Don't Touch the Cotton Candy!

As you read this, I'm moving into my dorm at the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics. (Phew, that's a mouthful!) So in the spirit of starting a new school year at a brand new school I figured I should share a fun, if embarrassing, moment. And a brief warning about school pep rallies. Mainly the ones where kids are mixing the cotton candy.Don't touch the cotton candy at the pep rallies. Seriously. Do. Not. Touch. Not only was my tongue dyed purple until the next morning when it was merely a hint at the tip of my tongue, but my fingers had a nice tint as well. Oh, and your spit is also brilliantly hued. And believe me, when the cotton candy is that vibrant, you won't be able to taste anything but bitterness for a few hours. And soda-of any kind-doesn't fix it. Trust me. Luckily I was around friends of several years. But that didn't save me when the teacher who took this picture showed it to all the kids in all his classes the next day.

New schools can be scary, but they can be a great opportunity to grow. Yes, I know that's what parents are always saying, but it's true. Whether you are moving up to high school or going on to college, don't be afraid to stretch your comfort zone. Meet new people who share your interests by joining a club or sport. For those musically inclined, marching band is a great option. These people can help you find your classes, warn you about the really strict teachers, and save you a seat at the lunch table. Marching band did a lot to help me through my freshman year of high school because I met people who were already familiar with the surroundings and were willing to help out the geeky flute player. So don't be afraid to try new things!

Good luck to all of you students bracing for school! And don't forget to pick up you copy of
Just One of the Guys* to help ease the transition!

*now on Kindle!

One time at Band Camp...

Most of my friends are currently in various stages of summer band camp. The percussionists and color guard are at their super-focused camps without the regular band crazies to distract them. The regular band crazies are bracing themselves for their camp starting next week.

And this is the south, so everything is hot and humid- and it's worse because everyone is working on super hot asphalt. And it's not even nice and smooth hot asphalt, its old rocky, bumpy asphalt. (And for accident-prone people like me, this leads to tripping and stumbling, the likelihood of which is only increased by the aforementioned heat.)

So it occurs to me that I have 2 years worth of stories to share with you, my faithful readers. Hm. Now which one should I feature today? That's it! Dragonflies!

(This involves a section leader who will now be called SL for the sake of privacy.)
We had to learn lateral slides- which are painful and awkward until you get the hang of them. The idea is that your feet always face the direction you are moving in while your instrument (a.k.a. arms and face) is parallel to the sidelines at all times. See below. On the left of the field are normal, easier directions of travel. On the right is a lateral slide.Now, SL was trying to teach us how to do these while walking in a straight line, playing our flutes, and marching the prescribed distance. We only escaped when a crippled dragonfly became stuck to SL's shoe and hung on for a good 5 minutes while she danced around. But then she executed a kick worthy of an international soccer star and flung him onto somebody's windshield, where he promptly died.

But she didn't lose the dragonflies that easily. No, two weeks later at an after-school practice, SL had another one fly into her sports drink. The next week there was another dragonfly stuck to her shoe. At our first game, one flew into her hair. The list of encounters is endless.

I don't know if the curse has been broken, as she left for college. But it makes you wonder... Do dragonflies have some sort of psychic connection to each other? Is earth populated by Jedi dragonflies? And does anyone else know of other band camp curses?

And don't forget to see what I've got cooking at Teen-Seen today!

What's in a Name?

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose/By any other word would smell as sweet." (Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene ii, lines 43-44)

But is it really true? When in the process of creating a character I know his or her, well, character long before I know his/her name. I know how they act, their strengths and weaknesses, and their history.

For me, naming a hero or heroine can be the toughest part- after all, their names should mean something or nothing. The name has to represent the person to the readers who will meet him/her.

Example: Samantha is the star of Just One of the Guys. According to BehindtheName.com "Samantha" is a common English name that may be the female version of "Samuel." It's not super feminine and it's common, so it isn't particularly flashy. It's a down-to-earth name for a down-to-earth girl. There's also the added plus that it can be shortened to "Sam" which is the name she chooses to go by. Her name allows her to blend with her guy friends, and lends a credibility to her character.

