YA or Bust! 2012 Tour

After the awesomeness of the Festival of Books, I figured I would have to wait for a long while before I could attend another awesome author event. Thankfully, just a few days later I was able to hop on the freeway again, meet up with Jessica, again, (and our friend Erin), and be a part of the Orange County stop of the YA or Bust! Tour featuring Nina LaCour, Gayle Forman, and my bff Stephanie Perkins.

My apologies for the blurry photo! :(

During the FOB, Gayle, Nina, and Stephanie were also there for a signing, but with our jam packed schedule we were unable to see them, so I was happy to have the opportunity to see them in a smaller, less blazing hot venue! Thankfully, the Goddess of No Traffic was on my side and I managed to get there and arrive in time to buy copies of the book I needed signed. 

The ladies from Authors are Rockstars* were moderating the panel and started off by asking each author about their current work, and read from one of their books. Nina was up first and read from her latest book, The Disenchantments. 

I haven't read this book yet, but the little excerpt that Nina read made me SO happy I purchased it! It sounds like so much fun, I will definitely report back once I've read it! 

Next up was Gayle Forman, reading from Where She Went, the amazing sequel to her equally amazing book If I Stay. Hearing Gayle read from Adam's point of view made me remember everything I loved about her writing and the story of Adam and Mia in the first place. I almost bought another copy of both books again just to have her sign them...but my single mother's budget was seriously not amused by that.

Lastly, Stephanie Perkins (did I mention she's my bff?) read a swoony scene from one of my favorite books of all time,  Anna and the French Kiss, and I got all swoony again remembering how much I love my reigning book boyfriend, Etienne St. Clair. I might have made sure to reread a few of my favorite scenes again before I went to bed that night...you know just for old times' sake. 

After the readings, there was a Q&A from the moderators and eventually the audience. My favorite answer was from Gayle Forman regarding her writing "Do's & Don'ts". She said her do was to write in an authentic voice, and if you sound like a fifteen year old Valley Girl, you should be true to that voice and not try to sound like someone you aren't. She said that true organic writing comes from within and can't be achieved by worrying about sounding like someone you aren't or worrying about what sells. That little tidbit hit me exactly where I live...voice is something I struggle with constantly. It was good to hear that advice from someone who obviously knows what the heck she's doing!

The best part of any event for me is obviously the signing. I was able to get my freshly purchased copy of The Disenchantments signed, and also my much loved copy of Lola and the Boy Next Door. Yay for Stephanie remembering that we are besties! 

One official pic, then another to incite everyone's envy. She so obviously gets me. 

While waiting for Jessica and Erin, I was able to chat with Gayle and it turns out she's very familiar with the city I live in and used to hang out here in here when she was young. Usually no one ever knows about where I live so I was happy to discuss it with her and thank her in person for her extremely helpful words earlier that evening. Oh and if you notice how hard I am grinning in this picture, it's because when the lady behind me offered to take a pic of the two of us, Gayle referred to me as "a pal". I get all happy just thinking about it again.

This event was so much fun! We even ran into our old buddy Ava from the Tour de Nerdfighting! Her enthusiasm for YA seriously makes my life. She reminds me so much of me as a teen, you know if I would have had such a great community where I felt I belonged like she does.

Luckily I am a card carrying member of the YA community now, despite my advanced age and you know, lack of being able to finish writing a YA (or really any other genre) novel as of yet. ;-)  Good thing I keep going to amazing events like these and getting inspired...I may find myself on the other side of the podium sooner than I think!

*Be sure to check out the Authors are Rockstars podcast on the event, you can hear me shamelessly promote myself and my blog at the end!

Just for Today...

A Post in Princess Appreciation

Earlier this week, as I was skimming the 1000+ unread posts in my Google Reader, I came across this post by my one of my favorite authors, and potential bff, Meg Cabot alerting the world that April 22-28 is the first ever recognized National Princess Week. Obviously since I refer to my daughter as a princess, I'm a woman who is very believes in the power of a tiara, but I thought since the dudes at Target and Disney were so obliging to set aside a whole week to celebrate princesses, I figured I'd take a minute to tell you why.

As I've mentioned several times before, I was very lonely as a kid. My constant companions other than my siblings, were my books. I used books as an escape from the very turbulent and often unhappy atmosphere I lived in, and would imagine myself in whatever situation I was reading about whether it was Laura Ingalls living on the prairie, Anne Shirley chit-chatting her way through Avonlea, or those gold lavaliere wearing Wakefield twins as they stayed identical, 5'6, gorgeous, and aquamarine eyed, while navigating their way through all those crazy Sweet Valley shenanigans in a Fiat Spyder.

