Faux Graduation

Warning: mildly introspective post with a hint of nostalgia and a twist of bitterness

Today’s my faux graduation day.  By that I mean that I technically have two classes left to take this summer, but if I wanted to I could walk in my graduation ceremony today.  But I don’t want to.  So I’m taking the day off and spending it with girlfriends and my husband.  I’ve been talking with a lot of people about this lately, and most people think I’m somehow depriving myself and my family of the pinnacle moment of my college career.  They are shocked, as if not celebrating the culmination of all those years of academic toil is some affront to the system.  Here’s the thing, if I did walk it would be kind of preemptive, since, like I said earlier, I’m still not technically done with school.  And though my school is a wonderful place to have a degree from, I don’t feel the same connection to it as some of my past schools.

In high school I was the super-involved, live-breathe-eat-sleep school and extracurriculars kind of person.  I loved high school.  I’m pretty strange in this regard compared to most people I know, but it’s probably why I gravitate towards writing for younger audiences.  Sure there were things that sucked, and sure I wanted to break out of the mold and go to college, but I loved my friends and what I was doing.

When I first started college at Emerson College in Boston, I loved being on my own in a city.  The school didn’t end up being the right place for me, but the classes I took changed me.  At Emerson I could actually major in Writing, Literature, and Publishing and Theater Education, which I loved.  I took a ton of writing classes, one of which was Children’s Writing with Eden Edwards, then-editor at Houghton Mifflin.  We were supposed to write a short story for a middle grade audience and then revise it two times.  Eden saw my writing and said, “This is good.  Don’t revise it.  Write me more chapters.”  Those became the start of my first middle grade novel, and more importantly, I found my voice.  I found the genre that worked for me, and the tone and storytelling style.  I was introduced to the SCBWI and many other fabulous resources.  That class is what changed me.  That’s what I came for.  Plus I got my husband out of the deal.

After I left Emerson I took a few years off to work full time.  Working full time made me realize I wanted to go back to school and get my degree.  I was accepted to UCLA, but because of residency issues, I started in the winter quarter.  There was none of the blush of freshman year, or even the joy of starting something new in the fall.  It was just showing up and working hard.

UCLA is gorgeous and though the Communications degree isn’t the one I would have preferred (UCLA doesn’t have an undergrad Creative Writing program), the classes I took informed my writing, because they informed my life.  Still, I wasn’t thrilled to show up to class, excited by what I could learn.  Class was a duty, and while interesting, it didn’t increase my affinity towards the college.  I never lived on campus or did any extracurriculars, and the close friends I made there either aren’t walking or aren’t graduating today.  So please don’t hold it against me if I don’t want to park very far away from school and then walk in my expensive cap and gown with a mass of sweaty students to accept an empty diploma cover.  Maybe I’m a little bitter, but it’s my choice and that’s what is important to my family.  They don’t care if I walk.

Not walking doesn’t mean I’m not graduating.  Not walking doesn’t mean there won’t be a feeling of success when I’m actually done with school, that my parents won’t feel the same joy/relief that they would if they saw me cross the stage.  The ritual of walking only makes the success sweeter if you invest in the system.   For a lot of my life, all I wanted to do was get to the point where I was doing things for me and not because the system required them.  I don’t like systems.  I’m not walking.  But that doesn’t mean I won’t be celebrating.

Resource Thursdays: Reviewer X

It’s summer around these parts, which means that I’m in the middle of compiling a  summer reading list.  I’m trying to be organized this year and get things at Half.com, instead of my normal hunt and peck strategy at the bookstore.  That being said, one of my favorite places to gather YA book ideas is at Reviewer X.

Run by high school student Stephanie, this site has tons of book reviews.  Since she’s a young adult writing about reading YA (whew!) the feedback is actually from the target audience.  Yay!!!  Stephanie is frank about what she likes and doesn’t like in a book, which makes her reviews well-rounded and honest.  Her blog also features publishing stores and some publishing industry news, so her site is a must.  Go check it out and let me know if you find any gems for your summer reading list!

Stephanie is also currently running a contest to win Eyes Like Stars, so check it out here, and read about Lisa Mantchev’s publishing story!

Exercise – good for the body and mind

Now that I finally have some free time, I can’t wait to spend it finishing up my middle grade novel.  It’s set in summer, so it’s the perfect time to be writing!  But along with exercising my brain, I need to exercise my body.  Too much studying and not enough walks with the dog means I haven’t gotten nearly enough exercise (and neither has Riley).  I’m one of those crazy people who really loves to exercise, so time to work out is a good thing.  It also means that until I’m back in the swing of things, I might be a little sore.  No pain, no gain, right?

