Category: Current Events

Facebook vs. Twitter

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A few weeks ago, my cousin posted this as her Facebook status update:

Read this online:
“Twitter makes you love people you don’t know.
Facebook makes you hate people you do know.”
Had to laugh.

I immediately “Liked” her post (what I do when I want to retweet something that strikes me as funny or clever or profound, but can’t because Facebook doesn’t have a retweet equivalent). Then I replied:

Sounds about right.

True Confession: I like Twitter SO MUCH MORE than Facebook.


In fact, I don’t like Facebook much at all. I only have an account (which, admittedly, I update fairly regularly) because I have friends and family sprinkled throughout the country and I feel obligated to share pictures and anecdotes having to do with my daughter. Every time I log onto Facebook I’m inwardly cringing. I know with a fair amount of certainty that there will be some random update from an acquaintance that’s an over-share, a complete bore, a bitchfest, or riddled with spelling and grammar errors. Ugh… and the ads. I’m so over the ads. And the games… Farmville? Really? And that little thumbs up next to the “Like” button… that really bugs me.


And then there’s Twitter. I LOVE Twitter. I love the people I’ve “met” there. I love the fast pace and the ease with which information is exchanged. I love the mix of fun and networking, entertainment and business. I love that I can follow or unfollow people at will, without hurt feelings or dramatic blow ups. I love that I can connect with people who enjoy what I enjoy (books, reality TV, tasty treats) and who do what I do (write, read, parent). I love the unique perspectives and the diverse cultures. I love refreshing my feed, knowing I’ll laugh or learn something new or bond with an online friend over something as silly as brownies or annoying stray roosters.

I like to hope I wouldn't need this reminder...

I know people who think Twitter is dorky, to which I reply: What?! Clearly these people are not tweeting and they’re obviously missing out. Twitter is all about swapping information and building genuine connections. You know, a little like Facebook. Only better. 

Yes, I know there are all kinds of social media (most of which I know nothing about–I’m looking at you LinkedIn and Tumblr and Google +), but for now I’m sticking with Facebook (out of a warped sense of duty) and Twitter (because it rocks!).

What’s your social media drug of choice? Do you Facebook? Twitter? Other? Which do you prefer and why?

Oh, and have you entered my The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer giveaway? It ends this Thursday, so hurry! 🙂

The day I fell for RPatz…

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Heads Up! The following post may or may not contain a Twilight: Breaking Dawn spoiler or two. If you’ve yet to read the book and want to be surprised upon seeing the movie, turn back. Quick!

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, I’ll make no secret of the fact that while I read the first three books of the Twilight series and enjoyed them for what they were, Breaking Dawn–for me–was a big ‘ol fail. There are lots of plot-arc-motivation-payoff-spawn reasons I won’t delve into here, but suffice to say: I’ve got all kinds of problems with the final installment of Bella and Edward’s story. And, since the literary version of Breaking Dawn wasn’t for me, I wasn’t all that excited about the movie’s November release.

Then this arrived in my mailbox:

I'll refrain from commenting on the intense awkwardness of this image...

I read the enclosed interview (featuring Kristin Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and director Bill Condon) with vague curiosity. I mean, these books and movies are a cultural phenomenon. I couldn’t just skip over it, right?

Oh boy… I’m so glad I didn’t because I discovered that Robert Pattinson is a freaking crack up! Who would’ve thought? I mean, call me crazy, but I do not find him attractive at all.*

What, exactly, do you think was going on in his head when this photo was snapped?

He’s so rumpled and clueless, and he’s always smoking and wearing that distantly befuddled expression. But then–in an Entertainment Weekly interview for a movie he’s supposed to be PROMOTING–he says his character acts like… an incredibly hideous P-word for wimp. Really, RPatz? Wow.

I’ve got to say, I dig a guy who doesn’t take himself too seriously. And, clearly, Robert Pattinson doesn’t take himself or epic vampire love stories seriously AT ALL. I love that! More of his choice quotes from the interview:

On Kristin Stewart getting emotional about filming the wedding: [laughing] I wanted to go down and say, “Stop being ridiculous.”

On what he wishes Edward could have said after the honeymoon night: “I bit through all the pillows. Every. Single. One.” And then he’d start crying.

On Jacob and “imprinting”: I have to say, it’s pretty creepy.

On Edward’s role during Bella’s pregnancy: And I’m just sitting there, like, with a bucket, collecting [Bella’s] vomit.

