Katherine Longshore's Blog, page 13
March 23, 2012
Friday Five - Stasia Ward Kehoe
Our Friday Five this week is with Stasia Ward Kehoe, author of AUDITION, a novel in verse that was published by Viking last October. I'm very pleased to call Stasia a friend as well as a colleague. We share the same editor AND agent, but more than that, she's given me support and advice and friendship as well.THE FIVE:
1. What would your super power be?
Cooking gourmet meals with lightning speed. Also, I'd love to have the power to enjoy doing laundry. Sigh.
2. If you could go back in time, where/when would you go?
I'd travel to 1930s London and have a nice hot cup of Earl Grey tea at Harrods with my dream besties, Agatha Christie and Noel Streatfeild.
3. What is your guiltiest pleasure?
I love going to spas for a good massage and a pedicure complete with ridiculously bright, sparkly nail polish. If I could afford it, I'd go to a spa every week J
4. What one word do you think describes you best?
Enthusiastic (some might say over-zealous!)
5. What is your favorite writing motto/mantra?
"Most people go to their graves with their music still inside them." – Oliver Wendell Holmes. This quote is written on a scrap of paper beside my computer. Whenever I am tempted to skip a day of writing, those words recommit me to the keyboard.
ABOUT AUDITION:From Goodreads:
When high school junior Sara wins a coveted scholarship to study ballet, she must sacrifice everything for her new life as a professional dancer-in-training. Living in a strange city with a host family, she's deeply lonely-until she falls into the arms of Remington, a choreographer in his early twenties. At first, she loves being Rem's muse, but as she discovers a surprising passion for writing, she begins to question whether she's chosen the right path. Is Rem using her, or is it the other way around? And is dancing still her dream, or does she need something more? This debut novel in verse is as intense and romantic as it is eloquent.
You can order AUDITION here.
And throughout March you can enter to win a signed copy of AUDITION on Goodreads.
ABOUT STASIA:
You can find Stasia on the web.
On Twitter.
And in the DEAR TEEN ME Anthology in November.
You can enter to win a signed copy of AUDITION throughout March on Goodreads.
March 21, 2012
We Have Winners!
First of all, I want to thank every single one of you for the overwhelming amount of enthusiasm for GILT. And for all your lovely comments about the website design (I have passed them onto the designer, who was delighted!)
Secondly, and without further ado, these are the winners of the website giveaway:
The winner of the Class of 2k12 swag pack is Dominique from the Book Vault!
The winner of the ARC of REMARKABLE by Lizzie K. Foley (which truly is remarkable -- I loved it!) is Claire Louise at Claire Reads!
The winner of the ARC of GRAVE MERCY by Robin LaFevers (again, I'm having a hard time giving this one up, but I plan to buy a copy of my own next month) is Vivien!
And the winner of the ARC of GILT is Rebecca at ReadingWishes!
Congratulations, winners! Please e-mail me with your address at katherine(at)katherinelongshore(dot)com and I will get these in the mail to you as soon as possible!
Secondly, and without further ado, these are the winners of the website giveaway:
The winner of the Class of 2k12 swag pack is Dominique from the Book Vault!
The winner of the ARC of REMARKABLE by Lizzie K. Foley (which truly is remarkable -- I loved it!) is Claire Louise at Claire Reads!
The winner of the ARC of GRAVE MERCY by Robin LaFevers (again, I'm having a hard time giving this one up, but I plan to buy a copy of my own next month) is Vivien!
And the winner of the ARC of GILT is Rebecca at ReadingWishes!
Congratulations, winners! Please e-mail me with your address at katherine(at)katherinelongshore(dot)com and I will get these in the mail to you as soon as possible!
March 19, 2012
RETREAT!
Writers spend a lot of time alone. Even those who write in a coffee shop or on a crowded airplane. We live inside our heads when we write and sometimes coming out of that space discombobulates us as we try to remember where we are and what we're supposed to be doing.
