Joyce Magnin's Blog, page 5

Interview With Wilma Sue (it rhymes)

Last week, Margaret Daley posted this interview on her blog. I thought it was such a nifty idea and Wilma Sue enjoyed doing it so much that I thought I would re-post it here for those of you who haven't seen it. Leave a comment and I will send an autographed book to a random comment person. Actually, it would be nice if someone sang "Soft Kitty" to me. I'm not feeling well. LOL.
Anyway, here it is. Enjoy!

1. Wilma Sue, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

Well, I suppose the most interesting thing about me is that I’m an orphan. My mother left me at the Daylily Home for Children (I call it the Home for Unwanted and Misunderstood Children) when I was just a baby and I am now living in my fifth foster home with Ruth and Naomi Beedlemeyer. Imagine that, five homes and I’m only twelve. Oh, and I like to write poetry and name things, like trees and chickens. 2. What do you do for fun?It wasn’t at first, when I first got to the Beedlemeyer house the sisters charged me, that’s what Mrs. Agabeedies would say, with taking care of the chickens. I was worried at first. But now I really like and it is kind of fun, especially when Slowpoke and Dottie have a tug of war with a spaghetti strand. Oh, oh, and I like going to the creek and throwing rocks into the water and visiting Old Woman Willow. She’s the most beautiful tree I’ve ever seen.3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?I know it’s not right but talking to Mrs. Agabeedies. She’s the church secretary. We live in the parsonage, by the way. She doesn’t like orphans. Ruth says she’s a bigot. So, yeah, I put off having to talk to her. And she’s so nosey. A real butinsky.4. What are you afraid of most in life?Two things. Going back to the Daylily Home and sometimes I worry that my mother, my biological mother will come looking for me. Yeah, that kind of scares me.5. What do you want out of life?I’m only twelve so I think what I want out of life right now is to stay in one place for a good, long time. I’d like to stay with Naomi and Ruth forever. But an orphan can never count on things.6. What is the most important thing to you? Oh, that’s easy. Love. 7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?A lot! I love to read. My most favorite book is Emily of New Moon by that Lucy Montgomery lady. I love it because Emily is a writer too and she understand about Flashes. Flashes of inspiration when you just have to sit down and write because if you don’t the flash will disappear.8. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?The chickens are my pets. And they were here when I got here. Oh, and Sonny Liston. He’s the rooster.9. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?I would go back to the day I was born and try really hard not to cry too loud or do whatever it was I did to make my mother not want me. Naomi told me it’s not my fault but still, an orphan has to wonder.

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Published on February 19, 2013 05:38

