maggie l. wood's journal

Sharing Something Special

2008-05-12T14:06:47Z

A few days ago, I received this email:

Hi Ms. Woods - I just wanted to say thank you for the difference you've made in my daughter's life. She says she's told you that she wasn't a reader prior to your books, but I don't think you'll immediately understand the enormity of the change she's undergone. She reads!! She's finally discovered the joy of a good book, and we have you to thank for this. She was so excited to have you come to her school, and the gifts you brought for her and J. were truly exceptional. They will be a wonderful memory for her (and for me) and will commemorate her entry into the world of literature.

Many, many thanks!

L.K.

I feel my heart growing three sizes just typing this. My thanks to L.K. I can't believe how amazing it feels to know I helped inspire someone to like reading. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know.

Teaser Tuesday - Excerpt from The Princess Heir

2008-05-06T16:20:04Z

With elixir enflaming Willow’s aura, the simplest food became endlessly fascinating. She plucked a grape, rolling it between her fingers, struck by its green, oval perfection. It’s “grapeness.” But to eat it? Ohhhh. She bit into the grape. It was like summer and sunshine exploding in her mouth. She smiled blissfully. Theon, she noticed, was watching her with that weird serious look again. She stuck her tongue out.

“Charming,” he said.

She grinned. Threw a grape at his forehead. “I know what we should do!” she exclaimed, determined to outmanoeuvre his moodiness. “We should go swimming.”

“Thought you were starving.”

“I am.” She stood up. “For fun! So, come on. Help me unlace this dress.”

Theon gave a wry smile and obligingly helped her to strip down to her undershift but just winked to vanish his own clothes. Willow arched an eyebrow, glad to know elves wore underwear, because, holy cow, Theon almost naked was totally freaking gorgeous. “You, um … you’re …”

“I know.” He strutted to the pond, widened it with magic and dove in.

The Other "Other" Boleyn Girl

2008-05-05T15:07:24Z

So my daughter, as is her wont, has a new passion and has become totally obsessed with Anne Boleyn. And, as also is her wont, a new obsession means a new bedroom decor. Let's see, in the last couple of years we've gone through the surf theme bedroom, the zebra theme bedroom and most recently the Pulp Fiction/Quentin Tarantino theme bedroom. So now, I give you the Tudor theme bedroom:

Of course, we don't have her 'Tudors' or 'Other Boleyn Girl' movie posters yet (as we just won the bids on ebay yesterday), but once they arrive, we'll hang them up. She also wants to get a wall sconce and some framed Anne Boleyn prints. Oh well, at least this is a theme I can rally round and share in and use my new hot-glue gun in!

DON'T READ YOUR READER REVIEWS

2008-05-02T13:57:00Z

DON'T read your reader reviews on chapters.ca or amazon. com AND most especially DON'T comment on them. I know, I know, it's all written down in the 'Writers' Handbook' under the 'How Not to Swell Your Head or Crush Your Soul' section. I'm not one to follow rules (even if they're for my own good) and have been known to periodically check my reader reviews on said websites. I have not, however, commented on said reviews until recently.

A couple of months ago, I noticed on chapters.ca that someone named Mist had commented on how much she enjoyed The Princess Mage, but then she made a comment about the cover saying Brand didn't look as hot as she thought he should. This comment made me giggle, and I broke the cardinal rule of NO COMMENTS on comments and told her that Brand was *definitely* hotter than the cover. Well, the next thing you know, Mist and her friend, Bittany_not_telling, are emailing me up a storm and have hounded their librarian into arranging for me to visit their school and do 3 presentations.

That visit was yesterday, and I'm happy to report my rule-breaking turned out for the best! I had an incredible day at Aurora Grove Public School and would like to thank the lovely librarians Wendy and Lisa for their enthusiasm and kindness and to thank all the grades 6s, 7s and 8s (but most especially Mist and Bittany_not_telling) for making my visit so stupendous!

