Owl Always Love Owls

A photo essay of—you guessed it—owls

While I’m in the deep, dark caverns of NaNoWriMo, I thought I’d share my fascination and slight OBSESSION with owls. My first inkling at the greatness of owls was of course Hedwig, the bird with personality who sacrificed herself for Harry Potter. (Plus, owls are just so cute!) I’ve become somewhat of a collector of awesome owl figurines. Here are some of the owls that adorn my apartment:

Hedwig: The Original Owl

Welcome to My Apartment Owl

Coffee Owl (He's had too much caffeine.)

Festive Owl!

Fridge Owl

Plate Owl

Owl Towel

Yes, that is my shower curtain. (It makes me happy in the morningtime.)

Oh, and there’s a Mockingjay.

He felt left out.

 

Why I’m Thankful for YA

This post has two inspirations:
 

1.       It’s the month of Thanksgiving, and I am thankful for the YA genre.

2.       Beth Revis’ awesome YA contest! She’s the author of the Across the Universe series, which is amazing. In a recent blog post, she challenged readers to write about why they love YA to gain entries to win a library of signed YA books.

I’m thankful for YA because the books are:

·         Action-Packed

                YA books get to the point. There’s not a lot of setting build-up or page after page of description/introduction. They dive right into the action and rarely let up. Sometimes I can barely keep up with all the twists and turns, and I love how novels like Insurgent by Veronica Roth and Unwholly by Neal Shusterman keep me on my toes. I adore how I’m always trying to guess what’s going to be thrown at the main character next and what they are going to do in response.

·         Boundary-Breaking

                Teen writers think outside the box. And the readers are an open-minded crowd who love super creative fantasy and every kind of paranormal that exists. There are an increasing number of diverse characters (though we still have a long way to go). Some teen books even address controversial issues such as bullying, sex, eating disorders, drugs, incest and suicide. Consider Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma and anything by Ellen Hopkins. The YA genre is breaking down boundaries, crashing open the box and talking about real issues.

·         Informative and Intriguing

                Even though teen books are usually considered more fun than educational, I do feel that venturing into the past and exploring history is informative and intriguing. I love books like Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak where history (alterative or otherwise) is a real character. When I read historical teen fiction, I feel like I’m learning something about that time period. My era of choice is WWII, which is why Elizabeth Wein’s Code Name Verity is high on my to-read list.

Thanks to you for reading! (After all, it is the time of year to be thankful.) If you’re interested in entering Beth Revis’ contest, you can find more information on her blog. She is giving away a spectacular collection!

 

Please note: When I say that I believe the YA genre are these things, I am NOT saying that other genres are not these things. Every genre has its advantages!

Story of a Bookseller

(A fun, short something from a girl in the depths of NaNoWriMo)

At night, I’m a half-crazed, coffee-infused writer girl. During the day, I’m a bookseller. I know it’s not exactly a lucrative profession, but I do get to play with books every day. My life as a bookseller is defined by weekend shifts, odd customers and even odder questions. Oh, and hundreds of books in every size, shape, color and topic.

I help people find books when they only know the cover color. I don’t always succeed.

I read new, amazing picture books when I'm alone in the Kids section. I recently picked up The Quiet Book and The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood and Renata Liwska, which are fantastic.

I browse new teen and young reader books, constantly adding to my to-read (Snicket and Oliver) and to-buy lists (Roth).

 

I will run my finger down the spine of Ally Condie’s Reached the night before it’s released.

Oh, yes.

 

I help people find the perfect book, whether for themselves or for them to give as a gift. It’s one of my favorite things! And I especially love it when they are interested in teen books. 

                           YOU MIGHT SAY:

“I really liked the Hunger Games.”

                OR

“I couldn’t put down Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater.”

                OR

 “I would like a teen book with dragons.”

                AND I’LL SAY:

                “Why don’t you follow me to the teen section? I’m sure we can find something you’ll love!"

 

Dear Teen Me

Dear Teen Me edited by Miranda Kenneally and E Kristin Anderson is a collection of advice written by over 70 YA authors to their teenage selves. Please check out the awesomeness here: http://dearteenme.com/. In honor of the publication of their anthology, I’ve written my own ‘Dear Teen Me’ and I encourage you to do the same.

 

Dear Teen Me:

I bet you thought that after college, the perfect job would just appear. I’m sorry to break it to you that is not the case. You currently work at a bookstore where you’ve worked for four years. You did have a stint at a vanity publisher, but you left that to move to Indianapolis. Your perfect or near-perfect or survivable job is still out there. It’s just proving elusive to find at the moment.

