Michele Young-Stone

Woman Seeking New Adventures

2012-02-22T18:21:00.000-05:00

Are you STATIC or Are you Woman Seeking New Adventures?

I just had another birthday, and I am so grateful! I quote Dylan Thomas far too often, but here I go again "on my own, going down the only road I've ever known..." Oops! That's White Snake! Here we go: "Do not go gentle into that good night/ Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

Rage, I say. RAge and RaGe and RAGE because with old age, you can think less about what others think of you. YOU KNOW YOU. You know what's good for you and what isn't. You know WHO is good for you and who isn't.

Oh, don't go gently into that good night. Blaze and Dance. Burn, baby, burn!

Say "Fuck it!" more often... (Just not around small children.)

Rage, Bitches! Rage!

Bird Calls from The Saints of Los Vientos

2012-01-15T12:45:00.000-05:00

An excerpt:

LosVientos, Florida

March28, 1989

Prue sat on the white coquina sandof Los Vientos watching the pelicans dive into the water. She was fascinated by all manner ofbirds. With binoculars pressed to her face, she was still and quiet, watching forFlorida’s sand hill crane, a bird much rarer than the grey osprey. The sand hill crane’s mating song,which Prue had heard only once, was two cheetah-like female calls answered by along cheetah-like sound from the male, the calls repeating until the birdsmet. It was a love song. With their long legs and pointed beaks,the tall cranes soared through the sky with a wingspan of six feet. Prue had seen a flock of at least fiftybirds flying together. Dr. NealCarl, who worked at the St. Mark’s Nature Reserve, told Prue that the sand hillcrane’s cousin lived all the way in Siberia. “It’s a rare bird. A sight to behold.” Whatkind of birds do they have in Lithuania? She couldn’t wait to meet her grandfather. Does he like birds? Her father liked birds. He was the one who’d sent thebinoculars: a Christmas present. He’d written a card. You are always on my mind. It was a Willie Nelson song. Didhe mean it? She was twelve theyear the binoculars arrived. Am I always on your mind? She still didn’t know.

Hermother said, “Bird watching is for old people who have nothing better to dowith their time.”

“Then I guess I’m an old people.”

Her father hadalso written that he’d try to see her the next Christmas. Five Christmases had passed withouthim. You were always on my mind. If I made you feel second best, Girl I’m sorry I was blind…

Today, Prue sawthe Sand Hill Crane. She got toher feet. There were only four ofthem, two males and two females, majestic with long legs, their beaks a hundredblended shades of brown. The firstone flapped its wings; its feathers appeared burnt red in the sunlight. Its wings billowed and dropped,billowed and dropped. The nextthree ascended from the marsh. Within seconds, the four birds soared effortlessly overhead. Prue reached back and touched herscars. Then, adjusting thebinoculars, spoke to the sky: “Iwant to fly.”

1941,Exact Date Unknown, Speculation, Conjecture

There’s a chance that AlexandraZilius, Frederikas’ mother, who, as you know, loved birds so much she birthedone, saw the sand hill crane’s cousin in Siberia.

There’s a chancethat after the cattle cars had stopped and the dead mothers and babies weredeposited into waiting mass graves… that Alexandra, who’d once sung arias, wasshowered and deloused, and after a wind-and-frost burned man pointed to aSoviet sign needing no interpretation: Workis an Honor, that Alexandra, Freddie’s loony-goony grandmother, spotted orheard one of only 10,000 sand hill cranes then inhabiting eastern Siberia. It would’ve been a bird she’d neverseen, and she would’ve been in awe of its size, in its ability to traversecontinents, and of course, in its song. There’s always a chance. And my bet is that if she wasn’t rolling “wee” down that green hillside,she must’ve seen and heard that bird.

2011-11-14T23:37:00.001-05:00

From the latest novel, The Saints of Los Vientos, due for publication in Spring/Summer, 2013 by Simon and Schuster.

Petras Zilius was taken at gunpointacross green fields to an area behind the slaughterhouse where a mass grave hadalready been dug. The butcher wasamongst the men whose hands were tied behind his back. The soldiers went from man to man, takingtheir jewelry and identification. “Get on your knees.” Mostof the Lithuanian men knew Russian, but they didn’t obey. The soldiers prodded them withrifles. They whacked them in thebacks of their legs, making them fall to their knees. The men faced the hole. There were no cigarettes and no blindfolds, and it’sdoubtful that, as much as Freddie Zilius would like to think his grandfatherhad a song in his head playing through his fingers, that Petras Zilius wasthinking anything, but “My family. Oh my God! My family!” Petras Zilius and eighty-three otherLithuanian men were shot in the backs of their heads and booted face first intothe mass grave. A few were stillalive, but the dirt came just the same. It covered ministers and machinists. It dusted blacksmiths, accountants and doctors. It fell in rich clumps over lawyers,shop clerks, poets, teachers and musicians. It didn’t discriminate. The rich Lithuanian soil tended by its people was being usedto hide their deaths.

Frederikasran from house to house in search of help. He was not at home when his mother was carried away andforced into a cattle car. He wasnot at home when his sisters were killed or when the youngest, just sixteen,ran into the forest, digging a saucer of dirt to hide. To be a turnip or a bird. Rooted or free.

*I'm making shrinky dink necklaces based on my characters. "Ti-i-i-ime is on my side with you." Have a fabulous Thanksgiving. XO Shel

Where's Michele? At 7 o'clock, WORD Brooklyn.

2011-10-13T11:29:00.003-04:00

Here I am! Here I am!

Hard at work on revising novel #3--The Saints of Los Vientos. I had expected to be finished by Oct. 1st. Then by Oct. 12th, and now I am shooting for Oct. 28th.

The book is written. There is a beginning, middle and end, but as my delightful agent pointed out--from reading the first chapter--"You have to remember 'clarity'. Not everyone is going to know who these people are...' Me and my weird wonky brain.

Anyhoo, I am in Brooklyn right now, in Greenpoint, and loving it. This is my first time staying in Brooklyn. Tonight, I am on a panel with the talented, NY Times Bestselling author, Heidi Durrow, and my brilliant cupcake of an agent, Michelle Brower. I also get to hang with my editor at Simon and Schuster. She's no cupcake. She's more like a conductor, a wielder of light and lightning. (And Michelle is only cupcake on the surface. She is brilliant cupcake. Tangy.)

So, here I am. Where are you? Whatcha doin'?

Ooh, ooh, ooh, and lest I forget to mention it: My sister is here in Brooklyn with me. Yay, Sis! See you back in RVA soon. And seriously: Whatcha doin?

--If you happen to be in NYC or Brooklyn tonight, come see me. 7 o'clock! Word Brooklyn. I will sign a book for you. I will even dance. More than likely. I'm going to be surrounded by my favorite people.

XXXOO

michele

ARE YOU A CRAZY SHELL?

2011-08-08T18:37:00.002-04:00

Since my son started talking, I've picked up a new nickname, "Shel".

At birth, my dad nicknamed me Micki Moose because I was such a plump baby.

My friend Anne calls me "Shell" with two l's and got me this book, which is a pretty strange book--as I am a strange bird. Feeling woozy and wonky as I finish book three. Feeling like Micki Moose and Shel and Shell.

Because I'm a Michele with one "l", I find it difficult to be "Shell." I know that this sounds like Crazy Shell talk, but I guess that's what I'm getting at: Do most writers feel more comfortable in the worlds they write? Do most writers feel like their characters are more than figments of their imaginations? Are the characters your friends? Do your characters write you letters? Do you cry when you have no other option than to kill them off? Are we all hanging on by a thread to keep the fictional world separate from the real world, or are we ALL hanging by a thread, each and every one of us (in one way or another)?

Am I a Crazy Shell?

Are you a crazy shell? What's your nickname? What's your favorite food? Do you sleep with socks on or off? Nightlight or pitch black?

Crazy "Shel" wants to know!

Canned Chicken, Anyone?

2011-07-16T10:01:00.002-04:00

We caught a Baltimore Orioles game last night. Today, we are on our way to Lititz, PA.

Tomorrow, July 17th at 1 pm, I'll be at Aaron's Books discussing The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors. I hope to see you there!!

p. s. I thought the canned chicken was weird, but I think I may have seen them once in the Bahamas. Any thoughts on canned chicken?

Are you invincible?

2011-07-04T16:38:00.003-04:00

I write about the young and the old in my novel, The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors, but I've discovered... now on my third novel... that I write about generational relationships in all of my books.

With age comes wisdom. With youth, there is fearlessness; the belief that nothing can harm us. We are just beginning and so we're invincible.

There are so many similarities between young and old. Neither is caught up in the minutia of life, the clock ticking, the rushing here and there, as is referenced in The Handbook. If we manage to grow old without becoming jaded and cynical, we are even more like the very young.

It's a shame for anyone not to be awed by sunsets, flowers and oceans; ladybugs crawling on the edge of a glass; old men telling fish stories; young girls newly smitten; it's a shame not to be awed by cliffs and green fields. It's a shame not to treasure the little things. The giggles and smiles and side glances.

Please, don't ever let me lose my wits so that I forget to revel in the little things. Please don't let me ever forget my first love or the first time I held my son.

I'm reading The Madonnas of Leningrad right now and loving it, but I'm also struck again by the fear that because I want to remember every little thing, I'll forget everything. I've been through the forgetfulness that accompanies pregnancy and childbirth and now my forgetfulness has no real explanation, and I think, if it comes to dementia or Alzheimer's, let me remember with acuteness the best things. If I'm going to lose the immediate, let me have glory days.

Lately, I've been hanging out with "Grannie Annie" and she often tells me the same story over and over, but in each telling, I learn some small tidbit, that is so unique that I'm glad I got to hear the story again. She is smart and witty. She says, "I'm glad I moved here into this smaller house because this way I'm closer to my treasurer (her son)" and she laughs. She's no slouch. She's proud and quick, and I realize that even though she's no blood relation to me, I want to know her better. I want to hold her stories and retell them. Pass them along in fiction and in my own stories, and maybe when I'm very old, I'll imagine her tales as my own. Who knows? The mind is a funny place with nooks and crannies and wonderment. Let's never forget to love those softer places that are less immediate because they are history. They are who WE are, and they are no less worthy of attention.

Do you know someone who is old and who has the world to offer? Do tell!!!!

What does the D word mean?

2011-06-22T09:23:00.012-04:00

Welcoming, Robin Antalek, the very talented and successful author of The Summer We Fell Apart.

When I wrote The Summer We Fell Apart I was not thinking about family dysfunction. I was not thinking about the D word at all. I wrote about this big messy family of artists and writers living in a large broken down house and all that longing that comes with the headspace of creative people living together. I saw the four children of Richard and Marilyn Haas as the very real end-product of a pair of dreamers, their lives and love and needs at cross purposes with the reality of raising a big family. I didn’t see these characters, which sprung fully formed from the writing gods, as victims or saviors. I just knew that I wanted to tell the story of what it was like to grow up in a large group, of how siblings often split off into smaller factions. Specifically I wanted to tell the story of the bond between the youngest Haas child Amy and her brother George, and it wasn’t until I started talking to readers that I realized I had written so much more.

What does it say about me that I didn’t identify what happened in the Haas family as dysfunction? The first early review, a rave from Publishers Weekly no less, said (among other very nice things) that The Summer We Fell Apart was… “A testament to the resilience of the human spirit” and “an easy-to-relate to dysfunctional family drama.”

What dysfunction?

My agent and editor and publishing house were thrilled at the positive buzz. Soon, more

reviews came in and most all of them used that word. Target picked up the book for nationwide distribution as a “break-out” pick. Book groups started calling and I spoke with some really lovely people, over seventy groups in all, and all of whom wanted to know if I too had grown up with this level of dysfunction.

What dysfunction?

