Thanksgiving Trivia

Three Summy children brave the wind at a New Mexico truck stop (I took this shot on our drive out here a mere 3 days ago. How time flies when you're having fun!)

The mercury has dropped here in Oklahoma. No more flip-flops, we are all appropriately shod.

This morning, we're climbing back in our Kia and heading another 81-ish miles east to the grandparents'. We've had LOTS of fun playing around Oklahoma City with the aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, first-cousins-once-removed, second cousins...

And while we're loading up, you might want to click over to a fun post by the delightful Jennifer Bertman where she interviewed me about my "creative" writing space.

And...to keep the conversation flowing at your Thanksgiving dinner, here's some Thanksgiving trivia. I copied these from a post I did for the Class of 2k8's blog back in the day.

1. What do you call a female turkey?
2. What sound does she make?
3. How fast can a turkey run?
4. Which state produces the most turkeys?
5. How many feathers does a mature turkey have?
6. What drink did the puritans bring with them on the Mayflower?
7. What do you call a baby turkey?
8. Which vegetable did the Pilgrims decide not to eat for Thanksgiving because they thought it was poisonous?
9. Why is difficult to sneak up on a turkey?
10. What do you call a turkey under 16 weeks of age? How about if it's five to seven months old?





Answers:
1. A hen
2. She clucks.
3. 20 mph
4. Minnesota
5. 3,500
6. beer
7. a poult
8. potatoes
9. Turkeys have a wide field of vision (270 degrees) and a great sense of hearing. Not germane to this answer, but interesting nonetheless, turkeys see in color.
10. A fryer, a roaster

Happy Thanksgiving!

Trashy Kelly Couric interviews PJ Hoover!

EDITED TO ADD: PJ IS GIVING AWAY A COPY OF THE EMERALD TABLET TO A LUCKY COMMENTER. JUST COMMENT BY WED., FEB 25 AT MIDNIGHT PACIFIC TIME FOR A CHANCE TO WIN. EITHER CHILD #4 OR ONE OF PJ'S DELIGHTFUL RUG RATS WILL CHOOSE A NAME!




Hi bloggy peeps! I'm baaack!. It's ME, the slightly chubby, super sassy and trailer-trashy KELLY Couric! I'm taking over the blog today while Barrie is helping out in Child #4's classroom. I get to interview Author PJ HOOVER who has a fantastic middle-grade fantasy out now, THE EMERALD TABLET. Middle-grade! I love it! It's exactly my reading level! Best of all, THE EMERALD TABLET is the first in a trilogy.

(knocks on door, then strides in, carefully balancing a tray of cookies) Hello! Barrie! I'm here! And I brought you some white chocolate macadamia nut cookies.




(rushes over to PJ and grabs the cookies) Thank you, thank you. I'm always looking for extra fat grams.



(opening eyes wide) Are you...is it really....Am I going to be interviewed by THE trashy Kelly Couric?!




(puffing out chest and smiling proudly) You are, dahling, you are. And let's get started. (crosses ample thighs) So, PJ, pretend I'm a really rich and famous literary agent. And you're lucky enough to get to pitch to me. What's your book about?



THE EMERALD TABLET is the adventure every kid dreams of going on! It's about five kids who have to go to summer school. Which would normally result in a total yuck factor, right? Except in this case summer school is on a hidden continent under the Pacific Ocean (Lemuria). And to top it off, the kids find out they aren't even human, but an awesome species called telegens.

Here's the cover copy:
Benjamin and his best friend Andy are different from normal. They love being able to read each other's minds and use telekinesis to play tricks on other kids. In fact, they are getting all set to spend their entire summer doing just that when Benjamin's mirror starts talking. Suddenly, Benjamin's looking at eight weeks of summer school someplace which can only be reached by a teleporter inside the ugly picture in his hallway.
And that's the most normal thing he does all summer.

So are you ready to join them, Kelly???



Yeah, right. My idea of summer fun is Camp Marriott and a spa! And a masseuse. (rolls heavily-outlined eyes) PJ, now that you've achieved your publishing goal, are you actually working on anything new? Or do writers publish, then chill on the couch, guzzling cocktails and bonbons?


Cocktails wait until the kids get home :) Ditto bonbons, but I need to hide those from the kids unless I want to share (which NO, I do not).