Now, imagine her name is Isobel. Sure, maybe Isobel's a tom-boy, but her name doesn't really fit that fact. So if I were to use that name, I'd have to justify it by turning it into a conflict. She'd be likely to make comments such as: "I hate that name." and "Why did my parents have to be so old-fashioned?" Things like that. Isobel's looks and history would also be different because "Isobel" is obviously foreign (Italian to be exact). Instead of having auburn hair she'd have darker, Mediterranean looks. Her grandparents may be immigrants, so maybe she's fluent in Italian in addition to English.

Maybe if rose bushes were instead called thorn bushes, they'd smell just as sweet, but how many people would stop to smell them? Would you risk getting cut by a thorn bush in order to smell its flowers? I'll admit, I'd avoid a thorn bush like the plague. But a rose bush? Those are known for their beautiful flowers, so maybe I'd actually approach one.

So written by an author currently naming new characters,
Iris Black

Just One of the Guys is now available for Kindle and can also be found in other formats at Quake. For more updates on what's going on in my head, go to my Facebook, my Fan page, or follow me on Twitter (@IrisBlack).

Why I'm Almost Ready for School to Start

Yep. I'm almost ready for school to start. How am I almost? Why am I waiting? You will find two short lists below: "Ready and Waiting" and "Not Quite Ready."

Ready and Waiting

1. When school starts, I'll probably have more blog material to choose from.
2. I really want to be a Governor's School student in the Governor's School.
3. I want to meet all of my classmates and find out what my schedule's like.
4. Oddly enough, I like school. My summer has been lacking in science material.
5. I just want to get started.
   

Not Quite Ready

1. I still have required reading to do.
2. I haven't seen much of my friends this summer.
3. Nerves.
4. I actually do like my family and pets.
   
5. Goofy reason: I want to see the new G.I. Joe movie before I leave =)

So anyways, that's what's been floating around in my head. Now it's floating around on the internet.

Read Just One of the Guys, a much more interesting approach to summer vacation and all of the little adventures that entails when you're in high school. Available now at Kindle and Quake.

War of the Pages

Some of you may be aware that I have been posting reviews/guides to commonly assigned summer reading books. (Whew! That's a mouthful!) And actually, none of those books are ones that I have been assigned this summer. A new school means new books and new focus. So while most of my old classmates are reading Beowulf and other British classics I am reading a motley assortment of craziness (literally!) and global classics.

Also, I had to go on the hunt via Amazon.com for specific editions with loooong forwards by other authors, etc.

Assigned to me (in my intended reading order):

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey (American, pub. 1962)
Status: Completely Finished
Enjoyment: Mild- good book, tough topics, want to see the film
Dubliners by James Joyce (Irish topics/published in London, pub. 1914)
Status: Finished Preface, Midway in Intro, yet to see author's work
Enjoyment: Wish the boring stuff was shorter, looking forward to the stories
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton (American, pub. 1920)
Status: Unstarted
Enjoyment: No intell to influence opinion, mostly curious
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams (American, pub. 1947)
Status: Unstarted
Enjoyment: Looking forward to it- was meant to be in the curriculum last year
How Good People make Tough Choices: Resolving the Dilemmas of Ethical Living by Rushworth Kidder
Status: Unstarted
Enjoyment: Facing the reading with great dread- luckily, it's short

And just a disclaimer: I know that summer is not forever and have a plan to reduce the pile of looming pages. I have a plan, I have time to implement it, and am resigned to my fate.

So have any of you read any of these? Opinions?

Why I march...

Or should I say marched? While I am moving to a new school (one without a marching band) I will never forget the times spent on the football field with over 100 of my peers. I marched in the Stratford Bands for 2 years and have learned so much in such a relatively short time.

