I just came back on Livejournal after working on drafting Dead River for the past few weeks, only to find I haven't updated since March! Yikes! Not that there is very much going on; just plugging away on several projects. Yesterday I found out that Living Backwards is going to copyedits, which brings me joy, and that its new name is officially ( Read more... )

I just got back from a great time at the Greater Lehigh Valley Writer's Group conference. Donald Maass was the keynote speaker. Back in 2001, I read his book, How to Write the Breakout Novel, all the while thinking, "Nope, never gonna happen to me."  Okay, so maybe my novels aren't breakout, but it still was a total thrill to sign my books next to ( Read more... )

Today is the release day of Jennifer Murgia's Lemniscate, and she's giving away awesome prizes, including copies of her books and a beautiful necklace! All you need to do is comment. Winner will be announced this Wednesday. If you'd like to know more about Lemniscate, see my previous post, or read the chapter teaser below! (Something weird is ( Read more... )

Ok, I know I've been MIA for awhile but it's with good reason! I'm working on edits to my 2012 book (title to change) and busily writing Dead River, my 2013 book.  But I have an extra special treat for you today. If you haven't read Jennifer Murgia's book ANGEL STAR, what are you waiting for? It's awesome! On March 21, the sequel, Lemniscate, ( Read more... )

I love reading YA, actually, probably more now than when I was a YA. And I know so many other adults, do, too.

It got me to thinking about what it is about YA that I like. I love reading about firsts. As adults we have fifty years of the same-old, same-old. We have less than a decade of being a teen. Teens are more willing to take risks, and their ( Read more... )

Thanks for helping me make my ARC/Bookmark giveaway so successful! I had over 100 unique entries. If you entered, I really wish I could give you all an ARC because you're so wonderful. Thanks for all the nice comments (flattery will get you everywhere, unless there is only one winner, and then, you're pretty much out of  luck).

Seriously, though, I  ( Read more... )

There's still time for you to win the ARC of Starstruck and get your very own Starstruck bookmark!  Just send an email to cyn at cynbalog dot come with your address by January 31. I've already gotten a lot of requests so keep them coming!!

While I was in the process of reminding you about my Starstruck giveaway, I thought I'd share a little bit ( Read more... )

Hey, everyone!  BOOKMARKS! Who wants 'em???

Yes, it's time. Just got in the bookmarks for Starstruck and they are so pretty! Sparkly and full of stars. If you would like a couple, please email me at cyn at cynbalog dot com with your mailing address (US only please).

When you send me your address, you will also be entered to win a signed ARC of ( Read more... )

I never do 5 things because I never HAVE 5 things. But maybe today I can swing it:

1.  I was thinking this morning about how writing is one of those things I always knew I would do. Like, when I was 5 years old, I wanted to be a writer of books. I didn't even know that was a profession, but somehow, I DID write books.  In my next post I plan to show ( Read more... )

I heard somewhere that in 2011, the Sequel will be BIG, especially in movies. Scream 4, Cars 2, Sherlock Holmes 2, etc. etc.

Sequels are already huge in YA books. One of the things a YA writer will inevitably get again and again once her book is published is this question: "Are you going to write a sequel?" because most YA books nowadays are part of ( Read more... )