Written by Jill Sheets

Picture Credit:  Magnus Hastings

 Talented and beautiful Kimberley Nixon is an actress that you should keep an eye on.  She has already started to make a name for herself in the movies Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging and Wild Child, which are both cute and funny movies. She is also sharing the screen with Harry Potter’s Rupert Grint and Season of the Witch actor Robert Sheehan in the long awaited movie, Cherrybomb.  We recently had the honour of talking to Kimberly.  Keep your eyes open, there are a lot more things that will be coming from her.

R:  How long have you been acting?

K: I had always been involved in school plays, so I guess from the age of 10. But I wasn’t a paid actress until Cranford…

R:  How did you get your start in acting?

K: I was always in the background of most things I was in, the thought of being the lead was terrifying but a big break for me came in the form of The National Theatre’s Shell Connections. I was in a play called ‘The Queen Must Die’, which we put on at our school in Pontypridd, where the NT’s judges awarded us 1st place and we then performed at The National in London.

R:  Other than acting, what are some of your other talents?

K: I’m still not convinced that acting is one of them! I have a very good memory and I’m a good swimmer.

R: What are some of your favourite pastimes?

K: I love reading Agatha Christie, going to the cinema and having dinner with my friends.

R:   Cherrybomb is finally coming to the U.S. Would you mind telling us a little bit about the movie?

K:  Cherrybomb is about two best friends, Luke and Malachy who are torn apart by the arrival of Michelle, my character, as they vie for her attention.

R:  Tell us about your character Michelle.

K: She’s manipulative and minxy, but only to compensate for being hurt and lonely, I think. Her relationship with her mother has turned sour and trying to build one with her Dad is not going to plan.

R:  How hard was it to learn to speak with an Irish accent?  How did you learn to do it?

K: I only had about 2 days, as originally Michelle was going to have a London accent. But through rehearsals we came to decide together that she does have a Belfast accent but it has twinges of English in it, as she has lived away for so long. Learning it was difficult but being surrounded by it in the cast and crew helped.

R:  What do you do to get yourself ready for your characters?

K: I like to work on my own with them. I read the material and I use a lot of methods taught to be at drama school, such as their back stories, their previous circumstances and their objectives.

R:  What was it like working with Rupert Grint and Robert Sheehan?

K: Rupert and Robert are great. They are exactly as they appear to be. Rupert is sweet and quiet, while Rob is chatty and excitable. They seem to strike the perfect balance.

R: What has been your most “star struck” moment? Who was it, and tell us about it?

K: It has to be with Colin Firth. Being a huge fan of the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice, when I saw him at a Cranford screening, I blurted out “Mr Darcy”, turned and ran into the Ladies. Little did I know that a few months later, he would be playing my father in Easy Virtue.

R: If you could work with any actor or actress who would it be?

K: I would love to work with Angela Lansbury, Ricky Gervais and Clint Eastwood.

R:  Do you prefer to act on stage or in movies/television?  Why?

K: I love film. I always have and now I work in it, the process fascinates me even more. Theatre is better for an actor, there is more time to rehearse and strengthen relationships with your fellow actors and crew. You can also self-edit. You decide if you take a pause or make a move. In film, you have to trust the director to edit the best version of the movie.

R: What are some of your favourite roles you have done and why?

K: I played Abigail in The Crucible – which I loved. It was exhausting and all-consuming but such a great learning curve. As I am a huge Agatha Christie fan, getting to perform with David Suchet in a feature-length episode of Poirot was a dream come true.

R:  What has been the best advice you have ever gotten and by whom?

K: My Dad told me to always ‘go with my gut’ – so I do and it’s worked out so far!

R:  Do you have any advice for someone who would like to become an actor or actress?

K: Work hard and take criticism on the chin.

R:  What advice would you give teen girls today?

K: Don’t worry about your body. We’re all different. Just try to be healthy and embrace what you have. Whether that be curvy hips, no hips, big or small boobs…it doesn’t really matter. That’s what makes you who you are.

