But I STILL LOVE IT!
My first book cover ya'll! Hope you all like it as much as I do. And isn't he cute? A zombie boyfriend, ladies. Consider the advantages.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Drum... Roll... Please!
Here it is at long last! The artwork for my book cover is finally back from the art department. It appears a bit washed out on the blog, so the pastel green background and peach of Dirk's 80s tux is a little weak.
But I STILL LOVE IT!
My first book cover ya'll! Hope you all like it as much as I do. And isn't he cute? A zombie boyfriend, ladies. Consider the advantages.
But I STILL LOVE IT!
My first book cover ya'll! Hope you all like it as much as I do. And isn't he cute? A zombie boyfriend, ladies. Consider the advantages.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
BlurbQuest
Last night I was out having drinks with an old friend. I hadn't seen her in quite a while. We had a lot of catching up to do. We were in the midst of that catching up when she casually mentioned a name "Oh, So & So is sooo nice."
I froze. My friend had just said the name of someone who would be perfect to do a blurb for my book. No... more than perfect, if there is such a thing. It was a name my editor had mentioned a while ago (no, not Joss Whedon), but I didn't know the guy, and I didn't know anyone who did--or so I thought.
As I sat there, I realized this could be THE BLURB OF LIFE. I envisioned my book selling millions of copies; saw my name on the Best Seller List just because I got this one blurb. Suddenly it was all that mattered.
My friend's lips were still moving, words were still coming out of her mouth. I'm sure what she was saying was interesting. But I had turned the mute button on. One thought formed in my mind. "When she stops talking, ask her to help you get a blurb."
I suddenly felt guilty. I mean, aren't I supposed to be a good friend? Shouldn't I care about what she's saying? But I do care, I did care... I just couldn't HEAR what she was saying over the voice in my head that kept screaming "blurb... Blurb... BLURB!" Finally, blessedly, she stopped talking. "Are you all right?" she asked.
"Um... oh, yeah. It's just a little hot in here." I calmed myself. "Say, you know So & So?" The words crawled from my throat.
"Oh, yes. And he's so sweet. You would love him." I nodded, but all I was thinking is "is he sweet enough to write a blurb for my book?"
And then I asked her. And she said, no problem; she'd ask him. No problem! Just like that.
With the blurb request out of the way, we went back to our conversation. We had a wonderful time catching up. And I was a good listener. Really! When we parted company we promised to be in closer touch.
Anyway, that was last night. Now I wait to see if So & So will write a blurb for my new book. When I know, you'll know.
Sleep tight, don't let the zombies bite.
I froze. My friend had just said the name of someone who would be perfect to do a blurb for my book. No... more than perfect, if there is such a thing. It was a name my editor had mentioned a while ago (no, not Joss Whedon), but I didn't know the guy, and I didn't know anyone who did--or so I thought.
As I sat there, I realized this could be THE BLURB OF LIFE. I envisioned my book selling millions of copies; saw my name on the Best Seller List just because I got this one blurb. Suddenly it was all that mattered.
My friend's lips were still moving, words were still coming out of her mouth. I'm sure what she was saying was interesting. But I had turned the mute button on. One thought formed in my mind. "When she stops talking, ask her to help you get a blurb."
I suddenly felt guilty. I mean, aren't I supposed to be a good friend? Shouldn't I care about what she's saying? But I do care, I did care... I just couldn't HEAR what she was saying over the voice in my head that kept screaming "blurb... Blurb... BLURB!" Finally, blessedly, she stopped talking. "Are you all right?" she asked.
"Um... oh, yeah. It's just a little hot in here." I calmed myself. "Say, you know So & So?" The words crawled from my throat.
"Oh, yes. And he's so sweet. You would love him." I nodded, but all I was thinking is "is he sweet enough to write a blurb for my book?"
And then I asked her. And she said, no problem; she'd ask him. No problem! Just like that.
With the blurb request out of the way, we went back to our conversation. We had a wonderful time catching up. And I was a good listener. Really! When we parted company we promised to be in closer touch.
Anyway, that was last night. Now I wait to see if So & So will write a blurb for my new book. When I know, you'll know.
Sleep tight, don't let the zombies bite.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Slumdogs & Zombies
It's Hollywood's big night--The Academy Awards. I'm having chips and guac and tequila at my exclusive Oscar party. That hot ticket event will be starting soon right on my sofa. Oh, yeah!
