Blubbering Like a Baby

I went to see the feel-good movie, "August Rush" this afternoon and sat there sobbing through the last quarter. Yes, it's predictable. Okay, and cliched. But it was wonderful. I cried because it reminded me of what it was like when I felt that way about music. I was a weird kid (already covered that in other posts), but another strange thing about me was my music ability. My parents were poor, so not a lot of attention was given to my potential skills. I played several instruments in elementary school, was given piano lessons free by the son of a preacher at a neighborhood church and sang since I started breathing. For years, there was nothing but music for me: studying it, listening to it, playing it, singing it, dreaming about it. As I got older (and made stupid choices), I switched from studying/singing classical music to rock and roll (not one of the bad choices). I also acquired every bad habit a stupid teenager can acquire (definitely several bad choices). Anyway, I managed to turn myself from an almost-prodigy child to a slacker teenager, who only used my singing skills to get attention (I think I already covered my father issues an in earlier post, too). Long story shorter, bad habits and stupid decisions tarnished my beautiful music. So, that's why I cried. Watching that sweet little boy bliss out from the sound/vibration/frequency of music is so familiar to me. I sincerely miss it.

And, by the way, the vampire from "Moonlight" was in the movie in a small role. He was actually pretty good and still pleasant eye candy. He spoke with his Aussie accent. Very cool.

Slide Show: Images From The Vampire Shrink

What's a YA? Is it the same as "Teen"?

Thanks to everyone who posted and who emailed suggestions!

Here's the name I pulled out of the hat to receive one of my ebooks (the ebook of your choice, which can be seen on my website):

Colleen McEuen!!!

The main reason I resisted reading the Harry Potter books long after everyone else gave in to the obsession, was because I don't generally like kid books. Or kid tv/movies. That included teenage books/movies/tv, too. I had lots of prejudices about the ridiculous nature of those things. At least the standard ones I'd been exposed to here in the USA. (Although, I really enjoyed "The Neverending Story" when I took my son to see it years ago. I went right out and bought him the book. And I loved movies like "The Lost Boys." Maybe there had to be a simultaneous adult plotline in order for me to enjoy it. Or maybe it was the clever humor.)

What I noticed about the HP books was the maturity of the young characters. Nobody was whining for the latest trendy shoes, or the most absurdly expensive cell phone. Instead, they dealt with weighty issues. And the kids weren't sexualized.

Anyway, I have a point. Really. After devouring all the HP books, I had to rethink my ideas about the Young Adult category. (Another limiting idea I had about books targeting a younger audience was that they'd be "sweet," or morally rigid. Not my thing.)

I recently read Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" vampire series, P.C./Kristin Cast's "House of Night" vampire novels and "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead. I enjoyed them all. In fact, maybe because the books don't contain a lot of sex, they can explore deeper and/or more interesting themes. I liked them much better than a lot of the best selling adult vampire novels I've read lately. More character focus.

When asked if I'd consider writing a YA, I always said I couldn't imagine it. Now that my education is expanding, who knows what can happen?

Do you have any recommendations for great vampire/paranormal YAs? How would you define "YA"? Leave a comment and I'll randomly select a name to give away a download of one of my ebooks (you can see them on my website: http://www.lyndahilburnauthor.com/) this Sunday evening.

Moonight On Its Way Out? Torchwood Continues.

Don't quote me, but I read somewhere that "Moonlight" won't be returning. That makes me sad. Not because it's a good show. (Although I do find the lead male appealing.) But because it's a vampire show and a paranormal show and they just drop like flies. "Afterlife" on BBC America ended after one season. Then they gave up on "The Dresden Files" without even a good go. I haven't heard anything about the fate of "Blood Ties." I momentarily freaked today when I was watching the latest episode of the first season of "Torchwood," and the announcer said something about there only being a few episodes left. What? Another paranormal/fantasy show biting the dust? I googled "Torchwood" and discovered that season 2 is being filmed even now as I type. I wasn't sure if I was going to like this show or not, but turns out I do. So, I'm glad it will be around longer. Who knows how long it will take season 2 to reach the US. I don't have HBO, so I won't be watching the Sookie vampire show on that premium channel. I hope it floats.

I'll Be Featured On Marta Acosta's Blog!

HERE'S THE WINNER OF "THE VAMPIRE SHRINK" BOOK DRAWING ON MARTA'S BLOG:
RAE L

THANKS SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED. YOU'RE THE BEST! (AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO MARTA!)


Marta Acosta has a Q&A posted on her blog about me!

Stop by and check it out.

http://martaacosta.blogspot.com

We'll be giving away a copy of THE VAMPIRE SHRINK!

(Also, Marta has a "First Sale Story" here on my blog!)

Chocolate Winner Announced! And some other news (grumble, grumble)

First, the winner. I cut up tons of little slips of paper, wrote all the participants' names on them and picked one to receive the chocolate from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory!

The winner is: Kelly Stemple

Congratulations, Kelly!!

Thanks so much for sending in suggestions. I had at least a hundred emails and comments with incredible possible titles. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share ideas.

Now, the other news.

And I fully acknowledge that this is all my fault (waiting too long to discover my over-used title).

My publisher (and the distribution company) said it's too late for me to change the title of my second book. They've already begun advertising, and the title, "Dark Harvest" is on pages in the backs of many of Medallion's other authors' books.

Instead, Medallion has suggested (since we can't change the title) a sub-heading on top. Not sure what it will be yet, but something like:

"Psychologist Kismet Knight reaps her own . . ."

or something

I actually did choose one of the submitted titles for another book. I won't tell which one right now, because I fully intend to use it in the future. The funny thing was that as soon as I received it the first time, I got about 10 other emails with the same suggestion. Great minds think alike! When I use that title, I'll thank all of the submitters in the acknowledgements of that book.

So, my humble thanks again to all of you. Your suggestions were incredible: creative, funny, dark, sensual -- everything I love!

Thank you, thank you!

p.s. THE VAMPIRE SHRINK is now available everywhere!