Beginning today, for a week you can come ask me questions on the Book Divas discussion board, and I'll gladly answer them!
I can answer questions about writing, publishing, Dramarama, Ruby Oliver, The Disreputable History of Frankie-Landau Banks, the Lauren Myracle/Sarah Mlynowski project, types of cheese, brands of lipstick, really, anything but rocket science, and I'll give it a shot.

EDITED Sunday night TO ADD: Something is wrong over at BookDivas. I am not there, yet. Sorry. I will re-post when I am actually there. Apologies!

xo
E

I am so behind on posting about books I've read, but How to Be Popular, by Meg Cabot, was a very fun listen on audio.
Anyway, enough about that.
Ms. Cabot visits the glockenspiel! And has a whole page of videos I just discovered. But the glockenspiel is the best and vaguely, vaguely musical -theater-related (Sound of Music).

You still haven't taken the survey to title my summer 2008 book with Lauren Myracle and Sarah Mlynowski?
All the cool kids are doing it :)

In unrelated news, I seem to be on Facebook, now. I am not sure why. My cousin invited me, so I went.
Now what do I do, there?
The interface is cute, and I have a pet penguin and a bookshelf. I am friends with Melissa Kantor and assorted relatives. But I'm not quite getting it, I don't think.

Also, I think my penguin is starving.

Saw Order of the Phoenix last night in a small-town theater, only night it's showing this week. Packed. We ate french fries on line and then felt thirsty during the movie, but our seats were so bad and we didn't want to walk past a zillion people so we drank warm water we had in our bags and nothing else.

Guess what about the movie? (No spoilers)

I fell asleep.

It was not a late night showing. It was at 7 pm.
I was not even tired.
There were just some boring bits.
Like, a lot of them in the middle, there.

AO Scott of the NY Times, I do not agree with you.

The flying at the start was a cool thing, though. And some cool things about how magic buildings are hiding right in London.
And the food at the Hogwarts cafeteria looked great.
Ralph Fiennes looks awesomely scary -- though just the same as last time.
And Luna was just perfect.
Also, I love Creetcher (sp?). There was not enough Creetcher!
(edited to add: KREACHER)

But boring bits! And little scenes where people just eat food and chat, or where nothing happens that has to do with the story!
When you go see it, look if it doesn't seem like it was way longer and they cut it down, but somehow didn't cut it down enough so there are these leftover scenes where nothing really happens that are really short but shouldn't be there at all.

Also, they didn't show the Spiderwick trailer, which I saw online but I wanted to see it big screen!

So that's my kvetch. Ah. Now I feel better. It's good to vent.

You need only know that Julie Kenner's boyfriend list the last time she visited this blog was Hot Musical Theater Men -- to know she's a woman after my own heart. Her books, Carpe Demon, California Demon and now DEMONS ARE FOREVER (buy it here from Powells), are best summed up like this:

“What would happen if Buffy the Vampire Slayer got married, moved to the suburbs and became a stay-at-home mom? She’d be a lot like Kate Conner.”
-Publishers Weekly

In the new installment, Kate's daughter has figured out what she’s been up to, and wants to grow up to be just like her mom. Kate also has a sneaking suspicion that her dead husband is using the forces of darkness to filch the body of another human being. And her living husband isn’t exactly acting like the man she married...

Also, if you are a YA reader, check out Julie in the three-person anthology FENDI, FARRAGAMO AND FANGS (vampire models, what else?)-- together with GCC-er Johanna Edwards. Julie's also in the collection EVERYTHING I EVER NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING A GIRL, I LEARNED FROM JUDY BLUME.

Dramarama Musical Theater Interview with Julie Kenner
You were in a play in high school, weren't you? Tell me all about it.

I was in a musical. I can’t sing, so I think they cast me thinking I was bored with the tech stuff (I wasn’t). The show was Working, and at one point, the choir director asked me to please lip sync. Ah, nothing like that to bruise a 16yo ego!!

2. Give me song lyric that makes you laugh. Preferably from a show, but I'll cut you some slack if whatever you quote is funny.

Oh, anything Sondheim! The Agony song from Into the Woods.

“You know nothing of madness, til you’re climbing her hair” or, heck, any line from that song!

3. If you've seen a show on Broadway, what was your first one? Whom did you go with, who was the star, what did you think of it?
Evita, Patti Lupone, LOVED IT. Saw a ton of shows that summer. One week with my drama club after my sophomore year (I’m dating myself). Dreamgirls, original cast. Into the Woods, original cast. 42nd Street. Amadeus (I was spit on by Frank Langella. Sighhhhh). Cloud Nine. I’m forgetting some. HEAVEN

4. What's your showbiz fantasy?

To star in a Broadway musical (total fantasy as I can’t sing. See #1)

5. Which Broadway diva are you, deep inside? And why? Ethel Merman, Carol Burnett, Nell Carter, Kristin Chenoweth, Bernadette Peters, Julie Andrews, Bebe Neuwirth, Audra McDonald, Carol Channing, Mary Martin, Barbra Streisand? Or someone else?

