TANGLED by Carolyn Mackler is on sale December 29th
check out her website at www.carolynmackler.com
Saw her speak at SCBWI NY last year, and it was very inspiring.
Bought Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things at the conference and loved it (after having to cancel my shipment from Amazon prior to the conference, having been told that My Butt was Big, but also too slow.)
Can't wait to check out this one.
Monica
Top four this very second are:
Jakob, Ashleigh, Ryan, and Ellenore (in no particular order)
Seriously, Ryleigh is going to have some freaky talented offspring, people.
We often see ballroom and hip hop smooze their way through contemporary, but ballroom is NOT easy! Jakob was sooooo cool with the cha cha!
Mollee and NAthan should still eek into the top ten, and I think it will be interesting to see them with other partners. I love that their young. I write YA! How am I NOT going to love them?
Russell and Noell have their moments but that Samba or Salsa or whatever was rough.
Legacy, even with the tears (ahhh!) is going to find himself with a little trouble me thinks.
Karen and Victor are in for it, too.
Who will go home? That's not my problem. But as long as my top six are in, I'm cool.
Another fun night. Interesting season. My favs have snuck up on me.
Wildly good talent though. Top Ten is going to be HOT!!
Monica
PS MJ's blog recap is up- vids will be added.
http://mjsbigblog.com/so-you-think-y
First off, I have to give mad props to the kids Mollee and Nathan for coming back from their week under the bus and giving a smart and strong and awesome performance! Gave ME chills! Even with the butt kissing for sticking it these fan favs, they judges still seemed to be somewhat backhanded with their compliments. Proof is in the pudding.
On the other end of the spectrum, the judges are seeing that Karen and Kevin are not going to be a golden couple of this amazing season so (beep beep beep) under the bus they go. But rightly so this time. It was a sad little belly flop.
Legacy and Kathryn (Sidebar: I am now obsessed with noticing girls with cleft chins because my baby girl has one. In Luxe, by Anna Godberson, the main character who is all kinds of beauty, has one. Kathryn has one, too. Anyone else? End of sidebar)
I think the judges were extremely nice to them. Seriously. the characters were there, but the dancing was not. Legacy looked like he was going to lose his balance for the first half.
Biggest surprise of the night goes to Ashleigh and Jakob. I already knew they were fab dancers, but they rocked it with these characters. I mean, really! hip hop? These too should not even be able to come close to what they did tonight. Great routine, meaty charter-story, which I love.
Noelle and Russell were on tonight, as were Ryan and Ellenore with another cute character driven number.
And channing and Victor are growing all over me! Loved their performances and wow-y can they dance. So glad they got that piece.
MJ has her recaps up, with vids soon to follow (check back tomorrow morning)
http://mjsbigblog.com/so-you-think-y
Hope your following along, if not- it's not too late!
Monica
Usually of the three British grumps Nigel is the most fair, but this week- OMG!
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/6405350/16
Watch as Nigel tells Nathan that basically he sucks and the only reason he wasn't in the bottom three is because screaming little girls think he's cute!
Okay, I've been watching this show for some years now. This is not the first time voters have chosen to keep a fav in, even though they have stumbled through a bad week. We see POTENTIAL in Nathan.
Personally I agreed with the bottom three. We aren't just voting for the week at hand, it is week three (three, right?) and the pull up or down of past performances is weighing on our memories. (Did that make sense?)
Karen and Kevin had a good week, but they have not grown on me at all!
Ryan and Elenore are growing on me, but that hip hop was awkward! And Peter and Pauline stepped it up, but have both been in the bottom before.
In short, I was not ready to lose Nathan and Mollee who are cute as buttons, but also are amazing dancers with teen energy and charisma, because they had a bad week.
Shame on you , Nigel. You picked the poor kid!!! He was being sarcastic, and yes, a little flip, but i really don't think that he meant to be disrespectful.
i hope he and Molllee come back and kick some butt and show why the viewers kept them.