Downton With a Twist of Tragedy

<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s8DfO2RL5o0..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s8DfO2RL5o0..." width="320" /></a>Here’s the thing, most of us knew it was going to happen. And then it did. Okay. But lots of other things happened also. Some it downright silly, like the whole Edna the gold-digging maid and Tom thread. Sorry. It just didn’t do much except lead to what I think was the most touching scene in the episode. I cried when Tom and Mrs. Hughes were talking and he burst into tears—missing his Sybil. Yeah, that was rough. Maybe the whole Matthew thingy didn’t upset me so much because I knew it was coming—dang nab it! We really must find a way to keep spoilers at bay next year. But, be that as it may we have other things to discuss, like Thomas and Jimmy. Really? I’m just sick of it, although I suppose it’s sweet that they are “friends” now. But I’m having trouble understanding Thomas’s motivations here. Does he feel guilty? Nah. </div><div class="MsoNormal">And what about Mrs. Pattmore, one of my favorite characters and that bloated, gas bag Joss Tifton. Thank God for Mrs. Hughes who always seems to be in the right place at the right time and possess the wisdom of the sphinx on those occasions. Hurray for Mrs. Hughes and her willingness to keep it real. Now speaking of keeping it real what in blazes is up with Edith and the editor? In one scene she tells him that she “doesn’t see a happy ending” and then in the next she’s dragging him onto the dance floor and I’d lay odds that next season she’ll be dragging him off to bed in a scandal that will most certainly curl Robert’s toes. And what of poor Robert? I mean really, the man is so easy. If only my father were that understanding. Still, he seems to dip his toes in the waters of propriety and honor and all that shlub and then just as easily soak in the dark side, the modern-era as it were. For me, Robert is one of the less believable of the cast. But that might be just me. I do like thoroughly modern Rose though. I think she will bring a much-needed shot in the belfry that the clan needs. </div><div class="MsoNormal">As for Bates and Anna, yeah I’m sick of them too. I wish he would just haul off and do whatever he is going to do to break Anna’s heart. She was so sweet, learning to reel while her lame hubby looked on in utter smitteness. Still, I see evil lurking behind those baby blues, or are they brown? Anyway, I did love watching Mosley get snockered. I love him. I don’t know why exactly but his character, definitely an underdog in many ways, appeals to me. And what about Obrien and that wicked ladies’ maid of Susan’s. I so want to use that line someday, “Where you’re concerned I definitely don’t have to concern myself with loyalty.” And off she went to snitch on the evil one, who is probably just sick and tired of Susan’s perpetual menopause. To say nothing to being married to Shrimpy, a man with an unfortunate, yet cute name. I wish them the best. But hey, did you love that castle? Criminy. Give me a weekend there. </div><div class="MsoNormal">And this of course brings us to the Dowager, hands down the most –beloved of the cast, played expertly by the great Maggie Smith. What can I say? I love that she is smart and wise and knows when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em. I think she and Rose are going to have a beautiful friendship. Although poor Mary. Tragedy has struck and on the same day as the birth of her yet nameless son. I think I will be disappointed if he is given the name Matthew. It’s just so . . . so Sybil, perhaps she'll name him for Dad, Robert. I do have to say that I found her one line while she is holding her brand new son, who by the way was awfully big for being born a little early. But okay, poetic license. You remember when she told Matthew, “We have an heir. Downton is secure.” Really, Mary. You couldn’t wait? But I suppose that really was just so Mary of her. And Matthew did just seem to gloss over that. I wonder if he thought of it just before he . . . you know. </div><div class="MsoNormal">And now we wait. We wait thirteen, long grueling months for the new season. Oh, there’s the DVD’s I suppose, but I will miss fresh Downton. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

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Published on February 18, 2013 04:10

It's All About the Love

Author Joyce Magnin Continues to Inspire Young Readers with a Tasty New Book

“Hope is the thing with feathers.” ~ Emily Dickinson
Twelve-year-old Wilma Sue discovers the ultimate comfort food in Joyce Magnin’s CAKE: Love, Chickens and a Taste of the Peculiar , a sweet tale complete with icing, surprises, love, and just the right amount of nuts.
Mary Poppins meets Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle in this new story by the celebrated author of Carrying Mason. Wilma Sue seems destined to hop from one foster home to the next—until she is sent to live with sisters and retired missionaries, Ruth and Naomi. But do they really care about Wilma Sue, or are they just looking for a Cinderella-style farmhand to help raise their chickens and bake cakes?

As Wilma Sue adjusts to her new surroundings and helping Naomi deliver “special” cakes to the neighbors, she discovers something strange that happens to people who eat the cakes. Did Mrs. Snipplesmith’s chair really rise off the floor? Was that a gold fish in the lemonade?
Wilma Sue starts looking for answers and secret ingredients in these mysterious cakes. While doing so, she makes a new friend, Penny, and discovers what it feels like to be truly loved.
But when Penny and her mother hit a rough patch, Wilma Sue decides to try her own hand at baking a special cake—with disastrous results. Then tragedy strikes the chickens, and all fingers point to Wilma Sue—just when she was starting to believe she had finally found a permanent home with Ruth and Naomi.
Magnin takes Wilma Sue and readers on a journey to find faith in themselves and those around them. Fans will learn, along with Wilma Sue, that it’s not yummy desserts and magic that cures, but two very special ingredients: love and hope.
***
I have been so excited for the success of Cake. There has been tremendous praise for this book including a coveted Starred Review from Kirkus Reviews. Here’s a snippet from the full review:
“Magnin maintains a delicate balance between a fablelike fantasy and reality fiction as Wilma Sue gradually discovers that not only is she eminently worthy of love, but that she can also help the people around her by loving them. Wilma’s captivating, clever language and short declarative sentences perfectly exemplify her wary but reverential view of the world.”
For me, there is nothing more magical and amazing than having the privilege to write for this age group. Unless I have the opportunity to sit with young people and talk about the power of story and words and the joy of books.
Here is what another reader has said about Cake: “Cake is the perfect book for a family read along. There is a lot of truth among the stories of taking care of chickens and baking cakes. There are also some wonderful and of course quirky characters. Magnin’s humor also shines through, especially in her naming and descriptions of the characters. Who couldn’t feel a bit wary of a child named Penelope Pigsworthy or in awe of an opera singer named Ramona Von Tickle? There are also a lot of interesting tidbits to discuss along the way — from the country of Malawi to the care and feeding of chickens to the great classic Beowulf. Yes, all that and a lot of fun. My only complaint is that I had a readers copy that did not include the illustrations of the goings on within the book. From the cover illustration, I can imagine they add a great deal to the telling of the story. So if you are looking for a book for your 9 – 12 year old children or grandchildren, get a copy of Cake , and then schedule some family time for reading fun. Highly Recommended.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joyce Magnin is the author of five novels; including the popular Bright’s Pond series and the 2011 middle grade novel Carrying Mason. She is also a frequent speaker and writing instructor. Magnin lives in Havertown, Pennsylvania.Joyce loves to visit schools, libraries, and churches and meet with kids about books and writing. She can be found on Facebook and Twitter. To schedule an interview with Joyce Magnin, or receive a review copy ofCAKE, please contact Candice Frederick at DJC Communications: 212-971-9707, Candice@djccommunications.com.

