SAG Awards Fashion Roundup

/ Barbara Caridad Ferrer / Leave a comment

I should’ve put this up last night as I was watching, but I was lazy, so I decided to wait until this morning. It was interesting because it was quite the sea change from the Golden Globes, stylistically, but some constants remain. Natalie Portman, gorgeous as she is, can’t seem to find a decent pregnant look. The GLEE girls continue to surprise. And even when January Jones gets it… better, she finds some way to kill the impression.

At any rate, we started with her for the Globes, it seems apropos to begin with her again:

Okay, this should totally be proof that Helena’s just messing with people’s heads when she comes out looking like a train wreck. Last night, she had it completely going on, looking elegant and lovely, and yet– the hair? Well, nice to see our Helena’s still there.

All right, Ima just get this one out of the way. Who decided that crack-addled flamingo was a good look, Angie? I mean, really, did you look in the mirror and say, “Yeah, that’s hot?” Because seriously, sister, there comes a point in a woman’s life where she has to accept that pastel pink and ostrich feathers are just not the way to go. Like… ever.

Lot of plunging necklines last night. A lot.

Not a one of these worked for me, although Sofia Vergara’s perhaps came the closest—probably because she has the right Girls to put in her gown. The worst, by far, was Eva Longoria. She looked regrettably lopsided in hers. Christina Hendricks made me want to weep, because simple black with her complexion and hair should work beautifully, but the wrap dress just looked like a sequined bathrobe and the shoes looked like she stole them from her grandma’s closet. And Melissa Leo’s was just a hot mess– but that may be my cap sleeve prejudice adding to the dislike.


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It’s the time of the season…

/ Barbara Caridad Ferrer / Leave a comment

I’ve just discovered that my books have seasons.

Adiós, Accent, and Stars are all summer books. Not only does their action primarily take place over the course of a summer, I wrote them all during summer months. I also lived in Florida when I wrote all three, which is the Land of Perpetual Summer, but that’s besides the point.

Now I’ve got a couple new stories I’m toying with, a YA and an adult, and they’re both what I’d call “winter” books in terms of the time period during which their action is taking place. Admittedly, I started working on the YA during the late summer, but I’ve done the most work on it in the last month or so.

I never really gave it much thought, but when I set my books has a real effect on its overall tone. The “summer” books, even though they can have some serious underpinnings tend to have an overall lightness and definitely happy-ish endings. The winter books are darker, more somber, the pace and tone of the language a little slower—to use musical terms, adagio (slow and stately) versus allegretto (moderately fast). Maybe most telling, the endings, while they’ll still be hopeful, aren’t going to be of the obviously happy variety. There are too many variables involved for there to be a simple solution but it will be a satisfying one.

And that’s how I like it. Not only as a reader, but as a writer. My endings don’t have to be tied up in happy, sparkly bows. I’m not the reader who’s going to fling a book against the wall if the characters aren’t riding off into the sunset together. One of my favorite book endings ever is from Anne Rivers Siddons’ HEARTBREAK HOTEL.

There’s a line on the last page– it’s not the final line, but it’s the most telling line of the ending: “Lucidity that trembled on the edge of something radiant that could not be looked at, yet.”

There. Right there, the reader has all the answer they need. You know she’s broken through the boundaries that have been holding her hostage throughout the majority of the book and that while she’s not quite ready to face the future breaking free promises, you know there’s something ahead. Something better than what she’d ever allowed herself to imagine. That she even knew she was permitted to imagine. Of course, the reader knows this because of how masterfully Siddons crafted the story leading up to that last scene.

And that’s enough for me as a reader. Yes, I have questions and oh, my heavens, what I wouldn’t give to poke Siddons’ mind to find out what future she envisioned for Maggie, the lead character, but the story she told in that book was complete to my way of thinking.

But, I digress. This is what happens when I haven’t blogged regularly in yonks. Sorry about that. Guess I just haven’t had much to say, even when being attacked by book pirates as an “odious woman.” (Yes, that really happened, no, I’m not going to link because what’s the point?)

Anyhow, I’m finding it kind of surprising that I’ve not written a true “winter” book before now. I guess it’s because outside of the occasional surprisingly cold temperatures, I hadn’t lived anywhere with winter for over seven years. There’s no denying, though that fall and winter are definitely my time—when I perk up and start moving faster as the temperatures drop and the days grow shorter. Unlike so many others, I’m comforted by that early blanket of darkness and I find it gives me a greater appreciation for spring and summer when they roll around.

