Scobberlotch (v) to loaf around doing nothing in particular

Starred Kirkus Review!

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:30:00 +0000

From Kirkus Reviews special BEA print edition today!

"Readers intrigued by the premise of this moving story will sympathize with the plucky protagonist and rejoice in the way her summer works out. (Fiction. 9-13)"

Worried that she will grow up to be crazy like her mother or alcoholic like her father, rising seventh-grader Sarah Nelson takes courage from Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, writing letters to Atticus Finch and discovering her own strengths.

Sarah is a survivor. She survived her mother’s attempt to drown her when she was 2 and the notoriety that has followed her and her father from one Texas town to another in the 10 years since. In a first-person, present-tense narration interspersed with definitions, diary entries and letters, she describes the events of the summer she turns 12, gets her period, develops a crush on a neighbor and fellow word lover, and comes to terms with her parents’ failings. In her first middle-grade novel, Harrington revisits the characters of her adult thriller, Janeology (2008), to imagine what it might be like to be the child of a filicidal mother. Sarah’s 12-year-old voice is believable and her anxieties realistic. Intellectually precocious and responsible beyond her years, she is also a needy child who finds helpful support when she reaches out to a grieving elderly neighbor. Although her situation is difficult, Sarah is resilient and hopeful.

Readers intrigued by the premise of this moving story will sympathize with the plucky protagonist and rejoice in the way her summer works out.

So you know what that means, right? Time for the Carlton Dance!

Monday Morning Inspiration: Benefits of Laughter

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:23:00 +0000

John Cleese explored the benefits of "laughter yoga." Try it. I hope you laugh.

Wordless Wednesday: Letters

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:55:00 +0000

I recently found this letter slot at an antique store. It's one of those found items you wish could tell the tale of its life. What words have passed through it? What news? Secret notes? Love letters?

View other Wordless Wednesday posts here.

Teaser Tuesday: Tapestry Of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Tue, 07 May 2013 17:24:00 +0000

"My best friend Penny's grave has a simple headstone: light gray granite inscribed with her name, the date of her birth, and the date of her death, which was four months ago. Below that, as agreed, are these words: Say it. Penny believed that people didn't often enough admit to what they really felt, and she thought that made for a lot of problems." p. 5, TAPESTRY OF FORTUNES by Elizabeth Berg

Love this passage.

Love this cover.

Love Elizabeth Berg. She can do no wrong for me. Reading her books is like talking with a good friend. I always feel better for it. I just got her book in the mail yesterday and now that the house is sort of clean, I've made a cup of tea and can commence reading.

What are you reading today?

About the book (from Elizabeth Berg's Website):

A motivational speaker who isn't great about taking her own advice finally does. After a catastrophic event, she moves out of her large, well-appointed house into a house she shares with three other women. After she receives a postcard from a man she never quite got over and last saw many years ago, she decides to take a driving trip to visit him. The other housemates come along, each for her own reason, each with her own agenda. So it's a book about destiny, fate, memory, chance, possibility....

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Monday Morning Inspiration: John Irving on "the beginning process"

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:50:00 +0000

I love Irving's acknowledgement about the excitement of approaching the blank page as he begins a new work. I think that might be a universal feeling among writers. In the beginning, there are no mistakes and it's all possibility.

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:36:00 +0000

"You lookin' at me?"

Those in the Girl Scout "know" will recognize these items as swaps. Two years ago, I had no idea about the whole Girl Scout Swap industry. (Word to the wise - if you Google 'Girl Scout Swap' you might get some racier sites than you wanted. Just sayin.)

My girls attended an event this weekend and this was just a bit of their loot. I like the last idea - a pet cloud. I want a pet cloud. Also, I've come to realize that there are two categories of Girl Scout moms. Those who own a glue gun and those who don't. I don't. I'm not a crafty sort unless cutting crusts off sandwiches counts.

Teaser Tuesday: What A Mother Knows by Leslie Lehr

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:34:00 +0000

"Michelle had always feared that something would happen as soon as they were out of her sight. Nikki would fall off the swingset onto cement, or Tyler would be struck in the head by a baseball." - p. 25, WHAT A MOTHER KNOWS, out May 7, 2013 from Leslie Lehr

From the book jacket: How Far Will a Mother Go to Find Her Daughter?

Michelle Mason can't remember that day, that drive, that horrible crash that killed the young man in her car. All she knows is she's being held responsible, and her daughter is missing.

