tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2475115548066228022024-03-13T21:31:28.167-04:00Simply PutThe Writing Blog of Christine Marciniakchristine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-9873178191170317832015-03-24T13:58:00.000-04:002015-03-24T13:58:18.815-04:00When the Answer is Not No.Anyone who tries to write for publication, unless they have either extraordinary talent, or amazing good luck, has to get used to the response to any petition for publication to be No.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhkMnEZwhFgVivay13NS9guaeTu-OtnS0o49Zbt-61eJsQ2W1-uHeKmKzJahrPVMfF_ox2bKkkPuohMOsda9foZnW7Dkej9s8X7NpLVL9yYrbOfQeRtVCs208dITpZg4SSYA1CTsasvE/s1600/no+thanks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhkMnEZwhFgVivay13NS9guaeTu-OtnS0o49Zbt-61eJsQ2W1-uHeKmKzJahrPVMfF_ox2bKkkPuohMOsda9foZnW7Dkej9s8X7NpLVL9yYrbOfQeRtVCs208dITpZg4SSYA1CTsasvE/s1600/no+thanks.jpg" height="157" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
No is sometimes said regretfully.<br />
<br />
No is sometimes said impersonally.<br />
<br />
No is sometimes indicated by silence.<br />
<br />
No is a regular part of a writer's life, even though it is seldom heard without a bit of a pang, we, as writers, know it isn't a reflection on our self-worth (or so we repeatedly remind ourselves) and we move on.<br />
<br />
But there are the times the answer is not no.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZ7RWaXhCQZmGQ9cDF7cBfxndeb90mcpDNMOFa1tvSIQLKOffDYX_knijpTOtMyxRgNCj4aHP-e0QgdrTGrMz3wRiwoobyA1A1N9hMLVacBvvbzYvIpWvq2kMfzex1Xcrxws7vCh8OZo/s1600/No.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZ7RWaXhCQZmGQ9cDF7cBfxndeb90mcpDNMOFa1tvSIQLKOffDYX_knijpTOtMyxRgNCj4aHP-e0QgdrTGrMz3wRiwoobyA1A1N9hMLVacBvvbzYvIpWvq2kMfzex1Xcrxws7vCh8OZo/s1600/No.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first time I got an answer other than No was back in 2008 when <a href="http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/">The Wild Rose Press</a> accepted <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-mike-kissed-emma-christine-marciniak/1100248252?ean=2940043333285">When Mike Kissed Emma</a> for publication. I had to read the email several times before it really sunk in that the answer wasn't No. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After the fact that it wasn't No sank in I pretty much wandered around in a daze for a while. I was so used to No, I wasn't quite sure how to react to something that wasn't no. Obviously I happily took their "not no" and ran with it and in 2009 my first book was published.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPgpGju-eaygEP5f3PWeAQKZlZU3if7rCcSErJwjH_8_2YteErnXSCldsGDOwwPsU87j9ob7Kfzer7CP9k-uK4brJF_4s5CHI3HzpMmwRa1uW40dHxJkYIiltQzS8NXJp3l5DnuAbSBg/s1600/WhenMikeKissedE_w2028_680.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There are always more "No's" though. Lots more.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It took two more years before I had another "Not No" in my inbox.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had pretty much as hard a time believing it that time as the first.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKsqXIHFnJhXxbzkP_ta0DzwrPcCwjAbkF4tYepuocAVJ-J_J5JnxgJ4FXrMUK3C4Fo8EcAqxBE3X1q_WkWBDrW5z1mEoUGA7nIuYmjIxZ5oVfXF3maHUeKl7hyphenhyphenhTNXHgUt1gOrdMzmw/s1600/Reality+Ali+Small+Final+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKsqXIHFnJhXxbzkP_ta0DzwrPcCwjAbkF4tYepuocAVJ-J_J5JnxgJ4FXrMUK3C4Fo8EcAqxBE3X1q_WkWBDrW5z1mEoUGA7nIuYmjIxZ5oVfXF3maHUeKl7hyphenhyphenhTNXHgUt1gOrdMzmw/s1600/Reality+Ali+Small+Final+Cover.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reality-ali-christine-marciniak/1109861754?ean=9781612710747">Reality Ali</a> was published by<a href="https://www.zumayapublishing.com/"> Zumaya Publications</a> and that led to three more books in the series. And it was all good.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But there was one place where the answer kept coming back as a consistent "no" and that was in my attempt to find an agent to represent me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then last Monday happened, and an agent who had requested a full manuscript of my latest work, sent me an email. I almost didn't want to open it, assuming it would be another no. I wasn't in the mood for another no just then. But I opened it and boy was I surprised.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It wasn't no.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It wasn't yes, not yet. He wanted to talk to me. But, the important thing is that it wasn't no.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We spoke the next day and he offered me representation.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And I didn't say no.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, I can officially, very happily announce, that I am now represented by Steven Chudney of <a href="http://www.thechudneyagency.com/">The Chudney Agency</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06OEewQsBkvEmubm4CA_UVOjM2lPna1-HpUAQorvP98qFumDSItcLoETEvz6RABjOijL-DBXuoY4UYIzwMd5JrzBjSOR1HGSdEXCQ9Suyuhyphenhyphenr4hURK2siwa0ih4UUMUsihysmoKn7rug/s1600/yes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06OEewQsBkvEmubm4CA_UVOjM2lPna1-HpUAQorvP98qFumDSItcLoETEvz6RABjOijL-DBXuoY4UYIzwMd5JrzBjSOR1HGSdEXCQ9Suyuhyphenhyphenr4hURK2siwa0ih4UUMUsihysmoKn7rug/s1600/yes.jpg" height="272" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-7573694309695228582014-10-01T10:22:00.002-04:002014-10-01T10:22:21.329-04:00Blogging at YA Authors You've Never Heard Of today.Today I have a post up at <a href="http://obscurekidlitauthors.blogspot.com/2014/10/release-week.html">YA Authors You've Never Heard Of</a>. I'm talking about the release of my latest book. Head on over.<br />
<br />
<br />christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-43240458590723842172014-07-09T08:17:00.002-04:002014-07-09T08:17:39.917-04:00Blogging Today over at YA Authors You've Never Heard OfTalking about reusing old characters in new stories over at <a href="http://obscurekidlitauthors.blogspot.com/2014/07/reusing-characters.html">YA Authors You've Never Heard O</a>f. Go there o check it out!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3PMEhhabX6jyMQkebIkp_rcQf8RuF26Y5t9e-4jND1hxKn8-B0aw_G3mfFZ29yFXgpBziLQpFhEwk6GFu56rar-QtV4RAObt8VjxasuOGphp0GwvvxWiU8HjTMijSXRGb-KZp7dvqfw/s1600/old+characters.jpg" height="218" width="320" /></div>
