Video: ALA Advising Award Recipients

Thanks to Judy at Misrule, I was made aware of this video released by the ALA. It shows the ALA ringing Newbery, King, Caldicott and Printz recipients to tell them that they won. Very cute - Laurie Halse Anderson in particular.

How's that for heartwarming?

Guest Blog: Karen Tayleur

Chasing Boys was my first teen book. Before then I had written six middle primary books where the main protagonist was a boy. (The David Mortimore Baxter Series. I have since gone on to write 8 more books in this series for the US Publisher, Stonearch.) It was much easier to write as a teenage girl than a pre-teen boy. I felt free to plunder my own memories of being a teenager. Some people loved their teen years, others would never go back there. Mine were a mixed bag that still remain quite vivid in my memory. At a recent class reunion there were only a couple of people I had no recollection of. It was really interesting how the cool kids all sat together on the same table like years ago...

I knew the ending before I started writing it. This made it easy. Gave me something to work towards. I started on the book one Sunday morning at basketball training (my daughter's not mine). I sat in the car with my laptop and actually started with the first chapter and moved forward. There were some chapters that I wrote out of sequence. These were ideas that came to me at odd times (driving the car, just before sleep, having a shower) and I, not wanting to lose them, wrote them down when I could and flagged where I thought they might fit in. Most of these chapters had a major edit when inserted into the running story.

I like the idea of writing 'scenes'. I enjoy writing dialogue. I hear the character's voices in my head and see their body language as they talk. It's like a movie, without all the extras filling up the background shot.

I love the editing process. As a new writer, it was my least favourite process. I used to love the rush of getting a story out then really didn't want to fiddle with it after that. Now I enjoy sitting down when all the words are out there and shaping and polishing and foreshadowing and cutting cutting cutting. There is one chapter in Chasing Boys that was originally three pages long. I cut it down to one sentence. It was the essence of what I was trying to say and in the end all I needed to say. I used to have so many adjectives and florid descriptions in my stories it was like a dancer showing off every single step they could do and the dance making no sense. I love the sparseness of Tim Winton's prose. He manages to say amazing things, and convey incredible and true images without being over the top. He is an inspiration.

I wrote Chasing Boys for my daughter who does not like reading. I seriously would think she was switched at birth except she is so much like my sister that it's spooky. I did an author school visit once and mentioned that my daughter was obviously swapped at birth as she had no interest in reading and a student came up to me after the session to find out if I ever got my real daughter back. I am serious. So was she.

Anyway, with my daughter in mind I made a lot of the chapters short in an effort to entice her (and all reluctant readers) to stick with it. I hope they did...

I would like to offer a big thank you to Karen for participating in this author's spotlight. Karen Tayleur writes her own blog that you should definitely stop by and check out. Her first YA novel, Chasing Boys is available through black dog books in Australia and Walker Books elsewhere (the American cover is to the left.)

NEXT WEEK: Beth Fantaskey, author of Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side will be our resident author.

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

Jekel Loves Hyde / Beth Fantaskey

Okay so I am jumping the gun here majorly. Like probably a year or so. I just read Fraulein Fantaskey's (her magician name as decided by moi) Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side and I loved it.

I love YA romance with a supernatural bent and this book was for me. The Fraulein Fantaskey is working on a new book with another empowered, moxie-filled heroine called Jill Jekel and I cannot contain the glee.

Beth talked a bit about it over at Lurv a la Mode-

"... it’s another dark-but-fun, supernatural romance about two teenagers who discover they have a shared destiny, related to the old novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Unfortunately, the more the shy heroine, Jill, starts to fall in love with the mysterious hero, Tristen, the more dangerous he becomes to her. There’s lots of mystery and twists and turns to the plot. "

There is no cover because it's still in the works but I am happy to wait. Because sometimes, you've just got to be patient for some rollicking adventure, snarky repartee and a mysterious hero. So my advice - go buy Jessica's Guide... NOW.

Interview - Karen Tayleur

Karen Tayleur is Persnickety Snark's spotlighted author this week. Today we shine the light on her novel, Chasing Boys - character names, the infamous scar and the story behind the name switcheroo.

1.The reader is given clues about Ariel's journey to her current living circumstances. How difficult is it to balance the line of too much or too little information in the reveals about her family?

I didn't find it difficult. I love the idea of the unreliable narrator. I think we are all unreliable narrators of our own story.

2. How did Gaston/Dylan's scar come to be?

It was a childhood accident, falling off a stool while pinching something out of the fridge. I love that the reader never finds out. The scar thing came about from a boy at high schhol that I was crazy about for five minutes when I was fifteen. He had a scar and I never found out how it happened. I think it added to his Byronic appeal. I went off him when I got to know him. Fickle teenage girl.

3. Does the humour come to you naturally or is it something you are constantly finessing?

What humour?

