JacketFlap connects you to the work of more than 200,000 authors, illustrators, publishers and other creators of books for Children and Young Adults. The site is updated daily with information about every book, author, illustrator, and publisher in the children's / young adult book industry. Members include published authors and illustrators, librarians, agents, editors, publicists, booksellers, publishers and fans. Join now (it's free).
Login or Register for free to create your own customized page of blog posts from your favorite blogs. You can also add blogs by clicking the "Add to MyJacketFlap" links next to the blog name in each post.
Blog Posts by Tag
In the past 7 days
Blog Posts by Date
Click days in this calendar to see posts by day or month
Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: ghost huntress, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 1 - 25 of 37
How to use this Page
You are viewing the most recent posts tagged with the words: ghost huntress in the JacketFlap blog reader. What is a tag? Think of a tag as a keyword or category label. Tags can both help you find posts on JacketFlap.com as well as provide an easy way for you to "remember" and classify posts for later recall. Try adding a tag yourself by clicking "Add a tag" below a post's header. Scroll down through the list of Recent Posts in the left column and click on a post title that sounds interesting. You can view all posts from a specific blog by clicking the Blog name in the right column, or you can click a 'More Posts from this Blog' link in any individual post.
I look at the calendar and it tells me it's the middle of May. The middle of May? Seriously? Another school year is wrapping up, television shows are having their finales, and summer is just around the corner...literally.
Here are some signs that summer is almost here:
People Tweeting about the prom: So many friends of mine have been posting about getting their son or daughter ready for the prom. Amazing how the girls love the shopping, picking out their dress, how they'll wear their hair and makeup, and the boys just complain that they have to stop playing video games long enough to take a shower and get ready. LOL!!
School's Out: There's no better feeling than the last school bell ringing to signify the end of a school year and the start of summer vacation. I remember that faithful bus ride home every year where people would celebrate by shaking up Coke cans and spraying them on each other. No one got off the bus dry. (I'm sure that's not permitted theses days.)
Picking up the boys at the airport: With the end of school, that means my fiance's son's will be joining us on the RV until they go back to school in August. They're flying up to Baltimore from Atlanta where we'll spend a few days in Gettysburg, then up to Boston, and then to Illinois and upstate New York for events and then down to Florida. We're planning on catching the VERY LAST launch ever of the space shuttle program.
Memorial Day: The official opening of summer! The campground is full of people with their grills and lawn chairs already set out. The pool will be open soon and hopefully, the sun will grace the east coast with its presence.
Good books to read: Well, my fifth GHOST HUNTRESS book, THE DISCOVERY, just came out and it would make excellent beach reading. So would any of the books from the Buzz Girls. Get them online, at the bookstore, or from us directly. Or, try downloading a digital copy for your eReader. Whatever the case, enjoy escaping into the story as you soak up the sun.
So what are some signs for you that summer is on the way?
Hugs, Marley = )
4 Comments on Signs that Summer is Almost Here, last added: 5/19/2011
LOL, Stephanie! As a hearty New Englander (and an avid traveler), I have to say that I refuse to give up the flops. Maybe that's a book title, eh? LOL!
I get emails a lot asking me where I come up with the names for my characters. Is there a specific formula or a particular way to do it? Absolutely not! LOL! Most of the time, I come up with my character names in the most peculiar ways. You want to make sure that your characters' names fit their role in the story...as well as fitting the overall theme of the story.
Here are some tips for naming characters:
1. Choose something that mirror's your character's personality. If your character is a science geek (like Celia Nichols in GHOST HUNTRESS), give them a name that fits their interests. My first manuscript was about a naive twenty-something working her first job in the tech industry, traveling to tradeshows, and unfortunately giving away a company trade secret. Her name was Vanessa Virtue. It was perfect for her. Could you imagine Thor with any other name? If he was Irving, it just wouldn't work.
2. The character's name should be pronouncable and easy for the reader to understand. Think of how the name sounds if you say it out loud. Is there a harmony or a ring to it? Avoid names that no one knows how to say. I respect all of the urban fantasy out there these days, but some of the names are just...unrecognizable. Being creative with a name is great, but not if you reader has no clue how to say it in their head.
3. Make sure the character's name fits the time period. You wouldn't want to write a contemporary YA and name the heroine...Ethel. (My grandma was Ethel...so apologies if I offend anyone.) If you're writing steampunk or historical YA, make sure to use names from the time period. I don't think anyone back then would be named Brittney. LOL!
4. Use the names of people you know...friends, family, colleagues. When I first sold my SORORITY 101 series, all of the guys at my sales office wanted to be in the book. So I put them in as random fraternity guys, teachers, and fellow students. I carried this tradition on with my GHOST HUNTRESS books. The character of Rebecca is one of my best friends (see below.) She's not a goth chick at all, so she loves reading her "alter ego." Be careful with this technique as you don't want to make anyone look bad or make the character reflect something you can get sued over. Always get the person's permission to use their name. Funny enough, the name Kendall Moorehead, the heroine of the GHOST HUNTRESS series came from an offensive lineman that played for the University of Alabama when I was in school. I always loved the name and wanted to use it. So I did.
5. Obituaries are a great place to find unique and personality-filled names. Now, before you throw rotten tomatoes at me, a LOT of authors do this. It's a tribute to the person in that their name carries on and, you can read a lot of about who they were in their obituary, and pay tribute to their life.
6. There are numerous online sources you can use for naming characters. If you're writing about someone that was born in a particular year, why not visit the Social Security website that ranks the popular names by year. Or, you can use any "name your baby" website. There are also name generator websites you can use, as well. Use a surname generator for your family's history
2 Comments on Naming Characters, last added: 5/13/2011
I am forever writing down names in my notebooks--my favorites being slightly unusual but, like you said, pronounceable. In my book, THE ABC'S OF KISSING BOYS, the "mean girl" is called Chrissandra. I have no idea if that's a common name or if the mother of the woman I met made it up, but once I heard it, I knew I was going to use it!
We are so excited to be celebrating the release of Marley Gibson's Ghost Huntress: The Discovery this week, and in doing so, each of the Buzz Girls is writing about discoveries. As for me, I like discovering new things about where I live: new things to do, new sights to see, new people to meet. I have a good friend named Meredith who lives in AZ but has a second home about 10 minutes away from where I live, here in UT. So every time she's here, we go to fun places for dinner, hit the lake in the summer or go skiing in the winter. As you can see in the photo, we accidentally showed up at Snowbasin with the same ski clothes. (People wondered if we were on the Swiss Ski Team!) She likes to go snow mobiling, but as you can read HERE I am banned from that particular sport so I have yet to join her. I really love it when she's in town because I get to vacation right here at home!
This summer marks the second time my family is having a big reunion in my town. We rent out a B&B and in addition to boating, hiking, biking, and fishing, we go to a petting farm and a crazy store called Smith & Edward's (where we took this photo), explore the a couple of hot pots at the base of the canyon, dip our toes in the Great Salt Lake, and do other random/silly/cool things together. I'm really excited to discover new things to do when they're all here come July.
For a chance to win Marley's fabulous prize package: a signed copy of THE DISCOVERY (Yay!), a dowsing pendulum, incense and an incense burner, and two awesome bracelets, leave a comment telling something you've discovered about where you live.
Good luck!
12 Comments on A Continued Celebration of GHOST HUNTRESS: THE DISCOVERY, last added: 5/6/2011
First of all, I never knew about your snowboarding experiences, and can I just say OUCH?
Here's something I learned about where I live in southern California, just last night. That the local 1940's motel that they are forever threatening to tear down is actually in Lima, Ohio...or at least, it appeared so last night in an episode of GLEE!
Kari said, on 5/4/2011 12:14:00 PM
I've learned air conditioners are crucial in living in Phoenix. I learned this last summer when mine went out and I spent 3 days sleeping on the tile floor because it was cooler than my bed. XD Also, sleeping on tile floors hurts, jsyk
This year it has been how bad tornados can really be. While I was little we always got the warnings but never really got hit. This year hasnt been as bad as the southern states but hasnt been that great either.
I learned that the weather here is actually more severe than I originally thought. I always thought that I was kind of separated from the rest of the country so that I was unaffected by the harms of the weather (a.k.a. mother nature), but this winter has shown me that my area suffers from the same harmful weather conditions as everyone else. I live in New England, so we get a touch of heavy snow, heavy rain, extremely humid days, etc. I'm used to living in these conditions, but as I see what goes on around the world, I actually understand how similar each area is in several ways.
I'm pretty new to the area I live in, but I've done some research and found that Lake Elsinore used to be a resort town for movie stars in the '20s and '30s. You can still see the ruins of the old country club, and apparently Bela Lugosi's son attended the now abandoned military academy across the lake. There's also an old haunted bathhouse (now an antique store) next to Steve McQueen's old dingy bar. I love digging through history!
