L.J. Singleton's Blog, page 21

THE BODY SWAP WRITING CONTEST (for young writers)

ANNOUNCING "THE BODY SWAP WRITING CONTEST" for young writers!

Young writers have been asking for a writing contest -- and here it is!

Official Rules (feel free to share this on your favorite blogs & with friends)

In DEAD GIRL WALKING, DEAD GIRL DANCING and DEAD GIRL IN LOVE, 17 year old Amber swaps bodies with Ms. Popularity, Ms. College-Girl and her very own best friend.

Question: If you could temporarily trade bodies with anyone, who would you choose? Why? And what do you think the experience woul

Writing Contest

Over on Cynthia Smith's Livejournal, there's a great post about a writing contest for unpubbed writers.
Details here: If you enter, GOOD LUCK!

Meet my Author Friends Interviews: #3. L. J. SMITH

I met Lisa Jane Smith in the early 90's when we were both young writers starting our careers. We met several times a year with another writer friend for critiquing and writerly talk at a Pleasanton, CA restaurant. I fell in love with Lisa's first book, THE NIGHT OF THE SOLSTICE and its sequel. In my copy of SOLSTICE Lisa autographed: And for Linda, another lover of fantasy and a magical writer! Love from Lisa, 9-2-93. While she's more famous for her vampire books, this lesser known fantasy remai

Five Things (ABOUT TV SHOWS) on a Friday

FIVE THINGS (ABOUT TV SHOWS!) ON A FRIDAY

1.     I watch a lot of reality shows (fun plus doubles as writer research into bizarre pop culture).
        I used to love Survivor but they don't show enough of the characters to get to know them
        so I'm a little bored this season. TV producers should learn from all the editors in
        publishing who ask for "voice" and "great characters." Action scenes only work if you care
        about the characters.

2.     American Idol is fun and my favorite

A Day in This Author's Life...

This was my 14th year awarding elementary students in a writing contest.
I judged 69 short stories, writing encouraging comments & giving
bookmarks and fun stickers to each entrant.

I thought it might be fun to share my day with blogging friends:

6:10 AM - Woke up, tired. Not ready to get out of bed.
6:15 AM - Checked email, rankings & blogs.
6:30 AM - Dressed in purple & black with cat necklace.
                  Makeup on. Hair brushed.
6:50 AM - Grabbed paper, phone, purse, camera.
7:05 AM - Out doo

Free DEAD GIRL

Over on the Spectable Blog, they're giving away a copy of DEAD GIRL DANCING and FOREST OF HANDS & TEETH (which I'm reading right now and it's insanely compelling.  And even more book prizes. Enter soon!

Blog: http://thespectacleblog.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/enter-our-inverse-contest

Praising a 4th Grade Writer

I'm judging about 70 short stories for a Galt, CA elementary school writing contest
where Danna Smith . Next week we award kid writing in an assembly then reception
with book signing.

On each entry, I write encouraging comments to the young writer. Here's one I just
wrote for a 2 page story by a 4th grader:

(Name Withheld)
   I really enjoyed your treasure hunt story.
   You did an excellent job setting up the
   problem and then ending with a fun 
   conclusion. Excellent!
   Reading your story was like

When I was 11 years old...

I found this beginning of a story I wrote when I was 11:

TERROR AT NIGHT!
One dark and stormy night, the rain was pounding on the window pane, and thunder bright on the sky. I was admiring the droplets of rain on the trees' branches when suddenly a shrieking cry echoed in my room.

Then all at once a loud trembing voice said, "I'm going to get you!"

I was petrified, too scared to move or scream. The voice was echoing louder and louder. My heart was pounding rapidly. Then I saw big bloodshot eyes pee

5 THINGS ON A FRIDAY

1.     I am going to lunch with writing friends Linda Whalen and Danna Smith.

2.     My favorite 2-year-old loves Danna's new picture book, TWO AT THE ZOO, which teaches counting as a grandpa and his grandson enjoy some unusual zoo animals.

3.     I've been friending lots of writers and librarians at Twitter . Let me know your URL if you enjoy Tweeting.

4.     Sunday night I can't wait to watch LADIES #1 DETECTIVE AGENCY on HBO. Love these charming books.

5.     Writing Motto: Write fast and spew th

"MEET MY AUTHOR FRIEND" Margaret O'Hair

#2 in "MEET MY AUTHOR FRIEND" Interviews by Linda Joy Singleton:

MARGARET O'HAIR

I met Margaret --or as her friends call her, "Meg," over ten years ago.  We met for the first time at my mother's home (which is like a doll museum!...but that's another story) in Sacramento, CA., since it's midway between our homes.  I was immediately impressed with Meg's enthusiasm for writing and her bubbling personality. After that we carpooled a few times to SCBWI conferences or shares critiques. I loved hearing