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I was saddened to learn today that Castle Miranda (also known as Château de Noisy) in Belgium was slated to be torn down this month. Back in 2012 I stumbled across the gorgeous pictures from PROJ3CT M4YH3M of this heart-breaking, beautiful, decaying castle. The ceilings especially inspired me to put pen to paper and write the scene in my novel Glimmer of Steel where Jennica comes to terms with her fate while staring up at her bedroom’s ceiling.

Since I don’t own any of the copyrights for the images I saw back in 2012, nor have I paid for licensing rights, I have the next best thing… links to the owners’ sites so you can hop over a view them yourself.

The first link is for a website (in German) with historical photos/drawings of the Castle in its original state. http://www.lipinski.de/noisy-historical/index.php

The second link is from Ian Moone’s and PROJ3CT M4YH3M’s website page that covered their first visit to Castle Miranda in 2012: 

Urbex: Castle Miranda aka Château de Noisy Belgium – December 2012 (Part 1)

The third link is from Ian Moone’s and PROJ3CT M4YH3M’s second visit in 2014:

Urbex: Castle Miranda aka Château de Noisy Belgium – May 2014 (revisit)

So just as I’m getting ready to release Glimmer of Steel to Kindle Scout this month, and I’m looking for Castle Miranda pictures to share as an important visual inspiration for my writing, I learned the castle is being dismantled. Pascal Dermien recently photographed the start of the demolition and shared his photos on YouTube. You can see former turrets cast upon the ground, including the weather vane that used to spin atop the highest peak. Only the blogs, and photographs, memories, videos, and the occasional book will live on.

Today’s review is a bit different from the usual fare here on Kid Lit Reviews. I received a young adult book last year, which I do not review, because I firmly believe YA does not mix well with picture books and middle grade fare. I set it aside. Last night, needing a break from reading kid’s books and packing boxes, I picked up that book, simply titled Crazy. Crazy is Linda Vigen Phillips debut into children’s lit. Written in verse, the story is a fast read. The story shines a light on mental illness and, though set in the 1960s, is every bit as relevant today as it was then. Crazy moved me and I hope it moves you.

Crazy

Written by Linda Vigen Phillips
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers     10/06/2014
978-0-8028-5437-7
314 pages         Age 12+
A Junior Library Guild Selection for 2014

“Laura is a typical fifteen-year-old growing up in the 1960s, navigating her way through classes, friendships, and even a new romance. But she’s carrying around a secret: her mother is suffering from a mental illness. No one in Laura’s family will talk about her mother’s past hospitalizations or increasingly erratic behavior, and Laura is confused and frightened. Laura finds some solace in art, but when her mother, also an artist, suffers a breakdown, Laura fears that she will follow in her mother’s footsteps. Left without a refuge, can she find the courage to face what scares her most?” [book cover]

Review
15-year-old Laura’s mother suffers from bipolar disorder and the family suffers right along with her, as most often happens. The author took parts of her own life, apparently having a mother who also suffered from mental illness. In the sixties, where the story takes place, mental illness carried much stigma so families kept this very secret. A lot of effort went into hiding the ailment from others. Kids never brought friends home to play or for sleepovers. If the family member was admitted to a psychiatric hospital, the family’s secret keeping went into high alert.

Now this may sound crazy in itself, but people outside the family secret did treat kids and adults with a mentally ill family member differently—poorly, often as if the craziness could rub off the family and onto them. Many people did not consider mental illness a medical disorder. Instead, mental illness was a problem of attitude, disposition, and a weakness of the will. Thus, mentally ill people could cure themselves by changing their attitude and their disposition by just acting normal. “If they would just do this or do that, they would be fine in no time,” was the basic attitude of most people.

The mother was a brilliant artist when younger, but gave it up. Laura encourages her mother to paint again, thinking it might help her mother regain her sense of self and thus act more normal. Instead, her mother has a “nervous breakdown.” Now Laura blames herself because she encouraged her mother to paint and, in her mind, the act of painting again caused her mother to collapse. Being a gifted artist in her own right, Laura is terrified that she will tumble into the same black hole her mother has. At one point, Laura even believes she is on her way, and in great fear and despair, refuses to paint, despite a contest deadline looming near.

