My Holiday Vacation read - A great MG book - Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies

I got a lot of books and a KINDLE!! (more about that in another post) for Christmas. I want to tell you about MODELS DON'T EAT CHOCOLATE COOKIES because it was a really good, fast, lol-funny book that is great for tweens (9-13, and even older).
The 411:
When Celeste’s meddling aunt enters her in the Miss Husky Peach Pageant for “larger sized girls,” the eighth-grader quails at the thought of the teasing that’s sure to follow, though the idea of modeling has its appeal. Reasoning that if she loses enough weight, she’ll be ineligible for the contest, Celeste finds the motivation to skip snacks and even to exercise. Along the way, she begins to express her individuality through the unlikely vehicle of a beauty contest. Successes, flops, humiliations, and recoveries are all part of the pageant process, and even girls who don’t see themselves as potential models will enjoy Celeste’s account of her experiences. The wry first-person narrative also provides convincing views of middle-school friendships, family dynamics, and incremental personal growth. The ending may be a bit too rosy for absolute realism, but readers rooting for Celeste won’t complain. A light, well-paced first novel.
The recommendation: Your tween girl will love it. Congratulations to Erin Dionne on her wonderful debut novel. Her second book can be pre-ordered from her THE TOTAL TRAGEDY OF A GIRL NAMED HAMLET can be pre-ordered from erindionne.com.

The Christmas Post

It took Christmas in the air, twenty inches of snow, cabin fever, a blinking tree, and our favorite old Christmas book for us to huddle up for story time. We used to do this a LOT more when the kids were younger. But, now with our busy lives filled with work, school, sports, playdates, TV, computer and Wii, we don't much anymore, which doesn't make any sense because we all love it.

But recently the conditions were just right to snuggle and read from The Tall Book of Christmas (pictured). This well-worn book is a compilation of familiar favorites and lesser-known stories dating back to 1904. Reading together from this old book (origin long forgotten, maybe my dad's) has become a wonderful holiday tradition. Reading is like that, isn't it? Timeless.

The story we read was one you might not know: "The Story of the First Christmas Tree." In it a woodcutter has lost his way in the night. The good fairies of the forest light tree after tree in the snowy woods to guide him home. I just love that...the lights in the forest leading him home. Similarly this little old book has the ability to draw us "home"...around a twinkly tree sharing a story and a peaceful heart.

My holiday wish for my friends and family is just that: Hearts filled with peace that maybe, just maybe, with the help of an occasional good story, stays with you long after the snow melts.

Christmas Trivia: "The Story of First Christmas Tree" references Santa's eight reindeer. It's copywrited 1948, which led me and my three fellow researchers to question exactly when Rudolph became mainstream. Here's the answer: The character, story and song were invented as part of a retail store (Montgomery Ward) ad in 1939. While the original story is not in the public doman, rights were sold for a television special in 1964. It wasn't until that time that Rudolph then became part of Christmas folklore. (Thank you, Wikipedia. I just adore you.)

Announcement: I am NOT sending Christmas cards (again) this year

Does this mean I'm a Grinch? Not at all. I like Christmas. Not as much as Halloween, but I like it.

You can call me a Grinch and I wouldn't mind. He's cute, and furry and green, and, let's face it, his theme song rocks!
I wonder if Dr. Seuss knew when he sat down to pen When The Grinch Stole Christmas that it would be a classic? I mean don't all writers, somewhere in our private psyche, imagine that our current project will live on long after our deaths? Don't we imagine that Literature students at an ivy-clad University in New England will study our work and our lives and gawk at the genius??
Okay, reality pill, maybe we imagine favorable reviews, four stars on Amazon.com, a few on-line interviews, and cool tweets.

Back to the topic of this post - the Christmas Cards... Historically I've sent a vast distribution of photo cards. Last year I was pressed with work and chores that I said, "I'll take a year off." A weight fell off my shoulders. So when the decision "to send or not to send" came up this year, it was a no-brainer.

But, please don't stop sending me your cards. I love getting pictures of the kids.

In closing, some Grinch trivia: The town of Whoville and the mountain of which the Grinch lives were based on the Town of Easthampton, Massachusetts and the overlooking mountain named Mount Tom. Easthampton and Mount Tom are just north of Springfield, MA where Dr. Seuss grew up. (Thank you, Wikipedia. I'm not ashamed to admit that I've got a thing for you ;)

Formerly knows as KELLY QUINN'S SECRET COOKING CLUB

It's official. KELLY QUINN'S SECRET COOKING CLUB has a new title: JUST ADD MAGIC. It's exciting, snappy, short, commercial, and according to my market research (sample of 3), the audience LOVES it!
The change to JUST ADD MAGIC took a little getting used to, but with the support of a fantabulous agent and a wondertastic editor, I'm adjusting.
Remember the name: JUST ADD MAGIC.
ps- I've been really good and I'm hoping Santa puts some cover art in my stocking.

First Draft Mode

I am totally in the throws of first draft mode.
What does it look like? Not pretty.
I am just on-on-on all the time...except when I'm asleep. Actually, that's not true, because for the last several days, when I'm asleep, I'm noodling plot and character. The muses whisper in my ear, more ideas that any one human can possibly contemplate. When I'm awake, my fingers can't type fast enough to keep up with my brain. My synapses fire constantly, on overdrive, a thousand firecrackers in my head.
I have all the ideas, the outline fleshed out, the characters pictured in my head (most of them), a mental image of the backdrop. I know how I want the conflicts to pan out and be resolved. I know what the mystery is and how it will be solved. I also know some of my personal challenges with this project:
1) Keeping it middle grade when it creeps to YA.
2) Adding in a sweet girly relationship that hasn't yet made itself apparent. But, I have confidence it will come as I write the scenes. And if it doesn't, that's why I have my peeps, my writing group. The WIPS (Works in Progress can pin point issues, back those suckers into a corner, and suggest solutions.
This is like being on a wonderful first date that won't end until I get it all down on paper which is coming fast, but not fast enough.
I'm torn between rushing to get this rough first draft down, and not wanting this rush to end.
The project is under wraps for now, but if it pans out as fabulously as I see it in my head, I won't be able to keep it secret for long.

