Denise Jaden's Blog, page 48
January 28, 2011
Friday Four!
1. I am getting SO organized! I hope it lasts. Fly Lady says to shine your sink each day. I haven't had time to go on her site and research what she means by this, which sinks, etc., so I've just been keeping all of them clean. I've also taken the scary journey into my bedroom closet and come out alive!
I admit, my house is looking much messier for all my effort. I have boxes upon boxes piled up and ready to give away though!
2. I'm reading a great book right now. PARTY by Tom Leveen. Tom is a fellow Class of 2k10 member, and what I love about this book? It has several different points of view (11, I think), but they all revolve around the same story, and they're all interesting! I thought it would be difficult to get into each of the heads of the point of view characters, but it hasn't been. I've always wanted to try writing a book like this, with multiple points of view where each one reveals something different that the reader wants to know. It's inspiring me...
3. I'm still working away for my outline on FINDING HOPE (a companion novel to LOSING FAITH). It's proving harder than I thought. In my first NaNo draft of the book, it was heavily focused on the parent-figures. I knew that had to change, but I'm having a lot of trouble figuring out a satisfying ending for the book now. By the way, I'm also looking for suggestions of companion novels that I can read to study the form a bit. If you have any that you've enjoyed and could mention them in the comments, I would be grateful!
4. I've been mostly eating well lately and my reward (because I'm all about The Celebrating) is to go for Thai food this weekend. I love Thai food. And Mexican food. And okay, Italian too. I've been consciously cutting most sugars out of my diet lately, and now I just find myself craving very flavorful, savory foods instead.
What's up for your weekend? Or as Ashley would say in PARTY...What's the go?
I admit, my house is looking much messier for all my effort. I have boxes upon boxes piled up and ready to give away though!
2. I'm reading a great book right now. PARTY by Tom Leveen. Tom is a fellow Class of 2k10 member, and what I love about this book? It has several different points of view (11, I think), but they all revolve around the same story, and they're all interesting! I thought it would be difficult to get into each of the heads of the point of view characters, but it hasn't been. I've always wanted to try writing a book like this, with multiple points of view where each one reveals something different that the reader wants to know. It's inspiring me...
3. I'm still working away for my outline on FINDING HOPE (a companion novel to LOSING FAITH). It's proving harder than I thought. In my first NaNo draft of the book, it was heavily focused on the parent-figures. I knew that had to change, but I'm having a lot of trouble figuring out a satisfying ending for the book now. By the way, I'm also looking for suggestions of companion novels that I can read to study the form a bit. If you have any that you've enjoyed and could mention them in the comments, I would be grateful!
4. I've been mostly eating well lately and my reward (because I'm all about The Celebrating) is to go for Thai food this weekend. I love Thai food. And Mexican food. And okay, Italian too. I've been consciously cutting most sugars out of my diet lately, and now I just find myself craving very flavorful, savory foods instead.
What's up for your weekend? Or as Ashley would say in PARTY...What's the go?
January 27, 2011
The Plot Whisperer
I don't know if you've heard about this, but if you're a plot-challenged writer like me, this is an amazingly helpful website. Martha Alderson is The Plot Whisperer, giving new tips on her blog each week on plotting.
Martha also has a YouTube series on plotting. I just started listening and applying her wisdom to my latest work in progress and it's really helping me sort things out!
Martha also has a YouTube series on plotting. I just started listening and applying her wisdom to my latest work in progress and it's really helping me sort things out!
January 26, 2011
Wandering Wednesday
I'm so excited to be the New Voice on Cynthia Leitich Smith's very cool and informative blog today!
Stop by to hear more about my 33,000-word outlines and how I got my agent!
Stop by to hear more about my 33,000-word outlines and how I got my agent!
January 25, 2011
My Bookshelf Giveaway!
You may have suspected this was coming...
With all the reorganizing I'm doing around my house, eventually I will have to do something with my overflow of books. Ugh. I know that if I wait until whichever month is slated for attacking my living room, I'll simply be required to pull out a few empty boxes and purge, purge, purge.
I can't bear the thought.
So my aim is to work at this slowly over the next few months. I'll post an image of my latest books available for giving away each week. All you have to do is comment on which one you'd most like to win and I'll pick at least one winner and add at least one new book to the shelf each week. Feel free to spread the word via Twitter, etc, for extra entries. (Fine Print: Some books may be advance copies. Some may be signed by the author. Most are in great condition, but the odd one may be a bit worn. I can only mail to U.S. addresses for this contests, otherwise it costs me too much to clear my shelves!)
