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If you've never watched a web series...you should try Life from the Inside, which proves just how funny and clever web-based television can be.

The premise:

Mason Evan Harris was the best "English Language Obscure Foreign Holiday Novelty Songwriter" in the business. That was 5 years ago. Now that his money has run out, he's reluctantly come out of retirement to start a new career as a less-than-enthusiastic jingle writer. The road back to financial stability would be easier if his friends would just leave him alone...and if he was willing to leave his apartment.

Today, the LFTI team gave me this little thing of awesome...an Internet short that is made for romance fans...and the men in their lives. I like to think this is what Eric does when I'm not home.

This is such a bummer! They're both right!

via Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Yesterday, Sue Grimshaw, the romance buyer for Borders (uhm, could there be a better job than that? I don't think so) blogged a book report style post of NINE RULES TO BREAK WHEN ROMANCING A RAKE. Now, after I finished having my minor heart attack, brought on by the fact that "OMG my book is in the real world and I can't stop anyone from reading it," and then by "OMG she liked it!" I realized that it's probably time to confess something.

I'm a piner.

I've been a piner my whole life.

So much so, actually, that when my friend Meghan (who has known me for better than 12 years) read Sue's very reasonable question about Callie, the heroine of NINE RULES (who pines for her hero for 8 long years): "I realize in the 1800’s a woman is probably more apt to pine for a longer period of time, but to relate this story to today’s reader, isn’t 8 years a bit much?", Meghan said, "Uhm, clearly Sue does not know that you are a piner of Olympic proportions."

Yes. Yes I am.

Some might call this a flaw. They might suggest that pining is the mark of desperation. To them I say, I prefer to think of it as a mark of persistence.

May I present Exhibit 1: My husband.

I started pining for Eric in 1997. I was in college when my friend Cat, who was dating his roommate--Jake--called their house on speakerphone, and I heard Eric's voice on their answering machine. I can remember precisely where I was, sitting in her Pier I papasan chair, and his voice was deep and rumbly and lovely and I leaned forward in a vague approximation of the way I would ultimately tumble for this mysterious disembodied voice of a man. I had to meet him. And I can't really say why it was so difficult. Cat and I were in Western Massachusetts; Jake and Eric were in Boston. There is no good reason why we never met...but we didn't. And he moved back to California, and I moved to New York and that was that.

But in August of 1999, Cat & Jake got married. In Fresno, California. And I knew this was my chance to finally meet THE VOICE. And I will tell you, I worked out for an entire summer in the hopes of wooing him away from whatever girl he brought to the wedding with my feminine wiles and bridesmaid-dress shrouded person (thank you to Cat for not choosing a hideous bridesmaid dress). And there, as we were standing in line, ready to enter the reception, I saw him. 6'4" and blonde, standing across the room. And I said, "Cat. Who is that?" (because, at this point, it's totally not about the bride--she's already found her guy) And she smiled, and said "That's Eric."

And I was certain. The Voice was The One.

I wish I could say that it ended there...but it didn't. We talked, we laughed, we went for mexican food and to a movie, and then I came back East. And he stayed in California. For two more years. And we had a purely Internet-based friendship.

But, oh, did I pine.

And this is the best part: So did he.

And then, September 11th happened. And, there, in the midst of tragedy, we realized that pining isn't all it's cut out to be. Sometimes, you just have to take the risk--because the reward is worth all the nerves and fear and potential heartache.

Sometimes, you have to make a list and do the things you've always wanted to do.

And that's where NINE RULES TO BREAK WHEN ROMANCING A RAKE begins.

Ok...as a former barista myself--and one who used to dream of matchmaking the customers who came in (and myself with not a small amount of the attractive men who frequented the cafe), I am thrilled to host Jane Turner, the main character of Kristina Springer's The Espressologist, on Inside the Character's Studio!

The Espressologist is In

Fridays 6-10 p.m.

Come in for a little latte and love.

