I'm happy to have Jennifer Jabaley on the blog today to talk about mind control, the focus of her newest release,
Crush Control. To check out the rest of the tour, click
HERE
If you had the power of mind control would you use it? What do you think are the responsibilites of such a power?
The idea of mind control is so tempting. (That was Willow's problem!) Just to think that maybe I could use a little hypnosis to make my children perfect little angels - it's so enticing! They would never whine, fight or create huge messes. Life would be so much more simple, wouldn't it? And my husband, well, I could 'help' him be a little more romantic, a little more helpful in the kitchen...
The thing is, what I've realized after crafting Willow's story, is that while the idea of controlling someone's mind and creating the life you've always wanted seems perfect, truly life is meant to be lived, not controlled. At least not in a manipulative way where you change someone else's mind to make your own life better. It's never good karma to interfere with someone else's destiny to try and improve your own.
However, while researching hypnosis for this book, I learned a lot about hypnotherapy. This is a form of hypnosis that is used to help people change a bad habit or fear that is limiting their life. For example, people can use hypnotherapy to aid them in quitting smoking or erasing a fear of flying. This kind of hypnosis, in which someone is trying to control their own mind, is a more authentic use of mind control. And if done under the guidance of a certified hypnotherapist, I think it offers a valuable option to help someone change a way of thinking.
The responsibilities of any kind of hypnosis are great. Whether it's stage hypnosis or hypnotherapy in an office, I think the hypnotist owes respect and honest intention to the person he is entrancing.
Thanks Jennifer for stopping by!
From Goodreads. Willow has spent most of her life as her mother's sidekick in a popular Las Vegas hypnotism show. So when she and her mom move back to their sleepy southern hometown to start over, she thinks she's in for a life of quiet normalcy. Except that her new life turns out to be
This past weekend I went to the Spring Mingle for the Southern Breeze Region (SCBWI). It was here in Atlanta.
I must say at first I was not sure if I was going to go. I had alot of things I needed to do and I did not know if I could handle a weekend of writing. In a way, I felt like I needed a weekend - away from writing.
Not to mention, my "normal" possee was not going. I was going this one alone. Don't get me wrong, I knew people there and love everyone in my Region. But having the comfort of a few girls that know me, my journey, and my deepest fears and dreams is nice when you enter a room of 150 people.
I'm not very good in a large room. I'm a bit shy, definitely an introvert, and I really stink at small talk. I usually resort to bad jokes and probably put my foot in my mouth at least twice.
I'll even tell you all a secret.
Part of me kinda wondered if I would learn much. I mean, I have an agent so the agent talk would probably not apply to me and wondered if the sessions would help me at the stage I'm at in my writing process. (this embarressing because I have so much to learn! I dont' know what I was thinking~)
Anyway, I went to Springmingle.
And am so glad I did.
I think the BEST thing about the conference was hanging out and getting to know Jennifer Jabaley and Kristin O'Donnell Tubb. These girls are definately soul sisters of mine (I hope they thin so :). I adore them and can't wait to see them again. They made me laugh, listened as I cried, and gave me advice and words of encouragement that I needed at this stage in my writing journey. I felt like I had known them for years and found myself sharing things that I NEVER share with anyone outside my normal friend circle. (and most of my friends have known me for at least 10 years.) If I'd hung out with my normal "crew" - I would have missed kicking off these great friendships. And that would have been a true loss. Check out Kristin (author of Autumn Winifred Oliver Does Things Different) at her blog/twitter and Jennifer (author of Lipstick Apology) at her blog!
I also hung some other great people. Karen Strong, Sheri Dillard, and Heather Montgomery (who knows everything there is to know about how to be safe during a earthquake!!)
The next thing that was Sooooo worth it was meeting and hearing Josh Adams from Adams Literary. He was funny and open and shared some secrets to agenting that helped me feel even more confident in my agent and her process. It also gave me critical insight into the submission/agenting/publishing world that we writers don't get to see very often. If any of you are looking for an agent, be sure to read what he is looking for and query him because he rocks!!! (from what I can tell, he also kicks ass and takes names for his clients).
