Karen B. Schwartz

Two on Tuesday

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:51:37 GMT

It's been so-oo-ooo long since I posted because:

1. I've been revising a MG novel that I'm sorta obsessed with,
2. And also battling various viruses and power outages that regularly beset my family
2 1/2. Good news! I can play Frere Jacques on my acoustic guitar! First song! In French!

p.s. How are you all? Busy writing? Holiday shopping? Cookie baking is just around the corner!

Beginner Blues

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:25:40 GMT

Playing a guitar is like writing because--well, everything reminds me of writing. But here's what I've learned so far from playing the acoustic guitar, and I've had one lesson so believe me I know what I'm talking about, being a beginner is awful. It's not fun or joyous. When I pick up the guitar and attempt to play a chord it sounds bad. Really bad. When I try to follow along with an "easy" song, it's painfully slow going. And it's frustrating because I know what it should sound like and it's not this. But I'm glad I'm trying something new and bumbling along because it helps me remember what it's like for my kids who I always encourage to try new things. They get frustrated and give up easily and I always say stuff like, "C'mon, try a few more times. So you fell off your skateboard five times. Get on it again."

But now I remember. It's hard to struggle with something new. Something that looks easy and cool and fun, and then when you try it you flop. Of course everyone's a beginner at some point. And it just takes a little encouragement to keep going. From your mom, or a friend, or an agent. See what I did there? It all circles around.

In only 10 short years, I'm sure my rendition of Barenaked Ladies' If I Had a Million Dollars will go from lethargic to almost singable.

Have you taken on any new projects where you're a rank beginner? Does it make you feel exhilarated with the new experience or frustrated?

Three on Thursday: The Guitar Edition

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:12:38 GMT

1. You guys, I got my new acoustic guitar! It was an early Christmas gift from my hubby*.

Isn't it beautiful?

2. Why, yes, that little Post-it reads: Don't Touch Guitar. That's because on the first day, my Little Guy "tuned" it for me, requiring about an hour and a half of me re-tuning it with my new digital Quik Tuner. He also dropped a pick inside it. Another long fishing out process.

3. Not to worry, Little Guy's getting a kid-size acoustic guitar on his birthday. We will be jamming together soon.

3 1/2. I'm revising my YA novel set in Hollywood. A new type of story for me, kind of a romantic mystery with some glamour on top. How's your writing going?

p.s. Random poll: just wondering, anyone else buy their own gifts ahead of time? Ahem.

*Which he was delighted to learn about upon its arrival. Check that off your list of things-to-do, hon. You're welcome.

My Own Food Critic

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:13:14 GMT

My 9 y.o. son has been watching a lot of the Food Network lately. Which is great--broaden his horizons, expose him to different kinds of foods, yada, yada, yada. But now when I serve up dinner, I hear comments like this:

[Mom sets down delicious platter of chicken marsala with angel hair pasta.]

Little Guy: I don't like this.
Big Guy: The chicken is tasteless, but it's fine.
Mom: It's not tasteless! I used Emeril's recipe for chicken marsala.
Little Guy: Yuck. I hate Emeril's chicken marsala
Big Guy: Do I detect a hint of olive oil?
Mom: Yes
Big Guy: Perhaps some more spices would help. The sauce is rather bland.
Mom: Grrrr....

Admittedly, my cooking skills are not the best, but I've been trying out new recipes trying to find something that the whole family will eat. I'm working through Real Food for Healthy Kids. Thanks also to dlgarfinkle for recommending Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything. It's like a cooking school in a book. I'm finally improving my chopping technique. Goodbye 10 minutes to chop an onion; hello 8 minutes!

How do your family dinners go? Any family favorite recipes or cookbook recommendations?

Bittersweet School Moment Approaching

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:54:23 GMT

Of course I'm happy that school's starting, my boys were into major sibling rivalry mode. A sample: MO-OO-OO-M! He's touching me! No, he's touching me! Stop poking! Let go! I don't wanna hug! GO AWAY! MO-OO-OO-M! <<cringe>>

Ahem.