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Published on February 14, 2013 04:35

Guest Post - Historical Fiction with Rita Gerlach

My friend, Rita GerlachI cannot believe how quickly the time has gone by since I signed the contract with Abingdon Press for this series in 2010. So many of my readers have been in touch with me about this next book, expressing their anticipation to find out what happens next and how I conclude the series. I think Beyond the Valley is my favorite out of the three. Sarah seemed to resonate with me on so many levels. She is a wife and expectant mother, a loyal friend, a grieving widow. Her faith is shown in a way relevant to the times she lived in, not just a Sunday Christian, but a virtuous woman whose daily walk with God required ultimate trust, though her trials cause her to question. I hope for those who have read books 1 and 2 in the series will read Beyond the Valley to discover how Sarah came to River Run and the many trials she faced and the love she finds in a compassionate physician, Alex Hutton.Here is a little bit about the story— Beyond the Valley , the final book in The Daughters of the Potomac series. When Sarah Carr's husband Jamie drowns, her young life is shattered and takes a turn that she never expected. Pregnant and widowed, she reaches out to Jamie's family for help, but they are unwilling. Instead they devise a plan to have her kidnapped through deception and taken to the Colonies to live a life of servitude.

In Virginia, Sarah is auctioned to a kindly gentleman to serve his eccentric wife. After she meets Dr. Alex Hutton, and is loaned to him to help with his orphaned nieces, hope comes alive he will find a way to free her. But when The Woodhouses go bankrupt and sell off all they own, Sarah is sent away. She faces hardships in the wilderness, and is soon surrounded by a family's whirlwind of secrets, praying the young doctor she loves will find her again and bring her freedom.
‘Praise for 'Beyond the Valley'Beyond the Valley is a delightful escape of adventure and romance and a sweeping saga of tragedy and hope that you won’t want to miss! (5 Stars) MaryLu Tyndall, author of the Surrender to Destiny Series Creating characters with intense realism and compassion is one of Gerlach's gifts. Her books typically involve dramatic situations, giving her characters a chance to rise above their adversity. Beyond the Valleyis a shining example of that, reminding us that we are never forsaken. This is the third in the Daughters of the Potomac series. Sarah's character was introduced in the first novel, Before the Scarlet Dawn, and now she has her own heart-wrenching story that takes us from England to Virginia and Maryland. The historic setting is vividly descriptive, bringing the story to life, almost becoming a character unto itself. You may shed some tears, but you'll come away with deep contentment and satisfaction of a story well told. (Review in RT (Romantic Times) Book Reviews Magazine - 4 stars)* * *Book 3 in the Daughters of the Potomac series, 'Beyond the Valley, is available in ebook and paperback in all fine bookstores.Amazon http://tinyurl.com/8dta3o2
Buy the entire series from Christianbooks.comhttp://tinyurl.com/aclvcl8
Visit Rita’s Websitehttp://ritagerlach.blogspot.comFacebookhttp://tinyurl.com/bdz5f67

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Published on February 09, 2013 08:53