<br />christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-8084244125187480512014-07-04T08:15:00.001-04:002014-07-04T08:15:12.233-04:00Friday the Fourth!Happy Fourth of July! Happy Independence Day! Happy Friday! Whatever makes you happy I wish it to you. That should cover everyone.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XyfPQqAbFDL3Yd0n1ZN8rWKFppgT53rjc59yM0nj7SPq4Tj3nGlXH5bP14X2MDUVaNrqb0tvX6t-nkp4UJQCqCMk7v-utyq7OXQH7LQK3E7dLEUSaBq7ZPborhwf98mSLV91MTZ1KuY/s1600/335991_3362184969687_1089366122_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XyfPQqAbFDL3Yd0n1ZN8rWKFppgT53rjc59yM0nj7SPq4Tj3nGlXH5bP14X2MDUVaNrqb0tvX6t-nkp4UJQCqCMk7v-utyq7OXQH7LQK3E7dLEUSaBq7ZPborhwf98mSLV91MTZ1KuY/s1600/335991_3362184969687_1089366122_o.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So, let's see how about four things for the Fourth of July.<br />
<br />
1) Our nation is 238 years old. Well, the Declaration of Independence was signed 238 years ago. A few things had to happen before we were a cohesive nation with laws and such... like winning a war and writing and ratifying a constitution, but those are just details. Today we celebrate our nation's birthday. I remember the bicentennial. I was in fourth grade and everything was centered around Colonial times. We even learned the Virginia Reel in gym class. Good times, those.<br />
<br />
2) Hurricane Arthur is making it's way up the coast. Where we are, we shouldn't feel too much impact - some rain and wind today and that is it, but further south of us may be in for a wild ride. As you celebrate your holiday, remember the people who are dealing with the impact of the storm. And if you are somewhere with perfect summer weather today - enjoy and know that I am jealous of you.<br />
<br />
3) For a literary take, one of my favorite novels about the Revolutionary War is<i> Liberty Tavern</i> by Thomas Fleming. The best I can tell it's been reissued as a e-book under the name <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-heart-of-liberty-thomas-fleming/1119275137?ean=2940014175609">The Heart of Liberty</a>. It deals with the complicated truth that not everyone living here (specifically New Jersey) was all gung ho for liberty from Britain. Some people liked the way things were just fine and the war divided families and neighborhoods. It's important to remember, when things today seem divided, that even times in the past when it looks like everyone agreed - not everyone did (history is written by the winners, after all).<br />
<br />
4) On a personal note I started running this week. I'm using the <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/">Couch to 5K </a>plan. Not that I'm planning on running a 5K, but I do couch all too well, and need to get in shape. I've run three times so far this week. Yesterday, with 95% humidity and shin splints, I took a rest. Today may be another rest day, since the weather is fairly unsettled right now. I figure if I tell people, it will help keep me accountable.<br />
<br />
Have a great Independence Day everyone!christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-11553969479621975332014-06-27T14:07:00.001-04:002014-06-27T14:07:49.277-04:00Friday FiveI see a lot of people do this - a quick five things on a Friday.<br />
<br />
Let's see what I can come up with.<br />
<br />
1) Busily working on revisions that are morphing into a rewrite for <i>Always, Ali </i>the fourth Ali book.<br />
<br />
2) It's summer vacation, which means that as a family we are pretty much as busy as during the school year - except the weather is nicer and we can hang out in our secret garden, which maybe isn't so much of a secret, but is a nice little garden.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oid1-uD8pG8/Th2yi0HGN_I/AAAAAAAAEOw/mG_BDN8Ti2c/s1600/IMG_0592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oid1-uD8pG8/Th2yi0HGN_I/AAAAAAAAEOw/mG_BDN8Ti2c/s1600/IMG_0592.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3) I've been re-reading some old books on my Nook. I love finding digitized copies of public domain works. I've discovered some great unknown (to me) stories this way and read some classics. Including <i>Les Miserables</i>, which pretty every body knows about and <a href="http://books.google.com/books/about/Queed.html?id=ekMLAAAAIAAJ"><i>Queed</i></a>, which no one remembers anymore.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4) It's harder than I thought to come up with five things.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5) Okay, that was cheating, I admit it. In reference to number one, I find it more difficult to get into a writing routine when the kids are not in school, but at least, as the week is drawing to a close, I seem to be making some progress, which is good. In the meantime, it seems that all the bookish people I know are headed to Las Vegas this weekend for ALA. I'm not. So, I have no excuse not to continue revising.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Summer.</div>
christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-90189401858483354252014-06-22T15:57:00.000-04:002014-06-22T15:57:11.727-04:00World Travel in BooksWhen I was in high school my friend and I used to make plans to backpack through Europe when we graduated. I think pretty much everyone made these kind of plans. The closest we got to doing that was a few years after we were out of college we spent a week in Belgium and Holland, armed with only carry-on luggage.<br />
<br />
My daughter is in high school now and she and her friends are making similar plans. They have the added bonus of a German exchange student/best friend who is heading home and who they want to visit.<br />
<br />
It seems to be the perennial dream of young people to travel and to see the world.<br />
<br />
And the dream is nothing new.<br />
<br />
There are three books I've read in the past year or so that deal with teens/young adults traveling to Europe. The thing is that these books are all written or set in the late 1800s and the early 1900s.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZj2Fnij_f70ub2oJSCiI2o0Aw3yntqCNeBA4JyP-yQOg9jkNHvUS-uQudHLSwZD9b5juYNto3B_bumkaYP_JXwHUv9FcM9WZg8uaRvI7evozTavOX9FnYldRuFq8K7RBXEIkUA3gfPE/s1600/049929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZj2Fnij_f70ub2oJSCiI2o0Aw3yntqCNeBA4JyP-yQOg9jkNHvUS-uQudHLSwZD9b5juYNto3B_bumkaYP_JXwHUv9FcM9WZg8uaRvI7evozTavOX9FnYldRuFq8K7RBXEIkUA3gfPE/s1600/049929.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
