Hey kids!
As promised, here are the FIVE readers who’ve won a copy of Krista McGee’s FIRST DATE. Check your email, friends, and send me your details.
Judi Burgi
Cheryl Olson
Rachel
SupaGurl
Natalie Vandenberghe
- Spent the am playing dolls & dress-up & watching Disney flicks with my baby girl. Hoping she'll let me write this afternoon. #3yroldboss Follow Me!!
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January15th
No CommentsWINNER, WINNER, Chicken Dinner!
Posted in: Writerly Things
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January11th
Win FIRST DATE by Krista McGee!
Posted in: Writerly Things
Hey all! Yesterday, I posted an interview I did with YA author Krista McGee and TODAY Thomas Nelson is letting me give away five copies of her debut novel, First Date.To enter, do these TWO things and I’ll pick five winners from the bunch:
1. Leave a comment HERE on this blog. I want to know your favorite reality show and just why you love it so much.
2. Zip on over to Krista McGee’s FB page and ‘LIKE’ it!
That’s it! Do those two things and you are entered to win. I’ll notify the winners via email.
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January10th
Chatting with Krista McGee
Posted in: Writerly Things
Prepare to be all jealous and stuff, peeps.The other day, I was given the opportunity to chat up young adult author, Krista McGee. Her adorable debut novel, First Date, hits bookshelves TODAY, and would be a perfect selection for fans of contemporary Christian fiction and teens who like a little spunk with their inspiration.
Here’s our chat:
Tell us a little about your story development. The Esther parallels in First Date were a pleasant surprise. I didn’t see them coming. Did you set out to tell a story based on Esther or did that happen as you wrote?
Esther was my inspiration. Girl from nowhere becomes queen and saves her people from complete annihilation. How cool is that? I’ve read Esther dozens of times, and for years I kept thinking, “I wonder what that story would look like if it were written today?” God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, right? The same God that called Esther to accomplish his purposes (to save a nation of people!) is working in our lives every day. I want girls to know that. Life can be tough. But God is always with us, working all things together for good for those who love him and are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28). He may call us to do things or go places totally out of our comfort zone, but His plans are always best! That is the truth taught in the book of Esther, and I wanted to mirror that truth in First Date.
Addy is set several challenges as part of the competition. If you were in her place, which one would you excel at? Which one would mortify you?
Worst first – I would stink at golf. In fact, “stink” is being generous. My eight-year-old son can kill me on the mini-golf course. And forget real golf. I can dig an amazing hole with a golf club, but make contact with the ball? Forget it! I’m a lot like Kara, so performing on stage in front of a huge crowd would definitely be my favorite. Bring on the spotlight. I’m ready for my close-up!
Girl drama is all over this novel. You also focus a ton on true friendship. Addy has some exceptional relationships—girlfriends who are there for her through this ordeal. You’re a teacher. You see these types of things all the time. How important would you say true friendship is during our teen years?
I have an amazing group of senior girls that meet with me once a week for Bible Study and sharing. They keep each other accountable in so many ways and constantly encourage each other. I love watching them give hugs and pats on the back, and even a “girl, what are you thinking?” when needed. They have made it through high school with great testimonies and relatively few regrets, and I know that is because of the commitment they have made to God and each other.
One of my favorite parts of First Date was the back-story involving Addy’s parents. Is missionary work something you can identify with?
Yes. Our family had the amazing privilege of ministering in both Costa Rica and in Spain as missionaries. I loved living in other countries and seeing God at work there. Missionaries are my heroes, and I want to highlight them as much as I can in my writing.
Addy is sucked into this reality TV experience quite unwillingly. Can you relate or are you a reality TV fan? Which reality show would love to participate in? Is there a show that would terrify you?
Okay, confession time – I don’t even watch reality TV dating shows. I can barely stomach the commercials. All the crying and catfights and “oh, no she didn’ts.” No, thanks. I do love “American Idol,” though, and some of the other shows that allow talented, unknown people to have a shot at fame.
What can you tell us about your next novel? Inquiring minds want to know!
I am so excited about Starring Me. I had so much fun writing about Kara in First Date that I knew I wanted to tell her story when I had finished Addy’s. Hers is a modernization of the Isaac and Rebekah story. My “Isaac” is Chad Beacon, teen pop star, who is looking for a costar for a new teen TV show. Kara is picked to audition for the show, but, unknown to her and the other girls auditioning, there’s much more going on than just a talent contest.
Dreamy boys, competing girls, millions of viewers, and a message for the ages.
THANK YOU, Krista, for taking time to chat! I’m super excited to see First Date on shelves and can’t wait to pick up your next one.
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January1st
Today is 1/1/12.It’s JANUARY 1st, peeps!
And my FIRST Site of the Month in 2012 is all about FIRSTS!
Meet Krista McGee! She’s a debut author with her FIRST novel hitting shelves on January 10th. And guess what it’s called?
