Stephanie Faris's Blog, page 65
May 19, 2014
My Mini Book Tour
I've had a lot of exciting opportunities lately, including my first booksigning, carnival appearance, and book reading...all in a three-day period.
Writing can be stressful, but author appearances are scary. What if no one shows up? What if everyone shows up and you have to speak in front of them?
Last week was Children's Book Week, so it was a busy week in my world. First came my first ever official booksigning at this charming bookstore in Nashville on Thursday night:
I arrived to find this display out front:
During the event, I met a charming young girl named Hannah who reminded me why writing for young girls is the best job in the world. She was so excited to meet a real-life author she told her godmother later that, "you can't see it, but inside I feel like I have fireworks going on."
Saturday was a busy day. First there was a carnival at McGavock Elementary School, where kids stood in line to sign up to win a free copy of my book.
My mom stayed there with me all day, helping students fill out the entry slips and setting up my display table so it looked beautiful.
The carnival ended at 3 and I had to immediately jump in the car to rush to Parnassus Books. Parnassus is a fun Nashville bookstore that even has its own store dogs! How cool is that?
Parnassus hosted children's authors for 15-minute readings in honor of Indies First Storytime Day. I was honored to be included in this nationwide event. Plus, look at the cool swag I got as a thank you for participating.
In all, it was the scariest, most exciting week of my life so far--and there's more to come! I have two more events later this summer. At least they won't fall on the same week, though!
Have you participated in book events? Do you find them terrifying yet exhilarating like I did?
Writing can be stressful, but author appearances are scary. What if no one shows up? What if everyone shows up and you have to speak in front of them?
Last week was Children's Book Week, so it was a busy week in my world. First came my first ever official booksigning at this charming bookstore in Nashville on Thursday night:
I arrived to find this display out front:
During the event, I met a charming young girl named Hannah who reminded me why writing for young girls is the best job in the world. She was so excited to meet a real-life author she told her godmother later that, "you can't see it, but inside I feel like I have fireworks going on."
Saturday was a busy day. First there was a carnival at McGavock Elementary School, where kids stood in line to sign up to win a free copy of my book.
My mom stayed there with me all day, helping students fill out the entry slips and setting up my display table so it looked beautiful.
The carnival ended at 3 and I had to immediately jump in the car to rush to Parnassus Books. Parnassus is a fun Nashville bookstore that even has its own store dogs! How cool is that?
Parnassus hosted children's authors for 15-minute readings in honor of Indies First Storytime Day. I was honored to be included in this nationwide event. Plus, look at the cool swag I got as a thank you for participating.
In all, it was the scariest, most exciting week of my life so far--and there's more to come! I have two more events later this summer. At least they won't fall on the same week, though!
Have you participated in book events? Do you find them terrifying yet exhilarating like I did?
May 16, 2014
Express Yourself: Fictional Characters
Earlier this week, I found an exciting blog hop on L.G. Keltner's blog. The challenge was part of a weekly meme hosted by Express Yourself.
The challenge calls for you to choose one fictional character who best reflects your personality. I could be all literary and say someone like Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice.
Unfortunately, my choice will be a little more modern. Still today, I think I relate to Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City more than anyone.
She's idealistic, she overthinks everything, and she's too often led by emotions rather than logic. Perhaps it's all the writing she does, though, that reminds me of myself. No matter what is going on in her life, she's always writing.
In all of entertainment, there has been one character who reminded me of me as a teenager most. I think many women felt that way when they saw this show, though:
Angst, drama, out-of-control friends, crushes on boys I could never have...yep, My So-Called Life captured my adolescence perfectly!
What fictional character best echoes your personality?
The challenge calls for you to choose one fictional character who best reflects your personality. I could be all literary and say someone like Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice.
Unfortunately, my choice will be a little more modern. Still today, I think I relate to Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City more than anyone.
She's idealistic, she overthinks everything, and she's too often led by emotions rather than logic. Perhaps it's all the writing she does, though, that reminds me of myself. No matter what is going on in her life, she's always writing.
In all of entertainment, there has been one character who reminded me of me as a teenager most. I think many women felt that way when they saw this show, though:
Angst, drama, out-of-control friends, crushes on boys I could never have...yep, My So-Called Life captured my adolescence perfectly!
