Happy Halloween

Calling all Twilight fans who are enjoying this eve.  Check out this little something, something for you care of my gorgeous friend, Dia Calhoun, author and letterer.

Tasty Salty Pig Parts

My friends, Drew and Lisa, pointed me to the Ferry Building in San Francisco.  They told me about the yummy bakeries (oh, yes).  And about the shop that sold Tasty, Salty Pig Parts.  But what I wasn't expecting was the view above.  Just look at that gorgeous ceiling, the skylight, and those arches. I am seeing a middle grade novel set right here, don't you?

Ode to Kennell

Outside Branner Hall...where I spent my junior and senior year on staff for the largest all-frosh dorm at Stanford. Our resident fellow, Professor Kennell Jackson, occupies a special place in my heart.  Though he is gone, I can still hear him whenever I fret about driving since I am quite possibly the worst driver on the planet:  "Remember, your car is your freedom."  But the best piece of advice I ever got from Kennell who possessed one of the most creative and curious minds of all:  "Always ask questions."

Reunion + Research

Back at Stanford for my college reunion over the weekend...and I thought fondly of my friends...and of NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH (AND A FEW WHITE LIES), which was set on campus.  There, on the back wall of Memorial Church (better known as Mem Chu), Patty buildered...and was almost busted by security. I cannot confirm or deny that I conducted firsthand research on any sandstone walls at Stanford.  Mum's the word.

Turtle Power

Out on a walk in the Japanese Tea Garden with a dear friend, we came upon turtles doing what we were doing:  basking in the beautiful Seattle sun.

Readergirlz Love Letter

A video love letter to readergirlz everywhere, care of Lorie Ann Grover. Love this.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjfxj7qrWZ0

Music to My Ears

To be honest, I have a soft spot for my sophomore novel:

So when the blogger of Black Teens Read 2 emailed me today, pointing to her way-amazing review of GIRL OVERBOARD, I literally cried--healthy, happy tears.  She even picked out my favorite scene to highlight in her Spoiler Alert.  THANK YOU, Ari!

Birch Paperie

Calling all fellow paper obsessed! I have found my new all-time favorite stationary store in Seattle where I decimated the pocket notebook display for various writing projects.

Birch Paperie
5605 B Keystone Avenue North

Seattle, Washington

206.372.6142

Happy Teen Read Week!

Thanks to Holly Cupala for creating this poster for readergirlz! Now grab yourself a YA novel this week.

Fantastical Thinking

These colors make me want to dive right back into my fantasy novel...

Good News!

So a day after my agent told me that Writers House had sold even more foreign rights for NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL (this time to Hungary!), I found this message in my Facebook from a reader:  


"Just wanted to tell you I like you better then I do Twilight, and that's saying a lot. :)"


THANK YOU! My heart is full of gratitude.

Dreamcatcher

Reviewing my research notes from my trip to Santa Fe and Taos this summer. Love finding little details to weave into my next novel, RETURN TO ME.

Wistful Thinking

Dear Beloved Car,

Why are you still not in my garage? Could you be any cuter?

xoJustina

Herbs 'R Us

My research for RETURN TO ME took me to an herbalist where my daughter and I learned how to mix lotions and potions. Look at the five different kinds of mud we finger painted on ourselves to draw out toxins and brighten our skin. You know what? The green mud from France is fab.u.lous. Check out: Herban Wellness.