4. How did the idea, of using a Hans Christian Anderson character to influence your character, arise?

This fairytale always resonated with me as a young reader. I used to think it was unfair that Ariel couldn't have it all. Later, I thought it was a reminder that you shouldn't try to be something that you aren't. To remain true to yourself is the most important thing.

5. Did you have an Eric when you were a teen?

Of course. But his name wasn't Eric.

6. Gaston's name was replaced for the American publication, what was the reasoning?

I spent ages on getting my names for this story. Gaston means stranger in French, he was the new kid in school, it worked for me. The US publisher thought it too Disney, shades of Beauty and the Beast. Although they didn't seem to twig that Ariel and Eric were a direct lift from Little Mermaid. The bones of the story were that Ariel loses her identity when she tries to be something she isn't (ie Little Mermaid by Hans C. Anderson) and it is only when she is herself that she is truly happy. I fought really hard to keep the name but in the end I wanted it published in US and they held the cards

Also, Dylan!?!

7. I loved the inclusion of Radio SPN, where did you draw that idea from?

Two things:

Firstly, when I was in my early 20s I thought I might write for radio, so did a radio course and found myself in a radio studio, which was hilarious because I couldn't say anything except testing testing. This can go on for only so long. I spent the rest of my radio studio time singing into the microphone instead of making an announcer demo tape because I thought no one else was listening. I got the Popstar Wannabe Award at the end of my course. I never did get into radio...

Secondly: In a mirror of the Disney Little Mermaid Story, I wanted Arield to 'lose' her voice. In a way she does because she fails to speak out against an injustice, just to keep on side with Eric. I use her job on radio SPN to highlight the way she shuts down her personality, ditches the accents and jokes, just to be the girl Eric would like to go out with.

Come back on Friday to see the last post for this week's Karen Tayleur spotlight, the guest blog!

Reader's Snapshot - Karen Tayleur

Karen Tayleur is the talented Australian author behind 'Chasing Boys'. She also works for one of my favourite publishers, black dog books. Karen kindly took the time to answer my questions, to be this week's Author Spotlight.

1. Which book is memorable from your teen years?
The Day of the Triffads (spent years planning for the end of the world and wondering what clothes I should choose to wear, Levi black jeans won of course).

2. Describe your high school English teacher in three words...
Inspir-at-ional

3. Your book of the moment?
Just finished reading No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

4. What do you use to mark your page when reading?
Currently using an old photo, but could be anything from a parking stub to a hair tie. But definitely, most definitely, no dog ears.

5. Favourite place to read?
Arm chair, corner of my lounge room, looking out at the trees

6. Favourite word?
Story.

7. Favourite book store?
Too many.

8. Character you wish you had created?
Boo Radley.

Bonus Question: Which Disney princess is your favourite; Belle or Ariel?
Ha, Ariel of course

Come back Wednesday to read Karen's interview regarding all things Chasing Boys. My review is here.

My One Month Anniversary

I am celebrating my one month anniversary today.

Persnickety Snark has been in existence since January 9, 2009 and it has blown my mind how much has happened in that time.

Simmone Howell (Everything Beautiful) has dropped by for an interview and reader's profile (with an awesome blog coming soon.)

Melina Marchetta shared her thoughts on her post-Printz win in her guest blog as well as her reader's snapshot.

The Read Carpet Podcast has been created with one episode out and another about to.

I have been mentioned on Misrule - an Australian YA blog that is run by the incomparable Judy.

I have reviewed 23 books. Six of which have been Australian.

Have had John Green bust me on my dream perception of him as a grammar fascist.

Developed relationships with Australian publishers who have been so generous! (C'mon HarperCollins, don't be the odd one out!)

Discovered some great authors via blog reviews: Cassandra Clare, Jennifer Echols, Alyson Noel, Scott Westerfeld, etc (blame being in Adelaide and being clueless for this oversight).

Have 25 followers.

Follow 35 bloggers.

Most importantly, I have become part of a blogging community that has been amazing in their welcome. I feel proud to be part of this with you and lucky to count you as friends! Cheers.

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side / Beth Fantaskey

Summary - The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.

Review - Before I start, I want to clarify one insy weensy matter - this book is nothing like Twilight! Would people stop saying that as I am beginning to get tired with people's lack of imagination and investment in Twilight theory (YA vampire = Edward = Twilight = Adele arggggghing). Thank goodness it's not like Meyer's work because I actually like and relate to the protagonist in this tale. Jessica's got moxie and buckets of it. She's smart, she's capable and she's unknowingly betrothed to Lucius due to her being a vampire princess!