Those 100+ peers I mentioned? Yeah, I knew all of their names and faces- and was able to match the right face to the right name for the most part. We were all odd, quirky, and downright crazy at times. Particularly on the bus or during a rainy-day indoor rehearsal. But the laughs weren't really the reason I continued to march with them for a second season.

No, it was about the family. The sense of community. We shed sweat, tears, and the occasional blood, together from July until December. From heated band camp to windy parades. When a band member was hurt, you helped. When a band member was struggling in class, you helped. When a band member needed help piling their hair into their hat, you took joy in knotting their hair into wacky pigtails and other twisted hairstyles. (Sorry boys, but dress code is dress code. No hair on the collars!)

My first season of marching ended with knee surgery after I stepped in a pot hole at our very last parade. My second season started with knee surgery. Because I couldn't march, they put me on the front line with the mallet percussion. Even though I had no CLUE what I was doing, they managed to fit me in and I didn't mess up too bad at competition. And I never once felt left out.

But that's the thing. An organization like band has so many different types of people. Injury-prone persons, tie-died hair persons, geeks, nerds, the works. And the only thing we all have in common is music. But its enough to start. And by the end of the season? We're family. That's why I marched.

Pictures:
top right: Show shirt from 08 season. We made State finals for the 1st time in 6 years!
middle left: Me marching at State my freshman year. The show was Musicology 101

Want to know what it's like to be part of the band? Read Just One of the Guys available on Kindle and other formats now!

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I am pleased to say that The Great Gatsby has arrived at Sam's Space!
Book Summary: This classic novel is set in Long Island, NY during the 1920s and Prohibition. The story is told by a young man, Nick Carraway, who has just moved to the East Coast from the Midwest. There, he meets his neighbor, Jay Gatsby- a man who is full of money and doesn't have the class to go with it. Nick also finds his distant cousin, Daisy, her husband Tom, and Daisy's friend, Jordan. This is the point when everything devolves into a messy soap opera drama. Gatsby is in love with Daisy, Daisy loves money and stuff, Tom cheats on his wife with a married woman named Myrtle, Nick has an affair with Jordan, and everyone is getting drunk at Gatsby's parties illegally. A definite recipe for disaster- as Tom knows Gatsby loves Daisy and Myrtle wants Tom to get a divorce so she can leave her husband (George Wilson). And Nick is the unfortunate observer caught in the middle.

Review: This is not my favorite book in the world, but I did enjoy it. The characters involved in the story will have you frustrated, indignant, and shaking your head at turns. But each has some sort of endearing quality- Daisy is so innocent of the world, George knows nothing of Myrtle's infidelity, Gatsby just wants the love of his life, etc. The book addresses the immorality of society and the injustices dealt to the lower classes without being dry or boring.

What to Look For/Impress Your Teacher: The use of color is extremely important in this novel. The green light that Gatsby sees (no, I won't tell you what it is) represents hope. When Nick first visits Daisy, all the white articles represent her almost child-like innocence and her fleeting nature. Abstractly, using the terms West and East Eggs to refer to the different neighborhoods by Fitzgerald was deliberate. An egg is white on the outside, but yellow at the core. (The appearance of innocence at the surface, but a rotten heart lies beneath.) Also, pay attention to Tom's dialogue when he buys Myrtle a puppy. Read it with the thought that he isn't really talking about canines, but women. Tom had no respect for the fairer sex. And pay attention to the season. Spring is full of hope and budding dreams, Summer is hot and passionate and full of life, Autumn represents death and decay. Hmm. Something to consider when watching Gatsby's actions...

Author Facts: F. Scott Fitzgerald's full name was Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald. He coined the term "Jazz Age" in reference to the 20s and sometimes found himself nearing bankruptcy- forcing him to work in Hollywood. (He found this distasteful.) His wife, Zelda, was in and out of mental institutions and Fitzgerald himself was an alcoholic. For more, go to Wikipedia.

And after you finish reading The Great Gatsby, be sure to find a copy of Just One of the Guys on Kindle or Quake!

Sam's on Kindle!

