About Stupid Cupid

Felicity Walker believes in true love. That’s why she applies for a gig at the matchmaking company Cupid’s Hollow. But when Felicity gets the job, she learns that she isn’t just a matchmaker…she’s a cupid! (There’s more than one of them, you know.) Armed with a hot pink, tricked-out PDA infused with the latest in cupid magic (love arrows shot through email), Felicity works to meet her quota of successful matches.

But when she bends the rules of cupidity by matching her best friend Maya with three different boys at once, disaster strikes. Felicity needs to come up with a plan to set it all right, pronto, before she gets fired…and before Maya ends up with her heart split in three.

About Rhonda Stapleton

Rhonda Stapleton started writing a few years ago to appease the voices in her head. She has a Master’s degree in English and a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. Rhonda works as an editor for a legal publishing company and enjoys offering editing workshops. Rhonda lives in Northeast Ohio with her lovely, energetic family, who are more than enough to keep her busy when she’s not writing.

In the twelve minutes of free time she has each day, Rhonda enjoys reading, photography, writing poetry, singing in the shower (and in the car, at work, or basically anywhere that provides oxygen), drinking chai tea, and playing on the Internet.

All work in the Forest today will grind to a halt as we enjoy the ceremonial viewing of Elf. And we might even make spaghetti with maple syrup.






I got to thinking about my family's tradition of setting out rice pudding for the julenisse. Nisse have been around long before Christmas celebrations. English words that describe them as elves, or gnomes; I've seen "pixie," too. If properly cared for, nisse will watch out for your farm animals, your house, and your barn. If you don't take care of them, they will cause all kinds of mischief on your property.

Nisse are low-maintenance creatures. All they require is a bowl of rice pudding (risengrød) set outside your door or in your barn on Christmas Eve. We've always done this faithfully and I think our nisse appreciate it.

But as the sun was setting yesterday and I was lighting candles in honor of the solstice I realized that the nisse have been around a lot longer than Christmas celebrations. Ack! Have I been disrespecting the nisse all these years? They are ancient creatures... do they wait, forlorn, on the night of the winter solstice, their tummies grumbling, while the Big People go about their ignorant business? And when the pudding FINALLY shows up on Christmas Eve, do they call up the other nisse and complain?

So last night I put out rice pudding for them. And I will again on Christmas Eve. You can't be too careful with nisse.


Revision Tip #22

Are you sure that you've chosen the right point of view for your novel?

Take your favorite chapter and rewrite from a different POV; shift from third to first, or first to third, or if you are bold and way smarter than me, experiment with the second person POV.

Or.... (and.....) fool around with the tense structure. If your story is told in present tense, rewrite that favorite chapter in past tense. If you've written the whole thing in past tense, try out that chapter in present tense.

What's the point of all this mucking around? It helps you see your characters and the Story from a slightly altered perspective.

Angie posted some books that she hopes will make it into her stocking, and that made me start thinking about my own wants (no, NEEDS--books are needs, are they not?). Here are some of the ones I'm looking forward to on An Embarrassment of Riches for My Two Year Old's Day and beyond:

1) TANGLED, by Carolyn Mackler. I have read everything by teen writer Mackler, and enjoy her stories and characters immensely. This book comes out just after Christmas (and the wait has seemed eternal!). Happy New Year's gift to me!

2) CHANGELESS, by Gail Carriger. I loved Carriger's first book in the Parasol Protectorate series, SOULLESS. Love, love, absolutely love (almost in a stalker-like way). Can't wait for another dose of the Soulless Miss Tarabotti whose lovers are werewolves and whose besties are vamps and whose enemies are indestructible-Terminator-like automatrons.

3) THE STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL TALE OF MISS PERCY PARKER, by Leanna Renee Hieber. The look and feel of this book reminds me of Carriger's work, and the title alone had me at Hello. This better be in my stocking, darling dear! (After all, I did print out the B&N page, highlighted which section you'd find it in, and wrote "Hint hint" in all-caps.)

4) LEVIATHAN, by Scott Westerfield. I must admit, I already own it. But the premise made me unable to wait until Christmas--an alternate, steampunk-based reality of WWI with genetically mutated jellyfish as hydrogen dirigibles? Irresistible!

