1. We’re looking at dialogue at the YA Muses this week. Want to hear what we have to say about talking?


2. I couldn’t get to a review of my own today, but check out these great recs from the Bookanistas.

A quick heads up:

Friend and fellow Apocalypsie Jill Hathaway is hosting a giveaway of UNS on her blog. It’s open internationally. Thanks for doing that, Jill!

Also, make sure you check out Jill’s book, SLIDE. I’m expecting an ARC of this in the mail any day and I can’t wait to read it. It sounds awesome.

Hi guys. Another week, huh? Hope it’s been a good one for you.

1. Today, I’m over at BRAVE NEW WORDS shining a spotlight on my favorite scene in UNDER THE NEVER SKY. Curious? Check it out.

2. MY FRIENDS ARE AWESOME - (That sounded mean. I didn’t mean it to be mean. I’m sure your friends are awesome too.) It never gets old seeing your friend’s name in Publisher’s Marketplace. Donna Cooner and I met in a critique group almost two years ago. She had just signed with an agent and I was in awe of her. I still am. Her writing is funny and heartbreaking and so gooood. It’s a thrill to see other people recognize her incredible talent. Here’s the announcement for her recent UK sale:


Donna Cooner’s SKINNY, about a girl whose obesity and negative thoughts stand in the way of her dreams of becoming a singer and finding love, until she begins a long, hard journey of self-discovery and reinvention culminating in gastric-bypass surgery, only to find that love was never dependent on her size, to Stella Paskins at Egmont UK, in a two-book deal, for publication in Fall 2012, by Julia Churchill at the Greenhouse Literary Agency. 

Fellow Apocalypsie Miranda Kenneally’s next two books were announced in the same bulletin. Here’s a brief snippet:


Miranda Kenneally’s PLAYING PARKER, about a 17-year-old girl and the inappropriate relationship she develops with the school baseball coach, and BAD, BAD THING, about a teen girl with strong Christian beliefs who can’t get over the role she played in helping her best friend get an abortion.


I can’t wait to read Miranda’s debut CATCHING JORDAN. Really, really can’t wait. YA + Football + Romance = Awesome. I know it. How can it not? Also. Have you seen the cover? LOVE it.

CATCHING JORDAN drops December 1st. Congratulations, Miranda!

Finally, two Apocalypsies’ film deals were announced as well. I talked about Tamara Ireland Stone’s deal last week. Congrats to Dan Krokos for selling rights to his YA Thriller FALSE MEMORY to RKO Pictures. This is another book I can’t wait to get my hands on.

What a week, Apoxies! I’m so proud to be part of such a talented group.

3. BLOG TOUR – A shout out to Kari Olson for coordinating a blog tour for UNDER THE NEVER SKY through The Teen Book Scene.  I’ll post more details when I have them. Thanks, Kari. I can’t wait!

4. QUOTABLE FRIDAY – Last week, I went for inspirational. This week, we’re going craft. We’re going nuts and bolts, people. A reminder to me, and to you if you need it, about writing emotion. This is from CHARACTERS, EMOTION & VIEWPOINT by Nancy Kress.

In fact, naming emotions is usually a poor way to portray them. Even when authors say something like “Fear gripped him,” the abstract naming is supplemented by other, more visceral techniques. This is because the aim is not to label the emotion; it is to make the reader experience the same emotion the character does.

Now go forth and don’t name emotion, convey it.

ps. I’m feeling happy. Are you?

1. Story Masters – Three huge writing gurus. One weekend in Houston, Texas. Have you heard of this? Donald Maass, Christopher Vogler and James Scott Bell. It’s like Woodstock for writers, people. Be there. If you can’t be, then read their books, yes?

2. 826 Valencia – This is a non-profit founded in San Francisco by the brilliant Dave Eggers. Have a look at what they do. You’ll be inspired. It’ll make you feel good about the world again.

3. Moi – I wanted to tell you about all the awesome things I did this long weekend, but… I worked. A lot. Which was good. I got on a decent streak with the writing. Yesterday, I gave myself a break and played football in the street with my kids, my husband and their friends. You know what? Throwing a spiral feels so good. And it’s much easier than writing a good scene. (I’m sorry, but it’s true.)

In addition to writing Book Two, I’ve been asked to gather some of the world-building materials I used to create the UNS. I hope you find the behind the scenes stuff interesting. (Do you?)

Finally, Ivan is now, at eight months, up to eight pounds. Any guesses on how big he’ll get? I’m thinking thirty pounds…

Van Gogh, Self Portrait 1889

Hi, all.