Naturally, not wanting to sound as if I needed immediate counseling by denial, I danced around the “D” word. Since the novel spanned fifteen years in the family, I stammered through

explanations about different parenting styles, less hands-on, less hovering. Readers dissected the flawed lives of the characters as evidence of their dysfunctional upbringing. They quoted passages, referred to episodes in their own lives, and shared stories of heartbreak and disappointments and triumphs.

Very soon I realized that what I described in the book was not so easy to explain away. The father was manipulative and often cruel, disappointed by the failure of his own dreams he drank and had affairs and did nothing to shield his wife or family from the drama. His wife, reacting to the failure of her marriage retreated to her room and allowed her children to do what they wished. They floundered amid the chaos with moments of tremendous stupidity and grace. Just like we do in real life.

Finally, I ventured to ask my parents if they thought what I had created in the book was the ultimate dysfunctional family. My father, at 81, looked amused by my question. He touched the cover. “This is life,” he said. “Just life.” He paused. His own mother had died when he was three. His father, a jazz musician, unsure of what to do with a small child and his own grief, passed off my father to his dead wife’s six sisters, all, it is safe to say, at vastly different stages of their lives, all of them unprepared for a small

mother-less boy. My father’s upbringing was a patchwork of homes based upon adult availability; often he slept head-to-toe with cousins, my great-grandfather popping in from time to time between gigs. My father never felt he had a place to call his own until he bought his first house, and even then, we knew, it was hard for him to shake the shadows of the past.

“What is the urge to label everything?” My father asked. “We do what we have to do to survive, we have faith, and in the midst of it all we have each other.”

And that, I realized, is all any of us can do, in life or in fiction.

ABOUT ROBIN:

ROBIN ANTALEK is the author of The Summer We Fell Apart (HarperCollins 2010) chosen as a Target Breakout Book and soon to be published in Turkey by Artemis Yayinlari. A frequent contributor to The Nervous Breakdown (thenervousbreakdown.com), her short fiction has appeared in 52 Stories, Five Chapters, Sun Dog, The Southeast Review and Literary Mama among others. You can visit her site @ www.robinantalek.com or if brave enough, publicly admit to liking her on Facebook

My friend's son pointing to my book in Target! He's so cute!

2011-06-21T12:09:00.001-04:00

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-18T08:07:00.003-04:00

Happy Father's Day

For Dad:

everything I write

is about forgiveness and light;

we come from dark places, enclosed spaces

snug and warm, from our mother’s womb

to a marble tomb

and in between is one shot

one light

one poem, one passionate night

one father, one mother

one daughter and another.

Dylan Thomas said “Do not go gentle into that good night,

…Rage, rage against the dying of the light,” and

you and I take it to heart.

From you, I got rage. From you, my mad zest

my unapologetic opinions and voice

The truth that there is beauty in drama and noise.

Discordant. Mad. Cacophonic.

The sound of the five am dumpster.

The click-clack of spoon against #1 Dad

The Cremation of Sam McGee

long division at the dining room table

getting in front of that ball, getting down on one knee.

In On the Road, Jack Kerouac wrote, “The only people for me are the mad ones,

the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes ‘Awww!’”

That’s you, “centerlight pop,” Awwwwwwwwwww,

and that’s me,

I am desirous, eccentric and grateful for everything.

Every second the sun lights up your face

Every time I hear you laugh.

I love you, dAd!!!!!

micki-moose, Father’s Day, 2011

My BFF is awesome. Tell me about yours.

2011-06-09T11:20:00.006-04:00

My BFF lives in London, England, and I haven't seen her since she had her baby, Noah!

Mind you, when I had my son, over six years ago, she was my go-to gal. She did everything for me. She even had beer in the refrigerator the day I came home from the hospital. She and her then boyfriend, now husband, took care of our sweet dog, Emma Peel, while I was in the hospital. ...Oh, and lest I forget, after my "Mum" and my husband, she was the first person I told that I was pregnant. When she told me about her own pregnancy, it was via Skype, and I burst into tears. She'd done the same for me--but in person.

There's nothing like having that BFF, that girl who understands everything, and knows just what to say to make it all better.

Gemma is coming to the states this summer, and we're taking a holiday at the beach. I haven't seen her in so long, but I know that when I do see her, it will be like no time has passed (except for the baby...) Hee hee.

When I was preggers, Gemma also threw me the most terrific baby shower with handmade invitations, wonderful food, games and guests. ...And not too many games because you don't want to drive people crazy... and a select few "mates" were invited as well.

I remember that when we first met, she said, "My name's Gemma," in her delightful British accent, and I said, "My dog's name is Emma, which is like your name, except with a 'G'." Now, some people (not Gemma) might think, 'You just compared me to your dog.' Rather, she said, "I like dogs." She's the best egg so she likes animals in general.

Here's to all our BFFs. Whether near or far, there's nothing like knowing that you have that kindred spirit in the world. Maybe call yours up today. XO

"Listen, I know what you are..."

2011-06-07T17:03:00.010-04:00

Family and Dysfunction: You got a good story to share? Tell me!!!!!!!!

When I was a teenager and I had a date, my dad would answer the door in his underwear. He would then have the unsuspecting boy sit on the couch and explain to him: "Listen, I know what you are... You're a hard-dick son-of-a-bitch, and you better not lay a finger on my daughter. I'll break your finger. I'll do more than that."

Eventually, word got around high school that anyone who wanted to take Michele on a date, should arrange to meet her outside her house, preferably six to seven houses or six to seven miles away from her dad.

Mind you, this is great fodder for being a novelist, and I love my crazy SOB DAD. He'd still break your finger if you tried to mess with me.

Why I love the ultimate boyfriend Ken!

2011-06-04T17:09:00.005-04:00

I love New York. Today, while I was trying to buy some postcards or something, I got sandwiched by some big dudes, like Chris Kattan, Will Ferrell and Jim Carrey (on SNL) on the corner of 7th and 49th, and they said, "We like your tattoo!" "Are you a Pisces?" "The best sex I ever had was with a Pisces."

I said, "That doesn't surprise me!" Sassy girl. Me.

Then, the one guy says, "I'm serious."

I said, "So am I?"

"Are you married?"

"Better believe it."

"I'm not surprised."

"Hey," one of the guys shouts to Mickey Mouse, or the man in the Mickey Mouse costume, "It's okay. You can smack her ass. I think she'll like it." Now, I have no idea what Mickey Mouse was doing behind me. I can only imagine.

Fortunately for me (or unfortunately... if you are one of those people who has a fetish for big stuffed animals), Mickey didn't smack my ass.

Earlier today, an Egyptian taxi driver, 46, with 4 kids and 4 grandkids, lectured me on the evils of adoption, and told me that I needed to have more babies. Not only that, but if necessary, he would father them. People really like me!

I am grateful for all the strange mysogynistic and humorous men in New York. It's important to have a sense of humor!

If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have gone to the Barbie land of Toys R Us and bought a Ken doll who says whatever I tell him to say! Le Petit ami ideal; der perfeckte freund

"Oh Shel," he says. "You're so beautiful. I can't imagine my life without you."

"Gee... Thanks, Ken." If only you had a penis...

My Dog Died Today

2011-05-29T19:29:00.003-04:00

Danny, Emma, Me preggers, 2004.

My Dog Died

2011-05-29T19:16:00.005-04:00

Our sweet Emma Peel died today. She was thirteen years old.

She was the reason that my husband and I bought our first and only home.

She was the ring-bearer in our wedding and accompanied us on our honeymoon.

We always stayed at pet-friendly hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts because we couldn't bear to leave her at home.

When I was pregnant with my son, she would rest her head on my belly.

In 1999, she found us. We were walking near the VMFA on Grove Avenue and she was nearly hit by traffic. She ran up to us, and we carried her to our house in the fan. She was our first child, our daughter, and we miss her terribly.

How Much is Enough? And what if it's just not coming?

2011-05-25T14:18:00.003-04:00

I don't know how much is enough! Do you? When I was a kid, I watched that very silly movie, "Throw Momma from the Train," with Billy Crystal, and I remember that he said, "A writer writes every day."

This sage wisdom was repeated to me in my MFA program, and I have certainly taken it to heart. I try and remember that if I only write one page a day, in a year's time, I'll have 365 pages. But will they be "great" or even "good" pages? Won't I still have to revise? You bet your bottom dollar!

Some days I can't seem to get in the groove. Like yesterday, I sat at my computer, unable to stop checking my email and posting silly love notes to readers on Twitter. (That's part of my job now too.) Twitter and Facebook. I am having trouble keeping up with the technology!

Still, I am grateful for everything! Even Tweeting. Ooops, I am sidetracked.

Back to "How much is enough?" So, I threw in the towel yesterday. Walked away from the computer and collapsed on my bed--only to see my beloved and tattered journal, of late, within arm's reach. Without thinking, I continued on with my novel. I lost track of time. I wrote and wrote and didn't even think, for one second, that I was writing, that I was continuing, that pages were coming. This is the best feeling ever.

So, I don't have the answer, "How much is enough?" and I'm not sure if one should keep writing when it's not coming, but I'm guessing, "Yes," because if you just keep going, certainly some flash or glint or sliver of something worthwhile is going to surface.

If you have the time, please check out my latest guest blog, Wednesday with Michele Young-Stone at Todd Ritter's blog: http://toddritteronline.com/blog/?p=170

It's a fun interview. And, if you are around tonight, please come to the West End Richmond Public Library for a Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors book club. It's free and open to the public, 6:30-7:30.

p. s. Look for The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors in your local Target. Send me a pic to micheleyoungstone@gmail.com to win a copy of my novel. Be sure to tell me the location of the Target!

MAY DAY

2011-05-02T12:47:00.009-04:00

May Day! The maypole dates back to Germanic pagan ritual, possibly the Iron Age. Having survived the Christianization of Europe, the maypole is thought to represent a TREE, a symbol of spring, and every May 1st, you should dance and celebrate around the May Pole. I made this one for my friend's birthday.

Teaching, Style Weekly and David Baldacci

2011-04-30T16:38:00.005-04:00

Thank you, STYLE WEEKLY readers, for voting for me for Best Local Author.

I want to share a story about David Baldacci, another Local Author favorite: I taught English for nearly ten years. First, in Nottoway County, where I taught special education English and U. S. history. Mind you, this was my first year as a teacher and I had NEVER taken a course in special education. Also, and I love this: my morning monitoring duty was in the cafeteria outside the boy's bathroom. Nottoway County is known, as well it should be, for its football. Whenever a fight broke out, I just screamed, "Fight!" There was no way I was getting between two boys the size of grown men.

I taught at Nottoway High School for three years, and then I taught 8th grade English at L. Douglas Wilder Middle School for four years. In many ways, it was hard to leave teaching. It's fulfilling to know that you are making a difference in a young person's life.

While I was at Wilder, David Baldacci came and spoke to the county's English teachers. He was very inspiring. After he spoke, I went up to him and asked him to sign a poster for one of his books. I told him, "I'm going to be a published novelist one day." Rather than dismissing me, he was encouraging.

It blows my mind that my name is under his in Style Weekly's Best of 2011 issue. While I was teaching and getting my MFA in fiction writing at VCU, he sponsored VCU's First Novelist award. He still does. I'm "up" for that award this year! Mr. Baldacci is generous with his time and his money, supporting other writers. I am so fortunate to be in such good company. XO

P. S. I think The Book Lady and I are going to Target Road Trip when my novel hits the stores, May 22nd!!!

MAN CAVE VS. MENSTRUAL HUT

2011-03-28T11:57:00.003-04:00

I was in the coolest MAN CAVE I've ever been in last night. We are talking multiple televisions, dartboard, wood stove, great art, great food, great lighting, great company, kick-ass bar, refrigerator... I felt like I was in that movie HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE, when Betty Grable goes up to the rustic hunting lodge (terrible reference for a MAN CAVE, I realize) but if you've seen the movie, you get what I'm saying.