This may have been exacerbated by our small hotel room at the Holiday Inn during the long Hurricane Irene blackout. So, you know, it's time. Still, it's bittersweet because my youngest is starting kindergarten tomorrow! No more Little Guy! He's officially Medium! I'm playing it cool tomorrow, not going to let the kids at the bus stop see my cry face.

It'll be hiding behind my camera.

p.s. I missed you guys! I've been crazy writing a new geeky MG novel, and vacationing, and surviving a power outage with two high voltage boys! How are you? What's the latest with your writing project? Please share!

Sheela Chari's Book Launch Party

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:02:22 GMT

On Saturday I went to The Voracious Reader, a really nice children's bookstore in Larchmont, NY, for Sheela Chari's book launch party of Vanished. It was so great to meet sheela_chari in real life after chatting on LJ and working together on the Mixed-Up Files blog. Her party was well attended with crafts for the kids, snacks in the cafe next door, a reading, and signing. I can't wait to read Vanished--a MG mystery involving a disappearing veena (traditional Indian instrument).

This is a smaller version of the veena, Sheela showed us a carved dragon on the top that plays a part in the story:

Thankful Thursday

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 22:06:43 GMT

Hey all! Haven't been on here in a while since both boys were home from school, but this week they started day camp and I'm writing, writing, writing a new MG novel. I am so thankful for DAY CAMP!!!! This is the first time I've had a stretch of time like this--4 hours at a stretch. Unfortunately, my brain is fried after 3 hours. Need more juice!

Hope you all are having great summers and happy writing times!

p.s. I don't need to get a puppy after all, empty nest=writing bliss. For now, anyway!

Empty Nest Syndrome--Kindergarten Version

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:23:09 GMT

I've had the weirdest Empty Nest kind of feeling these past few weeks as my preschooler approaches graduation. He's my youngest and it suddenly hit me I don't have a baby anymore. In the fall, both boys will be getting on the big yellow bus to the elementary school. Why should I feel so emotional about it? He's five. Obviously he needs me and will be with me for many more years, yet I find myself bereft searching on PetFinder dot com for my new baby.

I don't want to embarrass anyone--especially my 9-going-on-17 y.o. boy--but I may be a little sniffly on the first day of school. If you've felt the same, let me know your coping technique in the comments. I am not exaggerating when I say nearly every family at our elementary school got a dog when their youngest started kindergarten. Help me not be a cliche!

Happiness Project--the Sequel

Wed, 25 May 2011 19:52:38 GMT

Oh, woe.

Happiness project part 1: Boost Energy was a flop. My plan, like the author of Happiness Project, was to boost energy by 1) eating healthier (too many birthday goodies around here for Big Guy's 9th birthday); 2) exercise more (pinched a nerve in my back frantically killing a tick on the bathroom wall. Darn Lyme-disease infested varmints) and 3) sleep more (5 y.o. spent more than a week waking me at 3 am to 1) find his plush Spongebob; 2) adjust his blanket; 3) put his bad dreams back in his dream catcher). All of which is to say: Energy boost=NOT.

I have decided to write the sequel to the Happiness Project titled, Why Bother? How Life Always Gets in the Way of Your Plans. Pen in hand, I opened up my notebook and then thought, Why bother?

Exactly.

How's things at your place? Any well-meaning resolutions gone wrong? I'd love some company in my energy depleted state. :p

The Happiness Project

Tue, 10 May 2011 17:11:32 GMT

I just read this cool book by Gretchen Rubin, The Happiness Project. It was an impulse buy at the bookstore. The subtitle intrigued me: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun. What I loved about this book was that it wasn't just a month to month chronicle of her efforts to make resolutions and arrive at truths for her own happiness, but also a scholarly look at what philosophers, modern psychology, and pop culture have to say on the subject of happiness.

I was simultaneously exhausted and fascinated by the sheer number of resolutions Rubin tackled--new tasks added each month until December where she had to do all of them at once. Tasks such as: Exercise better, clear clutter, quit nagging, give proofs of love, work smart, enjoy now...And that's just the first three months!

The book comes with a guide to start your own Happiness Project, which I do plan to try. The main truths from the book that resonated with me for finding happiness were:

1. Staying true to yourself (including being honest about your likes and dislikes)
2. Striving for constant growth and challenge (it's the journey, not the destination)
3. The days are long, the years are short (my new parenting mantra).

