Here is my interview of claire of THEBALANCE Guild!! Enjoy!! ^w^.v..

1.) Q: So Claire….how long have you been playing WYD Global?

• claire: Lets see…I started playing here officially in March
  after SD closed down, but I made character here for fun in February.
• CM Tonbarry: So what SD server did you play?
• claire: I played malay SD, but the GMs there were so bad
  almost non existent….XD

2.) Q: So do you find WYD Global Better?

• claire: Yes!! Alot better!! I like that the gm work here!!
  Also, they dont ignore players when they asked questions
  In sd the gm would log once a month!!
  if you spammed him…
• CM Tonbarry: Really? Only once? XD
• claire: Yeah!!Only once!!

CM Tonbarry: Before the third question, CM Dhar and claire are chatting using Japanese Language…which I couldn’t understand…I know some Japanese too!! Only…a little…itsy-bitsy!!

3.) Q: Are you Japanese?

• claire: No…ummmm…I am an american lol!! XD
  Got interested in japanese language.
  I am studying the language to visit there!!

4.) Q: Ever planning to become a Japanese Citizen?

• claire:  I have never thought about that actually….
  I will onsider it now that you told me!!

5.) Do you have a girlfriend?

• claire: I don’t swing that way!! lol
  Ton silly cm!!
• CM Tonbarry: So you’re a girl? I didn’t know!! Sowee!! Hugggggggssss!!!
• claire: Hugggggggggssssss!!! XD

6.) Q: So how are you doing with the flow of the game?

• claire: ummm I think Im doing good!! I like he events here!!
  Since we have a lot of events here, but I don’t know why people complain….hmmmm…
  I like the casino event — won once!! XD

7.) Q: What did you win?

• claire: I won a jackpot!! So I guess I need to order the price piece of armor
  maybe Ill order from you then 3 left to go!!
• CM Tonbarry: Wow! You’re lucky!! What armor do you want to have?
• claire: I don’t know yet…hmmm…

8.) Q: How do you find our Wyd Support? Is it good? Is it bad?

• claire: It is absolutely the BEST!!! When I 1st started here it surprised me!
  I sent a report, I got an answer within 10 minutes
  Lol!! I was like wow GMs work here!! Fantastic Support!!
  I love it!! Really helps in-game!!
• CM Tonbarry: Thank you so much!! I could just HUGGGG you right now…speaking of hugs…GM Loki’s hugging me again…and when it becomes annoying I would throw marshmallows at CM Dhar…and CM Dhar is all…”WHY ME?” and eats the marsmallow I threw at him…XD GM Loki’s is like my Big sister here and CM Dhar is like my Big Brother!! ^w^
• clare: You work togther?
• CM Tonbarry: Yeah!! We hardly go home!!

9.) Q: How’s THEBALANCE? Still good?

• claire: Oh!! thebalance did really good in the fight against Zeus Guild
  I love that the guild equally shares tax that is why we moved to server
  Zeus leader kept tax or so I heard from thebalance members who came from zeus
  Too much fight for tax!!
• CM Tonbarry: Money can do many thing
  But somethings are not meant to be bought…

10.) Q: Besides all the games you played? How do you find WYD Global at your list?

• claire: Ooooo hard question let me think….I dont really play other games now because of school but,
  from its type of game that I played
  it sure is the top for me to still play lol!!
• CM Tonbarry: Really? Really Really? Thank you very much!! We work 24 hours to make sure you guys will have a great time here with us!! Thank you so much claire for making us your favorite MMORPG to play this time!! XD Hugggggggsssss!!!
• claire: Yes!! Thank you too!!! HUGGGGGGSSSS!!!
• CM Tonbarry: Thank you for your time claire!! Here are your rewards, because you are such a great player and also a great chatter I will give you 5 Laktoreriums instead of 3 Laktoreriums as your prize in my SpotLight Event!! Thank you!!
• claire: Wow!! Thanks!! HUgggggggggsss!!
• CM Tonbarry: HUUUUUUGGGGGSSS!! XD

Well, there you have it!! From the THEBALANCE Guild, claire!! She may be a girl, but don’t underestimate the Girl Power!!!! HUUUGGGGSSSS!!! XD

Thank you for your continous Support and ENJOY your stay here at WYD Global!! Ciao!!!!

1) What is your typical writing day like?

I get up and give my baby a bath, get her fed and dressed, organize lunch, bottles … oh wait. You wanted to ask about my writing day. HAHAHAHAHA!! Okay. Seriously. We have an aunt and grandma that help with my daughter three days/week. Those days, after organizing my daughter, I usually go for a run to clear my head, then I have the BIC inspiration going (butt-in-chair). And I write. Sometimes I get in a solid five hours. Sometimes one. It’s harder now, being a new mom, but on those other days when I’m not writing, I do a lot of mental writing — thinking about characters, situations, etc., then write like mad when I get a chance to sit in front of my computer for more than a twenty-minute stretch. Most people would wonder why I don’t write when I finally ger her into bed. Honestly, I’ve never been able to write at night, and I’m just too doggoned tired to do so now. So I’m  a daylight writer — no midnight inspirations or crack of dawn drives to the computer. I sleep when I can and write when I can.

2) Why did you decide to write YA?

FREEZE FRAME, my novel coming out this October, was originally going to be Middle Grade. But Kyle’s voice found me, and he definitely didn’t have an MG voice. So I guess YA found me. I think most writers have a “voice.” Though some are absolutely talented and can write in many genres, most of us stick with one — one that fits our style.

3) What is the biggest surprise you’ve experienced when it comes to book publishing?

Everything! Okay. I suppose you’d like me to narrow it down. I was in awe from beginning to end — how my agent went to bat for me and my editor took a huge risk on a manuscript she knew needed a load of work. They fight for their projects, and I felt a huge sense of responsibility to both since they took a chance on me. Then I loved the whole revisions process — re-conceptualizing my book and having an editor (Jill Santopolo) who knew how to challenge me every step of the way to make this book one-hundred times the book I ever thought it could be. The copy-editing stage was insane. I based the book in my hometown, and they printed out MapQuest maps of the area and wanted to know why the address I used didn’t exist on Richmond Street. (The only thing I made up because I didn’t want any Carson City, Nevada, kids knocking on some poor soul’s door.) The copy-editors picked through ever fact and reference in the book and taught me that everything, absolutely everything, had better be researched 100% on my part. But what I love most isn’t the publishing part but the writing part — getting to that point in the novel, that comfort zone, in which I could place my characters in any situation and know how they’d react. What a pleasure it was to create these characters and truly understand them in the end.

4) Do you ever have any “dark days,” when you wonder why you’re a writer? What are those like, and how to you get through them?

Absolutely. Our neighbor is a thoracic surgeon and sometimes I watch him go off to surgery and think, “He doesn’t have to invent a new surgery every day. Why didn’t I go into that?” Then I remember I don’t like blood and the mere thought of cutting a human being open makes me cringe. Bad example, I know, but honestly sometimes I just feel overwhelmed and incapable. Then I get an idea … or maybe I think of a line, a scene, a character trait, and my mind races and I feel a lot better that I didn’t go to med school after all. Really, though, writing is tough. And there’s no tenure. If you don’t produce good, solid work, you’re out of a job. And, even if you do produce good, solid work, you could be out of a job. So you’ve got to love it. The writing. Not the publishing, the interviews (though, don’t get me wrong, I love the interviews … like this one, for instance), the glimpse of glory before your book is put on the back shelves. You’ve just got to want to write and take those dark days with a grain of salt. They’ll come. And they’ll go. And you’ll always go back to the computer. It’s too irresistible not to put those characters banging around your head on a piece of paper.

5) Authors talk about “the call.” Usually, it has to deal with getting an agent or getting published or getting an accolade. What was the best “call” you ever received in terms of your writing, and how did it go down?

The mythic call … I remember the most exciting was when Stephen Barbara offered to rep me. I had sent him my manuscript, and two days later he asked if we could talk. I live in Colombia, South America, and have a great computer-to-phone calling system, so I called him, and he offered to represent me. This was the first person, outside of my family and crit group, that actually talked to me about my writing and how he projected my career. It was surreal. Plus, he’s so funny, gracious, and easy to talk to, it was absolutely exhilerating. That was an unbelievable day, and I still thank my lucky stars for Stephen. He’s made all the difference in my career path. That was about two and a half years ago.

Thank you for asking me to be part of your Blog. BEST OF LUCK to all of you in this crazy business of words.

For more Heidi, visit her site.

1) What is your typical writing day like?

Very, very boring! I wake up at the same time, eat breakfast while checking some news sites. Then I write for three or four hours. I take a break at around noon, check e-mail, then usually exercise and eat lunch. After that, it depends on the day I’m having and how deep into the project I am. I’ll either spend the rest of the day reading and researching, or I’ll go back to it and write for a few more hours.

2) Do you ever have “dark days,” when you just like throwing in the towel when it comes to writing? What are your coping mechanisms?

Not really. I used to have those days a lot when I was trying to break in, but I’ve published enough books now that I feel like this is what I’m meant to do. Sure, I have days where the writing doesn’t come easily, or where the writing seems to suck pretty bad, but I never feel like throwing in the towel. I just push through it.

3) What is the biggest surprise you’ve experienced when it comes to book publishing?

From a business perspective, I would say the biggest surprise is how book publishing sometimes seems more akin to religion or magic than to business. That’s not anyone’s fault – it’s just that success and failure are dictated by a morass of unpredictable occurrences that all intertwine and feed back on each other. So even the most educated guesses are really just guesses in the end. There are a lot of smart people in publishing, but at the end of the day, their brains are almost insignificant compared to the caprice and whim of the mass audience.