Here is today's bookshelf to choose from:
Click on the image to see it a bit better, or here are a couple of closer up images:
I'll also try to shift some of the books around a bit each week in case it makes them easier to see.
Happy choosing!!
With all the reorganizing I'm doing around my house, eventually I will have to do something with my overflow of books. Ugh. I know that if I wait until whichever month is slated for attacking my living room, I'll simply be required to pull out a few empty boxes and purge, purge, purge.
I can't bear the thought.
So my aim is to work at this slowly over the next few months. I'll post an image of my latest books available for giving away each week. All you have to do is comment on which one you'd most like to win and I'll pick at least one winner and add at least one new book to the shelf each week. Feel free to spread the word via Twitter, etc, for extra entries. (Fine Print: Some books may be advance copies. Some may be signed by the author. Most are in great condition, but the odd one may be a bit worn. I can only mail to U.S. addresses for this contests, otherwise it costs me too much to clear my shelves!)
Here is today's bookshelf to choose from:
Click on the image to see it a bit better, or here are a couple of closer up images:
I'll also try to shift some of the books around a bit each week in case it makes them easier to see.Happy choosing!!
January 24, 2011
Organization For Dummies (like me!)
I used to be pretty organized person. Honestly. I used to work in secretarial/administrative, and people used to come to ME to help get them more organized and on top of things. I remember when I was young, I had a secret dream of working in, or even owning (gasp!)an office supply store. Seriously.
I've fallen off the wagon. In a big way.
Okay, that's not really mine...but it could be!
I could blame this fall on the other pack-rats in my home, but where would that get me? Personal responsibility - that's what will solve things! And the truth is, I HAVE been having trouble organizing and purging my own things. So I've been reading up a little on getting organized, both in my writing and my life, and asked around the social media sphere. Here's some ideas I've been given (thank you to all my facebook/twitter friends!!)
1. Flylady.net - I went on this site once years ago. I've been kind of afraid to go back. I was "just not in that place." But now I am. I'll try it. I'll take the plunge.
2.Use a Mom's Calendar. While I like this idea, I certainly love the idea of having ONE central calendar, I'm pretty happy with my online Google calendar. It syncs to my iphone and sends me email reminders about things (and since I check my email about every thirty seconds, that's a pretty handy feature!)
3/ Here's some great advice I'll just put in as a complete quote, because I definitely couldn't say it better: "Remember that any fantastic system doesn't work for everyone. Be prepared to tweak or completely throw out whatever system(s) you start with. Accept any "failures" to stick with a system as real life & an opportunity to change the system. Know that you will never feel like the quest for organization is done & that's ok! You will always seem more organized to onlookers than to yourself!| - Thank you, Allison Paul! I will be back to read this again and again, I'm sure!
4. Create a clone, or even better, create a few! I admit, this would help immensely! If anyone figures out the formula for this, please let me know!
5. Turn off the Internet. Well, obviously I'm still here, so THAT didn't work! LOL. But honestly, when I get busy on a writing project, I use Internet/Social Media time as a reward. After say an hour of solid work, I'll allow myself five minutes on Twitter, or something like that. Goals and rewards work well for me!
6. And here's what kick-started the whole idea of getting organized this year: my mom sent me the following link (do you think she was trying to tell me something?) http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/12-months-of-clearing-to-create-a-great-2011.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LifeHack+%28lifehack.org%29 Seriously, though? This looks ATTAINABLE to me! I can do this! (Though I admit, I still cannot even get to my bedroom closet in order to clean it - BUT January's not over yet!!)
On the writing front, my best organizational tool so far is Scrivener. And they've just come out with a Beta version for Windows (the real version should be out soon). It's fabulous for organizing, when you're in the organizing stage of your writing, moving scenes around and such.
As I said above, I'm also big on goal-setting. I generally set monthly goals, and usually pretty ambitious ones. I set for about three months in advance, since it can be difficult to tell beyond that what I'll be in the mood for, what work I'll have from my editor, and just generally what my life will be like at that point.