If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Choldenko

I’m not going to lie, it was the cover of the book that first caught my attention.  The cover of If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Choldenko has, well, a tree falling on it.  And I like trees.  What can I say?  I also liked the story itself.  This book is told in two perspectives, that of Kirsten, an overweight, stressed out seventh grader, and Walker, the new kid who is a fish out of water in their private school.  As the two try to get through the popularity race at school, Kirsten discovers a secret that changes both of their lives.

What I liked about this book is that it deftly navigates topics of race – Walker is black and Kirsten is white.  Choldenko does a great job getting into the character’s heads, and their actions are believable.  The way the stories of the two kids intersect really hooked me.  The book has very short chapters which keep the pace of the book fast, though it can be a bit bouncy because the book also goes from first person to third person limited as the chapters change.  Nonetheless, I enjoyed the reading and it was a great distraction from studying.

So close I can taste it

Woohoo!  There’s only one measly final standing between me and summer and I can’t wait to catch up on my reading.  I picked up a bunch of books the other week, and though I was supposed to be studying, I was definitely reading.  Check back tomorrow for my take on If a Tree Falls at Lunch period by Gennifer Choldenko.  Until then, wish me luck!

Cover changes

Last weekend my husband and I hit up the Angels & Demons movie.  Ian’s not much of a book reader (shameful, for having a wife who’s a book writer, though he reads a ton of other things) but he has been loving the book.  The other week I wrote a post about the book verses movie versions of stories, and I have to say that Angels & Demons followed the trend.  The movie was not as cool as the book, though we still had a great time watching, perhaps because we were fueled by a dinner of processed corn foods – nachos and popcorn.  Dinner of Champions.

After the show ended we headed over to the local Barnes and Noble.  Movie and a bookstore, my dream date!  Of course the Angels & Demons book was prominently on display due to the movie release, but they changed the cover! Why do publishers do this?  I mean, I’m sure it’s a well thought out business decision, because these cover changes happen all the time.  I don’t fault the pubishers for doing this, but I’m a purist at heart and it drives me crazy.  I want the original cover art.  What do you think?

Resource Thursdays: Eva’s Book Addiction

One of the things that I love the most about the world of books and writing is that there are so many people out there who are so happy to share their knowledge and their perspective.  One of the reasons I started the Resource Thursdays section of my blog is to help spread some of the love as well.  So many people have given to the writing community, and I’d like to help give back.  Paying it forward, I guess.

Anyway, I was in the bookstore the other day and one of the cashiers was so kind as to point me in the direction of Eva’s Book Addiction.  This blog is written by a Los Angeles-based (yay!) children’s librarian (double yay!), and it’s filled with all sorts of goodness.  In addition to tons of book reviews, the blog talks about library programs and the importance of literacy.  Eva weighs in on different debates in the children’s book world (for example: is there such thing as a bad for you children’s book?) and she makes announcements about different book awards.  I’ve been reading tons of agent and editor blogs lately, so it’s nice to hear from someone on the other end of things.  After all, a little balance is always a good thing.  Reading the blog also reminds me that I should be going to the library more than I do.  It’s a lot harder now that I don’t work across the parking lot from a library and oh how I love to own books…

New Beginnings?

Earlier this week, when I was on my way to an exam, I came up with a new book idea.  It made me happy but the timing was inopportune: when I got to school I should have been cramming, but instead I was writing out the first pages that my character just had to tell me.  Sigh.  I love it when characters come alive.  My conundrum, exams aside, is that I’m still finishing up my middle grade novel, so I don’t want to start something new just yet.  (I probably will anyway, but this will drive my husband crazy.)  So in the mean time I’ll be “researching.”  Cooking will feature prominently in my book, so tell me some of your favorite recipes and I’ll try some out.  Who knows, I may even throw a dinner party.  Anything in the name of research, right?

Visitor!

My mom’s in town today for a little girl time in the midst of all the craziness, so I don’t have time for a real post.  I hope you enjoy the day with someone you love!

Milk and sugar and all things sweet

This weekend I gathered together with a group of my girlfriends to celebrate one of their birthdays.  Her one birthday wish was for high tea, so we headed over to Jin Patisserie on Abbot Kinney in Venice.  Abbot Kinney is one of my favorite places in LA, but I had never been to the restaurant, which is tucked away behind solid walls.  Apparently, I have been missing out.  The tea bar/pastry shop has all outdoor seating, with a peaceful garden area (think: shade from bamboo and flowery trees, quiet fountain).  We all decided to splurge on the high tea, which comes with more food than you can imagine, including 5 different cake tastings.  My sweet-tooth taste buds were in heaven.  But my biggest revelation comes because I don’t normally like tea, but I couldn’t wuss out and get something else to drink.  Instead I tried some Earl Grey, which has been my classic favorite, and I added milk.  Yum!  I have a new-found respect for tea, after trying it this way.  This means more caffeine to fuel the writing!