Have you read the book? Do you have favorite ways to boost your happiness?

Friday Four

Fri, 06 May 2011 15:14:32 GMT

1. I've discovered a new social scene over at the Team Sports side of town. My boys are doing baseball and soccer respectively this spring for the first time. The parents gather around the sidelines of the soccer field with their folding chairs and coolers and it's like a party. On the baseball bleachers, same thing.
2. I'm not sure if anyone is actually watching the game.
3. Random cheers go up when someone scores. Wait, was that our team?
4. I'm super proud of my 8 y.o. (previously only a rabid baseball watcher) for giving baseball a go despite his struggles with coordination and low muscle tone. He is giving it his all. A shining example to the rest of us to follow our passion.
4 1/2. How's your spring?

Cooperstown!!!

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:49:46 GMT

We just got back from a mini spring break vacation in Cooperstown to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame. This was the first time my baseball fanatic son got to visit and he had a blast. Not to mention all the baseball memorabilia shops lining the Main Street. We got caught in a surprise snow flurry on our two block walk from the hotel to the Hall of Fame--not exactly what we thought spring break would be like, but...

One of the highlights for me was meeting children's author Audrey Vernick at the Hall of Fame where she was signing her new picture book, She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story. It's a true story about the only woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. My son and I enjoyed reading it.

We also visited nearby Howe Caverns. We took an elevator 15 stories down under a dairy farm to tour a prehistoric cave with an underground river running through it. Not only did we hike through the cave, but we also took a boat ride on the river. Our guide moved the boat along by pushing off a series of metal rods hammered into the cave walls. We had to move slowly one at a time on and off the boat so it wouldn't tip over. Our boat ride ended when we reached a rushing waterfall, stopped only by a flimsy rusty chain. Um...this was scarier than a thrill ride at any amusement park. We were then instructed to move one row at a time to face the opposite direction where we were pushed back to where we started. My kids were unfazed. I was eager to go above ground again. But not before we hiked/squeezed through a windy narrow trail back to the entrance!

On the last day of our vacation, we visited a living history farm circa 1865. It was set up like a small village with a farm, school, general store, pharmacy, and doctor's office. I felt queasy looking at medical instruments from the 1860s and felt immediately thankful for modern medicine with anesthetics and hand washing. Perhaps 100 years from now someone will feel queasy looking at our 21st century doctor's instruments. After my 5 y.o. visited with farm animals up close for the first time, I asked him what he thought about the farm. He said, "I didn't like it. The chickens went to the bathroom OUTSIDE. And I almost stepped on it." There's a city slicker in the making!

Hope you all enjoyed your spring break!

Friday Four

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:12:12 GMT

1. I am a huge fan of the absurd. Check out this article by the Onion on author book signings: www.theonion.com/articles/author-promoting-book-gives-it-her-all-whether-its,19985/
2. We just got Friday Night Lights on DVD, the final season. I am so hooked on Texas football and these characters. It's interesting to me that each year they allow the characters to move up a year in high school, graduate, leave the show, and bring on new characters. They keep the heart of the show Eric and Tammi Taylor.
3. After reading this post on romance by S. Jae Jones, I'm looking at a rewrite for my YA romantic comedy. Thanks, kellyrfineman, for that link!
4. Have a great weekend!!!
4 1/2. Happy Spring!!!

Friday Four

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:36:42 GMT

1. I'm reading Cheryl Klein's Second Sight right now. I bought it at a writing conference and our conference coordinator described it as a "Master class in children's literature." That was not an exaggeration. Highly recommend.
2. We're getting signs of spring over here--Little League and soccer are starting up, and then there's these little beauties:
3. Daffodils!!!

4. I recently found my 2011 goals (they were hiding under a pile of papers. Ahem.), and discovered I have kept up with all my writing and reading goals, and none of my cleaning/organizing/exercising goals.
4 1/2. Clearly, I need to make a shorter list next year.

Free Author Visits

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:40:39 GMT

Just wanted to pass along word that From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors launched a year-long giveaway of free author visits via Skype today. Check it out and pass along the word to your library, school, scout troop, or book club!