From a personal perspective: Fan mail! I never really thought about fan mail, and now I get it regularly and that’s just way cool.

4) Why do you write YA?

Because when you’re a teenager, no one takes you seriously. No one respects you. No one listens. I wanted to write books for those kids. I wanted to tell stories that respected that audience, that said, “Yeah, I know what you’re going through and I take it just as seriously as you do.” All too often, the adult response to a teen problem is, “Don’t worry – it’ll all work out.” And even if that’s true, it’s the last thing in the world a teen wants to hear, so I wanted to tell stories that show how it could work out, rather than just dismissing it entirely.

5) Authors talk about “the call.” Usually, it has to deal with getting an agent or getting published or getting an accolade. What was the best “call” you ever received in terms of your writing, and how did it go down?

Without a doubt, that would be the call from my agent telling me I had my first book deal. I knew it was coming – three publishers had expressed an interest in the first book, so I knew SOMEONE would end up buying it. But I didn’t know who, and I didn’t know any details.

Then, one afternoon, my agent called me. She was whispering. Turns out she was on vacation in Japan and it was two in the morning there, so she was whispering to keep from waking up the other people in the hotel where she was staying. (It was a traditional hotel, with rice paper walls – very thin!) She told me that she had sold not only the first book, but also the second one! I was beyond ecstatic. I was so shocked I didn’t say anything at all and she thought I was disappointed for some reason!

For more Barry, visit his site.

Well, after the 700 GMT “Where Am I” event, this one player who stayed and keeps on talking to me. He was kind and polite, very friendly, so I decided to take  this oppurunity to interview  him!! Its time for the greencapes to take the Weekly Spotlight.

Thank you very much TK-Guardian!!

1.)  Q: Are you having FUN with us?

• Tk-Guardian: Yes, the best time ever!! Havent had this much fun in so long
• CM Tonbarry: Thanks that means a lot! X3

2.) Q: How old are you? X3

• TK-Guardian: I am 15….almost 16
• CM Tonbarry: You’re young…X3…Are you a guy?
• TK-Guardian: Am I too young and yes, you know, that this is the game ever
  in history of games…seriously, I love it!! Its to COOL!! All the
  awesome event…great characters…and mostly, nice GMs and Cms and
  armour and everything else. The thing that I most like about this game is the ideas that you guys had
  for example the maps and the sketch of the weapons and etc,
  I mean it!!
• CM Tonbarry: You know….Im very happy to know that you are really having so much fun with us
  huhuhuhuhuhuhuhu…sniff*
• TK-Guardian: You’re so nice!! and I really like the event where am I
  remember when I found you in Kephra Dungeon then I died
  I was so scared but you were nice enough to relo…your the best!!
• CM Tonbarry: Well…you’re the first one to find me though
  So even though you died so even though you died
  I still consider you as the winner that time X3
• TK-Guarddian: Hehe!! Thanks that is so nice of you!!

3.) Q: Are you still going to school?

• TK-Guardian: I think school is very important for my future!!
  and someday I hope to be a game designer or even work for ur guys
  as a CM or GM!!
• CM Tonbarry: Well, Do you best and you might WORK with us
  We love hard-working people!! X3
• TK-Guardian: I only have straight A’s!!
• CM Tonbarry: And Im happy that you take school seriously!!
  Wow …straight A’s!! It is important you know!!
• TK-Guardian: I also do after school sports, I also ice skate and also pair skate
  Just for exercise though…
• CM Tonbarry: Ohhhh…How about snowboarding?
• TK-Guardian: I wish ….but I live in florida…
• CM Tonbarry: Its always sunny there in Florida Right
• TK-Guardian: Yup!! Today in the car…it was 109 degress celcius
  It was so hot..I almost fainted!!
• CM Tonbarry: You can cook pancakes with that kind of Temperature!!
• TK-Guardian: I know lol!! too bad we were driving home…

4.) Q: How do you find our WYD Support?

• TK-Guardian: Well…first I try to contact gm-in-game
  If I dont get a response I send them a message
  I am very patient so its okay
• TK-Guardian: How can I become OP?
• CM Tonbarry: First send a brief description of yourself, your english proficiency, and
  what shift are you willing to handle the Academy.
  Send it to the Q and A section.
  The GMs will handle it.

TK Guarddian: Awesome!!

4.) Q: If you are to be addicted to this game
         Do you blame us…or youself?

• TK-Guardian: I would blame myself! Because you have nothing to do with me being addicted
  If I am addicted its because I love this game
• CM Tonbarry: Awww…you’re so nice…I could just HUG you!!Wel if can that is…
• TK-Guardian: There you go a BIIIIGGGG HUUUGGG!!!
• CM Tonbarry: Last question!!

5.) Q: Who’s your favorite Cm…? X3

• TK-Guardian: Well, I dont have one! I love them all!!
• CM Tonbarry: That’s so nice of you!! Loving  all of us!!
• TK-Guardian: Hehehehe!! Thanks! But if I have to pick one it would be you!!!
• CM Tonbarry: Thanks!! Well….thank you for your time!! And here are your Three  Laktorerium Powders as your reward!!
• TK-Guardian: Wow!! Thanks!! Thank you!!
• CM Tonbarry: Thank you too!! Thank you for your time!! See you around okay?
• TK-Guardian: Okay!! See you around too CM Tonbarry!!

Well there you have it!! TK-Guardian, He’s maybe just a Mortal but he’s a nice guy so Im proud of him!! Keep it up TK-Guardian!! ^w^

Thank you for your Continous Support and Enjoy your stay here at WYDGlobal!!

Ciao!!

1) What is your typical writing day like?

I wish I had more of a typical writing day.  I teach at the University of Minnesota, so every semester I draw up a new writing schedule.  Generally it consists of trying to write 4 mornings per week for about 3-4 hours.  I get up relatively early, drink a few cups of strong coffee, see the kid off to school and feed the cats, and then try to reinhabit the world I was living in during my previous writing session.  I’m always done writing before noon, at which point my academic and administrative life begins.  I write a lot more during the summer than I do during the year.

2) Why did you decide to write YA?

I started writing for kids as an experiment and an effort to teach myself to plot.  I had written two books for adults, but hadn’t built a major novel-length plot.  After being stuck for about 8 years on a novel for adults I just couldn’t manhandle into any reasonable shape, I decided to abandon the project in favor of something shorter, more structurally coherent, and more direct.  I graphed out a number of y/a novels that I loved and tried to figure out how they were built.  Then I outlined what would become Grass Angel; I had never outlined a work of fiction before, and I wrote the book in under a year and loved writing it.  And I thought, “This is the first time in eight years I have enjoyed writing anything.”  So I followed Grass Angel with The Chain Letter and The Book of One Hundred Truths and Black Box.

3) What is the biggest surprise you’ve experienced when it comes to book publishing?

I was surprised by the extent of “hands-on” editing in the y/a publishing industry.  Everything I have published for adults has been edited — but the writing I have done for younger readers has often been put through a series of grueling (but productive) drafts, directed by pages and pages of editorial suggestions.  In my experience, editors of children’s and y/a lit are much more involved in the writing and revision process than are editors of adult fiction.

4) Do you ever have any “dark days,” when you wonder why you’re a writer? What are those like, and how to you get through them?

Yes, I’ve had plenty of those.  I think writers tend to question and to examine and to doubt, and many of them — even the writers who seem to have healthy egos and luxurious royalty statements — often doubt themselves and their own work.  I try to tell myself that first drafts can be ugly; that a bad writing day can be followed by a good writing day; and that meaning doesn’t reveal itself without struggle.

5) Authors talk about “the call.” Usually, it has to deal with getting an agent or getting published or getting an accolade. What was the best “call” you ever received in terms of your writing, and how did it go down?

When Michael Curtis, the fiction editor of The Atlantic called to tell me he had accepted a short story of mine for publication, I told him I loved him.

For more Julie, visit her site.

Okay!! I was so SURPRISED I saw cannibal once again!! it has been such a long time since I had a convesation with him. I told myself, “Hey Why not?” So I asked him nicely if I could interview him and ask him about what he had been doing when he was not around here in WYD Global. And I discovered something that made me feel really awful…read it so you would know about it…I feel really sorry for cannibal…huhuhuhuuhu!! SORRY!! CANNIBAL!!! XD

First Question!! ^w^

1.) Q: So how are you? Its been ahwhile since I last saw you…

• cannibal: I am a fine…bit sleepy…just got up from bed…
• CM Tonbarry: Is it morning at your place?
• cannibal: Yeah I heard how much of a meanie you were when I was away. Now , I work night shift
  so am used to being up at night.
• CM Tonbarry: Your a hard-working man. I admire you!! X3
• CM Tonbarry: Now don’t be silly.

Okay to the real questions!!

• cannibal: Yes!! I will marry you!!
• CM Tonbarry: lol I’m not even asking!! Lol! X3

2.) Q : What have you’ve been doing while you were away?

• cannibal: You mean while I was gone? Can’t tell you..I might end up in jail!!
• CM Tonbarry: Hmmmm..really? Lol!!

3.) Q: You’re Guildless…why is that?

• cannibal: So if I lose my temper lol and I will
  I wont come back on to what ever guild am in it

4.) Q: Do you have plans going back to Bushido?