What fictional character best echoes your personality?
May 14, 2014
Casting Reality TV
With one exception, I prefer scripted TV over reality TV. That exception is my shameless addiction to this show.
But it's almost impossible to completely avoid reality TV, especially when you watch the show that specializes in making fun of it.
The Soup's coverage of one reality show prompted me to check it out.
It seemed like an intriguing premise, I'll admit. "Real people" go on dating adventures with other "real people" and we watch. About five minutes into the first episode, though, I realized one guy looked familiar.
Alex, it turned out, wasn't a "real person," after all. Alex Stein is known as a reality TV show veteran, having appeared as himself on The Glass House, Sweet Home Alabama, and Worst Cooks in America. Apparently now "reality TV show star" is a resume credit...and something casting directors no doubt specialize in.
It didn't stop with Alex, though. Episode after episode, familiar faces popped up, many with existing IMDB profiles. In the finale of Online Dating Rituals of the American Male we saw Lydia, a long-haired, tattooed brunette who "cut her hair" prior to meeting the male star of the show. He was beyond perplexed that she'd cut all her beautiful hair off.
Every Big Brother fan on the planet watching the show was screaming, "That's Lydia from Big Brother!" Lydia Tavera always had short, blond hair. She's Lydia, people.
Is it reality TV when casting directors are out rounding up reality show stars to fill all these roles? If reality show casting is an actual process, is it really real at all? When did "reality TV star" become a lifelong career?
Do you watch reality TV? Does it seem real to you?
If you live in the Nashville area, come out for my first bookstore appearance! It's May 15 from 4pm-6pm at BookmanBookwoman in Hillsboro Village. Click on the image below for details.
But it's almost impossible to completely avoid reality TV, especially when you watch the show that specializes in making fun of it.
The Soup's coverage of one reality show prompted me to check it out.
It seemed like an intriguing premise, I'll admit. "Real people" go on dating adventures with other "real people" and we watch. About five minutes into the first episode, though, I realized one guy looked familiar.
Alex, it turned out, wasn't a "real person," after all. Alex Stein is known as a reality TV show veteran, having appeared as himself on The Glass House, Sweet Home Alabama, and Worst Cooks in America. Apparently now "reality TV show star" is a resume credit...and something casting directors no doubt specialize in.
It didn't stop with Alex, though. Episode after episode, familiar faces popped up, many with existing IMDB profiles. In the finale of Online Dating Rituals of the American Male we saw Lydia, a long-haired, tattooed brunette who "cut her hair" prior to meeting the male star of the show. He was beyond perplexed that she'd cut all her beautiful hair off.
Every Big Brother fan on the planet watching the show was screaming, "That's Lydia from Big Brother!" Lydia Tavera always had short, blond hair. She's Lydia, people.
Is it reality TV when casting directors are out rounding up reality show stars to fill all these roles? If reality show casting is an actual process, is it really real at all? When did "reality TV star" become a lifelong career?
Do you watch reality TV? Does it seem real to you?
If you live in the Nashville area, come out for my first bookstore appearance! It's May 15 from 4pm-6pm at BookmanBookwoman in Hillsboro Village. Click on the image below for details.
May 13, 2014
A is for Apocalypse Cover Reveal
It's an exciting day on my blog. First, Corinne is graciously hosting me at Everyday Gyaan today. I'm writing about my process. Click on the pretty picture below to go there.
Second, I'm participating in the cover reveal for Rhonda Parrish's new book, A is for Apocalypse. The A to Z Challenge was the perfect warm-up to this book, since A is for Apocalypse also tackles each letter of the alphabet in a very interesting way. Here's the cover. It just looks like a book you wouldn't be able to put down.
What do you do when you take 26 amazing writers, randomly assign them a letter of the alphabet, and give them complete artistic freedom within a theme?
A is for Apocalypse
A is for Apocalypse contains twenty-six apocalyptic stories written by both well-known and up-and-coming writers. Monsters, meteors, floods, war–the causes of the apocalypses in these tales are as varied as the stories themselves.
This volume contains work by Ennis Drake, Beth Cato, Kenneth Schneyer, Damien Angelica Walters, K. L. Young, Marge Simon, Milo James Fowler, Simon Kewin, C.S. MacCath, Steve Bornstein and more!
