The End is Nigh

Oh, man, am I worried about the end of summer. Less than two weeks, and I'm back at work. No more sleeping in (ha! as if), no more daytime snuggles with Romy, no more time to write my new novel. So I've been trying to squeeze every lat bit out of the day by waking up extra early to write. I kind of like it, since I'm the only one awake and I can get into my creative zone. But Romy has decided that she would like to be in my creative zone. Which does not work when I'm trying to write a scene with two teens making out, and a baby is crying in the background. Nothing to ruin the sexy mood more than a baby crying. Remember that, kids, when you aren't being careful.

Time is running out. I think I'm only about half-way through my book, and I only have 12 days (if I use weekends, too) to finish it. Can it be done? Yes. Will it? Can't say. But all it's doing for the end of my vacation is making it the least relaxation situation possible. How did I let this happen? Do I even know how to be relaxed? If I weren't writing a book, wouldn't I be doing something else to stress myself out? Maybe that's just the way I am. No need to get uptight about it. Just don't blame me when you read my next book and the characters hear a baby crying, when there's no baby nearby.

The Rupe Report

So I was being naughty and not writing as I should have been (But my new novel has lots of stuff that I need to double-check online! It's not my fault!), and I did the ol' put your name in quotes and search it thing. Actually, I searched "Into the Wild Nerd Yonder," which seems to be popping up more and more each day (release date: September 29!). I found a couple great tidbits, the first being a lovely review at What All the Cool Kids are Reading. This one was particularly fab in that she said I might just be this generation's Judy Blume. Say wha?! Thank you for that.

The next item I found is ca-razy. Many of you may know that I am somewhat of a Rupert Grint fan (stalker, perhaps? Only in the online sense, of course.), and the main character in INTO THE WILD NERD YONDER has some Rupert pictures hanging on her bedroom wall. This fact made its way into the Green Been Teen Queen's review of NERD, which, in turn, must have shown up when the good folks at rupert-grint.us did their very own "Rupert Grint" google search (I'm just guessing) because they mentioned NERD on their blog! I'm now planning on sending them a book once it comes out because maybe the rabid Rupert fan base will be big supporters of NERD. And maybe Rupter Grint will notice and give me a call and we'll have a nice meal and a chat. Why not?

We finally have some real summer weather in Chicago-- hot and humid-- and my hair looks like it has gone into shock. HUGE and very curly. That's what ponytails are for, I guess. I wonder what Rupert would think.

Proust Questionnaire Friday! Today's Special Guest: Ellen Wittlinger!

I blogged yesterday and said that there were less than two days until our first author questionnaire, which was technically true, but completely off. I think I thought it was Wednesday when I wrote that, but goodie for you because it's already Friday! First, though, I would like to congratulate the winner of the Get Well Soon audiobok contest, janetfaye! Happy listening, janetfaye!

Now, on to the questions.


Ellen Wittlinger is by far one of favorite YA authors. Her stories and characters stay with me long after I finish her books, which says a lot since I tend to expel book memories like gas (excuse me). Her newest book is Love & Lies: Marisol's Story which is a follow-up to Hard Love, a Printz Honor and Lambda Award winner. You can visit Ellen on the web at ellenwittlinger.com.

The following questions are based on James Lipton's questions from Inside the Actors Studio, which, in turn, are based on the Proust Questionnaire. One of the questions is about swearing, so please excuse our French.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present-- Ellen Wittlinger!

1. What is your favorite word? puppy
2. What is your least favorite word? should
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? art of all kinds
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally? high humidity
5. What sound or noise do you love? my children singing
6. What sound or noise do you hate? sirens
7. What is your favorite curse word? Shit!
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? photographer or actor
9. What profession would you not like to do? minister
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "I saw you on Oprah!"

Next week's author: Barry Lyga! (I'm going boy girl, see?)

Stuck stuck stuck!

For the past two days I have been stuck on my new novel. I think part of it is that I have been writing at my computer, or at least in front of it. Some of you may know that I hand write my books, then type them up, so I don't really need to be at a computer while I'm writing. And today has shown me that being at a computer does more damage than good. I can't stop checking emails and facebooks and searching for crap (like a new pair of Vans I plan on buying for the beginning of the school year). I was using the excuse (to myself, since no one is asking me) that I needed to look at the website images of this place I was writing about today(a very bizarre hotel), but that took a lot away from my writing. Couldn't help myself.

So, for all of those writers out there who write directly onto a computer, I ask
HOW DO YOU WRITE A BOOK WHEN THE INTERNET IS CALLING TO YOU?!

And now, for something most excellent, two new online reviews for Into the Wild Nerd Yonder:

Green Bean Teen Queen

Persnickety Snark

Thanks to the two lovely bloggers!

