L.J. Singleton's Blog, page 6

Win 3 YA books!

LindaJoySingleton  Win 3 YA books: CRYER'S CROSS, WISHFUL THINKING & MAGICIAN'S MUSE: http://thespectacleblog.wordpress.com/

Writing life...glamorous??? Not so much but sometimes...

Writing routine: Every morning at my computer, break for food and exercise and some trashy TV, then back to but-in-chair writing. Repeat. Rinse. Write.

But occasionally I discard the writer uniform of comfy clothes, no makeup and hair snatched out of the way in a ponytail.
Sometimes I fix up my hair, apply makeup, slip into something black and slimming, and assume the role of "Author" for a few hours.

Tomorrow night is going to be one of those nights.

 I've been invited to attend AUTHORS ON THE MOVE -- a fundraiser in CA's state capitol where the cost to attend is $200 a plate.  I'm going with another author, Dawn Lairimore, who wrote the brilliant IVY'S EVER AFTER (if you haven't read this princess & dragon unite to fight an evil prince modern fantasy, check it out now)! Our chauffeur (Dawn's dad) will drop us off at the Hyatt Hotel where we will be treated to a pre-dinner for authors only. After conversation and great food, we'll be escorted into the main room and assigned to a table, where we will be the guest at our table and answer questions about our books. We'll move to two more tables and talk more about our books. The third table will have dessert -- always a YUM moment (I've done this event before).

After speeches, introductions of authors, and dessert (did I already mention dessert??), authors will be escorted to tables where we will sign our books and get to talk books even more (I really love to talk books).

And the next day it's back to the writing routine. .

Book Display at Library

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Part of my girl series book collection is on display at the Sacramento County
Rancho Cordova Library. How many series can you recognize?

It's white outside!

Not snow...in Northern CA we're smothered in fog. I'm just glad I don't need to drive anywhere today.

What I do need to do is write. I've been thinking and editing a lot on my futuristic WIP, but haven't
added new pages since November. But I do feel like I've mentally worked out some of the
stumbling blocks that have slowed me down and I will add new words today.

I was lucky enough to get some amazing ARCs at ALA and have read a few already:
1. ACROSS THE UNIVERSE -- loved this fascinating, science fiction, romantic mystery.
2.  RED GLOVE - Another successes page-turner by Holly Black. Need more, please.
3. CLOSE TO FAMOUS - This one made me happy and touched my heart. I love Joan Bauer.

Now I  am going to write. Really, I am. Now...

Supporting an amazing writer

In Support of L.K. Madigan
A massive Feast of Awesome giveaway of last year's Morris winner, FLASH BURNOUT, and Lisa's new novel, THE MERMAID'S MIRROR.

Lisa released some heartbreaking news on her blog this week.
Now we are celebrating Lisa's books, hoping she knows how very much she and her stories mean to us.

Details here:

http://community.livejournal.com/debut2009/1059044.html

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lindajsingleton @ 2011-01-01T10:28:00

It's available! NOW! I have been hoping so much this would really happen -- a way to reintroduce my THE SEER series to readers.

THE SEER #1, DON'T DIE DRAGONFLY is a one-month-only FREE download from Amazon/Kindle.

And the cool thing is you don't even need a Kindle -- I downloaded the free app to my I-Phone. Lots of devices can get a free Kindle device. And for January, readers can get my book too -- the first book where Sabine is introduced, she rescues Josh, sees ghosts, talks to her spirit guide and meet Dominic.

http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Die-Dragonfly-ebook/dp/B001KYEZRE/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

I would really appreciate it if you could repost this to your blogs. Thank you.

WHAT I LIKED IN 2010

I sent out a Christmas letter with news of my family and travels, etc. But here I'll share the more personal stuff--tthings I liked.

GAMES: I learned two new ones to play when friends-family get together: a dice game called LEFT CENTER RIGHT and a box game called APPLES TO APPLES. Fun!

CONFERENCES: Aside from usual SCBWI conferences, I also went to a mystery-novel conference called LEFT COAST CRIME. I traveled with my mother and had a blast listening to workshops about murder, forensics. pet sidekicks and cozies.

PLAY TIME: In April my hubby, son and I saw the musical production of WICKED. It was wicked amazing!

CRUISING: While on a cruise in the caribbean, I saw a ship  appropriately called LOBOS which was a floating non-profit library.
Impressive!

TILTING WINDMILLS: I visited Burney, CA where my hubby, a crane operator, was putting up giant windmills. I stood on top of a mountain alongside rows of massive windmills and could see both Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen in one loftly glance.

OOOH, FEELS GOOD! I went to a day spa and had the first massage in my entire life!

MOVIE SEQUELS: I saw both Harry Potter 7 1/2 and Eclipse. 

AND MY FAVORITE NEW TOY IN 2010.....my I-Phone! It's like holding a universe of information in my hand. I love my I-Phone.

And on New Year's Day I may have something else new and free to tell you about....stay tuned.

5 SECRETS TO STAYING PUBLISHED FOR TWO DECADES

My first book -- ALMOST TWINS -- came out in 1991.
Almost two decades later and my 36th book, THE SEER: MAGICIAN'S MUSE, just came out from Flux.

FIVE SECRETS OF STAYING PUBLISHED FOR (NEARLY) 2 DECADES:

*1.  Butt in Chair on a regular schedule (but be flexible & enjoy family-friends, too).
   I'm at my computer every day. But when the kids drop by, I stop to enjoy them.
   Then it's back to work.
 