Oh I leave where the first Mcdonalds opened though its nothing intresting its still kind of school In a more creppy part of my town is that John Wayn Gase was cought.
Anonymous said, on 5/5/2011 4:06:00 PM
Well, I knew our state's motto, but I didn't know what it meant. Apparently "Esto Perpetua" means "It is forever". [email protected]
It was so awesome hanging out with the Buzz Girls in Los Angeles at the RT Convention. As others have said Teen Day rocked the house. We had a fabulous booksigning, then a party where teens, their friends and parents, joined over twenty YA authors for free books, pictures, and signatures. It was amazing to see the smiles on the girls' faces when they delved into their goodie bags of books to see favorite authors and new ones to enjoy.
(Heather, me, Simone, Dona, and Tina in front)
It was also fun to hang with former Buzz Girl, Simone Elkeles, who is now a big time USA Today and New York Times bestseller. But she's still Simone...and her fans love her. She's a blast to hang out with and we miss her smiling typeface around here.
(Tina and me with Simone)
Tina and I had a fabulous dinner with her. Here's a pic of my filet and shrimp....mmm....you know me and my foodie-ness!
I, too, got a huge stash of books. Even accidentally packed "The Teachings of Budha" book that was in the hotel room. Oopsies! There were so many books around...who knew? There are just so many cool reads coming out this year (including GHOST HUNTRESS: THE DISCOVERY in 18 days!) that it's hard to keep up with everything.
(My fur baby, Boo, modeling my stash.)
So, I'm going to give away my copy of Meg Cabot's graphic novel, AVALON HIGH-CORONATION. Just leave a comment in the trail here about books you're looking forward to this year and I'll pick a winner and announce next week.
LOL, Steph! I didn't *mean* to swipe the Budha book...I was thumbing through it one night and must have just tossed it onto my stack of books. I figure I'm meant to read it, eh! = )
Well, of course, I'm looking forward to The Discovery. But I'm also really excited for The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson, Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter, and What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen. The Last Little Blue Envelope will be released on April 26th, so there isn't much more of a wait. Uncommon Criminals will be released June 21st. What Happened to Goodbye will be released May 10th. These are the first few books that came to mind that haven't been released yet, but there are a few books in some of my favorites series that haven't been written yet, but are still promised to be released... eventually. Haha. Well, thanks, Marley!
Last Wednesday, I offered up an advanced copy of the next GHOST HUNTRESS book, THE DISCOVERY. And the winner is...
Amanda Mora!
Congrats Amanda! Please e-mail me at marley_gibson AT yahoo dot com with your contact information so I can get it in the mail to you. A really cool thing...I'm blogging from 35,000 feet. Thanks to a nice $5 connection from Southwest, I'm able to wave down at you from the friendly skies as I'm headed out to Los Angeles for the RT Booklovers Conference. I'm really excited to see fellow Buzz girls, Tina, Tera, Heather, and Dona, and our former Buzz girl, Simone Elkeles and so many others. My agent, Deidre Knight, and I are doing a panel on how agents sell film rights to books. I'm participating in CLUB RT, giving away a fun ghost hunting basket, and, of course, I'll be participating in Teen Day!
As Tina and Tera mentioned in their posts, I'll be among the teen authors appearing at Teen Day at the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention on Saturday. Something cool is the teen authors will have their own rows, all together, for easy access. Then all of the YA gang will move into various activities like meets-and-greets, interesting talks, author readings, one-on-one "speed dates," and then all followed by a teen party. This is my first RT conference and I can't wait!
First off, let me join in on the buzz and congrats for Bee Heather on her fabulous Rita Award nomination for her book, THE CLEARING. I adored this book from the second I started reading it and knew it was something special. So proud of Heather and wish her luck at the awards ceremony!
Secondly, I've entered a little contest of my own. My fiance, Patrick Burns, and I have done a video application to be Purina's first Cat Chow Correspondents. Check it out and leave a comment for us, if you will.
Thirdly, I'm getting ready to join everyone out in Los Angeles for the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention where they're featuring teen reads. There's going to be a huge Teen day with book signings and speed reading "dates" with teen authors, as well as panels, discussions, giveaways, and more. My awesome publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has donated a ton of not only my GHOST HUNTRESS series, but also Heather's Rita nominated THE CLEARING. So exciting! And, I'm doing a ghost hunting basket giveaway including my series, my how-to book, some basic ghost hunting equipment and more fun stuff.
To celebrate all the good things going on, I'm going to give away an advanced copy of my upcoming May release, GHOST HUNTRESS: THE DISCOVERY.
Just leave a comment here in the trail or on my YouTube video, to be entered to win. I'll announce the winner next Wednesday.
Hugs, Marley = )
www.marleygibson.com www.ghosthuntress.com
Ghosts don't hang up their sheets after Halloween! GHOST HUNTRESS series - The Awakening, The Guidance, The Reason, The Counseling - available now!
22 Comments on Rita, Purina, and Romantic Times, last added: 4/2/2011
That video is absolutely ADORABLE! I'm not a cat person, but you just made me want to go adopt all the little shelter kitties in the world. Haha! I am uber excited for the May release of The Discovery- the cover is absolutely beautiful!
Be safe traveling and enjoy the convention in sunny California! :)
I love your cats! :) I have one myself. I actually had a cat that ran away and I was so devastated. I'm doing ok now. I've been waiting for the next Ghost Huntress book forever and I cannot wait for it to come out. Have a safe journey and good luck on everything. :)
If Purina doesn't pick you guys to be their traveling correspondent, they are nuts! You did a great job with this and the kittens are adorable. The story of how the kittens came into your life really touched my heart. We love Purina and so do our nine rescue kitties, so here is hoping they respond to you in a positive way.
Best of luck Marley, you two are the best. By the way, you have a wonderful talent for writing. I love your real dialogues. Keep up the good work! Can't wait for the new book!Hope to win it.
Suzanne K. said, on 3/31/2011 1:51:00 PM
Awesome video!!! Y'all do have the perfect way to market the Purina cat food! So sorry Leeni didn't get found. I was praying she would. Go Maddi and Boo!!!
Love the ghost huntress series. n. And your kitties are so, so cute.
Kari said, on 4/2/2011 12:57:00 PM
Such adorable kitties XD And I am sooo excited to meet you at the RT Booklovers convention. I've pre-ordered my ticket, and me and the friend that I'm going with were dorking out about it last night
Well...it's here! The big week of promo for my new book, GHOST HUNTRESS: THE COUNSELING. This is the fourth book in the Ghost Huntress series and I'm very excited that the time is finally here to talk about the book.
Kendall has just discovered who Emily really is, lost her boyfriend, and nearly died doing the thing she loves most–ghost hunting. It’s time to take a break and try to reconcile all the changes she’s going through. So Kendall heads to the Sierra Mountains, where there’s a camp especially for young people with gifts such as hers. It’s a time for reflection and self-discovery. But when she gets to California, she once again finds restless spirits–and the boy in her last vision. It may be the end of one chapter of her life and the beginning of a new one.
This week, we'll be talking about finding your own way in the world and making the best decisions for you. Each day, you'll be eligible to win not only copies of THE COUNSELING here on Books, Boys, Buzz, but I'll be offering a GRAND PRIZE on my website to be given away on September 15th. There's an awesome prize package on my website, so please be sure to check that out and spread the word.
To win a copy of THE COUNSELING, leave a comment in the trail about a huge decision you had to make that had a huge affect on you and your life. Again, those who leave a message (as many as you'd like), will be eligible to win a book.
Thanks for reading!
Hugs, Marley = )
14 Comments on Book Launch of GHOST HUNTRESS: THE COUNSELING, last added: 9/1/2010
One of the hardest decisions I had to make was whether or not to take this job 50 miles away from where I was living at the time. I was about to get married and knew the extra money would be good but it was so far away! I ended up taking the job and moving with my hubby but I was a wreck trying to decide what was more important.
Congrats, Marley. I'm so excited for The Counseling! ;)
Kari said, on 8/29/2010 11:35:00 AM
Woohoo! I've been dying for this book to come out and now it's right around the corner.
Deciding whether to go to school to become a teacher or stay at home and give writing a shot was one of the hardest decisions I've had to make. I decided to go to school and put writing to the side while I work on my degree. this was both because I wanted a career to fall back on if writing didn't work out, and I didn't quite have the guts to tell my family that I wanted to be an author since i knew that they'd disapprove. I think that I'll wait until I actually have a book out and published to tell them. then I can rub it in their faces a little XD
YEA!!!!!! Congrats Marley!!!!! It sounds SOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!
Right now this comment feels like the hardest decision!!! ;) I've had a couple major decisions--Mostly dealing with weather to move--To PA, I did; Move to MT, I did; move to CA, I did. Sometimes I'm not sure how much they're actually decisions I made, as oppose to opportunities falling in my lap--But I know they were big changes, and changes that always seemed to happen very quickly, and I still think about them. And I think for the most part I've made good choices.