*EDIT to add: THIS is how Brand *really* looks (for those of you who weren't sure) -

THE LAMINATOR

2008-04-29T12:07:19Z

As some of you will remember, Craft Queen that I am, I came up with (stole and subverted from chimera_fancies) a brilliant idea for my next book launch, whereby I use direct quotations from The Princess Heir and put them on to bookmarks. My first trials with waxpaper lamination didn't work out so well as the waxpaper did not bond properly. And my next attempts with self-adhesive laminating sheets produced similarly non-bonding-enough results. But now I have THE LAMINATOR! It works perfectly (if you don't mind working with a machine that heats to a zillion degrees and glows with a red-mouth-from-hell light). Dangers and illusions aside, though, THE LAMINATOR makes completely stuck-together laminated bookmarks that look *so* professional! Thanks to my friend, Lisa, whose fear of red-mouths-from-hell meant she couldn't use THE LAMINATOR and was inclined to give it to her most fearless friend instead.

Some samples from THE LAMINATOR:

*Edit to add a couple more samples:

Leonardo's Shadow

2008-04-14T12:31:22Z

Besides reading Renaissance research books and watching Renaissance movies, I am also reading YA novels set in that time period (in Italy). One of my favourites so far has been Christopher Grey's Leonardo's Shadow: Or my Astonishing Life as Leonardo da Vinci's Servant. I truly loved this personal, often quite funny, glimpse into da Vinci's life and the alternate (but quite plausible) theory Grey presented concerning the mystery of the Last Supper painting.

But it's the main character, Giacomo (da Vinci's servant boy), that steals the show. What a great character! And such a typical teenage boy. Between fights, flirting and fleeing, he's trying to discover who he is (as a fever in his childhood left him with no memory). Thankfully, though, Giacomo is as quick-witted as he is quick-footed because Leonardo da Vinci hasn't been paid by the Duke and owes exorbitant amounts of money to every merchant in Milan, and it's Giacomo who comes up with a brilliant idea for clearing da Vinci's debts and maybe making a few ducats on the side.

Oh, I just loved this colourful, exciting slice of Renaissance life and can't recommend it enough!

Also, be sure to check out Christopher Grey's very engaging website and watch this entertaining book trailer!

Reliving My Youth

2008-04-10T16:33:25Z

In my efforts to submerge myself in everything Italian and Renaissance, I've been watching movies as well as reading research books and Googling things like Renaissance bathing. So you know what I watched last night? I watched Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 version of Romeo & Juliet. *swoons*

I'd forgotten the first time I'd seen this movie was in high school. We were studying Shakespeare in my grade 10 English class, and for some reason this movie was re-playing at the theatre in downtown Charlottetown. I remember that all the grade 10s got to go see it. I also remember that this movie was my very first time seeing Shakespeare acted (instead of just read) and how moved I was by it, like the actors were real kids just like me (which they were - Olivia Hussey was 15 and Leonard Whiting was 17).

What struck me this time watching the movie, though, was how *perfect* the setting and costumes were. Zeffirelli filmed mostly in Italy and used real 15th century palazzos and churches for his sets. The atmosphere is just *alive* with Renaissance colour and passion! Love, love, love this movie! *swoons again*

*Edit to add: As much as I liked Leonard Whiting's Romeo, it was really Michael York's Tybalt my high school heart mooned over.

Excellent Writing Advice

2008-04-06T14:06:16Z

shakennstirred posted a link to a Markus Zusak interview in the Guardian, where he shared some excellent writing advice. Here's a highlight:

What advice would you give to new writers?

Don't be afraid to fail. I fail every day. I failed thousands of times writing The Book Thief, and that book now means everything to me. Of course, I have many doubts and fears about that book, too, but some of what I feel are the best ideas in it came to me when I was working away for apparently no result. Failure has been my best friend as a writer. It tests you, to see if you have what it takes to see it through.

Is there a secret to writing?