The only thing missing was the bear rug. Me, the vegetarian, wants a bear rug on the floor. Go figure.

Anyway, the MAN CAVE got me thinking and wondering: whatever happened to the MENSTRUATION HUT? Wasn't that the original cave? When did men start getting their own huts? What do we girls have? The kitchen? Is the kitchen still "a woman's place"? I don't think so. Many a month, I think about those good old days when women were shunned and sent to menstruate together in a cave. No wonder that girls who spend a lot of time together end up having their periods at the same time. It's in our DNA. We've lost our Hut time.

We've lost our huts to our husbands, and they've turned them into caves. It sounds like I'm unhappy and down-in-the-mouth about this, and I might be except for the fact that I was invited into the MAN CAVE. YAY!!!! The MAN CAVE doesn't discriminate. I could've used the urinal thing if I'd wanted, if I could've figured out just how to do such a thing... hmmm.

The MAN CAVE shows just how far we've all come. Us girls aren't shunned five days a month (although I might like that), and the men/boys are good sharers. Three cheers for the evolution (?????) of the MAN CAVE.

Win It BEFORE you can BUY IT!!! The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors

2011-03-24T10:26:00.005-04:00

From The Book Lady: "Michele Young-Stone’s debut novel The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors

was one of my favorite books of 2010, and that was the case well before she and I figured out that we live minutes from each other and became friends. The Handbook has been widely praised (Publishers Weekly called it one of the top ten debuts of 2010) and was just selected as a Target Emerging Author selection for this summer.

And? Michele just signed a two-book deal with Simon & Schuster, so there is more goodness to come.

The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors will be out in paperback April 5th, and this is your one and only chance to win it before you can buy it."

Three lucky winners will win:

A signed paperback edition of The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors
A Skype or phone-in visit with you or your book club

How to enter:

Do one, get one entry. Do both, get two. It’s that easy. The giveaway closes at midnight this Friday, March 25th, and winners will have the book in their hot little hands before it is available in stores.

*Pictured above: Susan Gregg Gilmore, author of The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove and Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen, and Rebecca Joines Schinsky, The one-and-only Book Lady. She's always throwing her panties around (see her blog), and I got to be her roomie at VA Festival of the Book!

what's your relationship with paper?

2011-03-08T14:38:00.004-05:00

I've been busy with new characters romping in my head. Thinking about their likes and dislikes.

Thinking about my own.

Wondering how the technological age is going to change our relationship with books, and more specifically, paper.

Holding onto my Nana's old brown recipe book containing Depression-and WWII-era recipes, thinking how I pull up recipes online, how I don't know if I even NEED that subscription to Vegetarian Times, but I have a thing for paper. I'm actually allergic to cheap recycled papers like paper bag paper and cardboard. (This used to come in handy when people asked me to help them move. Now, half the people I know, pack in plastic bins...)

I remember when I first started looking for an agent: No one accepted email queries. Everything was paper. No one accepted electronic submissions. Everything was paper. Now it's the opposite. I'm all for saving trees, but I'm also a lover of paper. I write in all my favorite novels. I underline passages and dog-ear pages, and if I haven't mauled a book, chances are that I really didn't love it.

All that said, I just don't know how I feel about e-books and Kindles and Nooks, etc.

What do you think?

XXOO

p. s. The "paperback" version of The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors "drops" April 5th. ha ha... drops...

Fabulous Yellow Roman Candles

2011-01-20T10:27:00.002-05:00

I am enamored of Jack Kerouac, deceased, but in my mind, living and breathing, thirty-six, in the Maldives. He's sober and productive. I wrote him back to life in my latest novel, Perfect Birds.

"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes 'Awww!'

Blogs, the best bloggers know..., are meant to be interactive. So, who are you going to write back to life? Who are you going to offer a second chance to? Inquiring minds (at least mine) want to know.

From novel #3, "They were tied up with birds and music. Songs, I guess." XXOO michele

"To all the writers I've loved before...

2010-12-31T18:59:00.005-05:00

...who've traveled in and out my door.

I'm glad they came along

I dedicate this song to all the [writers] I've loved before."

Thanks Willie Nelson and Happy New Year, 2011, to all of you! I know it's going to be a great year.

For you: A quote from Flannery O'Connor, "Don't let anyone or anything cut into your time with words. They are more important than any of us will ever be."

Happy New Year, 2011! I'll let you know when my second book, PERFECT BIRDS, finds her home.

I am hard at work on BEHIND THE EIGHT-BALL, novel #3.

ON BEING CRAZY

I am realizing, very humbly, that the book my friend Anne bought me, SHELL CRAZY (my nickname is Shel/Shell), is far too apropos this time of year. May all of us find our sanity this new year, or at least wear a good face, because what is the world without the crazy?: BORING! And who are the sane people?

With the very best wishes. XXXXXXX OOOOOOOO

shel young-stone

Moody Middle School and Appomattox Governors School, THANK YOU!!!!

2010-12-13T16:12:00.003-05:00

Happy Holidays! Happy Holidays!

So, in the past week, I have had two incredible experiences at two different schools: First, I visited The Appomattox Governors School for the Arts last Thursday, and then today, I visited Moody Middle School's IB program (Creative Writing class) in Henrico.

I had an awesome time at both schools!

The students couldn't have been nicer. Everyone asked really smart questions--the kind of questions I'm used to getting at writers' conferences. These kids are creative and smart! Both schools are participating in the Scholastic Writing contest, and last year, Moody Middle had five winners who read their work at Carnegie Hall! I know that AGRS also had some winners!

Way to go!! Thank you again for a wonderful experience. I hope to visit both schools again in January or February to update them on what's going on with book 2--Perfect Birds.

Thank you to Patty Smith (AGRS) and Patricia Walker for having me. It's so rewarding to talk to young people who love writing and books.

Barnes and Noble at Libbie Place

2010-12-04T14:26:00.005-05:00

Hoorah for Book People on Granite Street and Cheers to Barnes and Noble at Libbie Place for supporting local authors.

I'm here at Barnes and Noble at Libbie Place until 4 o'clock.

Come on out and get your signed first edition copy of The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors.

Happy Saturday, and then head on down to the Lewis Ginter Recreation Association's annual arts and crafts show on Hawthorne Avenue. It's on your way to the Bizarre Bazaar, but it's FREE! And there are great local crafters.

Perfect Birds

2010-11-29T14:28:00.004-05:00

My second novel has a title! It's Perfect Birds. To quote my agent, "It’s a wonderful, beautiful, airborne novel," and that's how it feels to me.

I made some final tweaks today and rather than feeling insecure, I'm elated that my newest characters: Gloria, Sheff, Eddie, Molly, Frank and Isabel have come to life.

When I visit with writers or book clubs, I'm often asked, "Is it hard when a book ends? Is it hard letting the characters go?"

The thing is... I've realized... They never go. They are always here with me, and I am grateful!

*I am also grateful for the two perfect birds above: Gemma Driver Cioletti, new mama, and Chrissy Robin, back when he was a Buddha Baby. TELL ME ABOUT SOME BEAUTIFUL BIRDS THAT YOU KNOW!!!!!!!

Barnes and Noble at Short Pump Town Center

2010-11-10T12:27:00.003-05:00

I will be at Barnes and Noble at Short Pump Town Center this Saturday from 1 to 4 pm.

I am hoping to have a swell time this Saturday--like eating cotton candy--and write a glowing blog after spending the afternoon there.

I am delighted that they're having me.

A signed first edition hardback copy of The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors will make a great Christmas or Hanukkah present.

It's only rock and roll but I like it...

2010-11-05T10:46:00.007-04:00

So, NO thanks to you guys: I finished my as-yet untitled second novel. I was seeking ideas for the ending. No one chimed in with "How about a lightning strike?" or "What if Becca and Buckley show up?" or "Can somebody fall in love?" Or "Can there be a lot of gore?" Just kidding.

Seriously, this was a hard book to write. During the process, the characters became so real, they wrote letters to me. Now, mind you, I'm not delusional--I don't think--so I know that I was the one doing the writing, but these characters of mine, Gloria and Sheff, wrote me letters! "Dear Michele,..." they said. They said a lot more, but it'll ruin the novel if I tell you exactly what they said. I kept joking, "At least they haven't texted me," at which, my friend Vicki promptly borrowed a stranger's phone and sent me texts from Becca and Buckley. Thanks, Vicki, for keeping it light.

I also made collages of every scene in the book while writing the novel. It's a wonderful gift to have all these darlings in my head. But, it can be a little strange sometimes too. It's all in the living and the doing. Boy, I feel happy some days. I hope you do too. All my love. michele aka shel

Bookwatch| Michele Young-Stone | UNC-TV

2010-11-01T19:17:00.000-04:00

Can you help me write a novel ending? (pun intended)

2010-11-01T11:21:00.003-04:00

Hi out there! I'm writing yet another new ending to my most recent novel, soliciting friends, neighbors, and all you awesome folks on the WWW for possible scenarios.

What you got? Death? Blood? Guts? Romance? How should a great novel end? (Let's assume that it's great and that it can end any way that you want...)

Help a sister out!

Windows to the soul

2010-10-19T12:43:00.005-04:00

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, what does it mean when a person's eyes are always burning from sleep deprivation, spending too much time in front of a computer screen or too much time analyzing small print?

Open your eyes! Life is too damn short for all work and no play. Besides, it makes Jack a dull boy, and if you've read or seen The Shining, you know that you don't want your writer friends walking around with 500 pages of one proverb. Have a great week everybody. Big Love!

Is this it? Where are my panties?

2010-10-04T00:07:00.006-04:00

We are born. And then we have mid-life crises. Of course, there's a lot in between. But right now, everyone that I know between 40 and 50, is thinking, as David Byrne thought, "How did I get here?"

We want to remember, "In your eyes, the light, the heat," and how we felt watching John Cusack woo Ione Skye in "Say Anything." "In your eyes, I am complete."

We don't want to think, "Is this it?"

We still want our romance. Hell, I want that "Sixteen Candles'" birthday cake, to kiss cutie pie Jake. He can hand me my panties any day. (Remember: "My little brother paid a buck to see your panties.")

Here's a question I'll throw your way: What keeps you young? What keeps you romantic? What keeps you bouncing and hopping and loving life? Lay it on me!

I love visiting book clubs!

2010-09-23T08:22:00.003-04:00

If you have a group of readers and you'd like to discuss my novel THE HANDBOOK FOR LIGHTNING STRIKE SURVIVORS, please don't hesitate to contact me @ micheleyoungstone@gmail.com

I always have a blast meeting new people and discussing the characters. I'm also up for phone discussions of Skyping.

Thanks!

michele (This book club was one of my favorites: self described as a wine club disguised as a book club. The food was great. The wine even better. And the conversations--hysterical.) Thanks, ladies!

First Day of School

2010-09-08T10:04:00.003-04:00

My son started school yesterday. He is precious. For three days leading up to the start of kindergarten, I think I cried, realizing this is the end of one phase of childhood. He's spending his days elsewhere.

I didn't cry when I dropped him off on Tuesday. Did any of you guys cry when you took your kids their first day? It is NOT an easy thing to do.

He's growing up!

From the novel in progress...

2010-09-01T14:43:00.000-04:00

He took Gloria’s hand in his and gently parting her fingers, kissed her palm. He pressed it to his lips. His breath was warm on her hand. “I should write a poem about you.”

“I’d like that.” And Gloria loved him. She loved Sheff—understanding that love is not about penises or having babies. It’s about poetry and laughter and lines, whether from books or scars that weave and hold us together.

Wearing two hats...

2010-08-21T15:26:00.003-04:00

I wear two hats: bookseller and book writer. For the past few months, I've been more of a seller/PR/marketing gal.

My writing hat, which is pink and red, painted with gold stars and adorned with tassels, has been sitting in the corner.

Today, I'm putting this hat back on.