The oldest one is <b>What Katy did Next</b>, it is the sequel to <b>What Katy Did</b> by Susan Coolidge (pen name for Sarah Chauncey Woolsey) it was written in 1886 and in the story our young heroine, Katy, gets taken on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe by some friends. (This cover appears to set the story in the wrong time period)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL27oQ3KZGRZM9bZN41zxAfCN9ROOtoBv8IU_7f0eeyoPdLMgehCKYJXKdjoboLBoObFZRGWtCq7Jy1hpcZ0r-WLOlX_frd3vpQFI_mCXiyuO47At3RGOArEEFk0fLqzMJYyRoutQuICk/s1600/AuntJanesNiecesAbroad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL27oQ3KZGRZM9bZN41zxAfCN9ROOtoBv8IU_7f0eeyoPdLMgehCKYJXKdjoboLBoObFZRGWtCq7Jy1hpcZ0r-WLOlX_frd3vpQFI_mCXiyuO47At3RGOArEEFk0fLqzMJYyRoutQuICk/s1600/AuntJanesNiecesAbroad.jpg" /></a></div>
The next book is<b> Aunt Jane's Nieces Abroad</b> written and set in 1906. It is by Edith Van Dyne (pen name for Frank L. Baum). This is part of the Aunt Jane's Niece's series, a popular series for high school girls at the turn of the century, putting the lie to the idea that books written for teens is somehow a new phenomenon. In this book Aunt Jane's nieces, three girls between the ages of 15 and 17, are brought to Europe by a rich uncle who wants to give them great experiences. They have them, including witnessing the 1906 eruption of Mount Vesuvius.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7LDY1XcinEYk3cdcuUkRSmXt3xJGdpJmL9Crr49HtCpBtZO5kC8H_FnDgFGMxi9xPeajUxOiFdb08oIYM_uu5mEUC5NtF0xoLrPMN_Fm_abHMepuMzBR28xGXjAy86yEDZO68WPOxe0/s1600/25580_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7LDY1XcinEYk3cdcuUkRSmXt3xJGdpJmL9Crr49HtCpBtZO5kC8H_FnDgFGMxi9xPeajUxOiFdb08oIYM_uu5mEUC5NtF0xoLrPMN_Fm_abHMepuMzBR28xGXjAy86yEDZO68WPOxe0/s1600/25580_1.JPG" height="320" width="219" /></a></div>
The third book is <b>Betsy and the Great World</b>, part of the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. This book was written in 1952 and set in 1914. In this book, Betsy decides not to finish college but to travel around Europe in order to get the experience she needs to be a writer. She has to make a hasty trip home when, after several months, war is declared.<br />
<br />
I love each of these books individually. Together they present an interesting look at travel before the age of airplanes. Although the three European trips take place over a period of about 30 years, they are all much more like each other than they would be to any modern trip to Europe.<br />
<br />
First of all, they all travel by steamer. Of course. You did not fly to Europe, you took a boat. And the boat was a large part of the voyage. These were not today's cruise ships. Instead of lavish buffets and nightly shows we hear about deck chairs and porters and quiet evenings looking at the sky and immense sea. Getting to Europe was as much a part of the adventure as being there, when you traveled by ship.<br />
<br />
The other huge difference was that in each of these cases the trips were expected to take a substantial amount of time. If it takes nearly a week to get someplace, you don't turn around and come home a week later. In <i>What Katy Did Next</i>, she expected to be gone close to a year, but came home sooner. The same was true for Betsy in <i>Betsy and the Great World.</i> Aunt Jane's nieces seemed to have a shorter trip planned, not meaning to be away for more than a couple of months.<br />
<br />
I traveled overseas while in high school, spending a summer month with relatives in Germany. I did not travel far from my cousin's house near the alps, but still got to see some of Austria as well as several famous landmarks in Germany. It was a fantastic experience, even if it doesn't come close to nearly a year traveling between different countries. (The picture was taken in Austria by the <i>Bodensee</i> or Lake Constance)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfO6AaAf6GEizeq1Yd5hK5pQMPVqYxYBgpsk2p2WLWEu4Njbc4_az-PIar3xCTNyoXuXZiNwI9C9QyVn_77lu4tO9DoB2C1nfCpnCQnwBcuqWTaNhNpOA0KSksX_BtHqHhneylp3N_b0/s1600/Scan.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfO6AaAf6GEizeq1Yd5hK5pQMPVqYxYBgpsk2p2WLWEu4Njbc4_az-PIar3xCTNyoXuXZiNwI9C9QyVn_77lu4tO9DoB2C1nfCpnCQnwBcuqWTaNhNpOA0KSksX_BtHqHhneylp3N_b0/s1600/Scan.BMP" height="320" width="224" /></a></div>
<br />
My daughter's school is sponsoring a trip for next year's graduating seniors to go to Europe. It's well-planned and expensive. The trip lasts a nine days and the students will see the best of London, Paris and Rome. About two and a half days per city. They catch all the high lights I'm sure, but she's going to save up instead for the aforementioned trip to see her friend, and travel around Europe with her.<br />
<br />
Three cities in nine days, is a pretty quick way to get a taste of Europe, and many people don't expect much more from that from a trip to Europe. The romance of a trip to Europe is lost that way though, the chance to really see a place, to soak in it's atmosphere, can't happen as you bustle from tourist site to tourist site. I don't imagine that the average person got to travel to Europe at the turn of the last century and spend most of a year there, even a hundred years ago most people couldn't afford either the money or the time.<br />
<br />
But people could read about it, then and now. I love the insight into overseas travel these three books, especially when read together, give to the subject.<br />
<br />
So, this is my writing blog. What does all this have to do with writing? Only that the experiences we have can always be fodder for stories, and that so much can be learned by reading, even reading hundred-year-old "children's" books.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-7826811641022265092014-06-16T06:00:00.000-04:002014-06-16T06:00:11.055-04:00Writing Process Blog Tour<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It’s been a long time since I’ve
done anything on this blog and when Barb at <a href="http://franciscanmom.com/">Franciscan Mom</a> asked if she could
tag me in the Writing Process Blog tour I figured it was as good a
time as any to jump back in.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What am I working on?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I actually have several projects going
right now. I’m waiting for page proofs for the third book in my Ali
Caldwell series, Honestly, Ali. Ali is a character I’ve had a lot
of fun working with and I have one more book to go in the series.
