Day 5 of the blog party and we are just getting started!
Show me anyone else who gives away a free book ~ autographed by the author ~ every day for 4 weeks!
Gonna warm up the crowd with some teen music! Everyone is a teen today!
Backstreet is B-A-C-k! (see what my web designer taught me to do with YouTube?)
Carrie had so much fun yesterday that she is giving away two autographed copies of Ghost Sniffer and Other Stories. The envelope, please! Yesterday's winners are ... Kate and Susan! Ladies email me for details!
Jeannine Garsee, author of Before, After, and Somebody in Between ~AND~ Say The Word, has another book on the way... Jen writes for Bloomsbury USA. Check that out! She rocks!
Jen is the first author I met on the internet, years ago. Way back then Before/After had a different title, a working title. Then her agent or Bloomsbury's editor, can't remember the details, said the title had to change.
You have to be flexible if you're going to play in the majors. (A USA baseball term meaning the big time.) We started calling her ms (manuscript), "Martha" after the MC (main character). Psssst! I still call it 'Martha'.
Martha has a mouth on her. She doesn't go slumming, she is from the slum ~ with a big dream to be a professional cellist. As with all of us, everything goes perfectly fine and all her dreams come true by page 7 ~ NOT.
It is no small feat to get a publishing deal with a big NYC publishing house, ya know. So when Jen told me she was thinking about writing her second teen book (YA) with a gay theme, I thought, "Wow! That's a big risk for a debut author in teen lit."
When I beta read "Say The Word" I fell in love with the story. Shawna is a typical suburban teen, headed for the front row seat at medical school (more what she 'should do' rather than wants to do). Her parents are divorced ~ typical. What isn't typical is her dad. He says absolutely horrible things about her mom and mate. To my delight, Shawna's step-mom helps her... I'm not telling the rest.
The problem with Say The Word is that Shawna's BFF calls her "Chica" all the time. AND ~you guessed it~ I got that stuck in my head. For a YEAR (no kidding) CHICA was my buzz word.
Party Game: Whatever you post in the comments HAS to include the word *chica* somewhere in the post. Jen has two books to give away. Jump in and start posting!
More music...(I had help from Ella!)
Carrie sent me this one...
Ivy emailed this one to me (good luck on your day, Ivy)
I thought of this one...
From the party comments...
Coming Monday, Erin Collins! You have all weekend to go back and read the whole party. I'll be here...
The comment section is below this line. Click on the word "comments." That's where you can leave a note. eMail me if you have trouble with this...NadineLaman(at)aol.com
Friday, August 14, 2009
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When Paul Fenton stops for breakfast in a small town, he gets more than he bargained for in the process.
When two-hundred-year-old human remains are discovered on one of Neptune's moons, Earth's history falls into question.
Emily's husband persuades her to try thalidomide to ease her symptoms as she is unaware of the devastating effects.
Who is the women's shelter bomber? Melissa Ryan suspects that her husband knows.
Further developments with the Wilder family.
A hidden past shakes the O'Donovan family to its core
A swirl of emotion and choice, set in Cape Town, South Africa
Love is a constant, but it comes at a price.
When the road ahead is unclear, sometimes you have to rely on trust.
The struggle between good and evil is ages old. It gets all the more complicated when the good guys aren't all good and the bad guys have redeeming qualities.
Story of a land mothering two races of people – the light-skinned and the dark-skinned.
A gifted Ukrainian ballerina comes into possession of a mysteriously coded address book.
Six passengers' lives change for better or worse after they arrive in Honiton.
Resilience and love in a harsh and unforgiving age
Kathryn's Beach
High Tide
Storm Surge
Good morning Chica! Boy I had a ball yesterday - let's hope it goes even better for Jannine!
ReplyDeleteCarrie
Hi Chica, glad you had fun! I think everyone did. Thanks for letting me introduce you to my friends!
ReplyDeleteI know you have to run, catch ya, later -- chica!
ReplyDeleteWell, AOL+Blogger+YouTube are NOT getting along this morning. I have to restart my comp. BRB --Chica!
