Katherine Longshore's Blog, page 9

Friday Five -- Martha Brockenbrough

Martha Brockenbrough is a crusader after my own heart - she founded National Grammar Day (March 4!) and the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar.  Always good to know there's someone out there who knows where their prepositions are supposed to be at.  She is also the author of DEVINE INTERVENTION, published by Scholastic in June!


THE FIVE:


1.  What is the worst thing anyone has said to you?


This is a fun question to answer. There are so many ways I could take revenge on … but no. No one has ever said anything worse to me than the things I’ve said myself. As I get older and theoretically wiser, I realize that I’m not doing myself any favors by being hard on myself. One of the characters in my book hears a voice in her head, which I intended as a metaphor of sorts. Here’s hoping any voices we choose to listen to are kind and compassionate ones.

2.  What is your guiltiest pleasure? 


I homeschool my girls, and there are some days we just don’t want to do any book learnin’. We’ve escaped this by going to a beach that’s close to our house, by spending the afternoon drinking tea and eating buttery toast, and a couple of times, by watching movies under the covers together.It’s a great guilty pleasure to get to spend this kind of time with my girls.

3.  What do you consider your greatest achievement?


I don’t give up. When there is something I’d like to do, I keep working at it. For me, it’s not about any sort of accomplishments list I keep, but rather, that I give everything my all. For example, it took me many years to learn how to do a handstand in yoga. It’s not a huge deal. Lots of people can do it. Small children can do it! But I had to keep trying and that day my feet finally went up and stayed up, I was elated.

4.  Who would play you in the film of your life?


Tina Fey or Janeane Garofolo. Think of someone slightly too loud for the library—but likely to be found there anyway, getting Cheeto dust on everything.
 
5.  Who are your real-life heroes?


I have many. Marla Smith-Nilson, who founded Water1st, and works tirelessly to make sure the world’s poor have clean water and sanitation. (Water1st.org) My childhood swim coach, Christy Shake, whose son was born missing parts of his brain and now struggles with epilepsy. She blogs aboutthis journey every day at Calvin’s Story, and it’s a reminder to me of how much courage and grace one woman can summon.  And finally, in my neighborhood, the guys who run St. Cloud’s restaurant. They make meals for the homeless once a month, inviting people to pitch in. It’s a great reminder of the difference you can make doing what you already do.

ABOUT DEVINE INTERVENTION:


Jerome Hancock is Heidi Devine's guardian angel. Sort of. He's more of an angel trainee, in heaven's soul-rehabilitation program for wayward teens. And he's just about to get kicked out for having too many absences and for violating too many of the Ten Commandments for the Dead.


Heidi, meanwhile, is a high school junior who dreams of being an artist, but has been drafted onto her basketball team because she's taller than many a grown man. For as long as she can remember, she's heard a voice in her head - one that sings Lynyrd Skynyrd, offers up bad advice, and yet is company during those hours she feels most alone.


When the unthinkable happens, these two lost souls must figure out where they went wrong and whether they can make things right before Heidi's time is up and her soul is lost forever.


You can order a signed copy of DEVINE INTERVENTION here!

ABOUT MARTHA:

You can find Martha on her website.
On Twitter.
On Facebook.
And find her other books here!

The Important Things

I've been learning a lot of important life lessons these past two weeks.  And I tell you, the big stuff really shows you what the small stuff is.  They aren't lessons that I wanted to learn.  They are, probably, lessons I needed to learn - everyone does - but that doesn't mean the timing is welcome.  But it has really made me review my perspective and my priorities.

What's important?  Family.  Health.  Love.  Courage.  Comfort.  Kindness.

And to me, writing a good book is important, too.  Probably not up there with the stuff I listed above.  But still a huge part of me.  I'm about to finish revisions on Book 2.  And I am about to take myself to place where I can do that without distractions.  This means setting aside some of the really important stuff for a few days - family, especially.  And that's hard.  But I'm lucky to have a family who support that, and who wouldn't want me to stick around and sacrifice a good book for their sake.

That's one of the reasons family is so important.

So think about it.  Think about it hard.  Imagine life is dealing out lessons to you - some of the hardest ones you'll ever learn.

What's important to you?

Friday Five -- Tracy Bilen

Today's interview features Tracy Bilen, author of WHAT SHE LEFT BEHIND, published by Simon Pulse in May. She has traveled Europe, studied at the Sorbonne and shares my love of quiet trips through a winter forest (she cross-country skis, I snowshoe!)