That’s one of my other projects, I am in the middle of revising
book four, in the series, tentatively titled Always Ali. This spring
I also finished two rough drafts of completely new books, one has to
do with bullies and how things are not always as they seem and the
other is something completely different, and I’ll keep the details
on that one secret for now.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
How does my work differ from others of
its genre.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That’s a hard question. My YA books
have no vampires. It’s easy to say I’m not like this person or
that person in my writing, but there are other people out there who
write sweet stories that don’t spend a lot of time dwelling in the
dark places. That’s what I write. Scary things happen, but the
stories overall have a lighter feel than some contemporary YA.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Why do I Write What I Write?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Because I enjoy it. It’s simple
really. I feel comfortable with the kinds of stories I write, and
when I have teens tell me that they’ve read WHEN MIKE KISSED EMMA
multiple times and it’s their favorite book, then I figure I’m
doing something right.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
How does my writing process work?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When I start a story I like to have
some idea where I’m going with it, but I don’t do a detailed
outline. Instead I do a fast rough draft, knowing that I will be
filling in details later. Then once I’ve gotten to the end, I let
the story sit for awhile before moving on to revisions. Often I’ll
read it through first to see what I actually am working with and then
figure out which aspects could be cut and which need to be expanded
on. And then I revise. Often several times. In between revisions I
send the story to my critique partners and beta readers in order to
get some feedback other than my own. Eventually I have a story that
I’m willing to set free in the world.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The next step in this process is that
I’m supposed to tag three people. The people I asked to do it,
never said yes or no to me and I don’t want to ambush anyone with
the responsibility. So, is you want to participate, just answer these
same questions yourself next week, leaving me a comment so I know
about it and if the people I originally ask get back to me, I’ll
add them in here.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-38155667308023163342012-09-07T16:31:00.004-04:002012-09-07T16:32:00.553-04:00Trivia Contest! Don't Forget<br />
The trivia contest is still in progress. Don't forget to check these websites for your questions and answers. There are prizes to be won.<br />
<br />
At the bottom of this post is a list of Zumaya authors. On each of their websites you’ll find the answer to a question. Collect the answers to those questions, then go to <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=D%2bhCjW4TE4n%2bZvkFqXwHbg%3d%3d">here </a>and fill in the answers. There are some regular, book-related trivia questions, too—we wouldn’t want it to be too easy.<br />
<br />
There will also be daily and weekly trivia contests, so keep an eye on <a href="https://twitter.com/ZBooksTX">Twitter </a>and the Zumaya page on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ZumayaPublications">Facebook</a>, or visit our company blog <a href="http://zumayatales.wordpress.com/">Zumaya Tales</a>.<br />
<br />
My question is: In my first book, who got kissed? The answer is at my <a href="http://www.christinemarciniak.com/">website</a>, or you might even be able to figure it out on this blog. If you right-click that link, you’ll be able to explore my site in a new page or tab then move on to the next participant for the next question.<br />
<br />
<br />
<!-- inlinkz code start -->
<br />
<div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195126&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Cindy Speer"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120831/22253/75/1346438977.56" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195126&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Cindy Speer">Cindy Lynn Speer</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195128&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Rachel Green"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120831/22253/75/1346439121.26" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195128&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Rachel Green">Rachel Green</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195131&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Kim Baccellia"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120903/22253/75/1346689193.63" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195131&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Kim Baccellia">Kim Baccellia</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195230&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Rie Sheridan Rose"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120831/22253/75/1346451780.19" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195230&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Rie Sheridan Rose">Rie Sheridan Rose</a></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195156&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Mike DiCerto"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120831/22253/75/1346441189.81" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195156&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Mike DiCerto">Mike DiCerto</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195242&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Linda Andrews"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120831/22253/75/1346452405.65" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195242&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Linda Andrews">Linda Andrews</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=197989&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Arlene Sachitano"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120904/22253/75/1346789151.85" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=197989&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Arlene Sachitano">Arlene Sachitano</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=196556&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Gloria Oliver"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120902/22253/75/1346612564.64" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=196556&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Gloria Oliver">Gloria Oliver</a></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=196540&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Alana Lorens"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120902/22253/75/1346610723.62" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=196540&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Alana Lorens">Alana Lorens</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195241&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Wendy Dager"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120831/22253/75/1346452308.36" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195241&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Wendy Dager">Wendy Dager</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195238&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Mark Roberts"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120831/22253/75/1346452178.92" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195238&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Mark Roberts">Mark Roberts</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195157&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Christine Marciniak"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120831/22253/75/1346441462.53" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195157&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Christine Marciniak">Christine Marciniak</a></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=200473&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Carole Waterhouse"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120907/22253/75/1347036094.66" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=200473&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Carole Waterhouse">Carole Waterhouse</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=200475&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Robert E. Vardeman"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120907/22253/75/1347036257.21" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=200475&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Robert E. Vardeman">Robert E. Vardeman</a></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/" style="color: #bbbbbb; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal arial; text-decoration: none;">InLinkz.com</a></div>