Also, one choice was to work at a camp outside of Yosemite--Absolutely my best decision ever!!!--So it makes me even more excited to read about Kendall's experiences!!!!
petra said, on 8/29/2010 12:58:00 PM
congrats on the release of the new book. i know my daughter has anxiously been awaiting it.
decisions, decisions, decision. i never take them lightly and tend to think too hard on them, only to realize the easiest course of action was the best decision of all. make decisions with a cool head and an open heart.
a hard decision was choosing between two job opportunities I had. I think I made the best decision but it was hard choosing. elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
one of the biggest decision i had to make about my life was going away for school and not going to the community college like my parents wanted me to. i think it was the right decision for me.
Congrats! The scariest thing I have had to do was decide to adopt our kids. You would think heck a baby we will take it! But there is a lot of dynamics that is included in adoption - but it has been the best choice I have ever made. (besides my wife of course) kjovus(at)gmail(dot)com
Busy with copy edits for GHOST HUNTRESS: THE DISCOVERY, but wanted to poke my head in and announce a few things.
First off, starting Sunday, we will be back to our regular (non-summer) posting schedule, so we'll have something fresh every day for you now that all of our warm weather distractions have, sadly, come to a close.
Secondly, on Sunday, we will kick off the launch of the fourth book in my GHOST HUNTRESS series - THE COUNSELING, which is released on September 1st! We'll have a lot of giveaways and the chance to enter a GRAND PRIZE giveaway, so be sure to stop back by and get in on the fun!
Thirdly, on that note, I'm giving away an advanced copy, as per last week's contest, as well as some Silly Bandz. And the winners are....
MD - pack of Silly Bandz
brendajean - pack of Silly Bandz
Steph - copy of THE COUNSELING
Please contact me offline with your snail mail address and I'll get the prizes out to you - marley_gibson AT yahoo DOT com.
jiang When you will decide pandora sale to find jewelry for mom you may need to remember what your mom really needs. If my pandora jewellery uk spouse help rife with rings, then investing in a ring that she will likely for no reason put on pandora shop couldn't survive the ideal choice.Aside via getting Bracelets coming from a regular bracelets retail store, rings can also be purchased pandora 2010 from virtual stores. The beauty of buying on the internet is you get to see every thing your gives, where in a shop it can be hard to kind though their own inventory to uncover the right thing. Mothers love pandora jewelry gifts which might be memorable. Make an effort to present your mom having a surprise that is personalized, for example an cheap pandora bracelets engagement ring utilizing their name engraved in it. Gold rings make for great gifts since they immortalize your mom's name in gold. A gold necklace and a pendant pandora charm bracelets produces a very good gifts for your mom, and gifts which might be most often overlooked . Avoid getting in a hurry to get a present for ones mom. Start pandora bracelet charms searching ahead of time; waiting until the last second to find a found is often getting problems.Spending some time to learn what an individual's Mum would like pandora bangles as well as might help guarantee that your sweetheart gets the top found. If you opt for necklaces regarding Mom online will assist cut down the amount of time necessary pandora bangle to discover the proper jewelry pertaining to mama despite the fact that have waited through to the very end. Therefore when your going looking for mother's day, on the liner where to begin from.
Okay peeps...I'm in the blood fever of working on GHOST HUNTRESS: THE DISCOVERY and am on dealine to get it done. So, I don't have much time to post. But here I am 'cause that's how dedicated I am!
I invite anyone--Buzz girls and fans alike--to take all the time they'd like for whatever shameless plug they've got going on in their lives.
Do you have a book coming out? Something cool you're doing this summer? An interesting vacations? Things related to your day job? Spill it here in your "shameless plug" opportunity!
Hmm. Shameless plug - well, I am almost done with the draft of my new manuscript! Yay, home stretch! This is a very complicated book, so it's been a challenge. ;)
Ooohhh!!!! I can't wait to hear what you're all working on!!!!
I did just recently start a blog...so I should probably mention that... http://nymfaux.blogspot.com/
And anyone who's still looking for a copy of LIFTED has until midnight tonight to enter my giveaway to win a signed copy!!!! (Thanks Wendy!!!!!!) http://nymfaux.blogspot.com/2010/06/not-until-i-have-25-followers-contest.html
Shameless plug? Hmmm. I am hosting 5 giveaways this week. Three have already been started, no YA sorry... that one was lastweek, and everyone has until this Friday right before midnight to enter them all. lol.
Oh, and this past weekend I went tubing, you know, was drug around a lake behind a boat on a big intertube. Yeah, I managed not to get flung across the lake like my brother. Ha ha. It was so much fun... not really a plug but more of a brag because it was my first time ever doing this. Whooot whooot.
Fun idea, Mar! Okay, shameless plug: visit nymfaux's blog (info in her comment a few up from mine) for chance to win a signed copy of Lifted. Also, visit www.teens.freebookfriday.com b/c Lifted is the book of the week and up for grabs = 3 copies of it!
Fun idea, Marley! Here’s something fun from me: on Monday, July 5, my Rita-nominated book, The ABC’s of Kissing Boys, will be discussed in the Barnes and Noble review blog column, along with the other books in my Rita category, by New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James! Here’s the link: http://bnreview.barnesandnoble.com/? But remember, it's not up until July 5!
So, as you may know, I sold the film rights to the first three GHOST HUNTRESS books to the fabulous folks at Shoulderhill Films. They are hard at work trying to find the perfect screenwriter for the project, as well as the right movie company. They've started a GHOST HUNTRESS fan page on Facebook (please join!) and are asking fans who you think should play Kendall?
I would have to say Emma Watson. Cant wait to hear more!
Anonymous said, on 6/16/2010 2:43:00 PM
I think that Demi L looks like a Kendall. I would say Emma, but b/c it looks like Kendall is American (i have yet to read the books; but I will soon!) Emma's Brit accent might throw people off, especially people who watch the movies and never read the books (so annoying!).
Anonymous said, on 6/16/2010 2:48:00 PM
same anon @ 2:43- Or how about Alexandra Daddario from The Lightning Theif (yes I know she's 23, and maybe too old for Kendall, but she's a good actress)?
I really like the pics of Victoria Justice, Demi, and Emma--have you emailed them to see if they've read your books???--I can't imagine how excited you must be!!!!!!
Although, I like Miley in some stuff, I have a hard time picturing her doing this straight...Of course, that might be just what she needs...Right now she's kind of the definition of the difference between Movie Stars and Actors--they're by no means mutually exclusive, but when I see a Movie Star, I watch THEM, when I see an ACTOR, I watch the movie...and them.
Congratulations on your success!!! I wish you the best!!!
So cool! But...I'd mention someone not on your list: Willa Holland. She's so kickass Kendall-style.
Anonymous2.0 said, on 6/17/2010 12:27:00 PM
I think that Victoria Justice should play Kendall. Emma Watson is too blonde and British to be Kendall, and Miranda just isn't who I pictured as Kendall. But anyone would be better than Miley and Demi. Disney Channel stars should stay on Disney channal for the kids cuz they're typically horrible actors/singers.
Victoria Justice- she has the perfect face, perfect age, etc. (I've already commented on a Facebook status about all the good reasons it should be her and other suggestions.)
Also, Emma Watson would be amazing. She would probably bring more of the quiet, mysterious type characteristics to Kendall than Victoria Justice would. (But, don't get me wrong, Victoria Justice is a great actress.)
All of these suggestions are great, but I beg you not to choose Miley Cyrus- I don't like her acting and she might ruin the series for me if I go see the movie (which I ENTIRELY plan on!!). Demi Lovato isn't my favorite actress either, but I would choose her over Miley Cyrus any day. I think that Demi Lovato doesn't really grow into her character much. By this, I mean that I don't think she really tries acting like her character. She seems to be the same person in every show or movie she is in/on.
A new actress who has never been heard of before and is just starting out but has great acting skills is another option that I think would be great. She would already know what kind of mood the story is set in because it's based on a book series, so it would be a great beginning.
I picture a girl with long, dirty blond hair that's curly, very much like the girl on each cover. (The reason I picture her this way is pretty obvious.) However, I do make little tweaks to the Kendall I imagine as I read more because something happens or my mind just changes the picture. For this reason, Emma Watson has the looks because of her hair and her overall image.
Whoever you choose will be great because, as the author, you know what you had intended her to look like and how she was going to act, so the person you choose will be very similar to what we are all expecting. Good luck! :)
Sorry I missed posting last week. Life is a whirlwind; what can I say? I have been in California since the end of April and just got back to Boston yesterday morning on a red eye flight. It was so hard to leave the sunshine and blue skies of SoCal to return to the gloomy rain of the east coast. But there's so much to do!
While I was in SoCal, I attended a conference, premiered GHOST HUNTRESS: THE REASON, went body boarding, cooked out a lot, hung out with my left coast friends...and I learned to surf! Here's proof...