Regardless, I’m enjoying the evolution of my “winter” books and looking forward to seeing where they take me. Already, I’m exploring styles I’ve not ever considered before, so that’s another new experience.

Onward.

Girlfriend’s Cyber Circuit- Laurie Faria Stolarz

/ Barbara Caridad Ferrer / 3 Comments

Once again, my brain abandoned me. I seriously thought I had set this to auto-post last week. Instead, when I (finally) realized it hadn’t, I came and checked and discovered I’d set it to auto-post for the right date… next year.

*HEADDESK*

Anyhow, I’ve fixed it now. Please help me welcome the amazingly talented Laurie Faria Stolarz with her new release, DEADLY LITTLE GAMES

About the book:

High school juniors Camelia and Ben have discovered a powerful bond: they both possess the power of psychometry, the ability to see the future through touch. For Ben, the gift is a frightening liability. When he senses a strong threat or betrayal, he risks losing control. Camelia’s gift is more mysterious. When she works with clay, her hands sculpt messages her mind doesn’t yet comprehend. Before either one has a chance to fully grasp their abilities, a new danger surfaces, but this time, Camelia is not the target. Adam, a familiar face from Ben’s past, is drawn into a puzzle he can’t solve. . . and his life is on the line. As the clues pile up, Camelia must decide whether to help him and risk losing Ben or do nothing and suffer the consequences. But in these games,who can be trusted?

From DEADLY LITTLE GAMES:

With only a few minutes of class remaining, I close my eyes again, still picturing Adam’s mouth. I try to imagine what he would say if he knew what I was doing. Would he suspect that I was interested in him? Would he think it was weird that I remember so much detail about the moment that night inside his car? Would he tell Ben what I was up to? I take a deep breath and try my best to focus on the answers. But the only words that flash across my mind, the ones I can’t seem to shake, don’t even address the questions at all. “You deserve to die,” I whisper, suddenly realizing that I’ve said the words aloud.

Check out the book trailers:
DEADLY LITTLE SECRET
DEADLY LITTLE LIES

TOUCH SERIES CONTEST

From Laurie: “In celebration of the release of DEADLY LITTLE GAMES, I’ve launched a very exciting contest. You will need to read a copy of DEADLY LITTLE GAMES to enter. Prizes include having a minor character in DEADLY LITTLE VOICES, the fourth book in the TOUCH series, named after him or her, or a phone call from me. OFFICIAL RULES for this contest are on my website, under NEWS. ALL ENTRANTS MUST SIGN A RELEASE FORM, DOWNLOADABLE FROM http://WWW.LAURIESTOLARZ.COM/NEWS.html. Sign up for my e-Newsletter for updates on contest, book, and appearance info: http://www.lauriestolarz.com/newsletter.html.”

About the author:

Laurie Faria Stolarz is the author of Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, Project 17, and Bleed, as well as the bestselling Blue is for Nightmares series, which has sold nearly 750,000 copies worldwide. Born and raised in Salem, Massachusetts, Stolarz attended Merrimack College and received an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College in Boston. For more information, please visit her Web site at http://www.lauriestolarz.com.

Laurie’s Guilty Pleasures

Favorite snack: Popcorn with soy butter, salt, and garlic powder.

Touristy Trip: Paris (lived there), the south of France (been there), Stockholm (almost went there and want to go), Maui (really want to go).

Fashion addiction (at the moment): Gap Long & Lean jeans, Ugg crochet boots (not Cardy, just the regular knit), Michael Stars tops.

Dessert: Dark chocolate in almost any form – the darker the better.

Fast food: French fries at least once every couple of months (even better when dipped in vegan tartar sauce).

Beauty Binge: Aveda haircare products, which includes indulging in high-and/or-low-lights every eight weeks. Also, Caudalie skincare, Ineke perfume (Field Notes from Paris), Revitalash mascara, and Buxom Lips from Bare Escentuals.

Late-Night TV: The Hills (so sad it’s over), The City, Real Housewives of (wherever), and The Real World.

Chick Flick: Never Been Kissed, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Juno, Green Card, Once, The Devil Wears Prada, Bridget Jones Diary, Thelma & Louise, Mean Girls, Moonstruck, Clueless, Under the Tuscan Sun, and anything with John Cusack.

Nightlife: Pilates in front of the TV (a regular occurrence), answering e-mail (also regular), and dinner and/or a movie out with friends (happens far too rarely).

