I Only Want to See You Laughing in the Purple Rain. A meme!

Liviania at In Bed With Books tagged me for this one, which was totally fun because I love infusing what song my iPod chooses with meaning. (Violet plays "The Song Game" in my books to determine how guys feel about her, which is what I used to do...okay, still do sometimes. It's a sickness).I'll link to videos for the songs I can find on youtube, in case you're curious. Also, after doing this, I feel like I just had a therapy session. Not sure if that's good or bad. Phew, music is really powerful! Here goes. 1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, Minamp, etc on shuffle. 2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer. 3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS. 4. Put the artist after a dash following the song name. 5. Put any comments in brackets. 6. Tag some lucky people to spread the disease. a. How would you describe yourself? Dream a Little Dream - The Mamas and the Papas [Ooh, this one is romantic and gorgeous! I love this game so far. Play this video while you read the rest if you want a treat: ] b. How do you feel today? Virginia Woolf - Indigo Girls [Wow. Kind of sad! Not really accurate, though I have been reading a lot today so maybe my iPod is picking up on that.] c. What is your life's purpose? Across the Great Divide - The Band [This song is adventurous and about the journey of life--I'm into it.] d. What is your motto? Girl Can't Help It - Journey [Um, hilarious. I don't think I can explain this one. It's weird. But I do heart Journey forever.] e. What do you think about very often? Ice Cream - Sarah McLaughlin [Oh man! I'm not cheating, I swear. Very accurate.] I'm gonna make you jump for more, because this meme is long (but fun!)....

f. What is your life story? Little Fat Babies - Sparklehorse [Okay, what?! No kids yet, but maybe someday. And I guess they might be chunky. (Kidding--this song is actually very sweet and about someone's life, so it fits.)] g. What do you want to be when you grow up? Goin' Back - The Byrds [I've always been completely nostalgic, and this song reflects that. So maybe when I grow up I want to remember who I've always been.] h. What will you dance to at your wedding? People as Places - Modest Mouse [No way will this happen. I love MM, but it's just not the dance song. Sorry.] i. What will they play at your funeral? Norwegian Wood - The Beatles [I do love this song, but beyond the opening line it's about pyromania, right? So, take note, and just that first part: "I once had a girl... or should I say, she once had me?"] j. What is your hobby/interest? Underwear - The Magnetic Fields [This just makes me seem totally weird.] k. If you could do anything right now, what would it be? http://video.aol.com/video/princepurple-rain/1799330">Purple Rain - Prince [I do believe that at any moment in time I'd love to see people laughing in the Purple Rain. So, right on.] j. What do you want most of all? Sit on the Sun - Keren Ann [A really sweet song, also incredibly nostalgic (um, okay, my iPod is a nostalgia box), so this fits. I want my memories always.] k. What is your greatest fear? Nobody Girl - Ryan Adams [Scarily accurate. I always fear I'm just plain no one, and this song nails that.] l. What is your darkest secret? This Time Around - Luna [Hmm... this could play into my darkest secret, which isn't really a secret, but isn't something I talk or think much about. Yeah, this fits. But no, I'm not telling.] m. What is your favorite thing in the world? The Long Day is Over - Norah Jones [I suppose this could mean home is my favorite thing after a long day, which it is!] n. If you could have one wish, what would you wish for? Crazy for This Girl - Evan & Jaron [What the--?! How did this song get on here? I mean, I was only obsessed with it for months in 2001... but... okay, I like this song. I admit it. And I guess it could mean I would wish for crazy love (which I think I have).] o. What is your theme song? Preachin' Prayin' Singin' - Flatt & Scruggs Oh, this sucks! I wanted a good theme song but this is on the bluegrass album that's for when I'm driving on country roads. Okay, I like bluegrass, but this is so not my theme song!! p. The next time you hear this song (aside from now, that is), you must dance. Cold Day in July - Dixie Chicks [Such a sad song! Not a dance song! I will not dance to this song.] What will you post this as? Gotta give it to Purple Rain. This meme was pretty fun, so I recommend it to anyone who's curious and who loves The Song Game... I know some of you have your own versions of that! One Rule: Let me know if you play--I want to see!