5) Anything by husband and wife team David Small and Sarah Stewart. The Library, The Gardener, The Friend, to name a few (one of these is under the tree right now--the first two are already in my daughter's bookcase). Beautiful illustrations and tender stories perfect for any 7-and-under in your life.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good (book at) night. ;o)

-Susan

There are so many things I loved about this book that it's hard to know where to start. The main character, Drea, is a teenager who's tired of being defined by her acronyms... ADHD and Asperger's Syndrome. I've read a few YA novels with main characters on the autism spectrum, but this is the first one that explores that voice from a female point of view, and it does so beautifully. If you enjoyed Marcelo in MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD, I think you'll also fall in love with Drea because both charac...more There are so many things I loved about Tara Kelly's YA debut that it's hard to know where to start. The main character Drea, is a teenager who's tired of being defined by her acronyms... ADHD and AS, or Asperger's Syndrome. I've read a few YA novels with main characters on the autism spectrum, but this is the first one that explores that voice from a female point of view, and it does so beautifully. If you enjoyed Marcelo in MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD, I think you'll also fall in love with Drea; both characters are so three-dimensional, defined by a whole host of characteristics and gifts, rather than just by their labels. Like MARCELO, HARMONIC FEEDBACK is a coming of age story with a beautifully drawn, unique protagonist.

The secondary characters are pitch-perfect, too. There's Drea's loving but imperfect mother, who is begging her to get along with her grandmother, since Drea and her mom have been forced to move in with her for now. There's Justin, the cute-but-keeping-secrets boy who falls for Drea at her new school. And there's Naomi, Drea's first friend in years, who is so full of energy and spirit and so painfully flawed that my heart absolutely ached for her from the minute I met her. The characters in this book feel real through and through, and their journeys are believable and compelling. Teens who love music, especially, will be drawn into Drea's world.

I can't share much about the ending without running the risk of spoilers, but let's just say that I cried. And then I cried again. And it was just perfect. Don't miss this one, due out in May from Henry Holt.

Sharon Gibson,Media Specialist for Northview IB Candidate School in Statesville, NC sent this awesome pic for our contest. These handsome turtles, Constellation and Orion, were name by astronaut, Tom Marshburn. And they're enjoying Shani Petroff's BEDEVILED: DADDY'S LITTLE ANGEL. In just a few weeks (January 7th!) they can enjoy the sequel, BEDEVILED: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY DRESS!

Are you a library professional? You can enter to win 46 brand new YA & MG novels for YOUR collection! See this entry for details.

Gillian Dawson of the Orange County Public Library in Orange, VA sent this entry to our contest, and I quote:

I’m sending you a photo of Mr. Robinson, one of our teen area staff/mascot. He thoroughly enjoyed "You are So Undead to Me," and is looking forward to the sequel (Undead Much?), and "My So Called Death."

Deb Stacey Jay has some devoted fans, eh?? Are you a library professional? You can enter to win 46 brand new YA & MG novels for YOUR collection! See this entry for details.

Suzanne Vetter, Director for the Kellogg Free Library in Cincinnatus, NY sent this pic of a very intent patron reading Carrie Ryan's THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH. I bet he's at the zombaby scene!

Are you a library professional? You can enter to win 46 brand new YA & MG novels for YOUR collection! See this entry for details.

Hollie Brosseau, Teen Services Librarian for Westminster Public Library-College Hill branch in Westminster, CO sends this entry, and I quote:

Here is our picture, including Chunk & Mr. Squiggles! Yes, they are real live zhu zhu hamsters - a very rare breed this time of year, but they wanted to check out the 2009 debut novels here at the College Hill branch of the Westminster Public Library.

And boy howdy, are they checking out some Debs! On the table: Michelle Zink's PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS, Cheryl Renée Herbsman's BREATHING, Aprilynne Pike's WINGS, Mandy Hubbard's PRADA & PREJUDICE. In hands: Cindy Pon's SILVER PHOENIX, Deva Fagan's FORTUNE'S FOLLY, and L.K. Madigan's FLASH BURNOUT.

Are you a library professional? You can enter to win 46 brand new YA & MG novels for YOUR collection! See this entry for details.

