Monday, March 23, 2009

Twilight is Out and I'm Back!

Hi all!

Okay, most important news first - the Twilight movie made it to the stores - whoo hoo - and I bought the three disc set with all the goodies! So far I have watched the movie, the movie WITH commentary, and all the deleted scenes and making-of etc. while munching happily on tubs of popcorn. (Elliptical machine here I come!) Life is good! But the thing I found most amazing about the commentary was the way Robert Pattinson dissed himself throughout, which I found fascinating. I mean, he is one of the most gorgeous human beings on the planet and he kept finding fault with his looks, which goes to show how delicate self image can be. Robert Pattinson (he plays Edward, for those of you who haven't seen the movie) hates his hands and thinks he's not buff enough and on and on and on - maybe we ALL feel like that and just don't say it out loud. Anyway, despite the cheesy Twilight special effects (painful tree-climbing and running) I really loved the movie, especially the sound track. My favorite scene (well, apart from the first kiss and the dance at the end) was the baseball game, which is funny since I'm not a huge fan of human baseball. SO much fun in the movie! But check out Rosalie's hair - it goes from curly to frizzy and back to curly throughout the game, which is the kind of detail obsessive fans like me pick out after the eleventh time through. It's just that when I get into something, I REALLY get into it!

Now, for my personal news: last week I spoke in Missouri and had a blast meeting kids and teachers and talking about my books - I even showed some real autopsy footage that proves how truly difficult the job of a forensic pathologist can be, especially when it comes to how gruesome it gets when one opens up human remains. I've come to the conclusion that those who dedicate their lives to this field are amazing, selfless people. As for me, I got too emotional during the autopsies that I witnessed because I kept thinking about the fact that these people had lives and families who loved them and now they were just...gone. I worried about those who were left behind. Every one of the coroners and pathologists I talked to told me they had to learn to detach, something I'm not good at. In real life I'm far too sensitive. Forensic pathologists are problem solvers, and I'm grateful that they tell the stories for those who can't. We need them, and it's been a privilege to write about their lives.

On a separate note, I want to thank those of you who have written to me about their first-hand experiences with ghosts - I've read some AWESOME stories, so kudos! I really appreciate your sharing. I will be using several accounts in Dragonfly Eyes. Please, keep them coming!

Finally, I am thrilled to announce I have been nominated for the2010 Abraham Lincoln Illinois H.S. Book Award! Thank you Illinois!

Now I'll get back to work! I'll be speaking the first week of April in Wisconsin, and then it's three separate trips to Florida. Sunshine state, here I come! And get ready for The Dying Breath, because time is flying by. It'll be in your hands before you know it!

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wait, where were you in Missouri?
Awesome books, by the way! I love them!

Alane Ferguson said...

I was at University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg speaking at a lit festival. They bussed in a gazillion kids who were amazing! From there I went to Liberty Junior High in Liberty, Missouri. Another FANTASTIC group. Seriously, the writing I saw from those students blew away the writing I've seen created by adults. They were crazy-good! I LOVE Missouri!

Laurel said...

I plan on going to school for forensics, but like you said, you do have to be selfless. You also have to be able to detach yourself from your work. I have read books that talk about the Pathologist having to totally get rid of their emotions while working. It has got to be hard, but I want to do it.
Thanks again for the great books, and can't wait for the 4th.

I to need to get the Twilight movie. :) Can't wait for the deleted scenes

Anonymous said...

ok, I just finished The Circle of Blood and you ended on such a cliff hanger! AAAHH!!! I immediately came to check out your website and then came to your blog. I AM FREAKING OUT!!! I CAN'T WAIT FOR YOUR NEXT BOOK! THE SERIES IS AWESOME SO FAR!
P.S. The thing is that I just finished the book and it is late at night so it totally freaked me out when Kyle showed up! Talk about CREEPY!:)

Anonymous said...

i totally agree with you about the twilight special effects!! and they should have stuck wayyyyy closer to the book - for example: the blood type chapter - that at least should have in been the movie!

on another note: i LOVE your books! the end of the the third book left me costantly looking out the window that night!! i cant believe we have to wait MONTHS for the Dying Breath!!!!! and when are justin and cammie going to do something about the fact they like each other!?!? im a sucker for romance, but i love sci fi too!!

cant wait for the Dying Breath!!

Alane Ferguson said...

Dear Sucker for Romance!

ME TOO! In The Dying Breath sparks fly, so be prepared! But then....mawhahahahahw (evil laugh) things happen. I can't wait til it's out either!

Darla Ransom said...

When you say "things happen" you really make me anxious to get my hands on that book. Throughout reading it I constantly make guesses about the next thing to happen. Like when she was being e-mailed, I guessed it was Kyle. I'm pretty good with that sort of thing now.

Anonymous said...

I am so excited for the Dying Breath to come out!! So pumped! Is there an exact date yet? Where would that be posted when there is?
Also: LOVE the books! I write tons and I think your books are amazing!

Unknown said...

aaahhh...at last! another twilight obsesser!!! i agree with the special effects thing...and it's nice to find another writer! i LOVE writing...its my other obsession besides twilight and maximum ride...well, if you want to check out my blog, then just go to the top and click on my name!!! (saphira in blue) bye!!

Anonymous said...

your a teaser!!! lol i cant wait until the dying breath!!!! did ya hear if you will be able to spend alil more ofthe book toward are way?

Anonymous said...

Hey, you said you were in Missouri. Remember the kids who sat next to you at the lunch thing? I am one of those kids! You are so amazing and after talking to you when my dad picked me up I went and bought The Christopher Killer and The Angel of Death!!!(My dad said two of them at least) I just finished The Christopher Killer, it was amazing!! I love it!

Athena's Apprentice said...

Hi!
Just another devoted fan. Have you asked the publishers if you could put some more of The Dying Breath? I don't know if i can wait til October. PRETTY PLEASE!!!!! (i just abused my exclamation point LOL!)see if you can let us see more. Thank You

Alane Ferguson said...

Saphira - I checked out your page and it was awesome - not to mention the fact that you have a cool name! I'm trying to remember what it means to dream that you have wings - I think it's something about yearning for freedom, but it's been a while since I read the book that explained dream symbols. (I like checking out things like handwriting analysis and dream interpretations and stuff like that.) You're also a good writer, so dream big! You're going to get that castle!

Anonymous said...

I love the first two books. I am still trying to get my hands on the third book. I have been telling everyone to check out your books because they are great! Keep up the great work! I cannot wait till the dying breath comes out!

Melani said...

Where in Wisconsin are you???

Anonymous said...

I can hardly wait for "The Dying Breath." The unfinished business in "The Circle of Blood" leaves me on the edge of my seat! Each one in the series is beter than the last!
A school library aide

Meaghan Storme from SC said...

I thought Rob was funny but sometimes he just went to far and was to serious about his flaws.


On another subject are you going to post anymore of The Dying Breath? I just want a little more. Maybe give us an excerpt of a Justin Cammie Moment?

Darla Ransom said...

That sounds good. Sometimes I'm tempted to flip through and find a Justin-Cammie moment. Oh, and the book I started is 140 pages long now!!

Anonymous said...

I really like your books! We had to read the first one for a class in school and then after that I fell in love with your books! I can't wait to read the third one. I had a library fine so I had to pay that first before I could even check out the book. But now I can get the book.!!!!