mary e. pearson

On Sunday I met my daughter for lunch, and Karen being Karen, she told me I hadn't blogged in a long time. I knew it has been a little while but . . .



wow, where did the month go? We are more than halfway through November! Well, I have been a tad busy. Just in the month of November, there have been birthdays, baby showers (Hooray, another baby in the family!), unexpected dental appointments (oh, joy), a few foggy Benedryl days due to allergies, and the very sad passing of two dear friend's dogs.

And workwise I have been busier than ever. I am in the middle of trying to do a major overhaul to my website--hopefully it will be done soon. I've also had a couple of interviews via my publisher to get done. Oh! And I was interviewed for the Winter Blog Blast tour over at Miss Erin's and talked a little about the writing process including the joys of working in PJs. You can check out the whole schedule over at Chasing Ray.

I was also very busy preparing for a writing workshop I gave on polishing manuscripts last weekend. Sarah, one of the participants blogged a bit about it here. It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun too. Those who came were well-prepared which really made a difference.

And now I am busy getting ready to go to ALAN in Philadelphia where I am on a panel with my editor talking about how we work together. A lot of other LJ'ers are going to be at ALAN too, sarazarr , joknowles , thunderchikin , professornana , pambachorz , and elockhar I am sure there are more I missed? I hope I get go to all of their panels.

I am going to try to Tweet from Philadelphia--pics of panels and such--so check in at my twitter too, for news from ALAN. And since I get home the day before Thanksgiving, I will be doing my Thanksgiving shopping this week. Turkeys and stuffing, here I come. (Flu, please stay away from me on the plane.)

Oh, and somewhere in all of this, I have been working on my manuscript too. Of course, my nudging daughter knows this because she has been asking for installments, which I am nearly out of at this point so I really want to buckle down when I return from ALAN and just write. What a thought.

If I don't get a chance to check in before then, I hope you all have a wonderful (and healthy) Thanksgiving holiday.

I'm talking with Tabitha Olson over at  Writer Musings  about present tense, writing process, work space, and more. 

Come share your thoughts.  Or ask a question!

Oh!  I almost forgot! 

On Friday our Miles Between road trip was featured in an article in Publisher's Weekly .   Love the title they used.

And OMG.  Any writer will tell you this, but there is something so wonderful when someone writes a review and they "get it" from top to bottom.  It is more than that you're happy about a nice review.  It is a feeling like you have had a conversation.  You didn't just go on this journey alone.  That's how I felt when I read this blog review by Diane Chen over at School Library Journal. 

And I have to admit, that I loved that she was "sideswiped."

Guess where The Miles Between  road trip  has taken us now?



Talk about coincidence!  How perfectly appropriate that the ARC is visiting a town where at least a billion librarians are descending this week!  (is that a hint or what?)

And OMG, our road trip blogger took some really fun pictures.  Lions and tigers and . . .  oh my!  Her pictures made me smile and sigh as I recalled my past visits to this wonderful city.  (It is also my mother's hometown so I know she would have been especially proud to see the ARC strutting down the streets.)   And I loved how the ARC fit so perfectly into . . . well, you will just have to go look.  Let her know which one is your favorite picture.

Our road trip blogger also sent me a very nice note about The Miles Between saying, "I loved the book! It made me cry, but in a good way."    Thanks, KT!  Like I've said before, only an author is happy when they make someone cry.  I hope she had a few laughs in there too.

Speaking of which . . .

Over at Presenting Lenore book blog there is a review of The Miles Between where she says, "Not only does it explore deep topics such as the nature of fate and the role of coincidence in our lives but it is also full of zany fun."  Yay for fun too! 

She also says a lot of other very nice things.  Thanks, Lenore.  There's a short interview too, where I talk a little bit about coincidence. In the comments, Lenore invites readers to share their coincidences or dream road trips.  So hop on over there and share yours.  You might win one of five free ARCS she is giving away!

And last but not least,  Readingjunky (I love that name ; ) has written a review that made me want to cry.  I guess what goes around comes around.  She says, "Mary E. Pearson weaves together an amazing and tragic tale as she turns four acquaintances into true friends. The range of emotions packed into this novel will take readers from laughter to tears and everything in between. This is a must read due out this September."    You can read the whole review over at TeenReadsToo.