Despite a shaky marriage, a threatening lawsuit, and troubling flashbacks pressing in on her, Michelle throws herself into searching. Her daughter in the one person who might know what really happened that day, but the deeper Michelle digs, the more she questions the innocence of those closest to her, even herself. As her search hurtles toward a shattering revelation, Michelle must face the biggest challenge of her life.

I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of WHAT A MOTHER KNOWS and found it honest and compelling. It features an examination of that universal quality most mothers have for their children - that we are always their fiercest protector and will go to great lengths to help our children.

Read more about this book and the author at Leslie Lehr's website!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Cover Reveal for Sure Signs of Crazy: Part Deux

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 14:51:00 +0000

A funny thing happened on the way to publication. My cover has gone through a make-over.

My original lovely cover for my forthcoming middle-grade novel was this one. I liked it very much. I still like it very much. But...

there's a new cover in town. A bolder, brighter WOW of a cover. And I don't just like this new cover. I love it. I love it so much I bought an orange purse. No kidding.

So you are the first to see this reveal. What do you think?

On a lack of blogging

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:08:00 +0000

Good Friday Morning!

I haven't been around the bloggy part of the world in a long while. I miss it. I miss the interaction with my virtual friends. I miss reading the book reviews. I miss the supportive blog writing community. But as I tell all aspiring writers, time management is your friend and you have to pare back many things you once did if you are to make time for writing.

I've been writing full tilt boogie for the past year. The pace and deadlines are exciting and remind me of my days as a speechwriter when my job depended on the ability to write something compelling and creative in less than 48 hours. Fortunately, while writing a novel, I'm not at risk of having a binder or a paperclip thrown in my general direction or under the threat of "shall I call your boss to rewrite this?" if the work wasn't up to snuff. I've had that happen. So far, no editor has thrown anything at my head for a misspelled word,but that might be owing to the fact that we are states apart.

Today I have the luxury of not having anything that must be done. It's good to have days like this. I get to go eat Thai food with a wonderful friend. Plan fun summer activities for my girls. And just READ while my lazy dog sleeps on the floor next to me. Sublime. I'm currently reading THE DINNER by Herman Koch. What's interesting about this novel is that so many of my friends have already read it. When I mentioned I was starting to read it this week, they all give me a sort of sideways look and say "Hmmm. I won't say anything now. We'll talk about that when you're done." I've gotten this exact response 4 times! What?! It's like they've dated this guy once and just want me to form my own opinion before letting me know he picks his nose. Anyway, I'm enjoying the book so far, but the odd looks and reactions are making me turn the pages quickly.

Apropos of nothing, I noted that April is National Poetry Month. I like what author David Lubar just tweeted about it.

‏@davidlubar1h

April is both National Poetry Month and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. I'm going to celebrate by not reading poetry to animals.

Ha!

To celebrate National Poetry Month, I discovered Book Spine Poetry in which a reader stacks a bunch of book spines in order to form a poem. There's a truly spectacular, laugh out loud, collection of Book Spine Poetry found at 100 Scope Notes

And I'm delighted that my forthcoming novel is included among these photos.

Happy Reading, friends!

In which a bunch of authors embarrass themselves by sharing childhood photos

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:48:00 +0000

3rd grade me

I'm lucky enough to be one of the authors featured on the Lucky 13s Blog. Today, we are featuring a collection of colorful photos from our childhood. And really, they aren't all that embarrassing.

So click on over to The Lucky 13 Blog and take a look at a bunch of future authors with big hair, Barbies, polyester pant suits.and more!

Wordless Wednesday: Valentine Art

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 14:03:00 +0000

A little creation of stickers and marker from my girl. I love the heart tourists!

Next Big Thing Blog Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 19:53:00 +0000

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop is a chance for authors around the world to tell you what they’re working on. The author answers 10 questions about their next book, and tags the person who first tagged them, plus one or more additional authors.

I was excited when fellow writing colleagues, James Iver Mattson and Barbara Brauner tagged me to participate in this blog hop. I've gotten to know these writers through the Lucky 13's Blog.

I like how James described the Next Big Thing series:

"It’s like the plate spinner on the old Ed Sullivan show, or maybe a Ponzi scheme."

James and Barbara are the authors of the upcoming OH MY GODMOTHER; The Glitter Trap, the first book in a four book series! The story centers on a 12-year-old girl who becomes a reluctant fairy godmother. Read James and Barbara's Next Big Thing post here. Also, look for their book here on Goodreads.