I hope to continue to attend book clubs and discuss The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors, sign books, and have fun meeting new people, but I also look forward to writing again. Writing more and more often. And hopefully writing something worth reading. XO

Here are some emails and responses from readers over the last few months:

Two words for you. (whisper) Fucking awesome!

Your book is like something you made, like a pie with lots of really good fruit in it.

I loved it. Just talking about it, I get choked up.

The characters are really really real.

You've made me want to write down my own lightning story.

keep writing - whatever, wherever..you really are a talent

I don't usually do this - but just finished your book and absolutely LOVED it!! What a great, funky, compelling read - and it takes a lot for me to hold my concentration these days while I run around after my 2 yr old boy! I recommended it to all my bookclub peeps. Well done you - was sad to have just finished it

Michele, what an awesome first book! I could not put it down. I share your love for the ocean, we are going through some sad times down here in New Orleans with the oil spill, it breaks my heart that my beautiful coast is being ruined! Keep up the good work, I can't wait to read your next books!

Hello Michele. I recently completed your debut novel and I loved it. I found it to be an amazing blend of creativity, feeling, and true-to-life quirkiness that I love to have in my world. Your profile on Amazon.com brought to my attention that males are rare amongst your readers. As a man, i thank you for writing The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors. It has filled my days with laughter and happiness.

I love love love your book! You knew just where to end it! So many books fail to instill the satisfaction I felt as I put your book down, logged onto goodreads.com, and gave it 4 stars. I look forward to reading your next book. Wish I had something more profound to say here but it is 6:14 in the morning and I have to get ready for work. Cool hair.

just finished reading your book and needed to tell you how much I enjoyed it and needed it. It was like reading an indie film.It was wonderful.

Thank you,

THANK YOU FOR READING!

Why Barnes & Noble at Short Pump Town Center in Glen Allen, VA SUCKS

2010-08-21T12:23:00.002-04:00

*Disclaimer: I do not feel this way about all Barnes & Noble's, just the one at Short Pump Town Center in Glen Allen, Va.

I try to never write a "negative" blog entry. That said, this store is begging for it. The story: A very nice man who lives in my neighborhood drove out to Short Pump's Barnes & Noble in search of my novel, The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors. He had his two daughters with him. According to my neighbor, when he asked where he might find the book, he was told, "We don't have any in stock, and we've sent them all back."

He said, "She's a local author."

Apparently, this bookseller could care less because rather than saying, "I didn't know that. I can certainly order the book for you," the bookseller acted condescendingly toward my neighbor and said, "If the book doesn't sell, we don't stock it."

This same day, my neighbor conveyed this exchange to me at our local pool. I was also informed that the bookseller yelled at his daughter simply because she was riding on the escalator!

I telephoned the Barnes & Noble at Short Pump Town Center that same night and asked to speak with a manager. I relayed this story. She told me, "We do have a copy of your book in stock." Why is it that the bookseller was unaware of this fact? My neighbor had driven twenty miles out of his way.

The manager also told me that they don't always know which authors are local. So I guess they don't read the local newspaper or get lists of local authors from the major publishers. She then informed me that the only way I could be assured that my book was in stock was to arrange a book signing at their store. I said, "Sign me up." She said, "Our events planner is at lunch." I said, "Well, she can call me tonight or tomorrow to arrange something. I gave the manager my phone number. Do you think the Events coordinator from Short Pump Town Center called me?

Of course not!

I like Barnes & Noble just fine. I like all booksellers, especially local Indie sellers like Chop Suey in Carytown and Fountain Books in Shockoe Bottom. In fact, Chop Suey and Fountain have signed copies of my novel in stock right now.

That said, I have NO use for Barnes & Noble at Short Pump Town Center. As I understand it, the first thing that a bookseller should say when a customer requests a book not in stock is, "We can order it for you."

I don't typically burn bridges, but I'm burning this one with this particular store. With the way the book market is today, there's no excuse for booksellers to be rude or condescending with customers or authors.

Vacation Bible School

2010-08-10T10:36:00.003-04:00

Meet me on the mountain is this year's theme. It makes sense: A mountain is a prime spot from which to jump.

My son, who is attending Vacation Bible School this week, is understandably very curious about God. Here’s a sampling of questions and answers--why I might jump off that mountain:

“What do people eat in heaven?” “Will I have to sleep on a cloud? I don’t want to sleep on a cloud. I want to sleep in my own bed with my blue dog and all my things. I want you to be there and daddy. Will you be there?”

“Of course I’ll be there…

And no; you don’t have to sleep on a cloud if you don’t want to. I haven’t been to Heaven personally so I don’t know what they eat there, but I am pretty sure it’s all your favorite foods. And yes, your beloved Blue Dog, who you’ve had since your first Christmas, will be there too.

And here’s the other thing: You don’t have to worry about dying or going to Heaven for a VERY long time.”

“But what if I die before you? I don’t want to be alone.”

“I’ll still be there.”

“How?”

“I just will.”

“Does Jesus know Mother Nature?”

“Well, certainly.”

“If God is Jesus’s dad and God is powerful, why did he let Jesus die?”

“It’s complicated.”

These are just a smattering of the questions that Vacation Bible School elicits from loquacious, charming and curious son.

Win a free autographed book! 51 authors are participating!

2010-08-07T10:56:00.003-04:00

To celebrate the paperback release of The Last Will of Moira Leahy, Therese Walsh is sponsoring the “My Sister and Me” contest on her Facebook Author page. The idea being that if you’re one of the winners, you’ll have a copy of one of these 51 books to keep and another copy to share–with a sister or a friend. Click here to see the list of generous authors participating:

And then, once you’ve drooled through the list, added these authors to your Twitter feeds and friended them all on Facebook, please go to Therese's Facebook author page, click LIKE it, then follow the simple instructions for entering the contest for a chance to win two copies of one of these books. Want to spread the word? Visit Therese's Facebook page to learn how doing so can earn you extra entries in the contest.

How to write a follow-up to a widely praised debut novel...

2010-07-30T09:57:00.005-04:00

... with patience!

This week, I visited with a terrific Richmond book club (pictured here). Thanks to Wendi and Dan for hosting. And thank you to (pictured from left) Katherine, Karla, Wendi, Lloyd, Sherry, Kim, Tracy, Susan and Karen for great questions and enthusiasm. I had a wonderful time! (That's me fifth from the left.)

And last night, I read and spoke at the Hopewell Library. I had the best time talking with the audience and the friends of the library, who presented me with a wonderful beautiful pen and a bag of great library swag. Thank you!

Last night, Chris Wiegard, the librarian, asked, "Do you feel pressure writing the second book?"

Ironically, for the last couple months, I've been struggling with this second book. Just last night on the way to the event, I was trying to decide if I should right the new ending to my second novel (or attempt it) or if I should take a few days off and then start at the beginning of the book to make sure the ending is dead-on and has more convergence, pulling together all the threads from earlier chapters. I am feeling a little panicked because I am seriously on the 22nd draft of this novel. SERIOUSLY. I do not want to follow up The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors with anything that will disappoint. I don't want to write a dud. I have to keep in mind what my audience will be expecting, but I also have to be true to myself and my vision and voice. Fortunately, I think these components are in league with each other.

It's very difficult writing this second book. I thought I was finished with a solid book (at one point)--only to realize that the pacing and plot were lacking.

Visiting with libraries, bookstores, and book clubs, I know that my characters have struck a chord with readers. The characters mean the world to me! I still get choked up talking about them. I don't want my second book to achieve any less: by my standards or by readers'.

*On a very different and very personal note, my best friend from 2nd to 1oth grade came to the reading last night. Mari "Brubaker" is all grown up with a teenage daughter of her own. It was wonderful to see her. She sees herself in The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors. I see her there too. I'm so glad that she came to the event. Thanks, Mari, and thank you for the wonderful card.

Win a free autographed book!

2010-07-27T15:01:00.008-04:00

My son the pirate drew a name, and the winner of a signed book is Caroline. My silly pirate giveaway comes to a close. Congrats, Caroline!!!!

*I'll draw names from the first ten people who comment on this post and send you an autographed copy of The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors. Tell me whether you like pirates, wenches, pirate lore... Why or why not? Do you like Johnny Depp? I do...

Dear Readers,

After the experience of seeing my book in a bookstore and having the opportunity to share it with my son and my husband, the GREATEST thing about releasing a book into the wild is the response I get from you!

Recently, a reader emailed me to say how much she wanted to hate the character Patty-Cake, but that she couldn't hate her. I emailed back: "When I wrote her, I wanted to hate her too, but I couldn't either. She's a strong woman who knows what she wants."

It's incredible that readers (you) are connecting with the characters inhabiting my head, making their way onto the page. A big huge THANK YOU to all the readers and bloggers who continue to reach out to me.

michele

Feeling the need to share: excerpt from Conversations with Dead People

2010-07-15T14:03:00.001-04:00

“There’s too many lambs in the world. They’re being slaughtered. But not us.” He made a fist. “We’re going to live.” He shot his lean arm toward the ceiling, toward the shimmering light that seemed to cascade from the chandelier when they looked at it straight on.

“Come to Chelsea. Meet me in Chelsea.”

“What’s in Chelsea?”

“The poets and the queers.”

Gloria looked wide-eyed at him.

“I’m going to meet Jack Kerouac.”

“Who’s he?”

“You’re kidding.” Across the table, they held hands.

She shook her head that she was not.

“He’s a man’s man. He’s the kind of man who needs me but doesn’t know it yet. Look at me,” Sheff said, fanning himself with Gloria’s notebook. “I’m hot all over now.”

Gloria laughed. “Do you really want to meet in Chelsea?”

“Why not? I’m supposed to meet this guy Sal who happens to look like the famous Sal Mineo. I’m supposed to meet Sal at the Chelsea Hotel which happens to be where Dylan Thomas died. I’m Sal’s muse or something. Sal is a writer. I doubt that Sal is his real name. He’s no Sal Paradise or anything.”

“Who’s Sal Paradise?”

“From Jack Kerouac’s book On the Road!”

“I don’t know it, but I read Madame Bovary.”

Sheff said, “I’ll loan you some books.” He leaned in and kissed her right smack on the lips. She felt flush. Sheffield Schoeffler, “the faggot menace,” sent fire through her limbs. He lit a fuse. For Gloria, it was kind of like being Erik, being stuck on that Ferris wheel beneath a black sky when all of the sudden, the world moved again. Life resumed, and Gloria was oh so grateful for that jolt.

Sheff sighed deeply. With his chin resting in his palm, he said, “You know, I have to be amorous of girls to shake this place from my heels.”

“I know.”

He took Gloria’s hand in his and gently parting her fingers, kissed her palm, pressing it to his lips. His breath was warm on her hand. “I should write a poem about you.”

“I’d like that.” And Gloria loved him. She understood that love is not about penises or having babies. It’s about poetry and lines that weave and hold lives and skin together.

Richmond Young Writers

2010-07-06T12:03:00.007-04:00

I am inspired by the young writers I had the privilege to work with this past Thursday afternoon. Sometimes, it's too easy to overlook the talent and passion that young people have--and not just for video games--but for storytelling. I was blown away by the talent these folks possessed and by how much they wanted to write! The writers ranged in age from elementary school to high school, and Jessica (16) has completed her first novel and is currently submitting it to agents! Thanks to Valley Haggard and thanks to Ward at Chop Suey Books, and most importantly thanks to Bean (Hannah), Carla Adams (Kaavya), Jessica, Henry, Ryan, Maddie, Chico, Eli and Emily. Thanks again, Richmond's young writers!

It was like reading an indie film.

2010-06-29T19:24:00.003-04:00

"I just finished reading your book and needed to tell you how much I enjoyed it and needed it. It was like reading an indie film. It was wonderful."

