Christopher

I was honored to be a part of the Broooklyn Book Festival last week.
At the meet and greet, I got to spend time with two of my favorite people in YA Lit, Erin Clarke and Stacey Barney.


I attended the event last year as well, and visualized what it would be like to be on a panel. I was honored to be a part of the festivities this year, sharing the stage with Kate Scott (Private Series) and Rachel Hawkins (Hex Hall) on the "Bring on the Drama" panel, moderated by Karsten Knight (Wildefire).
 
(photo: Genna Sarnak)

Here are two video links from the panel. 
(video: hypablevids)

(video: hypablevids)

After my panel, I got to kick it with some of the talent, writers who are getting it done!

Gayle Forman and Cory Doctorow

RIta Williams-Garcia

All in all, a fantastic event! Time to start reading...

@nycsubwaywriter

It feels good to make solid progress. I've been on a roll the last couple of days, and I feel like the story is really starting to come together. I'm hoping to have this draft done by the end of the month.

It took Selva less than twenty minutes to carry her three prisoners back to Alastar’s house. She had expected a tougher time lugging them to the house, but the restraints made them light as a feather. The small girl and the boy were first, the warrior last. Selva took special care to swing Surai into thorny patches and an occasional tree trunk.
Selva leaned over the edge of the ice bath watching them, trying to figure out what to do. She swallowed her fourth crab drop, only able to down the stuff with a chaser of water. Though the boy’s Elixir had healed her injured arm, her energy continued to wane.
Three young Shirazi lay prone and defenseless at her feet. Selva could not bring herself to drain them, knowing what would come of them. They had already been imprinted, and would slowly waste away if she attempted the process. Her only hope was Darshan, and the longer she lingered, the less likely she would be physically able to make the trip to reach him.

Genesis 1: The Indigo Project

@nycsubwaywriter

First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone for the birthday wishes.  I really appreciate it.

I've been moving through the new story a bit quicker of late.  Here's a little excerpt from the latest chapter.

From the edge of the forest, Selva peered out into the meadow, pinching the soft tissue between her index finger and thumb.  She had been crouched behind a large tree for well over an hour, using all of her senses to detect the slightest hint of danger.  Under her breath, she cursed Alastar for being so disorganized and unprepared.  There should have been a stash of Elixir in the house, but all she managed to scrounge up was more of the swill he tried to cure her with.  If not for his slovenly ways, everything would have been ready to go and there would have been no need to take such an enormous risk.  Leaping from the enclosed hallway was sure to have left residue, and make tracking her movement child’s play. 

She took a moment longer to plot her course then trotted out into the meadow, following the iridescent glow of her dried blood.  The bottles of Elixir were near a large stain, still neatly bound together and untouched.  Selva scooped them up and headed back to the woods.  A large gust of wind shook the trees and the tobacco plants in the field.  It was an unmistakable sign, foreshadowing approaching danger.  She dashed for cover, again shouting obscenities, this time directing them at Genesis.

“I told you to push the damn pole back,” she grumbled.

The leapers appeared on the edge of the tobacco field, unconscious, and more importantly, vulnerable. Selva stayed low and moved quickly, seeking to take advantage of the unlikely opportunity.  As she closed in on her targets, one of them looked up at her.  Selva never broke stride, knocking the girl out with a well placed kick to the temple. 

Genesis 1: The Indigo Project

@nycsubwaywriter

It took me forever to get it planned.  My first reading in Washington DC.  I'll be reading a little, answering questions, and talking about where I got my ideas for TEENIE.  I know people wonder how the hell I was able to write as 14 year girl.  Hopefully I'll have an answer by July 20th. 

Where:  Busboys and Poets (14th and V)
When: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 (6:30pm-8pm)

http://bbpbooks.teachingforchange.org/book/9780375861918

@nycsubwaywriter
 

"Anyone that can be discouraged from writing should be." Ian Irvine

What a great quote. I try to hold onto that while I'm writing this new novel.  I never thought writing a sci-fi novel would be more challenging than writing as a girl. 

@nycsubwaywriter

I've got a reading coming up July 6th with some wonderful authors.  I'm excited!!!!  Come join us. 

@nycsubwaywriter

July 6 -- Teen Author Reading Night (6-7:30, Jefferson Market Branch of NYPL, corner of 6^th Ave and 10^th St)

 

Christopher Grant, Teenie

Tara Altebrando, Dreamland Social Club

Matt Blackstone, A Scary Scene in a Scary Movie

Alissa Grosso, Popular

Sarah Darer Littman, Want to Go Private?

Gae Polisner, The Pull of Gravity

Nova Ren Suma, Imaginary GIrls

Melissa Walker, Small Town Sinners

Mar

It's been way too long since I've blogged.  I'm going to re-dedicate myself to sharing my crazy thoughts with the masses.  Masses would imply a whole bunch of people.  I think I have one follower so I'll say I'm sharing this with the mass.  The wonderful randomness of Christopher Grant's blog has returned.

Teenie's been out for three days.  I think I've been pretty calm about it, for the most part.  This morning a buddy of mine showed me a photo and I've been as giddy as a little kid ever since.

Thank you to Very Unphotogenic for the (Four star) goodreads review.


Very Unphotogenic
If I had a daughter, I would want her to read this book. And that's saying a lot. Because I wouldn't let her read anything I wrote. The story is wholesome without being cheesy and emotional without being after-school-special-y. Also, I was near tears at one point, and that's rare because I'm kind of a heartless monster when it comes to most young-adult story lines. Oh, you have an eating disorder? Yawn. Sorry for you, but, seriously, yawn. Oh, you have a drug problem? Double yawn. Oh, your mother died? Wake me up when it's over. This novel deals with issues, but it isn't issue-driven. 

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8433835-teenie

These next six weeks, before my book is released are going to be crazy!  I have never worked this hard in my entire life.  I'm not one to shy away from hard work, but this is on some next level business.  My mother always told me you get out what you put in.  I am going to make sure I do everything I can possibly do to make this book a success.  I'll admit that I'm tired all of the time.  I'll sleep on December 29th.  That's a lie but I'll try.