It's that time again! Ask me anything you'd like. It can be about writing or my books, but it definitely doesn't have to be. I know you are all dying to know which Korean dramas I'm watching and what I'm doing for my upcoming birthday, too. Or not. Whatevs. I'll be here all day. All questions asked before I wake up tomorrow (usually like 10 Mountain Time) will be answered.
I had sushi for my birthday last week... what do you hope to be eating on yours? (Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!)
ReplyDeleteHow many ninjas is too many?
What color should I paint my toenails?
CKHB, man, I wish I could have sushi for my birthday! That is one of the top things on my list of "Things I Will Eat After I Have The Baby." I'm still pretty sick, so it's hard to say what I'll be eating. It will probably be low in carbs though, what with the diabetes. So...meat and salad so I have carbs for dessert!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to say how many ninjas is too many, since you never know how many there are. I'd be worried if you start SEEING them though, because that would mean they're out of hiding places and that's A LOT of ninjas.
I like blue and black and purple on my nails usually. Midnight blue is a current favorite.
Since you have a 2 book deal with HarperTeen, when do you find out if you're going to write a sequel to Transparent or if they want something totally different? Is it after Transparent comes out? The publishing industry never ceases to confuse me! :)
ReplyDeleteChantele, that is an excellent question that I don't really know the answer to yet. I can tell you that my second book has not been decided yet, but I'm not sure when that decision will be made. Hopefully it won't be after TRANSPARENT comes out, because right now my novels are scheduled 9 months apart and that wouldn't give me much time.
ReplyDeleteErica, Anna, and I have talked about it, but I'm still refining some of my projects before I present them. It's kinda scary because when your second book is an option (though not as scary as NOT having that option, for sure), it means that they can pass on something if they don't feel the project fits. So while I do owe another book, my projects may be passed on until they find one they like.
One thing is for certain though—I will definitely let people know what that second book will be as soon as I'm allowed!
Where'd you get your red shoes from, and are they comfortable?
ReplyDeleteKathryn, I got them at DWS, actually! And they are Jessica Simpson. I would have never thought I'd buy that brand, but I love them and they are surprisingly comfortable for heels (They are about 3 inches, which is as high as I go). My goal was really to find red heels without a pointed toe. I really don't like pointed toe on me for some reason, and it seems to be rather common in red shoes. So when I saw these I had to have them!
ReplyDeleteCool! They look cute. Oh, and I was going through your awesome writing advice tab yesterday. You have some great posts there, so thanks for that! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathryn, and you're welcome:)
ReplyDeleteWhen's your due date if you don't mind my asking? I'm having my first around the end of June, so all I think about it babies any more!! Sorry to hear about your gestational diabetes. At least it only lasts till the baby is born.
ReplyDeleteRebecca, I'm end of May, but I'm usually induced a little early because of the diabetes. I remember how baby crazy the first makes you, looking up everything and trying to learn. Enjoy the roller coaster:)
ReplyDeleteWhat's your favorite quote about writing (if you have one?) I'm always looking for good ones to keep me inspired! :)
ReplyDeleteJessica, hmm, I don't know! The quotes in my sidebar are important to me, but I guess they're not directly writing related. Sorry I'm not much help there.
ReplyDeleteNo worries! Just wondering. :) I love the fortune cookie quote in your sidebar, btw!
ReplyDeleteI am dying to know which Korean dramas you're watching right now! Also, what are you doing for your birthday? My husband's is coming up in a few days, but with his finals, he's been impossible to pin down to what he actually wants to do. So I'm in need of ideas and completely drawing a blank.
ReplyDeleteJenilyn, I'm not watching any right now because I just finished one, but I'll give you the list so far: Boys Over Flowers, Playful Kiss, My Lovely Sam Soon, Flower Boy Ramen Shop, and Heartstrings. I'm pretty sure that's it. I might have missed one... Anyway, I've liked them all! But I'd say Flower Boy Ramen Shop and Heartstrings have been my favorite.