That's the sign outside of a local Chicago Wired Joe's every Friday night when jerky boss Derek Peters finds out about 17-year old barista and high school senior Jane Turner's unique talent to match couples based on their favorite coffee drink (which she calls Espressology). He decides to capitalize on it-turning Jane into the holiday promotion for the month of December. She's never been wrong, sales are through the roof, and the line of people each Espressology night wraps the block. But can it be too much of a good thing? During an interview with a talk show at the height of Jane's fame, she is faced with a dilemma, lose her love or lose her credibility? Or possibly lose it all, including her best friend.

Welcome, Jane!

What is your least favorite word?
Love

What is your least favorite word?
Melissa

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Will!

What turns you off?
My boss yelling at me.

What is your favorite curse word?
I don't really swear. But I say freakin' a lot!

What sound or noise do you love?
Friends laughing.

What sound or noise do you hate?
Customers yelling at me.

What profession would you like to attempt?
Fashion Designer

What profession would you not like to do?
Butcher. Ick.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Start the party!

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Check out other interviews from Inside the Characters' Studio here.

Today we celebrate Guy Fawkes' Day...a holiday that gets a lot less attention in the US than it does in the UK, where tonight fireworks and bonfires are being lit across the land...

My mom is British, so I grew up knowing about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot, although for 5, 6 and 7-year-old Sarah, it was more about lighting a bonfire and watching fireworks than about a history lesson.

I pretty much forgot about Guy Fawkes day as I aged into high school, college and beyond, but a few months back Eric and I rented V for Vendetta...and it all came flooding back. Ok...for those of you who haven't seen the movie, here's all I'll say about it: It is NOTHING like what you think it will be. The trailer is atrocious and captures about 1/30th of the actual plot. Hugo Weaving is astounding, considering he spends the entire film behind a Guy Fawkes mask, and the story is really really compelling. I know, I know...you're saying "But in the previews she's bald! and wearing a burlap sack!" Yes. Yes she is. And I honestly have no idea why that is what they picked for the preview...because it's so not what the movie is.

Anyway, Guy Fawkes wasn't just a crazy guy with a wheelbarrow full of explosives...he's a pervasive part of our culture today-- According to Richard Metzger's blog at the LA Times, Guy Fawkes was the model for Satan in Milton's Paradise Lost...and his "Guy" is the origin of our slang, "guy."

Don't believe us? Well, believe the Online Etymology Dictionary!: Guy: n. "fellow," 1847, originally Amer.Eng.; earlier (1836) "grotesquely or poorly dressed person," originally (1806) "effigy of Guy Fawkes," leader of the Gunpowder Plot to blow up British king and Parliament (Nov. 5, 1605), paraded through the streets by children on the anniversary of the conspiracy.

Anyway...Happy Guy Fawkes Day, y'all...in honor of this most auspicious holiday, for your viewing pleasure, V.

At first glance, not much...but when you see what the Pawling Book Cove has scheduled for the afternoon of November 14th in Pawling, New York, it all becomes awesomely clear!

I'm super excited to announce that I'll be signing with the hilariously awesome Michael Northrop and the incredibly talented Dina & Daniel Nayeri at that very place at that very time! I will say that Gentlemen and Another Faust were two of my favorite 2009 books...and I'm honored that the Book Cove has included me in this sure-to-be terrific event!

Michael says that Pawling is a great little town...and I believe everything he says. Also, I know for a fact that upstate New York in mid-November can be gorgeous (as long as it's not rainy and frigid)...so if you're in the area, please consider a trip up on Metro-North (or down, left or right via other modes of transportation) and come hang out with us for the afternoon!

I'm super excited to host the awesome Kyra Sellers, the star of Barry Lyga's Goth Girl Rising, on Inside the Character's Studio!

