tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70133409465413749112024-03-13T08:22:12.544-07:00The Green BathtubA.L. Sonnichsen's blog, where life and writing meetA.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.comBlogger758125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-81684828951850362832023-08-04T17:24:00.001-07:002023-08-04T17:24:29.624-07:00Summer Recap<p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Summer!!</span> </b>has been a crazy whirlwind. </p><p>Are we actually starting school again in a few weeks? UNBELIEVEABLE.</p><p>In the middle of June I finished my first year as a para-educator at one of our local elementary schools and then jumped straight into training for our local camp for kids with physical and intellectual disabilities through the ARC of Tricities. For this summer job, I'm both a van driver to get campers to camp and to all our different activities throughout the day, as well as a one-on-one counselor for one of the campers. We've been having a ton of fun, but it's also exhausting. We go swimming almost every day (my hair may never forgive me), to parks, to movies, horse-back riding. It's been another crazy fun summer and has flown by so fast.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzFjf5N_IO6hlLc7zv_GDMI4PXb--q_-CW2F-cJtUtwUjyATpoGBmhJT96uXtHdyHecY3sQkO0GQwgY8Mtsx6DkN-t_BFqcdpp_rI7E9VWTfJtSC7Xm_av-UhXNCoPu1EPkictaWpnKgnjTTOXPDKLTYskU5eOIvrtgv4nmWWYwjrfUJKucEYROJwe0s/s2016/SOPHIE%20FU%20JIE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzFjf5N_IO6hlLc7zv_GDMI4PXb--q_-CW2F-cJtUtwUjyATpoGBmhJT96uXtHdyHecY3sQkO0GQwgY8Mtsx6DkN-t_BFqcdpp_rI7E9VWTfJtSC7Xm_av-UhXNCoPu1EPkictaWpnKgnjTTOXPDKLTYskU5eOIvrtgv4nmWWYwjrfUJKucEYROJwe0s/s320/SOPHIE%20FU%20JIE.jpeg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMIXkmhXYK-1a3oNPJfgdQ8IgW8tvSwnvvTY5nfcT60BY5hcMzQtZQLkx_ANVYl6Djm1E7mdUTIob4Fk_9ZZEReMoYa3g-HumGpUKp899yiVVhjmrdb4lzG3ukbkP0IF0O884zPrBbOtO7X3nTm3XuN15j9bYmNW3p09NWgffogX5Bs598vWZiBpC5Bk/s1280/AMALIA%20SWING.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMIXkmhXYK-1a3oNPJfgdQ8IgW8tvSwnvvTY5nfcT60BY5hcMzQtZQLkx_ANVYl6Djm1E7mdUTIob4Fk_9ZZEReMoYa3g-HumGpUKp899yiVVhjmrdb4lzG3ukbkP0IF0O884zPrBbOtO7X3nTm3XuN15j9bYmNW3p09NWgffogX5Bs598vWZiBpC5Bk/s320/AMALIA%20SWING.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>I took a week off last month to go to a family reunion in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho to celebrate my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. My sister was able to visit from Hong Kong for three weeks, so she was able to be there, and my brother and his family drove down from where they live. We rented a huge AirBnb where we could all stay together. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraWcEsAAurLm4KRVeoVVmVlo67T3pLS5Q8z82oafa2e6GoSKV50eA4a7CpwrcJK0R52kfNNIrwFHoAx3u62dM8lm2awjgQch-lBNg3045DAr5wYErEbwRjxLnvNqBw6Q8bzamy3zCjLbLRgi6l4hCx0XdlQ-BsltLqkMl2KroB5JZQjTdyGfLh_OajEo/s1280/FAMILY%20REUNION%20IDAHO.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraWcEsAAurLm4KRVeoVVmVlo67T3pLS5Q8z82oafa2e6GoSKV50eA4a7CpwrcJK0R52kfNNIrwFHoAx3u62dM8lm2awjgQch-lBNg3045DAr5wYErEbwRjxLnvNqBw6Q8bzamy3zCjLbLRgi6l4hCx0XdlQ-BsltLqkMl2KroB5JZQjTdyGfLh_OajEo/w384-h288/FAMILY%20REUNION%20IDAHO.jpeg" width="384" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>After Lava, my immediate family plus my sister took a several-day tour of Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, which was a spectacular experience. We saw so many animals, including bison, coyotes, black bears, bald eagles and elk. The moose and wolves eluded us, unfortunately. The geysers and bubbling pools and mud pots at Yellowstone were so interesting (and scary). I would love to go back for more exploring someday.</p><p>So, all of this adventuring and fun-having has meant I haven't been writing as much as I would like to. I do have one book that's on the cusp of being sent out to editors (WOOT!/YIKES!), and another one in the works, but the progress on that one has been slow. I have one week off between camp and school starting, though, and it's my goal to get through the first draft during that week ... and whittle away at it until then. </p><p>A couple things I am proud of on the writing front though are, first, I have a new website designed by Savannah Brooks, who is an agent at my agent's agency, <a href="https://ktliterary.com/" target="_blank">kt Literary</a>. I am so happy with the way it turned out. You can check <b>my new author website</b> out here at <a href="http://alsonnichsenauthor.com">alsonnichsenauthor.com</a></p><p>Second, I've been getting together pretty regularly with my writing group. Even if I don't submit anything on a given week, it's great to be able to read my writing friends' novels. It also keeps me motivated to plug away on my work-in-progress, because they're such an encouraging group of writers. I can't speak highly enough of the importance of community when you're in a creative line of work. A lot of us writers are introverts (or am I just speaking for myself?), but it is invaluable to have a group of friends who are going through the same things you are, who are willing to give honest critique, and who are your cheering section when the good or bad news (finally) rolls in.</p><p>It's always challenging to carve out time to be creative when you're busy with LIFE and work and family and other obligations. I'd like to explore this more in future blog posts, but <b>how do you make time for yourself and your hobbies/passions/creative side-hustle?</b> I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. </p><p>Have a great weekend, everyone! I know I will be SLEEPING. Oh, and writing, too. </p>A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-30556388226414239312023-05-21T19:42:00.000-07:002023-05-21T19:42:08.085-07:00Hello, Green Bathtub<p>Blogland. It's been awhile. </p><p>I'm in the process of developing a new author website with the help of a designer-- more to come on that soon, I hope! Thinking about how I'd like it to look and what I wanted it to include made me nostalgic for my old blog. </p><p>So I came back here and I looked at it, and I thought about how much I miss writing it. I miss all the little stories I'd write for fun. </p><p>I wondered if I still knew how to post a post. Yes, I guess I do. Here I am, posting a post. </p><p>A lot has changed since I last posted. My kids are all growing up: my oldest has graduated from college and my youngest is in middle school. Those toddler days are long gone. I have my first full-time job this year, not writing related. I've lived away from Asia for a long time now. Living there seems like another lifetime. I've been writing books set in America, because I actually feel like I'm getting to know America ... finally.</p><p>Most days I don't think about being an author. I'm so busy getting kids organized, feeding my family, trying to keep the house in some semblance of clean, and working at a day-job I love, I forget this part of myself -- the writing part. </p><p>Somehow I must carve out time for it, because it's an important part of me, a part I don't want to lose. Even if it's a few words a day, even if it's only on this blog, even if no one ever reads it, I realize I need it. I need this little space, just for me. </p><p>So, hello, Green Bathtub. </p>A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-74661053951230076472016-09-03T16:50:00.002-07:002016-09-03T16:50:41.401-07:00Back to School Time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Friday was a momentous day. It as the first time in FIFTEEN YEARS that I have been home without children. </div>