We also made a trip out to the desert and...wow...was that incredible! I'd never been to the desert, so it was breathtakingly beautiful...
Also had the BEST tamale I've ever had...and it was at a place in Borrego Springs called Kendall's Cafe! How cool!
I also made some new friends...
This is Speedy, my friend Kathy's papillon...
And his brothers, Precious and Scooter Boy (who are 16 years old!)...
I also visited some famous graves in the Hollywood Forever cemetery...
All and all an amazing trip! Loves me some California. I have a lot of travel planned for the summer - Chicago, Wisconsin, Indy, Louisville and Orlando, to name a few. What are your summer travel plans? Where do you like to go?
my summer plans are very up in the air right now, but several friends sound like they may be coming my way...so I may just stay put...and I've definitely got a few people who are interested in Yosemite, so that's the most likely place I'll visit...
If I had the chance, my first stop would be back home in Wisconsin--I noticed it's on your itinerary! Secondly, I'd hit the east coast, because I have a lot of friends there that I haven't seen in a while.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by for the release party of GHOST HUNTRESS: THE REASON and entering the book giveaways! I hope if you're not one of the lucky winners that you'll pick up the book anyway. = )
And the winners are...
Cara King
chelleyreads
Momma Bookworm
RagDollVampGirl
Liviania
DeNiSeMaDnEsS
Bee
Thanks soooooo much for entering! Please e-mail me your snail mail address to marley_gibson AT yahoo DOT com and I'll get the signed books in the mail to you.
This week the Buzz Girls are celebrating the release of Ghost Huntress: The Reason by our very own Marley Gibson. You can enter to win a signed copy of this awesome book by leaving comments each day. Since the main character, Kendall Moorehead, discovers a BIG secret, Marley thought it would be fun to discuss secrets this week, and I can't agree more!
Today I'm writing about anonymous secrets. I remember an episode of an old TV show called Cashmere Mafia, where people were invited to a NY art show and given invisible paint to write their secret on a wall. Then the lights went out and everybody's secrets glowed in the dark. Something else that comes to mind is PostSecret. Have you ever heard of it? According to their web-site, "PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard." I remember reading something about about it in a fashion magazine a loooong time ago, and when I read some of the postcards people had sent in, I remember being impressed about the quality of the artwork, and as I started reading the secrets, I felt kind of weird, like a voyeur. I experienced a wide spectrum of emotions as I read each secret. Sure, there were weird and gross confessions like "I pee in the shower," but ones to the tune of "I truly think I'm ugly" made me so depressed! Then again, some are inspiring, like this one I read today: "My anxiety is not the boss of me" or snippets of would-be suicides stopped by a stranger's kind words.
For a chance to win a copy of Ghost Huntress: The Reason and find out what big secret Kendall is going to discover, leave a comment about a secret of yours, a friend's, or a stranger's that lifted your spirits. But do not tell us whose secret it is! Keep it anonymous. Okay, I'll go first: Uplifting secret: I went out with him because I felt sorry for him and ended up falling in love.
15 Comments on Anonymous Secrets, last added: 5/8/2010
Hmmm...sort of Pop Secret-like. (I do enjoy that blog now and then.) Okay, how about one that makes me smile:
I know someone who lied about her weight to the delivery nurse because she didn't want her husband to know how much weight she'd really gained in her pregnancy!
ghost huntress sounds very interesting. marley gibson is a new to me author. ooooo!! i love post secret! sorry can't think of an uplifting secret but here's a secret:
I know someone who bought an expensive Gucci bag and told her husband that it only costs a $100.
.. I leave library book receipts in the books I like so that someone with the same interest has my name and can find me online and we can become good friends..
Whoah, those are some secrets all right! Thanks for commenting. You're entered to win a signed copy of Ghost Huntress: The Reason!
Anna, I'm glad that writing about your past experience is somewhat therapeutic for you though I wish nothing bad had ever happened at all to you!
Tina, haha! Want to know something crazy? My driver's license is my REAL weight. But I admit I didn't want my husband knowing how much I weighed while pregnant, like your example.
chelleyreads, I really think you'll like Marley's books. She puts so much research (she actually goes out and hunts ghosts to see what it's like!) into them and has such a fun, chick-litty voice. Ouch on the Gucci bag secret. Hope her hubby never finds out!
RagDollVampGirl, that's a juicy secret! Would make a great book!
AllisonPaige25, that secret is kind of funny but also kind of sad. Here's one that I will confess to. The other day I left a bookmark advertising one of my books in a library book I returned. Not sure if the librarian will leave it in, but I thought it was worth a shot! LOL
I know a teenager who lied to her parents claiming that she had gained weight when she actually was pregnant! Of course they found out later but even then..she was so scared at the time they asked her about her increasing stomach,she couldn't confess I guess.
A secret that lifts the spirits...I suspect that's the exception, because I'm having trouble thinking of one!
Okay, here's one: I complain about my cat whining and demanding my attention while I'm working, but on some level I'm flattered that he needs me so much... :-)
OMG--That's so awesome to think a real author left a bookmark out there--I hope you autographed it!--It would be like a treasure hunt! I'm such a book-groupie!
A friend married her husband...before the wedding--They were getting stressed out with all the details, so they decided to just go ahead and do it--Then they were able to relax and enjoy their wedding :)
I know someone who took an expensive coffee table book out of the office library and claimed that someone else took it. Of course I only found this out after I was at another job.
Cara, that is interesting! And not that it's a secret, but Tina and I are also big cat fans!
Nymfaux, that's funny b/c my dad is getting married next month and they're going to get married before the ceremony too. (And psst, send me your mailing addy via wendytoliver.com if you'd like a signed bookmark.)
Llehn, oh man, the stealing secret! Methinks you will like my next novel, Lifted! LOL
Precious, so romantic!
Y'all are all entered to win a signed copy of Marley Gibson's latest and greatest! Good luck!
In celebration of Marley Gibson’s latest release, Ghost Huntress: The Reason”, we are talking this week about secrets. For in this third book of the series, an important secret is revealed...
Marley is giving away signed copies of this book all week here at the Buzz Girls blog, so be sure to drop by every day, and to leave a comment to be entered.
When my mind turns to secrets, right now, it skyrockets to the TV program, LOST, which is, of course, in its final few countdown weeks of the sixth season--and forever. It seems secrets are being revealed around every corner, with some being total surprises to me, some head-thunks (“I should have thought of that!”) and some more like confirmations of what I’d long suspected.
But while much of the water cooler buzz involves what has now been revealed, just as much is focused on what is still to come, and whether the writers will manage/remember to reveal every last secret, or viewers will have to then go for time and eternity on an issue or two, still wondering...
In order to be entered to win a copy of Ghost Huntress: The Reason, leave a comment telling us about a final TV episode of a TV (sit-com, drama, reality show) that left you completely satisfied. Whether it was in the revealing of all the secrets, or you just like the way it ended.
And be sure to check back next Sunday to see if your name is on the winner’s list!
Tina
Tina Ferraro The ABC’s of Kissing Boys, 2010 Rita® Finalist How to Hook a Hottie, 2009 Rita® Finalist Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress www.tinaferraro.com
I was addicted to Sopranos. I love being "involved" in the whole mafia family, seeing their struggles, and triumphs. Even though a lot of what they did was illegal, they loved each other and were truly loyal to those that were loyal to them. They were a family. Most people hated the ending to the last show because it was somewhat of a cliffhanger.. I on the other hand thought it was brilliant. It left people to USE THEIR IMAGINATION on what they thought had happened. I think people are scared of that, but I personally LOVE IT! Imaginations are a wonderful thing and through them many magnificent ideas are born!!!
I did not watch Battlestar Galactica, but I will take your word for it, JP! I did watch every episode of Six Feet Under and the Sopranos and loved them from beginning to end!
I was completely devastated when Buffy ended. I felt like I was losing family. I was also somewhat relieved to have more time on Tuesday nights to read.
It's hard to think of one! I'm usually left pretty unsatisfied. I'm going to go with Alias, because as much as I like "happily ever after" I prefer to know that Sydney's out there kicking some butt!
I really liked the way that Numb3rs ended -- they tied up loose ends, brought back characters from earlier seasons and shows, and gave it a nice resolution.
(I admit I was much less satisfied with the way Battlestar Galactica ended! But I know that's an issue that splits fans -- half seem to love it, and half seem to hate it...)
I hate when shows I love end. I am always left wanting more. The only show I was satisfied with was Life on Mars. It was a weird show with an even weirder ending...it was perfect
I was bitter sweet about the way Angel ended. On the one hand I was sad that they would all be dead but on the other hand, it was realistic in the sense that eventually the BIG BAD would get them. But the point is they went down fighting.
