Friday, October 16, 2009

Thank you, Cassandra!



Today I met Cassandra. That's her in the photo above. And that's me next to her in my new orange sweater.

Cassandra came to an authors' panel held today in Encinitas.

The panel consisted of Mary Pearson, Marlene Perez, Laura Preble, Cindy Pon and myself. On Monday, I'll write more about the panel and about tomorrow's panel at the Poway Library. I'll probably reveal a few of the panelists' deep, dark secrets (not any of mine; my life's an open book!). But that Cindy Pon...

Meeting Cassandra was a wonderful opportunity for me.

Because she is an expert on Sherry and company, having read I So Don't Do Mysteries five times. And, yes, my heart did speed up just typing that.

Here's the deal. I did something very mean to Sherry at the beginning of I So Don't Do Famous, the book I'm working on. Very mean. Editor Wendy doesn't know about it. Nobody knows about it. Except for me and Sherry. And now Cassandra.

I was thrilled to be able to confide in Cassandra, a real live avid reader, and to hear how she felt about it. Cassandra said it was okay to be that mean on one condition... No problem. I'm on it.

Cassandra, it was a pleasure meeting you, and thank you for being there for Sherry and me!


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36 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 17, 2009 at 3:15 AM

    Love your new orange sweater and love Cassandra. What a cool experience to have such a fabulous reader! You're such a natural at this, Barrie.

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  2. TaniaOctober 17, 2009 at 4:43 AM

    FIVE TIMES???!!!

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  3. BarrieOctober 17, 2009 at 7:44 AM

    Hi Kathy! Well, I don't know that I'm a natural. It was a fun group on the panel and that definitely makes it easier.

    Mac and Cheese: This is a great age group for re-reading book. I have to say, though, it was very flattering to hear about Cassandra.

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  4. TeresaOctober 17, 2009 at 7:48 AM

    Congratulations, Barrie!! And I love your new orange sweater. How great to have such an avid fan. I bet you have lots more of them.

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  5. CassandraOctober 17, 2009 at 7:49 AM

    It was great meeting you, too, Mrs. Summy! I loved meeting a published author, no matter my FAVORITE AUTHOR, because you reminded me of what I love to do - writing and reading. And with the business of middle school, sometimes I forget to do what I love. So you helped me tremendously to remember my loves.
    I will never forget the day I met you. You are my favorite author and always will be.
    From your biggest fan, Cassandra.

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  6. Miriam ForsterOctober 17, 2009 at 7:55 AM

    Wow, this story is full of awesome! I can't decide which is cooler, that you were on a panel with Cindy Pon and Mary Pearson, or that you have such an amazing reader.

    Also, I've read lots of books five times. Cassandra sounds like my kind of girl. :)

    Again. Wow.

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  7. CassandraOctober 17, 2009 at 8:00 AM

    And, also, Mrs. Summy - I loved your recipe card book idea. Sometimes it's hard for me to find a sufficient way to organized the plot points so that it makes sense. And your idea DOES make sense. Don't be embarrassed about it! You should be happy you found a way that works for you. If I use your idea, it must not be THAT embarrassing, right?

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  8. BethOctober 17, 2009 at 8:02 AM

    So, you have a new editor - one totally in tune with your audience. She's a keeper!

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  9. BarrieOctober 17, 2009 at 8:10 AM

    Cassandra!! You left a comment! How exciting! It really was great meeting you. You're smart and talented and interesting. Also, I really appreciated your input on the plot. I feel so much better about being mean now! :)

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  10. BarrieOctober 17, 2009 at 8:12 AM

    Miriam: Guess what else? I had lunch with Mary too. And we ALMOST ordered the same meal! Cindy Pon? She's adorable.

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  11. BarrieOctober 17, 2009 at 8:14 AM

    Beth, I know, I know. It was quite amazing. On the drive home, I kept thinking of other questions I should've asked Cassandra.

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  12. BarrieOctober 17, 2009 at 8:16 AM

    Teresa, I hesitated when buying that sweater because it's so orange. But I really like it now.

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  13. CassandraOctober 17, 2009 at 8:23 AM

    I would love to and I will ALWAYS answer any questions you might have for me, Mrs. Summy!
    You have my email - and I check it daily.
    Good luck writing!