R:  Tell us about your up and coming movie Black Death and about your character Averill.

K: Black Death is a gory tale of love and loss in the 13th Century. I play Averill, the love interest of Eddie Redmayne’s character, Osmund. With the outbreak of the plague and Osmund being seconded on a witchhunt, they must fight to be together.

R:  What are you currently working on?

K: I recently wrapped on Law&Order: UK. I, also, have Cherrybomb and Black Death coming out in the next few months. And I’m hoping to head to LA soon.

R:  What are some of your future goals?

K: To work with great actors and directors and make films like the ones that inspired me to be an actor.

R:  Do you have any favourite charities of causes?  If so, which ones?

K: My boyfriend is very interested in environmental causes and I think it’s rubbing off on me. 

R: If you could change five things in the world, what would they be?

K: Trying to stop the extinction of endangered species, the debt everyone seems to be in, the illegal drug business in this country, stopping the oppression of anyone, anywhere and making ’snow days’ a national holiday for all!

R:  If you could go back in time, what time period would you pick?

K: I always wanted to live in Austenesque times but having thought about it, girls have never had it so good, as we do now.

R:  Describe yourself in eight words?

K: Friendly, loyal, sensible, impatient, anxious, pessimistic, fun and pensive.

R:  What are five things you can not live without?

K: Coffee, my cat – Hercule, Ricky Gervais podcasts, my bed and my family – of course!

R:  What singers and or bands can be found on your mp3 player or ipod?

K: A very ecclectic mix. You’ll find Alanis Morrisette, Billy Joel, The Rat Pack but mainly film soundtracks.

R:  What are five things people do not know about you?

K: Although raised in South Wales by a Welsh family, I was born in Bristol. I am the only girl with 6 brothers. I have an irrational fear of prawns. My favourite colour is green. And, lastly, my favourite film is French Kiss, starring Kevin Kline and Meg Ryan.

R:  Are you on any social networking sites?  If so, which ones and what are their addresses?

K: I recently joined Twitter – I’m still getting my bearings. I think it’s www.twitter.com/KimberleyNixon1

R:  Other than this one, what is the weirdest question you have ever been asked?

K: What do I think of Rupert Grint’s hair? 

R: Is there anything else you would like to add or say to your fans?

K: Just that I can’t believe I have any but I am very grateful to them.

R:   Kimberley, thank you for the interview and have a great day.

By: DeAnna Britton                                                                                                                  

picture courtsey of visitingnewengland.com.

As a junior in college, I fantasize about the places I will go on spring break. The possibilities are endless! First, I’ve never been to the west coast, so California seems like a good place. Then I thought about Baja, Mexico, just below California. I’ve always wanted to go to Mexico and it’s beautiful. Then I thought more exotic, like some place in South America. Finally, coming back to reality, I check my bank account and realize I will have to wait one more year to see any of these dreams come true. Spring break consists of heavy planning and money spending. I’ve decided to stay in New York or perhaps go back to Maine and relax on the beach, although it is nowhere near as warm as any of my fantasy destinations. For those of you lucky enough to go to the places of your choice, here are some helpful tips to staying safe. I guess we still have to be realists in the world we live in.

• Know where you are going. Get a map before hand of places around your hotel and a map of the city around you so that you don’t appear to be lost.

• If you’re traveling to a different country make sure you have all the identification and paperwork you need. You don’t want to be stuck back home while everyone else gets to get away. Also make sure to make copies of your passport and license just in case they get lost.

• When spending a night on the town, have someone know where you are at all times. Try avoid being alone.

• Make sure you exchange currency before you get to a different country. There’s nothing worse than have American dollars in some place that only take Pesos.

• 080 is the 911 number in Mexico. Before traveling anywhere outside the country, know the emergency number. Save it in your phone.

• Remember skin safety. Packed suntan lotion and aloe just in case you missed a spot. Also bring sunglasses.

• Remember your medicine if you take a prescription and also remember your birth control.