Bernadette Peters — because I have lousy hair. I think I could sing on Broadway if I had cool hair like hers.

P.S. Friend Julie on myspace! Visit her blog.

Maureen Johnson, (or MoJo, as I call her in my head but not to her face), is my sometime writing partner and author of the funniest blog I have ever read.

Her new book, Girl at Sea, is full of adventure and fun and jellyfish. It was a Booksense summer pick!
Maureen is an awesome writer and I am reading that thing right after I finish re-reading Harry Potter 6.
Which is obviously necessary and not fun or anything.

Below, the Dramarama interview! With Maureen! And funny, funny lyrics!

1. You were in a play in high school, weren't you? Tell me all about it.

Not actually in high school. I went to school in the city and lived in the burbs—I had no transport for the rehearsals so I couldn’t even try out. Insane, but true. College, yes. Lots of them. The first play I was in was The Good Doctor by Neil Simon. I played the insane dentist, the much-abused governess, and a scheming minor Russian official named Ivan Ilyitch Cherdyakhov—meaning that I played a man 2/3 of the time. After that, I seemed to play a lot of the comic (or “crazy” parts), like Ouiser Boudreaux in Steel Magnolias.

Most of my theater career was spent as a dramaturg, which is basically a play editor. In my case, it was more of a cast and crew babysitter. I put out fires (literally), chased down actors, and once had to tell a stage manager, five minutes before curtain, that our conductor was stuck in traffic twenty miles away, and that the band was being overseen by the conductor’s eight year-old son.

2. Give me song lyric that makes you laugh. Preferably from a show, but I'll cut you some slack if whatever you quote is funny.

From “As We Stumble Along” from The Drowsy Chaperone:
It's a dismal little world in which we live.
It can bore you till you've nothing left to give.
Seven overrated wonders, seven underwhelming seas.
Six excruciating continents.
Antarctica, oh please!
But you mustn’t let it lick you
this planet oh so bland.
Keep your eyeball on the highball in your hand.

3. If you've seen a show on Broadway, what was your first one? Whom did you go with, who was the star, what did you think of it?

I’m not actually sure what the first Broadway show was. I know which “Broadway” traveling company show I saw first was, though. It was Annie. I was totally, 100% obsessed with Annie when I was little. I had no singing or dancing ability, but that didn’t stop my dream to play one of the orphans. I thought about that night and day.

4. What's your showbiz fantasy?

My dream is to wake up with a singing voice worthy of Broadway, period. Drop me in any cast, and I would be a happy little monkey. Maybe Mamma Mia. I was also obsessed with Abba, so I already know all the lyrics.

5. Which Broadway diva are you, deep inside? And why? Ethel Merman, Carol Burnett, Nell Carter, Kristin Chenoweth, Bernadette Peters, Julie Andrews, Bebe Neuwirth, Audra McDonald, Carol Channing, Mary Martin, Barbra Streisand? Or someone else?

Can I have Mae West? I love her for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is this quote: “Ten men waiting for me at the door? Send one of them home, I'm tired.”

6. Write me a nice little song lyric for the book you're promoting right now. Please.
(note: this is not for Girl at Sea. This is for MJ's book for NEXT YEAR, Suite Scarlett)

There’s a hotel in New York
Where you can come stay for the summer
The hotel is kind of broke
And that’s kind of a bummer

But the hotel is where the Martins live:
Scarlett, Lola, Marlene, and Spencer
I can’t tell you more, the book’s not done
Did I leave you in suspense(r)?

(Probably not. I didn’t give away that much. But if I wrote lyrics that were too good, my editor would call and yell at me for writing songs about the book instead of writing the book. But it’s called Suite Scarlett, anyway.)

One of my favorite books of last year, by one of my favorite people, is out in paperback.
SEX KITTENS AND HORN DAWGS FALL IN LOVE by Maryrose Wood.
And if you don't believe the quotes below, belive ME. Fun city, that book.

Here is Wood's Dramarama Interview, highly recommended as well.

“...irresistible...It’s the literary equivalent of singer Cyndi Lauper’s 1980s pop megahit ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’....” — Cleveland Plain Dealer

“...an effervescent delight...Felicia’s voice is one of the most original and hilarious in years...” — Common Sense Media

“An uproariously funny debut novel...giddy humor, intrigues, and captivating characters... strong, pitch-perfect narration will easily win readers...” — ALA Booklist

“...will provide hours of laughter and empathetic nods from readers...squeaky clean and lots of good fun...” — School Library Journal

“...sweet and upbeat...Wood’s effervescent, often idiosyncratic style rather suggests P.G. Wodehouse as a Greenwich Village girl...will quickly snare admiring readers...” RECOMMENDED — The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

For those of you taking our survey, go visit Lauren on MySpace and look at the comments. Everyone's telling her how they voted!