Right now my goals are these: Finish an outline for FINDING HOPE by January 31st. Write the next draft by the end of February. Read through and send out to critique partners in mid-March. Finish another draft of PERFECT AIM by the end of April.
Of course that may be altered when I get my next set of notes from my editor. But it's still good to have a plan. At least it's good for me.
Do you have a plan for the next few months? Do you have any organizational tips for dummies like me, or do you like any of the above ones?
I've fallen off the wagon. In a big way.
Okay, that's not really mine...but it could be!
I could blame this fall on the other pack-rats in my home, but where would that get me? Personal responsibility - that's what will solve things! And the truth is, I HAVE been having trouble organizing and purging my own things. So I've been reading up a little on getting organized, both in my writing and my life, and asked around the social media sphere. Here's some ideas I've been given (thank you to all my facebook/twitter friends!!)
1. Flylady.net - I went on this site once years ago. I've been kind of afraid to go back. I was "just not in that place." But now I am. I'll try it. I'll take the plunge.
2.Use a Mom's Calendar. While I like this idea, I certainly love the idea of having ONE central calendar, I'm pretty happy with my online Google calendar. It syncs to my iphone and sends me email reminders about things (and since I check my email about every thirty seconds, that's a pretty handy feature!)
3/ Here's some great advice I'll just put in as a complete quote, because I definitely couldn't say it better: "Remember that any fantastic system doesn't work for everyone. Be prepared to tweak or completely throw out whatever system(s) you start with. Accept any "failures" to stick with a system as real life & an opportunity to change the system. Know that you will never feel like the quest for organization is done & that's ok! You will always seem more organized to onlookers than to yourself!| - Thank you, Allison Paul! I will be back to read this again and again, I'm sure!
4. Create a clone, or even better, create a few! I admit, this would help immensely! If anyone figures out the formula for this, please let me know!
5. Turn off the Internet. Well, obviously I'm still here, so THAT didn't work! LOL. But honestly, when I get busy on a writing project, I use Internet/Social Media time as a reward. After say an hour of solid work, I'll allow myself five minutes on Twitter, or something like that. Goals and rewards work well for me!
6. And here's what kick-started the whole idea of getting organized this year: my mom sent me the following link (do you think she was trying to tell me something?) http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/12-months-of-clearing-to-create-a-great-2011.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LifeHack+%28lifehack.org%29 Seriously, though? This looks ATTAINABLE to me! I can do this! (Though I admit, I still cannot even get to my bedroom closet in order to clean it - BUT January's not over yet!!)
On the writing front, my best organizational tool so far is Scrivener. And they've just come out with a Beta version for Windows (the real version should be out soon). It's fabulous for organizing, when you're in the organizing stage of your writing, moving scenes around and such.
As I said above, I'm also big on goal-setting. I generally set monthly goals, and usually pretty ambitious ones. I set for about three months in advance, since it can be difficult to tell beyond that what I'll be in the mood for, what work I'll have from my editor, and just generally what my life will be like at that point.
Right now my goals are these: Finish an outline for FINDING HOPE by January 31st. Write the next draft by the end of February. Read through and send out to critique partners in mid-March. Finish another draft of PERFECT AIM by the end of April.
Of course that may be altered when I get my next set of notes from my editor. But it's still good to have a plan. At least it's good for me.
Do you have a plan for the next few months? Do you have any organizational tips for dummies like me, or do you like any of the above ones?
January 21, 2011
Friday Four!
1. I forgot to mention with the song I posted yesterday, the artwork on the video was done by a young guy, a teen I think. It always really inspires me to see young people stepping out creatively, and I plan to post more things like that as I come across them. I hope you'll find them inspiring too!
2. I hope to get back to writing today! I've had about a week off, and not only is it all I can stand, it's all my family can stand. Have I mentioned how I get grumpy when I'm not writing? I plan to get back to working on my companion novel to Losing Faith today. It's tentatively titled FINDING HOPE and it's in Tessa Lockbaum's fun and fierce point of view!
3. I'm also working on a novel-writing course. In February I'll be working with a local homeschool co-op. There's somewhere around 175 kids involved and each student gets to choose three classes to take over eight sessions. Each parent teaches on class and helps with another (and we get one block free for coffee time). I offered to teach novel-writing to high school students, and as my helper role, I've been assigned to web design, which I'm very excited about. I once taught myself html from a large textbook, but it's all a little hazy. My website (www.denisejaden.com) is something I designed myself and upkeep, but I'm lazy and use a program that does most of the work for me.