Guess what: Sam and the guys are now available from Amazon.com for Kindle! The best part? Now, you can read Just One of the Guys anywhere, anytime.

Amazon also has a format for your iPhone or iPod touch. So now your music player can be an e-book reader too!

Buy it now! At only $2, who can resist this tantalizing read? It's the perfect way to break up your summer reading, relax over a coffee break, or just have fun!


P.S. The Great Gatsby will be joining us tomorrow- sorry for the delays.

Why I Foster Greyhounds

Today's post is the first in a random (no-schedule) series "Why I ___." The first-edition feature?

Why I foster greyhounds.

Yep. Usually you hear about foster kids- children without a legal guardian who have to move between families and homes while looking for adoptive parents. It's the same basic concept with the dogs- racing retirees in need of a forever home. My family's job is to help train these racers to be home-friendly pets when they've never even been inside a house before.

So why do I do it? Here are two good reasons:
Meet Boo (left) and Brody (right), my two current retired greyhounds. Brody is about 7 y/o and Boo is about 4 y/o. Both dogs raced, but neither was very good and both retired early without being bred.

"Fly Bye Brody" was my family's second foster dog, arriving while I was in 6th grade. He fit in with the female grey we had at the time and was such a goofball we couldn't bear to let him leave. Boo was one of our first fosters after my 8th grade year- two of our dogs had passed away that spring. "Sweet Crunch" was her racing name (how do you shorten that?) and had the adorable habit of perking up her ears like the little girl in Disney-Pixar's Monsters Inc.

The dogs that come through our home naturally a bit confused- not only are they in an actual house, but they've been transported from the Florida kennels to stay with complete strangers. One foster was terrified of hardwood floors and hopped from the carpeted floors to the rugs. We've had others that were terrified of the cats, the stairs, or both. Each dog is different, but every single one just wants to make people happy.

The dogs on the track are fed the worst sort of meat on an irregular basis. The beef that's deemed unsuitable for humans and that isn't even used in commercial dog food. Most of them have bald spots on the backs of their hips from the kennels and others have scars from scrapes and fights with other dogs.

And yet, the greyhounds still enjoy life and human attention. They still run in circles- often leaving tracks in their owner's backyards. They beg for attention, treats, and a good scratch. These dogs have a resiliency that few humans possess. While the laws in Florida are changing so that the dogs don't have such a long career, they still need people who (with great patience) can teach them how to live off the track. And if I can help place these dogs in a loving, permanent home, then that's something I want to be doing.

I work with the Greyhound Pets of America Charleston chapter. For information on greyhounds and racing stats, go to Greyhound-Data.

Look and see some cool pics/stats/pedigrees of greyhounds I have owned/do own: Faithful Message (Faith), Levi Rider (Levi), Fly Bye Brody (Brody), and Sweet Crunch (Boo) are a few.

Did you know that while they are called greyhounds, breeders and trainers believe grey, or blue, colored greyhounds are unlucky?

Of Mice and Men

Book Summary: This novella takes place in California during the Great Depression and focuses on two migrant workers with a dream for a better life- tending their own plot of land, complete with a rabbit farm. George Milton guides his mentally-disabled friend, Lennie, through life; Even when Lennie causes problems, George refuses to abandon him. When the pair find work at a ranch, their dream seems closer than ever, until the ranch-owner's daughter-in-law begins to cause trouble.

Review: This book addresses several controversial topics due to the time period and the type of men depicted in the story. It is an excellent book, but it is extremely sad. It's pretty hard to make someone cry in DisneyWorld, but I was tearing up at several points in the book. Still, an excellent book, but heartwrenching. So grab the tissue box and start reading!

What to Look For/Impress Your Teacher: Look at the description of the dream itself. What's unrealistic about it? Answer: Rainbow rabbits. In literature, if something sounds unrealistic, that generally means it can't happen. Also, the dogs involved in the story are key to Lennie's journey/fate. (The author points the fact that Lennie doesn't have much thinking capacity past that of a young child and often is more George's pet than peer.) Also, look up Robert Burn's poem To A Mouse. Steinbeck took his title from these lines in the second-to-last stanza: "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley." In english, that's "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men/ Go oft awry."

