Monday, January 28, 2008

Daphne Unfeasible!


Speaking of really great blogs about writing (if I've already lost you, see January 22nd post, below), Super Agent Daphne Unfeasible Speaks! And now, you can ask her all manner of writerly type questions, or just ramble on about shoes if you're so inclined. . .

And even though it sounds to good to be true--trust me, it's so not.

Just click HERE to Ask Daphne!

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Weekend Reading



As a former flight attendant, I love reading anything that accurately captures the-
hurling-through-a-metal-tube-at-37,000-feet-at-600-miles-an-hour
experience.
And trust me, this piece does not disappoint. It's called JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, written for the NEW YORKER by the, he's-so-dang-funny-and-poignant-I-can-hardly-stand-it, David Sedaris.

If you like to travel, laugh while you cry, or just nod your head while thinking-
That's it! That's exactly what it's like!

Then click HERE.


PS- I can fully vouch for the authenticity of his essay, as I flew for that very airline. . .Happy Reading!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Everyday I Write The Book


(my apologies to Mr. Elvis Costello for abusing his song title!)

Okay, here's the thing. There are a lot of great authors, who write really great blogs--blogs about writing.

But I am not one of them.

I read them, don't get me wrong. And I'm always fascinated by they way those very same authors so painstakingly articulate how they do what they do. Write books that is.

But that's probably because I have no idea how I do what I do.

And whenever someone asks me about my "process" I always end up mumbling some incoherent, disjointed phrases, about endless cups of coffee and stained sweatpants.

But what I've recently come to discover is-- that is my process. That my caffeine addiction and penchant for wearing slippers past noon, is exactly how I do what I do.

For instance-- this is yesterday at a glance--verbatim:

9:05 AM- Wake up (never claimed to be a morning person)

9:06 AM - Stumble into kitchen to warm up some milk (an affectation left over from my days of living in Europe)

9:08 AM- Pour warm milk into jumbo sized mug, grab coffee pot, and head for office.

9:08 AM- 3:05-ish- Sip coffee, check e-mail, tool around the Internet, troll around iTunes looking for songs that will inspire me to write something really, really good, download songs, listen to said songs over and over again while sipping coffee and checking e-mail, get up from chair and stand before mirror wearing new Chanel sunglasses bought in impulsive-new-book-deal -celebratory-type-splurge, turn head this way and that then in lean in very, very, close until nose leaves smudge on mirror, decide sunglasses feel awkward and wrong, like an illicit flirtation that went too far, put them back in Nordstrom's bag vowing to return them ASAP, head back to desk, sip coffee, check e-mails, think about working out, think about meditating, close eyes for 4 minutes and 52 seconds while singing along to James Taylor's FIRE AND RAIN, open eyes, turn down volume, wonder if that just counted as meditation, sip coffee, check e-mails. . .

3:06 PM- Open WIP folder, begin reading.

3:07 PM- Begin revising WIP

4:00 PM- Begin adding New Stuff to WIP

10:00 PM- Turn off computer, meet husband on couch to watch MEDIUM, convince husband it counts as "research" as WIP is paranormal.

11:00 PM- Go to bed and read until very, very late.

That's it. And trust me, it truly is as ugly as it seems. Notice there were no story boards, no flash cards, no deep thinking, just a day long procrastination until it somehow begins to click.

What about you? Do you have a "process" for writing? For living?

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

In Loving Memory. . .

Gary Edwards
June 3, 1958 -- January 15, 2005

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Weekend Update!

Even though I'm supposed to be working on something I promised a certain someone I'd finish by Monday, I thought I'd procrastinate just a few minutes longer and show you the cover of my May release, CRUEL SUMMER---



I have to admit that I'm really excited about it! And since I never really have a cover in mind when I'm writing the book, I'm always so curious to see what the art department comes up with, and this time they did not disappoint! I love the vibrant colors, the relaxed, summertime vibe-and I think it really suits the story. . .

Also, while I'm on the subject of covers. . .


That is the cover for the German edition of FLY ME TO THE MOON-- on sale in Germany in February 2008! And if any of you Sprechen Zie Deutsch, could you be so kind to drop me a line and tell me if my clumsy translation of "Next Please!" is correct?

That's all for now--
Have a good weekend everyone!

Friday, January 11, 2008

New Year's Revolutions


It's "Music Week" over at the Teen Fiction Cafe-- so come on over, grab a seat, and tell me all about your latest musical obsessions!

PS- That's a photo of blues guitar legend--Johnny V! He seriously rocks!

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

It's Official!



Okay, being the superstitious, jinx fearing person that I am-- I was truly chomping at the bit to tell you this-- yet knowing better than to put the cart before the horse or count those eggs before they hatch--I (not so) patiently waited for the official posting in Publisher's Marketplace--and since that just so happened to show up today-- here goes----(feel free to insert drum roll here):

I recently agreed to another two book deal with my awesome editor, Rose Hilliard, at St. Martin's Press!!!

Or, as officially stated in P.M.-

"FAKING 19 and SAVING ZOE author Alyson Noel's MY IMMORTAL, to Rose Hilliard at St. Martin's, in a two-book deal, by Kate Schafer at Janklow & Nesbit (NA).
Translation: kt literary"

Which translates to mean that I am writing a new paranormal series in which the first book will be titled MY IMMORTAL-- and I couldn't be more excited!

I've been interested in all things paranormal ever since I was a little kid (I know that probably sounds weird but I'm dead serious-- yes, pun most definitely intended!), and am actually kind of surprised that I waited this long to write one. But now that I am, I get to delve into all kinds of interesting activities--all under the guise of "research"--including a class with the amazing psychic/medium James Van Pragh!

Yippee!!!

Okay, and soon, very soon, I will post the cover for my next novel, CRUEL SUMMER, (May 2008). I hope you like it as much as I do!

Have a good day everyone!
Alyson

Monday, January 07, 2008

First Kiss Contest!

Click HERE to find out who won that autographed copy of FIRST KISS (THEN TELL)!

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Happy New Year!


Now fully recovered from an awesome holiday season, it's time to get back in front of the computer, and back to work! But first, I'm giving away an autographed copy of the recently released anthology FIRST KISS (THEN TELL), and all you have to do is drop by the Teen Fiction Cafe and leave me a comment, for your chance to win!

Happy New Year Everyone!