January 9, 2010

Guest Post & Giveaway - Author Natalie Standiford "How To Say Goodbye in Robot"


I'm ecstatic to have author Natalie Standiford here in the spotlight for a guest post! Natalie's book "How To Say Goodbye In Robot" is phenomenal! I absolutely LOVED it! Not only is Natalie Guest Posting, but she's also offering a copy of "Saying Goodbye In Robot" to one of my readers!

Before I turn the spotlight over to Natalie -- and NO! I'm NOT hogging it! I just wanted to give you a little synopsis of the book! *IF* the spotlight happens to shine on me for a few more minutes while you read about it, so be it! Now, about "How To Say Goodbye In Robot" ....

(I'll be here posing, dancing and practicing my runway walk but please, don't let that distract you in any way! What? I don't get the spotlight that often!)

HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT --

New to town, Beatrice is expecting her new best friend to be one of the girls she meets on the first day. But instead, the alphabet conspires to seat her next to Jonah, aka Ghost Boy, a quiet loner who hasn't made a new friend since third grade. Something about him, though, gets to Bea, and soon they form an unexpected friendship. It's not romance, exactly - but it's definitely love. Still, Bea can't quite dispel Jonah's gloom and doom - and as she finds out his family history, she understands why. Can Bea help Jonah? Or is he destined to vanish?

Author Natalie Standiford is the author of the Dating Game series. This is her hardcover debut. She lives in New York.

Visit Natalie's Site - HERE!
Follow on Twitter!
Friend on Facebook!
Visit Natalie on Myspace!

My thoughts -- To me, HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT was like being with a group of very unique friends. Ones that you'd want to hold onto forever and not let go! Superbly written, this book's got heart!



Without further ado, let's please welcome NATALIE STANDIFORD!

*Drumroll Please....*

Using Setting to Find Your Writer's Voice

When I was growing up I envied army brats. Movie stars, I noticed, often said that they learned to be entertaining because they moved from place to place as kids and constantly needed to make new friends. An itinerant childhood seemed to be a requirement for a glamorous adulthood. My childhood was the opposite: extremely rooted. My family lived in Baltimore and--except for a two-year stint in the California desert while my dad in was in the Air Force (I was a baby and barely remember it)—we never left. My parents grew up there. My grandparents had lived there. My aunts and uncles and cousins lived there. When we went on vacation, we went to Ocean City, Maryland, or Bethany Beach, Delaware, with all the other Baltimoreans. I could hardly walk down the street without running into someone I was related to. Even when I met new people, it always seemed to turn out that their father knew my mother in kindergarten or their sister played lacrosse with my sister, or something. I was steeped in that place.


My parents tried to bribe me to stay in Baltimore for college, but there wasn't enough money in the world. I was out of there! Four years in glamorous Providence, Rhode Island! Then, after college, I moved straight to New York City and I've been here ever since.

But.

Now that I'm writing teen fiction and mining my own memories for material, that strong sense of place is a godsend. HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT is my first novel set in Baltimore, and, not coincidentally, it was in writing this novel that I found my true writer's voice. That voice has been lurking in my other books, of course, on the fringes, but now I have a real sense of what it is—melancholy, funny, a little odd—a reflection of the place where I grew up. The city's inflections and imagery permeate my personality, and I've finally figured out how to use those elements to make my writing richer.

People often talk about character and plot when giving writing advice, but don't forget about setting. A vivid setting can inspire you, give you story and character ideas, pull you out of a hole when you get stuck. A novel is a monster that eats details: the writer feeds the story to make it grow and keep it moving forward. When you are writing about a vivid setting, you have more details at hand to feed the monster. Trust me, you want that.

Everyone sees home in her own way; even members of the same family will describe their childhood home differently. New York City has been the setting for countless books, movies, and TV shows, but the New York of J.D. Salinger is different from Woody Allen's or Cecily von Ziegesar's or Jerry Seinfeld's. Their visions of the city reflect their personalities and their feelings about it—their "inner landscape"—and that's the secret to using setting in fiction. Don't feel bound to describe a place exactly as it is. Describe it as it looks through your characters' eyes. Choose the details that reflect their state of mind, that illustrate your character's inner landscape. I've been a New Yorker for years, but I still see everything through my Baltimore-bred eyes, which tend to focus on the melancholy, the funny, and the odd no matter where I go.

For Pictures of Baltimore places, a playlist of songs, and stills from movies mentioned in HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT, visit THIS LINK!



Now that you know ALL about Natalie and her Young Adult Novel HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT, I'd like to offer a copy for one very lucky follower -- courtesy of Natalie Standiford! Thank you Natalie!

