Jennifer Brown

Three times this week I've been asked that question. It's a natural question to ask, after all. Hate List is complete. I'm obviously still writing. So... what are you working on, JB?

And three times this week I've kind of stammered and stuttered and scratched my neck nervously and hemmed and hawed and looked really uncomfortable when (not) answering that question. Because the truth is, I'm working on a lot of projects. And I don't know which one to talk about, so I end up talking about nothing.

It's never been easy for me to decide on a story. At this moment, I have six partial novels on my computer, along with a 3-page list of story ideas. Coming up with ideas and concepts and stories and characters has never been difficult for me. Completing a story isn't a problem. Deciding which story to fall in love with enough to complete it first is the problem.

I love them all. I want to get to know all the characters of all those stories equally. I want to find out what happens to them and I want to see them win (and some of them lose) and I want to watch their problems resolve and I want to spend my days thinking about them and wondering what they'll say next and... and... well, you see why it's so hard for me to announce that I've got one project on my mind.

It certainly doesn't help to be a multi-genre writer. On any given week I'm not only working on a couple Big Projects, but am also writing columns and blogs and having to switch gears from humorous to serious and maybe romantic and back again.

So yeah, I'm working on some projects. I have a novel that I'm focusing a lot of energy on right now (I've written 5,500 words on it this week alone). And I've another novel in another genre that I'm revisiting... revising... and re-loving. And I'm so happy to be visited by all these lovely characters and lovely stories every day. I'm just not ready to talk about them yet.

But keep asking! Because asking gets me thinking. And thinking gets me writing. And writing gets me... happy.

Ever wonder what it would be like to be in love with a fairy king? Don't worry, my lunch date probably never did, either, but that didn't stop her from finding herself in exactly that position.

Today, as part of my "Lunching with Leads" blog series, I'm lunching with Morgan Sparks, the main character of Cyn Balog's debut novel, FAIRY TALE.

About Fairy Tale

Morgan Sparks and Cam Browne are a match made in heaven. They've been best friends since birth, they tell each other everything, and oh yeah- they're totally hot for each other. But a week before their joint Sweet Sixteen bash, everything changes. Cam's awkward cousin Pip comes to stay, and Morgan is stunned when her formerly perfect boyfriend seems to be drifting away. When Morgan demands answers, she's shocked to discover the source of Cam's distance isn't another girl- it's another world.  Pip claims that Cam is a fairy.  No, seriously.  A fairy. And now his people want Cam to return to their world and take his rightful place as Fairy King.

Determined to keep Cam with her, Morgan plots to fool the fairies. But as Cam continues to change, she has to decide once and for all if he really is her destiny, and if their "perfect" love can weather an uncertain future.

Already I like Morgan. A girl who thinks she can fool the fairies so she can keep her man is my kinda girl. Let's go meet her right now.

Where are we eating?

The Parsonage Diner

Cool! I happen to love diners. What's on the menu?

Milkshakes

Yuuum! Make mine chocolate! Hey, I've got an idea, Morgan. Let's invite someone else to join us. Who should we invite?

My boyfriend, Cam.

Of course! That only makes sense. Plus, I've never met a Fairy King before. Is there anything you'd prefer I don't talk about today?

Those damn fairies.

Oooh, okay. I'll pretend Cam is just a regular guy. What do you want to talk about instead?

How we're destined to be together forever.

You are a cute couple. And those fans over there are totally eating you guys up. By the way, what do you think of having fans now?

Yummy.

Yummy's a good word for it! And speaking of yummy... I brought a Reeses for dessert. How do you eat a Reeses?

There's only one sane way to eat a Reeses-- bite by bite, no-fuss.

I like the way you think, Morgan! Good luck getting Cam out of fairy duty, and good luck to you and Cyn with your book!

To purchase a copy of FAIRY TALE, click HERE.

About Cyn Balog

Cyn Balog is a normal, everyday Jersey Girl who always believed magical things can happen to us when we least expect them. She's also the Race & Event Manager for several national fitness magazines. She lives outside Allentown, Pennsylvania with her husband and young daughter.  Both are 100% human, or so she thinks.  FAIRY TALE is her first novel.

Visit Cyn on her website: www.cynbalog.com

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Don't forget to drop in July 14th for lunch with the main character of Mandy Hubbard's PRADA & PREJUDICE.

I'm so excited! I can't believe it's finally here! My first Love List Tuesday, which can only mean one thing:

10 WEEKS TILL HATE LIST'S RELEASE!!!

And in case you've missed previous posts and have no clue what Love List Tuesdays is all about, click HERE and read the official rules. Who will be our first Grab Bag Winner? And what will be in the bag? The only way to find out is to post your addition to my Love List in the comments section below.