The Thing About Spelling Tests

Here's the thing with spelling tests: You HAVE all the answers before the test.

Some Days are Like That...Even in Australia

Just one-of-those-days.

A Time for Vampires

The 50s are known for Rock-around-the-Clock. The 60s for the Beatles and hippies, the 70s for bell-bottoms and The Brady Bunch, the 80s for big hair, the 90s for rap and George Clooney, but what will the first decade of the new millinium be known for?
I pose this: Reality TV, Uggs, Expensive Coffee, LOL and Vampires.
Each of these warrant meaty analysis, but since Halloween (the BEST holiday of the year) is days away, let's talk about Fangers.
Bram Stoker wrote Dracula in 1987, and while he didn't invent the notion of Vampires (we have multi-cultured folklore to thank for that), he did give us a vampire character with Count Dracul. Since Stoker, vampires have been part of stories, movies and TV. They've been scary, funny, and sexy. Not only has each subsequent writer taken the rules of vampire magic and added a bit, they've continued to main-stream the creatures. Today's Blood Suckers intergrate vampires into society. They're in high school, at our restaurants, even dating the living.
To take things to the next level, authors have invited Shapeshifters ("Shifters")to the scene more often. Who knows, maybe a Shifter will be the Clooney of the 2010s.

Was Stoker a genius? Was he before his time? Who knows, but it's a pretty awesome power for an author. The power to create something so fantastic that it lives on for over 110 years.

Kudos, Bram.

Devil's Kiss

You've probably heard the buzz about Sarwat Chadda's Devil's Kiss, which I am currently in the middle of and loving. Sarwat is a Greenhouse Literary Sibling, and pretty much a rock star at the moment as he's been touring and interviewing about this new release.
Here's the 411:
Billi SanGreal is the first girl in the Knights Templar, and the most kick ass weapon-wielding heroine around. At fifteen, her life is a rigorous and brutal round of weapons practice, demon killing and occult lore – and a whole lot of bruises. But then, she didn’t have much choice. Her father, the Templar Master, forced her to take this path. There is no sacrifice Arthur will not make in his war against the Unholy. But Billi hates the Order, and she hates him too. Tempted by a chance to live a different kind of life and reject everything her father wants her to be, she learns to her horror that she may unwittingly have brought down the Tenth Plague upon humanity – the death of all first born. Faced with choosing her destiny, she must make sacrifices greater than she could have imagined.
The trailer:
And, BOOKS have trailers now. Here it is: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWWuTslNfYI

Some things I say to myself:

As my own best friend, I tell myself things. Recently, I've noticed that I'm saying some things (to myself) alot.

1. That guy/chick should get pulled over for driving like that.
2. You've gotta be KIDDING me...
3. That's one weird dude.
4. It is what it is.
5. No. Freakin. Way.
6. I'll let it cook and think about it later.
7. Verrrry interrresting....
8. THAT could be a great character.
9. I've gotta write that down. (Then, I don't and I forget what it was.)
10. I should make a list...

So, I Want a Title,...For Me, Not a Book

Not for a book...in front of my name. Somewhere in history there was a need to specify marital status, and/or profession (tweaked for gender) upon first mention of a name. So, society developed Mr, Miss, Mrs, Ms, Dr, Counselor, Majesty, and Your Honor.
These tags are not only efficient, but are also an excellent means to brand oneself. However, in modern times, we're more casual, and often don't use titles. You could even argue that they are passe. But, it still has a certain je ne said quoi. And I want one.
It's not like I don't have any. I've got "Mrs", "Coach", and my personal favorite "Mom", which is truly the best title of all. But these don't capture everything about me...all my "kwon" (if you can name the movie that made "kwon" a household term, you rock!).
Here's the short list of things about me that I want my title to capture: I'm also a pet parent, writer, business professional, caring daughter, sister, awesome friend, life coach (to messed up friends and coworkers), master organizer, deep thinker, avid reader, cool dresser, great listener, secret keeper, blanket maker, creative consultant, multi-tasker, chief problem solver, career consultant, and finder of anything lost (or not lost, but responder to someone who yells..."Where's the...", but that peeve is for another day).

I'm thinking Exalted Artisan or "Exhaltisan" (abbreviated Extn.)

Extn. Cindy Callaghan
Cindy Callaghan, Exhaltisan
Callaghan, Self-Proclaimed Exhaltisan

I need to sleep on this for a few days.

The Book That Changed Me

Michael Connelly's THE POET is, undoubtedly, the book (maybe I should say, the first book) that changed the way I feel about reading and writing; and thus, changed a lot in my life.
I can't continue until I make a confession. Librarians and teachers aren't going to like this. But here it is: Unlike most readers and writers, I didn't have a childhood filled with the love of books. Actually, I didn't read a book for enjoyment until I was about twenty-six years old. Seriously, I never read Judy Blume or Trixie Beldin (my BFF Chris read those) or Nancy Drew...none. But, (and this is a big BUT) I always wrote stories, and poems, even plays.
As an undergraduate English major, and French literature minor, and I read only what I absolutely HAD to, which familiarized me with a vast array of fancy writers and poets. I did well in a Shakespeare class. I loved studying Shakespeare...I did not, however, enjoy reading Shakespeare, (I opted to watch the BBC movie version whenever possible) or Chaucer or Thoreau. Yet, I admire, like and respect those works.

This is all kind of messed up, huh? Here's where the story changes.