Add it on Goodreads
Rhonda is giving away three Advanced Reader Copies of A is for Apocalypse via Rafflecopter. Visit her site for more details.
Second, I'm participating in the cover reveal for Rhonda Parrish's new book, A is for Apocalypse. The A to Z Challenge was the perfect warm-up to this book, since A is for Apocalypse also tackles each letter of the alphabet in a very interesting way. Here's the cover. It just looks like a book you wouldn't be able to put down.
What do you do when you take 26 amazing writers, randomly assign them a letter of the alphabet, and give them complete artistic freedom within a theme?
A is for Apocalypse
A is for Apocalypse contains twenty-six apocalyptic stories written by both well-known and up-and-coming writers. Monsters, meteors, floods, war–the causes of the apocalypses in these tales are as varied as the stories themselves.
This volume contains work by Ennis Drake, Beth Cato, Kenneth Schneyer, Damien Angelica Walters, K. L. Young, Marge Simon, Milo James Fowler, Simon Kewin, C.S. MacCath, Steve Bornstein and more!
Add it on Goodreads
Rhonda is giving away three Advanced Reader Copies of A is for Apocalypse via Rafflecopter. Visit her site for more details.
May 12, 2014
Bringing the Dead to Life in Hollywood
I have a feeling I'm not the only one who gave the new Dove commercials a double-take when they started airing.
How did they find an actress who looks so much like Audrey Hepburn? Side-by-side, it's remarkable.
Actually, two different actresses played the role and neither bore an exact resemblance to the film icon.
So how did they do it? CGI. Here's HepburnTM, the digitized version that was created using the above actresses as doubles.
At first I wasn't sure how to feel about this. If we can create actresses by computer, why do we need real actresses?
But a lot of work goes into these. Besides, real actresses/models were needed, along with quite a few talented artists.
Audrey isn't the first legend to be recreated for a commercial. There's the well-known Dior commercial from a couple of years ago starring a recreated Grace Kelly, Marlene Dietrich, and Marilyn Monroe alongside a (still alive) Charlize Theron.
How do you feel about bringing Hollywood legends back to life using modern technology?
If you live in the Nashville area, come out for my first bookstore appearance! It's May 15 from 4pm-6pm at BookmanBookwoman in Hillsboro Village. Click on the image below for details.
How did they find an actress who looks so much like Audrey Hepburn? Side-by-side, it's remarkable.
Actually, two different actresses played the role and neither bore an exact resemblance to the film icon.
So how did they do it? CGI. Here's HepburnTM, the digitized version that was created using the above actresses as doubles.
At first I wasn't sure how to feel about this. If we can create actresses by computer, why do we need real actresses?
But a lot of work goes into these. Besides, real actresses/models were needed, along with quite a few talented artists.
Audrey isn't the first legend to be recreated for a commercial. There's the well-known Dior commercial from a couple of years ago starring a recreated Grace Kelly, Marlene Dietrich, and Marilyn Monroe alongside a (still alive) Charlize Theron.
How do you feel about bringing Hollywood legends back to life using modern technology?
If you live in the Nashville area, come out for my first bookstore appearance! It's May 15 from 4pm-6pm at BookmanBookwoman in Hillsboro Village. Click on the image below for details.
May 9, 2014
Tagged: My Writing Process
The beautiful Kristin Smith tagged me as part of this blog tour:
The mission, should I choose to accept it, is to write about my writing process. I wrote about that topic in great detail for a guest blog coming up, so I'll try to make this unique.
What am I working on now?
While waiting to hear back on the next round of revisions for 25 Roses and a chapter book series we're shopping around, I'm working on something completely different. It's a young adult series about a girl who starts having dreams about crimes in her town. I'm not sure if it'll ever go anywhere, but I'm having fun writing it.
Why do I write what I do?
Can anything be more fun than writing books for young readers? Especially girls. I get to relive the fun parts of being a tween/adolescent without going through it myself. The best of all possible worlds!
How does my writing process work?
I wish I could say I get an idea and spend weeks formulating the idea, but I don't. I get an idea and start writing. Then 40 pages in, I have a moment similar to this:
And I have to regroup. That pretty much sums it up!
What's your writing process? If you're one of the three bloggers below, you're up next on the tour!
