Tess Hilmo's Blog, page 5
August 5, 2012
Two Time Winner!
Sorry for the delay - we got caught up in summer adventures over here at the Hilmo house..
But, goofing off aside, I wanted to say a big CONGRATS toCorey Schwartz from the cool blog Picture Book Ninja!.
Corey is the winner of my two book bundle giveaway -- hooray!.Please email me at tess (at) tesshilmo (dot) com with your address and I will get both The One and Only Ivan and With a Name Like Love out to you pronto..Hope all of you are having a summer of fun too!.
But, goofing off aside, I wanted to say a big CONGRATS toCorey Schwartz from the cool blog Picture Book Ninja!.
Corey is the winner of my two book bundle giveaway -- hooray!.Please email me at tess (at) tesshilmo (dot) com with your address and I will get both The One and Only Ivan and With a Name Like Love out to you pronto..Hope all of you are having a summer of fun too!.
July 22, 2012
Two Book Give Away!
.
I recently revamped my office and came across some great books that I happen to have duplicates of.
. What better thing to do than give them away? . We'll start today with a two book bundle.
.
The first is a new novel by Katherine Applegate titled The One and Only Ivan. This tender novel is a quick read and will tug at your heartstrings. It reminded me in concept of Charlotte's Web. It would be great to read and then share with a young reader or local library..
The second is my very own
With a Name Like Love. Okay - I didn't mean for my pic to come out larger than Ivan's ... tried to rework it twice but that's just what blogger is giving me. Anyway... . If you have a copy of this, it would be great to have you pass it on to your favorite teacher or librarian. If you haven't read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts. . So - there it is. Two books for only one comment. The winner will be drawn at random next Sunday..Tell Me: What have you read lately that you'd consider a treasure worth recommending? My "to be read" stack is getting short and I need to start rebuilding it!.
I recently revamped my office and came across some great books that I happen to have duplicates of.
. What better thing to do than give them away? . We'll start today with a two book bundle.
.
The first is a new novel by Katherine Applegate titled The One and Only Ivan. This tender novel is a quick read and will tug at your heartstrings. It reminded me in concept of Charlotte's Web. It would be great to read and then share with a young reader or local library..
The second is my very own
.jpg)
With a Name Like Love. Okay - I didn't mean for my pic to come out larger than Ivan's ... tried to rework it twice but that's just what blogger is giving me. Anyway... . If you have a copy of this, it would be great to have you pass it on to your favorite teacher or librarian. If you haven't read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts. . So - there it is. Two books for only one comment. The winner will be drawn at random next Sunday..Tell Me: What have you read lately that you'd consider a treasure worth recommending? My "to be read" stack is getting short and I need to start rebuilding it!.
July 19, 2012
How Can You Say That? I Care!
.
That stupid restless leg syndrome I have going on kept me up into the wee hours last night. I passed time by stretching in front of the tube and watching Hell's Kitchen (gotta love TiVo). This one exchange between Gordon Ramsey (a man whose restaurants have won TWELVE Michelin Stars) and a contestant:
.
Gordon: Those potatoes are raw. Why do I bother? You don't even care! Girl: How can you say that? I care!.
Gordon: I know you don't care because you don't question yourself. . Wow. She doesn't care because she doesn't bother to question her work?She knows how to cook potatoes. She's likely done it a ka-zillion times. She is talented and good at her craft.
.
still....
She assumes she knows more than she does and isn't being thoughtful about her end product.
. As I am preparing to go into edits on my next novel (Skies Like These - slated for Spring 2014 - woot! woot!), these words shook me..
I grabbed the TiVo remote and rewound the exchange.
.
So often I have met writers who want to succeed but who are not willing to question (or have anyone else question) their work. They ignore critique. They fold under any suggestion of change. They are so certain they are doing it right, that they plow ahead and think all those people who are gently suggesting a course correction are off the mark..
