1. i'm thankful that the dump isn't NORMALLY on fire. (yes, our city dump is currently on fire)
2. i'm thankful to e-man's summer camp coaches for all their complements yesterday about our boy
3. i'm thankful e-man's coaches exist because it means there IS summer camp for the boy. =D
4. i'm thankful for BB's coo's. seriously thankful, because they are the cutest sounds i've ever heard.
5. i'm thankful for my FIL who a year ago today had a random brain altering seizure and i'm thankful for his wife, who has become his full-time caregiver and who is a constant loving support.

remember brain camp last summer?

can you believe it's been a full year?

Today, the OKC Metro news show interviewed me for a 7-minute spot.

I am thankful I didn't fall down.
I am thankful I didn't tip over.
I am thankful I didn't slip into an out-of-body experience.
I am thankful I didn't go a little crazy and jump on a couch a la Tom Cruise. (Though, let's be honest, it was tempting.)

From the Class of 2k8: "Liz Gallagher grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and was an English major at Penn State. She worked on the editorial staff of Highlights for Children. She is a graduate of the University of Denver Publishing Institute and the Vermont College MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Her home in Seattle is within chomping distance of the Fremont Troll." Learn more here.

What kind of teenager were you?

I was the kind who has friends across different groups, but isn't really part of any one clique. I loved to go bowling and shopping (still do!). I was New Kids on the Block's biggest fan. I played softball. I watched way too much TV, but now I think that experience prepped me for the pop-culture prowess that I enjoy today. I know that I read a lot as a kid and teenager, but I can't remember exactly what I read except for Kurt Vonnegut, late in high school.

Could you tell us about your apprenticeship as a writer?

I've been so lucky. I'd have to say that my apprenticeship started with my amazing kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Niccolo; she taught me to love writing. At Penn State, I took three fiction workshops with the same professor; that's the point at which I started reading like a writer. Later, I worked at Highlights for Children as part of the editorial team; reading submissions helped me think more critically about writing. Then, I went to Vermont College and got to work with Lisa Jahn-Clough, Ron Koertge, M.T. Anderson (author interview), some lady named Cynthia Leitich Smith, and the rest of the faculty there; that's where I gained the power to believe in myself as a writer.

I had the honor of being one of your advisors at the Vermont College MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Why did you decide to get an MFA? How would you describe the experience?

And I had the honor of being one of your students! I thought, correctly, that being in an MFA program would give me permission--in my own mind--to prioritize writing. I wanted the structure and the feedback.

I was led to Vermont after falling head over heels for Feed (Candlewick, 2004) by M. T. Anderson and finding out that he was faculty head at Vermont. Then it seemed as if every book I was reading and enjoying was written by a faculty member or grad of the program, so it was a no-brainer to apply.

I would describe the experience as school that doesn't feel like school because it's so much fun and you get to read and talk about reading and write and talk about writing. I learned from all of the faculty and from many of the other students, and I grew so much as a writer.

Could you tell us about your path to publication? Any sprints or stumbles along the way?

It wasn't very stumbly, actually. I think I managed to meet great mentors along the way, so that when I was ready to submit my manuscript, it went smoothly. Lara Zeises (author interview) has become a close friend and she's the one who guided me through the submission process.

We're both students of Lisa's (me at Vermont; Lara at Emerson). Toward the end of my time at Vermont, I started submitting to agents. Rosemary Stimola (agent interview) signed me right before graduation, and I think it only took her two weeks to sell Opposite to Wendy Lamb [Wendy Lamb Books at Random House]; I'd call that a sprint.

Congratulations on the release of your debut novel, The Opposite of Invisible (Wendy Lamb, 2008)! Could you tell us a bit about it?

Thank you! I wrote most of it during the Vermont program. It's set in Seattle--I live here and it's my love letter to the city. It's about a fifteen-year-old girl, Alice, who's coming out of the cocoon she's (metaphorically) lived in with her best friend, an artist boy named Jewel. Her world is getting bigger as she makes new friends and tries new directions in art. She's figuring out the difference between a crush and love, and love and best friendship.