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  14. BarrieOctober 17, 2009 at 8:32 AM

    Okay, people, do you see what a gem Cassandra is!

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  15. kayerjOctober 17, 2009 at 9:45 AM

    how nice to have such a devoted fan. what a sweetie.

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  16. Tricia J. O'BrienOctober 17, 2009 at 9:50 AM

    Whoa! This is so cool. It's so nice to read about good things happening in the publishing world and this sure is one. Cassandra proves books are not going the way of the dinosaurs.

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  17. chocolatecovereddaydreams.blogspot.comOctober 17, 2009 at 10:02 AM

    Cassandra knows good reading!! Wonderful picture. So good to be able to confide in a plot with a true fan of your writing.

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  18. BookwormOctober 17, 2009 at 10:44 AM

    Oooh, the title has been revealed! And I love it! What a wonderful fan. She seems so sweet!

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  19. Barbara MartinOctober 17, 2009 at 11:33 AM

    Cassandra is the type of fan you want to keep forever. Now you've made her your buddy by giving her a secret. Congratulations, Barrie!

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  20. Vodka MomOctober 17, 2009 at 1:26 PM

    What an incredible day that must have been!!


    And what a lovely girl.

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  21. San Diego Momma/Two Funny BrainsOctober 17, 2009 at 2:06 PM

    Cassandra!
    So cute!

    And she calls you "Mrs. Summy!"

    I love it.

    In addition. POWAY LIBRARY??? Hello! My neck of the woods. I'm so extremely sad I missed you.

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  22. BarrieOctober 17, 2009 at 8:24 PM

    Deb/San Diego Momma! You're in Poway! Drat! I would've loved to have seen you again! I'll be out and about signing around town when I So Don't Do Spooky comes out Dec. 8! Maybe then...

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  23. BeckOctober 18, 2009 at 5:22 AM

    That's so great! Did I tell you that I'm getting I So Don't Do Mysteries for my oldest for Christmas? Yep.

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  24. BarrieOctober 18, 2009 at 7:59 AM

    Ahhh....Beck, thanks!

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  25. Caryn CaldwellOctober 18, 2009 at 2:13 PM

    I LOVE that you shared that little secret with Cassandra. What a fun little secret for the two of you to have. I bet she was just delighted.

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  26. laughingwolfOctober 18, 2009 at 5:38 PM

    great big kermie YAYYYYYYYYYYYY!

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  27. Keri MikulskiOctober 19, 2009 at 4:06 AM

    Too cute. :)

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  28. AnonymousOctober 19, 2009 at 7:44 AM

    I love that picture! What a special fan you have, what a wonder opportunity indeed. Five times, should tell you something, start writing more, your fans are waiting.
    Love the orange sweater. Looks so nice on you, perfect for the season.

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  29. Editor WendyOctober 19, 2009 at 9:17 AM

    I have a feeling Cassandra will have my job one day :)

    Okay, Barrie, please don't be mean to my Sherry. I'm feeling uber nervous! I'm going to read your outline RIGHT NOW!

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  30. BarrieOctober 19, 2009 at 10:03 AM

    Hello Editor Wendy! Please don't be uber nervous. Sherry is strong and resilient. Plus, there's always revisions. :)

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  31. UnknownOctober 19, 2009 at 10:38 AM

    How sweet! And something mean? Hmmm, I'm betting it's not REALLY mean, right???

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  32. BarrieOctober 19, 2009 at 10:41 AM

    Bina--it's middle-grade mean. ;)

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  33. Gabriele GoldstoneOctober 19, 2009 at 2:23 PM

    Orange goes so well with Sherry's turquoise blue debut. And 'I so don't do famous' - she so does do it - no matter what you do to her - she's famous and sharing that secret with Cassandra is so ... cool. Really cool

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  34. Sheri Perl-OshinsOctober 19, 2009 at 7:58 PM

    What a cool experience! Oh I have reader envy...

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  35. LaurenOctober 26, 2009 at 5:06 AM

    Cassandra looks so excited to be standing next to you! That's great that you told her the plot secret. I bet that is going to be a very special experience that she never forgets.

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  36. AnonymousMay 16, 2011 at 2:05 PM

    JOSH BREAKS UP WITH SHERRY!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Comments are always welcome!