Lisa Roecker's Blog, page 28
May 25, 2011
The cooler sister...
It's no secret that Stacey, the youngest Roecker, is waaaaaay cooler than we'll ever be. That's why we spend all day loitering on her fancy new blog.
And then, since the link is just begging to be clicked, why not kill some time obsessing over her Pinterest? Ya know, 'cause we were already there.
Only then can we mosey on over to the design blogs Stacey haunts. Wait a second, there's a world outside of writing? And it's going to make us feel depressed about our own, uninspired homes?
Why yes, yes there is.
http://www.livecreatingyourself.com/
http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/
http://decorandthedog.blogspot.com/
http://www.goodgirlgoneglad.com/
http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/
http://www.madebygirl.blogspot.com/
http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/
http://www.windhula.blogspot.com/
http://www.domesticjenny.com/
PS: We're announcing our exciting Live Event for June over at WriteOnCon today! Don't miss it!
And then, since the link is just begging to be clicked, why not kill some time obsessing over her Pinterest? Ya know, 'cause we were already there.
Only then can we mosey on over to the design blogs Stacey haunts. Wait a second, there's a world outside of writing? And it's going to make us feel depressed about our own, uninspired homes?
Why yes, yes there is.
http://www.livecreatingyourself.com/
http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/
http://decorandthedog.blogspot.com/
http://www.goodgirlgoneglad.com/
http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/
http://www.madebygirl.blogspot.com/
http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/
http://www.windhula.blogspot.com/
http://www.domesticjenny.com/
PS: We're announcing our exciting Live Event for June over at WriteOnCon today! Don't miss it!
May 24, 2011
Kate's Belated Spring Break
Most sasstastic, pink haired, girl detectives would opt for the predictable Spring Break in Cabo. But not our girl, Kate....
Just what we needed. More proof that our readers are FAR cooler than us.
May 23, 2011
The Harry Potter Project
I think we're all aware that my parenting techniques are questionable at best, but I love my kids and I'm doing everything in my power to ensure they grow up to be exceptionally attractive, fully potty trained, well read, fully functioning members of society.
And then I spent a day with my kids.
And decided it might be best to focus on 1 out of 4.
Naturally I decided to start with reading. I mean, I'm an author, spreading my love of the written word should be easy, right?
Um...sort of.
Jack just turned 6 and I decided that in addition to reading picture books every night before bed, we should also start a chapter book of some sort. We'd read a chapter a night and I would magically pass down my love for all things literary to my son. WIN. Even better, he's been BEGGING me to watch The Harry Potter movies, so I made a deal with him. We read the book together first, then we get to watch the movie. Done and done.
He was sold. And so was my 4-year-old, Mia.
Mia: "Pleeeze, Mommy. Can't I read about the wizard too? And Vlammamort?"
Me: "You're too little. We'll pick out a special book that we can read together too, ok?"
Mia: "NO! I want the boy with the lightening on his head."
Me: "How about a princess book?"
Mia: "HARRY Spotter!"
Me: "How about a book about dogs? You love dogs."
Mia: "Maybe."
And so we all headed out to the bookstore Sunday morning and came home with two copies of Harry (S)Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
and a copy of Magic Puppy
. Mia walked around with Magic Puppy all day long, BEGGING for me to read chapters. We're already half way done.
Meanwhile I had to physically restrain Jack to get him to sit still for 20 minutes to read a chapter. After we finally finished he only had one question:
"Can we watch the movie now?"
So, yeah. I have no idea if they're absorbing any of this or even enjoying it, but I'm bound and determined to do everything in my power to create a family of READERS. I'll keep you posted on our progress.
And then I spent a day with my kids.
And decided it might be best to focus on 1 out of 4.
Naturally I decided to start with reading. I mean, I'm an author, spreading my love of the written word should be easy, right?
Um...sort of.
Jack just turned 6 and I decided that in addition to reading picture books every night before bed, we should also start a chapter book of some sort. We'd read a chapter a night and I would magically pass down my love for all things literary to my son. WIN. Even better, he's been BEGGING me to watch The Harry Potter movies, so I made a deal with him. We read the book together first, then we get to watch the movie. Done and done.
He was sold. And so was my 4-year-old, Mia.
Mia: "Pleeeze, Mommy. Can't I read about the wizard too? And Vlammamort?"
Me: "You're too little. We'll pick out a special book that we can read together too, ok?"
Mia: "NO! I want the boy with the lightening on his head."
Me: "How about a princess book?"
Mia: "HARRY Spotter!"
Me: "How about a book about dogs? You love dogs."