Author Facts: Steinbeck isn't a source of juicy gossip like Ernest Hemingway was, but here are some relevant facts. During World War II, Steinbeck served as a war correspondent for the New York Herald Tribune. He even went on some commando missions! He also won the Pulitzer prize for his novel, The Grapes of Wrath. In 1962, he received the Nobel Prize for Literature. For more info on John Steinbeck and his other works, go to Wikipedia.

Next week, meet The Great Gatsby. And while you're waiting, don't forget to read my short story, Just One of the Guys, available now!

The Old Man and The Sea

Okay, this was actually meant to be a Monday post. But we had some weather and traffic issues down here, so I was kept pretty busy yesterday.

Some techincal info/disclaimers:
Please understand that for the sake of this blog, some information is revealed that depicts the plot of the book under discussion. However, it is nothing like actually reading the book itself and is not enough to pass a test or write an essay! Also, throughout this series, there will be religious and sometimes sexual themes discussed. Everything will be PG unless specifically stated at the beginning of a post. Now, without further ado, The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway!



Book Summary: The book takes place in a small Cuban fishing village. The main character, Santiago is an impoverished old man believed to be cursed with bad luck because he has not caught a fish in 84 days. A village boy, Manolin, is forbidden from helping Santiago in his old age due to this unluckiness. So on the 85th day, Santiago sails out to try and catch a fish. A prime marlin catches his eye, and Santiago sets out to catch him. It takes 3 days for him to finally catch the marlin, and he suffers greatly for his prize. Thus, he sets sail home, only to be beset by sharks that rip his prize to pieces.

Review: This recieves 4 out of 5 stars from me. I loved this book for its simple, yet tasteful writing as well as its thorough detail. Hemingway describes his characters and his setting so well that you can taste the salt of the ocean and feel the coastal breeze. The story is a true man vs. nature plot and it truly shows that man must survive against all odds, or he is not a man. (This was Hemingway's thinking, represented by Hemingway's Code Hero.)

What to Look for: This novella is a perfect example of Hemingway's typical writing. He uses very simple words, yet they fit the meaning and point perfectly. Also, the plot is practically a direct parallel to Jesus' journey as depicted in the Christian bible.

Impress Your Teacher: The novella sets Santiago up as Jesus, with Manolin as his disciple. (Santi means "saint" in Spanish) Also notice the eighty-___ days he went without catching a fish. These can be matched with Jesus's time in the desert where he went without food or water. While he was battling the marlin, the injuries Santiago suffered are stigmata (representations of Christ's injuries). He also spent 3 days fighting the Marlin (Jesus rose 3 days after his death). Other details can also be compared- pay attention to the end, when Santiago reaches his port. Hey, you didn't think I'd tell you everything did ya?

Cool Author Stuff: Hemingway was a very neat, and very crazy guy. He basically lived the life of his heroes. (See link above) He was a veteran of WWI, serving in the American Red Cross Ambulance Corps as a driver because his vision wasn't good enough to be a soldier. He loved to hunt, and traveled the world to do so. Hemingway collected six- and seven-toed cats. His Key West house is still used as a shelter for his own pets' descendants! Also, he was a very depressed man. Suicide ran in his family, and he eventually killed himself as well. That's all the really weird stuff. For more, see Wikipedia.
Oh, and Spain hated him! When he wrote The Sun Also Rises he romanticized the bullfighting festival in Pompolona (that race you always hear about). After his book was published, the festival became flooded with drunk young men and other tourists eager to try their luck. Needless to say, the deathtoll rose significantly and the "not-so-smart" non-Spainish people at the festival irritate the Spaniards of Pompolona no end. Hmm.

This concludes this entry in the summer series. Come back next Monday- yes, I mean Monday this time- to learn about Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck!

Latest Updates- Emphasis on Late!