I'm not much of a chiller. I started book 2 in the series (THE NAVEL OF THE WORLD, Fall 2009) as soon as I'd finished THE EMERALD TABLET. And then came book 3 (THE NECROPOLIS, Fall 2010). So basically I had all three books written (in one form or another) before I signed the contract. Of course they've all been through various stages of revision, but at least the guts are there, which is nice. Because guts are the solid base we're all built around. Or maybe it's the skeleton.

I've also started a couple new projects: a MG urban fantasy with an Egyptian theme, and a YA urban fantasy based heavily in Greek mythology.

My head is filled with ideas, and my kids keep giving me new ones. I'm sure I'll never catch up—which in the writing world I think is a good thing!



You're quite the busy bee! Now, PJ, we want you to open up to us on this blog. Tell us something weird about yourself. Preferably juicy and scandalous. We're all friends here. Seriously. And if it's something like a unibrow you've never had taken care of professionally, feel free to include a pic.


Wait! Maybe I need my cocktail first!
Okay, juicy and scandalous. I once met the famous Barrie Summy. Okay, it was twice; I admit it.
No really—it's true!
And wait until I tell you what she told me...

Fine, I'll dig deep and see what I can think of.
How about this? My mom let me go to school dressed like this in seventh grade (I'm the blond one). And yes, I did used to fit those pants. And no, I wouldn't have a prayer of fitting them now. And yes, it was the 80s. And no, I would never let my daughter dress like that.

A scandalous photo of PJ Hoover (she's the blond in the shocking blue pants)

(frowning) Don't even try to fake us out that Barrie told you something scandalous. But that outfit? It is scandalous! And, now back to ME. Last time I read a whole book was in high school. Could you recommend a book for me?

The book I would recommend for you, Kelly, is THE EMERALD TABLET. In fact, I would recommend this book for every person on Earth. And could you do me a favor and recommend it to everyone you meet also? It doesn't matter if you've read it or not. Just please tell everyone it's the best book in the world. And make sure to give them the amazon link in case they don't like to leave the house.
If you aren't sure what the book is about, please go back and read this interview.

And now for the most scrumptious question of all... What is your favorite cookie? (We'd love the recipe. We're planning a side bar link with all the cookie recipes.)

Simple!
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies!

I have two recipes I LOVE!

Recipe 1:
Go to freezer section of your favorite grocery store. Here in Texas, I'm way partial to the H-E-B. And yes, the B in H-E-B does stand for Butt.
Find a frozen dough package of whatever White Chocolate Macadamia Nut cookies are on sale.
Pick it up.
Buy it.
Cook per directions. Remember to save part of the uncooked dough to eat raw.

Recipe 2:
Walk into your favorite deli or other establishment which sells cookies.
Get money out of wallet.
Request one White Chocolate Macadamia Nut cookie.
Pay for it.
Eat cookie.

(munching on a cookie) Okay, that's it, bloggy friends. The interview is officially over. I have some serious snacking to do. Have a great weekend! And thank you for stopping by, PJ Hoover, author of THE EMERALD TABLET.

EDITED TO ADD: PJ IS GIVING AWAY A COPY OF THE EMERALD TABLET TO A LUCKY COMMENTER. JUST COMMENT BY WED., FEB 25 AT MIDNIGHT PACIFIC TIME FOR A CHANCE TO WIN. EITHER CHILD #4 OR ONE OF PJ'S DELIGHTFUL RUG RATS WILL CHOOSE A NAME!

Goodbye 2008!

It's been a great 2008 with my first book, I So Don't Do Mysteries, finding its place on bookshelves. Thank you Random House. I had a wonderful year with the Class of 2k8. My family is happy and healthy and enjoying life.

Yes, I am one of those people who makes New Year's Resolutions. The only one in my little house this year.

Here goes:

1. Take vitamins daily.
2. Exercise 3x weekly.
3. Watch a movie a month. (or more)
4. Return library books on time. (or suffer the consequences*)
5. a resolution to do with stopping to smell the roses and having more fun time with the kids**

*to be determined

** I know this one needs lots of work. But....I'm hoping that as I hop around bloggyville and read everyone else's resolutions, it will all come clear. :)

We wish you and yours a happy and healthy and prosperous New Year!

I'm looking forward to keeping up with you all in 2009!

One day to go!!! And my mantra...

             In case you're wondering, this is NOT me.

Hola Bloggy Friends!