Win-It Wednesday: How to Be Popular by Meg Cabot

Last week's winner of Elizabeth Scott's Bloom + TESS lip gloss, as chosen by random number generator, is... GirlwiththeBraids! Send me your address, braids. This week, I'm celebrating a momentous moment (is that repetitive?), which is that I read my very first Meg Cabot book! Now, let me say that I've been loving Meg's blog and the movies made from her books for a while. I don't know what in the world kept me from her for so long, but you can be sure that How to Be Popular will not be my last Meg book--I loved it! She's so fun and fast and quippy and heartfelt and just a whole lot of bundled goodness and hilarity. Yay! (Also, she sort of said hi to me when we were on a chat together earlier this month, and I felt a fangirl flutter. So, you know, we're kind of friends. Um, virtually.) So, now that I've read How to Be Popular, it's your turn (read an excerpt through that link). This book happens to be part of a very big book club in December, so if you win it, I expect you to join in that conversation (more details soon). And, bonus, I found three cover images (two are likely foreign editions). But the big one is the one I have. To enter to win, please comment below on this topic: What makes a person truly popular at your school? (Or when you were in school, if you're done.) I think at my high school, it ended up that the kids who were popular in middle school became less popular as the years went on. I'm happy to report that the truly nice ones rose to the top by senior year. Well, mostly. Happy Wednesday! PS-You have until 11pm to go here and try to win a copy of Violet in Private. Go, go!

Win and Chat

First, I'm being interviewed over at Hip Writer Mama, where you can comment to win a copy of Violet in Private, so head over there! (This is part of the Winter Blog Blast Tour, which is filled with great author interviews!) Second, there's a live chat on the readergirlz forum tonight, November 18th at 6 PM PST/9 PM EST to discuss our featured book, Long May She Reign (the fourth book of the Meg Powers/President's Daughter series) with Ellen Emerson White. She actually wrote the first book of this series when she was 18, which blows my mind. I'm loving the book so much, and kind of hoping Ellen's sending copies to the Obama girls. How cute are they!? Oh, and also it's the last day to enter to win a copy of Bloom, so go here for that. Happy Tuesday!

Gamer Girl by Mari Mancusi!

Congratulations to the amazing Mari Mancusi on the release of Gamer Girl. I'm dying to get it, especially after seeing the fantastic essay about being bullied that Mari wrote for The Story Siren. You should go read it (comment to enter to win a book). Also, cool cover, right? I'm totally going to beg Mari to do a Cover Story with me. PS-Thanks to exercise your mind a.k.a. read books for the interview. Read it here.

Photo Friday: California and Gray's Papaya!

Last week I was in San Francisco and Sonoma, which ruled, so here are a few pics. At the Museum of Modern Art, behind Jim Hodges' meticulously sewn artificial petals, which create an amazing flower curtain. In the sideview mirror of the convertible Mustang we rented for Sonoma and Napa. Yes, we went that cheesy. At the Sterling Vineyard in Napa. I'll admit it: I had lots of wine. I also seem to be having a Flashdance moment. And last night, I saw that Gray's Papaya in the West Village got in on the collective WOOOOHOOOO in NYC last week. OBAMA! Happy weekend. PS-The Book Vault is giving away five SIGNED copies of Katie Finn's TOP 8. I heard Katie read a little while ago and she was SO SO good! Seriously hi-larious. I want to win. What about you? Enter here.

Yet Another Amazing Contest Entry!

