This Is Goodbye

Well, here we are.  I had every intention of coming back to blogging during my recovery.  Little did I know.  I didn't count on how exhausting healing would be.  I didn't count on the changes that would occur over that time.  I also didn't realize just how much more of me my family needed.  Spending my time recovering really opened my eyes to just how much of my time was dedicated to blogging.  I have a 5 year old who really needs her mother right now.  How can I deny her that?

As sad as I am to go, I won't deny that there's also a sense of relief.  You see, I'm guilty of putting way too much pressure on myself, no matter what I resolve to do.  For me, pressure = stress, which makes for a not-very-fun mama.  That has to stop, for my sake, for my daughter's sake, and for my husband's sake.

You will still be able to find me on Goodreads.  Any remaining review books I have will be read and reviewed, make no mistake about it.  It will just be there, instead.  Feel free to say hello over there.  I certainly won't be quitting reading any time soon, so you'll always find me there.

This blog will remain live for a few months, then it will be closed.  I'm sorry to see StNC go.  It has been mine for 4 years now, but the time has come.  You have all been the best group of readers I could ask for.  Thank you so much for sticking with me all this time.  It's been real.

 

 

Owl's Eye View with Caragh M. O'Brien

Welcome to the final installment of Owl's Eye View.  Today I am very happy to present an interview with the author of one of my favorite series, Caragh M. O'Brien.  I had the chance to talk with Caragh about The Vault of Dreamers, writing, and, of course, books.  I hope you enjoy reading this interview as much as I did giving it.

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Marla: Hi, Caragh!  Welcome to Starting the Next Chapter.  Readers may know you for your Birthmarked series, but they may or may not know that you have a new book coming soon.  How would you describe The Vault of Dreamers in 140 characters or less?  

Caragh: First, Marla, let me thank you for having me by! As for The Vault of Dreamers in brief, here goes: At her new arts school, film student Rosie spends 12 hours daily on a reality show and 12 hours sleeping, until she skips her sleeping pill.   

Marla: How did the experience of writing The Vault of Dreamers differ from that of writing the Birthmarked trilogy?  

Caragh: Writing The Vault of Dreamers involved working in 1st person rather than 3rd, and because the novel has layers of what can and cannot be seen at different times, it was tricky to balance what Rosie, the main character, could discover.  It’s fair to say that writing The Vault of Dreamers was more complicated for me to write, but I hope it reads effortlessly.   

Marla: This one is for all of the writers out there.  Where is your favorite place to write and what do you like to have surrounding you?  

Caragh: I write most often on a comfy couch in my library, with my feet up on a coffee table and my laptop against my knees.   

Marla: How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

Caragh: I tell stories.   

Marla: How did the idea for The Vault of Dreamers come to you?  

Caragh: It wasn’t one idea in particular or one event that sparked the novel.  Instead, I was playing with a mix of ideas about teaching, creative students, the arts, security cameras, reality TV, and dreams, and I came up with Rosie.  The story really evolved around her.   

Marla: What are you reading and how would you describe it in a sentence?  

Caragh: I’ve just finished Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch, which was fascinating and thought-provoking.  It’s about how a teenage tragedy can shape a boy’s life, and how he can be wildly self-destructive and still grasp at joy.   

Marla: I'm always looking for new bookish places to visit.  What is your favorite bookish place?  

Caragh: I like the UConn Coop Bookstore in Storrs, CT and Books of Wonder in NYC, but then, who doesn’t?   

Marla: We'll soon be meeting your new main character, Rosie.  What's your favorite thing about her?  

Caragh: I like the way she sees things, real and imagined.  As a film student, she has an exquisite relationship with cameras, and it affects how she sees the world, even when she isn’t filming.   

Marla: Last question: If your life were to be televised, what show would you rather appear on?  

Caragh: One of my favorite shows is Nashville, so I’d appear on that as a back-up singer wearing really cute boots.  I love to imagine the confidence that would take, and what fun it would be to sing harmony.  Thanks again, Marla, for having me by!  All best to you and Starting the Next Chapter!

Thank you, Caragh!  To find out more about Caragh's books, just click this link: Goodreads


About the Author

Caragh M. O'Brien is the author of the BIRTHMARKED trilogy and THE VAULT OF DREAMERS, both from Macmillan/Roaring Brook Press. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Ms. O'Brien was educated at Williams College and earned her MA from Johns Hopkins University. She recently resigned from teaching high school English in order to write young adult novels. For more information, visit http://www.caraghobrien.com.

Follow Caragh on Twitter

Update on Life

Hello, readers.  I'm still alive, I promise.  I've been more absent than I would have liked, but I've been pretty sick.  I even had to leave the family camping trip early, so things haven't exactly been going as I would have liked.  It's kind of like my body is fighting against me, much like this:

I am having surgery tomorrow, to be followed by 6 weeks of recovery.  After the first few days, I'll probably be back in full force.  I'll need something to occupy my time while I rest, after all.  I'm still reading, but other than that I'm taking things easy for now.  I will be back before you know it.  I even have a little somethin' somethin' special for you when I return.

I hope to "see" you all again very soon.  I will be back.  You can count on it.