4. One other thing I'm happy to be back to is audiobooks! It's been a while since I've had a chance to listen to one, and I just started on EXTRAORDINARY by Nancy Werlin. It's an interesting recording, as it has different voices interspersed for different characters that appear from time to time. I'm finding it odd listening to a recording in third person too. It's been a while since I've read a book in third person. I am enjoying it.
What are you reading these days? Any recommendations?
2. I hope to get back to writing today! I've had about a week off, and not only is it all I can stand, it's all my family can stand. Have I mentioned how I get grumpy when I'm not writing? I plan to get back to working on my companion novel to Losing Faith today. It's tentatively titled FINDING HOPE and it's in Tessa Lockbaum's fun and fierce point of view!
3. I'm also working on a novel-writing course. In February I'll be working with a local homeschool co-op. There's somewhere around 175 kids involved and each student gets to choose three classes to take over eight sessions. Each parent teaches on class and helps with another (and we get one block free for coffee time). I offered to teach novel-writing to high school students, and as my helper role, I've been assigned to web design, which I'm very excited about. I once taught myself html from a large textbook, but it's all a little hazy. My website (www.denisejaden.com) is something I designed myself and upkeep, but I'm lazy and use a program that does most of the work for me.
4. One other thing I'm happy to be back to is audiobooks! It's been a while since I've had a chance to listen to one, and I just started on EXTRAORDINARY by Nancy Werlin. It's an interesting recording, as it has different voices interspersed for different characters that appear from time to time. I'm finding it odd listening to a recording in third person too. It's been a while since I've read a book in third person. I am enjoying it.
What are you reading these days? Any recommendations?
January 20, 2011
William and Kate!
A good friend of mine co-wrote this cool new song that I wanted to share. It's a wedding song dedicated to Prince William and Kate Middleton.And the video that goes along with it is fabulous. Enjoy!!
January 19, 2011
Wandering Wednesday
This week I'm being interviewed over at Sherrie Petersen's blog. Not only is Sherrie a fabulous person with a fun blog and a great following, but we also share the same fabulous agent! Sherrie just recently signed on with the awesome Michelle Humphrey. So make sure to check out this interview, with really interesting questions, I might add, with my agent-sister.
Something else I haven't done in a while is mentioned where else you can find me online.
I love to blog, and Facebook is fun, but my true love lies with Twitter. Seriously, I have so much trouble pulling myself off of there. It's just so quick and easy and I love that it's so easy to keep up on so many people quickly there.
You can find me here: http://twitter.com/denisejaden and if you follow me, and your profile doesn't make you look either creepy or like you'll be constantly trying to sell me something, I'll most definitely follow you back!
Facebook. I'll be honest, I don't get on there very often. But I do have an automatic feed that will let you know when I've been blogging. I'm very slowly working on developing an author page on there, which I promise will be much for fun. But for now, you can friend me right here: http://www.facebook.com/denisejaden?ref=profile
Blogger. This is the main blog that syncs with my website, but I almost always cross-post to LiveJournal. If you've found me on LiveJournal today, feel free to drop in here and follow my Blogger blog as well. http://baskinex.blogspot.com/
LiveJournal. Are you on LJ? If so, drop by and add me as a friend and my blog will automatically come up on your Friends List. http://denisejaden.livejournal.com/
Find me on GoodReads here: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2919206.Denise_Jaden Feel free to rate Losing Faith, or add it to your to-read list, or even post a review. My secret goal is to get Losing Faith up above a 4.00 rating, but don't let that influence you...
You can check out my profile on Authors Now for more information about presentations, etc. http://www.authorsnow.com
Okay, apparently my Skype An Author Page is having some issues. I am trying to enter the digital age, however, and make myself available for virtual visits. Watch my blog for more details of when I get this back up and running.
Update: I think it's working now! Here's the link: http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/page/Denise+Jaden
Something else I haven't done in a while is mentioned where else you can find me online.
I love to blog, and Facebook is fun, but my true love lies with Twitter. Seriously, I have so much trouble pulling myself off of there. It's just so quick and easy and I love that it's so easy to keep up on so many people quickly there.You can find me here: http://twitter.com/denisejaden and if you follow me, and your profile doesn't make you look either creepy or like you'll be constantly trying to sell me something, I'll most definitely follow you back!