Friday Four

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 23:56:51 GMT

1. Isn't Nature the best April Fooler of all? At least here in New York, we got snow in April! Fooled ya! Thought it was spring, did you?
2. I just got back from the Whispering Pines Writers Retreat, which was fantastic. Great setting, great food, great company. I'm totally inspired!
3. I didn't take any pictures this year, but if you're curious about Whispering Pines read this lovely post by Betsy Devaney
4. Hope it feels like spring where you live!
4 1/2. Ooh, I did get one picture from last year. Doesn't the mantel say it all?

Three on Thursday

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 22:18:58 GMT

1. With the help of Twizzlers, Cadbury mini eggs, and March Madness, I finished the first draft of my YA romantic comedy. Woo.
2. Which means it's now time for my no sugar/high fitness routine to get back in place
3. BWA-HA-HA!!!
3 1/2. Have a great weekend everyone!

Young at any Age

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:43:56 GMT

I do lap swimming at a community center pool. Two lanes are for lap swimmers and the other half of the pool is for a senior citizen water aerobics class. I mostly keep my head in the water, so I only catch glimpses of the crowd of women, and a few men, who work their way up and down the pool stretching this way and that. They look serious, mildly bored, maybe a little achy.

Today, at the end of their workout, the teacher pulled out a beach ball, attached a string across the pool for the net, and let them play volleyball. Suddenly, these tired, bored, gray-haired seventy somethings were bouncing around, hitting the ball, high-fiving teammates. Laughing.

And let's just say...things jiggled, arm wings flapped, rolls of fat popped out of swimsuits. It wasn't pretty. Yet, you could imagine them playing ball as kids. Like that part of them was still in there, waiting to come out and play. And that was, quite simply, beautiful.

Monkee Love

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 19:50:11 GMT

Anyone remember this fab 70s boy band/TV show The Monkees?

O

I was five years old when I saw their show for the first time, and I was in L-O-V-E. The funny crazy episodes, the catchy songs, the cute guys. I asked my mom if Davy Jones would wait for me to grow up, so I could marry him. She didn't stop laughing long enough to answer, but I put two and two together and figured out that being five was a curse. I saved my allowance and bought their album, which I played religiously day after day, singing and dancing my heart out. "Come on won't you sing and play? We're the young generation and we've got something to say." (And that something is simply that they are the Monkees.) Also, "I'm a believer!" (Doesn't matter in what, really).

I still listen to them, though now they're on my iPod. And it's not their looks or their crazy, kooky storylines, it's their music. It sounds like they're having fun with it. And their fun is contagious. That's how I want my writing to read, like I'm having fun with it. Because I am*.

I just finished reading Kristin Walker's A Match Made in High School, walkwrite, and I smiled my way through it. It reads like she had a blast writing it, and it's great fun to read. Meg Cabot has that same fun factor in her stories. I hope one day some reader somewhere will smile through my stories.

*Except for those days when I'm pulling my hair out over that something that's missing, but what is it, I just don't know. Bam. Bam. Bam. Headdesk.

Friday Four

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:48:52 GMT

1. Well, lollipop in lieu of valentines was a big success in 8 y.o.'s classroom, and he was so happy to have something to give out because EVERYONE brought Valentines with candy. I'm not the kind to say, I told you so...
2. I did say, Mom can be right. To which he said...
3. Sometimes.
4. Tough crowd here.
4 1/2. I'm working on a new genre, YA romantic comedy, and having the best time watching romantic comedies and reading romantic comedies.
4 3/4. It's such fun to start a new story! Tell me where you're at in the writing process.

Happy Sorta Valentine's Day!

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:07:19 GMT

I should have seen this coming when my 8 y.o. started replying to my "I love you" with "I like you too." He's decided love is a gross, mushy thing that leads to marriage, and he wants no part of it. I've explained that there's different kinds of love--family love, friendship love, you're-so-cute-I-want-to-marry-you love. He's adamant that he only likes us and THAT'S IT. Now that Valentine's day is rolling around, he refuses to give out valentines in his class, and campaigned with his teacher to make it optional. So she agreed it's optional, but all his friends are giving them out.