And now let's jump right in! Here are the things I am totally lovin' this week:

1) 21st Century Breakdown (which I've been listening to pretty much nonstop since I got the CD almost two weeks ago. American Idiot is still my favorite, but dang, this one comes real close!)

2) New blinged-out bookmarks with the "love" charms and the tassles and the -- oh, yes -- sequins. For LL Tuesday winners only!

3) John Anderson and John Henson, the Wipeout commentators. Just 'cause they make me laugh with all their big balls jokes.

4) Laser tag.

5) Air conditioning.

6) Dan Simmons, whose book "Drood" is like a master class in fiction-writing.

7) New grocery store in Liberty, even though it makes me sound old and lame and way mommish to say so. 'Sokay, I am old and lame and way mommish. And that grocery store is flippin' sweet.

8) My neighbor across the street who always brings me cookies.

9) The commenter named "swissmom" on my Saturday blog, whose comment about single parenting literally brought tears to my eyes.

10) Kidlit Central News, where some of the nicest writers I know hang out.

Now, how 'bout you? Who/What are you lovin' this week? Post your comment below and get entered to win a Grab Bag O' Love item. A winner will be chosen and announced here on Monday, July 6th.

Good luck!

This week marks 10 weeks till HATE LIST'S release, and you know what that means: Love List Tuesdays are about to begin! Want to win some cool Grab Bag stuff? So easy! All you have to do is:

1. Read my weekly Love List Tuesday blog.

2. Post in the comments section (only comments on my blog at www.JenniferBrownYA.com will count!) your addition to my Love List to enter.

3. Mention the contest on your blog, FB, or Twitter and receive an extra entry! Just post the URL in a separate comment on my blog.

4. Comments will be accepted until midnight the Sunday following the blog's posting, and a winner will be chosen randomly by noon Monday. The results will be posted here.

5. Entrants must have a U.S. mailing address! Sorry, no P.O. boxes!

6. Participate every week for all ten weeks and get an extra two entries for the Grand Prize Grab Bag (which will include an autographed copy of HATE LIST)!

Items you may or may not find in the weekly Grab Bag:

* Zac Effron travel mug

* "Love Hunter" voodoo baby

* $15 gift card to iTunes

* Zibbies horse

* $10 gift card to Barnes & Noble

* Hard cover copy of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid"

* Debs schwag!

* And much more!!!

Plus, every Grab Bag will include a HATE LIST gift bag, including a special blinged-out, autographed bookmark!

Love. Post. Win.

The contest schedule will be as follows:

Tuesday, June 30th (winner chosen/announced Monday, July 6th)

Tuesday, July 7th (winner chosen/announced Monday, July 13th)

Tuesday, July 14th (winner chosen/announced Monday, July 20th)

Tuesday, July 21st (winner chosen/announced Monday, July 27th)

Tuesday, July 28th (winner chosen/announced Monday, August 3rd)

Tuesday, August 4th (winner chosen/announced Monday, August 10th)

Tuesday, August 11th (winner chosen/announced Monday, August 17th)

Tuesday, August 18th (winner chosen/announced Monday, August 24th)

Tuesday, August 25th (winner chosen/announched Monday, August 30th)

Tuesday, September 1st (GRAND PRIZE winner chosen/announced Monday, September 7th)

Good luck!

Today I’m lunching with a truly inspiring Deb. Cynthea Liu is not only a terrific writer, but has tons of creativity, energy, passion… and she’s just so darn nice, too. Have you checked out her launch yet? Well, before we lunch, get to it!

So today, as part of my “Lunching with Leads” blog series, I’m Sunday brunching with Paris Pan, the main character in Cynthea Liu’s PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE.

About Paris Pan Takes the Dare

Twelve-year-old Paris Pan's life is a mess. She's just moved to a tiny town in Nowheresville, Oklahoma; her family life is a comical disaster; her new friends are more like frenemies; and the boy she has a crush on is a dork. Things couldn't possibly get worse, until she discovers that a girl mysteriously died years ago while taking a seventh-grade rite of passage–the Dare– right near Paris's new house. So when Paris starts hearing strange noises coming from the creepy run-down shed in her backyard, she thinks they could be a message from the ghost of a girl. But while she has no plans to make contact with the great beyond, her two new friends have other thoughts. Everyone who's anyone takes the Dare, and now it's Paris's turn.

Oh! Fun! I gotta know what the dare is! Maybe Paris will whisper it to me. Here she comes... let's eat! Where are we eating?

