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You've really got to work Now and Later candies hard before you can enjoy the sweet reward. They're a perfect metaphor for our class, which has worked really hard this year and reaped in lots of sweet rewards. Just imagine the things we'll accomplish over the next decade!

REGINA LUNDGREN

In 2008, my greatest writing-related accomplishments were:

1. Made my dream research trip to England
2. Saw my first YA novel La Petite Four published
3. Submitted proposals on request to an adult romance line and a new YA line
4. Met many of my 2k8 sisters in person
5. Actually learned how to blog, do MySpace, and generally have an online presence

By 2018, across my life goals, I hope to have:

1. Landed long-term contracts with two publishers, both of whom love and respect my work and my writing voice
2. Seen both my sons graduate from high school and go on to education and work in fields they love
3. Published many books in both adult and YA, earning a devoted readership that clamors for my unique characters, exciting plots, and dash of humor
4. Not let writing take over my life, so that I enjoyed time with my husband, family, and friends
5. Continued to grow closer to Jesus my Savior.

LAUREL SNYDER

2008 accomplishments:

1. Published Up and Down the Scratchy Mountains
2. Published Inside the Slidy Diner
3. Actually made more money from my writing than I spent in babysitting!
4. Potty trained successfully! (my son, not me. I've been potty trained for at least a year or two))
5. Wrote my next novel, Any Which Wall!

Hopeful 2018 accomplishments:

1. Manged to avoid a desk job (and/or dress clothes) for a full decade
2. Took an actual vacation to someplace where I don't have family.
3. Healthy! Healthy! Everyone healthy!
4. Actually working out and eating well for the first time ever!5. Spent a month at a writing colony.

STACY NYIKOS

2008 accomplishments:

1. First middle grade novel launches
2. Finished my first ya novel
3. Slept
4. Remembered to eat...occasionally
5. Hung with the Classof2k8!!!!!!!!!

Hopeful 2018 accomplishments:

1. I'm still alive
2. I've been to Asia
3. I've written a few more and better books
4. My husband and I survive our children's teenage years
5. My children - who will then be in college - think I'm not half bad

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

"Okay, you can ask anyone: I am so not a party person. So why is it that one of the things I love to do at the Romance Writers of America annual conference is party? The conference doesn’t even start officially until Thursday morning, but Wednesday evening you can find me at the Beau Monde Soiree. The Beau Monde is the chapter for those who write stories set in the Regency period of England. We play period card game and gamble using chocolate coins, engage in witty conversation, and dance period dances. It’s a fantastic way to meet people and have some fun before the workshops and other events happen.

Friday night is the night when publishers have traditionally thanked their authors with cocktail parties or dinners. The most talked about party every year, though, is the party that Harlequin throws for its authors. I’ve never had the privilege of writing for them, but this year a friend who writes for them invited me to tag along. Wow! I can see why people love it! Picture a massive ballroom, lavishly decorated, free food, free drinks, a chocolate fountain bubbling in one corner, and 200 women and 2 men (lucky husbands) dancing to “We Are Family.”

Maybe that’s why I love the parties. It’s a chance to be with like-minded people, celebrating our passion for writing. We are family!"

Regina Scott (aka Sir Reginold Scott)

Our next reviewer is know for luring readers to great books. Here at the 2K8 blog we're known for luring book reviewers into the hot seat! We're also know for giving away amazing books--so be sure to leave a comment to be entered to win La Petite Four by Regina Scott! (deadline to comment June 29th, winner announced June 30th). Okay, Story Siren, take a seat!

What’s your handle? The Story Siren
What kind of books do you review? Anything really. Most of my reviews are Young Adult with a few MA titles and Adult titles mixed in
Approx # of books reviewed? Around 100.
Where can we find your reviews?
You can find most of my reviews at my blog, TeensReadToo and BookSwim.