One more note on crabby Nigel- I thought he was very hard on Channing and Victor on Monday night. Yes, they drew their own style. But I was worried that one, I wouldn't be blown away by yet another contemporary routine, and two, that they wouldn't pull off the characters. But i found the routine and their performances moving and believable! Victor was masculine, channing soft and fluid and feminine. Their movement was amazing!
i think the viewers got it right this week, so I think that nigel should be careful. When he tries to shame the dancers, he's insulting us!
Keep Voting!
As always, MJ has her recap of the performance show-with vid links!:
http://mjsbigblog.com/so-you-think-y
And the results show- with vid links!:
http://mjsbigblog.com/
(right now there isn't a direct link, the whole post is on her home page, you'll have to scroll through the AI news)
Thanks for playing along.
Monica
But anyone who has seen this show knows that, while great for introducing the cast of characters, it will tell you little to nothing about who will do well on this show.
Because it isn't about being the best tapper (obviously), latin dancer, krumper, whathaveyou. (Is that one word? It should be.)
Doing well on this show is about 1. Chemistry/charisma 2. Versatility
So despite writing down three names on Monday: Nathan, Ariana, and Mollie (oh, I wrote down Billy too- but he's out for ills. Poor baby), it doesn't surprise me that Ariana went home after her performance tonight. But I'm glad they at least saved Peter- though I'm not sure Pauline will be a good match for him.
what DID surprise me was that Victor and Bianca blew me away! As did Kathryn and Legacy (really? really? did you give yourself that moniker?)
Nathan and Mollie were cute little buttons, but looked a little rushed at times. Jakob was completely WOW, but I'm not sure he has a personality I'm going to fall for.
Ellenore and Ryan did awesome, really threw down.
Brandon and Pauline, acted it out great- made me cry! But I get why they sent him home. What I don't get is why Russsell was in the bottom four instead of Kevin who did like two cha cha steps in three minutes and had bad hair. Send bad hair home. that's my policy. I think the judges just wanted to show him off. Because it makes no sense after pimping him after his dance.
Did I forget Channing and Phillip? yes I did. And you will too.
Keep an I on mj's blog, she'll be posting vids by tomorrow. Love that girl.
http://mjsbigblog.com/
Update: Recap and vid links: http://mjsbigblog.com/so-you-think-you-c
Tune in next tues for more. Give it a go!!
Monica
Meg Cabot's inspiration this month (as told in her Oct 13th diary entry) came from George Harrison (lols)
http://www.megcabot.com/diary/?p=1135
My inspiration this month has been so country it makes me want to drive my pick up down to the piggly wiggly and trash talk my no good whiskied up boyfriend. I am a reluctant country listener, but country is changing. For real. You don't even have to have a twang. Or maybe you do, and that's a lie and I just don't understand and get the post modern country twang.
First off, teeny queeny Taylor Swift.I am convinced should write her own YA novels. You know, if the whole music thing doesn't pan out for her.
Her songs are little mini tales of teen angst and longing. I know it's been all over, won some (ahem) awards, but if tend to live in your own world of children and diapers and carpools and maybe Microsoft Word now and again, you may have missed it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XleaebUxO
Then, if you like, play along and go to Bigmachine1 (her record company who posted the vid) and check out Steel Magnolia, they won a little ol' country Idol-like competition (Can You Duet?- [I love these shows]) and they are HOT.
Here's a taste:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLvTgtm27
Oh! bonus! I went to link to one of their clips from the show, and found this brand new vid instead! Steel Magnolia (Meghan and Josh) won the whole show over by their amazing chemistry and it didn't hurt that they sound good, too.
Here's the one I was searching for:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB8u_aJ8K
So y'all give it a go and see if you can be inspired a bit. (that was my very first "y'all". Felt good.)
Monica
P.S. Here's cutie patootie Taylor keeping it real (squeals included) as she live vlogs about her noms for the cma's. she's just real life YA. Love how she says "It's 8:30, but it's worth it." Like it's some ungodly hour to be awake.
Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr74_-Vb3
So You Think You Can Dance is my favorite of the dancing shows. It's also my favorite of the talent based reality shows.
