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Showing posts from July, 2010

Currently Reading

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I am currently reading Falcon Quinn and the Black Mirror by Jennifer Finney Boylan and.... I AM LOVING IT!!! Just thought I'd let you know...LOL. So what are you reading? Any good books on your list? Post your replies in the comments below! This message has been sent using the picture and Video service from Verizon Wireless! To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture . Note: To play video messages sent to email, Quicktime@ 6.5 or higher is required.

Sorta Like A Rock Star

Amber Appleton is a terrific leader who struggles through being homeless very well. But when her mother dies, her world falls apart. Not even 18 yet, she wonders how God could be so cruel. But time and wonderful friends help her overcome that. When her dog, and her best friend, Bobby Big Boy, has cancer and needs an operation done, the entire communtity comes together to pull off raising MORE than enough money for the opperation, and lots for her to go to college with. A great story about a good soul, Matthew Quick did not disappoint. Teen and pre-teen girls everywhere will find this a heartwarming story of a true fighter. A true Rockstar of Hope.

New Room

I really, really need a new bedroom, so any sites that's giving away free room stuff, any sites that has a new room contest, or any donations (items or money) you are willing to send me would be greatly appreciated! Just leave a comment below and I'll get back to you. Thank you!

Degrassi: The Boiling Point

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The hottest show this summer is definatly Degrassi: The Boiling Point. Things are heating up all over Degrassi. For previous Degrassi-lovers, The Boiling Point will not dissappoint, and for new Degrassi fans, you'll be hooked from the first minute of it. KC's mom is back from jail, ready to take KC in as her own, Riley and Drew both want to be QB1, Ali likes Drew, Clare likes Eli (who is like OMG! To die for! LOL), Sav and Holley J both want to be president, Fiona's new boyfriend, Bobby, is hurting her, Declan is cheating on Holly J, Holly J, Anya, and Sav are saying Anya is pregnaunt, The Dot gets burned down, Emma and Spinner get married, and much, much, more drama! New episodes every weeknight at 9p on Teen Nick!

What I Like About You

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  (Total of 4 seasons) What I Like About You is a popular TV sitcom, about two sisters, Valerie "Val" Tyler (Jennie Garth) and Holly Tyler (Amanda Bynes), that was originally featured on the WB television channel, but now can be seen on ABC Family and Teen Nick. Holly always gets into a bit of trouble, but her loving sister gets her out of it - most times. For people who like the classic Amanda Bynes-style comedy, Full House, and other shows like it, I'd suggest you check out What I Like About You if you are over the age of 12. Watch What I Like About You: Weekdays at 9a/8c on ABC Family Weeknights at 8p/7c on Teen Nick and Weeknights at 10p on Teen Nick http://www.thewb.com/shows/what-i-like-about-you

Matthew Quick Interview

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 How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? I’ve completed eight novels, abandoned dozens, and have sold three thus far. Hard to pick a favorite. Each novel is special to me for different reasons. I imagine it’s like trying to pick your favorite child or student. If you do have a favorite, you probably shouldn’t admit it.     Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? Write a lot. Read even more. Know who you are and write accordingly. Listen when people give you writing rules, but ultimately you will have to make your own rules. A lot of young writers will try to write what they think others want them to write or in imitation of the novelists they admire. You can learn a lot from other writers and we all have influences, but you have to find your own voice. I’ve been telling young people to write about what they love. Don’t be afraid to be emotionally vulnerable. Be human. Be you. Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things

Peter Howe Interview

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     1. how have your personal experiences affected your writing? Since the book is based upon a puppy my wife and I rescued from Central Park my experiences are central to the Waggit books. > 2. what genre of books do you like to read? do you limit yourself to only > the genre that you write yourself? No, I like lots of different novel, middle grade, YA and adult. I like Neil Gaiman very much. I also like to read history especially military history (I'm a boy after all!) > 3. were you always good at writing? I always liked writing. I'll leave it up to the judgement of my readers as to whether or not I'm good at it. > 4. how do you get started with writing a story (as in, how do you start > developing the story, how do you get inspired for it) Waggit started out based on real life events. The ones I'm working on now come straight out of that weird place called imagination, but you have to know what you want to write about be