• cannibal: I dont want people or my members get PKed cos of me
  maybe depends how I feel
• CM Tonbarry: And…will you return to bushido? Someone’s waiting for you there.
• cannibal: I know apo…somehow everything he tells me has little twist and turns..but I believe him.
  CM Tonbarry: You better talk to him about it. its better to discuss it immersively rather than ignoring it right?
• cannibal: I agree.

5.) Q: Okay!! How do you find WYD Global at the first place?
          is it a great game? Fun?

• cannibal: Yes I love it!! But I find it to small
• CM Tonbarry: Yeah I do agree. XD 

6.) Q: Do you have any suggestions how to improve the game?

• cannibal: Yeah!! You should be able titles in guild as in if someone proves them self or does a nice you can give a title you have to keep alot of people happy when guild leader and all want to be sub
  giving them a title makes them feel a bit…bettter about themselves.
• CM Tonbarry: yes so even a normal member can have a Guild Title right?
• cannibal: Ya all
• CM Tonbarry: Okay that’s a good idea
• cannibal: Makes them feel more a part of the guild don’t you think?
  All big guilds forget about the lower lvls its nice not to be forgotten
• CM Tonbarry: Yeah I think so too.

7.) Q: Do you like breakfast?

• cannibal: Well as I wake up at 5 in the afternoon..its not really morning.
• CM Tonbarry: so what do you eat then?
• cannibal: Fat little people they yummyUhhh….right….fat little people. Ya just like bacon

8.) Q: Do you have kids?

• cannibal: Ahh kids…thats why I was know on my girl had a misscarriage…
• CM Tonbarry: Ohhh..SORRY SORRY!! I made you remember that…
• cannibal: That’s why I had to take time of game
• Cm Tonbarry: I feel awful right now you have done nothing
  Sorry!! TwT I feel AWFUL!!
• cannibal: Well dont
• CM Tonbarry: Huhuhuhuhuhu Sorry Cannibal…
• cannibal: Its okay carry on
• CM Tonbarry: Well…I’m still sniffinf*…I really felt awful…
• cannibal: don’t its fine…carry on…So where you from?
• CM Tonbarry: Can’t tell you that or to everybody else…
  Sowee…its protocol…keeping a low porfile….
• cannibal: Don’t worry I’ll not hunt you down
  Well..I might

9.) Q: What is your goal Sir Cannibal?

• cannibal: SImple crush all who are in my way!! I’m not sure what for yet,,,
  but It involves PK lol alot
• CM Tonbarry: oh!! you really are a war freak!! X3 lol
• cannibal: well what else is there to do?
  you need sub games in here no,w well, when I started playing alot of people who are high-levels bully me. Now I bully them They made this monster
   MUAHAHAHAHA!!
• CM Tonbarry: Scary!!
• cannibal: But yeah!! Sub games would be nice!! Pvp like…with a wager..with like a bet winning takes the pot.
• CM Tonbarry: Oh that’s sounds exciting!!
• cannibal: POKER Give us poker tables lol You know ya wanna!!
• CM Tonbarry: We already have the casino and the money cube for your gamble needs. X3 lol!!

Last Question!!

• Who’s your favorite CM?
• cannibal: Right now…its you. Well, im just being nice that’s all.
• CM Tonbarry: Well, atleast you’re just being truthful and frank. Thanks!!
• cannibal: No problem.
• CM Tonabrry: Thank you for yout time Sir Cannibal!! Here are your rewards, three pieces Laktorerium Powder!! And I’m sorry…
• cannibal: Great! Thanks!! Oh its okay!! XD

Well, there you have it. Cannibal, its really had been awhile since I saw him and I missed him. I am sorry for your lost cannibal…sniff* Let us all say our Condolences ro cannibal for the lost of his child…sniff* Long live and do NOT give up happiness Cannibal!!

I hope all of you enjoyed and understand what cannibal had been through…

Thank you for your continous Support and Enjoy your stay here at WYDGlobal

Like I always say, “It takes a REAL man to wear pink.”…uhhh…maybe right? RIGHT!! XD

• Cm Tonberry: First Question!! XD

1.) Q: Do you like Pancakes?

• -Chaos-: Pancakes are like the nicest thing to eat in the world especially with
  loads of junk on top.
• CM Tonberry: Ummm..yeah junk…like what exactly? XD
• -Chaos-: Chocolae syrup, some butter, sugar….
• CM Tonberry: MAPLE SYRUP!!! XD
• -Chaos-: Yeah!! That too!! XD lol

2.) Waffles? How about waffles?

• -Chaos-: Same way with pancakes. I like them especially when they’re newly baked..cooked…whatever.
• CM Tonbarry: and MAPLE SYRUP!! XD
• -Chaos-: You love maple syrup don’t ya? lol
• CM Tonbarry: With pancakes and waffles, I do, very much!! XD lol I’m the one asking questions around here!! Give me Laktoreriums!! lol XD
• -Chaos-: Lol!! XD

3.) Q: How long have you been playing?

• -Chaos-: I have played SD for a year before I heard the WYD was about to open. So the very same day WYD opened I created the character you see before you right now, I never remade.
• CM Tonbarry: Thank you for supporting WYDGlobal throughout!! I’m so happy!! We are happy to hear that from you. Thanks!! XD
• -Chaos-: Your such a dedicated team.
• CM Tonbarry: Awww thanks!! I could Hug huggie huggie hug you right now!! If only I can!! XD GM Fury always hugs me in the office while working!! She likes to hug me…and I don’t know why!! XD Ohhhh!! She’s like my mommy at the office. XD She’s sweet and pretty too!!
• -Chaos-: I will bear hug you!! I wanna hug you too!! Send me your picture!!
• CM Tonbarry: I wanted too…but I’m not allowed to do so!! Sowee!! v.v You’ll kidnapp me!! XD lol
• -Chaos-: Yes!! And I’ll bear hug you till’ your cheeks turn to puffy pink!! And hug you some more!! RAWR!! XD

4.) Q: What’s your favorite thing to do while Online?

• -Chaos-: wow, the thing is with WYD there is so much to do the first thing I do religously when I log in is go into pk arena and kill all in there just for a laugh and see people say, “Wow!!” lol and then second favourite is talking to the many very nice people of WYD my third best is hunting but thats been bad due to low drop rate recentlyand then finally clicking watersfor some reason i love itwatching my level go up and leveling up rocks XD

5.) Q: How’s Zeus holding up?

• -Chaos: Zeus is one of those guilds that seems etched in stone. TAHOE as an amazing leader
  I read an article the other day on how to be a good leader and Tahoe does it all
  I have a lot of respect for him and our subs. I aim to be a sub one day to improve zeus even further
  but for now Zeus is at the top of its game one word to describe the guild atm, Untouchable

6.) Q: Who’s your favorite CM?

• -Chaos-: Which one has the biggest boobs…haha only joking please don’t publish
  You of course you offer to hug me X3
• CM Tonbarry: lol!! I don’t have big boobies!! But they say it makes me look cute!GM Fury keeps hugging me…she said that I look like a kid…a babyface. XD Hugs are good once in a while…but when it gets too long I get annoyed!! i throw marshmallows at her…grrrrr…^,..,^
• -Chaos-: I want HUG you so bad!! XD
• CM Tonbarry: Me too!! XD lol You’re so sweet!! Giving me a hug!!
• -Chaos-: Hehehehe!! Yeah!! But only to you I’ll give a BEAR HUG!! RAWR!!
• CM Tonbarry: XD NooooOoooo!!

-Chaos- of Zeus loves bear hugs…I don’t know if its the friendly hug or the unbearable hug…hmmmm..Oh well!! I hope you enjoy my little interview with -Chaos- of Zeus Guild!!

Thank you for your continous support and Enjoy your stay here at WYDGlobal!! Ciao!!

1) What is your typical writing day like?

Right now I’m editing the proofs for the third book in my YA series; it’s called “Adios to All the Drama,” and it comes out in January 2009. At the same time, I am working on edits of a completely different Work In Progress (WIP). So my workday is a bit schizophrenic.

Typically, I work on my WIP earlier in the day because it’s rawer and commands more undivided attention. I try to edit about 30 pages of that manuscript per day. Then in the later afternoons, I work on my proofs of “Adios.” This is the last stage of the process for this book, right before it goes to press, so it’s almost as clean as a whistle. Usually, I can get through about 65 pages of the book. I try to read the proofs twice before I turn them in. Then I spend my nights doing promotional work in front of the TV—emails, interviews (like this one), blogs, etc. I work a lot, that’s why my agent calls me “prolific.”

2) What is the part of the writing process you hate, and what coping mechanisms do you employ to get through it?

The hardest part of the writing process for me is the rough draft. When I’m working on something new, I try to write around 3,000 words per day. Sometimes they shoot out like lightening and I get to spend the rest of the day watching movies and daydreaming. Other days, I’m still cursing my computer at 11 o’clock at night.

I don’t know how much I “cope,” versus how much I just keep writing. I’m an organic writer; I don’t outline. So the more I write in a continuous stream the better. I also wave little prizes in front of myself for meeting my word count like, “Come on, if you finish this chapter you can watch General Hospital!”

3) What is the biggest surprise you’ve experienced when it comes to book publishing?

How slow the industry moves. I worked for several years as a reporter for daily online magazines, and when you work for a daily, deadlines are firm and fast. So it definitely took me a while to adapt to the speed that editors and agents review material. And then after you sell your book, you have to wait for the contract, and then wait for the revision letter, and then wait for the copy edits, and then wait to see the cover art, and then wait for the pub date. There’s a lot of waiting; did I mention that?

