Rose Cooper's Blog, page 4

Bella Vista High Career Day

So today I had the pleasure of presenting at my son's high school for career day (my son was even in the first session! *Hi Christian!*)   In the past I've spoken at elementary schools, I've given workshops for adults, but the thought of presenting to high school students was a bit intimidating! And not just because most of them are taller than me! So I went into my first session feeling like this:






 

 

But by the end of my last session felt like this:

 



 

 

Because the students were AWESOME. and the teacher was AWESOME. and so was the staff. And I have to give teachers a lot of credit. It was hard to remember if I told one group of students certain info already, or if that was the previous class I discussed it with. And talking a lot? Wow, I need a nap! That kind of thing really wears you out!

 

So....the students asked some really great questions, and it's the questions that any new writer would have.  Its the stuff that writers might forget after awhile or take for granted. And it was so great to see students excited and eager.  And even some that have already started writing a book!   

 

Some questions were about age limitations to becoming an author. I gave an example of my BWFE (Best Writing Friend Ever) Amie Borst and her daughter, Bethanie, who co-authored their upcoming book series. Age does not limit your passion and what you can accomplish. And I think Bethanie proves just that.

 

I think some of the questions asked would make great blog posts for new writers so I'm going to try and post some of these next week...along with resources that can help too. 

 

What questions do you have that you would like to see as a blog post?

 

You might also be interested in these past blog posts:

 
 The Query That Got Me Published



My Journey to Publication-Part 1



My Journey to Publication-Part 2



My Journey to Publication-Part 3




 

Sofia Speaks. About Character Interviews.

Yes, Sofia. You have their attention. Ready to make your announcement?








 Hey, look showed up--completely unannounced.









Sofia, I never wrote you to be rude! Are you trying to embarrass me?










 *shakes head* Characters, right? Always so dramatic. Anyways, ahem…your announcement, Sofia?




 








Nope, don't think they do, Sofia. Isn't that the purpose here? You're suppose to give readers the details?









So...we have a fabulous character line up, featured right here every Monday, beginning October 14th. We will also post links and bios for those "author people" as well as some fabulous giveaways.






And if you’re one of those “author people” who are interested in having any of your characters featured on Sofia Speaks…shoot us an email!






*Note: Every interview will be supervised, by me, as Sofia tends to be easily sidetracked. Really, if I had a dollar for every time--oh look, a cupcake!

CINDERSKELLA Cover Reveal & Giveaway!!

Cindy is just a normal 11¾-year-old girl. At least until she wakes up one night and finds out she’s dead. Well, she isn't technically dead—she just doesn't have any hair . . . or a nose . . . or skin. Yep—all bones, no body.  



Human by day and skeleton by night, Cindy is definitely cursed. And because her mother recently died, Cindy has no one to turn to except a father who is now scared of her and an evil stepmother who makes her do the housecleaning with a toothbrush. To make matters worse, the Spring Fling dance is approaching, and Ethan, the cutest boy in sixth grade, doesn’t seem to know Cindy exists. Of course, Cindy doesn’t think letting Ethan find out she’s part skeleton is the best way to introduce herself.


 
While facing such perils as pickled pig’s feet, a wacky fortune teller, and a few quick trips to the Underworld, Cindy’s determined to break the curse—even for a single night



Cinderskella is available for purchase at Barnes & Noble







Amie believes in Unicorns, uses glitter whenever the opportunity arises, accessories in pink and eats too much chocolate. Bethanie is a spunky 13 year old middle-schooler who loves archery, long bike rides and studying edible plant-life. Cinderskella is their first book together and is part of the Scarily Ever Laughter series. You can find them on  Facebook, Twitter,  Pinterest, From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors,  and Blog.



I am so excited for Amie & Bethanie....and so proud of them! I knew Amie back when Cinderskella was still a work in progress and the first time I read it, I knew it had to be a book. Of course they proved me right when they got a three-book deal and CINDERSKELLA is the first in this adorable, hysterical, and creative book series. They seamlessly blend into the story a journey of self-discovery, love, and forgiveness while providing spit-soda-through-your-nose humor (speaking from experience!) which is very hard to accomplish in a book! So please, join me in congratulating them on this huge accomplishment. Way to go Amie & Bethanie!!!



Amie Borst is celebrating her book release and cover reveal with a monthly giveaway in The Great Cinderskella Giveaway! If you’d like to win a $25 Amazon gift card, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. You’ll be automatically entered into the grand prize drawing for a Kindle Fire in October!

 A Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Pinterest Newbie-Say What?