Letting Go To Story

<br /><div class="MsoNormal">“A writer, at his or her best, writes from the inside out. It is, often, a welling up of energies and ideas and passions into story – fiction, nonfiction, even picture book. The subconscious is an important friend to the great writer, as “letting go” to story is key to discovering and writing the truly original, touching, important even magical tale.” </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9RUIb_QPOSc..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9RUIb_QPOSc..." width="135" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Grandson, Cedar. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">This is from one of my favorite editors Patricia Lee Gauch. She says many, wonderful and incredibly insightful things about writing and story. But this one caught my eye because it is something I believe I am just learning to do. I think my newest release Cake was a huge step in the direction of, as Patty says, “letting go to story.”</div><div class="MsoNormal">I understand what she means by writing from the inside out but it can be dreadfully difficult to accomplish. It takes time, it takes a certain amount of luxuriating in idea, in description and detail and most importantly character. </div><div class="MsoNormal">It takes, in my opinion something else that Patty taught me at a conference many years ago. Letting go TO story means that the writer cannot flinch, that was her word, flinch. Wow, that was a real message to me when she said that. She looked at places in my novel, now <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Carrying Mason</i>, and said, you need more. You flinched here. Stay with the story. She taught me not to run and hide from whatever was welling up inside of me at those moments and to write through to story. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Sometimes this means the writer needs to visit some painful places, memories, emotions and even some wonderful memories, and emotions. It means the writer must have a willingness to linger with the story moment a little longer. Don’t rush. Don’t flinch. </div>

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Published on February 01, 2013 04:52

Thoughts on the Newbery

<!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} </style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fg5UMm02xB4..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fg5UMm02xB4..." /></a>Here’s the thing, just about everyone who knows me or might have even sat in a class with me knows that I have one very lofty goal. To win the Newbery medal. It’s a dream I have had for many years, maybe forever, maybe since I first learned that the Newbery Medal existed. But why? What is so important about winning the Newbery? Perhaps I should ask, why is it so important to me? I mean should I really be putting so many eggs in that one, really, sketchy basket? I mean there is a lot of competition out there, and a lot of talent—like Katherine Applegate, the newly minted winner of this year’s Newbery for her magnificent story, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The One and Only Ivan</i>. Really, it’s an awesome book and something I can only aspire to. And that, my friends is what got me to thinking about this literary quest of mine, this tilting at windmills kind of thing I got going on. Could I ever write anything that is Newbery worthy? Maybe. I don’t know. But I want to keep trying. You see, I have too. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">But what is it I am really trying to accomplish? Should the medal be in my sights at all or should I just let it dangle out there on the horizon like some hot, plum of a sun? To not stare at it for very long, but to know that it is there and that it is beautiful. Maybe. Maybe the true goal, and what I am truly thinking is that I want to write Newberry worthy. I want to write that well. Medal or no medal.My publisher tells me that the Starred Review in Kirkus is a great start and a pretty big deal itself. And yes, I'm thrilled with it. And yes, I did cry a little when I saw it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">In reading Katherine Applegate’s conversation on winning the Newbery I learned two things, the first is that it was not really on her list of things to do. Oh, I’m sure she thought about it. ALL middle grade authors think and dream about it, but you can’t make it your goal. It must come as a surprise. Truthfully, I really do believe IF I were to ever actually win the medal I would be so surprised I’d probably drop the phone and cry like a baby. So there you go, you cannot actually plan to receive an honor of this magnitude. And I repent.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Lesson One: Surprise. And writing itself is like that. There are so many surprises lurking around every new paragraph and word. Writers know this. They understand when you write something so totally wonderful it stuns the soul for an instant. That’s what winning the Newbery should do. Stun the soul.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Lesson Two: I can write TOWARD the Newbery and nothing more. Applegate wrote and wrote and wrote. She studied and learned her craft and just kept getting better and also, I believe better ready to write Ivan’s story. She needed to be ready. The story hung with her for a long time, she almost gave up on it. Writing toward the Newbery is a process and the process should be the quest in and of itself. Writing is like that. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So you see, I guess it’s okay to have this lofty goal because even though it might never happen, I can know that I at least, wrote toward it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">What are you writing toward? </div>

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Published on January 30, 2013 04:29