I was really satisfied with the way Friends ended. The couples were totally destined for each other since the very beginning and I have to agree...I wanted Friends to end the way it did! So yes,I enjoyed it very much :)
Following the awesomeness that was Stephanie's debut week for THE ALPHA BET, complete with lies, lies, lies...I'm here to talk about secrets...and to celebrate the release of my new book, GHOST HUNTRESS: THE REASON.
Here's Buzz Reader Stephanie with her copy:
So...secrets...we all have them, some of us keep them, most of us tell them. But what if a secret was being help back from you by someone you trusted the most in the world? What if that secret changed the course of your life?
Well, for Kendall Moorehead, she's about to discover a secret that's going to rock her world! How will she react? How will she move forward?
In college, I once knew a friend's dirty secret. Not just any friend...but the person I considered my *first* friend in life. We'd known each other since we were five. Her secret was so bad that I still won't reveal it today. I kept it, supported her, covered for her with her mother, and never told anyone else. It was a hard secret to keep because it involved her doing something that I didn't totally believe in. Something she kept from her parents, and other friends, and her boyfriend. But, I was a good friend to her.
Then, we came back from Thanksgiving break and I walked into her dorm room and there was her mother. She was red-faced and angry and she began screaming at me. She accused me of making her daughter "miserable" and "ostracizing" her. She said I was jealous of her daughter. She told me to get out of her daughter's dorm room and never come back. I had NO idea what was going on? How was I making her miserable? How was I ostracizing her? What was her mother on that was making her insane and crazy like this?
I opened my mouth to speak when I saw my friend's eyes. They implored me not to say anything. To just go with the flow. To not tell her secret. It was then that I realized that her mother didn't know her terrible secret and she had used me as an excuse to justify her sadness and depression. I pitied her and I felt bad for her mother. I told the mother that she had no idea what she was talking about and I walked out of the room. My friend and I weren't friends after that. On a big college campus of thousands of people, we went our separate ways and remain there twenty plus years later. But I never told her secret.
Maybe if she ever Googles me and sees this post, she'll know what a good friend I was and perhaps reach out to me. Who knows?
As Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said: "Secrets are things we give to others to keep for us."
GIVEAWAY
Have you giving a secret to someone to keep for you? Were they true to you? What was the impact of that secret on you? Tell us your experience with keeping secrets. (You don't have to tell us the secret!) Leave a comment in the trail to be eligible to win a copy of GHOST HUNTRESS: THE REASON.
And check back with more books being given away all week long!
I don't think I've ever trusted anyone enough to keep a really big secret. I've kept quite a few over the years though. High school was one big dramafest!
I've given my secret to my BFF's but there the secrets that are small are they have been true to there word and have keep them My friend has told a very personal secret and I'm very greatful that she has trusted me to keep i t I think its good to keep some secrets secrets good for the soul
Yeah, I have experience with this secret thing, too. To this day, I am keeping the secret of a friend who later turned on me. In fact, no one would even care about it anymore, but it's still staying with me because the right to do!
Over the years,I have realized that keeping secrets 'safe' with anyone can go against me in the poignant of times,no matter how trustworthy I might think the person is. So now,I barely have any secrets...I am more of an 'open book'. It's better that way I guess. I trust no one except my family and me with my secrets. Well..I seem to have presented a very bleak view of human trust but I think it really is a very fragile thing. Also,once I trust someone with a secret,I am in constant fear that the person might 'back stab' me...so as you say "Ask me no secret,I'll tell you no lie.." However,I happen to go totally tight lipped when I am trusted with anyone's secrets :)
I used to have a close friend who would just tell any secret as soon as possible. He wasn't malicious, but he was like a secret sieve...sometimes he forgot it was a secret (half an hour after promising not to tell), sometimes he had a "reason" for telling...but he always told.
He's still sort of a friend of mine, but I haven't told him anything worthwhile in years....
I told my friends about my secret. Well, okay...when you tell a secret to people, it's not really that much of a secret anymore. But still... This secret started to spread, to other classes, to the whole batch. And I really had this feeling who betrayed me. And my suspicion was confirmed because of her past betrayals. But I never told her that I knew. From then on, I never trusted her again.
I kept secrets myself. I have this one close friend. We always shared secrets with each other. And none of these secrets escaped our lips. This is the kind of trust that I like.
I don't like secrets, telling them or keeping them. I'm pretty open as a rule, so I don't have a lot of secrets to share and I wouldn't put that burden on anyone else. I hate it when people say "but you can't tell anyone." Well, then don't tell me because I don't want to be the guardian of your secrets. Especially if it means lying to someone about what you tell me. I don't like lying for myself much less other people. Margay
One night when I was in the fourth grade, I woke up to the sound of my parents arguing, unbeknownst to them I crept to a safe hearing spot and listened and what I heard changed my life forever.. they were getting a divorce! I'll never forget the way I felt after that, I had a heavy weight on my heart and I needed to tell someone. I ended up telling my best friend who by the way is still my best friend today and she held my hand and let me cry.. that day she told me a secret too, her parents were also getting a divorce. It felt good to be able to have someone to share the feeling of sadness, hurt and confusion.. not only did I trust her with a secret she kept for me, but she told me a secret she trusted me with, that I in turn kept for her. It brought us closer as friends.
I've kept a pretty big secret for a close friend for nearly ten years. It was hard to bear, so she had to tell someone (me). But I've kept the secret, because that's what you do for a friend, right? (Unless it was a really, bad secret where someone was going to hurt themselves or someone else, obviously!) Congrats on the release, Marley!
When I was in the 9th grade, I trusted one f my best friends with a pretty big family secret, and then, sometime later, we had a fight and she went ahead spilling it around the whole school. It was horrible. I've never trusted anyone with a secret since then.
Is it crazy that "keeping secrets" makes me smile immediately? Because I think of Sabrina (the Teenaged Witch, yes, that one) & all the crazy excuses she has to come up with to cover for her secret.
I'm a pretty private person but I'm also pretty honest, so I don't have a lot of big secrets... but secrets does make me think of being in high school & making up silly code names to talk about my friend's crush whenever we wanted... those are good memory secrets. : )
Thanks for the giveaway. ambience.of.rain {at} gmail.com
What an awesome week! Huge congrats go out to Stephanie for her brand new release, THE ALPHA BET! Can't wait to read it when my Amazon deliveries catch up to my traveling ways.
Oooo...pretty cover...
We're talking lies this week...and I've compiled a list of, perhaps, the greatest lies of all time. See what you think:
• The check's in the mail. • I'm from the government and I'm here to help you. • I thought I already gave you that money I owed you. • I promise I'll pay you back next Friday. • Now we're even. • I'm fine. • We'll have the repairs on your car done by noon. • You look like you haven't aged a day. • No, I don't think that outfit makes you look fat. • This is what it will cost to repair your car. • If elected, I promise... • You're going to love working here. • I don't know what you're talking about. • Please hold, and a customer service representative will be with you shortly. • I'll only take a minute of your time. • Our cellular phones will give you more freedom... • 100% compatible with your existing equipment. • I'm being totally unbiased. • I'll call you. • This will hurt me more than it does you. • I'm doing this for your own good. • Oh well, no harm done... • I didn't do it. • I don't know who did it. • We are experiencing a peak level of call volume... • You may already be a winner! • This product was made in an environmentally friendly manner. • I know it's none of my business... • I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but... • It's nothing personal. • New and Improved! • Trust me. We found and fixed the last bug! • The software will ship on schedule.
And those last two lead me to my confessed lie. Yes...I sold vaporware. (Vaporware is a word used to describe products, usually computer hardware or software, not released on the date announced by their developer, or announced months or years before their release.)
For four years, I worked in the dot.com (or, as I'd like to call it dot.bomb) industry at a company called SureSell Multimedia. We sold software for home builders. It was a noble idea, but, as the term vaperware implies, we just didn't have the finances, the personnel, or the development team to quite pull off the final product. Still, as the marketing and events director, I sent out marketing materials, fancied up the website, went to tradeshows, demoed the software and did all I could to sell it. Mind you...the 1.0 version worked just fine, but to compete in the highly competitive tech market, our 2.0 version had to sparkle, shine, cook breakfast for you and your kids, and drive them to school afterwards. Suffice it to say...the software never came to fruition. I was on vacation in Paris when I got the call that the company went kaput.
The things we do for a paycheck, eh? LOL!! I think that falls into the category of a "necessary lie." Don't you?
CONTEST
So...what "necessary lie" have you told? For a chance to win a copy of THE ALPHA BET and a copy of GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE, let us know you're "necessary lie." Be sure to check out the other posts this week and comment to increase your chances to win! Come back on Sunday, when the list of winners will be posted.
A necessary lie I have told... well I suppose as a parent I probably do it all the time to me children. They have more than enough time to learn the real truth of the world without me enlightening them. Perhaps there is a direct correlation from ignorance to innocence.
On a lighter note... does this color look good on me!?