• For those of you old enough to drink, be careful to not run into the problem of dehydration. Always drink water during the day and right before you go to sleep.

• NEVER accept a drink from a stranger. You never know what could be in it.

• Be aware of your surroundings and look out for your friends and/or family.

Most of all make sure you have fun! Try new things when you’re out and about. Explore the cities and places around you. Take lots of pictures and make great memories. That’s what a spring break should be about. Even though I will not be travelling far, I am determined to try something new and discover a new place I didn’t know before. Spring is the season of new beginnings!

Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins, Relate Contributing Writer

(picture courtesy of lindsay@lanternpr.com)

If you are one of the 4.8 million people who watched the premiere of The Vampire Diaries or have grown to love the show over the last few months, then you already are familiar with Sara Canning’s character, Jenna. And if you haven’t been watching, read on anyway to find out about this actress who plays a college student who forced to face responsibility since becoming legal guardian of her niece and nephew Elena and Jeremy. This great actress is one of the reasons the show is such a success and she very well may be the reason you, too, become a fan of this great show!

Relate: What is it about your role as Jenna that you relate to the most? What is the one thing about her that you find most difficult to understand?

 Sara: I relate to Jenna because she is very young and shouldering some very heavy responsibility for the first time in her life. A few years ago, I moved out, attended school in a different Canadian province than my family’s home, and ventured into the film industry. It was tough at first, pursuing what I really wanted to do while still working at a restaurant and essentially growing up very quickly. I understand the thoughts and feelings Jenna is having, and the weight of the responsibility she now has. Jenna is becoming very efficient with micro-managing her life, which I learned to do while I was living in Vancouver.

Jenna’s had a lot of bad luck with guys in her life, which I actually can’t relate to. I’ve been lucky enough to avoid some of the types Jenna’s encountered and had relationships with in her past.

Relate: The Vampire Diaries was the biggest premiere the CW has had yet-how has that changed your life the most?

Sara: The really life-changing thing is actually having the privilege to be a series regular on a show that’s been so well received by its audience. It’s my first experience being a regular, and it’s been awesome having so much time to develop and get to know the role of Jenna, and really enjoy her story arcs.

R: What is it like working on the set of Vampire Diaries?

S: I love going to work! We shoot in such beautiful and bizarre locations in Georgia. The cast and crew have really become a family, so being on the set of The Vampire Diaries doesn’t feel like the type of job a person would want to take a vacation from.

R: What do you think has prepared you for your role as Jenna the most-your training as a skater, your experiences in Vancouver’s Film School, or your other acting roles so far? How so?

S: I learned a lot about the responsibility and discipline involved in working on a television series while attending Vancouver Film School. The program really focuses on preparing acting students for the realities of our industry. But I think people learn the most by actually doing; I’m so grateful for the different roles I’ve played over the past couple of years. They’ve all been so different, but I’ve had the privilege of playing numerous strong women. That’s really prepared me for what’s going on in Jenna’s life and the choices she has to make.

R: What acting role that you’ve had so far has taught you the most?

S: While the role of Jenna is so fun to play and a definite challenge, I’ve learned the most from my role as a nineteenth century Scottish homesteader in the film Black Field. The character, Maggie, was so complex, and had as many interesting flaws as strengths. Reading the script, her motivations were sometimes hard to understand, making for a very dynamic story. While developing her character and determining her arc in the film, I became very aware of the specificities needed in each scene. I learned a lot from that process!

Sara, like Jenna, is facing all those changes in her life head on and with a great attitude. Be sure to tune in to The Vampire Diaries on the CW!

One of my favorite performances every year is the Vagina Monologues written by Eve Ensler. My school just hosted this event last weekend for V-Day. V-Day is a movement thriving to stop sexual violence against women all over the world. Even though most of the scripts are the same, I feel empowered and more educated every time. It’s a time when I am brought into awareness of some of the things women go through in their lifetimes. One of the most disturbing ones is about rape and sexual assault.