Time is a funny thing in the hospital. In the mental ward. You lose track of it easily. After six months in the Maryland Mental Health Unit, Kyra Sellers, a.k.a. Goth Girl, is going home. Unfortunately, she's about to find out that while she was away, she lost track of more than time. Things seem normal at first. Roger's his typical, pain-in-the-ass fatherly self. Jecca and Simone and the rest of the goth crowd still do their thing. And Kyra is back in black, feeling good, and ready to make up with the only person who's ever appreciated her for who she really is.

But then she sees him. Fanboy. Transcended from everything he was into someone she barely recognizes. And the anger and memories come rushing back. Fanboy. The Spermling. Miss Powell. Roger.

Her mother.

There's so much to do to people when you're angry.

Kyra's about to get very busy.

I have it on good authority (ie, Barry's) that Kyra is not the sharing type, so I'm even more honored than usual that she consented to doing this interview!

What is your favorite word?
I love saying "douchebag." It just rolls off the tongue.

What is your least favorite word?
The F-word. I don't say it anymore.

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Telling people the truth. Especially when they're in denial.

What turns you off?
Hypocrisy

What is your favorite curse word?
Hmm. Well, I say "shit" a lot, but that's not really my favorite. Probably "bitch," because it has so many uses, you know?

What sound or noise do you love?
Silence.

What sound or noise do you hate?
People not shutting up.

What profession would you like to attempt?
I don't know. I haven't thought about it since before my mom died. I guess... Honestly, I never thought I'd make it past 16.

What profession would you not like to do?
Anything where anyone else tells me what to do.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
I don't want to answer- What? I have to? I guess... Look, I don't think I'm going to the Pearly Gates, but I guess if I get there somehow, I hope God says, "Your mom is waiting over by the chocolate trees and the coffee fountain." Shut up - I am SO not crying.

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Check out other interviews from Inside the Characters' Studio here.

I've been saying that I would do a Readers Q&A post for ages...and finally...here it is! I've received a ton of questions by email, twitter and facebook, and am psyched to have a chance to respond!

So, in no particular order, let's get to it!

Q. Will there be a sequel to The Season?
A. Ok, this is probably the question I get asked the most...online and in the real world...the short answer is, "I hope so." I have plans for at least two more books in the series--both Vivi and Ella deserve their days in the sun! Right now, I'm up to my elbows in writing a second book for a different series, but as soon as I come up for air on that one, I'm hoping I'll have news that will make The Season fans happy.

Q. When will Freddie, Lord Stanhope get his book?
A. When I wrote The Season I had no idea that Freddie would be such a popular character--although I shouldn't be surprised, because we girls definitely like our bad boys. Of course, there's nothing terribly wicked about Freddie--he's more bark than bite when you really get to know him. That said, Freddie has many many oats to sow before he'll be ready to settle down--but when he does meet his match, I can assure you that fireworks will ensue! I'd like to write Freddie's story one day--but he needs to cook for a few years before he's ready to fall in love.

Q. How long does it take you to write a book? What's your process like?
A. This question makes writing a book seem way more organized that it is for me. I love the idea of having a process, but mainly I spend a lot of time being insane before I actually get myself into a zone. My books take between 4 and 6 months to write, and then require another 2 or 3 months for editing and revisions. I'm very lucky to work with two of the most incredible editors in the world--they're brilliant, insightful women who make me look like a far far better writer than I actually am. :)

As for Process, so far, all three of my books have come to me with the very first scene: The Season began with Alex's dress-fitting for her coming out; Nine Rules... began with a meeting that happened 10 years before the actual book is set (which is now the prologue); and I met my current WIP's heroine while she was receiving the news of her father's death--and responding to it in a rather bizarre way.

After I meet them, though...my characters can't do anything else without me knowing precisely where they're going and what they're doing. I'm a heavy outliner...my outlines are very stream of conscious--they tell the story from beginning to end, but range in format, voice, tense, tone and can even be snippets of dialogue that pop into my head and ultimately become a part of the finished book.