The best ideas come to you when you're sitting down, working. That's when most of the breakthroughs occur - simply by doing the work. If someone wanted to be a runner, you don't tell them to think about running, you tell them to run. And the same simple idea applies to writing, I hope.

First Loved Book

2008-04-03T11:50:12Z

dynastic_queen posted today on the first book that made her love reading, which, in turn, made me remember the first book I ever loved. I checked Google and there it was the 1960s Little Golden Book edition of Cinderella. I remember being 3 years old and making my mother read it to me *every* night, so that I had memorized every word and then could 'read' it to my baby brother. My parents were amazed thinking I could read. Of course, I could only read the one book so that clued them in to my amazing memory instead. Heh. Heh.

Well, this little gem is on Ebay right now, and I bid on it! Would love to hear some of your 'first loved book' stories.

*Edit to add - You know, I'm looking at this cover thinking that dress Cinderella's wearing looks a tad familiar. Then it hits me, MY wedding dress looks like Cinderella's ballgown! I was Cinderella for my wedding!

*Edit to add again: Now that I'm thinking about it, that Cinderella book sparked a *lot* of things - my love for fairy tales, for princesses, all things Disney, pearl earrings and long silky gloves. Oh, and cake! Something about that ballgown makes me want to eat cake with lots of icing.

Three Days of Fey

2008-03-31T12:31:13Z

The link for shvetufae's Three Days of Fey is up where I elaborate on who the faeries in my novels *really* are. Drop by and say hi!

Three Days of Fey

2008-03-28T18:15:57Z

The lovely shvetufae asked me, tltrent and m_stiefvater to be guests on her blog next week for her Three Days of Fey series. I'm day one, Monday, and have been pondering what it is exactly I'm going to write regarding my views on the fey. I think I'm going to answer the questions I asked myself when I first put faeries into my story.

If faeries actually existed in our world who would they be? And why would they be here? I think my answers may surprise you.

Oh Canada Blog Tour Day!

2008-03-26T13:14:10Z

Just a quick reminder that today is Oh Canada Blog Tour Day over at reviewer Colleen Mondor's journal. My link's not on there yet, but, luckily, I happen to have it right here. So let's all go out and celebrate Canadian writers, eh! *waves maple leaf*

Pondering

2008-03-25T15:03:26Z

So, my friend morningstorms interviewed me for the Oh Canada Blog Tour that starts tomorrow. One of her questions, though, really had me thinking. She asked me if I could give any hints on the third installment of my trilogy. The reason why the question had me thinking was because of an earlier post by tltrent about why books in a series seem to get harder to write as you go. So when I answered morningstorms's question, it came to me why my own third book has seemed so much more difficult for me to write.

I realized that in the first two books most of the conflict (in the way of faeries, games and goblins) was 'outside' of Willow. In the third book, though, most of the conflict (terrible disease that makes her a pariah and emotionally unhinges her) is 'within' Willow. *blinks* It seems strange to me now why I never noticed that difference before.

Anyway, folks, tltrent is celebrating the release of her third Hallowmere book Between Golden Jaws with a contest! Make sure to check it out! There's signed books and ladybug truffles involved!

Words to live by

2008-03-24T12:25:57Z

kazdreamer blogged yesterday a bit about the writing life under a f-locked post (so you won't be able to see it, unless you're her 'friend'). But she said something truly inspiring that I don't think she would mind if I shared here on my blog. She said, "I am in it for the writing." Those words just struck me as so powerful. They felt like a sign I should have on my wall. The kind of words that help you keep your eye on the 'real' prize. Thanks, Karen, and all my LJ friends who are constant sources of inspiration.

Those Boleyns

2008-03-15T13:20:49Z

My daughter has to do a water colour painting for one of her graphic design classes. She decided to do The Other Boleyn Girl movie poster. I just love the way it turned out, and she's going to let me hang it in my writing room once it's been graded!

Of course, now that my daughter's obsessed with Anne Boleyn, she's been perusing Jennifer Parrish's website wanting a 'C' necklace.

