Thanks, everyone, for playing! It’s been a lot of fun to give away the books I especially adore to other readers. We’ll do it again some other time.

I’m also going on a blogging hiatus until August. I have a lot of Busy Life Stuff happening right now and both revising and blogging are going on (planned) hold. I have some ideas about doing a blog series on descriptive writing in August; I’ll use my time away to work on those.

I’ll be back soon.

I will mail out your copy on Monday.

Stay tuned for my next giveaway, also being announced on Monday.

So, this giveaway is a copy of my absolute favorite McKinley book–Sunshine. This combination of vampires, post-apocalypse and baked goods drew me in despite myself (not a fan of vampires here!) and filled the hours I spent reading it with wonder.

To win a copy, leave a comment before 8 pm (EST) Friday, July 16th. I’ll draw a name at random and email the lucky winner. This is open to everyone, even if you live outside the US.

I’m baaaack from our weekend trip to Boston. We walked, went up and down escalators and stairs, and rode the train and took the T. Oh, and also did some sightseeing. The kids did really well, even though we kept them out and about for twelve hours on Saturday (whew!).

The kids’ artwork today consisted of subway maps and trains. Transportation made the biggest impression on them, hee.

So, how was your weekend?

*sigh*

Edited to fix a typo. Home fires are very nice and cosy and all, but I do not wish to eat them.

I have a big book review post, and one continuing on the theme of titles. Also, a couple of smaller ones and probably a friday fun (though my brain insists it only wants to do a friday unfun, oy!).

I will be back.

Yes, it doesn’t take much to make me happy.

Three Things Writers Can Learn from Photographers: I love how different creative pursuits shape and inform each other.

Creative Experiments: February: daisy yellow posts monthly experiments to jumpstart those of us with creativity block. The experiments that specially intrigue me: art inspired by circles; drawing (as opposed to writing) letters and numbers; finding an ingenious solution to a problem (once I decide which of my myriad issues to focus on, heh); art based on a list (I love lists!). Are you tempted to rack up some creativity points?

Just Try (via Megs): Natalie Whipple on how fear keeps us from failure by taking us out of the game. I am a cautious, risk-averse person so this is something I need to overcome all the time. A must-read if you’re like me!

The Gap Year: Susan Wise Bauer advocates for a gap year between high school and college, based on her experience as both a college student and a college professor. What does this have to do with writing or even creativity, you wonder? It’s because most of us are locked into the belief that there is one conventional path to our goals. You go to school, you go to college, you get a job. You write a book, rewrite a book, query an agent, wow an editor, get a publishing contract, go back to square one if you don’t succeed. This is a challenge to think outside of the box, to step back, to ask “why?” in response to “this is the way things are done”. To consider alternative paths for reaching *your* unique goals.

Debut Analysis for Aspiring Writers: After two and a half years of reviewing debuts, Tia Nevitt shares her thoughts on writing to fit trends, complete with marine metaphors. What I have found (as a reader and follower of agent blogs) is that high-concept, original twists and fresh ideas really work. The standard fantasy fare, however well-written, is just too same ol’ same ol’ to jaded readers (of which I am one, I’m afraid).

JA Konrath always has such an interesting take on ebooks, especially in light of lessons learned watching the movie and music industries deal with piracy. Will books go the Google way, with free content and paid advertising? And here’s his followup, Selling Paper, on why the publishing industry is approaching e-books from the wrong angle.