Stephanie Faris's Blog, page 53
January 26, 2015
April is Coming...Plus Don't Forget to Breathe by Cathrina Constantine
Today I'm helping with a very special cover reveal...and it's a cover that will take your breath away.
Ready?
Here it is!
Is that not an amazing cover? It's by our very own Cathrina Constantine. Below I have more about her book, but first I wanted to remind everyone that today is the sign-up day for this:
Last year, I met SO many incredible bloggers through the challenge. You just pick a theme and post every day in April (except Sundays), starting with A and ending with Z. Click on this linky to sign up.
Now...on to Cathrina's book.
COMING FROM:
CRUSHING HEARTS AND BLACK BUTTERFLY FEBRUARY 7, 2015
GENRE: YA/HAUNTING MYSTERY
Blurb:
Sixteen-year-old Leocadia arrives home from school to find her mom’s bloody body. Unaware that the killer still lingers, she rushes to her mother’s side, only to be grabbed from behind and then everything fades to black. After a year of retrograde amnesia and battling personal demons, Leo’s dreams are getting worse—she’s starting to remember. More bodies are discovered and they seem to be oddly linked to her mom’s unsolved homicide. When Leo allows her friend, Henry, to drag her to the haunted Lucien Mansion, misty ghosts appear, ghosts that just might lead her to her mother’s murderer.
Will Leo let her memories threaten her into a relapse or, will she fight to find her mother’s killer – only to become his next victim?
Cathrina is having her first ever release party on Facebook: It's for one hour only. There will be a giveaway and ebook prizes. If you wish to join here's the site:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1585061445043407/
Links:
Facebook | Blog | Twitter
Also, congratulations to Carrie Butler...
She won a signed copy of 25 Roses in yesterday's giveaway!
Ready?
Here it is!
Is that not an amazing cover? It's by our very own Cathrina Constantine. Below I have more about her book, but first I wanted to remind everyone that today is the sign-up day for this:
Last year, I met SO many incredible bloggers through the challenge. You just pick a theme and post every day in April (except Sundays), starting with A and ending with Z. Click on this linky to sign up.
Now...on to Cathrina's book.
COMING FROM:
CRUSHING HEARTS AND BLACK BUTTERFLY FEBRUARY 7, 2015
GENRE: YA/HAUNTING MYSTERY
Blurb:
Sixteen-year-old Leocadia arrives home from school to find her mom’s bloody body. Unaware that the killer still lingers, she rushes to her mother’s side, only to be grabbed from behind and then everything fades to black. After a year of retrograde amnesia and battling personal demons, Leo’s dreams are getting worse—she’s starting to remember. More bodies are discovered and they seem to be oddly linked to her mom’s unsolved homicide. When Leo allows her friend, Henry, to drag her to the haunted Lucien Mansion, misty ghosts appear, ghosts that just might lead her to her mother’s murderer.
Will Leo let her memories threaten her into a relapse or, will she fight to find her mother’s killer – only to become his next victim?
Cathrina is having her first ever release party on Facebook: It's for one hour only. There will be a giveaway and ebook prizes. If you wish to join here's the site:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1585061445043407/
Links:
Facebook | Blog | Twitter
Also, congratulations to Carrie Butler...
She won a signed copy of 25 Roses in yesterday's giveaway!
January 25, 2015
Grow Your Blog
I'm participating in a fun opportunity today. It's called Grow Your Blog and here's the pretty badge.
It's a great opportunity to meet other bloggers. Vicki has compiled a list of people who are eager for new followers. Go through the list and click over. Chances are, they'll read your blog, as well!
The instructions say I should tell you a little about myself. If you're a first-time visitor here, you can probably tell I do a little writing.
My blog also incorporates a LOT of pictures. I like the Buzzfeed style of blogging.
I live in Nashville and I'm a full-time freelancer, in addition to being a novelist. Basically I write until someone drags me out of the house to do something else. Or until I fall asleep.
Oh...and I'm doing a giveaway. Anyone's eligible, whether you read my blog regularly or you're just visiting. Just put in the comments some form of the words "Enter me in the drawing" and you'll be entered to win a signed copy of my latest book for you or the young girl in your life.
It's a great opportunity to meet other bloggers. Vicki has compiled a list of people who are eager for new followers. Go through the list and click over. Chances are, they'll read your blog, as well!
