42 -- The Secret Garden Trip

NOTE: This blog is a continuing dialog between the two faces of rilla. The identity crisis is explained (if such a thing is possible) in the first edition. Click here to read: 1 -- Introduction

Rilla: Excuse me....
rilla: Go Away.
Rilla: Hello! Hi! I'm Rilla...your alter...
rilla: I SAID, Go Away!
Rilla: All right. Be that way. I was going to show you...
rilla: Show me what?
Rilla: Never mind. You told me to go away...so I'm going away.

...
...
Rilla: So much for that. She didn't even look up. All day long it's nothing but editing, writing, editing, writing...she's the most boring company on earth.

But I'm not. I left her at home, and went to see the Huntington Library Botanical Gardens in Pasadena CA, FINALLY.

Shhhh...don't tell her. She's been wanting to go, like, FOREVER.

So...here are a few pictures I took. Even if she's too busy to look, you want to see them, right?





Window onto the Chinese Garden

Lions welcome friend and family to the Japanese Zen Garden

Lotus bud in the Chinese Garden

Ah, the serene beauty of a Japanese Garden.

Peace, tranquility = Writing Retreat. Like rilla is listening, sigh.

One of my favorites, Bonsai Magic.

Okay, I lied, THREE of my favorites.

The sign beside this elegant graffiti says "No carving or writing on bamboo." I rather think it's beautiful.

And a lovely time was had by all!

Rilla: Oh no! She's stirring...coming this way...yikes...can't hide anyth...
rilla: You did WHAT? The Hungtington...WITHOUT me?
Rilla: Well, I...TRIED, OK?
rilla: Sigh! Those pictures are beautiful.
Rilla: ...
rilla: Maybe it IS time I stopped to enjoy the flowers...


rilla: ...or the serenity of a lotus pond.


Rilla: Yeah! Maybe you should too.

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41 -- Conference Come and Gone

Another SCBWI summer conference is over, sigh.

The good news is that as always I came away with so much -- enthusiasm, energy, motivation, excitement and...

QUOTES:

Sherman Alexie-- Kids all of all classes and backgrounds feel the same way--Trapped. They send out the same message--My choices are being made for me.



David Wiesner attempts to put the familiar into a different context.

Kadir Nelson -- A good book is one that speaks, to a personal truth that is also a universal truth, with honesty, telling the story in an exceptional way.

Eve Bunting -- Ask of your books Is this worth saying?

Karen Cushman -- I write because I could not dance. Give power to thoughts. By putting words in the right order you can nudge the world a little.



Krista Marino -- Never mistake voice for dialogue. You must frame the story through the protagonist's experience.



Holly Black -- Fantasy actualizes metaphor What distinguishes fantasy from horror is the sense of awe that accompanies the fear.

Frank Portman -- Who needs happiness, I'd rather have you!"

Dinah Stevenson -- Craft is what makes the writer's ideas both digestible and delicious. The four C's are: Creativity (Leave the city of your comfort and center the wilderness of your intuition--Alan Alda) Craft, Community, and Chocolate :)

Kathleen Duey -- If Captain Underpants can protect a child from listening to her parents fight--it is literature.

FRIENDS!

Stephanie and Me at the Blue Moon Ball


Stephanie Roommate, Stephanie Roth Sisson, Award-winning illustrator extraordinaire and ex-roommate, Fred Sisson, Stephanie's new roommate.



Elizabeth Byrd and Julia Collard


Debbie Ridpath Ohi and Me.

The Unique Lisa Yee and Dan Santat...Oh and Peep in a Taco.