I can also fall into this mire at times - but, if I am to consider this writing thing as a profession (and I truly do) then I must be cognisant and do all I can to avoid it. I must open my mind and be a fair critic of my own work. I must consider my editor's input and be willing to be thoughtful and mindful of each choice I make in my manuscript.
. I must care enough to question myself..
Tell Me: How open are you to questioning your work? Can you overdo it? Do you tend to blow off critique quickly? Or, are you one of the lucky ones who has found the perfect balance (and if you are - tell us how you got to that magical place!)?.
That stupid restless leg syndrome I have going on kept me up into the wee hours last night. I passed time by stretching in front of the tube and watching Hell's Kitchen (gotta love TiVo). This one exchange between Gordon Ramsey (a man whose restaurants have won TWELVE Michelin Stars) and a contestant:
.
Gordon: Those potatoes are raw. Why do I bother? You don't even care! Girl: How can you say that? I care!.
Gordon: I know you don't care because you don't question yourself. . Wow. She doesn't care because she doesn't bother to question her work?She knows how to cook potatoes. She's likely done it a ka-zillion times. She is talented and good at her craft.
.
still....
She assumes she knows more than she does and isn't being thoughtful about her end product.
. As I am preparing to go into edits on my next novel (Skies Like These - slated for Spring 2014 - woot! woot!), these words shook me..
I grabbed the TiVo remote and rewound the exchange.
.
So often I have met writers who want to succeed but who are not willing to question (or have anyone else question) their work. They ignore critique. They fold under any suggestion of change. They are so certain they are doing it right, that they plow ahead and think all those people who are gently suggesting a course correction are off the mark..
I can also fall into this mire at times - but, if I am to consider this writing thing as a profession (and I truly do) then I must be cognisant and do all I can to avoid it. I must open my mind and be a fair critic of my own work. I must consider my editor's input and be willing to be thoughtful and mindful of each choice I make in my manuscript.
. I must care enough to question myself..
Tell Me: How open are you to questioning your work? Can you overdo it? Do you tend to blow off critique quickly? Or, are you one of the lucky ones who has found the perfect balance (and if you are - tell us how you got to that magical place!)?.
July 15, 2012
Some Blog Posts are Just for Me
There was a time when this cape hit him at the ankles. He'd toddle around this couch, cape flapping behind him, asking for more apple juice in his sippy cup.. "Ju!" he'd say, holding the cup up above his head.. I would dutifully refill the cup and off he'd go - running again..
*sigh*
June 11, 2012
A Summer of Fun
I am determined to relax this summer
ease up on the writing stuff for a minute
sleep in once in a while
spend some quality time fiddling in the vegetable garden
take my kiddos to the water park and lay in the shade with a good book while they run around
I'm going to try to be a better blogger (I know I've been lousy lately) - but I'm not going to put any pressure on myself.
It would be nice if - come September - I actually felt as if I had a break this summer.
.
Tell Me: What are your sunny season plans? Is anyone even out there anymore?
ease up on the writing stuff for a minute
sleep in once in a while
spend some quality time fiddling in the vegetable garden
take my kiddos to the water park and lay in the shade with a good book while they run around
I'm going to try to be a better blogger (I know I've been lousy lately) - but I'm not going to put any pressure on myself.
It would be nice if - come September - I actually felt as if I had a break this summer.
.
Tell Me: What are your sunny season plans? Is anyone even out there anymore?
May 17, 2012
Winner! Winner!
And the lucky winner for our LDS Author Blog Hop Give Away
is....
Lola of LolaWid!
Congrats - you will receive a signed copy of With a Name Like Love.
Thanks all for entering -- that was fun!
is....
Lola of LolaWid!
Congrats - you will receive a signed copy of With a Name Like Love.
Thanks all for entering -- that was fun!
May 10, 2012
Free Books Friday!
Come on over for a HUGE giveaway
97...yes, 97! blogs are participating in this hop -- each one giving away at least one book written by a LDS author. You'd be surprised who we are...