First of all, I'm not trying to ignore all of you guys who read my blog! Secondly, the end of the school year has been pretty crazy!

Update on my last post: When I got there for orientation, all of my name tags, folders, and other paraphernalia read "female." Phew! Disaster avoided.

Anyways, I've just been busy with physical therapy (going great, by the way) and the end of school. I've been studying for finals (got a 100 on my science end-of-course exam) and cleaning out my locker in varying stages. Who knew the smallest possible band locker could hide so much junk?

Great news! I'm starting work on the sequel to Just One of the Guys today! So if you're behind the times, better catch up quick, because who knows what kind of hot water Sam will land in next?

Also, I'm pleased to announce a new Monday feature focusing on required reading. Don't groan yet- in addition to a brief summary of a commonly required book, there will be tips on how to impress your teacher, what it's really talking about, and other cool facts about the book and the author! So come back on Monday for a view of The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.

See ya later!
Iris and Sam

P.S. Visit Teen-Seen and find out where I like to spend my summers!

Literally One of the Guys...

...Sigh...

So everybody knows that I got into the Governor's School of Science and Mathematics. And I'm really excited.

Well.

In the daily world I go by my gender-neutral middle name. Every form I have ever filled out for any form or camp has required the inevitable Male/Female checkbox. Needless to say, I always check female. FEMALE. As in, not male.

The Governor's School left a phone message today saying how glad they were that "Jordan would be joining the school. We are so excited to have him join us. If he has any questions or concerns, we will be happy to answer them. We cannot wait to see him tomorrow at the orientation."

I am not a HE!

Grumble. I'm sure they will figure it out tomorrow. All of my pictures are of a teenage female. They have my records as a female. It's an honest mistake, and not the first time this sort of thing has happened. It just happens to be the most important case! But for now, I'm Just One of the Guys. Lol.

And its Out!

I am pleased to announce the end of the countdown
1!
Just One of the Guys is now available!

Sam may be a girl, but all of her friends are guys. Not to mention, they're all in the school marching band! Juggling friends and the various perils of band camp has Samantha running ragged. Add in a summer crush- which none of the gang can possibly find out about... This just might be a recipe for the all-time number one 'band camp' story.

If you have nothing to do this weekend, are looking for some new reading material, or just want to find out how Sam will survive her summer, go to quakeme.com now! Best of all, after you read my story, you can go back to the site and write a review. Or post your comments here.

You can get your own copy of Just One of the Guys right now! Enjoy!

One Day Left!

We approach the clock with one day left...
2!
My Family

I believe that family is important under any circumstances. And my family deserves a whopping two-thumbs up for awesomeness. My mom, my dad, and my brother Robert have been highly supportive of all of my goals. Especially my pursuit of publication! Mom, Dad, and Robert have always been there for me, no matter what. Just One of the Guys would never have happened without them! Muchas gracias!

Mom- You got me into reading and put up with me- even when I had to read every sign and label at Petsmart. You taught me not only how to tell a good story, but how to write one. Thanks for all the writer days you put in at my schools and for all the conferences you drove me to! Your guidance, confidence, support, and editorial revisions have been invaluable to me. Hugs, kisses, and love!

Dad- You have been a major part of everything I do. You revealed to me the amazing world of real rollercoasters and you taught me how to fire a pistol. You listen to Mom and me brainstorm about our stories- and you help me brainstorm about my engineering projects! Thanks for your patience, love, and great taste in cool t-shirts!

Robert- I may call you my annoying little brother, but you have been a huge contributor to everything. You've been incredibly helpful during my most recent recovery- even when it meant getting up from a Time Warp episode. You help me keep my Marvel comic history straight and its always fun to hear you get excited about band. Thanks for everything- except maybe the annoying stuff! =)

Just One of the Guys is coming out TOMORROW! You'll be able to get your copy here. And don't forget that the countdown continues here at Sam's Space. There's one last person that deserves a BIG thank-you!