NEXT UP ON TOUR: Sherry Ellis, Julie Flanders, J.L. Campbell.
An InLinkz Link-up
The mission, should I choose to accept it, is to write about my writing process. I wrote about that topic in great detail for a guest blog coming up, so I'll try to make this unique.
What am I working on now?
While waiting to hear back on the next round of revisions for 25 Roses and a chapter book series we're shopping around, I'm working on something completely different. It's a young adult series about a girl who starts having dreams about crimes in her town. I'm not sure if it'll ever go anywhere, but I'm having fun writing it.
Why do I write what I do?
Can anything be more fun than writing books for young readers? Especially girls. I get to relive the fun parts of being a tween/adolescent without going through it myself. The best of all possible worlds!
How does my writing process work?
I wish I could say I get an idea and spend weeks formulating the idea, but I don't. I get an idea and start writing. Then 40 pages in, I have a moment similar to this:
And I have to regroup. That pretty much sums it up!
What's your writing process? If you're one of the three bloggers below, you're up next on the tour!
NEXT UP ON TOUR: Sherry Ellis, Julie Flanders, J.L. Campbell.
An InLinkz Link-up
May 7, 2014
They're Still Trashing Romance Novels
I wrote romance novels for a while in my younger years. I wasn't successful in getting one published, but it wasn't for lack of trying. During that time, I was repeatedly, relentlessly insulted.
Comments like, "You're writing bodice rippers?" were commonplace. I brushed them off, deciding I'd laugh all the way to the bank someday. Besides, it beat whatever they'd be doing for a living for the rest of their lives.
I've been writing young adult and children's fiction for so long, I'd almost forgotten what it was like to be made to feel bad about your novel's subject matter. I've yet to hear anyone insult me for writing children's literature.
Late last week I received a painful reminder. As news broke that HarperCollins is buying Harlequin, I found myself wincing as I read one insult after another.
The whole thing made me stop and think--just what is it about romance novels that bring so much ridicule? Is it Fabio?
Because we should be over that by now, right?
Interestingly, in the very articles that were ridiculing the genre, reporters repeatedly acknowledged how well romance novels sell. If something is that much of a hit, it will likely always bring negativity for one reason...
But I think a large part of it is that romance novels are a female-dominated domain. Women like Nora Roberts have built entire enterprises on those so-called "beach reads," bringing women together all over the world. Since sci-fi/fantasy, suspense, and horror novels are equally enjoyable on vacation, that leaves one differentiating factor.
Romance novels are read and written by women.
What do you think? Why are people so condescending toward the romance genre?
An InLinkz Link-up
Comments like, "You're writing bodice rippers?" were commonplace. I brushed them off, deciding I'd laugh all the way to the bank someday. Besides, it beat whatever they'd be doing for a living for the rest of their lives.
I've been writing young adult and children's fiction for so long, I'd almost forgotten what it was like to be made to feel bad about your novel's subject matter. I've yet to hear anyone insult me for writing children's literature.
Late last week I received a painful reminder. As news broke that HarperCollins is buying Harlequin, I found myself wincing as I read one insult after another.
The whole thing made me stop and think--just what is it about romance novels that bring so much ridicule? Is it Fabio?
Because we should be over that by now, right?
Interestingly, in the very articles that were ridiculing the genre, reporters repeatedly acknowledged how well romance novels sell. If something is that much of a hit, it will likely always bring negativity for one reason...
But I think a large part of it is that romance novels are a female-dominated domain. Women like Nora Roberts have built entire enterprises on those so-called "beach reads," bringing women together all over the world. Since sci-fi/fantasy, suspense, and horror novels are equally enjoyable on vacation, that leaves one differentiating factor.
Romance novels are read and written by women.
What do you think? Why are people so condescending toward the romance genre?
An InLinkz Link-up
May 5, 2014
Cover Reveal: 25 Roses
I'm here to day with a very important announcement...
It's cover reveal time!
So...without further delay, here's my beautiful cover.
I can't stop looking at it. I love it!
Here's a little bit about 25 Roses.
