DIGGIN' IN

We were removing a stump from the yard last week when my dog Jake said, "Hang on just a MINUTE!  I'll show you how to dig!"  He then jumped in the hole and showed us how it's done.

(Off camera, we were all struggling not to laugh...Jake's so serious about his digging!)

I love the way he just plunges in, though...There's a lesson in that, I think...

HAPPY BANNED BOOKS WEEK!

Love this image celebrating banned books...Reminds me of my girl Auggie (the MC from THE JUNCTION OF SUNSHINE AND LUCKY):

I Read Banned Books by Oak Park Public Library, via Flickr

EARLY STOPS - THE JUNCTION OF SUNSHINE AND LUCKY TOUR

You never saw a girl more anxious to spread the word of her latest book...THE JUNCTION OF SUNSHINE AND LUCKY doesn't release until February, but I'm already beginning to organize an online tour! 

Click on the page I recently created to learn more about the tour, and to view the stops already I've already planned. 

How many more days until February????

TWO SEASONS

Summer and autumn seem to both be here at the same time in the Ozarks.  It's blazing hot, but yellow leaves are starting to fall, too. 

Flip-flop-shaped sarong clip holding a fallen leaf...

That's pretty much where I am with my work right now, too.  I'm organizing blog tours, promos, etc. for THE JUNCTION OF SUNSHINE AND LUCKY while writing my next MG.  It's kind of a funny place to be, half my head dealing with a finished product while the other half is focused on the basics of plot outline and character development.

That's life as a writer, though; juggling projects in various stages of development makes you feel like you always seem to be dealing with two "seasons" at the same time...

THE JUNCTION OF SUNSHINE AND LUCKY ONLINE TOUR!

We're still a good five months away from the release of my debut MG, THE JUNCTION OF SUNSHINE AND LUCKY.  But I'm already thinking about a tour!

Right now, I'm gathering the names of those who are interested in participating and what their ideas or interests are.  I haven't been on a blog tour since the release of my last YA, PLAYING HURT, in '11...and I've never been on an online tour for a middle grade novel before.  In many ways, this is all brand new to me.

So I need your help: fill out the form at the end of this post to let me know if and how you'd like to participate.  If you know you want to take part, but aren't quite sure how yet, tell me that, too!  By signing up, you'll be put on my mailing list; I'll be corresponding with everyone on my list to bounce ideas as we get closer to the book's actual release. 

I had a blast on my last online tour, and think this tour could be even more fun.  I can't wait to get some ideas rolling.

To learn more about THE JUNCTION OF SUNSHINE AND LUCKY, visit my author site or the site I created just for young readers.
 
Thanks in advance for your interest and your hard work...I can't tell you how much I adore my incredible bloggers!

If you have trouble viewing the form below, click here.  You can also feel free to leave a comment or email writehollyschindler (at) yahoo (dot) com.

CHILDREN'S AUTHOR BLOG HOP

The kind and talented Naomi Kinsman invited me to participate in a children’s blog hop.  I love both Naomi and the questions, so of course I jumped right in!

What are you working on right now?

A new middle grade novel.  Earlier this summer, I turned in the copyedits for my debut MG, THE JUNCTION OF SUNSHINE AND LUCKY (which is set to release on February 6, 2014).  I’m honestly having a blast writing the new MG, but I have to admit, I also really miss Auggie (the protagonist of THE JUNCTION).  I initially drafted that book in ’05, and it’s hard to let such a sweet character go.

How does it differ from other works in the genre?

Right now, the MG genre as a whole seems pretty keenly focused on magical or fantasy-oriented books.  Books that feel like or play with the conventions of fairy tales.  THE JUNCTION is contemporary realistic fiction, no magic, no fairies.  Just a girl and her own smarts, talent, and moxie.

Why do you write what you do?

When I got my MA in ’01, I dove headfirst into my writing.  To pay the bills, I started teaching music lessons out of the house.  It was the perfect setup: I’d write all day, then start teaching in the afternoons when the kids got out of school.

I was really surprised to find that the kids were just so…familiar.  The technology and fashion had changed, but the struggles hadn’t!  I tried my hand at writing in the juvenile market—my first two published books were YAs, and I have a third YA forthcoming with HarperCollins. 

I thought those music lessons were going to give me a little extra cash—I never knew they’d actually give me career direction!  Just goes to show that living your life is as important as putting your fingers to the keyboard.

What is the hardest part about writing?

For me, the hardest thing is reining in my metaphorical / descriptive writing.  I’m a junkie for literary writing, descriptive writing.  As I’m drafting, I often don’t realize how much description I’m piling on.  I’m really forcing myself lately to cut it back.  So often, less is more.  I don’t want to turn so many authorial tricks that I keep my readers from connecting with my work. 

...It's not a blog hop if you don't tag other authors!  I've invited Darlene Beck-Jacobson, a writer I met through my own blog; she sent me fun prompts for a flash fiction challenge some time ago.  Her own MG, a piece of historical fiction titled WHEELS OF CHANGE, will be out with Creston Books in '14.  

I also tagged the fabulous Jody Casella, whose debut YA, THIN SPACE, releases this month!  I adore Jody, and literally cannot wait to get my hands on THIN SPACE.  I've already got my copy pre-ordered.  

Aaaand, because one of the best part of blogging is meeting new people, I put out a call for participants on Facebook, and was happy to meet Jennifer Anne Davis.  I'm looking forward to getting to know her more...