I just finished a wonderful visit with the students of Nomi Schneck at Yavneh Academy in New Jersey. You guys were great! So attentive! I loved your questions and yes, let it be known--I HATE TOMATOES.
Have a great day!
TWO FLAVORS OF LUCKY has been delivered and accepted! Woo-hoo! YEAH!
Coming in at 61,000 words and due September 2012, this middle-grade novel is about a girl whose family wins the lottery and her life changes--but not in the ways she'd hoped for. The title is going to change. Brains are storming even as we speak! If you have suggestions, post 'em!
In the meantime, I am SIGNED SEALED,DELIVERED!
Well, I wish the title of this post was "Bono in my dream last night," because then I would have spent time with my favorite Irishman; however, I have unrelated things to say about each of these topics.
Bono: Yahoo! today links to an article in which Bono explains his sunglasses, which he's rarely seen without. "Sensitive eyes," he says, citing light, flash photography, and wine as irritants. As much as I LOVE BONO, I must again assert my theory for his sunglasses--they're bifocals. C'mon, it wouldn't be cool for a rock star to have reading glasses perched on the tip of his nose.
And now for my dream--a nightmare, almost. Despite the fact I'd adjusted all the settings properly, I could not get two hyphens to turn into an em dash in my document. I worked up a proper sweat, typing and backspacing and typing again. It seemed to go on forever. When finally the em dash appeared, I woke up from the dream.
If you're a writer, this is the kind of thing that works its way into your dreams. I've edited real-life documents in dreams. Once, I told my boss she needed to pay me extra for the work I performed while communing with my pillow.
That is all! Have a great day, writers!
Yahoo! today features an article asking if animals smile and feel other emotions. Further into the discussion a 2011 study on chimpanzees and mood disorders is mentioned, which concluded that “Chimpanzees display behavioral clusters similar to PTSD and depression [to humans] in their key diagnostic criteria."
I've always believed that animals have some degree of emotion, and I can attest to the statement above in which animals display depression. In my college years, my brother and I had a dog he got from the pound. (This was during our single years, when my brothers, my sister and I rented a house together.) Shauna had a warm, sweet, generous disposition, and at the same time, she loved to scamper through the woods and explore the fields behind the house. A couple years later, I got a tiny little orange kitten and named him Samson. Shauna didn't know what to make of him. Samson, however, made it known that he wouldn't be pushed around--he wasn't a patsy.
For those first few days, Shauna gave Samson a wide berth, while he hissed at all her comings and goings. One day, Samson sat in the middle of the kitchen. Shauna slowly and carefully approached him; nothing in her demeanor was threatening. Samson sat still until Shauna came close enough to sniff him. He clawed her, sliced her black nose and opened a streak of red blood.
I felt so bad for my beautiful dog.
As time went along, Shauna and Samson became best friends. If Shauna lay by the sliding glass doors to watch the outside, Samson lay beside her in a parallel position. If Samson chattered at the squirrels on the trees outside my window, Shauna leapt on my bed and joined him by putting her front paws on the windowsill.
We all know this joke or some form of it:
Lassie: Bark! Bark!
Mother: What's that Lassie?
Lassie: Bark! Bark!
Mother: Timmy fell down the well by the old Smith place and broke his arm? Let's go, girl!
But that stuff really happens. Once, I was getting ready in my room when Shauna bounded in. She huffed and snapped her head about. It was unlike her to be so agitated. She darted out of my room, came back and did the same thing, then stood tensed in my doorway. When I took a step toward her, she shot down the hallway with me running behind her. She took me to another wing of the house and stopped in front of Samson, who was choking on something. I didn't know how to help him. I shouted, "Jesus!" the only prayer my mind could come up with in my panic.
Samson's airway cleared and he was okay, but there's never been a doubt in my mind that Shauna came to get me to help Samson.
I know animals feel happy and sad. Why do dogs wag their tails? It can't be a learned response, because puppies do it. It really must be that something has triggered their happiness--you, their important other, has come home! A piece of bacon is being offered! A ball is being pitched!
Lymphoma got a hold of Shauna and she died two months after diagnosis. My brothers, sister, and I picked a nice spot in the woods and buried her there. I planted wild flowers over her grave. Samson became lethargic after Shauna was gone. He slept all the time; he didn't want to play. He stopped greeting me at the door, something he'd always done with Shauna.
He missed her.
Do animals have emotions? Yes, I believe they do.
I discovered this wonderful video made by Maddie for Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning. Thank you, Maddie--I love it!
Click here to see the video.