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40 -- Grim Dreams of Success

NOTE: This blog is a continuing dialog between the two faces of rilla. The identity crisis is explained (if such a thing is possible) in the first edition. Click here to read: 1 -- Introduction

rilla: Weird. Last night I dreamed we invited Neil Gaiman to dinner.
Rilla: Neil who? No...really. Who is Neil, and why would we want him over for dinner?
rilla: You don't know who Neil Gaiman is? He wrote The Graveyard Book.
Rilla: So it was a nightmare you were having? What is he, some kind of Grim Reaper?
rilla: No! He's the winner of the Newbery Medal.
Rilla: I see. If you can't win a medal yourself, you dream about those who do?
rilla: Moving on. So. I'm rummaging around in the pantry frantically looking for something to cook for dinner.
Rilla: Bet you didn't find anything in there.
rilla: Well, yeah. I mean, no. That's where the nightmare part comes in.
Rilla: Nightmare? That's not a dream. That's just every day. Go check...right now. Nothing in there but birdseed, until you stop dreaming about awards and sell a book so we can put some real food on the table.
rilla: Could be worse. At least birdseed is balanced and nutritious.
Rilla: That's nuts.
rilla: No, it's seeds. There's a difference.
Rilla: Oh, what's the point. We'll all be part of some graveyard book if you keep this up.
rilla: Actually, there is some good news.
Rilla: Oh? Don't keep me waiting.
rilla: Well, I was asked to write an endorsement for this great book that's coming out in August.
Rilla: Endorsement? I thought you were going to say you were asked to write a book.
rilla: Yes! You Can Learn How To Write Children's Books, Get Them Published, and Build a $uccessful Writing Career by Nancy Sanders.
Rilla: I'm glad somebody knows how to do that.
rilla: Well that's the point! The book teaches everyone how to do it! Everyone who wants to write for a career, that is. It's got hands-on tips to set goals, organize objectives, target publishers, and land contracts before you write the book.
Rilla: Sounds like a dream. I'm all for any ticket out of birdseed for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
rilla: I feel as if it's given me focus and a plan.
Rilla: Focus? Focus? What the dickens do you focus on all those hours spent in front of the computer?
rilla: OK. I'm focused but I'm not organized. I spend 95% of my time writing and only 5% tyring to sell what I write, or write what will sell.
Rilla: Now she tells me!
rilla: This book talks about organizing each day, week, and month on the basis of career goals you set for the year. Basically, Nancy provides solid, practical advice on how to get published, make an income, and write for fulfilment.
Rilla: I sure hope you focused on the making an income bits.
rilla: You know what you need? A big dose of RELAX.
Rilla: Great. Maybe I should just curl up in a chair and read a book.
rilla: What a wonderful idea.
Rilla: Any suggestions?
rilla: Yes! The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.
Rilla: OK. Just as long as you take the advice from that other book seriously.
rilla: Oh, yes. I've already started implementing some of the suggestions. I've created a new work schedule, starting 6:30 tomorrow!
Rilla: 6:30? I know you like to burn the midnight oil and all, but seriously, 6:30? Isn't that a bit late? Even for you?
rilla: 6:30 AM, as in the MORNING, bird-brain.
Rilla: You want me to wake up at 6:30 AM? And eat birdseed for breakfast? Groan.
rilla: Technically, the early bird gets the worm...not the birdseed.
Rilla: Yuck! Skip the book. Just send me to the Graveyard, now.


Rilla: Shh. Don't tell rilla. I've decided to help her out with this writing career bit. I just designed a new website for her and her alone! Go check it out and tell me what you think of it -- www.rillajaggia.com. But, not a word to her...promise?

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39 -- I Know It Isn't Over

NOTE: This blog is a continuing dialog between the two faces of rilla. The identity crisis is explained (if such a thing is possible) in the first edition. Click here to read: 1 -- Introduction

Don't forget to vote on your favorite book cover seen at the end of this post, when you comment. Thanks!