I spoke to my brother earlier today, who like most of us, is picking Slumdog Millionaire to take home the big prize. It's a great movie and I'd like to see it win. But I have a second reason I think Danny Boyle should win the big prize. He was the film maker behind Twenty-Eight Days Later. One of the best zombie movies ever, Ever, EVER!
THEY OWE HIM!
Face it, we know the academy is never going to give an Oscar to a zombie movie--at least not until they give one to MY zombie movie. Heh-heh! So we, the zombie movie fans of America, will accept this Slumdog Millionaire award in honor of the excellent carnage Danny Boyle delivered in Twenty-Eight Days Later. Are you with me?
Uh-oh! Gotta go. The red carpet show is on. Ooh! There's Natalie Portman. Enjoy the show.
Sleep tight, don't let the zombies bite.
I spoke to my brother earlier today, who like most of us, is picking Slumdog Millionaire to take home the big prize. It's a great movie and I'd like to see it win. But I have a second reason I think Danny Boyle should win the big prize. He was the film maker behind Twenty-Eight Days Later. One of the best zombie movies ever, Ever, EVER!
THEY OWE HIM!
Face it, we know the academy is never going to give an Oscar to a zombie movie--at least not until they give one to MY zombie movie. Heh-heh! So we, the zombie movie fans of America, will accept this Slumdog Millionaire award in honor of the excellent carnage Danny Boyle delivered in Twenty-Eight Days Later. Are you with me?
Uh-oh! Gotta go. The red carpet show is on. Ooh! There's Natalie Portman. Enjoy the show.
Sleep tight, don't let the zombies bite.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
80s Music
I love music.
All kinds: pop, jazz, country, hip-hop. After spending so much time with my older brother last year, I've rediscovered Motown (my brother bleeds Motown), and listen to it everyday, via Internet radio, while I'm working--although I must admit I've been dancing more than working. So it's probably bye-bye Motown, at least during the work day.
When I was coming up with a prom theme for Never Slow Dance With A Zombie, I chose the 80s. 80s prom themes are pretty popular these days, and I wanted to be current. For the chase scene near the end, I wanted to have all this great 80s music playing in the background. My idea was the changing songs would mirror Margot's changing emotions as she tried to escape from a school full of zombies. So, I listened to lots of 80s music, and I discovered how really cool the 80s were. From Michael Jackson to The Boss. It was the Music of Glenn Fry that made me want to become a Beverly Hills Cop (or at least be as cool as Eddie Murphy), and Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time is the song I played again and again when my heart was breaking after being dumped by the then love of my life.
Looking back, it strikes me that the 80s were a more innocent time. The music wasn't complicated. Songs were about love, and loss, and being born to run, and not one woman was singing about kissing a girl... Well, maybe Madonna.
I plan to add an 80s playlist to my new website, where 80s music will be bumping all the time. So, what are your favorite 80s tunes? Come on, I know you have at least one. What songs do you think I should include on my website's 80s Infinite Playlist? Is there any song the conjures up a special memory for you? I'd love to hear about it... and the memory.
Gotta go, I've got some dancing... I mean, work to do.
Sleep tight, don't let the zombies bite.
When I was coming up with a prom theme for Never Slow Dance With A Zombie, I chose the 80s. 80s prom themes are pretty popular these days, and I wanted to be current. For the chase scene near the end, I wanted to have all this great 80s music playing in the background. My idea was the changing songs would mirror Margot's changing emotions as she tried to escape from a school full of zombies. So, I listened to lots of 80s music, and I discovered how really cool the 80s were. From Michael Jackson to The Boss. It was the Music of Glenn Fry that made me want to become a Beverly Hills Cop (or at least be as cool as Eddie Murphy), and Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time is the song I played again and again when my heart was breaking after being dumped by the then love of my life.
Looking back, it strikes me that the 80s were a more innocent time. The music wasn't complicated. Songs were about love, and loss, and being born to run, and not one woman was singing about kissing a girl... Well, maybe Madonna.
I plan to add an 80s playlist to my new website, where 80s music will be bumping all the time. So, what are your favorite 80s tunes? Come on, I know you have at least one. What songs do you think I should include on my website's 80s Infinite Playlist? Is there any song the conjures up a special memory for you? I'd love to hear about it... and the memory.