Another highlight was seeing Cheryl Klein again. I was on faculty with her at MidSouth in the fall and had dinner/drinks with her. For those who don't know who she is...she is the continuity editor at Arthur Levine for Harry Potter. Not only is she the sweetest but she is BRILLIANT! She talked on the 22 steps to revising that gave so many great suggestions (and a few crazy ones :) - that my head was spinning.
This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I'm hosting with my fellow 2009 Debut Authors, called "How They Got Here."
It should be an especially helpful series for teens who write, teachers, and anyone who wants to write for kids. 2009 debut authors will be dropping by to talk about how their writing in school shaped the authors they are today, what teachers can do to make a difference, how they revise, and how they found their agents and editors. (You'll even be able to read some successful query letters!) If you know a teacher or two who might be interested, please share the link!
Today...Jennifer Jabaley, author of LIPSTICK APOLOGY!
Four little words written in lipstick mean Emily must say goodbye to everything she knows. Emily Carson has always been a good girl. So when she throws a party the night her parents leave for vacation, she's sure she'll get busted. What Emily doesn't know is that her parents will never return. That their plane will go down. And the only thing left amidst the wreckage will be a tray table with the words: Emily please forgive me scrawled in lipstick - her mother's last words.
Now it's fall in New York City and Emily's trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Her public tragedy captures the attention of more than just the media - and soon two very different boys at her new school are pursuing her: the cute, popular Owen, and the quirky chemistry partner slash pastry-baker-by-night, Anthony. But even with such delicious distractions, Emily can't let go of her mother's mysterious apology. Does she have the courage to face the truth?
With help of a whole new kind of family - one that includes a make-up artist to the stars, a teen hand model, and a wacky hairdresser - Emily must choose between the boy who makes her forget it all, and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately, heal.
Welcome, Jennifer! Tell us about the first thing you ever wrote that made you think maybe you were a writer.
The very first thing I submitted was a story for a contest for the magazine "Highlights". I didn't win, but they purchased the piece. I was stunned, I had always heard how particular that magazine was and how hard it was to get a story accepted! It was the first time I thought, hey, maybe I really can do this!
What books did you love when you were a kid?
Judy Blume, Lois Lowry and Beverly Cleary were my favorites.
Is there a particular teacher or librarian who was a mentor for you in your reading and writing life?
I clearly remember the day my elementary school librarian handed me a Judy Blume book and said "I think you'll love this author." She was instrumental in nuturing my love for reading.
Moving on to the here and now, most writers admit that making time to write can sometimes be a challenge. When and where do you write? Do you have any special rituals? Music? Food & beverages?
Now with two young kids (with vastly different sleep schedules) I rely on a baby sitter. When she comes I like to go to a local bakery with big wooden tables, strong coffee and great pasteries.
Do you have a favorite strategy for revision?
Honestly I think the best strategy for me is to take some time away. When receiving a huge revision letter it can be very overwhelming. If I try and tackle it immediately I can get very overwhelmed and frustrated. With just a little time away, suddenly things seem more reasonable.
What’s your best advice for young writers?
Find an idea that excites you! Accept criticism and use it to make your work better. And write because you love to write, not because you want to be a best seller or rich and famous.
What’s special about your debut novel?
II think what makes LIPSTICK APOLOGY special is that it combines both heart and humor.
What were the best and worst parts of writing it?
Best: falling in love with my characters.
Worst: That overwhelming feeling whey you're uncertain how to proceed.
How did you find your agent and/or editor?
Tried and trued - query letter. I created my list of agents to query by reading the acknowledgement sections of the books I loved to see who the author's agent was.
I think the best piece of advice for writing a query letter is do your homework! Reference a book that the agent has represented. For example in my letter I said "I'm writing to you because you represented The Nanny Diaries and I feel my writing style is similar."
Thanks, Jennifer! Click here to learn more about Jennifer at her website. You can pick up your copy of LIPSTICK APOLOGY at your local independent bookseller, order it through one of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Bookstore (they ship!), or find an indie near you by checking out IndieBound!
