I’m feeling pretty great today, because I got a lovely review for FHN yesterday from Publishers Weekly.  I’m the one grinning … at least until the next ten inches of snow starts falling on Washington, DC.

This next poet is known for once tying a blue ribbon to a lobster named Thibault and taking him for a walk through Parisian gardens.  Seriously.  This poem is more about loving all creatures, rather than romantic love, and the flower line is sometimes translated as “Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature.”  I like that.

Don’t worry about the title on this one. I’m having trouble finding it too!

Honor in each creature the spirit which moves it:
Each flower is a soul moved by Nature’s face;
In each metal resides some of love’s mystery;
“All things feel!” And all you are is powerful.

Happy reading!

Originally published at Amy Brecount White. You can comment here or there.

Today’s poem is by a woman whose own garden is well-known and documented.  She also had her own conservatory to assure the presence of  flowers in winter.

“I hide myself within my flower,
That wearing on your breast,
You, unsuspecting, wear me too –
And angels know the rest.”

[The stock  photo is of a conservatory I'd love to wander into someday.]

Originally published at Amy Brecount White. You can comment here or there.

Thanks for all the sweet comments about the poems so far.  I’m having a great time, too!

This next one is by a poet who is best known for a philosophical prose work that has been an international best seller.  He is also a source of inspiration for my friend and fellow Tenner, Irene Latham, a published poet herself and author of Leaving Gee’s Bend.

“I am the lover’s gift; I am the wedding wreath;
I am the memory of a moment of happiness …”

Yes, a snowy red camellia, in honor of the many, many feet of snow now surrounding my house.  I don’t think my camellias look like this though.

Originally published at Amy Brecount White. You can comment here or there.

Today my very special guest is Kristi, aka The Story Siren.  As one of the most well-known YA book bloggers, Kristi has been a welcome champion for MG & YA authors.  In 2007, she had a personal blog, but was inspired by other book blogs to start her own, and “thus a blog was born,” she says.  This year she is running the Debut Author Challenge — 271 readers have signed up! — some fun surveys, and truly awesome giveaways.  She also profiles new book bloggers and welcomes them to the community. And she’s very fun to chat with on Twitter.

Welcome, Krist!  What’s your favorite flower and why?

My favorite flower is the daisy. Or more specifically, the Gerbera Daisy. I’m not really sure why I like them, I just do!

[FYI:  Daisies mean innocence or simplicity in the language of flowers. I love these too.]

Is there a quotation you live by or have posted at your desk?

“Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.”  -John Lennon

So true.  Which book do you wish you could actually live in?

Oh wow… that is a hard one. I’d have to go with a fantasy book, so probably it’s really a toss up between Harry Potter, Vampire Academy or The Mortal Instruments…

Who’s your favorite dead writer? (We don’t want to offend the living here!)

Jane Austen

[I'm amazed at how often her name comes up.  One of my faves, too.]

How many hours a week do you spend on your blog? (I’m impressed!)

This is sorta of embarrassing, because know everyone is going to know, I don’t have a life!

I’m online at least 20-ish hours a week. Probably more than that, but I couldn’t say exactly how many of those are spend on the blog, and not just wasting time on twitter and answering emails!

[Twitter ... a waste of time?  Never!]

What’s your favorite time of the day and place to read and why?

I enjoy reading any time of the day, and I read at all times of the day and night! My favorite place is on the couch with a blanket and a cup of hot cocoa, or in the summer outside laying in the hammock!

What’s the most important thing authors can do to promote their book, in your opinion?

Have an online presence. Have a website, or a Facebook page or a twitter account. Make yourself accessible to your readers. I like to see there is actually a person behind the book.

What do you like about meeting an author in person and who had the most fun event ever and why?

I just love getting to share my love of an author’s book with them!

The most fun..? That is a hard one, I’ve only been to three author events, and they were all so very different but each equally as awesome. I was actually able have conversations with the authors themselves at each one, and that was something that I never expected!