I am really enjoying seeing all the places that you live and love.  This has been one of the best road trips I've ever taken.  I wonder where we will visit next.

It is amazing how everything comes in spurts--especially if you go away for a few days.  Hunter develped a hot spot on his forehead (allergies--he always gets them in spring) and I have been cleaning and spraying and keeping a close eye on it.  One year it spread like wildfire and he had to have the top of his head shaved.  Poor guy--he looked like the bald bear in the movie The Great Outdoors with John Candy.  He was quite a sight.

 But among the "hot spots" and piles waiting for me when I got home this weekend were some nice surprise too. I received the Golden Kite Honor Award plaque for The Adoration of Jenna Fox in the mail!   It will be a while before I can hang it, but that kind of clutter I don't mind.



I also had a new review of THE MILES BETWEEN over at The Well Read Child, that had me floating.  Snorting, crying, and laughing--you can't make an author any happier than that.

There was also a newspaper article waiting for me.  A reporter from the San Diego Union Tribune had come to my house a couple of weeks ago because he was doing a story on the San Diego Children's Book Festival and he wanted to interview one of the authors who would be there.  No, that is not my livingroom in the picture.  I met with a photgrapher down at our local coffee house, La Costa Coffee and Roasting, where I sometimes write and of course, drink coffee.  Coffee seems to be an ongoing theme in my day today.

maryrobinette said I should post a picture of the dress I wore to the Nortons, but I didn't have any full length pics, but I thought I would post the purse I took.  I think it is the first time I ever used it, because, well, it doesn't really go with the jeans I usually wear.  It was given to me by a friend as a thank you gift after I went and talked to her women's book club ("really, Nona, it was so unneccessary . . ."  But yes!  I'm glad she did!)



and here is some of the detail:



Cool, huh?  I may just have to start using it with jeans anyway, because I don't go to snazzy events that often.

And last but certainly not least, on Monday my friend melissawyatt birthed her second book, Funny How Things Change.  Yes, she is my friend, but yes, it is truly an awesome, amazing, and hot book.  Hop on over and spray her with confetti.  She deserves it.

Can you believe it? 

But I've been looking forward to March for quite a while because the Readergirlz is letting me "hang" out with them for the month. I've been impressed with Readergirlz ever since they debuted two years ago and posted their Manifesta.

Go books!
Go strong girls!
Go readergirlz!

And they continue to impress me with things like  Operation Teen Book Drop (which is next month!)


  So I was really honored when they wanted to feature The Adoration of Jenna Fox for the month of March.  They have a million ways for readers to get to know books, authors, chat, and interact.  Well maybe not a million but close to it!

First their website with lots of info about The Adoration of Jenna Fox including some quick trivia like what my "dream book tour" would be.

Next, their Myspace Forums where readers can discuss the book and ask any questions they are curious about.

They also have a Readergirlz Blog  where they have posed the question "What are you self-conscious about?" Jenna was self-conscious about several things including the way she walked.   I remember when I was a teen . . .

You can also check in with the Readergirlz Divas at Facebook where they have more juicy things to discuss, like how far you would go to save someone YOU love?

Hope I see you there!

I'm not very good at submerging. 

But bestbookihavenotread just posted in interview with moi, that includes a rare glimpse of my cleaned up workspace.  Wonders never cease.  Must remember this because it is already way more cluttered.  White surface space is good.  Stacks of books and paper are already taking over . . .

And as long as I've surfaced, did you know that Dreyers Samoa Cookie ice cream is now in stores?  Sorry.  Forget I told you.

Now really back to submerged and long hand. 

Wait.  One more thing.   A bit of inspiration I read this morning:

"The thoughts available today, the ideas ready to flow, will not be bestowed tomorrow.  Tomorrow's shipment may be equally good.  It may even be better.  But today's ideas, as they would have been expressed today, are probably gone."   --from Walking on Alligators

Writer friends, don't miss the uniqueness of this day of writing.

