EileenRosenbloom: Hi, everybody.

kathleenjeffriejohnson: Hi everybody back!

Mar : YAY, it looks like all our "Ask an Authors" are here. This is going to be a casual chat, so there's no mod. Just remember to keep it PG 13.

maryp: hi

kathleenjeffriejohnson: What do we do?

EileenRosenbloom: I'm glad I'm not the only one. I guess we . . . talk?

EileenRosenbloom: Should we wait for Amy?

kathleenjeffriejohnson: To each other, I supppoes.

maryp: well, why don't you tell every one what your latest book is and then we will all bombard you with questions ; )

kathleenjeffriejohnson: Yes, where's Amy?

maryp: yes, let's wait for Amy

kathleenjeffriejohnson: maryp, are you mary pearson?

maryp: yep, that's me

kathleenjeffriejohnson: howdy-ho! And from Hawaii! I'm jealous.

maryp: I swam with a sea turtle--it was so cool

EileenRosenbloom: Oh, wow!

kathleenjeffriejohnson: Love Room on Lorelie Place, though I think I just misspelled it.

kathleenjeffriejohnson: Sea turtle, cool!

maryp: ha--it has been spelled so many ways I am used to it, but thank you Kathleen ; )

kathleenjeffriejohnson: Hmm. Love Room . . .

maryp: Freudian slip?

EileenRosenbloom: I've heard such good things about your book, Mary. I can't wait to read it!

Amy McAuley: Hi!! Am I late, everybody?

kathleenjeffriejohnson: Ya-a-a-a-a-y! Amy's here

EileenRosenbloom: Hi, Amy!

Amy McAuley: Hi, I'm so excited to be here. Hi, Eileen and Kathleen!

maryp : okay authors, I have a question--because I really need to know--what are your writing routines? Mine is shot to heck right now. Give me yours! (And tell us your books too while you're at it)

EileenRosenbloom: My book is Stuck Down, and it's a paranormal fantasy

EileenRosenbloom: I would say it's for the lower end of YA, like middle school

EileenRosenbloom: My protag. is dead and goes back to Earth as a letter carrier to bridge the gap . ..

EileenRosenbloom: between the afterlife and Earth.

EileenRosenbloom: He ends up having to deal with a more personal gap, like the one between him and his dad

EileenRosenbloom: Through a series of circumstances, he ends up in jail, and his dad is the prosecuting attorney

EileenRosenbloom: Lots of quirky characters who were a load of fun to write

EileenRosenbloom: And I'm thrilled for the awesome privilege of having my book published

kathleenjeffriejohnson: As a letter carrier! That is so cool! (How do we know when to interrupt?)

Amy McAuley: Eileen, that sounds fascinating!

EileenRosenbloom: Thanks. I understand your book is on the paranormal side, too, Amy

maryp: I can't wait to read it, Eileen! I t sounds like a fun book--with lots to talk about.

EileenRosenbloom: Thanks!

Amy McAuley: Yes, it's described as fantasy, but it has paranormal elements, too. It's about reincarnation and past lives.

EileenRosenbloom: Ohhh. Amy, sounds like my kindof book. Can't wait to read it

kathleenjeffriejohnson: And a hunky boyfriend!

EileenRosenbloom: Is the boyfriend in the book, or are you saying Amy's boyfriend is hunky?

kathleenjeffriejohnson: Uh, I'll let Amy comment on that . . .

Amy McAuley: Eileen, I was just about to ask that! hehe

Amy McAuley: The hunky boyfriend is in the book. Hunky husband in real life. ;-)

kathleenjeffriejohnson: All the boyfriend/girlfriend situations in my books are weird. What does that say about my husband? ack.

EileenRosenbloom: Mine doesn't have much in the romance dept. It's more about the father/son relationship

Catherine Atkins: In your upcoming book, too, Kathleen?

kathleenjeffriejohnson: Yes, my next book, Dumb Love, is a whacky romance. I just can't seem to write "regular" characters.

EileenRosenbloom: Regular is boring.

maryp: Is that the title? Dumb Love?

kathleenjeffriejohnson: Yes, Dumb Love

Amy McAuley: I'm looking forward to Dumb Love!

kathleenjeffriejohnson: I mean, just, "Dumb Love".

EileenRosenbloom: It sounds like it's humorous, yes?

maryp: I loved A FAST AND BRUTAL WING. It was a story I couldn't get out of my head.

kathleenjeffriejohnson: Yes, hopefully.

