Kristin Halbrook's Blog, page 4

Tales From Scomerica

Scomerica. It pretty much looks like this.Once upon a time, a man and a woman walked the blustery, snowy shores of Fife Kingdom, discoursing on ideologies, philosophies, hopes and happiness. They looked to a peninsula of pretty port town cottages and a lighthouse, waited as the sun set over the North Sea, and determined that their perfect land existed in a world they could share. And so they called it Scomerica.

Because he was Scottish. And she was American. Yeees, we are amused by our own cleverness, even if others aren't.

And so this series of blog posts is an attempt to get into the once-a-week habit, and to share random pieces of life, writing and otherwise.

Welcome to Scomerica.
To finish the story begun above, the man and the woman recently wed.
Married by our dear friend Mandy Hubbard. Grinning like the happy dorks we are. Surrounded by beloved family and some best friends in the world: Kristin Otts, Kirsten Hubbard and Steph Kuehn.In typical man fashion, the HottieScottie (don't blame me, blame Mandy for that nickname) probably liked the wedding gifts best of all.

Apparently the old T.V. wasn't good enough. I assumed "turning on" was all a T.V. needed. Silly me.After, we went to New York and Philadelphia to see art and parks and melt in unseasonably warm weather. Also, to visit more of the best friends money can't buy and completely forget to take photos of/with them. So Kody, Sarah G., Phoebe, Alison and EVEN MY OWN EDITOR AND AGENT (who are the best people in the biz no joke): You look amazing. Beyond epic. In the pictures in my mind.
When Scomerica and New York mix. A dose of history in Philadelphia. The Rodin Museum. An homage to my favorite sculptor. And then we came home.
So, what else happens in Scomerica? When the weather is nice, we do things like garden and walk and air out the tent in the backyard. We traverse Scomeria's national boundary and play tourists in Seattle and make funny faces for the camera. After all, the wisdom of all the ages basically comes down to this: 
When you find someone as weird as you, marry them.


And finally . . . spring.
It's my favorite season when I'm embroiled in it and the weather's lovely, as it has been the past week. When it's raining or winter or summer, I become fickle and autumn is my favorite. At spring's best, everything is blooming outside, we've got the garden planted with summer vegetables and our floppy dog keeps trying to eat the ripened strawberries off the plants when we're not looking. Today, as I was finishing up some writing, I looked out the dining room window and realized there's a lilac tree tucked away between two other bushes. Almost three years in this house and I'd never noticed it before! I immediately went out and gathered a few fragrant stems. The house smells delicious now. Fresh flowers in the house never fail to make me smile. I surround myself with them as often as possible. But I can never decide which types i like best.


What's your favorite flower?
The lovely Pam Witte featured a number of Lucky 13 authors, including me, on Ink & Angst today. I was honored to share some thoughts on writing, publishing and my process.
Love and Cheers from Scomerica

Tales From Scomerica #1

Scomerica. It pretty much looks like this.Once upon a time, a man and a woman walked the blustery, snowy shores of Fife Kingdom, discoursing on ideologies, philosophies, hopes and happiness. They looked to a peninsula of pretty port town cottages and a lighthouse, waited as the sun set over the North Sea, and determined that their perfect land existed in a world they could share. And so they called it Scomerica.

Because he was Scottish. And she was American. Yeees, we are amused by our own cleverness, even if others aren't.

And so this series of blog posts is an attempt to get into the once-a-week habit, and to share random pieces of life, writing and otherwise.

Welcome to Scomerica.
To finish the story begun above, the man and the woman recently wed.
Married by our dear friend Mandy Hubbard. Grinning like the happy dorks we are. Surrounded by beloved family and the best friends in the world: Kristin Otts, Kirsten Hubbard and Steph Kuehn.In typical man fashion, the HottieScottie (don't blame me, blame Mandy for that nickname) probably liked the wedding gifts best of all.

Apparently the old T.V. wasn't good enough. I assumed "turning on" was all a T.V. needed. Silly me.After, we went to New York and Philadelphia to see art and parks and melt in unseasonably warm weather. Also, to visit more of the best friends money can't buy and completely forget to take photos of/with them. So Kody, Sarah G., Phoebe, Alison and EVEN MY OWN EDITOR AND AGENT (who are the best people in the biz no joke): You look amazing. Beyond epic. In the pictures in my mind.
When Scomerica and New York mix. A dose of history in Philadelphia. The Rodin Museum. An homage to my favorite sculptor. And then we came home.
So, what else happens in Scomerica? When the weather is nice, we do things like garden and walk and air out the tent in the backyard. We traverse Scomeria's national boundary and play tourists in Seattle and make funny faces for the camera. After all, the wisdom of all the ages basically comes down to this: 
When you find someone as weird as you, marry them.