Once I have an outline, I write longhand...everything related to a book goes into a single notebook and then I edit it into my computer...so I tell myself that I'm really handing in a second draft when I send my editors my first draft.

Because of my deadlines, I write as much as I can, whenever I can. There's no rhyme or reason to it. It's just all the time. This makes my process harried and harrowing--but boy is it awesome when you write that last word!

Q. What's your favorite part of writing? Your least favorite?
A. Revisions are my favorite part, because that's the time when you're really working to make it a terrific book. Editors are incredible. My editors are two of my favorite people in the world because they look at my messy, unpleasant manuscript and they see the gold in it. And then they help me mine it. I like the "team" feel to revisions. They're hard, but you're not alone.

My least favorite part is the second to last chapter. Always. In my books, it's usually a chapter where lots of stuff is happening, plots are at their climax, characters are having their moments of clarity, loose ends are tying themselves up into (I hope) neat little bows. And I'm SO CLOSE to the end. But not there yet. I HATE not being there yet.

Q. When did you know you wanted to be a writer? When did you first know you ARE a writer?
A. When I was in high school, some teacher in some class asked us to make an "About Us" card--it's a half a piece of construction paper with a picture of 16-year-old me and a bunch of random facts...favorite book, favorite movie, weakness, etc. One of those things was "dream job." I wrote Romance Novelist. So, I don't know when, exactly, I knew I wanted to be a writer, but it was pretty early on.

As for the second half of that question, well...I guess it shows a bit of my weakness that I don't usually show...but I still don't think of myself as a writer. It's such a scary, amazing, unbelievable thing...it's almost like i'll jinx myself if I actually say the words out loud.

Q. What music inspires you when you write?
A. I listen almost exclusively to classical music (on my Pandora station) when I write. Boccherini, Strauss, Mozart, Beethoven, Rossini, and dozens of others. But almost all of my books have a pop song that serves as their modern inspiration. Nine Rules... was inspiried by Jason Mraz's I'm Yours, my current WIP's theme song is Brett Dennen's Darlin Do Not Fear.

I think that's a good list for now...if y'all would like, I'm happy to do this feature more frequently...maybe once a month? If you're interested, post your questions for November in comments or tweet them @sarahmaclean! I'll answer them...and give one lucky questioner a signed copy of The Season!

Give it up for Roz Peterson, the star of Pam Bachorz's Candor, on Inside the Character's Studio!

Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town where his father brainwashes everyone, he’s found a way to secretly fight the subliminal Messages. He’s got them all fooled: Oscar’s the top student and the best-behaved teen in town. Nobody knows he’s made his own Messages to deprogram his brain. But then Nia Silva moves to Candor, and Oscar falls in love. He must choose whether to let Nia be lost to brainwashing—or to sacrifice himself.

Welcome, Oscar!

What is your favorite word?
escape

What is your least favorite word?
control

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
getting away with something

What turns you off?
having to obey

What is your favorite curse word?
The Messages make it too hard to curse. Usually it's not worth the effort.

What sound or noise do you love?
The scrape of my girlfriend Nia's skateboard coming down the sidewalk.

What sound or noise do you hate?
The Messages, crawling around in my brain 24-7. I hate them all and I hate my father for putting them there.

What profession would you like to attempt?
I never really thought about this until you asked. But I'd like to be a scientist so I can find a way to break the Messages' grip on people's brains.

What profession would you not like to do?
My father thinks I'll be taking over the family biz of building a town that controls all its residents. Never.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
I'd like God to tell me there will be zero background music in Heaven. In Candor, you never escape the music--or the Messages.

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Check out other interviews from Inside the Characters' Studio here.

My fabulous editor shared this on her FB profile, and I had to share here.

I am such a huge fan of the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty...it's so hard to remember that beauty is defined in so many more ways than what's on billboards and television screens...this helps though...