Mia: "Maybe."
And so we all headed out to the bookstore Sunday morning and came home with two copies of Harry (S)Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
and a copy of Magic Puppy. Mia walked around with Magic Puppy all day long, BEGGING for me to read chapters. We're already half way done.Meanwhile I had to physically restrain Jack to get him to sit still for 20 minutes to read a chapter. After we finally finished he only had one question:
"Can we watch the movie now?"
So, yeah. I have no idea if they're absorbing any of this or even enjoying it, but I'm bound and determined to do everything in my power to create a family of READERS. I'll keep you posted on our progress.
May 20, 2011
Friday Five
1. I just finished THE DEMON'S COVENANT
and holy wow. I really enjoyed THE DEMON'S LEXICON
and I have to say I think I liked the second book in the trilogy even more. Loretta Nyhan sent it to me last summer and I'm actually really glad it took me so long to pick it up because now I only have to wait a week for THE DEMON'S SURRENDER.
Whut. Whut.
2. SUPER excited for a mega surprise party tonight. My husband finished his MBA last week so the kids and I have spent all day making him ridiculous signs and all of his favorite foods and we're all going to yell surprise when he walks in the door. That's the part the kids are the most excited about. Worried that I'm totally blowing the surprise by blogging about it? Don't be. The blog completely freaks my husband out. He's all, "Who are all those people who comment and do you really need to be telling people about our son's poop?"
3. I have a lot of required reading this weekend and I'm so pumped. There's a very small part of me that fantasizes about deleting our blog and twitter accounts, deactivating all of our email addresses and pretending that we never, ever decided to write books. And then I would go to the library and pick out a HUGE stack of books, all written by authors I've never met and never intend to meet. I'd devour them all and never write a single book review. But then I remember how much I love reading books by friends and blogging and tweeting and emailing and writing and I realize my fantasy kind of sucks.
4. I start my job on Monday and I'm slightly terrified. What if I suck? What if my kids hate their camps? What if I don't have time to work out or read or watch Happy Endings? What if I cry? What if people I work with read this blog? *cue head explosion here*
5. Laura has agreed to fill in as interim childcare until camp starts. I'm scared for the children. I'm scared for me. But most of all, I'm scared for Laura. Giddy. Up.
and holy wow. I really enjoyed THE DEMON'S LEXICON and I have to say I think I liked the second book in the trilogy even more. Loretta Nyhan sent it to me last summer and I'm actually really glad it took me so long to pick it up because now I only have to wait a week for THE DEMON'S SURRENDER. Whut. Whut.2. SUPER excited for a mega surprise party tonight. My husband finished his MBA last week so the kids and I have spent all day making him ridiculous signs and all of his favorite foods and we're all going to yell surprise when he walks in the door. That's the part the kids are the most excited about. Worried that I'm totally blowing the surprise by blogging about it? Don't be. The blog completely freaks my husband out. He's all, "Who are all those people who comment and do you really need to be telling people about our son's poop?"
3. I have a lot of required reading this weekend and I'm so pumped. There's a very small part of me that fantasizes about deleting our blog and twitter accounts, deactivating all of our email addresses and pretending that we never, ever decided to write books. And then I would go to the library and pick out a HUGE stack of books, all written by authors I've never met and never intend to meet. I'd devour them all and never write a single book review. But then I remember how much I love reading books by friends and blogging and tweeting and emailing and writing and I realize my fantasy kind of sucks.
4. I start my job on Monday and I'm slightly terrified. What if I suck? What if my kids hate their camps? What if I don't have time to work out or read or watch Happy Endings? What if I cry? What if people I work with read this blog? *cue head explosion here*
5. Laura has agreed to fill in as interim childcare until camp starts. I'm scared for the children. I'm scared for me. But most of all, I'm scared for Laura. Giddy. Up.
May 19, 2011
Bookinistas: POSSESSION
Just over two years ago something amazing happened to Laura and me. We posted the query for Liar Society in the Query Tracker Forums praying for some gentle, constructive feedback and lo and behold, someone named ElanaJ completely ripped apart our query in the best way possible. But AFTER she ripped it apart she said this:
"Very nice! Hmm...you don't need anyone to read this, do you? Check for commas, that kinda thing..."
And then I called Laura and said, "HOLY CRAP. Elana Johnson is not only TALKING to us, but she wants to read our manuscript. Holy crap. Holy crap. Holy crap. Holy crap. YES!"
And that's how Elana ended up reading the first draft of Liar Society and we got to read a very early draft of POSSESSION
. And...now it's a book. A real live book that will be on bookshelves June 7th. I get all shivery when I think about it.