And finally . . . spring.
It's my favorite season when I'm embroiled in it and the weather's lovely, as it has been the past week. When it's raining or winter or summer, I become fickle and autumn is my favorite. At spring's best, everything is blooming outside, we've got the garden planted with summer vegetables and our floppy dog keeps trying to eat the ripened strawberries off the plants when we're not looking. Today, as I was finishing up some writing, I looked out the dining room window and realized there's a lilac tree tucked away between two other bushes. Almost three years in this house and I'd never noticed it before! I immediately went out and gathered a few fragrant stems. The house smells delicious now. Fresh flowers in the house never fail to make me smile. I surround myself with them as often as possible. But I can never decide which types i like best.


What's your favorite flower?
The lovely Pam Witte featured a number of Lucky 13 authors, including me, on Ink & Angst today. I was honored to share some thoughts on writing, publishing and my process.
Love and Cheers from Scomerica

Complex Chinese

Lots of fun things happening with NOBODY BUT US, and today I get to share the news that my book will be translated into Complex Chinese!!!!!



April 9, 2012International rights: Children's Complex Chinese rights to Kristin Halbrook's NOBODY BUT US, to Liz Chang at Ecus, in a nice deal, by Gray Tan at The Grayhawk Agency on behalf of Jacqueline Murphy at FinePrint Literary Management.

When I first got the news, it was all

*jawdrop*


Because . . . CHINESE. HOW COOL IS THAT????? I cannot WAIT to see my story in characters I can't even begin to read, haha.

Guest Post Over at The Lucky 13s

Hiya party people!

I had the chance to get together with Marissa Burt and chat her MG fantasy, STORYBOUND. The book comes out TODAY (yay!). Head over to The Lucky 13s blog to see an interview I did with Marissa. We talk heroes and villains, writer's retreats and MG fantasy. Fun stuff.

A Very Important Conversation about Women

When I was in graduate school, becoming increasingly disenchanted with the hoops, frustrations and red tape of public education, I considered switching my degree to Geography so I could study populations. I love all sorts of population studies, but my real passion was on populations of women and children and, even more specifically, women and children in poverty. I wanted to know the whys, hows, and wheres of this issue, as well as wanted to help brainstorm solutions, provide advocacy and influence lawmakers.

My life took other twists and turns to get me to where I am right now, but if I did ever go back to grad school, I would still pursue this path, I think. In any event, Tavis Smiley, who I've enjoyed listening to for years and years, recently hosted a conversation about women and poverty at New York University.

I would rarely ever recommend putting aside your YA reading for a time, but in this case and in this time when women are being brutally attacked politically, I think this conversation is so important to women, men and allies of both (yup, that's everyone) that we should all set some time aside to give it a listen. It is full of information, innovation, questions, possibilities, statistics and opinions. Maybe a bit of hope, too.

Did you know, for example, that of the over 1billion people in poverty around the world, 70% of them are women? Or that of all the Fortune 500 companies, only approximately 3% offer on-site daycare? Take a few moments to learn more from this revealing conversation: Made Visible: Women, Children and Poverty in America.

Kody's AMN Cover Reveal

If the title doesn't intrigue you, perhaps that partially hidden expression will. This looks, to me, like the PERFECT book to relax with at the beach or on a blanket at the park. Now just need the good weather to come along.


Kody's also giving a copy of the ARC away. If you haven't seen her post, head over to check out the details, then come back to leave a comment here for an extra entry. Good luck and happy reading! :)

Everyday I'm Tumbling

So, I went to the Island of Misfit Tumblrs, picked out an adorable, fluffy newborn and have proceeded to feed and water daily. So far. Hopefully will end up with a nice little Tumblr who snuggles with my toes at the foot of my bed and protects the house from strangers.

Come on over and say hi, if you get the chance. :)

Most Anticipated Books of 2012

It's the final day in the end-of-the-year blog circus hosted by Sarah Enni. Today's topic is my favorite (since I'm a sucker for everything new and shiny): What are my most anticipated books of 2012?

There are loads of books I'm dying to read and/or get into other people's hands. Here are just a few.

1) Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard. This is one I've read and lovedlovedloved, and I can't wait for spring 2012 so I can buy it for and recommend it to others. This coming-of-age tale weaves together the best of romance, travel and art.

2) Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi. "Implicated for a crime she didn't commit" is always going to grab my attention. Add to that Rossi's worldbuilding and a love interest with special abilities and his own quest and this is a book I'm excited to get my hands on.

3) The Selection by Kiera Cass. Drama, competitions, ballgowns and castes. It's the kind of guilty pleasure I love savoring while relaxing with chocolates in a steaming bubble bath. I think the cover says it all (oh, hello layers and layers of ruffles).








4) Crewel by Gennifer Albin. Adelice can weave the strands of time and human activity. But she doesn't want to. Tell that to the government demanding she's handed over to become a Spinster. 'Nuff said.



5) If I Lie by Corrine Jackson. A contemporary (yay!) about a girl with a boyfriend serving in Afghanistan and the other boy she kisses, compounded by honor, traitors and secrets. I look forward to tearing up over this one.