<!-- 0.00139594078064 --> <img height="0" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/cimp.php?c=29352" style="border: none !important; margin: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important;" width="0" />
<!-- inlinkz code end -->christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-44275973696085893112012-09-04T00:30:00.000-04:002012-09-04T16:34:22.695-04:00Scavenger Hunt - Trivia Contest<br />
There are prizes to be won, and the way to win them is easy. At the bottom of this post is a list of Zumaya authors. On each of their websites you’ll find the answer to a question. Collect the answers to those questions, then go to <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=D%2bhCjW4TE4n%2bZvkFqXwHbg%3d%3d">here </a>and fill in the answers. There are some regular, book-related trivia questions, too—we wouldn’t want it to be too easy.<br />
<br />
There will also be daily and weekly trivia contests, so keep an eye on <a href="https://twitter.com/ZBooksTX">Twitter </a>and the Zumaya page on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ZumayaPublications">Facebook</a>, or visit our company blog <a href="http://zumayatales.wordpress.com/">Zumaya Tales</a>.<br />
<br />
My question is: In my first book, who got kissed? The answer is at my <a href="http://www.christinemarciniak.com/">website</a>, or you might even be able to figure it out on this blog. If you right-click that link, you’ll be able to explore my site in a new page or tab then move on to the next participant for the next question.<br />
<br />
<!-- inlinkz code start -->
<br />
<div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195126&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Cindy Speer"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120831/22253/75/1346438977.56" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195126&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Cindy Speer">Cindy Lynn Speer</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195128&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Rachel Green"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120831/22253/75/1346439121.26" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195128&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Rachel Green">Rachel Green</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195131&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Kim Baccellia"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120903/22253/75/1346689193.63" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195131&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Kim Baccellia">Kim Baccellia</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195230&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Rie Sheridan Rose"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120831/22253/75/1346451780.19" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195230&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Rie Sheridan Rose">Rie Sheridan Rose</a></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195156&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Mike DiCerto"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120831/22253/75/1346441189.81" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195156&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Mike DiCerto">Mike DiCerto</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195242&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Linda Andrews"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120831/22253/75/1346452405.65" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195242&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Linda Andrews">Linda Andrews</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=197989&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Arlene Sachitano"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120904/22253/75/1346789151.85" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=197989&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Arlene Sachitano">Arlene Sachitano</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=196556&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Gloria Oliver"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120902/22253/75/1346612564.64" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=196556&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Gloria Oliver">Gloria Oliver</a></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=196540&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Alana Lorens"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120902/22253/75/1346610723.62" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=196540&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Alana Lorens">Alana Lorens</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195241&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Wendy Dager"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120831/22253/75/1346452308.36" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195241&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Wendy Dager">Wendy Dager</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195238&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Mark Roberts"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120831/22253/75/1346452178.92" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195238&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Mark Roberts">Mark Roberts</a></div>
</div>
</td><td><div style="display: table-cell; float: left; height: 164px; text-align: center;">
<div style="display: table-cell; height: 79px; vertical-align: middle; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195157&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Christine Marciniak"><img border="0" class="_inlinkzI" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/thumbs/20120831/22253/75/1346441462.53" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.1; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; width: 82px;">
<a href="http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=195157&c=29352" target="_blank" title="Christine Marciniak">Christine Marciniak</a></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/" style="color: #bbbbbb; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal arial; text-decoration: none;">InLinkz.com</a></div>
<!-- 0.00265884399414 --> <img height="0" src="http://lm.inlinkz.com/cimp.php?c=29352" style="border: none !important; margin: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important;" width="0" />
<!-- inlinkz code end -->christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-87088997227109046982012-09-04T00:00:00.000-04:002012-09-04T00:00:03.594-04:00Zumaya Scavenger Hunt<br />
Welcome to the 2012 Zumaya Trivia Scavenger Hunt.<br />
<br />
I'm excited to be part of the Zumaya family this year, and therefore part of their fun new contest, which will run through the month of September. <br />
<br />
A number of authors have donated prizes, and they are all related somehow to their books. How they’re related, we aren’t going to tell, beyond maybe a hint or two. We don’t want to give away all our secrets.<br />
<br />
The way the contest works is that a group of Zumaya authors are hosting a collection of links on their blogs. There will be a question about themselves or their books, and a link to where you can find the answer. Visit all the blogs, collect the answers to all the questions, then go <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/%20M7C7DFG">here </a>and complete the contest form.<br />
<br />
Now, a contest wouldn’t be any fun if it was too easy, so we’ve added some book and author-related trivia questions just to challenge you. Take your time—the Zumaya Trivia Scavenger Hunt will run through the entire month of September. You can see photos of some of the great prizes we’re giving away <a href="http://pinterest.com/ekburton/what-do-these-have-in-common/">here </a>and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151139900109855.463941.202820034854&type=3">here</a>. Who knows—there might even be a few books and ebooks tossed into the mix before we’re done. We’ll definitely be giving away at least one ereader, but we’re waiting for all the new models to come out before we pick those.<br />