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<br />
I've been home schooling my daughter Anna the last few years, but on Tuesday she went back to school. Then on Friday, my daughter Naomi had her first day of kindergarten.<br />
<br />
Which means....<br />
<br />
I'm home with a quiet house and my beautiful laptop!<br />
<br />
Think I'll be able to get some writing done now? And maybe squeeze in an occasional blog post?<br />
<br />
I'll keep you posted!A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-29919345575167196642016-04-07T13:37:00.000-07:002016-04-07T13:37:51.563-07:00I'm Back!<br />
...Back in Hong Kong, that is.<br />
<br />
Yesterday morning I got to talk about <i>Red Butterfly</i> at International Christian School (ICS), where I attended 10th through 12th grade.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8SSK_2FVMYI/VwbCsV3NrBI/AAAAAAAAHvI/R2QwsgXXoiEmBdH_poC8-gMIF7nbc9dSA/s1600/IMG_7784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8SSK_2FVMYI/VwbCsV3NrBI/AAAAAAAAHvI/R2QwsgXXoiEmBdH_poC8-gMIF7nbc9dSA/s320/IMG_7784.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My sister is a middle school science teacher at ICS now, and my mom works in the HR department.<br />
<br />
ICS has changed a lot since I went there. The school is housed in a beautiful, huge campus in Sha Tin now. Quite a difference from the tiny facilities we rented near Kai Tak Airport as a fledgling school in the 1990's. But I felt so welcomed by the students and staff. <br />
<br />
And it's great to be back in Hong Kong. Four years ago, I brought my oldest daughter, Olivia. Two years ago, I brought my son, Gabe. And this time it's my daughter Anna's turn.<br />
<br />
Everything is familiar here. Even though my parents have moved from the flat where I lived in high school, Hong Kong feels the same. The koel birds still call from the trees. The sidewalks are patched and uneven in a uniquely Hong Kong way. The smells are the same--the pungent white flowers in the muggy air. My parents live in Tai Po in the New Territories. The clouds are low on the hills covered in jungle and old-growth forest. Everything is alive. It's such a change from the desert. <br />
<br />
Today we have a day off, so we're taking a ferry to the island of Cheung Chau with my parents and sister. I want to show Anna the pirate caves that fascinated me as a child. <br />
<br />
It's good to be home. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-53564066390842371392015-07-04T16:20:00.000-07:002015-07-04T16:20:49.120-07:00#3 PickleUrbaneObtuse<div class="MsoNormal">
“Monsieur,” Mrs. Sandra Dellacourte said. She’d heard he was
French. “Please, monsieur, will you try
one of my pickles? They’re good. They’re so good, they’ll make your mouth
pucker and your eyes water.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She took a crisp bite to prove it. Juice from the bite misted
the man’s silk shirt. He looked surprised. Sandra Dellacourte pulled a hanky
from the pocket of her morning dress and made a show of wiping the peach fuzz
of liquid away. “You want it crisp just like that,” she said,
using the same hanky to dab at her watering eyes. It smelled faintly of his cologne.
“And when your eyes water, you know it’s
a good one.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man held up a hand. His nails were carefully filed. “No,
no. Please excuse me, madame. I’m not so much a….” He paused to choose his
words carefully. “Pickle eater.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His accent was irresistible. Sandra Dellacourte could hardly
believe she was talking to a real, breathing foreigner. From France! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Come now.” She twittered a laugh. “Everybody likes pickles!
The only people who don’t like pickles are people who haven’t tried pickles. And
these pickles … these pickles….” She tried to remember how to say magnificent
in French, but failed. Eighth grade had been such a long time ago. “I have a blue ribbon
hanging in my great room….” She cleared her throat. “I mean, my parlor….” Parlor
sounded so much more urbane. “You’ve got to try it. I insist.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sandra Dellacourte pulled a fresh pickle from the jar and
held it under the Frenchman’s nose. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sandra!” Meredith
Zellinski had been misting her roses next door. Sandra had assumed she was out
of earshot, but now she stood on the very boundary of their two yards, her
garden hose squirting erratically. The toes of her garden shoes were
technically trespassing on Sandra Dellacourte’s property. “What are you saying
to Mr. Babineaux? Are you trying to tempt him with your pickles?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sandra withdrew the pickle and hugged the jar. “No, ma’am.
Just making friends. Being neighborly.” She fluffed at her hair with her
forearm. After all, it was difficult to fluff hair when you’re holding two
pickles, a pickle jar, and a hanky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s my guest,” Meredith Zellinski said. “Don’t scare him
off now!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Do I look scary to
you?” Sandra Dellacourte glared across the grass at Meredith Zellinski. Sandra’s
feet were beginning to sweat in her panda slippers, due to the warmth of the
summer sun. Mr. Babineaux was starting to sweat, too. Beads of perspiration
glistened on his forehead and above his upper lip. Sandra readied her hanky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Out of the corner of her eye, Sandra saw Meredith Zellinski roll
her eyes and go back to her roses. Sandra was fairly certain she heard the word
<i>obtuse</i> muttered. Her lips tightened
over her recently bleached teeth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But no, now was not the time to give Meredith Zellinski a
piece of her mind. There was a gentleman standing here, a gentleman whom Sandra
was sure she could convert to a pickle preference, or die trying.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How long are you in
town, Monsieur Babineaux?” Sandra asked, batting her falsies. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ah,” he said. “I am only here for one week, for business
reasons. Meredith was kind enough to offer her spare room through Airbnb dot
com.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A dot com site!” Sandra breathed, her eyes shifting. She
had to admit it was brilliant.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes,” said Mr. Babineaux. “I am so far quite pleased.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, here,” Sandra said, thrusting the jar against his
chest. “Take all of them. Try them at your leisure. Only … let me know how you
like them.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To her dismay, he fumbled the jar like a hot potato. “I’m
afraid I have no need for pickles!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No need for pickles!” Sandra cried. “But—but you can’t say you’ve really visited
until you’ve tried our pickles! Cucumbers grow great around here. So does dill!
And our vinegar’s cheap!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr. Babineaux made an interesting sound through his nose. “Believe
me, madame, I am quite well without pickles. Now please excuse me.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He scuttled away, clutching his briefcase to his chest as
though it were a shield. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sandra watched him round the corner at the end of the road.