Me :D, Shannon Hale, Orson Scott Card, Janette Rallison, Brandon Sanderson, Brandon Mull, James Dashner, Ally Condie, Stephenie Meyer, Bree Despain, Jessica Day George, Aprilynne Pike, Kiersten White, Robison Wells, Jason Wright, Heather Dixon, Obert Skye, Richard Paul Evans, Julie Berry, Mette Ivie Harrison, Becca Fitzpatrick, Lisa Mangum, Amber Argyle, Jennifer Laurens, Brodi Ashton... the list could go on and on.
.
.
I am giving away a signed copy of With a Name Like Love. All you have to do is leave a comment stating what one thing you are looking forward to most this summer. A winner will be chosen at random on May 17th.
And to link over to the other 96 giveaways...go to either of these sites:
I'm a Reader, Not a Writer
or
The Book Bug
Good luck and have fun!!!
97...yes, 97! blogs are participating in this hop -- each one giving away at least one book written by a LDS author. You'd be surprised who we are...
Me :D, Shannon Hale, Orson Scott Card, Janette Rallison, Brandon Sanderson, Brandon Mull, James Dashner, Ally Condie, Stephenie Meyer, Bree Despain, Jessica Day George, Aprilynne Pike, Kiersten White, Robison Wells, Jason Wright, Heather Dixon, Obert Skye, Richard Paul Evans, Julie Berry, Mette Ivie Harrison, Becca Fitzpatrick, Lisa Mangum, Amber Argyle, Jennifer Laurens, Brodi Ashton... the list could go on and on.
.
.
I am giving away a signed copy of With a Name Like Love. All you have to do is leave a comment stating what one thing you are looking forward to most this summer. A winner will be chosen at random on May 17th.
And to link over to the other 96 giveaways...go to either of these sites:
I'm a Reader, Not a Writer
or
The Book Bug
Good luck and have fun!!!
May 7, 2012
FREE FUN for Kids!
There are two spectacular events going on at the Provo City Library this week as part of their Children's Book Week Activities..
.
Come on over Tuesday May 8th at 7pm for an author Q & A panel, book signings and treats. No tickets required, all ages welcome...
Then don't miss Saturday May 12 from 12pm-4pm where there will be games, crafts, give aways, tons-o-authors and fun for the whole family. Again, no tickets required...
If you are anywhere close - this event is really fun and really fantastic and I'll be there too!
.
Come on over Tuesday May 8th at 7pm for an author Q & A panel, book signings and treats. No tickets required, all ages welcome...
Then don't miss Saturday May 12 from 12pm-4pm where there will be games, crafts, give aways, tons-o-authors and fun for the whole family. Again, no tickets required...
If you are anywhere close - this event is really fun and really fantastic and I'll be there too!
April 16, 2012
Two Bits
We enjoyed our spring break down in lovely Zion National Park - we went completely off the grid and got snowed in and almost ran out of food before we got out...but what a beautiful place to be. .Anyway, I came home to two wonderful bits of good news I wanted to share (who else can I share such news with but my writerly minded pals?)... .With a Name Like Love was named .Booklist Top Ten Historical Fiction Books for Youth 2012 ... see the full list
here
. Congrats to my editor Margaret Ferguson who has two of her debut list books on that list .and. Bankstreet/Committee for Children's Books Best Books of 2012 list! You can see that link here http://www.bnkst.edu/cbc/best-books-year-2012/. A shout out to fellow Utah authors Bobbie Pyron (A Dog's Way Home) and Matthew Kirby (Icefall) who also made this list. Go Utah authors!. Tell Me: Did you all do anything fun for spring break??. 
April 5, 2012
Check This Out...
The teens in Kaukauna, WI had a Teen Time Library event around With a Name Like Love.
They used my blog meme "If You Really Knew Me" that I shamelessly stole from my teenage daughter's blog ( see here if you missed it)
and made their own if you really knew me people.
Then their amazing librarian Rose sent me this picture of it all. Each cut out is a teen and they have their If You Really Knew Me bits written on them.
Isn't that so creative?
Thanks for reading, guys!!