All right. Another AMAZING review from a guy! I am ecstatic. I realize that it's the individual reviews that keep me smiling, writing, and working on the next book.

Listen up, boys! Keep the comments coming. You're making my year!

Sweetest review to date...

2010-06-23T09:48:00.008-04:00

I received an email yesterday from a reader, who commented, "Some books are over too soon, but Handbook is substantial. It has kept me reading for quite a while, which sort of feels like I got my money's worth, except that it has nothing to do with money.

It's more like I have the feeling that this is something you made, like a really nice pie with a lot of fruit.

Thank you for releasing this book into the wild."

Here is a raspberry pie that I made (fresh-picked Cape Cod raspberries) with homemade crust.

Thank you to Ralph for the "sweet" review. I love hearing from readers. It really makes me feel good to know that people understand and love my characters.

Losing My Mind

2010-06-19T22:06:00.004-04:00

I have a serious problem with losing things. I always have. This problem is apparently inherited from my dad. I can remember him stomping around the house like a lunatic, shouting, "Where are my god-damn keys?" I did not plan on following in his footsteps, but I did--to some degree--anyway.

For instance, today I lost the book I was reading. It's absolutely ridiculous, as I was reading it last night, but that said, I've searched the sofa and between the bed and wall, my pillows, beneath the covers. I seem to only lose things that are important to me. Another example: many years ago, I lost my wedding ring. It was a very nice ring--as my husband slid it onto my finger during our wedding ceremony--so you can imagine it was very nice and not as easily replaced as a book--and I was devastated. I told him. "God damn it! I lost my wedding ring. I put it right here. It was right here!" I pointed beside the kitchen sink.

We took the sink apart. No ring.

My husband said, "It will turn up. Don't worry about it, honey."

It never turned up. I turned our house upside down but the ring didn't fall out.

I think I would lose my mind if I didn't have my husband to ground me. I love him so much. I grew up with a raging dad, and I married a soft-spoken witty man. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

I used to think... Well, I think I'm losing my mind this time, this time I'm losing my mind. --Beastie Boys, Mike D (I got to meet the Beastie Boys back in the 90s... back in the day!) And sometimes I still do think that way--that I'm losing my mind--but I have this awesome family to keep me sane. I wasn't born into them. I chose them, and that makes my family all the better.

HAVE BOOK CLUB? WILL TRAVEL! Or speaker phone... Or skype...

2010-06-17T10:12:00.006-04:00

To say that I had an awesome time with the Richmond Book Club that I found at meet-up.com is an understatement.

I am blown away by the positive response my novel is getting from readers. It is so emotionally affecting to know that my characters stick with readers and that readers want more of them. "Will you write a sequel?" "Can you include the character Tide in another book?" "I really want to know that he turns out okay."

It's so wonderful! Because these characters are my family. A wonderful woman at the book club, who I'd met at Chippenham Hospital when my book first sold, wondered, "How can you talk so objectively, without being defensive, about your characters?" And the truth is, as I explained,
"First, great question! And one I'd never heard, but secondly, my characters are who they are. I know they're flawed and 'damaged' as Publisher's Weekly aptly stated, but that's what makes them so endearing, so real.

Just last night, I stopped by a friend's house. We were chit-chatting and for some reason, I told the story of how when I was in high school and we would go to parties, I had a friend who raided deep freezers and stole meat, like leg-of-lamb and pork chops, steak, etc. My friend who I was talking to, said, "No wonder you're a writer." I think we all know people who steal meat from deep freezers. We just don't all write about them.

All that said, if you are in a book club, I would love to come and talk with your group and if you're miles or states away, I would love to do a speaker phone or skype meet-up. I did one with a group of delightful women in Louisiana, and it was a blast.

Thanks for all the love. Thanks, Richmond Book Club. Thanks to all the book clubs who support me, and reminder, mark your calendar: Sunday, July 11th, 6 o'clock, Gallery 5, 200 W. Marshall Street, City Wide Book Club--River City Reads.org . Everyone is invited. Please come. Ask questions. Spread the word. Light fare and libations for sale. Bring your kids. Bring neighbors and friends and cohorts and frenemies. Bring it on. Get your read on, Richmond, Virginia! http://micheleyoung-stone.com

http://rivercityreads.org

You can Win a Free Signed Book plus 5 Writer Tips

2010-06-13T09:18:00.004-04:00

Check out Rivercityreads.org and participate in the online forum for your chance to win an autographed copy of The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors. All you have to do is post a discussion or participate in an online discussion about the book.

On the Road Again
Five writer tips from a traveling novelist newbie:

1. When speaking or signing books in public, dress comfortably. There's nothing worse than boob sweat or having your dress stuck to the back of your thighs, or even worse--lodged in your underwear.

2. Even if no one buys or bothers to peruse your book, smile, and act like you don't mind. You're just happy to be invited.

3. If someone spends an hour talking to you about your novel, and your attention has been solely on this person, telling them why your book is a "Must Read" and "a great gift," as other readers have moved away, and then, this possible reader says, "I'm not buying anything today," or "I don't read" and walks away, don't be upset. Smile. You're happy just to be invited.

4. If you're sitting alone with your giant stack of books, and the stack is not shrinking, and you'd much rather be home writing your new book, get some paper out and have at it. Write anything. Better yet, read one of the ten books you've bought in support of your fellow writers. You'll learn something!

5. The most important rule: You're happy to be invited!

Writers, writers everywhere!!

2010-06-12T18:08:00.005-04:00

Writers, writers everywhere in Galax, Virginia.

Thanks to Chapters Bookshop for hosting the Authors on Grayson Street Festival.

Pictured: Me, Michele, Anne Clinard Barnhill author of At Home in the Land of Oz, and Kathleen Grissom, author of The Kitchen House.

My sweet son, who loathes having his picture taken, insisted on being in this shot--because it's hard sharing your mom with other authors.

I thoroughly enjoyed the company of Anne and Kathleen. It's fantastic meeting other talented writers.

Other highlights: meeting Kevin Donleavy, author of Strings of Life--Conversations with Old-Time Musicians from Virginia and North Carolina; Jennifer Frick-Ruppert, author of Mountain Nature (she was my table buddy!), Becky Mushko, author of Ferradiddledumday, An Appalachian Version of Rumpelstiltskin, and Peggy Ann Shifflett, author of The Red Flannel Rug and many other books centered around Appalachia. And Erica Eisdorfer, author of The Wet Nurse's Tale. In addition to being a talented novelist, Erica manages The Bull's Head Bookshop in Chapel Hill.

I had such a nice time in Galax. And it was the most fun getting to hang out in Chestnut Creek with my husband and son. Thanks, Galax. We'll be back!

What's going on?

2010-06-11T20:01:00.002-04:00

I want to fly like a bird--with direction--and not like a kite or a leaf.

I want to hold time still. Yesterday in Chestnut Creek with my son; keep the picture, the smell, temperature, taste, rockiness and certainty with me. Certainty seems hard to come by sometimes.

Galax is beautiful: writers, monarch butterflies, crayfish, river glass, chestnuts, the Galax leaf. Sunday, I drive to Chapel Hill to tape Bookwatch with D. G. Martin, who was so wonderful to invite me.

And Tuesday, I get to meet with the Richmond Book Club in Midlothian. I am THRILLED that they've embraced me and my book. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today in Galax I met fellow writers: Jennifer Frick-Ruppert, Peggy Ann Shifflett, Kathleen Grissom (who spoke with Heidi Durrow at the VA Festival of the Book), Anne Clinard Barnhill (a friend of Therese Fowler's) and Becky Mushko. I can't wait to post my pictures (forgot my USB cable).

It won't happen to me!!!!

2010-06-07T21:39:00.003-04:00

Oh, yes it will! As the steamy weather continues, so do the thunderstorms. People who have read my debut novel tell me that they think twice now about staying outside to finish gardening or play ball, and I'M GLAD.

Lightning can strike AT LEAST five miles from a thunderstorm. This means that you might be standing under thick puffy clouds and blue skies, thunder in the distance, and ZAP, lightning strikes.

Recently, a man was struck locally in Brandermill and more recently, a young woman about to be proposed to, was struck and killed on a mountaintop. Her fiancee suffered second-degree burns, but still attempted CPR in the storm, as did EMS. Everyone says that lightning strike injuries are rare, but this isn't true. A great percentage of people struck indirectly by lightning do not go to the hospital or report the injury. There are all types of lightning, and you can die!

Respect nature. If you see stormy clouds, seek shelter. You can't predict the first strike, and thunder doesn't have to occur before that first strike touches down. Don't let your kids play under stormy skies. Thunder is the sound lightning makes when it connects from cloud to ground. Thunder is not only a warning. It's lightning touching the earth. Please be careful, and if someone is struck, begin CPR immediately. The main cause of death from lightning is the electrical charge causes the heart to stop beating--cardiac arrest. Administer CPR until paramedics arrive.

Be safe this summer!

I love my book club!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-06-03T14:00:00.009-04:00

Where else can a group of attractive smart women hang out, drink wine, munch snacks and talk about books, large and small ones, intellectual and otherwise? Our book club has read everything from The Time Traveler's Wife to The Great Santini to Eat, Pray, Love to It's Superman and Pride and Prejudice.

I was HONORED this Tuesday when we discussed my debut novel, The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors.

Our readers/members range from realtors to teachers to lawyers to media specialists to pediatric nurse practitioners and on and on. (I should keep better track of what people do.)

I am so appreciative of the love and support these wonderful ladies have shown me and my first novel. I can't wait until we can review my second one. And Amy, who hosted Tuesday night, is one of my oldest friends. She's in the back-left corner, and like the majority of these women, has her plate full with three kids, a husband, and a job. I'm amazed at how she put together such a great event.

A long time ago, Amy and I taught eighth grade English together. I'm so happy that we've remained friends and I'm glad that our friendship has blossomed into so many more connections. If you have a book club, and you'd like me to visit, check into River City Reads or shoot me an email micheleyoungstone@gmail.com The success of any novel begins and ends with the reader. If you have an interested book club, we can make it happen--even if it's via internet.

Anyone with an interest in the book can participate in River City Reads at Gallery 5, July 11th, 6 pm. The more the merrier.

And to all you readers who are reaching out and telling me that you like the book, THANK YOU. It means the world to me.

The Best Part of this Book Has Yet to be Written

2010-05-30T11:14:00.002-04:00

Imagine that after writing approximately 1,000 typed double-spaced pages only to discover that you're writing the wrong character's story, you begin again, writing an actual novel, 400 or so pages. Then, it needs work. Of course it needs work because it's too cheesy and too magical and too goddess-y for what you really like to write and "evoke." Okay, so you revise.

You've titled your novel ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL. Snazzy title! And you've revised it so many times, 17, in fact that you don't know if it's really any good, but when you write the final chapter, you cry, so you think, "This must be good." I'm going to show it to my agent, and she's like, "This is good. We'll pass it to the editor." And then the editor says,

"I love you," BUT

"I don't think the best part of this book has been written yet."

And both the agent and editor tell you (really me, but for some damn reason, I am writing in 2nd person), "Don't worry about it right now. Concentrate on promoting The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors," and you're like, "I can't. I'm mad with the words how Becca in The Handbook... is mad with the paint," so "I have to keep going. I have to figure out what's wrong with this book." So you think and think and think and then it comes to you. It's not the book it's supposed to be yet. You've cheated by not dotting all your I-s or crossing all your T-s. And this month, you've written 150 new pages and you realize this book isn't ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL, it's CONVERSATIONS WITH DEAD PEOPLE.

And you want to throw a parade for your editor, to thank her for having balls enough to tell you the truth, because even though some things are hard to hear, they are also WONDERFUL things to hear.

Book Clubs and Making Connections

2010-05-23T18:32:00.003-04:00

I couldn't have imagined a more stellar group of readers. And, thanks to Regy, for setting up this timed photograph--something totally beyond my abilities. (And note how we match!) This was a great way to spend a Sunday.

