Tera's Copying Tina

[Jessica, oh Oliver Wood-loving Jessica... you won my Valentine's giveaway but you haven't emailed me your mailing info yet... please do so or I will pick another winner]

Tina's teaser post yesterday was brilliant. (Plus, it's one a.m. and I'd like to get a bath and sleep for a little while tonight.) So I'm going to copy her meme.

According to Tina:

You open up whatever book is closest to a random page (and for purposes of the Buzz Girls Blog, let’s go with the closest YA or YA-friendly book) and select two lines. With the provision that the lines are simply teasers, not spoilers (in other words, they do not give the storyline away), you then type those two lines, along with the title and author’s name.

I've chosen Feeling Sorry For Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty (because this is the book I am currently reading and because I have a previously mentioned obsessive admiration for this author):



So anyway, I hope it's not very important if the holes in the circus tents don't get sewn up properly. I mean, I hope it doesn't mean the lions will escape or anything.

How was that for a teaser?

This is actually Jaclyn Moriarty's first book and I'm only just now allowing myself to read it. (I've had it for months.) And I still haven't let myself read her latest. I think it's for the same reason I haven't allowed myself to watch the two seasons of Angel that I bought on dvd. Because then it will be over! Then there will be only tears and much waiting.

Okay, anyone who wants to continue the meme tradition, please do so.

Hugs,
TLC

Mid-winter Writing Retreat

Well, I'm off tomorrow to meet up with my writing partners for my October non-fiction book...so I won't be around until next week. Just wanted to congratulate Heather on her book cover and Tera Lynn on her mermaid books. It's all very exciting. So much going on here at Books, Boys, Buzz.

I got tagged over on Facebook for a "25 Random Things About Me," so I thought I would respond here and tag all of our readers for whoever want to weigh in in the comment section are welcome to...and the random thing I think is the most clever...well, I'll send you a copy of any one YA book that you'd like from one of our Buzz Girls.

Here we go...

1. I've lived in four (4) states: Massachusetts, Virginia, Texas, Alabama
2. My two kitties both have six (6) toes on their back paws.
3. I'm a self-taught gourmet chef and I probably own every ridiculous kitchen gadget there is like a mango slicer and a rasper and an apple corer.
4. I can sing "O Canada" - in English and in French.
5. I think bean sprouts are the creepiest food there is.
6. I still have all four (4) wisdom teeth.
7. I used to be a child actor in the university town I grew up in. I was in The Sound of Music, The Music Man, The King and I, Showboat, Oklahoma!, and Help! Help! The Globbalinks!
8. The first time I flew was when I was five years old and my brother and I rode in a crop-dusting plane.
9. I'm allergic to tree nuts.
10. I've met three (3) United States presidents.
11. I have a photographic memory...which would have come in handy in college had I known then. Doh!
12. Watched MTV premiere in August 1981 at my fellow cheerleader, Gwen's, house. She had a satellite!
13. Can twirl a baton.
14. My hair isn't naturally curly. = )
15. I'm the baby of my family by nine (9) years.
16. My grandpa was a master carpenter on Broadway and was nominated for a Tony Award.
17. I sleep on my stomach.
18. I saw a full-bodied apparition at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado back in November. It was...amazing. Total chill bumps and tears when I realized what it was.
19. I still listen to my favorite 80s artists just like they're still on the radio: Rick Springfield, Hall and Oates, Journey, Billy Joel.
20. Has sat in the chair of the Speaker of the House.
21. I'm a cancer survivor.
22. I could eat clam chowder for every meal.
23. I'm addicted to online Sudoku...up to the "hard" level.
24. I Google myself. (LOL!)
25. Think that chocolate chip cookie dough is actually better than the baked cookies.

There you have it...25 random things about me. Now it's your turn!!

