Thursday, September 17, 2009

Proust Questionnaire Thursday! Today's Special Guest: Janette Rallison!

Janette Rallison is the author of nine books for teenagers, three of which have been chosen for the IRA Young Adults' Choices List. Her latest books are My Fair Godmother and Just One Wish. Janette lives in Chandler, Arizona with her husband, five children and enough cats to classify her as "an eccentric cat lady." She did not do this on purpose. (The cats, that is; she had the children on purpose.) You can visit with Janette at www.janetterallison.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-- Janette Rallison!

1. What is your favorite word?

That depends if you mean to hear or to write or to say. To hear: Yes. (when I ask my kids if they did their jobs, when I ask my editor if he liked my latest manuscript—it just works so well in so many arenas.) To write: Just. I write it way too much and have to go through my manuscript de-just-ifying it. Oh look, there it is in the beginning of this answer. To say: my husband’s name, because it means he’s near.

2. What is your least favorite word?

No. We all hear it far too often in life.

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

Being around other people who are upbeat, creative, and charged. Also, taking walks by myself.

4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

Getting my editor’s revision letters. I usually decide to quit writing and raise ponies every time I see his stack of comments.

5. What sound or noise do you love?

The sound of my kids getting along together.

6. What sound or noise do you hate?

The sound of my kids fighting. (Wow, I’m beginning to sound like my mother. How did that happen?)

7. What is your favorite curse word?
Crap, if that counts as a curse word.

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

I always wanted to be an actress, but I thought it was too impractical, so I became a writer instead. If you are a sensible person, you should be laughing at that statement, because being a writer is as impractical as being an actress—I just didn’t know any better. Sometimes ignorance can help you in life.

9. What profession would you not like to do?

Food service. Been there and done that and still remember what it felt like to rush around a restaurant making sure everyone’s water glasses were full.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

You did everything you were supposed to do.

Next Thursday's author: Billy Bones!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

57th Street Children's Book Fair

Today was perfection. The type of day where I keep thanking life over and over again. We (me, Matt, and Romy) drove an hour and a half South to the Hyde Park neighborhood in Chicago, where President Obama's Chicago home is, to attend the 57th Street Children's Book Fair. 57th Street Books is a fantastic book store that I had never been to, with a really cool, winding basement layout and a cute little bathroom (which I appreciated after the long drive). The store had a table set up where they invited local authors to come and sign copies of their books. Copies, I might add, that the bookstore paid for and then gave away to kids FOR FREE. How cool is that? And the area was so gorgeous, filled with unique and vast city homes, tasty restaurants, and old, leafy trees. We truly had the nicest day. On the ride home, we podcasted about the experience. So, for the first time, here is a podcast from Matt's car. Note the sound isn't as good (I don't think. Maybe because I'm holding instead of wearing the mic? Maybe the car is louder?), but the podcast does include an interview with Matt about his new picture book, TROUBLE GUM. Enjoy! And don't forget to check out my new book trailer on You Tube (see previous post). I'm super proud of it. Can you tell?

The Neverending Commute Episode 5

Saturday, September 12, 2009

INTO THE WILD NERD YONDER: The Trailer

As promised (to myself?), here is the trailer for my new novel, INTO THE WILD NERD YONDER. I'm so excited about it, since I worked quite hard on this, however, I may need to upload a higher quality version of it. Send me some feedback as to how it looks. I have tested it on four computers; on two it looked good, two it looked fuzzy. I prefer it look good. Huge, giant thanks to Meredith and Eastman for your contributions! Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! Children of all ages (actually, the book is recommended for 14 and up), I present... The Trailer.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Proust Questionnaire Thursday! Today's Special Guest: Brian James

Brian James is the author of numerous children's books, including the Pirate School series and the Catkid series. He's also the author of several YA novels: Pure Sunshine, Tomorrow, Maybe, Perfect World, Dirty Liar, Thief, Zombie Blondes, and The Heights. Mr. James has the envious ability to summon ice cream trucks at will. Visit him on the web at http://brianjamestheauthor.blogspot.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-- Brian James!

1. What is your favorite word?
soft

2. What is your least favorite word?
I love all words

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
strangers' faces

4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
self-doubt

5. What sound or noise do you love?
rain

6. What sound or noise do you hate?
wounded animal cries

7. What is your favorite curse word?
fuck

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
teaching

9. What profession would you not like to do?
gardener

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"Now you are free to do whatever you wish"

Next Thursday's author: Janette Rallison!

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Questions I Have

I see all of three people have listened to my latest podcast Part One. And ZERO people have listened to Part Two. I'm such a loser. That's not going to stop me from podcasting, but possibly listening to audiobooks is. I may get back into that because my commute is beyond tragic. Damn you, construction and landscaping!

In exciting book news, I am almost finished working on the trailer to my new novel, Into the Wild Nerd Yonder. It should be ready by the end of the week. I think it's pretty good. It was fun to make, anyway, and I used drawings and music by some of my old students. Nice.

I am also considering paying for digital cable so that I may use a DVR and record programs and fast forward through commercials and not waste my precious time that I could be hanging with Romy by watching commericals. But, should I waste my money that could go towards my precious Romy? Like her college fund and stuff? Does anyone else have serious guilt about paying tons of money just to watch TV? Cause I'm worried about that. As a librarian and an author, I'm worried. Thoughts?

Friday, September 04, 2009

I'm on a Road to Nowhere

TGIF, am I right? But seriously, folks. Take my wife-- please!

I hope everyone has a great three day weekend (if you have one). I have another two part podcast to offer you. In it, you can hear a few bizarre traffic stories, including one entitled "Circus Viaduct." Intriguing, no?

Neverending Commute Episode 4 Part 1

Neverending Commute Episode 4 Part 2

Also, please visit Mary Burkey's blog, Audiobbooker, to read an interview with me about, um, audiobooks.

I wish I had more to type, but I'm poooooped after my first week back at work. Labor day, indeed!

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Proust Questionnaire Thursday! Today's Special Guest: Yvonne Prinz

Yvonne Prinz is a very sweet facebook friend of mine who has three novels under her belt and an upcoming rock epic (um, I just made that up, but I think it might be correct) called The Vinyl Princess. In fact, her Proust questionnaire was actually answered by The Vinyl Princess! So I'll let her introduce herself:
"My Name is The Vinyl Princess. I collect Vinyl records obsessively and listen to music almost all the time. My book will be out in December (Harper Collins) buy it, you’ll laugh." Read her blog at http://vinylprincess.blogspot.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-- The Vinyl Princess!
1. What is your favorite word?
Vinyl
2. What is your least favorite word?
MP3 (is that a word?)
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Music is my food, my religion, my life.
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Christians with a “Message”
5. What sound or noise do you love?
A back beat, a nicely played guitar solo, that crackly sound a record makes when it gets to the end.
6. What sound or noise do you hate?
Angels singing.
7. What is your favorite curse word?
I like Asshole a lot. It always seems to get the job done.
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
I’d like to attempt rock star but I doubt I’d be good at it. I’m nervous in crowds and I start to stutter like an auctioneer.
9. What profession would you not like to do?
Anything that requires a desk and a chair. If I had to do something like that I’d go out the window.
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
“Keep Moving…”

Next Thursday's author: Brian James!