Lucius is an intense, righteous and darkly handsome Romanian (more Mr Darcy than Edward)who has come to America to convince Jessica that they should marry and reunite their warring vampiric families. I just loved every bit of repartee between these two. Lucius would get all hoity-toity and Jessica would smack him back down to size. The development of their relationship moved naturally as did the pace of the story. Each possess distinct voices which make for hilarious interchanges. Fantaskey also uses letters as way to view Lucius' perspective on certain events, saag and "squatty boy" (hehe). I really knew these characters well by the time I was a few chapters in and found myself very invested in the outcome. Hence, very little movement between pages 1 and 354, my body is atrophying but I really don't care.

Jessica's always known that she was adopted. She lives with her yoga practising, vegan eating adoptive parents in the country and refuses to believe her origins when presented them by Lucius. I loved the new take on vampirism, particular the guide book that Lucius presents to his betrothed. This book was a great sense of humour as are the continual misunderstandings between our terrible twosome. I loved tracing their changing feelings throughout the course of the story. Jessica denying her past and repelling Lucius, slowly comes to see Lucius for his strengths while Lucius begins to see Jessica less as a duty and more as a person of worth. The necessity of the alternating perspectives make this intense, hilarious and moving as we are able to identify both individual's motivations.

I loved these characters, I hope we see more of them. More than anything I love that Lucius, at no point, was compared to cold marble. If I were to nitpick anything, it would be that the cover model should be more curvy with curly, dark hair (emphasis on the curvy).

Beth Fantaskey (she of the fabulous surname), I loved your debut effort. What's next? Zombies, unicorns, football players?

May I suggest a winged monkey? Cause I have one for you!

Published: February 2009
Format: Paperback, 354 pages
Publisher: Harcourt Books
Origin: USA
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Beth Fantaskey Website

*** I have no idea if or when this book will be released here in Australia. I was extremely fortunate to have won this ARC from the wonderous Jocelyn at Teen Book Review and Wonder Woman extraordinaire, Karen Mahoney. Thanks guys!

In My Mailbox - 7 Feburary

I have had another good week so I can't post pictures and summaries. Have just started Beth Fantaskey's (best surname ever) Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Darkside and liking it a lot.

• The Penalty – Mal Peet
  
• Tamar – Mal Peet
  
• Guyaholic – Caroline Mackler
  
• The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things – Carolyn Mackler
  
• The Queen of Cool – Cecil Castellucci
  
• The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Vol 1 – The Pox Party – MT Anderson
  
• Keeper – Mal Peet
  
• Exposure – Mal Peet
  
• The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Vol 2 – The Kingdom of the Waves – MT Anderson
  
• City of Ashes - Cassandra Clare
  
• City of Bones - Cassandra Clare
  
• Vampire Academy - Richelle Mead
  
• Vampire Academy: Frostbite - Richelle Mead
  
• Vampire Academy: Shadow Kiss - Richelle Mead
  
• Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Darkside - Beth Fantaskey (care of the delightful Karen Mahoney/Jocelyn contest).

This is an awesome meme created by the wonderful Story Siren, Kristi.

3 Willows / Ann Brashares

Summary: Summer is a time to grow.
seeds
Polly has an idea that she can't stop thinking about, one that involves changing a few things about herself. She's setting her sights on a more glamorous life, but it's going to take all of her focus. At least that way she won't have to watch her friends moving so far ahead.
roots
Jo is spending the summer at her family's beach house, working as a busgirl and bonding with the older, cooler girls she'll see at high school come September. She didn't count on a brief fling with a cute boy changing her entire summer. Or feeling embarrassed by her middle-school friends. And she didn't count on her family at all. . .
leaves
Ama is not an outdoorsy girl. She wanted to be at an academic camp, doing research in an air-conditioned library, earning As. Instead her summer scholarship lands her on a wilderness trip full of flirting teenagers, blisters, impossible hiking trails, and a sad lack of hair products.

Review - I have come to the conclusion that I don't gel with Ann Brashares writing. I can recognise that she's good but I can never find my way into one of her novels (with the exception of Tibby). I could argue that the Traveling Pants series were easier for me to relate to as the characters were older and slightly more mature but then I should have enjoyed The Last Summer (of You and Me). I just didn't care enough about Ama, Jo or Polly and I should have.

The immaturity of the characters bothered me. The complete lack of awareness bothered me more. I think this shows that Ann was probably doing a very good job of showing how far I have come since I was fourteen. That being said, how many fourteen year olds do you know that will kiss a stranger on a bus? Even if he is cute. This rankled me.

I like books with alternating perspectives but I didn't find one interesting here. The only time I perked up was during the glimpses of the Sisterhood, particularly the scene with Polly observing Brian missing Tibby. This is a well written, plotted and executed novel. I particularly liked the depiction of growing apart as friends, something everyone experiences in life. That being said, I think the characterisation was a little lacking for me as none of them really sparked off the page. I do see that many people will enjoy this novel and the numerous sequels that are bound to follow.

Published: January 2009
Format: Paperback, 318 pages
Publisher: Random House
Origin: USA
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Ann Brashares website
Ann Brashares talks about 3 Willows