Hi everybody!
Well, this last thread has been a blast - you're learning about me an I'm learning about you! I got a really wonderful email from a reader in Florida that I thought I'd share This is what Barbie wrote!
Hi, Alane --I'm probably a little bit older than your average reader; much as I'd like to dispute the fact, I have reached middle age. Egads, I certainly don't feel like it! I discovered your series last spring when The Christopher Killer was selected as one of Florida's Teen Reads books for 2008-2009. I was then working in a high school library as an aide, and when I heard about your book I knew I had to read it. I love forensic novels. I started with Patricia Cornwell and have since moved onto Tess Gerritsen and Kathy Reichs. Since working in a school library, I've become more acquainted with YA fiction. I was introduced to Stephenie Meyer that way, and now you. After reading Cameryn's first story, I had to get my hands on the following two. And I'm just as eager as Nicole (re your current blog) to read this fourth installment. I'm looking forward to the progression in the relationship between Cameryn and Justin. Please let there be more heat! Okay, chaste heat. ;) Everything you've written about The Dying Breath promises an exciting read. I'll be keeping an eye out so I'll know when to start looking for it in the bookstores.I'm thrilled you're coming to Orlando for the FAME conference later this month. I wish you a wonderful and safe journey to the sunshine state.
I've taken up enough of your time. Now, please get back to finishing The Dying Breath! :)
Barbie
So this was especially fun for me, because I've got readers of this series now who are all different ages! It's exciting to think that mother/daughter teams are reading my work (Team Justin or Team Kyle - just kidding!) and I want you all to know how honored I am to hear all of your kind comments! They really keep me going!
Darla wrote: it's funny how you can be so contradicting of yourself and not write at all like that.
Wow - is Darla ever right! I am an enigma! No one, not even me, can figure me out! So now it's back to work so I can write you that I am finally done. I am very close! Keep me in your thoughts and prayers!
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68 comments:
yay barbie used my name hehe i feel special thanks barbie
When did you change your name to 'Anonymous?' I am hilarious! I am the only one laughing! (It's okay - it happens to me all the time!)
lol thats funny and it happens to me too lol gettin closer to the end of the book now?
Closer and closer! My mom (the famous writer) just read my chapter and she said it made her cry. Won't tell you why, though! But I love these characters and it's funny, because when things happen to them it feels as though it's happening to real people.
ahhhh ur makin me go crazy i want the book so badly!!! and yea everytime i read your books i have the same feeling. and if u love the characters then maybe u should make another book *cough cough* :)
If you guys get people reading them then there will be more! I'm excited to be on the Florida list, but it's really word-of-mouth that gets a book launched. Thanks so much for your energy and enthusiasm - hugs all around!
oh the word will def get out and the florida list as in ur book is comin out in florida?
The Florida Teen Read is where young adults read books that made it on a final, pre-chosen list (what a thrill to be picked) and then the readers vote for their favorite! I was also on the YALSA 'Teens for Ten' nomination list, and I'm on a couple of other (Missouri!) state lists as well! So if any of you are in those states, PLEASE vote for me! It's really cool because then I get to go to the state where I win (I won in Indiana and got to fly out there to pick up the award!) so keep me in mind! Now, as always, back to work.
I love how your books make me feel like I'm standing right there with Cameron or anyone else. It almost makes me step in her shoes consider how I would feel if I were her.
Oh, and my sister and I are so eager to get our hands on that book. Too bad she'll have to wait until I finish it. LOL
Oh, and I also wanted to know if you got my new e-mail address.
Good luck and God bless,
Darla
That's exactly what an author tries to do - our goal is to create a world that you can walk around and characters who feel alive to our readers. I must say, Darla, that you have the soul of a writer...
And yes, I got your new email address! Thanks so much for sharing. You help me to keep going!
you are amazing and i can't wait til your new book comes out!
me, my cousin and my aunt love your series!
and hopefully i will get to see you when you are in florida!
i feel the same as darla. and thats why i want this book i wanna know what cameryn and justins future are like ahhhhh can not wait what so ever
That would be AWESOME! I have two trips to Florida coming up - I'll be in Orlando for the FAME Conference September 24-27th, and then I'll be in Tampa the last week of October. (But I'll be home in time for Hallowen!) I'll also speak in Kansas September 17 and 18th - so that's why I'm writing like a mad woman - I need to send the whole manuscript in before I start all of that speaking. Oh, and I'm also speaking in Westminster September 29th and 30th, which is located outside of Denver. Aack - back to work for me!
