tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24810440879176348182024-03-05T09:28:45.465-05:00Chocolate for InspirationBook musings, travels and tidbits for writers.Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.comBlogger340125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-19710937248915572992013-02-23T18:18:00.002-05:002013-02-23T18:18:20.126-05:00New Website and Blog<span style="font-size: large;">I've now officially moved my blog over to my new website: </span><a href="http://www.christinafarley.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">www.christinafarley.com</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm so excited to share my new site with you, which was designed by </span><a href="http://biondostudio.com/wordpress/projects/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Denise from Biondo Studios</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These past years on blogger have been wonderful and I've gotten a chance to meet so many writers here. So it's bittersweet, but I'm excited to finally have my website and blog all in one place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you'll stop by and say hi. </span><br />
Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-82058681654660902332013-02-14T06:18:00.000-05:002013-02-14T06:18:56.335-05:00Writing Romance in Young Adult <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNLkk2qfn_pUyu4UKx7AY3SrzbUiWOtgD8Ml1Xt_RBNknwUj1ZNXVnYguqJS4FB1bKwcC6CsZBT-EdOgYmTRGlPhJnKLx1Rm3848l6xbzlQ2XxlhE5ObeH4AgasKOyIa8xMFjJe2FCQJb/s1600/Romance.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNLkk2qfn_pUyu4UKx7AY3SrzbUiWOtgD8Ml1Xt_RBNknwUj1ZNXVnYguqJS4FB1bKwcC6CsZBT-EdOgYmTRGlPhJnKLx1Rm3848l6xbzlQ2XxlhE5ObeH4AgasKOyIa8xMFjJe2FCQJb/s320/Romance.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's Valentine's Day and what better day to chat about writing romance in young adult books. One of the big areas that editors were asking for in the last three conferences I have been to is more romance in YA. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think it's important for us writers to remember that there should only be romance in the story if it's needed. It has to have an integral part of the plot and character development. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The romance should have a plot arc of it's own. This can be tricky to not fall into the cliche relationship.</span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Books that I love and give a shout out to the romance are:</span></u></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Shadow and Bone</strong> by Leigh Bardugo</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Jane</strong> by April Lindner</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>An Infidel in Paradise</strong> by S.J. Laidlaw</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Reboot</strong> by Amy Tintera</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Sanctum</strong> by Sarah Fine</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a vlog I made for you on tips for writing romance in YA:</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nuxeArnoYd4" width="560"></iframe><br />Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-37028542199648737302013-02-12T06:43:00.001-05:002013-02-12T06:43:37.713-05:00SCBWI NY and the MiGs<span style="font-size: large;">One of the best parts of going to conferences is meeting up with writing friends. Two years ago, my online crit group, The <a href="http://migwriters.blogspot.ca/p/about-us.html" target="_blank">MiG Writers</a> committed to each other that we'd all go to the SCBWI conference together. And we did!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Above you'll see a picture of all the <a href="http://www.migwriters.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">MiG Writers</a> in one place at one time! It was the first moment we got to meet together. We had so much fun talking about writing, life, publishing, well just about everything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.sjlaidlaw.com/" target="_blank">Susan Laidlaw</a> gave me an autographed copy of her book, AN INFIDEL IN PARADISE. It was such a great moment seeing this book come into a reality. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://debbieohi.com/" target="_blank">Debbie Ridpath Ohi</a> signed I'M BORED, the book she illustrated for us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.carmellavanvleet.com/Home.html" target="_blank">Carmella Van Vleet</a> and me being silly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://fallingforwords.com/" target="_blank">Kate Fall</a> and me hanging out in the lobby.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjPZg-YgLXLO6V9XxyjxqBCjSZk9fl9jGFaEpxwaz5sGGSjGnwrI7EoxQR8Oj87d0WzS8REe0M7VAgryDnKjzsQxdVGe2tzXJQudLutoShBLRnp2ySBmores8Wz_VVn5L3tuMKfky9ZY9/s1600/andrea+and+Christy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjPZg-YgLXLO6V9XxyjxqBCjSZk9fl9jGFaEpxwaz5sGGSjGnwrI7EoxQR8Oj87d0WzS8REe0M7VAgryDnKjzsQxdVGe2tzXJQudLutoShBLRnp2ySBmores8Wz_VVn5L3tuMKfky9ZY9/s320/andrea+and+Christy.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://andrea-mack.blogspot.ca/p/about-me_11.html" target="_blank">Andrea Mack</a> and me seeing each other again (She visited Florida a while back so this was my second time seeing her).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We even made a video of our time. Check it out!</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MKY77jSwNI0" width="560"></iframe><br />Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-45782844006137429542013-02-11T03:00:00.000-05:002013-02-11T08:38:23.685-05:00SCBWI NY Conference Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQgJ0oyGyqE_IZOgXe3s23KyddlT8yhJrzNENvivPilAYZ55npRt8X7llX5baP9CIb2AHkmGpmrOC0iw-XGk99XAP-gOfCeDjS63lJPHpc3Blfdn0fo18vIXn9crq2gVlaanuGwsNLNx_/s1600/Grand+Central+Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQgJ0oyGyqE_IZOgXe3s23KyddlT8yhJrzNENvivPilAYZ55npRt8X7llX5baP9CIb2AHkmGpmrOC0iw-XGk99XAP-gOfCeDjS63lJPHpc3Blfdn0fo18vIXn9crq2gVlaanuGwsNLNx_/s320/Grand+Central+Station.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The SCBWI NY conference was incredible. There just is no other word for it. The staff was helpful and I was impressed at how smoothly everything ran. They provided delicious breakfast breads and coffee (!!!!) each morning and the cocktail party was stunning and so yummy. I ate way too much of that sweet potato dish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a picture of me with Kit Grindstaff and Ruth Setton at the social.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I took tedious notes throughout the conference and if you followed the Twitter hashtag #NY13SCBWI you'll find my brief comments along with many others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a picture of my <a href="http://www.migwriters.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">MiG crit partners</a>: Andrea Mack, Susan Laidlaw, Kate Fall and Carmella Van Vleet. So fun hanging out with them!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found the conference inspiring, and within it, many gems of wisdom that I can use in my own writing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Some brief thoughts of the weekend:</u></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.megrosoff.co.uk/" target="_blank">Meg Rosoff</a> talked about not getting discouraged when others ask: "When are you going to write a real book? Like for adults?" She also encourages writers to:</span><span style="font-size: large;"> "<strong>Be flexible</strong>"</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKLy5UYa-j6mhnIYibEvPjSlZANVrHwm0xZvadoJhlDto7ZcH6KSnnyF7HUK-yi2qfYptpJ67XFeEaccbBCdJsJQOgvmeXdbh4zW22n0Gxue-xlI1MTGbjZyTlSe0DqjFSda-xyhol_Ne/s1600/molly+speaking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKLy5UYa-j6mhnIYibEvPjSlZANVrHwm0xZvadoJhlDto7ZcH6KSnnyF7HUK-yi2qfYptpJ67XFeEaccbBCdJsJQOgvmeXdbh4zW22n0Gxue-xlI1MTGbjZyTlSe0DqjFSda-xyhol_Ne/s320/molly+speaking.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVee2vzYQqo1WtvMD9-LgRbD3TkxV_TyCuWApscXV3E6vNjsVZFb7ZC7MeSoNuym7vV2_ofXUpAxUtS8mvwOoIG78ZS-jPsWN6_M912jSIFiWIIJMjs1v_exvVifu0Epi-4m4nmqRYvja/s1600/molly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<span style="font-size: large;">For my breakout session, I went to <a href="http://10blockwalk.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Molly O'Neil</a>'s talk- she's encourages writers to <strong>write with authenticity and heart. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's the line of books that Molly has edited.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next I went <a href="http://thewholemegillah.wordpress.com/2010/07/05/editors-notebook-francoise-bui-delacorte-press/" target="_blank">Francoise Bui</a>'s session because of her focus on characterization. Her three points were to <strong>build great characters you need voice, characterization and texture with in the story</strong>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.shauntan.net/" target="_blank">Shaun Tan</a>, an illustrator, spoke about the importance to <strong>not fear failure</strong>. This helps us to be free to create and experiment. Knowing you can throw out your work allows you to be uninhibited to create. I just loved that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://haddixbooks.com/" target="_blank">Margaret Peterson Haddix</a> reminded us that we must <strong>write a book for the kid that doesn't like to read</strong>. If we can do that, then the kids who do like to read will love it, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://julieandrewscollection.com/words/books-by-julie-emma/" target="_blank">Julie Andews</a> spoke with her daughter, <a href="http://julieandrewscollection.com/words/books-by-julie-emma/" target="_blank">Emma Walton Hamilton</a>. I was amazed by Andrew's presence, which seemed to fill the entire room. The two of them talked about brainstorming and then plotting since they need to work with each other to get the job done. Interestingly, they use a web cam for most of their writing sessions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since they write multiple books in a series, they realized they needed to keep the books <strong>balanced between the inevitable and the element of surprise</strong>, which can be tricky.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, <a href="http://www.mowillems.com/" target="_blank">Mo Williams</a> raced to the podium and then around the room. He was great and I laughed so hard. Williams urged us to <strong>go deeper, write what we don't know and understand so that we can explore new emotions within ourselves</strong>. He also said to <strong>not be afraid to ask the tough questions</strong>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a <a href="http://mowillemsdoodles.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-to-write-in-4-easy-steps-4-kinda.html" target="_blank">link of great advice</a> on Mo Williams's 9 Steps of Writing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and I loved this line Williams said, "Writing is like a sale at the Gap. Take off 20%!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Such a great experience. I would highly recommend this conference!</span>Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-45140456687449175072013-02-08T06:51:00.000-05:002013-02-08T08:40:58.000-05:00Day One of My New York City Trip!<span style="font-size: large;">Last weekend I went to New York City for the </span><a href="http://www.scbwi.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">SCBWI</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> conference. It was an <em>amazing</em> weekend. I'm just now able to start wrapping my head around everything that happened. As promised, I'm going to give you a recap of my weekend, but it's going to have to be in a number of blog posts because so much happened! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I stayed at the Grand Hyatt with one my MiG partners, </span><a href="http://debbieohi.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Debbie Ridpath Ohi</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. In fact, all the </span><a href="http://www.migwriters.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">MiGs</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> came for the conference and wow, we had a blast. You can check out </span><a href="http://www.migwriters.blogspot.com/2013/02/scbwi-ny-conference-recap.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">this post</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> for all the MiG pictures. Rooming with Debbie was perfect. She's the best roommate! Look for the next picture book she's illustrating, NAKED, coming out soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Friday morning, I took off to visit my publisher, Amazon Children's. I decided to walk because I wanted to experience the city. Man it was cold! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once there, I met my editor, Miriam Frank. It was wild to actually meet her in person. She took me on a tour of the office area that ACP is renting out until they move into their permanent offices. She dug through their boxes and handed me some of Skyscape's upcoming books, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Me-Invisible-Guy-Sarah-Jeffrey/dp/1477816364/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1360323904&sr=8-2&keywords=ME+AND+MY+INVISIBLE+GUY" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">ME AND MY INVISIBLE GUY</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> and </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Tree-Lindsay-Moynihan/dp/1477816348/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360323920&sr=1-1&keywords=THE+WAITING+TREE" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">THE WAITING TREE</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. So excited to read those.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">First she introduced me to Vera Soki, one of the designers, and Alan Tsai, the production manager. He also handed me a stack of picture books for my boys and classroom, which the kids LOVED. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also meet Katrina Damkoehler, the art director, who is responsible for making all those beautiful covers ACP has. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Miriam and I went out for coffee and I talked her ear off. Strangely she didn't seem to mind. But after our conversation, I realized how much we clicked and saw eye to eye on books and stories. She gave me book recommendations and had some insightful ideas for my possible sequel. I kept pinching myself because it was all too good to be reality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we went back to APC, Miriam introduced me to Marilyn Brigham, another editor, as well as Tim Ditlow, the head of Skyscape, which is the imprint GILDED will be a part of. The only person I didn't get to meet that I was hoping for was </span><a href="http://www.margerycuyler.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Margery Cuyler</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. I adore her books and was secretly hoping to snag an autograph. Margery was the one who first emailed me that they were taking GILDED to acquisitions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As much as I didn't want my time to end at ACP, I was super excited to meet my agent, Jeff Ourvan and </span><a href="http://www.jenniferlyonsliteraryagency.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Jennifer Lyons</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> who runs the agency. Jeff picked me up at ACP, and it was as if I already knew him even though it it was our first time meeting. We met Jennifer at her house. I loved how there were books everywhere. Figures she's the head of a literary agency!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, I totally forgot to get pictures with them! We were so busy talking and planning and then off to an amazing lunch, that the thought didn't even cross my mind. Next time though! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jennifer gave me a copy of their latest award winning book, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Evelyn-Serrano-Sonia-Manzano/dp/0545325056/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360324098&sr=1-1&keywords=THE+REVOLUTION+OF+EVELYN+SERRANO" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">THE REVOLUTION OF EVELYN SERRANO</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> by Sonia Manzano. It won the Pura Belpre Honor Book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After meeting Miriam, Jeff and Jennifer, I decided I am the luckiest girl on the planet to have a team of people who are excited about making GILDED become a reality. I think I literally floated for the rest of the day. No, I think I'm still floating.