Reading turn-ons: Realistic characters, humor, unpredictability, sarcasm!
Reading turn-offs: Over the top descriptions, drawn out plots, unrealistic characters/plot line.
Class of 2K8 books reviewed:
Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle
The Opposite of Invisible by Liz Gallagher
I Heart You I Haunt You by Lisa Schroeder
La Petite Four by Regina Scott
In my reading pile I also have:
Braless in Wonderland by Debbie Reed Fischer
Alive and Well in Prague, New York by Daphne Grab
Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in Her Head by Nancy Viau

Impressive 2K8 collection! We love the crazy handles book reviewers come up with—tell us how you came up with yours! A little bit about how you got into book reviewing would be cool too.

I don’t have a funny or interesting way that I came up with my handle. I wish that I did though. I just wanted something that would reflect what I was trying to do as a book reviewer. But instead of luring people to their deaths as some sirens do, I just lure them to good books!

Obviously I read all the time and I always have. I mean, I would hit the library up every week for four to eight books for the week. So I would often find myself being asked by my friends and family what I was reading and if I liked it, or if I knew any good books, so it seemed to make sense at the time that I would just review the books I was reading. Then my book blog was born. I was just planning on reading books I’d gotten from the library. I never anticipated authors asking me to review their books! Initially my blog was just reviews, but now I have contests and author interviews too.

We love contests and interviews! Or is that stating the obvious? What's not always obvious, book ratings. Describe your grading system and how that translates to the reader?

I actually just started doing a rating system. I’m really addicted to google reader, I think I subscribe to more than 200 blogs! As much as I want to read every post, I just don’t have the time. I really liked when a reviewer would use a grading system because whether or not I read their entire post, I could find out quickly if they liked the book or not. So I decided I should utilize a grading system too.

I have a five star system with five being the highest. Basically I break it down like this:

Great advice! Now, if you really aren’t feeling a book—will you make the ultimate sacrifice and finish it for the sake of the review?

If I start reading a book, I have to finish it. I don’t know why but I just do. I especially feel obligated if the author asked me to review the book for them. I owe them to finish it.

And if you really love a book—will you read it again? If so—what are some of the books you just had to read more than once?

Of course! I don’t re-read books now near as much as I used to. I’m too busy with new ones to read! But I do enjoying rereading a book and many times, I find something new and find my opinion changing.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer. The first time I read it I was less than thrilled and I really didn’t like Jacob, by the third or fourth time I read it, I switched to Team Jacob and it just may be my favorite book of the series.

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. I liked this book the first time I read it, but I was confused at some aspects of the story. I reread it after I watched the movie, and I understood it so much better.

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr. This was my first faerie book. I was thinking this would be a story about Tinker Bell, although she is technically a pixie. Anyway, amidst the concepts of “glamour” and other faerie lingo, I was a tad bit confused. The second time I read it, I knew exactly what everything was and I got so much more out of the story.

That's so cool that you give book second chances! Do you have a basic philosophy on what should be included in a review—or does it depend on the book itself?

I think it depends on the book and the person who is reviewing it. I like to give a overall look into the book, even though I have a hard time summarizing! If you have to, I think it’s acceptable to use the synopsis from the book. Your feelings on the book, I think, are the most important aspect.

I don’t have a set plan for my review. Sometimes the plot really grabs me, so most of my review will compliment the plot other times it is the characters or the authors writing. It just varies from book to book. I think it is important to be truthful and informative. I try to write my reviews like I’m talking to one of my friends or my sister. They are much more informal than professional!

Informal is great! After all it is hard to stay detached and professional when reading amazing books. Tell us about the last time your jaw dropped open, you laughed, or you cried while reading a book.

All of these things have happened to me recently! I finished Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot the other day. I love this series. But I couldn’t stop laughing the whole time I was reading it! On top of that there were a lot of jaw dropping moments! I love reading Meg’s books she always has me laughing. If I need a feel-good book, I’ll try to pick up one of hers. The last time I cried was while reading The Comeback Season by Jennifer E. Smith. She isn’t a 2k8er but she is a debut author this year too. It was a very touching story, I wish that I had read it a lot sooner.

Love it!! Okay, so here comes one of our favorite questions--is there any character in a book that you wish would come to life? Or any place you wish existed?