NERVOUS BREAKDOWN

“If you’ve ever been there
when a lightbulb gets real bright
just before it blows out,
then you know what it was like
around here when things got extremely crazy,
right before they shipped Mama off
to the nut house.

“It’s all my fault
for suggesting
she take up painting again.
That’s what she was doing
that day I came home
to such a mess.
She was trying to paint on canvas,
not ceramics,
and maybe,
well, maybe she just forgot
how to do it
and it frustrated her real bad.
I could see she was beside herself
with frustration.

“I never should have suggested it.

“Maybe that’s why she put her hand
on the hot stove last night
and didn’t even smell
the burning flesh.
Now on top of her craziness
she has a bandaged hand.”

The problem in the sixties, as it was in the fifties, and every decade past, was a lack of information. Even today, though much enlightened, some still attach a stigma to mental illness. Books like Crazy help change these views by looking to the next generation. Laura, having been kept in the dark by her family (Laura is not old enough to understand), knows little about her mother’s illness. She understands mom is crazy, as she lives with the craziness each day. Laura watches her mother sit in a chair all day, staring at nothing in particular and worrying about everything (JFK’s assassination occurs), then watches her mother in crazed action, with energy that overflows and keeps her moving for days.

Laura gives up her own artistic talent to maintain her sanity, but it does not work. Laura feels herself falling deeper into a hole she cannot comprehend. Despite asking what is specifically going on with her mother, no one will explain. Not understanding, Laura’s mind works herself into her own despair. Overloaded with a sick mother, keeping secrets, and normal teen angst Laura works herself into believing she is beginning the slow descent into craziness. Her father has closed himself off, in his own attempts to deal with an ill wife he dearly loves, so Laura does not get the support she needs from him. Her older sister is busy with her own family, having married young. Laura’s friends are in the dark, though would most likely be a great support system for her, if she was not so afraid to tell them.

Crazy does a great job describing mental illness fifty years ago and an even better job of describing a kid who must live with a mentally ill parent. The writing is easy to read and a fast read, since most of the verse deals with Laura and her thoughts, rather than visual descriptions. It works. I think an advanced middle grader could read Crazy and enjoy the story along with a new understanding of mental illness. Crazy was difficult to put down, even for an hour. I read the 314 pages in one evening. The story is that compelling and that interesting. I needed to know how Laura was going to deal with her mother’s illness. Would she ever return to painting? Could she ever tell her friends? Would Laura really descend into darkness, herself, as she imagines is happening? Will anyone ever speak truthfully and answer Laura’s questions? I just had to know.

Laura tries to protect herself from a mother she does not understand and friends who might abandon her if they knew her secret. I enjoyed this emotionally stirring story. Crazy drew me into the story immediately with the powerful writing. The author does a great job leading the reader down the path she wants them to walk. Laura is a credible character and one in which many kids will see themselves. Laura will have your empathy, but it will take time to understand the other characters’ motives. The story rolls out perfectly. I know this because I have a brother with bipolar disorder. In a group setting, Crazy can easily lead to a great discussion. I recommend Crazy for advanced readers age 12 and up, including adults.

You can purchase Crazy at Amazon— Eerdmans Books.

Discussion Guide is HERE.
Learn more about Crazy HERE.
Meet the author, Linda Vigen Phillips, at her website:  http://www.lindavigenphillips.com/
Find more picture books at the Eerdmans Books for YR website:  http://www.eerdmans.com/YoungReaders/

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers is an imprint of Wm. B Eerdmans Publishing Co.

CRAZY. Text copyright © 2014 by Linda Vigen Phillips. Copyright © 2014 by publisher, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, Grand Rapids, MI.

Copyright © 2015 by Sue Morris/Kid Lit Reviews. All Rights Reserved

Review section word count = 864

Even a justified shooting by a police officer is classified as a homicide. And that's what took place Thursday right outside my kung fu school, on a stretch of sidewalk I walk on six days a week.