Cheap Thrill: Window-shopping, tabloid magazines, buying a new lip gloss, a tall cup of coffee from Peet’s or Starbucks.

Ultimate Splurge: Giuliano’s Day Spa for a massage and soft-pack wrap treatment, oxygen facials, and spray-tanning (in summer only).

(I like the way she thinks…)

Other Random Info

Favorite Quote: Perseverance is key.

Favorite cuisine: Indian food – onion chutney, curried vegetables, and kashmir bread. I also love cheeseless pizza from Bertucci’s.
Interests: Vegetarian cooking, holistic nutrition, aromatherapy.

Favorite Music: Fergie, James Blunt, Gavin Rossdale, Tori Amos, Sting, Sarah MacLachlin, Gwen Stefani, Black-eyed Peas.

Hobbies: Walking, napping, cooking

Which leads right into my little series of questions…

Dark or milk chocolate? Very dark.

Thin or thick crust pizza? Thin.

Lakes or oceans? Oceans.

Ben & Jerry’s or Häagen Dazs? Neither. I actually don’t eat ice cream.

Lady Gaga or Katy Perry? (If neither, then who?) Lady Gaga.

GLEE or Vampire Diaries? (Or whatever show currently has your fancy) I love reality TV. I’m currently really into Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Millionaire Matchmaker.

Ten or Eleven? (For the Doctor Who fans– if you’re not one, then has there ever been a show or film or book that turned you into a hardcore fan?) I used to be a hardcore fan of Beverly Hills 90210 (the original version).

Coke or Pepsi? Neither. Poland Springs sparkling water (with raspberry zest).

Growing up, astronaut or supermodel? Neither. I wanted to be a writer (pretty lucky, right?).

Definitely lucky, especially for all your readers! Thanks for stopping by, Laurie!

Oh, Golden Globes, you wacky awards show!

/ Barbara Caridad Ferrer / 1 Comment

Apologies for being a slacker blogger of late, but my excuse is that I’ve been hibernating, writing. There have been some other things going on as well which have been marinating and which hopefully, I’ll feel like sharing soon.

However, no amount of slackeriness could keep me from rounding up some of the GG fashion. I was actually at a wedding yesterday so didn’t watch live, but rather on my Tivo and I kept the laptop resolutely closed, so I could experience it as firsthand as possible.

While watching, one inescapable fact came to mind.

Ladies, ladies, ladies… step away from the tanning booths and spray tan. It was like a damned Oompa Loompa convention, I swear. I’m actually convinced that some of my favorite looks were simply because the gowns weren’t clashing with orange.

While there are a lot of pictures here, I know there are several I missed– it was quite the year. (Pictures borrowed from Huffington Post, People.com & Us.com– no infringement intended.)

Anyhow, let’s get the first one out of the way, shall we? Look, y’all, we’ve simply got to give Helena Bonham Carter a pass. It’s one thing to skewer someone because they come out in a frightful outfit without the sense for knowing they look terrifying, but Helena’s a bright lady. She knows this outfit is a horror. She simply doesn’t care. I mean, everything about it is so terrifying, from her hair down to the mismatched shoes– She may have felt great, she may have enjoyed wearing it, but she definitely knew the best that could be said for it is “unconventional.” Probably exactly what she was going for.

Now. At the opposite end of the spectrum, one of our usual suspects, January Jones. You know, when I first spotted her, seated at her table, I was excited. Her hair was brushed for once, instead of having that Walk of Shame look she usually sports at awards shows. And what I could see of her dress looked great—that unusual tomato-y red that fair-skinned blondes seem able to pull off and her lipstick went great with it.

Then she walked out on the stage.

No. Just… no. Donatella must love January because girlfriend will wear anything straight off the runway, no matter how ridiculous it looks. Seriously, that much fringe is just wrong, unless you’re a stripper. (Actually, my first thought, when I realized it was all fringe was that January had pilfered from the Burlesque costume storage.) And to compound the horror with a fringe apron? *shudder* Also, boobies are just not meant to do… that.

But the color was really good on her. Have to give her that. And her hair looked fabulous.

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Girlfriend’s Cyber Circuit: Eileen Cook!

/ Barbara Caridad Ferrer / Leave a comment

It’s a new year and I promise to get back to some sort of semi-regular blogging soon, but in the meantime how about a new GCC tour? Today we welcome the fabulous Eileen Cook to celebrate her new release, The Education of Hailey Kendrick.