I really loved fairy tales and all of the Disney-fied versions especially held my attention. For what feels like forever, Sleeping Beauty was my favorite Disney movie of all time, not just because of the beauty of Aurora, but also because Flora, Fauna, and Merriweather were totally the shizz. How awesome would it be to have not just one but THREE fairy godmothers?

As I got older, I found myself leaning more towards Belle from Beauty and the Beast as my princess of choice. I am totally a Belle. I love to read, I'm adorable but slightly odd, I want adventure in the great white somewhere, and frankly...I think the Beast is kind of hot. I mean let's be honest, he had me at the library. 

I never actually thought I could be a princess myself. It was very rare to see a Black girls depicted as princesses so I guess in my mind it was always something of a fantasy. I was forever changed when I watched the movie Coming to America, and saw this (ok, spoiler alert...Eddie Murphy totes ends up marrying the girl from Queens)

Look at her! She's gorgeous AND she's in PINK! My 8 year old brain practically exploded at the idea of an ordinary girl from America becoming an African princess. I think it's also the first time I ever thought I could marry a prince. It's what also spiked my love of royalty, which manifested itself into a deep and abiding love for all things British, since the UK was the closest place I could think of that still had actual princes and princesses.

Since you brought up the UK...can you believe that Wills and Katie, or as their non close personal friends refer to them, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be married for one year on Sunday? That wedding was amazing. Sorry Kim Kardashian, your expensive sham publicity stunt of a wedding did not even compare.

I hope they are still in love and happy together one year later. <3

I still have an obsession with all things princess related. I realize that recently there has been a backlash against the entire princess culture because of the commercialism and negative messages it allegedly sends. I don't agree that the princess culture is damaging to young girls, especially not if they understand from the very beginning that it's a fantasy. A beautifully dressed, fun, sparkly fantasy, but still make believe at the end of the day.

If I were able to implement some of the best characteristics of a princess in mine and my daughter's life, such as inner and outer beauty, elegance, kindness, grace, courage, and dignity, then I would consider myself to be very lucky.

Speaking of princesses...three cheers for mine! Still the best girl I know, without a doubt!

Everyone go out and celebrate your inner princess today! Slap on a tiara and some lip gloss and treat yourself like the golden gift you are! 

Festival of Books 2012

I anticipate the LA Times Festival of Books like it's my birthday, Christmas, and a fifty percent off shoe sale all in one. This was my third consecutive year going to the festival and I have to say, I loved every single moment!!

The day started off early in the morning when I met up with Jessica and we hustled down the freeway to make it to our first author event of the day, an interview and signing with John Green. (cue swoon)

Yes, I know what you're thinking. Didn't I just see John Green in January at the Tour de Nerdfighting? Why yes I did, but I think you know when John Green is in my immediate vicinity, I am of course, SO there. John was being interviewed by author Lev Grossman,  who wrote an amazingly awesome review of The Fault in Our Stars in TIME magazine.

There was talk of writing, life, Nerdfighting, video games, and just all the things that make John Green awesome in general. There may have been some fangirling on my part, but I tried to keep it down to a minimum.

After the panel, we headed out into the warm April sun to get a place in line for John's book signing. Now, due to the three book limit at John's signings, it was not until this event that I was able to get my final John Green book signed! My collection is now complete! 

While Jess and I were waiting, we ran into our friend Amber, who was there at the festival with her adorable baby boy! You may remember that Amber was the third member of our little group at the epic first time I met John Green at the Festival of Books in 2010. That day was so overwhelming and exciting, that I never got a picture of the three of us together. Luckily...I always try and right past wrongs and we commandeered a Nerdfighter in front of us to snap a quick photo. (Sorry, Amber's adorable baby boy is not pictured)

When it came time to actually speak with and see John Green, I had already had a talk with Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Paul, John, George, and Ringo to give me the strength to calm the freak down and speak like a normal person. Thankfully, it worked and I was able to be engaging and delightful and not spazz out like I normally do in these types of situations. Now, I don't want to toot my own horn, but I think it's obvious that he remains captivated by me. 

After bidding John farewell (chagrin), and feeding our faces, Jess and I headed on a mad dash to a few other events to see Jessi Kirby, Siobhan Vivian, and John Corey Whaley. Once we were done we Jesus walked back over to where we saw John Green to have our fangirly minds blown once again by the incomparable Judy Blume.