ReplyDeleteAs for my birthday, I wish I knew for sure! Ha. It's hard having a birthday so close to Christmas, and it's actually my mom's birthday, too, so it's a busy time of year. I am hoping to go out to a nice dinner or lunch and maybe spending time at the book store. I know, I'm so creative.
I know what you mean about Christmas birthdays! With his right before and mine right after (along with all of my siblings and several nephews) it's crazy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendations and happy birthday to both you and your mom!!
What genre do you want to try for your next writing project?
ReplyDeleteLinWash, oh man, that is a GOOD question! I've been all over the board on genre, and this summer I left a contemporary half-finished so I could do edits on other projects. I really need to finish that up.
ReplyDeleteI've also been playing around with a sci-fi idea, which I'm hoping I'll get into next. It's been around for a while, but I chickened out after about 30 pages writing it last year. I recently went back and really liked what I had, so I hope I can rekindle that fire.
Right now it seems my brain is all over the place, so I'm trying to finish off my outstanding edits before I concentrate on writing hardcore.
When did it start feeling real, the fact that you've got a book deal? Or does it not *yet* feel real?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love those red pumps. And sushi. And I'm thinking I might just love Boys Over Flower, too. My friends keep telling me to watch that one, so here's another question: just how good is it?
Rida, in a lot of ways it still doesn't feel real. I think it's a process. Each thing that happens helps it feel a little more real. Not that I think my book won't come out or anything, but it feels so far away still that it's hard to picture it. I think as more happens with my cover and getting a release date and all that—it'll help. Right now, it's really still a manuscript, not quite a book.
ReplyDeleteAs for Boys Over Flowers. It's good:) I really enjoyed it, and it was my very first Korean drama. Of course you should watch it!
Did you finish Buffy? I miss your Buffy tweets! Although Kate Schafer-Testerman's are also amusing....
ReplyDeleteChelsey, I didn't! I think I'm around the end of season 3. I'm not used to watching shows that are so long, as most of the anime I watch is about 26-48 episodes. Korean dramas are like 16-25 that I've seen so far. So the episode amount was kind of overwhelming and I got burnt out. But I do watch it still, just not in marathons.
ReplyDeleteIs there anything about having a book deal that surprised you in a positive way? You've talked about feeling gratitude and elation and terror, and about jealousy questions (whether people are jealous of your book deal or expecting you to be jealous of your friends' book deals). But I'm guessing you expected most of that, at least somewhat. Was there anything that, even after everything you've learned in the last few years, you were genuinely surprised by?
ReplyDeleteIliadfan, I was genuinely surprised by some of the darker feelings I had, but as for positive I'm afraid I haven't been *too* surprised yet. In all honesty, not much has really happened yet! I sold my book in April, but since then I've only gotten my contract, my advance, and my first set of edits.
ReplyDeleteAll were really exciting! Getting the contract was one of those "Oh, so maybe this IS real" moments. The advance was just trippy, actually being paid for this book. And the edits were invigorating.
But there's still a lot for me to experience. I still have a ways to go before it's even time to talk about my cover, let alone see it (that is a moment I look forward to). I don't even have an official release date. I am still awaiting line edits, copy edits, and the final layout proof. I'm quite a ways from ARCs or facing my first reviews. And it's hard for me to even picture debuting, since it's still about a year and a half out.
I think there will be a lot of fun surprises for me in the future, and I really look forward to seeing how this all takes shape! I feel like right now the picture is only half developed, and I can't quite make out what the entire image will be, but I'm anticipating something wonderful:)
Thanks for sharing all this with us. I've wanted to read Transparent ever since you first mentioned the concept, so it's fascinating to read about its publication process!
ReplyDeleteDo you watch Doctor Who? If so, which Doctor and/or companion is your favorite?
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!!! Hope it was awesome. If you had the means to travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Also, here's a cupcake *holds out carrot cupcake with cream cheese icing*.
ReplyDeleteCatherine Denton
Mercy, I don't watch Doctor Who. In fact, I've never seen a single episode. Yes, I'm not a real nerd, apparently:)
ReplyDeleteCatherine, I would travel to Japan first and foremost. I would also like to spend time in New Zealand. Those are my top two. I think Paris would also be fun, and I've always wanted to do a road trip across the U.S.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the cupcake, it's divine:)
What's the best/most useful piece of writing advice you've ever received (from CP/agent/editor)? You give such good tips here on your blog, I'm curious what advice you've found useful for your own writing.
