If I were...I would

Please tell me Present Unreal Conditional is still acceptable. Please tell me it isn't dead. Say it ain't SO!!! How long did it take me to learn this stuff in school? Shoved and pounded into my ears until anything else sounds so wrong...

LOL!

Yes, I still write 'swum.' I'm old school. Under careful  guidance from others, I have erased many sentences, such as this one:

If I were smarter, I would leave well enough alone.

and have rewritten:

If I was smarter, I would leave well enough alone. 

CRINGE! It sounds horrible.  Depending on whom I ask, I get a different answer. And this debate has been  active on many loops, along will passive aggressive misunderstandings (mine, silently--hah!).

Is it dead?  Tell me your thoughts...
No burning, please.

Much love,
-Kara

It's All About Collaboration

I cannot tell you how excited I am to finally have this pair of interviews up on my website!!! Today I have posted interviews with two amazing men who collaborated on one cute little children's book called, "Little Mikey the Vampire Monkey." It's part of my library. I bought one for my nephew and my niece and, well, when Christmas comes around--I just think it will be an awesome Christmas stocking stuffer.

These guys are the real deal. Talented, warm hearted and inspiring. Mike is an amazing award-winning director, and Jason is a very talented concept artist who specializing in character design. I think they have captured the cute, carefree ways of a young kid doodling in his notebook, telling a story about his life. I cannot recommend it enough. Go check out the interviews!

-Kara

(p.s. Click on the image to go to the interview!)

Where Have I Been????

Well...in my new writing cave...making it comfy. Here are some pictures!

This is the main part of the room. Everything is within reach so I never have to get out of my CHAIR AGAIN! Hah!

This is my artsy-craftsy area (yes, in the same room). See the easel behind the lamp? Yeah. It's there as an incentive to get my books published and out of the way. I'll paint later. My reward.

And I converted my closet into my printing and research room. Yay! Three printers and lots of files. I save everything. And I mean EVERYTHING! .









I love, love, LOVE my new space. One thing I would add is a refrigerator, but I gotta get some exercise in somewhere, sometime! Writers and artists out there, do you have a special place for your creativity to dwell? Tell me about it! :)

-Kara

Books I Like

Today, I'm pointing out a few YA books I enjoyed reading recently. One is now a major motion picture. The next is a wonderful adventure that I would love to see on the big screen some day. After that is a great new twist on an old fairy-tale.  And the last is a blast from the past (2004) which I love for its wit and memorable characters.  I highly recommend these:

I know. I know. I am late. Everyone is talking about The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  I learned about this series at our annual Halloween party, two years ago. Many kids were dressed as Hogwarts but, in between magic wand fights, they talked excitedly about a character called Katniss and a book called The Hunger Games. They highly recommended it, and after finally reading it, so do I. Even if you see the movie, read the book! I loved it.

Note: For the more mature audience,  Battle Royale is both a manga and movie. Or so I have heard, but again--sigh--I am a bit behind and haven't seen those yet!

Above World by Jenn Reese is one of the best YA books I have read in the past year. I cannot recommend it more highly. Taking place sometime in the future, this story is about Aluna, a young girl whose people (the Kampii) have adapted to living underwater, in the sea. When Aluna and her best friend Hoku discover the Kampii's breathing devices are failing, they set out on a courageous quest to find a solution and save their families. They must journey to Above World. The worlds within the story are delightful in detail; the characters, lovable. It is a rare gift for the reader when an author takes the time to create such depth within her worlds. It's much appreciated!  Usually, I can guess an ending to a book a chapter in, but this story was so original, I was pleasantly surprised at every turn. I eagerly await the next book and recommend it to many friends, young and 'less' young!

Marissa Meyer delivers. Without a doubt. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A great variation on the old fairy tale, Cinderella. Cinder is a cyborg. She's a strong, lovable character who faces a tough world with her street smarts and resourceful optimism. It's a world that spares little sympathy for her, but I had plenty of empathy to make up for that. By the end I was reading on the edge of my seat. I still am. Loved this book. Couldn't put it down.

Okay, this is one fun book. Its title says it all, and I can't really add to that. I enjoyed Hunter and Jen's adventure in So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld and I think you will enjoy it, too.

Published eight years ago, this book is still relevant and, remarkably, very few elements feel dated. The story is a funny social commentary camouflaged within a twisting plot and hidden between some bright, clever characters skating above a 'ticking time bomb' pace.




-Kara

A Spell Caster has NEW Paintings Up!

Hi All! I just went to Deanna Molinaro's site and found she has new paintings up HERE! Check out the Hungry Mermaid and Egg Hunt. Amazing! Plus some of these are for sale at her story. I am now the proud owner of Boston Balloon Escape, Peep, and Awkward. Prints and some originals are yet available. Also, if you have time, please check out a cause that is close to Deanna's heart: Collin County Urgents on Facebook. Thanks! :) -Kara

A Spell Caster is Developing a NEW Graphic Novel!

If you love watching an artist's process from beginning to end, here is a great opportunity to witness the development of a new graphic novel by Sarah Mensinga. Sarah is posting her first pages on her blog. Check it out. Her talent amazes me. :) -Kara

A Spell Caster has a new CD!

Hi All! Just wanted to send out a heads-up to everyone: Hollan Holmes has a new CD out. It is called The Farthest Fringes and is available on his website. Check it out and let me know what you think. Hollan's musical journey continues to impress! :) -Kara