</span>Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-21866164898998931422013-01-30T03:00:00.000-05:002013-01-30T03:00:00.884-05:00News and Upcoming Conference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">My big news is I'm super excited to be a part of the new Skyscape imprint at Amazon Children's Publishing. For more details, you can check </span><a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/55580-amazon-children-s-publishing-names-two-new-imprints.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> where it was announced on Publisher's Weekly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow, I'll be flying out to New York City. It's going to be a whirlwind trip and I can only imagine how cold it will be. But I can't wait!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Friday my plans include meeting my editor, Miriam Frank, and all the amazing people at Skyscape. I'll be having lunch with my agent, whom I'm so excited to finally meet him in person. That night I'll be meeting a bunch of the </span><a href="http://onefourkidlit.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">OneFour members</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">, a group of debut authors for 2014 that I recently joined.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday and Sunday will be packed with the </span><a href="http://www.scbwi.org/Pages.aspx/2013-Winter-Conference-" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">SCBWI conference</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> as well as meeting the </span><a href="http://www.thelucky13s.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Lucky13s</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> for lunch and Blueboarders for drinks.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDg32iAWVsycpllkh8b0CsAUUvp80n4ALJdd5Jnxh0xNGF_IiPITdtJd6mP9VMR1oxsIt6vyjYwHLiwgYtlSdHl8H2AMlZIzu5brF8y5Z978bJShKIOEWCjncQ6W_iTBgyas5mWNDgoid/s1600/-Resources-Image-%5B399%5D2013_WinterBanner_YMH371W758A1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDg32iAWVsycpllkh8b0CsAUUvp80n4ALJdd5Jnxh0xNGF_IiPITdtJd6mP9VMR1oxsIt6vyjYwHLiwgYtlSdHl8H2AMlZIzu5brF8y5Z978bJShKIOEWCjncQ6W_iTBgyas5mWNDgoid/s320/-Resources-Image-%5B399%5D2013_WinterBanner_YMH371W758A1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But what I'm really excited about is hanging out with the </span><a href="http://migwriters.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">MiGs</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> all weekend. We promised each other two years ago to do this conference. At that time, I didn't have an agent or a book deal, but I knew I was committed to our group and to making this dream of mine to get published a reality. And now it is. Kind of wild and exciting all mixed together.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sure after the weekend is finished I'll crash. I'm planning on taking plenty of pictures which I'll post next week. If I don't freeze to death in the meantime!</span>Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-32214445937584416042013-01-29T05:58:00.002-05:002013-01-29T05:58:41.219-05:00Winner of Prophecy!<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Prophecy-The-Dragon-King-Chronicles/dp/0062091093/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357329747&sr=8-1&keywords=prophecy+by+ellen+oh" target="_blank">PROPHECY</a> by <a href="http://www.ellenoh.com/" target="_blank">Ellen Oh </a>has hit the shelves and it's time now to announce the winner of the hardcover I'm giving away!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The winner is <a href="http://outonalimbshywritergoessocial.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ruth Schiffermann</a>!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ruth, please email your address to farley dot christinaL at gmail dot com</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-20541345875322884722013-01-17T06:28:00.000-05:002013-01-17T06:28:20.603-05:00Congratulations to My Crit Partners!<span style="font-size: large;">This has been a BIG week in my world because amazing things are happening to my very dear writing friends. I am so excited to announce:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bethrevis.com/" target="_blank"><b>Beth Revis</b>'</a> released <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shades-Earth-Across-Universe-Novel/dp/1595143998/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358420473&sr=8-1&keywords=SHADES+OF+EARTH" target="_blank">SHADES OF EARTH</a> this week. Her final book in an incredible trilogy. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFIZbdlnyw9tvdSUxYKPuTR7Jl0vJG0Z4RZxstTBF540fwCbPZfwW9BrMDqPtPaa9wO_KE97fweiBalEt6uYsZacUW1tSH2abz4maUmj3AkrZBuYPwsRD0_QJHosZkdYJu6KWw7tjImNR/s1600/imagesCAZLN34K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFIZbdlnyw9tvdSUxYKPuTR7Jl0vJG0Z4RZxstTBF540fwCbPZfwW9BrMDqPtPaa9wO_KE97fweiBalEt6uYsZacUW1tSH2abz4maUmj3AkrZBuYPwsRD0_QJHosZkdYJu6KWw7tjImNR/s1600/imagesCAZLN34K.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And due to her amazing pre-order sales, as promised, Penguin sent SHADES OF EARTH into space! Check out the Entertainment Weekly video clip </span><a href="http://shelf-life.ew.com/2013/01/15/beth-revis-shades-of-earth-space-launch-video/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Beth's got more incredibleness up her sleeve. But that's all still super secret stuff right now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://debbieohi.com/" target="_blank"><b>Debbie Ridpath Ohi</b></a> announced the next book she will be illustrating with Michael Black called NAKED. Oh what a title! I can't wait to see how this book comes out. <a href="http://family-room.ew.com/2013/01/16/michael-ian-black-re-teams-with-artist-debbie-ohi-for-childrens-book-naked-exclusive/" target="_blank">Here's</a> the Entertainment Weekly announcement. Many of you are familiar with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Im-Bored-Michael-Ian-Black/dp/1442414030/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358420645&sr=1-1&keywords=i%27m+bored+michael+ian+black" target="_blank">I'M BORED</a>, her last project that she worked with him on and received that won the Notable Children's Book Award for 2012 .</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_l5gXolHTiHfsoz-z2gYfdQlKGVarYJo8YGNOXt1A7VUWpUcgYlcdp2d21ukpRkm6vdwOq2LaOA0X8lQ8ieirkYS4Y8WHhTZVIwomY4z00YvCpT2h5ZSaINZ4iJCs2JsZ0MuQsvw0eO1/s1600/NakedComicAnnounce-v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_l5gXolHTiHfsoz-z2gYfdQlKGVarYJo8YGNOXt1A7VUWpUcgYlcdp2d21ukpRkm6vdwOq2LaOA0X8lQ8ieirkYS4Y8WHhTZVIwomY4z00YvCpT2h5ZSaINZ4iJCs2JsZ0MuQsvw0eO1/s320/NakedComicAnnounce-v2.jpg" width="254" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.carmellavanvleet.com/Home.html" target="_blank">Carmella Van Vleet</a> </b>also announced her first middle grade book sale of ELIZA BING IS NOT A BIG FAT QUITTER to Holiday House. This is such a great book and the main character takes a taekwondo class. As soon as the pre-order link is up on Amazon, you'll be the first to know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, <a href="http://www.sjlaidlaw.com/" target="_blank"><b>Susan Laidlaw's</b></a> YA, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Infidel-Paradise-S-J-Laidlaw/dp/1770493042/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358420752&sr=1-1&keywords=Infidel+in+paradise" target="_blank">INFIDEL IN PARADISE</a>, will be launched into the world in less than a month! I can hardly believe it. If you haven't preordered it, do so here.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddP8KfyST40-8txXrBHLVrEge_gvo78195Chiz_NI7zvjEcFXnBhDabD2Hebmhxs1u4MQWGLb50BoZBsGaUScrtfHkr8gdpPUt0r4bV3LLs0eVfBy8HKP7DRXqDaCCcZGsEV-tFVhQUkb/s1600/51yMD1m2mHL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddP8KfyST40-8txXrBHLVrEge_gvo78195Chiz_NI7zvjEcFXnBhDabD2Hebmhxs1u4MQWGLb50BoZBsGaUScrtfHkr8gdpPUt0r4bV3LLs0eVfBy8HKP7DRXqDaCCcZGsEV-tFVhQUkb/s1600/51yMD1m2mHL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So as you can see, lots of amazingness all around. I'm thrilled to be working with such an amazing and talented group of writers.</span>Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-87658786576280743342013-01-10T02:00:00.000-05:002013-01-10T02:00:06.503-05:00Creating Unique Details in Your Setting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMfTBw0TM8zK9XCJnEv0z77VU4zG7tV49BpVSIDP-mCJyG7m1ftA3hyTNkA-nB3aG3cTxlxjD3mXFvJ9EBiZevlX6CoUXBftfIxKAFfDKTYXtEPwgpnk939Th3h7n2N1zwqvloG-66k4r/s1600/castle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMfTBw0TM8zK9XCJnEv0z77VU4zG7tV49BpVSIDP-mCJyG7m1ftA3hyTNkA-nB3aG3cTxlxjD3mXFvJ9EBiZevlX6CoUXBftfIxKAFfDKTYXtEPwgpnk939Th3h7n2N1zwqvloG-66k4r/s320/castle.