This is a loaded question for me! Absolutely, every time I read a book I wish I could step into the pages or the character would come to life! That is what a book is for me ultimately, it is an escape to a place that I only wish could exist! If I had to pick a specific place, I would love to be a student at Hogwarts! I recently posted on my blog about how I would love to go back and live in the historical fictions books I’d been reading. Like La Petite Four and Bewitching Season! I also wouldn’t mind living in a parallel world that isn’t much different from ours now, but with a few additional characters. Like the world for Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments, or even Tantalize or Blue Bloods. I’d be more scared of the dark I think, but it would be worth it!

Great advice!! And great answers! Thanks so much for joining us in the Hot Seat! One last question: if they aren’t scared off by all that bad review talk and an author would like you to review her book, what should she do?

I am always thrilled when I have an author contact me. It never gets old. It’s like Christmas morning every time! It’s really easy to contact me. You can email me at thestorysiren (at) hotmail (dot) com!

Okay reader you know what to do--leave a comment and you'll be entered to win La Petite Four by Regina Scott. Here's what The Story Siren had to say about it:

"This was a great read! I love historical fiction and La Petite Four is a wonderful addition to the genre! Regina Scott is an awesome writer! I really enjoyed this book and I hope she continues with books for Young Adults. La Petite Four has a little bit of everything; mystery, suspense, romance and of course really beautiful dresses!" The Story Siren

(Click here for more great Hot Seat interviews)

Give us a week and SHAZAM good news bursts forth. It's literary lava and we are HOT!


RAVE REVIEWS

Nina Nelson’s Bringing the Boy Home received a glowing review from Kirkus. “"Told in two distinctive voices, this imaginative and beautifully realized novel, set in the Amazon, tells the story of two boys from the fictional Takunami tribe…their stories connect in a surprising yet totally believable way, giving psychological depth to this richly hued novel about the winding turns of destiny and the bonds between father and son, tribe and family.”

The Story Siren said Regina Scott’s “La Petite Four has a little bit of everything; mystery, suspense, romance and of course really beautiful dresses! The plot is interesting and captivating.” They also refer to Regina as an “awesome writer.”

BIZ BUZZ

M.P. Barker got an excellent write up in The Republican and was a featured author on Red Room.

Jennifer Bradbury’s Shift will be published in Dutch!

Teri Brown’s book trailer for Read My Lips is featured on CBS’s You Tube.

Laura Bowers is known for her amusing author interviews. Check out her latest 1-on-1 in which Daphne Grab confesses to singing to her cat.

Not only has Marissa Doyle been a featured author on the Fantasy Debut blogspot, her Bewitching Season was named in the editor's ten best summer reads for older readers in Scholastic’s Instructor, a magazine for teachers.

Sarah Prineas talks about killing your darlings aka revising as a guest blogger on Darcy Patterson’s Revision Notes. Even better, Czech and Slovak rights to The Magic Thief trilogy were sold to publisher Fortuna. That's a total of 12 languages, plus the UK/Australia!

Who knew Lisa Schroeder was an expert juggler?!? But she says as much in this great interview with Cynthia Leitich Smith. And I Heart You, You Haunt Me is going to be published in Polish. It’s official…2k8 is international!

Pittsburgh’s Lux did an awesome interview with Brooke Taylor (her first!). Check it out!

Sarah Beth Durst (Into the Wild) recently interviewed our Zu Vincent about her essay in the Teen Libris anthology, Through the Wardrobe: Your Favorite Authors on C. S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia.

Annie Wedekind’s new website is a must see in addition to her post about the love affair between girls and horses on the Feiwel and Friends blog.

We're back today with the regal Regina Scott, so get settled on your setee and let's get to know this woman who's an intriguing blend of old fashioned charm with modern day sensibilty.

2k8: Tell us, Regina, where do you do most of your writing?

