Okay, as promised yesterday ... the time has finally come to make good on The-Deal-I-NEVER-Should-Have-Made-But-FOOLISHLY-Did.
Just to quickly recap (in case you're newer around here): when I was a foolish, foolish teenager I got stuck on It's A Small World at Disneyland, struck up a conversation with the woman sitting behind me, and somehow ended up as a contestant on a REALLY lame, REALLY low budget, REALLY short lived Game Show called Hollywood Showdown.
(Yes, I realize my life is weird. These are the kind of things that happen to me.)
Anyway, a couple of years ago I made the mistake of posting about the experience--minus the name of the show because... well... someone has posted a clip from the show on YouTube and it's SUPER easy to find if you search for the show by name.
Which of COURSE unleashed a flood of comments/emails/tweets hassling me to let everyone view the humiliating clip. I resisted as long as I could, but I eventually caved to the pressure and decided to make a deal with my followers, promising that if my book ever sold I would post the horrifying YouTube clip on my blog so you all could watch it and make fun of me.
Fast forward to this week with all my exciting news and... well... I guess I have to make good on my promise.
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 9/14/2011
Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Shannon Shame, Shannon Sharing, Writing, Add a tag
I know it seems like such an obvious thing. I write kidlit--therefore I write for kids. And that's true--I do write for kids. And I am dreaming of the day I'll get to see MY BOOK in kids' hands--and hopefully they'll even have smiles on their faces. *wistful sigh*
But when I write, I'm not thinking about some nameless mass of kid readers that I'm trying to appeal to. I'm only thinking about one kid:
Yep--in case you haven't guessed--that's me, with the thick bangs (why, Mom? WHY?) and the obsessively lined up stuffed animals on my bed (they're arranged by HEIGHT--that is some serious pre-OCD going on there!!!) (and Ella is shockingly absent. I must be pretty young in this photo.)
Like I said in my post yesterday--I write for me. So when I'm dreaming up scenes or characters, I'm seeing them through the eyes of this girl:
(only way to survive growing up in the desert)
21 Comments on Who I Write For..., last added: 9/15/2011
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 8/2/2011
Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Tell the Truth Tuesday, Shannon Shame, Shannon Sharing, Add a tag
OMG you guys--SCBWI LA is only THREE DAYS away!!!! (Two, for me--because I'm actually driving up on Thursday.)
And I am SO RIDICULOUSLY EXCITED for the conference for SO MANY REASONS that...well...I've been doing some rather embarrassing things to prepare (and abusing all caps and exclamation marks more than anyone should) (parenthetical statements too) (ahem).
Which brings me to my truths for the week...
- I *might* have gone to the mall three times in the last three days, buying/exchanging different things because I couldn't make up my mind what I wanted to wear.
- (If you think that's bad--brace yourself, it's about to get a lot worse)
- I still wasn't feeling sure about my outfits, so I *might* have set up my iSight camera this morning to take pictures of me in each outfit, so I could get the full effect.
- (And maybe so I could email them to friends for feedback)
- (And yes--if you're wondering--the inspiration behind the idea did in fact come from CLUELESS)
- (*hangs head in shame*)
- But... but... in my defense--it helps a LOT.
- How else would I have known pairing these leggings with these shoes made my legs look short??????
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/574874229036861427-11458551704392
</p>
<div class="post-comments">
19 Comments on <em>Tell The Truth Tuesday: The Super-Over-Excited Shannon Edition</em>, last added: 8/4/2011</div> <!-- end post-comments -->
<a class = "displaycomment" href="javascript:toggleLayer( "View comments for this post"){kind=small}
Display Comments
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 7/27/2011
Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Shenanigans, Shannon Shame, Comic Con, Add a tag
It's kind of hard to describe the insanity and chaos that is 120,000 hardcore fans/geeks crammed into an exhibit hall for four days, so I'm mostly going to let the pictures speak for themselves.
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 7/20/2011
Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Comic Con, Where's Shannon, Shannon Shame, Add a tag
Okay, I KNOW I keep disappearing on you guys. (I *might* have gone a little overboard when I booked my summer schedule). But I have to do it again because as you read this, I am on my way to San Diego for Comic Con.
I'm totally, TOTALLY excited. But I'm also bracing for impact. See ... Comic Con is kind of an adventure.
There's the whole: fighting-your-way-through-the-exhibits thing (they say on the floor at any given time is about 65,000 people. It is MADNESS!!!)
But I WILL be in costume--at least one of the days. And I'm still deciding if Rainbow Brite will make a reappearance too (I can't decide if it's lame or funny to rock the Brite 2 years in a row).