Facebook. I'll be honest, I don't get on there very often. But I do have an automatic feed that will let you know when I've been blogging. I'm very slowly working on developing an author page on there, which I promise will be much for fun. But for now, you can friend me right here: http://www.facebook.com/denisejaden?ref=profile
Blogger. This is the main blog that syncs with my website, but I almost always cross-post to LiveJournal. If you've found me on LiveJournal today, feel free to drop in here and follow my Blogger blog as well. http://baskinex.blogspot.com/
LiveJournal. Are you on LJ? If so, drop by and add me as a friend and my blog will automatically come up on your Friends List. http://denisejaden.livejournal.com/
Find me on GoodReads here: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2919206.Denise_Jaden Feel free to rate Losing Faith, or add it to your to-read list, or even post a review. My secret goal is to get Losing Faith up above a 4.00 rating, but don't let that influence you...
You can check out my profile on Authors Now for more information about presentations, etc. http://www.authorsnow.com
Okay, apparently my Skype An Author Page is having some issues. I am trying to enter the digital age, however, and make myself available for virtual visits. Watch my blog for more details of when I get this back up and running.Update: I think it's working now! Here's the link: http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/page/Denise+Jaden
January 18, 2011
More Love For Lisa
I've been reflecting a lot on how Lisa Madigan must be feeling as I've been praying for her and her family. I've felt like I wanted to do something more, though. Yesterday I posted on the Verla Kay Blueboards about this and was given a link to this fabulous project that is being put together for her...
Angel Birdbath: backyard photo by LK Madigan Don't you just love how friends join hands in troubled times...how, even when our own lives are touched by shadows, we find Light when we're together?
We share a common link of friendship, one that connects each of us to to L.K. Madigan. Our friendship is steeped in joy, in gratitude...and now, a tinge of sadness. But we've found a way to stand together in light: A book of love for Lisa, written and illustrated by her friends.
Lisa loves photography, as evidenced by her award-winning novel, FLASH BURNOUT , and the lovely images she posts to her blog. So we're compiling an album for her: one that demonstrates the many ways we've learned that lesson. First and foremost, it'll include her friends' photographs--pictures that symbolize all the ways are lives have been (and continue to be) touched by Lisa's. And of course, there will be room for your poems, personal anecdotes, and illustrations.Be aware that we're working on a tight timeline: the submission deadline is this Friday (1/21), 8:00 p.m Eastern. If you'd like to participate, here are the project particulars. · Email your contribution to Tiffany Trent, with a cc to Melodye Shore tiffanytrent AT @ msn DOT com and newport2newport AT gmail DOT com· Use this subject line: "For Lisa"· Be sure your project is included as an attachment! (High-resolution jpg files, PDF and/or .doc files are acceptable.)· In the body of your email, please include your name and how you'd like to be credited (i.e., first and last name, first name and last initial, initials only, anonymous, or...?) · Briefly explain the story behind/significance of your photo (optional)· You must also include this statement in the body of your email message: By emailing this submission, I've certified that I own sole copyright of the attached photographic image(s) and/or written materials. I've also granted permission for my work to be included in an album, as well as other tributes (print and electronic/online). Over this next weekend, Tiffany will assemble the album, which will be sent to Lisa via FedEx next Monday (1/24). Share the love, spread the word! Please feel free to cross-post this to your blog, or to help spread the word via Facebook and Twitter. Be careful not to include Lisa in your messages or postings—we'd like this to be a surprise! NOTE: The 2009 Debutantes are hosting a give-away contest, featuring L. K. Madigan's books. It's another way to show our love and support for Lisa, so be sure to stop by.
ALSO OF NOTE:![[info]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1380442897i/1319734.gif)
saputnam
started an online candlelight group for Lisa, which you can access here. We invite you to pause and reflect...and perhaps light a candle of your own. 
Angel Birdbath: backyard photo by LK Madigan Don't you just love how friends join hands in troubled times...how, even when our own lives are touched by shadows, we find Light when we're together?
We share a common link of friendship, one that connects each of us to to L.K. Madigan. Our friendship is steeped in joy, in gratitude...and now, a tinge of sadness. But we've found a way to stand together in light: A book of love for Lisa, written and illustrated by her friends.