At about 26 years old I had my own apartment, as in 'no roommates.' And I was finishing my MBA, and I did a lot of text book readings, as well as trade magazines, newspapers, and stuff like The Economist. But, not for enjoyment.
One day, I can't remember the circumstances, I find myself in Borders flipping book jackets. There is a new release called THE POET. The cover looks good. Never heard of the author, but I'd never heard of any main stream authors.
I bought it, and read it...the WHOLE book...cover to cover. I loved it so much that I went back, and spent my precious waitressing dollars on everything else written by that author, and I built a relationship with his main character, Detective Harry Bosche, and followed him from case to case. I quickly branched into The Firm (Grisham), Disclosure (Crichton), The Body Farm (Cornwell), Orchid Beach (Woods). I loved them too. So the mountain on my nightstand grew with every book those authors ever wrote. I became a real mystery lover...still am, but I like to think I've diversified. I read and/or listen to twenty-thirty books per year. And the more I read, the more my left brain re-awakened and wanted to write again. As you know, in the last six years I've written three and a half novels. KELLY QUINN'S SECRET COOKING CLUB (due out from Aladdin next fall) is the first middle-grade project. One of my many objectives with KELLY is to draw kids in and keep them turning because I don't want them to miss out on twenty-six years of reading.

It all comes back to Connelly's THE POET. It convinced me that I could enjoy reading a book.

The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43

Why does the UK get all the coolest stuff first?? Check out the latest:
The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43
By, Harriet Goodman.
The 411 from Amazon:
"For a millionth of a second the car grazed the drenched moorland. If it had come down on any other patch of ground Finn would simply have been another statistic. Death by dangerous driving. But the car hit the surface of the Earth at Exit 43. It slid through the membrane like a hot knife through butter, plunging into the darkness and catapulting Finn from its shattered windscreen as it fell. Finn Oliver knows he'll never come to terms with his father's death, but joy-riding over the moors in his mum's beat-up old car is a quick fix of freedom and forgetting. Until the accident happens - and Finn finds himself hurtling through the wafer-thin divide between the worlds of the living and the dead. Adventurous, charming and poignant by turns, "The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43" is a quirky debut novel laced with humour and a dollop of magic."

Harriet and I are agent-siblings. That means we have the same awesome agent, Sarah Davies. I wish Harriet all the best with her debut novel.

Have you looked out the window?

Have you looked out the window?
Rain is coming down in slanted sheets. The sky is jam-packed with bleak clouds, angry and bloated. It’s dark enough to feel like dusk, a time of day when I'm usually pooped. But, since it’s only 7 am, I’m awake and my creative energy is fresh. A parade of muses dance around my head, clockwise. The white noise of a bazillion drops hammering on the roof sharpens my focus. What am I getting at? Simply put, it’s a PERFECT day to write. More specifically, it’s a PERFECT day to write spooky, Gothic, melodramatic scenes. I can’t think about anything else.

The Obligatory Back2School Post..and SOCCER!

Has anyone noticed that Back to School is creeping earlier and earlier?? For crying out loud, camp hasn't even officially ended.
The bitterness of back to school is: matching socks, tucking shirts, forms, writing checks, forms, homework, forms, etc...
But, the sweet, sweet smell of CLEATS balances everything out!
Once again I'm coaching the JV Bulldogs, *the* awesomest co-ed soccer team.
What's the big whoop? The sound of cleats on pavement, the look of concentration as a player tries to increase their juggling by just one, the feel of the leather ball in your hands for a throw-in, and even the sweaty smell of shared goalie shirts and pinnies...totally yuck, and totally wonderful. (Of course my teams gets them freshly out of my dryer each week.)
Yelling at these kids is totally acceptable, even expected, and I'm a yeller: "Hustle", "pass", "clear it", "head it" and "SHOOOOOT!". But mostly, I love playing the game with them. And it always amazes me how they get better every week.
Am I reliving my youth? Nope, I'm waaaaayy too young to be reliving anything. so, I'm just living it....living the dream of fall school soccer...

Go Bulldogs!

My reading list - So many books, so little time.

I have a love/hate relationship with the book store. I love snooping and seeing the latest and greatest. I also love perusing the shelves of classics and thinking,
Read that - loved it
Read that - hated it
I was supposed to read that for some class and watched the movie instead.
It's kind of like visiting old friends, and makes me feel warm and cozy inside. I can spend hours in Borders or Barnes and Noble.

But, then it starts. You see, I'm a list-maker, and I can't rest until everything on my list is crossed off. And by the time I left my most recent quickie-trip to Borders, I'd made a new list of books I simply must read:

The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown - Let's face it DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons were awesome before Tom Hanks starred in the movies, which were also awesome.

Smash Cut, Sandra Brown - Sandra Brown's last book, Ricochet, I just couldn't put down.

The Alchemist, Paulo Coeho - Never heard or it, never heard of the author, but oh, that cover...it just called to me.

Being Nikki, Meg Cabbot - I admire what Meg Cabbot has done for YA fiction, and I want to get my hands on her latest.

The Mysterious Benedict Society, Trenton Lee Stewart - I'm not recalling the cover, but that title...can't stay away from it.

A host of books by LJ Smith - These are YA vampire books. I'm not ashamed to admit I'm caught up in the vampire craze. Actually, I was a fan before it was cool. I remember the occassional afternoon black and white vampire movie from my childhood...oh, the chills.

The Coffin Club (and others,) Ellen Schrieber - Same comment as above....Come on, give me a goose bump.

Skinned, Robin Wasserman - Again, good cover.

Tantalize, Cynthia Leicht Smith - I read Eternal not too long ago, and wrote about it in this blog. It was great and I hope Tantalize is more of the same.

And this list doesn't include the newest installments from some of my favorite authors: John Grisham, Michael Connely, Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson (he writes so fast, I can't keep up.), Joseph Finder, Steve Martini, Lisa Scottoline and many more.

There isn't enough time to keep up on all the reading I have to do (like business stuff for work), YA stuff (like the kind of stuff I'm currently writing), and adult suspence mystery (like I've also written, and stuff I love reading).

Maybe I'll just stay out of the book store so I don't get myself all stressed out with another list.

