Kate Hart

Field Trip Friday, Twitter Version: January 27, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:52:00 +0000

A companion to the round up at YA Highway

PUBLISHING

WRITING AND READING

OTHERWISE AMUSING

NERDS ON PARADE

(see here for title explanation)

WINTER LIT

Field Trip Friday, Twitter Version: January 20, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

A companion to the round up at YA Highway

PUBLISHING

WRITING AND READING

OTHERWISE AMUSING

SOPA/PIPA

BOOK/TV MASHUPS

Field Trip Friday, Twitter Version: January 13, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

A companion to the round up at YA Highway

PUBLISHING

GET PUBLISHED

WRITING AND READING

OTHERWISE AMUSING

MOVIE LINE FIRST DRAFTS

Field Trip Friday, Twitter Version: January 6, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:16:00 +0000

A companion to the round up at YA Highway

PUBLISHING

EDITOR WISHLISTS

WRITING AND READING

OTHERWISE AMUSING

LESS AMBITIOUS BOOKS

2011 Was a Lowercase Year

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:48:00 +0000

Sometimes reaching for the shift key requires energy you just don't have.

I've written before about having clinical depression and the fact that it both sucks and blows, a feat that would be impressive were it not so busy being, you know, sucky and blow-y and generally un-fucking-pleasant. Go here if you need more insight into the peculiar process of realizing that your current depression containment methods have been breached, because while Cleo and I do not have identical diagnoses, she pretty much hits the proverbial nail on the head when she says,

"It's hard to teach yourself to say, 'You are an awesome person, and your awesomeness is a default, and so if you feel less than awesome, you need to get your awesome tuned up.' Because your sadness and fatigue and anxiety feel mild at first, and they seem like rational responses to things going on in your life, and then you end up missing some deadline or not completing some goal or not living up to your own expectations because you're already sad and tired, and then the negativity does seem justified: 'I'm not depressed; I'm a loser.' ... Depression makes you feel bad and then it makes you feel bad for feeling bad."

If you've wondered where I've been lately, well, that's where. I've been feeling bad, and waiting in vain for it to go away on its own, while watching my writing follow a similar trajectory. I tried to fix things-- tough love and indulgent kindness, strict schedules and following my "muse," butt in chair and butt on trail and butt at library.

But the words didn't come, and when they did, they were the wrong ones.

I read everything I could find about curing writer's block. The posts claiming it doesn't exist made me shriek internally. I wished I had the energy to yell, "Every writer gets blocked, but not every one gets Writer's Block, just like everyone gets depressed, but not everyone gets Depression! The fact that you've experienced the lowercase version does not give you the expertise to deny the existence of the other!"

But I lacked the energy to do anything but click away.

Obviously, Writer's Block is not a mental illness. But it's hard to admit that you're dealing with the capital version, because it means admitting that something bigger is wrong. Pressing that button means you're dealing with something no amount of BIC, inspirational blog posts, or even Hyperbole and a Half comics can fix.

And in retrospect, my first post was only half done. Writing is not a symptom of Depression, but not writing can be. As big 2011 life changes settled into place and the block still didn't crack, it took me an embarrassingly long time to make the connection.

But other things made me seek out some fine-tuning on my awesome, and now that I'm feeling cautiously better, it's easier to see, though surprisingly hard to talk about. If Depression is like cancer of the soul, then Writer's Block is like seriously hardcore laryngitis. Clearing my throat is still painful. I'm trying to re-find my voice, but it's hoarse and not quite in tune yet, so please excuse me if I don't hit the high notes. I'm not looking for applause. I won't hold it against you if you cringe.

It's just that "Hey, this illness is REAL and it FREAKING SUCKS and by the way IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT" deserves to be said in all caps. And if saying it helps even one person hit the shift key, then hey. Maybe two of us can have a capital 2012.

eta: I almost didn't post this, but I closed my eyes and clicked publish. Then I went to Twitter, and saw this link, and came back to make sure you saw it too. If Cleolinda, Allie Brosh, AND The Bloggess say something, it must be worth listening to.

eta again: And now Betsy Lerner says, "If you're not feeling well, get help." This company. It makes me both happy and sad.

100 Book Challenge - 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0000

100 Books in 2012

1) By The Shores of Silver Lake - Laura Ingalls Wilder (bedtime reread)
2) The Fault In Our Stars - John Green
3) Buried Alive: The Terrifying History of Our Most Primal Fear - Jan Bondeson
4) Riding Vengeance with the James Gang- Donald Gilmore
5) Wild Mind-- Natalie Goldberg (reread)

---

New Movies Watched in 2012

1) The Muppets

Best of 2011: Most Anticipated Books of 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:07:00 +0000

We'll be back to regular Field Trip Fridays next week, but in the meantime, check out the year-end round up at YA Highway, or keep reading for my final entry in Sarah Enni's Best of 2011 Blog Carnival: books we're looking forward to in the coming year!