This show, like American Idol and the like, is about making dreams come true. Dancing dreams. While I am no where near having a dancing dream of my own, I do have a dream- of writing. Not just writing, I'm obviously doing that, but of writing to a larger audience and and being able to be gratified in some way for my hard work. To be appreciated for my work.
So when these young hoofers take the stage, then wait for their work to be criticized and praised, it's me up there, too. I share their feeling as I've experienced in class, in critique group, and at writers conferences, reading aloud and spilling part of me in a public way.
Plus, I write YA, so the fact that a lot of these dancers are so young sparks my imagination as I watch their stories unfold. (they have to be 18-29, I think, to audition, but many this year seem to be 18 or 19)
Wednesday was the start of Vegas week (like Hollywood week for Idol) and this is where the show REALLY gets down to it. The point is not just to be a fab dancers, but to learn to dance with a partner in all different genres. For instance, and this is my fav 'for instance' so far this season, a young krumper (that's his genre- krump) takes a partner and learns how to (is it cha cha? sorry- feel free to smack me in the comments)ballroom dance. Helps that he draws a partner who is a ballroom champ.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Znwy585U
So vegas tests their ability to pick up choreography quickly (they hae mere hours to learn and practice) and preform in multiple genres. Not to mention demonstrate charisma that will make us love them and want to vote for them.
Check out http://mjsbigblog.com/ in general, she blogs about Idol, GLee, SYTYCD, and Dancing with the Stars, but also gives you a handy cheat sheet a day after the shows, complete with recap and vid links- though you tube tends to scrap 'em, so don't wait long.
Here's her cheat sheet for So You Think You Can Dance for Wed. (Like the Cliff notes) so you can dabble.
http://mjsbigblog.com/so-you-think-y
Vegas Callbacks continues Wednesday 8/7c.
Give it a go.
Your inner dreamer will thank you.
Monica
I was thinking the other day about how teens have an inverse relationship between their rising hormones and falling intellectual output- I.E. it's hard to think when you are . . . around the opposite sex.
For me, after birthing baby number three in June and breastfeeding the summer away, I find that the inverse relationship is increased hormones and decreased creative energy.
Since June, I have been scraping the bottom of empty well syndrome. Dry.
Tomorrow is my baby's three month birthday. She's a quarter of a year old. And I am officially off writers maternity leave. Back to work, brain.
I am not expecting miracles. As an athlete must stretch and build up slowly back to their previous . . . abilities (I am no athlete) I too will exercise my tired little brain and set small goals to the output of wordage I expect it to produce.
It's not a chore, it's just a bit daunting. But I know my WIP characters are still there. they never left. They are simply hanging around getting painfully bored waiting for me to tell them what to do. (My characters are very lazy creatures).
I hope to also keep up on this blog. For the two people who read it. (I'm counting myself in there)
So damn the hormones. Mamas back to work.
Monica
- Mood:
okay
www.createspace.com/3391113
(Also available on Amazon.)
Alex, who has been in my critique group for three years, was fed up with trying break into the adult publishing market and self published instead. His book is a risky endeavor for editors because it is in 2nd person pov- for a first time author it doesn't really make him mainstream enough to take on. "Can he sustain it ?" everyone asks. And yes, he can.
His book is funny and thoughtful and very readable. I say that because I have developed ADD for adult books since falling in love with YA and middlegrade. But besides the humor, which is warm and endearing, the protag is 24 and going through a coming of age adventure, so its right up my literary alley.
Check out Alex's book. And say hi to him on facebook. He's the one with the chin.
Monica
p.s. Alex has a new blog! My boy can write! http://liuzziwrites.blogspot.com/
Adam finds himself in the coveted "pimp spot" of the night. With this shrieking theatrics gaining him no love from me, but the judges were beside themselves. I think they were ready to declare him the winner. Well, it would save us a lot of time, and I wouldn't have to record Dancing with the Stars on Tuesdays.
Danny still came out strong. Kara called him "Joyful" and Paula predicted he'd be in the final. She does know this is the first week, right? She was emotional and scary, to Simon's unabashed mean, throwing out "stupid" at least twice. So it's good to see that things are back to normal.