This guy was wanted for several bank robberies. What's more disturbing is that a few months ago he grabbed a teenager working at Palm Beach Tan, pushed her into his minivan and assaulted her. He then took off with her in the van. She escaped by jumping from the moving vehicle. She survived with serious injuries.

Recently, girls who attend the nearby middle and high school had reported a "creepy guy in a van" following them. Three cops, including one who is assigned to the high school, went looking for him. They found his van, but he didn't match the description and said he was going to the library. After he left, they noticed the front and rear plates of the van didn't match.  The high school resource officer found the guy and asked him to put his hands up.  Instead, he reached for a gun. He was shot in the head and the heart and died. The cop was wounded in the hand.

This all happened before the kung fu class I would normally attend.  lass was cancelled last night, but I was actually out with Mutlnomah County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue as they heard from a death investigator. She was a fill in because another medical examiner was doing an autopsy on the dead guy. Circles within circles.

Very strange and unsettling all the way around. Today two reporters tried to interrupt our kung fu class, but were turned away. I could have parked in the spot where I think he died but chose to park on the other side of the street. You can see my car on the right behind the reporter, on the other side of the street.

All I have to do before April 15 is:

- Finish writing a book.  That is not nearly done enough.
- Write a blog post for the International Reading Association (IRA).
- Plan my talk for IRA.
- Plan three days of school visits.
- Book a car.
- Book a hotel.
- Figure out how to pack seven days of clothes plus two computers into carry-on luggage.
- Answer fan mail.
- Finish my taxes.
- See the doctor.
- See the physical therapist.
- See my kid's doctor.
- Do FAFSA for my kid's college.
- Take my friend to get her cancer surgery.
- At least consider going to someone's book launch party.
- Go to a free concert my friend is hosting for everyone who has helped her fight cancer.

Piece of cake, right? Or should I say write?

sometimes you think you're crazy. It's kind of funny sometimes. And kind of scary sometimes. But I find especially when I've been writing/editing something for such a long time, I start to question things. Like my sanity.

The other day I visited the beautiful Central Library in downtown Portland. We travel a lot and libraries make me feel at home. So whatever city we find ourselves in, that's where you will find me. I've been writing one of my novels off and on for six years. And now, after a lot of thought, I think it needs something more. Another layer. I questioned opening up this can of worms as I trod up the beautiful etched black marble steps to the third floor of the library. Happy to have left our hotel behind. Be in the "real" world. It's such a beautiful hunt. The search for the book. The book that might make the research complete and make the story all that it can be. And I think I've found a few. But, as with most of my research, it isn't in the subject or the section I expect. I go with it. Wandering a bit. Excited about what I might uncover. What I might discover in the books that might help the story.

And then it happens. I find the perfect room. The perfect chair. I read and make notes on books that can't be checked out of the library. Which is the only way I can research here, since we aren't here permanently. And as much as I enjoy learning and as much as I think I might use this thread in my story, there's a part of me who wonders if I will. There's a part of me who wonders if all of this, the entire six years, has been a big waste of time. If what I've written will ever be good enough. And then over my shoulder at about 5 o'clock I hear:

"I need an airplane."
Then nothing.
"Do you have an airplane?" The man says louder. A tall man, with lots of hair in a big overcoat.
"No, I don't." The man sitting at the desk behind me says very politely.
The large man sits down. His breathing is labored. So labored that I think there might be a hidden camera somewhere to see if one of us will do something to get this man to a hospital. None of us do.

I go back to my reading.

Image by KnownColor via Flickr

What’s the craziest thing a stranger ever said to you?

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It’s been a busy week around here and because of it I haven’t had a whole heck of a lot of time to write.

Which pretty much sucks.

For anyone that doesn’t know, my wife is a sixth grade teacher and her school year is winding down. If you, yourself happen to be a teacher or perhaps you’re married to one, I’m sure you’re well aware of the fact that things can get a bit – crazy – around this time of year.

When I say crazy, I really mean testy.

When I say testy, I guess I actually mean wackadoo.