4) As the author of a YA series, what are some “randoms” you’d like to share with us?

–I usually write my novels while listening to the ‘90s channel on Comcast TV. But I have to listen to it at a very low decibel because sometimes the lyrics to songs, like “Here Comes The Hotstepper,” can be very distracting.

–I write very quickly—a byproduct of having worked as a reporter. It only took me a month to write the first iteration of “Amor and Summer Secrets,” though that was an unusual experience. Usually it takes me about three months to write a novel. And I once had a marathon day where I wrote 10,000 words in a sitting—no joke. It was while writing the ending of the second book in the series, “Amigas and School Scandals.”

–I started writing my first novel because I had a dream one night that I was a young adult author, and I dreamt the entire series of books. Seriously. When I woke up and told my husband, he reminded me of a vacation we took five years earlier through New England where I had visited a psychic in Salem, MA. She had told me I was “the writer of little books, children’s books.” Being raised Catholic, I took these things as “signs.” LOL. But that’s what got me to write my first novel, and I haven’t looked back since. I give a much more detailed account of this story on my website at http://www.dianarodriguezwallach.com/for_writers.html.

5) Authors talk about “the call.” Usually, it has to deal with getting an agent or getting published or getting an accolade. What was the best “call” you ever received in terms of your writing, and how did it go down?

I love this story! I finished the manuscript for what became “Amor and Summer Secrets” in late 2006. As we were about to start submitting it to publishers, my agent called and said she spoke with an editor who was looking for a Latina YA novel, but she wanted it to feature a Quinceanera. At the time, my novel did not have this element; in fact in the original draft, the character Lilly was 17 years old and the events of her Quinceanera occurred at a nightclub.

I spent two weeks revising the manuscript and was shocked when I loved the book so much more afterward. It added a layer that I didn’t know was missing. We submitted the manuscript to Kate Duffy at Kensington on a Thursday and by the following Tuesday, I got THE CALL.

It was Fat Tuesday. I was at Mardi Gras.

My husband, Jordan, and I had spent the morning catching beads from parade floats in New Orleans. We stopped in our hotel room to dump our bounty when my cell phone rang. It was my agent.

I was wearing a sequined mask with feathers and my favorite strings of gold, purple and green beads that I had caught during the trip (on my website, there is a photo of me on the phone with my agent during that exact moment: http://www.dianarodriguezwallach.com/amor_and_summer_secrets_story.html).

Let me just say that there is no better place on Earth to be when you get good news than Mardi Gras. There was actually a parade going on outside of my hotel room. I hung up the phone and spent the rest of the day dancing in the French Quarter with hundreds of costumed strangers and drinking hurricanes at Pat O’Briens—awesome!

Thank you, Diana! For more about all things Diana, visit Diana’s site.

the title is something that is followed religiously after every shoot. for me it is sybolic of the great value of praying for each other and wishing for such a collaboration and togetherness. something special for every film. where we know we have definetly crossed one mental barrier. a wondeful location and the entire team right from drivers, lightmen, crane unit, main technicians and the actors everyone stand and are circled by the gummadi kaaya- lit up with karpuram, for three times- this time it was gandhi who handled this process. and then it is cracked up. and then everyone goes frenzy.

very happy to have premrakshit master (choreographer) and manikant kadri (our music director) to be with us yesterday. a very touching speeches from everyone later in the evening as we raised a toast for this great moment and for the success. sheker as always stuns everyone for being such a good human being. and anish definetly felt happy to see everyone so bonded about the film.

long road ahead from now.. but nothing like the shooting. working on location with the real peoeple, early morning rushes and motivating ourselves each day so that we miss no arm during the post. thinking forward for every shot… everything everything i will miss for some time before i go for shoot again.

as am typing this i receive call from prem master!!… he is as thrilled .. thank you master. havent seen someone so humble and real. three cheers to you

And here is the interview with Apothic.

1.) Q: So how’s Bushido holding up?

• Apothic: Not so good. REALAMERICAN and SicK-NastY just left Bushido without notification or whatsoever. 4 of my guild members left today and transferred to another Guild, mainly Disturbed. I even helped them in many things and still they didn’t appreciate them…sad.
• CM Tonbarry: Awww…they left Bushido because they wanted too huh?…Next Question!!

2.) Q: How do you help  your members?

• Apothic: For the new recruits, dependin on his/her level, I sponsor 5-10 Shares N. Not always, sometimes if I felt that they’re not gaining levels from the past days. I also give them gold 2-3M once every 3 days, if they need it though, I help them acquire some the items needed for their quests, Mortal-God Quest, the 355 and 370 lock quest. But I guess, some people are not that appreciative…so they leave the Guild they once brag about after they have already acquired what they want with you…sad…
• CM Tonbarry: Sorry to hear that Sir Apothic. And its so admirable that you like/love helping players with their problems. Gold and items.

3.) Q:Do you plan leaving the Guild if you see its not going anywhere?

• Apothic: Leaving Bushido for me is like leaving WYDGLobal itself. I know , and we all know, that Bushido is a weak guild, but I am open to anyone who wants to join Bushido and help partially, not entirely, in-game. Even though they leave me and the guild behind, atleast they know that I helped him/her even if they talked trash about me and the about the Bushido Guild.
• CM Tonbarry: Awwww (sniff*) You make me want to cry…So its like, you’re always “Arms-Wide-Open”?
• Apothic: Not really. I also encourage them to get the other items, to be invlolved in-game and learn to do quests by themselves.
• CM Tonbarry: That’s good!! Don’t Spoil them though. XD

4.) Q: What do you like about the game?

• Apothic: Helping others, PK and PvP. Yeah!!
• CM Tonbarry: You’re rare…you know that? XD lol
• Apothic: Well, I’m just generous and kind if you don’t turn your back on me.

5.) Q: Why bushido? Why not Join other Guilds to have a chance to be invloved in Channel Wars, Guild Wars

• Apothic: I’m not the kind of person who wants to join a strong guild just to be known. I want to help players who are experiencing a hard time. I am nurturing Bushido, I may not rule over towns, but I know I am not selfish and I am willing to give assistance to my members.
• CM Tonbarry: You’re like the Big Daddy of bushido huh?XD

6.) Q: What can you say about your former friends who left the guild and even not trying  to come back?

• Apothic: Do not backstabbed them…I don’t want them to feel what I felt  when you guys left. Betrayal, sadness, anger. Stay and be loyal to your current Guild. Yes, you know that Bushido is still on its growing stage, but I am here to help them.

7.) Q: How’s cannibal?

• Apothic: He gave me his leader position. He trusts me more than anyone else. He trusted ME more than REALAMERICAN and SicK-NastY who stayed with him at beginning and just to betray him and hurt him in the end. I, in the other hand, is somehow understand cannibal and his attitude towards other players. We love to brag and to stir-up commotions with other guilds even though we are just few…well, the truth its just ME and cannibal who are the Celestials of Bushido, and our members are just turning God class and some are already God. I believe in them, and I am very happy to know, that even though we are out numbered and outclassed, my members stayed because they trusted me.
• CM Tonbarry: Being a leader is not about being the best. Its about bringing the best out of others!! XD
• Apothic: Yeah, something like that!

8.) Q: CM Tonbarry: Last question!! Who is your favorite GM and Cm?

• Apothic: My favorite Cm would be You, CM Tonbarry, and my favorite Gm…that would be…GM Vulcan.
• CM Tonbarry: Oh! Thanks Apothic! And Sorry about the last time I suddenly summoned you!! Tee-hee!! XD REALAMERICAN and Norf just suggested to summon you…I can’t resist!! XD lol!
• Apothic: Well…that’s okay…I was helping my guild mates that time. But don’t fo that again.
• CM Tonbarry: Okay…(Scary…*) XD Well, Here’s your two Laktoterium Powders and thank you again for your time!! XD
• Apothic: Thanks. These would help my members financially. Thank you.

Now there you have it!! Apothic, Leader of Guild Bushido!! Keep up the good work Apothic!! I hope you guys enjoy my interview! See you online!! And maybe you’re my next victim!! XD

Thank you for your continous Support and Enjoy your stay here at WYDGlobal!!

Susan (author): Callie, I want to throw you under the next big rig I see streaming past me on the highway. Don’t get me wrong; I don’t want you to die. I just want you to get horribly maimed so that some plastic surgeon gives you a new face. Oh, and I want you to get amnesia, too, so that you develop a better personality. Do you think you’re up to it?

Callie (character): Maybe you should throw yourself under a semi, you b—-

Susan (author) interrupts: Callie, you say you’re a brain. But you don’t seem to do too well with people. Why didn’t you read any books on how to win friends, influence people, and keep yourself from getting cornered in the girls’ bathroom?

Callie (character): You’re going to have me get cornered in the girls’ bathroom? When did you decide this? I deserve a better writer to write my story.

Susan (author): Well, you’ve been difficult. And you didn’t answer my question. How’d you go through life with so little common sense?

Callie (character): What’s your definition of common sense? I look both ways before crossing the street, I floss my teeth every night, I don’t pick my pimples.

Susan (author): TMI there, Callie. And what I mean by not having common sense had to do with you going and spraypainting a cop car parked in front of a police station. That doesn’t seem so smart.

Callie (character): I have my reasons. And they make sense to me. They’ll make sense to you, too, if you let me survive the girls’ bathroom.

Susan (author): You’ll survive. Under her breath, she adds: But you’ll wish you hadn’t.

