March 21, 2012

“You Suck” – Dealing w/ Negative E-mails, Reviews & More

This morning Melissa de la Cruz tweeted about receiving a hateful email directed at her & her publisher. Her response was AWESOME: “The best revenge to someone who hates your books is to keep writing them.”

As authors, we get lots of scathing e-mails, reviews & even up close and personal comments.  There will always be negative reviews because books are like ice cream. Everyone likes (and hates) different flavors. Personally, I don’t mind bad reviews as long as they aren’t personal.  I think it’s important for people to share their ideas & opinions about books, music, even pie — as long as the reviews focus on the book, music, or pie and not the person who made it (unless said person made the pie & then smashed it into your face Lucy & Ethel style).

Margie is smarter than me. She just doesn’t read them. And I don’t read most reviews, but when I see an email in my in my inbox, I think, “Yay! Mail!” Then I open it & read it. Most of them don’t attack us personally, though many like to point out that I am very short and wear weird clothes. (This is true.)

The ones I can’t handle start with “You and Miss Stohl” (who btw is a Mrs.)… or “Your editor…” Our editor is THE BEST editor in the world (we all think this about our editors if they are awesome) & Margie is an insanely talented writer, with or without me. So I will gladly accept it if you think I suck, but I know they don’ t.

I get equally crazy when I see the work of any author I love trashed in a personal manner (which btw most professional reviews & bloggers don’t do).

Then I read something interesting that hit home. It claimed that most people who say things about others actually accuse others of the very thing they fear about themselves. It’s like the old saying that if someone is accusing you of cheating on them all the time, it’s probably because they’re doing it.

Some of these scathing emails I get come from other aspiring writers that are struggling themselves. Maybe they don’t have a great community of writers encouraging them, or friends to read their work and cheer them on? Writing is scary and lonely, and everyone needs support (and a thick skin). So if by chance, someone reading this is an aspiring writer who needs a community, I encourage you to check out these hashtags on Twitter:

#writetip

#YALitChat

#askagent

#amwriting

#askeditor

And if you still think I’m short & I dress weird, you can tell me. But I’ll probably think you’re short, too.

x K

March 20, 2012

Wonder-Con Recap

It was my first year at Wonder-Con, and the folks from Comic-Con put on another amazing con.  (Notice how stealthily I worked the word “con” in there 3x?)  Lauren Billings (aka “Lo”) organized the YA panel, which was fantastic even with me on it!  The adorable Andrea Cremer (The Nightshade Series) moderated and wrangled Ransom Riggs (MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN), Veronica Rossi (UNDER THE NEVER SKY), Lissa Price (STARTERS), Ann Aguirre (ENCLAVE), Gretchen McNeil (POSSESS & TEN) & me.

Lissa & Veronica’s book trailers premiered at the panel, and Grammy nominated and CMT Award-winning director, Roman White, who directed Veronica’s trailer (as well as music videos for Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Kelly Clarkson, Justin Bieber & Taylor Swift) was in the audience.

Veronica Rossi, Andrea Cremer, Ransom Riggs, Lissa Price, Anne Aguirre & Me

AND after being in the same place at the same time as the insanely talented horror writer & graphic novelist, Joe Hill (HEART-SHAPED BOX, THORNS, LOCKE & KEY), for the THIRD time . . . I finally got to meet him. (For those of you who know me as the-chick-who-stalks-Joe-Hill-on-twitter, this was a huge deal!)

Here’s the proof of life:

with Joe Hill

“Helping” Joe Sign My Book

I also got to spend some time with the dynamic duo, Lex Hrabe & Thomas Voorhies, aka Lex Thomas, the authors of the upcoming YA thriller QUARENTEEN (Book 1 in The Loners Series).  QUARENTEEN isn’t out until July, but let’s just say that if BATTLE ROYALE & the film “Warriors” had a lovechild, it would be QUARENTEEN.  Please note before scrolling down: I am NOT the shortest woman alive. Lex & Tom are giants!

Thomas Voorhies, Me & Lex Hrabe

My signing partner at the Mysterious Galaxy booth was Ransom Riggs. Ransom’s novel MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN combines three of my favorite things: photography, fantasy & peculiar children.  MISS PEREGRINE is really one-of-a-kind (or two-of-a-kind if you count the sequel) & one-of-a-kind director, Tim Burton, is rumored to be directing the film.

March 18, 2012

Have You Met the Beautiful Creatures Movie Cast?