RS: Actually, a lot of my writing is done on airplanes. I work part time as a consultant, and I have to fly all over the country to meet with clients. If I have any work I can do on a plane, of course that comes first. But very often, there’s nothing meaningful I can do squished between two other people for hours at a time, so I write. My first drafts are all done longhand in blank lined journals. To me, the act of writing is a creative process that comes to life in longhand, while the act of editing is an analytical process that really fits best on the computer.

When I’m home, I work in my office, and I surround myself with things that inspire, so when I look up from typing away, I get an instant boost. The silk wall hanging my friend gave me years ago has fairies hidden among the falling leaves, prompting me to look for the unexpected blessing. A needle-point bookmark a reader made for me reminds me that someone out there appreciates my work.

One of my favorite energy boosters is a hand-written sticky over my computer, a quote from author Kate Douglas, who wrote for 20 years before making her first sale. “When I wrote the stories I wanted to write, the way I wanted to write them, when I finally stayed on a path that led to my own satisfaction, the Grail fell softly into my lap.” That speaks to the core story that fills my writing: know who you are and be true to that person.

2k8: That's an excellent value to hold to. Can you tell us how LA PETITE FOUR came to be? How did you begin writing it and make the transition from adult fiction to young adult?

RS: I’d written almost 20 books for adults, but I felt as if something was missing. Then I read a great article in an industry publication about how every author has a core story, a theme that comes out no matter what genre they write in. I got to thinking about my core story: coming to know who you are and how you fit in the world. That works very well in romance and fantasy, two areas I was really interested in. My agent pointed out that I was missing an obvious genre: young adult literature. She thought my voice would be perfect.

I’d read some YA with my sons, but my agent’s enthusiasm made me go out and scour the shelves. Our local library has an awesome YA section, so I read everything I could. And everything I read told me this was where I wanted to be!

One of my published adult books, A DANGEROUS DALLIANCE, featured a quartet of young ladies, sort of a Greek choir for the heroine. I’d had fans ask if I would ever write their story. Here was my chance! I focused on the leader, Lady Emily Southwell, and started writing. Her voice came so easily that I knew I was on to something.

2k8: It's always magical when things just click as if they were meant to be. So, how did you find a publisher for it? Was it hard making a switch?

RS: My agent wasn’t sure how a YA historical would do in the market, so she sent just the concept to several houses. We were stunned with the answers: “We want to see this when it gets done!” Razorbill wasn’t actually one of those houses. Going with them was what a friend calls “A God thing.” My editor called my agent up out of the blue and asked to have lunch, during which they discussed all kinds of things that might fit Razorbill’s list. Purely as an extra, my agent threw in LA PETITE FOUR. My editor loved it, everyone else there loved it, and they made me an offer I was delighted to accept.

2k8: What a wonderful transistion. Did anything else surprise you or catch you off guard when you were writing the book?

RS: Emily’s voice. She was the most real character I’ve ever written. She’ll tell me exactly how she feels about a situation. As we were working through the revision process, my editor suggested a change that seemed pretty basic to me. To my surprise, Emily refused. No matter which way I wrote it, she wouldn’t cooperate. I finally demanded to know why, and she told me in no uncertain terms. Wow. I had no idea she felt that way, but you can be sure those feelings got factored into the story, making it stronger.

You gotta love it when your characters take charge! Regina, thanks for taking the time to speak with us.

Come back Wednesday when we'll take a walk in Lady Emily's shoes.

May has been a jam packed month, but we're giddy about having one more debut author. Well, she's sorta a debut author. Regina Scott is actually a best-selling, adult regency author making her YA debut.

Regina always wanted to be an author. She started writing stories for her friends in the third grade. In the eighth grade, she got in trouble for writing a parody of school life, set in a mythical medieval kingdom (hey, she always loved those long dresses too), and lampooning the hottest guy in school. The parody was an instant bestseller, at least at Eisenhower Middle School.

She had to wait a little longer for her next bestseller. After numerous short stories and articles in magazines and trade journals, she got serious about her novel writing and published 17 historical romances for adults, several of which won awards from booksellers and readers. And then her clever agent showed her it would be a lot more fun to write for young adults instead.
Regina and her husband are the parents of two teenage sons. They reside in the Tri-Cities of southeast Washington State and are members of the Church of the Nazarene. Regina is also a decent fencer and owns a historical, fantasy, and science fiction costume collection that takes up over a third of her large closet (remember what we said about long dresses?).