That's why it's so much fun for us to get together and practice our solitary craft all in the same room.
I spent this weekend on a little mini-retreat with some amazing writers. Beth Hull hosted at her lovely little home, having kicked out her family (but not her cat) and worked on the first revision of a delightfully quirky novel. Talia Vance brought sandwich supplies and worked on the sequel to her upcoming SILVER (Flux, September 8, 2012). Pat Kahn kept us supplied with chocolate and guacamole and read from a beautifully descriptive middle grade novel. And Kristen Held brought pizza fixings and started something completely new that held us all enthralled from the first page.
I made regular coffee runs and had a major breakthrough on Book 3 of The Royal Circle series.
But more than that, we shared that writing space. The one in which it's OK to hate the words you just set down on the page. Or to love the fact that your characters just started kissing again. Or to write something new -- five pages that took six hours to wrench from the recesses of your creative mind -- and read it aloud, knowing that you won't be laughed at. In fact, someone might just say, "I think you have your first chapter right there."
That's why it's so much fun for us to get together and practice our solitary craft all in the same room.
I spent this weekend on a little mini-retreat with some amazing writers. Beth Hull hosted at her lovely little home, having kicked out her family (but not her cat) and worked on the first revision of a delightfully quirky novel. Talia Vance brought sandwich supplies and worked on the sequel to her upcoming SILVER (Flux, September 8, 2012). Pat Kahn kept us supplied with chocolate and guacamole and read from a beautifully descriptive middle grade novel. And Kristen Held brought pizza fixings and started something completely new that held us all enthralled from the first page.
I made regular coffee runs and had a major breakthrough on Book 3 of The Royal Circle series.
But more than that, we shared that writing space. The one in which it's OK to hate the words you just set down on the page. Or to love the fact that your characters just started kissing again. Or to write something new -- five pages that took six hours to wrench from the recesses of your creative mind -- and read it aloud, knowing that you won't be laughed at. In fact, someone might just say, "I think you have your first chapter right there."
March 16, 2012
Friday Five -- Bret Ballou
Don't forget to comment below for a chance to win an ARC of GILT -- details here.
It is my great pleasure to introduce a newly refurbished Friday Five on the blog! I've combined the Friday Five and Follow Friday posts and will host a new writer every Friday, including all their details.
I am especially delighted that my first guest is the wonderful Bret Ballou. I met Bret at a writer's workshop where he was in the first critique group ever to hear the (now deleted) first chapter of GILT. He amazed me with his ability to bounce back from criticism and return to the table with a kick-butt revision. I'm proud that he is a writer-friend, and even more so that he is a friend.
THE FIVE:
1. What is your earliest memory?It must've been just after my second birthday. My parents were having our house built in mountain forest outside of Albuquerque and we were at the construction site. I was standing with my mom in the dining room, watching an electrician install an electrical socket. I was fascinated by all the colorful wires. Every time I'm in that room, I still think about how cool that moment was.
2. What is your most unappealing habit?Wow, Katherine, you ain't pulling punches are you? This isn't frivolous Friday Five. Ok, so I'll give you one of my most unappealing traits instead of a habit. I'm a pretty structured person and a planner on top of that – so anything last minute that throws my routine or plan outta whack forces me into grumpy pants. In the end, I deal with the situation (and most the time, without killing anyone), but I'm trying to learn to "roll with the punches" a bit more, 'cause life sure seems a lot simpler for those that do.
3. What is the worst job you've done?One of my first engineering jobs was designing instrumentation for urological surgical procedures. To say some of these instruments looked like torture devices out of the GILT era is putting it lightly. And then I actually attended procedures to see them used on real, live patients. Ugh. People, pray for urinary tract health (especially, men). The job was interesting, paid well, and I learned a lot, but the things I saw…oh, the things I saw.
4. What do you consider your greatest achievement?For me, it's the fact that I'm able to handle (so far, at least) writing, a full-time engineering job, and a pretty active family. I've pushed myself far beyond what I believed my capabilities were and keep stretching them. I enjoy getting up at 5 every morning to write (seriously). I would rather write than watch TV (most the time). And, while I'll always have publication-related goals, what I really want to tell the best effing story I can.