About the book:

Hailey Kendrick always does exactly what’s expected of her. She has the right friends, dates the perfect boy, gets good grades, and follows all the rules. But one night, Hailey risks everything by breaking a very big rule in a very public way…and with a very unexpected partner in crime. Hailey gets caught, but her accomplice does not, and Hailey takes the fall for both of them.

Suddenly, Hailey’s perfect life–and her reputation–are blowing up in her face. Her friends are all avoiding her. Her teachers don’t trust her. Her boyfriend won’t even speak to her for long enough to tell her that she’s been dumped.

They say honesty is the best policy–but some secrets are worth keeping, no matter the cost. Or are they?

Reviews:

“Hailey may be an A student headed to the Ivy League, but when it comes to taking a chance on life, she’s clueless. She’s also enormously appealing and great company throughout this breezy read. Yes, it’s chick lit, but of the highest quality—like a gourmet truffle. Cook has whipped up a real treat.” –Kirkus starred review

“Cook effectively builds both Hailey’s (justified) feelings of rebellion and the social dynamics of her ostracism, especially in her growing friendship with a challenging townie, Drew, who supervises her punishment working with the janitorial staff….Cook coaxes considerable empathy for the otherwise privileged Hailey as she abandons the achievement treadmill to explore her independence.” –Publishers Weekly

About the Author:

Eileen Cook is a multi-published author with her novels appearing in six different languages. She spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer.

You can read more about Eileen, her books, and the things that strike her as funny at http://www.eileencook.com. Eileen lives in Vancouver with her husband and two dogs and no longer wishes to be anyone or anywhere else.

Now, for the questions I had for my lovely:

Dark or milk chocolate?

Dark. The higher the cocoa factor the happier I am.

Thin or thick crust pizza?

Thin crust with stinky cheese like Gorgonzola on it.

Lakes or oceans?

I absolutely love being near the water. I grew up on Lake Michigan and now live on the West Coast. It is possible I was a porpoise in another life. If I have to pick one I would go with ocean.

Ben & Jerry’s or Häagen Dazs?

Are you kidding? It’s ice cream. Who says no to ice cream? Baskin Robbins mint chocolate chip is my all time favorite.

Lady Gaga or Katy Perry? (If neither, then who?)

I like both, but tend to be more of jazz favorite. (Oh, a girl so after my own heart!)

GLEE or Vampire Diaries? (Or whatever show currently has your fancy)

Love Glee. Love it. Also a big fan of The Walking Dead. Unlike many things in my life I feel strangely well-prepared for the zombie apocalypse.

Ten or Eleven? (For the Doctor Who fans– if you’re not one, then has there ever been a show or film or book that turned you into a hardcore fan?)

Liked Dr. Who, but wasn’t a hard core fan. Now Buffy is another story.

Well, then, Spike or Angel?

Spike. Oh yes indeed.

Coke or Pepsi?

Diet Coke, if I’m feeling fancy- a lime wedge.

Growing up, astronaut or supermodel?

Considering I didn’t understand that astronomy and astrology were different things, astronaut is out. My terminal clumsiness and lack of fashion sense also render supermodel a non-option. I did like the idea of being an actress.

Final question: If your book had a theme song, what would it be?

Defying Gravity from the musical Wicked.

Seriously, I think we were separated at birth or something. Now go forth and purchase!

An Open Letter to Book Pirates…

/ Barbara Caridad Ferrer / 25 Comments

Dear Book Pirates,

You suck.

This should come as absolutely no surprise to you, at least, not from an author. Nor do I expect it to make a difference, since you seem to have this impermeable air of entitlement that allows you to believe what you do is somehow okay and that we authors are just a whiny, overprivileged lot.

An independent observer might think that we’re merely two sides at odds who misunderstand each other.

They’d be half right.

Because trust me, most authors? We understand book pirates. And we hate what you represent with every fiber of our being. Whereas book pirates? You don’t understand shit. Your willful and deliberate obtuseness keeps you from understanding that for every book you pirate, every download you facilitate, you’re contributing to the possible demise of that author’s career.

I’m not going to go into any painful, long breakdowns of how, exactly you cost us our livelihood. There are any number of posts and different articles around the internet that break down precisely how it hurts us. Seanan McGuire’s recent post is but one excellent example.