Less than two days until our very first YA Author Proust Questionnaire with Ellen Wittlinger! And don't forget about the Get Well Soon audiobook contest. Time for me to shut the computer down. I think I can I think I can...

Much Awesomeness

I woke up early today to work on my new novel, and the characters were visiting the most awesome House on the Rock, one of my favorite spots in the glorious state of Wisconsin. It started the day off right (even with that moth floating around in my water glass), and here are

First review of Into the Wild Nerd Yonder is in! From Kirkus magazine:
Fifteen-year-old Jessie develops the self-confidence to dump her selfish friends and ventures into unfamiliar territory to find new ones in this often hilarious, quirky work of contemporary realism. When her two best friends turn poseur-punk to impress her brother’s friend Van, Jessie is left wondering where she, a math star, audiobook addict and accomplished seamstress, fits in. As their rift deepens, Jessie discovers that a group of Dungeons & Dragons–playing peers are not as socially inept as she once might have thought and loses herself in a crush on a sweet, if fashion-challenged, guy at school. The overarching message about being oneself and growing apart from friends is familiar teen-novel territory, and there is never any real doubt as to the end of Jessie’s journey. However, her narrative voice is unusually honest, and the at times bawdy dialogue is realistic and bitingly funny: “Those two chodes deserve each other. I hope the STDs flow.” Readers will both identify with and like Jessie and will cheer her conversion from meek to outspoken. (Fiction. 14 & up)

I think that's quite an excellent review. Nice! Although I will say I was embarrassed by the crass lines she included. Where do I come up with that?

Next bit of awesomeness is a Julie's Most Awesome Book Cover! Definitely in my all time top three:

This book is about a quail-- named Robert! Who names a quail Robert? That's like naming a dog Jennifer. And I can just hear the person saying, "Oh, that quail, Robert. What will he think of next?"

Last bits of awesomeness:
Don't forget to enter the Get Well Soon Audiobook Contest again! And stay tuned for much author awesomeness on Fridays with the YA Author Proust Questionnaire Special! (Stupid name? No one's helping me out, here.) This Friday-- Ellen Wittlinger!

And I promise to hold off on using the word awesome again for a while.

Get Well Soon Audiobook Review and Contest!

I know what you're thinking: how can Julie keep giving away audiobooks? Well, as a once member of the YALSA Selected Audiobooks Committee (now the Amazing Audiobooks for YA), my basement is already filled with audiobooks. So I certainly don't need a large supply of audiobooks with my own name on them. I just found this review online of the Get Well Soon audiobook from the April 1 issue of Booklist:

Because of panic attacks, depression, and school truancy, Anna Bloom is sent to a Chicago mental-health facility, where she writes letters to a friend about her three-week hospital stint. Halpern’s lingo and amusing take on teens dubbed “crazy” and Siegfried’s delivery are spot-on-teen, evoking sarcasm, cynicism, anger, and fear. Siegfried presents believable characters not only for first-person Anna but for the minor characters, who receive distinct personalities. Saccharin tones depicting therapists echo stereotypes and totally capture the protagonist’s perception of the hospital staff. The story paints a realistic picture of a depressed teen who is just a regular kid trying to grapple with issues of making friends, losing weight, and having a crush on a cute boy. With ample doses of profanity, this may be more high-school than junior-high fare. The audio fits the bill for listeners who like teen chick lit with substance and humor. — Patricia Austin

What a great review! In celebration, I'm having a contest to win a copy of this well-reviewed audiobook. All you have to do is post a comment with either the name of your favorite audiobook or the name of your favorite audiobook reader. I'll pick a name at random this Friday, when I'll also be posting my first special YA author guest's Proust Questionnaire (I really need to think of a catchier name for this Friday feature thing).

My answer to the audiobook question? It's between Fat Kid Rules the World, written by K.L. Going and read by Matthew Lillard, and Fair Weather, written by Richard Peck and read by Estelle Parsons.

YA Authors Comin' Atcha!

So I am super excited about the response I have so far about my YA Author Proust questions. In the upcoming weeks, look for answers from Tamora Pierce, Ellen Wittlinger, Andrew Smith, Barry Lyga, Brian James, Billy Bones, Yvonne Prinz, possibly Frank Portman (he told me to remind him) and many more! Is this cool, or what? I am now semi-embarrassed by my answers, but since it is my blog I suppose I can tweak it. I'm so excited that I sort of want to start posting the answers RIGHT NOW. But I'll hold off until Friday. If I get a huge response from authors in the future, maybe I'll post their answers more often.

I'm just getting over a summer cold (not too bad, although I'm a big baby when I'm sick, so no illness is too small), and Romy is on the verge. I'm afraid I am going to have to use one of those bulb syringes to suck out her boogers. I don't think I'll be very good at it. Well, practice makes perfect. Wish me luck.