KELLY QUINN is getting a face lift

I've received the much anticipated comments from my editor from Aladdin (Simon and Schuster's Children's Publishing Division), and not surprisingly, I'll be making more changes to KELLY QUINN'S SECRET COOKING CLUB.
Recently, I've taken a break from KELLY to work on another project which isn't baked enough to tell you about. I'll just say that it's for an older audience than KELLY and takes place at a summer camp in the Poconos...that's it, I'm not saying anything else. And believe me, it's killing me because I'm excited about it. But, now I'm going to separate from the new project to attend to the KELLY comments. Some are quick fixes, while others are more significant and will take some time to figure out and rewrite.
I have a love/hate relationship with revising. Often being told you need to make changes to a project over which you've toiled for a very long time doesn't feel so good, although I have to say that I have an OUTSTANDING support network which makes this as painless as possible:
The WIPs: This is my very special critique group, the Works in Progress, that I'll talk about in more detail in another entry. They're feedback and ideas are always enlightening, and always gentle.
My agent: I'll admit that the first time Sarah told me to consider my manuscript a draft (after over a year of revising), I wasn't thrilled. But she was very specific with her guidance regarding what was needed for the plot to "work." She too was kind and gentle...and right, apparently because it caught the attention of the wonderful Alyson Heller.
Enter my new editor: Now a fresh set of eyes reviewed the piece from a slightly different perspective. Among other things, Alyson wants to ensure the commercial fit with Aladdin Mix. She knows the Mix audience well and wants to give them what they've come to expect from the imprint. When I didn't think there could be any room for improvement, Alyson has found the cracks that need mending.
So, it is with this newest set of insight that I'm determined to make KELLY even stronger. Working through edits can be time consuming, and tedious. BUT, it's also rewarding when you look at a chunk of pages and think, "By Golly, it's even better!"

Introducing The Sweet Life of Stella Madison and PARTY

Party info first: Reading/QA/Signing by YA author and fellow Delawarian Lara Zeises

Saturday, August 8th 2:00-3:30

Borders Books and Music by (not "in") Christiana Mall

This book is by an amazing local author (and friend, and writing coach Lara Zeises). You can't miss it. It's a MUST read this summer. Lara leads and amazing and mysterious life doubling as Lola Douglas, the genius behind Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet and More Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet, the former was a Lifetime TV movie last year starring JoJo and Valerie Bertinelli.

Here's a fab review of STELLA from Kirkus:
Seventeen-year-old Stella has multiple problems in this breezy adolescent dilemma story. She’s almost at the “I love you” stage with her boyfriend, Max, a sweetie, but she’s shamefully attracted to her mom’s new intern, Jeremy, a hottie. Zeises doesn’t just depend on teenage romance for the plot’s fizz, though; she introduces additional difficulties for her struggling heroine. Stella has the misfortune of being the only daughter of a famous French chef, and her mom’s also a “foodie,” running an upscale restaurant that features cooking demonstrations from a different chef each week. Stella rebels against gourmet food but lands a good summer job as a restaurant critic and has to depend on Jeremy, with awkward consequences, for advice. The author keeps the narrative moving along at a good clip with some well-developed, recognizable characters. The story never descends too deeply into actual angst but floats along merrily on the surface. That’s fine for this genre and makes this effort one that will appeal widely among teen girls. Good, chatty fun. (Fiction. YA)

Beach Reading: BLISS

Lauren Myracle is a hot YA author, and with good reason. She has the magical combo nailed: Great/hot topics, strong characters, and solid writing (to me that means that it moves fast with just enough, not too much, description). She she's on a roll.

BLISS is her latest. It's a YA book, but very appealing to adults. For one reason, it takes place in the early seventies, which is before my time, but I understand many of her references because they were part of my childhood. I'm uncertain how today's teens feel about being transported back in time when cellphones, text messages and iTunes didn't exist, when these components are essential to their very being.

As you can see from this cover, which I love, BLISS is a bloody book without being pure horror....I would call it Supernatural Suspense. (I made that up.)

Bliss is the child of hippie parents and most recently lived in a commune. She is uprooted when her parents flee to Canada to avoid Nixon’s policies during the Vietnam War, and she's left with her wealthy grandmother in recently-integrated Atlanta. (Note for teens: The notion that there was a time when peeople WEREN'T integrated is an important thing to understand.)

Quickly, Bliss needs to understand bras, hygiene, make-up, the KKK and the social structure of her prep school where the students are obsessed with the Manson trial and where Bliss is haunted by an evil voice.

The story is interspersed with diary entries, which allows the reader know more than the first-person narrator. There are also snippets of quotes from news and TV which I find confusing.

This is not G-rated. I recommend it for the PG/PG-13 teems and adults due to the horror which, at times, is gruesome.

Geek is the new Black

I was speaking to a totally cool, pretty, trendy woman at work the other day. She blushed when she professed that she is actually a geek. In fact, I'm pretty much surrounded by geeks. It seems Geek is the new Cool, and this is a very good thing, I think. When I was a kid Geeks were outcasts. Now, the non-geeks are working for the then-geeks. The then-geeks paid a high price of unpopularity, ridicule and awkwardness...(If you're a kid and you don't know what I'm talking about, add Revenge of the Nerds to your Netflix list). They are probably spending (or have spent) big bucks on therapy from a crappy childhood, but they can afford it, right? I wonder if they think their current socio-economic status was worth the price.

So, how did this wonderful transformation of Geek being Cool occur? There are probably many factors, but I think the media may be thanked. Let's take Zoey 101. They still have the quintessential nerd in Quinn (and her awesome Quinventions), but she is in the "in crowd". Even Zoey, the most popular and beautiful girl in school is super smart. This is a great role model for today's youth. (Of course, then Jamie Lynn got pregnant at seventeen.....go figure.) We also have Hermione Granger, Hannah Montana and iCarly who are all booky, totally cool and haven't conceived children. (And I really hope they don't any time soon.)