LA PETITE FOUR tells the story of Lady Emily Southwell and her three dearest friends who intend to take Society by storm by hosting the most elegant, elaborate, exclusive ball 1815 London has ever seen. But dashing Lord Robert Townsend insists that Emily honor the engagement their parents spoke of years ago. Has he no sensibilities? No refinement of spirit? No idea he has laid down a challenge Emily has no choice but to accept?

Yet as Emily and her friends come up with ever wilder ways to put Lord Robert in his place, they stumble across secrets better left untold. With the aid of mysterious James Cropper, who seems to be following Lord Robert (or, gasp! Lady Emily?), the girls must determine whether Lord Robert has more up his sleeve than a nicely muscled arm. Otherwise their dreams of a smashing Season just might come crashing down.

Advanced praise for LA PETITE FOUR:

Sophie at "Couture's Fashionable Reads" was kind enough to award La Petite Four a 7 out of 10 in the book's first review. "With clever plot twists, spying, and debonair courtiers, this book will keep you reading to the end!"

Come back tomorrow for an interview with Regina in which she explains the how and the where of her writing process. And take it from us...not many people approach things the way she does.

Every writer plays out THE CALL in her mind. The scenario might differ in each day dream, but chances are there's one thing you never imagine...not being able to share the news. Regina Scott certainly never expected that to happen.

Selling La Petite Four wasn't my first book sale, though it was the first sale for a major change in my writing career. My agent and writing friends were certain that my voice and themes fit better in YA than in the adult Regency-set romances I'd been writing. While I loved the YA books I'd been reading, I didn't know if a publisher would find my work half so enchanting. So, when my agent called to say that no less than Penguin Razorbill had made an offer, I was thrilled!

The first time I sold a novel, I was so giddy I tried calling everyone I knew. I called my husband at work; he was in a meeting and couldn't be disturbed. I called three of my closest friends; none answered. I called my parents; they were out. Finally I called my grandmother, who had always been a wonderful supporter, and blathered like an idiot for at least ten minutes. When I stopped to take a breath, she said, "Is this a good thing?" I said, "Yes, Grandma, this is a very good thing." "Then I'm happy for you," she replied with a smile in her voice.

When I sold La Petite Four, I also called everyone I loved to tell them the good news. But I couldn't call my grandmother this time. She passed away a few years ago. But I think she's still happy for me, and I know she's smiling.

Hanging Key Holder or Gar-bage?

Class of 2k8 members love Web sites!

Here's few more thoughts on the subject:

Web sites provide author bios.
My favorite part of any author’s site is the Bio page. What can I say? I love checking out the wizard behind the curtain! After checking out the author, I always click over to the frequently asked questions. Not only are they usually very interesting and informative, but because I’m a debut author I need to prepare myself for what kind of questions I may one day be frequently asked.

And since no one has ever frequently asked me anything—except maybe if they could have my book for free—I decided to *steal* some FAQ’s from some of my favorite authors and answer them as best I could on my own site.
~Brooke Taylor, Author of Undone,
http://http://www.brooketaylorbooks.com/


A Web site is a fantastic marketing tool.
People will tell you it's an essential marketing tool these days, but I think its most important role is giving readers a more personal glimpse of the writer, a sense of the personality behind the book… and that can deepen and enrich your understanding of her work, as well as forge a feeling of connectedness between author and reader—and connecting with readers is what writing is all about.
~ Elizabeth C. Bunce, Author of A Curse Dark As Gold,
http://www.elizabethcbunce.com


A Web site adds professionalism.
I have a Web site because I love the idea of having a Web site. But more than that, it makes me feel the part of being a writer. For the past fifteen years, I've designed chips (the kind that go in computers, not in your mouth), so when I started writing, there was a certain part of me which felt like a poser. Like I was pretending to be something I wasn't. And even now, with my first book coming out later this year, it's still kind of hard to identify myself as a writer.

