Cupcakes make everything prettier, don't you think?
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Speak Now with Taylor Swift
When I heard Taylor Swift was coming to Portland, I knew I wanted to take my 12 year old niece. She's a fan, as I am. I find Taylor's music so very honest, and the reason she is so popular is because she writes what it feels like to be a teen girl.
What. A. Show.
The set changed again and again. She changed (clothes, about 6 or 7 times, I lost count). Each song was like a short theatrical performance, with musicians and dancers and at times, fireworks and acrobats! It was amazing.
Yes, each song was a little story she played out on stage. And the fans ate it up. I couldn't help it, I teared up a few times as the voices of thousands of people joined in, singing her songs that we all know by heart. And what I loved was Taylor took all of it in too. All of the love in that room, for her and her music, she would stop and just take in the cheering, smiling and smiling, sometimes for an entire minute, just standing there. That's what really moved me, I think - all of the joy and love in that huge arena.
At one point, she walked through the crowd and sat against a lovely tree that was all lit up and slowly spun around. There, she played her guitar and sang to the other end of the arena. So magical.
For her encore, she came out on a couch in a beautiful gown with her guitar and sang Fifteen, the song that speaks to every teenage girl about what it feels like to BE that age, when every little thing is such a BIG thing, and the first love feels like it's going to be it forever and ever.
The arena lit up with lights and you could hardly hear Taylor because the crowd was singing so loud.
Magical. That's really the only way to describe it. I truly feel honored to have been a part of it for one night!
What. A. Show.
The set changed again and again. She changed (clothes, about 6 or 7 times, I lost count). Each song was like a short theatrical performance, with musicians and dancers and at times, fireworks and acrobats! It was amazing.
Yes, each song was a little story she played out on stage. And the fans ate it up. I couldn't help it, I teared up a few times as the voices of thousands of people joined in, singing her songs that we all know by heart. And what I loved was Taylor took all of it in too. All of the love in that room, for her and her music, she would stop and just take in the cheering, smiling and smiling, sometimes for an entire minute, just standing there. That's what really moved me, I think - all of the joy and love in that huge arena.
At one point, she walked through the crowd and sat against a lovely tree that was all lit up and slowly spun around. There, she played her guitar and sang to the other end of the arena. So magical.
For her encore, she came out on a couch in a beautiful gown with her guitar and sang Fifteen, the song that speaks to every teenage girl about what it feels like to BE that age, when every little thing is such a BIG thing, and the first love feels like it's going to be it forever and ever.
The arena lit up with lights and you could hardly hear Taylor because the crowd was singing so loud.
Magical. That's really the only way to describe it. I truly feel honored to have been a part of it for one night!
Get your sweet treat recipes!!
I want to make sure you know that over at Novel Novice, they are counting down the days to Sprinkles and Secrets by posting some favorite sweet treat recipes by other middle grade authors!!
Last week, to kick off the series, Sara from Novel Novice gave us a recipe for peanut butter cup brownies. (YUM! I will definitely make these - sounds SO good!)
On Monday, author Lindsey Leavitt shared her recipe for banana pudding. (I am also going to make this - it sounds like an easy version of banana cream pie, which is my FAVORITE).
You'll get a new recipe every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, all the way up to September 20th. Only a couple of more weeks and the book will be here! Yay!!!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
It's so nice to be nominated!
I haven't been blogging much lately - sorry about that! I haven't felt well for the past week, mostly with a headache that won't quit, and being on the computer doesn't help it, of course. Although this morning I did power through 1,500 words on a new project I'm really excited about.
I have things to talk about, things I want to say, but I have a feeling I'm going to have to limit my computer time for a while longer, until whatever this thing is decides to give me a break. (Please, let that be soon).
SO, making a list is an exciting thing for an author. And I have the chance to make a few of them, so I just wanted to say here, because I want the universe to hear me, I would love, love, LOVE to make the final lists of the following:
Chasing Brooklyn is a preliminary nominee on the 2012-2013 Missouri Association of School Librarians Gateway Readers Award.
Chasing Brooklyn is also a nominee for YALSA's 2012 popular paperback list - yay!!!
And finally, The Day Before is a nominee for YALSA's 2012 Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers list. I Heart You, You Haunt Me made this list a few years ago, and it was such a great thing for my book.
Thanks so much to the librarians who helped me get on these lists, and if I don't make any of them, it was really nice to be nominated. Maybe I should go buy myself a cute dress to have as a consolation prize?
I have things to talk about, things I want to say, but I have a feeling I'm going to have to limit my computer time for a while longer, until whatever this thing is decides to give me a break. (Please, let that be soon).
SO, making a list is an exciting thing for an author. And I have the chance to make a few of them, so I just wanted to say here, because I want the universe to hear me, I would love, love, LOVE to make the final lists of the following:
Chasing Brooklyn is a preliminary nominee on the 2012-2013 Missouri Association of School Librarians Gateway Readers Award.
Chasing Brooklyn is also a nominee for YALSA's 2012 popular paperback list - yay!!!
And finally, The Day Before is a nominee for YALSA's 2012 Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers list. I Heart You, You Haunt Me made this list a few years ago, and it was such a great thing for my book.
Thanks so much to the librarians who helped me get on these lists, and if I don't make any of them, it was really nice to be nominated. Maybe I should go buy myself a cute dress to have as a consolation prize?
Friday, September 2, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Look what's in the October Scholastic TAB
I was so excited when my friend, Lindsey Leavitt, let me know we were in the October Scholastic TAB together. In case you don't know what TAB is, that's Scholastic's book club for middle schoolers. If you go HERE, you'll see her book is even mentioned in the video! Cool!! My editor sent me the actual flyer a couple of days ago, which was fun to see.
I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME came out in January, 2008. And while it's still on shelves and continues to sell, which makes me happy, I love that this will help it reach a whole new group of readers!
I love this video, which shows what Scholastic book clubs means to kids and schools. I'm so happy to be a part of it!
I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME came out in January, 2008. And while it's still on shelves and continues to sell, which makes me happy, I love that this will help it reach a whole new group of readers!
I love this video, which shows what Scholastic book clubs means to kids and schools. I'm so happy to be a part of it!
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