Pick-me-up Muse

My friends and I saw The Vow last night.

I'm not sure how I feel about his acting skills but one thing's for certain, Channing Tatum is easy on the eyes.

The Vow was cute, though I didn't cry like everyone thought I might. (I'm a sap.) I'd classify it as a feel-good, pick-me-up kind of flick - which seems apt since I'll need a bit of a pick-me-up after I put  Jessica Bell on a plane tonight.

Gulp.

It's been 10 days since she stepped on Canadian soil for the first time ever - surely the fastest 10 days of my life. She arrived in a blizzard, and if the weather holds true, she'll be leaving in a blizzard, as well. The snow prevented us from making day trips (or even weekend trips) to Banff or Jasper...or anywhere but my out-of-the-city home. Old Man Winter has a funny sense of humour.

While Jess didn't get to see much of Canada, she made a huge impact on my family and friends. I know tonight when I finally crawl into bed, emotionally spent and eyes puffy from tears, her presence will be missed...a hole that won't be so easily filled by our daily gmail chats.

I wondered how Jess and I would get along, having only really met through the blogosphere a year and a half ago - but I shouldn't have worried. Jess's blog persona is no fake. She's the real deal, and those of you who know her through the blogosphere understand her to be beautiful and wonderful - inside and out. She's just like that. And more.

This month is filled with all kinds of exciting things - a book launch (maybe two), preparation of blog posts for the A-Z challenge, beat sheets for a couple of scripts, participation in blog tours, crits for friends, my own writing to catch up on, and the second issue of Vine Leaves Literary Magazine to get out the door.

This week, I'm going to lean on Channing to give me the pick-me-up I need to make that happen.

And try not to miss Jessica with every waking breath.

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: Rot & Ruin, Jonathan Mayberry

Celebrating agriculture literacy week

All across Canada this week, schools are celebrating the first ever Agriculture Literacy Week, an initiative funded by Farm Credit Canada to create awareness about the importance of farming.

It was my pleasure yesterday to talk to five Grade 4 classes at McKenzie Lake Elementary in Calgary, AB not only about agriculture, but also to share my book Fields of Home, the first in a series of graphic storybooks following the adventures of Chase Duffy and his grandfather, an Alberta canola farmer.

The kids were absolutely fabulous - all 125-ish of them! I was prepared for questions about being a writer, or farming, or canola... What shocked me was the number of questions about Chase.

Girls were dying to know his favorite color, flavor of ice cream, or whether he has a girlfriend. The boys wanted to know how fast Chase can run, his favorite brand of running shoe - and whether he has a girlfriend.

But the experience was an eye-opening reminder about the importance of character development. I didn't have to fake my answers because I know my character. I write as Chase every Friday on his blog, update his Twitter (@SupermanDuffy) daily, and post to his Facebook profiles a few times a week.

I can tell you whether Chase would eat an Aero chocolate bar (yes, as long as it's not mint), and what his favorite CFL football team is (Hamilton Tiger-Cats.) I don't know all of my characters this well. But I should. For sure the main ones.

In a few weeks, the second book in the Chase Duffy series, Gotta Jet, launches and the next few months will be a whirlwind of canola-related activity. But yesterday was all about McKenzie Lake Elementary and the fabulous Grade 4 students who made my first big reading an experience worth writing home about.

Huge thanks to Farm Credit Canada for supporting this initiative, and to Simone and the rest of the team at the Alberta Canola Producers Commission for believing in me and letting me share Chase's adventures.

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: Rot & Ruin, Jonathan Mayberry

Blake is a honey of a muse

I don't listen to much country music, and I couldn't sing the chorus of a single Blake Shelton song, but I'm seriously crushing on this entertainer - and I have The Voice to blame.

I started watching the show for Adam Levine (and really, who isn't?) - and maybe a little for Christina Aguilera, because the girl has got some impressive pipes. Not to mention I have an unhealthy addiction to reality shows where people showcase talent, mostly because when it comes to singing and dancing, I have none. 

But with every turn of his big red chair, Blake is winning me over with that adorable smile, genuine enthusiasm, and care-bear heart. So much so, I'm considering downloading one of his records.

I know, right? So not me.

Perhaps I'm looking for a little change. With the awesome Jessica Bell AT MY HOUSE this week (yes, be jealous, my friends), my routine is going through a bit of a shake-up. Trust me, I'm not complaining - I'm sucking up every. single. minute of her short time here.

But both of us still have work to do - lots of work. The week is busy, and I could use a bit of a muse avatar shakedown.

Enter Blake. Smiling. Adorable. Big heart.

Perfect.

Go forth and inspire, Mr. Muse Avatar.

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: Rot & Ruin, Jonathan Mayberry

PS - There's still time to WIN one of more than 100 YA fiction titles, including a signed copy (by me) of the Spirited Anthology. Join the "other me" at the hop here...

300 chances to WIN a paranormal YA!

The "other me" is taking part in a book giveaway extravaganza where you'll have more than 300 chances to win a paranormal YA title.

Werewolves, zombies, vampires, oh my! The contest starts February 24, and ends February 29 at 12:01 a.m. So, don't forget to head on over to The Oubliette and let the winning begin....

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: Rot & Ruin, Jonathan Mayberry

Book #9 - Cinder

It's been a while since I've binge-read, but from the first chapter of Cinder, I suffered great anxiety - a terror I wouldn't be able to read as fast as my mind (and heart) begged for more.