We're sitting outside on some concrete steps, overlooking the school playground. Forget the cafeteria. Sugar Lake Elementary doesn't have one.

No cafeteria?! Boy, that is Nowheresville. What's on the menu?

Mom's leftovers. *Sigh*

*frowns* That doesn't sound great. Well, I guess we could make it a little better by making a party out of this. Who else should we invite to join us?

Mayo and Dana. My newfound friends. But watch for Mayo though. You don't want to get on her bad side.

Uh-oh, now I'm nervous. And I always say the wrong thing when I'm nervous. Tell me... What is the one subject you hope I don't bring up?

Let's not talk about the notes I've been passing to Tom Cox--everyone thinks he's brain-damaged.

Pretty dorky, huh? Okay, I'll leave Tom out of it. What is the one subject you hope I will bring up?

How about anything not related to The Dare? That'll work.

Awww, c'mon! I'm dying to know what the dare is! Guess I'll just have to read the book like everyone else. And speaking of everyone else... You're sure getting tons of attention from fans. How do you feel about all this limelight?

Fans? Me?!

Eat your heart out, Verona!

Awesome! I love a girl who eats up her admirers. But... How do you eat a Reeses?

There should be great care taken when eating a Reeses. 1) Make sure your dog isn't within 50 feet of you or she'll be eating it and not you. 2) Start from the middle and punch a hole through the center with your thumb. 3) Consume the punched-out part. 4) Next work around the outside. 5) Finally, wonder how on Earth you got lucky enough to eat a Reeses? Assume it was on super-sale on a triple-coupon day and Mom was feeling nice!

I've never tried that method before. I'm going to do it right now! Good luck, Paris, with the dare! And Good luck, Cynthea, with your book!

To purchase a copy of PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE, click HERE.

About Cynthea Liu

Cynthea spent her formative years in Oklahoma and Texas where she was

a Whiz Quiz member, an Academic Decathloner, and a spelling bee

champion. (Yes, she was very popular.) After attending college on the

East coast, she worked at a corporate job where she mastered

PowerPoint and racked up thousands of frequent flyer miles.

Eventually, she traded in her suit for sweats to do the fun

stuff–writing for children. In addition to PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE

and THE GREAT CALL OF CHINA, Cynthea's nonfiction book WRITING FOR

CHILDREN AND TEENS: A CRASH COURSE (how to write, revise, and publish

your kid's or teen book with children's book publishers) is available

in paperback. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1605301140/?tag=cynthealiu-20

Visit Cynthea at her website: www.cynthealiu.com

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Check back on July 1st for lunch with the main character of Cyn Balog's FAIRY LUST.

The Love List Tuesdays Grab Bag O' Love items are trickling in and piling up now. Here's a sneak peek at some of the things already up for grabs:

And there's so much more to come!

Plus! Each of my Grab Bag winners are going to receive a bag filled with Hate List goodies, including an autographed, blinged-up Hate List bookmark! And don't forget... someone will win a Grand Prize gift bag on September 1st!

Troy, iTunes, and bookmarks... what's there not to love?!

Whoa, turns out 1,000 bookmarks is a LOT of bookmarks! Guess what's going to be included in every Love List Tuesday prize package I send out now? Yep, bookmarks! Maybe two.

So the plan was to post this early this morning... you know, start the 11 Weeks Till Hate List Release Day off all supercharged-like, but turns out I spent my Monday in Branson with my two little boys, riding rollercoasters at Silver Dollar City. For those who're rusty on their Missouri geography, that's a 4-hour drive, each way, with 7 hours of amusement park sandwiched in between... in 95+ heat (Nobody said I was smart. Or sane.).

So I've spent the bulk of my day today shuffling around like a mummy (or is it a zombie? I never can remember if mummies shuffle and zombies ramble, or if zombies shuffle and mummies ramble...?) and am just now getting around to making my announcement about

LOVE LIST TUESDAYS

[insert smoochy noises here]

So here's the deal. Starting next Tuesday, every Tuesday on my blog will be Love List Tuesday. I'll get us started by blogging my list of things, people, concepts, ideas, products, I love. Whatever I'm groovin' on. And you, my readers, will post in comments something you're groovin' on. Even if what you're groovin' on is a person that nobody else knows or something that makes you feel a little lame, that's totally cool. Just post a comment with your addition(s) to the Love List. 

Why, you ask?

Well, besides being all awesome and spreading the love... by reading and commenting on my blog you will immediately become someone on my Love List, and I'm going to reward you. Yep, it's not only your chance to be all lovey dovey... it's also your chance to win cool stuff from my Grab Bag O' Stuff Loved by People I Love.