Yet still, other shows like Drake and Josh reinforce the old stereotypes. Drake is cool, popular with the girls, but a poor student, while Josh is the opposite. Zack and Cody fall into this pattern too. However, both Josh and Cody have grown cooler with age despite their geek handicap. Whatever the reason for this transformation, I'm glad. I think Geek should be cool, good grades rewarded, extra curricular activities applauded, science made sexy, and computer skills appreciated because these are solid building blocks for the future success.

(Becky, as one of my coolest and geekiest friends, I expect you'll comment.)

Beach Reading...Review of: IN THE CARDS: LOVE

As my summer of reading Aladdin Mix books continues, I've recently finished IN THE CARDS: LOVE By Mariah Fredericks. It's hard for me to read a book without also having KELLY QUINN on my mind. That is particularly true of IN THE CARDS because there are similarities. IN THE CARDS has three girls who inherit a deck of mysterious tarot cards. KELLY QUINN'S SECRET COOKING CLUB also has three girls who find a secret and mysterious book. Both stories have a similar magical smell.

IN THE CARDS: LOVE is the first of three books that explores middle-grader life, and all its friend-stuff. Anna, the narrator, is left a set of tarot cards by an elderly woman for whom she cat-sat, but who is now dead. Anna, a self-proclaimed 'nobody', has a crush on hottie Declan. The cards indicate Anna will get the boy, but she's disappointed to learn that Declan was seen kissing the popular girl at a Halloween party. That romance doesn't last long, because as the cards predicted, Declan soon chooses Anna instead. Anna's ego balloons and soon she blows off her buddies to spend more time with her now boyfriend...who turns out to be less awesome than she'd originally thought. There are all sorts of middle-grade emotions: jealousy, pettiness and self-consciousness run amok depicted in this book.

The recommendation: It's a good read filled with good characters, cool cats and interesting tarot tid-bits. This book delves into boyfriend-girlfriend relationships more than the other Aladdin Mix books I've read. It's still G, but might be for the older middle-graders ie: 11, 12, 13 even 14.

What are YOU reading on the beach??

Playground Politics

The 4th of July is over, but I'm not done with my political poop just yet. I have a question for Kelly Quinn and her friends to consider: Let's pretend there's a strong, popular kid who everyone likes and admires. Then, there's a big, mean kid who is a real bully. Lastly, there's the small kid that the bully picks on. I hope this scene sounds familiar.

Here's my question: Should the popular kid help the small kid?
The popular kid has the ability to get the bully to lay-off. But, it's not like he's related to the small kid, or obligated in some way. The popular kid could see the bully kid beating up the small kid and walk by while the small kid gets his brain crushed.

I mean, the popular kid has lots of other stuff to do: football, homework, volunteer activities, chores, parties, family stuff etc... no shortage of cool stuff. And if he helps this one small kid, what if all the other small kids being bullied want his help? What if he's helping some small kid and then his cousin or brother gets bullied and needs his help, but he can't help his brother because he's protecting a bunch of other kids? You see the dilemna...

So, I'll ask my question another way: Just because the popular kid can help the small kid, should he help the small kid?

Super Serious Patriotic Poop, By Kelly Quinn

Cindy: This week bloggers everywhere are writing about Independence Day. When I sat down to write a brief note, I swiftly fell into clichés. So, I thought I'd ask one of my favorite characters, Kelly Quinn, for her perspective of freedom. Take it away, Kelly.

Kelly: "This is so cool, my first blog. My neighbor Charlotte (Blah!!) Barney is going to be so jealous.
I'd like to start by saying that Cindy is awesome.

Here's the deal with the 4th of July:
Do you know that lots and lots of people died...I mean they chose to die, like they volunteered to risk their lives so that people hundreds of years later...like me...like now...so that I could be any religion I wanted to be? and so that I could get a job doing whatever I want? and so that I can own a house? and so that I can vote (when I am 18)?
As my friend Darbie would say, "That's some super serious patriotic poop."
So, I think the 4th of July is a totally big deal and that Sam - he's the guy that owns Sam's Super iScream, home of the Super Swirley - should create a whole new frozen concoction just for this day....like a Frozen Fruity Firecracker: Blue Raspberry ice cream, red strawberry syrup and white marshmallow topping, all swizzled around and topped with sparklers that really light up. As my dad says, "there's no such thing as too much ice cream or too much football." Forgetting the football, he knows what he's talking about, because he's been eating ice cream his entire life."

Cindy: Thanks, Kelly. I think you're awesome too.

Cindy: All talk of ice cream aside, I'm glad we have a day to celebrate our freedom, because it is something that warrants celebrating.

I hope you enjoy all your many freedoms.

Character - In Life and In Fiction

Character is one of the writer's most important tools. Let's take Kelly Quinn for example. We experience her story through her eyes, and as such, we get to know her and the characters around her ie: Darbie, Hannah, Senora Perez, and the Rusamano Twins, who add flavor (ie: Rocket Launching Rainbow), to the adventure.
But, character is also vitally important in life's relationships. In life, character is seen in the way people behave, and how they react to situations, particularly unexpected situations. One's words help define their character, but, as the saying goes, actions speak louder... We witness examples of both good and bad character all the time: At the grocery store, on the soccer field, at work, and in our families. I'm often amazed at the spectrum of character, ranging from random acts of kindness to complete insensitivity. You probably are too. It's said that true character is what one does when no one is watching, then what we witness may not be reality. Hmmmm...confusing?
A big difference between fiction and life is that we writers control what our characters do whether it's something seen or unseen. In life we have no control over other's character, only over our reactions to it.

Fortune Cookie Blunder

Whose favorite part of Chineese take-out isn't the fortune cookie? So, the other day my son eagerly cracked open his cookie. It said: "Wrong Cookie."
HA!

Last Installment of Awesome TV Detectives

Our last category is SOOOOOO COOOL.

Ed Lane, the bald guy from Flashpoint, is played by Hugh Dillon. Ed can talk anyone off a ledge at gun point with only four minutes left in the show. (Actually, I love the whole cast of FP.)