Lisa loves photography, as evidenced by her award-winning novel, FLASH BURNOUT , and the lovely images she posts to her blog. So we're compiling an album for her: one that demonstrates the many ways we've learned that lesson. First and foremost, it'll include her friends' photographs--pictures that symbolize all the ways are lives have been (and continue to be) touched by Lisa's. And of course, there will be room for your poems, personal anecdotes, and illustrations.Be aware that we're working on a tight timeline: the submission deadline is this Friday (1/21), 8:00 p.m Eastern. If you'd like to participate, here are the project particulars. · Email your contribution to Tiffany Trent, with a cc to Melodye Shore tiffanytrent AT @ msn DOT com and newport2newport AT gmail DOT com· Use this subject line: "For Lisa"· Be sure your project is included as an attachment! (High-resolution jpg files, PDF and/or .doc files are acceptable.)· In the body of your email, please include your name and how you'd like to be credited (i.e., first and last name, first name and last initial, initials only, anonymous, or...?) · Briefly explain the story behind/significance of your photo (optional)· You must also include this statement in the body of your email message: By emailing this submission, I've certified that I own sole copyright of the attached photographic image(s) and/or written materials. I've also granted permission for my work to be included in an album, as well as other tributes (print and electronic/online). Over this next weekend, Tiffany will assemble the album, which will be sent to Lisa via FedEx next Monday (1/24). Share the love, spread the word! Please feel free to cross-post this to your blog, or to help spread the word via Facebook and Twitter. Be careful not to include Lisa in your messages or postings—we'd like this to be a surprise! NOTE: The 2009 Debutantes are hosting a give-away contest, featuring L. K. Madigan's books. It's another way to show our love and support for Lisa, so be sure to stop by.
ALSO OF NOTE:
saputnam
started an online candlelight group for Lisa, which you can access here. We invite you to pause and reflect...and perhaps light a candle of your own.
January 17, 2011
Spreading the Love for L.K. Madigan's Books
As I mentioned in an earlier post, L.K. Madigan announced some heart-wrenching news last week.
One of the best things I've done as a debut author was unite with other debut authors. I'm sure you've heard me talk about The Tenners and the Class of 2k10. Lisa Madigan was a 2009 debut author and she also united with her peers, called The Debutantes: Feast of Awesome.
In support of Lisa, The Debs are spreading the love for her and her books by giving away forty complete sets of her books! FORTY! Each winner will receive both Flash Burnout and The Mermaid's Mirror. and to enter, you simply have to help spread the love.
how, you ask? consider:
1. adding her books onto your goodreads shelf.
2. blogging. linking, tweeting about this giveaway.
3. adding reviews to sites or on your blog if you've
read lisa's novels. vlog about it!
4. if you've already blogged about lisa's books, why
not do so again? =)
5. telling your friends about lisa's books if you've read them.
6. buying her wonderful books for yourself, for a friend.
7. checking them out from your local library, requesting them
if they aren't carried.
8. generally spreading the Book Love, however and any
way you can.
then comment in this post at www.feastofawesome.com on how you shared the Book Love (with appropriate links to blogs, twitter, goodreads, etc) to enter for a chance to win one of forty sets we're giving away. this contest is open to US mailing addresses only and will run through MONDAY, JANUARY 31, when winners will be chosen by random. though they may favor entries that took more thought and effort. good luck! please help us show lisa how much we love her!
Flash Burnout was L.K. Madigan's debut novel. It's no secret that I loved this book. It's deftly written in such a realistic male point of view, and it's the perfect mix of serious subject matter and laugh out loud humor.
Flash Burnout went on to win the Morris Award in 2010, given to the best young adult debut novel written in the past year, so I'm not alone in my praise of this novel.
Here's the information you may need to recommend Flash Burnout to your local library/bookstore:
Title: Flash Burnout
Author: L.K. Madigan
ISBN: 978-0547404936
You can add it to your GoodReads to-read list here.
You can find it on Amazon right here. (The paperback is only $7.99 and well, well worth it!)
I have not yet had the opportunity to read Lisa's second book, but here's the short synopsis:
Lena has lived her whole life near the beach — walking for miles up and down the shore and breathing the salty air, swimming in the cold water, and watching the surfers rule the waves — the problem is, she's spent her whole life just watching.