I can almost predict how Marissa Meyer's agent pitch for Cinder may have gone: It's Cinderella. With a sci-fi twist.

Yes, but it's SO much more than that. 

Here's the official blurb, because frankly, the author can sum it up so much more eloquently than I ever could:

"Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future."

And of course, she must get to the ball!

This novel was so tightly crafted, I found myself instantly submersed in Cinder's world, and by the first few chapters, had stopped looking for the Cinderella parallels, and instead allowed myself to swept up by what this book truly is: brilliant.

No, really.

The characterization is fabulous, the chemistry between Kai and Cinder is believable (and swoon-worthy), and the story moves at breakneck pace. I could not. Put it. Down.

Here's the bad news: Cinder is the first in this series of four, and it ends rather skillfully on a whopper of a cliffhanger. This is one instance where I wish I'd been on the tail end of the bandwagon, because waiting for the next in the series is going to be painful.

Without question, Cinder may be one of my favorite YA books...ever.

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: Rot & Ruin, Jonathan Mayberry

IN OTHER NEWS: Jagger Valentine dishes out some frank (and perhaps harsh) advice for the lovelorn on her website. Be warned: it's not for the weak of heart.

Original muse

                 

A year ago when I began tagging muse avatars, Jensen Ackles (aka: Dean Winchester of Supernatural) was my original cast member. 

Karen had introduced me to Supernatural and I quickly became obsessed, not only with the show, but also with the lead actors. I know I'm not alone on this one. (I actually have Karen to thank for getting me hooked on many shows, most recently, the awesomeness that is Walking Dead.) 

Supernatural quickly became a weekly TV staple at my house, and the show even inspired my first foray into script writing.  

Which is part of the reason I'm going back to my original muse this week.

This Saturday, me and the brilliant Judith Graves will be talking to youth about writing scripts at the YAC Conference in Edmonton. Even a year ago today, I would have balked at the thought. Though the world of TV series and blockbuster movies has always been of interest, I considered myself a novelist. Three scripts later (not to mention a bunch of ideas that will morph into scripts with Judith and Kyle), and my whole writing world has shifted. 

I'm excited to talk scripts with Judith this week.

And even more excited to be working on a few over the next couple of months.

That doesn't mean I'm not writing books, as well. I have some key projects on the go, including finishing up the manuscript for Heartless. Last week, I launched Jagger Valentine's website and the response was tremendous. THANK YOU all for your support.  Jagger will be dishing out some advice for the lovelorn in the next few days based on the questions that came through the day after Valentine's Day. Should be...entertaining.

The "other me" is taking part in this blog hop on February 24th. Please head on over to my blog Thursday for a chance to win some amazing YA titles, including Spirited, an anthology of 13 ghostly stories. 

And of course, most exciting, is my impending visit from the amazing Jessica Bell, who just today was featured in a Greek magazine next to Sir Paul McCartney. 

Um, wow. 

I'll be showing the lovely Jessica some beautiful Canadian countryside while she's visiting from Greece (squee!!!) - and figuring out how to stuff myself in her suitcase when she goes back. And of course, we'll be fulfilling our dream of reviewing submissions for Vine Leaves Literary Journal while sipping a glass or two of wine. Together. Face to face. So. Freaking. Excited.

What's that? You haven't submitted for the April issue yet? Deadline is March 1, 2012. Send your 800-word or less vignettes to vineleaves.submissions@gmail.com. 

So much excitement this week! I'm hoping Mr. Ackles is up for the challenge.

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: Cinder, Marissa Meyer

Book #8 - Matched

When my friend Kyle sent me a link to a write up about Ally Condie's Matched, I almost passed it by. Great cover, great reviews...but another dystopian YA?

Not quite what I had in mind.

Good thing I caved to the inside color blurb.

Just to be clear, I love dystopian - I've just been patiently waiting for the Hunger Games movie before moving on to my next book in the genre.

But Matched isn't like a lot of dystopian books out there. And it's a refreshing change in YA romance novels.

In Ally Condie's dystopian world, citizens are highly controlled. Everything from their uniform clothing and pills that suppress emotion, through to pre-arranged Matches is determined by a government reminiscent of Lois Lowry's The Giver.

It's a world that at first blush, seems almost natural for its citizens, particularly young Cassia who is eagerly awaiting the Matching Ceremony, where she will be introduced to her future husband. Except Cassia already knows the face that comes up on the screen - she is matched with her best friend Xander, clearly one of the most handsome and sought-after matches. Her friends are instantly jealous.

Cassia should be thrilled, but when she goes to review the background information she's been given on her match, it isn't Xander's face that appears. The officials tell her the second match is a mistake, that Ky is not only not supposed to be her match, he isn't intended to be anyone's.

It's here that Cassia's world begins to unravel - the point where she is no longer content to read and re-read the 100 approved poems the historians were allowed to keep, or listen to the 100 songs the officials did not destroy, or even marry her best friend if her heart is guiding her down a more rebellious path.

Of course she falls in love with Ky. But what I loved about Matched is the slow build of romance missing in some teen fiction. It isn't "love at first sight" or even second and third. The romantic triangle doesn't feel forced or fueled by jealousy. It's a romance that seems more rooted in reality than fantasy - and a wonderful demonstration that real-life love doesn't have to be the stuff of movies.

Matched is definitely worth its international acclaim.

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: Cinder, Marissa Meyer