Sally Warner Interview

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1. What is it like being an artist? I am not active in the visual arts (drawing) any longer, even though my drawings are on my site. My optic nerves were damaged due to a serious illness some years back, and while I'm fine, really, I can't do that kind of work now. It is a sadness to me, and it was a privilege being able to do the drawings, and I hope to find another kind of art I can do some day, maybe collage, when I'm not as busy with writing as I am now. My writing career came along just in time! I am grateful for that. 2. What is it like being an author? I love being an author for many reasons. But honestly, you have to like working alone without any feedback, you have to be able to revise, revise, revise, and you have to be able to stand being rejected--sometimes a lot. But you also get to tell stories. One of the things I like best about writing is that I can think as long as I want to about something, and then say everything I want without being interrupt

Carol Weston Interview

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 1. What is needed for a story to be good? A good story has to have a plot but really it needs a voice. The reader must feel that she knows and cares about the characters. My four Melanie Martin novels were all set in different countries (Italy, Holland, Spain, U.S.) but it was Melanie's plucky personality that made them vivid. 2. Till now how many books have you written? I have written twelve published books and I'm working on two right now. Six of my books are advice for girls; four are novels for kids; two are for adults (How to Honeymoon and From Here to Maternity). I also write the "Dear Carol" column of Girls' Life Magazine and have been the advice columnist since GL's start in 1994. 3. How much time do you take to finish a book? I write fairly fast. I edit very slowly. For a while, I was writing one book a year. But I'm also a mom and wife and friend, and I like to spend time away from my desk too. 4. Where do you get

Adriana Trigiani Interview

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 1. What were some interesting exercises that you did to develop your characters? Well, Tasha, I have, for many years now (since I was 13) kept notebooks- with names- and snippets of stories- newspaper clippings- whatever I come across- these notebooks expand to become files- and then, I gather objects of interest- When I was working on the Valentine series, I had all manners of swatches and tools to make shoes on my desk. The collection varies from subject to subject. 2. Why did you choose writing as a career? I loved to read as a girl, and eventually the love of reading took root in me so deeply that it compelled me to become a writer. 3. If you could switch places with one person in your book, who would it be? I'd like to be Bartolomeo De Crespi in Rococo for one day! 4. Do you actually take the time to read your fan mail? Yes, Every single letter- and now Facebook. And I respond to each letter! 5. If your house was on fire, what are the first things that you

Carl Deuker Interview

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 Where are you from? I was born in San Francisco, raised in Redwood City, CA, but have lived for more than 30 years in Seattle. I consider Seattle my home. Tell us your latest news? Payback Time , my most recent book, comes out in September. I'm hard at work on a new story now as well. When and why did you begin writing? I started writing in high school. A friend of mine wrote "songs" and shared them. I've been hooked ever since. I have no other creative talents whatsoever. Can't sing, can't play music, can't draw--so writing is my only possible outlet. When did you first consider yourself a writer? That feeling comes and goes. Sometimes, when I'm struggling with a story, I wonder if I am one. At other times, when things are going well, I think "I know how to do this." What inspired you to write your first book? I had started many books and had failed to finish them. I got the (for me) great idea of stealing the plot of Dr. Faust

To Fetch A Thief

I'd give To Fetch a Thief by Spencer Quinn two thumbs up. I loved Chet, the dog/narrarator/detective, and Peanut, the elephant. The espanol (Spanish) in the book was also well thought out and helped me with my Spanish, as it will for you. It's sort of sad that - never mind. I don't want to spoil it for you. Let's just say someone(s) die. About a circus elephant, her trainer, her captors, and the Little Detective Agency, To Fetch A Thief hits stores September 28th, 2010. This message has been sent using the picture and Video service from Verizon Wireless! To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture . Note: To play video messages sent to email, Quicktime@ 6.5 or higher is required.

