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Archive for December, 2009

Thank you 2009, Hello 2010!

Posted in Uncategorized on December 31, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Well, today’s the last day of 2009 and I couldn’t be more ready for it to be over.  Not that 2009 wasn’t a great year, but a lot of huge things happened, and even though most of them were good, it was still pretty stressful. My first novel was published, I turned thirty, I got a dog, I made major life changes for my health, and now it’s December 31 and I’m ready for a nap.

I’m hoping 2010 will also be full of joy and adventures, but maybe the more soothing kind would be nice.  Like maybe I’ll get to sleep in on weekends a little more often, and maybe I’ll get to cook more and work out in the garden.  Maybe I’ll get at least seven hours of sleep every night, and exercise every morning, and take my dog on more walks.  These may seem like pretty boring wishes, but they sound like heaven to me.  Because I’ve found that the quieter my life is, the more I’m able to fully appreciate all the amazing things I have to be grateful for.  When I’m running around all the time, I can forget to stop and look around and see all the blessings in my life, and there are so many.

On this last day of 2009, I’d like to take a moment to appreciate all of the things that make my life so wonderful:

My husband Brian, for being my best friend and soul mate and partner in crime.

My fabulous, loyal, loving friends–the old ones who have put up with my antics over the years, and the new ones who don’t know what they’re in for.

My family, for supporting and accepting me through both difficult and joyous times.

My health, for coming back to me.

My home, for being sturdy and warm.

My job, for surrounding me with amazing people and supporting me in this difficult economy.

Oakland, for being quirky and full of stories and a great place to call home.

The Book Thief, for being the best book I read all year.

Amy Tipton, Anica Rissi, and everyone at Simon Pulse for giving me the opportunity to share Beautiful with the world.

And finally, everyone who has read Beautiful, especially those of you who have shared your thoughts with me.  I write to share my soul with you.  That you accept it is the greatest gift I could ask for.

Have a happy, healthy, and safe New Year!

Love,

Amy

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Dear Anica Rissi: Happy Editor Appreciation Day!

Posted in Beautiful on December 18, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Dear Anica,

Thank you for believing in me and Beautiful, and for giving me the rock star treatment when I came to big bad New York City for the first time.  Thank you for insisting on buying me a cupcake.  And thank you for making me a sign.  A sign!  No one’s ever made me a sign before.  Thanks for all the books you send me, especially the one about Burning Man and the Magnolia Bakery Cookbook.  I’m trying the  Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chip Cookie recipe this weekend, by the way.  You and everyone at Simon Pulse have been so supportive of my little book, and it means so much to have you on my side.

Hugs,

Amy

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Oh Lord. Time for New Year’s Resolutions.

Posted in Lists, Random Thoughts on December 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

It seems like I’ve been making slightly different versions of the same New Year’s resolutions every year for my whole life.  The top one usually involves some kind of diet, which lasts for a week or two if I’m lucky.  Then I happen to catch a whiff of something delicious and fattening like fresh pizza out of the oven, and, simple as that, the diet is over.  Same goes with exercise.  I’ll be good and get up early for a few days to go running, then one morning I’ll be tired, and then the next, then I’m hitting snooze again and dreaming of donuts.  Why the need for this depressing ritual?

Well, I’m doing it again.  My husband and I are planning to do a one-month cleanse to start off the New Year.  We did it a couple years ago with amazing results, but didn’t quite last the whole month.  No dairy, no sugar, no wheat, no processed foods, and yes, our skin was glowing and we lost lots of weight.  But it was mildly painful to feel deprived of so many delicious things.  So we cheated.  And cheated some more.  Then it was back to normal in no time.

This year, instead of focusing on what we can’t have, I want to focus on what we can.  Instead of the no’s, I want to focus on the yes’s of the cleanse: all the beautiful and energy-packed organic fruits and vegetables, and….well, I guess that’s it.  But I’m going to feel and look great! I also want to think of my other resolutions as gifts to myself.  Like making more time to write–that’s a GET to do, not a HAVE to do.  Funny how easy it is to turn something you love into a chore.  Let’s see, what else…Getting more sleep–that will be enjoyable and make me feel good.

This year has gone so well, I’m excited for the next one.  Bring it on!

What are some of your New Year’s resolutions?

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Dear Amy Tipton: Happy (Unofficial) Official Agent Appreciation Day!