5. Who would play you in the film of your life?This one's easy. Since I was about 14 years old people have said Jake Gyllenhaal and I are doppelgangers. I think it has mostly to do with the eyebrows, but about 80% of people I know have said the whole, "Hey, you know who you look like…" So, I guess Jake would be a good choice.
ABOUT BRET:
Bret's currently working on a middle grade adventure (I'm reading a draft now, and it's fabulous).Bret blogs Fridays on the YA Muses.You can find Bret on Twitter here.
It is my great pleasure to introduce a newly refurbished Friday Five on the blog! I've combined the Friday Five and Follow Friday posts and will host a new writer every Friday, including all their details.I am especially delighted that my first guest is the wonderful Bret Ballou. I met Bret at a writer's workshop where he was in the first critique group ever to hear the (now deleted) first chapter of GILT. He amazed me with his ability to bounce back from criticism and return to the table with a kick-butt revision. I'm proud that he is a writer-friend, and even more so that he is a friend.
THE FIVE:
1. What is your earliest memory?It must've been just after my second birthday. My parents were having our house built in mountain forest outside of Albuquerque and we were at the construction site. I was standing with my mom in the dining room, watching an electrician install an electrical socket. I was fascinated by all the colorful wires. Every time I'm in that room, I still think about how cool that moment was.
2. What is your most unappealing habit?Wow, Katherine, you ain't pulling punches are you? This isn't frivolous Friday Five. Ok, so I'll give you one of my most unappealing traits instead of a habit. I'm a pretty structured person and a planner on top of that – so anything last minute that throws my routine or plan outta whack forces me into grumpy pants. In the end, I deal with the situation (and most the time, without killing anyone), but I'm trying to learn to "roll with the punches" a bit more, 'cause life sure seems a lot simpler for those that do.
3. What is the worst job you've done?One of my first engineering jobs was designing instrumentation for urological surgical procedures. To say some of these instruments looked like torture devices out of the GILT era is putting it lightly. And then I actually attended procedures to see them used on real, live patients. Ugh. People, pray for urinary tract health (especially, men). The job was interesting, paid well, and I learned a lot, but the things I saw…oh, the things I saw.
4. What do you consider your greatest achievement?For me, it's the fact that I'm able to handle (so far, at least) writing, a full-time engineering job, and a pretty active family. I've pushed myself far beyond what I believed my capabilities were and keep stretching them. I enjoy getting up at 5 every morning to write (seriously). I would rather write than watch TV (most the time). And, while I'll always have publication-related goals, what I really want to tell the best effing story I can.
5. Who would play you in the film of your life?This one's easy. Since I was about 14 years old people have said Jake Gyllenhaal and I are doppelgangers. I think it has mostly to do with the eyebrows, but about 80% of people I know have said the whole, "Hey, you know who you look like…" So, I guess Jake would be a good choice.
ABOUT BRET:
Bret's currently working on a middle grade adventure (I'm reading a draft now, and it's fabulous).Bret blogs Fridays on the YA Muses.You can find Bret on Twitter here.
March 14, 2012
I Have a Website! (and, as promised, a party!)
My website has a long and checkered history. I started trying to build one myself more than a year ago and failed miserably. Give me words any day. Suggest I jumble some images and fonts together and make them pretty? Not happening.
But in November, I was lucky enough to be guided to Maddee James and Xuni and she worked with my every thought and need to put together a beautiful, moody, suitably historical but not "historic" design with just the right amount of romance thrown in. I am forever indebted to her.
So now I want to celebrate! I recently had a birthday, so I'm still making my way through the world's biggest chocolate cake. And I'd like to share some of my good fortune with you.
So I'm giving away prizes to four lucky winners!
I have a collection of gorgeous swag from the Class of 2k12 - bookmarks, stickers, buttons, postcards, you name it.