And then, for a completely opposed set of opinions, check out Justine Larbalestier's blog, where the discussion rages and Literaticat and Justine nearly come to virtual blows!

Fun fun fun fun
I am having fun
but I do not know what title is best

Title the Summer 2008 Book!

You may think I've asked you this before, and maybe I have -- but this time it really counts! So let me know what you think, because I CARE.

I am writing a book together with Sarah Mlynowski (Bras & Broomsticks, Milkrun, Frogs & French Kisses) and Lauren Myracle (TTYL, TTFN, L8R G8R, Rhymes with Witches). It is an awesomely fun summer read about three girls taking a road trip through the sticky heat of Florida in pursuit of love and adventure. But what should it be called?

Take 30 seconds to read our three top titles and vote on your choice!

And now you have my undying gratitude. And Sarah's. And Lauren's. Thanks!

xo
E

Edited to add: The LINK IS FIXED!! SO SORRY.

From Lara Zeises. A nice long meme I used to procrastinate! Woohoo.

WRITE EXACTLY WHATS ON YOUR MIND, AND DON'T CHANGE IT

1. Your ex and You = glad it's ancient history

2. I am listening to = wind in trees

3. Maybe I should = do yoga

4. I love = my home

5. My best friend(s) = are in my family

6. I don't understand = book banning

7. I have lost my respect for = John Irving. A little bit. Sigh. I have loved his books more than nearly anyone else's books, but Until I Find You was not only a disappointment, it offended me on some levels, and I am very hard to offend.

8. I last ate = yogurt and peaches

9. The meaning of my display name is = my name

10. God = Big Mama Makes the World by Phyllis Root, illustrations by Helen Oxenbury

11. Someday = Is a procrastinator's term. Just write the thing.

12. I will always be = the person who feels cold.

13. Love seems = warm.

14. I never ever want to lose = my teeth.

15. My LiveJournal is = only a front for my typepad blog.

17. I get annoyed when = people are unreliable.

18. Parties = good if they're at my house and I made the food.

20. Simple kisses = what's not to like?

21. Today I = will plant basil.

22. I wish = people I love were all healthy.
-----------------------------------------------------------

NOW

01. is your hair wet? No

02. is your cell phone right by you? No

03. do you miss someone? Yes.

04. are you wearing chapstick? Lipgloss.

05. are you tired? No, but that is quite unusual.

06. are you wearing pajamas? Half.

08. are you mad? No.

09. are you upset? No.

------------------------------------------------------------

HAVE YOU

01. recently done anything you regret? Of course.

02. ever lied? ever..? Yes. But I am pretty truth-inclined. Just little white lies.

03. ever put gum underneath a desk? No. Gross!

04. ever kicked someone? No.

05. ever tripped over your own feet? No. I am actually quite coordinated.

TODAY HAVE YOU:

01. have you cursed? No. But I probably will.

02. have you gotten mad at someone? It's still early.
------------------------------------------------------------

-RANDOM-

Q: is there a person who is on your mind right NOW?
Yes. I wish it was different.

Q: do you have any siblings?
Yes.

Q: do you smile often?
Yes, but sometimes I have to make myself do it.

Q: do you untie your shoes every time you take them off?
I wear slides.

Q: do you like your handwriting?
I love my handwriting, but very few people can read it.

Q: are your toenails painted?
Sparkly blue.

Q: are you a friendly person?
No. I like people but I find I have to force myself into actual friendliness.

Q: who's bed other than yours do you sleep in?
Hotel beds.

Q: what color shirt are you wearing?
Navy blue.

Q: what were you doing at 7pm yesterday?
Making home-made ice cream.

Q: I can't wait until:
These revisions are done.

LAST TIME YOU ______

last time you prank called someone?
I have never done this.

last time you skipped school/class?
Grad school.

last time you called your best friend?
I live with my best friend.

last time you tried to tell someone how you feel?
Yesterday.

last time you had someone call?
I am on vacation. No one is calling me. Yay!

last time you twisted your ankle?
I don't think I have ever done this.

last time you drove?
Yesterday afternoon. But that's because I'm on vacation. In my normal life, I don't own a car.

last time you cried?
Hm. Probably five or six weeks ago.

last time you pushed someone:
I would have been very very young.

last time you laughed?
Last night, playing Boggle.

last time you rented a dvd?
We have a stack of Netflix DVDs that I keep forgetting to watch. (I am not much of a TV person).

last time you worked?
It is 8:55 AM, and I have already been at work for about an hour. AND I am on vacation. See the above note: I can't wait for…. these revisions to be over! (What am I revising? My yet-untitled book co-written with the wonderful Lauren Myracle and the glorious Sarah Mlynowski. It is not THEM I wish would be over. Just working on my vacation.)