Music Monday: Green

This is such a sweet song. For fun, check out (on YouTube) the many artists like Willie Nelson and Jason Mraz who've done their version of this one.

Still, Kermit rocks it the best.

PW's Best Children's Books 2010

Just in case you're looking for a new children's read (and you always are, right?), check out PW's Best Children's Books 2010 . Go to page two and three for the MG/YA listings.

And happy Friday!

Monday Music: On Juju For Your Mojo

My love of books started when I was an awkward little girl. It was my escape, my time alone with imaginary people. And not much has changed: I still like to read, in solitude. I just now write about imaginary people too—still happily by my lonesome.

I think most of us writers like that part: the just-me-and-my-story thing. It’s the time when you are free to stink, mess up, and take chance on what you in your gut feel is the right move. And nobody's watching. You can always change your mind later. It’s just you there, right?

I do find it’s nice to go out and meet your fellow writers, though—I’ve been missing that lately. A little too much time by myself, and that’s not good. You need your peeps as a writer.

But then I talked to one of my writer pals who had the opposite problem: too many voices of well-meaning critique partners in her head made her lose her mojo. She was frozen. The just-me-and-my-story thing had turned into a mental intrusion by Everyone. Not good. You know what I’m talking about if you’re a writer.

I’m hoping she’ll find her mojo. This writer friend is very talented—I predict she’ll find her way to the shelves soon. Until then, here’s some good juju for her mojo.

Monday Music

A little inspiration for you NaNo Nutter Butters from Mary J. Blige. This song is one of those I listen to when I try to get energized, because nobody kicks it like Mary.

Good luck, guys.

Missing Out

This year has been the year that I didn't go. To Left Coast Crime in L.A., Bouchercon in San Francisco (that one hurt), and KidLitCon, to name but a few. I've been Dutifully Working.

And all work and no play for a cranky YA Sleuth, people! Especially when everyone's asking me if I'm coming ("No, I'm focusing on work this year...") and Tweeting about the great time they're having. Or when I read reports like this one in SLJ about KidLitCon. Even the litter of kittens that's turning my house into a mad one aren't making me feel better.

So I'm vowing to Go Somewhere Writerly In 2011. Because I know that even though the writing has to be number one, it's very energizing to hang around fellow writers and friends.

How about you? Any conference plans for 2011?

Oh, and if you didn't go either, here's a picture of a kitten with momma cat to make you feel better. Worth a shot.

Music Monday

There's a car chase, a cop with donuts, and Bruce Willis. Oh, and guns, too. Does it get any cooler than this? I think not.

DISCOUNT NOIR...

...is now available! I would tell you to buy it because my story is in it, but that would be tacky. So I'll tell you who else has stories in this short story collection:

Patricia Abbott, Sophie Littlefield, Kieran Shea, Chad Eagleton, Ed Gorman, Cormac Brown, Alan Griffiths, Laura Benedict, Garnett Elliot, Eric Beetner, Jack Bates, Bill Crider, Loren Eaton, John DuMond, John McFetridge, Toni McGee Causey, Jeff Vande Zande, James Reasoner, Kyle Minor, Randy Rohn, Todd Mason, Byron Quertermous, Sandra Scoppettone, Stephen D. Rogers, Steve Weddle, Evan Lewis, Daniel B. O'Shea, Sandra Seamans, Albert Tucher, Donna Moore, John Weagly, Keith Rawson, Gerald So, Dave Zeltserman, Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen, Jay Stringer, Anne Frasier, Kathleen A. Ryan, Eric Peterson, Chris Grabenstein and J.T. Ellison.

And they're killer stories. Impressive, right? Click on the nifty banner below to get your noir fix...