Report on Philly Day

The Rowdy Mockingbird showed up at 2:17am this morning, but I slammed my window so loud I think he got the message. He flew off to woo elsewhere.

Yesterday was a great day to be in Philly. Perfect weather and not too many tourists. Many, many thanks to Christian Varquez, director of Friends of Independence for arranging the whole gig, and for all the nice people who came out. We spent time at the Powel House, the Todd House, and the garden where Benjamin Rush’s house used to be. Before and after the presentation I wandered through the area, focusing on what the city was like in the Revolutionary and Federalist eras. My next novel (after the YA I’m working on now) is another historical fiction. I’ve already started the research and pondering for it, so the walk was fun and helpful.

Image hosted by TinyPic.com Here is the awesome Mother-Daughter Book Club who came out to hear me. Thank you, ladies!

For some reason the asthma beast is kicking my butt today, so I’m going to lay low and work on the new book. I have a rough sense of what happens when, a clear sense of my main character and his buddies (and enemies), and now I’m plowing through scenes one at a time, trying to bring vague ideas to life on the page. I should be able to get a respectable hunk of work done today. Mer and I cleaned the apartment yesterday and we actually bought groceries (shocking), so I’m all set.

Here’s a fun quiz: which science fiction writer are you? Turns out I am Robert Heinlein, which made me smile.

18 Replies to “Report on Philly Day”

  1. I am Samuel R. “Chip” Delany
    “Few have had such broad commercial success with aggressively experimental prose techniques.”

    Never heard of him.

  2. I am Samuel R. “Chip” Delany
    “Few have had such broad commercial success with aggressively experimental prose techniques.”

    Never heard of him.

  3. I am Samuel R. “Chip” Delany
    “Few have had such broad commercial success with aggressively experimental prose techniques.”

    Never heard of him.

  4. My Snow White version of your bird was demolished last night when a crow showed up outside my window. Man, those things can caw like nobody’s business. They’re the raspy voiced cigar smoking mafia of the bird world.

    Thought you’d like to know that at yesterday’s SCBWI’s San Diego conference editor Mark McVeigh talked in depth about Speak, including it in his top five favorite YA books. He extolled Melinda’s voice, the truth of the book, how you managed to take something of dark substance and instill hope by the end.

    And that’s just one of your books. Look at the others and the range of your writing. I admire your flexibility as a writer, the way you reach into different cockles in each book creating something emotionally evocative and real. Gush.

  5. My Snow White version of your bird was demolished last night when a crow showed up outside my window. Man, those things can caw like nobody’s business. They’re the raspy voiced cigar smoking mafia of the bird world.

    Thought you’d like to know that at yesterday’s SCBWI’s San Diego conference editor Mark McVeigh talked in depth about Speak, including it in his top five favorite YA books. He extolled Melinda’s voice, the truth of the book, how you managed to take something of dark substance and instill hope by the end.

    And that’s just one of your books. Look at the others and the range of your writing. I admire your flexibility as a writer, the way you reach into different cockles in each book creating something emotionally evocative and real. Gush.

  6. My Snow White version of your bird was demolished last night when a crow showed up outside my window. Man, those things can caw like nobody’s business. They’re the raspy voiced cigar smoking mafia of the bird world.

    Thought you’d like to know that at yesterday’s SCBWI’s San Diego conference editor Mark McVeigh talked in depth about Speak, including it in his top five favorite YA books. He extolled Melinda’s voice, the truth of the book, how you managed to take something of dark substance and instill hope by the end.

    And that’s just one of your books. Look at the others and the range of your writing. I admire your flexibility as a writer, the way you reach into different cockles in each book creating something emotionally evocative and real. Gush.

  7. Can I hire your crow for a hit on my mockingbird?

    As for the rest of your post: *blushes*. Thank you very much for the kind words. They are helping me get through this hour because right now I am convinced I am an idiot because I can’t figure out this stupid, stupid barbeque scene.