The instructions say I should tell you a little about myself. If you're a first-time visitor here, you can probably tell I do a little writing.
My blog also incorporates a LOT of pictures. I like the Buzzfeed style of blogging.
I live in Nashville and I'm a full-time freelancer, in addition to being a novelist. Basically I write until someone drags me out of the house to do something else. Or until I fall asleep.
Oh...and I'm doing a giveaway. Anyone's eligible, whether you read my blog regularly or you're just visiting. Just put in the comments some form of the words "Enter me in the drawing" and you'll be entered to win a signed copy of my latest book for you or the young girl in your life.
January 23, 2015
The Key to Comedy: Random Specificity
Someone once told me (I think it was my husband) there are two words that sum up the key to humor: random specificity.
Yet when I was asked to create a blog about humor during my blog tour for Cherdo's blog, I couldn't find any examples. I searched and searched and searched and finally gave up. But after just a few hours of watching Friends on Netflix, I found more examples than I could ever find, mostly thanks to this guy.
Random specificity. What is almost universally funny (at least in America) is humor that pulls some random example out of the universe, yet the example is so specific, it makes the joke hilarious. Here's an example:
Chandler (hanging up the phone): I got her machine.
Joey: Her answering machine?
Chandler: No, interestingly enough, her leaf blower picked up.
Could you be any more randomly specific than a leaf blower?
Here's another one:
Chandler (pointing at Rachel): Could you want her more?
Ross: Who?
Chandler (rolls his eyes): Dee, the sarcastic sister from 'What's Happening?'
Yes, I'd say that's even more randomly specific.
Sarcasm or not, the point is if you're trying to be funny, instead of referring to a general idea, pick something very specific. Something so random that it will make people wonder where on Earth you came up with that.
By the way, 30 Days of No Gossip is in this month's Scholastic flyer, which is in classrooms all across the country! I love this sight...
Yet when I was asked to create a blog about humor during my blog tour for Cherdo's blog, I couldn't find any examples. I searched and searched and searched and finally gave up. But after just a few hours of watching Friends on Netflix, I found more examples than I could ever find, mostly thanks to this guy.
Random specificity. What is almost universally funny (at least in America) is humor that pulls some random example out of the universe, yet the example is so specific, it makes the joke hilarious. Here's an example:
Chandler (hanging up the phone): I got her machine.
Joey: Her answering machine?
Chandler: No, interestingly enough, her leaf blower picked up.
Could you be any more randomly specific than a leaf blower?
Here's another one:
Chandler (pointing at Rachel): Could you want her more?
Ross: Who?
Chandler (rolls his eyes): Dee, the sarcastic sister from 'What's Happening?'
Yes, I'd say that's even more randomly specific.
Sarcasm or not, the point is if you're trying to be funny, instead of referring to a general idea, pick something very specific. Something so random that it will make people wonder where on Earth you came up with that.
By the way, 30 Days of No Gossip is in this month's Scholastic flyer, which is in classrooms all across the country! I love this sight...
January 21, 2015
Express Yourself: Best Movie of 2014
I've been bad. I was supposed to be participating in this every week...
But I forgot.
So I'll just jump right in like I've been here all along. So...um...yeah...every week, I participate in the Express Yourself meme. This week's assignment is to talk about the best movie I saw in 2014.
I have a good one for that!
(Pssst: That's kind of why I decided to jump in this week!)
I watched this movie in December and loved, loved, LOVED it.
The movie centers around a writer's group filled with quirky individuals. If you've seen any of Christopher Guest's movies, it will feel slightly familiar.
When Hannah, the young writer who doesn't even read, lands an agent and book deal, she has to deal with her fellow writers' jealousy. It's a great movie even if you have no interest in being a writer, but if you're a writer, you'll want to watch it over and over.
Best of all, it's on Netflix. Here's the trailer.
But I forgot.
So I'll just jump right in like I've been here all along. So...um...yeah...every week, I participate in the Express Yourself meme. This week's assignment is to talk about the best movie I saw in 2014.
I have a good one for that!
(Pssst: That's kind of why I decided to jump in this week!)
I watched this movie in December and loved, loved, LOVED it.
The movie centers around a writer's group filled with quirky individuals. If you've seen any of Christopher Guest's movies, it will feel slightly familiar.