Reasons why Pinterest is addicting:



1. You can escape from all the drama and bad grammar on Facebook.



2. You can get ideas on Pinterest of how to hold a Pintervention for someone you know. Or yourself.



3. You can be called a Pinhead and it's actually not an insult this time.



4. There's a whole category of Pinterest fails. Who could resist that?



5. Pinterest can teach you how to build your dream house with nothing but foam wreaths, wine bottles, and a glue gun.



6. It has everything you never knew you always wanted to know about anything.



7. It feels like you're shopping without spending money!



What do YOU like most about Pinterest?

Name a character in my next book!

Okay, so I broke down and created a Facebook page for The Doodle Divas. This month they have gone digital...stamps that is. And they are offered exclusively at Whimsy Stamps!





I don't like to think of myself as "Special." I like to think of myself as Limited Edition.



Check out the card created using a DIVA by one of the design team members!






 

So...I've decided to run a contest to help promote the Doodle Divas FB page. For everyone who "likes" the page in the month of January will automatically be entered into a drawing. The winner will get to name a character in my upcoming book, I TEXT DEAD PEOPLE.

 

You can "Like" the DIVAS by going directly to the Facebook page and clicking or, click on the icon in the right side column of this blog.

 

What's your favorite DIVA?



 

This year, I resolve to...

Happy New Year, everyone! Thought I'd share my 2013 New Year Resolutions.


This year, I resolve to....












Always replace the nozzle before driving away from the pump.

 



 

 

 

Always check for "paper" before leaving the restroom.











Try to drive closer to the speed limit.







 

Keep a safe distance when behind a police car.

 



 

 

No longer park the car next to fire hydrants.

 



 

 

Stop buying useless stuff.

 



 



So what are YOU'RE New Year Resolutions?

I'm Serious. Dead Serious.

Did someone say good news?



*waves arms frantically* over here!



As announced yesterday on PW Children's Bookshelf, I got a two-book deal with Random House/Delacorte for a new book series! And yes, I get to write AND illustrate this series too!  It will be called the Dead Serious series. And the first book will be titled, I Text Dead People, and will be released Fall 2014. The second title is yet to be named, but will be out Spring 2015.



*jumps up and down*



So I've been wanting to write this story for. ev. er. And Lucy (from my webcomic Lucy in Love) will be playing a big role in the first book. So definitely expect craziness!



Here's a short blurb:



As if living in a creepy house on cemetery grounds weren’t horrible enough, Annabelle accidentally becomes a guide that bridges the gap between the living and the dead with her cell phone. Which means she is pestered by the deceased 24/7. And until she helps them with their absurd unresolved issues and ridiculous requests, no one will be able to rest in peace.

A Zombie ate my brain. And stole my heart.

So what have I been up since my last book, Secrets From The Sleeping Bag, was published?  I've been pitching more book ideas. I would love to expand my tween writing to young adult. Over the last few months my brain bucket has been overflowing with ideas. It's been keeping me from sleeping, eating (ah, who are we kidding..I always have an appetite), and wishing I were writing 24/7 instead of working all day at my desk job.



My ideas are so scattered. From dark and edgy, to sci-fi and fantasy. I've been dabbling in genres that I never thought I would, and I love the challenge.



So while I do the one thing I'm so not good at doing (waiting and being patient), I've been sketching and writing a new idea in my notebook. It has to do with monsters, creatures, and a human. Personality disorders, a shipwreck, and an uninhabited island. The image here is one of my characters sketches for the story. I think I'll start posting more character sketches and give some samples from the story.



What ideas do you have floating around in your head?

SCBWI North Bay Meeting

So tomorrow I'll be speaking at the SCBWI event in Sebastopol, 7pm-9pm.. Am I excited? Absolutely! Am I nervous? you bet! It seems no matter how many times I do events or signings, I'm always as nervous as the first time. I guess I'm always afraid of two things:



1. Nobody will show up. *crickets* 

2. My brain will betray me.. Like, right in the middle of a sentence my brain will go numb and I'll stand there, mouth open and nothing coming out. Although, I don't think i've ever had a problem shutting up before.



Or what if I talk too much and begin babbling and people think I'm crazy. Like, certifiably.  My crazy girl sketch to the left --yeah, that is exactly how i'm afraid I'll be perceived.



And if you're in the area, it's not too late to register.



 Wish me luck!

MADly In Love





 

 







Lucy.
I did a web comic on her for a short time awhile ago. But she is still one of
my favorite characters. Like most girls, she has a boyfriend that she is madly
in love with. Unlike most girls, she becomes obsessed with him and refuses to
take the hint when he breaks up with her. Several times.




And
then...he kills her. Oops! An accident? Maybe. But she doesn't care. She still
loves him and will haunt him for all of eternity. She even gives him her heart.
Literally. Afterall, she has no use for it anymore.




Lucy
is crazy in love. Actually, she's just crazy.



Who doesn't love craziness!



What is one of your favorite characters you've created?