Naturally we have a LOT to say about Elana's book and because we're totally superficial we'll start with the cover. Isn't it pretty? Bravo, designers, bravo. This is one you can't pass up. And we haven't even seen it on shelves yet.
What the back cover has to say (if you can bring yourself to turn it over):
Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn…and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.
But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them….starting by brainwashed Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous: everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.
This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.
What Lila has to say:
You'll start by falling in love. Zenn is exactly who you need. He's safe and cute and like-minded. The right choice. But then you'll dig a little deeper and figure out that much, much more is at stake than a harmless relationship. Enter the rules. Enter a world where being controlled is the name of the game and thinking for yourself is taboo. Independence? Think again. And what if the love of your life is involved? At risk? Controlled? Then what?
Well, then comes Jag. Jag was written for anyone who loves a bad boy or a good old fashioned a challenge. He brings out the badass in Vi and even though she's still pining for Zenn Jag starts to grow on her when he takes her on an action-filled adventure to the Badlands. Turns out the Badlands aren't so bad, but for a girl who was raised/brainwashed to be good, it's a tough pill to swallow. Not to mention the fact that Zenn has a way of continuing to pull on Vi's heartstrings. Oh, and there's some major tugging going on by the "goodies" to get her mad skills over on their team, a heartfelt reunion and some kickass technology as well.
And then comes the ending. Buckle. Up. We never saw it coming and had to take a few deep breaths before diving back in and re-reading and marveling at Elana's genius. So, go forth and read preorder and then read ASAP, so we can actually talk about it. Because we've been waiting months for this moment.
Of course, this review would not be complete without a single tear moment for Elana. She's one of the most selfless people we know and she deserves everything that's coming her way. We'll be cheering from the sidelines!
Here's what the rest of the Bookanistas are up to this week:
Elana Johnson marvels at MoonglassChristine Fonseca raves about It's Raining CupcakesShelli Johannes-Wells chats with Pure and The Summer of Firsts & Lasts author Terra McEvaoyLiLa Roecker and Carrie Harris have a passion for PossessionBeth Revis admires the audiobook of Anansi BoysCarolina Valdez Miller is giddy over Moonglass – with giveawayMegan Miranda swoons over Strings AttachedShana Silver delves into DivergentSarah Frances Hardy gabs about Gossip from the Girls RoomMatt Blackstone is tantalized by Bad Taste in BoysStasia Ward Kehoe glories in a guestanista review of The Rendering
"Very nice! Hmm...you don't need anyone to read this, do you? Check for commas, that kinda thing..."
And then I called Laura and said, "HOLY CRAP. Elana Johnson is not only TALKING to us, but she wants to read our manuscript. Holy crap. Holy crap. Holy crap. Holy crap. YES!"
And that's how Elana ended up reading the first draft of Liar Society and we got to read a very early draft of POSSESSION
. And...now it's a book. A real live book that will be on bookshelves June 7th. I get all shivery when I think about it. 
Naturally we have a LOT to say about Elana's book and because we're totally superficial we'll start with the cover. Isn't it pretty? Bravo, designers, bravo. This is one you can't pass up. And we haven't even seen it on shelves yet. What the back cover has to say (if you can bring yourself to turn it over):
Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn…and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.
But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them….starting by brainwashed Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous: everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.
This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.
What Lila has to say:
You'll start by falling in love. Zenn is exactly who you need. He's safe and cute and like-minded. The right choice. But then you'll dig a little deeper and figure out that much, much more is at stake than a harmless relationship. Enter the rules. Enter a world where being controlled is the name of the game and thinking for yourself is taboo. Independence? Think again. And what if the love of your life is involved? At risk? Controlled? Then what?
Well, then comes Jag. Jag was written for anyone who loves a bad boy or a good old fashioned a challenge. He brings out the badass in Vi and even though she's still pining for Zenn Jag starts to grow on her when he takes her on an action-filled adventure to the Badlands. Turns out the Badlands aren't so bad, but for a girl who was raised/brainwashed to be good, it's a tough pill to swallow. Not to mention the fact that Zenn has a way of continuing to pull on Vi's heartstrings. Oh, and there's some major tugging going on by the "goodies" to get her mad skills over on their team, a heartfelt reunion and some kickass technology as well.
And then comes the ending. Buckle. Up. We never saw it coming and had to take a few deep breaths before diving back in and re-reading and marveling at Elana's genius. So, go forth and read preorder and then read ASAP, so we can actually talk about it. Because we've been waiting months for this moment.