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 5/10/2011
Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Revision, Shannon Shame, Shannon Style, Add a tag
Okay, I know I TOTALLY dropped the ball on this series. In fact, I'm pretty sure I was supposed to wrap it up about 3 months ago. #Shannonfail
But hey--since I spent the greater part of the last 3 months in various forms of Revision Hell--I've actually found quite a few new tricks to share, so ALL THE SLACKING PAID OFF---HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
So...in case you missed the earlier posts (or have just forgotten them over the last three months *coughs*), here's links to PART ONE, PART TWO, and PART THREE of my revision process. And now we're up to PART FOUR--which was *supposed* to be the last stage. But um...ha, it SO isn't.
Well...I guess it is, but I'm realizing I can't cover it all in one post. So there will definitely be a PART FIVE and maybe a PART SIX. I can ramble about revision for a long time. Especially this stage--The Agent Stage.
Now, all literary agents are different, and not all are hands on editorially. Laura happens to be VERY hands on editorially--one of the main reasons I wanted to work with her. But for some of you, this stage may not exist (though most of the things I will be covering apply whether you have an editorial agent or not. Just substitute the word "Agent" for "critique partner").
Okay, so to get to this stage I've written the draft, revising lightly as I go. I've gone through it myself, based on the "Things I need to Fix" file. I've revised again based on CP feedback. Reread the whole thing in one sitting to watch for consistency. And, finally decided: yes, it's ready to send to Laura! Which...usually means I write up the email and then spend 2 or 3 hours in the: AHHH I'M SCARED TO HIT SEND zone before I finally get brave enough to send off the bad boy.
We'll fast forward through the 2-3 weeks I then spend obsessively checking my email for feedback and whining to anything with ears (yes, that includes my cats) about how afraid I am that she'll hate it. (no need to give you THAT close of a glimpse into my neuroses).
And so we arrive at the moment a lovely email from Laura Rennert with a subject line that has my book's title and the words: "My comments" pops up in my inbox.
So...I've gotten several of these emails over the last year, and I've sort of developed a system for opening them--and it goes something like this.
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 2/22/2011
Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Vlogs, Author Support, Shannon Shame, Liar Society Fangirls, Add a tag
Okay, so yesterday you saw the frawesome Elana Johnson get taken over by THE LIAR SOCIETY. And today...it's my turn.
And um...fair warning. This is DEFINITELY the biggest dose of Shannon Shame I've ever given you. Only for LiLa, and their amazing book.
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 2/21/2011
Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Vlogs, Author Support, Shannon Shame, Liar Society Fangirls, Add a tag
So here's the deal. A few weeks ago I was included in an EPIC email chain from some of my favorite writers, wanting to brainstorm ideas for a way to show the blogosphere just how incredible THE LIAR SOCIETY, by Lisa and Laura Roecker, is.
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 2/2/2011
Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Questions, Shannon Shame, Shannon Sharing, Let's Ask Shannon, Add a tag
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 1/28/2011
Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Beth Revis, Shannon Shame, The Bookanistas, Add a tag
So last week--as I'm SURE you've heard by now--my friend, and fellow Bookanista, Beth Revis, debuted at #7 on the New York Times Bestseller list for ACROSS THE UNIVERSE.
So the result is this:
You deserve every ounce of praise and celebration--and more! And you better remember the little people when you take over the world. Some of us DANCED for you! :)
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 12/10/2010
Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Questions, Shannon Shame, Shannon Sharing, Let's Ask Shannon, Add a tag
Everyone ready for round two of the December questions you guys were all so very wonderful to ask? Good! And there's a LOT this month so I'm going to jump right in.
First up, Simon C. Larter asked: What do you think of the notion that our brains may function on a quantum level, with certain signal processes occurring at the level of quark interactions, thereby making our brain essentially a quantum computer that can't be effectively modeled with standard silicon transistors?
Simon, Simon, Simon...I really don't know why I'm surprised (though I AM surprised he obeyed my "keep it clean" rule). ;) And when I first read the question I had big, bold plans to google research some sort of fancy answer and throw it back at him with a dash of attitude and a smug grin. But...it was way too boring. So instead I'm just going to paste in this picture of Scarlet Johannson:
And count on the fact that Simon will be so distracted by how close she's coming to a very dangerous wardrobe malfunction that he won't even notice I didn't answer his question. Heh.
Okay, while Simon stares and drools, let's move onto some real questions. :)
Nicole Zoltack asked a string of questions, the first of which being: Favorite book when you were growing up?
Favorite book you read this year?
Ahhh--that's even harder!!! Do you know how many amazing books I've read???????