It would be pretty cool to have a Team Justin or Team Kyle. lol! They would make pretty cool T-shirt slogans!
Actually, since you mentioned it I'm working on a story right now. Not that I could ever be as great as you. But it's pretty good so far.
And I've always wondered what would happen if the author ever changed a little thing in the story. Like, I know it's crazy but it would be cool to see what would happen if Cameron kept Kyle's reappearance a secret... although it does sound a little like Cameron to do something like that. Hmmmm...:)
You made me laugh, Leah, and I was just writing this really scary scene! Must clear my head! Team KYLE? The guy is sooo dangerous and completely crazy! But he thinks Cameryn belongs to him, so you can imagine the problems. Oh, and one tiny hint, since we're speaking of love...Valentine's Day plays a part in TDB! And now for my evil laugh - mawhahahah! I'd better get back to work. Darn it, I'm STILL laughing!
And Darla - I can always tell a good writer! See! My spider sense told me you were creative! So I'll get back to creating. I am going to try once again capture the mood, but I'm having a hard time because I keep seeing these Team Justin :) Team Kyle :( tee shirts in my head! Must stop giggling and concentrate!
Sorry, I didn't mean to distract you.
You know...laughter is never a real distraction. It's what keeps us all going, don't you think? :)
I agree. Without laughter people would just be depressed and that's not fun.
And you know what? I'm all about loving life. My editor once called me 'relentlessly cheerful' and the people I went to Ireland with called me 'obnoxiously happy.' Is this a good thing? Hmmmmmmm. I guess I think it is! I've had hard times in my life, but so does everyone, and I choose to look on the bright side. Again, I'm an odd mix of personality traits. I was interviewed for an article in the Rocky Mountain News when I was nominated for the Edgar for THE CHRISTOPHER KILLER, and Patty Thorn, who did the interview, said I wasn't at all what she expected. "You're just so...sunny. I thought, since you wrote about murder, that you'd be kind of, well, more down." Of course I just laughed (what I always do) and told her I get that a lot. So lets all keep on smilin'! I can't help myself! :)
i will be smiling ear to ear when that book is in my hands lol
And I will be really smiling when I type 'the end' on that last page. Well, I don't actually type the words 'the end' but I think them. And smile! As always, back to work. (But this is way more fun!)
In English our teacher always says a paper is perfect when the author is truly satisfied. And I'm not satisfied until my forth draft. No wonder it takes so long to write books.
i still cant wait!!!!!!!!
Team Kyle all the way! (Considering having a shirt made. Something with the word Sociopath on it, just to make my school administrators do a double take)
I'm so happy to see that people of all ages like your books! I think great books are ones where anyone of any age can read it and still enjoy it.
Yes! It takes a LOT to get it polished and smooth and tight! Writing is fun, but it's hard work, too!
Ohmygosh - Xhanthia - you are hilarious! I wish you could see me sitting here at my computer, laughing out loud. You guys have my exact sense of humor! Love the 'Sociopath' idea, except the school administrators might not get our particular brand of giggles and grins. Best to keep it to 'Team Kyle - I'm Crazy For Him Right Back!'
Team Justin all the way!!!!!
It sounds as though your book is near it's end. And I'm absolutely dying to get my hands on a copy.
Darla
I'm absolutely DYING to be done! I've had some amazing help - I just got off the phone with Deputy Scott Mackey (he checks out my work to be sure it's accurate, a process called vetting) and he told me the grossest stories! People who get kind of far gone in the decomposition process are called "Skittles" because they turn so many colors. It takes a very special person to really deal with that. I only write it. So back to romance (yeah Justin!) - I mean, seriously, SKITTLES. Yuck! I've been to autopsies but I could NOT deal with a multi-colored corpse. Thank God there are people who can - what would we do without them?
And to my 'Anonymous' - it's TEAM JUSTIN for me, too!
well how many pages or chapters u got left until ur done?!?
One! Whoo hoo!
omg!!!! r u serious??????? u really only have one chapter?!?!?!?!? then how long until its out?!?!? u just made me sooo excited!!!!!!!