When Hannah, the young writer who doesn't even read, lands an agent and book deal, she has to deal with her fellow writers' jealousy. It's a great movie even if you have no interest in being a writer, but if you're a writer, you'll want to watch it over and over.
Best of all, it's on Netflix. Here's the trailer.
January 19, 2015
I'm a (Local) Best Seller--Plus 52 Likes by Medeia Sharif
Today, I'm welcoming Medeia Sharif, author extraordinaire. But first--a bit of super-good news. I made the local (Nashville) best-seller list this week--#3!!! Yay! I have to say it was due in large part to those of you who ordered an autographed copy for your librarians, school libraries, and the tween girls in your lives. My blogging friends are a-MAY-zing!
Now on to the featured act! Medeia Sharif is one of the most prolific authors I know. Her latest book is now out and it sounds like a winner. Check it out and add it to your to-read list pronto! Oh...and she's giving away a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of her book, so be sure to enter!
52 LIKES,
Evernight Teen
, 2015
Purchase from Amazon, Evernight Teen (vendor links will be updated on the author's site)
After a brutal rape and near-murder, Valerie wants to get past feelings of victimhood from both the assault and her history of being bullied. She’s plagued by not knowing the identity of her rapist and by the nasty rumors in school about that night. Valerie follows clues from ghostly entities, past victims of the rapist-murderer, contacting her through a social media site—why do all of their eerie photos have 52 likes under them? Their messages are leading her to the mystery man, although he’ll put up a fight to remain hidden.
Find Medeia – YA and MG Author
Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram | Amazon
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Now on to the featured act! Medeia Sharif is one of the most prolific authors I know. Her latest book is now out and it sounds like a winner. Check it out and add it to your to-read list pronto! Oh...and she's giving away a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of her book, so be sure to enter!
52 LIKES,
Evernight Teen
, 2015Purchase from Amazon, Evernight Teen (vendor links will be updated on the author's site)
After a brutal rape and near-murder, Valerie wants to get past feelings of victimhood from both the assault and her history of being bullied. She’s plagued by not knowing the identity of her rapist and by the nasty rumors in school about that night. Valerie follows clues from ghostly entities, past victims of the rapist-murderer, contacting her through a social media site—why do all of their eerie photos have 52 likes under them? Their messages are leading her to the mystery man, although he’ll put up a fight to remain hidden.
Find Medeia – YA and MG Author
Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram | Amazon
a Rafflecopter giveaway
January 16, 2015
Mia Visits the Character Book Club
I'm SO excited to be a part of the Character Book Club on Fairday Morrow's blog today. Lizzy, Fairday, and Marcus from
The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow
interviewed Mia--and she had a blast! Click on the pretty picture below to head on over.
January 14, 2015
It's No-Coat Season
Last week on Facebook, a high school classmate posted a picture of her son walking to the bus stop in a short-sleeved T-shirt and jeans. The thermometer that morning looked something like this:
Yet teenagers are walking around like this:
On Facebook, we all thought back to our own adolescence. Did we do that? No...mostly because our parents wouldn't let us. But if our parents didn't know, we might have gone without a coat. Or, in the case above, pants. I did point out that boys were frequently coatless in the 80s. I always just assumed they were too tough for the cold.
For girls, it's all about fitting in and looking "cute." If nobody else is wearing a coat, they'd stand out. Plus, warm clothes cover their figures.
Interestingly, this has become such a thing, there are countless articles discussing it. This blog suggests teens don't wear coats because they want to fit in. This article emphasizes that kids won't get sick from walking around in summer clothes in January. And this article says if kids don't want to wear a coat, parents shouldn't make them.
How do you think parents should handle children refusing to wear a coat? Should it be different once the child reaches adolescence?
Also--if you didn't win a signed copy of 25 Roses last week, check out my Goodreads giveaway. I'm giving away five signed hardbacks--perfect for your autographed book collection!
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
25 Roses by Stephanie Faris Giveaway ends January 20, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win
Yet teenagers are walking around like this:
On Facebook, we all thought back to our own adolescence. Did we do that? No...mostly because our parents wouldn't let us. But if our parents didn't know, we might have gone without a coat. Or, in the case above, pants. I did point out that boys were frequently coatless in the 80s. I always just assumed they were too tough for the cold.
For girls, it's all about fitting in and looking "cute." If nobody else is wearing a coat, they'd stand out. Plus, warm clothes cover their figures.