Next week, we’ll go back to our regularly scheduled interviews. Callie has threatened Susan with bodily harm and writer’s block if she does not.

we are slowly reaching the climactic portions of our film and today was one of the most important shoot. something i will carry back, shots which i have always gazed in the independent small screens that used to be famous even less then a decade ago. and yearned to be a part of them. it is definetly a thrilling experience.

next few days will be intresting days of shoot coz it includes some dance and fun which i always used to love through my school days.
and yeah pradeep thanks and about our films release plans, they will soon be in the media.
another great news that makes my day is the additional two medals that we have won at olypics..heroes are rising congrats and i think we need more role models and like these. on this good note i call it a day

1.) Q: Friska!! How is Shield doing?

• Friska: We are the former founders of METAL Guild, then, some problems occured, we lay lowed, we have a little vacation, and we decided to create SHIELD Guild. And we decided that our friend, Dumptires will be the GL of Shield. And Somehow we manage to do great in Siege Wars and Guild Wars…yeah..I think we’re doing fine.
• CM Tonberry: I’ve met your GL, dumptires, and he’s friendly and all. I like him. XD (Don’t get the wrongidea!!)

2.) Q: Why not join with the other Guilds that had already made their mark of being strong and financially strong?

• Friska: Yeah…I thought of that in the first place really. But I guess joining them would only mean that I am somehow would be dependent to them. And some may say I’m just using them for me to get by. So we decieded to create SHIELD that is Fresh yet able to coup up with the present situation and to revive all the prevoius members of METAL Guild. Because METAL is metal, and SHIELD is made out of METAL which is us, Me, Ghi, and Dump. We are the METALs who forged SHIELD.
• CM TonberrY: I already admire yo u FRISKA!! Autograph Please!!!XD

3.) Q: What is your favorite thing to do in-game?

• Friska: Hmmmm…I like PK…but most of the time I just farm anf collect materials for doing the Ancient System and  other stuffs…I love to gamble. Not the money cube!! XD I love to upgrade! I love the thrill of upgrading items. Very challenging, financially mostly and time comsuming but like I said, I love gambling!
• CM Tonberry: XD You’re so hard-working Friska!! I really ADMIRE you now!!

4.) Q: How do you find WydGlobal’s Support?

• Friska: I find them friendly and quick! One time I asked about how to go God and they sent me a reply with a more precise information. I like it!
• CM Tonberry: Good for you!! We really appreciate it!! Thanks!! XD

5.) Q: Are you having fun with us?

• Friska: Yeah!! I’m liking this a lot!! Especially, the siege war and guild war. You need to spend a lot to win but its worth it!!
• CM Tonberry: Nice!!! XD

6.) Q: So do you think SHIELD will become a great Guild?

• Friska: I believe so…yeah!! We can defend our tower against Zeus in server 4 so yeah I think so.
• CM Tonberry: Yeah! Zeus is really strong. In numbers and level. XD And I’m surprised that you were able to defend your tower in server 4.
• Friska: We’re not that strong “STRONG”…but with the help of friends and allies yes, we are.

7. Q: Are you a WYD-Coin user?

• Friska: Yeah, but I only buy coins and buy some necessry items. I love to farm and spending wydcoins just to gain gold is somehow, for me, quite careless…I don’t like wasting real currency for a game. But I think, I would spend wydcoins as much as I wanted too…but in a careful way.
• CM Tonberry: That’s good!! Don’t waste your money so much!! And spend your Wyd-Coins wisely! I’m happy to hear that from you!! XD

8.) Q: Last Question!! Who’s your favorite Gm?

• Friska: GM Hyperion and for the CM….I think its you!! Coz your the first one who interviewed me XD lol!!  And I thinkk  GM Hyperion is also a girl….so I like her…but who knows…their identities are meant to be “just” Secrets…
• CM Tonberry: You like GM Hyperion…..XD lol Well, anyway, here’s your 2 Laktoterium Powders and thank you for your time!!
• Friska: Wow!! Thanks!! Interview me again okay? Lol XD
• CM Tonberry: Tee-hee!! Lol….XD

Well that’s about it!! Thank you Friska and SHIELD guild!! Okay fellow WYDians be prepared and maybe next time you’ll be my next victim!!

Thank you for your continous support and Enjoy your stay here at WYDglobal!!

1.) Q: How do you find WYDGlobal to your liking?

• Godbane: It is so much Fun!! Especially the C.C. System!! It helps a lot with my hunting!! XD
• CM Tonbarry: Thanks for making WYDGlobal your choice!! And I am very happy to know that you are having fun with us!! Thanks Sir Godbane!! NEXT Question!! XD

2.) Q:Are you a premium user?

• Godbane: Yes!! Me and my friend share wydcoins. We help each other a lot!  Especially the part where we need the GodPack. Helping is part of reaching your goal. And its fun helping someone especially when he/she’s your personal friend. XD
• CM Tonbarry: Awww…that’s soooo CUUTTEE!!! Is your friend a girl? XD

3.) Q: What are your plans for today?

• Godbane: Geting a blue cape!! And join Shield or Love land. But I’m still thinkg about it….I’m still thinking of joining Bushido Guild. I heard they’re sponsoring water shares for their members. It sounds good…too good…hmmm…but still it rocks if ever it was true! XD
• CM Tonbarry: Yeah!! You better check them out too!!

4.) Q: Do you love to PK or it depends on the situation?

• Godbane: Yup! I’m a Situational kind of guy. I only PK another player when he/she starts to attack me. I’m not a PK addict, because I’m still reaching my goal of becoming a 400 god. My 250 God has wrong stat distribution but my god does pretty good just need another weapon lol not side of mage LMAO then I should be fine so when I’m 400 it should be good. XD
• CM Tonbarry: Just keep on focusing on your goal, and I’m sure with the help of your friend, you two will able to reach 400 God…and even Celestial.

5.) Q: How do you find WydGlobal support?

• Godbane: I’m not really sure….because whenever I send to Q and A, they don’t reply. Like when I asked how much was the jackpot on June 30th 2–8 I got no reply, they said they are investigating, but never replied in a month. Its about the prize of the casino jackpot…I’m not quite sure what I’ve won so I got to ask them. Can you tell me why they can’t tell me?
• CM Tonbarry: Well…what did you win at the casino jackpot?
• Godbane: 13 million gold to be exact.
• Cm Tonbarry: The reason why the Gms will not entertain your problem is that because they don’t see any problem at all with your involvement with the given Q and A. Also, the GMs prioritized some Q and As to some other non-important Q and As. But for your case, the only thing that made the GMs not to entertain your Q and A is that you have already acquired your prized which is the 13 Million Gold jackpot. Okay?
• Godbane: Oh okay!! Thanks CM!! I guess I was being selfish and all…but I think I realize now!! GMs are really working hard aren’t they?
• CM Tonbarry: Yes!! They work 24-hours just to read all the Q and As even the ones that doesn’t make sense at all!! Thank you for your support Godbane!! XD
• Godbane: Thank you too!! XD lol

6.) Q: Who’s your favorite GM or CM?

• Godbane: Well, for the GM…hmmmm….well…I think GM Nemesis and CM….lol your the first CM I met!! lolXD
• CM Tonbarry: Aweee….really? I’m the first one? XD I’m really happy!! Thanks for your time Sir Godbane!! XD
• Godbane: Thank you for your time too, CM Tonbarry!! XD

There you have it!! My Second victim for the Random Interview event of CM Tonbarry!! Also, after the interview, my victim will receive 2 pieces Laktoterium Powders. Thank you for your time!!

Thank you for your continous support and Enjoy your stay here at WYDGlobal!! Get ready!! Maybe you’re my next VICTIM!!! XD

1) How many stop-and-go stories did you go through before you finished your first manuscript? Or were you one of the lucky few who banged out your first book without any false starts along the way?

I actually wrote four other complete books before I published my first one (which would be my fifth book and which involved many, many reworks).  So, obviously I’ve had a lot of false starts and finishes along the way.  Those four books are now gathering dust somewhere in my house.  Maybe someday I’ll pull them out and use them for scrap paper, maybe I’ll rework them.  Who knows?  They’ve got a lot of problems.  At any rate, I don’t think I’ve ever been successful at anything on my first, fifth, even twelfth attempt.  I am a slow starter.  But, like the train, I gather momentum, picking up speed until I’m wildly out of control, yet still making forward progress.

2) What’s the best/easiest part of the writing process for you?

Probably telling the story.  I’m not saying I’m great at it, but it’s the easiest thing for me to do, plus I like making things up.  I would have made a good liar or politician.

3) What’s the worst/hardest part of the writing process for you?

I’m not the best writer, skill-wise, so I have to work my butt off on the tough stuff, like grammar and sentence construction.  My description needs work and character development can be a challenge.  Luckily, I’m a pretty good speller, otherwise I think I would’ve given up writing a while ago.  But then again, maybe not.  I’m kind of a masochist.

4) What are some of the biggest obstacles that keep you from doing as much writing as you’d like to do? How do you overcome them?

I have 3 major obstacles…my kids (three boys).  Oh, that and everyday life.  Carving out time is always the hardest part for me, but writing is important to me and I love it, so if I have to ignore my childrens’ needs sometimes or if I have to give up watching an episode of Ghost Hunters, I do it.  It’s all about sacrifices.  What has helped me overcome these obstacles is to treat writing as a priority, a necessity.  If I were getting paid for doing this (which I kind of do), then I need to put in the hours.  So, basically, I treat my writing like a job, without the perks, vacation time, or the gossip.

5) What’s your typical writing day like?