Seeley Booth played by David Borearaz (Bones) - What kind of name is Seeley, but who cares? The chemistry of the whole cast of this show is awesome.

Let's face it, David Caruso (above) is the King of Coolsville. He can't be left off my list because my girls love him as Heratio Caine. They don't know him as John Kelly from NYPD Blue. Check out this NYPD picture. I chose it because of Rick(y) Schroeder who I sat next to at a NY Yankees game in 1977. (That was the same game that Dave Winfield gave me a ball.)

Arron Hotchner: Thomas Gibson from Criminal Minds. More serious character, more serious show.

Anthony DiNozzo: Michael Weatherly from NCIS. You've gotta admit, as crass as he is, he is very funny. (No, Mark Harmon is not cooler.)

Hands Down, The Coolest TV Cop EVER is Elliot Stabler, Christopher Meloni from Law and Order SVU. I have Chris pegged to play Kelly Quinn's father in the movie...not that one is being made, but IF one were being made, it would be him....of course, he would play opposite moi as Mrs. Quinn.

Moose

We have many pets that are alive and well, and fat and lazy. But, we also have a very special moose. The unnamed moose was bought on an awesome family vacation at Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos three years ago. (If you haven't been , I highly recommend.) We had such a ball we got this little trinket to remember the weekend.Well, this moose has become a favorite fixture on our dinner table.This is what we do: Four or five out of seven nights we sit down for dinner together, even if it's fast food or PB&J. (It's usually fast food or PB&J). The moose gets passed from around the table. The holder tells the rest of us about their day, without interruption. This has proven a great way for us to keep in touch. We do it with guests also. The kids' friends love it.
Homes are filled with beautiful trinkets and our moose is no exception. Standing alone on his shelf he's a reminder of cherished family time which is easy to forget amongst work, school, the house, the pets, appliance maintenance, cleaning, organizing, visiting, BBQ-ing, and sports schedules. But, put in motion, beloved Moose plays an role in our family.

My Favorite TV Detectives: Part 3 of 4

In the Oldies, But Goodies category:
Tom Hanson from 21 Jump Street played by Johnny Depp. Maybe this is what got me started on TV cops. This was an awesome TV show.
Christopher Lorenzo from Silk Stalkings played by Rob Estes. This show was on USA at like 10pm because it was racy. I saw Estes in the Women's Murder Club (from the James Paterson novels), and most recently on the new 90210.

What is very interesting about these two is that they look almost exactly the same today.

Stay tuned for the fourth and last installment of TV Detectives coming soon.

Review of The Melting of Maggie Bean

So, if you can't tell, I've been on a reading binge. The great thing about reading these tween and YA books is that they are super quick, easy reads. On my quest to seek out an understand the Aladdin-Mix authors I also read The Melting Of Maggie Bean, by Tricia Rayburn.

Maggie looked down and barely saw her toenails peeking out from the shadow of her stomach. She closed her eyes and slowly stepped onto the scale. Once she finally opened her eyes, Maggie almost fell off the scale.
Maggie Bean's having a tough year. Since her dad lost his job he spends more time watching TV than talking to his family, and her mom's totally stressed about money. So Maggie focuses on what she does best: keeping up her straight-A average and eating chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate.
But everything changes when Maggie gets a chance to try out for the synchronized swim team. Becoming a Water Wing has always been Maggie's dream -- who wouldn't want to have an instant circle of friends and wear that cute silver bathing suit? As a Water Wing, maybe she'll start believing she's more than just a socially awkward bookworm. Maybe people will see past the extra weight she's recently gained to the funny, cool girl hiding underneath. And maybe, just maybe, Peter Applewood will finally notice her.

This book was so cute. Maggie is an endearing character that I want to befriend and the struggle she faces broke my heart, at the same time her maturity is inspiring.

This is perfect for all ages. (nothing edgy to worry about.)

My Favorite TV Detectives Part 2 of 4

And in the category of TV Detectives that make Ultra-Geeky Things Look Cool we have:

Nick Stokes played by George Eads on CSI (Las Vegas). He's consistent and shows that you don't have to be a geek to be a scientist which is a good lesson for kids of all ages. It seems like he wants to be the "bug guy" to replace Grissom, which will now make bugs cool too. He's like one stop shopping.

Don Epps from Numb3rs: I remember reading that they originally had Rob Lowe ear-marked for this role. This show is so clever. It makes math cool. You can't say that about too many things. (Epps isn't actually the mathematician, but he'll accept this reward on the nerd's behalf.)

Tomorrow's category will be: Oldies, But Goodies:

List of My Favorite Detectives Part 1 of 4

I'm type A and I love crime drama. We type As love lists. As a writer I like characters. These many loves have driven me to make a list of some of my favorite TV detectives.
Since there are so many this may take several installments, which I'll do by category. Today's grouping is "TV Detectives Who Aren't Really Detectives".

Richard Castle from Castle. A new comer to the TV Detective block, but he's made an impressive start. One of the many things I love about him is that he's a writer...he's a writer doing field research with the cops and he gets to help solve the crimes. Move over Miley Sirus, because that's 'the best of both worlds.'


Shawn Spencer played by James Roday from Psych. This show was original, but now has many copy cats ie: Mentalist. Spencer is not a detective...actually, he's not even really a psychic, but he investigates crimes...really well.

Harm Rob from JAG, played by David James Elliott. Another show with really good chemistry. He's technically a lawyer, but he makes the list because in these shows lawyers have to do a lot of investigating.

Tomorrow's category will be: Detectives That Make Ultra-Geeky Things Look Cool.

Introducing the Super Swirley

Super Swirleys are a very important ingredient of KELLY QUINN'S SECRET COOKING CLUB. Ever since visiting 3B, the kids have been dying to know what's in them.

So, what is a Super Swirley?