Lurrved the list of necessary lies you compiled :D
Most overused 'necessary' lie for me:'It'll be okay'- even when I know that it won't. It's just, I don't know, if I'm not allowed necessary lies, I think hope should be made illegal or something.
A neccessary lie I have told.. hmm.. that's a hard one. This wasn't a good neccessary lie at all but one of my friends had been in a relationship for a very long time and she was truly, madly, deeply in love. One day out of the blue her boyfriend just breaks up with her. She was devastated. I knew I had a lot of work on my hands to try and mend her heart as much as a heart that just obliterated into a million pieces could be mended. I knew her boyfriend because we had a few mutual friends and of course because of my good friend. No sooner had I gotten home from tending to my friend that I had received an email from her ex-boyfriend (of not even 24 hours) telling me that he had had feelings for me for a long time and now that he was single he wanted to see where it could go between us.. I was floored.. let's just say I gave him a piece of my mind!!! When I saw my friend again the next day she asked me if I thought there was someone else that he had his eye on and I thought back to the email.. I knew I couldn't tell her so I lied and said of course not. It was an extremely neccessary lie, but it wasn't good.. she was just to emotionally spent for me to tell her the truth..
My most consistent necessary lie has been for my kids. Over the years, periodically one would have an ear infection or need stitches, and we'd head off to Urgent Care. I was always asked: "Did you call your doctor's office for clearance for this visit?" That call would amount to about a 45 minute please-hold-until-someone-can help-you. And often, time was of the essence. So I simply lied and said yes. And never once was there any follow-up or did I have a problem!
Hmm... I used to tell my cat that he was the cutest cat ever, even though I knew some folks thought he was a little bit ugly. And this wasn't really a lie, because he was awfully cute....and besides, I had to raise his self-esteem (because he'd been abandoned by his cat mom as a baby and had unresolved childhood trauma over that.)
Not sure that counts, though...as it's possible my cat didn't understand English. (But surely he understood my tone of voice, right?)
I am what's considered a "picky eater." For my entire life I've hear things like, "just try it."
I'm not trying to not like your food, but I know what I like, and I know what makes me gag. Literally gag. It's not pretty, and I can't control it.
So, in order to avoid throwing up people's food that they spent a lot of time and effort making, or insulting them, or make the meal unpleasant, I started telling people that:
I'm not that hungry after sitting in the car so long.
I'm not sure of a specific 'necessay lie' I've told recently. I'm sure that, throughout the years of school, I've said that I just forgot my homework at home, rather than saying that I didn't do it at all in order to not miss recess. Missing recess, to me, wasn't a huge deal, but it was embarrassing in front of the whole class. I guess that's a necessary lie. It's not very important, but it was necessary... at the time at least. Lol.
petra said, on 4/28/2010 6:23:00 PM
i lied to my mother that my husband has tattoos. she thinks they're the mark of the beast. ha ha ha hope she doesn't read this blog.
Hmm...I am sure that there have been many "necessary lies" in my lifetime. One thing that I have been saying a lot lately is whenever my girls say, "I want that" about random things, I typically say, "I'll keep that in mind for your birthday/Christmas/nearest holiday." Even though it is true that they get some gifts, this has just turned into the catch all phrase for many of the random requests.
I think for me a necessary lie I've told probably relates to body image. If I know someone who has just a little more meat on her but is not obese or anything, if she asks me if she's fat, I'll tell her no. I don't think it's necessary for me to damage more of her self esteem anymore than necessary.
Haha great list! I've heard and used quite a few lies from your list! I probably tell some neccessary lies to my relatives when they give me gifts, such as "That vase is really nice." When I'm thinking 'Hellooo I'm 18 I don't want a f*** vase!' :P
Necessary lie...hmmm...well any time I have ever been given a gift I don't like I always lie and say that it is great. Someone is trying to be thoughtful and they don't deserve to have their feeling hurt over something like that.
Well...I was going to blog about my trip to Gettysburg and show some pretty pictures, but I was sideswiped by the cover to the next book in the GHOST HUNTRESS series. THE COUNSELING comes out in October 2010 and I have to say, I think this cover is my favorite so far! Check it out:
I geek out every time I see a new cover. I am totally blessed by the Cover Gods at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. My thanks to ilovedust in the UK and to Carol Chu for their awesome work.
Do you love it? Does it make you want to preorder it immediately? LOL!!
As I'm working to box up my apartment for my move and clearing things out and consolidating space, I thought it would be a great time to give away some books. We all love book giveaways, right?
So...I have FIVEcopies of GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE to give away to our lovely blog readers. All you have to do is leave a comment in the trail, as well as leaving the name of four (4) of your friends -- each of you (five in total) will receive a personally autographed copy of the second GHOST HUNTRESS book. Wait...it gets even better! You may enter as many times as you'd like.
Ooooh 5 copies!!! yay!! I soooo want a copy for myself! So here are the names of my friends... Raina Raj, Puja Dutta, Tangmo Pongsopon and Saksham Rai.
Thanks for the oportunity I have a few friends who would have to share the copies. My son Jenson would love it! My friend Izzy, Nikki and Cara would all love them!!!!!
A hearty HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my Buzz Blog sistahs! Can't beeeeelieve we've been together for three years. And TLC says we've got 20 books between us? WOWLZA!
First off, I wanted to announce the winners of my double release book giveaway! Here they are:
Elaing8 LORIT WHAT A GIRL READS CARI Donnas Kelsey
Whoooohooooo!!! Please e-mail me at marley_gibson AT yahoo (dot) com with your snail mail address and I'll get the books in the mail to you.
As for our anniversary...it's amazing how time flies. And how books fly off the shelf. It's also incredible that when we started, not all of the Buzz Girls were published...and now we all are. I'm so fortunate to be amongst such an amazing group of women who not only share the passion for writing, but who are also so supportive and the "go-to gals" I need in my writer's life. Everyone should be so lucky as to have people like Tina, Steph, Dona, Heather, and TLC (and Simone!) in their lives.
Now...for my special anniversary giveaway...I'm going to give away not one, not two, not three, but FOUR of my books! Wow...the fact that I have four books to give away blows even ME away. In order to have a winner of the four-book pack, you must do the following:
Leave a comment with a Hallmark-like anniversary greeting for the Buzz Girls
If you're on Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter, please let folks know about our contest
You may comment as many times as you want...but we must have at least 25 comments in total to have a four-book winne!
Not too hard, eh?
The books you'll win will be my two Kate Harmon SORORITY 101 books and my first two GHOST HUNTRESS books. Spread the word!
Hugs and love to our readers and my Buzz Sistahs!! Marley = )
(Please check out my newly launched website!)
25 Comments on Happy Anniversary to Buzzzzz...and winners!, last added: 9/19/2009
Once upon a time, there where 6 amazing ya authors They decided to start a website about their fabulous ya books. The site has many fans and readers all over the globe, and the books by the authors are flying of the shelves and over the counter in bookstores. And then..someday..the site had their third anniversary..wich makes the authors and readers very happy! And they all lived happily ever after..
Happy Anniversary! That's amazing for all of you! I have a horrible tendency to laugh at cheesy Hallmark cards and only enjoy the snarky ones, but I'll give it a shot . . .
Front of the card: A cartoon cat looks confusedly at the reader with a speech bubble: "You've been going for 3 years?!"
Inside: Cartoon Cat has a big smile and a book in his hands. "Looks like you're doing something write! Happy Anniversary!"
I don't think that's Hallmark worthy. Oh well. I'm letting my friends know about the contest :) Congrats again!
Like a fine Red Wine, this blof grows better with Old Age! Happy Anniversary!!!! (I don't think Hallmark will be giving me a job either...)- I also mentioned the contest on twitter! My name is RoraBorieAlice
Huge congrats to the winners!! Enjoy your books! =D
1095 days, 20 jaw-dropping books, 6 creatively brilliant minds and one breed of inspirational women... the world is 'buzzing' with joy and awe over your amazing talent, ladies!
Hey everyone! Sorry for the late post, but I'm at Dragon*Con in Atlanta and, boy, has it been insane!
I'm soooooooooo excited about the release of not just one new book from yours truly...but TWO releases this week! Yep...that's right! I have two books out this week.
The first book is the follow up to GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING -- book 2 in my series, entitled GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE. I sold a lot of copies of it here at the convention in Atlanta and people seem excited about the book.
The book was written with my good friends, Patrick Burns of TruTV's Haunting Evidence, and Dave Schrader of KTLM FM's Darkness Radio. We felt it was necessary with so many TV shows about ghost hunting that teens be given responsible advice about investigating.
Here we are at Dragon*Con where we premiered the book and sold fifty copies! (And yes...we're all wearing sunglasses on our head. Don't ask! LOL!)
Hope you'll pick up the books and let me know what you think! I'm thrilled to have these books out in the wild for people. I've gotten some amazing reader feedback already and each e-mail just makes my day.