Thank you again, James Iver Mattson and Barbara Brauner, for allowing me to join this party!

What is your working title of your book (or story)?

SURE SIGNS OF CRAZY

Anyone can show you a book cover, but can everyone
show you a book cover made of cake?

Where did the idea come from for the book?

The idea was first given to me by a reader of my first novel, JANEOLOGY. In that novel (a legal thriller about a woman on trial for killing her son) a man struggles to come to terms with his new life. His daughter, Sarah, is his primary concern. A kind reader wrote to me one day asking about Sarah and wondering what would become of her. As it turns out, I wondered a lot about that, too. I'm so grateful that a reader took the time to write to me.

What genre does your book fall under?

Fiction for middle grade and young adult readers.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Can we talk about how much fun it is to imagine one's book as a movie? I picture a young Ellen Page (JUNO) for Sarah, or some actress with her spunk. Emma Watson would also be an interesting choice! And I like Mark Ruffalo for Sarah’s dad, Tom Nelson. Sarah's crush is a character named Finn Reynolds and I think someone like Andrew Garfield or Jake Gyllenhaal would be interesting choices.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Twelve-year-old Sarah writes letters to her hero, To Kill a Mockingbird's Atticus Finch, for help understanding her mentally ill mother, her first real crush, and life in her small Texas town, all in the course of one momentous summer.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

My book will be published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers this coming July.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Around a year and half. I wrote the first draft during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), which is a 30-day novel in a month challenge.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I hope this novel could appear on the bookshelf with other wonderful, contemporary coming- of-age stories like Sharon Creech’s WALK TWO MOONS or Kate DiCamillo’s BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

A few things. As I mentioned earlier, the genesis of this idea came from my curiosity about the characters in my first novel. I kept wondering where they would be in ten years, how they would change and respond to life. Second, Harper Lee’s TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, which is one of my all-time favorite novels, was a huge inspiration for so many reasons. Last, my sixth grade English teacher, who continues to inspire me to this day.

What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?

I hope readers will be drawn to Sarah’s special brand of honesty and moxie and her love of words. She frequently discovers new favorite words throughout the book (and will be Tweeting her new favorite words at @NEWFAVEWORD this summer.)

Now, I'm so thrilled to tag the talented fellow Little Brown author Henry Clark (who really and truly is the next big thing) and introduce you to his fine book WHAT WE FOUND IN THE SOFA AND HOW IT CHANGED THE WORLD which comes out this July.

Who could resist this premise?

The story of how one crayon launches a wonderfully wacky quest to defeat a diabolical billionaire!

Lucky for me, I was able to read an early copy of this middle-grade adventure and cannot recommend it enough. (My 9-year-old has stolen my copy and I want it back!)

(Tag, you're it, Henry.) I invite you all to go read his Next Big Thing Blog post and learn all about his book and writing. And also, he has photos of Doritos, which he somehow secretly knows are one of my favorite writing rewards.

Friday Reads

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 17:15:00 +0000

I can't stop raving about this book to everyone I know! Check out author Maria Semple's website to learn more.

(semi) Wordless Wednesday: Bad Book Cover Love

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:25:00 +0000

From The 10 Worst Book Covers In the History of Literature as seen on the site "So Bad, So Good."

Okay, starting practice...NOW!

What It Takes To Be A Writer by Elizabeth Berg

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:28:00 +0000

I just have to share this amazing article from one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Berg, on What It Takes To Be A Writer.

Lucky for all of her fans, her latest book A TAPESTRY OF FORTUNES comes out this April.

Monday Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:27:00 +0000

“Your intuition knows what to write, so get out of the way.”

― Ray Bradbury

This Writer's Life

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:18:00 +0000

After a nice holiday hiatus, it's time to visit Ye Old Blog again. I'd like to start by wishing you a Happy New Year, though I've been told that the phrase is already tired and worn out. Too bad. I'm wishing you a Happy 2013 anyway!

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

I've personally been waiting to open the book of 2013 for some time because THIS is finally the year my new novel comes out and for me, that makes it a doubly joyous occasion.

Over the holiday, I went camping with my family. We visited the nearby town of Jefferson during our stay and haunted many of the local antique shops. There, I rescued this photo. It always surprises me to find boxes and boxes of discarded old family photos. My daughter's asked me why I liked these photos and I told them that each of the pictures tells a story. We took turns naming the family and thinking up a back story for this group of people. By the time I got home, I could easily imagine seven different stories behind each of these faces. What do you think? Do these people look like they'd have an Irish surname?