Of course, this review would not be complete without a single tear moment for Elana. She's one of the most selfless people we know and she deserves everything that's coming her way. We'll be cheering from the sidelines!
Here's what the rest of the Bookanistas are up to this week:
Elana Johnson marvels at MoonglassChristine Fonseca raves about It's Raining CupcakesShelli Johannes-Wells chats with Pure and The Summer of Firsts & Lasts author Terra McEvaoyLiLa Roecker and Carrie Harris have a passion for PossessionBeth Revis admires the audiobook of Anansi BoysCarolina Valdez Miller is giddy over Moonglass – with giveawayMegan Miranda swoons over Strings AttachedShana Silver delves into DivergentSarah Frances Hardy gabs about Gossip from the Girls RoomMatt Blackstone is tantalized by Bad Taste in BoysStasia Ward Kehoe glories in a guestanista review of The Rendering
May 18, 2011
Movie Review: BRIDESMAIDS
Stop what you're doing.Pick up the phone.Call your best friend.Establish a meeting time.Book a babysitter if need be.Prepare to laugh your ass off.
A few questions to ask yourself. Did you like Superbad? Who didn't? How about Knocked Up? One of Laura's favorites. Or 40-Year-Old Virgin? A total classic. Well, Bridesmaids is even better because it's a predominantly female cast and everyone knows girls are funnier than boys. So there.
Throughout the movie, Annie is kind of a train wreck. She's single, but stuck in a crappy one-sided friends-with-benefits situation with none other than Jon Hamm and when her best friend is engaged to be married, she's asked to be maid of honor. Unfortunately for her, one of her best friend's other girlfriends is lobbying for that very position. They basically compete to fill the role and hilarity ensues.
We were crying at parts, Lisa snorted throughout and we consumed entirely too much popcorn making this one of the best nights out we've had in a long time. We declared this movie the kind that only gets better every time you see it and predict many viewings of Bridesmaids in our future. All of the ladies were funny in their own right, but we have to say, Melissa McCarthy had it going on. From the very beginning, she cracked us up with her description of falling off a cruise ship, thus securing a place in our hearts forevermore.
Save for one exceptionally disgusting scene in a bridal store, it's a true A+ from the Roecker sisters. This just makes my standards for The Hangover Part II soar through the roof. Those boys are in trouble.
May 17, 2011
Tell the Truth Tuesday School Visit Style
How many times did my eyes well up with tears during our first official school visit to Glen Crest Middle School? Let's break it down...
1. Upon driving up and seeing this sign.
2. After walking into the building and being reminded of my teaching days. Lisa said it smelled like hormones, but to me it smelled like growing up. And a gym, but mainly growing up.
3. When we finally got to give publicist extraordinaire Kay a hug and saw that she had sprayed her hair pink for us.
4. After the nicest librarians in the world revealed that they had purchased multiple pounds of Twizzlers and 12 packs of Diet Coke just for us. In addition to their thoughtfulness, I may have been misty-eyed because I knew that those Twizzlers would at some point end up in my belly and around my thighs.
5. Over lunch when Lisa and I looked at each other and began discussing the fact that we're living our dream. The jury's still out on whether or not it was the delicious Jimmy John's sub that did it or the talk about how much fun it is to write together, but it was a total single tear moment. I was sure to look away before Lisa could make fun of me.
I'm an emotional headcase who has been known to cry during the opening scene of The Lion King. What can I say, all those animals coming together to celebrate the birth of a lion cub gets me all verklempt.
Are your truths today as pathetic as mine?
PS: Bonus tear-jerking truth. This made us want to cut someone.
PPS: We're doing one last #askiclue Twitter chat tonight at 8 PM EST. Don't miss it--you can ask us ANYTHING!
1. Upon driving up and seeing this sign.
2. After walking into the building and being reminded of my teaching days. Lisa said it smelled like hormones, but to me it smelled like growing up. And a gym, but mainly growing up.
3. When we finally got to give publicist extraordinaire Kay a hug and saw that she had sprayed her hair pink for us.
4. After the nicest librarians in the world revealed that they had purchased multiple pounds of Twizzlers and 12 packs of Diet Coke just for us. In addition to their thoughtfulness, I may have been misty-eyed because I knew that those Twizzlers would at some point end up in my belly and around my thighs.
5. Over lunch when Lisa and I looked at each other and began discussing the fact that we're living our dream. The jury's still out on whether or not it was the delicious Jimmy John's sub that did it or the talk about how much fun it is to write together, but it was a total single tear moment. I was sure to look away before Lisa could make fun of me.
