So, I am out of the loop but wondering which of us Tenners have ARCs at ALA Chicago?  I think mine is not there (I am just guessing, but I think it may be too early for a March 2010 release to have an ARC there) but I bet some of us have them there.  Anybody know?  And for those of you who have them there, YAY!

Here is the list of Tenner Twitter names for anyone (followers and Tenners alike) who would like to add us on Twitter. If you didn't email me with your name, feel free to add it in the comments!

Jessica Leader @JessicaLeader

Chelsea Campbell @kaerfel

Mindi Scott @mindi_scott

Laura Manivong @lauramanivong

Lindsay Eland @lindsayeland

Steve Brezenoff @sbrezenoff

Bree Despain @breedespain

Josh Berk @joshberkbooks

Jackie Dolamore @jackiedolamore

Suzanne Young @suzanne_young

Margie Gelbwasser @MargieGelb

Dia Reeves @diareeves

Christina Gonzalez @ChristinaDG

Denise Jaden @denisejaden

Jen Cervantes @jencerv

Kimberly Derting @kimberlyderting

Rachel Hawkins @LadyHawkins

Karen Kincy @karenkincy

Christy Raedeke @craedeke

Jame Richards @jamerichards

Julie Kagawa @jkagawa

Anna Jarzab @ajarzab

Stephanie Burgis @stephanieburgis

Holly Hoxter @hnhoxter

Irene Latham @Irene_Latham

Amy Brecount White @amybrecountwhit

Jen Nadol @jennadol

Shaun Hutchinson @ShaunieDarko

Karen Healey @kehealey

Angie Frazier @angie_frazier

Tara Kelly @AuthorTaraKelly

Trish Doller @TrishDoller

Hey, I know a few of us have met in various spots of the country for conferences, signings, or a lovely tea. As these splendid meetings happen more and more, I thought it'd be fun to do a Tenners Together tag for any pictures of tenners... together (examples--Berk and Anna at BEA, Denise and Kimberly at a deb signing).
So I'm adding one. I was in Utah on vacation this past weekend and was oh so lucky to meet up with fellow tenners Bree Despain, Matthew Kirby, and Sarah Williams for lunch and a trip to the fabulous indie--The King's English. Cooler still, other literary luminaries like Sara Zarr, Emily Wing Smith, and Anne Bowen (sadly not pictured) came too, resulting in one of those fabulous writing conversations, the ones that make me not hate my WIP quite so much because I realize I'm not alone in my neurosis. Or maybe alone in my individual craziness, but still amongst other crazies. Really nice crazies. 


Matt, Sarah, Emily, Sara, Lindsey (the big head towering over the cute, petite writers), and Bree

For those who stayed late in the recent Tenners/bloggers chat, I asked what people thought made a good author's website. Khy of Frenetic Reader has just written up a great post in reply: http://freneticreader.blogspot.com/2009/07/author-websites.html. Thanks, Khy!

I got my first WoWs today. I was super excited this morning to find I'd been WoWed with a bunch of other Tenners on Presenting Lenore, but I was blown away this afternoon when I discovered I got a whole WoW post to myself on Flight of Minds. They had really cool things to say about me and my book!

 Thanks to my awesome agent, Steven Chudney, who sold my novel to the Japanese publisher, Shogakukan.  

Here is a description of the publisher from their website:

Though it is not possible for publications to solve the world's problems, they are capable of sowing small seeds that move people's hearts in a positive direction. It is the task of publications to sow seeds that bear fruit in our lives and bloom as flowers. That is our philosophy.



I am honored that they will be publishing my novel next spring.

I just saw over at Presenting Lenore that she's WOW'ed several of the Tenner books this week (and mine is one of them, Squeeee!)

13 of us, to be exact!

I can't believe I forgot to post this here! I'm giving away one of my precious (as in myyyy precioussss) ARCs of Brightly Woven over on Goodreads! The rules are really simple and, as of right now, you have a really good chance of winning it! :)

I sat down to chat with (by which I mean, several frenetic emails were exchanged ^_~) with Lisa Mantchev, author of EYES LIKE STARS, which releases today. She was also kind enough to send me an ARC beforehand, so I can tell you, this book is fun, witty, and hilarious. If you like Shakespeare, theater, fairies, costumes, humor, wit or unique fantasy YA, you'll love this book. Buy it today! Hopefully from your local indie, or barring that, someone else's local indie. =D

Your love of and experience with theater shines through every page of Eyes Like Stars. What was your favorite theater experience?