Rilla: What are you doing?
rilla: Writing a book review.
Rilla: But...you can barely see.
rilla: I know.
Rilla: Not doing too well on the breathing front either.
rilla: Think I can't tell?
Rilla: You sick or something?
rilla: No...I'm trying to write a book review...do you mind?
Rilla: It might be easier if you waited until you've recovered from whatever...
rilla: Not something you recover from in a long while.
Rilla: OK, now you're scaring me. What do you have? What is it you don't recover from in a long while?
rilla: A good book.
Rilla: What?
rilla: A powerfully written book that doesn't tiptoe around emotions but deals with them head on in an honest, real way.
Rilla: What the hell are you on about?
rilla: The book I just finished!
Rilla: OK. OK, I'm slightly relieved your problem is not terminal...but...how about at least telling me WHICH book?
rilla: Oh. Didn't I mention that?
Rilla: Good Grief. There's a transcript here of the dialogue we've just had...take a look at it if you don't believe me...now WHICH BOOK IS IT?
rilla: Oh. I guess you're right. OK. Stop rolling the eyes. I'm still trying to get my breath back.
Rilla: Sound of foot tapping on floor.
rilla: Don't be ridiculous, the floor's carpeted. I can't hear a thing.
Rilla: Sound of fingers drumming on desk.
rilla: OK, OK. Here it is. It's called I Know It's Over and it's by C.K. Kelly Martin.



Rilla: Finally. Some progress. Well.
rilla: Well what?
Rilla: WHAT'S IT ABOUT? I thought this was supposed to be a book review.
rilla: Maybe I should wait until my head stops spinning.
Rilla: That bad, huh?
rilla: Yeah. That bad...no...I mean...good. I think. I mean what do you do when you curl up with a book in your favorite chair to be all cozy and comfortable and then all of a sudden, you're glued to the chair, only the chair isn't there any more, neither is the room, the only thing there is a glass of wine burning its way down as you read about a sixteen year old boy, who...
Rilla: Yeah, who...what? Don't stop, now that we're finally getting somewhere.
rilla: Wait a minute. OK. Yeah, his name's Nick and he lives, I don't know, in some frozen corner of Canada and...
Rilla: and...?
rilla: And right at the beginning of the book, he's broken up with his girlfriend...no...actually...she's broken up with him.
Rilla: And...? What's so special about that?
rilla: Well, it's Christmas Eve and he's off to spend it with his Dad, see his Dad and Mom have recently had a divorce and he's just recovering from that.
Rilla: Uh-huh.
rilla: And his ex-girlfriend stops by all friendly like...just to tell him.
Rilla: Tell him? Tell him what?
rilla: That she's pregnant.
Rilla: Oh.
rilla: Yeah, and he's this really good-looking ultra jock ice-hockey champion type and he acts all like...
Rilla: Let me guess...a jock jerk.
rilla: Well, that's what you think at first.
Rilla: But he's not.
rilla: No. He takes you back in time to how he meets her and you start to realize...
Rilla: It's just an act?
rilla: No, it's not an act. What you get to see is Nick from the inside. Nick, reeling, Nick, dealing...Nick feeling all this pain and confusion and you go on this roller coaster ride, because you are no longer you, you are Nick and you are feeling and dealing and seeing through Nick's eyes. And you're sixteen and...
Rilla: And...?
rilla: And I can't breathe. Just go read the book for yourself...OK?


Don't just take my word for it, I Know It's Over received starred reviews in both Kirkus Reviews as well as Publisher's Weekly.
To read more reviews, click here.

To find I Know It's Over by C.K. Kelly Martin, Click Here.

Brand New Paperback Edition Cover coming soon to a store near you! There's a reason why there is a new cover to the book. What do you think? Which cover do you prefer? In your comment below, vote on this new one for the paperback coming out, or...



...this one from the original hardcover and include your reasons for your choice. Thanks! This should be interesting.



To read the author's blog, Click here.

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38 -- Starving for Sydneyside Summer

NOTE: This blog is a continuing dialog between the two faces of rilla. The identity crisis is explained (if such a thing is possible) in the first edition. Click here to read: 1 -- Introduction

Rilla: Yes!
rilla: Sorry?
Rilla: I'm so glad you asked.
rilla: About what?
Rilla: If I had a fabulous time in Sydney. I did!
rilla: I didn't ask.
Rilla: Oh.
rilla: I didn't even know you'd been to Sydney.
Rilla: What?
rilla: When did you go to Sydney?
Rilla: In December! You don't remember? Nothing at all? How about the incredible food?