From left to right: Julie, Lisa, Nicole, Heidi, Michele (me), Holly, Jessica and Samantha.

In the back standing: Regi and Katie

Today was a feast and delight. It meant so much to me to be with past writer friends, Lisa and Nicole, and the other beautiful ladies were funny, smart and insightful. I look forward to spending more time with all of these gals. I felt embraced and at home.

Thank you! And thanks to the folks at Borders, where I signed books yesterday. I met some wonderful people like Robbie (the third-grade writer), April, mother of two, Wendy, who's in the Richmond Book Club I'm meeting with June 15th, and Deborah, who really needed my book. I felt an immediate connection with Deborah. Since publishing The Handbook, I am meeting so many wonderful people, all of whom reaffirm the messages and themes present in my novel. THANK YOU!

Writing and Parenting

2010-05-20T10:42:00.003-04:00

Victoria Winterhalter, mother, teacher and writer, speaks about the connections between Motherhood and Writing. She has an incredible amount of insight on parenting--all free and accessible at Parenting By the Book, Richmond Family Magazine's blog.

I'm thrilled to have her as my first guest blogger!

Remember that book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum? I feel like everything I really need to know about parenting I learned from being a writer. For my blog, Parenting by the Book, I utilize my experiences as a freelance writer and English teacher just as much as I do those of motherhood because writing, like parenting, is largely based on what you’ve read and what you’ve experienced.

While we hate to admit it, both writing and parenting are learned through trial and error. Author Philip Roth writes, “I often write a hundred pages or more before there’s a paragraph that's alive. Okay, I say to myself, that’s your beginning, start there; that’s the first paragraph of the book.” With how hectic parenting can be, this is a hard correlation to accept but one that is real nonetheless. I know when it came to getting my four-year-old to be more independent I’d read numerous books and tried countless tricks. It wasn’t until I blogged about Raising Resilient Children by Robert Brooks and Sam Goldstein that my efforts paid off.

Anne Lamott, author of Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, writes that successful writers don’t “sit down at their desks every morning feeling like a million dollars…This is just the fantasy of the uninitiated.” Good writing, like good parenting, is hard work; even the best writers (and parents) feel uninspired from time to time. The key is to ride out your insecurities until you feel confident again for I believe Lamott was right when she wrote “Leap and the net will appear.”

Whether you’re writing, or parenting, you should think about when you are at your best and capitalize on it. Author Toni Morrison writes, “I tell my students one of the most important things they need to know is when they are at their best creatively.” I’m a slow starter – at my best creatively in the afternoon; therefore, I’ve trained my kids to play together when they wake up. By the time they are on each other’s nerves, my coffee’s kicked in and I’m ready to play.

Last month, I heard Michele Young-Stone speak at a James River Writers event, and something she said confirmed this suspicion that all I really need to know about parenting I can learn from being a writer. Michele said when she got rejections she’d say she was done with writing while simultaneously putting another query letter in the mail to a potential agent – never giving up on her dream of publication. The reality is published authors succeed in large part because they aren’t afraid to reinvent their project until they find the format that reaches readers. It’s that kind of perseverance that makes for successful parents, too.

Victoria Winterhalter writes the blog Parenting by the Book for Richmond Family Magazine; she reads the parenting books so you don’t have to.

My First Guest Blogger this Friday!

2010-05-18T12:41:00.002-04:00

I am excited to host my first ever guest blogger this Friday, May 21st!

Victoria Winterhalter, the blogger for Richmond Family Magazine, will blog about writing and parenting.

Before having kids, she spent ten years teaching English in elementary and middle schools. Since moving to VA with her family, she's taught primarily at John Tyler Community College in Chester - Freshmen Comp. classes, American Literature, and Creative Writing.

Victoria publishes articles on teaching writing in academic journals, but most of the writing she does is related to parenting - first for All About Kids and now for Richmond Family, which is what led to her awesome blog--Parenting by the Book.

Additionally, she spent some time abroad working for the Peace Corps! Which, I think is super cool! She has quite a lot to write about, and her blog is a helpful smart resource for moms and parents.

"I'm on the top of the world looking down on...

2010-05-17T19:14:00.014-04:00

creation and the only explanation I can find is the love that I found ever since you've been around, you're what put me on the top of the world!"

When I was a kid, I remember jumping up and down on my bed, imagining I was Karen Carpenter and singing at the top of my lungs.

I had the greatest time in New York. In three days, we did:

a. The Museum of Natural History

b. Arturos on Houston (my favorite pizza) with my editor

c. Bleecker street blues with my sis and friend

d. Reading and book signing and drinks with Heidi Durrow, author of The Girl Who Fell from the Sky

e. Little Italy and Chinatown

f. FAO Schwartz and the M & M store

g. Saw the Waldorf Astoria with my beautiful cousin and second cousin, Teresa and Cosette

h. Hand-sold my novel at JFK airport to another Richmonder

Heidi Durrow and her husband Darryl were so much fun. Heidi and I both considered how great it would be to book-tour together. She is a real wordsmith. Compelling, funny, wise and beautiful (inside and out). The folks at Word in Brooklyn couldn't have been better hosts. Man, I had a serious blast!

Good Times In Middleburg, Virginia

2010-05-10T22:29:00.005-04:00

Saturday, May 8th in Middleburg, Virginia

I signed books at Books & Crannies, a wonderfully friendly and charming bookstore where the owners and manager made sure I felt right at home.

Sadly, the folks at Crown Random House put me up in the cramped accommodation pictured above. I don't know how these publishing people think I can sign books under such conditions. :-)

Not to mention, this crazy blue-eyed man accompanied me. Thank God for the great folks at Books & Crannies for rescuing me. I had a blast. Middleburg is a quaint beautiful town. I met a musician/bartender at Le Bar who made us feel right at home, and Teddy @ Teddy's Pizza made me blush. What a great weekend!

Revelations!!

2010-05-07T15:28:00.003-04:00

There are so many things that I've wanted to blog about lately, but I've been "mad with the words," revising ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL for the TWELFTH time--not including the 2,000 pages I wrote leading up to these twelve drafts.

That said: REVELATION. The reason that I wanted to be a published novelist is so that I could help people to see the world in a new way. I wanted to make people feel things deeply and appreciate what they have, what they might take for granted. And I wanted to entertain... And I'm driven to do this. I love writing stories!

So, today, I got the following email from a reader:

Favorite line: 'Buckley squeezed Joan Holt's hand.' And his 'Excerpts' are written in such an honest and believable and cute voice....a terrific effort." so keep writing! You put a lot of other current novelists to shame: wit, wisdom and talent for nuance are all there in your work. Right on, sister.

And the following phone call from a friend/reader:

I hadn't read a book in fifteen years, and then I couldn't put yours down. Thank you for making me want to read again.

Oh, and three days ago, I got this email:

I love your book, I'm a lightning strike survivor too, I bought your book in a trip to Washington but I live in Caracas, Venezuela. Thank you for giving me the impulse to write in spanish my own story. Congratulations!!! Looking forward for your second book. Best regards

For the record, I am all torn up! There were years when I thought I'd never publish. I am so happy that people are enjoying my words.

AND... Check out my guest spot on Coffee with a Canine. It's too fun! http://coffeecanine.blogspot.com/

REVISING AND REWRITING

2010-05-03T12:22:00.002-04:00

I am revising my latest book today, and I am tossing whole chapters. Kill the little darlings is what Faulkner said, and I'm doing it. These aren't even little darlings, these are big darlings, but I think and I hope that in the end, I will be all the better for it. I used to say that I wrote 1,000 pages for every 100 I keep. I'm going to have to up that number to 2,000 pages for every 100 pages.

I'm proud of myself, but I'm also sort of scared.

What's the worst case scenario? I go back to the last draft.

I can do it! You can do it!

The Page 69 Test and James River Writers

2010-04-30T11:12:00.004-04:00

I took The Page 69 Test. This is the coolest blog because it asks the question NOT necessarily on everyone's mind, but a really cool question: Does page 69 in the book that you wrote represent the overall story or theme of your novel?

My answer is posted today. Check it out!

And I had such a wonderful time last night participating in the James River Writers' Writing Show Panel at the Children's Museum. In this photograph are my agent Michelle, me, my editor, Sarah, and local fiction writer and JRW Co-Chair and last night's moderator, Ginny Pye. The audience of writers was insightful and inspiring. I had a blast! Thanks to everyone who came out and thanks to Michelle and Sarah for flying down from New York and to James River Writers' for hosting them.

Here I go again on my own...

2010-04-28T21:01:00.003-04:00

We have had the best time in Chapel Hill and Durham, North Carolina. Thank you to Regulator Books and Flyleaf Books for their kindness. And thank you to DG Martin for interviewing me for 1360 WCHL Chapel Hill. He's a delight!

Last night after my reading at Flyleaf, I was at a local pizza place, IP 3 (rocked!!) and saw the White Snake video with Tawny Kitaen rolling all over the car, and I felt really happy that I'm not "traveling down the only road I've ever known". Not to mention, every single time that I see that White Snake video I want to roll around on a Trans Am or Camaro or whatever muscle car that is. Here's to Tawny Kitaen! I first encountered her in the movie Bachelor Party--I think. I'm showing my age.

Hat's off to Tawny.

Regulator Books in Durham, NC

2010-04-27T08:03:00.004-04:00

And... if you miss me at Flyleaf Books, catch me Wednesday at Regulator Books in Durham, NC. I'll be reading from THE HANDBOOK FOR LIGHTNING STRIKE SURVIVORS and signing books. I hope to see you there. http://regulatorbookshop.com

xxoo

Flyleaf Books Tuesday, 7 pm

2010-04-26T13:11:00.003-04:00

Hi folks. If you're in Chapel Hill, Tuesday. Come see me at Flyleaf Books, 7 pm.

I'm really looking forward to it!! www.flyleafbooks.com

XXOO

michele

Endearing Losers

2010-04-23T10:47:00.002-04:00

From left to right, my sister, me, and my dad.

I'm guest blogging today over at The Book Lady's Blog, writing about what it means to be an "endearing loser." There are some fun pics. Check it out!

Have you ever wondered how a book gets its cover?

2010-04-21T09:05:00.005-04:00

This is really cool! Click here to read the story of how my novel got its current cover.

The Book Lady's Blog!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-04-20T07:54:00.005-04:00

I love this woman!

Check out her blog, and the stunning review she gave THE HANDBOOK FOR LIGHTNING STRIKE SURVIVORS!!!!!!!!!!

http://thebookladysblog.com/

See you at 6:30, Fountain Bookstore, Shockoe Bottom: Reading and book signing.

Book Launch Party a HUGE success

2010-04-19T10:11:00.003-04:00

The party was a blast! I'd imagined this party for years, and it didn't disappoint.

Thanks Coby, Wells, Stephen and Sara--for the great introduction and Ward and Curtis.

We had a blast! And thanks for coming and getting your book signed. I hope everyone had FUN!

Michele Young-Stone at Gallery 5 Sunday, April 18th

2010-04-17T14:05:00.002-04:00

Please join me in celebrating the release of my debut novel, THE HANDBOOK FOR LIGHTNING STRIKE SURVIVORS.

Gallery 5, 200 West Marshall Street, Richmond, VA,

Sunday, April 18th, 5 - 7 pm.

Books for sale by Chop Suey Books.

Reading, signing, live music, food and libations.

I hope to see you there. XXOO michele

Reading tonight in Chester, VA!!

2010-04-15T13:11:00.002-04:00

So, I think it should've dawned on me before this afternoon that my writing career started in Chester, Virginia. I have my first memories of sitting and writing stories and poems. It's pretty cool that my first public reading is going to be back where I first met my muse. I'm really looking forward to it!

