Judith Graves's Blog, page 16

Second Skin Tunage

I'm knee deep in writing for Second Skin, making last minute tweaks to plot, etc. Ugh. Fun, but the deadline is ever looming. I wanted to share a few of the tunes I've been writing to – they're stuck in my head – I hum them interchangeably all day long.

Misery loves company. Get these in your noggin and download'm from iTunes. They rock!

Metallica – Enter Sandman – pretty much THE tune for Second Skin.

Hey Rosetta! – Who is at My Window Weeping – great Canadian band and a cool cover of a traditional Newfoundland tune. This tragic love song has come to epitomize Eryn and Alec's doomed romance. (Oops…did I say doomed? I meant rocky, that's right…just rocky…no spoilers here. Or red herrings. lol….)

5440 – The Scare of Meaning Less – nother Canadian band. They were there for me in high school and now they're here for Eryn.

Northern Pikes – She Ain't Pretty She Just Looks That Way - Canadian band (are you seeing a trend?). Classic video – how could it not help with a paranormal tale?

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – Kisses Start Wars – great for those love-is-a-battlefield type scenes…hmmm….Love is a Battlefield by Pat Benatar gets an honourable mention.

Alexisonfire – The Northern – every villian needs a theme song – this one fits for multiple badasses in the Skinned series, Logan, Sebastian, demon bounty hunters, Wade…take your pick. Um…yeah, and the band's Canadian.

Editors – An End Has a Start – love the simplicity of this live version.

Second Thoughts #2

With my second novel coming out in October (and it being titled, Second Skin), I've been thinking a lot about how authors tackle their second book. In efforts to stymie my own jitters, I've asked author buddies to offer their insights. I'm collecting responses and will share them with you as I get'm. So, here goes my second, Second Thoughts, featuring Bonnie J. Doerr, a fellow Class of 2k10 member and author with Leap Books.

A lifetime educator, she has taught students from kindergarten to college in eight states. Degrees in reading education, combined with a brief post as a science teacher, led her to write ecological mysteries. Years of teaching and living in the Florida Keys provided irresistible material. Her novels celebrate caring, involved, "green" teens who take action with attitude and a touch of romance. Her work has been honored by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) with a grant for its use in environmental education and has been included in Milkweed Editions literary field guides. 

Did you start on the second novel directly after completing the first? And if there was some time between novels – was it difficult to settle back into the voice?

I started drafting Stakeout soon after Island Sting was in the works. There wasn't much time between the writing or publication of the novels. Perhaps that's why I don't remember struggling with voice. On the other hand, it was a lengthy, arduous journey to the first book's publication. I'd been living with Angelo and Kenzie for so many years I kept expecting them to show up for dinner. Since their personalities drive the voice in both novels, its rhythm had etched deep groves in my brain. However, the addition of strong, new characters in Stakeout did force me to focus on consistency.

 Have the overall arcs of your characters changed since you first envisioned the series? Or are you on track?

Both Island Sting and Stakeout are more plot driven than character driven. As mystery/adventures the character arcs are not as dramatic as in many novels. But the personal challenges Kenzie and Angelo faced in the first book reposition themselves on the same arc in the second book. Negatives inch upward, losses are slowly accepted, pain eases. All of this making space for the development of what might be considered a second arc which is more like a roller coaster than an arc. But when the heart is involved, isn't that always the case?

How are your marketing efforts different with this second novel? Is it easier now that you have a fan base, or do you feel pressure to up the anti?

I don't want to up the anti because I was very stressed following the release of Island Sting. What I hope to do is better target marketing efforts this time. I'm not sure I targeted the appropriate audience with Island Sting. Much time was spent marketing to the YA audience, and Island Sting is really for only the youngest of teens and middle school or younger audience. I need to target the gatekeepers for ages 10 and up this time round, and that's a tough group to reach. For example, there are a host of YA bloggers out there and, understandably, few are interested in my genre.

Cover love: how much input did you have with your covers? More with the second? Love them? Or wish they were something more?

I'm with a small publishing company that actually encourages author input with the covers. This has definite value and prevents disasters such as a friend of mine experienced. An illustration of a clawed Maine lobster was used in her book which is set in Florida, home of clawless (spiny) Caribbean lobsters. Major embarrassment. I love my covers. So far readers have too. The covers definitely spur curiosity and attract attention.

What's next for you – any WIPs?