Rape is a big issue amongst girls and women of all ages. One in six women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime and the rate is FOUR times higher for college-aged girls. This is definitely a problem for me. I know someone who had been raped and I know what she went through mentally; it changes your life forever.

Part of the reason I enjoy the Vagina Monologues so much is because I learn a lot from them that no one else ever taught me. Part of this reason is because we don’t learn about such personal matters in health class. We learn the basics. We learn the definitions. We never learn the gray areas. This may be the reason why 60 percent of the sexual assaults that happen are never reported to the police and only 6 percent of rapists will ever spend a day in jail.

For instance, I never knew how many different kinds of rapes there are. I just thought it happened randomly and people didn’t even know the person who raped them; that they just came out of nowhere. Rape is when someone has sex with someone else without their consent and usually by force or deception. It’s up to us girls to learn about sexual harassment and rape so that we know when something is definitely wrong and to make sure we speak up about it.

If you are a victim of sexual assault or rape, there are many outlets you can go to for help and support. Rainn.org is the Rape Abuse & Incest National Network. They have a calling hotline and an online hotline to help people who have been victims to cope with what happened and to find support.

RAINN Day is a campus-wide campaign dedicated to stop sexual violence. You and your school and community can be a part of this day, too. Go to their website and learn more. Be a part of ending these traumatic experiences for women all over the country and world.

I am proud to be a woman and I feel it is my responsibility to be a part of helping other women become aware of the dangers they may face one day; it is my job to join the fight to stop the harassment and rape and it is my goal to assist those who have been victims, to find the help and support they need. It’s all of our jobs. Someone in the United States gets sexually assaulted every two minutes. Let’s not forget it can happen to any of us- we’re all in this together.

Manual: You’re already used to it

Easily available and cheap:Dentists give toothbrushes away for free. Don’t forget to ask after you get your teeth cleaned. Health fairs are also a great place to pick up a few toothbrushes- check your local paper for local happenings. You could even buy in bulk since you should be switching toothbrushes about every six months, according to Dr. Gagner.

Travel: Manual toothbrushes are able to go wherever you go- work, school or even the car, without having to charge the batteries. Just don’t forget the toothpaste.

More control:You have the ability to brush your teeth how you want while controlling the speed and pressure with which you apply to teeth and gums. One of the most common mistakes is brushing too hard. Dr. Gagner says, only use soft bristle brushes because they are much gentler on your gums.

Electric: More Power

Timed brushing: Several electric models have a built in timer, which takes the thought out of brushing so you can multi-task. Set the timer for at least two minutes and go check your email while you brush.

Extreme speed:Various electric models pulsate at ultrasonic speeds. Dr. Gagner says that allows you to clean plaque that is difficult to remove with a regular toothbrush.

Good for disabilities:“Electric models can help people with poor manual dexterity, such as people with arthritis, fibromyalgia or Parkinson’s disease.” Dr. Gagner says.

“Regardless if you use a manual or electric toothbrush, ultimately the most important thing is that you brush your teeth at least twice a day.” Dr. Gagner also says, make sure flossing becomes part of your routine.

Personally, I’m not ready to make the switch to an electric toothbrush. I’m just more comfortable with a good old-fashioned toothbrush. Have you made the switch? Comment below!

-Alexxa

(Photo by www.talkingmakeup.com)

Ever since we saw the above picture of Emma Watson sporting the Cat Eye look, we fell in love with it. She is not the only celebrity that has been seen with close to the same look. Hayley Williams, who is the lead singer of the hot rock band Paramore has and so have Angelina Jolie, Taylor Swift, Rhianna, Nicole Richie, Kate Moss, Amy Winehouse and do not forget Brigitte Bardot, which the cat eye was her signature look.

But celebrities are not the only ones that are using this look. We have it in schools, at the malls – - everywhere.

The only problem is how do you create this unique look? We had no idea so we went looking for a great how-to video that we could watch that would show us how to create the look we wanted. There are many great videos out there that will show you how to do it, but when we found this one, we thought that it goes more in-depth than some of the others.