My typical writing day involves cramming in at least a couple hours a day for work.  I spend some time editing, some time writing new material and some time doing administrative stuff (like blogs, marketing, etc.).  Someday I hope to have my own person and/or robot to do the admin. stuff so that I can spend more time on the creative part, which is much more fun.  I’d also like a cook and a house cleaner.  I’d rather write than clean.  That’s my motto.  But since I don’t have a staff, I have to do it myself.  Life can be hard sometimes.

For more about Kristina, visit her website.

So I summoned Sir Arrancar inside the GM lounge. An area where Guild Wars can be viewed and, ofcourse, its for only those, like Arrancar, that I need to ask questions from…privately.

1. Q: How long have you played WYDGlobal?

• Arrancar: 8 months…maybe more. I already started playing SD with some of my friends, and the reason why I played WYDGlobal is that, unfortunately, SD Closed Down.
• CM Tonbarry: Wow!! You already played SD before playing WYDGlobal. So…

2. Q:How do you find WydGlobal’s Support?

• Arrancar: Better than the SD’s GM. Here in WYDGlobal the GMs here are really working hard for us. So I guess this is a better game for me, besides SD.
• CM Tonbarry: You’re too sweet!! Thanks!! So…

3. Do you consider yourself as a Veteran player of WYDGlobal?

• Arrancar: Ummm…I think so. Like I said earlier, I already played SD before even WYDGlobal introduced itself. So I already know the basics and the “know-hows” and “what-not” of the game. Hehehe! XD
• CM Tonbarry: Ah-huh!! Players who played and stayed in SD sure has something to know more about the game.

4. Are you the only veteran player of Guild Ares?

• Arrancar: Well…Ryukz, my old mate, also played SD with me, and also Promise. He’s good because he had also joined the WCL before.
• CM Tonbarry: Nice!! Guild Ares have veteran players!! Nice!!

5. Did you also joined the WCL Sir Arrancar?

• Arrancar: No…too bad that SD Malaysia closed. If not me and my friend had joined the WCL…XD
• CM Tonbarry: Aweee…I feel sorry for you…but WYDGlobal and me, are here to make you feel better!!

6. So…how are you Sir Arrancar?

• Arrancar: Right now…i’m kinda low in gold. Hehehehe!! XD hmmmm….
• CM Tonbarry: Hang in there Sir Arrancar!! One day you’ll get your break!! XD

7. Does Ares Guild owns a town right now?

• Arrancar: Oh yes, we own most of the towns in server 4, except for Erion town.
• CM Tonbarry: Impressive!!

8. Do you think you can keep on defending the towns your Guild Ares own?

• Arrancar: Now ”CENSORED” guild is trying to get us. Its a hard time for us, we don’t have enough members. And also, they’re killing Kephra with ease getting all the loots. They’re using BUG to kill Kephra. Because of it, they’re getting all the good items…unlike us we kill Kephra with hard work and fair play…please do help us with this problem. Its unfair to everybody, not only to me and my guild, but I speak for everyone who plays fair.
• CM Tonbarry: Well, I’ll tell the GMs personally about that “Bug” issue of Kephra okay? So don’t worry Sir Arrancar!! Its really unfair for you and the other players of WYDGlobal.

9. What are your plans for today?

• Arrancar: Hmmmm…C.C. Mode and KS the General lol!! XD
• CM Tonbarry: lol!! XD Good luck with the KS thingy!!

10. Who’s your favorite Cm? XD

• Arrancar: For now, its only you!! Lol!! XD Because you’re the only one who talked to me.
• CM Tonbarry: You’re sweet Sir Arrancar!! And thank you for your time!!

Well there you have it. My personal interview with one of the players of WYDGlobal. Sir Arrancar of Guild Ares. I hope you enjoyed reading this simple interview…and maybe you’re my next victim…XD lol!!

Oh about the “CENSORED” guild, I want to make it confidential. I don’t want for that guild to be ruined because of a “Bug” But I will do inform them about that and encourage not to do it anymore until we find a solution about the so called “Bug”.

Thanks for playing WYDGlobal and Enjoy your stay!!

1) What a brave subject matter you tackle in LIVING DEAD GIRL. Was there a real life event that inspired this story, and if so, what sort of research did you do?

Thanks for saying it was brave, but I don’t think it was–I felt that I had to tell the story, and so I told it.

2) What is the part of the writing process you hate, and what coping mechanisms do you employ to get through it?

I am not a big fan of revision. I know a lot of writers love it, and I wish I was like them, but to be honest, I sure do wish I could get a story right the first time! By the time I’m rewriting a novel for the third time, I hate it. As far as coping with it all, I find that complaining to my dog works great. She never gets tired of listening, and her calm acceptance (by which I mean, of course, that she falls asleep!), reminds me that I just have to keep going, and that I owe it to the story to make it as good as I can.

I’ve also been known to eat Fritos by the truckload.

3) Do you ever worry about going too far in a scene or with a character? If so, how do you work through it? If not, what’s the advice you can pass on to the writer who does have such worries?

I don’t actually worry about going too far. (Although I’m sure some would say that I should!) I just think that if you spend all your time being safe with your writing, then you’re missing out on something wonderful–the thrill (and okay, yes, the terror!) of trying something new.

As far as advice–well, you know, I’m a big believer in doing what feels right for you. I don’t think there’s any one-size-fits-all–in anything–when it come to writing. Or life, actually.

4) Authors talk about “the call.” Usually, it has to deal with getting an agent or getting published or getting an accolade. What was the best “call” you ever received in terms of your writing, and how did it go down?

The best “call” I ever got was actually a message on MySpace. It was from a teen reader who’d read an advance copy of my first novel, BLOOM, and sent me a message to let me know that she liked it. Getting an agent and finding out I’d sold a novel was amazing, but hearing from a reader…that was the best. It still is!

5) We’re been talking writing spaces this week. What is yours like?

I don’t have an actual space, exactly. I tend to write all my first drafts in bed (I know! But it feels so decadent and I love it!) on my Alphasmart Neo or my laptop, and then I revise on my laptop or on my Mac. I guess you could say my whole house is a writing space, and I like it that way. Writing is always on my mind, so it’s fitting I can do it anywhere.

For more Elizabeth, visit her site.

1) What were some of the more crappy jobs you’ve had in the past that prepared you to be a writer?

Oh, I have had so many….

1. Newspaper reporter/editor. Nothing makes you learn to type faster than dumb deadlines. Similarly, when you’re stuck at a town planning board meeting where people are droning on about shoreline setbacks until 2 a.m. (I swear. Really.) all you can do is to imagine things. Imagining things make good stories.

2. Undercover hooker. Seriously. There’s some great dialog there.

2) What is the part of the writing process you hate, and what coping mechanisms do you employ to get through it?

I don’t hate writing or revising. I hate marketing. I don’t cope very well. I talk to Grover from Sesame Street. He’s my internal cheerleader (you know how some authors have internal editors?) and he usually makes me feel better.

3) Do you ever worry about going too far in a scene or with a character? If so, how do you work through it? If not, what’s the advice you can pass on to the writer who does have such worries?

I don’t know if I believe in going too far. I think that depth and bravery as writers allows us to make the best possible stories there are, and it’s when we’re afraid of digging deep that we create characters or scenes that are shallow. My advice is to dig in, go deep, take big breaths and know that the emotions you dredge up, those same emotions that can be so painful to you, are worth the effort, they will resonate with your readers and that’s really what writing is all about, isn’t it? It’s about being brave, about making the best stories we can make.

And I challenge you to a water gun fight if you disagree with me. Seriously. I am deadly, baby, so watch out.

4) Authors talk about “the call.” Usually, it has to deal with getting an agent or getting published or getting an accolade. What was the best “call” you ever received in terms of your writing, and how did it go down?

This is how it happened. I’ve filched it off my real livejournal accounts.

It begins as all good things do with an email announcing the creation of Flux, an imprint of Llewellyn. Flux was accepting YA novels. Hhm? I thought to myself. I just wrote a YA novel. Sure, I hadn’t shown it to my advisor at Vermont College’s MFA in Writing Program. Sure, I hadn’t let ANYONE read it. Sure, I only just wrote it in the last month and it was rough, rough, rough. But I sent it in. I chugged out a cover letter. I found some stamps. I mailed it.

Here is what followed, taken from my livejournal entries:

Sweet Editor Man called me within a week of me mailing the manuscript. Seriously. It was wild.

The 30th, 2006

Okay. Here’s the big question of the day: Why am I so stupid?

I will work on the self esteem exercises tomorrow… but today! Today! Today I am allowed to realize the full extent of my idiotness.

Here’s why.

I sent out some manuscript queries on Thursday.

I get a phone call this morning, from a real live editor who says, “Um, is this C.C. Jones?”

“Yes,” I say while pouring out cat food.

He then proceeds to tell me he got my query, wants to see more of my manuscript, but his email requesting it bounced back.

“Really?” I say. “That’s weird.”

“Let me tell you the address,” he says. “cjonese at…”

“Oh,” I say. “Oh. Oh. Oh.”

“What?” he says.

“There’s no e on the end of Jones.”

“I didn’t think so,” he says.

I then apologize and berate myself for not even being able to spell my own last name! What an idiot. He gives me an email address. I send him the rest of the manuscript.

Yeah, that baby’s going somewhere. Not.

Although, he was kind and he did say, “It’s the manuscript I care about, not your inability to spell your own name.”

What a nice man. Even when he rejects the manuscript. He’s still a darn nice guy.