Gotta go, I've got some dancing... I mean, work to do.
Sleep tight, don't let the zombies bite.
Monday, February 16, 2009
I'm on Twitter now!
Don't congratulate me.
My web master, the fabulous artist, Tatiana (http://www.TheArtofTatiana.com/), said I needed to be on Twitter.
Don't congratulate me.
My web master, the fabulous artist, Tatiana (http://www.TheArtofTatiana.com/), said I needed to be on Twitter.
"Isn't a blog, a website, MySpace and Facebook enough?" I asked.
"No," she said, eyeing me with all the indulgence a parent might eye a two year-old who doesn't understand why he can't keep taking off his underpants. She then told me to open an account and she would find me some followers.
"But isn't Twitter just a bunch of short messages on the cell phone?" I asked. "I don't get it?"
"You're a writer. You need it," is all she said.
So now I'm on Twitter, with all these followers--289 since Friday. Who are all these people? And are they really my followers? "If you're really my follower, bring me some chocolate! Stat!"
"No," she said, eyeing me with all the indulgence a parent might eye a two year-old who doesn't understand why he can't keep taking off his underpants. She then told me to open an account and she would find me some followers.
"But isn't Twitter just a bunch of short messages on the cell phone?" I asked. "I don't get it?"
"You're a writer. You need it," is all she said.
So now I'm on Twitter, with all these followers--289 since Friday. Who are all these people? And are they really my followers? "If you're really my follower, bring me some chocolate! Stat!"
Knowing how much I think of Meg Cabot, Tatiana sent me to Meg's Twitter site. Meg sent four personal messages today. President's Day! A holiday!!! She has a husband, a blog, tours regularly and writes a book about every five minutes. And she has time to send four tweets?
I'm not sure what Twitter is, but it's making me feel like an underachiever.
Sleep tight... whatever.
I'm not sure what Twitter is, but it's making me feel like an underachiever.
Sleep tight... whatever.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Valentine's Day
Today is Valentine's Day. I'd like to send a special zombie valentine to all who read my blog. I don't know if anyone else is thinking of you, but I am. Thanks for listening.
Sleep tight, don't let the zombies bite...
unless, of course, it happens to be your very special zombie ;)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
A Little Good News
HUGE NEWS! I'd been in a bit of a funk all week. No reason. I just had low energy. This morning I thought "I have to post something on my blog. It's been over a week." I was going to talk about 80s music. My book lists about ten 80s songs that Margot has chosen for the Winter Dance. I was sitting at the computer, composing my thoughts, when my editor sent me something in an email... Not just something, but SOMETHING! The initial cover art for Never Slow Dance With A Zombie. Shazam! The fog circling me lifted. Birds began to sing. The cover is amazing. Seriously. It's got a warm color palate and a great zombie boyfriend photo.
My funk is officially ovaaahhh!
Suddenly I am back to my old self. Isn't it amazing how a little good news can suck all the lethargy from deep in your bones? Imagine how productive I'd be if I got good news all the time? But I guess if we got good news all the time, it wouldn't be good news, would it?
Am I babbling? That's probably because I am on cloud nine. My dream is coming true. All those pages of type that had been languishing in my computer for so long are actually becoming a book. With a cover, no less. I'd love to share it with you, but I asked them to clean up one tiny thing. As soon as that's done, I will be posting the book cover on the blog. I can't wait for you to see it. I am sure you will love it as much as I do. Look for it in a few days.
That's all for now. I'm feeling energetic and creative. I think it's time to write.
Sleep tight, don't let the zombies bite.
My funk is officially ovaaahhh!
Suddenly I am back to my old self. Isn't it amazing how a little good news can suck all the lethargy from deep in your bones? Imagine how productive I'd be if I got good news all the time? But I guess if we got good news all the time, it wouldn't be good news, would it?
Am I babbling? That's probably because I am on cloud nine. My dream is coming true. All those pages of type that had been languishing in my computer for so long are actually becoming a book. With a cover, no less. I'd love to share it with you, but I asked them to clean up one tiny thing. As soon as that's done, I will be posting the book cover on the blog. I can't wait for you to see it. I am sure you will love it as much as I do. Look for it in a few days.