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">There is nothing that kills a story quicker than when it's set in the same old setting. Like the school cafeteria or the locker scene. Don't get me wrong, you can use those settings, but my challenge to myself if I'm going to use those settings is to find something unique. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For instance, I have the cafeteria scene, but I pull out the unique details of Korea using thumbprint scanners to deduct from student's accounts. Or I have the locker scene, but then something (Sorry! No spoilers today!) very unusual happens.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDveC4Na9wocJrwD2bNjKEPF2ZyGRf2oeHvfVBCw3ZIIVdRphqFMULrfA3pDVUiDbEr0kXcCrATI3kKu6jba2XL4Yq7e4rZW2IwqA1InATKDNzejlK1AO4JwQjqMCCBiFBrdXSVIVUFT2K/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDveC4Na9wocJrwD2bNjKEPF2ZyGRf2oeHvfVBCw3ZIIVdRphqFMULrfA3pDVUiDbEr0kXcCrATI3kKu6jba2XL4Yq7e4rZW2IwqA1InATKDNzejlK1AO4JwQjqMCCBiFBrdXSVIVUFT2K/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When I was at the Hohenzollern Castle in Germany, I was overwhelmed by all the details that the builders put into the design of the buildings. I couldn't resist chatting about how important using <strong>unique</strong> details creates a <strong>unique</strong> story.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You can check it out here:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yUVkOtJUtjk" width="560"></iframe><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What are ways that you incorporate details in your settings?</span>Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-10010894951753314502013-01-04T15:25:00.000-05:002013-01-04T15:41:03.131-05:00PROPHECY Hits the Shelves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2QUVBD2G5cC2HvxYEZ9-hY70eMtlwBiOGbAbjXu1evDNoSC3-tGQoTrNDwM9Lh7fMI1IWWfpURm-Mr6gj11qflVKI2K54fw9zP2kF1LkEUWprie0OI-QrzjnOxO7f26nV0TX2QJJok2r/s1600/Prophecy+final+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2QUVBD2G5cC2HvxYEZ9-hY70eMtlwBiOGbAbjXu1evDNoSC3-tGQoTrNDwM9Lh7fMI1IWWfpURm-Mr6gj11qflVKI2K54fw9zP2kF1LkEUWprie0OI-QrzjnOxO7f26nV0TX2QJJok2r/s1600/Prophecy+final+cover.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span id="goog_308446787"></span><span id="goog_308446788"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It's finally here! </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Prophecy-The-Dragon-King-Chronicles/dp/0062091093/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357329747&sr=8-1&keywords=prophecy+by+ellen+oh" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">PROPHECY</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> by Ellen Oh. I am beyond excited for this book and I have so much love for it and Ellen herself.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I read an early draft of this book way back when Ellen and I manuscript swapped. She read GILDED and I read PROPHECY so it's kind of an amazing thing to see our books debuting in 2013.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">What I love about PROPHECY:</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>1. The setting</strong>- Hello, ancient Korea. It doesn't get much better than that. So automatically, it hits my winner category.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>2. The premise</strong>- Fighter girl who saves her people. My type of book.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>3. The Korean mythology</strong>- After writing GILDED, I find it intriguing to see how other authors pull the ancient myths into their own stories and Ellen does such a great job with this.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>4. The cover</strong>- Tell me that's not gorgeous.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>5. The fight scenes</strong>- If you're looking for a good action-packed quest with thrilling fight scenes, you really need to read this book.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7O30r-R0b6v9C_Lqnei9j_jjEEAmZ4b8-hRAFl-er38rvGAZ0VFn2fHl4-bjEHH1lRK_DiT5jIxFuQVbeesHu27LKKx_zBdwy5oCZZeTQcvIo1cR-Pa7hQ_3RW6h2s7Ez9v_8041wDe9/s1600/ellen_145_retouched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7O30r-R0b6v9C_Lqnei9j_jjEEAmZ4b8-hRAFl-er38rvGAZ0VFn2fHl4-bjEHH1lRK_DiT5jIxFuQVbeesHu27LKKx_zBdwy5oCZZeTQcvIo1cR-Pa7hQ_3RW6h2s7Ez9v_8041wDe9/s1600/ellen_145_retouched.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To stalk Ellen, you can find her on </span><a href="http://www.ellenoh.com/index1.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">website</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">, </span><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/elloecho" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Twitter</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> or </span><a href="http://elloellenoh.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Tumblr</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Don't forget to add </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4559822.Ellen_Oh" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">PROPHECY to your Goodreads list</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">! And get your own copy </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Prophecy-The-Dragon-King-Chronicles/dp/0062091093/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357329747&sr=8-1&keywords=prophecy+by+ellen+oh" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">here </span></a><span style="font-size: large;">to add to your bookshelf collection.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Or make a comment below and WIN a copy for yourself. Tweet this post for an extra entry.</span>Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-34731521594758010622013-01-02T01:00:00.000-05:002013-01-02T06:37:36.074-05:00Bring the YA2U Book Tour to Orlando!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZQJRyLV72STnAcczarex0NOZwoZHxd9pM0KOGklNYj6VrPqO3T1O0CrNzkDyC9AW0czBP6_3c-_LnPjbJhy8Y4yK7DPl0WPFoihKDpFI4wX7h94cOAhqV4DSCizcdTrvkPkprUOGRYlx/s1600/YA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZQJRyLV72STnAcczarex0NOZwoZHxd9pM0KOGklNYj6VrPqO3T1O0CrNzkDyC9AW0czBP6_3c-_LnPjbJhy8Y4yK7DPl0WPFoihKDpFI4wX7h94cOAhqV4DSCizcdTrvkPkprUOGRYlx/s1600/YA.png" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Have you ever wished
that a big YA book tour would make a stop in your hometown? <span style="font-family: Times;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />
Well, I have and here's the chance to make my wish to come true! </span><a href="http://ya2u.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">YA2U</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> is a program that
features five award-winning and best-selling authors who are holding a contest
to see what city they should visit in an exclusive tour stop!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: large;">The authors are </span><a href="http://ya2u.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">collecting votes</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> from
January 1 to February 15, and any city in the continental US or any Canadian
city that has an international airport can win an exclusive visit from all five
authors, including an author panel and book signing! </span><a href="http://ya2u.blogspot.com/p/contest-entry-form.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Entering
is super easy</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">--and if you help spread the word about the contest, you
can also enter win a signed copy of all of their books (TEN signed books in
total!)--and the book contest is open internationally!<br /><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><a href="http://ya2u.blogspot.com/p/the-authors.html"><span style="font-size: large;">The authors in
the program are</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>
</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><a href="http://marielu.org/"><span style="font-size: large;">Marie Lu</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">, the <i>New
York Times</i> best-selling author of <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4342215.Marie_Lu">Legend</a></i> and