I'm researching a third book in the series now with the working title Busted. I'm struggling a bit to get it off the ground. Maybe after the excitement of seeing Stakeout in print comes and goes I'll find it easier to concentrate. But I doubt it. That distracting marketing issue will soon kick into gear.

Can you share an excerpt of the 2nd book?

 Here's the blurb followed by an excerpt from Stakeout chosen by the publisher:

 It was an ordinary field trip to the New York City aquarium. How could Kenzie have predicted that a surreal encounter with an ancient sea turtle would propel her into peril in the Florida Keys?

A haunting promise compels Kenzie to ensure the survival of sea turtles by ending a rash of nest robberies. Fearless, wheelchair-bound Ana and savvy, troubled Angelo assist in an undercover operation that grows increasingly complicated and treacherous. Problems compound as Kenzie fears losing her first romance, her mother's trust, and her own life

The thief dove on the net. Whirled. Plopped it over Kenzie's head and spun her, locking her arms at her sides.

No . No. No.

From behind her, furious hands wound the long line from her chest down to her knees. Cursing and spitting, Kenzie was knocked blindly to the ground. Shoved and rolled into the trees, screeching monstrous words. Trapped in the growing darkness like a fly in a spider's web.

She screamed with rage—until something snatched and sliced at the nylon mesh over her face—and crammed a bag into her mouth.

A filthy, suffocating plastic bag.

Judith, thanks so much for inviting me to answer these interesting questions. I always enjoy your blog and look forward to following this series.

Ah, thanks, Bonnie. Best wishes with Stakeout and happy writing for "Busted".

Judith on Voice (with groovy guest, Denise Jaden)

When it rains…it really freaking rains, you know? I had several author visits  this weekend and being that I can't be in two places at once, I had to bow out of a "live" visit at one of the events. Instead, I created a vlog and wrangled in a fellow Class of 2k10 author, Denise Jaden to help me out. I sent the vlog along to the school and hope they were able to view it. It's too fun not to share, however, so…if you're interested in Writing With Voice – you might get a kick out of our author fusion vlog.

Writing With VOICE:

Unfortunately, I'm still learning the techy aspects of working in video from another source without losing quality, so Denise's section is a bit blurry in the final. Here's a link to her original clip, which is clear and really makes me hate that Denise lives in snow free – green leafed BC.

So…what's your take on VOICE? Gots ideas to share?

Young Reader/Author Conferences

This weekend I'll be doing workshops at two literacy/writing evens for tweens/teens. First up on Friday is the 8th Annual Highlands Young Readers Conference. I'm so impressed with the other diverse group of speakers at this event – creativity in all its forms. "200 grade 6 students from Abbott, Montrose, Mount Royal, RJ Scott, Rundle and Virginia Park schools joining us for the day. The Highlands Young Read-ers' Conference is an opportunity for students to be inspired, enhance their love of reading and writing, and to see the potential that reading and writing may have in their lives."

Presenting are:

Charlotte and Sarah Command: The Command sisters have a deep love for music and performing. Not only do they write their own lyrics and music – they also play guitar, keyboard, mandolin, bass and fiddle!! And, they are only 12 (Sarah) and 15 (Charlotte) years old.

Laurie Greenwood: Edmontonian Laurie Greenwood has been in the book business for over 30 years. An avid reader all her life, she and her family became co-owners of Greenwoods Books in 1979.

Kath MacLean: Kath MacLean writes poetry, creative nonfiction, fiction, critical reviews and per-formance poetry. She is one of "Edmonton's most eclectic poet-performers", her interesting, unique poetry along with the creative way she performs, attracts attention wherever she reads.

Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail: is a professional speaker, researcher and writer who specializes in North American history but works across a number of genres. Danielle has numerous published works in magazines and novels – many of them with a focus on aviation and history.

 

Aaron Paquette:  Aaron Paquette has quickly become one of Canada's leading First Nations artists. Fea-tured on radio, television, in magazines and newspapers across the country, this young man of Cree, Cherokee and Norwegian descent is blending his cultural backgrounds to create visual and spiritual bridges between the centuries of long rifts between Europeans and First Nations peoples.

Lyle Weis: Lyle Weis was born in Ontario, and has lived in numerous places in the United States and Canada. He is a former teacher and arts administrator who is the published author of six books, a couple of dozen short stories and many poems.

