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Article 5 Book Launch

Feb 3, 2012 | , , | 11 Comments

Last night, my writing buddies here in Orlando, Jess Souders, Larissa Hardesty, and Tara Gallina took a road trip to Tampa for Kristen Simmon’s ARTICLE 5 book launch. What a great time!

The launch took place at Inkwood Books, an adorable indie bookstore. If you’re ever in Tampa, I’d recommend checking out what they have to offer.

We ate yummy #5 cookies while we listened to Kristen share about her writing journey, which was touching and really an inspiration to us all. Tara even won swag!

Kristen then read us an excerpt of her book and already I’m anxious to start reading my new autographed copy.

Kristen’s agent, Joanna was there for the occasion, having flown all the way from Chicago! It was such a touching moment to listen to Kristen share how her dreams have become a reality.

We also met book blogger, Sarah, from The Book Life too!

Here’s the blurb on Kristen’s book:

ARTICLE 5, the first installment of a dystopian trilogy for teens. Major cities have been abandoned, the Bill of Rights has been revoked and replaced with the Moral Statutes, there are no more police – instead, only soldiers. Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that life in the United States used to be different. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. She has learned to keep a low profile, but then her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And what’s worse, one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Jan 23, 2012 | | 9 Comments

Happy New Year! It’s another new year in the Chinese calendar. I’m so used to celebrating it while we were in Asia for the last 10 years that it feels weird to know I have school this week! Bummer, right?

I’m super excited about this year because it’s the YEAR OF THE DRAGON! Oh yeah. And I think it’s going to be a good one.
Chinese legends tell the tale of how during the eve of the new year a mythical beast named Nian would feast and plunder on the village’s livestock, crops and even villagers.
So the villagers started putting food outside their doors to keep the monster at bay. Then one year, a villager noticed that Nian was afraid of a child wearing red. So they strung red lanterns across their villages and hung red scrolls in their windows. They even lit fireworks to scare him off, too.

Today, the Chinese prepare feasts, shoot of fireworks, have parades and hand out gifts. It’s a beautiful, festive holiday.

In Korea, the day is called Seollal. Koreans call this day the Lunar New Year and it’s celebrated in a three day holiday. Visiting family during this holiday is very important.
This why when we lived in Seoul, we’d NEVER travel. The traffic to leave the city was horrendous. If you were to travel, you’d need to leave before dawn.
Here’s a video I took of a dragon parade in downtown Seoul:

I always loved visiting the museums and shops during Lunar because everyone else was gone and we wouldn’t have to fight the traffic or the lines. We’d practically have the place to ourselves.

And ohhhh the rice cakes they make at this time of the year. So soft and savory. Yum.

Happy New Year!

Thanks to Real Image for the lovely pictures.

Break Free and Dream

Jan 19, 2012 | | 15 Comments

We all have dreams, secretly stowed away, waiting to be fulfilled.

When I was little, I dreamed of being a singer, dancer, or even a writer.


Yep. That was me twirling around the house in tutus, singing at the top of my lungs. Or hidden in some cramped corner writing silly poems about dolls and mapping out imaginary worlds.

Then one day I realized a couple of things:
1. I didn’t want to leave my family and go to ballet boarding school in New York (yes, I very nearly did).
2. I could sing (for my family).
3. And I could write (crap that is).

So I gave it all up. All of it, and I did different stuff. Like piano and rock climbing. But deep in my heart of hearts, I still loved to dance, secretly sang in the shower and daydreamed up imaginary worlds.

One of those dreams came true for me a while back when I took the plunge and auditioned for characters at Disney World. I ended up dancing in their castle show for a number of years before moving overseas. It was an amazing experience, but I would never have done it if I’d allowed myself to believe I wasn’t good enough.

And then after that was over, I started thinking about that other dream I had. Writing. I sucked at it. Big time. But the love and passion were still there, deep inside me, aching to come out.

So I took the plunge and started writing again. It was hard and it still is. But I’m ready to learn. I’m ready to take on new challenges.

There’s something to remember about dreams:
1. You must be willing to do what it takes.
2. If you want MORE, you have to get up and MOVE.
3. Don’t stay stuck in your old patterns.
4. Write those dreams down, stick them on the walls, remind yourself why.

What must you change to make those dreams reality? Make your list. I’ve made mine. And I’m chasing them.

Tonight, wish upon your star.

Multiple Points of View

Jan 10, 2012 | | 6 Comments

I really enjoy reading books with multiple points of view. Recent reads have been the ACROSS THE UNIVERSE books, BLOOD MAGIC and CROSSED. In looking at books with multiple points of view, it’s important to get into the character’s head.

