can only be revealed by a journey into the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Oh, the horror, the horror! Only funnier. With evening gowns. And a body count.

I had the supreme privilege of reading the manuscript and all I can say is, READ IT. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll probably even snort. Go go go!

Not sure anyone even does these anymore but...

...here you go, just in case:

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Monday Morning Warm-up:

Pick a random book off your bookcase (don't look!). Now use the title of the book as your writing prompt. Have fun! Share if you dare.

xo

Listen to Steven: "Keep getting back up"

Well, it's the second-to-last week of American Idol and this unintentional blog series is winding down. I admit I had a "Just turn it off, Jo" moment last night when I turned on the TV and the first image I saw was a child wearing a t-shirt that said "In it to win it" as she screamed for a glimpse of Scotty M. I really don't like that. Nope. No I don't.

[Side note: As I write this, I went to look at the recap to make sure I got the quotes right and OMG!!!! I didn't know the show went until 10! I missed the last half hour!! Oh Steven, what gems did I not get to hear? Rats.]

Well anyway.

This season has been very interesting. I mean, I really didn't set out to find inspiration every week, and I have to be honest here and say I wondered, as the eliminations got more painful and disappointing, if I could. But in the end, the real lesson I've learned is that you can find inspiration just about everywhere once you start looking. As Steven Tyler said, "Sometimes it's nice to push yourself and see how far you can go." I think we've gone just about nearly far enough. :-)

Last weekend, I was at the New England SCBWI conference, another place where you can't help but find inspiration. My favorite event was Lin Oliver's speech. She told several success stories about different SCBWI members, and at the end of each story, she would reiterate what the lesson from each one was. These were along the lines of "Do the work." "Make writing your top priority." "Listen to what people are telling you." The very last one was "You have to face your fear." Each story seemed to get more touching, and by the end, I was crying over the beauty of it all. Because more than getting published, these stories were about friendship, love, community, giving, and not giving up.

I've been thinking about Lin's stories all week. Lin's stories, my friends' stories, and my own. All of the lessons Lin mentioned are true. But they are also hard. Some days, they seem impossible. And the only way any of us have really learned and carried them out is with each others' support. So thank you.

Now, I've been feeling pretty sappy about all this since last Saturday. In fact, when I was gushing about Lin's talk, I think some of my friends thought I was taking some happy pills or something. But I haven't. I'm just happy!

In light of all this, and the fact that Haley didn't get voted off last week, I was feeling very optimistic about her. Her first song was incredible. Just incredible. Every time she performs, her originality shines. In the past two weeks, the judges have criticized her first songs, but I just knew, I just KNEW they weren't going to have anything to say to this one. And then... She fell. I couldn't believe it. And I thought, well, this is what everyone will be talking about. Not how amazing she was, but that stupid stumble. And look at me! I'm guilty of it too. But there's a point.

Because the really amazing thing was? Randy was the first judge to give feedback and he didn't mention it! He just talked about how wonderful she was. He really redeemed himself on that one. So I was bummed when Jennifer didn't follow his lead. But what she said was so important. "I've fallen too. We all have." And then Steven added, "It's not how many times you fall, it's how many times you get back up."

And there it is. Cliche as it is, that's the key. It's what Lin was telling us with all the success stories she shared with us on Saturday: Every single one of them was about getting back up. It's what Jennifer was telling us when she described how she and Beyoncé and others have fallen on stage: We've ALL made mistakes and had embarrassing falls. All of us. And it's what Steven was telling us when he said it doesn't matter how many times you fall: There's only one reason any of us who've made a sale finally made one. We kept getting back up.

I know. It's a lot easier to say than do. But really, what other choice is there? Besides, I know one way to make it easier, and it comes back to Lin and what she said about community and supporting one another and sharing our humanity. When you see someone fall, reach out your hand, hold tight, and help pull them back up. If you commit to that, I mean really commit to it, I know someone will do the same for you.