My Most Fabulous Trip to ALA

<!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} </style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rfs-FRpVtHY..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rfs-FRpVtHY..." width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The View from my Room</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Here’s the thing, I just got back from a fabulous trip to Seattle, Washington where I attended the ALA (American Library Association) Mid Winter Meeting. In short I had a blast. But here’s the longer version. </div><div class="MsoNormal">The trip out was pretty much uneventful, except on the first leg of the journey from Philadelphia to Detroit I met Debbie. She was terrific. We talked about books and special education and she bought a copy of Cake. Pretty sweet. And she told me about her daughter who works for Barnes and Noble. Pretty Sweet again! Then I had to run through the Detroit airport for about two miles in order to catch my connecting flight to Seattle. By the time I arrived in Seattle I was so hungry, considering the time difference it was nearly eight o’clock my time and I had eaten nothing but a banana and a Twix all day. Not to mention miscellaneous totally rotten coffees. Anyhoo, I then had to grab my bag at baggage claim and then navigate to the place where the shuttle my publisher arranged for was supposedly waiting. The van was, the driver was out to dinner. No worries. I sat with a very nice young woman who assured me he would be back soon. </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tyHzbbLyowo..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tyHzbbLyowo..." width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>My Room</b></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3YfbiQPG84E..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3YfbiQPG84E..." width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>What was left of the Room Service Cake</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Driver Dave showed up and he was super nice and drove me to the hotel in downtown Seattle. Which by the way, is a beautiful city at night. I arrived at the hotel and checked in. It was now nearly seven o’clock or ten o’clock my time. Again, I was starving. I eyed the basket of goodies in my room but when a sack of M&M Peanuts costs nine dollars I figured, nah, I need real food anyway. So I headed down to the lobby and found a restaurant but it was so crowded, probably with librarians. There were after all, something like 10,000 there. Isn’t that amazing? Needless to say by now, I'm tired and hungry and desperately desiring to wash away the airplane germs. Did I mention I had to sit next a young man with a cold the whole way to Seattle. Yikes!</div><div class="MsoNormal">I ordered room service. A cheeseburger, a pot of tea and for dessert, chocolate cake. O my goodness was it ever so delicious. The whole entire meal. The cake slice was so huge I was forced to finish it for breakfast. I know, I know, it’s a tough being an author.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HJ4CQW4kj90..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HJ4CQW4kj90..." width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The Cake for Cake</b></td></tr></tbody></table>Then it was time to go to ALA. I headed over to the convention center, which is of course, huge, an entire city under one roof, as most convention centers are. I found coffee and registered and then wandered around soaking in all the book stuff. What a place, an absolute orgy of bookdom. Everywhere you look books and more books and people who love books. It really is an amazing experience and I am ever so thankful that I get to play along.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p0r8fEo4dr8..." imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lq2svMwDLXU..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lq2svMwDLXU..." width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The ALA Floor</b></td></tr></tbody></table>That afternoon I headed to the Zondervan booth where my publisher and publicists were waiting with the most awesome Cake ever in honor of Cake and the Starred Review it received in Kirkus. <a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re... can read it here.</a> The cake was chocolate with a layer of raspberry. YUMMY. And then I started signing books while Sara, my wonderful publicist sliced cake for very hungry and appreciative book people. Annette, my publisher assisted me with signing while Cynthia, the other publicist handed out books to librarians and folks. I signed and signed and signed. It was so much fun meeting librarians and chatting with a few. It is always an honor to sign a book I know will be loved. </div><div class="MsoNormal">After that, we went to dinner and talked families and business and stuff. I had the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>chicken parm. Couldn’t finish it, but it was delicious. This after being so hungry just the day before. </div><div class="MsoNormal">And then it was back to my room where I went through my swag, all the free books and stuff I collected on the ALA floor—bookmarks, tote bags, posters, buttons. It’s so cool.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then I watched Downton Abbey and cried like a baby when Lady Sybil died. I knew it was coming and still, I cried. I suspect Tom will run off with the baby. But that’s fodder for another blog.</div><div class="MsoNormal">The next morning it was back to the airport for a lovely, albeit long, flight home. No germy people next to me this time. In fact the middle seat was empty. Pretty sweet! </div><div class="MsoNormal">All in all my ALA trip was an amazing success and quite Cakey.</div><div class="MsoNormal">So, if you like good books and cake please pick up a copy. It really is a good book.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

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Published on January 29, 2013 06:18

Worthy of Love

We are all eminently worthy of love.