What was your initial inspiration for writing this book?

I love Halloween time and wanted to set a story then. While walking past a big junk shop in Fremont (the neighborhood of the book, and the one where I live now, though I didn't at the time), I realized that it was the perfect setting for a Halloween story. The original first line--"It all started with this dress."--came to me on the page, and I just kept going.

What was the timeline between spark and publication, and what were the major events along the way?

I started writing this story as a short story for my first Vermont workshop, so that means I started writing in the late fall/early winter of 2005. It was published in January 2008.

The whole ride seems like a major event! Having feedback from Lisa, Ron, Tobin, and then you, Cyn, was always amazing. My first rejection from an agent, over the phone, was a major event; it was disappointing but I knew that even getting a phone call was a big step forward.

Once sold, I've loved attending ALA conferences and meeting librarians. I've also enjoyed meeting lots of Seattle's booksellers. And I became a member of The Class of 2k8 (co-presidents' interview)--I get to celebrate 27 releases this year, not just my own!

Actually, seeing Vermont friends' books come out while waiting on my own -- especially Sarah Aronson's Head Case (Roaring Brook, 2007)(author interview) and Carrie Jones' (Flux, 2007)(Tips on Having a Gay (Ex) Boyfriend (Flux, 2007)(author interview) and Love (and Other Uses for Duct Tape)(Flux, 2008), and Zu Vincent's The Lucky Place (Front Street, 2008)--has been so wonderful.

Early on, Vermont grad Andy Auseon was a big role model for me. I love his Funny Little Monkey (Harcourt, 2005), and I think he has another one coming out soon [Jo-Jo and the Fiendish Lot (HarperCollins, 2009)].

What were the challenges (literary, research, psychological, and logistical) in bringing it to life?

A lot of my roadblocks are psychological. I'm the type of writer who can type and type but not be sure what I'm saying. I need someone who I trust to reflect it back to me--to say, this is what you've got on the page. I'm much more talented with character and voice than I am with plot. So it takes a lot for me to feel as if I've succeeded in making something happen in the narrative and seem like it isn't too mechanical or forced.

Logistically, having deadlines for Vermont really helped me. The whole "butt-in-chair" thing can be hard for me when I'm only beholden to myself.

What has surprised you most about being a published author?

That I'm still just me! I honestly forget that I'm a published author sometimes. It's a dream come true and I love it and I'm proud, but on a day to day basis, I'm just Liz. I don't feel any different--which I see as proof that a writer is a writer, published or not.

It also surprises me how often people who aren't in the YA book world ask why I write for teenagers, as opposed to adults.

If you could go back and talk to yourself when you were beginning writer, what advice would you offer?

Read a lot across genres. Read constantly! Keep a notebook for ideas that hit you add odd times. I still need to start on the notebook one.

What do you do when you're not in the book world?

I used to work at a Montessori school. For the past year, I've been freelancing for magazines (mostly Seattle magazine) and a web site called Red Tricycle. I also worked on writing with seventh graders this year through Seattle Arts and Lectures' Writers in the Schools program. Now, I have a full-time job as a product copywriter, writing about shoes all day. I still write and edit for Red Tricycle. I watch a lot of reality TV, ride my Vespa, go out to brunch, read, and hang out in coffee shops. Sometimes, I knit.

What can your fans look forward to next?

I'm working on a companion to Opposite. Then I hope to get back to work on the manuscript that I started during our semester together, Cyn. It's the story of a girl who's dealing with the tragic death of her best friend, an artist who pushed everything to the edge until he fell off.

Cynsational Notes

Visit Liz Gallagher's official site, read her LJ, and visit Liz at MySpace!

I love reading through Publisher's Weekly Sneak Preview.

I like reading about the books coming out. Sometimes you can even see a bit of a trend, like this time around, I notice there are quite a few YA thrillers.