EileenRosenbloom: What's it about?

kathleenjeffriejohnson: FABW was so exhausting to write I needed something light. So hence a whacky romance

EileenRosenbloom: I'm confused. Is Dumb Love your latest book, or FABW?

Amy McAuley: I hear ya, Kathleen! When I finish my current historical fiction I'm diving into something fun that doesn't require research!

kathleenjeffriejohnson: Ack. FABw is ia dark, psychological thriller/fantasy. FABW came out last fall. DL is this coming fall

Catherine Atkins: Mary asked about writing routine--how fast do each of you get through a draft? Or does it vary?

EileenRosenbloom: Because I'm working a fulltime dayjob, it can take some time. For Stuck Down, it took a year for the 1st draft

Amy McAuley: I get through a first draft in about eight months to a year.

kathleenjeffriejohnson : I've been having a terrible time writing these past few months--it's getting better now, but for a while there it like I had rocks in my head instead of brains

Amy McAuley: It can be difficult if life gets in the way.

EileenRosenbloom: I wrote a shorter MG manuscript in a month, but I couldn't do that with a YA

Catherine Atkins: What do you do on completing the first draft? Send for critique or set it aside and revise *then* critique...?

kathleenjeffriejohnson: A first draft for me is usually about the same, maybe 10 months. Not sure about my current wip though

EileenRosenbloom: I definitely set it aside. Then I begin rewrites and bring those to my writers' group

Catherine Atkins: So Eileen, you share it in sections on second draft?

Amy McAuley : Wow, a month, Eileen. Super. After completing a draft, I set it aside. I don't send it out for critiques any more... I used to.

kathleenjeffriejohnson : I don't give it to anyone. I revise constantly as I write. When I feel I've finished a first "go through" I'll let it rest a while, and/or send it to my editor.

Catherine Atkins: Why not, Amy? Do you work just with your editor now?

kathleenjeffriejohnson: I mean, my editor of course is "someone"

EileenRosenbloom: I think each book is different. Sometimes you just have more momentum

Catherine Atkins: Kathleen, do you find your "eye" is right for when to send to Editor? Do you have to do much backtracking afterward?

Amy McAuley: Yes. At one time, when I wrote the first draft of OOY, I had one crit. partner. But then we stopped. haha

kathleenjeffriejohnson: Ah, yes momentum. I used to have that.

Amy McAuley: My first draft habits are similar to yours, Kathleen. I revise constantly until the ms. can be sent to my editor.

Catherine Atkins: Amy, how long do you set the ms aside? And what do you look for when you pick it up again?

EileenRosenbloom: I think multiple rewrites/revisions are a must

EileenRosenbloom: It's just part of the process

Dorian: Wondering if you all cut more during your rewrites or flesh things out more on your rewrites.

Catherine Atkins: Eileen, do you know when the ms is "right"--are you fairly confident of your ed's reaction when you send?

Amy McAuley : I have to set it aside for weeks. When I pick it up I mostly look for missing scenes.. things that can add depth to characters. I find spelling mistakes--a lot of those.

EileenRosenbloom: I think the time to send it to the editor is when I've set it aside and can't find anything more to revise

kathleenjeffriejohnson: Dorian, it's both. Though the cuts usually come at the prodding of my editor

EileenRosenbloom: You know it's ready when you revise and make it worse

Amy McAuley: Dorian, I usually cut quite a bit from the first half of a first draft.

Dorian: Interesting so you both cut AND add.

EileenRosenbloom: Me too.

Amy McAuley: OOY, I trimmed considerably. Even after adding in a substantial amount of new work the book was still many pages shorter.

kathleenjeffriejohnson: Sort of like plastic surgery

kathleenjeffriejohnson: boobs here, nose job there

maryp: ah, but it is figureing out which to add and cut that is tricky!

EileenRosenbloom: Then when you add, sometimes you have to go back and incorporate that change into other parts of the book

Catherine Atkins : Mary, I noticed on AROLS the core scenes stayed pretty steady through all drafts. You refined and refined them til they sang. (I read it again and loved it, btw).

Amy McAuley: I only know what to add after I've mulled over revision notes. Light bulbs do not go on until that point, it seems.

Dorian: Do you mean your own revision notes?

Amy McAuley: Mary, I just got AROLS in the mail today. I'm dying to get into it!

EileenRosenbloom: Sometimes when you hit a problem spot, you have to let it sit and marinate before you know what to do

kathleenjeffriejohnson: I've got one of those problem spots on my hips

maryp: Yeah, but I revise a lot as I go. My editor wanted a few clarificaitions but no extra or deleted scenes.