Wordless Wednesday—Just a Little Reminder

Happiness is...

1.A review so beautifully written it makes you teary.

A snippet:

PEARL is so many things… it's part family drama, part romance, and part mystery. It's peopled with characters so rich, so beautifully imperfect, that it's hard to believe they're not real. It's a book about the cost of keeping secrets, trouble that turns beautiful, and painful truths that make room for love. It is a book that believes in love, too…even after years have passed.


The full review is here. Thank you, kmessner !!

2. Gladness that people voted for the girl who listens to her heart

As implied in yesterday's post, I was sure she wasn't going to make it this week. I'm so glad I was wrong! Though of course that means someone else was eliminated. Which stinks, and why I don't really like that type of show.

3. Two lovely phone calls this week with my agent

It's funny how small, "I believe in you"-type nudges can get you back on track. Happy royalty and e-book news also helps. ;-) Thanks for all you do, Barry!

4. Packing for the New England SCBWI conference

[This photo was taken at last year's conference. That's me, Cynthia Lord and Kate Messner, two dear friends I will miss this weekend.]
After a long and lonely winter, I am probably way too excited to see friends this weekend. I will try not to hug you all too much.

Have a great weekend!

"Don't listen to them. They're both wrong." And other reasons I love Steven Tyler

So yo. Yo. Listen up, dude. Listen up.

Sorry.

No.

Can't do it.

Right. Last night my son and I tuned in to American Idol, eagerly waiting for some inspiration from our man, Steven Tyler. There are only 4 contestants left now. And after tonight, 3. Which means these posts are numbered as well. I have to say, I'm going to miss hanging on Steven Tyler's every word. I will miss looking at my son after Steven says things like, "You made Gaga's yaya go lala" and wait to see if a.) he knows what that meant or b.) he will ask make me to explain. And I will miss the relief I feel when neither happens because he was too busy playing with the cat to hear what Steven said. *phew*

I will miss when he says things like, "You deliver a song like a blue plate special." [pause] "And I love the buckles on your shoes."

*sigh*

You deliver a song like a blue plate special? How does he come up with these beauties?

Seriously. I will miss him so much.

Although.

Did you know?

He has a BOOK out!



*wants*

Last night, my son and I were particularly excited to hear our favorite from last week, Haley Reinhart. Again, each contestant had to sing two songs. The first was supposed to be a song that inspired them. Haley chose Michael Jackson's "Earth Song." As we watched, we both had a sinking feeling that the judges were going to rake her over the coals. We even knew what they would say. It was a bad choice. It didn't bring out the "real Haley." It didn't showcase her voice. And blah blah blah. And that is exactly what they did. She looked even more hurt and disappointed than last week. Until it was Steven's turn. Or I should say, until Steven basically interrupted the other two because they just wouldn't stop. He even reached his arms out across the table as if he could block their words to protect her.

"Don't listen to them!" he said."They're both wrong. The audience heard it. America heard it. Don't believe them."

And Haley smiled a little. But it was still sad.

The rest of the night, I couldn't stop thinking about the brutality of this show. Every time Randy would scream, "You are in it to WIN it!" I wanted to scream back, "No! They're in it because they love music and they love performing!"

Because it's not all about winning it, whatever it is. It's NOT. And I really don't want that to be the message people take away. I was so happy when Casey said over and over during his "exit interview" that he felt like he'd won way back when he made the top ten. That every night was just a chance to perform and have fun. He seemed genuinely happy to have had that opportunity. That's what he was in it for. The joy. I really believe that.

Sometimes as writers we get so caught up in the business side of publishing we forget what we're in it for. When we're pre-published, sometimes we get caught up in making our first sale. We become so focused on that we forget about the writing. We forget what we're doing this for and we start to go crazy with doubt about the sale instead of digging deeper and working on our craft. When we're published, sometimes we get so caught up in sales numbers and reviews and which stores are carrying our books and which ones aren't that we forget what we're doing this for and we start to go crazy with doubt again. Instead of being proud of having a book out, instead of remembering the joy we felt when we got that first call with news of that glorious first offer, we become consumed with why Barnes and Noble isn't carrying our books.