Posted in Beautiful on December 11, 2009 | 3 Comments »

In case you didn’t know (which you probably didn’t since this is the first time ever), today is Agent Appreciation Day.  You won’t find it on any calendars, but a hodgepodge of YA authors decided that our beloved agents needed their very own holiday, so here it is.

Amy Tipton of Signature Literary Agency is rad for several reasons.  For one, this is her agent photo:

Who else but an awesome person would have this as her agent photo?

Secondly, she called me that winter morning two years ago and told me she loved the book I put my heart and soul and dreams and tears into writing.

Thirdly, it took her less than a month to get me a great deal with a great publisher and a great editor, Anica Rissi at Simon Pulse.

Fourthly, she has an amazing sense of style.

Fifthly, she encourages me to challenge myself and to write the best possible book I can, one that I will be proud of (not just one that’ll sell).

Sixthly, she is strong and brave and tenacious and ferocious.

Thank you, Amy, for all you do.  You’re an inspiration, and I am a lucky girl to have a warrior like you on my side.

Hugs,

Amy

PS:  Here’s a list of all the writers (and their agents) taking part in today’s festivities: http://lisa-laura.blogspot.com/

What a list!  We YA authors are quite a loving bunch.

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When I was a one-woman army…and some other stuff I was obsessed with as a teen

Posted in Cool stuff, Lists, Random Thoughts on December 7, 2009 | 5 Comments »

I got really nostalgic the other day listening to an Ani Difranco cassette tape in my car.  I haven’t listened to her in years, but I still remember every single word, every inflection of her voice, every little warble and giggle.  I found myself singing at the top of my lungs with a big grin on my face, my voice cracking, on the verge of sentimental tears.  I remembered the concerts, being surrounded by hundreds of singing women, feeling that surge of energy and love and pride in my chest, feeling like anything was possible.

It was so easy to fall in love with things back then.  Not that I don’t any more–I’m reading Cormac McCarthy’s The Road right now, and I can’t stop gasping out loud while reading it on the train to work, and I can’t stop telling people how in love I am with it.  But it seemed like I fell in love so much more often when I was younger.  Was I just easier to impress?  Was I less jaded and cynical?  Were things really that much better?  I don’t know.  All I know is I’m glad I had a little Ani blast from the past in my car the other day, and I’m grateful for all the amazing stuff I got to discover as a teen.  I know I meant it every time I exclaimed “This is the best _____ ever!”  And I’m positive all my little obsessions back then have a great deal to do with who I am and what I love today.

In no particular order, here’s some stuff I know I called “The best ____ ever” at some point during my teens and early twenties.

  • Ani Difranco
  • Tom Robbins
  • Anne Sexton
  • Elliott Smith
  • wearing jeans under dresses
  • My So Called Life
  • The Grateful Dead
  • Girl, Interrupted
  • Heathers
  • Pump of the Volume
  • The Pump of the Volume soundtrack
  • Gregg Araki
  • the album Hips and Makers, by Kristen Hirsh
  • the album Black Eyed Man, by Cowboy Junkies
  • Dan Savage
  • Harmony Korine
  • PJ Harvey
  • Brave New World
  • Atlas Shrugged (I’m sorry!)
  • sloths
  • Pablo Neruda
  • coffee

What’s on your list?

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Suggested reading for YA skeptics

Posted in Random Thoughts, What I'm reading...., YA on December 1, 2009 | 6 Comments »

I often find the need to defend myself when I tell people I write Young Adult fiction.  Not that anyone’s ever been openly rude to me–it’s more of a self-imposed inferiority complex.  I just feel like some kind of pre-emptive strike is necessary to ensure that new acquaintances understand that I’m a real writer.

I need you to understand that Twilight is not representative of the entire genre, that there is more to YA than the Gossip Girl series, that I keep company with phenomenal writers who in no way resemble Lauren Conrad.  Please, I beg you.  You must believe me!

Or maybe I should just let the books speak for themselves.  Here’s a short list of titles that I feel are superb examples of why Young Adult literature deserves to be taken seriously, and why YA writers are indeed real writers.

  • The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
  • Luna, by Julie Ann Peters
  • Dream Boy, by Jim Grimsley
  • Wintergirls, by Laurie Halse Anderson
  • King Dork, by Frank Portman
  • The Chosen One, by Carol Lynch Williams
  • The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie

While I’m at it, I think I’ll throw in another list.  Here are some classics that, if published today, would most definitely be categorized as YA:

  • The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
  • The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
  • Lord of the Flies, by William Golding
  • The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton
  • To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

Do you have any titles you think should be added to these lists?

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