Amy McAuley: Oh, Dorian, I mean from my editor. I guess I can add in new stuff on my own, but my editor's suggestions REALLY help.

EileenRosenbloom: Amy and Kathleen, what do you enjoy more? Writing humor or dark edgy stuff?

Amy McAuley : I haven't written anything as dark and edgy as I'd like to, yet. I'll definitely get there, because I love dark and edgy. I find humor to be so difficult.

kathleenjeffriejohnson: good question, eileen. I enjoy them both. I haven't been quite as interested in dark dark edgy as I used to be

maryp: Oh, but I loved your voice in OAOY Amy! Really engaging. I loved Penny right from the start.

EileenRosenbloom: Humor shows up in most things I write, even if I don't intend it. I guess it's just who I am

kathleenjeffriejohnson: probably because I'm so old i'm practically staring death in the face. that's pretty dark

kathleenjeffriejohnson: I do love the funny stuff

EileenRosenbloom: Hah! Kathleen. I don't know how old you are, but I've a feeling you

Amy McAuley : Thanks, Mary! I wasn't trying to be funny while writing that book, so when readers tell me the book is humorous, it's a nice compliment.

Catherine Atkins: Eileen, is this your first book(sorry if I've missed that)

EileenRosenbloom: Yes, it is!

EileenRosenbloom: Picked up from the slush

Catherine Atkins: Ah, congrats!

kathleenjeffriejohnson: a slushie! cool.

EileenRosenbloom: Yeah. And they say it doesn't happen that way, but I guess it does.

Catherine Atkins: I was just going to ask--how hard was it to get published?

EileenRosenbloom: I like to say that because it gives hope to aspiring writers

EileenRosenbloom: I had one personal rejection before Llewellyn gave me a contract

kathleenjeffriejohnson: not to mention perspiring ones

EileenRosenbloom: But I knew how to target it

Catherine Atkins: Very nice--so relatively unpainful?

maryp: one rejection?

EileenRosenbloom: Uh, yeah. The pain came afterwards!

maryp: can we all slap you, Eileen?

Amy McAuley: Hmmm, I'd say it was difficult. A challenge. Even with an agent, my book was passed on by six publishers (plus one that I subbed to on my own).

Catherine Atkins: I knew it was in there somewhere--:-)

kathleenjeffriejohnson: why pain?

EileenRosenbloom: I should clarify. One rejection from the entire manuscript. More rejections to queries.

EileenRosenbloom: I'm kidding about the pain, but working fulltime with teenagers at home made it difficult

EileenRosenbloom: I'd work all day and revise until 12:30/1:30 a.m. then get up early for work

Catherine Atkins: Amy, and you've sold a second one since, right?

kathleenjeffriejohnson: it was difficult for me. Books went out and about and round and round for a while

EileenRosenbloom: I had to meet my deadline, and now it wasn't self-imposed.

kathleenjeffriejohnson: things change (patrick?) you can just jump in

Amy McAuley: Yes, that one was such an easy sell it surprised the heck out of me. It sold on the first three chapters, which I did NOT see coming.

thingschange: Eileen - with teens at home, did you ask them to read ms at any point?

EileenRosenbloom: Yes, my kids are my best readers, esp. my daughter. She's awesome

EileenRosenbloom: She was also good to check for generation problems, like using words that kids don't use

Catherine Atkins: Very cool, Amy--I'm impressed. Partials are tough.

thingschange: at one point did she read it and/or help shape it

Amy McAuley: Eileen, my daughter (almost twelve) is an amazing reader for me, also.

Dorian: Amy, what's happening with the novel about ... is it the resistance?

Amy McAuley: Thanks, Cathy!

Amy McAuley: Yeah, that's right, Dorian.

EileenRosenbloom: She read it after the first draft. She didn't read it again until I was ready to submit the final to my editor

thingschange: ok - thanks

Amy McAuley: I'm trying to write it right now. My deadline is in the fall when the kids go back to school.

Dorian: Great, I think I missed that you got a contract on that one. Congrats! And hi Patrick.

Catherine Atkins: How do all of you do with deadline pressure?

EileenRosenbloom: I don't mind deadlines, as long as they're realistic. I had 2 mos each for 2 sets of revisions.

kathleenjeffriejohnson: when my brain is filled with rocks, not well

EileenRosenbloom: I'm very focused, so that helps a lot

Catherine Atkins: Admittedly, a frightening question--either that or my screen froze.