Wherever we are on this journey, we all need to stop and ask ourselves, Why are we in it?

Why do we do this?

Why?

And I just know it's not why Randy thinks.

Haley chose to sing a song that inspired her. Maybe it wasn't the best performance in the world. But she chose that song because it meant something to her. It made her feel something. It mattered. And she put that first. And honestly? Even though she looked deeply disappointed in Randy and Jennifer's comments, you could tell she was still proud. And I am so happy. So happy that Steven Tyler spread his arms out wide and said, "Don't listen to them."

Don't.

We need to listen to our hearts. We need to remember why.

We need to let all that other stuff slip away, and be in it for the joy of escaping into the stories that have to be told. For the ones only we can tell. We need to be in it for the satisfaction that comes from digging deep and being brave enough to put words on paper. For the thrill that comes when the perfect turn of phrase we've been searching for all day suddenly dances across our screen. We need to be in it for the reader we imagine sharing the story with, who will someday write a letter to say she felt like we wrote the book just for her. We need to be in it for those things, not for the fancy prize. I really believe if we are, we'll win anyway.

I'm sorry. I know I get a bit sappy writing these Steven Tyler posts. They're almost over. :-)

But before I go, here's a little inspiration (and a smile) for those of you who need some protection from the haters—even if those haters are the voices in your head. This is me, reaching my arm across the table so you can't feel them.

Don't listen to them. They're wrong.



Don't let the haters keep me off my grind
Keep my head up I know I'll be fine
Keep on fighting until I get there
When I'm down and I feel like giving up
I think of you
Whip my hair back and forth...

The paperback cover for JUMPING OFF SWINGS! Revealed!

Yesterday I received a google alert from Candlewick and...

Behold!



[This is a snapshot from the page on their Web site.]

Yay! I love it. :-)

Copies go on sale in October!

Home from Hudson

Last Friday I headed to Hudson, NY for their annual Children's Book Festival. This is a HUGE event with over 100 children's book authors and illustrators. The organizers, Lisa Dolan or Maria Suttmeier, do an incredible job promoting. They even produced a SONG (you can go here to listen, just scroll down).

As I drove up the street to my bed & breakfast, I saw a hand come out of a white car and wave excitedly. It was artistq ! After we unpacked, we decided to take a walk and go window shopping in town, famous for its antiques. As we turned one corner, we came across this ENORMOUS sign:


I adore antique stores. Every item has a story.



Sometimes, it's hard to imagine what that story is.



Sometimes, you don't want to know.



But it is definitely a treat to imagine them with a friend. Thanks for hanging out with me, Laura!

Later that night, several of the authors/illustrators met up at the INCREDIBLE restaurant, Mexican Radio. My roommate for the night kmessner (aka Kate Messner) and her daughter were there, as well as agent extraordinaire literaticat (aka Jennifer Laughran). Since the party room was so crowded,we decided to grab a table for dinner. We were joined by the lovely Aimee Ferris and her sweet son, and Danielle Joseph. The food was out of this world, as was the company.

After dinner, we walked back to our place and Laura, Kate, Jenn and I had some champagne to celebrate Kate's wonderful news: She won a Crystal Kite Award!!!! It was so nice to catch up with everyone on our little porch.

The next morning Kate and her adorable daughter and I had a lovely breakfast in town before heading to the big event. We saw a sweet gazebo that looked like the perfect place to curl up with a notebook.


But on further inspection... guess not. :-)


When we got to the high school where the event takes place, we were amazed at the displays in the hallways. There were photos of all the authors and images of their book jackets. I didn't get a photo, but it was just lovely.

