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Originally published at MSUFaL. You can comment here or there.

LK Madigan’s debut novel FLASH BURNOUT is about a boy torn between two girls- the one who loves him, and the one who needs him. We’re asking LK 9 essential questions we need to know about every author!

9. Legs or pudding?
Wow, hard question! I practice tae kwon do, so legs are pretty important, but I figure I’ll be toothless someday, so … PUDDING!

8. Jean jacket or leather jacket?
I have a lot of memories tied up in an old jean jacket my honey gave me (it was once his), so JEAN!

7. Blind faith or cold logic?
Blind faith has gotten me this far, I’ll stick with it.

6. Pen or keyboard?
Keyboard, unless I am trying to be a stealthy spy and note-taker out in the wild.

5. Zombies or unicorns?
Team Unicorn!

4. Hardback or paperback?
I’m too eager to wait for paperbacks, so HARDBACK!

3. Bookmark or fold the page?
Bookmark, of course, what was I … raised by wolves? Don’t hurt books.

2. Hoard or share?
Hoard chocolate, share unsolicited advice.

1. Happy ending or total devastation?
Happy ending, please, or – failing that – at least not total devastation.

Thanks, LK! To find out more about LK, check out her website at www.flashburnout.com!

Originally published at MSUFaL. You can comment here or there.

My fabulous friend Lily is sitting next to me in the Redwood City library right now – this is the first time I have gone onto the Internet (aside from using my BlackBerry) since landing in CA on Wednesday, which I think shows a remarkable amount of restraint on my part. Lily was with me on Thursday night, when I read from POSITIVELY and signed books at Kepler’s – one of my all-time favorite bookstores. I was supremely nervous, because a bunch of people I knew from my early childhood came to hear me – including two of my old babysitters and first grade teacher! It was also the first time my dad was coming to one of my book events, though I really wasn’t nervous in front of him – he always thinks I sound good, even when I’m singing. Thank you to the incredible, inimitable Angela M. for hosting me and for the lovely introduction (and thanks especially for bringing Olivia with you).

And now Lily will help me with the recap.

Me: Yes, that was very cool. It’s one of my favorite songs – called “Without You (It’ll Be All Right).” I didn’t even realize it was about POSITIVELY until recently, which makes me love it even more.

Lily: Also I really liked meeting your friend who’s a writer and has a book coming out next year.

Me: That’s my friend Heidi R. Kling. You need to get her book SEA as soon as it comes out – June 10, 2010.

Lily: OK, I will. You should post some pictures now.

Crashing the photo of Lily, Jessarae & Marachel


Jessarae, my dad, Stacia and me


Jessarae, Angela, Heidi & Me

cross-posted form http://blog.cherylreneeherbsman.com

lkmadigan

L.K. Madigan is a writer living in Portland, Oregon, who finds it odd to speak in the third person. Therefore:
Hi. I am married with one son, two big black dogs, hundreds of books, and a couple of beaters, I mean vintage cars.

Fifteen-year-old Blake has a girlfriend and a friend who's a girl. One of them loves him, the other one needs him.

When he snapped a picture of a street person for his photography homework, Blake never dreamed that the woman in the photo was his friend Marissa's long-lost meth addicted mom.

In a tangle of life, death, and love, Blake will emerge with a more sharply defined snapshot of loyalty.


And as for my questionnez dujour:

1. If you had a time machine and could go back to the early days of your writing career and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Trust that the journey will take you exactly where you’re supposed to go.

2. If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be (or what do you think you would be), career-wise?

A librarian!

3. What did you do to celebrate your book deal? Pop some champagne? Extravangant purchase? Dinner out? Pizza delivery?

My husband bought me flowers and chocolates!

And when I got my advance money, I bought a fancy pen. It feels really solid and authorial. :-)


Flowers, chocolate, and a good, solid pen. Sounds like a writer's emergency pack!

More about LK Madigan here.

Order Flash Burnout here or here.

Say Meep, Get Suspended- that’s what Danvers High School Principal Thomas Murray declared when he discovered that students were planning a mass meeping.

And I have to say, friends, the whole article made me laugh. Of all the things those students could be doing- of all the harmful and dangerous and questionable things they could be doing- seriously. They decided they would all say meep at the same time. And then the principal decided to get foolish. He autocalled every parent to warn them that any meepery would be met with suspension.

Seriously. Say meep, get suspended.

You know what I wish now? I wish every single student in that school actually would band together for a day of nothing but meeps. Because it is harmless. It is silly. And he cannot possibly suspend everyone in school. And yes, I imagine a handful of people would get suspended until the tide turned and Principal Murray was forced to back off his ridiculous position.

But I think it would be worth it. In fact, I think it would be educational. Because what better way to learn about the historied and esteemed act of civil disobedience than to live it. In a safe, controlled environment, over an issue no smaller than free speech, but no more dangerous than some irritated adults?

To the students of Danvers High School, I salute you.

And I say meep.

Originally published at MSUFaL. You can comment here or there.

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Ok I wasn't going to broadcast pics from my Disney Trip to the world, but I can't resist... I will show just this one.

I am so excited for Princess and the Frog to come out!  December 11, 2009!  I have been waiting for another Disney Princess movie for a long time and a movie with original Disney songs, and this one looks so adorable.
 

It's already my daughter's favorite bedtime story.  Plus, Tiana is gorgeous, and Prince Naveen is really, really cute. :)