This means now that MY BOOK has been requested. The JOHN WAYNE LETTERS has been requested (by agent and house). And another book, which was crucified at workshop, has been requested. Will anyone actually buy anything? No…. And if they did, will they be able to contact me? Not unless I can remember to get my email address right. Geesh.

The 31st, 2006

So, despite the fact that I can’t spell, the nice editor man called me back yesterday and talked to me for 40 minutes and told me all the good stuff about my book and what he thinks could get better. It was like talking to a Vermont College mentor. It was really cool. He was brilliant and really, really nice.

And he’s starting the book through the acquisitions process at his imprint, which is really cool… But, I’m not getting my hopes up about it, until papers are signed.

Still, he had the best insight on the piece and I am so excited about working on it. So, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to go work on it. He only wants another 10,000 words. Geesh. Piece of cake. Ha.

The 4th, 2006

Well, here’s a quick update on the sweet editor man. He sent me an email, which I can not quote verbatim, because it’s somehow infringing on copyright. HOWEVER, he said that he wanted to let me know what’s going on, that the piece is heading to the acquisitions committee on Thursday and he’ll call me when they’re done.

That is so sweet of him.

But now I’m going to be a nervous wreck until Friday and I’m already hyper and neurotic enough as it is. I think everyone in my family will soon disown me.

On a positive note, I wrote 15,000 more words on it this week and I’m really happy with it. It’s done the Sarah A. rubbing thing, where the characters work off each other. I’ve put more setting in, which is good because I’m weak with setting. I’ve also changed the ending and added a couple of conflict scenes. Oh, and sweet editor man said he hopes I’d have a great weekend. Is he crazy? As I told Emily Wing Smith, no matter what happens I’ve made the piece better already, so I can’t complain when he dumps my butt. So, yeah… Now, back to revising my critical thesis.

The 9th, 2006

Um, okay… Sweet Editor man called and he continues to be Sweet Editor Man.

He talked to the acquisitions committee today and wanted to call me about it before he battled the snowstorm and drove home. He said they were all “very enthusiastic about it.” They liked the writing, especially the details and he said even the people who don’t like YA were hooked.

YIPPPEEEE!!!!

So, he’s calling me in the morning to give me contract details, etc… which is great except I know absolutely nothing about contracts because I never thought I’d get offered one. Oh, the stupidity of me continues….

5) We’re been talking writing spaces this week. What is yours like?

I’m stuck at a tiny table that’s smooshed between the fridge and the piano. It is the stinkiest writing space ever. Right now it has a oven mitt, a candle and countless scraps of paper strewn all over it. Boo. Hiss. It also has a VOTE FOR CARRIE button because I’m running for political office. How random is that?

Thank you, Carrie! For more about this lovely lady, visit her site.

The following is written up with their mother as stenographer:

1) What book do you read over and over again, and why?

Ellen: Pride and Prejudice because of the storyline – she thinks of herself as Elizabeth Tom: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire because it was fun and exciting. Used to read all the Paulsen adventures over and over. (Hatchet, etc.)

2) What genre do you absolutely love, and which one do you absolutely hate? Why?

Ellen: Romance and Fantasy – because I live vicariously through books Tom: Adventure and Action – because that’s how I want my life to be – Also like biographies

3) Who in your family got you into reading? How did they do it?

Ellen and Tom: Mom – read to us since before we were born, and Grandma (Mom’s mom) because she bought us books all the time

4) How do you pick out a book at the library? The cover? The story? The author’s name?

Ellen: Look at cover and then read the back of the book or inside flap and see if it interests me — but I usually just go straight for the romance section. Also on recommendations of friends. Tom: By genre – go first to music or biography or musical biographies such Bob Marley or Bob Dylan

5) In a perfect book, what would happen?

Ellen: Women have the power — are strong and not fainting all over the place – solve their own problems and can kick some serious butt. Tom: McGyver type ending where they save themselves. Regarding biographies, like to get interesting facts about their personal live

Thanks Ellen and Tom and their mom!

1) What book do you read over and over again, and why?

Anything by Agatha Christie. Because her books engage me, and they are interesting, and everytime you read them, you learn or discover something else. Anything by Brian Jacques. Because he has such good stories and interesting characters. Anything by Tamora Pierce. Because she has interesting, good stories.

2) What genre do you absolutely love, and which one do you absolutely hate?

Fantasy. I love mysteries, too.  Why? So much can happen in fantasy that can’t normally happen in the real world. Mysteries intrigue me.  I’m not a huge romance fan or chick lit fan. They bore me to death.

3) Who in your family got you into reading?

My mom and dad. How did they do it? Mom took me to the library all the time when I was little. Dad read to me every night.

4) How do you pick out a book at the library?

I choose random books and read the back cover blurbs, and if it sounds interesting, I’ll take it home. I also tend to go for thicker books. And if I find a book I really like, I’ll get other books by that author. The cover? After I read the back, I’ll look at the cover, but it’s not that important. The story? It’s all about the story. The author’s name? The author is important to me if I’ve read a good book by the author in the past.

5) In a perfect book, what would happen?

Trolls turning hay into rainbows, girls who get X-ray vision? Tons of action, battles, quests, etc. Little or no romance. And you need to have some comedy.

1) What is your typical writing day like?

My typical writing day begins around 10 AM by reading dlisted.com to get my fix of celebrity gossip!  Then I’ll usually answer email for at least an hour before I start writing for the day. This is total procrastination, but I find that it actually allows my brain to “wake up” and get ready for the writing process—or at least that’s what I tell myself . . . When I am actively writing a novel, I write two chapters a day with no exceptions—if I only get one done, then I have to make up the difference the next day. However, I take frequent breaks to pet my beagle, and eat lots of muffin-ey things!

2) What is the part of the writing process you hate, and what coping mechanisms do you employ to get through it?

The part of the writing process I hate the most is staring at the blank, white screen of my computer, waiting for the words to come, when I’m momentarily paralyzed into thinking that I don’t have anything left to say. Of course, this fades away the moment I really begin writing a chapter or a scene, but while it lasts it’s a bit terrifying. The best part is actually seeing the finished product and being able to read it aloud at readings, getting comments and questions from the audience, and hearing from readers via email–that’s what make all those long, frustrating hours at my desk so worthwhile!

3) What is the biggest surprise you’ve experienced when it comes to book publishing?

I’m not sure I was surprised by much of anything in publishing as I own and operate my own independent publishing house, Impetus Press, which champions serious literary fiction with a pop edge. What I was surprised at was how awesome and NICE both readers and writers of YA fiction are!  The YA bloggers haven’t hesitated to offer a helping hand when it comes to promotion, running contests, doing interviews, etc. And other YA authors have been tremendously helpful as well.

4) As the author of a YA series, what are your rules for aspiring series writers?

I don’t have any rules per se—but I do believe that the most important thing a young author can do is to listen to his or her own strong voice—and keep writing. Don’t pay attention to marketability or trends—just write the story YOU want to tell—and write it from the heart.

5) Authors talk about “the call.” Usually, it has to deal with getting an agent or getting published or getting an accolade. What was the best “call” you ever received in terms of your writing, and how did it go down?

The best call I’ve received so far was from my agent, Jennifer Jackson of the Donald Maass Agency. I’d queried her after I’d already signed the deal with Penguin for THE ELITE, but really felt like I needed representation nonetheless. She asked me to email her the first two manuscripts in the series, which I did on a Friday, expecting to hear back from her sometime during the next millennium . . . I was completely shocked when my phone rang on Monday afternoon, and I heard Jenn’s excited voice on the other end of the line, telling me that she’d read BOTH books and that she just couldn’t put them down! She then proceeded to not only sign me up as a client, but talked with me about my characters in depth for the better part of an hour! It was the first call I’d really ever gotten where I heard a stranger’s excitement over the series, and it meant more to me than she’ll ever know.

For more Jennifer, visit her website.

1) What is your favorite book? Why?

Oh my, my favorite book would have to be Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I mean, who has read it and does not LOVE it!!! I first read the book when I was on a plane flying from Seattle to Charlotte. It was Saturday the 26th. (I still have the plane ticket as a book mark!!) I read it straight through. It was thrilling. The adventure of young Harry Potter. Yes, this is my favorite book. Well for now, but there are hundreds of books out there. Ones that I will never get my hands on. I love the adventures of people, but J.K. Rowling makes it come to life. She takes you on a extraordinary and peculiar journey.

2) When you’re at the library, how do you choose a book? Title? Genre?

Hmm, well choosing a book is hard. I usually look in young adults and adults. When I find an interesting book, with an eye catching title, I look at the comments, and the reviews. I look for books that are more unknown. Ones that people do not know. I find some of those to be the best. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, most kids have not read that book. It is a good book, and I think more people should travel the world with characters in books. Go on an ocean experience through Bethany Hamilton’s eyes. I am drawn to books about people’s horrible experiences. Crud that they have to live with. Things that go terribly wrong. I love books that teach you about life, and which path you want to take.

3) What kind of books do you hate to read? Why?

I hate to read books about History. One thing most authors get to much fact, they have long dull sentences. I mean, you want the reader to be a little bit interested. Could they at least make it sound fun and a little bit interesting? Some authors are fine writting about History. But others, they are just dull. Which is why they are not well known authors.

4) When you read, what else do you do? Eat marshmallows, listen to the radio, etc.?

When I read, I go chill in my room. I turn on the radio and sit with my best friend (America’s Best Friend) food. Maybe a bowl of Green Mint Chocolate Chip, a bowl of Vanilla. Some whole wheat crackers, maybe some fresh homemade bread…. yum. And of course, a tissue. Just in case, you never now when your favorite character gets killed in a horrible accident!