There's absolutely no way I can pick just one, so I'm going to give three of each category:
For middle grade I adored: SELLING HOPE, by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb, THE INSIDE STORY (Sister's Grimm book 8) by Michael Buckley, and MUSEUM OF THIEVES by Lian Tanner.
For YA I loved: PERCHANCE TO DREAM by Lisa Mantchev, ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkin, and PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White.
I could soooo keep going--too. many. great. books--but I will stop there, for now.
Favorite snack to eat while you write?
Pretty sure everyone knows about my Twizzler obsession, but those are definitely part of my writing fuel. I'm also a HUGE fan of Almond M&Ms. I could eat a whole bag of them in one sitting if I let myself.
Do you have any tips to prevent writer's butt?
LOL, I actually do because I might be one of the only writers who's LOST a ton of weight since I started writing. Especially since I signed with an agent. I call it the "Revision-is-stressful-Diet."
Take one insecure writer. Add intense revision notes from an amazing but so-big-and-important-she's-SCARY agent. Throw in a dash of OMG-I'm-so-busy-I-don't-have-time-for-ANYTHING, then add in a c
By: Shannon Whitney,
on 11/9/2010
Blog: Shannon Whitney Messenger (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Blog Tours, Beth Revis, Author Support, Shannon Shame, Add a tag
Not to mention Beth has been one of my favorite bloggers since I first "found" her about a year-and-a-half ago. She was one of those people that I just instantly thought: I need to know this girl! So it has been such a thrill and honor to get to know her and watch all her tremendous success and be a small part of her journey toward literary world domination. (oh, and you can bet there will be domination. Have you SEEN the buzz she has going--all totally deserved, btw?)
And now she has a secret password protected section for her website--dang, the girl knows how to keep us in suspense!!! (Though...I was lucky enough to get the password early, so I've already checked it out. There is some way cool stuff in there, guys. For realzies. And no, I won't give away the secret. Well...not unless the bribe you offer is REALLY good) ;)
So here's how this works. I'm hanging out over Beth's blog providing TONS of Shannon Shame as I relate my adventure in Itter, Austria. (And believe me guys, it's heavy on the shame. Let's just say mountain biking is involved. And the pictures that go with it are especially embarrassing. I'm twirling in one of them. TWIRLING!)
But before you hop over there to laugh at me (and yeah...you're gonna laugh at me--le sigh), here's the information Beth has provided for how this tour works--and make sure you read all the way to the bottom to get today's clue.
To celebrate the book's upcoming release, Beth's gathered together writers and readers from across the blogosphere to share their stories of adventures they've had across the world. Check out her site the first two weeks of November to read about adventures from the Wild West to Indonesia, from Europe to Africa.
And as you're going across the world with all these adventures, be sure to pick up the clues. On Beth's webpage is a secret link--LOOK for it, and you'll SEE it. But it's password protected! To find the password, you'll need to go on the adventures with us, pick up the letters, and re-arrange them into the secret phrase.
What do you get for playing? On the password protected page there's tons of secret information about the book--hidden Easter Eggs, the surprising origins of one of the characters, and the unexpected inspiration behind the space ship. But, more than that--there's also a chance for prizes! Only accessible from the password protected page is a form to enter a drawing--the winner will get a signed and doodled ARC of Acros
How is it possible that you were already this old in 1992?
I do love that you made this the largest video on a blog, ever, though. That took courage.
Actually, I think you look awesome. That's amazing you were on a TV show. And you're so young.
You were on a game show? That's incredible. At least you didn't give a dumb answer - that's even worse.
Awwww Shannon!!! Love your great big name tag!! Awwwww you're lovely - and you did ever so well and it's a great clip!! Yay! Take care
x
Aw, that's not so bad. You didn't trip and fall or wear anything embarrassing.
Oh god, now I have to go search YouTube to see if they have the lame little PBS high school quiz show posted. Not that I'm on it or anything...
*puts on game show network* *keeps it on FOR LIFE*
Okay, that was fantastic. Your bangs and my bangs would have been nerd friends, definitely!!
I think we all had bangs of doom at some point.
And I LOL'ed at B.E. Sanderson's comment because...yeah, I'm on the lame PBS high school quiz show too...
Awww!!! You look adorable! And I love how you clapped for yourself. And let me just say that if I had ever done anything like this, I would have fallen down those stairs. That is true shame.
I definitely had bangs once and they were awful. And they're in all my high school graduation pictures.
Although I do think national television is probably worse :-P
Hey! You were awesome. And it wasn't like you lost because you didn't know the answers, I saw you trying to push your button-thingy. He just got there a little faster. And don't make fun the bangs! I had them as well, for years (Okay, so I'm a little over my pictures of them, too. But you were way cuter than I was!)
