Friday Five

Oh, how I love autumn!

Haven't done the Friday Five in a while. Today I give you one alarming thing, and four lovely ones. (Actually many more than four lovely things!)

1. The Bechdel Test. Recently I was reading Michelle Cooper's blog (she's the author of the much beloved Montmaray Journals), and she mentioned this. You can read more about it here, but it boils down to the question of whether a novel, film, play, etc.: 1) has at least two women in it, 2) who talk to each other, 3) about something besides a man. As soon as I read that I thought HOLY MOLY, do my novels pass? And yes, they do, but I still appreciate the reminder.

Now, to the lovely things:

2. Author visits. I had a wonderful time talking to Choctaw High and Middle School students last week. They asked entertaining, thoughtful questions, and then they pretty much bought me out of books. (That never happens.) And this past Wednesday I met with a book group that has been meeting in Norman, OK, for several decades, and those ladies were so gracious, so fun to chat with, and at the end I was offered the most delicious petit four I've ever eaten. ALSO, during both visits I was told some hair raising stories of real life ghost encounters. Marvelous!

3. Middle Grade Books. Two in particular have warmed my heart lately, and they both were recommended by Caroline Starr Rose as part of The GreenBeanTeenQueen's So You Want to Read Middle Grade? series. With a Name Like Love, by fellow Elevensie Tess Hilmo, is an historical mystery featuring a traveling preacher's daughter who determines to clear the name of a woman who has falsely confessed to murder. Last night I finished Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff, about a girl who has been in foster homes her entire life. She finds a loving home with Josie, but she yearns for the former family she betrayed. Beautiful books!

4. Feel good movies. This is the time of year when I transition away from that craving for spooky Gothic horror. Instead I want predictable, gooey romance and friendship in a picturesque setting! I already mentioned on Facebook that I'm rather a junkie for Hallmark Christmas movies. I'll pass on the ones featuring Santa's wife/daughter/elf/whatever on the loose, but I love the simple and sweet romances like The Christmas Ornament (new this year) and Trading Christmas (2011). Last night I re-watched Enchanted April--I think it's been over a decade since I've seen it--and it was just as magical as always. (Though I wonder how those ladies can endure sleeping on craggy rocks!) Do you have any recommendations for me?

5. Short story anthologies. Last week was the official cover reveal for GRIM, a collection of dark fairy tale retellings edited by the wonderful Christine Johnson. I am absolutely delighted to have a story in this anthology! By the way, I also received two GRIM ARCs in the mail -- hooray! I will be plotting their fate in the next few weeks, so stay tuned . . .

The cover, front and back:



My story, "Untethered," is a modern interpretation of a little known and very tiny Brothers Grimm story entitled The Shroud. If you read it, you'll probably understand why I picked it. :)

Look for the hardcover release of GRIM in March 2014!

[Cross-posted to Livejournal]

Recent adventures

It's been a busy fall . . .


Right on the heels of the YA AdVANture tour, Tessa Gratton, Tara Hudson and I managed eleven library/school visits in five days. (The above photo was taken at the Blanchard Public Library.) We had a blast that week! It was hard to say goodbye at the end.


After appearances at OCTE and the Rose State Short Course on Writing, I moved on to Encyclomedia. The Brown Brothers of Perma-bound put together a series of appearances to benefit Moore schools impacted by the May tornado, and it was an honor to spend time with Gennifer Choldenko, Ann Hood, Ruta Sepetys, and Wendelin Van Draanen -- such incredibly classy ladies! (I enjoyed silly fun with them, too, as you can see above.)


Up next? My road trip to Tennessee. I enjoyed visits with friends and family (hooray for sweet nieces!), but also managed three library appearances. Many thanks go to Pam Ford at the Stewart County Library, Jean Nichols at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Library, and Kay French and Kaity at the Houston County Library. They all welcomed me so warmly, and the Houston County library even put on an English tea spread, with the added bonus of a spooky flower arrangement that matched The Dark Between (see above)!