*2.  Networking: writing friends are wonderful. We support each other and share info which can lead to sales.   In 2003, after several years of crushing disappointments, a good friend Dotti Enderle suggested
  I submit series ideas to her publisher Llewellyn. Since then I've sold STRANGE ENCOUNTERS, THE SEER series,   DEAD GIRL trilogy, and upcoming  2012 GOTH GIRL Mysteries to Llewellyn/Flux. I've passed on pub news   and love to support with other writers. One young writer friend, Jeff Sampson, found a publisher after a tip I gave him.  He's sold a lot since then and has a new book out now. I treasure all my writing friendships. 

 #3. Never regret having written something even if it never sells. Raise your hand if you have unsold books
  buried away never to be read. I have about 10 unsold books; some deserved not to sell, others may
  be reworked in the future. Everything I've written was a lesson learned in writing and a stepping stone
  to the next book--which could be a bestseller (that's my goal!).

 #4. Always say "yes" to new opportunities. When I was starting out I jumped at any publishing job. I wrote
 a quiz and short stories for teen mags. I ghostwrote a Sweet Valley Twin. When I was invited to write
 a cheerleading series for Avon, even though I had no cheerleading experience, I immediately said "yes."
 Then I researched, took cheerleaders to lunch, attended cheer meetings & posed as a coach at cheer camp.  Those were some of my best writing research experiences. The most  challenging job ever was writing two   Pick Your Own Dream Date books, which had over 15 different endings and I needed to make a color-coded chart of every page in the book to keep the storylines straight. That was a fun, stressful job which I'm still proud of; like puzzling together a book.

#5.  Never give up. EVER. 
    

CSLA (CA Library Conference) Panel

Yesterday I had a great (BUSY!) day at the Sacramento Convention Center speaking on a panel titled: CONNECTING AUTHORS, BOOKS, CHILDREN, TEACHERS & LIBRARIANS. This topic was all about
inexpensive ways to connect authors with students.  

The five panelists includes:

ME: Showing my latest book, MAGICIAN's MUSE, and talking about my wonderful Skype experience with a
Texas middle-grade classroom. All the kids had read my books and especially enjoyed THE SEER series,
asking brilliant questions like: Did you base the emotions of your characters on your childhood experiences?

This led to a talk about how a boy broke my heart and how those emotions still feel real decades later.
I also told about THE GREAT SCAVENGER HUNT, created by author Kay Cassidy, which has over 200
authors who created 10 questions for  each of their books; sending readers hunting library shelves for books,
answers and a chance for prizes.
                                                 
Pictured: Stacy Nyikos, Susan Goldman Rubin, Linda Joy Singleton, Caryn Yacowitz, Belle Yang

Stacy Nyikos set up this panel and flew from Oklahoma to CA for this event. Her book DRAGON WISHES
is gorgeous and rich with history and imagination. She spoke on Skype, also, offering different types of
visits and also sharing her writer's journey.

Susan Goldman Rubin shared of the music behind her words in upcoming book MUSIC WAS IT about
famous composer Leonard Bernstein. She spoke passionately about the composer's life and made
us all wish this book was out already. She has CD's to accompany her book, bringing music to classrooms.

Caryn Yacowitz brought song to our panel; songwriter, actress, producer, writer, she creates plays
from her picture books. THE JADE STONE has been performed on stage and herPUMPKIN FIESTA
inspires crazy-fun costumes accompanied by silly songs she teaches. And she got the whole audience SINGING!

Belle Yang was born in China and came to the US when she was very young, and traveled to exotic
places in the world, developing her artistic talent. She wowed everyone with a book trailer that has
a time lapse sequence that shows her work on a biography graphic novel: FORGET SORROW.
I started reading this book and in the first three pages alone she experienced more drama that
most people do in their entire lives. YALSA should take note of this book as it will appeal to all
ages; a wonderful cross-over graphic novel in a large hardback format. This book deserves AWARDS!

In the evening, we attended the CSLA Author Banquet where each table has one or two authors.
I had some wonderful conversations and talked so much I barely ate the steak-potato-salad-roll-cheese cake dinner.
(One of the best ever banquet meals.) Well, I did finish the cheese cake (g). 

A cool part of the ceremony featured young winners of a contest for introducing the keynote speakers.
The eloquent 6th grade girl who introduced Andrew Clements (I love his FRINDLE and SCHOOL STORY!),
did such a great job. And afterwards she stopped by my signing table, pointed to DEAD GIRL IN LOVE,
and said she'd read it and loved my books. 
                                                                   Best moment of my night!



 

5 Things on a Friday (night!)

FIVE THINGS ON A FRIDAY

1.  Plans to attend ALA Midwinter are going great! I'm signing DEAD GIRL and THE SEER 6, MAGICIAN'S MUSE on Jan. 8 and Jan. 9th.

2.  Almost done reading the 7th book in PENDRAGON series by D.J. MacHale -- exciting and creative series.

3.  In my car, I am listening to WHITE CAT by Holly Black. (wouldn't it be funny if her name was Katherine so the book could be WHITE CAT by KAT BLACK?)  By the way, I was happy to be in traffic since I am so loving this book and can't wait to find out what happens next. It's a fantasy mystery--a favorite genre!

4. I am doing NaNoWriMo for the first time ever and hope to finish the draft of my dystopian (abbreviated to U.S.) and have met my 5-day-a-week 2,000 words each day goal. Hit over 11K words today. And yes, I am proud of myself. Lots of editing ahead, but this story really excites me and I can't wait to discover the shape of each scene.

5. Had a cool email from a fan who is annoyed at one of the big bookstores since they don't have my new THE SEER book, MAGICIAN'S MUSE, and she's now determined to make them carry my books. I could use more fans like her!