Good morning from my kitchen, where I am sitting literally four feet away from not one but TWO leftover half cakes: one amazing red velvet, and one double chocolate. And don't even get me started on the cheese straws, coffee ring, and Whole Foods chocolate cake in the fridge. Give me strength. I just got off the treadmill, but I think it might take a miracle for me not to dive headfirst into them while I drink my coffee.

Our party was great, but crazy hectic as always. This is, like, the twentieth year we've done this party, in various incarnations, and it's always changing. Used to be everyone came late and stayed later. Now, the announced time is 6 but people show up, babies in tow, as early as 5:30. Then it's total mayhem, toddlers and kids running wild while my husband and I try to be good hosts and get a huge amount of food onto the table for everyone. At eight sharp, half the room has cleared. By ten, the only ones left are our friends who are in their twenties, who probably don't even go OUT until that hour in their normal lives. I tried to rally, staying up until 12:30, then was really hating it when my daughter got up at 5:30. Whoa. All I want for Christmas is sleep, sleep and more sleep. Are you listening, Santa?

One of my favorite parts of the party, though, is the night after. That's when I get to put on my pajamas and eat leftovers, and this year we did it while watching equal opportunity television: football, followed by Love, Actually. Oh, man. Nothing like eating leftover lasagna, beans and rice and chicken casserole while watching Hugh Grant dance to the Pointer Sisters. Good times.

With the party behind us, I can move onto the actual holiday. I've done most of my shopping---although there's always a few more things to pick up---and with my office done (yay!) I can spend the time I'm not checking things off my list geeking out by labeling folders and organizing boxes. It is nerd heaven, I am telling you. All I need to do is get the internet working over there, and I'll be all set to officially move over. Although really, what I SHOULD do is not hook up the DSL, because I'd probably get a done more work done without the distractions of Twitter, and Ebay, and reading the comments on this blog. But let's be realistic here. Me with no internet is about as likely as me actually managing to resist that red velvet cake. Well intentioned, yes, but not going to happen.

Just one, small piece. A sliver! Because it's Christmas....

Have a great day, everyone!

Good Solstice, everyone!

I feel like calling your main character Rudolph today. (Humor me.)


Revision Tip #20


Don’t make it too easy on Rudolph.

Your story should not be a tale of the desires of Rudolph. It should be the thwarted desires of Rudolph up until the very end, when finally, FINALLY, things go right, tho' not in the way he originally thought they would.

For every desire, there should be an obstacle. Every step on the path leads to another detour.

Review your manuscript and make sure that poor Rudolph runs into obstacles over and over again. You fiend.


Revision Tip #21

1. Record yourself reading your manuscript aloud. The whole thing.

2. Listen to it with your manuscript in front of you (I am most comfortable with the printed-out version at this point.)

3. Pause whenever necessary to make notes on what needs fixing. This is when I find repeated words, awkward phrases and dropped plot points.

4. After a marathon listening session, go back in and finish all the repair work.

My editor was kind enough to send me an early copy of MAGIC UNDER GLASS by Jaclyn Dolamore, and I finished this book so recently, I can still hear the ticking of the clockwork automaton in my brain. It's a story that will stay with me for a long time, set in a world that was pure delight to visit.  I can't wait to buy a few more for my classroom. I already have a mental list of students who are going to love it.

The world created in MAGIC UNDER GLASS is one firmly grounded in social classes and politics, yet it still swirls with spirits and fairies that are completely believable. The main character, Nimira, is a dance-hall girl who finds herself taken into the home of a wealthy sorcerer, where she's commanded to sing with a clockwork automaton who plays the piano. It turns out, though, there's more to him than cogs and gears, and that "something more" captures Nimira's heart and mires her in a seemingly impossible plot to save him.

I love the strength of the girl characters in this book, not only the charming, clever Nimira, but also the supporting characters, right down to the maid who pulled out a move that had me cheering near the end of the book.

While the book is officially being labeled as YA fantasy, it's also perfectly appropriate for younger advanced readers who appreciate fantasy and romance. MAGIC UNDER GLASS a beautifully written story that somehow has the feeling of being completely fresh and a classic all at once. Highly recommended...especially if you need a last-minute gift for a tween or teen girl.  MAGIC UNDER GLASS comes out this Tuesday, December 22.