Thanks so much for stopping by, Kristi!  And happy blogging!

Originally published at Amy Brecount White. You can comment here or there.

This is a lovely, lovely poem.  I adore that first image and wonder if it would still have any fragrance left.

“I am the blossom pressed in a book,
found again after two hundred years. . . .

I am the maker, the lover, and the keeper. . . . ”

Happy poem hunting!!  And be sure to read my interview with Kristi, the Story Siren!  (see above)

Originally published at Amy Brecount White. You can comment here or there.

I feel like I need a drumroll.  I can’t tell you how many hours I spent working on this, but I truly hope it gives you a taste of Laurel’s world and plants flowers in your heart!

Forget-Her-Nots Trailer!!!

Originally published at Amy Brecount White. You can comment here or there.

First off, if you haven’t yet read Forget-Her-Nots, the first five chapters are posted on the HarperTeen website for their Browse Inside feature.  Very cool, methinks, and so glad to share.  Now for today’s poetry ….

This one is from a new poet I’ve just discovered.  I love her lushness and can’t wait to read more of her words!

“They are everywhere–those sunflowers with the coal heart center.

They riot without speaking, huge, wet mouths caught at half-gasp, half-kiss.

Flowers she promises I’ll grow into, sweet gardener … “

Originally published at Amy Brecount White. You can comment here or there.

 
Here's another one of my favorites that's quoted in Forget-Her-Nots:             





"It's at the edge of the

petal that love waits."

Here’s the poem for day two.  One of my all-time favorites, and it’s in Forget-Her-Nots.  The punctuation probably gives it away.

“your slightest look easily will unclose me

though I have closed myself as fingers,

you open always petal by petal myself as

Spring opens

(touching skillyfullymysteriously) her first

rose.”

And if you have a minute, check out Stephanie’s interview with me at Juiciliciousss Reviews today!

Originally published at Amy Brecount White. You can comment here or there.

What goes together better than love, flowers, and poetry?

Not much I say, so to celebrate the <3 you holiday, I’m having a fun and literary contest.  The lucky winner will receive:

1)  a signed hardback copy of Forget-Her-Nots as soon as I get one (I’m hoping by the end of the contest!)

2)  FHN swag, including buttons, temporary tattoos, signed bookmarks, and cool postcards to send your friends.

3)  a bouquet of flowers delivered to your doorstep (kind of flowers TBD).  (Flower delivery to US only.  All else is international.)

So how do you enter?

Each day between now and 2/13, I will post lines of poetry that feature love and flowers.  All you have to do is look up the lines, read the poem, and write down the name of the poet and the name of the poem.  The former-English-teacher in me has picked a variety of poems, two of which are quoted in Forget-Her-Nots!

OR, for the creatively inclined, you can write an original love flower poem of at least ten lines.  The best three poems, as determined by me and several learned judges, including Kate at The Neverending Shelf, will be featured on my blog the week of 2/15.

So, to summarize, you get entries by doing each of the following:

1 - tweeting about the contest and leaving a comment on this blog;

1 - posting about the contest and leaving a comment on this blog;

12  - keeping track of the 12 poems and poets and emailing me the list at amywords@verizon.net by 2/14 at midnight.  (Yes, it will be prorated if you don’t get all 12 — one for each poem & poet.)

12 - writing your own love flower poem!  You go, girl.

Questions?  Excited?  Leave a comment.        

Poem #1:

“And I will make thee beds of roses,

And a thousand fragrant posies.”

Who wrote it and what’s the name of the poem?

[A posy is another name for a small, symbolic bouquet, also known as a tussie-mussie   ]

The Fine Print:  Giveaway is open internationally to anyone age 13 or older.   (Excluding flower delivery internationally.  Will make up for it if winner is international.)  Prize winner will be announced on Twitter and here, so please provide info for me to contact you easily.   The contest is over on 2/14 at midnight.   Prize must be claimed by 2/20.

