THE PLEDGE: The Ultimate Beach Read?

Deadly secrets, check.

Revolution and assassinations, check and check again.

Diabolical queen who would stop at nothing to remain on the throne, check and mate.

I mean, why wouldn't you want to curl up by the pool or on the beach and read about all the tyranny and oppression of Charlie's world in THE PLEDGE? And hey, why not share it with your friends too, as in: BOOK CLUB!

Simon & Schuster has posted the ULTIMATE READING GROUP GUIDE for THE PLEDGE, great for schools, libraries, and, you guessed it, Book Clubs. (Editorial note: Book Clubs may want to skip the part about making a collage to inspire others to read the book. Or not. Just sayin'.) (Another editorial note: I added the "Ultimate" to the "Ultimate Reading Group Guide." I think it sounds cooler that way. And way more ultimate.)

Seriously, though, this is a great guide if you're reading the book as a group (any group). And if you happen to be using it in the classroom, it meets the Common Core Curriculum Standards. Again, just sayin'. 

I'll keep the link posted in my sidebar. You know, for when your Book Club is choosing its next fun beach read ;)

Changing the Way I Write...

 
I’ve been hearing for years about the wonders of Scrivener. In fact, I’ve had it on my computer since 2010. And I’d tried it...a couple of times. With no real success. It was just kind of...meh.

But I kept hearing all these other writers extolling its virtues, telling me how much they loved it and couldn’t live without it. How it had “changed the way they write.”  Finally, in April, Kelley Armstrong (whom I both admire and adore!) told me to take the plunge and start using it, because all those other authors, they were right. And she made a recommendation—she told me to get a book called Scrivener for Dummies by Gwen Hernandez to help me muddle through the stuff I just wasn’t “getting” about the program.  

And I did.

And guess what?  I sort of get it, the whole Scrivener thing. Not just because of the book, but I did some research, too.  I watched videos and tutorials. I learned what the program could do for me. And here’s the thing, it’s takes everything I love and puts it all in one place.  It’s like having Pinterest and all my research and my clunky character profiles and my outlines and my little sticky notes (that are usually jumbled all over my desk) with any random thought that pops into my head AND MY MANUSCRIPT all formatted into one ginormous electronic file...where I can find any of the info whenever I need it. It’s revolutionary.

And just downright cool.

If you haven’t tried Scrivener yet, and if you’re as terrified as change as I am, here’s how I got started:

First of all, there’s a free 30-day trial over at Literature & Latte (the site that designs and sells the program). This way you can try Scrivener with zero risk! One of the things I like about the program, too, is that I work on two separate Macs, and even though I bought the program WAY BACK in 2010, I was able to not only upgrade the program I bought to the most current version for free, but I was also able to use THAT SAME license for my second Mac at no additional cost. AWESOME!!!

Second, these are the tutorials and videos I recommend starting with:

Introduction to Scrivener

Scrivener In-depth (Very similar to the intro, but a little more info)

Character Outlines by Erin Bowman (This is a MUST for writers, created by the author of TAKEN) (Not to be confused by my upcoming THE TAKING—although because of the titles, it totally will be!)

Using Scrivener for Outlining by Erin Bowman (Another great one for writers)

I haven’t gone through them all, but here are some more links to tutorials.

Third, if you need a book to refer to, definitely pick up Scrivener for Dummies by Gwen Hernandez. This is a great guide for beginners!

All-in-all, I’m loving Scrivener so far! Life changing? Well, we’ll see about that, but I honestly can’t thank Kelley enough for pushing me to make the switch!!

What about you guys, any Scrivener thoughts???

DEAD SILENCE Playlist

I generally don't listen to music WHILE I'm writing, otherwise I'm not writing, I'm singing. Badly.

Instead, I use music as a tool. To think things out. I like to crank up the radio in the car and let my mind drift while I'm driving. And to sing...badly. Sometimes that's where I get my best ideas. (From the driving, not the singing.)

But I also like playlists that are tailored to each book. Sometimes, like the one I did for Violet a couple of years ago, or even before that, the song Possom Kingdom for the serial killer in The Body Finder, I even like to tailor them for each character.

I shared my playlist for DEAD SILENCE with Harper's Pitch Dark site, but realized I hadn't shared it with you guys, so here it is:


CLOSER by Kings of Leon. This is actually a song I had on the DESIRES OF THE DEAD playlist, but I loved it so much I just had to list it here as well. With its sharp-edge and haunting lyrics, it just screams serial killer. Literally.

BONES by Ms Mr. Another song with great lyrics: “Dig up her bones, but leave her soul alone.” Dark, mysterious, and lyrical. Everything a good playlist begs for.

Piano Sonata #14 (aka. MOONLIGHT SONATA) by Beethoven. This was sort of a no brainer, and when you read the book, you’ll know why.

WHAT I’VE DONE by Linkin Park. Okay, so Linkin Park meant for this song to be all about regret for what we’ve done to our planet, but, to me, the lyrics, and the music, are still a great backdrop for a killer’s regrets. It’s hopeful but in a really dark way.

MONSTER by Paramore. I just love this one. It captures that desire we all have to protect those we care about most.

STAND IN THE RAIN by Superchick. This is a great song about finding the strength that exists within us all. Violet’s anthem for this final book.

 SEVEN DEVILS by Florence and the Machine. Fierce and relentless, this song elicits the kind of powerful imagery in line with a book about evil, anguish, and tortured souls. I can’t get  enough of Florence and the Machine!