<br />
There will also be daily and weekly trivia contests, so keep an eye on <a href="https://twitter.com/ZBooksTX">Twitter </a>and the Zumaya page on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ZumayaPublications">Facebook</a>, or visit our company blog <a href="http://zumayatales.wordpress.com/">Zumaya Tales</a>. If you haven’t liked the Zumaya page on Facebook, now would be a good time. We’ll also have a chat at Coffee Time Romance and more on 4 September to launch, and a couple of hangouts on Google+ over the next four weeks.<br />
<br />
There is, of course, no purchase required, and your private information will remain between you and Zumaya. Unless we’re authorized to do otherwise, it will all be deleted when the contest ends. While we’d love it if you sampled our wares, our goal with this contest is to get to know as many people as we can, and to let them get to know us. So, welcome and have fun!<br />
christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-65237053779289612192012-09-03T15:27:00.003-04:002012-09-03T15:27:53.972-04:00Boston and Books and Dreams FulfilledAs the season comes to a close I realize that I fulfilled two dreams this summer. I went to Boston and Reality Ali was published.<br />
<br />
Now, since I live only a few hours from Boston you would think that wasn't that big a deal, but yet every time we planned a family vacation to Boston, something would come up to make us put it off for yet another year. But not this time. This time we actually got there.<br />
<br />
And here's proof:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjClgn68Vyy04f2Awxy8SOeyIdyZj6PyUB7ffqRDmqyABiGo4LIOGkMuVx0nmaNysQ1CITVLEpyyIDc3GK8xRnCt-aclcfd2ovHGnS-zYCyp2xV-h_xl5BEzqeT-n3o2_bCmoFIxqvMaA/s1600/IMG_2737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjClgn68Vyy04f2Awxy8SOeyIdyZj6PyUB7ffqRDmqyABiGo4LIOGkMuVx0nmaNysQ1CITVLEpyyIDc3GK8xRnCt-aclcfd2ovHGnS-zYCyp2xV-h_xl5BEzqeT-n3o2_bCmoFIxqvMaA/s320/IMG_2737.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
As for the other dream, Reality Ali is available for purchase now. This was a story that went through many changes over many years. In fact, two previous versions, with different titles and different main character names, were actually shopped around but they weren't the right story. This one is. And I couldn't be happier.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbE1wf5AXTaezTUEA23ZtQWk1bAtQyLXMUixMOCwpPPBFz5fPjNCvFQPM032BdJXlsyV_ZjqVxBX6HcN7WCCw27jaa9YHspZvVzZUsS9GWQVvSsnq_PCcw2vXGjYn4Pr4JEawVGUxOqg/s1600/Reality+Ali+Small+Final+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbE1wf5AXTaezTUEA23ZtQWk1bAtQyLXMUixMOCwpPPBFz5fPjNCvFQPM032BdJXlsyV_ZjqVxBX6HcN7WCCw27jaa9YHspZvVzZUsS9GWQVvSsnq_PCcw2vXGjYn4Pr4JEawVGUxOqg/s1600/Reality+Ali+Small+Final+Cover.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-84791207910271801802012-08-31T15:35:00.002-04:002012-08-31T15:35:40.441-04:00Available Now!You don't have to wait any longer to order your very own copy of <a href="http://www.zumayapublications.com/title.php?id=295">REALITY ALI! </a> You can order it direct from the publisher, <a href="http://www.zumayapublications.com/title.php?id=295">Zumaya Publications</a>, or from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reality-Ali-Christine-Marciniak/dp/1612710743/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346441637&sr=8-1&keywords=reality+ali">Amazon</a>, or<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reality-ali-christine-marciniak/1109861754?ean=9781612710747"> Barnes and Noble</a>.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-82857894556796849142012-07-31T20:40:00.004-04:002012-07-31T20:40:45.645-04:00Cover Reveal for REALITY ALI<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And here it is, what I've been waiting to show you. The cover art for REALITY ALI. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKsqXIHFnJhXxbzkP_ta0DzwrPcCwjAbkF4tYepuocAVJ-J_J5JnxgJ4FXrMUK3C4Fo8EcAqxBE3X1q_WkWBDrW5z1mEoUGA7nIuYmjIxZ5oVfXF3maHUeKl7hyphenhyphenhTNXHgUt1gOrdMzmw/s1600/Reality+Ali+Small+Final+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKsqXIHFnJhXxbzkP_ta0DzwrPcCwjAbkF4tYepuocAVJ-J_J5JnxgJ4FXrMUK3C4Fo8EcAqxBE3X1q_WkWBDrW5z1mEoUGA7nIuYmjIxZ5oVfXF3maHUeKl7hyphenhyphenhTNXHgUt1gOrdMzmw/s400/Reality+Ali+Small+Final+Cover.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-86439606291655602032012-07-11T09:13:00.001-04:002012-07-11T09:14:30.702-04:00Summertime when the living is... busy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmeMHHyqymBrU4LT3jmOIrqiIYb7_xHv1KvPgRD_wAg2z2xLZvfL95Do8Ry3WdjkchZrZtJVNo6JDh9OqPR4k8eEdaN7TdJhWvK0wfOvoOY4jQPf5KrLaGTaseSh0gbU9CkRBaCb5Gno/s1600/IMG_2274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmeMHHyqymBrU4LT3jmOIrqiIYb7_xHv1KvPgRD_wAg2z2xLZvfL95Do8Ry3WdjkchZrZtJVNo6JDh9OqPR4k8eEdaN7TdJhWvK0wfOvoOY4jQPf5KrLaGTaseSh0gbU9CkRBaCb5Gno/s320/IMG_2274.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
What we all think of as the lazy summertime always seems to be very busy. Today, over at <a href="http://obscurekidlitauthors.blogspot.com/2012/07/summer-reading-or-not.html">YA Author's You've Never Heard</a> of I talk about the emphasis on summer reading.christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-30885119380687272772012-06-13T08:50:00.001-04:002012-06-13T08:50:11.467-04:00Muse on Strike?How do you get a striking muse to get back to work? See my tips over at <a href="http://obscurekidlitauthors.blogspot.com/2012/06/what-to-do-when-muse-goes-on-strike.html">YA Authors You've Never Heard Of</a>.christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-23166093203800721212012-01-03T09:48:00.003-05:002012-01-03T09:53:54.998-05:00Looking Ahead to 2012I think this is going to be a good year. I've got three projects in various stages that I'm working on.<div><br /></div><div>The first is <i>Reality Ali</i>. I'm in edits on that for a publication date sometime this spring. I'm very excited about this story finally making it's way into the world. Ali is a story that went through more edits and variations than I can count and she deserves her day in the sun. I'll be talking about this story a lot in the months ahead.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next is <i>Emily's Song</i>. This is the story that I'm currently shopping around, so hopefully the year will bring good news for this time travel story.</div><div><br /></div><div>And finally, I'm in early revisions on a new story - working title <i>Once Upon a Princess</i>. This was this year's NaNoWriMo story and now it's time to whip it into shape. Early revisions are exciting, because although the basics of the story are in place, there is still so much possibility to work with.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm looking forward to a great writing year.</div><div><br /></div><div>How about anyone else? What are your hopes, dreams, plans?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-82731162391168469502012-01-01T21:15:00.002-05:002012-01-01T21:17:47.485-05:00A New Year a New StartThe year has turned. The calendar has changed. It's a time for looking back and reflecting and looking ahead and planning. <div><br /></div><div>This year I have something big to look forward to. My second book, Reality Ali, will be coming out with Zumaya Publications this spring. </div><div><br /></div><div>Look for more information as the year unfolds.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy New Year!</div>christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-54797172489434998462011-05-20T08:22:00.004-04:002011-05-20T09:22:34.133-04:00Poetry Friday - Snow White<a href="http://julielarios.blogspot.com/2011/05/poetry-friday-poems-of-stacy-gnall.html" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 91px;" alt="" src="http://lh3.google.com/image/chndlrsblog/RlehRuSN-mI/AAAAAAAAByY/kPBHs6GZVPY/poetry%20friday%20button.JPG?imgmax=144" /></a><br />It's been awhile since I've posted for Poetry Friday, but my 14 year old daughter recently presented me with a couple of new poems, so I thought I'd share one of them. This is Snow White. You think you know the story, right? Well, here's another take.