Hugs,
Marley = )

GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING (Coming May 2009, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE (Coming October 2009, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
GHOST HUNTRESS: THE REASON (Coming May 2010, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
CHRISTMAS MIRACLES (Coming October 2009, St. Martin's Press)
SORORITY 101: Zeta or Omega? (Available from Puffin Books)
SORORITY 101: The New Sisters (Available from Puffin Books)

Countdown Meme

I'm feeling flaky this week, so I'm going to fill out and post a meme instead of a real live blog post. I Googled and found a fun one at Loaded Gun Theory. (No, I don't understand the blog title, either.) It took some liberties with the list items. Here goes...

10 FAVORITES

1. Color: Turquoise (depends on the day, though)
   
2. Ice Cream: Ben & Jerry's White Russian (but, since that's been retired, I'll also say Dulce de Leche)
3. Donut: Maple Glazed (I spent formative years in Canada, where everything is maple flavored)
4. Pizza: Blackjack (a Colorado chain with the best thin crust ever)
5. Beverage: Sprite Zero (it's a toss-up between that and a Caramel Frappuccino)
   
6. Movie: (how do I choose just one??? okay...) Drive Me Crazy by Melissa Joan Hart and Adrian Grenier
   
7. TV Show: Psych (love, love, love, love, LOVE!)
   
8. Adult Book: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (hands down)
   
9. Teen Book: Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart (this is my fave now, but my fave when I was a teen was probably Congo by Michael Crichton)
   
10. Children's Book: From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg
    

9 CURRENTS

1. Current Mood: Tired but Happy.
   
2. Current Scent: Peppermint (from the bubblebath I just used up)
   
3. Current Clothes: Pink lounge pants and a black v-neck tee (almost time for Bed)
   
4. Current Desktop: An Arctic Fox all curled up.
   
5. Current Ringtone: Pocketful of Sunshine by Natasha Beddingfield (time for a new one)
   
6. Current Music: So What by P!nk
   
7. Current Time: 10:15 pm (I'm pre-posting)
   
8. Current Surrounding: The little cubby-sized Office in my apartment.
   
9. Current Event: In my life, Good Career News that I'm not allowed to share yet.
   

8 FIRSTS

1. First Pet: Muffye (golden retriever
   
2. First Kiss: Stephan (in pre-school)
3. First Crush: Joshua (but he doesn't even remember me)
4. First Car: bright orange 1976 Chevy pickup
5. First Best Friend: Anouk (in 1st grade--she died that year)
6. First Music: Mickey by Toni Basil (also in 1st grade)
   

7 LASTS

1. Last Class: probably History of Directing (from my one semester of a PhD program)
   
2. Last Drink: Diet Sprite
   
3. Last Trip: home to OKC for Christmas (yay)
   
4. Last Kiss: Mom (before she and Dad returned home on Sunday)
   
5. Last Movie Seen at the Theater: Marley and Me (with my parents at Christmas)
   
6. Last Phone Call: Dad (to talk about some website stuff)
   
7. Last CD Played: a collection of Christmas Music I made a few years ago
   

6 HAVE YOU EVERS

1. Have you ever broken the law? Traffic laws, Yes. Other laws, um, no comment.
   
2. Have you ever been arrested? No.
3. Have you ever dated one of your best guy friends? Not in an official kind of way. (So, No)
   
4. Have you ever skinny-dipped? Strictly speaking, No.
   
5. Have you ever been on TV? No, not that I know of.
   
6. Have you ever kissed someone you didn't know? Um, way No Comment.
   

5 THINGS

1. Thing you do when you're bored: Shop (at Target preferably)
   
2. Thing you're wearing: we've already covered the clothes, so I'll say Glasses
   
3. Thing you've done today: Bought Envelopes
   
4. Thing you're bothered by: Odd Numbers
   
5. Thing you can't live without: Email!

4 PLACES YOU HOPE TO TRAVEL TO

1. Buenos Aires, Argentina
   
2. Cape Town, South Africa
3. Tokyo, Japan
4. Morocco (but this list could go on forever, because I want to go everywhere)
   

3 PEOPLE YOU CAN TELL ANYTHING TO

1. My Mom
2. Sharie
3. Oh, who am I kidding. I tell everything to Everyone!
   

2 CHOICES

1. Black or White? (depends on the context) Black for clothes, White for furniture
   
2. Hot or Cold? Cold (you can always layer on more clothes)
   

1 THING YOU WANT TO DO?

1. Visit Every Continent (there are so many things I want to do--several involving the New York Times bestsellers list--but this is one I can actually control)
   

Whew, that was easy. (Okay, I lied. It wasn't easy.) Now it's your turn. Feel free to consider yourself tagged or, if you're feeling too lazy to do the whole meme, then just leave a few tidbits in the comments.