Where was Anoop? Anoop was under the bus! I wrote three words on my score card: I. Love. Him. Then listened as the judges told him that they made a mistake in bringing him in! It's Michael Jackson week, but the kids aren't supposed to pick recognizable Michael songs because they belong to only him? I'm not worried, Anoop has plenty of fans to lift the bus off him.
If I closed my eyes, I really liked Meghan tonight. But when I opened my eyes, the performance made me laugh and felt horribly awkward. And laughs on me because they told her she didn't sound like the Meghan they liked. So I'm sure once she's back to what they like, I'll no longer like her.
Overall, even the worst sounded good.
I think without the tears, Jorge might be in trouble this week. and Michael's always in trouble I think. But Jorge didn't get the love from the judges and that may seal his fate.
Happy voting.
Monica.
OBVIOUSLY I'm disappointed about Jesse. Jasmine is sort of blah for me, and Meghan I just don't get. I want to like her. She's cute, she's different, but her voice just does not sound good. But according to Simon this no longer matters. Hey!
Matt redeemed himself, so good for him for getting in, too.
Overall happy this terrible round of contentions are over and we are finally ready to begin. And I think these latest entries will be the most insulated from early elimination because they've had the most exposure. Case in point: My mother in law just asked "Who is Kris? Is that a boy or a girl?" I remember Kris (boy) but I think the thrill may be long gone for those who may have a had a moment of excitement for their week, while these latest will have momentum to build on.
Still wondering if any friends are watching, but either way if your not shouting at me to find a new way to purge my Idol musings, I'll carry on.
Monica
I'm totally pumped with the judges choices for wildcard night tomorrow! This is the best of the rest. This is going to be the best show so far (not saying much there).
Problem? All will sing but, only three of these fine talented eight contestants will be going on.
My top FOUR are Anoop, Jesse (hometown girl whoop!), Matt, and Von. I hope they all kill it. Anoop feels the least expendable to me right now. But he won't let me down.
Tatiana? Yes Tatiana is going to be there, but of course! They couldn't possibly have let go another chance at her drama. To be fair, she did actually sing very well in her round, too. and you never know what she'll do or say. Me? I'd check her for weapons and running mascara before the show.
Jasmine, Ricky, and Meghan (the judges are in love with her) round out the rest.
I think the judges are pretty proud of themselves. And although they may have their favs of the favs, I think they'll be like me and putting all the pressure on the kids to wow them. No more chances. No more, "but we loved you in hollywood". Do or die. Give it to us, baby.
I'm optimistic. I'm refreshed. The top twelve will rock. (Even if a couple are expendable for early week eliminations).
Tomorrow will be great. I'm mean it has to be. Right?
Anyone else besides my mother-in-law watching?
Monica
For me there was three, maybe four worthwhile performances last night. But even those didn't have me falling in Idol love with anyone.
At this point Lil Rounds is the leader of her pack (which isn't saying much). They've compared her to Fantasia, but there is no other Fantasia, so her copycat version of Mary J. Blige doesn't even put her in a Fantasia lite category for me. She is uber talented, and lovely to look at, but I hope some individuality comes out in the coming weeks. Jennifer hudson is uber talented as well, but she didn't do well on the show because she couldn't compare with other personalities. (fantasia) which IS fair, because it's about the package on this show.
Von should go through too, or be in the wild card round. He pulled back his performance antics, but he still has a mouth that could hold oranges and made some weird faces. The song he picked was forgetable, and didn't show off his voice. So all pulled back for me just meant a little easier to watch, but sounding . . . Von lite.
Nathaniel was my heartbreak. I love his look, I love the drama. But the song was a disaster, and so was the dancing. I want him to be cool, not manic. He needs to be young, but mature in the choices he makes, I think. I couldn't vote for him, and I'm not sure if they give him another chance if he'd choose any different. But I hope I'm wrong.