Rilla: Or, going on our favorite hike in the Blue Mountains...




Rilla:...down the Charles Darwin walk...



Rilla:...to Wentworth Falls?




Rilla: No? Then how about the incredible food?



Rilla: And the cold blustery day we revisited the Three Sisters...



Rilla: ...and Fitzroy Falls?



Rilla: Still drawing a blank? Then what about drinks with friends...



Rilla: ...the fabulous port?



Rilla: Seeing our old apartment in Pyrmont?



Rilla: Hmm...OK. Let's see. Huh! You really don't remember the incredible food?



Rilla: Or seeing the Opera House and wishing we had time to take a ride on the Manly ferry again?



Rilla: Visiting friends and their beautiful homes and gardens...



Rilla: ...and families?




Rilla: ...even when they fought over our shoes?




Rilla: ...not even the incredible home-made food?





Rilla: Nothing? You're hopeless.
rilla: That was a lot of food!
Rilla: Yeah! My diet went for a six.
rilla: You're on a diet?
Rilla: We were discussing Sydney.
rilla: And your diet.
Rilla: No. We were talking about food and friends...
rilla: YES! I do remember having dinner with someone special.
Rilla: So it's not alzheimer's yet...
rilla: It was great. We had dinner down by the toaster. She is the...the...hmm...the...
Rilla: It is alzheimers, after all.
rilla: I have it. She is the West Sydney Children's Officer.
Rilla: What were you doing having dinner with the police?
rilla: No, no, no. She is the Western Sydney Young People's Officer.
Rilla: Armed forces?
rilla: NO! Why can't I get this right? Judith, help me out here.



Rilla: Judith?
rilla: Yes, that's me with Judith and Harriet. We spent the whole evening discussing...that's it...Judith is the Western Sydney Young People's Literature Officer.
Rilla: Literature Officer? As in censorship...?
rilla: Good Grief, NO! She...she...what do you do, Judith? Hey! Maybe, Judith can tell us what she does if we interview her on this blog.
Rilla: Sounds like a plan to me. Nothing like keeping a blog and getting someone else do the wor-writing! Maybe we can have dinner with her too.
rilla: You still on that diet?
Rilla: What diet? Why would you insist...?
rilla: You seem to be inordinately stuck on the notion of food.
Rilla: I'm fine. I really am.
rilla: You sure you've had enough to eat?
Rilla: Of course, I have!
rilla: Yeah? Then why's this keyboard dripping wet?

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37 -- Blog Block Sale

NOTE: This blog is a continuing dialog between the two faces of rilla. The identity crisis is explained (if such a thing is possible) in the first edition. Click here to read: 1 -- Introduction

Rilla: Do it.
rilla: ...
Rilla: DO it!
rilla: ...
Rilla: Just write one word!
rilla: Word.
Rilla: THERE! You did it!
rilla: Now what?
Rilla: Now you're over your blogger's block. You have officially created a new post.
rilla: Just like that? With one word? Word? That's boring.
Rilla: no, No, NO! Now you keep going.
rilla: With what? I just gave away my one word.
Rilla: Haven't you done anything interesting recently?
rilla: OK. Yes. I have.
Rilla: And?
rilla: Yes, I said. I have done something interesting.
Rilla: Some day I'm going to...WHAT have you done that's interesting?
rilla: Oh! Yes. I was just appointed to be the editor of Kite Tales. I'm very excited.
Rilla: Kite Tales?
rilla: You don't know Kite Tales? It's the regional newsletter covering Southern California. It's for the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI SoCal) events occurring here.
Rilla: GREAT! Money at last! About time this writing gambit of yours helped pay the bills. I did have my doubts...
rilla: Ahem.
Rilla: Pardon?
rilla: Nothing...just a frog in my throat.
Rilla: So. When does it arrive?
rilla: The first issue I'm working on is for the the 1st of April.
Rilla: No, no. Who cares about the first issue.
rilla: Who cares about...?
Rilla: The PAY CHECK! When does that arrive?
rilla: Oh, that.
Rilla: Well?
rilla: It doesn't.
Rilla: Pardon?
rilla: You say that a lot, don't you?
Rilla: What about that pay check?
rilla: The position doesn't pay.
Rilla: WHAT? Don't tell me you're about to use the 'v' word!
rilla: I'm a volunteer.
Rilla: Aaarrrgh! The 'v' word. Do you know what the bills do when they hear that word...they stand up and dance...they stick out their tongues and....
rilla: Hey! You did it!
Rilla: Did it?
rilla: You got rid of my blogger's block!
Rilla: THAT'S IT! This blog is up for sale.