And, here's the thing--those store-bought Valentines come with candy now. My kid will now be the recipient of a bag full of cards AND candy while his friends get nothing from him? No. After several circular conversations that went like this:

What about your friends?
I'M NOT GIVING OUT VALENTINES!
Is it really fair that you get candy and they don't?
I'M NOT GIVING OUT VALENTINES!

A bag of lollipops mysteriously appeared on the counter (because I'm crafty like that). My 8 y.o. eyes the bag. "Just give out the candy," I tell him, "not the valentines." He grunts. An hour later, he's come up with a compromise. "I'm celebrating the beginning of spring training on February 14th," he says. "That's what the lollipops are for. Happy Spring Training Day!" (Did I mention he's a baseball fanatic?)

If you're one of those people not in love with the day of love, eat some candy anyway and enjoy Spring Training Day! Play ball!!!

Ode to a Snow Day

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:03:51 GMT

ODE TO A SNOW DAY (Not)

5:45 am. Ring. Ring. Ring. Hello. Due to inclement weather, schools are CLOSED today.

Yippee!!! (NO-OO-OO!!!)
No school today! (No writing today)
Fun, run. Run, fun.
The batteries in the Wii remote are dead!
No-oo-oo!!! (Oh, no.)
Gonna play outside (Gotta shovel outside)
Ya-hoo! (Hoo-ya.)
Love my hot chocolate (Love this quiet)
Bouncing off the walls (Get down from there!)
Watch me! (No skateboards on the stairs!)
I'm bored! What should I do?
He hurt me! (My head hurts.)
Run around in circles.
Run around in circles.
Time for bed.
NO-OO-OO!!! (Yippee!!)

Two on Tuesday

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:30:42 GMT

1. Here is a mathematical equation that I know to be true: SNOW + NO SCHOOL + BAD ROADS= STUCK IN THE HOUSE
2. And the corollary: STUCK IN THE HOUSE + ENERGETIC BOYS= CLIMBING THE WALLS
2 1/2. Help!

The view out our patio door. I think it's more than 3 feet deep.

Sweet Romance

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:24:17 GMT

Despite my ineptitude with romantic poetry--I once offered my husband a love poem on our anniversary that was actually the lyrics of a Shania Twain song*--I'm thinking of writing a YA romance. Usually I write contemporary MG where crushes are just beginning, with lots of blushing and kisses that land on an eyebrow or ear. So, I've been cruising the YA section of our library and local bookstore for romance. It seems like most of the romance stories feature either a contemporary couple in an exotic setting or a hero that is not quite human.

When I was a teen, back in the <<cough,cough>>, I read tons of sweet contemporary romance novels with titles like, THE POPULARITY PLAN, CALIFORNIA GIRL, P.S. I LOVE YOU, and my favorite, SOONER OR LATER by Bruce and Carole Hart. Books like these gave me hope that one day I'd meet a sweet guy that would treat me well. And in my junior year of high school, I did. It was magic for more than a year, until he cheated on me with that @#$! **, I mean, adoring freshman.

What I'm wondering is, does sweet romance still exist in the YA market? If so, let me know some current titles in the comments, please.

My romantic inner teen thanks you.

*He would have fallen for it, not being a fan of Shania, if I hadn't burst out laughing and confessed.
**Sorry, my Jersey roots are showing.

I am Not French, Nor Fat, Yet I am in Love

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 21:54:49 GMT

I am ridiculously obsessed with this book, French Women Don't Get Fat.

It all started with a few, ahem, extra pounds from my holiday baking extravaganza. As motivation to get back on track, my sister and I decided to do a Biggest Loser contest for 8 weeks. Biggest loser wins a gift card to B&N. After day one of small portions and celery sticks I was extremely depressed. I said to myself, "Self, I can't do this for eight weeks." I was perusing my library for helpful tips when I found this book.

It's all about enjoying your food, savoring the flavors, exploring with spices, eating variety, eating seasonally, seeking out quality ingredients (1 small piece of quality chocolate vs a Snickers bar). And there's recipes! And lots of French thrown in, for that Je ne sais quois. But it is muy magnifique! Now I want to learn French, cook French food, and visit France. And be svelte and fit and sophisticated.

Now where did I put my beret?