Still Experimenting

2008-03-11T13:29:22Z

In my bookmark experimentation, I've found that using wax paper as a laminate obscures too much colour vibrancy and is really only suitable for paler shades. My librarian friend Mad Jenny suggested I try self-laminating sheets. These are easy to use and work very well to show the bookmarks' designs. A sample:

Not A Fallen Angel

2008-03-08T16:35:57Z

Okay, okay, I just had to make *one* more!

Now, back to writing.

Not Exactly the Perfect Faerie Tale.

2008-03-07T12:16:13Z

Okay, I made my first prototype bookmark last night, using cream cardstock, sponged on metallic gold paint, gold sprinkles, gold gauze and melted black crayon. My idea to laminate with wax paper didn't go exactly according to plan. The wax paper didn't stick together at all when I ironed it (though the crayon shavings melted nicely). I ended up gluing the wax paper together with Mod Podge glue that dries clear and gives everything a nice stiff texture. Used a regular hole punch to make the hole and tied a rough cut piece of gauze for the ribbon. All in all, I like the way it turned out, and it has all my requirements for a craft - easy to make, cheap, and looks cool!

I'm going to do more experiments, though. Maybe try a clearer laminate, and use different colours and materials, etc.

*Edit to add - In case you didn't catch my post yesterday, I've decided to make bookmarks for my next book launch, using text quotes from The Princess Heir. The idea was inspired by fairy-tale-quote necklaces that chimera_fancies makes.

Epiphany

2008-03-06T15:49:12Z

*gasps* I've just had an epiphany! At my next book launch party, I could make something similar to the necklace, like maybe bookmarks.

And I could use text from The Princess Heir. Text like:

he had started his dreams without her

not exactly the perfect faerie tale

water sleeked her into a mermaid

what had happened changed everything

he's not like other elves

Ohmigosh, I could have *so* much fun with this!!!

Given Up to the Fairies

2008-03-06T13:40:33Z

seeksadventure posted a link today to chimera_fancies, who makes wearable fairy tales. This is the one I want to get!

Fun Stuff

2008-03-05T14:44:39Z

Oh my gosh, my daughter and I went to see The Other Boleyn Girl last night. WHAT A GREAT MOVIE! We both just loved it, and on the way home my daughter says to me, "I SO want to read the book!" And then when we got home, she borrowed my Elizabeth I movie and watched it in bed. So, of course, as I am ever one keen to inspire reading and a love of history in my spawn, I bought the book on chapters.ca today, and, of course, also ever one to want the free shipping, I had to buy some LJ friends' books too! Preordered swan_tower's Midnight Never Come (about a faerie court coinciding with Elizabeth I's court, and to which the Prologue made me want to read it so, SO much). Ordered melissa_writing's Ink Exchange, and jimhines's Goblin Quest, as I too am against the victimization and easy slaughter of goblins and wish to reflect this in my reading and in my own writing (and because I love haunting the mailbox knowing fun things are coming)!

Hallowmere: In The Serpent's Coils

2008-03-04T14:54:19Z

One of the many benefits of blogging on LiveJournal is the incredible community of writers, booksellers, librarians, agents, editors and reviewers. I feel completely 'plugged-in' to the YA world, even though I no longer work at a bookstore, and just by reading the books on my F-List I'm getting a wide variety of what's new and exciting.

And speaking of new and exciting ... recently, I just finished reading Tiffany Trent's (tltrent) debut novel In the Serpent's Coils. I'm on a bit of history kick lately and am enjoying reading historical stories that weave in paranormal elements, and Tiffany does not disappoint. There's just so much here - the end of the Civil War, an orphan, a boarding school (I *love* boarding school stories with orphans!), catty girls, ghosts, witches, fey, a delicious groundsman, and even a medieval mystery. Truly a tour de force of story-telling in only 291 pages! Bravo, Tiffany! I look *so* forward to reading By Venom's Sweet Sting.