I love seeing the names of my LJ and blue board friends!!! There are a few I recognize. (Carrie Ryan, David Gill, Cyn Balog). Are you in there? Let me know!

Okay, I admit it, I like seeing my name. There it is - my name! :)

I like knowing about upcoming books by big name authors. Sherman Alexie has one coming out called RADIOACTIVE LOVE SONG. Susan Patron has a sequel coming out to A HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY called LUCKY BREAKS.

And, I can't help but look and see if there are any books coming out that sound like a book I'm writing or like a book being shopped. Whew, doesn't look like it, at least this time around.

Here's THE LINK if you want to take a peek yourself!

The minor family emergency didn't escalate, thank heavens. My mother fell Tuesday night and we spent yesterday doing the rounds with doctors and the hospital and x-rays. She's home now, though I won't say she's exactly comfortable. She broke three ribs.

She's going to be fine; the fractures are uncomplicated and there were no other injuries. In a week, she'll feel much better. Normally I might ask for funny stories I can tell her, but laughing hurts too much right now, so if you have a kind thought or a prayer for comfort, those sure are appreciated.

J.L. Bell has another cool post about how an alleged John Adam's quote turned into historical "fact." This is a must-read for anyone thinking of writing historical fiction or non-fiction.

Today's goal: Write 15 minutes.

Today's mindset: sowing conflict.

Today's prompt: Take your favorite picture book or fairy tale and write what happens next, after the last page of the story. Add on a new challenge for the character; a new story arc of complications and solutions, and character growth. Hint, you'll probably need to introduce a bold conflict right away.

Scribblescribble....

  


 



This is one of my favorite pictures from Camp du Nord last week. What does this remind you of? What does it make you feel?  Pick any idea that comes to you  and write a 15 Words or Less poem. It doesn't have to describe or explain the image. Have fun with this! Share your poem in a comment, and I'll post it tomorrow. If you haven't played before, click on the 15 Words or Less button in the sidebar to see the guidelines. 

Yeah, if you haven't read this yet...you totally should. It's made of awesome. Review to come.



In other news...have you seen

thunderchikin's good news? Go squawk with him! 

 

Okay, so while I'm sweating over my revision of JUST BOBBY, the first of my chapter book series, Peepy is out gallivanting around town.

First she went here . . .

This amazing museum is like entering some eccentric scientist/artist's Victorian mansion. You wander from room to room and admire things like the miniature trailer park exhibit or the portraits of Soviet dogs in space or exquisite microminiature sculptures , like this one of Goofy standing on THE HEAD OF A PIN . . .

Oh, it's all sooooo wonderful! Plus, they have a tea room and free cookies. Or so Peepy said.

Later, she wandered onto the set of an upcoming Eddie Murphy movie called A THOUSAND WORDS . . .


(In honor of the movie, this blog will be EXACTLY 1,000 words! Sort of.)

Peeps stood around hoping to get discovered . . .



Alas! It was not to be, yet. So she consoled herself by going to the Apple Pan . . .

. . . and then Junior's for dessert . . .


It's not fair! She has all the fun while I am revising, revising, revising. At least I got this to keep me company when Peepy is away . . .

It's my own microminiature mini-me, drawn by Dan Santat who's illustrating my BOBBY series!

Okay. I gotta get back to my writing now.

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I need a favor. The next time you go to Central Market or Whole Foods-- would someone please check and see if I can get Psyllium Husks there? The stuff I'm looking for looks like THIS.

I've bought psyllium in both powder and capsule form in the US before, but I'm looking for these specific little flea-looking black seeds. They work wonders and I _MUCH_ prefer them to the powdery nasty stuff. I haven't looked for them in the states excepting at the drug stores, and there you can only get the powder or the capsules which I find to be sub-par. So the next time anyone is at Central Market or Whole Foods-- could you take a moment and seek these out for me and see if they are readily available or if I gots to schlepp a bunch back with me? Hancock HEB might also have them, if they are to be had. They have a decent health-food section.