THE FIVE:

1.  What single thing would improve the quality of your life?



A transporter. From Star Trek. Because I love to travel but hate getting there. Airplanes make me sick, so just thinking about taking a plane anywhere spoils the fun.

2.  What is your favorite word?


Plethora. Because it’s the first fancy word I ever learned. I don’t ever say it out loud, but I THINK it a lot.

3.  What word do you like the least?


Purchase. O.K., so there’s a lot of other words I don’t like, but this is one that my husband says all the time and to me it just sounds way too formal. I like buy. Not purchase. BUY.

4.  What other profession would you like to learn?


I’ve thought optometry would be cool (I like the part where they ask, “Is it better one or better two?”)
When I was a kid I definitely wanted to be a vet. I had a building design in mind and check-in procedures all set up. But the second I smelled formaldehyde in high school it was all over.
And I’d really LOVE to learn to paint. But I have absolutely no patience for it. ZERO. That and I’m horrible at it.

5.  What profession would you never, ever want to have?


Anything that involves the smell of cleaners or working in a bathroom.

ABOUT WHAT SHE LEFT BEHIND:


“Don’t even think of leaving…I will find you,” he whispered. “Guaranteed.”


Sara and her mom have a plan to finally escape Sara’s abusive father. But when her mom doesn’t show up as expected, Sara’s terrified. Her father says that she’s on a business trip, but Sara knows he’s lying. Her mom is missing—and her dad had something to do with it. 


Each day that passes, Sara’s more on edge. Her friends know that something’s wrong, but she won’t endanger anyone else with her secret. And with her dad growing increasingly violent, Sara must figure out what happened to her mom before it’s too late… for them both.

See the trailer here.
Order WHAT SHE LEFT BEHIND here.



ABOUT TRACY:

You can find Tracy at her website.
And on Twitter.

Weekend Recap!

I grew up in a small town.  After  two years away, I returned to finish my college education in the same small town.  I return on a regular basis to see my family, visit friends and spend hours on the (empty!) beaches listening to the waves.  Even though I haven't lived here for fifteen years, I still consider Humboldt County my home.

So when I discovered that GILT was going to be made into an actual book, I went to my favorite Humboldt bookstore and asked if I could do an event.  
The Booklegger in Eureka is a used bookstore.  Their shelves are full of classics and literary novels, romance, comic books, photo books, garden guides and rare, intriguing titles that scream to be taken home.  The owner, Jennifer McFaden, has amazing taste in literature.  And she remembers me from when I was in college, working at the bakery next door, and coming into the store on my lunch break, poring over exotic guidebooks and the travelogues of Paul Theroux, Colin Thubron and V.S. Naipaul.  Even after five years in England, she remembered me.  That's the sign of a great bookseller. This past weekend, the Booklegger had a GILT-fest.  Jen, Amy and Nancy spent the morning cutting out Henry VIII paper dolls, clothing them in finery and decorating the front window with them.  In the afternoon, I went next door to pick up a cake I had ordered from Ramone's Bakery (yes, where I worked during college!) and discovered that the decorator had hand-drawn the book's title on the top with such intricate detail it took my breath away.  
The best part of the afternoon was the crowd.  Sure, there weren't a lot of people there.  But those who did come made the entire event a party.  The mother of one of my oldest friends showed up - having already read the book - and asked careful, interesting questions.  My high school prom date was in town just for the weekend for his father's 80th birthday and took an hour to spend with me, asking questions about history and writing.  And the man who taught me how to pull a perfect shot of espresso at the bakery next door, and who filled my college years with music singing with local band Small Fish (and who happened to be in town for his father-in-law's 75th birthday!).  And the booksellers.  And people I didn't even know.  It was intimate, awe-inspiring and so much fun.  I love doing readings and talking about writing and books, and have had some amazing experiences, but this, I think, was my favorite so far.  Memorable and humbling.  
So if you're ever in Eureka, California, stop in at the Booklegger - I can almost guarantee you'll find a book you want to read (I left with seven on Saturday).  And grab a cappuccino at Ramone's next door.

Friday Five -- Huntley Fitzpatrick

Today's Friday Five features the lovely Huntley Fitzpatrick, author of MY LIFE NEXT DOOR (which I just read, and which is fabulous!)  She is funny and engaging on Twitter, a sister Apocalypsies and Penguin author, and a Shakespeare fan.  What's not to love?