As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Lena vows she will no longer watch from the sand: she will learn to surf. But her father — a former surfer himself — refuses to allow her to take lessons. After his near drowning years ago, he can't bear to let Lena take up the risky sport.
Yet something keeps drawing Lena to the water . . . an ancient, powerful magic. And one morning Lena catches sight of this magic: a beautiful woman — with a silvery tail. Now nothing can stop Lena from seeking the mermaid, not even the dangerous waves at Magic Crescent Cove.
And soon . . . what she sees in the mermaid's mirror will change her life forever.
Sounds awesome, right?
If you want your bookstore/library to order it, you'll probably need the following information:
Title: The Mermaid's Mirror
Author: L.K. Madigan
ISBN: 978-0547194912
And here's where you can find The Mermaid's Mirror GoodReads Page. (Go add it to your to-read books right now)
And here's where you can find it on Amazon. (It's only $10.88 for a hardcover. Seriously. Buy new to support the author).
I hope you'll support Lisa's books in whatever way you can. And keep supporting Lisa with your thoughts and prayers.
One of the best things I've done as a debut author was unite with other debut authors. I'm sure you've heard me talk about The Tenners and the Class of 2k10. Lisa Madigan was a 2009 debut author and she also united with her peers, called The Debutantes: Feast of Awesome.
In support of Lisa, The Debs are spreading the love for her and her books by giving away forty complete sets of her books! FORTY! Each winner will receive both Flash Burnout and The Mermaid's Mirror. and to enter, you simply have to help spread the love.
how, you ask? consider:
1. adding her books onto your goodreads shelf.
2. blogging. linking, tweeting about this giveaway.
3. adding reviews to sites or on your blog if you've
read lisa's novels. vlog about it!
4. if you've already blogged about lisa's books, why
not do so again? =)
5. telling your friends about lisa's books if you've read them.
6. buying her wonderful books for yourself, for a friend.
7. checking them out from your local library, requesting them
if they aren't carried.
8. generally spreading the Book Love, however and any
way you can.
then comment in this post at www.feastofawesome.com on how you shared the Book Love (with appropriate links to blogs, twitter, goodreads, etc) to enter for a chance to win one of forty sets we're giving away. this contest is open to US mailing addresses only and will run through MONDAY, JANUARY 31, when winners will be chosen by random. though they may favor entries that took more thought and effort. good luck! please help us show lisa how much we love her!
Flash Burnout was L.K. Madigan's debut novel. It's no secret that I loved this book. It's deftly written in such a realistic male point of view, and it's the perfect mix of serious subject matter and laugh out loud humor.
Flash Burnout went on to win the Morris Award in 2010, given to the best young adult debut novel written in the past year, so I'm not alone in my praise of this novel.
Here's the information you may need to recommend Flash Burnout to your local library/bookstore:
Title: Flash Burnout
Author: L.K. Madigan
ISBN: 978-0547404936
You can add it to your GoodReads to-read list here.
You can find it on Amazon right here. (The paperback is only $7.99 and well, well worth it!)
I have not yet had the opportunity to read Lisa's second book, but here's the short synopsis:
Lena has lived her whole life near the beach — walking for miles up and down the shore and breathing the salty air, swimming in the cold water, and watching the surfers rule the waves — the problem is, she's spent her whole life just watching.
As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Lena vows she will no longer watch from the sand: she will learn to surf. But her father — a former surfer himself — refuses to allow her to take lessons. After his near drowning years ago, he can't bear to let Lena take up the risky sport.
Yet something keeps drawing Lena to the water . . . an ancient, powerful magic. And one morning Lena catches sight of this magic: a beautiful woman — with a silvery tail. Now nothing can stop Lena from seeking the mermaid, not even the dangerous waves at Magic Crescent Cove.
And soon . . . what she sees in the mermaid's mirror will change her life forever.
Sounds awesome, right?
If you want your bookstore/library to order it, you'll probably need the following information:
Title: The Mermaid's Mirror
Author: L.K. Madigan
ISBN: 978-0547194912
And here's where you can find The Mermaid's Mirror GoodReads Page. (Go add it to your to-read books right now)
And here's where you can find it on Amazon. (It's only $10.88 for a hardcover. Seriously. Buy new to support the author).
I hope you'll support Lisa's books in whatever way you can. And keep supporting Lisa with your thoughts and prayers.