Some of you know this already, but for those who don't: I am moving back to the states in about a month. I've been looking for an academic job for a long time, and it's impossible to find one from not-in-the-states. Axel will be staying in Switzerland. It's ok. It really is all ok. Except for it being a major pain in the ass to move.

But: I'm trying to figure out what products I have grown used to and like I can also find in the states. Like: there is a pen I like here that I've never found in the states. So I shall stock up on those as well. Unfortunately, I won't be bringing my magic super coffee pot with me, which makes me sad, sad. Julie, don't you have one of those magic awesome coffee pots that you can use refillable capsules in? I am kinda remembering a post you made a while ago about it. What's the brand?

Why do there always have to be trade-offs, like: this new drug has a 90% success rate with certain types of cancer, but it also makes your eyes fall out. Why can't there more solutions with no major drawbacks? Why does "yes" so often have to be, "yes, but"? 

The CEO of the company I worked at last used to talk about "the genius of the and," meaning that we should strive to offer products that didn't have those trade-offs, so we could say "yes, and" instead of "yes, but." I could use a little more of the "genius of the and" in my life right now.

On a positive note, at least the brilliant UK sitcom Spaced, shown in my icon, has finally been released on DVD in the US, so I can stop searching for a player that can play my Region 2 version DVDs of it here. (Yes, but too bad I can't go to the ultra-cool Spaced marathon with the stars in attendance here in Austin this Sunday night, which gave away tickets by lottery!)

This week, Reb Livingston is the guest blogger at the Best American Poetry Blog. She interviews No Tell Books authors, and asks them the questions you are jonesin' to know. Be sure and scroll through to catch all of her entries.

She interviews me here, and be sure and check back in on Friday when she will answer the questions that _I_ posed!

Weird things are happening to me this week and I don't know what they mean. I keep colliding with ideas, people, or concepts that have ties to my YA book (FLIP THE BIRD) that's currently on submission. Here's a short list:

• I tried on a shirt on Saturday with the brand name MERCER - my main character's name.
• At church on Sunday, the priest quoted something from the bible about EPHRAIM - Mercer's older brother's name.
• On Monday, I drove past HAWK Ford in Oak Lawn  - Mercer is an apprentice falconer who's training a red-tailed hawk.
• I was listening to an audio CD yesterday and the character said she was going to FLIP her lid.
• Last night, I watched FLIPPIN' OUT - Jeff's a hoot, don't you think? (OMG - There it goes again! I have an owl in my story!)

Has anything like this ever happened to you, or is it just the product of an overactive writer's mind?
 
I'm hoping you'll tell me you had good news follow, but I'm a bit worried I'll turn out like this scene in Sandra Bullock's movie Premonition, which if I recall correctly, didn't turn out so well. Ack!

Meet my second cousin (or is that first cousin once removed) - K! He's my cousin and her husband's 19 day old adorable and sweet son! Yesterday, C and I drove out to visit K3 (yes, all three of their names start with the letter K). We also were able to visit with K2's (daddy's) mum who is visiting from Australia and my auntie (K1's (mommy's) mom. Whew. Confused yet? ;) C and I took turns monopolizing holding baby K. And then K2 (daddy) gave C and me drum lessons. That was FUN! And loud. No, C, I will not buy you a drum set. I'm mean that way. ;)

All in all a very fun day indeed!

Now, I must get my words in! Here I go!

I'm still waking up (ie drinking coffee), so I'm allowing myself this meme indulgence. E. Lockhart? Will you play? Anyone else? I blame janetgurtler for this one. ;) (A real post coming later.)

Subject: 37 ODD Things about me

1. Do you like blue cheese? Yes. I know I've talked about my dairy allergy often, but soft cheeses are the one dairy thing that I can have without any adverse affects.

2. Have you ever smoked? Tried it. Blech!

3. Do you own a gun? No.

4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? Red. (What flavor was that? LOL)

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? No. (Dentist appointments are another story, however.)