On speaking to Stephenie Meyer about the childbirth scene: What am I actually chewing through?

Seriously. If Robert Pattinson is always this funny and irreverent, I think I might like to start hanging out with him, maybe at one of the dumpy bars I suspect he frequents. Wrinkly clothes, unruly hair, cigarettes, and all.

*Okay, wait... this might be a *little* bit attractive.

Breaking Dawn… Your thoughts?

Countdown to Harry…

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It’s Harry Potter Week, unofficially, and I’m celebrating! First, let’s all watch and sob together:


So heartfelt and inspirational. I am so not a crier but jeez… You’d think I’ve been a part of the cast for the last ten years.

In the interest of full disclosure, I did not grow up reading Harry. I was introduced to him back in college when I was forced to read The Sorcerer’s Stone for my Children’s Lit class. And when I say forced, I’m serious. I mean, what twenty-one-year old girl wants to read about a boy wizard and his adventures at a magical boarding school?


Um, me, apparently, because after that first book, I was totally and completely enamored. Luckily, books 2, 3, and 4 had already been released. I read them immediately and consecutively, passing up nights out on the town–ahem–socializing so I could spend more time with Harry and his crazy cast of characters.

I remember exactly where I was in life when following books were released (5: working 40 hours a week at a coffee shop and living with my in-laws, 6: teaching full-time and living in Tennessee, 7: nearly nine months pregnant during an Arizona summer) and I remember how I felt reading each installment (varying degrees of awe, surprise, swoon, anxiety, and fear). I’ve watched and loved each movie, and I’ve recommended the series to countless people.

And now the release of the final movie is fast approaching…


I’m going to the midnight showing with a good friend who knows and accepts my fanaticism, and I can’t wait. Also, I can wait. Because once I see this movie, the Harry Potter series really will be over. Done. Nothing more to look forward to, and that’s depressing. Still, I’ll try to keep in mind what JK Rowling said so eloquently in her premier night speech:  The stories we love best do live in us forever, so whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.

In that spirit, I’m curious. What is your favorite book in the Harry Potter series? (Mine are The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Half Blood Prince – love the rich back story in both.) What about your favorite film adaptation? (Mine, so far, are The Goblet of Fire – so perfectly cinematic and Deathly Hallows I – that dancing scene with Harry and Hermione–LOVE.)

My husband and I at Hogwarts. I already want to go back. 🙂

Current Must Reads…

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There’s been so much action in the YA blogging world over the past week or so. In the past few days alone, I’ve read several excellent posts that I’ve 1) Found profound/interesting/thoughtful/helpful 2) Caught myself thinking about over and over and 3) Want to share with all of you. Without further ado…

Writer Natalie Whipple’s What to Expect When You’re Submitting, a cohesive post covering every angle  of the one step of the publication process we don’t often hear a lot about, including: dealing with the internet, waiting, and your mental state… Submission can do a number on your sanity. I like to call it “pendulum swings.”

Triangles of Love, in which literary agent Sarah LaPolla says: A good love triangle should force your main character to ask, “Who do I want to be?” not simply, “Whom do I want to be with?”

Author Gayle Forman’s wise post on Jealousy and how she deals: I have two choices: give in to the insecurity and feel jealous of other authors’ virtuosity or give in to my better angels and rejoice in these wonderful books and tell the world about them.

An Extremely Honest and Scary Post by author Kirsten Hubbard, who talks candidly about debuting as a midlist author: But knowing my book wasn’t given a full chance to soar in this all-important first quarter — even if wasn’t because of its content or quality, but because of its genre (contemporary), my author status (debut), the economy (brutal), and publishing climate (insanely competitive) — it hurts.

Author Barry Lyga’s On the WSJ, YA, and Art, in which he shrewdly refuses to play into WSJ’s Meghan Cox Gurdon’s game: As long as there has been art, there have been naysayers and lack-a-wits jeering from sidelines, mocking the efforts of those who create. I’ve dealt with these nincompoops my entire life and I’m just too old to give a damn what they think or say anymore… I refuse to justify my art.

Subplots–Where to Find Them and How to Use Them from writer Amanda Hannah at YA Highway. I look at subplotting like braiding. We have a couple different threads, it’s just a matter of introducing them into the story at the right time and weaving them together.

So, that’s what I’ve got today. Am I missing anything? Do you have any fantastic links to share?