Spyder Yardley Jones: Son of a father who was an editorial cartoonist and a mother who was a teacher, Spyder grew up in a very artistic and understanding family of six kids and many pets. After being edu-cated in many box shaped institutions, Spyder took up the same life career as his father: an editorial car-toonist and a continuous freelance artist.

Maren Ord : A singer-songwriter who was born and raised in Edmonton. She grew up in a musical fam-ily, singing and playing piano. At the age of 14, Maren taught herself to play the guitar. In 1998 she per-formed at Lilith Fair, a women in music festival featuring artists such as Sarah Mclachlan, Sheryl Crow, and the Dixie Chicks.

Seriously – that's a cool lineup.

Then on Saturday, I'm back at the Young Authors Conference for grades 7-9 students. I'm keen for this event as I had a blast last year and can't wait to be inspired by both the teens and the other authors who present. Like…

Mary Woodbury, Marty Chan, Sigmund Brower, Jacqueline Guest, Colleen Hefferman, David Poulsen and Gord Steinke, and more.

Whoopa – it's gonna be a writing mania kinda weekend!

Second Thoughts: #1

With my second novel coming out in October (and it being titled, Second Skin), I've been thinking a lot about how authors tackle their second book. Personally, I've been through the wringer with Second Skin. To crank up the intensity, key scenes / concepts were brought forward into Under My Skin and that left me with a huge gap in Second Skin's plot. Plus, every change I make to SS affects my outline for the third book, Skin of My Teeth. Then there's the marketing of book two. When to start? How can I use what I learned from promoting UMS? What if fans of UMS are disappointed with baby number two? What if I fail to deliver a dark and humours read? Ugh! Talk about pressure.

In efforts to stymie my own jitters, I've asked author buddies to offer their insights. I'm collecting responses and will share them with you as I get'm. So, here goes…this is the first "Second Thoughts" feature and we have Jennifer R. Hubbard, author of The Secret Year (Viking, 2010), and fellow member of the Class of 2k10.

Brief bio: "In high school, I considered it fun to come home from school and write novels. My grandfather worked at a printing plant that produced spiral-bound notebooks. Any flaws in the printing or binding process would land the notebooks in the company store at a steep discount, so I always had plenty of notebooks on hand. Now I write on a computer most of the time."

Blurb: Seventeen-year-old Colt has been sneaking out at night to meet Julia, a girl from an upper-class neighborhood unlike his own. They've never told anyone else about their relationship: not their family or friends, and especially not Julia's boyfriend. When Julia dies suddenly, Colt tries to cope with her death while pretending that he never even knew her. He discovers a journal Julia left behind. But Colt is not prepared for the truths he discovers about their intense relationship, nor to pay the price for the secrets he's kept.

The questions:

Are your novels within the same genre / age level? Or are they completely different? If different, what challenges did you face when writing such different tones/genres/voices?

 

My second book is a contemporary realistic YA novel, as my first (The Secret Year) was. At the moment, contemporary YA is my favorite kind of book. My second novel is not a sequel to the first, but I think it will appeal to the same readers.

It also has a first person male narrator. But this narrator is different from Colt in The Secret Year. In many ways, the new character, Ryan, is in worse trouble and bigger danger.

How are your marketing efforts different with this second novel? Is it easier now that you have a fan base, or do you feel pressure to up the ante?

It's a little early to think about marketing the second book. But already, I can foresee a couple of differences. First, I won't have a debut-author group this time around. I maintain contact with my debut friends, but we're not doing a formal, debut-themed marketing effort anymore.

I have become part of a local author group doing events in my area, and most of my live events will come through them (The Kidlit Authors Club, http://kidlitauthorsclub.com/ ). Obviously, I still believe in the power of author groups! I think multiple authors are usually a stronger draw at an event, and nothing beats the mutual support and shared information of a group.

I'll continue my online presence because I enjoy that. I'm on Twitter as @JennRHubbard, and I blog on LiveJournal (http://writerjenn.livejournal.com/ ) and Blogspot (http://jenniferrhubbard.blogspot.com/ ). I'm also open to Skype visits (http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/page/Jennifer+Hubbard ), and I'm always happy to speak to librarians, teachers, book clubs, classes, and other writers.

Cover love: how much input did you have with your covers? More with the second? Love them? Or wish they were something more?

I haven't seen a cover for my second book yet, but The Secret Year has two covers: hardcover and paperback. Their design was determined by the publisher, but I've been quite vocal about my admiration for the design work. I really am much more word-oriented; I'm not a visual artist. I wouldn't really want to rely on my own amateurish cover concepts, when Penguin has experts who do a much better job!