Hugs,
TLC

Diana's Meme a la TLC

I'm bringing up the rear (as always) on the meme Diana Peterfreund tagged us with weeks ago (we've been busy).

You're feeling ... exhausted but excited.

To your left ... empty Starbucks frappuccino cup.

On your mind ... final revisions of the sequel to OH. MY. GODS.

Last meal included ... calamari and cheesecake (not simultaneously).

You sometimes find it hard to ... step away from the internet.

The weather ... stormy.

Something you have a collection of ... besides books? Not much.

A smell that cheers you up ... apple cinnamon (makes me think of Fall).


A smell that can ruin your mood ... cherry.

How long since you last shaved ... twenty minutes.

The current state of your hair ... wet and in a towel.

The largest item on your desk/workspace (not computer) ... a Las Marias statue I bought in San Antonio.

Your skill with chopsticks ... adequate, but far from expert.


Which section you head for first in a bookstore ... teen and then travel.

Something you’re craving ... sleep.

Your general thoughts on the presidential race ... at this point it's not a race, it's a freakin' marathon.

How many times have you been hospitalized this year ... none (but my mom has been once).

Favorite place to go for a quiet moment ... bathtub.


You’ve always secretly thought you’d be a good ... personal assistant (I'm very good at anticipating requests).

Something that freaks you out a little ... Mega Disasters on the History Channel. It gives me nightmares about asteroids crashing into Earth, massive earthquakes, and hypercanes, but I can't stop watching.

Something you’ve eaten too much of lately ... caramel frappuccinos.

You have never ... traveled to the southern hemisphere.

You never want to ... let fear overshadow my dreams.

If there's a blogger left on the planet who hasn't been tagged with this one, consider yourself so. (Remember to let us know if you accept the tag so we can check it out.)

This is the last organized post you'll see on the Buzz Blog for awhile. We're taking summer vacation serious this year and will be going theme-less for the rest of the season! The rules are out the window and we're freestyling. Check back often 'cuz you never know what each day will bring.

Hugs,
TLC

Taking a stab at Diana's MeMe

I've just loved reading everyone's answers to Diana's meme tag. Now it's my turn!

You're feeling: It's Saturday! How do you think I feel? Relaxed. Rested. Happy that I'm not commuting. Hopeful that I can go to the beach and get some sun today.

To your left: Mike, my hubby, working on his laptop.

On your mind: My next GHOST HUNTRESS book...THE GUIDANCE. Must start writing it!

Last meal included: Pancakes and bacon...mmm....baaaaaaaacoooooon.

You sometimes find it hard to: Wake up at 5:50 a.m. each morning. Bleck.

The weather: Supposed to be in the 90's today...although it's been 55-ish and rainy the last few days. More bleck.

Something you have a collection of: Matches. I don't smoke, but I love collecting match covers. Where ever I go, if they have matches, I grab a few.

A smell that cheers you up: Chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven.

A smell that can ruin your mood: Ben-Gay. Bleck! Nassssstay. Had a guy at work the other day who lathered up in it. Not only did it put me on perpetual gag, but it gave me a splitting headache as well. I ratted him out to the Sales Manager who told him, "Dude...don't do that in here."

How long since you last shaved: Tuesday...so I could wear my cute new skirt to my niece's high school graduation.

The current state of your hair: Curly...ahhh...fresh perm.

The largest item on your desk/workspace (not computer): My printer. Or my stuffed penguin that Pam Claughton gave me when I sold my sorority books.

Your skill with chopsticks: Quite good. In fact, I have my own set of them that I use now instead of the woody ones you get with your delivery.