Shelli - so glad you enjoyed the Spring Mingle, and made some great new friends to boot! I just wanted to let you know that I received my query critique from Jennifer Laughran and it was incredibly helpful. I'm so thankful for her wonderful advice and for you and your contest for making it possible!
I so wish I could have gone! Sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing. :)
What a great time...what a GREAT write-up!
You are so lucky that you got to go!
Shelley
It sounds like you received a wealth of insight! I'm glad to know that we never stop benefiting from one another.
Shelli, it sounds like you had an incredibly rich experience. Thanks for sharing it. I'm looking forward to my next Conference, whenever that will be. And, it is interesting how when we go places alone it opens us up to experiences we may not have had. Way to go!
Stepping out of our comfort zones can be exciting, and you sure sound like your conference experience was. And, wow, Cheryl Klein and Jane Yolen.
Very candid account of your weekend! That is an amazing lineup of people! Jane Yolen is my literary hero!
Thanks for sharing all of this, I'm going to go click on their links/blogs now!
I wanted so much to go to this one! I'm glad you had a good time, though.
Wow, what an awesome lineup of folks. I'm so glad you shared your experience with us. :0) I haven't joined SCBWI, YET, but plan on it once finances get a little more stable. :0)
Sounds like an awesome conference.
Sounds like such a great conference. I met Cheryl Klein at a SCBWI conference in Michigan and she is a great speaker and you are right, she's brilliant. Her blog is great. Thanks for sharing.
Wow!! This sounds absolutely AMAZING! Thanks for sharing all this with us.
And you? An introvert?? I just don't see that... :)
This makes me want to go to conferences. Thanks for sharing!
I really am going to have to start going to conferences. There aren't many in NC, but Atlanta wouldn't have been that far. Now if I could only figure out what to do with the family.
Thanks for the awesome links!
I know how you feel about meeting friends at conferences. That has SO happened to me. It's awesome.
This sounds like it was fabulous! I hear you on not wanting to go it alone, and I'm glad you found some new friends. Friendships can make everything better. Thank you for sharing! :)
Shelli, you sound exactly like me.
Jane Yolen is a hoot. I love listening to her talk. I'm usually in tears by the end 'cause I'm laughing so hard.
Why on earth did you doubt going with that lineup of awesomeness?! Jane Yolen?! She's worth it all by herself. :-)
Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Yay!
Shelli,
I forgot to look for you at Spring Mingle; I was there, too, and now I'm sorry I missed a chance to meet my favorite blogger in person! I'll just have to go next year.:)
I also thought it was absolutely fabulous, and I'm getting ready to submit to Josh Adams, whose passion for his work came across very clearly. I agree with everything you wrote here. I was planning to blog about it, too, but I think you said it all!
It was so great to meet you in person Shelli!
I really learned a lot at this year's Springmingle. I totally agree with what you said about Josh Adams -- he is awesome.
It was definitely a great conference!
I am just sick I missed this! What great info!
Sounds like such a great time! I glad you ended up going :)
I'm so glad you went and had a great time. It is an amazing feeling when you connect like that. I'm glad you had that kind of immediate connection with Jennifer and Kristin.
Cheryl is lovely. I had the pleasure of meeting her (and having lunch) at the MO SCBWI conference a couple years ago.
Jane is awesome. I've emailed her a couple times via her journal. She's been helpful. :)
Sounds like a great night and I can't believe you're an introvert!
Hey, soul sister! :). Thanks for making me laugh so hard I cried! Something amazing happens at these conferences between all those nuggets of wisdom, something quieter but longer-lasting: new friendships are made. I'll be smiling all week thanks to Springmingle! (and, um, revising too!) :)
Good to see you at SpringMingle, Shelli ! I enjoyed talking with Karen Strong as well and added her to my blog list. I met some wonderful people, including Doraine Bennett, who it turns out, knows a friend of mine in Columbus, GA and we discovered one night that we have the same birth date! I agree with you that the genuineness really came through from our speakers and they were all so inspiring. I plan to go, for the first time, to national SCBWI conference in LA. I'm itching to meet the rest of my blogger pals!