THE FIVE:

 1.  What single thing would improve the quality of your life?


Nanny/Housekeeper in a bottle. I’d so love to be able to call these up genii-style and then dismiss at will.

2.  What is the worst job you’ve done?


Post college I worked for an investment firm in a job that got me a great stay at a NYC townhouse, but I had to walk cranky, flatulent dogs…..Math…annoyed beasts….not my best choices.

3.  What is your most treasured possession?


In a good way, I don’t care much for stuff anymore. My parents were married for a long long time, then split up and we had to choose what we wanted fast. I realized how little of what mattered was contained in any object. It was a good lesson.

4.  What one word do you think describes you best?


Persistent. The fact that I don’t give up—on things, on dreams, on people, is the best virtue I can claim.

5.  If you knew you would be stranded on a desert island, which book, piece of music, and snack food would you take with you?


Ooh. That’s a really good one. And of course, a hard one. I’d love to say The Complete Works of Shakespeare, and honestly, that could work. I majored in English Lit and wrote my Senior Essay on Hamlet and still feel as though I have a lot to learn.

I send out a list of questions to all interviewees, and allow them to choose the five they want to answer most - Huntley has accidentally answered six, and because I love the answer to the next question, I'm letting this slide...

6.  What intrigues you?


People. Oh I love to people-watch. I am not someone who can write at Starbucks or Panera as, very inconveniently, I require absolute quiet when I write. But I get my fix on drama by watching what goes on when I get coffee!

ABOUT MY LIFE NEXT DOOR:


“One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”


The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?


A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.


You can order MY LIFE NEXT DOOR here.

ABOUT HUNTLEY:

You can find Huntley on her website.
On Twitter.

Intermission

I'm taking a breather from my revision marathon and just had to post this video that my friend Kristen Held mentioned to me.  Enjoy!

Friday Five -- Catherine Knutsson

This week's Five features the author of SHADOWS CAST BY STARS (published by Athaneum last month).  Catherine Knutsson lives in what sounds like an idyllic setting in Vancouver, British Columbia.  She rides horses and trains for marathons (yikes!) as well as writing novels.


THE FIVE:


1.  What would your super power be?

Since I have a terrible fear of flying, I’d say the power to fly would be pretty fantastic.

2.  What is your guiltiest pleasure?

It’s pretty hard to beat a soak in the bath in the middle of the afternoon, especially if I’ve got a good book that I can’t put down.  Ah, the life of a writer!

3.  What one word do you think describes you best?

Determined!

4.  If you knew you would be stranded on a desert island, which book, piece of music, and snack food would you take with you?

Book: AN EQUAL MUSIC, by Vikram Seth.  Piece of music: Bach violin sonatas/partitas, played by Gidon Kremer.  Ah, bliss!  Snack food: Hawkins Cheezies, which you can only get in Canada....mmmmm....

5.  What intrigues you?

Life intrigues me.  Nature, and fear, and danger, and risk, and love, and the sky, and stars, and bugs, and birds - I could go on for a while!  Even the smallest things, like a dandelion seed, are so amazing, don’t you think?

ABOUT SHADOWS CAST BY STARS:


Old ways are pitted against new horrors in this compellingly crafted dystopian tale about a girl who is both healer and seer.

Two hundred years from now, blood has become the most valuable commodity on the planet—especially the blood of aboriginal peoples, for it contains antibodies that protect them from the Plague ravaging the rest of the world.

Sixteen-year-old Cassandra Mercredi might be immune to Plague, but that doesn’t mean she’s safe—government forces are searching for those of aboriginal heritage to harvest their blood. When a search threatens Cassandra and her family, they flee to the Island: a mysterious and idyllic territory protected by the Band, a group of guerilla warriors—and by an enigmatic energy barrier that keeps outsiders out and the spirit world in. And though the village healer has taken her under her wing, and the tribal leader’s son into his heart, the creatures of the spirit world are angry, and they have chosen Cassandra to be their voice and instrument…

You can order SHADOWS CAST BY STARS here!


ABOUT CATHERINE:

You can find Catherine on her website.
On Twitter.
And on Goodreads.

San Francisco Here I Come!

Tomorrow night, I will be at the YA author party of awesomeness hosted by Not Your Mother's Book Club at Books, Inc.  It looks like it will be a fabulous night, and I promise to try my best not to fangirl (too much).