Here is the fabulous Victoria's Big Contest Entry, which I love, love, loved (after I looked up "vagility")! Those of you who've read the Violet books will enjoy it, and those of you who haven't, well, enjoy anyway. And ask for the books for a holiday gift. Heehee.Here's Victoria: "I came up with the idea of describing Violet's character using the letters of her name along with an explanation as to why I perceive Violet in this way. I have also tried to use words which aren't particularly 'obvious' just to make it more fun! My ideas of Violet are based on book 1. :) V - Vagility Violet has vagility as she was able to succeed in the modeling industry despite having to struggle to create a name for herself as its such a competitive business. She overcame a number of different problems which could have ruined her chances to reach the success she has, for example, Veronica's nastiness towards the beginning. I - Intelligence Not only did Violet manage to graduate from school early, but she also had the intelligence to know when it was time to return home to correct any problems with the people who are most important... her family and friends. O - Originality Violet's ideas for the modeling industry were completely original, including what others would describe as her 'amateur' smile and her 'everyday' walk. She was daring enough to try something new and was successful as she found a way which would work for her. L - Loyalty Violet stuck by Veronica when she was going through her time of need. This showed great loyalty as Veronica had not always been the nicest person to Violet. Violet also showed loyalty when she went home to her family and friends, those who are genuine, as opposed to staying in the superficial lifestyle where relationships were based on what oppurtunities you could create for each other. E - Extraordinary Violet is most certainly living an extraordinary lifestyle, after all, how many people get spotted by a women in Chanel shades who are suddenly the most sought after model in the country? T - Talented Violet most certainly has a whole lot of talent! The adventures she endures are all the proof we need of this. Originally, she seemed to carry inner talent as when she was snapped up by Angela she was unsure of whether she was up to the challenge, however, after the ego-boosting sessions she certainly flaunted her new-found talent!" Thanks to the creative and lovely Victoria! Happy Thursday! PS-There's an interview with me up on Sparknotes where you can ask me a question about being a writer and I'll totally answer (not that I wouldn't answer anyway). Go check it out if you have time.

Win-It Wednesday: Bloom by Elizabeth Scott

Last week's winner of Wide Awake (which I read right up until the moment of the election, and cried right through much of it, in awe of how amazingly timely the book is, politically) is... Jenny, who ate cottage cheese w/craisins and lots and lots of coffee. Craisins? I love cross fruits! For this week's contest, we have a book near to my heart, Bloom. I've raved about this one before, and it is such a romantic story that it made me have a semi-crush on the computer fix-it guy at the office where I used to work, just because he sort of looked like the character Evan. Also: sweetest cover ever. Now, I've hung out with author Elizabeth Scott (see, there we are), and besides having the bluest eyes I've ever seen, she's both hilarious and fun. But for some reason I always forget to bring her books to sign. So this copy is unsigned (sorry), but that does not take away from its brilliance, so you will love it anyway. To win, you have several options. Last week I made it easy with that "What's for breakfast?" question, so this week you have to work slightly harder. Here's how you enter: 1. Join readergirlz (you can sign up for the newsletter via that link). Also, you can join the forum (HERE on myspace), where you can chat with the authors-of-the-month about their books (this month is Ellen Emerson White and next up: Meg Cabot!). It's an online book club with monthly picks, but you actually get to interact with the author, which makes me go all fangirl. 2. If you don't have a myspace profile, you can still keep up with the readergirlz blog, where I'll be blogging a few times a week. I am a blogging machine! Follow the blog there for another entry. 3. Leave a comment on Mrs. Magoo Reads' review of Violet by Design. I'll tell you why: Because I want you to help me cast the Violet books! I need help with this question. 4. Go see the Free Book Friday Teens interview with me, and enter to win a signed copy of Violet in Private or leave a comment there. Do any or all of those, and that's how many entries you have to win Bloom (comment below and tell me what you did to enter). I'm also throwing in a Tess Lip Gloss with the book, because they're fun and pretty, and so is this story. Happy Wednesday!