Let's ask Kelly Quinn herself. "OMG. Super Swirleys were the best milkshakes in Delaware, and possibly the world. They were ice cream and all kinds of other stuff blended into a heavenly frozen concoction. I couldn’t live without them. They’re made at Sam’s Super iScream, which luckily, was within walking distance from my house."

Each of the girls in the story (Kelly, Hannah and Darbie) has their favorite Swirley. Darbie loves the Rocket Launching Rainbow Super Swirley. Here is a recipe:

Rocket Launching Rainbow Super Swirley
When you can’t make up your mind enjoy this three-layered concoction.
Layer 1: Strawberry ice cream blended with colorful Skittles.
Layer 2: Banana ice cream with ribbons of golden caramel.
Layer 3: Bright green pistachio ice cream peppered with Nerd candies.
Topped with whipped-cream and rainbow sprinkles.

There you have it. If you try it, let me know how you make out, or email a picture of it to me.

The 411 on writing Kelly Quinn

It's exciting to have so much interest in KELLY QUINN'S SECRET COOKING CLUB, and I thank you all for asking and for caring. .

I get lots of questions about the process of writing a book. I thought I'd capture a TOP TEN.

10. How long did it take you?
I wrote the initial rough draft of KELLY in about six weeks. But, I revised and edited it for almost two years.

9. That's a lot of revising. Where did you get all the comments from?
I'm part of a fabulous writing critique group called the Works In Progress (WIPs). The WIPs read and reviewed KELLY over and over. I also paid a professional editor to read the entire manuscript. Lastly, my dad read the book about ten times and gave me comments. At seventy-something, he's more a 'tween than most 'tweens.

8. How long is it? (Kids always ask this.)
It's about 190 double-spaced, new Times Roman sized 12-font. But, that doesn't mean that's exactly how long it will be when it's printed, as page and font sizes vary.

7. Will there be pictures?
There will be cover art, but since it's a middle-grade (aka "Tween") book, it probably won't have any art within the text.

6. Who's doing the illustration/cover? Because I know a guy.... (This is a very popular adult question.)
I don't know. The publisher will take care of all this, but I'll get to see the options (I think).

5. Do you have a literary agent?
Yes, I'm the luckiest person in the world to work with Sarah Davies of The Greenhouse Literary Agency. She is a complete gem. If you want to know more about Sarah or The Greenhouse visit www.greenhouseliterary.com.

4. How did you find a literary agent?
It wasn't easy. I researched (thank goodness for the internet) agents interested in the age range and themes of my book. Then I read lots about each of them to assess if they would be a good fit for my project.

3. How did you query agents?
I attended a few SCBWI conferences to understand how to approach an agent. I wrote a cover letter and synopsis, (which I revised repeatedly). I made electronic and snail mail packages pursuant to the agent's submissions guidelines and sent them in.

2. Are you going to quit your other job?
No. I have a full-time job that I like very much. Writing is my second job and a passion. I intend to continue to do both for as long as I can.

And the number one question that people ask me....kids and adults alike: Can I be in the movie when/if it's made?
Sure......But, I have dibs on Mrs. Quinn. If my husband doesn't land the part of Kelly's dad, I'll approach Christopher Meloni (Eliot Stabler from Law and Order SVU.)

Review of ETERNAL

ETERNAL is a YA vampire love story by Cynthia Leitich Smith. I was familiar with her Leitich Smith because her blog "Cynsations" (cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com) she has the best agent/editor interviews, and writing links, but I had never read any of her stuff. I have only one question for myself:

Why did I wait so long? ETERNAL was so good. I read it in 3 sittings over 2 days. I didn't want to put it down becasue I was so worried about Miranda and Zachary, the main characters. Interestingly, the story is told from both of their view points, alternating chapters. The last time I saw this attempted, it crashed and burned. In ETERNAL, it totally works.

In my opinion, it's appropriate from 12 years old on up. Even Moms will like it. Especially moms who like TWILIGHT....you know who you are. I'm planning on loaning it to my nieces and purchasing TANTALIZE asap.

Review of The Secret Identity of Devon Delaney

As you know Aladdin Mix (the children’s imprint of Simon and Schuster) is publishing Kelly Quinn’s Secret Cooking Club. I thought I would check out some Mix books for myself. I started with The Secret Identity of Devon Delaney by, Lauren Barnholdt.
This story is an insider’s look at how the little white lies tweens (and adults, I’m sure) tell can come back to haunt. I felt so badly for Devon when her “summer friend” shows up at her school looking for the popular, boy-magnet Devi, which the real Devon is not. What can Devon do? Lie some more to cover up lies already told. It’s a disaster.
This book was very cute. I’ll share it with my daughter (11) and I recommend it to her friends.

Thank You Mrs. Kelly and 3B

I had the great opportunity to meet with class 3B today. I told the kids about Kelly Quinn’s Secret Cooking Club and read the first chapter. They were good listeners and enthusiastic questioners…some of them were tough.
I explained blogging and gave them this address. I hope they’ll visit me.

To all you 3Bers,
Thanks for having me in your class today. Like we talked about, you can leave me a comment by clicking on the link below. If you want to leave your name, only give your first name (you know, internet security and all…). If you want to write a review of one of your Summer Reading List books, and email it to me, maybe I'll post it here. You can send me an email at the address above: CallaghanCindy@gmail.com. Check with your parents first, of course.

Visit again, Ellie and Evan might try their hand at some summer blogging.

From, Mrs. Callaghan
PS - Only 14 days of school left, Bulldogs!

My agent rocks!

The link to Sarah's blog is below, but I wanted to include a snippet. She's so great.