Do you have any questions about ghost hunting? Comments? Thoughts? Leave your question or comment in the trail to be entered to win a copy of BOTH books. I'll be giving away a copy of each book every day this week (Monday-Friday).
My only ghost hunting question is when are you coming to the Seattle area so we can ghost hunt together??? Can't wait to read the next in the Huntress series. :-)
Wow, two in one week! That's great news. My questions: while hunting was there any instance which truly stands out in your mind (really scary/sad/whatnot). Did you have any "That's cool!" moments? I like the idea of having a Hunters book for teens. Cool shades!
I'm so excited that both books are coming out! Not only am I excited to see how things are going for Kendell and crew but I'm also excited for some practical ghost hunting tips! Keep rocking on!
I know there's a show on TV about Ghost Hunting...I can't think of the name!....anyhow, do you watch it? Is it realistic to a true ghost hunting trip? I switched past it the other night, watched for a few minutes, was intrigued, and thought of you and your books, which I haven't read and was wondering what you thought of the show?
cool x2 launch must be really hard wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hope you sell alot and remeber have fun.
I wanted to get some perspective from my fellow Buzz Girls, as well as comments, feedback, and/or opinions from our readers.
Long ago when a friend of mine got published, she started obsessing over Amazon.com reviews to the point where she would often debate the reviews on her blog. I told her not to let them upset her and not to highlight reviews that upset her by blogging about it. I swore I would never do the same.
And let me state for the record that I will not do the same. LOL!! I am very fortunate in that both GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING and GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE both have an average four-star review on Amazon.com and I'm beyond thrilled! I have nothing to take to task with any of the reviews and send out a hearty Thank You Very Much to anyone who has posted a review after reading the book.
My question is this, though...
A lot of reviewers are getting on to me for my "course language." This has both my editor and me shaking our heads. There is an occasional "$hit" or someone being referred to as a "b*tch" (mostly a "beotch") and my heroine likes to say "freakin'" sometimes when she's...well, freaked out. At no point in the books is there ever the F word and never will there be that. Is this seriously considered "course?"
I also find it interesting that teens who leave reviews have no problem with this. It's mostly parents. I certainly don't want to upset parents...but I do have to scratch my head over this one. I have read a lot of YA books that pepper the writing with much courser language and frequent use of the F word in character's dialogue.
What do you think? Do you consider this "course language?" Are you offended by this? How much reality is too much? Is is staying true to teen talk to use words that they use in every day life? For those of you who've read my books, what do you think? I'm fascinated by this and would love to know what people's opinions are on this topic.
Hi, My daughter recently won your first Ghost Huntress book and has just started reading it:) As her mom I like to think of myself as a realist. I think kids hear worse language on the bus, on TV etc. etc. I don't think it's coarse. I'm also an aspiring writer and read tons of YA books. I see other authors use rougher language and I'm okay with that. We have to use the language true to our characters. I believe there are always going to be some people who need to 'comment' on things. If they're so offended all I say is don't read it. You need to think of your market and ultimately, your characters.
I honestly have no problem with cursing. In fact, I do it a lot in my own life, mainly because I think it's funny. My roommate thinks the same way.
But I mean, like the previous commenter said, kids and teenagers hear so much worse everywhere else and even if they don't, they'll hear it eventually. So I don't think it's a problem for there to be cursing in YA novels. It's just not a big deal.
Back in high school, I heard so many F-bombs being dropped before even first period started that not even the most cursey of YA (or adult!) novels would frazzle me. It's just reality, so I don't think anyone should be bothered by a little course language in YA.
This really surprises me, Marley, because I don't think of your language as coarse at all.
AT ALL.
But for what it's worth, with my own books, I've been surprised by the occasional element that readers/parents/reviewers have taken issue with, and equally surprised by the ones left alone that I thought were ripe for a gripe!
Really I have no problem with "course language" in books at all. I mean there are books for certain ages, or at least recommended ages so what do people expect to find in the text. Teens such as myself have been exposed to much worse things and language at school and around friends. So I don't think it should bother parents to find that there is some "course language" in YA books, because it is not new or shocking to teens at all. Believe me when I say we've heard worse, and for some that may be an understatement.
People cuss. Teens Cuss. It's the nature of things. And you can't dumb it down by saying, "Gosh darnit" "shoot" or " Sonuvaseabiscuit" when it's not what they really say. It wouldn't sound right. Although it would be funny if you had a character that actually talked like that.
I think it's just part of the world now, Marley. I try to limit what I use in my novels, too. But sometimes, there isn't a substitute that won't sound fake, you know? Oh, sugar -- doens't always work. ;)
Heather
Anonymous said, on 8/27/2009 12:41:00 PM
The Parents that are complaining need to get their butts out there and listen to what their children are hearing in the real world. I don't find your cursing offensive as it's reality. The words you use are pretty much standard for most.
Go sit out at a school and listen to these kids today. Every 2nd word starts with "F". That's what these parents need to be complaining about.
Anonymous said, on 8/28/2009 2:09:00 AM
Your editor's more likely shaking her head at your use of "course language" than any alleged coarse language.
I wanted to send my love, hugs, best wishes, and cheers to fellow Buzz Girls, Tera and Tina for the Rita Awards this week in Washington, DC. Even though I can't be there, I'm with you gals in spirit and I hope there's a tie and they have to give you each a pretty golden trophy.
I have some awesome news to share! My wonderful editor at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has signed me on to do TWO more titles in the GHOST HUNTRESS series, bringing the total number of books to five! I couldn't be happier!!! I'm hard at work finishing up Book 3 - GHOST HUNTRESS: THE REASON and can't wait to come up with ideas for books #4 and #5!
I've been on the go since June 17th, traveling around, doing conferences, selling books, doing signings, seeing friends and family. It's been exhausting, but exhilarating at the same time. I've been able to spend some down time at the beach and I got to parasail (wow!) and go waverunning with dolphins (double wow!) and snorkel and just enjoy the summer sun. But there's work to be done. As I said, I have to turn in Book 3, start promoting Book 2 and also start promoting my non-fiction book THE OTHER SIDE: A TEEN'S GUIDE TO GHOST HUNTING AND THE PARANORMAL, as well as my other non-fiction book CHRISTMAS MIRACLES. I'm headed to Baton Rouge, LA this weekend for the BabelCon Conference and then will be headed back to Boston to regroup.
To anyone going to the RWA National Conference in DC, have a great time!!
Sorry for the late post today! Still on the road on the world's longest road trip...and working hard on GHOST HUNTRESS: THE REASON, book three in the Ghost Huntress series. The book is due on July 17th, so I'm writing my fingers to the bone.
The road trip is still going great. Spent a lot of time with my family in Alabama where we celebrated the Fourth and had a great time. (Even buzzed over to Biloxi and won about $200 at roulette at the casino...saaaaweeeeet!)
I made a pilgrimage to my alma mater, The University of Alabama, and visited the Walk of Fame displaying our many national championships in football...
Spent some time with my niece, Sarah...
Is that a halo I see above me?...
Hung out with my parents. Here's me and my mommy...
Made a new friend...unfortunately, I ate him...
I signed and sold books at the Barnes and Noble in the Easter Shore Plaza...
And now, just basking in the sun and writing my book. Hope everyone had an amazing Fourth of July! I'll close with a picture of the fireworks in my parents' neighborhood...
GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING (Available Now! Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE (Coming September 2009, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) GHOST HUNTRESS: THE REASON (Coming May 2010, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) THE OTHER SIDE: A TEEN'S GUIDE TO GHOST HUNTING AND THE PARANORMAL (Coming September 2009, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) CHRISTMAS MIRACLES (Coming October 2009, St. Martin's Press) SORORITY 101: Zeta or Omega? (Available from Puffin Books) SORORITY 101: The New Sisters (Available from Puffin Books)
4 Comments on Writer at work, last added: 7/9/2009
Marley, I hope you are having a fun and well-deserved break! I find I can get my best writing done when I get a change of scenery, so I hope THE REASON is going really well for you. On another note, I've never seen you with straight hair - it looks great!! Wishing you fun, productive, and safe travels! Miss you!!
The winner of Tera's joke contest is Meredith F. with this joke: What's green and has wheels?Grass! I lied about the wheels!! (Isn't that hilarious?) Please email at [email protected].
Wow...GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING has been out for a few weeks now and the feedback is so encouraging and fun. The Amazon.com reviews are wicked awesome and I've managed to snag a few interviews on paranormal radio programs here and there. Everyone has been so wonderful and supportive...from the Buzz Girls to readers alike.
I wanted to share a couple of interviews that I've done. My friends, New York Times bestseller, Gena Showalter (who will be launching Harlequin's YA line soon!!) and her fabulous critique partner...and partner in crime, Jill Monroe, were kind enough to interview me for their cult hit, Author Talk (where authors talk to other authors.) We had an absolute blast taping this! Hope you enjoy!