Books By Friends and Acquaintances

organized by a highly scientific order in which I arranged covers in a manner pleasing to my eye, and then alphabetized the others. just in case you're wondering.

Timepiece - Myra McEntire
If I Lie - Cory Jackson
Kiss the Morning Star - Elissa Janine Hoole
The Other Life - Susanne Winnacker
Insurgent - Veronica Roth
Incarnate - Jodi Meadows
This Is Not a Test - Courtney Summers
Butter - Erin Lange
Fall To Pieces - Vahini Naidoo
A Midsummer's Nightmare - Kody Keplinger

Mila 2.0 - Debra Driza

Books By Friends That I've Already Read and Can't Wait To Share

Wanderlove - Kirsten Hubbard

Hemlock - Kathleen Peacock

Touched - Cory Jackson

Books By People I'm Sure Would Make Lovely Friends and Acquaintances

The Fault In Our Stars - John Green
Shadow and Bone - Leigh Bardugo
The Drowned Cities - Paolo Bacigalupi

Isla and the Happily Ever After - Stephanie Perkins

Crewel - Gennifer Albin

eta: Books I Forgot To Mention Because I Have a Cold and My Brain Isn't Working

I knew this would happen! I forgot important people. Like Tahereh Mafi, whose sequel is as-of-yet title-less. And Jessi Kirby, whose In Honor is sporting some rockin' red cowboy boots. (I also happen to own a pair of red cowboy boots. True story.)

I'll probably add more titles as more "duh" moments attack me.

-----

Have a safe and happy New Year!

Best of 2011: Most Recommended Books

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

For day four of Sarah Enni's Best of 2011 Blog Carnival,
we're sharing the titles we recommended most in 2011.

Here are mine:

Divergent - Veronica Roth

For people in Hunger Games withdrawals... or anyone else. I can't think of many books I'd give to both my dad and my 13 year old niece (who spent Christmas afternoon reading it, with periodic stops to announce, "I have to take a break after every chapter! It's too intense!")

Anna and the French Kiss - Stephanie Perkins

For romance fans. Like Divergent, it's good for a wide age range-- my mom gave it to her best friend; I gave it to the aforementioned niece.

Ship Breaker - Paolo Bacigalupi

For readers who want something gritty and unique, you can't beat last year's Printz winner. Good choice for reluctant guys.

Feed - M.T. Anderson

For people who like sci fi and world building, and don't have a problem with unsympathetic protagonists. I made a lot of people read this so we could discuss Anderson's not-so-out there vision of the future. It also made me scared of my iPhone.

When You Reach Me - Rebecca Stead

For anyone. Ever. It's like Zilpha Keatley Snyder had a book baby with Madeleine L'Engle. A perfect storm of awesome.

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Want more book recs? Head over to Sarah Enni's blog and check out the list of participants, or leave a link of your own!

Best of 2011/RTW: Favorite Books of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Today we're combining YA Highway's Road Trip Wednesday with Sarah Enni's Best of 2011 Blog Carnival, and listing the top five books we read in 2011.

Here are mine:

How To Save a Life - Sara Zarr

Where She Went - Gayle Forman

Revolution - Jennifer Donnelly

The Scorpio Races - Maggie Stiefvater

Before I Die - Jenny Downham

What were your favorites? Leave a link to your post in the comments at YA Highway!

Best of 2011: YA Characters

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:00:00 +0000

For day two of Sarah Enni's Best of 2011 Blog Carnival,
we're sharing our favorite YA girls and guys.

Ladies First

I totally narrowed this down to the requested five. And by five I mean seven.

Lola from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola is great because she's not perfect, and she owns up to her mistakes.

Jill and Mandy from How To Save a Life - Sara Zarr

I've said before that this book is a study in how to write two totally distinct voices, and it's a credit to Sara Zarr that by the end of the book, I cared equally for both characters.

Karou and Zuzana from Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Karou is fabulous in her own way, but it was Zuzana I wanted to drag from the pages to hang out with.

Darla from Ashfall by Mike Mullin

Wait, what? A love interest who is taller and tougher than the boy main character, yet somehow isn't cliche? I'm speechless.

Ruby from Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

Nova never reveals Ruby's secret, but I already guessed. She's a veela. (I would probably not want to be her best friend, but I did enjoy reading about her. From a safe distance.)

As For The Boys...

Adam from Where She Went (and If I Stay) by Gayle Forman
Even at his most whiny, rock star moments, I wanted to hug this guy.

Virgil from Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
Hello Mr. Helping To Support Your Family While Playing Music on the Side and also Rocking Some Killer Dreadlocks.