Before you watch this helpful video, do remember it does take practice to create this look, so just like anything else you will need to practice, practice and practice. Don’t be too upset if you can’t do it the first time- we are still working on it. But you will soon be able to create this look and even make it your own.

Tell us what you think of this look? Is it something you already do or plan on doing? Do you make your cat eyes dramatic or are they more subtle looking? Do you think this is just a trend or do you think it will be around awhile? Let us know.

How to create a classic Hollywood cat eye look

Your favorite couple is going through a tough time, and both sides are seeking your advice. All of a sudden your cell phone beeps non-stop with text messages explaining what happened; both stories a little different, of course.

When you are close friends with the guy and the girl in a broken relationship, many times you inevitably end up as the man in the middle. While it’s nice knowing that both sides are asking for your help, being the middle man can cause unfixable damage with one wrong move.

Learn how to be there for both of your friends without burning any bridges, or in this case, friendships.

1) Just listen. “Be an open ear, not a decision maker.” While it may seem that you are deeply involved in the situation, it is not up to you to make any decisions. When your friend asks for your thoughts on the situation, don’t talk badly about the other person because they WILL find out. Even though you may feel weird not joining in on your friend’s rant, don’t worry- he or she is relieved just to get the chance to vent.

2) Lay down the laws. Before talking to either of your friends, be sure to set your boundaries. Holly Savoy, a licensed psychologist, suggests letting one party know about the other’s effort to contact him or her while refraining from giving any details. You don’t want one of your friends telling the other, “Well, (your name) told me you said…”

3) Stay Neutral. “It is natural to feel a sense of loyalty to someone you have known longer, or have felt closer to, but staying neutral can be the best way to maintain a friendship,” Savoy said in a CNN article. Taking sides may lead to regret in the future. Young couples often disagree, break-up, work things out and get back together. If your friends start dating again, one half of the relationship may not want your friendship any longer. Let your friends know that you are there for both of them, and only want the best for their relationship.

4) Opt out. Never feel obligated to get involved in the situation. If you want to avoid being caught in a sticky situation, suggest that they confide in someone else. The truth is, the problem is the couple’s responsibility, and in the long run it will be up to them to work things out.

It is easy to get caught up in the gossip and drama, but both of those can easily destroy a friendship. While you will want to be there for both of your friends, your best bet will be staying neutral and unbiased.

We were excited when we got our Glee volume two soundtrack. We could not wait to listen to it. Unfortunately, we had to wait a day, but it was worth while. You do not appreciate the Glee cast’s singing talent until you hear it on the CD. Yes, you can hear it on the TV, but when you do not have anything distracting you…well, it is better. Trust us.

Our favorite songs on this CD are “Proud Mary,” which is sung by the cast of “Glee.” That sounds kicks off a terrific soundtrack.

Then there is the beautiful duet between Matthew Morrison and Lea Michele as they sing “Endless Love.” Their voices complement each other.

There are three songs we loved even before the Glee cast sung them. So it kind of worried us about how it would sound because there was no way that it would be any better than the original. Those songs are “Crush,” which was originally sung by Jennifer Page, “Smile” by the talented Lily Allen and “My Life Would Suck Without You” by Kelly Clarkson. The Glee cast had large shoes to fill.

But they did it. Lea Michele sung “Crush.” Both Lea Michele and Cory Monteith sung “Smile,” and believe it or not, it did work out. The cast sung “My Life Would Suck Without You.”

If you were interested in what other songs are on the soundtrack, they are listed below.

1. Proud Mary

2. Endless Love

3. I’ll Stand By You

4. Don’t Stand So Close To Me/Young Girl

5. Crush

6. (You’re) Having My Baby

7. Lean On Me

8. Don’t Make Me Over

9. Imagine

10. True Colors

11. Jump

12. Smile (Cover of Lily Allen Song)

13. Smile (Cover of Charlie Chaplin Song)

14. And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going

15. Don’t Rain On My Parade

16. You Can’t Always Get What You Want

17. My Life Would Suck Without You

It was great to hear the Glee cast sing songs we know and even love. If you have a chance, pick up a copy and let us know what you think of the soundtrack. Comment, comment comment….voice YOUR opinion!