5) What’s your idea of the perfect book? Would there be swordfights, a mystery, a talking dragon??

My idea of the perfect book would be the unexpected. A bunch of twists all thrown together. A perfect book with great words, and mind boggling events. In the perfect book their would be sad dreary endings. Not a happy, predictable one. In the perfect book their would be amazing conflicts. The book would have to be based on something that you could learn from. Not obvious though. Something the readers would think about. Well that is a few ideas of the perfect book….well for my taste.

Tiff, thanks for the interview! And here’s hoping there are a lot of books with sad, dreary endings in your future!

This week, The 5 Randoms interviewed not one, not two, but THREE young adult authors. The wonderful E. Lockhart, the fabulous Sarah Mlynowski, and the awesome Lauren Myracle stopped by to talk about writing their book How to be Bad, the “call,” and how Law and Order can help you become a butt-in-chair writer.

1) Did writing a collaborative book go faster or slower than your single-author books? Also, what is the best and the worst part of working on a collaborative book?

Emily: First draft faster. Rewrites EPIC. The best part is that other people write 2/3 of the book! The worst part is when Lauren does her galloping dance.

Lauren: Ha ha.  Emily is trying to provoke me, but failing, because she is the one who taught me the galloping dance, which is quite saucy and involves lassoing in a strapping cowboy type.  Hmm.  Perhaps learning the galloping dance and other nonsense was the best part of working together!

Sarah: Best part is the sharing—the highs and lows—of the publishing process. There is no worst part! I wish I could write all my books collaboratively.

2) What is the part of the writing process you hate, and what coping mechanisms do you employ to get through it?

Lauren: I only hate it…and even “hate” is too strong…when I’m over-committed and feel like a hamster on a wheel.  To get through it, I breathe.  And do the galloping dance.

Emily: Honestly, I love my job. Not a lot of hate here.  The coping mechanism I employ for stressful times is to call Sarah and have her tell me what to do.

Sarah: I hate first drafts. So I TiVo hundreds of episodes of Law & Order and leave them on in the background while I write them. This tricks me into thinking I’m not really writing.

3) One of the number one things writers hate to do is revise, and they’re looking for an “easy answer.” That said, what is your revision process like?

Emily: I love to revise. It’s just putting in jokes and cutting out boring bits and shining everything up and making it good. It’s first drafts that are agony. Our revision process on How to Be Bad was very complex, though, because we were rewriting each other’s chapters, or at least commenting on them. And we all had a lot to say. Then the original writer of the chapter had to work on it with feedback from the co-authors AND the editor — which was sometimes dizzying. But it made the book much stronger.

Lauren: Dudes.  You have to revise.  That is where the beauty is.  I used to not revise, and guess what?  I used to not get published.  And then I learned that revision is a big love fest where I get to MAKE THINGS FRICKIN’ BETTER, which is extremely satisfying.

Sarah: I am a lazy reviser. I send my books to Lauren and Emily and ask them what I should fix.

4) Authors talk about “the call.” Usually, it has to deal with getting an agent or getting published or getting an accolade. What was the best “call” you ever received in terms of your writing, and how did it go down?

Lauren: Ha.  I thought you were going to say that writers feel “the call” much as ministers feel “the call.”  And my brain was already spinning, thinking, “Eee gads, did I feel the call?  Did Flannery O’Connor speak to me from the dead?  Or Jesus?”  So, um, yeah.  Think I’ll turn this one over to the less ridiculous of my cohorts.

Emily: How to Be Bad went to auction. Meaning a bunch of publishers bid on the project. I had never had an auction before. I spent all day checking email every five minutes while simultaneously on the phone. It felt like some kind of fantasy of what publishing is like, rather than how it usually is.

Sarah: Ooo, that was fun. Auctions are awesome. My best call was from my agent telling me that Wendy Loggia at Random House wanted to buy Bras & Broomsticks. She called my agent two hours after she got it.

5) It looks like you all have been having a ton of fun promoting this book. Have you learned anything from this tour that you’ll do to promote your next single-author book?

Sarah: We did have a lot of fun! I love these girls. Sorry, ladies! Women! They do not like when I call them girls.

Lauren: I don’t mind when you call us “girls.”

Sarah: From Emily I learned to bring lots of postcards and bookmarks. She is always very prepared. Oh, and I also learned to not leave my flip-flops on the beach because someone will steal them. From Lauren I learned to take lots of pictures and video and to be nice to everyone. Lauren is very very very nice.

Lauren: True dat.  And I learned from Sarah that it’s okay to ask for a better room at the hotel if they stick you in a closet.  From Emily, I learned all about class and dignity, baby.  And I learned that I now have two dear friends forever and ever, and I can show them the “real” me (has to happen on a three-week tour), and they will still love me.  I learned, frankly, that I am an amazingly lucky lady-girl-woman.

Emily: I learned that one should always travel with Sarah and Lauren.  Otherwise, who will drive? Who will buy me lipgloss? Who will get me into fancy airport lounges and figure out what restaurants to go to and make hilarious videos during long car rides? Really, I do not want to promote a book without these women ever again.

For more Emily, visit her blog.

For more Sarah, visit her site.

For more Lauren, visit her blog.

And for all three of these lovely ladies all at once, visit them here.

1) What do you think the underlying theme/take-home message is in every book you write?

I’m not sure there is a single underlying theme in every book I write. Climbing the Stairs, which is of course my favorite book of mine so far, has a lot of different themes woven into it: Gandhi’s ideas of nonviolence, the effect of World War II on India and the British colonies, Indian philosophers, the distance between some Hindu societal customs and Hindu spirituality, women’s rights and human equality. But I never thought about the themes when I was writing – it’s only after I actually finished the book that I sat back and thought, “Hey, there’s a lot of cool threads woven into this – it’s pretty much like a colorful sari in some ways!”

One of the central questions in Climbing the Stairs, which is as relevant in our nation today (as it was in India in 1941) is whether war is sometimes inevitable. My characters debate that – and they arrive at radically different answers because of who they are. Does “nonviolence” always work, and what really is nonviolence? That’s another related question which my characters raise in the novel, but don’t answer, probably because, again, I think that question is too complex for a simple take-home message.

Another thread woven into the novel is colonialism. My characters argue about the pros and cons of British colonization of India – but I don’t think there’s one easy answer to what happens when a nation is colonized and how colonization affects a people.

I guess my take home message is that there’s no simple take-home message in Climbing the Stairs!

2) What’s the hardest part of the writing process for you? How do you overcome it?

Finding time to do it! These days, anyway. I am struggling with the rewrite of Island’s End (novel #2, which luckily Penguin bought already), but I like to think it’s mostly because I just don’t have long periods of time to write anymore and I’m sleepwalking half the time, thanks to our new baby.

One technique I’ve found really useful is to try and connect with my characters every day as often as I can. Some days I just don’t get to the computer, but I still try to find at least 5 minutes to close my eyes and try to hear my characters speaking, or travel to the Island and listen to the sound of the surf. Or grab the scrap of paper that’s lying closest to me and scribble something – a few sentences, something about the plot, a sentence. If I’m feeling too knackered to connect with my novel, then I try to at least remember my own experiences as they relate to the novel (Island’s End is not autobiographical, but it does draw from my experience as a researcher working in a remote island location). This helps a lot. If I manage to connect a bit with it each day, it’s much easier to start writing when I finally find a moment, even if it’s only once a week.

3) How did you get your agent?

I decided to get an agent only after finishing Climbing the Stairs (I’ve sold about 20 shorter books without an agent, 18 of them to publishers in India).

I found my wonderful agent in a pretty typical way. I went to the library, spent hours researching agents there and on the Web, made a long list of agents and then whittled it down before I started querying them one by one.

I was sure they’d ask to see the entire manuscript. After all, three of my books that had been published in India had gone into second editions there, and one is being translated into other languages, including German and Korean. Plus, who wouldn’t want to read a coming-of-age story set during a tumultuous and exciting time? Climbing the Stairs had drama and romance. Though it was historical fiction, it had timeless themes woven into it, themes that were decidedly of topical interest.

Somewhere between the 10th rejection letter and the 20th, I was utterly devastated. I had followed agent’s guidelines and most of them hadn’t even asked me to send in sample chapters or pages and just sent form rejection letters.

As if this wasn’t bad enough, the first two that actually did ask to see some or part of my manuscript (making me sing with joy and dance with hope) wrote back saying almost identical things: they loved the story, my writing was beautiful, etc. etc. but they didn’t think any editor would buy it because “multicultural fiction” that wasn’t about a crisis of identity was hard to sell and they felt the plot was too complex for an American audience!

As a new American, that was pretty hard to take – especially because I feel the novel tackles issues that are of great current relevance, and that all human beings are essentially the same.

I was thrilled when my agent believed in me and my novel enough to sign “us” on. Ironically, my editor said he bought it precisely because Climbing the Stairs exposed him to an unusual setting and aspects of history and culture and religion that he hadn’t come across in previous submissions.

If you want to know who my editor and agent are, you’ll have to peep into my book.

4) What’s the typical writing day like for you?

Hectic. Crazy. Disorganized. But usually energizing and exhilarating. Sometimes frustrating. A moment here, three moments there, and ah, maybe an hour – or even two!!! Typical – what does that word mean???

5) When you got your first advance, did you “splurge” on anything?

A trip to Vancouver – what a lovely city!

For more Padma, visit her site and her blog.