I don't think anything will ever top my first audition. I was seven, standing in a long line of other kids onstage, and the director wanted us to say a poem so he could get a feel for our stage presence. Most of the kids managed four lines or so, but I launched into this six stanza epic about a girl who'll eat anything, including bugs. Hit the last line of the poem staring up into the spotlight, and when the other actors laughed, I was hooked.

What would be your dream role?

The Universe has seriously thwarted me when I comes to a few things. I'd love to play the lead in just about _any_ musical, but I haven't the range to sing soprano (Belle in Beauty and the Beast or Christine from Phantom of the Opera.) Taking that into consideration, I think it would be hysterical to play Ado Annie in Oklahoma! And then there's my new favorite love: Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd. And yes, that's because of the movie. Shut up! Don't judge me!

Readers often tend to assume the main character is the writer but I think this is rarely true to the extent people think it is! How much of you is in Bertie, and which character is the most like you?

There's bits of me in every character (oh, the writing, it's so very cannibalistic!) but I won't deny that Bertie is the closest thing I've come to a mini-me in a story. I managed to side-step that in all the short fiction I wrote, but when I jumped headfirst into writing a novel, along tripped this sass-mouthed girl living in a theater who has my coffee addiction.

There are significant differences, though... One of the greatest influences in my life is my relationship with my mother, so denying Bertie knowledge of her past, a sense of who she is and where she came from, forced me to imagine what that would be like.

The fairies were my favorite characters...I'm sure they're going to be a lot of people's favorites! Tell us how a day in your life would be if you had fairies following you around!

I have a four dogs and a kid, you can't scare me. *heh* There would certainly be more mess and noise, and I doubt I have enough candy in the house to keep them happy. They certainly say everything I'm thinking but perhaps don't vocalize. And I have conversations on the phone with close friends that sound like they are straight out of the fairies' dialogue.

How much did the book change as you worked with your editor?

I'd say it's significantly different in a million small ways. And maybe a little like two pictures with the same composition but focused on two different objects. My editor, Rebecca Davis, put a lot of time and energy into helping me turn a shiny idea into a Real Book.

Writing the second book can be one of the angstier parts of a book deal. Can you tell us a little about writing the sequel to Eyes Like Stars? (Process, of course, not spoilers! Unless you WANT to spoil us. ^_~)

I'm in second-round revisions on Perchance To Dream right now, and that refocusing thing is happening again. I'm actually interested to see what happens when I sit down to draft Book 3. *eep* And no spoilers. *hits you with a stick*

Because I am popularly known as fabulousfrock, I must ask, what is the most fabulous (or horrible-but-entertaining, we'd take that too) item of apparel you've ever worn?

Mmm. I wore a white dupioni silk corset over a vintage kimono at WorldCon (Denver) last year. It was on loan from XCentricities, and I sniffled when I gave both back. *G*

What advice would you give us debut authors here at Tenners?

That's like a mom with another one on the way lecturing someone who is pregnant with their first baby, isn't it? Same advice goes, really... get as much done now (on writing projects, your house, your hobbies!) as you can, because it's all mad-dash-scramble-ayiiiiie later.


Thanks Lisa! Enjoy your release day!!! For more information on this lovely book, go to http://lisamantchev.com.

  

I saw my picture book in a bookstore for the first time today and it was a very surreal experience. My book, When It's Six O'clock in San Francisco is due out on July 20th, but a local indie had it front and center in their window and face-out in their children's section which had me squealing just a bit when I saw it.

The process of writing picture books is so different than writing YA novels - I haven't had anything to do with the manuscript for almost 3 years - but it makes me look forward to next April even more. That first sighting in the wild is unbelievable!

Cynthia
- Walker, April 2010
www.cynjay.blogspot.com

This was a tough list to make. There are so many awesome games out there that I've loved over the years, and not only was it hard to pick just ten, but it was even harder to rank them. Since it's such a short list, I tried to stick to games with story, which is why the list is mostly adventure games and RPGs and doesn't include the Sims or WoW, despite the many many hours I've spent on them.

10. Chrono Trigger

I played this on an emulator on the computer, and even though my mom “accidentally” formatted the computer not once, but twice while I was playing this, losing my save game each time when I was close to the end, I still remember it fondly enough to include it on the list, that's how awesome it is. It's hard to pinpoint what's so great about it, but I think it's the gameplay. The combo attacks, the elemental magic, the time travel. Something like that.