I've also spent a fair amount of holiday time tapping my foot whilst waiting for the Season 3 premiere of Downton Abbey. Fortunately, there were many a book to read while waiting. I finished THE TWELVE TRIBES OF HATTIE by Ayana Mathis. Mathis' storytelling ability is really marvelous.

Until next time, I bid you a happy week!

Saturday Snapshot: Book Cake/Cake Book

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 15:16:00 +0000

Yes, that's an actual, edible cake. A sweet surprise from my friends on Thanksgiving. Hope you had a terrific Thanksgiving, too!

Wordless Wednesday: Tree Shadow

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:26:00 +0000

When I looked out my office window today, I noticed the lacy tree shadow against the fence. There's just something about it that I like. Nature does a lovely job creating images with just light and shadow, don't you think?

Friday Reads

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 14:03:00 +0000

It must be a higher form of insanity to keep ordering books when you have a huge to-be-read stack on your nightstand. But they are my one true addiction. What can I say.

Just last night, the wonderful, Amazon box-bearing delivery man brought me:

THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN by Katherine Applegate
THE REVISED FUNDAMENTALS OF CAREGIVING by Jonathan Evison
WRITING 21ST CENTURY FICTION by Donald Maass

What are you reading this week?

Cover Reveal Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:49:00 +0000

I'm so excited to officially reveal the cover of my next novel, SURE SIGNS OF CRAZY. One of my favorite bloggers, Bermuda Onion, is sharing the cover on her blog here.

Please check it out and tell me what you think.

Also, I now have an official author page on Facebook. Stop by and connect with me there if you wish.

Cheers,

kh

Wordless Wednesday: Cinderella Pumpkin

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:21:00 +0000

"Oh, that clock! Old killjoy. I hear you. Come on, get up, you say, Time to start another day. Even he orders me around. Well, there's one thing. They can't order me to stop dreaming." - Cinderella

Cinderella pumpkin from Farmers' Market

Wordless Wednesday: Sneak Peak

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 14:02:00 +0000

Earlier this week, my publisher held a 2013 book preview where select librarians and guests could learn about upcoming titles. Guess whose book is on this table of advance reader copies? Hmmm. Note the green-blue stack of books on the far right. That is my book baby, SURE SIGNS OF CRAZY, and she is due in a mere nine months. As you might expect, I will be consuming copious amounts of chocolate and ice cream as any expectant mother does.

This event marked the first time these copies are making it out into the world, which is very exciting for me to think about. More details and full cover reveal soon.

Cheers!

kh

Wordless Wednesday: Red Door

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 17:42:00 +0000

I was cleaning out an old folder on my desk and this photo fell out. It's the front door of the house I grew up in. Seeing it sent a rush of old memories across my mind. We were always able to tell people, Oh, our house is the only one on the block with a red door. I remember really liking that distinction as a kid. I still do.

This Writer's Life

noreply@blogger.com (Karen Harrington) — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 15:49:00 +0000

Half dead or half alive?

I'm sitting outside in the cool morning. Well, it's almost cold for this Texas girl. It was 107 degrees two weeks ago and a thirty degree switch is almost alarming. All I know is that it's the kind of weather that begs you to sit outside and enjoy it.

As I was enjoying the great outdoors, I noticed my poor neglected plants. I don't know about you, but when I'm deeply engrossed in a project, one hundred to-do's fall away and are forgotten. Like watering plants. Like getting a haircut. Like visiting my little blog.

Well, my excuse is that I've been making steady progress on the next book. I've been trying to get that necessary very bad first draft down on paper so that I can finally discern what this story is about. There's no escaping this part of the journey. Each time YOU pick up a book there are thousands of deleted pages and dead plants behind it. It's true! That beautiful story you hold was once a rebellious smash-up.

I just finished my very bad first draft (aka - rebellious smash-up) and I realized that it resembles my neglected backyard plant. You see, despite a serious lack of attention, this once lovely summer gardenia is still half-alive. It has green sprouts and dead brown twigs. That is how I feel about my first draft. Some things should be fertilized and coaxed into new growth. Something things should just be snapped off and thrown into the compost.

So that's what's been happening in this writer's life. I'm going to try not to commit too much more herbicide.

Hope your day is terrific and includes a great book. Here are a few great books I've recently read:

GONE GIRL
MY SISTER LIVES ON THE MANTLEPIECE
AFTER ELI
DEAD END IN NORVELT

Cheers,

kh