But here’s the thing, not everyone believes that or understands that or even accepts it. I work in an elementary school and I get to speak too and work with a lot of children in grades one through five. The vast majority of the kids are terrific, well-behaved, well-balanced and happy. But every once in a while a child comes along who isn’t as happy as the others or seems angry much of the time. She/He often picks fights or arguments and deliberately gets in the way of another child’s fun. Now, it’s easy to get frustrated with a kid like this and ask her/him to behave, to stop doing the questionable behavior but I am often struck by what might be really going on, below the surface, behind the rude remarks and provocations. I ask myself, does he/she know that no matter what life dishes she/he is worthy of love—to be loved and give love? Could it be that simple (although I understand it really isn’t simple) but could it be that these kids don’t feel or believe they are loved, that it’s okay to give love away? That being nice to their friends will not always result in trouble? You see, sometimes I think these kids get angry or provoke their friends first because it somehow keeps them safe. Even though, in the end, they end up in time-out or with a visit to the guidance counselor or the principal and perhaps worse, the very children who should be their friends walk away. It’s tough to see a kid struggle with love. But I have to wonder if it somehow all boils down to this, that God made us lovable. He put that deep in our hearts, even though the world is fallen, we are all born with the capacity to love and to be loved. Life and other peoples troubles can often make that a hard thing to grasp and hold on to.This is one of the lessons in my new middle grade book, Cake. Wilma Sue, the protagonist, after experience a ton of rejection in her young life, a brand new life really, comes to learn that in spite of all the bad stuff, she is worthy. Worthy to receive love and give love and it doesn’t always come back to bite you.

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Published on January 23, 2013 06:00

Downton Abbey, some Creepy Crawleys

Here's the thing, I am a fan of Downton Abbey and will keep watching. There is so much to love about the show, the hats alone will keep me coming back. And as a writer I enjoy how all the main characters have stakes. Every time one of them walks into a scene you know the takes will get higher. Bravo to that. But I have to admit to feeling just a wee bit disappointed in last night's episode, especially after patiently waiting for so long.

But . . . I was a wee bit disappointed with last night's episode. Perhaps I was expecting too much. Although I think Shirley looked fabulous and I was expecting her to be much more witty and smart, she came across as either drunk or crass. Sorry. Perhaps that is how the English view Americans.
And then there was the wedding or should I say the sort of almost a wedding. After waiting six long months to watch Matthew and Mary tie the knot after so many ups and downs I was greatly disappointed that we didn't at least get to see the vows, or even the kiss for crying out loud. And then the quick, neck-jerking (I have whiplash) cut to them arriving home from their honeymoon was not well executed.
And third, the rather sloppy setting up of how the family will get over this financial crisis could have been handled better. In my opinion. Although, Mary's obvious gold-digging was not without its charm. That Matthew, he just keeps inheriting doesn't he? Then there was the sex talk between AMry and her mother. Really? Lest we forget that the last time Mary used her lady parts in that way she killed a Turk. But still. It was sweet.
And the best word to come out of the episode? Hobbledehoy. HA! I will use it.
As for Alfred--is this where Batman's butler got his start, he's cute and I love that Thomas and O'Brien are having troubles. Go O'Brien! And there is Branson. Well, he's cute and all but I thought he was kind of ridiculous and rude. But then again, the downfall of the British Empire was rude and startling for them all I suppose. Simpler times are at hand for the Crawley's I suppose. And does anyone else but me think Bates did it? Is he really a snake?
But all in all, I thoroughly enjoy Downton Abbey and thought that was the fastest two hours in history. Now relax and ring Carson for tea.

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Published on January 07, 2013 06:55

Wow!

CAKE~Love, Chickens and a Taste of Peculiar has released.
This is one of several letters I've already received.

Wow! Just received this message.
To Joyce Magnin:

Dear Joyce,

I love CAKE. Do Wilma Sue and the sisters make deliveries? What a wonderful post-Christmas gift. Being a fan of your adult books – I want to hang out with Harriet Beamer – I eagerly awaited CAKE’s arrival. The Kirkus review only added to the anticipation. As a mom and a middle school teacher, I am always on the lookout for fun, engaging books that tell a great story and, have “real” kids. When they manage to impart positive messages – well that’s a bonus. CAKE succeeds on all levels. As much as I adore Wilma Sue, Penny touches my heart in a way that I rarely see in books. While I have no idea why it wasn’t available to give as a Christmas gift, it is the perfect follow-up to remind us the real purpose of generosity and giving.

Seriously though, is there a place where I can order one of the upside-down-cakes online.

Maryellen DiNardi

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Published on December 26, 2012 08:37