9. Harvest Moon

There are a lot of Harvest Moon games, all with basically the same goal of fixing up the farm and finding a mate, but some versions are better than others. The Gamecube version was okay—I actually bought a Gamecube so I could play it—and the fantasy Harvest Moon, Rune Story, on the DS is an interesting take on it, but as for my absolute favorite, it's a toss up between the SNES and original Playstation versions.

8. Ratchet and Clank

I've only played the first three, and I don't think I was able to beat the end bosses on any of them. But regardless of that, they were all awesome. Fun, often hilarious characters, addictive gameplay, and the sequels build nicely on the stories and relationships of their predecessors. If I had to pick, though, my favorite is the third one, Up Your Arsenal, if nothing else but for the scene with Ratchet describing Courtney Gears.

7. Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht

I loved Xenosaga's many layered, very complex story and characters. It was very cinematic, with tons of cut scenes, but still had entertaining gameplay. I remember being very obsessed with it and actually hurt my back because I practically didn't leave the couch for a week while playing this game. I even drew really awful fan art that no one could identify as, well, anything other than blobs. (Sadly, the gameplay in Episode II made it nearly unplayable, even if the story was still awesome, and I haven't finished it. I hear III is better than II, but I haven't tried it yet.)

6. Final Fantasy X

Of course I'm a fan of the whole FF series, but if I had to pick just one, I decided it would be X. IX was awesome, but when I think back on it, I can't actually remember what happened. X-2 was also awesome and had more interesting gameplay than X, but ultimately it's X that has the most engaging story for me. (VII was in the running, but I didn't understand most of what happened and it's been a long time since I played.)

5. Silent Hill 3
Again, I'm a big fan of the series, but if I had to pick just one to be my fav, it's this one. For one thing, the MC is both female and not stupid. Normally I don't care about the gender of the MC, but the fact that she was a strong female lead in a survival horror game was refreshing. Most of the MCs in the series are male and borderline tstl. Another plus for this game was how it built on the storyline started in the first game in the series, and also just how scary it was. I mean, OMG, I'm never going to feel comfortable riding a carousel again.

4. A Vampyre Story

I'm in the middle of playing this one right now, but I already know it belongs on this list. It's a classic style adventure game about a Parisian opera singer turned vampire and her wisecracking bat pal, trying to escape the vampire who holds them captive. Not only does it have engaging characters, but also top notch voice acting, challenging puzzles, and lots of humor.

3. King's Quest 6

I love King's Quest 1 through 6 and am just going to pretend 7 and 8 don't exist. But out of the whole series, 6 is my all time favorite. It has an interesting setting, romance, dangerous situations that play on mythology (like the Minotaur in the labyrinth—I was terrified the first time I played), and good voice acting. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what makes me love this one more than the others in the series, but something about it just really worked for me. (I still remember the ending song, “Girl in the Tower,” because I'm a huge dork like that.)

2. Kingdom Hearts

This is one of those games that just stays with you. The combination of familiar Disney and Final Fantasy characters made it epic, and the themes of friendship and love are pulled off really freaking well. It really got to me and made me feel like I was experiencing something important, you know?

1. The Curse of Monkey Island, a.k.a. Monkey Island 3

This game is not only in my favorite genre—adventure games—but it's hilarious. I haven't played 1 and 2 yet (am pretending 4 doesn't exist), because I couldn't get them to work on my computer (but thankfully they're re-releasing 1 with fancy new graphics and voices, so I should get to play it eventually), but I have a feeling 3 would still be my favorite, if nothing else but for the voice acting and the art style. But yeah, great voice acting, great art, challenging, often quirky puzzles to solve, and with an MC named Guybrush Threepwood, how can you go wrong?

I'm on, too.  I've haven't said much, but I will.  Promise.  Wish my whole name would fit somewhere!  See you there.

http://twitter.com/amybrecountwhit

 Hey all,

Finally got my butt on Twitter (well not my butt, just a pic of my face). Find me under MargieGelb.

Here's the link: http://twitter.com/MargieGelb

Hey guys! After struggling with my website this weekend like Hercules with his tasks or whatever, I finally got my ALL UNQUIET THINGS excerpt to post. I actually typed it off my pass pages, so it's as finished as it's probably getting. And, of course, the ALL UNQUIET THINGS ARC contest is still ongoing...my agent actually added her second ARC to the pot, so there are two copies to win!