That's all for now. I'm feeling energetic and creative. I think it's time to write.
Sleep tight, don't let the zombies bite.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Halloween Dreams
Those of you who read the initial post on my new blog will remember me mentioning that publication of my first YA novel, Never Slow Dance With A Zombie, was ten whole months away--ten long months before my book would hit bookstore shelves. At the time I was feeling like a kid on Christmas Eve night, or the night before that long awaited trip to Disney World. Morning just couldn't come fast enough.
Even though my editor busied me with some final clean-up edits (mentioned in my third and fourth posts), it wasn't enough to keep me from clock-watching. But today I have some good news. Even though publication of the novel is now Nine Whole Months Away, I have an idea that should keep me busy for a while. My book is due out on Halloween. Wouldn't it be cool to have Halloween Never Slow Dance With A Zombie parties at book stores, libraries and schools around the country on October 30th and 31st? Of course it would! We could have a reading, 80s music (which is the theme of Margot's school's Winter Dance in the book), prizes, and dancing zombies. How cool would that be?
Problem is, I don't know how to pull this off--yet. Maybe I can do it just like a MySpace band tour where bands around the country enlist listeners of their music on MySpace to get a crowd into a local bar or juke joint (did I just say "juke joint?" Obviously I don't go to many garage band concerts). The band posts proposed dates on their page, and then when it seems like they have enough of a following in a town, the band leaves their hometown and goes on tour. But to pull something like this off, I am going to need your help. Maybe there's a library, bookstore, or school near you who might like to hold a very entertaining reading/show. That's right, I'm bringing the dancing zombies with me.
That's the idea, and I'm super excited about it. I can't attend every reading because I plan for there to be hundreds of them--like I said, it's a Halloween dream--but I will have a good reader present at each one, and will make sure the local zombies know how to dance. I'd like some feedback on what you think of my idea, and how I might pull it off. I know it's too early to come up with locations, but maybe you can help me make the idea better.
Please, please leave a comment. Even if you think the idea stinks. I'd love your feedback. I know most of you don't know anything about the book. More on that to come. For now, use your imaginations.
Anyway, I now have something to (hopefully) make the next nine months fly by. I know I will need to post this again later when my website is up, and more people are reading my blog. Today, it's just us--the little group that could. Please help me shape my Halloween Dream.
As always,
Sleep tight, don't let the zombies bite.
Even though my editor busied me with some final clean-up edits (mentioned in my third and fourth posts), it wasn't enough to keep me from clock-watching. But today I have some good news. Even though publication of the novel is now Nine Whole Months Away, I have an idea that should keep me busy for a while. My book is due out on Halloween. Wouldn't it be cool to have Halloween Never Slow Dance With A Zombie parties at book stores, libraries and schools around the country on October 30th and 31st? Of course it would! We could have a reading, 80s music (which is the theme of Margot's school's Winter Dance in the book), prizes, and dancing zombies. How cool would that be?
Problem is, I don't know how to pull this off--yet. Maybe I can do it just like a MySpace band tour where bands around the country enlist listeners of their music on MySpace to get a crowd into a local bar or juke joint (did I just say "juke joint?" Obviously I don't go to many garage band concerts). The band posts proposed dates on their page, and then when it seems like they have enough of a following in a town, the band leaves their hometown and goes on tour. But to pull something like this off, I am going to need your help. Maybe there's a library, bookstore, or school near you who might like to hold a very entertaining reading/show. That's right, I'm bringing the dancing zombies with me.
That's the idea, and I'm super excited about it. I can't attend every reading because I plan for there to be hundreds of them--like I said, it's a Halloween dream--but I will have a good reader present at each one, and will make sure the local zombies know how to dance. I'd like some feedback on what you think of my idea, and how I might pull it off. I know it's too early to come up with locations, but maybe you can help me make the idea better.
Please, please leave a comment. Even if you think the idea stinks. I'd love your feedback. I know most of you don't know anything about the book. More on that to come. For now, use your imaginations.
Anyway, I now have something to (hopefully) make the next nine months fly by. I know I will need to post this again later when my website is up, and more people are reading my blog. Today, it's just us--the little group that could. Please help me shape my Halloween Dream.
As always,
Sleep tight, don't let the zombies bite.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)