Randutiae, and Give Yourself a Treat Today
If you happened to see me at Books of Wonder on Tuesday covering my ears, singing "la la la la la la!", and seriously invading Scott Westerfeld's space, I swear, it was only because I was trying to avoid hearing the Liar spoilers happening on my other side! Justine Larbalestier was being an absolute champ trying to protect me from her conversations with her readers, but really, there's only so much an author can do! :o) Anyway, I got through unspoilered, and clearly, I need to read Liar ASAP. Oh, and the event was super. Thanks to everyone who came!If you're a book blogger who wants to sign up for the Book Blogger Holiday Swap -- basically a Secret Santa among book bloggers world-wide -- today is the last day.
I'm having a busy week of train-riding and events -- I'm home again now, but tomorrow I'm off to New Jersey. Cross your fingers for me tomorrow evening, when I'll be giving a speech at the fall conference of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians.
A question recently batted around by my friends: How is it that Connecticut can be such a pleasure to train through but such hell to drive through?
Here's an old favorite. If you have 4 minutes, 30 seconds today, give yourself a treat and watch this again -- or for the first time. (Once it starts, I recommend clicking on the little HD.) What are your favorite locations? Mine are Gurgaon, India, just 'cuz it's beautiful, and Nellis Airspace, Nevada, because, well... I love all things outerspace. :o)
Comments
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bye bye
Congrats on Books of Wonder and you'll do great giving your speech at the conference!
Thanks again!
I grinned the whole 4 + minutes and my face hurts! Thanks for that (cuz I needed a pick-me-up at work)!
I just read Fire and I can honestly say that i loved it. Fire was my companion through the hardest time of my life, and her stamina kept me going. Her character kept me grounded while still allowing a long enough leash for my mind to wander, the one thin wire of literary greatness that let me take a deep breath and relax. If Katsa and Fire can survive with an asymmetrical fit into a world of circles and squares, then I guess I can to. Thank you, I'm forever grateful.
gwyn
My school's librarian invited me along to that conference because she knows you're presently my favorite author. So I'll probably be just about the only student there :)
I can't wait!
Anywho, almost done reading The Hunger Games and it reminds me a lot of Graceling. I feel like the character development is similar. Katniss / Katsa, what a coincidence! <3 strong females! :) Full of adventure, hardship, and a hint of romance.
Ahh Connecticut. Such a beautiful state! We drove from NH to VA for vacation and it was so pleasant driving through CT. The highways are so green and just immersed into the forest. And the bridges! Every bridge we drove under was different and so ornate!
I love Matt's videos! So much fun! Wish I could travel the world and dance. lol
I heard it was great though and good luck tomorrow!
And reading Liar is not even a question of choice at this point. You must do it.
Do you think of people as characters? Sometimes I try to characterize people I know. Last night I would have characterized myself as an overexcited teenage girl. I wish I could have said something logical (or something), but I just didn't have any questions.... I need to work on my meeting-author skills!
I'm an aspiring author, as I mention last night, and I'm trying to write a book. After you signed my book and before dinner, I was talking to Mrs Sensi (the librarian to took me to the convention) about some of the problems I was having, including clothes, languages, etc. Anyway, a lot of the stuff that I had mentioned having misgivings about, you mentioned in your speech! I never thought of thinking of the country/government/whatever as a skeleton, but it's true that that's what it is. It makes me want to sit down and figure out all those background-y things that I'll need! But, alas, I need to work on my English essay for Monday.
I also liked how you tied all the rule-breaking into your experiences. I won't elaborate just because this comment is getting really long. (If I wanted to write you a three-page letter praising the speech I probably could...but you probably would be a little creeped out...)
Anyway, I hope to one day be able to sit at a table with you and/or Tamora Pierce, and both of you have inspired me amazingly in my writing. (There are other writers, but it would be impossible for me to 'sit at the same table as them,' as they include C.S. Lewis and J.K. Rowling.) That would be the best day of my life, to be comparable to such great storytellers as you and her, because Tamora Pierce brought me into the fantasy genre, and you inspired me tremendously in writing in the fantasy genre.
To those of you whom I've met: it was lovely to meet you!
Mel, the part of the speech that has to do with the writing process is running as an article in the January Horn Book. I don't know if it'll be online or not. But when it's out, I'll be sure to mention it on the blog.