Welcome to another week of the YA Indie Carnival. On deck this week? Our favorite fan moment. This a a thank you to the teens who came out for The Rain Boots Required Tour last Friday. My favorite fan moment happened there. It was the first time I talked to teens about my writing. The incredible librarians who hosted and organized the event and the amazing teens who swung by for First Fridays not only put up with my first-time jitters, they also had so many great questions about writing and story. Here’s one of my fun fan moments:
My friends made me write 13 on Halloween. They always laugh at me when I say “I hamster,” or, “I gopher.” They said I should write the way I talk. I sort of rolled my eyes. But then it dawned on me, teenagers have their own languages too. So I decided to explore a character who uses animals as verbs, as I do, and looks at the world through a Wild Kingdom prism in order to understand her changing world and her role in it. I wanted the book to be funny. I mean, how serious could a book that uses animals as verbs be? And yet, while I hope readers get a good laugh, I hope they might also get a lump in their throat from time to time as they discover powerful insights along with Roxie, the twelve-turning-thirteen-on-Halloween main character.
At the West Linn library, a group of three really good friends confided in me that they had their own language too. They told me their secret word and said that some people tried to use it, but got the sounds all wrong. I love that. I love the fact that they have their own special language and that they shared their special word with me. I loved that only they know how to say it and nobody else does. They are awesome! I’m super excited that today I have an interview & giveaway up at Reading Away the Days! Megan is an awesome blogger.
Fresh off the Indie Press!
NEED MORE? Take a ride with my fellow carnis!
The Fuji Mermaid Dani Snell’s Refracted Light Reviews
Leopard Girl Patti Larsen Author of The Ghost Boy of MacKenzie House, The Hunted Series and the Hayle Coven Novels
Fire Breather Courtney Cole Author of Every Last Kiss, Fated, Princess, Guardian, My Tattered Bonds. Also a contributing author in The Glassheart Chronicles
Strong Woman Nicole Williams Author of Eternal Eden, and Fallen Eden. She is also a contributing author in the Glassheart Chronicles
Champion Sword Swallower Fisher Amelie Author of The Understorey, as well as a contributing author in The Glassheart Chronicles
Snake Charmer Amy Maurer Jones Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy as well as a contributing author in The Glassheart Chronicles
Pretzel Woman Rachel Coles. Geek Mom. Book Reviewer Author of Diary of a Duct Tape Zombie, Whistles, Beergarden, Plagues, Bees of St. John, and Mushrooms
The Giant T. R. Graves T.R. Graves: Author of Warriors of the Cross
Jungle Woman P.J. Hoover Author of Solstice, The Emerald Tablet, The Navel of the World, The Necropolis
Fortune Teller Abbi Glines Author of Breathe, and the upcoming Existence and Vincent Boys
Knife Thrower Cheri Schmidt Author of Fateful, Fractured, and Fair Maiden
Fire Dancer Lexus Luke Author of Manitou, The Sky People Saga
Fire Breather Suzy Turner Author of December Moon and Raven
Dragonslayer K. C. Blake Author of Vampire Rules
Elephant Trainer Gwenn Wright Author of Filter
Ring-Leader Kimberly Kinrade Author of Bits of You & Pieces of Me and Forbidden Mind
Prestidigitator Darby Karchut Author of Griffin Rising and the upcoming Griffin’s Fire
Lion Tamer Madeline Smoot Author of Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls
Siren M. Leighton Author of the Blood Like Poison Series, Wiccan, Caterpillar, Madly & Wolfhardt & The Reaping
Horse Whisperer Cidney Swanson Author of Rippler
Flying Trapeze Artist Heather Self awesome book blogger.
That’s so fantastic that you got to talk to actual TEENS. I’ve often wondered what the ratio is of teens/adults that read YA, and it’s exciting that you got to talk to them about your books and get input back from them 🙂 What a great photo too!
Thanks so much Dani! It was a pleasure to talk to everyone that night. The teens are so bright and full of questions. I enjoyed hearing their thoughts on school and friends and what they like to read. I loved meeting their moms too:) The West Linn Library in West Linn, OR has a fabulous program for teens. Elaine, the librarian in charge of the event, and Rebecca the event coordinator are such a joy to know!
Laura, I love the way you are giving the fan your undivided attention…like her words are the only thing in the world that matters to you. Knowing your ability to engage/befriend people, I’m sure that was the case. As a mother of a teen, I realize how important it is to give them the respect they deserve. It bonds them to you for life regardless of your role. Thanks for sharing.
🙂 Thanks Tina! What a blessing this tour has been!
Hey, never mind sending me a link. It seems I’ve found it. If you ever want more practice talking to teens, I’m here for you. I know some of us are intimidating, but the ones who like to read tend to be much more gentle.
Also, I’ve never heard of using animals as verbs. That would be a unique idea.
McKenzie, 🙂 Great, I’m glad you found Laurasmagicday! My teens are all grown up! And yes, we have some great chats ahead of us. Thanks for hanging with me at Wordstock. Roxie is a unique character and I love her view of the world. I hope you do too:)
Awesome moment, Laura! And what a lovely picture of the two of you. Enjoy the next gig!