I just love these ladies!!
And also, here's another interview. While attending GhoStock 7 on April 18th, 2009, in historical Salem, Massachusetts, Angelique Avalon from Paranormal SPY interviewed me about my paranormal investigations as well as the release of the GHOST HUNTRESS series.
Now, I must return to the writing cave where I'm cranking out GHOST HUNTRESS: THE REASON. If you've read GHOST HUNTRESS: THE AWAKENING, I'd love to hear from you. Let me know what you think about it!
Thanks for the shout-out, Sirena. I love Canada, my home and wanna-be native land. LOL! It's fun to work in places that I love into stories. Thanks for picking that up! = )
Sirena...my publisher would love to get me up to Chapters or Indigo in TO this fall for the release of the second book and the non-fiction ghost hunting guide. I'll definitely keep you posted! Shoot me your e-mail addy at marley_gibson AT yahoo.com (no spaces)
The Ghost Huntress release week extravaganza continues with even more ghost craziness. First, business from yesterday. Announcing the lucky winner of a signed copy of Ghost Huntress: The Awakening:
I want you to think back to when you were in elementary school or junior high, when you used to have sleepover parties with your girlfriends. When you would spend the afternoon watching movies and eating cupcakes and probably prank-calling boys. (Not that I ever--cough-cough--did that.)
That was all fun and good, but remember what happened after the parents went to bed. You were left to your own devices and somebody inevitably suggested playing Truth or Dare. After a few rounds of silly things--like confessing your crush or prank-calling your English teacher--someone (probably the coolest/most mature girl in your group) got serious. Scary. Someone dared someone else to play... Bloody Mary.
If you managed to get through your tween years without playing this game, let me explain. You (either alone or with your girlfriends) turn out the lights, stand in front of a mirror, and then repeat the name "Bloody Mary" several times. This is supposed to make the ghost of Bloody Mary herself appear in the mirror--and scare the bajeezus out of all the girls in the room. (You can read more about the legend and the game on scaryforkids.com, which is where I got this creepy pic.)
Did you ever play any scary party games? (Like Bloody Mary or Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board or using a Ouija Board.) And did anything ... supernatural happen when you did?
Leave your answers in comments and I'll choose a winner at the end of the day.
I remember playing with a Ouija board at a sleepover, but no real scary happenings...unless you count getting a spirit entity that no one knew. He seemed benign though. Whew! Thanks goodness.
Ash
Anonymous said, on 5/5/2009 7:10:00 AM
Hi Marley,
We played with the Ouija board in my old house we rented in college. It was a house that had been moved to the location I lived in. The Ouija board told us that a woman had died in our pantry, which we had always been creeped out by. I have to say we never used the Ouija board again. It wasn't a very nice spirit that was talking to us!
For the record...NO credible ghost hunter would recommend using a Ouija board. Those things are trouble. They open up a realm that we know nothing about and aren't prepared to deal with. It would be irresponsible of me not to tell budding ghost hunters NOT to use one of these!
I will admit to playing with one when I was like 9 years old...asking who I was gonna marry or something, but I would never use one today.
Congrats to sweetmelissa818!
Anonymous said, on 5/5/2009 8:55:00 AM
My girlfriend was deep into Ouija. She talked to her deceased dad nightly. Then she started getting messages from others on the far side too and was actually given information about a crime, and it led to an arrest. Then she started getting things happen like the placket (sp?) moving when no one was touching it and small objects falling and smashing. Eventually she got a spiritualist to come in and protect her home. She got rid of her ouija board. I don't know if she was talking to ghosts, but something we can't explain rationally was going on. Candice
Anonymous said, on 5/5/2009 9:05:00 AM
I wasn't sure about ghosts until my mother-in-law (whom I loved very dearly) visited me on the day of her funeral. I noticed someone standing in the doorway, but didn't pay close attention (I was busy getting ready and in a hurry), just assumed it was my husband. Then the person walked behind me and I suddenly smelled her (cigarette smoke combined with perfume). I turned to look and she vanished like a cloud of gnats flying away. But I had a definite impression of why she was there. She was worried about my kids and her son and by checking with me she could check all of them. I wondered if I should say something to my husband's family and decided not to because they might feel bad that I'd had her and they hadn't. (Half Scottish, so they all believe.) Then after the funeral my younger sister in law said that she'd had her mother's presence in her apt. I said, what time? She said, 11:30. I said she came to my place then too, just for a second. My older s-i-l (who did not always get along with her mom) overheard and yes, she WAS insulted. Quite. I didn't know what to say, so I said, "I don't think she had much time." Which of course insulted my s-i-l even further. Candice
I've never heard of Bloody Mary, but did play with a Ouija board when I was a kid. No stories about that, but I do know that my son took a course on paranormal and the occult, and when he came upon a Ouija board with our board games, insisted I throw it out! Just like what Marley is saying here...
That is so funny about the Ouija boards thing. I never had one because I was raised in a religious household, but I thought people were over-reacting. I’m actually doing research right now for a new book I want to write, and people are *SERIOUS* about staying away from them.
We played light as a feather, and as the class toothpick, I was always hoisted to the ceiling.
At one slumber party we were having some serious jr. high discussions when the girl’s mom ran outside and beat on the window. We ended up screaming our way into the bathroom. I vaguely remember a bag of Skittles exploding. Good Times. :)
Hi, Marley! You don't have to enter me in the contest, as my copy of Ghost Huntress should arrive tomorrow from Amazon. Can't wait!! But I thought I'd play along with your question, anyway. I remember playing "light as a feather, stiff as a board," although nothing but fits of giggles ever came of it. "Bloody Mary" used to scare the bejeesus out of me, and to this day, I can't look in a mirror with a flashlight. Last time the power went out and I was trying to apply make-up in the mirror by flashlight, I suddenly caught myself and immediately thought, "What the hell am I doing? Bloody Mary is in there!" Needless to say, I finished putting my make-up on at work that morning. LOL! As we've talked about before, I've had enough paranormal things happen around me to make up for not conjuring up "Mary" or any other slumber party legends growing up. Ha! ;-)
I've heard of, but never played, the games you mention. However, I do remember being absolutely terrified playing "5 minutes in the closet" with Denise Crawford in 6th grade. (Things wouldn't have been quite so scary if it had been 11th or 12th grade!) ;)
I never heard of Bloody Mary till I saw it on an episode of Supernatural... :-) But we did play "light as a feather, stiff as a board" at every slumber party -- and the liftee always seemed mysteriously easy to lift!
Cara
petra said, on 5/5/2009 1:47:00 PM
i saw bloody mary on an episoed of ghost whisperer and had never heard of it before. glad you mention not messin around with a ouija board because i've heard of people getting possessed by those things.
Yay! Anyway, I never actually did play those kids of party games! Actually, now that I think of it. I never really played party games at all. I did however have my 13th birthday party on Friday the 13th and we watched Friday the 13th. Because I'd seen it, I knew what happened, but I pretty much scared the rest of the girls to death!
I was in middle school right when the movie Now and Then came out. In the movie the girls have seances in a graveyard, my friends and I used to do that during sleepovers, we would sneak out, walk to the graveyard using candles as our light and try to summon ghosts. We always got scared but one night some guy followed us home and hung out in my yard for awhile smoking and that was the scariest because we couldn't tell if he was a person or a ghost and we couldn't tell my parents because then they would know we had gone to the cemetery in the middle of the night.
The goofiest one I remember was called Ooga Booga. So silly, I don't even know how to describe it best. The unsuspecting person thought that it was supposed to be scary and that something (I can't remember what) was supposed to happen. In reality it was a trick to have the person rub soot all over their face.
Everybody had a dish, and the person being tricked had a dish that a candle was previously lit under making it all black. Then all the people in the room would follow the leader who would say "Ooga Booga" while rubbing the dish on their face. Since the room was dark the person did not realize what was happening until it was all over.
I had never heard of Bloody Mary until an episode of Ghost Whisperer that nearly gave me a heart attack. We played light as a feather but it never worked. I remember a story that someone used to tell about a guy with a hook around town and some couple was making out and when they got out of their car the hook was hanging off the door handle. ;)
Congrats again on the release of Ghost Huntress: The Awakening!
Wow, I had not thought of Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board forever. We tried this and of course the Ouija board. I cannot really remember any scary moments, but boy was that so much fun. Thanks for bringing back those memories.
My two college kids are home...that's the big sign for me! And loved the idea of shaken-up and sprayed cans of Coke!
M<y kids ask for money they need to finished a project for their clearance..
It sounds like you have a fun summer planned, Marley. I think the biggest sign that summer is here for me is the day I get to break out my flip-flops!
LOL, Stephanie! As a hearty New Englander (and an avid traveler), I have to say that I refuse to give up the flops. Maybe that's a book title, eh? LOL!