Also, just so you know, everything isn’t black and white. There are about fifty shades of gray (you’ll get this reference in time, but please don’t jump on that bandwagon.) There is no perfect answer. Sometimes there isn’t even a right answer. More often than not, there are twenty answers and you have to dive into the ocean to find a suitable one. And you don’t get goggles.

Okay, maybe I’m being a bit dramatic. But it is better that you are realistic. I want you to know that life will be tough. Not near-starvation, life-threatening tough, but it won’t be easy.

There are so many things I wish I could tell you. Life-changing things, but somehow those are not easy to put into words. The experiences will have to speak for themselves, when the time comes.

Me at age 15

But here are a few  tips that might help you over the next ten years:

·       Always give the right-of-way when driving. If you let the other person go first, you might grumble a bit but you won’t feel guilty for hours about cutting someone off.

·       Stop rushing. Yes, you can walk fast and you can work fast. You might end up with more time in the end, but you could also end up with more work and more fatigue.

·       Exercise. I know you don’t want to. Do it anyway.

·       Wear a bikini. Wear flip-flops. Wear shorts. Don’t be self-conscious of your feet, legs or body. You’ve only gained a little weight since high school but you are still an average American (size wise). So wear what you want, without wearing too little.

·      Talk to people. Stop being afraid of being outgoing. Share something about yourself, and you’ll learn something in return. Maybe you’ll even make a new friend.

·      At one point, in third grade, you wanted to be a writer. (Hopefully you remember this. If not, think about Mrs. Decker’s class and the story about a unicorn.) There were so many dreams that you’ve had since then (architect, journalist, ambassador), but now you’re back to writer. So please write. Write now.

You might scoff at this. You’ve always been a little stubborn, and not great about taking advice. But at least promise me that you will keep these notions in the back of your fifteen year-old mind. Someday they might come in handy.

-- Jamie, 2012

Why I’m Struggling to Commit to NaNoWriMo

T Minus 10 Days to NaNoWriMo. I intend to participate this year, but I haven’t yet declared my commitment. Because I’m afraid.

Last year, I fell into NaNoWriMo when my manager/friend convinced me to go to a writing group. It turned out to be a NaNoWriMo writing group. In the two hours I was there, I convinced myself that I should give it a shot, even jotting down some ideas. However, I wasn’t driven, organized or prepared at all.

When I got a second job a week before November (and went from working 35 hours to 50 hours a week), the NaNoWriMo idea flew out the window into the chilly autumn air. Having two jobs was an excuse, and I took it.

Now October has come again and NaNoWriMo is approaching (again). I’m still hesitant to commit. Because I will likely fail. The fear of failure is using my writing soul as its squeeze toy. But my fear is based on an unsettling truth. My best week of writing has produced 3000 words. To be a NaNoWriMo winner, I have to average 12000 words per week (to meet the goal of 50000 words in 30 days.) That’s a 400% improvement. Can I do it?

Can I, for the first time, make a solid commitment to a month long writing lifestyle and meet a word count goal and end with a rough, unedited, probably horrendous draft?

In two weeks, I’ll know. Because if I can’t manage to write at least 10000 words in the first week, it’s hard to recover from (or so I hear). In the meantime, I’ll organize and outline and plan scenes and flesh out characters and imagine settings. I’ll try to prepare myself.

Ten days until November.

Ten days until NaNoWriMo.

Ten days until the writing blitz of my life.

Teen Books-to-Movies 2013 & Beyond

With the teen book-to-movie industry grossing billions of dollars over the past decade, film rights to a new teen book are a hot commodity. Think Harry Potter, Twilight, Hunger Games. Even Princess Diaries, Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Everyone is vying for the next Hunger Games-like phenomenon movie release, so a lot of the new and great teen books have been snagged up. A majority of these will not make it to the theaters due writing, casting or development issues. However, here are some movies based on amazing teen books that will be coming soon.

Beautiful CreaturesWrong?

Release date: February 13, 2013                                      Status: Post-Production

Beautiful Creatures takes place in a supernatural South and features Lena, a girl with a secret, and Ethan, whose desire to leave is replaced by a connection to Lena. Written by Kami Garcia and Margaret Shohl, the fourth book in the series, Beautiful Redemption, is coming October 23.

Why I’m excited:

Because Beautiful Creatures is the best of paranormal romance (ghosts, witchcraft and love attractions) with a Southern flare, à la True Blood. The movie stars Viola Davis and Emma Thompson while introducing some fresh faces as the lead characters Lena (Alice Englert) and Ethan (Alden Ehrenreich).