So what does my site do for me? It makes me feel professional. It gives me the opportunity to present myself in a positive way. And it makes others view me as a positive and professional author. Writing is fun; I love it and want to do it forever. It is more than a hobby, and I want anyone who visits my site to see that and understand.
P.J. Hoover, Author of The Forgotten Worlds Book 1: The Emerald Tablet,
http://www.pjhoover.com/


A Web site can be jam-packed with activities.
A Web site is a really good way for me to showcase my books, introduce readers to me, and to pass information on to school librarians about what happens when I come to a school to visit. I also use the site to put up teacher packs, i.e. information, games, coloring pages, mazes, extra websites, writing assignments, that teachers can use with my books either before or after I come, helping to build upon the information I present when I am there.
~Stacy Nyikos, Author of Dragon Wishes,
http://www.stacyanyikos.com


Web sites satisfy curiosity.
I think a Web site gives readers a place to get to know you, learn more about your books and your plans, and maybe try something new.
~Regina Scott, Author of La Petite Four,
http://lapetitefour.com


A Web site is the place to be.
To a writer, a Web site is very important. The Internet is where we all go now...and having a pleasant, interesting presence there can help a writer attract and keep readers.
~Marissa Doyle, Author of Bewitching Season,
http://www.marissadoyle.com/

I finally finished my crafts corner! It's not much, I don't have a whole room to work with, but I love it because it means that all my sewing things are now organized in one corner. I used the blue crafts room inspiration page in my last post, but didn't end up changing the wall colour. But I did manage to get lots of blue into the corner.

The picture above is my favourite new accessory, a little ruffled ceramic dish that I found while thrifting. It's perfect for holding my pincushion and loose pins and thread while I'm sewing. Even if it wasn't useful I have to admit I'd still love it because it's so pretty.

Here's a picture of the whole corner. All my smaller crafts books are in the middle shelf of the small white bookshelf, and the large ones are in the birch IKEA bookshelf on the right.
I used wooden shelf kits from Home Depot, they're only $6 each and the wood has a nice border, and it's all ready for priming and painting. The white metal brackets I used are the same kind I saw in the Blueprint room, and I recommend them over the large wooden brackets that came in the kit because they take up less space. This was a tip from the magazine and I'm glad they mentioned it because otherwise the boxes on the bottom wouldn't have fit. I recommend planning out what will go on the shelves so you can make sure there's space.

These baskets, boxes and tins hold lots of sewing supplies, but the one on the top left is empty because it's getting so fragile. But it's the first sewing basket I had when I was little, which belonged to my great aunt and it's very special to me. I adored it and used it all the time. The lining is pink silk.
I gathered up some other blue accessories, pleased to find that my tea cup and Dorcas pin tin fit in with the colour scheme perfectly. The little blue case is a cheap party toy with the tiny balls that you have to try to fit into the punched circles. It had a clown picture, but I used another Martha Stewart magazine tip and opened it up and replaced the inside with pretty Japanese paper.
The chair slipcover is my pride and joy - my first slipcover ever and a perfect fit for the wooden chair. I also love the fabric - a new pattern from Fabricland that has a Japanese look to me. The flowers in the pattern are made up of tiny dots. I made a template with cheap fabric first, and while it is more trouble, it is worth it in the end.
I made a scalloped mat for the sewing machine from two pieces of wool, and cut a scalloped edge by hand. The secret to cutting scalloped edges is to clip the fabric with "v"s first, then round out the v's to make the scallops.
These metal boxes hold all my threads and other notions. I painted them both white to match. I covered the drawers of the IKEA box on the bottom with patterned paper, inspired by the lovely Blair at Wise Craft.
And finally, I found a plain wooden wastepaper bin at Goodwill, and painted it white and then added a blue bird on a branch with the leftover paint from the desk. I like the scalloped edge.
So that's it! The only thing that wouldn't fit in this corner is my fabric stash...someday I'll figure out what to do with that!