Shakira

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Search Amazon.com for Shakira                                                                                                                                  Shakira is one of my favorite singers. Her Latin style gives all her songs a good rhythm which is great to dance to, sing to, or just to have fun to! Also a talented actress (She guest stared on Wizards [of Waverly Place] on Disney Channel with other pop sensation/actress, Selena [Gomez]), Shakira is extremely talented. Waka Waka (Time for Africa) was the 2010 FIFA World Cup Soccer Tournament's theme song, a major accomplishment for Shakira, being how the FIFA World Cup is THE MOST WATCHED SPORT TOURNAMENT IN THE WORLD!!!!! So, Congratulations, Shakira!!!!! :) She has also been featured on many "mixed" CDs, like Now That's What I Call Music and Kids Bop. I suggest all people wanting to have fun, party, and dance get her CDs.

Lady GaGa

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Search Amazon.com for lady gaga      What do you think of Lady GaGa? Tell me below!! Most people think Lady Gaga is a girl and a guy, who likes girls and guys. SHE IS 100% Female! Her mom said! And she was born a girl, just thought I'd clear that up. Born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, on March 20, 1986, the 24-year-old, now better known as Lady GaGa, has wowed crowds with her spectacular preformances and stellar costumes. I, myself, have not yet been to one of her concerts, but have tickets for her 2011 Monster Ball Tour in Feburary when it comes to Baltimore, MD (or am I going to the one in DC? hmm...) I love her songs, the beat especially, though the lyrics are a bit "mature", so I would not reccommend her for young kids. People 14 and up, have my permisson to listen to her (LOL). To stay in the GaGa loop, you can follow her on Twitter ( @LadyGaGa ) or on Facebook, or on any of her fan sites, or her site.

Now That's What I Call Music

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Search Amazon.com for Now That's What I Call Music       (For CDs below Now 24, search on Amazon A great blend of all types of music, for most ages, Now That's What I Call Music is a terrific CD. I only own 2 copies (Now 32 and 31) and I LOVE them! I would totally recommend them! They have a variety of genres, so everyone likes something!

Marijane Meaker/Vin Packer/ M.E. Kerr/ Mary James/ Ann Aldrich Interview

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Search Amazon.com for vin packer   Search Amazon.com for marijane meaker   Search Amazon.com for ann aldrich Search Amazon.com for mary james       Search Amazon.com for m.e. kerr 1.Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? My father was a prolific reader and my mother was a world class gossip. I think the two made me a writer. 2.Can you share a little of your current work with us? I am working on a book about sorority life in the 1950's in a midwestern university. 3.Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? Every new book is challenging. How will I tell this story? How will I begin it? What is my agenda? How will it end? What will my characters be like. All of that. 4.Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work? I have many favorites. Barbara Vine, Christopher Hitchens, Robert Cormier,Allegra Goodman etc.etc. 5.Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)? I have alrea

Simone Elkeles Interview

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 1. What's your favorite color? Hmmm. . . my favorite color to wear is black (because it's slimming), but my favorite color is probably blue. 2. What's your favorite food? Just like my character Amy in the How to Ruin series, my favorite food is SUSHI!! Really, I could eat it every day. 3. What's your favorite book? I could never choose. I didn't like reading as a teen, but as an adult, I've fallen in love with reading, especially romance novels. 4. What's your favorite movie? I have several favorites: The Cutting Edge, She’s the Man, and Sixteen Candles.       5. What's your favorite band/singer? I have a lot of favorites! I put quite a few of them on the playlist I made for Perfect Chemistry which you can find on http://www.perfectchemistrythebook.com/ 6. How old were you when you published your first book? I was in my early 30s. 7. What would your dream house be like? I don't mean to sound like a boring grown-up, but my