Many authors experience shifts in their writing world before their second book is published. Some find new agents, get an agent if they didn't have one before, or even seek out new publishers. Have you had any such dramas? 

Funny you should ask! My agent and editor, who had both been with me through book 1 and the start of book 2, left their respective jobs about a month apart. The transition wasn't as difficult as it might have been, since I moved to another representative at the same literary agency. And my editor continued to work on my book in a freelance capacity, while the editorial assistant who'd worked on both books remained at the publisher. Still, that transitional month was unsettling at the time. But as the dust clears, I remain with my same agency and publisher, working with excellent people.

Can you share an excerpt of the 2nd book? Link to booktrailer?

Here's a brief synopsis: In the summer after his suicide attempt, 16-year-old Ryan struggles with his own guilty secrets, and befriends a girl who's visiting psychics in an attempt to reach her dead father.

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on seconds, Jennifer! Can't wait to read Ryan's story…psychics/ dead father - I know it's contemporary but those hints of even slightly paranormal goodness have me hooked. May your book two launch be double the fun of book one!

WordsWorth: Promo film and my little Flip flick

Below this first video you'll find a little vlog I created with my new Flip Ultra (love it, BTW), documenting  Winter WordsWorth, however, feast your eyes on this wonderful promo created by filmmaker, Cynthia Robertson, on behalf of the Young Alberta Book Society:

WordsWorth: Paranormal Under a Woolen Moon from cynthia robinson on Vimeo.

And now here's my widdle vlog. The still photos were taken by WordsWorth Director, Lisa Murphy Lamb:

WordsWorth: Promo film

I'll be whipping up my own video montage of my experiences at Winter WordsWorth, however, feast your eyes on this wonderful promo created by filmmaker, Cynthia Robertson, on behalf of the Young Alberta Book Society:

WordsWorth: Paranormal Under a Woolen Moon from cynthia robinson on Vimeo.

Waxing Poetic Under A Woolen Moon

In a few sleeps I'll be spending an entire weekend at Winter WordsWorth with teen poets, songwriters, fiction writers, musicians, writing instructors to DIE for, and a poetic professor. Our backdrop will be a wintry forest with snow-covered mountains in the distance. We'll skate and take to the hills for some sledding to refuel our brains before digging into our creative souls once more. (I say "we", but really I mean everyone else. I'll be the cheerleader sipping coffee from the sidelines….you don't want me near skate blades. It's safer for everyone if I keep my distance. Seriously.)

My workshops are planned and are a mix of writing prompts/drama and improv/music/graphic organizers/video clips and peer evaluation. While that sounds DEADucational and possibly dull - it'll be a scream, have no fear…or perhaps a smidge of unease – nerves make us more creative.

I'm hoping to sneak away and check out the poetry workshops offered by Calgary professor, Owen Percy. Owen…"has planned a workshop FULL of fun! You'll put your poems through a series of constraint-based games designed to engage your vocabulary, process and perspectives as a poet. Owen will challenge not only what you write, but also how you write it. You'll consider word choice, form, punctuation and tone in your quest to become an evil (poetry) genius!"

Click HERE for samples of Owen's poetry.

We even have an open mic planned, with a house band to start us off. I'm bringing my guitar, my amp and a few new tunes to try out on a keen (or captive) audience. And with all those creative types – hello – jam session!

 "Mercury Audio is a roots rockabilly duo comprised of Dylan Sadlier-Brown on guitar and Laurie Fuhr on bass. With a full band, they have played most Calgary venues, and they love playing summer festivals. They write about many topics, but space aliens are a favourite. While both musicians have released albums with other projects such as The Sure Fires, Lonely Hunters, and the Sadlier-Brown Family Band, they are currently working on a first album for Mercury Audio called 'Interstellar Hits!'"

Oddly enough, Laurie used to live in Cold Lake and would come out to our local open mics at Beantrees Cafe. I'm keen to talk with her about all the wonderful writing/music stuff she's done since moving to the big city. Small world, eh?

If it's not obvious by now…      I. Can't. Wait.

Waking the DEAD: Winter WordsWorth

Here's the press release for my workshops at Winter WordsWorth in February:

Waking the DEAD: inspiring the next generation of paranormal writers

Bragg Creek, AB –

There's only one way to escape the dead of winter. Let your mind wander and get your creative juices flowing this February at the WordsWorth weekend. Join Judith Graves, one of the hottest YA authors around, on a horrific journey on how to write to die for fiction including the terrifying realms of character development and revision.