How I Live Now

Release date: 2013                                                          Status: Post- Production

Daisy, a native New Yorker, moves to the English countryside to live with her cousins. They are alone when WWIII breaks out, and love blossoms as war bears down. 

Why I’m excited:

Because the dystopian yet timeless feel of the book will likely translate great on screen. I’m curious to see the movie depiction as it stars Saoirse Ronan (of Lovely Bones and City of Ember) and was filmed in England. Also, the author Meg Rosoff tweeted about visiting the set, which made me even more excited. However, I am fearful that the American release will be small or even nonexistent as it currently only lists a UK release date of 2013.

Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Release date: August 23, 2013                                    Status: Filming

When Clary encounters Shadowhunters at a club in downtown Manhattan, she witnesses a murder and is thrust into an unknown supernatural world. This action-packed story has five sequels, with the last coming in March 2014.

Why I’m excited:

Because this is one of the first teen series that I loved. It made an impression on me, and helped me (along with many other books) fall in love with the genre. Plus, I love the buzz about the movie. The filming is followed closely by the fan girls, and the author Cassandra Clare will often provide updates through blog, tweet or tumble. The release will be one of those with a large, excited fan base who will show up to the theater in droves.           

 

Ender’s Game

Release Date: November 1, 2013                              Status: Post- Production

This science fiction novel is about Ender Wiggin, a boy who has been trained in Battle School to take on the Formics. Two previous attacks by these ant-like beings have left humankind devastated. This classic, written by Orson Scott Card, has many sequels and a companion series.

Why I’m excited:

Because this movie is a long-time coming. Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, Abigail Breslin star in this classic come-to-life. Also, Asa Butterield (Hugo in Hugo Cabret) will star as Ender, so an experienced young actor has taken on the role. This movie is bound to be one of the most anticipated releases of 2013.

Divergent

Release date: March 21, 2014                                     Status: Pre-Production

Living in a dystopian Chicago, Beatrice has to choose which faction of society she will join at 16. Her surprising choice leads her down an adventurous and dangerous path. Divergent is the first in a trilogy written by Veronica Roth, and the yet-to-be-named finale is set to be released next fall.

Why I’m excited:

Because it’s dystopian, and it takes place in a futuristic Chicago (a nearby city for me). Plus, I feel as though Divergent has the potential to be close to Hunger Games on the phenomenon scale. However, we will have to wait and see, as the release is a year and a half out. Hopefully our patience will pay off!  

Sex, Language & Violence in YA

Exploration of a Potential Rating System


Sometimes when I’m reading a YA book, I think: “Is this really appropriate for 13 year olds?” Most of the novels I read are appropriate for the older teen crowd, but sometimes I wonder about those just-out-of-middle-school kids who pick up the same book, and how they will respond to its content.   

It’s important to be true to the teenage experience. In today’s society, this experience can mean a variety of cuss words, sexual experiences and underage drinking.  Teens can make bad, controversial and even dangerous decisions because well, they’re teens. They are testing out the world, and the people they want to be.

Authors should be true to the teenage experience. But, some readers may not be ready to read all those experiences. So, how should parents and teens know what’s appropriate for them to read? Well, there’s been talk of a rating system, which would not be dissimilar to the MPAA (movie) ratings system. 

Although I believe that the idea of a rating system has good intentions in terms of informing parents what is appropriate for their teenage children, I fear the effects for the actual teens. A ratings system can be stark and inflexible. Instead of reviewing the book description to see if the book has potential educational purposes or a positive message, parents and teens might rely on the ratings system, and automatically discount anything that doesn’t meet their standards. I believe that reading the description, spoiler-free reviews and even skimming the first chapter are important qualifiers for if a book goes home with me.

Also, what would the perimeters of this rating system be? Is sex more offensive than language? Would the rating jump with each base (first, second, all the way) the character travels? And not all drug/alcohol references are the same (think marijuana vs. heroin or beer vs. absinthe). Can you rate violence in the written word? The MPAA Ratings board has been in place for decades, and has seen its share of controversy. It would take years to establish a similar system for use in the publishing industry, and it would be considerably more difficult.

I prefer to leave the selection of YA books to the teens that read them. However I understand that some parents like to have a hand in the selection. If a parent needs to provide approval to their young teen (or the occasional older teen) then I would advocate a parent touching the book, reading the book description or even reading the whole thing before their teen. No time or interest? Then at least check out Common Sense Media, a website that gives ratings but also descriptions, reasons and rating categories to help parents and teen select age-appropriate books.

In the end, I defer to personal experience. I read Judy Blume, Harry Potter, books with language and the occasional sex scene during my adolescent years. And I turned out just fine, if I do say so myself.