Each week I'll randomly choose someone who posted a comment on that week's blog and that person will win something out of the grab bag. Could be a Zac Effron travel mug, could be a Mickey Mouse watch, could be an iTunes gift card. The only way to find out for sure is to add to the Love List every Tuesday and try your luck.

And on the last Tuesday... September 1st... Hate List's official release day... yep... Grand Prize Gift Bag of Stuff Loved by ME (trust me, it's gonna be a good one)!

So you have one week to wrap your head around who/what you want on your Love List. And keep checking back here for hints and lists of what might be in the Grab Bag!

Of the many things about fellow Deb, Cynthea Liu, that just impress the snot out of me, one is her big heart and her passion. To celebrate the launch of her new book, PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE, Cynthea is holding a virtual launch party of a totally different kind -- an online auction!

Basically it goes like this: Cynthea's auctioning off awesome stuff to raise money for Tulakes Elementary, a Title I school in her home state of Oklahoma.The goal: to fund as many classrooms as possible with leveled readers. And with Cynthea's tireless efforts, she's well on her way there. But she needs your help!

So what kind of stuff is she auctioning off? Well, you'll have to visit the website (click the icon below) to see it all, but for one... she's auctioning off a 5-page manuscript critique from... yours truly!

So check it out:

And I urge you... take the dare!!!

Let me just say this: OMG, I love hate love hate love hate am totally in summer mode. As always, my writing is virtually nonexistent while I do the mom thing and I'm really frustrated and ugly and snarky and feeling like there's all these antagonists just piling up in me. Internal Antagonist Piles can't be healthy, I tell ya.

But this summer it only looks like I'm doing nothing. Behind the scenes (read: early in the morning, late at night, and every time I can squeeze in an extra second where a mom chore used to be) I'm working hard on getting ready for Hate List's release, which is in... gulp...

JUST 12 WEEKS!

Here's some of the stuff I'm working on:

1) Designing and ordering promo stuff like bookmarks and postcards. Okay, to be fair, I didn't design them. Fellow Deb Saundra Mitchell (author of SHADOWED SUMMER) did (she's so amazing on so many levels). And it's a good thing, because I could have never come up with anything nearly as awesome as she did. But I did order them. And I can't wait for the stuff to just get here already! *makes grabby hands*

2) Contacting local bookstores to set up signings. Okay, to be fair, I've only contacted one. But I have more in my sights and as soon as I can get away (and locate my Nice Pants and Going Out Shoes), I'm totally going to drive to some places and shake hands and kick tires or rattle trees or whatever it is people do when they want to get something done. AND! I heard through the grapevine that someone in charge of stuff at Rainy Day Books has a copy of Hate List and has it on his to-read list. *makes googly eyes at LB's publicity department*

3) Setting up a Virtual Launch Party. Okay, to be fair, I've really only set up one (totally fun and I'm totally excited about it) interview. But I have ideas for all the other stuff. I just have to find the technical skills to make it all happen. (This is what happens when you grow up in the Dark Ages and don't learn how to use a computer until you're 25, children.) (What is RSS anyway?)

4) Interviews!!! Okay, to be fair, I'm sort of behind on these. I think I'm sitting on three, just finding the time when the kids are halfway silent and I can sound sort of coherent in them (as coherent as one can sound with an Internal Antagonist Pile mucking up the brain). But I love doing interviews, and if anyone out there reading has a blog and an inkling to interview... please contact me at zoise30@gmail.com.

5) Guest blogging -- see #4.

6) Researching and writing a humor-writing class to be presented at the Fall KS SCBWI conference. Oh! And there'll be an autographed copy of Hate List in their giveaways basket this time. Is that totally awesome or what?! And also awesome (any first-time published author will understand why this is awesome)... there will be Hate List promo material on the promo material table! That's right, take that bookmark, baby! Here, take another! (I wonder if they'll kick me out if I "bark" the promo material table. You know, like they do in carnival midways)

7) Creating a Facebook Fan Page for Hate List. If you're on FB, check it out!

8) Putting together a contest for my blog. Well, actually, a whole slew of contests to take place right here on this blog. And, to be fair, I'm all over this puppy! You guys are going to LOVE this contest (that word... LOVE... was a hint... hee hee...), and it's going to kick off in just a couple weeks. So now you have something to do, too -- check in every day so you don't miss out one some very fun bloggy contestness!

So I'm off to "do nothing" now. Heading to the swimming pool. Okay, to be fair, I'm meeting a writer who is just getting started and wants some advice on how to get her career kick-started. See? Work! Just work that involves sunscreen and goggles.

Should I tell her about the Internal Antagonist Piles or should I let her find out about those on her own?