I'm signing books in Peru, Indiana today.

On a little side note adventures, I will be signing and reading from my novel Freaksville, today at the Peru, Library from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Any locals stop by, I'd love to meet you face to face.

Bookstore is still going slow...permits were filed so that's a jump in the right directions in this waiting game. But, at least I'm moving forward albeit slowly and zig-zagging. :)

We have bookshelves and fixtures...

It's a bit early being that I haven't started construction but I couldn't turn down the fixtures. The price was amazing. So they are resting amongst my chaos. Good news: the final drawings have been sent to the State for a permit and I hope to be getting final bids from the contractors. I'm eager to start this project!

Discovering another wonderful author, Jennifer R Hubbard

Hiya ready for another wonderful book? I have with me Jennifer R. Hubbard. I love this cover, it's haunting and beautiful.

 SKOW:So Jennifer when did the writing bug bite?

Jennifer: I became a story-teller by being a night owl forced to live in a day person's world. When I was little, I had a bedtime that was way too early for my insomniac self, so I would lie there making up stories in my head.

SKOW: Do you have a favorite character? I know as writers, we're like parents in a way not suppose to pick a favorite. I admit I do. What about you?

Jennifer: I could not pick a favorite character anymore than a mother could pick her favorite child. But I will admit that Tom, the older brother in The Secret Year, is someone I wouldn't mind knowing in real life. On Goodreads, several readers have posted their favorite quotes from The Secret Year, and I've noticed that almost all of them come from Tom!

SKOW: Do you have a writing routine or favorite spot to be creative?

Jennifer: My writing routine is: Sit in chair. Turn on radio. Have a piece of chocolate. Check email. Open file with current work in progress. Write until brain dries up or some other obligation forces me to stop.

Well, thanks for stopping by Jennifer, I've yet again, discovered something wonderful in The Secret Year.

The Secret Year blurb:

After his secret girlfriend's death, seventeen-year-old Colt finds the notebook she left behind, but he is unprepared for the truths he discovers about their intense relationship.
Be sure to keep an eye out for Jennifer's next book, Try Not to Breathe, will be published by Viking in January 2012.

Discovering Wonderful Authors...Janet Fox

Some Kind of Wonderful, Welcomes, Author Janet Jox!

I am thrilled to have the very talented author of FAITHFUL come and chat about her new novel
FORGIVEN. Below is a blurb...people are talking!

Romance Times: “Fox is a skilled writer who creates a multifaceted heroine surviving in the early 1900s.”

Kathi Appelt (author of the Newbery Honor Book The Underneath): “…A riveting, well-written, wonderful story...As I followed Kula Baker from the heart of Yellowstone...to the heart of San Francisco...I felt my own heart racing.”

 Nancy Werlin (National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author of Impossible): “Absorbing, exciting, and romantic.”

FORGIVEN has been chosen as a Junior Library Guild Selection for 2011

1. I became an author at the ripe age of eight. My third-grade teacher sent one of my poems to the newspaper – without telling me – and they published it. I still can picture the moment my mom brought me the paper, all thrilled that my poem was there. It was called “October,” and I wish I could lay my hands on a copy.
2. My favorite character (so far) in my own work has to be Kula Baker (FORGIVEN). She’s so darn feisty and determined, even while she protects herself. I love her complexities and confusions. They mirror – not match – my own.

3. I write every day. It might not be writing my work of the moment; sometimes I need a break from that. But every day I write something, even if only a blog post or a page or a paragraph. That’s all the routine I have, just write, write, read, write.

Thank you Janet, for sharing your wonderful journey!

Interior Shots of the "before"

 I thought I'd share an interior shot of the building prior to renovation. (Indiana Landmarks had performed some restoration work to the interior.) Unfortunately, the wonderful wood ceilings are not allowed due to fire code. (So sad.) One half  of the ceiling was already removed prior to me purchasing the building. Most of the wood was saved. I'm hoping that I might be able to use the wood in the upstairs unit in some form or another.

 Also in this picture you can see the wood floors. They are a bit dirty and covered with a paper backing in some places where a linoleum floor was placed over them and later removed.

I love the original wood floors, warping, cupping and  all.


I am hoping to paint them, as it was traditional to do so in that period. Depending on how they clean up maybe I'll even stain them. Keep your fingers crossed. I would hate to cover them up.

I have been meeting with contractors all week and hope to have some bids in soon. I'm itching to start this project.

SKOW Author Chat, Carrie Harris

 

Since I'm also an author of Young Adult fiction, I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet some very talented authors. I thought as a fun feature, I'd post some interviews on SKOW.

I will include all genres, if there's a certain author you'd like me to interview, leave a comment. I will do my best to get them on the blog. SKOW will of course have author book signings and other events as soon as we open.

Please welcome Carrie Harris to Some Kind of Wonderful.

 

Someone's been a very bad zombie... With such an funny tagline, I have to confess, I'm dying to read this book. BAD TASTE IN BOYS. Carrie Harris stepped up as the Class of 2k11 President, ( a group of Middle Grade and Young Adult authors) and I can tell you, that job is a ton of work, but totally worth every hour spent. I've enjoyed my time with the Class of 2k10 President and being a mentor for the Class of 2k11 has it's perks...meeting creative and talented debut authors. Carrie's novel Bad Taste in Boys comes out from Delacorte, in July 12, 2011. She took a moment to escape the zombies and chat with SKOW.