She took another bite of her crisp, luscious, award-winning pickle, and sighed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>(Many thanks to my aunt, Sandi, who gave me the three inspirational words for this writing exercise--pickle, urbane and obtuse.) </i></div>
A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-47482987688794945072015-07-03T15:24:00.000-07:002015-07-03T17:09:44.321-07:00#2 CurmudgeonSplendidKnead<div class="MsoNormal">
Brandi cupped the base of the man’s skull, resting her other
hand on his forehead. His skin under her palms was leathery, and as much as she
tried to breathe in a different direction, she couldn’t lose the strong odor of
petroleum that seemed to leak from his pores. A headache was starting behind
her eyes. She glanced back at the clock. Only ten minutes more.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Harder!” The man’s voice was like a rake dragged over
stones. “You think I’m paying you for some sissy massage?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brandi kneaded harder. Her hands strong from practice, she
usually enjoyed the movement and quiet of the massage room. But today she ached
simply because of the long dragging minutes, as if the hands of the clock were
weighted with bricks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How’s that?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man only grunted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She could afford to be picky, she thought. She
didn’t have to put up with this. “Say hello to the last nine minutes you’ll
ever spend with Mr. Herald L. Cross.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What was that?” he barked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Had she said it out loud?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sorry?” she said. “Did you hear something?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You said something. You muttered.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did I?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Music tinkled. Waves rushed in and out. Exotic birds
chattered. It was all a CD. Brandi would have liked to have been on a real
beach somewhere tropical. She imagined herself in a bathing suit with a sarong
tied at her waist, her massage chair set under a cabana. She’d work a twelve-hour
day in those conditions, no complaints. And she’d bet money that her clients
would be a lot more laid back. Not like this old curmudgeon. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Aren’t you going to do anything else? Or are you just gonna
stand there and strangle me all day?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brandi’s eyes darted to the clock. Eight more minutes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just another minute,” she said. “Then
we’ll move on to something else.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t like this one,” he said. “And
since I’m paying, I say you listen to me!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brandi didn’t speak, but moved her
hand from his forehead, changed her grip on his neck. “You have a lot of
tension, Mr. Cross….”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Call me Herald!” he cried. “And
what I want to know is where Katie went off to. I liked Katie a whole lot
better than you.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Katie’s far away.” Even to her
own ears, her voice sounded wistful. Still, in her mind, she was on the beach, knees curled to her chest, watching waves. “Unless
you’re willing to travel to San Diego for your massage, she can’t help you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“San Diego! Who’d ever want to
live in San Diego?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brandi wondered who <i>wouldn’t</i> want to live in San Diego.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She inherited some money when her
father died. Decided she could finally afford to live her dream.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of living in San Diego?” Herald
seemed incredulous. “Got a few screws loose, if you ask me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Have you ever been to San Diego?”
Brandi asked. “I’ve heard it’s splendid.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, and I never will. Fargo’s
where I was born and where I’ll die.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brandi stifled a laugh. She
covered it with a cough. Three minutes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lapping waves. The coarseness of
beach sand. An ocean breeze. She saw all Katie’s pictures on Facebook. Katie
seemed to smile a lot. Katie had a tan.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brandi stared at her own white
arm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They say Vitamin D is good for
your body … sunshine.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What was that?” Herald demanded. “You
muttered again.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did I?” She laughed. Honestly
laughed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What’re you laughing at? Keep
your focus, woman!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One minute left. One measly
minute. Would he notice if she stopped one minute early? Probably.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She swiped down Mr. Cross’s back
with her fingertips.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There you are, Mr. Cross, all
done.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But I wanted two hours. Two hour
massage.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sorry, Mr. Cross, but I only
have you down for one. I have other clients.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He got up grumbling. He paid
grumbling. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And did not leave a tip. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But at least he got up. At least
he paid.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And at least he took that reek of
petroleum out with him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As soon as the bell stopped
ringing on the slammed door, Brandi opened her laptop. Within
moments she was gazing at Katie’s smiling Facebook profile picture. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She clicked open a message box,
and typed the name. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Hi Katie, <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Hope you’re well. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>A shot in the dark, but … are you hiring? <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>(End note: In case you're wondering what I'm doing, this is writing practice, inspired by three words given to me by Brandi -- curmudgeon, splendid and knead.)</o:p></div>
A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-24909107001720084632015-06-29T16:51:00.001-07:002015-06-29T16:54:31.770-07:00#1 SleeplessSwedenDreamer<i>I'm in limbo while I wait to hear back about a few projects, so I've decided to do some writing prompts to keep me in practice. Some of my Facebook peeps each gave me three words to use for inspiration. These will be super-short pieces of fiction. Not necessarily polished. Read at your own risk. </i><br />
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Here's the first from Lena, inspired by the words sleepless, Sweden, and dreamer:</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sweden in January was supposed to be a beautiful experience.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is beautiful, these fields of white.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was supposed to stretch my mind. Something about lights,
green lights, dancing in the sky. Something about an ancient ship. Viking castles.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My mind is stretched … but too far. I’ve lost it somewhere.
Maybe when I sat down and couldn’t make myself get back up, that’s when I set
my mind down and forgot to pick it up again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How cold are you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a man here. Yes, he’s been here, but I don’t know
how long. He is the one talking. His lips move and sounds come out. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Eighteen.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man’s eyebrows crinkle. He has a nose like Harrison
Ford. “I didn’t ask how old you were, I asked how <i>cold</i> you were. But I’m glad to find a language you know, at least.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I assumed it was his accent that made <i>old</i> sound <i>cold</i>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t really tell.” Are my feet even there? I look to make sure, but everything is under snow.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Your name?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Lena.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Pretty name.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The sky crinkles with darkness at the edges. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Stay with me,” says
the man, patting my cheek. “Don’t be a dreamer now. Dreaming’s no good. You
know, Sweden is nicer in the summer. Why’d you decide to visit now?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why am I here again?
“Studying.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where are you from?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Florida.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The United States, then? In the southern part?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ah.” He nods. “You don’t know how to dress for winter if
you’re from a warm place like Florida.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I shake my head, and begin to speak, but the words evaporate on my tongue. Something about my mother telling me the
same thing. <i>Wear your hat, wear your
mittens….</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sleepless,” the man says. “Sleepless in Sweden. They should
make a movie with a title like that. Don’t you think that’s clever?” One arm
threads under my knees, the other rounds my back. “Let’s get you to a warmer place, shall we?