One short-and-long-at-the-same-time day to go before my little heroine, Sherry, is out in the world.

I'm trying really really hard to enjoy each and every second of this experience. Until I get all caught up in the worry and the freakiness of book signings (I have abominable handwriting) and readings (I have this cough that won't vamoose) and the million and one things that need to get done (I have a to-do list the length of Yonge Street**).

And then I just slap myself upside the head (mentally, of course because, come on, I'm not a total nutcase!) and say (inside my head because, like I just said, I'm not a total nutcase): This is the one and only time in your life you'll have a first book released. This is a dream come true. Get over yourself, Ms. Worry-Wart Summy. Have fun.

So that, my dear friends, is my mantra for the week: Have fun.

You will NOT hear me saying things like "I gotta get caught up on the laundry" or "Hey, family, here's a home-cooked meal" or "I paid all the bills today and vacuumed and dusted and tidied and hemmed that pair of jeans that's been in the basket for a year". No sirree. In fact, I may not say those things next week either.

So, I am off to have fun. I wish more of you were here with me to keep me on track.

Come visit the Class of 2k8's blog where I'm the star for the entire week.

And a loud shout-out to TeensReadToo for a lovely lovely review and FIVE stars and for posting said lovely lovely review on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. Thank you!

And another loud shout-out to Bookworm Readers who gave I SO DON'T DO MYSTERIES an A rating. Thank you to you too!

One last practice of the mantra: Have fun. Have fun. Have fun.



**a very very long street in Toronto. It may even be the longest street in the world, but I don't have time to check this fact for you. Not that you don't deserve conscientious blogging; it's truly a time thing.

Wrapping up CLA + Theft

At a Chinese restaurant in San Jose: (left to right) Zu Vincent (THE HAPPY PLACE), me, Stacy Nyikos (DRAGON WISHES), PJ Hoover (THE EMERALD TABLET) Hoover. We missed you at dinner, Courtney Scheinmel (MY SO-CALLED FAMILY).

CLA (the California Library Association) went super well! No one fell over. No one broke out in hives. All the electronic junk worked--powerpoints, book trailers. In four words: we were a hit!

One faux pas: not one of us remembered to take a group picture. :(

PJ Hoover blogged about our CLA weekend. She has a particularly upscale bathroom shot.



Guess what else happened this weekend? DH and I became the victims of credit card theft! Yikes!

I talked to the credit card company Sunday evening around 11. They believe a counterfeit credit card was used to purchase:

         $ 432 worth of merchandise at Walmart in Oakland
         $   13.78 at a game store in Oakland
         $ 400 worth of gas at a station in Bakersfield (although a hold was put on the card after $100)

That is not a very imaginative thief. No trips to Hawaii or Paris. No diamond rings. No books.

Child #3's theory: The thief is a truck driver, getting ready for a long haul. So, he bought a bunch of gas, new clothes and snacks at Walmart and a video game.

It's all very creepy. On the upside, we're not responsible for the fraud purchases.


EXACTLY THREE WEEKS UNTIL THE RELEASE OF I SO DON'T DO MYSTERIES!

My Town Monday: San Jose, CA

Greetings from San Jose, CA! I'm up here with four fellow class of 2k8ers (in alpha order): PJ Hoover (author of THE EMERALD TABLET), Stacy Nyikos (DRAGON WISHES), Courtney Scheinmel (MY SO-CALLED FAMILY) and Zu Vincent (THE HAPPY PLACE).

So far, we've chatted. Drunk wine. Chatted. Eaten Chinese for dinner. Chatted some more.

Don't worry, fellow 2k8ers, your SCANDALOUS secrets are safe with me!

We're on a panel at the California Library Association's Annual Conference. Which means that, tomorrow morning, I will be standing up and speaking for FIFTEEN whole minutes. Thank goodness I have a very cute power point presentation.

Totally ignoring the evening-before public-speaking jitters, I'm posting about a fun house to visit here in California's 3rd largest city.

Winchester Mystery House

Some interesting facts about the Winchester Mystery House:

Wealthy widow Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester Rifle fortune, began building on this house in 1884.

Construction continued for THIRTY-EIGHT years.

There are 160 rooms in this Victorian mansion.

This house is bizarre, with features like staircases that lead to the ceiling.

The house was built without any master plan, so it's quite the hodge podge.

Building costs were about $5.5 million.