This week was all over the place for me in terms of writing productivity. I had a few days that were killer, and a few that were utterly wasted. So for Quotable Friday, I’m sharing one of my favorite quotes about persistence in art. It comes not from a writer but a painter, who also happened to be quite eloquent, as I think you’ll see:

“But on the path I have taken now I must keep going; if I don’t do anything, if I do not study, if I do not go on seeking any longer, then I am lost. Then woe is me. That is how I look at it; to continue, to continue; that is what is necessary. But you will ask: What is your definite aim? That aim becomes more definite, will stand out slowly and surely, just as the rough draught becomes a sketch, and the sketch becomes a picture, little by little, by working seriously on it, by pondering over the idea, vague at first, over the thought that was fleeting and passing, till it gets fixed.”

Those are Vincent Van Gogh’s words in his letters to his brother, Theo.

Next week–or probably sooner–I will work seriously. I will ponder and go on studying and seeking. I will continue. Because Vincent is right: that is what is necessary.

I hope, wherever your passion lies, that you choose to continue too.

Have a great long weekend.

And do try, if you can, to move like Jagger.

1. Winner! – First, thank you to all those who entered to win the ARC of UNDER THE NEVER SKY. A year ago, I had just signed with my agent. To think that the Microsoft Word document I was working on then is now a physical book is insane. It makes me so happy to know that you guys are looking forward to reading UNS. UNS is looking forward to being read by you!

Alas, I only have one ARC to send out. After a randomly generated number, Lauren of 365 Days of Reading is our winner. Congratulations, Lauren! Hope you enjoy it. (To be honest, I hope you love it. I do. I suppose that’s obvious.)

To all those who didn’t win this time, keep an eye out. UNS will be available on NetGalley soon. And if you miss it there, well, January 3rd will be here in no time!

Also, you are all winners. You know that, right?

2. I read an insanely good book recently by Laini Taylor. I know you’re not surprised, because it’s Laini Taylor. Dang, I’m so fangirl all of a sudden. But for reals. Her new book is amazing.

3. Fellow Apocalypsie and local girl, Tamara Ireland Stone, just hit one out of the park, scoring a film deal for her novel TIME BETWEEN US. Here’s a description of the book:

A teenage girl falls in love with a boy from the near future who can take her anywhere in the world at the speed of thought. But while his unique ability to travel through space and time has brought them together, both know that time will inevitably knock him right back where he belongs.

Doesn’t that sound great? Congratulations, Tamara!

4. Book Report — Meaning the report on my book in progress. Still waging war against Book Two of the NEVER SKY trilogy.  I’ve got a long way to go, but I’m finally starting to win. If any of you writers out there are struggling right now, then let’s just do a quick group hug. Sometimes it just ain’t easy.

Thanks, all. Have a fun and safe Labor Day!

Just a quick update to share a few things that I think are very cool:

1. Y’all are leaving the nicest messages in the comments below, and via email, about wanting to read my book. I’ve heard from old high school buddies (Hi Adam and Rae!), writing friends (Hi Aimee, Elizabeth, Janis!), internet friends (Hi PB and Beth!) and people who are new (Hi everyone else! Welcome and hope to see you back.) Thank you for your support, guys. I so appreciate it. Good luck to all who have entered to win the ARC!

2. I’m going to try a new feature on Fridays and share some of my favorite quotes, on writing most often but occasionally about other things.

Here’s one of my favorites to kick things off. This comes from agent and writing guru Donald Maass’s book WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL:

Every protagonist needs a torturous need, a consuming fear, an aching regret, a visible dream, a passionate longing, an inescapable ambition, an exquisite lust, an inner lack, a fatal weakness, an unavoidable obligation, an iron instinct, an irresistible plan, a noble ideal, an undying hope… whatever it is that in the end propels him beyond the boundaries that confine the rest of us and brings about fulfilling change.

Great, huh?

Have a great weekend, everyone!

1. ARCs! - Want to win an advanced copy of this book over here?—–>
To celebrate the earlier release date of UNDER THE NEVER SKY (January 3rd, 2012! Mark you calendars!) and because of the tremendous response to the ARC contest at the YA Muses, I’m giving away a signed ARC!

To enter, just leave a comment below, or follow this blog. Contest ends August 31st. The winner will be announced September 1st. (Open internationally.)

2. ART! - What Do These Two Works of Art Have in Common?

Munch The Scream

Bernini’s Pluto and Persephone

A week ago, my wonderful publisher in the UK released this gorgeous cover for UNDER THE NEVER SKY. Having an art background, I immediately thought of art nouveau print artist Alfonse Mucha, of whom I’m a huge fan. The cover composition, the circle in the background, the palette and romantic feel reminds me so much of modernized, but still somehow retro Mucha.

Atom, for the stunning cover, Muchas gracias. (I’m so sorry. I couldn’t help myself.)


Speaking seriously, I love it.