Also, today tltrent is hosting a very funny interview by Jig the Goblin, via his lovely assistant Relka (aka jimhines), who is announcing his bid for presidential candidacy today (and the release of Goblin War the third book in his goblin trilogy).

Teaser Tuesday - Excerpt from The Princess Heir

2008-02-26T13:37:15Z

What I've liked most about writing The Princess Heir is the challenge of telling the story from two characters' viewpoints and weaving together their story arcs, especially when the two characters are so culturally, philosophically and emotionally dissimilar as Willow and Brand are. It's been such fun to write a sort of he says/she says type book as they both see events so differently. And while the story covers the dark topics of addiction and loss, there is room for a subtle thread of humour throughout.

Anyway, I've just been working on this chapter where Brand and Willow have formed a tense alliance with Theon and the three of them are set to rob a mage knight's charms room to aid their quest to rescue Nezzie and Pitt from the goblin king. This paragraph from Brand's POV just struck me as kind of funny. Enjoy!

Brand probed the key in his pocket. Had he really just stolen it from Sir Baldemar’s widow? Its bronze heft weighed heavy on him, as did all the other wrongdoing he was about to commit. When he, Willow and Theon made their plans together, the reasoning had seemed clear-cut and necessary. But now, Brand wasn’t so sure anymore. He peered at Willow, his flesh goose bumping. Theon had tranced her with some Earthly craft called hip-no-sis that made her shuffle at Brand’s side as if she slept with open eyes. She stared straight-ahead, face slack, not blinking even when he flicked fingers at her. He shivered. ’Twas like walking with a wraith. (*Edit to add - "or shopping with haworth_attard's husband." Now I know why this paragraph tickled my funny bone.)

Il Magnifico

2008-02-19T14:11:45Z

The more research I do on the Renaissance and the Medici, the more I realize I couldn't have picked a better time frame or family for a story. Lorenzo de' Medici and his kids are just tailor-made characters for intrigue and treachery. I couldn't have written them any better if I tried! Some examples:

- Lorenzo was just 19 when he took over control of Florence's government after his father's death.

- He was brilliant and utterly ruthless (like Tony Soprano, only smarter and more violent).

- He was only 18 when he married Clarice Orsini (a great political match, as the Orsini were one of the greatest families of the Roman nobility).

- He was almost murdered half a dozen times and most famously at church during high mass by a duke, a king and a pope. (Drama just doesn't get much better than this!)

- He was patron to Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Filippino Lippi and Andrea del Verrocchio.

- Michelangelo came to *live* with him as a teenager and was brought up with Lorenzo's children.

- Lorenzo's second son, Giovanni, became a freaking *cardinal* at the age of 14! And then he later became Pope Leo X, the same pope who ticked off Martin Luther enough to start the whole Protestant reformation. (Oh, Giovanni, I just *know* you're going to be one of my favourite characters!)

- And then there's Lorenzo's 13 year-old daughter, Maddalena, who is basically the sacrifice for Giovanni's cardinalship, as she's the one who has to marry the Pope's 'fat, boring, perpetually drunk' illegitimate 24-year-old son.

- It was rumoured Lorenzo wore a ring that held a genie in it.

Oh god, I could just go on and on. It's like the story's all mapped out for me. I just need to fill in the blanks.

My Hero

2008-02-14T13:07:47Z

I've been quite enjoying stacia_kane's What Makes a Hero workshops on fangs_fur_fey. Part Two of the workshop - Rounding Him Out - listed these ten basic qualities of a hero:

1. He’s smart.
2. He knows who he is.
3. He knows what he wants.
4. He is fearless.
5. He’s got a plan.
6. He is observant.
7. He is complex/he has secrets.
8. He has faith in the heroine.
9. He is honorable.
10. He is generous.

As I was reading these qualities, it struck me that *my* husband has all ten. So in honor of Valentine's Day, I would like to take a moment to thank my smart, fearless, honorable Hero-Husband, who has faith in his heroine and who will no doubt be generous with the chocolates.