Operating System Not Found

Yep, that's what my computer is telling me right now. (Creating this post from hubby's iPad.) A part of me is totally freaked out and panicked because the latest version of my manuscript has not been saved,to a separate file, for about three weeks. the other part reminds me that my computer has become mysteriously disconnected from the mother board before and there had been no damage. I'm praying for that outcome again.

In the meantime, I have this view to look at for the next four days.

Darn it! IPad doesn't have a memory card slot ... I know, go here:
http://asquirrelamongstlions.blogspot.com/2010/03/room-with-view.html

We are at the same place we stayed last time but a different golf course view. We love this place. So in the mean time, until my computer gets fixed next week, you won't be hearing from me that much.

PS. Can't preview via iPad so I hope this post looks okay.

Rock The Drop. Support Teen Lit Day.

Rock the Drop (or on twitter #rockthedrop) is dropping off teen books, preferably banned but any teen book will do, in covert locations: coffee shops, park benches, public libraries, etc. in honor of Teen Lit Day 4-12-11.  Read more about it here: Rock the Drop.  Support Teen Lit Day

Here's my Rock the Drop stash:

You are supposed to insert this awesome book plate:

But if your stupid printer is out of ink...again, you can do something like this:

*UPDATE: Thank you to the super observant Nicole for noticing I wrote the wrong date.  Luckily I have not left the house yet  (running late as usual) so I corrected my error.

Where am I dropping my books off:

• Local Mexican deli down the street from our local high school where teens hang
• Our public library
• a coffee shop where teens hang after school
• And any other place I can find

I hope you join in the cause and donate some of your YA books to an unsuspecting teen.

Suspended in Notes

Very rarely do I download and entire album.  With the ease of iTunes I can pick the songs I love and skip the rest.

Andrew Belle's "The Ladder", there's no skipping songs.

His music--brace yourself for the Dana cheese-- is a crescendo of layers, wrapped in a swirling funnel around you.  Each song has its own flavor but the essence of his style is threaded through them all.  I love the varied instruments, the indie feel but not so far gone it couldn't be on mainstream radio, the slight rasp of his voice, and how he hits that sweet spot of the acoustic guitar.

I tried to narrow down my favorites from the album, like the "The Ladder" or "Tower" but they are all so good it's hard to pick just one.  I will say, the song that best describes the layered tornado of his style "Don't Blame Yourself."  From the first notes you jump off the edge into the eye of the hurricane. But I also love the slow rich build in "Reach."

Just buy the whole darn album.  You will NOT be disappointed.  

For your viewing pleasure, here is the video "Static Waves" featuring Katie Herzig.  Her voice is beautiful.

The Dark and Hollow Places

Every writer has an author they adore. Sure I love a lot of authors but Carrie Ryan in particular has a special place in my book loving heart.  What I love most about her work, is how she develops her main characters.  We spend most of the book inside the characters head, consuming the world through their emotions and inner turmoil.   That is the challenging aspect of my writing.  Something I hope to fix.  Her first book, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, spun me into a world of desolation, love and fear two years ago.   Who knew the Zombie Apocalypse could be so amazing?   It was one of the first books I read that ignited my desire to read.  For the record, no, I wasn't one of those brilliant people who've read since birth and new at the age of five they wanted to be a writer.  (It just smacked me in the head a few years ago and I went with it.)

You say Zombie Apocalypse and everyone, says, "Meh.  Not a zombie fan."  I didn't know it was about zombies when I first read it but it's not the "I want to eat your brains" cheesy Hollywood horror film kind of zombie story.  I mean, yes, they want to eat your flesh but Carrie Ryan builds this unbelievable world of desperation and romance that will leave you wanting more.  Now that I've finished the third book, I'm sad.  The only consolation to the end are her anthologies.  From her blog she lists her short stories (some published, others for free) and quite a few relate The Forest of Hands and Teeth world.  Either via a side character's story, or how it all began or ten years after the Return, etc.  Little candy gems to sweeten the pain of the series ending.

The exciting thing, I got to meet her yesterday at a book signing.

(Dude, what up with my hair?  It's in a cute ponytail with wispys hanging down but here it looks like fly-a-way scraps of a botched haircut.  I digress.)  Carrie Ryan is full of wit, humility and Zombology.  She loves what she does and infects us all with her story telling.   Author signings are so inspiring.  If you haven't been to one, you should, writer or reader, it's just so gratifying.

What Conferences Are Really About

Making connections.  Let me introduce to you the warm hearted, encouraging, industry savvy women/writers I met at the SCBWI Winery Conference two weekends ago.

(left to right)
Shannon Messenger, Me, Leslie Rose, & Lisa Gail Green

Me and The Fabulous Jessica Love.  And few more people that I didn't get pictures with but were gems:  Melissa Buell, Elizabeth Fais and Heather ???.  Heather! I didn't get your contact information but you got mine.  Please email or tweet me and let's keep in touch.

This is my second conference, first time to the winery.  Compared to the 1000+ people at the LA SCBWI conference, this was way more intimate...like 40 attendees intimate.  Friday evening was wine and cheese meet and greet.  Each attendee got to spend two ten minute sessions with an editor (shared by one other person.)  I was a good girl and researched my peeps so I had lots to chat with them about.  When you weren't chatting with the big wigs, we mingled with other writers, where I met these great peeps.  Afterwards, Jessica Love and I hung out at the Yard House where we sounded like a couple of book nerds talking YA all evening.  She rocks!  Love this girl.  She's real and tells it like it is (like me.)

The second day different editors and authors spoke about the business, how to beef up your novel, what not to do, etc.  It was a long day for everyone but for me, torturously long, because I got food poisoning from my scuzzy hotel's eggs.  One hour into the day, vomit city.  It came on so suddenly, I thought I might die.  I stuck it out, vomit and all, because at the end of the day was our round table critiques with peers and one editor.  Let me tell you people, it was worth the wait.  I got such positive feedback from the editor and my peers, for the first time in this writing career, I actually felt like I might succeed at this.

The coordinators at the conference asked us not to tweet or blog about the specific topics discussed due to copy rights.  But I have to say, I didn't learn anything earth shattering.  But that's not why I went.  For me, and most writers, I suspect you have done your homework.  You know what to do and not to do as a writer.  Sure, things come up in your writing or the business that you are unsure about but that's what the internet is for.  There are a plethora (A plethora El Guapo?) of blogs, how to, etc on whatever writer need you have.  FREE knowledge at your disposal, so there's really no excuse NOT to know what you are doing.

Learning something earth shattering it not what conferences are about for me, it's about making connections.  Whether that be with other writers, published authors, editors, agents, etc.  Know the business.  All aspects of the business and put yourself out there.  That is what conferences are about.

The beauty of meeting other writers, no matter what stage they are in their career, they love to encourage.  That alone is more valuable than any class you will ever take.  If you haven't gone to a conference yet, I really encourage you to go.  You'll be surprised at how inspired you feel afterwards.