Even as I wonder how I can learn to Photoshop myself like this!

my husband, he is pretty nice...
he manages my crazy and disposes of our (unwelcome) mice,

he takes the late-night dog walk when i'm in bed...
he makes me laugh when i could see red,

he accepts the fact that i write romances...
even as i sigh over darcy at country dances,

he brings me flowers just because...
and out of the sink, he cleans the scuzz,

he worries about me when i am hurt...
and, man, can that guy make composted dirt!

and, two years after we vowed in health and sickness...
i still see him as an embarrassment of riches.

**with apologies to poets everywhere.

Give it up for Kat Crosby, the star of Sydney Salter's Jungle Crossing, on Inside the Character's Studio!

Thirteen-year-old Kat can think of dozens of good reasons not to go on a boring family vacation to hot, grungy Mexico. Number one: missing her friend Fiona's minicamp. If she's not there, she'll begin eighth grade as a social reject. And it looks like she's the odd girl out on vacation, too. When Kat's parents arrange for her and her younger sister, Barb, to go on a teen adventure tour, Barb makes more friends than she does. The only person who will talk to Kat is Nando, a young Mayan guide (who happens to be quite a cutie). Each day as they travel to different Mayan ruins, Nando tells Kat and Barb another installment in the original legend of Muluc, a girl who lived in the time of the Ancient Maya. The dangerous, dramatic world in which Muluc lives is as full of rivalry, betrayal, jealousy, and sacrifice as Kat's world at school. And as she makes new friends and discovers new treasures in Mexico, Kat begins to wonder: Is she willing to keep sacrificing her self in exchange for popularity?

Welcome, Kat!

What is your favorite word?
Minicamp

What is your least favorite word?
Mexico

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
I like to draw, but please don't tell anyone. Fiona wants us all to take dance again this year.

What turns you off?
Oh, I have a whole list, starting with forced family vacations to Mexico and ending with mean teen tour guides!

What is your favorite curse word?
Barb. My little sister is a serious curse in my life!

What sound or noise do you love?
Quiet. The kind you hear in a Mayan village.

What sound or noise do you hate?
The crazy sounds a plane makes while taking off--I'm so afraid of crashing!

What profession would you like to attempt?
I'd like to illustrate Nando's story about Muluc. And maybe some other books someday.

What profession would you not like to do?
Hotel maid.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Don't worry, Fiona isn't here (she didn't meet the requirements). But Muluc is waiting for you. And does she ever have a story to tell!

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Check out other interviews from Inside the Characters' Studio here.

Fall has officially fallen here in Brooklyn--Eric, Baxter and I took a walk this morning to buy a large pot that will be the winter home of Eric's incredibly healthy, entirely accidental chili pepper plant (which grew over the summer from a batch of dried chilis tossed into an empty windowbox after they had collected dust long after I bought them on a trip to New Mexico)--and I'm reminded of all the reasons why I love New York City...and the East Coast.

Ok...when I looked up "Season" at this free online translator, it provided six different Japanese words for it: kikou, jisetsu, kou, kisetsu, jiki and jibun. I don't speak Japanese, so I chose the one I most like saying. I'm sure one of my brilliant readers will tell me which of these words I should actually be using.

The point is...OMG THE SEASON JUST SOLD TO JAPAN!!!

Alex is a jetsetter--rumor has it that she's going to be rejacketed with love for release in Japan in the next 18 months (they don't tell authors anything, really), by the incredible Japanese publisher, Shogakukan!

Domo Arigato, Shogakukan!

So, if you follow me on Twitter, you may have seen that I recently started a new Twitter account called The When of Words, where I'm tweeting any word that I check the etymology of while I'm writing. These range from the surprising (unorthodox, adj. - 1657) to the mundane (pencil, n. - late 16th C.) to the just, plain, can't-be-used, (glitch, n. - 1962). You can follow the crazy bouncing ball of my current work in project if you follow @whenofwords on Twitter.