My third choice is a blend of:
Kendall did okay, and so did Ju'not, but I couldn't get all excited about either when we are only allowed to send three through. Jorge sounded great, but (tears aside) I couldn't get moved to vote for him after his performance. Scott has a smooth voice at times, but he was pitchy at times and his performance felt awkward . . . leaving me to wonder if this is the venue for him. Simon says Scott is growing on him, and I guess that's the category for me, too. I mean, good for him and all, but the talent and performance has to be there. It is . . . kind of. I think he'll get another chance, and then we can see what all the wow is about when he gets behind his piano.
onward. Actually really looking forward to the Thursday wildcard round because all the duds will be weeded out and should be the best crop of talent- as a group. Looking especially forward to seeing Anoop and Matt Giraud. Just speculation that they'll be there, but I'm feeling confident.
Monica
Simon gave her the kiss of death "forgettable" comment. Poor Jesse.
Can I just say, I was really looking forward to Megan, too. But I hated her singing that song and to me she just sounded off key the whole time. But the judges pimped her hard. She was the "I hope American votes you through" choice of the night.
Allison and Adam were crazy fantastic, and they deserve to go through, and I don't expect any chance of an upset there, but I will be disappointed if the third spot goes to Megan. At least based on tonight.
I would pay to see Norman in Vegas. If I was going. Which isn't likely. But if he came to Minneapolis, and I could get a babysitter, and could find someone to go with me . . . I would pay to see Norman's show. But i didn't vote for him. I did laugh, though. A lot.
Are you watching?
Monica
I get the whole anit-bandwagon thing, and I even forgive Simon for being skeptical of the hype. But what bloggers are saying is just plain mean! Backlash!
Rewind to Danny's audition where he was overwhelmed with tears by explaining how he came to audition. He had planned to audition with the encouragement of his wife, who then DIED suddenly four weeks before the audition, so he felt she would want him to go ahead with the plan. He choked up then, and said, "I'm sorry, I hate talking about this, it's all still so raw."
If you're like me, it's a story that you remember, going into Hollywood. Then, I think the controversy started when again it was brought up, this time by producers who obtained a video of the wedding proposal and Danny's friend (another of my favs who didn't make the cut) said he believed that Danny really deserved this, and that he was trying to be there for his friend during this tough time.
This week Danny's brother held up a pic of Danny and his wife, when the camera found him in the red room during Danny's song.
Enough already? Maybe. But this is what I think:
First, this isn't just a STORY, this is a real-life happening in Danny's life and his friends and family. Their grief is raw, and real and still very much on their minds.
Second, Danny isn't the first to come into Idol with a backstory that the producers grab onto and run with. Because when we vote, symapthy does play a part to a certain extent, as does the overall personality. But it will only get you so far.
Third, (I'm sorry I started this is list form) It is debatable whether you think Danny should have brought it up at all, whether his friends and family should continue to bring it up. you could say to yourself "I would never be so public with my grief". Fine. But whether or not you agree/undertand why they are talking about it, it is a far leap for those who are saying that they are USING it. Really? 'They' meaning Danny and his family. The producers? yeah, maybe that's another debatable point.
Fourth, As I said before, the "story" will only get you so far. There was a girl last year whose father died, like the day before the audition! I definately remembered her into the Hollywood round, and they continued to remind us of this fact. But when her chance came on the first live round, she wasn't memorable enough from her performance, and she was gone.
This year there are other stories about financial hardship, or childhood instability that play into how we think about the contestant and make us root for them and thier dream and deservability, but unless they combine prformance, talent, and charisma they will be gone.
Danny, for me has all of the componants. I fine him very likable, and I love his voice. Unlike some contestants he has consistantly perfomed well and deserves to be where he is- this is not debatable for me. Did you even hear some of those guys this week?
Be skeptical, but don't be mean! Give him a chance.
This week I'm looking forward to Jesse, the piano guy (I keep forgeting his name!) and I can't find my list. . . more to come.
Monica
Well if you have struggled at all, I stumbled on this blog on the Crowe's nest blogspot. http://www.acrowesnest.blogspot.com/ (worth bookmarking) from Dec 8, 2008.
It's written by Marianna Baer, entitled "Let's Get it On-- Sex scenes in Young Adult Novels." Link:
http://acrowesnest.blogspot.com/search?u
She has a lot to say about letting the actions serve the character and emotion and story, and if nothing else it told me that I have alot more room to breathe than I thought when it comes to "too much" in this genre.
