~~~Lara Zielin~~~

FAVE LINKEY-POO RIGHT THIS SECOND: Other than Sydney Salter’s blog? Uh, how about AMC’s site correcting famous film misquotes? Like, Darth Vader never said, “Luke, I’m your father.” Eye opening!

Okay, so Sydney Salter’s blog? It’s a new fave. But first, let me start by saying how much I loved her book, MY BIG NOSE AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS. I adored it for many reasons, which you can read about here, not the least of which was its humor and unexpected closure for every single loose thread. I love a good ending, people!

But, anyway, back to Sydney’s blog. This thing just oozes good energy — Sydney is smart, positive, funny, and honest. What’s not to love? I personally love that she admits her dog hurls under her desk. I also love that she encourages compliments. Of all kinds.

So, Sydney, my compliment is to you: I’ve never met you, but I love your book, I love your blog, and I love your attitude. Thanks for putting so much good stuff online!

FAVE LINKEY-POO RIGHT THIS SECOND: Yes, I’m one of those people who really likes Lolcats. So when I found out there was a Lolcats game that you could play online, for free, I didn’t even care that Wal-Mart was behind it. (Because Wal-Mart is ebil.) Still, kyoot!

I’m so excited that an online book reviewer has given DONUT DAYS its first official review, and …. drum roll …. she liked it! But to me, the best part about Carrie’s review was this:

Before I started this book, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it. I’m not a religious person, so my admittedly judgmental self saw “evangelical minister parents,” and thought maybe this wasn’t the book for me. I decided to give it a try anyway…

I think there are many readers who will read the jacket flap and feel the same way. But you know what? This isn’t a religious book. Not really. Sure, religion is in it, but the themes the book addresses — acceptance, love, forgiveness — are universal.

And Carrie agrees!

I was hooked from page one. Donut Days is just a really lovely read. Zielin’s writing is witty and fresh; I could have read it all day…and I did. 

Thank you, Carrie!

FAVE LINKEY-POO RIGHT THIS SECOND: This Hotdishes of Minnesota towel rules. Love that my agent, a total New York girl, actually has one.

So, uh, you know that little video I made? The one called Editing Letter? Um, so, it turns out it got a lot of hits on YouTube. Like, a lot. And yesterday? You want to know who left a comment about it? John Green. As in An Abundance of Katherines. As in one of the greatest YA writers ever. As in I freaked out. Totally.

I want to give a huge thank you to everyone who viewed it, who passed it around, who left a comment about it, and who took the time to email me about it. I love that it had such a fab impact, and I can’t wait to make more of the same. Rob and I are already working on it, actually, and we’re on the look out for awesome ideas.

Which brings me to my next point. If anyone has a killer idea for our next video, I’d love for you to submit it here, in the comments, and if we actually use it we’ll a.) credit you; b.) send you a copy of DONUT DAYS; and c.) send you a Dunkin’ Donuts gift card. You could do worse, right? The only requirement is that the skit has to mention DONUT DAYS and give a nod to the fact that it’s coming out in August. More than that is creative license, baby.

So please, send us your ideas! We’d love to hear them and incorporate them into more DONUT DAYS videos.

Happy movie-making!

“Editing Letter” shows what it was really like editing DONUT DAYS. **

**No editors were harmed in the making of this video.