Ray of Light

Last night I went to a memorial for a friend.

The focus was on celebrating their life and sharing funny memories, and while memorials are never easy, and the loss of my friend loomed large, there were some really great moments, involving some genuine laughs that seemed to lift the whole room. And it was during one of those laughs when I realized, once again, that THIS is what it’s really about.

It’s not what we are in the world, but how we are that matters.

Or, to steal a line from SHADOWLAND:

“We are not defined by our things . . . It’s not the clothes that we wear, the cars that we drive, the art we acquire—it’s not where we live—but how we live that defines us. . .it’s our actions that are remembered long after we’re gone.”

And while my friend will be remembered by thousands of people around the world for his groundbreaking books on screenwriting, it was his unfailing optimism, generosity of spirit, and pure passion for seeing his students succeed that touched us the most.

How do you want to be remembered?

Alyson

PS- I'm over at Living Your Five today, blogging about my progress! See it HERE.

Who'll Stop the Rain?

So if you read the previous post, then you know that author, screenwriter, story guru, and all around amazing human being (and I don't use that lightly, in this case it's true) Blake Snyder has passed away, leaving this world way too soon.

It's taken me a few days to collect my thoughts on this loss, probably because I, like many others, felt it so deep. Blake was one of those rare individuals with a passion for both life and story craft that was hugely infectious, you couldn't help but smile when he was in the room.

I'd read his books a few years ago, and always recommend them to anyone even remotely interested in story craft as they are truly life-changing, or at least they were for me. But I didn't get the chance to see him in person until the RWA convention in San Francisco last year, taking the stage in front of hundreds (thousands?) of writers, mostly female, and he was so giddy with excitement about the craft of storytelling he actually giggled--resulting in my best memory of the entire weekend.

Then, last April, when my local RWA chapter invited him to come speak, I seized the chance to sign books alongside him. Afraid of coming off like the semi-crazed fan that I was, I couldn't help but gush, over and over again, about how much his books helped me with everything from plotting my novels to crafting synopsis and back cover copy. And rather than being put off by my rabid, fan-girl, mumblings, he couldn't have been more gracious or kind--that's just who he was. And when he bought a copy of EVERMORE and asked me to sign it--well, it was a moment I'll never forget.

We exchanged a few e-mails, and I was on the verge of e-mailing him again, but being so busy with the deadline for book #4 (still untitled!), a story for an anthology (KISSES FROM HELL), and copy-edits for SHADOWLAND--I put it off, thinking I had plenty of time--something there's never enough of. I should know that by now.

And though he's no longer with us, his passion for story and people will always live on in the brilliant legacy he left behind in his books, his movies, and his passion for those whom he reached.

I'll be speaking at my local RWA chapter on Saturday morning about the craft of writing YA, drawing on some examples of how Blake's methods influenced my books, among other things. If you get a chance to stop by, I'd love to see you there. The cost is $10 for members and $20 for non-members. Details for the event can be found HERE.

Carpe Diem everyone!

A

xoxo

Blake Snyder

Blake Snyder 1957-2009

Screenwriter, teacher, and author of SAVE THE CAT, Blake Snyder has passed away today and I am so deeply saddened.

He was a wonderful teacher and a beautiful, inspiring person with a generosity of spirit seldom seen.

He will be greatly missed.

Rest in Peace.

How To Save A Cat

Yesterday's signing with Blake Snyder was awesome!

My writing guru/SAVE THE CAT author and I are like--BFFs now.

Totally.

As evidenced by the pictures below!

Anyway, his talk, as usual, was super inspirational and informative--and I took notes like mad! 

Notes that I will diligently go over tomorrow since today is solely dedicated to the eating of chocolate bunnies!

Happy Sunday Everyone!

Alyson

xoxo

Tomorrow is Today

Okay, remember how on yesterday's post I said there was more to come? (Lost? see below!)

Well here it is.