ReplyDeleteNever really liked this kind of teen music, more my daughter's kind of thing. Prefer r&b music from Chica go
ReplyDeleteglyn
http://glynpope.blogspot.com/
Good morning, Glyn-chica.
ReplyDeleteI had to ask Ella for some song suggestions!
Hey, did my comment show at your blog, I had such trouble with blogger on and off.
Xoxo Nadine
Hello, chickas and chickos (does that word exist? I know it does in Croatian :)
ReplyDeleteI was soooo in love with Bryan from BSB when I was fourth grade. I even had a "boyfriend" who resembled him (you know-holding hands, sharing candy cotton, cute messages etc.)
I think it's great to have issues as homosexuality in teen books. It's not like teens don't face it every day.
I agree. (chica)
ReplyDeleteJen's next book has a schizophrenic MC. Jen isn't cranking out cotton candy books. I think they have real relevance. It is actually worthwhile reading for kids rather than toothpaste.
XX Nadine
I didn't mean to say "kids" I meant to say young adults or teens.
ReplyDeleteXX Nadine-chica
Thanks for the tune, Ivy!
ReplyDeleteWe'll be here when you get back from your meeting, chica.
XX Nadine
No the comment didn't show.
ReplyDeletehttp://glynpope.blogspot.com/
Glyn, you didn't say chica...la,la,la-la.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'll come back and post again. I am not for the hair cut, that was funny about your mother-in-law.
5 AM here. I'm headed for bed, chica. Jen should be getting up soon.
Love ya guys, I'll be back in a few hours, party on.
Nadine
My daughter texted me yesterday 'mummy, can you bring me a book, I don't read and I think I shd' - I just bought Jeannine's book on Amazon! (My daughter is away in Spain at the moment - I'm off to join her next week).
ReplyDeleteCarrie
Whoops! I missed out the Chica... Shame on me.
ReplyDeleteCarrie
Me to. I thought I'd been clever enough first time around.
ReplyDeleteI heard that!
ReplyDeleteXX Chica!
HEY CHICAS!
ReplyDeleteThanks for having me, Nadine. It's almost 9 a.m. here in Cleveland and I've been up since 4!
Hello Chica Jeannine!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you! I've been to your blog and your website. Your blog always makes me laugh. Thank you for that!
xo,
Ivy
Thank you, Ivy. And thanks for reading it (sometimes I wonder if anyone stops by, lol)
ReplyDeleteBow chica wow wow!!
ReplyDeleteOkay, there's my 'chica' reference o' the day.
Great post. I'm a huge fan of Jen's writing. Her heart shines through in her books, and her blog posts are hilarious.
Ok, been busy Writng an Twittering, now I deserve some fun.
ReplyDeleteSaying a big hello to Jeannine...looking forward to touring your blog and website today.
Turn the music up please Nadine whilst I pour myself a glass of something cold and alcoholic. The weekend starts here:-
Chica, chica, chica, chica...see my fancy footwork.
Kate
X
I already bought it, got it signed, and read it. ALL of Jeanine's books ROCK!!
ReplyDelete*waves at Jeanine* It's mela_lyn/Missy. Apparently blogspot isn't liking any of my logins... *shrug*
Don't know where tha atrocious spelling came from in my last post...must have got distracted by all the Chica's. :-)
ReplyDeleteI did a log line for Jeannines book Say The Word because it intrigued me. Win or not, this one is destined to appear on my bedside table soon.
Wow! This room's filling up! I love you guys.
ReplyDeleteI'm back,, chica!
ReplyDeleteRemember every post has to include 'Chica' no fair saying it twenty times and thinking that will cover the day!
Jen,
ReplyDeleteI can just hear you, heh, heh, heh...now I can get the whole world saying, 'chica!'
I say good. Now people won't stare at me when it slips out.
Ola mi chicas, es muy bien: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_wt4XlP3pU
ReplyDeleteRemember, lurkers, ya gotta play to win!
ReplyDeleteXX chica!!!
Do I dare click on that link?
ReplyDeleteSure, Chica, go ahead! Dare ya!
ReplyDeleteDouble dog dare ya!