Marshal Zeringue interviewed my little cockapoo, Casey, and me for his blog, Coffee with a canine. What's your morning caffeine ritual? I tell all in this expose! Plus, never before seen photos of Casey!
Come visit Coffee with a Canine!
I've just signed with the Author Skype Tour to provide free Skype visits to schools to discuss my new book, Me & Jack. The first seven requesters will each receive a five piece set of beautiful, new, full-color ARCs to be used with their reading circles.
Me & Jack
Joshua knows how to play new kid: hang back, don’t talk too much, become invisible, especially if your dad’s an Air Force recruiter during the Vietnam War. When Joshua rescues Jack from the pound, they bond instantly, but after a few unsettling events occur, Joshua must fight for his home, his dad, and his beloved dog.
If you have questions, please email me at dhaworthbooks at yahoo dot com. If you'd like to check out all the nitty-gritty details or the other wonderful authors available for tour, check out the Author Skype Tour page.
Me: Hey, how was the dance last night?
Boy: Pretty good. Except for the music.
Me: What was wrong with it?
*aims rearview mirror to see boy*
Boy: *horrified expression* It was OLD!
Me: You mean like--
Boy: Dude, some of those songs were from 2004!
Kenny Brechner of Devaney Doak & Garrett Booksellers sent me this wonderful review by eleven-year-old Zoe on The Summer of Moonlight Secrets. Zoe, thank you for the excellent write-up! You expressed your enthusiasm and mentioned the highlights of the story without giving away the secret--GREAT JOB!
Without further ado, Zoe's review:
I get emails from readers and aspiring young writers who ask for tips and advice, and I am always happy to respond. Sometimes these same young writers friend me on Facebook. I now have a new tip for my younger friends:
BE SMART ON FACEBOOK.
Some of you have made impressive headway in your writing endeavors. I do not think it unrealistic to believe that you could be published before you hit twenty. What you might not realize at your age is that while you are already pursuing a professional goal, your online life is something everyone can see, including professional editors and agents.
What's the first thing an editor or agent will do if they're seriously considering your work? They're going to Google you. What will they find? What photos will they see? What kind of online person are you?
No matter what profession you're pursing, I advise you to have two accounts: one personal (under a nickname), where you can vent, brag, complain, and post photos; one under your real name (because that's how editors/agents will find you), where you can talk about your artistic achievements, academic stuff you like, books/movies you're interested in, and the like.
The things you do now play into your future! Be wise, my friends, okay? Okay.
Last night, I received an email from my editor that Scholastic is picking up Me & Jack for next year's book clubs and fairs. It feels like winning an award. Scholastic. Scholastic! Yay, Scholastic! Thank you for including my books in your fairs. It is an honor.
Zipping through the Internets to my editor is the first draft for Two Flavors of Lucky. I beat my deadline by one day! I did it! I'm done! Eat, sleep, and be merry! (Sleeping being far more rewarding than drinking.)
HOORAY!
Valerie Bertinelli is my IT girl!
She seems like a real person. Click Valerie Bertinelli to see behind the scenes at her photo shoot with Ladies Home Journal.
ME & JACK is OUT TODAY!
"Vividly depicted through first-person narration & amusing interior monologues--an entertaining boy-&-dog adventure set against a not-often-depicted era of political strife that’s notably similar to the present.” Kirkus Reviews
"Well paced, keeps readers focused & concerned about the characters & their development.” – School Library Journal
Scholastic Instructor recommends Me & Jack for summer reading!
"Books about dogs make up some of the best of children's literature. Clear space for these new ones on your shelf.
Me and Jack
By Danette Haworth. $16.99. Josh expects his troubles to end when his [air force] recruiter father allows him to adopt a dog after they move to a new town. But tensions are running high in this Vietnam-era story, and Josh's biggest challenges may lie ahead.
Grades 3-7"
I sold my fourth book to Bloomsbury/Walker! Four copies of the contract are printing as I type. I'm so excited!
The new book is a middle-grade novel titled TWO FLAVORS OF LUCKY. When twelve-year-old Hailee Richardson's family wins the lottery, her life changes, but not in the ways she'd hoped.
Pub date will be either late 2012 or early 2013. HOORAY!
Four days left to win a signed ARC of ME & JACK!
Kirkus Reviews on ME & JACK: "Vividly depicted, amusing interior monologues--entertaining boy-and-dog adventure set against a not-often-depicted era of political strife that's notably similar to the present."
Biblio Reads: The kind of book you can get lost in."
SLJ: "Well paced, keeps readers focused and concerned."