<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"></div></div><blockquote><div><div style="text-align: center;">Snow White</div><div style="text-align: center;">by KRM</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Her body,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wax in a coffin</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Her smiles, her charm</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hardened into the frowns of </div><div style="text-align: center;">Death</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I wanted to reach out and touch</div><div style="text-align: center;">My childhood friend</div><div style="text-align: center;">My sweet Bianca</div><div style="text-align: center;">My Snow</div><div style="text-align: center;">But her Guardians</div><div style="text-align: center;">Squat, squinty old</div><div style="text-align: center;">Men</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wouldn't let me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Her hands are clasped</div><div style="text-align: center;">Over her heart,</div><div style="text-align: center;">An apple</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blood-red, ripe is </div><div style="text-align: center;">Clutched in them</div><div style="text-align: center;">Over her stopped heart</div><div style="text-align: center;">As I turn away, I notice</div><div style="text-align: center;">That</div><div style="text-align: center;">And that </div><div style="text-align: center;">There's a bite in the apple.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A Guardian with </div><div style="text-align: center;">A long beard and circular</div><div style="text-align: center;">Glasses</div><div style="text-align: center;">Growls at me that it's decoration.</div><div style="text-align: center;">A bite?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I ask</div><div style="text-align: center;">He harrumphs and won't </div><div style="text-align: center;">Speak more.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bianca's gone.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Who cares about</div><div style="text-align: center;">A stupid apple?</div><div style="text-align: center;">My heart is heavy</div><div style="text-align: center;">As I walk back to my</div><div style="text-align: center;">Steed</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ready to go home</div><div style="text-align: center;">Home without my</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bianca</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But something pulls me back</div><div style="text-align: center;">I pause</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't leave;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not yet</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't leave</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Bianca here</div><div style="text-align: center;">Alone</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">With these crones</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll take her body with me</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll stand vigil</div><div style="text-align: center;">With her</div><div style="text-align: center;">I won't leave her</div><div style="text-align: center;">No </div><div style="text-align: center;">Not yet.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I tell the Guardians</div><div style="text-align: center;">And the look sort of </div><div style="text-align: center;">Shocked</div><div style="text-align: center;">I plead to caress her</div><div style="text-align: center;">Skin one last time</div><div style="text-align: center;">Before I stand vigil</div><div style="text-align: center;">Over my best friend.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Reluctant</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wary</div><div style="text-align: center;">They open the coffin</div><div style="text-align: center;">A lid of glass</div><div style="text-align: center;">In my mind</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think of Bianca</div><div style="text-align: center;">As free</div><div style="text-align: center;">She can escape </div><div style="text-align: center;">With me</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I touch her</div><div style="text-align: center;">Afraid at first</div><div style="text-align: center;">And then,</div><div style="text-align: center;">(I don't know what I'm</div><div style="text-align: center;">Doing)</div><div style="text-align: center;">I lean over and kiss her</div><div style="text-align: center;">Like she never let me</div><div style="text-align: center;">In real life</div><div style="text-align: center;">If she were</div><div style="text-align: center;">Alive,</div><div style="text-align: center;">She'd kill...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Her eyes blink open</div><div style="text-align: center;">She screams against my kiss</div><div style="text-align: center;">She pushes me away</div><div style="text-align: center;">Xavier!</div><div style="text-align: center;">She cries my name</div><div style="text-align: center;">What the <i>hell </i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Are you doing?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My princess.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She's back</div><div style="text-align: center;">And I don't know</div><div style="text-align: center;">How I did it.</div></div></blockquote><div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div>The Poetry Friday Round up is by Julie Larios at <a href="http://julielarios.blogspot.com/2011/05/poetry-friday-poems-of-stacy-gnall.html">The Drift Record</a>. Stop by for great poems. </div></div>christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-83671739520480684822011-05-18T10:52:00.001-04:002011-05-18T10:53:42.186-04:00Talking about Required ReadingDoes being forced to read classics make students smarter, or does it just annoy them? Join the conversation over at <a href="http://obscurekidlitauthors.blogspot.com/2011/05/required-reading.html">YA Authors You've Never Heard Of.</a>christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-88592880128871514982011-03-23T09:13:00.001-04:002011-03-23T09:14:55.674-04:00Are We Writing For the Typical Teen?And should we be?<div><br /></div><div>Just who is the 'typical' teen anyway?</div><div><br /></div><div>My take on this over at <a href="http://obscurekidlitauthors.blogspot.com/2011/03/typical-teen.html">YA Authors You've Never Heard Of</a>.</div>christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-25307914609811001182011-02-23T10:54:00.001-05:002011-02-23T10:56:02.002-05:00Pop Culture and Contemporary StoriesI'm blogging about pop culture over at <a href="http://obscurekidlitauthors.blogspot.com/2011/02/does-your-pop-culture-date-your-story.html">YA Authors You've Never Heard Of</a> today. Stop by and join the conversation.christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-987468042863436432010-11-15T21:58:00.003-05:002010-11-15T22:01:45.704-05:00School NewspapersI never wrote for my high school newspaper. I'm pretty sure we had one.<div><br /></div><div>I did write for my college newspaper. I remember a fascinating story about elevators and I did a series of columns about my experience as an exchange student in London.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I never interviewed an author. Maybe I should have.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because I've been interviewed for a school paper. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jillian, a high school student who edits the <i>The Panther Press</i> did an interview with me for her school paper. How cool is that? Go <a href="http://novelreaction.com/2010/11/interview-with-author-christine-marciniak/">here</a> to read the interview!</div>christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-54252113284225986622010-11-12T07:14:00.006-05:002010-11-12T13:10:25.721-05:00Poetry Friday - I Am The Wind<a href="http://childrens-literacy.com/2010/11/11/poetry-friday-lots-of-dots-and-a-roundup-too/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 91px;" alt="" src="http://lh3.google.com/image/chndlrsblog/RlehRuSN-mI/AAAAAAAAByY/kPBHs6GZVPY/poetry%20friday%20button.JPG?imgmax=144" /></a><br />It's Poetry Friday once again, and while I toil on for my NaNoWriMo word count (more than half-way there!) I present another poem by my daughter. This one was done as a school assignment and ultimately found it's way into our local newspaper.