XX Nadine
Go on, chica, clicka da link... it's good. I happen to love this performer, Carlos Nunez. He's a ham, but he can't help it. He always wiggles like that when he plays. My favourite though is Compostela
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd3DjIXub3c
Keep on partying!!
Carrie
That was sooooo beautiful!!! Thank you!
ReplyDeletePosted Carlos' YouTube...chica!
ReplyDeleteOla, mi chiquitas!
ReplyDeleteThese songs are great! Isn't there something magical about Spanish?
Jeannine, you have an amazing sense of humor, though I think some of these situations weren't as comical to you at the moment...like the two for one toy situation...a big chica ROFL :)
Hola Chica, como estas hoy?
ReplyDeleteI see you put Lovebug here, love that! I don't really like the JB, but that song is lovely :o)
I visited Jen's site and love the descriptions for the two books, but Say The Word really caught my attention, I'd like to win that one!
I looove Hey There Delilah! Great song!
Looks like you're having fun over here, I'll try to come by more often, I promise!
Loves ya,
Ella
ps: I remember NSync from when I was little! They were BSB's competition! LMAO!
Hello Chicas,
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping me with the music, Ella!
I see you made it back in one piece, Ivy.
Hello, Jen. I knew you'd be a hit!
BRB... Nadine
Ay, mi chica Nadine..days like this make me write until my fingers fall off..
ReplyDeleteSorry, no cakes to offer today...
xo,
Ivy
Ivy,
ReplyDeleteIt went well?
Write, chica, write!
Nadine
No, mi chica Nadine, just the opposite. But never mind, I'm in the mood to parteeeee!
ReplyDeleteAh, I love you, Chica...yes, let's party!
ReplyDeleteXX Nadine
*doing the dishes and singing delilaaaaaah.....*
ReplyDeleteYou didn't say chica, Ivy!
ReplyDeleteI love that song too. Laurie from work teased me about it all the time because I love the words and his bedroom voice. She would make all the clients in the van have a 'moment of silence' while it played on the radio, then they would laugh their chica heads off and all start talking at once again!
Nadine 'chica' Laman
Hihi, busted!
ReplyDeleteDo I have to say chica too???
ReplyDeleteDang - my posts don't take... forgot what I was gonna say Chicas
ReplyDeleteoh yeah - I'll make some red velvet cup cakes - mmmm.... with chica topping!
ReplyDeleteHello Chicas,
ReplyDeleteHere on the East Coast it is almost happy hour. But I don't even need a cocktail. It makes me dizzily happy just to be with all you wonderful chicas and wannabe chicas.
All the best,
Susan (a.k.a. chica) Gabriel
Hi Susan - I'm just about to pour myself another brandy and cola, whilst watching some 'Mummy' movie and checking out the fun on here - I like that kind of multi-tasking!
ReplyDeleteIt's 9pm here in the UK.
Carrie Chica-dee
Hi Chicas!
ReplyDeleteonly 2 hrs sleep last night...had to snag a chica nap. Still 11 hrs to go on Jen's day!
Yes, Chica Jen...you HAVE to say chica, YOU are the one who got ME hooked on saying it, 'memba?
You are the best party-chicas in da world!
I love you guys!
Chica...
I took a nap, too, chicas--I've been up since four a.m. working on revisions for my next novel. I totally PASSED OUT!!
ReplyDeleteMy dear chicas, I think my party time is over for today, I'm off to study now the kid is asleep. Love ya all chicas...if the studyng gets too boring, I'll jump over for a shot of tequila!
ReplyDeleteAnd...I'm honoured to party with such a great company of chica writers.
(Okay, I know I am officialy out of the game, but I'm hooked. Chica chica chica. Thre you go. Chica.)
Thankf for stopping by, CHIC-AHHHH! :) :) :)
ReplyDeleteHeh, I can spell "thanks"--I promise!
ReplyDeleteI went into a small village today and had to negotiate a chica-ne...
ReplyDeleteIn Spain we have chica-das. Noisy little beasts!
ReplyDeleteWoah!!! I turn my back for a moment and suddenly there's a whole room full of people Chica-ing!!!