We have three new additions to the BEAUTIFUL CREATURES movie cast. Emmy winner Margo Martindale (“Justified”) has joined the film to play Aunt Del, Zoey Deutch (“Ringer”) will play Emily Asher & Rachel Brosnahan (“The Unborn”) will play Genevieve.  It feels like the perfect time to take a look at who we have so far (alphabetical order by character):

Amma (Viola Davis)

Aunt Del (Margo Martindale)

Emily Asher (Zoey Deutch)

Ethan Wate (Alden Ehrenreich)

Genevieve (Rachel Brosnahan)

Lena Duchannes (Alice Englert)

Link (Thomas Mann)

Macon Ravenwood (Jeremy Irons)

Mrs. Lincoln/Sarafine (Emma Thompson)

Ridley Duchannes (Emmy Rossum)

March 8, 2012

Getting My Jewelry Fix

I promised to share my latest jewelry find.  She’s actually a designer, Christine Wallace, who makes gorgeous vintage pieces.

You can literally scroll through the gallery on Christine’s blog, view the pieces in her Etsy shop (including the “Sales” section), or send her inspiration photos & she’ll create a one-of-a-kind custom design.  And for the less design inclined who don’t feel like going through all that, you can shop her original designs & choose a favorite.  (Be sure to scroll down & see the necklaces I ordered!)

For those of you who follow my jewelry board on Pinterest, or have met me in person, you also know I love to layer my necklaces. Christine’s pieces are made for that.

Here are the two pieces she designed for me:

March 6, 2012

Beautiful Redemption Cover Revealed on EW

Check out the cover of BEAUTIFUL REDEMPTION, the final book in the Beautiful Creatures Novels, on Entertainment Weekly!

March 6, 2012

Jeremy Irons & Thomas Mann Join the Beautiful Creatures Movie

In case you missed the news, Academy Award winning actor, Jeremy Irons (“The Borgias” & “Margin Call”)  is in final negotiations to play Macon Ravenwood in the Beautiful Creatures movie & Thomas Mann, the star of “Project X” will play Link, joining Emma Thompson, Viola Davis, Jack O’Connell, Alice Englert & Emmy Rossum!

This is really exciting because I always pictured Jeremy Irons as Macon while I was writing. The casting was pure coincidence, but it is another great choice by the team at Alcon! Two–with the addition of the adorable Thomas Mann as Link.

More details on Jeremy Iron’s casting on www.BeautifulCreaturesAuthors.com.

More on Thomas Mann’s casting at MTV’s Hollywood Crush!

Other Casting Posts:

Meet Ethan & Lena

Viola Davia  is Cast in Beautiful Creatures via Hollywood Reporter

Emma Thompson Cast in Beautiful Creatures via Dead Central

Ridley Is Cast

March 2, 2012

More Beautiful Creatures Movie News – Ridley is Cast!

The Beautiful Creatures movie has a new cast member!  Emmy Rossum will play Ridley Duchannes. She will be joining: Viola Davis, Emma Thompson, Jack O’Connel & Alice Englert! I can’t believe how lucky we are!

Check out the previous Casting Announcements for Amma, Ethan & Lena, and Mrs. Lincoln/Sarafine & read the Official Press Release.

Want to learn more? Check out www.beautifulcreaturesnovels.com.

February 21, 2012

How to Write an Epic Story

Source: 9Gag.com

Everything really does circle back to Lord of the Rings & Star Wars...

February 8, 2012

“Beautiful Creatures” Movie News – Meet Ethan & Lena

Now that the official announcement is out & we have our Ethan and Lena, I did what any dedicated author would do… I checked them out on Google.

Jack O’Connel is best known for his role as James Cook, on the UK television series “Skins.”

“Ethan” – Jack O’Connell

Note: The Artwork on the Pic Isn’t Mine, But Shows the Jack Love

New Zealand born actress Alice Englert is in the film “Singularity” later this year & “Bomb,” which releases in 2013.  She is the PERFECT Lena.  And for those of you that asked about her hair color, remember actors and actresses dye their hair all the time for roles, wear color contacts, etc.  There’s a cute pic of Alice with dark hair below.

“Lena” – Alice Englert

Read more on Film School Rejects (Note: There are 4 books in the series, not 5), Hypable & Next Movie.

February 3, 2012

Giveaway: STARTERS by Lissa Price

I loved Lissa Price’s debut novel!  If you can’t read my blurb on the cover it says: “Fans of The Hunger Games will love it.”

STARTERS is not in stores until March 13th, but you can pre-order it online or at your favorite indie.  I am giving away an ARC, chapter sampler & bookmark to one lucky winner. Just leave a comment below. US & Canada only.

Description from Lissa’s Website:

In a world ravaged by war and genocide, becoming someone else is now possible. Sixteen-year-old Callie discovers the Body Bank where teens rent their bodies to seniors who want to be young again. When her neurochip malfunctions, she wakes up in the mansion of her rich renter and finds she is going out with a senator’s grandson. It’s a fairy-tale new life, until she discovers her renter’s deadly plan.

** If your comment does not appear right away, don’t worry. I moderate comments for spam, so I have to approve them before they show up.

GIVEAWAY ENDS 2/11!