Thanks so much for entering!  Happy reading!

Originally published at Amy Brecount White. You can comment here or there.

Hey, all!  Check out my guest post with Kate at the Neverending Shelf on human/ flower relations and Forget-Her-Nots!

Coming tomorrow:  the LOVE FLOWER POETRY contest for Valentine’s Day.

Originally published at Amy Brecount White. You can comment here or there.

Today our guest is Drea, a twenty-something teen librarian from the Chicagoland area, who reviews books, blogs, and offers the occasional contest as BookBlather.

Hi, Drea.  What’s your favorite flower?

This has changed over the years, but I would say at this moment it would have to be an orchid. They just have this majestic beauty about them that draws me to them.  [FYI, orchids mean the belle of the ball or passion in the language of flowers.  See Drea's lovely orchid above!]

Is there a quotation you live by or have posted at your desk?

It’s not really a quotation, more like a personal motto: “Still Awaiting Serenity.”  It’s a phrase I latched onto years ago that reminds me that I’ll never truly be complete and to keep searching for those pieces that will make me a better person. I think it’s my way of telling myself to never settle and to continue reaching for more.

Which book do you wish you could live in?

Oh man, this is a hard one. I can’t pick just ONE book, but I will tell you my favorite worlds. I’m torn between the Tortall Realm by Tamora Pearce or the Faerie Courts by Melissa Marr. If I HAD to choose just one, I would go with Tortall. I’ve grown up reading the characters in that world and they have been like best friends at time.

Who’s your favorite dead writer and why? (We don’t want to hurt the feelings of the living here!)

Hands down, Virginia Woolf. She was such a brilliant woman and writer. I’m always finding something new in her writings every time I read them. Some, like A Room of One’s Own, is so empowering to women.  And while she was certainly a tortured soul, there is so much I’ve been able to learn from her writings.  [Drea and I also share a love for Woolf's To the Lighthouse!]

How long have you been blogging and why did you start?

I started Book Blather a little over a year ago. My main reason was to keep a log of what I’m reading.   As a YA Librarian, I’m devouring more books than I can keep up and the blog is a way for me to remember what I’ve read and what I liked/did not like a book!  Of course, the reasonI continue is because of the amazing friends with authors/bloggers that I’ve made along the way.

What do you love best about YA novels?

What’s not to love?  Seriously. T here are so many talented writers in the YA world, and more still coming (like Amy!).   I wish I could put into words why I love YA novels, but I really can’t.   There’s just something that has sucked me in and just won’t let me go!   And I hope this love affair is one that never ends.

Do you have any predictions for the future of YA novels and writers?

I predict that they will send me their ARCs so I don’t have to wait to read them!  No, no, okay, really.  Predictions, predictions, hmmmm.  I think I see the YA market continuing to bring in amazing books/authors.  I see it growing even more than it already has and shaking off its stigma and pulling in more adults.  I also see sparkly vampires retiring to their coffins (oh please, oh please, oh please!)

You just got back from ALA.  What was the most fun?

Well, I love the exhibits.  I mean FREE books!  And I love bringing home really good ones that I can bribe my teens with.  (It’s all about the bribes!) But I also like sitting down with publishers and talking about the books they’re about to publish.  I got to sit one-on-one with one publishing company and had a fantastic time ranting about what books I already loved and the ones I was excited about being able to read.

What advice would you give to writers who appear at libraries?

Have fun!  Be down to earth and don’t try too hard.  Teens may appear to be bored, but I can almost guarantee that they’re really listening.   Candy or other fun stuff is a good way to bribe them into talking too.  Once they’re talking it’ll be smooth sailing after that.  Oh, and above all, give lots of love to the librarians!  We most likely love you just as much (maybe more!) than the teens.

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, Drea!  You can follow her on twitter, too.

Originally published at Amy Brecount White. You can comment here or there.