Sean from The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

I think you should get a YA merit badge when you realize you can spell "Stiefvater" without looking it up. And Maggie should get a merit badge for characters whose aloofness is explained and justified and not solved with a little kissing.

Eldric from Chime by Frannie Billingsley

I love a guy who's sarcastic, but not maliciously or at the expense of other people.

Cricket from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

I feel confident in saying Cricket made 90% of today's lists, even though I'm writing this on Monday.

-----

Don't see your favorites? Head over to Sarah Enni's blog and check out the list of participants, or leave a link of your own!

Best of 2011: Music

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:24:00 +0000

Wow. I can't believe an entire year has passed since I participated in Sarah Enni's last end-of-the-year best of series. (I also can't believe it's been almost two months since I wrote a non-Field Trip Friday post, but shhhh. We'll just pretend we didn't notice.)

Anyway, we're kicking off the week with our favorite music, and as always, I find myself unable to abide by the rules, so I had to break my favorites down a little.

Favorite Albums Released in 2011

Feist - Metals:
I've almost burned myself out on the Beck remix of "How Come You Never Go There."

Bon Iver - Bon Iver:
Um, I may or may not have waxed philosophical at length about this album. The short version is GO SEE THIS BAND LIVE FOR THE LOVE. They're up for three or four Grammys. Even Pitchfork picked it as #1 this year.

Radiohead - King of Limbs:
"Not my favorite Radiohead album" is still pretty damn good. (See also: Amnesiac; Hail To The Thief.)

Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi - Rome:
I liked this album immediately upon first listen, yet I never remember to play it. I partly added it to this list as a reminder to myself.

Other Lives - Tamer Animals

I just got into this one, so I offer it with the disclaimer that I don't know it very well, but they opened for Bon Iver this fall and we'll be seeing them open for Radiohead in March, so at least they're in good company.

Favorite "New To Me" Albums of 2011

Four Tet - There Is Love In You
The best thing about year-end lists is discovering all the things you missed, and last year's round ups added this one to my list of favorites.

Gayngs - Relayted
In my Bon Iver mania, I started looking into Justin Vernon's other projects, and found out he is part of Gayngs, an enormous 23-person conglomeration of musicians that recorded an entire album at 69 beats per minute. The last prom on earth cinched it for me.

The National - High Violet
I got obsessed with The National's Boxer last year, so I don't know why it took me so long to come around on this one, but it was #1 on a ton of lists last year and deservedly so.

Doomtree - Doomtree
Several members of Gayngs are from this band. Their 2011 album was not my speed, but I dig this one.

The XX - XX
I dare you to stay uptight with this album on, much less upright.

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Want more music recs? Head over to Sarah Enni's blog and check out the list of participants!

Field Trip Friday, Twitter Version: December 23, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

A companion to the round up at YA Highway

PUBLISHING

WRITING AND READING

OTHERWISE AMUSING

Sorry for the short post! I'll be back next week with Sarah Enni's year-end blog circus,
listing all my favorite stuff from 2011, but until then, happy holidays!

Field Trip Friday, Twitter Version: December 16, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:17:00 +0000

A companion to the round up at YA Highway

PUBLISHING

Also, Book Country led an informative chat about subrights last night. I couldn't follow it and write the YAH post at the same time, but check out the #bookcountry hashtag, or @ColleenLindsay's feed to get started.

WRITING AND READING

OTHERWISE AMUSING

Field Trip Friday, Twitter Version: December 9, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

A companion to the round up at YA Highway

PUBLISHING

READING AND WRITING

OTHERWISE AMUSING

Field Trip Friday, Twitter Version: December 2, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:40:00 +0000

A companion to the roundup at YA Highway, kindly brought to you this week
by the fabulous Kaitlin Ward!

PUBLISHING

WRITING AND READING

OTHERWISE AMUSING

Field Trip Friday, Twitter Version: November 25, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

A companion to the round up at YA Highway

Today's post is so long that the entire thing is after the jump. I had a little fun with hashtags this week and didn't have room for #LiteraryTurducken and #GagaNovels, but they were also hilarious-- go check them out!

PUBLISHING

WRITING AND READING

FRIDAY READS KERFUFFLE

TWILIGHT (serious)

TWILIGHT (not so serious)

OTHERWISE AMUSING

JUNK FOOD NOVELS

BUMPER STICKERS FOR WRITERS

Field Trip Friday, Twitter Version: November 18, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

A companion to the round up at YA Highway

PUBLISHING

WRITING AND READING

OTHERWISE AMUSING

THINGS EDWARD GOOGLED

Field Trip Friday, Twitter Version: 11/11/11

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:11:00 +0000

A companion to the round up at YA Highway

PUBLISHING

WRITING AND READING

OTHERWISE AMUSING

Road Trip Wednesday: I Need a Cape

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:50:00 +0000

*cue movie announcer voice*

TODAY, ON YA HIGHWAY, WRITERS WANT TO KNOW:

WHAT. IS. YOUR.