It'll all depend on my editor after that. So far my readers have loved TDB best of all because it is so scary and Justin and Cameryn are FINALLY together. We'll see what my editor thinks! So thanks for spurring me on - I'll get back to it! (Justin and Cameryn are kissing right now! Huzzah!)
awwww mean so if ur editor likes it? then what happens? i cant wait!!!!!
Just means I'll have to revise. That's what editors do! The Angel of Death sailed through without many changes, but The Circle of Blood had more. So we'll see! Light a candle, say a prayer and throw all good thoughts my way!
ohhh im doin all that and when will u know when itll be out?
I'll let you know the absolute second I know! Pinky-promise!
I'm so excited...I can't wait to read TDB!
This is really random, but Dr. Moore is one of my favorite characters. (He's so sarcastic) He and Cameryn are always arguing, but it's always Dr. Moore who helps her out in tough spots. Is he going to be in The Dying Breath?
Yes, and another big revelation is coming about him! Be ready!
oh great another thing to be excited for ahhhhh lol anyone else? lol cant wait!!!
I LOVE being a writer!
you done the book? lol
Close...I'd better get back to it. I'll let you know!!! (And thanks for asking!) :)
hey
hows the book?
So far it's everyone's favorite! Soooooooooooo much drama! (And romance!) Better get back to it!
How far from the end?
i'm still on the last chapter, then I have to print it all out, read it from start to finish, and make changes. Very close to done! Yee haw! (What can I say, I live in the west!)
Oh that's good! You'll be done within 2 weeks?
Hopefully ONE!
yea i hope so too!!!! lol
im soooo excited!!!
me2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alane, your books are the MOST Accurate forensic books that i have read. Coming from the field i have great respect for you. Keep up the good work.
Hey, everyone, getting a compliment like that from a man whose life is forensics and the law is AWESOME! Thanks for taking the time to comment on my blog, Deputy! It's so cool to know my work passes muster with a professional!
eeekkk!!!!
ONE WEEK?!?!?
yay!!!
hey
hows it going?
I just spent the entire evening engrossed in your book The Circle of Blood (when I really should've been touching up on my AP US History homework...heh) Amazing. I get chills whenever I read your novels... so dark and intriguing. Have you ever watched The X-Files? I was still sucking my thumb when the series came out, but I think of the series whenever I read your books-- they also center on forensic science, as well as an ongoing tug between the realistic and paranormal.
Anyways... here I am, rambling on and on like a giddy fangirl. Anyways, good luck with everything!
I live in Missouri and I read your book because it was our Book Club book. Wow! After we read it we found out it was on our gateway award nominee list for the 2008-2009 school year. I will definitely be voting for it!
After I read the christopher killer i though about it from time to time over the summer, but i didn't look up the sequels until i had to choose a book for an IRA (independent reading assignment) for my eighth grade reading class. i got the angel of death and the circle of blood at my town's library the next day and i read them both over the course of that evening! i stayed up until midnight to finish the circle of blood and then i couldn't go to sleep because i was so freaked out about kyle! i had to leave my bedside lamp on and turn my happy music up to go to sleep! it's always an accomplishment when an author can keep me up like that because i have read so many books.
PS- your blog is definitely on my 'to check regularly' list now that i know you have it! you're in good company, seeing as how james patterson, ally carter, and stephenie meyer are also on that list! for anyone who has no idea who ally carter is, she writes the gallagher girls series about girls who go to a spy school masquerading as a snobby private school. its so good!
I JUST got back from Kansas and now I'm putting the finishing touches on The Dying Breath, but I had to stop and quickly tell everyone how much your messages have meant to me! To find out that I have kept a reader up at night (yeah Linda!) is the HIGHEST compliment! And I even heard from a reader named Cammie, so that was a blast, since she has the same name as my character! FUN! So these hugs from across the miles have come at the very best of times, since I had to squeeze speaking in between finishing up the manuscript and I'm a bit bleary-eyed. I also have to leave on Tuesday for Orlando and Monday is my daughter's birthday, so it's a bit harried over here in my office. Thanks for the fan buzz - it's better than coffee! And now, as always, I will finish and put TDB in your hands!
hey alane! something i forgot to mention-for my ira we have to do a book project, and i picked the author letter! so expect to be getting a letter in the mail from me sometime in the next month or so!
Hey,
How is the book going? Did it make it on the first list? I hope so! I can't wait until it comes out that will be the best day of my life!!!!
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