I have an ARC of the middle grade novel REMARKABLE by Lizzie Foley, which debuts next month. It's absolutely delightful and I hate to give it up. From Goodreads: Not everything in the town of Remarkable is remarkable, even though the terribly interesting and even more terribly talented people won't admit this to just anyone.
I also have an ARC of the brilliant historical YA novel GRAVE MERCY by Robin LaFevers. Atmospheric, historically lush and romantic, but with a kick-butt, no-nonsense herione. From Goodreads: Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny.
And I have one lonely little ARC of GILT that has been waiting for this moment to find a good home.
This giveaway is open internationally, and there are a number of ways to enter.
Comment below, telling me what you think of the website.Follow the blog.Follow me on Twitter.Go and see my Facebook page -- I would love it if you "Like" it, but officially can't put that in my entry rules.Tweet about the website! For instance: Go and see @KALongshore's new website! She's giving away an ARC of GILT: www.katherinelongshore.com (hint: check the blog).You can enter as many times as you like. Contest closes at 11:59 pm EST on Tuesday, March 20th. I'll name the winners in the blog the next day.
But in November, I was lucky enough to be guided to Maddee James and Xuni and she worked with my every thought and need to put together a beautiful, moody, suitably historical but not "historic" design with just the right amount of romance thrown in. I am forever indebted to her.
So now I want to celebrate! I recently had a birthday, so I'm still making my way through the world's biggest chocolate cake. And I'd like to share some of my good fortune with you.
So I'm giving away prizes to four lucky winners!
I have a collection of gorgeous swag from the Class of 2k12 - bookmarks, stickers, buttons, postcards, you name it.
I have an ARC of the middle grade novel REMARKABLE by Lizzie Foley, which debuts next month. It's absolutely delightful and I hate to give it up. From Goodreads: Not everything in the town of Remarkable is remarkable, even though the terribly interesting and even more terribly talented people won't admit this to just anyone.
I also have an ARC of the brilliant historical YA novel GRAVE MERCY by Robin LaFevers. Atmospheric, historically lush and romantic, but with a kick-butt, no-nonsense herione. From Goodreads: Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny.
And I have one lonely little ARC of GILT that has been waiting for this moment to find a good home.
This giveaway is open internationally, and there are a number of ways to enter.
Comment below, telling me what you think of the website.Follow the blog.Follow me on Twitter.Go and see my Facebook page -- I would love it if you "Like" it, but officially can't put that in my entry rules.Tweet about the website! For instance: Go and see @KALongshore's new website! She's giving away an ARC of GILT: www.katherinelongshore.com (hint: check the blog).You can enter as many times as you like. Contest closes at 11:59 pm EST on Tuesday, March 20th. I'll name the winners in the blog the next day.
March 12, 2012
LAUNCH PARTY!
I have a venue! And a date!
I'm delighted to announce that the launch party for GILT will be held at the Avid Reader at 617 2nd St., Davis, California at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 19.
There will be books and door prizes and hopefully cupcakes. Don't worry, I'll keep you informed of all developments as the day gets nearer.
And in other news, I hear the website is almost finished!
I'm delighted to announce that the launch party for GILT will be held at the Avid Reader at 617 2nd St., Davis, California at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 19.
There will be books and door prizes and hopefully cupcakes. Don't worry, I'll keep you informed of all developments as the day gets nearer.
And in other news, I hear the website is almost finished!
March 9, 2012
Follow Friday -- Historical Fiction Edition
Before I got an agent, before GILT sold, I can't tell you how many times I heard "Historicals don't sell." Or how many agents and editors I heard at conferences tell the room, "Just don't send me any historical fiction."
It can be a little discouraging, I tell you.
But I had to write what I write. I love the process. Digging deep into the history to find as many facts as I can, the puzzle pieces from which I can build a picture. But it's like the picture is merely a pencil drawing (and often an unfinished one at that) and it's up to me to fill in the color and life. I love it.