ONE LUCKY Follower WILL WIN a Copy of
HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT by Natalie Standiford!
You MUST have a U.S. address to send this book to
IF you are selected as a winner!
This contest is open to ALL who follow me through Google Friend Connect!
Not sure IF you're following? This Post will explain it
step-by-step! If you have any questions, please feel
free to use the 'contact button' and either The Duchess or I
will be sure to get back to you ASAP
*This Contest ends 02/06/10*
Extra Entries
There are Changes so Make Sure You Read!

+5 If you Subscribe by Mail
+5 If you Subscribe via Google Reader
+5 If you TWEET About This Giveaway (Leave Link)
+10 If you Rate Me On Blogged (see link at bottom of blog)
+10 If you add me to your blog roll (and link it back to my blog)
+10 If you Blog about the Contest in your Sidebar (Link back)
+15 If you blog about this Giveaway in it's own post (Link back)
+20 If you Follow @APrkAvePrincess on Twitter (Leave your Twitter name)
+20 If you Put My Button On Your Blog and Link Back

And Because I'd like to get to my 1,000th Follower
Huge Giveaway as Quickly As Possible
I'll now be offering...

+50 for each and every NEW follower you bring me
(They just have to mention it in their post! You will BOTH Get the Points!)
YES, EVERY PERSON YOU SEND!

So, spread the word about Park-Avenue Princess!
It's only a *Click* to Follow and We're NOT that far away!!
(All of these will be verified before they count towards your entries!!)
Separate your entries one per post! (either each or just +5 for example)
Or you will only have One Entry Regardless of What You Do!


AS Always...GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN!

99 comments:

  1. +5 Subscribe by Mail
    zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. +5 Subscribe via Google Reader
    zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. +10 you are rated on blogged
    zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. +20 Follow you TWITTER: @brizmus
    zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. +10 in my sidebar under the contest list: http://brizmusblogsbooks.blogspot.com
    zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. +20 your button is already on my blog - http://brizmusblogsbooks.blogspot.com
    zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com

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  8. +5 tweeted here: http://twitter.com/brizmus/statuses/7552697552
    zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Please enter me!

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  10. +20 twitter follower (squiggles87)

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  11. +20 your button is on my blog

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    ReplyDelete
  12. This book sounds so cute!
    +10 If you add me to your blog roll (and link it back to my blog)
    runningforfiction.blogspot.com
    :]

    ~robby
    runningforamsterdam @ hotmail . com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Please enter me!
    I'm a follower

    jpetroroy at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. +5 for tweeting: http://twitter.com/syntactics/status/7564735048
    rachel.stark(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. +5 for tweeting: http://twitter.com/syntactics/status/7564735048
    rachel(dot)stark(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  16. +20 for following on Twitter (I'm @syntactics)
    rachel(dot)stark(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm not sure if it counts, but I was brought here by and decided to follow your blog because of Nat Standiford's tweet, so +50 if that's applicable.
    rachel(dot)stark(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. No need to enter me, doll. I'm dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've, of course, got this posted at Win a Book for you.

    ReplyDelete
  19. +5 email subscriber

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    ReplyDelete
  20. + 5 google reader follower

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  21. +5 Subscriber via Google Reader
    +10 On blog roll at http://wickedgoodbooks.blogspot.com/
    +10 Sidebar http://wickedgoodbooks.blogspot.com/
    +20 Follower on Twitter @bianca1946
    +20 If you Put My Button On Your Blog at http://wickedgoodbooks.blogspot.com/

    Bianca
    infinitemusic19 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. +5 sub with google reader

    love the title of this book

    ReplyDelete
  23. I do follow and subscribe by email so gues that is +5

    kdhaney AT gmail dot com

    (do come by this weekend for my big blogiversary contest)

    ReplyDelete
  24. +15 i blogged about your giveaway! :)

    http://maggieblabs.blogspot.com/2010/01/im-back.html

    ReplyDelete
  25. +20 for your button!

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  26. I follow you via google friend connect and

    +5 am an email subscriber

    cyn.cynthiia at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. +5 I'm subscribed via google reader


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  28. +5 I tweeted

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  29. +20 I follow you on twitter as @THEotherCYNtwit

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  30. +5 If You Subscribe By Mail.
    I Subscribe By Mail.
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    ReplyDelete
  31. +5 If you Subscribe via Google Reader.
    I Subscribe Via Google Reader.
    http://www.google.com/reader/view/#overview-page

    skyla11377(At)AOL(Dot)Com

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  32. +5 If You TWEET About This Giveaway (Leave Link).
    I Tweeted About This Giveaway.
    http://twitter.com/skyla11377/status/7579871133
    http://twitter.com/skyla11377/status/7580179901