Interestingly, this has become such a thing, there are countless articles discussing it. This blog suggests teens don't wear coats because they want to fit in. This article emphasizes that kids won't get sick from walking around in summer clothes in January. And this article says if kids don't want to wear a coat, parents shouldn't make them.
How do you think parents should handle children refusing to wear a coat? Should it be different once the child reaches adolescence?
Also--if you didn't win a signed copy of 25 Roses last week, check out my Goodreads giveaway. I'm giving away five signed hardbacks--perfect for your autographed book collection!
.goodreadsGiveawayWidget { color: #555; font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; background: white; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget img { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0 !important; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0; color: #660; text-decoration: none; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:visted { color: #660; text-decoration: none; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:hover { color: #660; text-decoration: underline !important; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget p { margin: 0 0 .5em !important; padding: 0; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink { display: block; width: 150px; margin: 10px auto 0 !important; padding: 0px 5px !important; text-align: center; line-height: 1.8em; color: #222; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; border: 1px solid #6A6454; border-radius: 5px; font-family:"Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; background-image:url(https://www.goodreads.com/images/layo... background-repeat: repeat-x; background-color:#BBB596; outline: 0; white-space: nowrap; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink:hover { background-image:url(https://www.goodreads.com/images/layo... color: black; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; }
Goodreads Book Giveaway
25 Roses by Stephanie Faris Giveaway ends January 20, 2015. See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win
January 13, 2015
My Year as an Aspiring Figure Skater
Today an amazing book makes its way into the world:
I had the privilege of reading Breaking the Ice in ARC form and I have to say, even if I hadn't met Gail, I would have loved it. It has everything a girly girl LOVES. Figure skating, competition, great lessons about friendship, and beautiful costumes.
I don't mention this often, but I once took ice skating lessons. For a year. For fun. If you really want to do something with figure skating, you have to start young (as Gail did). Instead, I took lessons in my early 20s, with the only benefit being that when I now go figure skating, I don't fall down.
Like most 80s kids, I spent my childhood in a pair of these:
So once the instructor showed me the difference between roller skating and ice skating, I picked it up very quickly. I advanced through the classes, learning to spin and skate backward. However, there was one thing I could not do...
There's a reason figure skaters start young. As you get older, the concept of actually leaving the ground on ice skates becomes terrifying. Still...there was a 30-something-year-old lawyer who figure skated competitively. She practiced with a personal coach while I was there. For all I know, she may be still figure skating today. This 80-something-year-old woman was still teaching figure skating a few years ago.
I finally stopped taking lessons when the Nancy Kerrigan scandal broke. Suddenly everyone in town was signing up for figure skating lessons. The rink filled up and you could no longer get practice time. It was a nightmare.
Still--it was fun to learn. And great exercise. After you read Gail's book, you may be in the mood to learn!
If you love figure skating (or just great books!), check out Breaking the Ice. You can also add it on Goodreads.
I had the privilege of reading Breaking the Ice in ARC form and I have to say, even if I hadn't met Gail, I would have loved it. It has everything a girly girl LOVES. Figure skating, competition, great lessons about friendship, and beautiful costumes.
I don't mention this often, but I once took ice skating lessons. For a year. For fun. If you really want to do something with figure skating, you have to start young (as Gail did). Instead, I took lessons in my early 20s, with the only benefit being that when I now go figure skating, I don't fall down.
Like most 80s kids, I spent my childhood in a pair of these:
So once the instructor showed me the difference between roller skating and ice skating, I picked it up very quickly. I advanced through the classes, learning to spin and skate backward. However, there was one thing I could not do...
There's a reason figure skaters start young. As you get older, the concept of actually leaving the ground on ice skates becomes terrifying. Still...there was a 30-something-year-old lawyer who figure skated competitively. She practiced with a personal coach while I was there. For all I know, she may be still figure skating today. This 80-something-year-old woman was still teaching figure skating a few years ago.
I finally stopped taking lessons when the Nancy Kerrigan scandal broke. Suddenly everyone in town was signing up for figure skating lessons. The rink filled up and you could no longer get practice time. It was a nightmare.
Still--it was fun to learn. And great exercise. After you read Gail's book, you may be in the mood to learn!
If you love figure skating (or just great books!), check out Breaking the Ice. You can also add it on Goodreads.