And others do, too. Apparently there are several agents and editors out there who didn't get the memo about historical fiction. Or maybe, just maybe, times are changing.
SCARLET by A.C. Gaughen debuted on Valentine's Day. It's a retelling of the Robin Hood legend, but steeped in the history of the period. I loved it, and blogged about it over on the YA Muses.
I'm currently reading GRAVE MERCY by Robin LaFevers and wow. Just wow. Gorgeous history, fascinating characters, awesome premise. And a truly kick-butt heroine. Love.
I'm dying to read THE WICKED AND THE JUST by J. Anderson Coats. It's set in Medieval Wales and knowing Coats, is full of wicked quips and unfortunate situations. Plus it's been getting starred reviews. Do I really have to wait a month?
And later this year, expect to VENOM by Fiona Paul. Gorgeous gowns, enigmatic masks and a mystery. Lush and full of visual detail from Renaissance Venice.
Any historical novels you're looking forward to this year? That you've read already and can't wait to read more?
It can be a little discouraging, I tell you.
But I had to write what I write. I love the process. Digging deep into the history to find as many facts as I can, the puzzle pieces from which I can build a picture. But it's like the picture is merely a pencil drawing (and often an unfinished one at that) and it's up to me to fill in the color and life. I love it.
And others do, too. Apparently there are several agents and editors out there who didn't get the memo about historical fiction. Or maybe, just maybe, times are changing.
SCARLET by A.C. Gaughen debuted on Valentine's Day. It's a retelling of the Robin Hood legend, but steeped in the history of the period. I loved it, and blogged about it over on the YA Muses.
I'm currently reading GRAVE MERCY by Robin LaFevers and wow. Just wow. Gorgeous history, fascinating characters, awesome premise. And a truly kick-butt heroine. Love.
I'm dying to read THE WICKED AND THE JUST by J. Anderson Coats. It's set in Medieval Wales and knowing Coats, is full of wicked quips and unfortunate situations. Plus it's been getting starred reviews. Do I really have to wait a month?
And later this year, expect to VENOM by Fiona Paul. Gorgeous gowns, enigmatic masks and a mystery. Lush and full of visual detail from Renaissance Venice.
Any historical novels you're looking forward to this year? That you've read already and can't wait to read more?
March 7, 2012
International Women's Day
Tomorrow is International Women's Day, celebrated around the world from Afghanistan to Zambia. In some countries, it is treated almost like Mother's Day -- a day for men to honor the women in their lives, be they mothers, sisters, girlfriends, daughters. But it is also a day to mark the achievements of women throughout the world.
Because I write about women in the 16th century, I think a lot about changes in the lives of women. The girls in my stories are entirely at the mercy of the men in their lives. Their fathers and eventually their husbands. In many cases, choice was not an option. Not in love. Not in life. And certainly not in career.
I was raised by a staunch feminist. I grew up shouting about equal rights and equal pay. About choice. I know that women have come a long way, even in the relatively short time I've been alive. But I don't believe equality has been reached. And I don't believe all battles have been won. Attitudes and societal pressure can be as limiting to girls today as they were in the 16th century. Look at the recent kerfuffle over Rush Limbaugh and his choice of words. And in many countries, women are still at the mercy of their fathers. And their husbands. In some countries, girls are still considered worth less than boys.
So I try to write about girls who find ways to circumvent the attitudes and pressures. Who create opportunities for themselves, to choose their own paths in life. Perhaps that's where my meticulous attention to historical accuracy starts to unravel. But for me, the unraveling is worth it.
Happy International Women's Day. How are you going to celebrate?
Because I write about women in the 16th century, I think a lot about changes in the lives of women. The girls in my stories are entirely at the mercy of the men in their lives. Their fathers and eventually their husbands. In many cases, choice was not an option. Not in love. Not in life. And certainly not in career.