We at Dekoposh Inc. believe we can make a difference…and you can help!!! Because: “When we believe, we can achieve”. This is the reason why we created the “Jeans Bring Dreams” Concert Series. This is a Tween/Teen traveling concert series aimed at bringing Tweens and Teens together in their communities for a day of entertainment, motivation and information. Each event includes performances, Tween/Teen celebrities,  a meet & greet, a fashion show from the local community and information on safe social networking. We encourage all participants to bring in a gently used pair of jeans which we donate to a local Teen shelter at the conclusion of our program.

Our goal for 2010 is to host a total of six of these traveling concerts in various venues throughout the country. We have an incredible team of upcoming Tween/Teen Celebrities who have come on board and embraced this platform to make a positive impact. The first concert in this series is scheduled for….

When: March 25, 2010

Where: Level 3 in Hollywood CA

Time: 1:00pm Dekoposh Gifting Suite in honor of The Kids Choice Awards, 5:00pm Jeans Bring Dreams Concert

Dekoposh Inc. has partnered with Champions Against Bullying on this first concert of the 2010 series to raise awareness on a topic which affects many school age kids. In fact, the statistics are shocking…according to the Bureau of Justice School Bullying Statistics and Cyber Bullying Statistics—School Crime and Safety:

1. School bullying statistics surveys show 77% of students are bullied mentally, verbally and physically. Cyber bullying statistics are rapidly approaching similar numbers.

2. 1 out of 5 kids on a school bullying statistics and cyber bullying statistics study admit to being a bully or doing some “bullying.”

3. Playground school bullying statistics—every 7 minutes a child is bullied. Adult intervention—4%. Peer intervention—11%. No intervention—85%.

In fact, Oprah dedicated a few of her 2009 shows to this topic and decided to initiate a national campaign to help put an end to bullying…”Today begins a national conversation on bullying,” Oprah stated as she focused her attention on this topic.

About the Concert: The Jeans Bring Dreams Concert Series has been extremely well received and is picking up momentum across the country. This is an outstanding opportunity to support a grass roots effort to make a difference one community at a time with a group of eager, multi-talented, inspired young celebrities on their road to stardom.

About Champions Against Bullying: Champions Against Bullying (CAB) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing awareness on school bullying and youth violence. They are committed to enriching children’s lives and restoring safety to our schools and communities.

Kindest Regards,

Dina Thomas-Virrueta… “Love Life, Dream Big, Live Well”

Dekoposh Inc.

Email: info@dekoposh.com

(Photo by covers.scarecrowpress.com)

Market guide. Literary Agent. Query. If these words confuse you but you would like to be a writer, they’re words to familiarize yourself with. These are the gates into the publishing world, and every writer who’s peeked inside understands them and how they will help.

In Tina P. Schwartz’s new book Writing and Publishing: The Ultimate Teen Guide (It Happened to Me), you will not only get a better understanding of what these words mean, but you will get a new perspective of what it means to be a writer who could potentially see her words in print. The book addresses many careers where writers can utilize their talents including advertising and even songwriting.

Learn how to submit your work to magazines and agents, and see what colleges and courses of study she recommends. She also gives advice about critique groups and how to avoid every writer’s pitfalls such as distractions, writer’s block and isolation. And she sought out answers from other writers who were published when they were teens, the advice that matters the most because they’ve been where you are right now.

Tina graduated from Columbia College and has a BA in Marketing Communications. Besides marketing, she has not only been a freelancer but a librarian, as well. She has also written books on motorcross freestyle (she describes herself as a tomboy and enjoys extreme sports) and organ transplants.

“I wrote this book,” Tina says, “to encourage them [writers] and to serve as a reference. It answers their questions in a way that is simple and easy to understand.”