And guess what! It's my sixteenth birthday today! I'm having some friends over for pizza, cake, and gaming. I'll post pictures of everything on Saturday. Yay!

And the Gals...

The thank-yous continue with...
3!
My Girlfriends

Every girl has at least one really close girlfriend. I am fortunate to have several, but I'm only going to pick on, err, thank, the two who have been most involved with Just One of the Guys. All of my girlfriends have been there for me when I most needed them, gone shopping when we've had cash, and watched movies at home when I'm hooked up to an ice machine. I love all of them, and I am very lucky to know such strong, compassionate, and beautiful young women. So thanks Chelsea and Ashley!

Chelsea- You have known me longer than anyone else (aside from my family). Your a sister of the heart, and I'm so glad that you and I met. We've been there for each other through thick, thin, and freshman year. I don't know many people who could be as patient with my craziness and many injuries as you. Nor do I know many people who visit their friend's home in order to clean their room... I love you!
P.S. We really need to go to the beach sometime!


Ashley- Thanks for being so amazingly awesome. You've been to hockey games with me, helped me live through your brother's visits to see my brother, and supported me through two seasons of marching band. You've dealt with my competition hyperactivity and my untimely nacho cravings. Truly, you deserve an award. But all I can say is this... I love you like Tuesday!
P.S. Don't you love Hallmark's Hoops and Yoyo?

Just One of the Guys would not have happened with the support that I have received from both of these chicks. Get your copy starting Friday!

Sam might be one of the boys, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have her girlfriends. Or her girl perspective... And that can lead to some interesting conversations when the boys get involved. Or start asking questions. This summer's band camp will never be forgotten...

To My Guys...

And the countdown continues with:
4!
The Guy Friends

No, I didn't forget, Bertrand! I did promise to mention you by your first name. So here are my thanks to my own guy gang: Preston, Bertrand, Jacob, Eddie, Scott, and the rest. This story would never have happened if I hadn't met all of you. I have had tons have fun in all the years that I have known you guys. No one's mind could possibly imagine half the stuff we've gotten ourselves into- thanks for all the awesome ideas! And yeah, I have contemplated shipping one or two of you overseas every once in a while... but only when you really got on my nerves. Lolz =)

Bertrand- Ta-da! Your name is at long last on my blog in as official a dedication as I can make for you. Thanks for all the hugs and for finally cleaning out the locker. But it is looking a bit cluttered again...

Preston- You're just going to have to read the story on Friday- no more inside info. No matter how many times you ask me in the middle of Spanish class! Thanks for all the computer advice and for teaching me math for two years. Governor's School is gonna rock!

Jacob- I know you don't like my blender metaphor, but it's okay. I'd never really put you in one. Don't give up yet- one day the tennis team will beat Wando. I'll miss you next year, and I promise to visit! Here that? I promise.

Eddie- You've been one of my best friends since 1st grade. Thanks for going to summer camps with me and for teaching me how to fish. Most especially, thank you for not laughing at that bat that once got stuck in my hair! A true gentleman...

Scott- Thanks for making me laugh at myself and for attempting to teach me leet-speak. Even though I'm hopeless. Did you notice my 'lolz' earlier? Also, thanks for showing me that sleep definitely is the best policy for any situation. And don't you DARE torrent my story... >=[

Just One of the Guys is coming out this Friday. Find your copy at quakeme.com!

Sam may be a girl, but she's always been one of the boys. Now she and her friends are at band camp- and the heat is the least of Sam's worries. Giant bugs, crazy musicians, and boys? This may just be a recipe for the perfect "One time at band camp..." story!

The Countdown Begins!

In case you didn't see my Saturday post or the note in the Latest Updates on the sidebar...

Just One of the Guys is coming out
May 1st!

I am officially announcing the countdown to launch (5...4...3...2...1), and thanking a new group of people each day. There have been several people involved with this story, and my writing in general, and it would be unfair to leave them unmentioned. I'd never have been able to do it without them. So, in the spirit of the countdown, I bring you:

5!