Amy McAuley: I froze up, too.

Amy McAuley: I mean, my computer screen, not me personally. ;-)

Catherine Atkins: Deadline pressure is scary to me--but at least it brings a focus that helps sometimes.

Amy McAuley : My response to deadlines: Actually, deadlines are the kick in the butt that I need. Without one, I'd probably waste a lot more time than I already do.

maryp: Kathleen, can you elaborate on "filled with rocks" do you mean unfocused? Looking for an idea? Scene?

kathleenjeffriejohnson: I did have a great idea though while I was out--have a YA Cafe where everybody signs in in one color, say pink!

Amy McAuley: Yes, the pressure is scary sometimes. So many pages to fill before a certain time! Ack!!

kathleenjeffriejohnson: Okay, oops, didn't see a personal question coming

kathleenjeffriejohnson: as for the rocks, I'm at that exciting hot flash stage of life, and my brain cells have been adjucted by aliens

EileenRosenbloom : I was physically exhausted from lack of sleep, but as I said, I'm extremely focused. I did feel burned out at the end of the 2 mos

EileenRosenbloom: You really have to love this business, because it's not easy

kathleenjeffriejohnson: I'm unfocused to begin with. Now I'm *really* unfocused.

Amy McAuley: Kathleen, you always crack me up. Eileen, you sound very driven. good for you!

EileenRosenbloom: Sometimes life can get in the way, those extraordinary things, and when they do, it definitely takes a toll on my writing

Catherine Atkins: But but...Kathleen, my usual envy--how are you as productive as you are if you are unfocused, etc...?

EileenRosenbloom: But you always come back

kathleenjeffriejohnson: "adjucted" by aliens? you can see what i mean

Amy McAuley: Yes, Kathleen, you are really productive.

kathleenjeffriejohnson : well, I do keep plodding along. These past few months have been my slowest stretch, so I might not be able to continue my productive streak

Dorian : Do all of you have ideas about your future novels while you're writing your current novel? If so, how do you handle the warring in your mind.

Catherine Atkins: Different topic--how about reader reactions, you guys? Especially you new authors.

kathleenjeffriejohnson: forever. but writing is just about the only thing I do (other than my part-time job.) I don't have kids. don't take trips to Hawaii (sob!)

EileenRosenbloom: What readers?! I'm so new, I don't even have an Amazon rank

EileenRosenbloom: Having an Amazon rank is my big goal in life

Catherine Atkins: Are you a June author, Eileen?

EileenRosenbloom: Yeah

kathleenjeffriejohnson : dorian, yes, I do have nudges about a new work while I'm working on a current wip. I don't like the feeling of not have another pot on the stove, even if it's only lightly simmering

Catherine Atkins: It takes 'em a while sometimes.

Amy McAuley : Dorian: I always have ideas for future novels. My husband and I love to brainstorm, it's like a game with us while we're sitting around watching TV or a movie. I take quick notes and let the idea stay in the notebook.

EileenRosenbloom: That's good to know . . .

Catherine Atkins: Amy, have you heard from kid readers yet?

maryp: (I'm afraid I have to shove off early ladies. Thank you so much for sharing your insights. Night!)

kathleenjeffriejohnson: I think I have a couple of readers. I'll be getting a web site up soon, so maybe I'll actually get some feedback

Amy McAuley : Cathy: I've been getting quite a few reader reactions, lately, and they've been so nice. It really makes me so happy to hear from teens. See ya, Mary!

Catherine Atkins: Kathleen, why not a blog? They're fun, I promise.

EileenRosenbloom: Amy, that's so exciting!

thingschange : Nailed is coming out in spring 2006; the recent ms Chasing the Tail Lights (first person African American girl) is at the publishing house.

Mar: Patrick, what's Nailed about?

kathleenjeffriejohnson: patrick, is nailed your first?

EileenRosenbloom: Congrats, Patrick!

Catherine Atkins: Cool, Patrick! Congrats.

thingschange: "the nail that sticks out farthest gets hammered the hardest"

Amy McAuley: Nailed. Boy, I love that title! congratulations, Patrick!

kathleenjeffriejohnson: yup

Mar: That's a fabulous quote.

thingschange: qwircky teen boy character fighting the good fight on many fronts - at home, at school, but mostly with his dad

thingschange: first line of the book is father saying to his son 'What the hell is wrong with you?'