This is Mrs. Emma Peel (left). XXOO

Happy Birthday to THE HANDBOOK FOR LIGHTNING STRIKE SURVIVORS

2010-04-13T15:25:00.006-04:00

Thank you to my fellow fiction writers Sheri Reynolds, Therese Fowler, Rebecca Rasmussen, Bill Tester and Heidi Durrow for their words of advice and wisdom. And thank you to all the fiction folks I forgot. I am having a great day. And thank you to my friends and family for all their love and support. And Sarah and Michelle and Annsley and Kira and Ward and a million other folks. This day has been a long time in the making. To Sarah: "You had me at John Irving."

BOOK DAY TODAY

2010-04-13T08:47:00.002-04:00

Today is the day!

What more to say?

Dreams really do come true...

"When you wish upon a star,

makes no difference who you are..."

"Don't stop believing,

hold onto that feeling..."

I think I'm high! Off to the gym, but I'll be blogging all day today. Wow! I am really totally freaky excited. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ONE DAY TO GO!!!

2010-04-12T12:22:00.004-04:00

One day to go, and The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors got a wonderful review in The Boston Globe. What could be better?

http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2010/04/11/tragic_families_and_turbulent_love/

An excerpt: “[N]othing in this novel is predictable, which is one of many reasons that it’s a delight. Young-Stone has written an exceptionally rich and sure-handed debut, full of complex characters, brilliantly described. . . . [H]er style certainly has an electric immediacy.”

In celebration of my debut novel THE HANDBOOK FOR LIGHTNING STRIKE SURVIVORS: I offer an excerpt from novel #3 in progress, as yet untitled:

For her art project, Meredith made wings. They were what you’d imagine homemade wings to be: four feet in length, curved, ten inches across at the widest point, narrowing to the bottom, layered with clean white feathers, synthetic things, bought at the Craft Emporium. It seemed only right that when she’d been assigned to build something three dimensional, Meredith would make wings. She’d been born with them or something like them. The doctors called her wings a birth defect, an anomaly, how some children are born with tails and others with cleft palates, Meredith had bifurcated protrusions extending from her back. Wings, her mother had reckoned. An angel born to the wrong world. Wings, Meredith thought, even after her mother stopped saying kind things. Wings, she believed, even after her mother became addicted to cocaine and coco-puffs. Years ago, before the cocaine, Meredith’s mother said that the wings were attached until Meredith was two months old—when it was safer to operate, to cut them cleanly, two stitched seams in their stead. Once, Meredith remembered her mother saying, “I felt them flutter when I fed you your bottle.” Meredith’s mother dismissed such bullshit nowadays. She didn’t like talking about wings or flights, not to distant lands, not away from Vilento Beach, not flights of fancy. Nothing.

c. Michele Young-Stone, 2010

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION DAY 2

2010-04-11T07:46:00.002-04:00

Wow! I sort of look like "That Girl" minus the hat flying in the air. I'm down south in Savannah, enjoying a Monkey Shine slushie at Wet Willie's.

I guess it's time to go home. I hope I see you Tuesday (Book launch day, April 13th) at Chop Suey Books, 4-5 pm.

or April 15th, Thursday at Chester Library, Chester, VA, 6:30 pm,

and/or Sunday, April 18th, Book Launch Party Day, Gallery 5, 200 W. Marshall Street, 5 - 7 pm

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION DAY 4

2010-04-09T17:08:00.003-04:00

4 Days to go
We're still in St. Augustine, having the finest time, wishing we didn't have to leave tomorrow, but as always, I miss home. Christopher misses home. Danny could pitch his tent right here for forever. There's the beach and bikini-clad girls. And waves. Pauvre Danny.

These are some of the great friends I made: Patty and Elizabeth. The best part about traveling are the people you meet. XXOO
Big kudos to Patty for telling everyone about my book. She's the best. Love her!!

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION DAY 5

2010-04-08T17:01:00.004-04:00

Day 5 and I'm staying alive. I've wrestled an alligator and the Atlantic Ocean. My son told me that the skin on my chest looks wrinkly--"Is that going to happen to me?"--so I'm avoiding a suntan, much less a burn.

He also asked, just today: "If I eat broccoli every day, will I live to be as old as Jesus?"

"Which Jesus?" I mean, there's Jesus, the Christ, and then there's Jesus the carpenter. To simplify things, I assumed he meant Jesus the carpenter, and told him most certainly he'll live that long, probably and hopefully longer.

Today, I drove to St. Augustine Shores and met my mom's cousin Bill--whom she hasn't seen in 50 years. Got some history lessons. Worked on my new novel, 3rd one, about a girl born with wings--a deformity. Feel like I've grown some wings since I've been in Florida. Bill's wife Laura said, "Are you feeling nervous about your book coming out?" and I wasn't sure what to say. I don't even know if I'm nervous. I guess I am. I know that I'm excited, a little tentative, uncertain, but I haven't been throwing up. I have a gorgeous boy who likes to build castles and dig in the sand. Writing a book is a big deal, I guess, but nothing like having a family. Nothing like having a son. Without him, without them, I wouldn't be who I am and having a book come out in 5 days wouldn't mean squat. I love my family. My mom says, "Who's going to keep you grounded if your book does well?" Easy answer!

Nightmares now? No no no...

2010-04-08T16:51:00.003-04:00

Countdown interrupted. Anxiety dreams erupting. I'm flirting with guys swilling Budweiser in T-tops. I'm not married. I didn't write a book. I don't have a dreamy husband and a sweet dog. I don't have great friends and family.

Crud!!! I should've brought the dream catcher on vacation with us!

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION one week to go

2010-04-06T17:40:00.002-04:00

7 days! Perched and ready to fly. Full-up on wine and waves here in St. Augustine. And in one week, I'll be hanging out at Chop Suey Books 4 - 5 hoping to see you, to sign your book.

Hoorah for spring.

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION DAY 8

2010-04-05T17:48:00.002-04:00

Eight days a week, I luuuuuv you... Eight days a week is not enough to show I care.

I confess. I am mathematically challenged. I lost a day somewhere--so maybe it's seven days--but we'll stick with eight days until publication because I'm on Florida time.

I watched the sun rise this morning and took a three hour nap this afternoon. I do NOT nap. I can't relax or shut my brain down so I never attempt napping. I end up frustrated. Just the same, today, I napped!
I am relaxed here at the House of Sea and Sun, where I've met delightful people. First and foremost, the owner Patty, who treats everyone like family. The sound of the ocean is our constant companion. The skies are blue. The sand white. I have come to St. Augustine to research my third book, and, if anything, thus far, I will take away a sense of this northern Florida coast, the difference between the sea here and the ocean in North Carolina. One fierce and often gray, and this one rolling and rippling the sand. I love the North Carolina coast. I'm only biased because I'm here. And I had my picture taken with a singing Leprechaun today. And my son is happy that he's made a friend--Sammy--whose grandmother Helen is visiting from Scotland. And it's all so beautiful like I hoped it would be, except for this blog which is kind of mushy and mish-mashed and sentimental. Oh well. I like that too. Love to everyone in Richmond and elsewhere.

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION day 9

2010-04-04T14:10:00.002-04:00

9 dAyS to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are relaxing in St. Augustine. For Easter, we went on an Easter egg hunt at The Surf Station.
We won a free T-Shirt.

Christopher says, "St. Augustine is great because there aren't any leaves to rake."

Check out the Surf Station's website. They were a gas station until 1984. Everyone there is super nice.

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION : DAY 10

2010-04-02T02:59:00.004-04:00

Ten days to go!!!

All right: You know that you live in a wonderful neighborhood when you need a professional color photograph sent to your publicist and all you have to do is call up your neighbor and dear friend down the street, and say, "Hey, I need you to shoot like 100 pictures of me. Yeah. Like, now." And you take pictures in the grass, against the tree, against her house, and finally, the best picture is of you standing in her dog run where one of your favorite dogs, Brutus (aka Rudy) digs his holes.

Note Annie's little feet in the picture: she's a serious renaissance gal: sculptor, painter, photographer, teacher, Mom, wife, boogie-woogie dancer. The list goes on and on.

I moved to this magical neighborhood--where my neighbors are family--in 1999. You can tell I'm surrounded by good vibrations just by the look on my face.

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION : DAY 11

2010-04-01T04:34:00.002-04:00

11 DAYS TO GO!!!

Do you know that it's not too late to order THE HANDBOOK FOR LIGHTNING STRIKE SURVIVORS from AMAZON for 33% off the cover price!!!!!

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION : DAY 12

2010-03-31T15:03:00.002-04:00

12 DAYS TO GO.

I can't f*cking believe it. My thought for today is Jerry Seinfeld. I am a Seinfeld junkie. I even took the Seinfeld Facebook quiz and scored 100%. I could get a doctorate in Seinfeld. That said, here's today's thought from an early episode, so really it's Jerry's or Larry David's thought:

Jerry accidentally gives an alcoholic a drink with alcohol in it, and the alcoholic "falls off the wagon." Jerry thinks all the drunks would be "on the wagon," considering they're drunk.

Makes sense to me. XXOO

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION : DAY 13

2010-03-30T13:35:00.002-04:00

HELL'S BELLS!!!!!! 13 DAYS TO GO! I can't believe it. When I think about it, my stomach flutters how a first kiss makes you feel. My mother keeps telling me, "Never forget: You deserve this. You worked hard." Like my husband, she knows the rejection I endured. She got to hear me cry. She's also heard my elation these last eighteen months.

I'm getting emails from people as far away as Colorado and Ohio, telling me, "I loved your book."

I feel incredible. I love Becca and Buckley too and I'm so glad that other people are getting to know them.

On Saturday, April 17th, I am the guest blogger at The Debutante Ball--totally worth checking out. These debut authors have a great site: http://thedebuatanteball.com

See you then! Remember to wear your seatbelt! It's the law.

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION : DAY 15

2010-03-28T15:02:00.003-04:00

15 DAYS TO GO!!!!!!! I am feeling really good about the launch of my new novel. I can be an "anxious sort". That's putting it mildly, but I figure since being a published writer has been my dream since I was seven years old, it would be kinda dumb to expend energy feeling nervous about book signings and such when what I really want to do is enjoy, enjoy, enjoy this wonderful experience.

Thanks to everyone who's sent emails of support. And remember, you can still pre-order your book from Chop Suey Books at 422-8066. They're offering 20% off all pre orders. Go for it!

THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF BEES

I have an old postcard I've kept. I keep lots of old postcards. In this particular one, there's a woman in front of a white steepled church, bees swarming her head. Last year, for research purposes, my friend Allyson performed energy healing on me, and while I was lying there, my eyes closed, her hands feeling for energy passing through my chakras, I heard a sound like a week whacker, and thought, "I wish that would stop. It's driving me batty." Well, lo and behold, it turns out that a bee was swarming around my head. Allyson didn't want to stop the session, and eventually, the bee flew off and disappeared. Just today, I was sitting revising my novel, and touching my hair, I heard a buzzing sound. I touched my hair again. More loud buzzing. Well, wouldn't you know it: another bee!

From what I've read, bees are associated with celebration and with Aphrodite. "Honey bees are a shamanic sign of passion, progress, and sexuality. They are also tied to joy and creativity...." From Lipstick Mystic, http://lipstickmystick.com

If you feel like it, share your thoughts about bees buzzing around. xxoo

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION : DAY 18

2010-03-25T16:59:00.004-04:00

18 Days to go! We are born to TV and taco night. Some of us. To hand-me-downs and blue toenails. To insecurity and Fiesta ware. To friendship. To good friends when we've discovered what it means to give and to receive.

We are born.

Red and blonde and tippy-toed. With flat feet and cleft palates. Easy bruisers and thick-skinned. Fast and slow. Brown-eyed. Bewildered. Bipolar and broke.

We are born. Characters. Books. Bedtime stories. Scheduled c-sections and surprises. Gay, straight, bisexual. Born. Premature and after term. A million variations, striations.