Wake you up.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I nod. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a grunt, he lifts me, snow shoes squeaking. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-61223899981672117232015-06-10T12:02:00.000-07:002015-06-10T12:02:23.306-07:00Red Butterfly Curriculum GuideI have exciting news for all you teachers out there. There's now a Common Core-friendly curriculum guide for Red Butterfly!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4BkEpAfIinTblBfa0xkbHZtVTA/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Click here to check it out!</a><br />
<br />
I'm planning to add an Education Resources tab to my blog where there will be a permanent link. I hope this is helpful -- and please let me know if you have any questions.<br />
<br />
Thanks so much to the folks at Simon & Schuster BFYR, and to Librarian Kathleen Odean for putting this together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UIKqFHUrIf8/VIDoyj-Z18I/AAAAAAAAE40/7kav43wt_rw/s1600/Front%2BCover%2B-%2BRed%2BButterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UIKqFHUrIf8/VIDoyj-Z18I/AAAAAAAAE40/7kav43wt_rw/s320/Front%2BCover%2B-%2BRed%2BButterfly.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-82093973986557100012015-03-04T09:04:00.001-08:002015-03-04T09:09:27.680-08:00Book Plates!My brilliant author-friend <a href="http://www.kristinrae.com/" target="_blank">Kristin Rae</a> is also a gifted designer (check out her designs <a href="http://www.kristinrae.com/p/blog-page_28.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>) and she created this lovely book plate for <i>Red Butterfly</i>. Thank you, Kristin!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AJmoDYQ0V4U/VPc5AszlyzI/AAAAAAAAE_I/N9BJHJS09hE/s1600/AMY%2B3x4%2Bbookplate%2BFINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AJmoDYQ0V4U/VPc5AszlyzI/AAAAAAAAE_I/N9BJHJS09hE/s1600/AMY%2B3x4%2Bbookplate%2BFINAL.jpg" height="320" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.amybates.com/" target="_blank">Amy June Bates</a> is the talented artist whose work appears throughout the book. I feel so honored that Simon & Schuster let me use her art on these bookplates. Her work is gorgeous!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
If you'd be interested in receiving one of these book plates to stick in the front of your personal copy of <i>Red Butterfly</i>, follow directions <a href="http://alsonnichsen.blogspot.com/p/contact-me.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. All I need is a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE) and I'll send you the signed book plate.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Happy reading! </i></b><br />
<br />A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-25957975957109080502015-02-18T17:40:00.000-08:002015-02-18T17:40:55.833-08:00Red Butterfly Launch Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last week we threw a launch party for Red Butterfly at the Richland Public Library, and what a cool experience that was! </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WlK0I8BEJ4w/VOU7pIjtVUI/AAAAAAAAE80/fI7zyFQ1dnI/s1600/Launch%2BParty%2BCake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WlK0I8BEJ4w/VOU7pIjtVUI/AAAAAAAAE80/fI7zyFQ1dnI/s1600/Launch%2BParty%2BCake.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There was delicious (and beautiful) cake!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5qP3NhLYuc/VOU7pD12WwI/AAAAAAAAE9M/1WF-xJgmzWs/s1600/Launch%2BParty%2BKids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5qP3NhLYuc/VOU7pD12WwI/AAAAAAAAE9M/1WF-xJgmzWs/s1600/Launch%2BParty%2BKids.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cute little fans!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4b3hIwsgNX0/VOU7qZBmEtI/AAAAAAAAE88/vIaHBypBiCw/s1600/Launch%2BParty%2Breading%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4b3hIwsgNX0/VOU7qZBmEtI/AAAAAAAAE88/vIaHBypBiCw/s1600/Launch%2BParty%2Breading%2B2.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I read a little bit. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rdVWMRNPZdY/VOU7pGJF7pI/AAAAAAAAE8w/6aP5F7lPoIc/s1600/Launch%2BParty%2BReading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rdVWMRNPZdY/VOU7pGJF7pI/AAAAAAAAE8w/6aP5F7lPoIc/s1600/Launch%2BParty%2BReading.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Answered questions. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-feKJNrKHm4s/VOU7pwnttUI/AAAAAAAAE9E/grhrpNLlj4U/s1600/Launch%2BParty%2BSold%2BOut!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-feKJNrKHm4s/VOU7pwnttUI/AAAAAAAAE9E/grhrpNLlj4U/s1600/Launch%2BParty%2BSold%2BOut!.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And signed lots of books.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thanks to the Richland Public Library for hosting. They made the experience so easy for me--providing cupcakes, cookies, and a beautiful venue. My friend, Carrell, baked and decorated the cake. Adventures Underground, a local bookstore, sold books (and sold out in just over five minutes!). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Red Butterfly had a wonderful debut week and I've been (happily) overwhelmed with all the well-wishes. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thank you, all!</i></span></b></div>
<br />A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-29039518894570529602015-02-03T06:00:00.000-08:002015-02-03T06:00:03.847-08:00Happy Book Birthday, Red Butterfly!<div style="text-align: center;">
Today's the day!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--kZcBXV9Nxk/VNBpp85DodI/AAAAAAAAE60/EiSlu6jHJ_U/s1600/Minion%2BExcited.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--kZcBXV9Nxk/VNBpp85DodI/AAAAAAAAE60/EiSlu6jHJ_U/s1600/Minion%2BExcited.gif" height="172" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Red Butterfly's birthday!<br />
<br />
She's officially in stores everywhere!<br />
<br />
Run!<br />
<br />
Get your copy before they're all gone!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gd33jO1Csi4/VNBrzkW-hoI/AAAAAAAAE7A/c5PLU5_GHQc/s1600/Running%2Banime.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gd33jO1Csi4/VNBrzkW-hoI/AAAAAAAAE7A/c5PLU5_GHQc/s1600/Running%2Banime.gif" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Now excuse me while I celebrate.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jlignH-BJY0/VNBsZutlhwI/AAAAAAAAE7I/ABFgE9ym0zY/s1600/Beaker%2Bcelebrating.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jlignH-BJY0/VNBsZutlhwI/AAAAAAAAE7I/ABFgE9ym0zY/s1600/Beaker%2Bcelebrating.gif" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(And if looking at all three of these GIFs together doesn't give you a headache,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I don't know what will.)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Red-Butterfly/A-L-Sonnichsen/9781481411097?id=6229419570138" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UIKqFHUrIf8/VIDoyj-Z18I/AAAAAAAAE40/7kav43wt_rw/s1600/Front%2BCover%2B-%2BRed%2BButterfly.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Red-Butterfly/A-L-Sonnichsen/9781481411097?id=6229419570138" target="_blank">RED BUTTERFLY</a>, now available pretty much wherever books are sold.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Happy reading! </i></b></div>
A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-34334793997090694402015-01-22T14:24:00.000-08:002015-01-22T14:24:03.060-08:00RED BUTTERFLY Coming Soon!<div style="text-align: center;">
IT'S REALLY HAPPENING!</div>
<br />
RED BUTTERFLY will be hitting the bookstore shelves in less than two weeks -- February 3rd!<br />
<br />
If you're in the area, I'm having a little party to celebrate the launch at the Richland Public Library in Richland, WA on February 10th, 6:30p.m. All are welcome! There will be books available for sale and I'll be glad to sign your copy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gswGw8TYOtA/VMF1cKFnwdI/AAAAAAAAE58/gmm-rjNJxB0/s1600/Red%2BButterfly%2Bparty%2Bpromo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gswGw8TYOtA/VMF1cKFnwdI/AAAAAAAAE58/gmm-rjNJxB0/s1600/Red%2BButterfly%2Bparty%2Bpromo.png" height="400" width="308" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm also celebrating RED BUTTERFLY's launch with a Goodreads Giveaway! There's a link in the side bar, or click <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/119898-red-butterfly" target="_blank">here to enter</a>.A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-80976100877991579702014-12-24T07:18:00.001-08:002014-12-24T07:20:35.649-08:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Merry Christmas </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
from our family to yours! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tzCJ7rp6OdE/VJrXzdUHNnI/AAAAAAAAE5I/lrmMOXHbvV0/s1600/_BIY9597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tzCJ7rp6OdE/VJrXzdUHNnI/AAAAAAAAE5I/lrmMOXHbvV0/s1600/_BIY9597.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by <a href="http://www.annwoodard.com/" target="_blank">Ann Woodard</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">John 1:14 (NIV)</span></div>