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    ReplyDelete
  33. +10 If You Rate Me On Blogged (See Link At Bottom Of Blog).
    I Rated This Blog.
    http://www.blogged.com/profile/raquelv

    skyla11377(At)AOL(Dot)Com

    ReplyDelete
  34. +15 If You Blog About This Giveaway In It's Own Post (Link Back).
    I Blogged About This Contest.
    http://skyla11377.blogspot.com/

    skyla11377(At)AOL(Dot)Com

    ReplyDelete
  35. +20 If you Follow @APrkAvePrincess on Twitter (Leave your Twitter name).
    I Follow You On Twitter (@skyla11377)
    http://twitter.com/skyla11377

    skyla11377(At)AOL(Dot)Com

    ReplyDelete
  36. +5 Subscribe by Mail
    +5 via Google Reader

    +10 Rate Me On Blogged
    +20 Follow @APrkAvePrincess on Twitter (alterlisa)

    ReplyDelete
  37. +5 I subscribe via Google Reader.

    ReplyDelete
  38. justpeachy36@yahoo.com

    Please enter me in the giveaway.

    I am a follower.

    I subscribe via email

    I subscribe google reader.

    ReplyDelete
  39. +5 I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/7584705029

    ReplyDelete
  40. +20 I follow @APrkAvePrincess on Twitter as @ossmcalc.

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  41. I follow.

    +5 Email subscriber.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  42. +5 tweet https://twitter.com/Ziggywag/status/7591918882

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  43. +5 If you Subscribe via Google Reader

    rubs.escalona [at] gmail.com

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  44. +20 I Follow @APrkAvePrincess on Twitter (im @rubyreads]

    rubs.escalona[at]gmail.com

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  45. +5 tweeted: http://twitter.com/rubyreads/status/7594099310

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  46. tweet:

    http://twitter.com/THEotherCYNtwit/status/7606611769

    cyn.cynthiia at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I am a follower on google friend connect.

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. +5 subscribe by email.

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. +5 tweet:

    http://twitter.com/THEotherCYNtwit/status/7624699806

    cyn.cynthiia at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Count me in please. I am a follower

    Raelena
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. +5 email subscriber
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. +10 blogroll
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    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

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  53. +20 follow on twitter @throuthehaze
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  54. +20 button:
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  55. +5 tweet:

    http://twitter.com/THEotherCYNtwit/status/7665138323

    cyn.cynthiia at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I'm a follower and...

    +5 Subscribe via Google Reader (tommygirl828)
    +20 If you Follow @APrkAvePrincess on Twitter (Leave your Twitter name) = @tommygirl

    No matter what this book is now on my list to read it sounds great.

    tommygirl828 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  57. +5 tweet

    http://twitter.com/THEotherCYNtwit/status/7702680015

    cyn.cynthiia at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. +5 tweet

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    cyn.cynthiia at gmail dot com

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  59. +5-email subscriber

    findjessyhere at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. +5-Google follower

    findjessyhere at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  61. +20-Following on Twitter

    findjessyhere at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. +5-Tweeted: http://twitter.com/Emma015/statuses/7754052078

    findjessyhere at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I am a follower of the blog! Thanks for the chance. This book likes like a good read!

    bekki1820cb at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  64. +5 for being a mail subscriber of the blog
    bekki1820cb at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  65. +5 for being a google reader subscriber
    bekki1820cb at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  66. +20 for following on twitter: @bekki1820cb
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  67. +20 for having your button on my blog: http://2everythinginbetween.blogspot.com/

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  68. tweet

    http://twitter.com/THEotherCYNtwit/status/7840827336

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  69. +5 Subscribe by mail, carawling@hotmail.com

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  70. +5 tweet about giveaway at http://twitter.com/carafferty/status/7877030103
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  71. +20 I follow @APrkAvePrincess on twitter, @carafferty
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  72. +5 tweet

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  73. tweet

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    cyn.cynthiia at gmail dot com

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  74. Thi slooks like a cute book :) Thanks for the chance!
    eod_army_wife04(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  75. tweet

    http://twitter.com/THEotherCYNtwit/status/7939220244

    cyn.cynthiia at gmail dot com

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  76. tweet

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  90. I already follow

    +5 I subscribe via email

    +5 Tweet:
    http://twitter.com/nfmgirl/status/8644760798

    +10 Blogroll:
    http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/

    +15 Blogged:
    http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2010/01/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-01-30-10.html

    +20 Follow on Twitter: nfmgirl

    +20 Button:
    http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/


    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  91. tweet

    http://twitter.com/THEotherCYNtwit/status/8692203835

    cyn.cynthiia at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  92. tweet

    http://twitter.com/THEotherCYNtwit/status/8751603103

    cyn.cynthiia at gmail dot com

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Feel like Preaching to the Princess?

Well then...Please leave all of your Noble Notes and Royal Ramblings here...

All will be taken into consideration.

XXX ~ The Princess