Anyway, I hope you like the excerpt. :) 

 Name: Caragh O'Brien

'10 Book Title: The Baby Code

Favorite Bit of Writing Advice: Get to the end.

Favorite and least favorite parts of writing: Favorite: I love the intense,
satisfying thing that happens when I'm deep in my mind.  Least favorite: Titles.

Outline or let it fly? It happens while I write it.

5 things about me: 
1. I'm wearing a red fleece.
2. I have six siblings.
3. I have a difficult time deciding what info to make public.
4. I'm honest.
5. I came up with a really cool code for my book.

THE BABY CODE synopsis: In a dystopian future after climate change, the world is divided between those who live inside the wall, and those, like sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone, who live outside.  It’s Gaia’s job to turn over her quota of infants to the authorities within the wall, until the night one agonized mother objects, and Gaia’s own mother disappears.  Fraught with difficult choices that propel Gaia further and further within the confines of the wall, to the prison and even to the Bastion where the Protectorat lives with his privileged family, THE BABY CODE is the riveting story of a girl who wants to save her mother, and a society where a criminal is defined by her genes.

I just got word from my editor that I can (officially) share. I thought about posting some clever lead-up to draw out the suspense, but because I have ZERO patience, I'm just going to do...like ripping off a Band-Aid.

We all hate it, but it comes to every writer I know: that horrible moment when you sit down at your desk, open up your file, and can't think of a single sentence. Usually, just keeping myself planted at my desk (with the internet turned OFF!) is enough to force myself back into the groove, but every so often, that won't be enough. Sometimes I'm just mentally and emotionally drained, and the creative well is empty. Whether it's job stress, personal stress, or weeks of sleepless nights with a baby that have drained out all of your creative energy, when the well is empty, it has to be refilled before you can think creatively again.

Here's my personal list of the top 10 strategies that have worked for me in the past, in no particular order:

1. Take an Artist's Date
Julia Cameron is one of the best writers on creativity I know, and she suggests that every artist (of any type) should take time once a week to go out for an hour by themselves and do something that they find personally stimulating, whether that means visiting an art gallery or a stationery shop or a football game. The point is, it has to be something that makes you feel inspired and happy and excited about the world again, and you have to do it on your own, not with a friend or a partner. You need to be able to take that time to really absorb what you see or feel into your subconscious to fill up that creative well again, not spend the time in distracting conversation.

If you can do this once a week, on your lunch break or a weekend, that's fabulous. Even if you can't do it regularly, though, it's worth doing it whenever you feel yourself hitting a dead end in your writing or just getting that sinking feeling that you'll Never Get a Story Idea Ever Again, Ever...

In the old days, my artist's dates used to take me to the Leeds City Art Gallery. I used to wander through the 19th-century galleries, enjoying the big romantic paintings and letting my thoughts drift into random story ideas. Nowadays, with a young baby at home, my priorities have shifted. What feels exotic and inspirational for me now is taking one afternoon a week to go out on my own to a bookstore café and just sit reading for hours, with endless cups of tea and squares of chocolate at my side.

What works for you guys? Where do you go to feel like the world is an interesting, creative place?

2. Creativity Books
I already mentioned Julia Cameron, who wrote 3 books I've come back to over and over again when I've felt stymied or blocked: The Artist's Way, Walking in This World: The Practical Art of Creativity, and Finding Water: The Art of Perseverance. Each of the books is focused on a different part of the artistic process, from getting started, to meeting the challenges of a working artistic career, to dealing with long stretches of discouragement, but I've found all of them really helpful for getting through my blocks. The exercises she gives are great, and even just re-reading the essays can work to get me back in the writing/creating mood.

On the other hand, creativity books really seem to be hit or miss for many people - if one connects for you, it really connects, but if not, it may feel like the most stupid and badly-aimed misfire ever.

Which books work for you guys?

( Read the rest of the list behind the cut )

Hey guys, so I promised I'd do an ARC giveaway when I finally got them and so now I'm making good on my promise! I'm super excited about this, so I wanted to let everybody know! SO MANY EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!

Link to contest details: http://theateamblog.wordpress.com/2009/06/25/all-unquiet-things-arc-giveaway/

If you guys wanted to spread the word on your blogs, Twitters, etc I would love you forever, but of course I already love you forever so even if not, thanks!