Judith Graves is the smart and sassy author behind the hit paranormal trilogy SKINNED. Librarian, singer, songwriter, author, and book club haunter, Graves has her own opinions about words and she's not afraid to voice them. Much like Eryn, the snarky protagonist in her books, Graves doesn't pull punches when it comes to calling 'em as she sees 'em. Now she's putting her bold opinions to good use at WordsWorth by teaching young and emerging writers how to better craft their own tantalizing tales.

"I'm a firm believer that Canadian teen fiction can be sexy, action packed, and snarky as hell," says Graves. So what better author could there be for encouraging youth to develop their own feisty stories?

WordsWorth is a weekend-long sleepover for young writers. Over the course of the weekend, writers will be completely submerged in their fictitious worlds. Carefully guided by Graves and poet Owen Percy, writers will be able to attack their projects with newfound creativity. They will learn how to tweak, manipulate, push, pull, and revamp their stories and characters to create truly unique tales.

WordsWorth is being held February 4-6, 2011 and is open to all writers aged 13-19. The weekend will take place at Kamp Kiwanis in Bragg Creek. To find out more information about the event or to register visit the Young Alberta's Book Society page at http://yabs.ab.ca/WordsWorth.asp

For more information on Judith Graves, visit her GOREgeous website: www.judithgraves.com

 -30-

To book an interview contact Rachel Sentes, Publicist

rachel@gal-fridaypublicity.com

604-366-7846

Get your SWAG on…

A fun part of being an author is choosing what SWAG to invest in for promotional purposes – blog contest giveaways, touring giveaways, drop off items to bookstores on your travels, or giveaways at signings/author visits, etc. There are infinite ways to utilize SWAG and an equal amount of items out there to be branded. Here are a few of the SWAG products I've invested in and an overview of their impact:

Character Cards: Val Cox (http://www.valcox.ca/) illustrated Under My Skin and her gothic work looks GOREgeous in full colour. After falling in love with her illos of the UMS crew, I asked her to develop some unique SWAG to promote the book. She came up with three different cards based on the main characters, their personalities and a quote from UMS. The cards are slick, hip and gothic – a great investment – worth the design and production fees. They also fit perfectly into the plastic, sealing bags used for the UMS chokers. Which brings us to….

UMS Chokers: These choker necklaces were hand made by a teacher at my school who has a jewellery making business. She helped me locate the perfect crosses to match my vision of Eryn's gift from Alec, as well as the two strand ribbon bands. I got a steal of a deal and only had to pay for supplies which made these stunning promo pieces worth the moola.

UMS Tees: Made just for the UMS Launch Party (the live one in my home town and the online version). I had 24 tees produced – they were far too expensive but I LOVED them. Clingy and distressed/vintage, I adore mine and wear it often. Worth the money? No. But as a cool keepsake you can wear with a cute pair of jeans/capris – priceless.

UMS Postcards: I had two separate designs created – one with the UMS cover and the other with one of the illos from UMS depicting the three main characters. I find the postcards most handy when mailing out ARC or prize winner copies of UMS – the large whitespace on the back lets me write a personal message. I had these printed at http://www.vistaprint.com/ – very affordable. At bookstores, these don't seem to move as quickly as bookmarks…

Double-sided UMS/Second Skin Bookmarks: I just got these babies. Double-sided bookmarks are lovely! Since VistaPrint doesn't have a template for bookmarks, I had to search the net for another printer. http://www.printrunner.com/ did a bang up job on my double-sided bookmarks, one side featuring UMS and the other featuring Second Skin. Full colour both sides, one side with a high gloss, the other matte. Super affordable too. These are hot items when I'm out at events and overall seem to get the most response.

I know there are tons of other SWAG options to explore, posters, banners, standing banners, buttons, magnets, pillow cases, tank tops, etc… and I do want to produce something specific for the release of Second Skin. I will have to ponder on this. In the meantime, good luck in your own SWAG adventures.

I leave you with an image of some SWAG from authors who participated in the Crossroads Blog Tour this October:



You can see the UMS postcards resting on the brick wall. What a lot of loot, eh? If your interested, follow the tour in Oct 2011. Meet more paranormal YA authors and enter contests for amazing SWAG prizes.