".....Yes, here I am back in England again – formerly my first home, but now my second. And it’s lovely to be here, especially with all my close family and friends around me. Here, every hour, every day is different – not a vacation but a temporary change of lifestyle and pace. Is it adventurous? Is it a little crazy? I’ll let you make up your own mind as I take you through the highlights of my past couple of weeks . . .
1. One week before I leave for England: Do a deal! Yippee! Sell debut author Cindy Callaghan’s middle-grade novel, KELLY QUINN’S SECRET COOKING CLUB, to Aladdin (Simon & Schuster). This story always makes me feel hungry. It’s fun, it’s pacy, but it also features amazing ice-cream confections called ‘Super Swirleys’. Oh, and there are recipes too!
2. One day before I leave for England: Do ANOTHER deal! Hurrah! Did I mention that doing deals is one of my favourite activities in the world? I sell Sarah Aronson’s BEYOND LUCKY to Dial (Penguin Putnam). This story is sort of about soccer, but it’s also about friendship, self-discovery, forgiving – and it has a really strong voice. Sarah’s first novel, HEAD CASE, was published by Roaring Brook, so very pleased she decided to join Greenhouse– one of our first already-published authors.

http://www.greenhouseliterary.com/index.php/site/sarahs_blog

Original Land of the Lost

This was inspired by my cousin, Traci. I thought folks might need refreshing. I did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0MRU1f2SJ0

Swedish Chef Making Donuts

My husband and I were trying to remember exactly what the Swedish Chef sounded like. In case you were wondering, here it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT_n__vsguk

First: official school reading, and call with my editor

Today I had two amazing firsts:
1) I read the first few pages of KELLY QUINN'S SECRET COOKING CLUB to Kindergarten-C. They listened well (even though it's a middle-grade story) and seemed very interested. I'm going to hit the third grade next week. The teachers have been equally interested.

2) I also had the first working call with my awesome editor, Alyson Heller, from Aladdin Mix (Simon and Schuster's children imprint). She was wonderfully patient with me. Things are moving along toward publication in fall 2010. It sounds like a long time, but it's quite standard. Imagine how long it sounds if you're a kid: you're finishing third grade, and when the KQSCC comes out, you'll be finished with fourth grade and be starting fifth grade. Those eighteen months are a lifetime.

Anyway, after the phone call with Alyson today, I have a better idea of what types of edits are needed, and how long I have to do them. I also got the skinny on copy editing, cover art, Galleys, and Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs). I'll surely write about each stage of the process, so stay tuned...

My Jinx

After blogging about the Magic in My House, my washing machine went on the fritz. It's been TWO weeks with no washer (thank goodness Mom lives close). Between my husband and I we had to wait for the Maytag repair man THREE times and spent $344.00 only to learn it couldn't be fixed.
But wait there's more. After doing a **happy dance** on Facebook because the new washing machine is being delivered today...those jinxers got me again. How? With an 8:00 am phone call that "it didn't make it on the truck", and "it can get here on Tuesday." That means someone has to stay home from work (again) between 7 and noon, or noon and 4.
That, my friends, is a first class jinx.

Man in Pizza Costume

Have you seen the latest advancement in billboards? They are people in costumes at the side of the road waving you in. The advertising strategy is to get your attention so that you'll patronize your business. It makes sense. But while these costumers are getting the attention of potential customers, they're also very distracting for drivers. I came dangerously close to running over a pizza-man tonight. I wonder if these businesses have considered the liability. Have the costume people considered the dangers?

Lady mowing the lawn

Here I am, driving down the street in my luxury sport wagon (No, it's NOT a minivan!). I'm listening to U2, or a book on CD.
I see a woman outside mowing her lawn.
"Hey lady, YOU'RE RUINING IT FOR THE REST OF US!!!"
If my husband sees you, he'll want me mowing faster than you can say "Spa Pedicure."
And then what? Plumbing? Large appliance maintenance?
Lady, PLEASE have the boy down the street come over and mow...Maybe the Zack Efron (in 17 Again, not HSM) - type.

Thank you, Mrs. Robinson

In 17 AGAIN Zack Efron isn't signing or dancing through a summer job, although he does do an impressive cheerleading jig.

For some reason, he's often half-clothed. Some might find distasteful, but "Holy six-pack, Batman!"

I have a new appreciation for Mrs. Robinson.

Magic in My House

Do you believe in Magic?

If not, you should live in my house.

We have a magic paper on our refridgerator: If you write something you need from the store on this paper, soon it will magically appear in the house. All you have to do is write on the magic paper and POOF!

But wait, there's more. We also have a magic basket. It's plastic, waist high, white and has a flip-top lid. If you put your dirty clothes in the basket, without even uttering a magical incantation, those same dirty clothes will soon (sometimes even the very same day) appear in your drawers - washed, dried, and folded.

Every home should have a magic basket, but....(there is always a "but" with something this wonderful) the dirty clothes have to get inside the basket. The basket will NOT grow arms to pick dirty clothes off the floor. This is a shame, really, because there are many clothes that do not make it into the basket, even those garments dirty enough to crawl across the floor.

So we are left with a troubling question: With a magic basket like this, why, oh why, oh way, do people STILL leave dirty clothes on the floor?

And to that question, I have no answer.

You've gotta start somewhere

So, getting started was harder than I’d thought. I figured I’d start at the beginning. But the beginning of what?
Here it goes: ACT I, Scene 1
(Callaghan sits in the elbow of the microfiber sectional with her favorite pad and extra soft mechanical pencil.)
One day I woke up in suburbia with a husband, three children, three cats, a lazy dog, a job, a car (cooler than a minivan), a writing hobby, and a coffee addiction. Thankfully, U2, jeans, and fountain Diet Coke (DC) remain in style. Sadly, The X-Files, toe socks and roller skating are passé, not that I care very much about being “in.”
So, here I was thirty-something deciding to take my writing hobby seriously by writing a novel. I worked on several serious projects for several years.
>>>FAST FORWARD TO TODAY
I’m still thirty-something, and thanks to the handiwork of a crackerjack literary agent, Sarah Davies from the Greenhouse Literary Agency, Aladdin Books (Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing) is publishing my ‘tween book KELLY QUINN’S SECRET COOKING CLUB. And it’s this wonderful news that has brought me to the long pondered According to Moi.