WRITING SUPERPOWER?

and what is your kryptonite?

Well.

This is me, just going along in my super-rad cape, leaping small plot holes in a single bound.

When suddenly...

Ack.

See, my current book has a modern story line.

And a paranormal-ish twist.

Annnnd an extensive historical backstory.
Annnnnnd I just keep finding more and more interesting stuff from the region.
Annnnnnnnnd of course there's always the fun of self-doubt, impatience, jealousy,
and the desperate desire to prove that I! am! a! WRITER!

So. I've pretty much spent the last year crushed under the weight of balancing all those. It's like braiding, only some of the hair is very fine and some is unruly and I'm not even sure how long some of it is or even where it is, much less where it's going.

However.

*cue prematurely triumphant trumpet*

Every super hero needs a sidekick, and I have several. Say hello to ridiculously detailed Excel charts! My little friend Scrivener! Copious amounts of coffee! And of course, my partner in crime, the unbelievably supportive and helpful spouse!

*crowd roars*

-----

What are your writing superpowers? Leave a link to your post in the comments at YA Highway!

Field Trip Friday, Twitter Version: November 4, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

A companion to the round up at YA Highway

PUBLISHING

WRITING AND READING

OTHERWISE AMUSING

SIX WORD SHAKESPEARE

Road Trip Wednesday: Have a Biscuit, Potter

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:59:00 +0000

This week at YA Highway, we're talking about writing coaches. What kind do you need? What kind are you?

Well. Like a genius, I asked this question, and then... couldn't think of an answer for several days.

Billy Blanks came to mind, but he wasn't quite right. Heavy on the sweat, but not cerebral enough.

This morning, I realized what I really need: a McGonagall. Someone strict and demanding, but obviously with your best interests at heart.

Unless you're Pansy Parkinson.

In which case she becomes

As for me... I'm probably a Hermione. The one who also has your best interests at heart, but thinks she knows everything and nags you about it. "Okay, you can keep that plot point, but it's not going to woo-ork..."

What about you? Leave a link to your answer in the comments at YA Highway!

BOOk Pumpkins, Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:13:00 +0000

Happy Halloween!

Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall, Divergent by Veronica Roth, and Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Want to make one?
Use a template from here or design your own,
then enter the contest at YA Highway!

eta: I failed to mention that the far left pumpkin was actually carved by my talented and patient husband. :)

Field Trip Friday, Twitter Version: October 28, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:00:00 +0000

A companion to the round up at YA Highway

PUBLISHING

WRITING AND READING

OTHERWISE AMUSING

LESS EXCITING BAND NAMES

BOOk Pumpkins!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Want to make a terrifying jack o'lantern for Hallowen? Well, all year long we've been hearing how dark and scary YA is, so book-themed carvings are a logical choice! Use the patterns below or design your own, then be sure to enter the contest at YA Highway to win some great ARCs!

What could be more terrifying than banned books like Speak, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, and Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret?

Get your chills and thrills with science fiction and dystopians like Across The Universe, Crossed, Divergent, and Hourglass:

Beware the paranormals like Hemlock, Hex Hall, and Hush Hush...

and those horrifying books with fantasy or magical realism elements, like Going Bovine, If I Stay, The Scorpio Races, and Daughter of Smoke and Bone. *shivers*

But most of all, watch out for the naughty kids over in the contemporary section, with books like Anna and the French Kiss, Shut Out, Wanderlove, How To Save A Life, Thirteen Reasons Why, Under The Mesquite, and Paper Towns. There's KISSING in these books, guys!
*screams*
*runs away*

How to use these patterns:

1. Click the image to expand, then right click and save to your computer (or download them all at once in a PDF).

2. Print at whatever size fits your pumpkin, then pin the pattern to it.

3. Use a toothpick to poke holes around the edges of the design (more holes = easier to see the lines).

4. Remove the pattern and rub a small amount of flour over the holes to make them show up better.

5. Carve, take a picture, and post the link at YA Highway!

See how they turned out here.

Fine print:
Please do not sell or distribute these patterns. I own zero rights to the source images. These patterns are intended for fun only.
In other words, I'm not making money off of these. Please don't sue me.

Road Trip Wednesday: October's Best Book

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Hart) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:07:00 +0000

Man, everything I read this month was good, but here are my top three:

1. Before I Die by Jenny Downham:
Owww. My heart. Well worth the pain.

2. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater:
Unlike anything else I've read in YA, including Maggie's own books.

3. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green:
Almost too clever for its own good. As always, John made me laugh until I cried at random intervals.

What's the best book you've read recently?
Leave your link in the comments at YA Highway!