Which section you head for first in a bookstore: Yeah, I admit it...Young Adult. I look for my books and those of all my friends. I'm also a serial book turner...meaning, I'll face friends' books out front for all to see. I also get to visit my books now that are displayed in the front window at Borders on Boylston Street in Boston.

Something you’re craving: Fried chicken. Like, really fattening, deep-fried, crunchy crust.

Your general thoughts on the presidential race: For the first time in about eight years...hopeful. I am an unapologizing, unabashed Obama supporter and have been for him since the moment he announced that he was running. I'm quite stoked by the idea of a young president and one that's close to my age. I think it's an amazing opportunity for our great country. I just hope that no matter what people's beliefs, ideals, or preferences are...you'll get out and VOTE. It's your right as a citizen...and your vote does matter.

How many times have you been hospitalized this year: Good lord, what kind of question is that? Who's the original author of this meme? Yikes! Thank heavens, the answer is zeeeee-ro.

Favorite place to go for a quiet moment: The bathtub. A long, hot, bubble bath.

You’ve always secretly thought you’d be a good: Travel agent. I used to play travel agent when I was little. I'd make the tickets and sell them to my stuffed animals. I used to write off to chambers of commerce and get brochures of places all over the country and the world to add to my travel agent "office." Funny...my day-job is planning travel and meetings for executives in my company...maybe I secretly AM a travel agent. LOL!

Something that freaks you out a little: I can't explain why...but whenever I try to open up a can of biscuits, I KNOW it's going to make that horrendous popping sound any moment, but I still jump and scream like a little girl when the biscuits break through. Maybe I had a traumatic Jack-in-the-box experiences as a child that I don't know about.

Something you’ve eaten too much of lately: Clam chowder. Like, every day for lunch. Just ask my friend, Rebecca. I can't get enough of the stuff. If I got cut, I'd bleed creamy sauce.

You have never: Been in the Pacific Ocean. But I will change that at the end of July.

You never want to: Voluntarily jump out of an airplane. WHAT is the fun in this? Please explain to me? I don't need an adrenalin rush that badly. If I do, I'll just open a can of biscuits. {giggle}

Okay, TLC...you're tagged for the finale of this meme...

Hugs,
Marley = )

SORORITY 101: Zeta or Omega? (Available Now! Puffin Books)
SORORITY 101: The New Sisters (Available Now! Puffin Books)
GHOST HUNTRESS SERIES (Coming May 2009, Houghton Mifflin)

Screamin' Meme!

We've been tagged by Diana Peterfreund, and all week, we're going to answer the same questions...

You're feeling: Excited.

To your left: filing cabinet, table piled high with my kids’ school stuff, a treadmill.

On your mind: My daughter. She's a finalist in her school's scholarship program, and the assembly is this morning.

Last meal included: Coffee. ;)

You sometimes find it hard to: believe that people can shrug off the same kinds of things I obsess about.

The weather: June Gloom.

Something you have a collection of: rejection slips. But ha--persistence pays off!

A smell that cheers you up: gardenias.



A smell that can ruin your mood: All Ultra 2 laundry detergent. (Let’s not go there.)

How long since you last shaved: TMI!

The current state of your hair: as good as it gets.

The largest item on your desk/workspace (not computer): a notebook filled with hard copy pages of my work-in-progress.

Your skill with chopsticks: pathetic because I’m too impatient to give it the school girl try!

Which section you head for first in a bookstore: Shamelessly, Young Adult, to look for my books.




Something you’re craving: inner tranquility?

Your general thoughts on the presidential race: It is exciting to me how many younger voters are signing up to have their voices heard this year.

How many times have you been hospitalized this year: 0.

Favorite place to go for a quiet moment: my car.

You’ve always secretly thought you’d be a good: sit-com writer. Although in my heart of hearts, I know I’m not funny enough.

Something that freaks you out a little: being late.

Something you’ve eaten too much of lately: honey-mustard pretzel pieces.


You have never: ridden in a helicopter.

You never want to: experience another earthquake.

Okay, Heather, I'm passing the baton to you...

Tina