A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-26762919504051271942014-12-04T15:07:00.002-08:002014-12-04T15:07:52.646-08:00Giveaway Winner & More Reviews!I'm so excited to share another starred review with you, this one from Publishers Weekly, for <i>Red Butterfly</i>!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-4814-1109-7">http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-4814-1109-7</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UIKqFHUrIf8/VIDoyj-Z18I/AAAAAAAAE4w/FBp_eIFwxuY/s1600/Front%2BCover%2B-%2BRed%2BButterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UIKqFHUrIf8/VIDoyj-Z18I/AAAAAAAAE4w/FBp_eIFwxuY/s1600/Front%2BCover%2B-%2BRed%2BButterfly.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><i>Evocative first-person poems divided into three sections—“Crawl,” “Dissolve,” and “Fly”—combine with small, delicate b&w illustrations from Bates to provide a framework that helps organize the chaotic feelings 11-year-old Kara struggles to express. Mysteries pervade her life: although ethnically Chinese, she lives in China in near poverty with her Caucasian mother, hiding her misshapen right hand in long sleeves, speaking English at home, unable to attend school. Mama promises that someday they will live with Kara’s father in Montana, but for now: “Don’t ask me,/ Kara,/ don’t ask me.” Piecing together her story, Kara realizes Mama discovered her, an abandoned baby, and stayed in China illegally to raise her. After this transgression is discovered, Kara finds herself in an orphanage as her Montana parents vie with another family to adopt her. Sonnichsen creates a palpable sense of yearning for home and belonging (“I want to explain, but/ I can’t make my mouth form words./ How a place so beautiful/ can make me feel so sad”) in this heartbreaking, heartwarming, and impressive debut. Ages 8–12. </i></span><br />
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And more great news (as if that wasn't enough!) ... this morning my editor forwarded me this lovely review from the School Library Journal:<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;">Gr 4-7</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0pt;">–After being found abandoned as an infant in Tianjin, China, Kara was never formally adopted by her American parents, leaving her with no identity papers. Kara’s mother hasn’t had a valid visa in years, but she refuses to leave China without Kara. Now 11, the girl is discovered by police who deport her mother and send Kara to an orphanage for disabled children (she has a malformed hand). There she struggles with her feelings of abandonment, and the emotional conflict from the reality that the Chinese government won’t let the only mother she’s ever known adopt her. But soon a different family wants her. Told in free verse that occasionally plays with form to capture Kara’s mood and decorated with small illustrations mixing watercolor and collage, the narrative is broken into three distinct sections: “Crawl,” set in Tianjin; “Dissolve,” set at the orphanage; and “Fly,” set in Florida. Based on the author’s own experiences in fostering for years before being allowed to adopt from China, “Dissolve” is particularly heartbreaking and occasionally shocking, despite the underfunded orphanage being (under)staffed by caring adults. Readers everywhere will empathize with and root for Kara as she discovers where she belongs and her true home.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;">–Jennifer Rothschild, Arlington County Public Libraries, VA</span></span></span></i></div>
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Thank you to Publishers Weekly and to Jennifer Rothschild at SLJ for these wonderful reviews!</div>
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Last, but not least, I need to announce the winner of my Adoption Month <i>Red Butterfly</i> Giveaway. Thank you to everyone who entered and helped spread the word.</div>
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The winner is...</div>
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Esther! </div>
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Esther didn't actually post on my blog, but she's a regular reader who emailed to ask if she could be included in the giveaway since she didn't have access to the comments section. I'm so happy to send a copy to Esther because she is an amazing girl who I knew in real life when she was little. I even babysat her! She is adopted herself and has lots of adopted siblings. <i>Red Butterfly</i> couldn't go to a more perfect home. </div>
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Congratulations, Esther!</div>
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A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-12465239164200636092014-11-23T22:49:00.001-08:002014-11-23T22:49:06.595-08:00Adoption Month: ThankfulIt's almost Thanksgiving here in the United States.<br />
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Originally this week I was going to write a post about the harder part of adoption: PARENTING. The post was going to talk about how you can have this beautiful story of rescuing a baby from a life of parentlessness, but after the fairy tale ... normal life happens. I may still blog about that sometime, but my heart is thankful this week, so I want to focus on thankfulness instead (with an adoption theme, of course, because it's still Adoption Month).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tN06Xu2TLkg/VHLS-aZChwI/AAAAAAAAE4c/VmBNBdrfwIs/s1600/_BIY9511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tN06Xu2TLkg/VHLS-aZChwI/AAAAAAAAE4c/VmBNBdrfwIs/s1600/_BIY9511.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;">Photo by <a href="http://www.annwoodard.com/" target="_blank">Ann Woodard</a></td></tr>
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I'm thankful for:<br />
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<li><b>A Happy Beginning: </b>I almost wrote a happy ending, but our adoption wasn't an ending, it was a beginning. Lately I've been thinking back on those almost seven years when our adoption was in-process (and in limbo), and how I lived in a constant state of preparing for the worst, ready at any moment to have my heart broken. But we didn't get the worst. Our adoption worked out. That is a huge blessing that I never want to forget to be thankful for.</li>
<li><b>Options!: </b>Our sweet, oldest daughter has emotional needs that weren't being met in traditional public school. Homeschooling scared me for so many years, but recently we found a school that's a cross between online school and traditional school in a town near us. It's perfect for her because it gives us time together, but not so much time that we drive each other crazy. Overall, she's very happy and making new friends, and I've seen a significant change in her outlook on life, which has been a huge encouragement.</li>
<li><b>A Great Man: </b>My Dashingly Handsome Sidekick (aka DHS) is an amazing father who embraced my adoption dream with so much grace. The way he met our oldest daughter was a bit unorthodox: he came home from a school camp and I said, "Surprise! Meet Olivia!" I'm so grateful to have a loving companion who is willing to go on life's adventures with me. </li>
<li><b>Provision: </b>Our oldest has some special needs because she was born with a cleft lip and palate. I'm so grateful to the Shriners Children's Hospital in Portland, Oregon for taking on her case (even though she wasn't a US citizen yet when they started treating her!) and giving Olivia free medical care and surgeries until she's an adult. We have also found a great orthodontist in our area who has helped many cleft lip and palate children. God provides!</li>
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Apart from adoption, I am thankful for this great piece of news I got last week: <b>Kirkus gave my book, <i>Red Butterfly</i>, a starred review!</b> You can check out what they had to say <a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/l-sonnichsen/red-butterfly-sonnichsen/">here.</a> I've been walking as if on a cloud all week!!</div>
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There's still time to enter my giveaway for a copy of <i>Red Butterfly </i>when it releases in February. <a href="http://alsonnichsen.blogspot.com/2014/11/november-is-adoption-month.html">Click here and leave a comment.</a> Couldn't be easier!</div>
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<b><i>If you're American, have a wonderful Turkey Day on Thursday! Don't forget to be thankful! </i></b> </div>
A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-9613286345790051152014-11-18T09:05:00.000-08:002014-11-18T09:08:04.159-08:00Adoption Month: We Need Diverse Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We need diverse books ... for many reasons.<br />
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One of the reasons is that blended families happen through adoption.<br />
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To be honest, I'm not sure I've done a good enough job purchasing diverse books for my children. How do I know this? Because my thirteen-year-old daughter, who happens to be ethnically Chinese, saw me participating in this campaign and wanted to write something about why we need diverse books.<br />
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Here are her unedited words:<br />
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<i>Diverse Books. There aren’t many. When I think of diverse