This book can be found at www.scarecrowpress.com and www.amazon.com. It is published by Scarecrow press and costs $42.00, but Amazon will often provide books for a cheaper price so keep checking their site.

There is more to being a writer than just writing, and this book gives you a lot to think about and consider. Check out Tina’s interview that follows!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tina P. Schwartz, author of Writing and Publishing: The Ultimate Teen Guide answered a few questions about writing and her new book.  Not all of her responses were expected, but each one was honest and thought-provoking.  Writing is part of everyday life for most of us, and Tina has great perspective on what can be a difficult task for many but what can become a joy for us all. 

Relate:  Give us two reasons why young writers should read your book. 

TINA:  First, there are SO many things young people can do with their writing talents.  There are an abundance of careers they can choose, and my book takes a good look at the many options available to people who want to turn their talents into a career.  Secondly, basics are discussed with writing exercises, along with many “how-to’s” on basic writing and professional writing (such as query letters, etc.).  I hope this book includes everything from how to write a journal, to a short story or article, to an entire book…then what to do with your finished piece to get it published. 

Relate:  In one sentence, what is the best advice you could give to an aspiring author? 

TINA:  Read and write EVERY day . . . train like an athlete, even if it’s only 15 minutes a day to start. 

Relate:  What is the best question you’ve ever been asked about writing and what is your response? 

TINA:  “As a kid, were you a bookworm?”  My answer was “no.”  I didn’t really like reading as a child, and even now, I’m a picky/reluctant reader.  I read EVERY day and love it now, but am very selective about the things I read…that’s why I wanted to write.  I wanted to create something that would make people LIKE to read, who normally didn’t enjoy it.  

R:  Tell me about your first rejection and what you learned from it.  How about your first acceptance? 

T:  I was actually very excited by my first rejection.  It made me feel like a professional writer finally.  To know that an actual editor had read my stuff validated me.  I was finally in the “club” of writers…after all, my favorites like Stephen King and S.E. Hinton had received hundreds of rejections, and now I had something they had, too. 

My first acceptance was amazing!  I received word via e-mail, and it was late at night when my family was sleeping, so I was dancing around the room with my dog, then finally called my mom and woke her up.  I had to tell SOMEONE the great news! 

R:  What inspires you to write and what motivated you to write this book? 

T:  My biggest motivation to write is to get those reluctant readers to pick up a book and enjoy the experience from cover to cover.  I remember what a chore reading was as a kid, and if I had learned to like reading earlier, it would have made everything in life from school to work much easier.  I love reading now, and once I find a good book, I’ll push aside almost everything to finish it in one sitting if I’m able!  That’s how “hooked” I get. 

As far as motivation to write this book, I tried to write a book that will help readers and writers of any age.  Writing is such a giving experience, it’s cathartic and a joy.  I want anyone with an inkling of motivation to experience what writing can give to a person.  It’s a very satisfying thing to see something you create in your mind and heart being read and then discussed with someone, and hearing his/her interpretations and thoughts, and what it meant to him/her. 

R:  For you, what is the most difficult part about being a writer?  The most rewarding? 

T:  The most difficult part is the isolation of the job.  I spend most of my writing time alone late at night at a local coffee shop, or up in my office when everyone in my house is sleeping.  (That’s why I stress the importance of critique groups in my book so you can have feedback and camaraderie.) 

The most rewarding is to receive a note, email or letter from someone who read your work, and was genuinely touched or inspired.  I wrote about organ transplants after my father received a liver transplant, and the letters I received touched my heart and made the months and months of work really worth while.  The interaction with the readers is the most rewarding part, I’d say. 

Be sure to pick up a copy of  WRITING AND PUBLISHING:  The Ultimate Teen Guide or check it out at your local public library.  It just might encourage you to go down a path you hadn’t yet considered or might give you the extra motivation to submit for the first time when you weren’t sure how to do it.  And if you’ve read the book, let us know your thoughts!