Today I welcome author Jen Nadol whose thoughtful and moving YA debut, The Mark, was just released this week.  Congrats, Jen!  Jen and I are both members of the online support and promotional group, the Tenners.  

[Be sure to keep reading for a fun GIVEAWAY at the end!]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi, Jen.  What’s your favorite flower and why?

I really like the simplicity of white tulips. [FYI, flower lovers.  White tulips are for forgiveness in the language of flowers.]

Which book do you wish you could live in?

Oh gosh. Honestly? None.  Most books – at least the ones I read – have some kind of compelling, and often unpleasant, conflict.  I don’t really need any extra drama.

Who’s your favorite dead author? (We don’t want to hurt the feelings of the living here!)

I’ll go with Theodore Dreiser because I’ve re-read An American Tragedy over and over, though I’ve never read anything else he’s written.

What about the story compels you to read An American Tragedy over and over? [Gulp.  Note to self:  add to reading list.]

I love stories that explore the human psyche in the way this does. You see disastrous looming, watch in slow motion as the events unfold and understand, on a certain level, exactly why the protagonist makes the terrible choices he does. It’s fascinating, plus just really solid storytelling.

What’s the most impressive dish you can cook?

Bananas Foster - delicious and on fire!

What’s your favorite time of the day to write and why?

Anytime that I can be by myself without distractions.

Your novel deals with the weighty issue of knowing someone else is about to die and how to deal with that knowledge. Did writing this novel change how you think about your own life?

That’s a great question. Writing the scenes where Cassie’s trying to make decisions or thinking about what she’d do if it were her last day definitely made me answer those questions for myself (the best you can answer questions like that). But I think, really, it was having kids that made the value of time tangible to me: how quickly it passes, how careful we have to be about not squandering the days we have. So I think I was already *in* a mindset of contemplating mortality and such when I began the novel.

Who do you think is the wisest philosopher mentioned in The Mark, or one whose thoughts you try to follow and why?

What I enjoy about philosophy isn’t any particular teacher or school of thought, but how it teaches you, the reader, to think critically and examine independently. Question everything. It’s easy to glide along, accepting things at face value, but it’s important to stop sometimes and really think about what we’re doing, what people are telling us and be sure we’re on the path we want to be on.

You can find out more about Jen here.  Thanks so much, Jen!

 

HERE’S THE FUN CONTEST PART!!!

One lucky reader will win a copy of The Mark, along with a $15 iTunes gift card and a bunch of Forget-Her-Nots swag.

To enter:  Post (on blog OR Facebook) and/or tweet (I’m @amybrecountwhit  and you can RT what I said) about this interview/ contest with Jen.  UP TO 2 ENTRIES if you both post and tweet.  Also, please follow me and Jen on Twitter if you’re not already!  Please comment with links on this post to let me know what you’ve done and that you’re in.

The Fine Print:  Giveaway is open internationally to anyone age 13 or older.  Prize winner will be announced on Twitter and here, so please provide info for me to contact you easily.   The contest is over on 1/30 at 12 p.m.   Prize must be claimed by 2/10. 

Thanks so much for entering!  Happy reading!

Originally published at Amy Brecount White. You can comment here or there.

Check out my Books page to read an excerpt from a chapter called “Rite of Spring.”  So excited to share!

Originally published at Amy Brecount White. You can comment here or there.

 Oops! I thought I'd cross posted this.  Better late ...

Thanks to all of the people who have blurbed about or WOW’d or read FHN already.  Here are some of the awesome reviews so far:

“Forget-Her-Nots is a rich and original debut by a very talented debut author that yet again proves what a fantastic year 2010 is going to be for YA…. In all, Forget-Her-Nots is a darling and enchanting read that I can’t wait to talk about with others!”

- Lauren of Lauren’s Crammed Bookshelf.

“Forget-Her-Nots was a great read with a wonderfully original premise. I loved learning about the Victorian language of flowers and what each variety was thought to mean – the feelings and behavior it might provoke.