That said, it got me thinking about things that I'd really like to write, but that I just don't think would fly (read: things that would give my editor hives) in a Regency-set Historical. For example, my hero is an antiquarian, but it might not be ok for his friend to reply to his reference to the heroines marbles with, "Is that what they're calling them these days?" Funny? To my latent 13-year-old boy, yes. Historically accurate? Well, I'm guessing I'd get kicked out of the Beau Monde chapter of RWA. And, frankly, I kinda like the Beau Monde.

And then, I started getting punchy.

So, without further ado...I give you, 9 Phrases That Don't Belong in a Regency-set Historical:

9. "OMG, I totes love you."
8. "That's what she said."
7. "My dancemaster is insisting I learn the Robot."
6. "I saw what she wrote on your Facebook wall, my lord. I know that you've poked her."
5. "I'm happy for you, and Imma let you finish, but the Duke of Wellington was one of the best military leaders of all time."
4. Anything involving "bases."
3. "You have impugned the honor of my lady. Paint ball at dawn."
2. "I don't like to kiss and tell, but have you seen the girl's ankles?"
1. "I should like to take you riding...if you know what I mean."

ok. i think it's best if i back away from the manuscript. Right now.

But not without asking you what I've missed, first!

He sent me this:


Which makes me happy.

Apparently it's called The Tea Party, but we can't find any info about the artist. Maybe you can help?

ETA: Thanks to newport2newport's mad googling skillz, I now know that the artist is Frederic Soulacroix!

Dear Person Who Made This,

I think I might love you. Like, in a totally inappropriate, stalkery kind of way.

Much Love,
Sarah

ETA: The internet is AMAZING! The maker of this awesomeness is rroughmagic! Go give her love!

Every year, September comes, and every year I think 'this year, it won't be weird.' This year, the day will come and go and I won't think about it.

Of course, it is weird. I do think about it.

Today, I lose my ability to be articulate. I forget how to say things eloquently, how to explain my thoughts and feelings using the words that I so carefully choose and so proudly master on other days.

Today, I am quiet.

Because there are no words that can say all the things that I want to say. And the sentence I would like to write--it never comes.

Give it up for Emily Carson, the star of Jennifer Jabaley's Lipstick Apology, on Inside the Character's Studio!

Four little words written in lipstick mean Emily must say goodbye to everything she knows. Emily Carson has always been a good girl. So when she throws a party the night her parents leave for vacation, she's sure she'll get busted. What Emily doesn't know is that her parents will never return. That their plane will go down. And the only thing left amidst the wreckage will be a tray table with the words: Emily please forgive me scrawled in lipstick - her mother's last words.

Now it's fall in New York City and Emily's trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Her public tragedy captures the attention of more than just the media - and soon two very different boys at her new school are pursuing her: the cute, popular Owen, and the quirky chemistry partner slash pastry-baker-by-night, Anthony. But even with such delicious distractions, Emily can't let go of her mother's mysterious apology. Does she have the courage to face the truth?

With help of a whole new kind of family - one that includes a make-up artist to the stars, a teen hand model, and a wacky hairdresser - Emily must choose between the boy who makes her forget it all, and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately, heal.

Welcome, Emily!

What is your favorite word?
Family

What is your least favorite word?
Apology

What turns you on, creatively, spiritually?
Owen's green eyes. Anthony's kindness. Owen's charisma. Anthony's jokes.

What turns you off?
Meanness

What is your favorite curse word?
Crap

What sound or noise do you love?
The sound of the trees rustling in the breeze. It reminds me of home.

What sound or noise do you hate?
Planes flying above.

What profession would you like to attempt?
Maybe a make up artist like my aunt. or a hair stylist like Trent. Or maybe just a great mom like my mom was.

What profession would you not like to do?
Anything involving chemistry.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"Welcome, Emily. Your parents are waiting for you."

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Check out other interviews from Inside the Characters' Studio here.