Look, I’m not naive enough to assume that every time a book is downloaded that it’s a lost sale. I know probably two-thirds or more of those people would have never bought my book and that they’re only downloading it because it’s there. It’s free. Like that guy who trolls the open bar at every wedding but would never dream of actually ponying up cash for a round at any other time. As long as someone else is paying, it doesn’t matter to him. Also? I’m a cynic. I’m not going to believe that bullshit some book pirates try to spew as justification that by pirating my books, it’s potentially broadening my audience, bringing my name to those who might not ever seen it otherwise. That you’re bringing books to the masses who can’t afford the overinflated prices of books.

I mean, come on. Are you hearing yourselves? Do you actually believe that nonsense? That you’re providing some sort of selfless public service?

Got news for you—libraries provide a public service. And they’ve paid for my books.

Do you honestly believe that someone spotting my name or book on an illegal file sharing site and maybe downloading the content is really going to go out and then buy my books or my backlist? Got a bridge in Brooklyn with your name on it, if you do.

Here’s the thing though—for every sale I do lose—it matters. It’s deeply important to me at this stage of my career because every sale matters towards my next potential contract, as in, whether I get one or not.

Not that a pirate cares.

After all, you’re just sticking it to the Man for charging too much for books. (Never mind that authors have no control over that.)

You’re just biding time until you have money to actually buy the physical book. (Except by the time you have the money, there’ll be another book, another author, and besides, you have my book already. Or perhaps there’s a movie you want to see, popcorn and Jujubes to buy and all that.)

There are always going to be other authors and other books. (True, but I’ll allow myself a moment of arrogance and say, they’re not me. And if it’s me you like, specifically, then you may well end up out of luck.)

They’re just words. Speech is free, haven’t we heard? (Not what freedom of speech means, you tool.)

They’re my words. And my worlds. And my creativity. And my time.

This is not merely an avocation, it’s my vocation. For those of you not understanding the big words, it’s my job.

How would you feel if your employer chose not to pay you your job wages for… say, a week or two… simply because you’ve done that same job the previous fifty or fifty-one weeks of the year? After all, it’s no big deal. You’ll do the same job the next week and you’ll get paid for it then. It all balances itself out.

Would you accept that explanation? Would you?

You know the answer to that. You know you wouldn’t. Hell, if you’re due paid vacation time, you’d squawk like a mad thing if you don’t get the money to which you’re entitled for sitting around and doing nothing.

So why on earth would you expect me to not fight for money that is rightfully mine? That I am due for doing my job?

Right. Because authors are overprivileged ninnies getting paid for sitting around and doing nothing. After all, writing a book is easy.

And if you believe that, I’ve still got that bridge in Brooklyn.

Oh, and by the way…

You suck.

No love,

Me.

Wanna see me call someone an unmitigated jackass?

/ Barbara Caridad Ferrer / Leave a comment

Head on over to literary site, Beatrice.com, and read my essay where I talk about ballet, body image, writing, STARS, and the NYT ballet critic (aka, the unmitigated jackass). Basically, I expounded on the topic of this post from the other day—and I still wish I wasn’t quite so right.

This was a toughie to write, y’all– first off, I was pissed and second, journalistic writing is so not my forte. Hopefully, I made sense.

You know a review is going to be different when…

/ Barbara Caridad Ferrer / Leave a comment

The first paragraph includes both the phrase “rocked my face off,” and the word “DRRRRRTY.” In all caps. Five Rs.

That’s hardcore, y’all. Seriously. I’ve never read a review that literally had me laughing my ass off the entire time. The fact that it’s for STARS is a happy bonus. *beams*

Go check it out and tell me if that isn’t one of the best reviews you’ve ever read.

Good Books and Good Wine

There are days I wish I wasn’t quite so right…

/ Barbara Caridad Ferrer / Leave a comment

One of the subplots of Stars has to do with the body type of the main character, Soledad, and her career aspirations in ballet. To put it bluntly, she’s not a dainty girl and she’s well aware of this and determined to succeed, if only through sheer will and ability.

I was asked some questions, early on, as to the accuracy of my portrayal of ballet as a harsh mistress– one that could take an enormous toll on the body and mind, and how the “typical” dancer was envisioned.

I defended my portrayal because I’d done my research.

And now, a New York Times ballet critic also helps me to defend my portrayal, by saying that this year’s Sugar Plum Fairy for the New York City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, “looked as if she’d eaten one sugar plum too many.”

Watch the interview with the ballerina in question, Jenifer Ringer, and watch her dance, and tell me she looks fat.

Today Show Interview with ballerina Jenifer Ringer