Ok friends, love me through this because I'm about to get real on your arses. I was kind of a lonely kid. When you grow up looking like me and talking like me, other kids either steer clear of you or they make you the butt of all of their jokes. During that time, books were really my only friends. Instead of having my own gal pal posse, I lived vicariously through The 4 PTS's from Are You There God? It's Me Margaret, and Rachel, Allison, and Stephanie from Just As Long As We're Together. 

Judy Blume is not only hugely responsible for giving me a love of reading, she is also responsible for introducing me to the first female friendships I ever had. Long story short, I was mother freaking excited. 

When we arrived at the auditorium it was packed and there was just general happiness and excitement throughout the room. During the panel whenever Judy would mention a book title, people would cheer like we were at a Lakers game. My absolute favorite moment came when Judy started talking about her infamous book, Forever. She said she wrote it for her daughter who asked, "Mom can't there be a book about two nice kids who do it and no one dies?" HA!

After the panel, there was a naturally epic line for Judy's signing. I was willing to wait all day if necessary because as I sort of became famous (in my own mind) for saying that day, she's Judy Freaking Blume! I was more than happy to wait my turn. Thankfully we were in line with two really cool girls we ended up chatting with,  Renée and Lauren.  Renée runs a YA blog called, Alice Marvels which is so adorable I can't even stand it! We had a great time talking about books, life, and Zooey Deschanel with both ladies and it made the line move just that much faster. (sort of)

When my turn to meet Judy came, I was so nervous I could hear the ticking of my own heart! Thankfully, my talk with Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Paul, John, George, and Ringo from earlier was still working in my favor, and I managed to nervously but sincerely tell her how honored I was to meet her and how much her work has meant to me. I'm sure this experience is not at all unique to her, but it is a moment I will never forget. Please note my holding back tears face.

For the first time, I went to the second day of the festival! Sunday afternoon found me headed back to USC to meet up again with Jessica and our friend Claire for Day 2 of book nerd goodness!  I was super excited for the panel I'd made the extra trip for because it featured some of my favorite YA authors, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle, Maggie Stiefvater, and Jacqueline Woodson.

I have to say, this was probably one of the best multiple author panels I have ever experienced. As a writer, reader, and a woman, I was incredibly inspired by what these amazing ladies shared with us which was everything from race to class to dirty words to their writing process. Seriously, it was amazeballs! Also...David Levithan (editor of at least two of these authors) was in the audience and milling about the signing. I didn't talk to him or anything, because frankly, I have yet to be able to form a coherent sentence in front of the man and decided not to tempt fate.

Me with Maggie Stiefvater

Lauren Myracle, author of Shine and me, wearer of douche-y sunglasses in a picture with said fab author

The perfect ending to our day was seizing an opportunity to rest our tired, festival weary legs and hop a pedicab/rickshaw ride to the exit. Fortunately, Claire is nothing like me and always remembers to snap a picture at the perfect time, so you can share in the fun right along with us!

Are we a Noxema commercial or what?

I always leave the Festival of Books incredibly happy and exhausted and inspired by the entire experience and this time was no exception. I think this year was hands down the most exciting and just the best in general fabulousness. 

I seriously cannot wait for next year.

Friday Five (6)

Happy Friday everyone!

1. In addition to being an amazing actress, style icon, and the ability to pull off a pixie cut, I guess I have one more reason to be jealous of Michelle Williams. She has the perfect boyfriend.

Perfect boyfriend with pictures of his girlfriend on his phone is perfect.

I want to hate her just a little bit, but funnily enough I don't. I'm actually really happy for them and my silly romantic heart wants them to make it and get married and have little babies. Michelle...feel free to pass some of that single mom meets perfect boyfriend juju my way!

2. Pottermore is officially a thing! I've waited for a long time to finally know which house I'd be sorted into. Suffice it to say the anxiety I felt when answering the questions was most definitely through the roof. When I saw this, I'm pretty sure I screamed right out loud.

I really didn't think of myself as smart or clever enough to be a Ravenclaw! But I guess I am. Smart and witty! Yay! Self worth totally validated by JK Rowling and an interactive computer game!

3. If you follow me on Twitter, you'll know that I frequently complain about the noise level in my apartment complex. I live next door to a couple that frequently made the beast with two backs very loudly and um...enthusiastically when they first moved in. It's been about a year since then and now they inevitably have a baby as a result of the previously mentioned beast backing. Unfortunately that baby has colic, and apparently it's the kind that lasts forever. This past week I have slept maybe 4 hours every night.

