~~~Lara Zielin~~~

The lovely Emma was nice enough to let me stop by her blog for a chat recently, and she’s giving away a signed copy of DONUT DAYS to one lucky person. If you want to be that person, head on over and enter to win. I love book giveaways! Yay!!

Did you get a Snuggie for Christmas? Are you a white girl? Do you love YA novels?

Then check out Bluggie: the blanket with sleeves … with bling!

FAVE LINKEY-POO RIGHT THIS SECOND: The Taiwanese made a CGI reenactment of how events went down with Tiger Woods and his wife on Thanksgiving. Surreal doesn’t even begin to describe.

This weekend, I have the great honor of appearing at not one but *two* events in the Chicago area with some amazing writers.  If you’re in the Windy City, or you know someone who might like to come, please pass along the information. The great news is, there will be TONS of free stuff, and all the writers will be recommending some awesome books that they themselves love.

Pictured here are the donut seeds that are just one of a few cute freebies I’ll be passing out to peeps. Hope to see you there!

Dec. 5, 1-3 p.m.
Borders
161 N. Weber Road
Bolingbrook, IL
Including: Cynthea Liu, Saundra Mitchell, Aprilynne Pike, Kristina Springer, Darcy Vance, Lara Zielin

Dec. 5, 7-9 p.m.
The Book Cellar, Inc.
4736-38 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL
Including: Cynthea Liu, Saundra Mitchell, Aprilynne Pike, Kristina Springer, Darcy Vance, Lara Zielin

I was recently approached by Marshal, who runs a blog with a great premise: If your book was made into a movie, how would you cast it? My book club and I play this game all the time. And I loved thinking about this in relation to DONUT DAYS. Marshal has my response posted on his blog, and I hope you’ll click over to visit.

And no, Robert Pattinson is NOT in the movie.

DONUT DAYS was just selected for the 2010 Texas Lone Star Reading List!

I am so excited! The first honor for my first book.

Yay! THANK YOU Texas Library Association!

FAVE LINKEY-POO RIGHT THIS SECOND: A Dr. Horrible prequel! Okay, caveat time: it’s not technically made by Joss Whedon. But still. A Dr. Horrible prequel!!!

A lot of the early Oscar buzz is around the movie Precious: Based on the novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire. The film looks amazing, but so too is the author’s journey getting this book to screen.

Sapphire was approached by several filmmakers about the movie rights. One was an NYU student who barely knew what he was doing film-wise; he just knew it was a compelling story and he wanted to make it. Sapphire said no early and often, because she understood her story deserved to be told in exactly the right way or it wouldn’t be told on the big screen at all. Period. Eventually, she allowed Lee Daniels, who did Monster’s Ball, to make the film.

When I read Sapphire’s story, I was really moved. If an NYU filmmaker approached me about making DONUT DAYS into a movie, would I say no? Or would I be so! excited! that someone actually wanted to make my little book into a film that I’d say yes before thinking it through? Would I have the guts to say no numerous times?

Of course, DONUT DAYS is a much, much different book than PUSH so I can’t exactly compare apples to apples here. But still. I am hugely impressed with Sapphire’s commitment to her story. If the opportunity ever presents itself to bring DONUT DAYS to the big screen, I hope I have the same respect and fierce loyalty to the story that she did.

FAVE LINKEY-POO RIGHT THIS SECOND: This clip reminds us all that David Hasselhoff almost solely ended communism and brought down the Berlin Wall. Watch for the firework circa 3:20.

Sarah Quigley and I were in our alumni magazine, the Carleton College Voice! Granted, it wasn’t the feature we were hoping for, but we were in it. In the back. Next to academic publications. But still. Lookey!

FAVE LINKEY-POO RIGHT THIS SECOND: Thanks to Evan for sending this one along showing a guy ingeniously figuring out how to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew.

I was thinking recently about what songs I’d include on a mix for DONUT DAYS. Back when I was a teenager, if you wanted to make a mix, you did it on a tape.  These days, thanks to songs being digital, I can put my mix right here on this page. So, here’s my shot at a DONUT DAYS mix. Enjoy!

1.) When You Were Young by the Killers

This would be like the theme song to the whole book. I love the lyrics — and they even made it to the front of the book where I quoted my favorite line: “He doesn’t look a thing like Jesus, but he talks like a gentleman.” (Also, this is my fave song to play on Guitar Hero.)

2.) We Used to be Friends by the Dandy Warhols

Okay, I know I’m cheating a little here because Veronica Mars used this song, but it’s so freaking awesome. It really communicates the way DONUT DAYS’ main character, Emma, is in a total fight with her two best friends and how it feels like they might never figure things out.

3.) Cannonball by the Breeders

Emotionally, think the tone of this song totally captures the angst Emma feels about being an outsider and like she doesn’t fit in anywhere.

4.) Can’t Believe a Single Word by VHS or Beta

Since a big part of the book is structured around people figuring out what they believe (and realizing that not everyone who is supposed to tell the truth actually does), I thought this song was completely fitting. Also, this song rules. Hard.

5.) Danger! High Voltage by the Electric Six

Jake, the hottie in the book, and Emma have some major fireworks going off between them. This song makes that abundantly clear.

6.) What a Fool Believes by Self

An awesome cover of the Doobie Brothers’ classic that’s my nod to Bear and the Angelfire Witnesses. At first glance, this group doesn’t look like much, but they wind up changing Emma’s life in profound ways.

7.) Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash

A shout-out to the time Emma spends in jail.

8.) Neon Bible by Arcade Fire

A song that looks at what happens when faith becomes a commodity to profit from, another major theme in DONUT DAYS.

9.) I Will Follow You Into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie

The title of the song is like the essence of faith. And the song completes the idea that you stick by people because you love them, because they’re family and friends, no matter what.

FAVE LINKEY-POO RIGHT THIS SECOND: Biggest. Cupcake. Ever. Dude, where is the donut version of this?

So, you know that game where you take your favorite pet’s name plus the street you grew up on and combine them to make your stripper name? (My name: Kitty Woodcrest.) Well, there’s a new version of that name … for donuts!

The awesome Carly over at To Write and Publish has posted an interview of yours truly and at the end, you can win a copy of DONUT DAYS just by making your name a little more … donuty. You can also do your street name or pet’s name if you don’t want to alter your name.

Examples: Crullara Zielin (that’s a play on “cruller” in case it was too obtuse); Johnny Deep-fried Depp; Kristen Kreme Stewart … on and on. For some inspiration, check out Krispy Kreme’s menu online. So! Many! Donuts!

Have fun, and let me know what your donut name is too!

Y’all I am so humidified excited! For so many reasons!

I’m thrilled to announce that blog commenter Jill just won a free copy of DONUT DAYS, and I’m especially elated because I loved her comment! When asked which food holiday she would invent, she gave not one but two. One for peanut butter, and one for Tootise Rolls. Now that is a girl after my own heart, let me tell you.

The other thing I learned? Jill has an awesome website and you should go see it! It has owls! And books! Again, two of my favorite things.

Jill and I can’t be BFFs because Lauren Myracle and I already are, but I hope she will consider inviting me to her next sleepover. I know she’s on my VIP list.

Congratulations, Jill!!!