6. What do you think of hot dogs? YUM! Bob and I spent a lot of time searching for the perfect hot dog when we lived in the Albany, NY area. Can't find a decent dog here in Silicon Valley. :(

7. Favorite Christmas movie? ELF and LOVE, ACTUALLY

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee - sweet elixir of life!

9. Can you do push ups? Nope.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? I have to pick one???? ACK! My engagement ring, then.

11. Favorite hobby? Reading. And does shopping count? ;)

12. Do you have A.D.D.? I don't think so. I can't multitask. I am very focused when I'm on task.

13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? Contacts and glasses. Um, not at the same time, though. I'm blind, but not that blind! ;)

14. Middle name? Michiko. Named after the then princess of Japan.

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I don't want to do laundry. I wonder if I can convince Bob we should go out for dinner. I need more coffee.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? coffee, water, wine.

17. Current worry? Will I ever sell my novel?

18. Current hate right now? Hubby's work schedule.

19. Favorite place to be? With my family.

20. How did you bring in the new year. At home, with C. (Bob was on business travel. See number 18.)

21. Where would you like to go? My top three travel destination wish list: Tuscany (we're going this fall), Paris, and Greece.


22. Name three people who will complete this? I have no clue. I wonder if anyone will read this far!

23. Do you own slippers? Yes, pink Uggs for winter only.

24. What shirt are you wearing? Oversize blue t-shirt from Austin's BOOK PEOPLE with "Keep Austin Weird" on the back. (Thanks Cyn!)

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No. Cotton please.

26. Can you whistle? Yes, but I don't. I don't like the sound of whistling.

27. Favorite color? I like to say purple, but I think it's pink.

28. Would you be a pirate? I get violently ill on boats.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Whatever earworm Bob has evilly put into my head that morning.

30. Favorite Girl's Name? My daughter's.

31. Favorite boy's name? Conner.

32. What's in your pocket right now? I don't have any pockets right now, but even when I do, I don't put anything in them. Oh, unless I'm going for a walk - then my house key and my iPhone.

33. Last thing that made you laugh? Lynn. She always makes me laugh.

34. What vehicle do you drive? Honda CR-V.

35. Worst injury you've ever had? Sprained ankle, on crutches in college for a week.

36. Do you love where you live? Yes, I do. I never ever ever want to leave!

37. How many TVs do you have in your house? Two.

Your turn!

Chris insisted I wasn't to mention this until it was officially up--and now it's officially up! The very cool online games site Miniclip.com now features his Word Vine game. So, if you haven't tried it, head on over and give it a shot. It's a lot of fun for us wordy types. :D



And if you like it, pass on the word!

I'm going shopping this weekend. Nordstrom is having their big Anniversary Sale, you know. Now, I hardly buy anything new anymore. I'm a thrift store gal these days, but shopping the Anniversary sale is a bit of a tradition. I think I've been going to it since I was 12 years old. Seriously. And, besides, I desperately need new underwear. Undergarments are one thing I *always* buy new.

But shopping for underwear is quite the interesting experience these days. The sales lady, who will insist on coming up and trying to help, will have one opinion. The young girls next to me will have another. And my husband, he will stand back a ways, so as not to actually enter the sacred underwear zone, but will motion in some trying-not-to-be-too-obvious-but-totally-obvious-way toward the one rack set up specifically for girls who work nights, because he has an opinion as well.

Anyway - I'm curious. When you go underwear shopping, is it easy? Or do you have a difficult time, like me? Do you have one brand you buy ALL the time, no matter what?

Come on, friends, share your underwear with me. I mean, your underwear preference with me. Here's a poll, if you'd rather just vote anonymously.

Sorry guys, I'm kind-of excluding you on this, aren't I? And I know you're going to want to see the poll results. It's as close as you'll probably come to entering the sacred underwear zone, I know. Well, vote if you'd like, but if you do, you have to think like a woman, not like a man, okay?

Poll #1228279
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

Which kind of underwear do you prefer?