When I say wackadoo, I’m actually just taking the opportunity to type a silly word.

Anyway, the wife is pretty much bonkers at the moment and it’s basically my job to keep a safe distance and offer up a steady stream of chocolate whenever she starts to freak out.

Despite the wackiness of both work and home, I did manage to find the time to get Fathers and Sons into the hands of a few quality bloggers (reviews should start rolling in next month – hopefully good), record another podcast with one of my good friends and fellow LitU author, Nina Perez, and whip up a little teaser trailer for the finale of the series.

Speaking of the finale of the series – I guess I should finish writing it.

That’s sort of an important part to the whole process, isn’t it?

I think I just signed up for the 48 Hour Book Challenge over at Mother Reader!  Can I do it?  The 48 hour challenge starts June 3 and ends June 5.  I am to record every minute I spend reading- my goal?  I am going for 12 hours.  If I didn't have 2 kids, I could do 24 hours easy!   Do you want to join too?  Head on over and read all about it!

I think there are way too many people with guns in this country. And i's way too easy to get a gun, even if you have been ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial for shooting at the police.

For proof, go there: http://www.leelofland.com/wordpress/?p=9472 (Warning - there is an embedded video in which you can see the body of the female deputy who was killed, as well as another office who was shot on camera.)

What’s one of your habits that you know annoys the heck out of people?

Is there anything more horrible than a mosquito keeping you awake? You get out of bed and try to catch it, but you can´t see it, so you go back to bed, and this little beast keeps buzzing like he is on a mission, so you try to catch it again and this goes on all night, until you go crazy. I hate mosquitos so much!

Hay algo más horrible que un mosquito manteniendote despierto? Uno sale de la cama, lo trata de atrapar, pero no se ve, entonces te metes a la cama otra vez y esa bestiecilla sigue zumbando como si tuviera una misión, entonces tratas de atraparlo otra vez y esto sigue toda la noche, hasta que te enloqueces. Odio los mosquitos!

1. Are you having a Bipolar moment?

Response: No, I am having a Bipolar LIFE, you just came in at the wrong moment.

2. Just get over it!

Response: Gee, why didn’t  I think of that?

3. If you don’t stop crying I’ll give you a reason to cry.

Response: I have a reason, I just don’t know what it is at the moment.

4.Things will look better tomorrow.

Response: Great, so what am I supposed to do until then?

5. You don’t  look bipolar.

Response: Iam so sorry, I forgot to put on my caution, bipolar in progress sign.

6. Snap out of it.

Response: again… Gee, why didn’t  I think of that.

7. It’s all in your head.

Response: Um, DUH! No kidding.

8. Are you in a bad mood?

Response: Only for people who ask me stupid questions.

1. Are you having a Bipolar moment?

Response: No, I am having a Bipolar LIFE, you just came in at the wrong moment.

2. Just get over it!

Response: Gee, why didn’t  I think of that?

3. If you don’t stop crying I’ll give you a reason to cry.

Response: I have a reason, I just don’t know what it is at the moment.

4.Things will look better tomorrow.

Response: Great, so what am I supposed to do until then?

5. You don’t  look bipolar.

Response: Iam so sorry, I forgot to put on my caution, bipolar in progress sign.

6. Snap out of it.

Response: again… Gee, why didn’t  I think of that.

7. It’s all in your head.

Response: Um, DUH! No kidding.

8. Are you in a bad mood?

Response: Only for people who ask me stupid questions.

First, I started out with this doodle of coffee mugs (this was while I was sipping one in the morning as one does) which I am not terribly fond of ... But it inspired me to do this:

And so the end result was this:

And then I ended up getting a Today's Best Award at zazzle for this:

Now, THAT put a smile on my face :D Cheers!

My Marketing Secret:
This Monday for Marketing Monday - I will announce a new feature that I am adding to my blog. It is very exciting and I think you all will love it! Hint: It has to do with marketing :) Come back and see what is in store for 2009.