The Winchester House is HAUNTED by people who were killed by Winchester rifles.

You can have your birthday party here.

If you're interested in visiting:

525 S Winchester Blvd
San Jose, CA 95120
(408) 247-2101

Sorry if this isn't my best MTM post. But think of the pressure I'm under. Speaking engagement tomorrow. Holder of SCANDALOUS secrets. Please please cut me some slack. So... I'm off to get my beauty sleep. Think of me (and the rest of the 2k8 gang who are in San Jose) at about 10:30 am Pacific time. Cross your fingers that I don't fall over in a dead faint.

Now, go directly to Travis Erwin's blog. He's our big kahuna boss for My Town Mondays. He'll have a MTM post up himself plus a list of links to other Mondayers.

Sources; http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/
Wikipedia

My Town Monday: Tom Ham's Lighthouse

Before I start our regular programming, I'd like to point you over to the Class of 2k8's blog where we're celebrating a week-long launch for middle grade author PJ Hoover and her sci fi The Emerald Tablet.



It's that time of the week again. And today I'm posting about one of my very favorite San Diego restaurants: Tom Ham's Lighthouse.

Built in 1971, it has an actual functioning coast-guard operated lighthouse (Beacon #9) attached to it. From a window or outside seat, you can see the San Diego Bay, San Diego skyline, North Island and the Coronado Bridge. You might also see seals, dolphins, pelicans and, if you're really lucky, a whale. Here's a great tip for you: the best view is from Table #109.

Dress is casual. After all, this IS So Cal. The Queen of England could show up in jeans, and no one would judge. Lunch meals are $10-$15. Dinner meals will run you $31 to $50. There's a Sunday champagne brunch for about $25. And on Wednesdays 1/2 price bottles of wine.

I always get the shrimp diablo which is stuffed jumbo Gulf shrimp, wrapped in bacon. To die for. The service is very good too. There are waiters who have worked at the restaurant for a decade. They know what they're doing.

An additional bit of trivia: Tom Ham's Lighthouse is located on Harbor Island. This island was formed in 1961 of sand and mud (more than 12 million cubic yards of the stuff) when the Navy dredged San Diego Bay to deepen it for military ships.

Here's the link to the restaurant if you want to check it out. Don't be put off by the hunk of steak on their opening page. The food really is terrific.

2150 Harbor Island Dr
San Diego, CA 92101-1084
Phone: (619) 291-9110

The DH and I went to Tom Ham's last night with four friends. Great friends, great food, great vista. Life is good.

Please visit Travis Erwin, our big kahuna boss for My Town Mondays. He'll have a MTM post up himself plus a list of links to other Mondayers.

sources:
http://www.opentable.com/rest_profile.aspx?rid=7583http://www.sandiegan.com/restaurants.php?view=id,173
http://www.mytravelguide.com/attractions/profile-77997705-United_States_California_San_Diego_Harbor_Island.html

mini-interview on the Class of 2k8's blog

If you've got a sec, come see me over at the Class of 2k8's blog.

There's a mini-mini-mini-interview about I So Don't Do Spooky (Book #2)! I swear, it's short. But cute.

Click here.

negligent blogging

I am guilty of negligent blogging.

I was going through some (there are thousands!) of the pics on my computer. And I came across this lovely shot taken when I visited Random House in Canada's Mississauga office.

Julie Forrest, me, Jessica Scott (Photo credit: Heather Sanderson who was a great sport about photographing us!!)


I had the pleasure of chatting with Julie Forrest, Random House in Canada's Super Smart Plugged In Online Guru. Okay, her title might really be Online Marketing Coordinator. At any rate, she is super smart, knows megabytes about the internet and blogging and books and writing and authors. And probably lots of other topics that we just never made it to.

We were joined by the brilliant and delightful Jessica Scott, another Random House techie wizard. Julie and Jessica offered me all kinds of solid suggestions about blogging and other social networks. Suggestions I really will take. Slowly but surely.

Both Julie and Jessica were really easy schmeasy and interesting to talk with. It was very fun finding out which blogs we all read and learning of new blogs to try out. I was having such a good time that I didn't want to leave. They practically had to throw me out.

Here's a blog you'll want to check out. It's Random House Insiders Blog. A variety of bloggers post here, including Julie herself. And they have authors guest blog from time to time. Yes, yes, yes! You guessed it! I'll be guest blogging there one of these days!