ReplyDeleteHmmm.... what would we call that...perhaps a "chirrup of chica's" or a "conglomorate of chica's"...or perhaps a "blog of chica's"... any suggestions???
I wasn't kidding when I said I had that word stuck in my head for at least a year - chica.
ReplyDeleteOh Hello person from Spain!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're here, chica!
Nadine
Hello Kate-chica!
ReplyDeleteThis is better than a secret handshake!
Later when we visit each other's blogs and leave a comment, we can add chica! It will be our secret friendship word!
Nadine
Hey maybe Carrie will write us a 'chica' song!
ReplyDeleteNadine
Jen, Chica...I love you. Thank you for being my friend through thick and thin and tons of rewrites!
ReplyDeleteNadine
I love you too, Nadine!
ReplyDeletePS Gear up for more beta-ing. :)
CHICA! I DIDN'T SAY CHICA! :o
ReplyDeleteYeah, you let me read part of that then left me haning, chica!
ReplyDeleteDamn Jen, it's YOUR word, Say THE Word! Chica, chica, chica...got it?
ReplyDeleteWant some stats, chica?
ReplyDeleteMost of the 'referrals' to the blog party are NOT from twitter or facebook attempts.
They are from...
wait for it...
other blog links!
And direct emailings
ReplyDeleteChica, let's let the marketing pros figure that out.
We have guests from...
ReplyDeleteNorway, UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Croatia (wonder who that is???), Greece, Cote d'lovire, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, United Arab Emirates - Hi Asmaa!, India, Malaysia, Austraila, Argentina, Chile, Canada...opps, I wrote down Norway twice, Belgium, New Zealand, Ireland, Barbados, Philippines, Jordan, and the USA!
bet you thought I was going to forget to write this "chica"...so far, I haven't forgotten once, I don't think.
You want to know why we are having fun? This isn't about marketing. Look at how many potential new frends we have, 98 first time visitor to this blog yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI like connecting with people, Chica. Look at all we've been through together Jen? How many versions of cover art? And when we ring each other...we chat like sisters.
For that, the internet has been a fab inventions.
Love all ya, chicas!
Jeepers, I'd better quit typing! Where are all my chica editors!
ReplyDelete*dances off to listen to Hey Deli...*
Crikey nadine...that is one great list...you international socialite you!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's midnight in the Uk and, much as I would like to stay, I have to bid you all a fond farewell.
Jeannine: Keep hold of a copy of Say The Word for me..I'm coming to get it. Great blog by the way...I have blog envy now.
Enjoy the rest of the party folks...oh, did I forget something...hmm, now what was it?
Oh Yeah...
C H I C A!!!! WooHoo!!!
Goodnight, Europe! Sweet dreams.
ReplyDeleteYou have all weekend to review the party. Make sure you've posted every day for the big prize at the end. Yes, you can post back on other dates...leave notes to previous writers on their day. It's all good. Life is too precious to sit on the sidelines.
Still daylight here in the western states. I have to fix dinner, I know other writers are going to stop by...make sure they say, 'chica' while I'm gone...
I love all you chicas! (We need to get some guy chicas so we can make them say 'chica' won't that be cute?)
Or chico!
ReplyDeleteOK, chicas. It's nine p.m. here and I'm pooping out. Thanks to everyoone who dropped by. WHAT AN AWESOME PARTY! I'll stop by tomorrow. Thanks, Nadine, for inviting me!!! ((((HUGS))))
ReplyDeleteLove ya, chica! Nite-nite!
ReplyDeleteOnly 6 PM here in the western states! I'll pop in and out...tonight and throughout the weekend.
Thank you, everyone for indulging this crazy idea. *dances off...*
Chica housekeeping, I have to shut down and defrag my comp...be back later, chica. Help yourself, got lots of food and drink...
ReplyDeleteChecking in
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work.
kevin
Hey Kev! You came! C'mon, let me introduce you to everyone!
ReplyDeleteXoXoXoX Nadine *chica*
Jen, thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteI got so caught up in 'chica' and my crazy 'slow' computer that I forgot to ask you questions about being a YA writer for a big time publisher...
Nadine
Jeannine,
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to meet you. I'm Erin Collins.
what a weekend party!
Erin