the upcoming <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4342215.Marie_Lu">Prodigy</a></i></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><a href="http://www.marissameyer.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Marissa Meyer</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">, the
<i>New York Times</i> best-selling author of
<i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4684322.Marissa_Meyer">Cinder</a></i> and
the upcoming <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4684322.Marissa_Meyer">Scarlet</a></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><a href="http://bethrevis.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Beth Revis</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">, the
<i>New York Times</i> best-selling author of
<i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2192858">Across the
Universe</a></i>, <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2192858">A Million
Suns</a></i>, and the upcoming <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2192858">Shades of
Earth</a></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><a href="http://www.victoriaschwab.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Victoria Schwab</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">,
author of <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3099544.Victoria_Schwab">The
Near Witch</a></i> and the highly-anticipated
upcoming <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3099544.Victoria_Schwab">The
Archived</a></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><a href="http://www.meganshepherd.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Megan Shepherd</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">,
author of the debut novel<i> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5108399.Megan_Shepherd">The
Madman's Daughter</a></i></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiILMmc_p4Wf37rp0BaoRSQRTU2xp_k1ofaXaKrcHoi4I5TYaHqPP4J2ps0m5KBPu0dYoBqtrUnV1oE7R_PTk9wzrjD0OEEVokO_etrtRYPqk9tAEwY9BFUnu-tP4YQgB5UQPaW8HpqD6/s1600/ya2u+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiILMmc_p4Wf37rp0BaoRSQRTU2xp_k1ofaXaKrcHoi4I5TYaHqPP4J2ps0m5KBPu0dYoBqtrUnV1oE7R_PTk9wzrjD0OEEVokO_etrtRYPqk9tAEwY9BFUnu-tP4YQgB5UQPaW8HpqD6/s320/ya2u+books.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: large;">And they want to have
an event in <i>your</i> home town! To participate, just
got to </span><a href="http://ya2u.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">the YA2U website
</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">and let them know what city you want them to come to. And while
you're there, help spread the word about the contest and you can be entered to
win all of their books--TEN signed books in total! </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Here's why
the </span><a href="http://ya2u.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">YA2U</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> Team
should come to MY hometown! </span></b></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">1. <strong>Orlando is has everything</strong>: Disney, Universal, Sea World. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Cambria; font-size: large;">2. <strong>Orlando is centrally located</strong>. It's like smack middle of the state. People can come from everywhere.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Cambria; font-size: large;">3. Often, <strong>Florida often gets overlooked</strong> on book tours. </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Cambria; font-size: large;">4. Great <strong>weather</strong> year round.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Cambria; font-size: large;">5. <strong>Beaches</strong>- Your choice, gulf or Atlantic- on either side. </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Cambria; font-size: large;">6. <strong>The shopping</strong>- Malls and outlets. It's a shopper's paradise.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Cambria; font-size: large;">7. We've got a great Barnes & Noble by University of Central Florida.</span></div>
<o:p></o:p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Why should
the </span><a href="http://ya2u.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">YA2U</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> Team
come to <i>your</i> hometown?</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> Why not
join in the fun today and share with others about this program and your
hometown. The more votes your town gets, the closer you are to having your very
own personal tour stop! </span><a href="http://ya2u.blogspot.com/p/contest-entry-form.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Vote for
YOUR town here!</span></a></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">And if you help
spread the word, you can also participate in the book giveaway. Tell them that
you learned about <a href="http://ya2u.blogspot.com/">YA2U</a>
from me and we both get extra entries in the contest! </span></span><br />
<o:p></o:p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9ac44a10/" id="rc-9ac44a10" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-size: large;">a Rafflecopter
giveaway</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-11020500997125108092013-01-01T02:00:00.000-05:002013-01-01T05:08:10.041-05:00A Lucky 2013!<span style="font-size: large;">It's here! 2013. The year my YA, GILDED, will launch into the world. I'm beyond excited. I don't even know how to tell you other than pages and pages of exclamation marks which would be annoying and you'd never want to visit my blog or read my book again. So I won't succumb you to that.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Instead, I'm excited to tell you that the <a href="http://www.thelucky13s.blogspot.com/2012/12/our-debut-year-eve-contest.html#comment-form" target="_blank">The Lucky 13ers</a> are celebrating 2013 by having an awesome contest to kick off the new year. And I'm participating. One lucky winner will win a giant swag pack from 20 debut authors! <a href="http://www.thelucky13s.blogspot.com/2012/12/our-debut-year-eve-contest.html#comment-form" target="_blank">Check it out here.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Or you can head over to the <a href="http://migwriters.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-migs-2013-goals.html" target="_blank">MiGs</a> where we're talking about our writing goals. I've a long list that I'm hoping to acheive. Wish me luck.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And if you get a chance, you can vote for </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16173250-gilded" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">GILDED</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> on any of </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/list/book/16173250" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">these Listopias</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> over on Goodreads.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So what are you most excited about for 2013? It's going to be a lucky year and I'm wishing you all the luck that this upcoming years has to hold.</span>Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-79957680854527449242012-12-24T09:31:00.000-05:002012-12-24T09:31:05.605-05:00Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!<span style="font-size: large;">First of all, thank you to everyone who supported the Publishing Hearts for Connecticut. They were able to raise $5,500 for those families and victims of the Sandy Hook incident. It really showed that there is hope and goodness in the hearts of people.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Check out my </span><a href="http://migwriters.blogspot.com/2012/12/asking-santa-for-agent.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">blog post over at the MiG's</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> on what to ask if you get that agent call.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I will be taking a short break from blogging to enjoy the holidays (and get some writing projects finished too!).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And then it's 2013!!!! I'm super excited about this year because this is my pub year!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This time of year can be extremely busy and hectic but I'm hoping you'll find peace and joy through it all. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!</span>Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-12715821806868892712012-12-18T18:47:00.002-05:002012-12-19T19:11:46.596-05:00Publishing Hearts Connecticut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFoglhnK44JetJxNPHQiUSOAabye22Fp4J6Pj5kOc1BwQI84_p9zyGZ2cCAxyCMOLvstZKdMtoFhqDIAMIa6SqgKtN2W-Z4NikFbuOuUesA9TqgyBrLF3UOzYbImuptmWs6zPDBk0buMy/s1600/newtown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFoglhnK44JetJxNPHQiUSOAabye22Fp4J6Pj5kOc1BwQI84_p9zyGZ2cCAxyCMOLvstZKdMtoFhqDIAMIa6SqgKtN2W-Z4NikFbuOuUesA9TqgyBrLF3UOzYbImuptmWs6zPDBk0buMy/s1600/newtown.jpeg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This past week has been a tough time for our nation with those who we lost in Connecticut. As an elementary teacher myself, the incidents that occured really hit home for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="description">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am so thankful for the </span><a href="http://pubheartsconn.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Publishing Hearts Connecticut</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> that has formed this week. This is a fundraiser in the publishing industry to benefit