Now, really and truly submerging,  I won't be back until I have bestowed a file name to this baby.

Since I have been shaken out of lurkdom--by the very earth itself no less!–I figured I would peek a little farther out of my hole.

I’ve been in Revisionland. My deadline is mid-August, and I have been going back and forth with emails and phone calls with my editor and I think we are nearly there. Whew.

Of course, in the midst of working on my road trip book, I took my very own road trip. I planned to work on the manuscript while on the road, but you know how that goes. I was seeing and doing too many things to remember, um, oh, that I had a book that was due? (Which explains current deep lurkdom)

My husband and I hit the road without a clue where we were going except for our first night where we stayed in Santa Ynez. Over the next couple of weeks when I get a chance I will post a picture here and there. I love California. Love every inch of it. And this trip sure made me proud of it.

Other updates . . .
While down under in Revisionland, I got the happy news that The Adoration of Jenna Fox has sold foreign rights to Latin America. So, olé! Jenna will be coming to you in Spanish!

Horn Book Magazine did a podcast of summer reads and it was fun to "hear" how the editors reacted to JENNA.

And last but not least, while I was at ALA, Ed Spicer of Spicy Reads filmed Nancy Werlin and I interviewing each other about our books. It was a very unreahearsed impromtu little interview (as will be quite apparent ) but it was fun. Our interview is right below

halseanderson 's which he did last year.

Check out his teen reviews while you're there. It's always inspiring to hear teen talk about books. 

Back to the last tweaks . . . (I hope)

 

 

 

1. Love what everyone had to say about stereotypes yesterday. I wonder if writerross has a pretty Bertha in her future . . .

2. At BEA I did an impromptu interview for School Library Journal's new online teen newsletter. I thought it was quite interesting that the interviewer, Dodie Ownes, picked up on the "grandmother theme" in my last two books. I think it is probably something you wouldn't notice if you hadn't read them back to back. hm. Do I have grandmother issues?

3. In other book news: Our own d_michiko_f has posted an interview with me on her website.
Also, The Adoration of Jenna Fox is an ALAN's Picks for the month of June on their newly redesigned site.

4. Simply awesome: JK Rowling's speech at the Harvard commencement.
http://harvardmagazine.com/go/jkrowling.html
Gives you a lot to ponder on the absolute need for imagination.

5. Sun is shining. I love summer.

But my guess was right about Matt Lauer in Laos. I know all my nyms!

It's the small thrills, right? And I really suck at Jeopardy so I take what I can. (Maybe I should start watching Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?)

And I meant to post in my middle of the night blog post(this is what happens when you don't have coffee) that Cynthia Leitich Smith posted an interview with me on her blog yesterday about my latest book and writing.

Also, I just got the news that friend and writer, Lisa Harkrader, has won the William Allen White Award (the Kansas state award) for her book Airball: My Life in Briefs. Well deserved! Cheers for Lisa and Airball!

I missed the clue for tomorrow's Where in the World is Matt Lauer, but I think I am too tired to think anyway. Unless it is really easy.

Coffee . . .

. . . with wings!



I posted this picture a while back but it seemed like a good way to bring in the roar of March.

Small Joys: I was up early this morning bailing dirty water out of my old rust bucket washing machine that decided to quit working once it was full of water. Okay, that is not the joy. They just delivered my new washer and dryer! I am actually looking forward to doing laundry today. That is, if I can figure out what all the buttons do. Welcome to my glamorous (but clean ; ) life.

A Star! The Adoration of Jenna Fox has received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly! I loved this: [Pearson] “raises the ante in unexpected ways until the very last page.”

An interview: Little Willow aka slayground has interviewed me over at her blog. I thought her question about the “other” Mary Pearson was interesting, I do love jazz but don’t have a single musical note in my body.

More Book News: There have been some wonderful reviews on the blogosphere in the last couple of weeks for JENNA. I am so happy that reviewers have not created spoilers. It is not an easy task and I have a newfound appreciation of how much skill it takes to write one that doesn’t give it all away.
Many thanks to slayground for her wonderful review. And also thanks to Tez at Urban Fantasy Land for another great spoiler-free review! And then I just saw that Carlie Webber posted an awesome review over at A Chair, Fireplace, & ATea Cozy. Wow.