I'm an emotional headcase who has been known to cry during the opening scene of The Lion King. What can I say, all those animals coming together to celebrate the birth of a lion cub gets me all verklempt.
Are your truths today as pathetic as mine?
PS: Bonus tear-jerking truth. This made us want to cut someone.
PPS: We're doing one last #askiclue Twitter chat tonight at 8 PM EST. Don't miss it--you can ask us ANYTHING!
May 16, 2011
A Weekend of EPIC Poportions
Our trip to Chicago was AMAZING. Here's a break down by the numbers:100: 8th grade girls we got to talk to on Friday afternoon.
75: Red vines in the jug we lugged around with us to the school visit and the book signing.
32: Number of times we got lost in and around the Chicagoland area.
9: Outfits we each packed for a three day trip.
4: People who assumed we were married when I took Laura to my college roommate's wedding as my date.
3: Awkward encounters with dudes in elevators.
2: Dairy Queens that were closed when we desperately wanted a crunch coat twist.
1: REALLY bad spray tan.
So, yeah, we've got spray painted pink hair, stories detailing all of our awkward encounters and a killer review of the Bridesmaids movie coming all this week. In the meantime, here's a pic of us at the wedding on Saturday night. We totally cropped out the yoga pants.
May 15, 2011
Leaving...
on a jet plane in a Corolla. We're off to Chicago for a school visit, the Lucky/Unlucky signing at Anderson's, drinks/dinner, a wedding, a brunch and whatever else we can shove into one weekend! We'll be live-tweeting throughout today, so tune in!
See ya on Monday!
See ya on Monday!
May 12, 2011
Bookinistas: TIGHTER
In the copy of the ARC Adele signed for us, she wrote "Hold on..." Best advice we ever got before diving in.What the back cover has to say: When 17-year-old Jamie arrives on the idyllic New England island of Little Bly to work as a summer au pair, she is stunned to learn of the horror that precedes her. Seeking the truth surrounding a young couple's tragic deaths, Jamie discovers that she herself looks shockingly like the dead girl—and that she has a disturbing ability to sense the two ghosts. Why is Jamie's connection to the couple so intense? What really happened last summer at Little Bly? As the secrets of the house wrap tighter and tighter around her, Jamie must navigate the increasingly blurred divide between the worlds of the living and the dead.
What Lila has to say:
TIGHTER is the real deal, you guys. The cover is fabulously creepy, the characters are perfectly flawed, the setting is beautifully drawn and the plot is full of psychological, thrilling, terrifying, can't-turn-the-pages-fast-enough goodness. I had a hard time sleeping while reading about Jamie and the cast of characters in her crazy, mixed up world.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was trying to distinguish fantasy versus reality. Jamie, the main character, abuses pain killers and her world is fuzzy. Our eyes are Jamie's eyes, so you're right there with her, trying to squint through the fog. This is my first YA experience with an unreliable narrator and it was absolutely fascinating.
And then there's the creep factor. I devoured the book during a weekend away and was staying with a friend in a very old house. Needless to say, I didn't do a whole lot of sleeping. The plot, which is an update of the classic The Turn of the Screw (which I'm ashamed to say, I have not read), has some fantastic twists and turns that keep you guessing right up until the bitter end. And oh, what an end. It's seriously mind blowing.
Adele is unbelievably talented. I love how you can read one of her books, say THE JULIAN GAME, which we loved, and pick up another and have both be so incredibly different and unique and compelling and rich. They're the kind of books you finish and wonder if you'll ever get to that place as a writer. We tried to be jealous, but Adele is too cool to hate, so we settled on being inspired. TIGHTER
is the kind of book that makes you want to grow and develop as a writer.Think we're biased? Go read the starred Kirkus review. Yeah. That's right. Even the scary reviewers at Kirkus loved this book. GO BUY IT NOW
.
Check out what the other Bookinistas are up to this week!Elana Johnson turns you on to DivergentChristine Fonseca gets giddy about Moonglass – with giveawayShannon Messenger is mesmerized by Imaginary Girls – with giveawayKirsten Hubbard has double the love for Rival and MoonglassCarolina Valdez Miller vaunts Divergent – with giveawayMegan Miranda devours Bad Taste in BoysBethany Wiggins and Shana Silver share their passion for PossessionGretchen McNeil rocks out with The Anti-PromCarrie Harris reads along Blood Red RoadStasia Ward Kehoe shines a spotlight on DramaramaMyra McEntire announces the Bookanistas Give Back Run For Your Life contest winners!