Here's what Random House in Canada, Mississauga office looks like from the outside.


In other negligent blogging...I totally forgot to link to the Class of 2k8. Hop on over to see what Nancy has to say about herself and her debut novel, Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in Her Head. For every different person who leaves a comment on one of Nancy's launch posts, she'll donate $1.00 to the National Park Foundation. It's a worthy cause.

Kelly Couric interviews TERI BROWN!

Kelly Couric here! (waving hands and dancing around madly). Barrie usually introduces me as..."the slightly chubby, super sassy and trailer-trashy KELLY Couric." I'm all that and more, folks. All that and more.




(Door squeaks open.) Hi, I'm Teri Brown. Is this where Barrie's doing my interview? Are you her secretary?

(Hands on ample hips, Kelly glares at Teri.) Her secretary? I so don't think so. If I weren't such a huge fan of Read My Lips, I'd quit talking to you. (clears throat) Okay, blogsphere people, I'd like you all to meet Teri Brown, member of the Class of 2k8, debut YA novelist of the fantastic Read My Lips.


Thank you. Thank you. So, Barrie put you in charge of my interview?




(looking around) Well, ya certainly don't see her around, do ya? In this cutthroat biz, you snooze, you lose. And that's literally what she's doing. Napping.



Oh, That's right. I heard Barrie's having a tough time with insomnia. Poor thing.


Poor thing? She's a major wimp. (claps loudly) Okay. On with the interview. Teri, pretend I'm a really rich and famous literary agent. And you're lucky enough to get to pitch to me. What's your book about?




I guess that depends on whether it’s an elevator pitch or a longer pitch! My elevator pitch was this: A deaf skater chick moves to a new school and uses her amazing lip reading ability to infiltrate the popular crowd, bust up an exclusive secret sorority, and tame the school rebel.

If we were actually talking over drinks I would expand on that!


Do you outline?





Do I what?

Um no. I actually start off with an idea and then write a back cover type blurb on it. Then I write out a three or four page synopsis and try to capture the major plot elements as well as the MC’s emotional journey. Then I start writing. Usually the finished product differs quite a bit from the first synopsis!

Now that you've achieved your publishing goal, are you actually working on anything new? Or do writers publish, then chill on the couch, guzzling cocktails and bonbons?



I wish! Once you’re published you immediately start worrying about the second book! It’s so important for your overall career to get that second book contract, to say nothing of your self esteem!

Then there is the whole book launch to worry about! And then of course, sales, etc. Being a writer entails so much more than writing!

Tell us something weird about yourself. Preferably juicy and scandalous. We're all friends here. Seriously. What's said on this blog, stays on this blog.



Except of course that the blog is PUBLIC!




Drat! You're pretty AND smart.






I’m afraid I’m going to have to abstain from anyting scandalous, because my past is pretty checkered!

One cool thing is that I survived a brain tumor. At least, it’s pretty cool to most teens! Especially when I get into the gritty details on how they had to slit my nose open and break it in order to get up to where the tumor was and… what? Kelly are you alright? You’re looking a little green…





(plugging ears) This is NOT a medical blog. I repeat, this is NOT a medical blog.




(Teri smiles) I think Barrie could've handled that.



(Kelly rolls eyes) Whatever. So, what's your favorite cookie? Are you willing to share?




Share cookies or recipes? I am seriously dieting so I haven’t had a real cookie in ages. My favorite cookies are Oreos. Honestly. So I am currently stuck on the 100 calorie pack Oreos. They don’t have any cream filling, but I think it’s overrated anyway.

Thanks so much for stopping by. You're definitely my type of gal. Well, except for the gross medical details. But I'm definitely into the checkered past thing. So, did you bring me a gift? Like, say, a bottle of Glenfiddich? In that cute triangular bottle?


(Teri laughs.) No gifts, sorry. But thank you for interviewing me. And tell Barrie I hope she's sleeping better soon.



Sure. I'll tell her. You can count on me. Yada, yada, yada.




Okay, people. Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Read My Lips by Teri Brown. You have until Saturday, July 12 at midnight (Pacific time). The next day, because Child #4 is only eight and doesn't get to stay up until midnight, Child #4 will randomly choose a name from a bowl. Barrie'll send you the book.

Kelly tosses a boa over her shoulder, then sashays off. When she's halfway across the room, she stops and turns. "Hey, and don't worry...I'll be back!"