DUDE I think I watched that show! I totally remember contestants looking for the box office and the timed questionning...never knew someone on that show would eventually become someone I know IN REAL LIFE. Or, you know, ON THE BLOGOSPHERE REAL LIFE.
It's a small world, after all.
(*laughs* I crack myself up.)
We can be sister friends because I had the bangs of doom too... but I have never been on a TV show. So you must be the famous one.
I will just say, thanks for sharing.
Oh my gosh, you are ADORABLE! That's barely any shame. Those bangs aren't even all that doom-worthy :)
It was not a big clip at all! I wouldn't consider it shame. And what's with all the bang hatred? I have bangs. Hubby just told me a few weeks ago that he really likes them and wants me to keep 'em.
Your bangs are cute! My mom gave all three of us girls bangs that started, like, in the very top of our heads. They were the biggest, longest bangs ever. Thanks for sharing this! Oh, and Shannon? It's time to make another deal with us, isn't it? Maybe related to sales or movie deals :)
I think you're cute! Seriously, no shame in that one. I would have been a quivering Jell-O contestant. The universe loves you.
LOL. I can't wait to watch this from home tonight (no YouTube from school). We waited a long time for this moment, #1. And I have to tell you, I'm so glad the moment is here--not because of the clip, but because it means YOU'RE PUBLISHED!!!!!! :-)
Remember the process of GROWING-OUT bangs? That was almost worse than the bangs themselves.
I think you look so sweet -- look at you being all sportsmanship with the handshake and clapping for the opponent.
Also, YAY book deals!!!
I, like Emily, love that you clapped for yourself. Maybe I'll have to post some pictures of me with glasses, braces, and a bowl cut if I sell my next book.
I just watched Hugh Jackman talk about peeing his pants on stage. Your bangs are not that embarrassing.
You're a good sport! That game show moment of fame was worth your awesomesauce news of your book!
Note: Watching this at work, in a large office, will get you funny looks.
LOL! Love it! The bangs aren't that bad :)
I would've KILLED for bangs like yours in the 90's! Mine could never quite commit. Hey, at last you got the first answer, eh? You were winning for a second. :)
I think your button was stuck. Yes, this must have been it.
It only looked like you had a nervous tic right at the beginning...after that it was all good.hahahha Not really, you looked great.
Also, some of us still have cool sort of side swept bangs so get back on board with that, sister.lol
aw it wasn't that bad. u were a good sport :)
Uh, hello, could we have a little more enthusiasm in the clapping there? You, my friend, do not have a poker face :) I could read the "could you please just shoot me?" all over your face. I'm glad I'm not the only one with therapy worthy 1990s flashbacks. If it's worth anything, I was totally rooting for you. Your opponent really seemed like a douche. And WHERE do I know that host from???
Yay for showing this. You are brave.
And those bangs look fine :)
Brilliant! Well done on selling your book.
Cute! And not nearly as shameful as it could have been... I mean, you didn't slip on the way up to the stage and pants yourself or anything. ;) If anyone should be embarrassed, it's Hollywood, for having to lend its name to this lame-show.
Love it! Not nearly as bad as you think. Although periodically I will start searching for youtube footage of Senorita Messenger, maraca player extraordinaire. :)
Lisa ~ YA Literature Lover
YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY THIS MAKES ME. *evil laugh*
All the (nicer) commenters above are totally right though. Vintage Shannon is still adorable. Even the bangs. ;)
HA! I have an experience JUST LIKE THIS. I also lost, and I am also filled with chagrin when GSN decides to replay it. I always get lots of calls and texts. Hahaha.
Oh my gosh, you are totally cute!
My roommate was on a Korean (she's blonde-haired, blue-eyed) kids-singing-show-thing when she was like five - but we haven't been able to find any clips!
Haha! I love it! Thank you for sharing this with us :D
I love that you came through with this! I totally searched YouTube for it the first time you mentioned it but couldn't find it.
I was on my high school's Varsity Quiz team, and I can't remember ever watching it on TV. Absolutely no desire. None. I hope there aren't any YouTube videos of my time on there because there was the one embarrassing moment, the one the other team members teased me about. Yeah.
I've had worse. At least you answered your question correctly.
Hey, I would have killed for your bangs o'doom! My mother got sick of trying to tame mine and forced me to grow my hair out. Around the time you were filming this I was dyyyying for your hairstyle!
I agree with everyone else. That's not embarrassing at all. Could have been much worse. At least you weren't a contestant on Survivor.