School Groups and Teachers

Imagine Creative Writing Club: particularly Jon, Amanda, and Ms. Halloran.
Jon- you've been listening to me since your first meeting- and correcting my grammar and spelling since your second! I've enjoyed reading your work, just as I have enjoyed sharing my own. Good luck at college- and don't forget to continue your writing in that lab!
Amanda- you may be a more recent addition, but you have been amazing! You are so funny- and thanks for taking my side when Jon got into his English professor mode. Hooray for slang! Keep up with your werewolves- don't let them run you ragged!
Ms. Halloran- I'm going to miss you and our brainstorming sessions next year. Thank you for listening to everything and for providing such a great outlet for students to express themselves. The club meetings have long been a highlight of my week!

Teachers past and present: I have appreciated your guidance and support and I don't have enough words to thank all of you, I want to mention a few by name:
English Teachers- Mrs. Young, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Neese, Ms. Milligan, and Mrs. Richardson
And Also- Mr. Ward (cuz he rocks, and he always wanted me to write about band!)

Stratford Marching Knights: I have greatly enjoyed being a part of this organization. Especially this year- we made state finals! I am going to miss you guys when I leave next year, but I am never going to forget the time I spent with you guys. The extra practices, the snack trips, the shared colds... The list goes on and on, and you can rest assured that Sam and the gang will never experience a dull moment so long as they are marching through their stories!

I am so glad to have met all of you. Your faith that one day I would be published has kept me strong. I am pleased that I have finally achieved that goal- and none of it would have happened but for you guys. Now all we have to do is work on my becoming a bestseller...
=)

On May 1st, get your own copy of Just One of the Guys at quakeme.com

Furry... Saturday? Oops!

Yeah, yeah, I know today's Saturday. But I forgot to stick this up on Friday, so we'll just have to pretend. And yes, I know I've kept you guys waiting for like, forever. But, I promise, Alex's doberman is well worth it! Boo-Boo, Boo for short, is a true sweetheart!

Age: 4 years

Gender: Female

Height: 24 inches

Weight: 85 lbs

Origins: Boo-Boo is the Wilson's family dog. They got her from the local rescue shelter as a puppy. While she was (and when nervous is) a tenacious chewer of all things chewable, the family stuck with her. No, they never messed with her ears or bobbed her tail. Isn't she so very cute this way?

Favorite Game(s): Boo loves to wrestle with Alex and play tug-o-war with whatever is handy. She loves it when she gets to play with Sam's Tolkien, and the two will roughhouse and run until they collapse. She also likes to trip people up at the door and pull other mischievous pranks. Her absolute favorite toy is one she's had since puppyhood- a ratty old teddy bear that Alex calls "the mutant." The mutant is, however, a cuddle-only toy and is not up for the ravages of tug-o-war.

More info: Boo-Boo may be a fierce looking doberman, but she has a huge and somewhat cowardly heart! Thunderstorms, fireworks, and even a loud rainstorm will send her to her "den"- a mess of blankets, old toys, and stolen shoes tucked into a back corner of the family TV room.

I hope you enjoyed finally learning about Alex's dog. But I have some completely, totally, amazing news that can't wait any longer:

Just One of the Guys is coming out May 1st!

You can find my first short story at quakeme.com. Sam and the guys are at band camp, a place of work, trouble, sun, and fun. But which will Sam find herself in? Marching, guys, bugs, music, guys... It's enough to make a girl's head spin! Read the story to find out just what it means to be one of the guys!

Blog Status

Hey! I had a major knee surgery last week that's really kicking my butt right now. They didn't tell me two screws would give me this much trouble! So I'm putting whatever I can off until next week- which means all the usual posts will resume then.

This week's Furry Friday, featuring Alex's dog, will appear next Friday. Other weekly features and material will also show up starting Monday-ish.

In the meantime, you can check out my first post at Teen Seen, which will appear tomorrow- Saturday! I will be returning to the Teen Seen blog every other Saturday after that.


Thanks for understanding! Can't wait to see you next week!