I had the opportunity to read this little gem a few months back and adored it so much, I passed around my advance review copy to a couple gals at church.
It’s the story of a small town girl from a tiny school who gets wrangled into starring on a reality tv show. Dreading every minute of it, Addy competes for the coveted role of prom date….…to the President’s son.
A modern retelling of Esther with lots of snark, a swoon-worthy boy, catty competitors, and genuine friendships, this is a story young adult girls will enjoy. Especially if they are fans of contemporary Christian fiction. A favorite scene of mine includes Addy, a kazoo, and well… millions of viewers.
Show a new author some love! Check out Krista’s website and get your copy of FIRST DATE.
Don’t forget to report back!
I’d love to know your thoughts.
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December23rd
Merry Christmas!
Posted in: Random Thoughts
From my family to yours…
I pray this holiday season is full of laughter and joy for you and yours.
For some, this Christmas will be darker than those in days past, and if you find yourself there, I pray your heart would know the light of revelation. The same revelation that came to the shepherds on that holiest of nights when a host of angels emerged from the skies singing,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men.”
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December21st
Shan’s Top Ten for 2011
Posted in: Random Thoughts
This post was inspired by my editor, Becky Monds. She’s been looking around for some good top ten lists on the internet, and I thought, “Hey! I need me one of those!”
So here it is….
My Top Ten Favorite Novels of 2011
Disclaimer: I’m not through reading for the year and I have a few books on my ‘To Read’ list that could definitely vie for spots here. Also, depending on the day, any one of these books could be my favorite of the year. The order is really irrelevant. All ten of these books are awesome sauce.
10. The Death Cure, James Dashner
9. Words, Ginny Yttrup
8. Ruby Red, Kerstin Gier
7. Wither, Lauren DeStefano
6. The Near Witch, Victoria Schwab
5. Dust and Decay, Jonathan Maberry
4. Hourglass, Myra McEntire
3. There You’ll Find Me, Jenny B. Jones
2. Enclave, Ann Aguirre
1. A Crimson Warning, Tasha Alexander
1. Across The Universe, Beth Revis
1. The Girl of Fire & Thorns, Rae Carson
Okay, okay, okay. This is the THIRD version of this list and I know it now has 12 titles, but I’m an author. I can’t count. Forgot a MAJOR fave and the list was just incomplete without it. Then I read The Girl of Fire & Thorns and since it’s still 2011, I had to add it. HAD TO!
So….ta-da!
Not surprisingly, young adult books feature fairly prominently on this list. Slightly more surprising is my recent obsession with zombies. Time travel and dystopian works also wormed their way into my heart. A couple contemporaries and a historical suspense round out my favorites for the year.
What have I missed, folks? I still have a good ten days before this year is out. Any must reads before the ball drops?
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December10th
Getting Back Up
Posted in: Childhood
Know what you can’t impart, download, or summon? The ability to roller skate… among other things, I’m sure.
But this roller skating thing got me thinking.
See, my 7 year old received an invitation to a birthday party at the local skating rink. Cool, right? Only problem is we’ve never taken him skating.
Total parent fail.
I mean, if there’s anything a 7 year old boy would like to avoid, it’s being the WORST at something. Especially at his b.f.f.’s birthday party.
So, the day before the party we took him skating. You know, let him give it a whirl, give him a quick lesson, and well… see just how damaged he was going to be when all was said and done.
And while my son is a fast learner, there’s something incredibly painful about watching your son fall every few seconds. So, we tried to catch him, we let him hang onto the wall, we practiced on the carpet, but progress was… well… non-existent.
And that’s when it hit me: we have to let him fall. Well, we have to let him get out there and try. If he falls, he falls. It’s the only way to learn.
You know what else, we wouldn’t let him hang onto the wall.
He scowled at us a bit, but he made it around the rink. He fell. Lots. But, he learned to take it slow. He found if he didn’t–if he went faster than he was learning–he’d fall right over.
It’s a tough lesson. One that comes with bruised elbows and skinned knees. And in a day and age where we can get most anything at the snap of a finger, the click of a button, or a drive through the drive-thru, it’s interesting to watch a child learn something by trial and error.
By falling and getting up.
And you know what, he likes falling, er, skating. He wants to go back. He wasn’t the best at the birthday party, not by a long shot, but he knew that falling wasn’t the end of the world.
And he knew how to get back up.
And really, if that’s all he learned, I’m one happy mama.
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December1st
I’m such a blog slacker, you guys! I have good reason, though. I’m working like a fool (like a fool, I tell you) on the second book in the Angel Eyes Trilogy.Book One is all done and I should have some pretty nifty stuff to show you all in the near future (think cover!).
But, enough about me.
I’ve been picking again and the reason I hopped on here is to announce my new Site of the Month.
I know, I know, I’ve been slacking here too, but I PROMISE it will all be worth it when those books hit the shelves (she says with her fingers crossed).