My cup runneth over! Thank you all!

Happy Birthday: To Jana! Yay! Now you are as old as me! ; )

My Space: I have had my myspace for a whole month now! I've stumbled on quite a few LJers, but if I have missed you, make yourselves known!

Yep, in like a lion. It’s only the first and March is roaring. Now off to read the directions on my new washer. Wish me luck. There are at least a thousand buttons . . .

I will be the guest at the ALAN Book Club chat
tonight 9 ET, 6 PT, and chatting about A ROOM ON LORELEI STREET (among other things??) so if you get a chance, come yak!

RAIN . . .
California has finally broken its drought. It rained, it hailed, and yes, we even had a bonafide tornado in our area last night that lifted out a giant eucalyptus tree. I have a friend who was thinking about moving to California because of all the sunshine, so this serves as a full disclosure notice to her.

MY CLAIM TO FAME . . .
I was reading an interview of Joan Didion and she mentioned a book she admired and my eyes nearly fell out of my head when I saw what it was. The book is Holy Land: A Suburban Memoir, and holy mackerel, if it isn’t about Lakewood, California, the town where I grew up! I ordered the book and have been reading bits each night before I go to bed. It is a poetic, episodic book about this post war suburb where all these tiny two and three bedroom houses were built at the same time and they all pretty much looked alike. When the author, D.J.Waldie, described the doors on his father’s house, I thought, yes! Those were my doors! My parents lived in that house for 45 years and only gave it up when it became too much for them to care for. I love Lakewood still. It was predicted that it would become a slum, but the predictors were wrong. It grew into a beautiful town with lots of parks and close knit neighborhoods and few people ever move away. I lived there from birth until I was eighteen and got married (yes, I know that’s young, but that is for another post.) Oh! And yes, there is a real Lorelei street there!

OKAY, THE GOLDEN KITE . . .
I promised details. Lin Oliver called. It was a lot like one of those "first editor calls." It totally catches you off guard. When I answered the phone and she asked for Mary Pearson, I thought, hm, what is she selling. And then when she told me AROLS won the Golden Kite Award, my very articulate response was “you’re kidding.” I don’t remember a lot of what I babbled after that, but I do remember when she mentioned stickers. I love stickers. And I love shiny ones. Maybe I am part fish. Seriously though, it is way cool to be honored by a writing organization and writers who understand what it is like to face a blank page and make a story come out of it. I am invited to LA to accept the award this August at their National Conference and I will be doing a workshop too, so if you will be at the conference, say hello!

AN INTERVIEW . . .
I was recently interviewed by Liz Burns for Pop Goes the Library. If you have any favorite Seinfeld quotes I didn’t mention, tell me what they are. Oh, and one of my favorites that I forgot: Shrinkage! Ya gotta love, George.

WEBSITE . . .
I updated my website–God Bless, godaddy–they are my new web host and they are so much easier to update with. I had so many problems with AOL. Now when I update, it works first time, every time. It just might encourage me to update more often. Anyway, one of the pages I updated was my LINKS page and I added the Charity Navigator. It’s a very useful site to check out charities before you give to them. Oh, and I added Bookworm to the links page too, under “fun stuff.” Fair warning: It can be addictive. My all time best? 175,000 points. But usually I get cocky and rearrange letters so a hailstorm of hot tiles come down and I burn up. Oh, to live dangerously.

***

I’ve been podcasted!

Okay, maybe this doesn’t sound like I’ve been abducted by aliens to you more tech savvy folks. But it's a first for me.

The lovely Miranda Doyle, teen librarian at the San Francisco Public Library and also the creator of TeenLibrarian.com interviewed me about writing and A Room on Lorelei Street. You can listen to the interview here.

Oh my god, do I really sound like that!? I guess we never really hear our voices as others do. It was a fun interview, though strange too, because afterwards I wondered, WHAT did I say?

(Hmm, I wish I had a little alien icon to go with this post. My favorite aliens: the ones in Toy Story who are clutched by the mechanical claw.)