  8. Can I hire your crow for a hit on my mockingbird?

    As for the rest of your post: *blushes*. Thank you very much for the kind words. They are helping me get through this hour because right now I am convinced I am an idiot because I can’t figure out this stupid, stupid barbeque scene.

  9. Can I hire your crow for a hit on my mockingbird?

    As for the rest of your post: *blushes*. Thank you very much for the kind words. They are helping me get through this hour because right now I am convinced I am an idiot because I can’t figure out this stupid, stupid barbeque scene.

  10. hi

    hi laurie. thanx 4 the card! i hope you’re feeling better! i laughed when i read about the mockingbird. i don’t really get mockingbirds in carlisle. i just get birds that i don’t know the names of that sing randomly. well i g2g. just wanted 2 say hi & leave a comment! as always, ashley 🙂

  11. hi

    hi laurie. thanx 4 the card! i hope you’re feeling better! i laughed when i read about the mockingbird. i don’t really get mockingbirds in carlisle. i just get birds that i don’t know the names of that sing randomly. well i g2g. just wanted 2 say hi & leave a comment! as always, ashley 🙂

  12. hi

    hi laurie. thanx 4 the card! i hope you’re feeling better! i laughed when i read about the mockingbird. i don’t really get mockingbirds in carlisle. i just get birds that i don’t know the names of that sing randomly. well i g2g. just wanted 2 say hi & leave a comment! as always, ashley 🙂

  13. Met you last year, hoping you reply!

    Laurie,
    Last year you came to my school in good ol’ Syracuse NY. After your talk, I finally got the courage to go up and tell you how your book Speak had changed my life after devestating events that took place a year before. I did end up writing you a letter and – tada – you replied. (I must say I was extremely excited when you did write back). I acctually wrote you another letter but it was posted on your website that you had moved so I didn’t end up sending it. Anyways, I’m HOPING you remember me, I really wouldnt mind chatting again – if you get a chance. Seems you’re very busy these days, which is completely understandable. I’m excited to read your new book… looks great.

    Again, thank you so much, and reply if possible!

    – joyful poet

  14. Met you last year, hoping you reply!

    Laurie,
    Last year you came to my school in good ol’ Syracuse NY. After your talk, I finally got the courage to go up and tell you how your book Speak had changed my life after devestating events that took place a year before. I did end up writing you a letter and – tada – you replied. (I must say I was extremely excited when you did write back). I acctually wrote you another letter but it was posted on your website that you had moved so I didn’t end up sending it. Anyways, I’m HOPING you remember me, I really wouldnt mind chatting again – if you get a chance. Seems you’re very busy these days, which is completely understandable. I’m excited to read your new book… looks great.

    Again, thank you so much, and reply if possible!

    – joyful poet

  15. Met you last year, hoping you reply!

    Laurie,
    Last year you came to my school in good ol’ Syracuse NY. After your talk, I finally got the courage to go up and tell you how your book Speak had changed my life after devestating events that took place a year before. I did end up writing you a letter and – tada – you replied. (I must say I was extremely excited when you did write back). I acctually wrote you another letter but it was posted on your website that you had moved so I didn’t end up sending it. Anyways, I’m HOPING you remember me, I really wouldnt mind chatting again – if you get a chance. Seems you’re very busy these days, which is completely understandable. I’m excited to read your new book… looks great.

    Again, thank you so much, and reply if possible!

    – joyful poet

  16. thanks!

    hey. thanks for the comment!:-) that was a bright spot 2 my day!:-) thanks again! as always, ashley 🙂
    p.s. good luck on the book!:-)

  17. thanks!

    hey. thanks for the comment!:-) that was a bright spot 2 my day!:-) thanks again! as always, ashley 🙂
    p.s. good luck on the book!:-)

  18. thanks!

    hey. thanks for the comment!:-) that was a bright spot 2 my day!:-) thanks again! as always, ashley 🙂
    p.s. good luck on the book!:-)

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