Dorian: Patrick, did Nailed get pushed up -- I thought it was coming out later? Love the title.

thingschange: that sits the tone

Amy McAuley: Hmmm, I like it!

EileenRosenbloom: I'm looking forward to reading Nailed

EileenRosenbloom: The title alone is intriguing

thingschange : Always been spring 2006, although title was Nail. Had whole marketing idea of emails to people saying "you've got nail?" but alas

Amy McAuley: Ha!

thingschange: when I get to be award winners like many of you hear, I'll have some stroke -- for now

Catherine Atkins: Mar, your book about the girl pool player sounds terrific--the angle you are taking, too.

Amy McAuley: I agree.

Catherine Atkins: Dorian, how about you? Are you working on another YA?

thingschange: Are you doing research by hanging out a pool halls?

Dorian: Yes, very slowly, but hoping to finish by the end of summer.

thingschange: if so, remember to make sure you tuck the pack of luckies in your rolled up LEFT sleeve, never right

Catherine Atkins: Me, too, Dorian(on my WIP)--good luck with it.

kathleenjeffriejohnson: what does the right sleeve signify?

Mar : Cathy, it's a recently discovered angle. I've been fishing around and trying to figure it out. And Patrick, I did my research a long time ago--dive bars in my early years, but I'm gladly researching again.

Dorian: Thanks, Cathy, you too.

Amy McAuley: My daughter LOVED Dancing, Dorian, btw. Mar, have fun with your research!

Mar: Patrick, do the Luckies have a special meaning? I just thought it was tough guy basic wardrobe.

Catherine Atkins: I have to take off, guys--fun chat. Night.

Dorian: So Patrick, what about "You've been nailed!"

thingschange: HA! Well, it will appeal to the Doing It crowd

Mar : yup. official time is up, but feel free to hang out. I've got to go rustle up some dinner (Tuesdays are forage night at our house.) Kathleen, I've got to google the right sleeve thing!

thingschange: Eileen - why did you decide NOT to agent but slush it

EileenRosenbloom: I didn't actually "decide" not to. I did query a few agents, but no bites

EileenRosenbloom: I'd heard it was harder to get an agent than a publisher . . .

thingschange: do the rest of have agents?

EileenRosenbloom: Which seemed to be true, so I submitted on my own

Amy McAuley: I do. My agent is Steven Chudney.

Dorian: Yes, I got my agent from hearing about on a listserve that he was starting his own agency.

kathleenjeffriejohnson: Yes, I do. I'm too meek and chicken to go out on my own

Dorian: Mine's Steven Chudney too

kathleenjeffriejohnson: I'm Tracey Adams.

kathleenjeffriejohnson: I mean, my agent is

thingschange: Or, if you opened an Indian cafe: the Chutney Grills

Amy McAuley: Ha!

thingschange: I am Joe's shame

Dorian: ooh I love Indian food

EileenRosenbloom: Love tandoori

kathleenjeffriejohnson: Joe's shame?

thingschange: Kathleen - any film bites for Liars?

kathleenjeffriejohnson: ack. no.

thingschange: (you didn't see Fight Club, did you?)

kathleenjeffriejohnson: I don't think I write movie kind of books

EileenRosenbloom: I loved that movie!

thingschange: is that something the agent does / supposed to do -

Amy McAuley: I can't watch that movie any more. I "see" things to easily now that are meant to be subliminal.

thingschange: (rent the movie now; go to Net Flix, but it top of your q)

Dorian: It's that good?

thingschange: Might be a dude thing

kathleenjeffriejohnson: hey, i'm dudish

Amy McAuley: Yeah, me too.

EileenRosenbloom: I'm a dudette

Dorian: I know some high school guys that absolutely loved and it changed their lives. I guess I should see it just because of that.

thingschange: altough Eileen and Amy seem in the know, so they get the "clean" food

Amy McAuley: Is that from the movie, Patrick? I'm forgetting?

EileenRosenbloom: Um, what am I missing? Clean food?

EileenRosenbloom: Maybe I'm not a dudette after all.

kathleenjeffriejohnson: I gotta go. we entered pink, purple and maroon, and so we exit

Amy McAuley: See you later, Kathleen! Great to chat with you!

Dorian: Is that a rule? I forgot the order I came in -- bye K

EileenRosenbloom: Actually, I need to go, too. I'm purple

kathleenjeffriejohnson: and red! I forgot red!

EileenRosenbloom: Seriously. Bye, everyone. This was fun!