stories, I think of biographies or folk tales from different places around the
world. I never really thought about America actually having a book where the
main character isn’t white. Recently, I started reading, “The Astonishing Life
of Octavian Nothing” by: M.T. Anderson. I started out reading thinking that
Octavian was white. Turns out, when I
got to the middle of the book, I found out he was black! I feel like there should be more books with
characters with colored skin because not everyone is white! I want more diverse
characters because I want to be able to relate to characters in the books I
read. That’s why we need more diverse books.</i></div>
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I have nothing to add, except <a href="http://weneeddiversebooks.org/" target="_blank">#WeNeedDiverseBooks</a>.<br />
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<i>Don't forget to enter my <a href="http://alsonnichsen.blogspot.com/2014/11/november-is-adoption-month.html" target="_blank">RED BUTTERFLY giveaway</a> to celebrate adoption month!</i></div>
A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-60892028651867215022014-11-09T23:19:00.001-08:002014-11-09T23:19:53.813-08:00Adoption Books for Adoption Month!November is National Adoption Month! <div>
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This week we're celebrating books about adoption. (Also, don't forget, I'm giving away a copy of my middle grade novel, <i>Red Butterfly</i>. <a href="http://alsonnichsen.blogspot.com/2014/11/november-is-adoption-month.html" target="_blank">Click here to enter</a>!)</div>
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I know there are lots of books with adoption themes out there, but these are a few that have ended up in our house that have meant something to me.</div>
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<i>Bear at the Beach</i> by Clay Carmichael</div>
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We bought this picture book not knowing it was about adoption. What a lovely surprise! It gently and beautifully handles the sense of loss that most adopted children feel at being separated from their birth parents, but also gives such a beautiful picture of what family can be. The illustrations are charming and simple, the text sparse, yet engaging. What a touching tribute to adoption. Every time I read it, I choke up, without fail.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TspKadaCa8E/VGBfJ-CV1JI/AAAAAAAAE2c/EQpp6BiYRhw/s1600/Bear%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bbeach%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TspKadaCa8E/VGBfJ-CV1JI/AAAAAAAAE2c/EQpp6BiYRhw/s1600/Bear%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bbeach%2B2.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail from Bear at the Beach, by Clay Carmichael</td></tr>
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<i>The Great Call of China</i> by Cynthia Liu<br />
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The Great Call of China is part of the S.A.S.S. series, a collection of books written by various authors. My eldest daughter devoured these books when she was a tween. They're perfect for girls who want to read higher than a normal middle grade chapter book, but aren't ready for full-fledged YA. I highly recommend them, because they take kids all around the world in a light and fun way.<br />
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I'll be honest here, though: I struggled with The Great Call of China. I read it before my daughter did and, afterward, wanted to hide it away and never let her read it! My Olivia is adopted from China and the story follows an adopted, ethnically-Chinese teenage girl who returns to China with a study abroad program, harboring a secret hope to find her birth family. I didn't want Olivia to read it because I thought the ending was completely unrealistic. **Spoiler Alert** I didn't want her to get her hopes up, to think she could go back to China, poke around a little, and instantly find her birth family!<br />
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Olivia saw the cover, however, and begged to read it. Can I just say that she has now read this book at least five times? Several times I've walked into her room to find her randomly rereading it!<br />
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Which shows how much I know. And really, maybe I was overprotective in trying to keep a book like this away from her, not wanting her to get her hopes up about finding her birth family. Maybe I need to give her credit for being a smart young lady who can think for herself, and apply reasonable expectations for herself, and dream for herself....<br />
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I still think the novel handles the subject unrealistically, but I'm so glad my Chinese daughter found a character with whom she could identify. That in itself is priceless!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqnvbSvevYg/VGBfKBtquAI/AAAAAAAAE2g/bUMZH8IZ6qo/s1600/Great%2BCall%2Bof%2BChina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqnvbSvevYg/VGBfKBtquAI/AAAAAAAAE2g/bUMZH8IZ6qo/s1600/Great%2BCall%2Bof%2BChina.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a></div>
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<i>Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew</i> by Sherrie Eldridge<br />
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This is non-fiction! And sort of a self-help book! If you know me, you know I rarely read non-fiction (though sometimes the occasional biography) and generally have an aversion to self-help books. (I might be a little overly confident that I can figure things out on my own.) A friend of mine gave me this book, however, after it changed her perspective. She said, "I wish I'd had this book when my kids were growing up!" Since that's pretty high praise, I decided to go ahead and read it.<br />
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I'm so glad I did. The author is a grown adopted child and her insight is priceless. Reading this book has given me a whole new empathy for my adopted child. It softened my heart when my heart was in danger of growing hard. It gave me a new perspective, just like it gave my friend. It gave me a lot of hope, too.<br />
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<b><i>I'd love to hear if you've read any of these books, or if there's an adoption book you've loved. </i></b>Please comment here, but also make sure to comment on my post for the <a href="http://alsonnichsen.blogspot.com/2014/11/november-is-adoption-month.html" target="_blank"><i>Red Butterfly</i> giveaway</a>! </div>
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Have a wonderful week!</div>
A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-36073055747395382232014-11-02T21:54:00.001-08:002014-11-02T22:00:12.821-08:00November is Adoption Month! November is Adoption Month!<br />
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I thought we could celebrate on the blog with adoption-related posts and a book giveaway for my upcoming middle grade novel, <a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Red-Butterfly/A-L-Sonnichsen/9781481411097" target="_blank">RED BUTTERFLY</a> (which releases in Feb, 2015 ... just a few months away!)<br />
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This last month marked a very important anniversary in our family: Olivia's Gotcha Day!<br />
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<b><i>What is a Gotcha Day?</i></b><br />
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A Gotcha Day is a little like a birthday, but it marks the day when an adoptive family GOT their adopted child. Some families celebrate on the day their adoption was made official, but most families celebrate the day their child was placed in their arms or in their custody.<br />
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Since our adoption was unorthodox, the day we brought Olivia home was six and a half years before we completed her adoption, so we celebrate the day I brought her home from the orphanage. She was six weeks old.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the first picture I took of Olivia at six weeks, from her baby album. </td></tr>
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<b><i>How do families celebrate Gotcha Days?</i></b></div>
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Every family is different. We have one main tradition in our family, and that is the making (and consuming) of Whoopie Pies. A delicious tradition, let me tell you. We decided not to make the Gotcha Day exactly like a birthday -- for instance, we don't give gifts. But sometimes we do have family come to join us for the Whoopie Pie dessert. And we always tell Olivia's adoption story, usually over dinner or Whoopie Pie-eating. We make sure Olivia knows how thankful we are that God placed her in our family! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olivia's thirteenth Gotcha Day!</td></tr>
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If you'd be interested in winning a hardcover copy of my middle-grade novel, <a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Red-Butterfly/A-L-Sonnichsen/9781481411097" target="_blank">RED BUTTERFLY</a>, leave a comment below. I'll leave the giveaway open all through November to celebrate Adoption Month, so spread the word! Winners will receive their books in February, after the official release.<br />