I was raised by a staunch feminist. I grew up shouting about equal rights and equal pay. About choice. I know that women have come a long way, even in the relatively short time I've been alive. But I don't believe equality has been reached. And I don't believe all battles have been won. Attitudes and societal pressure can be as limiting to girls today as they were in the 16th century. Look at the recent kerfuffle over Rush Limbaugh and his choice of words. And in many countries, women are still at the mercy of their fathers. And their husbands. In some countries, girls are still considered worth less than boys.
So I try to write about girls who find ways to circumvent the attitudes and pressures. Who create opportunities for themselves, to choose their own paths in life. Perhaps that's where my meticulous attention to historical accuracy starts to unravel. But for me, the unraveling is worth it.
Happy International Women's Day. How are you going to celebrate?
March 5, 2012
On Being a History Geek
I am constantly awed by the life that I lead. That I can combine two of my loves -- writing and history -- and create something that others want to read. And I am so looking forward to hearing from readers and what (if anything) they find inspirational within the pages.
I've had many people ask me about the amount of research that goes into writing historical fiction for young adults. And if it's hard. Or tedious.
It's a lot of research. And sometimes it is tedious. But I love discovering little nuggets of information that can enliven and enrich my writing. I love sticking tiny hints into the book that no one but another lover of Tudor history would find. And I love reading more and discovering new things -- even if it turns out to mean that I haven't got everything absolutely accurate in the book. Because history isn't a static thing -- someone is always coming up with new information or an interesting new theory.
Here are somethings I'm excited about today:
Claire Ridgway at The Anne Boleyn Files has published a book gleaned from her blog posts over the years. Claire has an incredible work ethic and an attention to detail that I can only marvel at. She's on a blog tour at the moment, and the first stop is an interview on the Tudor Tutor in which Claire divulges some delicious information on Thomas Boleyn. Want to include this in a novel one day...
I'm going on a research trip to England again this year and can't wait to visit all the places I have planned. The most exciting has little to do with Henry or his wives, but I've been wanting to go there for years. Years! Bosworth Field is the location of the battle where Richard III lost his throne (and his life) and launched the Tudor reign. I am a devoted Ricardian and may not be able to stop myself from shouting "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!"
What excites you about history?
I've had many people ask me about the amount of research that goes into writing historical fiction for young adults. And if it's hard. Or tedious.
It's a lot of research. And sometimes it is tedious. But I love discovering little nuggets of information that can enliven and enrich my writing. I love sticking tiny hints into the book that no one but another lover of Tudor history would find. And I love reading more and discovering new things -- even if it turns out to mean that I haven't got everything absolutely accurate in the book. Because history isn't a static thing -- someone is always coming up with new information or an interesting new theory.
Here are somethings I'm excited about today:
Claire Ridgway at The Anne Boleyn Files has published a book gleaned from her blog posts over the years. Claire has an incredible work ethic and an attention to detail that I can only marvel at. She's on a blog tour at the moment, and the first stop is an interview on the Tudor Tutor in which Claire divulges some delicious information on Thomas Boleyn. Want to include this in a novel one day...
I'm going on a research trip to England again this year and can't wait to visit all the places I have planned. The most exciting has little to do with Henry or his wives, but I've been wanting to go there for years. Years! Bosworth Field is the location of the battle where Richard III lost his throne (and his life) and launched the Tudor reign. I am a devoted Ricardian and may not be able to stop myself from shouting "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!"
What excites you about history?
March 2, 2012
Friday Five -- Facts about Me and Books
1. The first book I ever read alone was THE CAT IN THE HAT. I was six. Until then, I was determined never to learn to read because it made my older sister boring. But the day I read that book, I cancelled a playdate so I could read it again.2. My favorite book in junior high was STAR WARS.
3. My favorite book in high school was A FAREWELL TO ARMS. I thought Hemingway was a god.
4. I spent five years in and after college reading nothing but travelogues and South American literature.
5. The most amazing books I've read in the past three years are THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE by Jacqueline Kelly, WOLF HALL by Hilary Mantel and BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY by Ruta Sepetys.