Soon, my little book is born. Insignificant against flat-footed and gay. Insignificant against bipolar and brown-eyed. But born. Come to fruition. Like you and this second in time. Undeniable.

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION DAY 23

2010-03-20T18:20:00.002-04:00

23 Days to go!!!!!!!!!!
A GREAT BIG shout out to Sheena and Gail at Comfort Inn, North, Kill Devil Hills for changing my room without hesitation. I was close to the inn's generator and after writing all day, I had a bad headache. Great service certainly goes a long way.

I wrote the last chapter to ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL today. Mind you, I'd written two prior endings, endings I "wanted," I thought, but today the ending revealed itself to me. I cried. Went for a long walk on the beach. Picked up some trash. Played with my sweet dog, Emma. I love the ocean!

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION : DAY 24

2010-03-19T15:54:00.004-04:00

24 DAYS TO GO!!!!!!!!

I've always thought it peculiar that Harper Lee only wrote one book. Mind you, it's brilliant, but it's strange that after To Kill a Mockingbird she stopped. I can't stop. As much as I love The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors, the first thing I do when I finish a draft of one novel is start another one. I have a book, some 500 pages, sitting on a shelf in my office. It will never see the light of day because as I wrote it, I tried as hard as I could to write how I thought I was supposed to write. (As if there's such a thing!) I tried to write from point A to point B, and I don't write that way.

Bits and pieces of that shelved book went into my most recent text, All Things Beautiful. As a matter of fact, I am finishing ATB's umpteenth rewrite this weekend. I have written the "two" climactic chapters (you know me... nothing is terribly linear, don't like straight lines so much... need more than one climax...) so I think the rest of the book should be like cake. The last chapter will be the frosting. Take my time, whip up the perfect texture and lay it on thick, but not too thick.

Wish me luck. And if anyone knows why Harper Lee only wrote one book, explain it to me.

XXOO *Above: My sister and I in our matching Easter dresses, Holiday City, NJ; my mom made most of our clothes, but the matching Easter dresses were the best.

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION : DAY 25

2010-03-18T14:40:00.003-04:00

25 days to go! I got to see and hold my novel THE HANDBOOK FOR LIGHTNING STRIKE SURVIVORS today. Nothing can make this any more real! It's a beautiful book: Everything about it, from the smart electric jacket to the book itself, key-lime green and cantaloupe orange. I am elated. It's times like this that I think, "Wow! Is this really happening? Did I publish a book?" The proof is in the pudding. In this case, the spine.

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION : DAY 27

2010-03-16T14:31:00.002-04:00

Sara Arthur Cool! Remember to mark your calendar for April 18, 5-7, Gallery 5.

Not only am I reading and signing books, but you get to rock out to the sounds of Sara Arthur, Stephen McCarthy, Coby Batty, and Wells Hanley.

Lightning Strikes Twice for a Local Author! Michele Young-Stone celebrates the debut of her novel, THE HANDBOOK FOR LIGHTNING STRIKE SURVIVORS (Shaye Areheart Books) at Gallery 5, ( 200 W. Marshall Street , Richmond , VA 23220 ), Sunday, April 18^th, 5-7 pm. Author reading, book signing, libations and live music add to the festivities! Free and open to the public. Sponsored by Chop Suey Books. Contact: 422-8066 for more information.

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION : DAY 29

2010-03-14T10:02:00.001-04:00

29 days to go. And there's more daylight today.

an excerpt from ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL to celebrate:

“Remember that you’re tough.” With two fingers, he touched his lips and then touched hers. “I see it in you. You’re soulful. You’ll always be rich like that.” She wasn’t quite sure what he meant about being rich, but it was a good thing—she knew. Drawing closer, he added, “And if I wasn’t a queer, you’d be my girl.”

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION : DAY 30

2010-03-13T15:00:00.002-05:00

30 DAYS TO GO today.

Still in my pajamas! Spent all day revising/rewriting ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL.

I made it to page 291. I am hell-bent on finishing this revision by April 1st. I have a third novel in the works, and I need to be able to put this one down for a little bit while I research the new book.

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION : DAY 31

2010-03-12T18:13:00.002-05:00

31 DAYS TO GO:

I am a complete lunatic. If you know me, this is old news. But still, I spent the better part of the day doing something that I knew was a bad idea: trying to make my own new super duper fancy custom-made website that has all the high tech elements a budding novelist needs. OMG. Well, it was a bad idea. I knew it was a bad idea, but the same thing that makes me obsessive about about my books makes me obsess about things I should leave alone.

It seems that the closer I get to publication, the more lessons I learn. It's good to learn. You can never know too much.

I just hired a web designer. Thank God for east coast vs. west coast time because he was still in the office at 5 o'clock my time.

To all you dudes who support me despite my obsessiveness, I salute you!

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION : DAY 33

2010-03-10T09:40:00.002-05:00

33 DAYS TO GO!!!!

Wow! It's hard to believe. In fact, I emailed my agent yesterday to find out when the actual hardcover books would be "made." I guess that's what one says. Hmmm. Anyway, she said, "Two to three weeks." I can't believe it. When I actually see my novel in hardcover, I will most probably cry. It's a chubby buck-toothed frizzy headed seven year old girl's dream come to fruition.

Mom said, "We thought you copied the words out of books. We were only humoring you when we said, 'That's wonderful, Micki.'" Man, I'm so glad that-- thinking their daughter was delusional--they humored me. 33 days to go!

I love my mom. This first novel THE HANDBOOK FOR LIGHTNING STRIKE SURVIVORS is dedicated to her. She's always been my gage, my guide, my sage, my bff.

Here's a glimpse from the new book:

It was an ugly place with ugly doctors, most of whom weren’t medical doctors, but all of whom, regardless of qualifications, believed that the deviance called homosexuality could be cured. Gloria had been brainwashed by Isabel, and they could—with enough time—fix her. Because it was an ugly place, and Gloria’s story is one of all things beautiful, her time at the institute is a blip in an otherwise complex and nuanced existence. That’s how she wants it, and she’s allowed to make choices, to determine what’s relived with detail and what’s skimmed.

c. 2009 by Michele Young-Stone

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION : DAY 35

2010-03-08T10:08:00.002-05:00

35 DAYS TO GO!
Revising ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL today, and looking forward to playing out in the sunshine later!

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION : DAY 37

2010-03-06T16:22:00.005-05:00

37 DAYS TO GO!

Musings on youth and nature:

Saturday is my work day--my sunny funny solitary writing day. Today. My husband is off playing at the park with our son. I envy them, but I'm grateful to have this time to revise ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL.

Yesterday, while I was at the park with my son, I was in awe of how beautiful, how terrifically amazing this peacock was. Hypnotized by the color and poise. The bird walked round and round showing me its amazing feathers.

Inside the barn, there was an old Sheep named Daisy. Approximately 16 years old, sheep usually only live to be 11 or 12. Daisy has vertigo and confusion and walks in a circle. I thought about Alzheimer's disease and dementia and how we're sometimes too often cruel to the elderly--as if they belong to some other world.

This brought me back to ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL, to a former post about how everybody was somebody before they were just old. I can imagine Daisy as a lamb. I probably saw her then. I've been going to this park for two decades. I probably fed Daisy when she was younger.

Yesterday, we watched two goats butt horns, fighting to feed from our hands. They were young, full of spunk.

Note: My son does not want to grow up, to get old, or anything of the sort. I gave him my permission to stay young. (At least--at heart.)

My mother always said that she was young forever. She is young forever. As a girl, she saw Mary Martin play Peter Pan on Broadway and decided, "I'll be young forever." She told me this when I was seven or eight, as we ate mint chocolate chip ice cream and watched cartoons. I remember her laughing.

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION : DAY 40

2010-03-03T13:02:00.002-05:00

DAY 40

Oops. I missed a day!!

The following review in Library Journal makes up for it.

Young-Stone, Michele. The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors. Shaye Areheart: Harmony. Apr. 2010. c.384p. ISBN 978-0-307-46447-7. $24. F

Becca Burke was eight years old the first time lightning struck her down. Her dad didn't believe it, and her mom was drunk. Buckley Pitank's life, on the other hand, was finally looking up when his mom's head was opened by a lightning bolt out of a clear blue sky. Unknown to each other, Becca and Buckley spend the next 20-some years coming to grips with the aftermath of these incidents. Lonely, disaffected, and estranged from family, they each live out their lives along two separate story lines, taking readers from North Carolina, to the shores of Texas, to the art world of New York City, before they inevitably cross paths through the clever conceit of the handbook in the title. Each character in this startlingly mature debut novel, from Becca's self-absorbed father and self-destructive mother to Buckley's evangelical stepdad, is complicated, nuanced, and sympathetic. Young-Stone's writing style is crystal clear and shot through with lightning-like flashes of description so vivid that readers might think that they are watching a movie. VERDICT It's not often that this reviewer regrets a book's ending, but that's what happened here. The sense of melancholy, tempered by the resilience and heart of the characters, makes this ripe for Oprah or fans of Elizabeth Berg or Anne Tyler. The author's web site says she has another novel in the hopper. Two thumbs up.—Sally Bissell, Lee Cty. Lib. Syst. Fort Myers, FL

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION : DAY 42

2010-03-01T12:19:00.004-05:00

42 Days to go!!!!!

DAre I say, "Next month." Be still my heart. It's too exciting.

Today I went to my son's preschool class and shared what I do for a living. My son told them, "My mom writes books."

It warms my heart.

The kids were awesome. I asked them, "When you go to the library or to a book store, how do you choose a book to read?"

One little boy said, "By the cover." Other answers included, "Transformers," and "Nancy." I decided that we'd talk about covers instead of Transformers. I showed them two covers for my book. The one pictured here--which is the actual cover--and the novel's earlier cover--which is the Advanced Reader Copy.

We then discussed which cover they liked best, and it was so cute, because a lot of them said that they liked the "Love Cover,"--the current cover--because of the boy and girl on the front. The love cover! They also liked the bright colors on the love cover. A few of the boys preferred the other cover because it had the word lightning on it.

It was pretty interesting because of how one word stuck out for most of the boys, while the image dominated for the girls. Really, the kids seemed to like both, so the choice was hard.

Then, they made their own book covers. It was so much fun. Thank you to Ms. Joan and Ms. Carter and the class for having me.

NEXT MONTH!!!!!!! Can you believe it? What does Stacy from What Not to Wear always say? Oh yeah! "Shut the back door!"

PUBLICATION COUNTDOWN: 43 days to go!

2010-02-28T11:17:00.004-05:00

43 DAYS TO GO!

COUNTDOWN TO PUBLICATION : DAY 44

2010-02-27T14:20:00.003-05:00

44 DAYS to go:

Some thoughts on the spousal relationship:

I love to write. I am so grateful that I'm able to do what I love, and I get to do it for a living. In John Gardner's On Becoming a Novelist, he mentions that if at all possible, a budding novelist should marry someone who can support him or her. For obvious reasons. He notes too that love, for obvious reasons, is also pretty darn important. I might add that writers need to marry folks who are tolerant of their bizarre needs to write and research at odd hours. And if the novelist is like me, the spouse has to endure hours and days of, "Let me read you this one thing..." or "Can you read this for me?" And when the first draft is years later complete, and the writer (me) says, " What do you think? I mean, what do you think of the whole thing?" the poor spouse has to somehow relay that he can't see the forest for the trees because his relationship with the words/story has been about as rationally sensibly narrative as listening to a three year old tell a story.

Have Faith:

It's HARD to get published! No matter how talented a writer you are, it's a laborious process of querying agents, waiting for responses, sending out chapters and pages, and starting the process all over again. It takes patience, perseverance and faith. Mind you, these are traits that no matter who you are, tend to falter. Just the same, whenever possible: Have faith. Believe in your words. Persevere.

XXOO