Then, we found the "author" room which was the gym. There were SOOOOO many familiar faces there. I was thrilled to see Laura Weiss, who I haven't seen in a couple of years! And Terry Truman introduced himself and asked to trade books! Wow! Here we are:



I also got to see our lovely jeannineatkins .



And Katie Davis, who interviewed me for her podcast (this was my first time doing something like that).



In the afternoon when things were starting to pick up for those of us who write for teens who like to sleep in, we were interrupted by a FIRE ALARM! Everyone had to evacuate the building.



We were afraid once everyone went outside into the beautiful sunshine, nobody would come back in. But we were wrong and the afternoon was fairly busy.

It was a really fun day and I'm so grateful to the organizers and volunteers for all their hard work. I'm sure the payoff is to see hundreds and hundreds of people of all ages celebrating books and reading. Thanks Lisa and Maria and all the wonderful volunteers!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Monday Morning Warm-Up:

Describe something you own that could end up in an antique store someday. What's its story?

"Look where I am. I am here."

Wow, there are only 5 contestants left on American Idol. That means my days with Steven Tyler are numbered. Since there are only 5 contestants left, each one had to sing 2 songs last night. One upbeat, one slow. As usual, they showed clips of the mentors coaching the singers before they came on stage. And as usual, the judges would basically contradict what the singers had been told by the mentors.

Show them you can do more.
...Don't try to be who you aren't."
Step out of your comfort zone.
...Don't sing songs that aren't you.

It was a little maddening.

The saddest part was when Haley Reinhart was encouraged to sing a Lady Gaga song that hasn't been recorded yet. They built it up to be this AMAZING opportunity to sing something by LADY GAGA and NO ONE HAS HEARD IT EXCEPT IN CONCERT. They made it seem like this would be a huge honor and blah blah blah. So Haley was very excited and went for it.

And the judges hated it. They told her she shouldn't have sung a song no one knows.

It was like she'd been set up. And while she is always the happy-go-luckiest contestant, even when she's told she's in the bottom three, you could see she really felt the sting this time. Deeply. It was a horrible moment for that show. It was sad. And it wasn't fair.

At some point, Sheryl Crow (the guest mentor) gave one of the contestants advice about dealing with all the pressure and negative noise coming at them and put things in perspective. She said something like: "Forget about everything else and say, 'Look where I am. I am here.'"

Often in our most vulnerable moments, our true selves are exposed. At these moments, I think the instinct is to want to cower and hide. Cry. Cover up. But really, these moments are a gift. They are your chance to be brave and say "Look where I am. I am here." And, even more, This is me. Now pay attention because I don't share this every day.

Last week, libba_bray shared her vulnerability with us in her powerful blog post, "The Ever-Popular I Suck Playlist." I think by by exposing this true part of herself, Libba overcame the monster charging the sword. And she gave us the courage to do the same. She said:

This is the magic/curse of writing: That in crafting your fiction, you leave yourself open to sudden moments of unguarded truth, and you have to be willing to tolerate that again and again. You have to keep raising your sword and charging, even knowing you could retreat scorched and missing a limb. You have to keep doing it even when you don't want to. Especially when you don't want to.

Whether you're performing on stage or on the page, this is what we do. Steven said, "Find your niche. Find the certain something that's 100% you." But it's hard to share that vulnerable you. She can be hard to even look at, I know. You want to keep her guarded. But like Libba says, you've got to be willing to tolerate it. When you do, amazing things happen. Raw, powerful, amazing things. So when you find her, let her be 100%. Take a deep breath. Say, "Look where I am. I am here." And let the words flow.

When Haley was preparing her final performance, Sheryl Crow suggested she start out quiet, with just her voice. Just her words. No other noise on stage. Just 100% Haley. Talk about a vulnerable moment. But in it, you could almost see Haley's thoughts: Look where I am. I am here. This is me. Now pay attention because I don't share this every day.

Here she is:

Wordless Wednesday—They'll be here soon...