Click here to enter!
Things to think about on a Tuesday morning:
"Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte" or "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" This one could tie you up for hours--the former, so rich in atmosphere; the latter, omg surprise ending! Need a rainy Saturday to watch both and decide again. Bette Davis does crazy so well.
Was Barbara Stanwyck the poor person's version of Joan Crawford? (Aside, my movie star BFFs tell me that Babs was nice in real life.)
Favorite Hitchcock movie: Rear Window.
Favorite B&W star: Cary Grant.
Valerie Bertinelli is so pretty. I like how all the characters have to put on reading glasses when they look at bills or magazines. (Hot in Cleveland)
Steven Tyler wears reading glasses on American Idol.
I suspect that Bono's sunglasses are bifocals, but he wanted to look cool.
While writing this, I received a phone call, gathered up some stuff, and made a drop at the school. It is already too hot in O-town. Also, my laptop stopped working and my hubby fixed it.
Good luck in your writing today!
Last line bolded by my editor:
“Joshua Reed’s mother passed away a few years ago, and he and his dad are constantly moving because his father is an air force recruiter during the Vietnam War. It’s not the easiest of circumstances for a sixth grader.
In his newest home, in the steep hills of Pennsylvania, Joshua and his father decide to adopt a dog from the local pound. Jack spooks and scares most of the community because he’s so strange looking (he’s actually a Pharaoh hound). He is blamed for breaking into the chicken coop, knocking over garbage cans, and more. Joshua has to defend Jack and determine who or what is frightening the community, while simultaneously making a comfortable place for himself.
The constant presence of the Vietnam War plays an integral role in this novel. When attending church for the first time, Joshua and his father hear the pastor congratulate a local family on their son’s upcoming return and empathize with a family whose son is MIA. Me & Jack is well paced and keeps readers focused and concerned about the characters and their development.” – School Library Journal
Thank you, Travis Erwin, for your gracious words on Me & Jack: Loved the book for its ability to entertain while also educate and shed light on a time and mindset that few kids today have thought about.
Actually, I wasn't done typing the previous post when I accidentally hit "publish." But as you know, there are no real accidents. I let it stand, and I begin again:
Last night, Pia was eliminated from the talent pool of American Idol.
THE HORROR!
The camera made a quick cut to Randy, who looked like he was saying something that began with an F. JLo was jello, trembling with upset. Even Steven declared America got it wrong.
Gimme a break.
With nine contestants left, anyone who leaves now is someone with talent, whether they're your favorite or not. If you want to know how this is going to play out, I refer you to my earlier post, Ryan Seacrest, Adam Lambert in which I theorize that the voting public does not elect the American Idol; the AI electoral college does. To refresh your memory, I submit that Ford, AT&T, and 19 Entertainment are not going to hand over their lucrative contracts to the person voted in by the fastest flying fingers of America's quickest texters.
So let's look at this objectively. AI lowered the audition age and is striving to reach a younger audience--the audience they started out with, the spending audience, not people like me who drive vans and compare prices on chicken. They want the new generation, the people who camp out at night for the latest smart phone, the people just starting out on their own and who might buy a Ford Fiesta.
Let's knock out the talent who are just too niche-y to appeal to the wide group the sponsors want to sell to: Casey--oh so talented, one of my faves, but can he sell to a wide audience? Sorry, no. Paul, no. Jacob--I love you, but no. Scott--you are country cool and I think you'll make it, just not on this show. In fact, I believe everyone I've just mentioned can and will make it, just not on AI. (Oh, Casey, so smokey!)
Whose face does Ford want to put on their product? Well, let's see. Seems people have already forgotten last year's winner (Lee DeWyze, just so you don't have to look it up). And Kris Allen, well, he's so nice and I do like his voice. Can you imagine Adam Lambert hawking Ford Fiestas? Hahahaha!HAHAHAHA! Oh, please! *wipes tears of hilarity from eyes*
An aside: Has anyone forgotten Adam Lambert? I DON'T THINK SO.
I conclude that Ford wants a clean, fresh-faced American who appeals to a wide audience, spanning age, gender, and race. And let's not forget the actual records! 19 Entertainment doesn't want our votes, they want our money! They want an idol who will is capable of sustaining a career, not just exploding as a 2011 supernova.
Here are my bets for American Idol 2011 top three:
Stefano: Stefano is so very passionate and so genuine. He's got a lovely voice, and I think he's humble. All the qualities the sponsors are looking for.