Michael Spradlin Interview

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1. What's your favorite color? Chartreuse > > 2. Did you take Art in middle school? Yes, we had a mandatory art class. I was never any good at anything artistically speaking, but I did learn the primary colors. > > 3. Did you ever get in trouble in art class? The easier question to answer would be: What class didn't you get in trouble in? Hmmm. I'll get back to you. > > 4. Do you prefer to write books or draw books? Well since I can't draw a lick, I'll go with write. > > 5. Which of your books is your favorite? That's an impossible question for any author to answer. It would be like asking to choose my favorite child. Since I try to improve with each book, I always answer that my favorite is the one I'm currently writing. > > 6. How many books have you published? Lucky thirteen so far with three more coming out this fall. Search Amazon.com for michael spradlin > > 7. Does it ta

Barabra Quick Interview

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 -Which of your books was the easiest/hardest to write? NORTHERN EDGE, my first novel, was by far the hardest to write. It took me 10 years and 13 complete drafts! As I've learned more about the craft of writing and storytelling, each successive book has become a little--I won't say "easier," because novels are a lot of work and take a lot of planning and/or research. But each successive book has become more of a joy for me--and joy, I guess, gives the illusion of ease. Northern Edge: A Novel of Survival in Alaska's Arctic - Which of your books is your favourite? That's like asking a mother which is her favorite child! Hmm. I love A GOLDEN WEB. But VIVALDI'S VIRGINS holds a very special place in my heart. Each of my books, both the fiction and the nonfiction, has taught me something tremendously important--something I needed to bring with me to the next stage of my writing career. - Which of your characters is your favourite? I l

Blog Help - all of my blogs

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 Hello! My name is TashaNicole and I am the very sad owner of Land Of Magic. www.landofmagic23.blogspot.com I changed one of my former blogs into something I would use, but I am in way over my head now. I NEED HELP! If you would like to help me by posting to any of my blogs (I have 9 or 10), please just reply to this or send my a PM with your e-mail, or e-mail me your e-mail. My e-mail along with my other blogs can be found on my blogger profile, which you can find by clicking the "About Me, complete profile" part of this blog. Like I said, I really need your help! And I truly appreciate it if you do help. So send me a message (PM, comment, or e-mail) about which blog you want to help out with (it can be more than one- I appreciate the help! Plus, PrincessReview helpers get special gifts, sorta like a paycheck) and your e-mail. Then I'll e-mail you the invitation to join. Just click the link, log in or make an account with Google, and ta-da! Start helping and

Sophie Masson Interview

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 1.How much of the book is realistic? Well, as far as Venice is real--and I've visited it--the setting is realistic. Emilia Lanier who appears at the beginning is also a real person, as is the Doge of Venice. Otherwise, the other characters and of course the events are fiction! > > 2.Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life? No. But inspired by Shakespeare's plays 'The Merchant of Venice' and 'Romeo and Juliet.' > > 3.What books have most influenced your life most? I've read so many books it's hard to say! But basically as a reader I was very influenced by Shakespeare--by Agatha Christie--by Alexandre Dumas--by AA Milne--by Anya Seton--by Charlotte Bronte--by Mary Stewart--by John Donne--by Enid Blyton--really, all kinds of influences! I devoured everything as a child and still read hugely now. > > 4.If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? If you

Balkin Buddies Interview

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This is an interview I was honored to have with Balkin Buddies owner Catherine Balkin. Be sure to check out her site at http://www.balkinbuddies.com/ !!!!  1. How hard is it getting all the authors' and artists' separated? Balkin Buddies is located in the New York City area, as are most of the large publishers. But authors and illustrators, as well as other publishers, are scattered all over the country. Schools, libraries, conferences, and other places where authors and artists give their presentations are also all over the country. So it’s not hard to separate everyone. In fact, many authors, artists, teachers, librarians, and publishers go to conferences to meet each other and communicate face-to-face. Bringing authors and artists face-to-face with children is also the goal of onsite author appearances and online author chats. Children gain insights into the processes involved in writing, illustrating, researching, and publishing that makes reading and learning a rich