You know how I love a good mash-up. This one is filled with geeky, geeky win:

Look what I found today! A terrific interview with 2009 Deb Carrie Ryan. She talks about writing what you love and, of course, zombies.

Enjoy!

Courtesy of Lara Zielin, one of the fantabulous 2009 Debs, comes this video:

While I haven’t knocked on anyone’s door … yet, I’ve been known to sing the praises of “The Donald” more than once. Okay. A lot. All the time. Actually, I probably need a 12-step program, the one where I promise not to annoy my writing friends.

But, but, but … their (writing) lives would be much more fulfilling if only they listened to Donald Maass. Try the gateway drug Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook. Just one exercise. Or two! How could it hurt? It’s an exercise, silly, not a way of life.

That comes later.

And look, he’s going to be in Madison, WI in November! I may have to make a pilgrimage.

Seriously. I used Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook extensively with Geek Girl. But you know, writing craft books are just like any other book–they work for some people and not for others. For me, voice and tone go a long way in whether I simply enjoy a writing craft book.

But, yeah. I’ll try to stop curb the proselytizing.

I’m always fascinated by how other writing partners work. I wonder if it’s like being a twin–you have a connection with someone most people don’t have.

So naturally, I loved every minute of this interview. I don’t think the process Darcy and I go through is quite as bloody. But we do trade scenes back and forth, and write over each other, and we do have sentences where I’ve probably written two words and she’s written three (and vice versa).

And we do talk about the characters as if they’re real people. (You mean they’re not? Oh.) We’ve been know to spend copious amounts of time shopping for the perfect prom/homecoming dress/shoes etc. for them.

And … we’re doing a lot of that right now, which is why the blog content has been a little thin.

But coming up at the end of the week, we have another visit from Stacey Jay, and next month a few more Debs with 2010 releases.

And I, for one, plan to welcome our new, laundry-folding robot overlords.

Sending you elsewhere today, over to John Scalzi’s site and Susan Beth Pfeffer’s “big idea” post.

I <3 Susan Beth Pfeffer. She was a mainstay of my YA reading when I was actually in that demographic. Two of my favorites were Marly the Kid and Starring Peter and Leigh. In fact, I read them so many times, I can still quote lines of dialogue and name significant plot points (and seriously, I wish she’d written a sequel where Marly does join the cheerleading squad like she–Marly–threatened to).

Susan Beth Pfeffer’s career is long, varied, and impressive. The story behind the three books Life As We Knew It, The Dead and the Gone, and This World We Live In is pretty incredible (and pretty funny).

It’s baseball season! Before you yell, “Kill the ump!” for the first time this year, listen to this:

I’m pretty sure Peeps are non-denominational:

In the mood for some creative Peeps that won’t leave you in a sugar coma? Check out the 2010 Washington Post Peeps Diorama contest.

Want to compete next year? Check out this post on Kiwi’s Life on How to make an award winning diorama.

The weather is incredible here in Minnesota. I can’t remember a recent Easter holiday weekend when it didn’t rain and/or snow. I hope the weather is as brilliant where you are.

So last night, about 5:45, I’d been home about five minutes or so. Here’s what was going on:

• I was on the computer, trying to order pizza* online, while fielding “suggestions” from the kids.
• The dog was leaping about, wanting to go outside.
• The cat wanted her food.
• Other noisy things.

The phone rang. My son picked it up without answering it. He said, “Mom, this Birmingham number’s been calling all day long.”

He thought it might be one of our relatives from down south trying out a new cell phone. Why he thought this and didn’t answer the phone is one of those mysteries forever locked in the mind of a thirteen-year-old boy.

So. I’m not sure what to expect when I answer the phone. It turns out to be the contest coordinator from the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence contest. And yeah, I wondered: Why is she calling me? They already announced the finalists.

Turns out, this is why:

Yeah, Geek Girl won the young adult category. I know. I can barely believe it either. But what a great way to start out a long weekend.

* We went with half pepperoni, half sausage and mushroom and some cheesy bread.

Another one of those contests with a very specific demographic, but hey, if you’re in St. Louis and in high school, you should totally go for it.

River Styx presents The Founders Award Original Poetry Contest for St. Louis Area High School Students

Winner will receive $150 and the opportunity to participate in a public reading at River Styx’s Annual Literary Feast and Fundraiser on May 3 at Duff’s in the Central West End.

Submissions should be mailed to:

River Styx Founders Award
3547 Olive Street, Suite 107
St. Louis MO 63103

Deadline to receive submissions is April 23, 2010.

Entrants may include up to five original poems on separate pieces of paper. Poems should be titled and should not include the student’s name on the poem itself. On a separate cover sheet, please include student poet’s name and title(s) of submissions, the poet’s age, grade, school, address, phone number, and e-mail.

Winners will be announced in the last week of April.

As always, see the website for all the submission details. Read the fine print and good luck!