I'm Serious. Dead Serious.

Did someone say good news?

*waves arms frantically* over here!

As announced yesterday on PW Children's Bookshelf, I got a two-book deal with Random House/Delacorte for a new book series! And yes, I get to write AND illustrate this series too!  It will be called the Dead Serious series. And the first book will be titled, I Text Dead People, and will be released Fall 2014. The second title is yet to be named, but will be out Spring 2015.

*jumps up and down*

So I've been wanting to write this story for. ev. er. And Lucy (from my webcomic Lucy in Love) will be playing a big role in the first book. So definitely expect craziness!

Here's a short blurb:

As if living in a creepy house on cemetery grounds weren’t horrible enough, Annabelle accidentally becomes a guide that bridges the gap between the living and the dead with her cell phone. Which means she is pestered by the deceased 24/7. And until she helps them with their absurd unresolved issues and ridiculous requests, no one will be able to rest in peace.

A Zombie ate my brain. And stole my heart.

So what have I been up since my last book, Secrets From The Sleeping Bag, was published?  I've been pitching more book ideas. I would love to expand my tween writing to young adult. Over the last few months my brain bucket has been overflowing with ideas. It's been keeping me from sleeping, eating (ah, who are we kidding..I always have an appetite), and wishing I were writing 24/7 instead of working all day at my desk job.

My ideas are so scattered. From dark and edgy, to sci-fi and fantasy. I've been dabbling in genres that I never thought I would, and I love the challenge.

So while I do the one thing I'm so not good at doing (waiting and being patient), I've been sketching and writing a new idea in my notebook. It has to do with monsters, creatures, and a human. Personality disorders, a shipwreck, and an uninhabited island. The image here is one of my characters sketches for the story. I think I'll start posting more character sketches and give some samples from the story.

What ideas do you have floating around in your head?

SCBWI North Bay Meeting

So tomorrow I'll be speaking at the SCBWI event in Sebastopol, 7pm-9pm.. Am I excited? Absolutely! Am I nervous? you bet! It seems no matter how many times I do events or signings, I'm always as nervous as the first time. I guess I'm always afraid of two things:

1. Nobody will show up. *crickets* 
2. My brain will betray me.. Like, right in the middle of a sentence my brain will go numb and I'll stand there, mouth open and nothing coming out. Although, I don't think i've ever had a problem shutting up before.

Or what if I talk too much and begin babbling and people think I'm crazy. Like, certifiably.  My crazy girl sketch to the left --yeah, that is exactly how i'm afraid I'll be perceived.

And if you're in the area, it's not too late to register.

 Wish me luck!

MADly In Love



 

 

Lucy. I did a web comic on her for a short time awhile ago. But she is still one of my favorite characters. Like most girls, she has a boyfriend that she is madly in love with. Unlike most girls, she becomes obsessed with him and refuses to take the hint when he breaks up with her. Several times.

And then...he kills her. Oops! An accident? Maybe. But she doesn't care. She still loves him and will haunt him for all of eternity. She even gives him her heart. Literally. Afterall, she has no use for it anymore.

Lucy is crazy in love. Actually, she's just crazy.

Who doesn't love craziness!

What is one of your favorite characters you've created?

Halloween Behavior by Astrological Sign

Are you greedy and take all the candy? Or just sit at home and sulk on Halloween? Should you dress up as bubble gum or a car salesman? Your astrological sign can tell you what your typical Halloween behavior is and even give you costume suggestions according to the characteristics and personality traits of your sign.
Aries (March 21 - April 19)
Trick or Treating: Pushes others aside to get to the door first.
Costume suggestions: Gladiator, Mexican wrestler, police officer, fire fighter.


Taurus (April 20 - May 20)

Trick or Treating: Will only eat the finest of Swiss chocolates.
Costume suggestions: Miss America, Mr. Universe, or a walking tree. How fun!


Gemini (May 21 - June 20)

Trick or Treating: Will go around the neighborhood once, changes costumes and go around again.
Costume suggestions: Go with a friend and dress as Siamese twins. No friends? Dress as half man/women and half creature. Use your own good creative judgment.


Cancer (June 21 - July 22)

Trick or Treating: Stays at home and gives candy to the other trick-or-treaters.
Costume suggestion (for wearing while handing out candy): Statue of Liberty, Uncle Sam. Or how about an oversized banana or milk carton.


Leo (July 23 - August 22)

Trick or Treating: Plans their costume for months, then won't go out because someone else had the same idea.
Costume Suggestion (to wear at home while sulking): Lion, cat, king or queen. Or how about combining the two and go as the Lion King.


Virgo (August 23 - September 22)

Trick or Treating: Wears a neatly pressed suit and tells everyone they're a bookkeeper.
Costume suggestion (if you don’t own a suit): A chaff of wheat.


Libra (September 23 - October 22)

Trick or Treating: Stands in front of the closet all night trying to decide on a
costume.
Costume suggestion (so you can come out of the closet and have fun!): Interior designer.


Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)

Trick or Treating: Scorpio isn't in it for the candy.
Costume Suggestions: Sherlock Holmes, Nancy Drew, Tony Soprano, Al Capone.


Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)

Trick or Treating: Will manage to wander to the next town.
Costume suggestions: Indiana Jones or Lara Croft.


Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)

Trick or Treating: Will make a list of all the houses that give out the best candy and the optimal route to take.
Costume suggestions: Donald Trump or a construction worker. Just make sure to wear a shirt so you’re not mistaken as one of the Village People.


Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)

Trick or Treating: Will build their costume out of spare flashlights and spend all night tinkering when it shorts.
Costume suggestions: Mermaid or King of the Sea. Built out of flashlights.


Pisces (February 19 - March 20)

Trick or Treating: Will skip the whole thing to compose poetry. About the Moon.
Costume suggestion (while composing poetry): Astronaut, space alien, ballerina, painter, poet, or a muse. Or a fairy ghost.


Which sign are you?