Thought it was definately worth the read.
Monica
But Anoop is out . . . for now.
American Idol has chosen it's first three of the top twelve.
Danny, Alexis, and . . . Michael? For real? Did you hear him sing?
Okay . . . he was better than most, and very likable, but . . . Michael?
Danny was left standing with Tatiana who (when not primping) was brushing tears. Then, when they announced that Danny had taken the last spot, Tatiana looked like she was going to pull out her nine, start screaming and laughing (have you heard her laugh?!) and kill everyone. But instead she then looked like she was going to walk off the stage, but chose the high road- hiding in the back and crying in disbelief while everyone else was gracious and supportive of Danny and the other top choices. boooo.
I say, no Tatiana for the wild card round. But, what does idol love? Drama. Good and bad. So I'll bet she'll be there.
But Anoop better be with her!
Any comments?
Monica
Biggest yay! : Danny Gokey
Biggest boooo: Jamar Rogers. (Seriously, he got cut while people who forgot their lines got in?)
Love the drama, but Nathaniel is good drama, Tatiana is bad. (Simon: "She's annoying me.")
Biggest Question Mark: Nick is out, but Normal Gentle is in? That's going to be very interesting. As my mother in law put it: He's the cloris Leachman of this years Idol. Question is- Is that good or bad?
Bittersweet: Hometown girl (and sister to Johnny Lang) Jesse Langseth is in. but they hate her?
Is it me or are there a lot of mamas and papas in the group?
Next week the first group of twelve perform. any way you slice it, a lot of our new friends are going home.
monica
Oh! What a sad note to end on. Ummmm. Dreams are about to come true for a lucky few! Yay!!!
going into the final pick--
I just want to stop and say that I think leaving all of the contestants in "holding rooms" for hours then teasing them about whether or not they are through the round is . . . brilliant. Not only did it provide a fantastic way to have Ryan walk us through the days events, but it adds drama. these people are genius with building the drama.
I now see why they are keeping that crazy twit Tatiana. She is freaking nuts. Instant controversy and banter, and of course pure drama.
Where was I? Oh yeah, going into tonights show at the "Judges Mansion" (what's up with that?) I have an early emotional attachment
to Danny Gokey and Jamar Rogers. Both from Wisconsin, which is close enough that we her in Minnesota will claim them as our own.
http://tv.popcrunch.com/danny-gokey-amer
You tube has failed me, so I'm not sure how long this will be up on this site.
It's only about 90 sec, so go for it. Simon even looks like he has a tear in his eye when Danny sings- but we all know that's just allergies.
good luck to your favs.
Monica
Favorite drama queens of the night were Tatiana Del Toro, who sings well, but is clearly psychotic, and Nathaniel MArshall the teen with the barbell things in his bottom lip who is a fantabulous singer, but is most entertaining when he is crying and throwing a hissy fit at his group. He's also the one who said he could feel the music on his skin. I love teens.
For actual singing, my favs going into the final night of Hollywood:
Danny The Widow who sang acapela harmony with his group
Anoop- the guy who looks like a tech nerd but rocks it like he's in a boy band (that is a compliment!)
Other top moments of the night were the bikini girl (auditioned in her bikini? Hello? Is anyone actually watching with me?) Katrina who came out with claws and Simon (he's back!) liked her even more for her bitchiness and strutting and posing. They cut her, but as she sauntered away giving little waves to the guys, Simon said "She'll go far." Love it.
Von Smith comes in with You Tube accolades and fans like the girls on the View and Ellen, but Simon cut him down to size, which I think Von took well. He does look strangely like his jaw is coming unhinged when he sings. Sounds great, but that's not enough. He'll be all the better after the tongue lashing from ol' Si.
Anyone else have early favs?
Ooh, watch out for Minnesota's own and Johnny Lang's little sis Jesse Langseth. She made a short singing appearence in a montage, think we'll see more.
I've given up on my "cheat sheet" I don't think it's all that reliable. I'll be biting my nails (Tuesday) with everyone else until I know my picks are safe.
Happy watching.
Monica
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