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If you do spread the word on social media, leave me an extra comment and I'll give you an extra entry. Thank you!<br />
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Quick & Easy Tweets:<br />
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Enter @alsonnichsen's #RedButterfly giveaway to celebrate #Adoption Month in November! <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nvg4gp7">http://tinyurl.com/nvg4gp7</a><br />
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It's #Adoption Month! Celebrate by entering @alsonnichsen's #RedButterfly giveaway! <a href="http://tinyurl.com/nvg4gp7">http://tinyurl.com/nvg4gp7</a>A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-74589306477348379872014-10-27T03:00:00.000-07:002014-10-27T03:00:00.192-07:00The Dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anna didn't make a national team.<br />
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Which made her a little sad, but, you know, she's eight. Lots of time for getting even more awesome at gymnastics, right?<br />
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The amazing thing is this:<br />
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As we were walking together, alone, on the way to pick up Naomi from preschool, I asked her if it was worth it.<br />
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"All the summer testing meets, all the fundraising, all the two-a-day practices ... Do you want to keep doing this? I mean, I know you did your best down in Texas, so what if you go to testing every year for all three years and your best is never good enough? Will it be worth it?"<br />
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She didn't hesitate. "Yes!"<br />
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I took a deep breath. Okay. One step at a time. My mama brain so often wants to go into overdrive when I think about the future.<br />
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"Because, Mom," she went on, "if I keep working really hard, maybe next time my best will be the best."<br />
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Just a little reminder on a Monday morning for all of you out there pursuing a dream. xoA.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-45245261053162094332014-10-14T15:53:00.001-07:002014-10-14T15:53:16.645-07:00Back from Karolyi Ranch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We got back from Houston yesterday. What a fun trip we had! Anna did a great job testing, so now we're waiting a few weeks for the results. </div>
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I don't have high expectations. I'm just glad she had fun, showed her best to the judges, and that we got to experience the Karolyi Ranch with our friends. What a cool place! </div>
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Here are a few pictures:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2h5ohL5qyFM/VD2jsGtDwCI/AAAAAAAAE0g/xC1kqDr1WDg/s1600/More%2BTexas%2B2014%2B011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2h5ohL5qyFM/VD2jsGtDwCI/AAAAAAAAE0g/xC1kqDr1WDg/s1600/More%2BTexas%2B2014%2B011.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handstands at the Walk of Fame, Karolyi Ranch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OtbZctBzXjQ/VD2jsPR0iWI/AAAAAAAAE0k/p2Z4RadE41Q/s1600/More%2BTexas%2B2014%2B012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OtbZctBzXjQ/VD2jsPR0iWI/AAAAAAAAE0k/p2Z4RadE41Q/s1600/More%2BTexas%2B2014%2B012.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sq1BTBhuY9Y/VD2jq2pZS2I/AAAAAAAAE0Y/u19rfh0_EyE/s1600/More%2BTexas%2B2014%2B014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sq1BTBhuY9Y/VD2jq2pZS2I/AAAAAAAAE0Y/u19rfh0_EyE/s1600/More%2BTexas%2B2014%2B014.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls and their coaches</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MHurHbqOkv4/VD2j5UnxTKI/AAAAAAAAE0w/XYInrDW-9CQ/s1600/More%2BTexas%2B2014%2B003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MHurHbqOkv4/VD2j5UnxTKI/AAAAAAAAE0w/XYInrDW-9CQ/s1600/More%2BTexas%2B2014%2B003.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right before testing: Anna covered her face in sparkles, which is why she looks slightly alien-like. </td></tr>
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I also got to have dinner with my dear friend and critique partner, <a href="http://www.kristinrae.com/" target="_blank">Kristin Rae</a> (author of the YA, WISH YOU WERE ITALIAN). Her six-week-old baby, Layla, is soooo adorable! We had a blast and even conspired together over secret projects. (So excited!!) </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A-eL2hOur5k/VD2o8it6TsI/AAAAAAAAE1A/h7_A0ueyG2E/s1600/Texas%2BDay%2B3%2B2014%2B027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A-eL2hOur5k/VD2o8it6TsI/AAAAAAAAE1A/h7_A0ueyG2E/s1600/Texas%2BDay%2B3%2B2014%2B027.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuties!!</td></tr>
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A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-56702529465605987232014-10-06T10:05:00.001-07:002014-10-06T10:05:14.845-07:00Krista's cover! ...and Gymnastics News<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last week, my good buddy <a href="http://www.kristavandolzer.com/2014/10/steves-cover.html" target="_blank">Krista</a> revealed the cover for her gorgeous MG debut, THE SOUND OF LIFE AND EVERYTHING. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eLhLZZbRMJo/VDLHonq4qgI/AAAAAAAAEz0/m-8rCOpPlJI/s1600/THE%2BSOUND%2BOF%2BLIFE%2BAND%2BEVERYTHING%2Bfinal%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eLhLZZbRMJo/VDLHonq4qgI/AAAAAAAAEz0/m-8rCOpPlJI/s1600/THE%2BSOUND%2BOF%2BLIFE%2BAND%2BEVERYTHING%2Bfinal%2Bcover.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a></div>
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I am in love with this cover! What do you think? I'm so excited for this book to come out. I got to read an early version, but I know Krista has worked on it a ton since then.<br />
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Here's the blurb from Goodreads:<br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Twelve-year-old Ella Mae Higbee is a sensible girl. She eats her vegetables and wants to be just like Sergeant Friday, her favorite character on </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Dragnet.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"> So when her auntie Mildred starts spouting nonsense about a scientist who can bring her cousin back to life from blood on his dog tags, Ella Mae is skeptical—until he steps out of a bio-pod right before her eyes.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">But the boy is not her cousin—he’s Japanese. And in California in the wake of World War II, the Japanese are still feared and despised. When her aunt refuses to take responsibility, Ella Mae and her Mama take him home instead. Determined to do what’s right by her new friend, Ella Mae teaches Takuma English and defends him from the reverend’s talk of H-E-double-toothpicks. But when his memories start to resurface, Ella Mae learns some shocking truths about her own family and more importantly, what it means to love. </span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">THE SOUND OF LIFE AND EVERYTHING will be out in May of next year. In the meantime, you can pre-order wherever books are sold. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">In other news, I leave with my daughter Anna for Texas on Friday so she can participate in National Gymnastics Testing at the Olympic Training Center. Exciting times! Please pray for us, that we have peace and safety in our journey, and that Anna stays healthy and uninjured for testing. THANK YOU!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna and her teammates. She's far right. </td></tr>
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A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-88878315852383788402014-09-29T09:05:00.002-07:002014-09-29T09:05:49.881-07:00My Heart with my HomelandHong Kong, the city where I lived for thirteen years growing up, is in turmoil. Students and other protesters have taken to the streets to decry Beijing's decision to allow them only a shadow-version of universal suffrage. Beijing wants to approve candidates for Hong Kong's head honcho, the chief executive, before Hong Kong people get a chance to vote. Hong Kong people aren't happy about that. <br />
This is a good article if you're looking for more information about the dispute:<br />
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<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/27/world/asia/hong-kong-five-things/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/27/world/asia/hong-kong-five-things/index.html</a><br />
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I love Hong Kong.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1gCWMaqTgY4/VCmC-uvtx1I/AAAAAAAAEzg/HXFowax4bz0/s1600/10344789_10152682862061023_5143618106367175181_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1gCWMaqTgY4/VCmC-uvtx1I/AAAAAAAAEzg/HXFowax4bz0/s1600/10344789_10152682862061023_5143618106367175181_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