Aside from tomorrow's radio interview at 8:30 PM (Eastern) HERE 

And Saturday's EVERMORE signing, from 12:30 - 1:00 PM (alongside Blake Snyder!) HERE

I'll also be signing and talking at the Taft High School Passport to Reading on Saturday, April 18 from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM- more info can be found HERE

Oh, and the Scavenger Hunt is on! The awesome, up and coming, debut author, Kay Cassidy, has gathered over 1oo YA authors, asking them to come up with ten questions each, relating to their books. All you need to do to play is download the questionnaires, fill in the answers, and send them to Kay for your chance to enter the monthly drawing for a $50 book voucher. 

All eight of my YA titles are on there, and all you have to do to get started is click HERE.

*** VERY IMPORTANT UPDATE RE: THE SCAVENGER HUNT***

I've just been informed that all scavenger hunts must go through a participating library in order to be eligible for the contest. So, rather than clicking on the link above, please visit your local library to enter, since only libraries can register for The Hunt. 

If you wish to participate, please visit your local librarian and if they're not familiar with The Hunt, please direct them to it!!

Thanks so much and sorry for any misunderstanding!

Alyson

***

Oh-and today I learned that EVERMORE & BLUE MOON just sold at auction in Poland--how cool is that?! 

And I can't remember if I mentioned it before or not but both EVERMORE and BLUE MOON are going to be audio books!!  Read by the funny, cute, and talented, Katie Schorr, who, I happened to Google and found THIS hilarious bit of Internet fun

And, for those of you who've been wondering and asking, I'm hoping to get all things BLUE MOON related up and running on my website . . . soon. . . very soon!!

Have a great day everyone!

A

:-D

Champagne Wednesday Lives On!

So, I'm on my way out the door to go pick up my husband at the airport since he's been hanging with the niece and nephew all week, while I've been at my computer, furiously revising SHADOWLAND, so it would be ready for him on his return (yup, he's my first reader--such a good sport!). And after getting bumped from a flight or two (oh the perils of  ex-airline-employee-free-travel benefits!), he's now safely ensconced on a seat and headed my way! 

Good thing too since I  just learned that EVERMORE is still at the #1 spot on the New York Times Best Seller list for Children's Paperbacks for the 6th week in a row now!!!!  And it's always a lot more fun to swill champagne with someone you like/love!

There's so much going on this week, but in the interest of time, I'm just going to list it all here:

Ready?

This Friday, April 10, 2009, at 8:30 PM Eastern I'll be giving a radio interview HERE. So, if you get a chance, stop by and  listen me to drone on and on about--erm--stuff.

Then on Saturday, April 11, 2009, I'll be signing copies of EVERMORE from 12:30 - 1:00 PM at:

Orange County RWA meeting
695 East Madison
Brea, CA 92821
Admission:
Members $10, Non-members $20

I'll be sitting alongside screenwriting guru, writing idol, the SAVE THE CAT man himself--Blake Snyder--and trust me, I can barely contain myself!  For anyone struggling with plotting their stories (raises both hands) struggle no more-- all the answers can be found in his book. Seriously, go get yourself a copy! Or better yet, come to the meeting on Saturday and get yourself a signed copy. I'm so not kidding.

Okay, and I'm not even done yet, believe me, there's more! But I just checked my husband's flight info, and dang if he doesn't have tail winds getting him in early!

Off to the airport--have a good night everyone!

Alyson

xoxo

"Spinoff"

Okay you creative types-- yes, I'm speaking to YOU!

The smart, talented, and very funny, Blake Snyder has a really cool contest over at his blog called "spinoff" -- just click HERE to read the rules and enter!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Zoe Won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just back from the RWA conference in San Fran where I met lots of amazing new people, got inspired by some awesome workshops (if you ever get a chance to see Blake Snyder speak--don't even hesitate, just go!), and was thrilled to attend the Oklahoma chapter's reception where SAVING ZOE won the National Reader's Choice Award in the Young Adult category!!!!!!
As most of you probably know by now, that book was born out of a time of great personal grief, and I'm so incredibly grateful to all of the readers who've supported it!

But now, it's time to unpack . . .

Have a good day everyone!