The TN trip wrapped up with the Southern Festival of Books. My panel with Aprilynne Pike and Teal Haviland came off splendidly, and I had a great time visiting with my pal DeAnne, as well as Courtney Summers (who took the above photo), Carla Schooler, Myra McEntire and Sharon Cameron. (Here's Myra and I posing in front of some impressive buttocks.) And on Sunday night, I met up with DeAnne and friends (and eventually my brother) for drinks and snacks at a speakeasy! (Next time you're in Nashville, you simply must check out the Patterson House.)


This past weekend I enjoyed a relaxing and inspiring retreat by Lake Tenkiller in Tahlequah. My crit pals and I chatted, played word games, visited a Benedictine Abbey (!!!), critiqued, and set goals for our writing. My lovely friends also threw a little party for The Dark Between, complete with character cupcakes.

So . . . lots of travel and talking and fun. But now it's time to get back to my hermit hole and WRITE.

Stay tuned for giveaways featuring books from authors I've spent time with recently!

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]

October event recap

I'm behind on EVERYTHING, but that won't stop me from sharing three October event photos.


1. A visit to Choctaw High School!
Librarian Theresa Kluge, the cooperating teachers, and all the students made me feel very welcome. Please note the GHOSTLY ORBS in the above photo, not to mention the young man doing his homework (hee!) and the girl with the gorgeous strawberry-colored hair.


2. A visit to Houston County Public Library in Erin, TN!
You guys, they made a POSTER for me. And they served punch and yummy cookies. Before stuffing my face, I spoke to a very charming group of folks, some of whom were friends and even former teachers. (I grew up in the neighboring county.) What a great time! [Photo courtesy of Houston County Public Library -- and yes, I desperately need a haircut. #shaggy]


3. A group signing at Parnassus Books in Nashville, TN!
Can you spot Beth Revis, Tessa Gratton, Stephanie Perkins, Myra McEntire, and Victoria Schwab? I'm such a FANGIRL for these ladies, and it was an honor to sign with them in this lovely little store.

My wild week

I've been out of it for a while -- last week was crazy busy, as you'll see . . .


Saturday before last Steve and I (along with another couple) hosted a Moulin Rouge party for law students as a benefit for the Women's Resource Center. Yes, that's me in a can-can dress. (Steve was trying to simulate Jim Broadbent's costume from the film -- obviously we neglected to affix the elaborate mustache!) Additional photos: a shot of me, Steve and his colleague/co-host E, a tiny pic of the students (note E's husband in the background, dressed as a bear), and check out these amazing Moulin Rouge-themed cupcakes made for us by Gigi's.


On Monday I drove to Dallas and fetched my buddy Michelle from the airport so that we can could enjoy the big city experience before heading back to OKC. Our first stop was the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, which currently features hundreds of amazing sculptures from Dale Chihuly. We also enjoyed afternoon tea in the restaurant. We were too starved to remember to take a photo of the soup and sandwich course, but here's the desert course. Delicious!

After tea we visited a charming temporary exhibit entitled Small Houses of Great Artists. I wished I could turn Seurat's house into my writing office. Van Gogh's house was particularly cozy, and we both loved the bridge and lily pond at Monet's house.


On Wednesday we drove to Tulsa to meet up with friends Brandi and Ange at Dragonmoon Tea Company (now to become a yearly ritual, I hope). For some reason I had my camera set to a fish eye view, but the above photo was decent enough. Here's a close-up of the tea tray.

By Thursday I had a very pesky head cold, and I really must apologize to Michelle for being so grumpy and fuzzy in the head. She bore my misery and hostessing failures with grace, which is exactly how she handles any adversity that comes her way. (I'll show you a better time next year, my friend!) Anyway, after I took Michelle to the airport I spent the rest of the day resting up for my big event on Friday -- a visit to Deer Creek High School!


Jason Stephenson invited me to spend a couple of hours with his Creative Writing students, and I really must thank them all for such a nice time! See more photos -- courtesy of Jason -- at my Facebook Author Page. Great kids, excellent discussion, and some students even took notes. Heaven!

Now back to OWFI work and revisions. *sigh*

[Cross-posted at Livejournal]