Check out the list of authors who will be there (and dare me not to fangirl!)


Malinda Lo
CJ Omololu
Jandy Nelson
Heidi R Kling
Cheryl Herbsman
Cory Jackson
Lewis Buzbee
Tamara Ireland Stone
Lynn Hazen
Amy Reed
Ingrid Paulson
Kristin Tracy
Corina Vacco
Stacey Jay
Avery Williams
Veronica Rossi
Lisa Desrochers
Veronica Wolff

Hope to see you there, too!

Summer Reading

I love it when people say GILT is a great beach read.  Good for summer.  When I was young, I spent many many hours at the public library during the summer.  It was just down the street (actually, down a very steep hill!) from my house, and I'd return with my arms full of books.  We didn't have summer reading lists at my school, so I got to choose anything and everything I wanted.  I choose fun covers, series books, books by authors I loved and reread favorites.  Summer was a chance to enjoy any and every book I came across.

And for good or for ill, this has always stuck with me.  I'd pore over high school reading lists and pick up one "good for me" book as well as a stack of my favorites each time I went to the library or bookstore.  I've tried to go on reading binges of the classics.  I made my way through David Copperfield and The Mill on the Floss while traveling in Africa and enjoyed them, but they took me forever (which was a good thing, because in some places, books were hard to come by).  I think some of it is the difference between classics and modern books that Nathan Bransford addressed in his blog today.  But to be honest, some of it is just that sunshine and free time seem to call for something else.

I find myself craving books that will make me laugh.  That will remind me of what love feels like.  That will transport me wholly and fully to another world, another time, another country.

I recently finished MY LIFE NEXT DOOR by Huntley Fitzpatrick and submerged myself in a summer world I've never experienced - a beachfront community in Connecticut - and in a love story that feels deep and true.

I'm now reading CROAK by Gina Damico - another summer, another east coast setting, but a completely different world (one in which the protagonist is a grim reaper).  This book is hilarious and I'm reading it slowly to prolong the enjoyment.

Now, summer reads don't have to be about summer.  And they don't have to be "fluff."  I know how they make me feel, but they kind of defy definition.  They just feel good.

How about you?  What would you call a "summer read"?

Friday Five -- Anne Greenwood Brown

Anne Greenwood Brown is the author of LIES BENEATH, published by Random House/Delacorte on June 12.  Anne is a whip-smart member of the Apocalypsies, and I've realized, looking at her novel playlist, that we listen to a lot of the same music.  Who knew merpeople and Tudors had so much in common?





THE FIVE:

1. What is your guiltiest pleasure?


My guiltiest pleasure is buying a “Medium Skim Latte, please” at a coffee shop drive-thru. Notice the verb. I am so in love with the luxury of buying a coffee while sitting in my car that sometimes I pay for it and drive off, leaving the coffee behind. It’s very embarrassing.

2. Who are your writing heroes?


My writing heroes are Markus Zusak for his word play, John Irving for his mastery of the absurd, Maggie Stiefvater for her lyricism, and Judy Blume for her flexible voice.

3.  What is your favorite word?


Well, judging by my first drafts, the word I must love best is “just” because I just can’t help myself. If my fingers had their way, “just” would show up in just about every sentence. But that’s probably not what you were asking. Here are some faves: cling, haphazard, semblance, and token. I just like the way they sound.

4.  What word do you like the least?


Nipple

5.  What other profession would you like to learn?


I would have loved to have been a movie star. I think that’s where writing comes in. Playing a role on screen and creating a character on the page are very similar creative processes, but as a writer you are not only the actor, but the script writer, director, make up artist, costumer, set design, and prop master.

I might have also liked to have been a party planner.




ABOUT LIES BENEATH:

Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of merpeople obsessed with killing Jason Hancock, the man they blame for their mother’s death. To lure the aquaphobic Hancock onto the lake, the mermaids charge Calder with the task of seducing the man’s daughter, seventeen-year-old Lily Hancock. “Get close to the daughter,” they tell him, “and you’ll get close to the family. Get close to the family, and you’ll get close to the man. Get him out on the water. We’ll take care of the rest.”
But Calder screws everything up by falling in love. Now he’s in the unenviable position of trying to love the girl while simultaneously plotting her father’s murder. Suffice it to say, his sisters aren’t pleased with his effort, and Calder’s running out of time (and excuses). 


ABOUT ANNE:

You can find Anne on her website.
On Twitter.
And on Facebook.