I cried the day it was handed back to China in July, 1997. At that point, I wasn't sure what was best for Hong Kong. British rule had certainly proved prosperous for Hong Kong, but money isn't everything. I knew there were undercurrents of racism that tainted the territory thanks to its colonial status. Communism scared a lot of people, including me. Could China be trusted to stick to its agreement not to interfere with Hong Kong for fifty years? And after fifty years, what then? I cried because of change. The future was hazy. I didn't want to lose my home as I remembered it.<br />
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Fast forward nearly twenty years. I haven't lived in Hong Kong since I left for college, but I visited my parents and sister there. As a visitor, daily life seemed untouched. It was the same mesmerizing, fast-paced city in which I'd grown up ... with a lot more mainland Chinese people on the streets and in the theme parks. That part didn't bother me too much. I lived in mainland China for eight years of that time, and I actually appreciated being able to use my Mandarin skills on the streets. But I could sense the frustration from Hong Kong people and even understand it. Mainland people flooded Hong Kong, buying up apartments and supplies. Hong Kong people didn't appreciate the rise in this kind of "tourism." They wanted their city back.<br />
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And now this. Beijing acts like a controlling grandfather. "What am I doing wrong? I'm giving them universal suffrage, like they want! If I want to screen their candidates first, what's wrong with that? I want someone as chief executive who loves Hong Kong, loves China.... (Because obviously, Hong Kong people can't be trusted to find that kind of person for themselves.)"<br />
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In an ideal world, I'd love Beijing to take a step back and leave Hong Kong alone. Hong Kong doesn't need (or apparently want) to be controlled. But of course, China won't leave Hong Kong alone. Capitalism has worked well for Hong Kong, but the city wouldn't be part of China if it had democracy to go with it.<br />
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I feel terribly sad for everyone on the streets--the students, the other protesters, even the policemen who are vainly attempting to maintain order. The police and protesters are clashing, not necessarily because they disagree, but because the protesters are out on a mission to disobey, to shut down commerce, to make a point, and that goes against law and order. It's an inevitable run-in. Should police be using tear gas to disperse the crowds? No. But I think we should be thankful at this point the PLA hasn't been called in, and hope China knows better than to repeat a Tiananmen Square-type crack down in Central.<br />
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My mom told me yesterday that the protests were spreading to Kowloon Peninsula. I don't know how this can end well. I desperately want peace, but I want democracy for Hong Kong, too. They've tasted what political freedom feels like. Once that happens, going back under a Communist yoke must feel intolerable.A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-29956055078169970282014-09-22T03:00:00.000-07:002014-09-22T03:00:06.657-07:00Sneak Peek: Inside Red Butterfly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The February release is fast approaching ... and so is my deadline for my last edit of Red Butterfly.</div>
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I took a few snapshots of the gorgeous interior. </div>
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I'm thrilled with <a href="http://www.amybates.com/" target="_blank">Amy June Bate</a>'s stunning artwork, which adds so much to the novel. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Title page</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First poem</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How I love these exquisite bird cages!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3XRsOHCS3hc/VB-cKYVFLNI/AAAAAAAAEzE/HHQYCw8v0D0/s1600/IMG_5188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3XRsOHCS3hc/VB-cKYVFLNI/AAAAAAAAEzE/HHQYCw8v0D0/s1600/IMG_5188.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illustrator Amy made her own newsprint, adding so much texture to her art. Love!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This poem is my main character Kara's personal <i>Tar Beach</i> moment. </td></tr>
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<b><i>What do you think? </i></b>A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7013340946541374911.post-18588034944779499752014-09-15T03:00:00.000-07:002014-09-15T03:00:00.414-07:00Progress Report: What I'm Working OnA writer's work is never done. There's always <i>something</i> we could be working on, right? I have three projects in different stages of development at the moment.<br />
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My novel, Red Butterfly (out in Feb, 2015), will soon be ready for its very last round of edits. I'm waiting to get that final, final print out, which is my last chance to tweak.<br />
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While I'm in waiting-mode with that, I've been busy on a couple new books.<br />
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One is a middle grade time-travel novel, written in prose. I want to say this is the third draft, but to be honest, I've lost track. I heard back from one of my critique partners recently and have been treating the book like a jigsaw puzzle ever since, ripping it into pieces and rearranging. The whole beginning has been rewritten/reorganized, so I'm at a place now where I'm doing a straight edit on the last two-thirds, which hopefully will be able to stay pretty much intact. (Except for the ending; endings are my nemesis.)<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/09RvbiowApJczOCvqCxuhdfs-WkhDfaKFmfHw9VKq35sRuxU7K6NXQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://mrg.bz/JqwPL8" height="289" width="320" /></a>The other is a historical verse novel set in 1920s China. I love this book, but I won't lie, the research it requires has been challenging. As many of you know, I traveled to Hong Kong last April to get a head-start on my research. My main character has joined a traveling Cantonese opera troupe, and there is not a lot of written history about this lifestyle, and most of what has been written about it is in Cantonese. I've set this one aside for a little while as I try to finish up the time-travel story. Hopefully I can come back to it in a month or so with new eyes. Meanwhile, if anyone knows of any great biographies or histories about 1920s southern China, let me know the titles in the comments! There definitely could be something I've missed.<br />
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<b><i>If you're a writer, are you working on anything new or exciting? How's it going? </i></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="text-align: start;">Photo credit: </span><a href="http://www.morguefile.com/creative/pedrojperez" style="text-align: start;">pedrojperez</a><span style="text-align: start;"> from </span><a href="http://www.morguefile.com/" style="text-align: start;">morguefile.com</a></span></div>
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I always seem to be in the middle of a few books.<br />
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I just finished this one:<br />
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GOOD CHINESE WIFE: I was attracted to this memoir because the author, <a href="http://www.susanbkason.com/" target="_blank">Susan Blumberg-Kason</a>, is an online writerly friend of mine and we have a Hong Kong connection. I've followed her blog for ages. This was an interesting read, as her story traces the complexities of a bi-cultural marriage that didn't work out because of massive communication breakdown. I loved seeing Hong Kong and mainland China through Susan's eyes. And, funnily enough, I found out we went to the same Hong Kong doctor! Small world. </div>
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THE SCORPIO RACES: I just started this one a few nights ago. So far, I like it. I know it's very popular. Has anyone else read it? I'm still at the very beginning, so no spoilers, please! </div>
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THE BOOK THIEF: This book is wonderful, but it's taking me forever to get through it. I'm talking MONTHS. Which seems ridiculous, because it's so beautiful and tragic. But I think that's part of the reason it's taking me so long: I want to savor every word and not rush through any of it. I'm not eager for it to end in the slightest. I know this is another hugely popular book. Have any of you read it or seen the movie? (I haven't.) </div>
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<b><i>I'd love to hear what you're reading now. Let me know in the comments! </i></b></div>
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A.L. Sonnichsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.com8