There were beautifully written passages throughout the book, one flashback between Laurel and her mother a favorite of mine. Very enjoyable and totally appropriate for younger YA readers on up!”

- Jen Nadol, author of  The Mark

“Like the petals of a rose, this book has layers of loveliness. The delicate and feminine cover adds to its beauty and will make a wonderful addition to any library.”

- Christina Gonzalez, author of The Red Umbrella

“Very cute, original plot, and a fun read.”  Sharon of Sharonlovesbooksandcats.com

“This book was amazing. I loved how White created something so unique.”

- Sarah at Sarah’s Random Musings

“4.5 stars!”  - Cindy Pon, author of Silver Phoenix:  Beyond the Kingdom of Xia

“I love this book so far. It’s really addicting” and FIVE STARS  from Zoe of Zoe’s Book Reviews

“I’m one of the lucky ones to have been able to read this pre-published. It is a unique fantasy that will delight all readers with a compelling mystery and lots of fun romance! You will also come out learning a lot about the Victorian meaning to tussy mussies (or flower bouquets) that has stayed with me ever since I read the manuscript. If you love historical romance as well as contemporary YA plotlines, this is the book for you.”   – Pam Calvert, author of Princess Peepers and other books

Originally published at Amy Brecount White. You can comment here or there.

 

I’m posting this a little early, because we’re headed out of town for some much-needed R & R, and I’m not sure what my internet conductivity will be.  Before 2009 comes to a close, I just want to thank all the awesome people who have helped me make it through a somewhat rocky year.

-My fabulous editors Virginia, Martha, and Sarah at Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins, who helped to shape Forget-Her-Nots into a novel I’m so proud of.  Happy 35th anniversary, Greenwillow!

- My art director at Greenwillow, Paul Zakris, who designed a beautiful package to hold my words.

-My agent, Steven Chudney, who has always had faith in the magic of the novel and my ability to write lovely and moving words.

- My three kids who keep me centered and sane.  They show me my best and worse self and even write me poems when I’m down.

- My husband, who gave me a room of my own and time to be there.

- My two sisters, brother, and Mom who have supported and loved me again and again.

- My great friends — Kathi, Margit, Carol, Carol (yup, there are two of them), Barbara, and Suzanne.  You all have provided amazing shoulders, ears, and hugs.

- The Tenners.  I’ve learned so much and had sooo much fun with all of you!  2010 will rock for books!

- My wonderful new crit partners, Denise, Pam, and Cyn, who have been invaluable to my WIP, String Theories, and who rock as writers themselves!

- Vania, for designing amazing postcards and bookmarks I hope to send EVERYWHERE.

- The YA blogger community, especially everyone who’s W.O.W.’d  Forget-Her -Nots and added me to their Debut Challenge lists!

Thanks everybody!  I can’t wait for 2010 to begin.

[First posted at www.amybrecountwhite.com]

It’s cold and rainy today, one of my least favorite types of weather, but I saw something amazing. My kids were off to school, and I’d finished walking the dog. A spot of pink caught my eye as I rounded our house. It was a gorgeous pink rose. I know I should have a picture, but my camera is being annoying today. So I’ll have to describe it. It’s a light shade of pink with more petals than I can count. It weathered cold air, wind, and rain to open perfectly in my side yard. It’s the definitely last rose of the year, because there are no buds left. I’m not usually a rose person, because they’re too labor intensive. (I prefer easy perennials at this point in my life.) But this one seemed almost miraculous and symbolic. One last burst of beauty and rosy fragrance before winter descends. In the language of flowers, a pink rose can mean grace, beauty, and happiness. It brought all to me today!

 Hey, everyone.  Writers have to read differently from regular people to improve their craft.  Check out my thoughts at :


www.authorsnow.com


And a big, shout-out of thanks to Kristen at Bookworming in the 21st Century for the W.O.W. feature!  YA bloggers rule!

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