Report from Rye: A reading with Selena Breed

I love doing events with model Selena Breed, who is just about the coolest girl I know. When we speak together, I read excerpts from the Violet books, and she shares her real-life fashion world experiences. It's a blast. (Also, I think it's funny how we both automatically do the fashion stance of hand on hip, tilted shoulder when someone takes our picture!)Here's a report from a reading we did at the Rye Free Reading Room in Rye, NY this fall. We had a great time and met some awesome girls in the audience. Selena's in LA now, but we'll still do events together whenever we can! Happy Tuesday. PS-Thanks to Lindsey at Sarah's Stars Book Reviews for the review of Violet in Private. PPS-Thanks to Mrs. Magoo for the review of Violet by Design!

Cover Stories: You Had Me at Halo by Amanda Ashby

I'm a big fan of Amanda Ashby's, and not just because her blog always has music playing (though that does help!). She's also an energetic and funny writer, and her debut novel, You Had Me At Halo, has an incredibly quirky premise (I love quirky!). Publisher's Weekly described the book thusly (btw, it is quirky to use the word thusly): "It's The Lovely Bones meets Bridget Jones in this fluffy take on what happens after death...it's a fun, witty traipse through the afterlife."When the afterlife is fun and witty, I want to be involved. And here is Amanda's Cover Story: "I'm not a very visual person at the best of times so it's really not part of my writing process to try and picture a cover. Also, it wasn't until I signed with my agent that I got my fabulous title and I think that played a big part in helping guide the cover!" "My editor sent me an email to say they were having a meeting about it the following week and asked for ideas. Here is the reply I sent her: 'I've been having a snoop around Amazon and the covers that have really drawn me all seem to have blue skies and clouds in them. One idea was to have the sky/cloud background with the title in big letters and the O of Halo looking like a real halo, which could have Holly hanging off it, as if she's going to fall. There could even be a city skyscape below or Vince standing by an office building or something?' "The other idea was to have Holly in the right hand corner on a cloud, sort of speeding to earth while hanging onto her halo and at the bottom left have Vince perhaps leaning on a signpost with an arrow pointing back up to heaven. In the middle the title could be written out in a circle like a halo. "I was so happy the first time I saw my cover because it was better than I EVER could've dreamed--thereby proving why I should stick to writing and not try and design covers since my ideas were all cluttered and messy and what they came up with was so sharp and clean! My favorite part is the shape of the cloud and the clothes that my heroine is wearing (she really would've picked them if she wasn't dead and stuck in a guy's body!!!!) "I loved it so much (as did my agent) that we only had good things to say! I'd just like to add that I felt very lucky to get such a wonderful cover on my debut book. Over the years I've heard loads of horror stories about authors getting covers that don't have any resemblance to the story inside, but that definitely wasn't the case for me and I really think that my cover perfectly represents what the book is about (not to mention the tone!)" I think Amanda's first suggestions were great, and had a definite impact on that sky-blue-with-clouds cover! Inspirations are always a little scattered, Amanda. You did well! What do you guys think--do you like the cover? And what other blue-sky books can you think of? Alyson Noel's Cruel Summer comes to mind for me.

Win a copy of Violet in Private...

over at Free Book Friday's new Teen site. And, as the title indicates, you can check back every Friday for another chance to win a new book!Also, I wanted to thank Beverly for this entry in the Big Violet Contest in August. She wrote a great poem (it really does capture Violet!), and here it is! I am more than a model or a runway girl. There are layers to me and somewhere a pearl. I can walk the runway in Milan or New York but just don't let me get photographed with some food on a fork. I just want to be accepted and be me but everyone wants me to be whom they think I should be I want to go to Vassar and live a normal life without the fame, but how do you leave who you were to become who you are meant to be in this game? I'm looking for solutions and clues behind doors, read about it in Violet in Private now in stores. -- Beverly S Clark And also, thanks to Melissa Walker, my namesake, who creatively submitted an entry in which found the word for violet in as many languages as possible: violet MANUSHAQE LJUBIČASTA BOJA fialova violetti violette Violetta viola fiolett fioletowe violetas violeta violett kannike Waioleka IBOLYA VIJOLITE Happy Saturday, everyone! PS-My blog can't post some of the characters, obviously, but you can see them here.