Totally Trashy TV (photo: from a sticker from wackypackages.com)

Before anyone says it - I will. I should be writing instead of watching trash TV. It is my vice. But isn't Tivo grand! :)

And, for the record, I watch Anderson Cooper every night (and NOT just for the news :)

What do I get from Trash TV? Characters.

Lots of funny characters.

Some hilarious dialogue.

And market research (Hey it's trashy, but all the kids are watching it!)

1) The Man- I watched Jason gets his little heart broken in the last Bachelorette season. I am glad he is the one back. Though I liked Jeremy too. Here are my picks for the top 4: Nikki, Lauren, Naomi, and Melissa. Though I hear Deanna is coming back! I'm a sucker for love. Fake, shallow love.

2) Wipeout in 22days!- So those of you who have followed me for a while probably know I am a huge Wipeout fan. It is my favorite reality show ever. I laugh so hard when this show is on. I'm talking the long, can't breath, belly laughs, the kind you used to have in school with your BFFs. I love them and they are hard to come by - unless you watch this show.

3) Feel the Fear! I watched this show out of curiosity. It was kinda scary. 13 kids dumped in a creepy cottage in the middle of nowhere. At the end, they do challenges to see who gets killed off? This week, 2 girls had to be buried alive and then escape. I would freak out! I cannot stand close spaces. Silver Lining, this is great research for my thriller series. It is interesting to see how differently people react when they are scared.

4) Beauty is as Beauty Does - True Beauty is the show. But it is as much about ugliness as beauty. 1) Do people like this really exist? I'm afraid so. 2) 1) these people aren't THAT beautiful. I was expecting Heidi Klum pretty. 3) Did you know there is a scientific equation for beauty. No really - there is? And it's called "MBA" Is that just to make the pretty people feel smart? So I can say - I hve an MBA (which I do) and people will think I passed the beauty test? Cool. I can honestly say that this is one test I will never take or pass.

5) American Idol kickoff. This week. Jan 13th. It's back on! I love seeing nobodies make it big. It's something I hope to do someday with my writing. Can't there be an American Idol for writers - I guess that would be boring. Watching us write all day. Not very glam either. You should see me right now - condolences to my hubby. I don't know about you but I loved Chris Daughtry and David Cook. And I admit - Jordan Sparks has turned out some cool hits, especially with Chris Brown. Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood turned out some pretty cool stuff too.

Again, all in the name of market research! :)

It's Christmas, and I've been doing line-edits for three hours. I've done other stuff, too - exercised, made a roast, took some food to Paul (the homeless guy), opened gifts, watched part of the first season of Desperate Housewives (which I haven't seen before).

This next year I think I will actually have some free time. But not for another month at least. And I have these line edits due, and a draft of another book due March 28. And that book needs another 55,000 words.

I have been working flat out for over a year now. Full time at my demanding job plus juggling two or more books at all times. Plus about one personal crisis per month - health, family, etc.

I just hope that when I have free time I can actually use it. I'm afraid I'll just freak out or implode or something.

Has anyone else made the leap from working full time and writing to just writng full time? Did you stay sane?

As soon as I get home from work I need to make sure my kid has eaten something vaguely nutritious and then hie myself off to something called "Book Blast." Even though I have printed off detailed directions from MapQuest, there is an 80 percent chance I will get totally lost. On Wednesday, my kid's mandolin teacher is coming over to give a lesson at our house for an hour. Chances are also good that by Wednesday, our house will be in such a state that he will call Children's Services as soon as he leaves. Thursday, it's another three-hour plus FBI class in the evening - and another night where I don't really have time to eat dinner. Sometime soon, I need to turn in my YA column to the Oregonian. A week from tonight, I'm speaking to Willamette Writers.

My life is pretty much going to be like this until Dec. 14, the last day of FBI class, and also "live-fire training day."

Oh, and writing? I'm supposed to be doing that too!

By Anatoly Liberman

Insanity is a relative concept. What’s meat (normalcy) for one is insanity (poison) for another. Language shows how fluid the boundaries of madness are in human consciousness. One can rise from the abyss or fall into it depending on the caprices of the speaking community. Especially characteristic is the history of the adjective mad. (more…)

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