A book I thoroughly enjoyed, as did my students, was ONCE UPON A MOTORCYCLE DUDE by Kevin O’Malley. The fairytale was written by his two characters, one a girl and one a boy. What made this book so special was the illustrations because they match well with the text.

For instance, the girl starts telling the story:
“Once upon a time in a castle… there lived a beautiful princess named Princess Tenderheart.”

The illustrations done by Carol Heyer match the text perfectly with soft pastel colors, flowers and ponies.

Then the book takes a full 180 degree switch when the boy takes over the story:
“One day this really cool muscle dude rides up to the castle on his motorcycle.”

And the illustrations are full of dark colors: blacks, reds and silvers. In fact, Heyer doesn’t illustrate these but it’s an entirely different illustrator, Scott Goto. There are words like volcanoes, thunder, lightning, battles, and giants.

I loved how distinctly different the characters were and their point of views. It made the story hilarious (sure it was a little stereotypical) but I couldn’t help but think, this is the perfect example of a book that shows point of view switches!

Some great links for writing different POV’s are:

Ultimately, it’s important each character has their own distinct voice. If you were to open the book and randomly pick out a page, would you be able to identify who’s telling the story at that point by the voice?

How about you? Have you written or read a great book with multiple points of views?

Twizzlers Sent Me Inspiration!

Jan 3, 2012 | | 10 Comments


The other day on Twitter I mentioned that I’d sent hubby out to get me a pack of chocolate and Twizzlers to help me with my revisions. I asked Twitter if he was being sweet or escaping. Twizzlers voted SWEET and sent me this really cool Twizzlers pen!
I love it! Thank you Twizzlers for sending me some inspiration.
You can follow them on Twitter too. Click here.
(Oh and ignore my messy desk.)

Winners of 9 Book Giveaway!!!!

Jan 2, 2012 | | 5 Comments

Oh how I love giveaways. They are just soooo much fun. Thank you to everyone who entered! And now I get to announce the lucky ones.

Middle Grade Fantasy Pack: Kaya H
Middle Grade Girl’s Pack: Still open for giveaway. The first person to comment saying they want it, gets it!!!!!!
MATCHED: Madison
I AM NUMBER FOUR: Llehn
UNTRACEABLE: Zoe Z

Please email me your mailing address at christinal dot farley at gmail dot com to get your book(s)! 

Picture from Absolute Necessities.

Word of the Year

Dec 31, 2011 | | 12 Comments

Happy New Year guys! I can’t believe it is already another year. I don’t know about you, but I’m so excited about 2012.

Most of you know me pretty well and that I’m very goal driven. It’s a great thing if I want to get a job done, but it can borderline on being a bit obsessive. Like writing a particular number of words a day or reading a book a day or jogging so many miles.

In the past I’ve made up my goals and they have helped me keep focused on what I want for myself and my career. For instance, if you check out this post, it had my goals for last year.

I am happy to report I accomplished everything on my list! I even snagged an amazing agent too! Actually, he’s beyond amazing and I’m so lucky to have him representing me.

Thinking about this upcoming year, I’m going to go a different route. I’m focusing my goals on a specific word and then revolve all my goals around that word.

So my word for this year is STRENGTHEN. How will I strengthen myself as a writer?

1. Read– focusing on diversifying my reading choices and going beyond my standby favorites
2. Attend conferences– building my craft and networking
3. Finish revising my current WIP and transforming it into a book that’s even better than anything I’ve ever written yet.
4. Write another book (grin)- but for this one I’d like to try a genre that I haven’t written in yet. I’m excited about this one too!

I want to challenge you to make up your goals as well. But as you make the list, remember to make sure that these goals are within YOUR control. I have my secret wish list too (sorry, not sharing that one!), but those are wishes that I have no control over and for goals, I believe that they need to be attainable by you.

So, if you were to choose a word for your year, what would it be?

Pictures from Skinny Bodybuilding.

A Floridian Christmas

Dec 25, 2011 | | 3 Comments

Merry Christmas from sunny Florida! We’ve been spending the last week swimming, playing in the sand, orange picking, riding bikes and playing soccer in the yard. And of course, we went to Disney World! It’s the perfect weather to be outside having fun. Snow is nice, but there’s nothing quite like a Floridian Christmas.

This holiday will be the first in over 10 years that we won’t be traveling. I have to admit that I’m kind of excited to be hanging out with family, reading my stacks of books (yes, STACKS!) and getting lots of good writing in too.

How about you? What are your holiday plans?

Don’t forget to enter my 9 Book Giveaway! My gift to you all. There’s still time until the New Year.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday filled with fun, rest and peace.

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