In any case, December’s Site of the Month is the website of young adult author, Jenny B. Jones.
When I was back in Nashville, my publisher gave me her latest book. And, Oh. My. Goodness. I fell in love. Her writing is a delightful mesh of snark and lovely and her characters are so easy to care about. She’ll have you petting the cover, I swear.
There You’ll Find Me was my first Jenny B. Jones read, but it won’t be my last. So, go out. Get it. Tell me what you think.
I bet you’ll fall in love too.
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November20th
Magical Tidbits from The Mouse
Posted in: Random Thoughts
I’m such a fan of Disneyland. Everything glitters or dances. Lights up or sings.
It’s all so… sparkly, you know?
It’s also a great place to learn. No, really. I learned lots and lots on our last trip. Indulge me, if you will.
These tidbits are Mickey approved.
Life’s better when you’re wearing a crown.
Strollers are a necessary evil. But make no mistake, they ARE evil.
If you let the 3yo lead the way to the Ladies Room, you may end up surrounded by urinals.
You should kill at least one dragon every day. On Fridays and Saturdays, shoot for two.
Glitter never EVER comes off.
If you go looking for Nemo, it’s very important (especially to the 3yo) that you find him.
Light sabers, even the plastic ones, are powerful weapons.
If your husband walks behind you with a camera there will be booty shots.
Mouse ears look dashing on most everyone.
Pooh and Poo are very different things.
If your child’s favorite stuffed toy resembles a Disney villain (ahem, purple octopus), there’s no guarantee it will make it out of the park alive. Or out of the park at all.
Be warned: There is no safe place to pick your nose. Cameras abound.
Cotton candy is never a good idea.
If you lose your $50 pirate hat, you will be asked to walk the plank.
And, last, but certainly not least, the best nights end with fireworks.
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October19th
First Sales Conference
Posted in: Angel Eyes, Writerly Things
If you keep tabs on me at all (something I encourage, by the way), you’ll know I’ve been a busy little bee. This past Friday was a major deadline for me and on Monday, Thomas Nelson flew me out to attend my first ever sales conference. My two day trip went a little something like this:
Fly, fly fly… Sacramento to Atlanta to Nashville. My gorgeous and amazingly statuesque editor, Becky Monds, picked me up at the airport and we scampered off to dinner with Allen Arnold.
For the uninformed, Allen is the Publisher at Nelson Fiction. He is incredibly personable and not at all scary. Though he too is awfully tall. I was a bit jealous, to be honest.
My seafood pasta was delish, though I ate most of it back at my hotel room cause I was far too chatty at dinner. What do you expect, right? Lock me in a plane for 6 hours and I come up with tons of material.
But, I digress…
Allen told me some cool things about my cover which I can’t reveal just yet, but SOON I’ll be able to share and maybe get your input on a few things. Becky and I spent the rest of dinner explaining to Allen just why Breaking Dawn is the worst book in the Twilight Saga. And yet, I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t be surprised if we showed up somewhere wearing matching I <3 Edward t-shirts.
Again with the digressing...
Tuesday morning, the insanely adorable Amanda Bostic picked us up at the hotel. And by 'us' I mean me and ANDREW KLAVAN. If you're not familiar with his work, you so should be. I didn't ask for his autograph cause that would be weird, but I did get to chat with him about writing motorcycle chases and about his upcoming release, CRAZY DANGEROUS. Comes out in May and I cannot wait to read it.
Oh, oh, oh!!! Something else that comes out in May: ANGEL EYES. That’s right, my debut, originally scheduled to come out sometime in July, has been bumped to May. Tell me that’s not super cool?
Back to the conference… Young Adult was up first, so Andrew got up there and did his thing… inspiring! And then Becky and I took the stage for a little Q&A. She asked me questions and I answered them, revealing far too much about my childhood obsession with Carman–sorry about that, Allen.
And then, I was done. Phew! Got to watch the rest of the editorial team unveil a bunch of new books they have coming out–really, really great list by the way.
Then I got to spend time with Eric Mullet from Marketing and Katie Bond and Ruthie Dean in Publicity. Got to chat with Jodi Hughes, Editorial Assistant extraordinaire and then they whisked us off to lunch.
And that was a great experience. I got to sit around the table with our editorial team, publicity, marketing and three different buyers. Eye-opening and so much to take in.
Before heading back to the airport, they took us back to the Thomas Nelson headquarters where I raided their book stash and filmed a short video for the team to use in promotions.
It was an amazing time and I just have to say how impressed I am with the team at Nelson Fiction. They were so welcoming and supportive and just on top of stuff. I can’t believe how much work they do daily on behalf of all of their authors and our books. They really are making dreams come true.
I’m just… grateful. Very, very grateful.
THANK YOU, THOMAS NELSON!
Author Headshots Taken By:
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