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpxKSnuIcmB3hDAA4PBpi-mlb7yKVoRxutGTLzRr-7s2M9lC0zq1zYalrFnyqgBQvJlAe0TzkFXN4u-1YUzhP_eU0P6LCSWI8sQZ7WpVe7qyXdXpJ1U9tOGhC_IxKWK3krcXFDXTyRak/s1600/sunset+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpxKSnuIcmB3hDAA4PBpi-mlb7yKVoRxutGTLzRr-7s2M9lC0zq1zYalrFnyqgBQvJlAe0TzkFXN4u-1YUzhP_eU0P6LCSWI8sQZ7WpVe7qyXdXpJ1U9tOGhC_IxKWK3krcXFDXTyRak/s320/sunset+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538636989469970418" /></a><br /><br /><div><b></b></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I Am The Wind</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>by KRM (grade 8)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am flowing, yet wild.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wonder what its like to be still.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hear the whispering.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I see the flowers waving.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I want them to join in my dance.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am flowing, yet wild.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I pretend I make the world spin.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I feel the thrill of the dance.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I touch the clouds' hands.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I worry I will be too harsh.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I cry when someone won't dance.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am flowing, yet wild.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I understand I won't live forever.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I say, I live in the moment.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I dream the dance will live on.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I try to dance with the clouds</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope to dance all over the world.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am flowing, yet wild.</div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div>To read more poetry check out the Poetry Friday Round-up at<a href="http://childrens-literacy.com/2010/11/11/poetry-friday-lots-of-dots-and-a-roundup-too/"> Scrub-A-Dub-Tub</a>.</div></div>christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-57652870841299623882010-11-10T08:13:00.003-05:002010-11-10T08:14:46.804-05:00Keep on WritingToday I'm blogging about getting that writing done, even when life gets in the way, over at <a href="http://obscurekidlitauthors.blogspot.com/">YA Authors You've Never Heard of</a>. Stop on by.christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247511554806622802.post-77068786267785178752010-11-05T08:22:00.003-04:002010-11-05T08:31:44.519-04:00Poetry Friday - Romeo and Rosaline<a href="http://www.teachingauthors.com/2010/11/poetry-friday-roundup-and-couple-of-dog.html" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img border="0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 91px;" alt="" src="http://lh3.google.com/image/chndlrsblog/RlehRuSN-mI/AAAAAAAAByY/kPBHs6GZVPY/poetry%20friday%20button.JPG?imgmax=144"/></a><br />Finally jumping back onto the Poetry Friday bandwagon. I can do this because my daughter, the in-house poet, has agreed to supply me with new poems.<div><br /></div><div>So, here, from my thirteen-year-old is:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; "><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></b></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hello and Goodbye</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; "><b>by KRM</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Romeo you’re</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Too over-romantic</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">For me</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">To love</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Too much talk,</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Not too much love</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Romeo, don’t you</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Understand?</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">No, of course not.</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">You kiss my hand</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Foot</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Hair</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Knees</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Anything but my lips</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">You great fool</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Romeo, you know</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Nothing about love</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">You make a lover</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Want to join</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">A nunnery</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Yes, this is a break-up</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Sorry to</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Break it to you,</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">You’re a horrible</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Boyfriend, with a skull</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">As thick as stone</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">I care not if you</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Take this harshly,</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">You always seemed</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">To overreact, anyway.</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">So long,</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Farewell</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">I don’t want to see</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">The likes of you again!<br />Adieu,</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Goodbye,</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">I hope whatever</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Girl you land next</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Is as thick as you</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">So you can</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Have a fair relationship</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Instead of</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">The woman with the brains</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">And the man without.</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">I care not for Montagues</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">I’m impartial to Capulets</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">I do know</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">That</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">I’m never dating again</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Gone to live my life as a</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Carmelite Nun</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">I despise you men,</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">You make me gag.</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Do not weep over me,</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">I weep not over you.</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">I’m leaving this note</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">On thy doorstep,</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">So as not</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">To have to deal with</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Tears and begging’s,</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">“Please don’t go.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Signed,</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Yours truly,</p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; ">Rosaline </p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; "></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font-size: 13px; "><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">The Poetry Friday Roundup can be found at <a href="http://www.teachingauthors.com/2010/11/poetry-friday-roundup-and-couple-of-dog.html">Teaching Authors</a>. Go there and check it out!</span></p></span></div>christine Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800441088372947329noreply@blogger.com6