January 12, 2015
Honesty is Such a Lonely Word
In a freelance writers' forum recently, someone posted a list of excuses to use when firing a client. They're very similar to the, "It's not you, it's me" line of excuses people use when breaking up with someone.
"Honesty is always best," one freelancer said. She was supported by about a dozen people who agreed that you should always tell a client why you won't be working with him/her again. They need to know what's wrong with them so they can fix it.
I thought it over...and realized those people are wrong. Our entire society is based on lies. Apply for a job and you'll see what I mean. Does your rejection email come with the excuse, "We didn't hire you because you're loud and obnoxious?" Or does it say something like, "We've decided to go in a different direction?" I'm guessing the latter. Try the former and you're much more likely to get blasted online. They might even go a little postal on you.
I've tried honesty. It never goes well. The person either a) gets defensive or b) gets angry. Either way, the blame will always be squarely placed back on you.
The truth is, if a client fires a writer or a publishing house rejects a manuscript, it is rarely done with honesty. And we're all happier for it. Our society is based on vagaries like, "This just isn't the right fit for us at this time" instead of this:
For that reason, I firmly believe the most professional thing to do when firing a client is lie. "I've accepted another assignment that will be taking up the vast majority of my time for the rest of my working life" is one. You can also go with, "This isn't the right fit for me" if you're dealing with a jerk. The point is, you put the blame on you, which fits into their own worldview that they are right and the other person is wrong. It's a worldview we all have, to be honest!
What do think? Is honesty the best policy? Or does it just lead to drama?
Congratulations to the winners of my blog tour giveaway and thank you SO much to the great bloggers who helped last week.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
"Honesty is always best," one freelancer said. She was supported by about a dozen people who agreed that you should always tell a client why you won't be working with him/her again. They need to know what's wrong with them so they can fix it.
I thought it over...and realized those people are wrong. Our entire society is based on lies. Apply for a job and you'll see what I mean. Does your rejection email come with the excuse, "We didn't hire you because you're loud and obnoxious?" Or does it say something like, "We've decided to go in a different direction?" I'm guessing the latter. Try the former and you're much more likely to get blasted online. They might even go a little postal on you.
I've tried honesty. It never goes well. The person either a) gets defensive or b) gets angry. Either way, the blame will always be squarely placed back on you.
The truth is, if a client fires a writer or a publishing house rejects a manuscript, it is rarely done with honesty. And we're all happier for it. Our society is based on vagaries like, "This just isn't the right fit for us at this time" instead of this:
For that reason, I firmly believe the most professional thing to do when firing a client is lie. "I've accepted another assignment that will be taking up the vast majority of my time for the rest of my working life" is one. You can also go with, "This isn't the right fit for me" if you're dealing with a jerk. The point is, you put the blame on you, which fits into their own worldview that they are right and the other person is wrong. It's a worldview we all have, to be honest!
What do think? Is honesty the best policy? Or does it just lead to drama?
Congratulations to the winners of my blog tour giveaway and thank you SO much to the great bloggers who helped last week.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
January 9, 2015
25 Roses Blog Tour: Final Day!
It's the final day of my super-awesome 25 Roses blog tour. Thank you to everyone who participated! Don't forget--you can buy a personally autographed copy of 25 Roses from Parnassus Books. Here are today's blog tour stops. Please stop by and check them out.
Elizabeth Seckman --Guest Post: How to Promote Your Book without Breaking Your Budget
Carry Off Books --Guest Post: The 80s: A Great Time to Be a Tween
Cherdo on the Flipside --Guest Post: The Art of Being Funny
Vanessa Morgan --Guest Post: How Romantic Movies Shaped My Writing
My Creatively Random Life --Blurb and Excerpt
Last day to enter my giveaway! You can win a $25 Amazon gift card, an autographed copy of 25 Roses, or a long-stemmed chocolate rose like the ones in the book.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Elizabeth Seckman --Guest Post: How to Promote Your Book without Breaking Your Budget
Carry Off Books --Guest Post: The 80s: A Great Time to Be a Tween
Cherdo on the Flipside --Guest Post: The Art of Being Funny
Vanessa Morgan --Guest Post: How Romantic Movies Shaped My Writing
My Creatively Random Life --Blurb and Excerpt
Last day to enter my giveaway! You can win a $25 Amazon gift card, an autographed copy of 25 Roses, or a long-stemmed chocolate rose like the ones in the book.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