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36 -- Wake Up Call

NOTE: This blog is a continuing dialog between the two faces of rilla. The identity crisis is explained (if such a thing is possible) in the first edition. Click here to read: 1 -- Introduction


rilla: Wake up!
Rilla: Huh?
rilla: Wake up, I said!
Rilla: Huh? What, where?
rilla: WAKE UP, RIGHT NOW, YOU NINNY!
Rilla: OK, all right. I’m up, keep the beard on.
rilla: Who do you think you are, Rip Van Winkle?
Rilla: Rip…what do you mean? What’s up?
rilla: Look at this--do you see the date on your last blog post? It was written pre-Christmas of last year! You’ve been asleep on the job, Rippy!
Rilla: Rippy! How dare you. How about you? You’ve had no compunctions in the past about sneaking in and writing a post or two on your own. Where’ve you been?
rilla: Oh! Umm…uh…busy, that’s it, I’ve been busy. Yes, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Rilla: Story is right. That’s all you’re good for—stories. Still trying to make a go out of writing them?
rilla: Umm…yeah! What else is there?
Rilla: Having any luck? Or are we to eat cat food for the rest of our lives.
rilla: Well, since Christmas, I did sell a story to Highlights for Children.
Rilla: Yay, yippee, doo doo. That means we can buy groceries for a week!
rilla: I have an agent interested in my YA contemporary novel….
Rilla: Interested? What’s that a euphemism for?
rilla: Interested enough to be willing to send me detailed editorial comments to help with my revision….
Rilla: Wait a minute, all these years I’ve been sitting around waiting for you to get published and fork in the Rowlingesque fortune and you’re only writing such garbage it still needs to be edited?
rilla: Everything needs to be edited! That’s supposed to be the GOOD news. That someone’s willing to work on an edit with me, you ninny! And who ever heard of a ‘Rowlingesque fortune’ coming in just because I happen to write for children? Wake up already and smell that damn coffee.
Rilla: What coffee? We can't afford coffee anymore.
rilla: Urrgh! There’s no getting through to you. What’ve you been upto?
Rilla: You mean other than paying bills?
rilla: Unh hunh. You’re so big with that camera of yours. Don’t you have any pictures to share?
Rilla: Haven’t been taking pictures lately.
rilla: Why not? That gadget is normally attached to your right palm.
Rilla: Haven’t felt like it. Haven’t felt like doing anything lately. As a matter of fact, I’ve been sleeping a lot. Get to dream nice dreams at least. Until you came clumping along and shattering them for me. Leave me alone. I want to go back to my sweet dreams. What will it take to make you go away.
rilla: I’ll go away if you show me some pictures.
Rilla: Anything?
rilla: Anything.
Rilla: Is it a deal?
rilla: Deal!
Rilla: OK, here goes then…





rilla: Very cute, but I get the idea you’re trying to tell me something.
Rilla: Yes. Go Away!
rilla: Is this some kind of passive aggressive hidden meaning type of behavior?

Rilla: Snnorrre….




rilla: You’re going back to sleep again? For real?




rilla: All right. I get the message. Well, if you can’t beat ‘em…join…snorrrrrre….

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