6) The Statistical Propability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith. A boy (British! Named Oliver!), a girl, an airport and a trip across the pond wherein the MCs contemplate first love and second chances. Love it.

What are your most anticipated books of 2012???

RTW/Blog Circus: Top Five Books of 2011

It's time for another Road Trip Wednesday . . . and another entry in the end of the year blog circus hosted by Sarah Enni. Today's topic asks about my top five favorite books of the year.

I have not read nearly as much this year as in years past. Not published work, at least. In fact, my plan over winter break was and is to catch up on some of the most buzzed about books of the past two years. Eek! Though I did read more than three books this year, I'm going to limit my top five to my top four so that it's representative of the books I liked the very best.

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder: A girl out of hope, a mom desperate for a cure and a magical town at the end of a road few can find (with a boy whose own sadness binds him to the town) combine for an emotional and satisfying read.

[image error] If I Stay by Gayle Forman: New to me this year (though not pubbed in '11), this much lauded story is everything I'd heard it would be. Well-written, heart-string-tugging and satisfyingly resolved.

Nothing by Janne Teller: A haunting story from Denmark, this existential tale questions the very nature of happiness and reasons for living. The pacing and escalation of conflict is masterful--and disturbing.

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez: As a violin player, I immediately connected with the main character of this story (though I didn't play anywhere near her level). Music, intense competition and romance with the last person she should have feelings for drives this story.




What were your favorite books of 2011? Check out YA Highway and the rest of the circus participants for more best books of the year.

Sarah Enni
Corrine Jackson
Erin Bowman
Kaitlin Ward
Kate Hart
Kathleen Peacock
Kirsten Hubbard
Kristin Otts 
Lee Bross
Lindsey Roth Culli
Phoebe North
Stephanie Keuhn
Sumayyah Daud
Veronica Roth

Top 5 Albums of 2011

The waning of the year means it's time to look back at the events, people and notable notables that defined the year in the best of ways and the worst of ways.

It has been a definitive year for me.

Today, I sit here, writing this post and eating Black Forest Cake for breakfast. On other mornings of the year, I was shivering with excitement about my book deal, dealing with the frustration of long distance, admiring my engagement ring, wishing I had one more hour of sleep after a long night out, wishing I had one more hour of sleep because the I didn't have the energy, emotionally or physically, to meet the day in front of me and always, on every day, there was books and music and reading and writing and thinking about writing.

It's a beautiful way to live.

So, to assist in the reminiscent moments, Sarah Enni organized a blog circus with one top five topic per day until the end of the year. Today, I look back on five of my favorite albums to keep me company as I wrote, brainstormed, revised and, sometimes, angsted. For the most part, I listen to playlists, rather than full albums, but there are artists whose songs come up over and over again on multiple lists. They are:

The Joy Formidable: The Big RoarThe Welsh band delivered and album that provided atmospheric, emotional songs interspersed with high energy riffs that suited whatever mood I was in and whatever project I was working on.
Ryan Adams: Ashes and FireThe newest album by southern folk rocker Adams is one of his best, returning him to form not heard in years. Nearly every song of this album made its way to my WIP playlist, with a sound nailing the coming of age anxiety and discovery of the novel's MC.
Bon Iver: Bon IverWhether I wanted to be lifted, haunted, moved or driven to higher states of feeling, Bon Iver offered a soundtrack for that. The unique, flowing melodies and voice-from-the-depths-of-human-experience narrated more than one writing experience.The National: High VioletI've been listening it since last year, so it's not new to me, but The National's album still got plenty of playtime during my writing sessions. Bloodbuzz Ohio, Anyone's Ghost and my favorite, England, got a lot of play.
The Head and the Heart: The Head and the HeartUpbeat energy, so-true-it-hurts lyrics and raw revelations made this album one of my favorite of the year. The band hit the scene with Lost in My Mind, but Down in the Valley, with its inspiring hopefulness and full song is my fave.
Honorable mentions include those bands and songs I listened to over and over again, although I didn't always approach the entire album.
The Moth and the Mirror: Live in StereoHey Marseilles: To Travels and TrunksRay LaMontagne: Everything (as in, everything. that's not the title of his album.)Gem Club: Acid and EverythingRachel Sermanni: The Bothy Sessions and Song for a FoxM83: Midnight Sessions

For your listening pleasure, a couple more I'm obsessed with:

and



That's a wrap! What were your favorites of the years? Check out the rest of the Blog Circus participants for more music mayhem.
Sarah Enni
Corrine Jackson
Erin Bowman
Kaitlin Ward
Kate Hart
Kathleen Peacock
Kirsten Hubbard
Kristin Otts 
Lee Bross
Lindsey Roth Culli
Lynn Colt
Phoebe North
Stephanie Keuhn
Sumayyah Daud
Veronica Roth