Note: This is the UK cover, which I think I might like even better than the US cover above.  They're both gorgeous, though, befitting a beautifully written book.

This is the sight I woke up to yesterday. I thought I was back in Idaho or Utah or Illinois. But no, this really is Virginia. You can kind of almost see my car parked across the street. I didn't get home until late last night after the snow had already set in, and because I live on a hill, I knew there was no way I would be able to park in my usual space in front of the house.



But don't you worry--it proceeded to snow for 14 more hours after this picture was taken.

I had gone out around 1 p.m. to dig my car out as I was supposed to go to a friend's house last night. I had to force the front door open and then stepped into a pile of snow that came up to my knee. It took me about five minutes just to get across the street to my car, and after two hours or scrapping and shoveling, my car was even more stuck than when I first started.

I ditched the car and decided to shovel the walk. They were all sold out of shovels, so my kind neighbors let me barrow theirs. I had to shovel my way from their front porch to mine, not an easy task in 20 inches of snow. But along the way I talked to sledders and skiers and snowboarders and even one mom on foot whose 9 month-old baby was so snug in her blanketed carrier she was sound asleep.

One of the craziest things about all this snow is that it's not really that cold out. Even being outside for two hours, I wasn't cold, just very, very wet. And though my car is once against buried from sight in all the snow that fell in the evening, everything is already melting. I can hear the icicles on my roof drip, drip dripping, and underneath all that powdery white is a good inch of nothing but slush.

I feel like I'm in the middle of a Christmas song. Pick one about snow, and there you have my front yard. Can I please be dreaming of a green Christmas?

Siobhan Dowd's SOLACE OF THE ROAD is beautiful and heartbreaking in its unfolding.

Soon-to-be-fifteen Holly Hogan is on the run again, leaving London and her new foster parents in search of her mam in Ireland. She covers her thin brown hair with the glamorous blonde wig her foster mother wore after radiation therapy and travels across England as "Solace," a girl with "slim-slam" hips. There are moments of humor, bravado, kindness, and growing insight as Solace approaches Ireland and the memory of her mother. Beautifully written.

Sadly this will be Dowd's last book, as she died of cancer in 2007. Publisher David Fickling wrote this lovely tribute to Dowd last summer: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2009/jun/25/carnegie-medal-siobhan-dowd

Tracy L. Keeley, School Library Media Specialist for Union 8th Grade Center Media Center in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma sent this photo of four students enjoying Erin Dionne's MODELS DON'T EAT CHOCOLATE COOKIES!

Are you a library professional? You can enter to win 46 brand new YA & MG novels for YOUR collection! See this entry for details.

Lindsey Tomsu, Teen Coordinator for La Vista Public Library in La Vista, NE sent this photo of a young patron enjoying Sarah Rees Brennan's THE DEMON'S LEXICON! Are you a library professional? You can enter to win 46 brand new YA & MG novels for YOUR collection! See this entry for details.

Jamison Hedin, Library Media Specialist for Ludlow High School, Ludlow, MA sent this entry to our contest, and says:

A photo of three of my students with Carrie Ryan's THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH (donated to our library by a staff member and so new that it isn't wasn't even processed yet!) is attached. Seniors Jon, Taylor and Liz were happy to take a break from Calculus homework to pose and potentially help win all those debut novels for our school library!

Are you a library professional? You can enter to win 46 brand new YA & MG novels for YOUR collection! See this entry for details.

Abby Harrison, librarian for Creekview High School Library in Carrollton, Texas sent this entry to the contest- Abby herself with Jennifer Brown's HATE LIST!

Are you a library professional? You can enter to win 46 brand new YA & MG novels for YOUR collection! See this entry for details.

Denise Byers, Librarian for R. C. Loflin Middle School in Joshua, TX sent this entry of two fresh-faced students hanging out with Carrie Ryan's THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH!

Are you a library professional? You can enter to win 46 brand new YA & MG novels for YOUR collection! See this entry for details.

I realize this doesn't seem like much to my Canadian and New England friends, but to us Virginia folk, this is mind-blowing.