ReplyDeleteWhat was your favourite book you read this past year? Now that we're coming up at the end of the year. I'm always on the lookout for new recommendations.
And of course, hoping for another boy or girl? :)
Seabrooke, I think the most comforting advice I've gotten came from Julie Halpern when I interviewed her awhile back. She said something like, "If you write what you like, someone else will like it, too."
ReplyDeleteI find a lot of comfort in that, because my set backs in writing are not so much in the story as they are in my own confidence. If I can get past my personal worries, the writing usually goes great.
As for favorite book, I hate to admit that I didn't read much this year, but with a slew of edits and killer morning sickness I just haven't. Some of my favorites though: Lola And The Boy Next Door, Sean Griswold's Head, and Don't Stop Now.
And since I have a boy and a girl, I would be happy either way. I feel like it's probably a girl, but we'll see! It's not like I'll be sad if it's not. But it would be my first time being wrong;P
Thanks for the answers, Natalie. :) I really like that advice, too; I tell myself some version of it when I think about shopping the MS to agents. I'm glad you found the someone in the publishing industry who liked your work, because I've loved all the bits of creative writing you've posted here to your blog. I'm really looking forward to the release of your first book.
ReplyDeleteIt can certainly be tricky to fit reading in when you're busy. I've already got Lola on my TBR list, but I'll have to add the other two.
I'll be rooting for a girl. ;) Wishing you an uneventful remainder of your pregnancy. :)
Not completely a question, but more of some praise. I'm just relieved/excited that there is someone else out there loving on the Korean dramas. I stumbled upon BoF on my Netflix queue last July and have watched wayyy too many other dramas since. My count is just shy of 17, I think. I can't seem to stop myself. It's borderline ridiculous (yet at the same time, they make me so happyyy!)
ReplyDeleteAlso, Praise Part II: I absolutely adore your blog and your honesty. I find myself able to identify with a lot of what you talk about, be it writing related or real life related, so I thank you for that. It's really one of the only blogs I make a point to stay current with.
And since I *maybe* should toss out a question, what obscure and/or not commonly used name would you love to work into a project somehow? I'm insanely curious.
Thanks!
It seems like you might like Korean dramas. Just a hunch I've picked up.
ReplyDeleteIf you were going to start introducing someone to such craziness, what would you recommend they start watching first?
Corey, BoF is like a gateway drug, isn't it? That was my first, too, and now I'm on my sixth! Seventeen is rather impressive, hehe. They are so fun, and they really do make me happy too!
ReplyDeleteAs for a weird character name, I'm not sure. I tend to use more uncommon names in general. I have a Fiona, a Josephine, a Winn, a Rune, a Tosh, a Daphne, a Coco, and I even have plans for a main character named Hazard. Oh yeah! And I think I mentioned on Twitter wanting to work Rufus into a book at some point. For me, what's important is the name fitting the character, whatever it may be.
N.R. McLaren, you have a keen eye for observation;) As for recommendations, so far my favorites are Flower Boy Ramen Shop and Heartstrings. FBRS is kind of quirky and very fun, about a woman who's trying to become a teacher and things go very awry. Heartstrings takes place at an art college, where a traditional music student and a western music student butt heads but eventually fall for each other.
ReplyDeleteBoys Over Flowers is a really good one that very popular. Playful Kiss is good, but if you don't have compassion for "stalker girls" you may find it annoying (it's about a girl who has loved this boy forever and at one point her obsession does get a little over board). If you're looking for an older drama, I really like My Lovely Sam Soon, about a 30 yr old woman who is a pastry chef and just wants to get married, but can't seem to find a decent guy.
Don't feel like you're not a legitimate nerd! I only started watching Doctor Who about a month ago, after a long time of not believing my friends that it's an awesome show. It's definitely not too late to start, and you can find it online in some places. Definitely longer than Korean dramas, though. ;)
ReplyDelete