families and victims of the Connecticut Sandy Hook Shooting. All donations will be made directly to the </span><a href="http://newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org/donate.php" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Newtown Connecticut Youth and Family Services</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. </span></div>
<div class="description">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="description">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am honored to be able to donate a query and a 25-page manuscript critique for this event. Follow this </span><a href="http://pubheartsconn.blogspot.com/2012/12/query-critiquefirst-25-page-critique.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">link</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> to make a bid. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I strongly urge you to support this need either through promoting the event on Facebook or Twitter, or bid on one of the many items being offered.</span></div>
Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-8450390502575694232012-12-15T05:53:00.002-05:002012-12-15T05:53:50.454-05:00The Challenges of the Publishing Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvMA8swPgCbR7_j4-hXZR4H8HWZYy3YQP2Wv3ToM_fmYh43hTSPfh72Phyphenhyphen20pEwEkQF3W7y-vAuk5yNO8pqaJs1HDENgvfJqqRkl8Dnmk6cVpa8BO0wozJYEc8tUKVcSjV0AKT2aQ2VU8/s1600/Lucky_13s_Design_reasonably_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvMA8swPgCbR7_j4-hXZR4H8HWZYy3YQP2Wv3ToM_fmYh43hTSPfh72Phyphenhyphen20pEwEkQF3W7y-vAuk5yNO8pqaJs1HDENgvfJqqRkl8Dnmk6cVpa8BO0wozJYEc8tUKVcSjV0AKT2aQ2VU8/s1600/Lucky_13s_Design_reasonably_small.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I'm vlogging over at </span><a href="http://thelucky13s.blogspot.com/2012/12/every-little-step.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">The Lucky 13s</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. This week we are discussing what the hardest part of the publishing journey has been for us so far. When I sat down to talk about it, I realized there is no "easy" involved. Just lots of hard. But one part isn't necessarily harder than the next. Each step of the journey has it's own challenges. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://thelucky13s.blogspot.com/2012/12/every-little-step.html" target="_blank">I hope you'll stop by and say hi</a>.</span>Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-47003147433507555272012-12-13T19:27:00.001-05:002012-12-13T19:27:28.707-05:00Winner of Sanctum<span style="font-size: large;">I am happy to announce the winner of <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13482750-sanctum" target="_blank">Sanctum</a> by Sarah Fine is <span dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/13380615566351521664" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Medeia Sharif</span></a>! Congrats! Email me your address at farley dot christinal at gmail.</span></span>Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-55685415518241213812012-12-06T03:00:00.000-05:002012-12-06T03:00:06.460-05:00Author Skype Visits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLrDp1t2TaYsQx05X6bkDXb2_XAmcOg7LekFdFkxWpvZgppdeZ_4vPvpRifT_bca9uYJur0KVdAlsSzS-oIQL2U0tN6lqj4LLeGyjT6UW9Im2Pkz5DzSurMq1xdlYHZiEqeH_fpa4bTxm/s1600/Skyping+with+Christy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLrDp1t2TaYsQx05X6bkDXb2_XAmcOg7LekFdFkxWpvZgppdeZ_4vPvpRifT_bca9uYJur0KVdAlsSzS-oIQL2U0tN6lqj4LLeGyjT6UW9Im2Pkz5DzSurMq1xdlYHZiEqeH_fpa4bTxm/s320/Skyping+with+Christy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Not long ago, I had my first Author Skype Visit. It was so much fun and I would definitely do it again. My previous school that I taught at, Seoul Foreign School in Seoul, Korea, has a program where they take a week off from studies and explore other cultures or areas of expertise. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the programs is a writing course where students learn about how to write as well as tour and write around Seoul. My presentation kicked off their week and I hope inspired them in their writing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">How I did it:</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1. First I set up a Skype account for me as an author. This was separate from my personal account.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. I emailed the school my account details as well as an agenda of our visit and handouts for the students to use throughout their week of writing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. About 30 minutes before the visit, I set up my area where my computer was. I even had 'props' to show the students an insider's view on how I write and what I do.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Once we were connected, I introduced myself and gave them a background of my writing experiences and what my upcoming book was about.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Their teacher had the student's prepare questions to ask me. This was really fun because it gave me a chance to go into more details on how I work as a writer.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. At the end of our time, I promised them bookmarks once they were designed. If I were to already have my book out, I would've emailed the class bookmarks and personalized autographed bookplates for each student. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Things to keep aware of:</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1. Skype might blink out and you get disconnected. Don't panic. Just decide ahead of time who is going to call who to get reconnected.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. I had some time lags on my end. Stay calm and and ask the student's to repeat their question.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. In my situation, I couldn't see the whole class at one time, only when the students came up to the camera in groups. I felt like I was talking to the wall so I had to 'imagine' a whole class in front of me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Remember to smile and speak clearly.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gmBe_EpWY0BAV2yPsOXsyyNzpP8WDoJ70glQWYRsK1J7mb33tDjpURigEj9UyQHXB7gjLiZ92b1CRsjm82Rpnyqfz9EHKWCpSdrGMzzoYmQH8gbS2EJOAeK5M-Sf0PnkCZK4gOSXuzX2/s1600/Skyping+with+Christy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gmBe_EpWY0BAV2yPsOXsyyNzpP8WDoJ70glQWYRsK1J7mb33tDjpURigEj9UyQHXB7gjLiZ92b1CRsjm82Rpnyqfz9EHKWCpSdrGMzzoYmQH8gbS2EJOAeK5M-Sf0PnkCZK4gOSXuzX2/s320/Skyping+with+Christy+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Great links on Skype you should check out:</span></strong><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://authorskypetour.livejournal.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://authorskypetour.livejournal.com/</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/printissuecurrentissue/886352-427/an_author_in_every_classroom.html.csp"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/printissuecurrentissue/886352-427/an_author_in_every_classroom.html.csp</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://kmessner.livejournal.com/106020.html"><span style="font-size: large;">http://kmessner.livejournal.com/106020.html</span></a></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever participated in a skype visit as an author or audience? What was your experience like?