Above me is a mother and her teenage daughter. They hate each other. How do I know you ask? They tell each other. Regularly.

Obviously I need to move. Badly. I have been saving up to move (possibly buy) for awhile and had finally reached my goal when the Foul Tempered Goddess of Bad Timing decided to make both Uncle Sam and my previously well behaved, much loved 2005 vehicle drain my bank account. Actually it was less of a drain, more of a hemorrhage. At this point we may not move until the princess graduates from high school.

4. In happier news, the LA Times Festival of Books is this weekend!!!!! Some people have Coachella or Stagecoach...I have the Festival of Books. I'm really excited about the lineup this year! So many authors I love are going to be there! I am going to nerd out so hard I can't even take it!

Did I mention that John Green and Judy Blume will be there as well? And that I have tickets for both of their panels? Does anyone think that John Green might remember me from our amazing 40 or so second encounter back in January? Do you think I might actually pass the freak out if I get to meet Judy Blume? OMG the anticipation is terrible...I hope it lasts!

5. I have no number 5. I got so excited talking about the FOB that now it is all I can think about. I have to go to work today and pretend to be a grownup when on the inside, I'm totally do this in anticipation of my weekend!

March Ides and April Showers

I don't know why it seems that for me, March goes in like a lion, and then out like a mutant zombie, foamy mouthed, lion/tiger/grouchy polar bear hybrid that lasts well into April.

But it does.

So yes, I've had quite a bit on my plate the last few weeks and I have sat at my computer to blog and simply not had the energy to do so. I made a decision at the beginning of this year to only blog when I had something of interest to say or share and not just blog so that my adoring public (all 14 of you...hello and thank you!) have something from me to read everyday.

Busy, exhausted, distracted me doesn't have much to bring to the table...hence the radio silence recently. Now things are a bit less chaotic (though not by much) and I can actually strum a couple of sentences together that make sense and may or may not be incredibly hilarious.

In order to keep this from being too big of a blab fest, I figured I'd concentrate on the positive things that have happened over the past few weeks which serves two fold in reminding me how awesomely blessed my life is, despite who chaotic and soul destroying it can seem like sometimes, and give you all a bit of insight into what's been up with me lately.

Highlight #1: The Hunger Games

I've only seen the movie twice now but holy amazingness was it exactly everything I wanted it to be! Jennifer Lawrence is so totally Katniss it's ridiculous and Josh Hutcherson was the Peeta of my mind's eye....perfection. We won't even get into Cinna Kravitz...I'll be here all day talking about him. Finally, Elizabeth Banks, please to be on notice that we are now best friends forever and I will be saying "That is MAHOGHANY!" in my sleep.

Highlight #2: Matt Nathanson at the HOB

A few days before Easter, my friend Jessica sent me a tweet asking if I wanted to see Matt Nathanson's show at the House of Blues in Anaheim. I of course immediately said and started planning my outfit. I have been a fan of Matt's for at least 4 or 5 years so to finally get the chance to see him play live as so awesome! I love his music, and was incredibly happy that near the end of the show, he played my favorite song of his, "I Saw". I may or may not have teared up a bit during this part of the show.

Side note- Did anyone else know that Prince's "Little Red Corvette" is about um, relations? I had NO idea and it seriously blew my mind when Matt did a cover and mentioned that's what it was about. Where the heck have I been?

Highlight #3: Going to Dallas

Me and Bff in 2007. I'm the one in blue. (badumbum)

While I was overwhelmed and massively emo the past few weeks I started to miss my bff who lives in Texas. She has lived there for almost 6 years now and I've never visited her due to time and budget constraints. Usually my response to missing her is checking out Priceline to see how much flights are. Turns out....super cheap! After dipping into my iPad fund*, I decided to go ahead and purchase a ticket and visit her while the princess is with her dad this summer! I'm SO excited! 

Bonus - I also get to hang out with two of my favorite people that normally live inside of my computer but are actually TX residents as well, Smash and Kelsey! Yay for traveling! Double yay for shopping for traveling! 

Highlight #5: The princess

Nothing really new to report other than that the princess is growing up incredibly fast and remains my favorite thing about my life. She says something hilarious everyday and has the biggest heart and most generous spirit. She is quite simply, the best.  

So what's been going on with you? Catch me up!

*Sadly Uncle Sam has commandeered the rest of my iPad fund. Womp. Womp.