Tag Archives: Sydney Salter

Read Write: NaNoWriMo

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Happy November. In the world of writing, November means one thing: NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month for the uninitiated.

I have never participated in NaNoWriMo before, but that hasn’t kept me from being deeply cynical about it. This is probably because December always found the writerly listservs to which I subscribe bombarded with questions like, “I finished my novel in November. How do I get an agent?” I would roll my eyes, but others would patiently explain that perhaps a little revision was in order first. I understood their enthusiasm: when I finish a draft of a novel, I want everyone to read it, too. But, I know that it’s not actually ready yet, and a good waiting period for all readers — myself included — is in order. I guess that’s why I was unimpressed by the idea of writing a whole novel in a month. How good could a book written in 30 days actually be?

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Admirations and Inspirations with Sydney Salter

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Two posts in one day — I know, it’s like I’m on a posting bender, right? But, because of prom excitement, I missed posting my interview with Sydney Salter. So let’s take a few minutes now to see what inspires her.

Sydney Salter is the author of 2009′s hilarious My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters (which includes one of my all time top YA boy crushes). This year she’s back with Swoon At Your Own Risk.

Me: What is your theme song?

In high school, if I heard “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina And The Waves, I knew I’d have a great day. Now on those rare occasions when I hear that song, all those good feelings still flood back. I guess I should listen to the local 80s station more often…

(I feel the exact same way about this song, Sydney!)

Me:  Who/what is your favorite visual artist or favorite piece of art?

Oh, this question is so difficult for me–almost as bad as asking me to pick a favorite book or author. I love Grandma Moses–her charming scenes of maples and sledding–but I’m also inspired by the fact that she created artwork at an age when most people give up their dreams.

One of my favorite paintings is Picasso’s portrait of Dora Maar–the one hanging in the permanent collection at The Guggenheim. I bought a postcard version and keep it on my bedside table.

I also love John Singer Sargent’s portraits–he knew how to capture a person’s essence in paint. Suffice it to say, I love art, love visiting museums, and wish I were rich enough to collect more of it for my own home!

Thank you, Sydney!

Swoon at Your Own Risk is available now. Look for it at your local library, Amazon, or your local independent bookstore. Sydney recommends: Rediscovered Bookshop in Boise, Idaho for their knowledgeable staff and great middle-grade and YA section.

Debs Pageant: Sydney Salter

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In Secrets of Truth & Beauty, Dara is a former child pageant star. So, in order to introduce you to the wonderful authors and characters of the 2009 Debutantes, I am hosting a Debs Pageant on my blog. Today we get to meet up with an author who’s already had a character in the pageant: Sydney Salter. That’s because she has two books out in her debut year! Today we present Kat from Jungle Fever.

Character name: Kat
Age: 13
Biography:
Some people think I might worry too much–but they have no idea what missing Fiona’s mini-camp means. Our family vacation to Mexico is going to make me a social reject when I start 8th grade. But does Mom care? No!

What is your talent?
I can draw pretty well, but I keep those secret in my notebook.

What will you wear for the evening dress competition?
Anything but the stupid watermelon sundress my mom bought at the hotel gift shop! Does she think I’m nine?

Who is your escort?
I’d like to take Nando–he’s so smart, and nice (once you get to know him), plus he is kind of cute.

And now for the interview portion . . . If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
That prejudice would end. No matter what color you are, or what country you live in, we’re all humans! And that makes us a whole lot more alike than different.

Thank you Kat and Sydney!

If you want to find out more about Sydney, Jungle Fever or her YA My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters, please visit her website. You can order Jungle Crossing from Amazon or get it from your local bookstore.

Body Image Week with Teen Lit Bloggers

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Secrets of Truth & Beauty is one of many books recently or soon-to-be released that address various aspects of the issue of body image. SpeedReader of MyFavoriteAuthor has organized a Body Image Week with many other bloggers and authors participating with book reviews, author interviews/guest posts/videos, a couple of challenges and a great book giveaway at the end. I’ll be guest posting on Sunday!

So check them out today to see the full schedule of the week’s events and where the various posts will be showing up around the blogosphere. And don’t forget to accept the Body Image Challenge today! Everyone who accepts the challenge and reports back at the end of the week will be entered in the giveaway to win:

WINTERGIRLS (signed) by Laurie Halse Anderson
MY BIG NOSE AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS by Sydney Salter
THE SECRETS OF TRUTH AND BEAUTY by Megan Frazer
MODELS DON’T EAT CHOCOLATE COOKIES by Erin Dionne

Debs Pageant: Sydney Salter

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In Secrets of Truth & Beauty, Dara is a former child pageant star. So, in order to introduce you to the wonderful authors and characters of the 2009 Debutantes, I am hosting a Debs Pageant on my blog.

Today we have Sydney Salter, whose debut My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters was released on April 1st.

bignoseCharacter name: Jory Michaels
Age: 17
Biography: I’m slightly disaster-prone and I’m searching for my passion, in the creative–and otherwise–sense of the word. But everything will change for the better once I save enough money for a life-altering nose job!

What is your talent? Well, it’s not driving. Not yoga. Not movie criticism. Definitely not soccer. And I’m not going to like making jewelry because my mom is totally getting into it (can’t the woman find her own stupid hobby?). I’m still kinda trying to find my passion, so can I get back to you on that?

What will you wear for the evening dress competition? A burkha? Or maybe an evening gown with a ski mask?

Who is your escort? Why can’t I enter this pageant after I get the nose job?!? I don’t know. Tyler is just a huge flirt. Wooster Tom acts interested, but he never calls. And Gideon–well, he has his own nose issues. I’ll probably have to take my brother Finn. But then he’ll just win the beauty contest himself. And end up with a dozen new girlfriends.

And now for the interview portion . . .What’s the biggest challenge facing today’s youth?
We’re supposed to be so perfect. We have to look perfect. We have to do well in school. We have to have amazing boyfriends. We have to have interesting hobbies. We’re supposed to be good at absolutely everything. Some of us are just plain ordinary! But that’s like not allowed.

Thank you Jory and Sydney!

My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters is available now from Amazon or from your local independent bookseller.

For more about Sydney, please visit her website.