1. What projects are you working on/have published?

Well, my first book is called BAD TASTE IN BOYS, and it comes out in July 2011. It’s about a science geek who learns that her high school football team has been dosed with steroids…or maybe not. Whatever’s in those vials is turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless, flesh-eating zombies. Which is bad. But if she doesn’t find a way to cure them, it’ll be even worse.
Dum dum DUM.
I’ve also just sold two more books, which means that I’m constantly bouncing around and going, “EEEEEEEEE!” all the time. My second book is a sequel called BAD HAIR DAY, and it’s about werewolves and nanotechnology and shaved bears in lab coats and blueberry flavored astronauts and bath mats made out of human hair.
Which all goes to prove one simple point—I am an ideal candidate for psychotherapy.


Kitty: Wowza...bath mats and made out of human hair and blueberries...that musta been one crazy night.

2. What's your road to publication story?

Well, the road to publication was very long for me. Like *cough* fifteen years. *cough* This was mostly because I had no idea what I wanted to write. I dabbled in poetry, screenplays, stage plays, short stories, and depressing adult books before finally finding my way to YA, which is where I belong! When The Email finally came, I ran around the house screaming and then left a voice mail for my husband that said: “OhmygodcallmecallmeCALLMERIGHTNOW!” And then I put Thriller on and did the dance, because that’s obviously the best way to celebrate selling a zombie book.
About an hour later, I realized I should probably email my agent back. I went to my computer and found another email from her asking if the shock had killed me and did she need to call an ambulance.


Kitty: OMG! I loved that you brought the Thriller. I just walked around with a goofy toothy grin when I sold, I was still in shock.

3. Why YA?
I spent a long time trying to be a “serious” writer, because I thought that would get me respect. Which is ridiculous, because first of all, I’m not a serious person. I’ll devour a good drama, sure, but most of the time you can find me reading books that are chock full of paranormal beasties or laugh-out-loud moments. And really, what’s more worthy of respect than writing books that get teens interested in reading, even if they are full of sparkly vampires or glow-in-the-dark merpires or whatever?


4. Best writing advice you've heard?

I actually met Gwendolyn Brooks once, and after I got done quaking in my boots and actually got up the nerve to approach her, I said, “I think I might want to be a writer.” And she said, “Be what you are,” which made me gape a lot and nod like I knew what she meant even though I had no freaking clue. But after spending years trying to write like other people I admired, I think I’ve figured it out. Now I embrace the fact that I’m a monster-obsessed smart aleck. It’s what I am. I’m tired of trying to be what I’m not, and I’m happy with what I am, even if it means that I have to publicly admit my obsession with Frankenthulhu.


5. What inspires you?


I like surrounding myself with interesting people. That way when I start spouting off about zombies and werewolves and things, they don’t look at me funny or try to have me committed. This is why I’m married to a ninja doctor. My son idolizes Billy Idol. My daughters are the only four year olds I know who are well versed in the best ways to kill a zombie. My friends are the kinds of people who think Bacon Parties are completely normal, and when my in laws go on trips, they don’t bring me t-shirts. They bring me monster bracelets.
So whenever I’m feeling a little down or struggling for good ideas, there’s always something fun and strange and marvelous going on around me. Which is quite plainly AWESOME.


6. Did you write stories as a teen? If yes, what has/hasn't changed?

I did. I actually got hooked on writing in my freshman English class. I turned in my first creative writing assignment, and I got an F. I was not an F kind of girl. In fact, that F felt like the freaking scarlet letter! So I worked my butt off on the next assignment and ended up with an A+. Mrs. Elrick read it in front of the class, and I was officially hooked!
Not much has changed, really. I’m still just as hooked as I was then. But instead of hiding my writing in the little space between my writing desk and the wall, I put it out there for people to read.


7. Describe your office/workspace/writer's cave.

I have an office, but I never use it. Instead, I sit on the sofa in front of my picture window. That way I can look out on the street and watch for stray zombies. I believe in personal safety.
Today, the sofa is covered in Kleenex. I’ve got a cold. You don’t want to see a picture of that. Trust me on this one.


8. Who is your favorite character in your work and why?

I have a massive crush on Kate’s little brother Jonah. Don’t get me wrong; the love interest in my book is smart, handsome, witty, and loyal to a fault. He’s pretty much a dream guy, but maybe that’s why I’m so impressed with Jonah. We expect heroics from someone like Aaron. We don’t expect them from a scrawny geek boy whose Adam’s apple has a larger circumference than his waist. To me, that’s bravery. Jonah’s the guy who can’t possibly win, not against a posse of undead defensive linemen. He’s smart; he knows this. But he’s not about to leave his sister to face them alone, no matter what the cost.
So even though it goes against my love of seriously hot guys, I’m totally TEAM JONAH.


Thanks so much for having me!!!!


Carrie has a really cool blog check it out here.
http://carrieharrisbooks.blogspot.com


Thanks Carrie, had a blast.

Something Wonderful is Coming to Logansport Indiana

Just like this blog, the historic Greensfelder building is once again under construction. Soon it will be home to something truly wonderful, a place of knowledge, whimsy, and adventure. An independent bookstore is coming soon to Logansport Indiana. Please check back to see the progress of  the building's revitalization as I take an empty shell of a building and make it into Some Kind of Wonderful.