TIME OF DYING by Three Days Grace. Another song that’s great for interpretation. It’s really about surviving against the odds. But with its melody and ferocious delivery, it has a heavy metal vibe that is perfect for this book.

SHE TALKS TO ANGELS by The Black Crowes. Drug use and loss whisper through the lyrics of this gorgeous oldie, making it an ideal addition to this playlist. I can listen to this song on repeat and hear different nuances each and every time it plays.

HOW TO SAVE A LIFE by The Fray. This song makes me think of a specific scene in the book, but it also makes me wonder just how much influence we really have over the decisions others make. I think of life and loss and what happens after people are gone.


So, what do you think? Are there any songs you would add to this playlist???

THE SUMMER LOVIN' TOUR...

That's right, West Coasters, we're heading your way! 

If you're in the Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, or Phoenix areas, here's your chance to see Suzanne Young, Shannon Messenger, Jessi Kirby, Morgan Matson, Sarah Ockler, and me all in one place (or four if you're in So. Cal and love us enough to come see us at ALL of our LA-area stops!). 

We'll be playing games, answering questions, chatting about our books, and discussing...well, summer lovin'. (Just saying that makes me want to break out my GREASE album and sing a duet with John Travolta!)

So bring yourselves, your friends, and (as Shannon Messenger says) all the non-creepy strangers you can wrangle, and meet us there...we can't wait to see you!!!

SECRETS REVEALED!

Have you ever had a secret that you wanted to tell so badly you started avoiding people because you were afraid you might let it slip? And even though you knew how much trouble you’d be in, a part of you still kinda wanted to “accidently” tell just so it would FINALLY be out there???

Well, I’ve been keeping one of those secrets. A really exciting one. The kind of secret that limited my Twitter, Tumblr and even my Facebook activity because I was afraid I would, in a moment of weakness, hint at something I shouldn’t. Well, no more! I can finally tell you my secret:

I have a new book deal!!!!

You have no idea how good it feels to FINALLY be able to say that! Out loud! And in public! Well, on my blog at least.

It’s not that I’ve been keeping this secret for so long, it’s just that I’ve been dying to tell you guys everything! About the book, the details, and that it will be available in stores in about a year from now!      

And, you guys, can I just tell you…I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!! I know I say this about all my books, and I mean it, I really do. But I really, really, really mean it when I tell you I love this one. This story and these characters…I simply cannot wait to share them with you!

For real!

So here’s part of the official, fancy deal announcement that hit Publisher’s Weekly today (and the reason I can finally tell you all about this new series):

HC Takes ‘The Taking’

"The new series is tentatively called the Taking, which is also the title of the first book. The series will follow the story of a teen who wakes up after one lost night, to find that five years have passed and everything about the life she remembers has changed, even though she’s still the same 16-year-old that she was when she vanished. Publication of The Taking is planned for summer 2014, and film and television rights are being handled by Alicia Gordon, Ashley Fox, and Erin Conroy of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. Derting’s earlier series the Body Finder has been published in 12 foreign territories, and the Pledge, another series, has been published in nine."

For the full article, click here.

And in case it wasn’t clear, here’s how I’m feeling right now: 

Yes...that good!!!

ICONS: Take Me To Your Reader Tour!

Friends don’t let friends tour alone! That’s right, in honor of the May 7th launch of Margaret Stohl’s (of BEAUTIFUL CREATURES) new sci-fi series, ICONS, some of the most amazing YA authors E-V-E-R have banded together and are joining Ms. Stohl on the road. Just when you thought YA book tours couldn’t get any more awesome, along comes the ICONS: Take Me To Your Reader Tour to blow the rest of them out of the water! 

And how cool is it that I get to be a teeny tiny part of all that awesome???

For the full tour schedule, check out the ICONS Tumblr page here.

And in case you were wondering, here’s which stops you can find me on: 

San Francisco area – Wednesday May 8 at 6:30 pm at the Redwood Shores Library (hosted by Keplers) – Margaret Stohl, Kami Garcia, Melissa de la Cruz, Leigh Bardugo, and me!

Seattle – Thursday May 9 at 7:00 pm – Pierce County Library – Margaret Stohl, Leigh Bardugo, Marissa Meyer, and me.

Seattle – Friday May 10^th at 6:30 pm – Third Place Books – Margaret Stohl and me in conversation with a Special Guest Moderator.  Details TBA.

Trust me, I’m reading ICONS now and I’m completely hooked—this book is AMAZING!  You should definitely check the schedule and mark your calendar for the nearest stop!

BIG LAUNCH PARTY REMINDER!!!

Consider this the string to tie around your finger to remind you that this Friday, April 19th, is the BIG launch party for DEAD SILENCE!

And, man, oh man, am I ready to celebrate!

Books? Check.

Prizes? Check.

Sappy speech in which I try to sound like I didn't prepare anything in advance but really I've been practicing in front of my bathroom mirror for weeks? You betcha!

So don't leave me hanging...come see me at Garfield Books in Tacoma this Friday, April 19th at 7:00PM.

GARFIELD BOOK COMPANY
208 Garfield Street, Suite 101
Tacoma, WA, 98444
(253) 535-7665

Seriously, you guys, if you don't come, then why did I spend weeks practicing my fake I-promised-I-wasn't-gonna-cry move??? But if you really can't make it, you can still order signed copies of my books by clicking here!

And just for the record, I love you guys and can't wait to see you!!!!

Kim