</span>Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-31456003338349413862012-12-03T04:00:00.000-05:002012-12-03T04:00:06.642-05:00Using a Plot Grid<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of weeks ago I mentioned pulling out my plot grid when I was revising a manuscript and promised to talk more about that later. Now that NaNo is finished and many of you have a very rough draft in place, it's key to pull out or create a plot grid.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Why have a plot grid?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>1.</strong> <strong>Plotting</strong>- Gives you a bird's eye view of the structure of your plot. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm a sucker for a good plot. Especially one that's unpredictable. Of course, creating an unpredictable plot is another whole blog post for another day. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>2. Character Appearances</strong>- Allows you to see how often and which one of your characters appear throughout the book.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>3. Setting</strong>- Where is your story taking place? Are you switching up your setting? To me nothing is more boring than bouncing your characters between the school cafeteria and home. Please don't do that. At least for my sake.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, you're probably wondering what a plot grid looks like and how to put it together. Click </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7scxURmK5KhRnZuQ3B5WUx2UkE/edit" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> for the word document that I use. If you have a mystery plot, check </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B7scxURmK5KhRGMwNVhyeHZPbW8" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">this plot grid</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can also watch my vlog on how to make a bigger version of this. Personally, I need both.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CEjC3ri7UEo" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So what do you find is helpful to making sure your plot flows, doesn't lag, and isn't filled with holes?</span>Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-37325358292980391152012-11-29T02:00:00.000-05:002012-11-29T06:38:58.565-05:00Review and Giveaway of SANCTUM <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oeQF172DYH0AXivuKP8mWoj8QAoGUyvoF4d9342uEAOr67AADJBYhfgKjzOoPH-Ci0PT4zD6-8vtfnN1hmH7Z97-ocqKJgsw-1fse1ZjF5CHP09i1YcBKLI5lp-WYrM3WRHcUxrE2h9y/s1600/images2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oeQF172DYH0AXivuKP8mWoj8QAoGUyvoF4d9342uEAOr67AADJBYhfgKjzOoPH-Ci0PT4zD6-8vtfnN1hmH7Z97-ocqKJgsw-1fse1ZjF5CHP09i1YcBKLI5lp-WYrM3WRHcUxrE2h9y/s1600/images2.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have been excited to review for you </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sanctum-Guards-Shadowlands-Sarah-Fine/dp/1612184421/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351505290&sr=8-1&keywords=sanctum+sarah+fine" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">SANCTUM</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> by Sarah Fine. Honestly, I wasn't sure how Fine would deal with the issue of suicide, which is ultimately what this book was about. But she creates characters and a world that are both intriguing and so real that I was sucked in from the get-go. </span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Blurb from Amazon:</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>"My plan: Get into the city. Get Nadia. Find a way out. Simple."</em><em>
</em><em>A week ago, seventeen-year-old Lela Santos’s best friend, Nadia, killed
herself. Today, thanks to a farewell ritual gone awry, Lela is standing in
paradise, looking upon a vast gated city in the distance – hell. No one
willingly walks through the Suicide Gates, into a place smothered in darkness
and infested with depraved creatures. </em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">But Lela isn’t just anyone – she’s
determined to save her best friend’s soul, even if it means sacrificing her
eternal afterlife.</span></em></div>
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<span class="swSprite s_expandChevron"></span><a class="showMore" href="http://www.amazon.com/Sanctum-Guards-Shadowlands-Sarah-Fine/dp/1612184421/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351505290&sr=8-1&keywords=sanctum+sarah+fine#"><span style="font-size: large;">Show More</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span class="swSprite s_collapseChevron"></span><a class="showLess" href="http://www.amazon.com/Sanctum-Guards-Shadowlands-Sarah-Fine/dp/1612184421/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351505290&sr=8-1&keywords=sanctum+sarah+fine#"><span style="font-size: large;">Show Less</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlJ0V8iuahZrzJpVn5SH2tgMLKHZ2C1pJhsWLrpOMwAJX3qr45HA8w1DuRibaMnJ9uDL6hvs-_xTnVA7IUvar5ex-SSav0xvUsm3k-psGRatRfTqcLHkhlSJhcUugMvPIcZytwd8ef29a/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlJ0V8iuahZrzJpVn5SH2tgMLKHZ2C1pJhsWLrpOMwAJX3qr45HA8w1DuRibaMnJ9uDL6hvs-_xTnVA7IUvar5ex-SSav0xvUsm3k-psGRatRfTqcLHkhlSJhcUugMvPIcZytwd8ef29a/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>What I love about this book:</strong> There really is so much to love about Fine's writing. She brings a unique twist on Heaven and Hell, which allows readers to look at the tough issue of suicide and rape in a different light. Her characters are real people. Nadia ,who is bogged down in the pressures of our society to be perfect. Lela, the "bad girl" who struggles to get her life on track despite no support from home. And yet despite these girls differences, how much they need each other to survive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>What makes this book unique:</strong> The concept of this book blew me away. Fine created a whole new world to set her story in, including characters such as Mazikins (demons). This allowed her to deal with issues teens face today by taking readers away from their own world and reliving those same conflicts in a fantasy setting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Why you should read it</strong>: The romance, oh the romance. Malachi is hot, hot, hot. Do I need to say more?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>My favorite line</strong>: "Either you're a Mazikin, and I will destroy you, or you are ready to go before the Judge and get out of this city."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeNyeawGBux7Iqur8yeuMTHNhjL6xWNR6bhTtCngp7m5RWrQJnNCci1VgeJu6treHv_Gs95dmTZWx8YBki8NaF6vMaJBbdj0LaXnTf-2xydQNNF_xzYA381Zkc51nEMnrtnC8TCwY0KTm/s1600/0929b46d8bf40ac1d1883c_L__V149353247_SX200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeNyeawGBux7Iqur8yeuMTHNhjL6xWNR6bhTtCngp7m5RWrQJnNCci1VgeJu6treHv_Gs95dmTZWx8YBki8NaF6vMaJBbdj0LaXnTf-2xydQNNF_xzYA381Zkc51nEMnrtnC8TCwY0KTm/s1600/0929b46d8bf40ac1d1883c_L__V149353247_SX200_.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stalk Sarah Fine on her </span><a href="http://sarahfinebooks.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">website</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> or <span id="goog_401808126"></span></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Twitter<span id="goog_401808127"></span></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm also giving away my ARC to one person who comments below. Giveaway open to North American residents. Ends Dec. 9th.</span>Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-90516824612301647642012-11-27T20:03:00.002-05:002012-11-27T20:03:30.967-05:00GILDED is on Goodreads!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz2bq-2DZj7cPRwI9GkBq4kSk_dpil-gO46BTtOCV69pyMocu_TUtTvhk3lgILOT-Ve4gVlhMHS_NIJ6nctMpoP6reS3T_O3RfPQHdmlrCz_NSaPHgrDfJnj1K6okuZ_QWjKqzbHnBB1c/s1600/imagesCA3KZ0B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz2bq-2DZj7cPRwI9GkBq4kSk_dpil-gO46BTtOCV69pyMocu_TUtTvhk3lgILOT-Ve4gVlhMHS_NIJ6nctMpoP6reS3T_O3RfPQHdmlrCz_NSaPHgrDfJnj1K6okuZ_QWjKqzbHnBB1c/s1600/imagesCA3KZ0B4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">GILDED is now on Goodreads. My emotions are all jumbled up right now. Excitement. Scared. Freaking out (this is REALLY happening!). And so so happy. My dream is coming true.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'd love you forever if you'd add GILDED to your Goodreads "read list". </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16173250-gilded" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Click here to find it</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many of you have been reading my blog since I started this journey as a writer. Thank you for cheering me on and being totally amazing</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQB8VJGiD0Jx4G4uU0JnWVd_u9rVKvO1Uph0YH8h6U8nn1fksaN-dT5V7bQ2tDl0b4U65XDX9YlXBBw_P6I4zX0EkMH4r1xD_yK7z9Bn-t1YCI9Poe6wr41kAK0pgIi4xZrZE8lWup8I-F/s1600/imagesCAEYE3F5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQB8VJGiD0Jx4G4uU0JnWVd_u9rVKvO1Uph0YH8h6U8nn1fksaN-dT5V7bQ2tDl0b4U65XDX9YlXBBw_P6I4zX0EkMH4r1xD_yK7z9Bn-t1YCI9Poe6wr41kAK0pgIi4xZrZE8lWup8I-F/s1600/imagesCAEYE3F5.jpg" /></a></div>
Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-61369546053361283132012-11-26T08:00:00.000-05:002012-11-26T08:00:06.293-05:00The Lucky13's- Creating a Playlist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO48GERsbanDSOOG3VnyyPY2-iXk4Av23y_3cmAQ1lDn6Wzyu_7fGzBQnW3jPIh79slWS-MGyVXNAr-6SAoO2uCzMmVkNEBfztEqnGqSbkU4uTiQuw5lhP0bfe02I1T_YUTyYWSfp5F6uo/s1600/Lucky_13s_Design_reasonably_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO48GERsbanDSOOG3VnyyPY2-iXk4Av23y_3cmAQ1lDn6Wzyu_7fGzBQnW3jPIh79slWS-MGyVXNAr-6SAoO2uCzMmVkNEBfztEqnGqSbkU4uTiQuw5lhP0bfe02I1T_YUTyYWSfp5F6uo/s1600/Lucky_13s_Design_reasonably_small.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever made a playlist for your book? I'm totally addicted to them. Check out my post <a href="http://thelucky13s.blogspot.com/2012/11/creating-playlist-for-your-novel.html" target="_blank">here on The Lucky 13's blog</a> for the why's and how's to have one for your book.</span>Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-15756514075044208922012-11-25T21:51:00.001-05:002012-11-25T21:51:04.525-05:00Winner! And Stuff<span style="font-size: large;">It's been a while since I've posted. I've been very busy lately. You know, eating turkey, consuming heaps of birthday cake and writing, writing, writing. It's been a great month and I'm so excited about December because it's just one month away from 2013, my debut year!!!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, so I'm just a teeny, tiny bit excited over 2013. But you really can't blame me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today I get to announce my winner of RENEGADE by J.A. Souders. It goes to Akoss! Just pop me an email with your address and I'll send you that gorgeous book. My email is farley dot christina L at gmail dot com.</span>Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-75490419179115946052012-11-14T06:35:00.000-05:002012-11-14T15:21:50.223-05:00Book Launch for RENEGADE<span style="font-size: large;">Last night my friends, </span><a href="http://lchardesty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Larissa</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">, </span><a href="http://taragallina.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Tara</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">, <a href="http://elizabethprats.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Liz </a>and I headed to downtown Orlando to attend </span><a href="http://jasouders.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Jessica Souders'</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> book launch for </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Renegade-Elysium-Chronicles-J-A-Souders/dp/0765332450/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1352891926&sr=8-12&keywords=renegade" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">RENEGADE</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. Jess had her launch in a cool, high-rise, open-spaced office area. This was one of the locations that inspired the setting for RENEGADE.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQeSCxEBeuKc1-7M6hF1tjEeEVtu8mAv0soipTuq6ZN7GAL6K0p2l3ayDQf5gyqYuT5UMIHbvnq43_68yX1bC_ZRdivP0omfrJD1HWBfmu6JqhlFgcoYvuWstQwJBLwpIUAMOhdtJziDJ/s1600/Cool+Setting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQeSCxEBeuKc1-7M6hF1tjEeEVtu8mAv0soipTuq6ZN7GAL6K0p2l3ayDQf5gyqYuT5UMIHbvnq43_68yX1bC_ZRdivP0omfrJD1HWBfmu6JqhlFgcoYvuWstQwJBLwpIUAMOhdtJziDJ/s320/Cool+Setting.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were stacks of yummy food and these adorable cupcakes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We jumped in line and got the last of the books she had. Jess signed them with her tagline, "Never forget". I even got an extra autographed copy for you guys to give away at the end of this post!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfzlc0jq7B6RUK_SMwQFym6MImzR5vmYoKsYghAHu0Bsn__3UgdPIS84jeSBZQUwnXknEMxs0mBytb4_BlpG9GphHNA-h73AI1CJ-S8DW6B5Wy4SB-zNCvz7UvyqlwmSc7xw-Lx2EXxhQ/s1600/Autograph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfzlc0jq7B6RUK_SMwQFym6MImzR5vmYoKsYghAHu0Bsn__3UgdPIS84jeSBZQUwnXknEMxs0mBytb4_BlpG9GphHNA-h73AI1CJ-S8DW6B5Wy4SB-zNCvz7UvyqlwmSc7xw-Lx2EXxhQ/s320/Autograph.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then we decided to make Jess cry by giving her an engraved bookmark with her book's cover on it and the famous line from her book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Jess and Me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jess read a portion of the first chapter. Very moving. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Group shot!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VHyYukkl36_g-yG7HSgpZkb6KrLR3z3_hwxCLcViziI1b_U7JQS7pbMHwcud8EKeTVtiji0BjnRjfz3gJVwGDtx0FQdK6AHT6g2Q-rYJ3lCCkAi-RF7cj73Zv6lbOw8sEqP5-yzArBr1/s1600/Group+Shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VHyYukkl36_g-yG7HSgpZkb6KrLR3z3_hwxCLcViziI1b_U7JQS7pbMHwcud8EKeTVtiji0BjnRjfz3gJVwGDtx0FQdK6AHT6g2Q-rYJ3lCCkAi-RF7cj73Zv6lbOw8sEqP5-yzArBr1/s320/Group+Shot.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had such a fun time hanging out and celebrating Jess' big day. I won't ever forget when she first got her editorial letter and later reading her revisions of RENEGADE. Last night was so exciting to see it all come together into a beautiful book to hold. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you haven't read RENEGADE, I highly recommend it. It's full of action, mystery and romance. And if you haven't, then enter my contest below. I'm giving away an autographed copy and swag (bookmark, pins and a magnet). Just enter the form by Nov. 24th!</span><br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d096d36/" id="rc-d096d36" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-size: large;">a Rafflecopter giveaway</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></span>Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-79440076250858240402012-11-05T01:30:00.000-05:002012-11-05T01:30:03.176-05:00Prepping to Write a Novel<span style="font-size: large;">NaNo is underway and I've been plugging away at my next novel. If you're mildly interested, I've started storyboarding it over </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/christinafarley/storyboard-gilded-book-2/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> on Pinterest. I'm so hooked on Pinterest with having pictures relating to my novels. They're great visuals for me to use as I'm writing and adding details to the settings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the things that's helped me write my first drafts quickly is prepping for my novel. I do a lot of my research in advance. This book, just like <strong>Gilded</strong>, required lots of research to make sure my details were correct. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also plot out my novels in detail and imagine the story in my head so I know what feel I want the novel to have.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you're getting ready to prep for your next novel, check out my vlog for ideas:</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3chpYaMLYxg" width="560"></iframe><br />Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481044087917634818.post-68017172680911882552012-11-01T01:00:00.000-04:002012-11-01T01:00:06.966-04:00NaNo Starts Today!<span style="font-size: large;">I'm doing NaNo this year. I know. Crazy idea. I will be sleep deprived. I will be haunting Starbucks. But I'm determined to get most, if not nearly all, of this writing project I'm working on finished. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Any of you doing NaNo? If you are, sending luck your way!</span>Christina Farleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03459203755170266842noreply@blogger.com8