James: Good looking, exciting, rocks the house! AI, please do something else with his hair! James has Adam Lambert appeal, though lacks a maturity present in Adam. Forgivable. James is great. Has a good back story. I bet sponsors are looking hard at him.
Lauren: Oh my gosh, this girl is so cute! Cutesie-pie qualities are usually a turnoff to me, but Lauren is seriously cute. I wish I had her accent! I wish she'd sing more rocker songs like she did in the beginning of the season--she's got the rasp to do it. I can see her face selling Ford, AT&T, clothing, hair ribbons, and bracelets.
Who will win?
I don't know!
Who do you think will win? If you had to put money on one of the eight who remain, who would it be? My answer is in the comments.
Last night, Pia was eliminated from the talent pool of American Idol.
THE HORROR!
Me & Jack has received a lovely review from Lisa Barker on BiblioReads.com. Check it out here!
Have a great day!
After spending the night at the emergency vet's and the next day at the local vet's, my little Casey is dashing around the house, chasing balls, and chewing the edge of the couch. With the exception of some minor gastric discomfort, she is doing great!
My husband dropped ibuprofen on the floor and missed one in picking them up. Casey, our dog is now at the emergency vet's.
IBUPROFEN AND DOGS (cut and pasted from valid animal health sites)
A typical tablet contains 200 milligrams, so only a fraction of that pill is safe for most dogs.
When your pet is in pain, it's common to want to administer a painkiller like Ibuprofen or aspirin. Dogs should not take human medications. Ask your vet about safe dog medicines. Despite the low cost, dogs rarely survive Ibuprofen overdose.
Never give a dog ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), naproxen (Aleve), or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Even a child's dose can be fatal. These pain relievers can cause severe, even fatal, stomach ulcers and kidney damage in dogs.
Symptoms can take anywhere from 12 hours to several days to show. However, if you suspect your dog has ingested Ibuprofen take him to the vet immediately. Any tablets consumed must be flushed out of your dog's system as quickly as possible to improve his chances of a full recovery.
Symptoms of an Ibuprofen Overdose in Dogs
Unsafe dog drugs like Ibuprofen commonly cause renal failure. Symptoms include:
* Blood in the stool
* Dehydration
* Lack of appetite
* Stomach pain
* Vomiting
* Weakness
If symptoms appear, it is often too late to save the dog's life. Treatment for Ibuprofen poisoning in dogs must begin within two hours. Activated charcoal, stomach pumping and plenty of IV fluids are necessary.
Last year, I was invited to share a table with several other authors and we spoke informally to the teachers and media specialists who sat down with us. I'm used to talking about my books and how I got the ideas, how I always wanted to write, but when I listened to these other authors talk, they spoke openly about how they thought readers would gain from the experience of reading their books.
I'd never heard anyone talk in that way about their own book. But you know what? I liked it. I felt their conviction and belief in the story they wanted to tell.
I have the same passion for Me & Jack. I lived in the Pennsylvania mountains, and it was the best time of my growing up years. We'd leave the house for hours, climbing the mountain, building (and wrecking) forts. We ate wild blueberries right of the bushes and still collected enough for our moms to make pies. The secret cave was discovered was narrow and dark; we never knew if a bear or a mountain lion would leap out us, but we crept in anyway.
I love those years. I want to take readers over the paths of my childhood. But more than that, I want to offer readers a story that will excite them, impassion them, and inspire them to be more than what their world has limited them to.
Me & Jack is a story of sacrifice and hope--boy and dog versus world at a time of unrest everywhere--Vietnam.
Vietnam changed everything. It was the war that was never a war. It was a "police action," a "conflict. It never really broke out; it just grew bigger (as in numbers of our boys sent over), more public (more boys, more talk, more news coverage), and more transparent (violent, not a peacekeeping mission, not a skirmish or mere conflict as the government called it--this was a real war.)
Vietnam was the first war to come into people's living rooms and was being protested across the country on college campuses. Four students had already been killed at Kent State. Enough time and enough exposure to what was happening in Vietnam (and enough boys had come home messed up or not at all) that the general public hated the war and distrusted the young men coming home from it.
In Me & Jack, Dad becomes a recruiter when America feels informed enough to spit on returning soldiers.
Joshua and Jack have their own war going on with small-minded people in a town where everyone knows everyone else and trust is a hard thing to earn.
I truly believe in the power of this book. I hope you do, too.
I visited Audubon Park Elementary today and had the best time! The students had great questions, lots of things to say, and they were not shy! They teased me about my rotten handwriting! Haha! That only made me like them more.
I had fun, you guys! Hope you did, too!