Valentine's Day means one thing at Stanton Middle School: students will send each other chocolate roses. Each year, Mia Hartley watches while the same group of students gets roses and everyone else is left out. This year, she decides things will be different. As the student assigned to write names on the cards, Mia purchases 25 roses and writes her own cards, designating them to 25 people she's personally chosen. But she soon learns that playing matchmaker is much more complicated than she thought it would be.
Join in on my BLOGstravaganza celebrating the release and get a few new readers for your blog. Just post your link below and mention the blog hop (with a link here) on your blog.
An InLinkz Link-up
It's cover reveal time!
So...without further delay, here's my beautiful cover.
I can't stop looking at it. I love it!
Here's a little bit about 25 Roses.
Valentine's Day means one thing at Stanton Middle School: students will send each other chocolate roses. Each year, Mia Hartley watches while the same group of students gets roses and everyone else is left out. This year, she decides things will be different. As the student assigned to write names on the cards, Mia purchases 25 roses and writes her own cards, designating them to 25 people she's personally chosen. But she soon learns that playing matchmaker is much more complicated than she thought it would be.
Join in on my BLOGstravaganza celebrating the release and get a few new readers for your blog. Just post your link below and mention the blog hop (with a link here) on your blog.
An InLinkz Link-up
May 2, 2014
Covers, Covers, and More Covers
As I mentioned earlier this week, my second book is coming out in 2015...and..it's tucked away inside this folder
All will be revealed Monday!
In honor of my cover reveal, I'm hosting a BLOGstravaganza. If you haven't yet, sign up for the blog hop below and be a part of it.
Meanwhile, speaking of covers, check out these two new covers from awesome authors. Click on them to read more about them!
Bella's Point is a result of Elizabeth Seckman's love for the book Gone with the Wind. She describes Bella as a character with the heart of Melanie Wilkes and the passion of Scarlett O'Hara.
Like Elizabeth's, Medeia Sharif's new cover jumps out at you, making you want to know more! Snip, Snip Revenge describes what happens when a young girl becomes the victim of the fastest barber in Miami Beach.
Aren't new covers fun?
An InLinkz Link-up
All will be revealed Monday!
In honor of my cover reveal, I'm hosting a BLOGstravaganza. If you haven't yet, sign up for the blog hop below and be a part of it.
Meanwhile, speaking of covers, check out these two new covers from awesome authors. Click on them to read more about them!
Bella's Point is a result of Elizabeth Seckman's love for the book Gone with the Wind. She describes Bella as a character with the heart of Melanie Wilkes and the passion of Scarlett O'Hara.
Like Elizabeth's, Medeia Sharif's new cover jumps out at you, making you want to know more! Snip, Snip Revenge describes what happens when a young girl becomes the victim of the fastest barber in Miami Beach.
Aren't new covers fun?
An InLinkz Link-up
April 30, 2014
Z is for Zanies
We survived the challenge. Here's the survivor badge we all earned!
Today's letter is:
Today's subject will mean nothing to you unless you live in Tennessee or Illinois. In those two states are the four locations for a great comedy club franchise.
Zanies, Chuckles, The Comedy Store... Whatever your local stand-up comedy locale, if you haven't been in a while, you're missing out.
Generally, comedy clubs require a ticket purchase, along with a two-item purchase minimum. You don't have to order an alcoholic beverage. Two sodas or a bottle of water and a basket of chicken fingers or apple fritters will do it. I recommend the apple fritters with some diet soda. Because that's how I roll.
The only bad part about comedy clubs are the hecklers. The good news is, sometimes you get to see the bouncers bounce someone out in the middle of a show.
When was the last time you went to a comedy club?
An InLinkz Link-up
Today's letter is:
Today's subject will mean nothing to you unless you live in Tennessee or Illinois. In those two states are the four locations for a great comedy club franchise.
Zanies, Chuckles, The Comedy Store... Whatever your local stand-up comedy locale, if you haven't been in a while, you're missing out.
Generally, comedy clubs require a ticket purchase, along with a two-item purchase minimum. You don't have to order an alcoholic beverage. Two sodas or a bottle of water and a basket of chicken fingers or apple fritters will do it. I recommend the apple fritters with some diet soda. Because that's how I roll.
The only bad part about comedy clubs are the hecklers. The good news is, sometimes you get to see the bouncers bounce someone out in the middle of a show.
When was the last time you went to a comedy club?
An InLinkz Link-up
