Bad day

I'm having a bad day.

Now, keep in mind, it's not the kind of bad day that's really a bad day, like with tears and tragedy and life-altering badness.

No, this is the other kind of bad day. Which is good. But still bad.

Like how, for example, I was an extremely diligent Weight Watcher last week and was UNDER my daily points allowance 6 out of the seven days, and then I didn't lose a single pound...not one! And then I got on weightwatchers.com and found out that not eating your daily points is about as bad as eating too many points. So essentially I was hungry. For nothing.

And then there's the fact that I'm totally back on the Diet Coke. I've relapsed. I'm off the wagon. And now I've got to go through it all again.

And let's not forget that BEA is just getting closer and closer and I'm no closer to being able to wear cute clothes!

Oh, and my cold is lingering on, having set up permanent residence in my breathing places.

Have I mentioned I didn't lose any weight last week?

And there is some good news, that's really great news, but I can't share it yet, which is bad news, so I'm really conflicted about the whole situation.

So there. I'm having a bad day.

But this week I get to eat. And maybe lose weight.


later,
Ally

Hollywood Girls' Club!

LA trip: part two!


It's true that spending a day with the beautiful, talented, sweet, smart, and just generally lovable people of Louisville High (not to mention seeing a certain Hollywood hottie at the airport) alone would have made my trip worthwhile.

But did the good times end there? No, they didn't!

I also got to have dinner with the fabulous, beautiful, talented, hip, and just generally one-of-my-favorite-people ever...Maggie Marr!

Maggie is a real-life Hollywood power player, a former agent at one of the world's largest and most prestigious agencies who is now a full-time writer of books, TV pilots, and other wonderful things.

Her first book, Hollywood Girls' Club just came out a few weeks ago.



Have you bought it yet? Have you read it yet? Why not? Get thee to a bookstore, people! This book is biiiiiig--like it-was-on-the-front-tables-at-barnes-and-noble-big.

I feel compelled to point out that this is not a young adult book. As Maggie and I discussed over dinner, my books are PG--hers are R. So just...FYI.



have a great weekend, everyone!

Ally

It never rains in southern California

It never rains in southern California--except, of course, when I'm there. But the crazy thing was that I was the only person who didn't care. At all.

Hello--farm girl, here! I've totally worked cows in weather worse than that.

Plus, how can you complain about the rain when you have two totally adorable tour guides who have been given strict instructions not to let you get wet!!!




Meet Krystal and Carolyne, the book-reading, code-cracking Gallagher-ish Girls who were behind my trip to Louisville High!

I got to visit with the amazing library staff and tour their gorgeous grounds.

Then I thought I'd be eating lunch with the book club in the cafeteria except... THEY DON'T HAVE A CAFETERIA!!!!

Instead, they have microwaves! Lots and lots of microwaves!



I'm pretty sure Carolyne and Krystal thought I was crazy that I was so impressed with the microwavableness of Louisville High that I took a picture...but come on! That is an impressive sight! (Plus, please note that some microwaves are labled "seniors". Wow. That's power.)

Following my tour I got to speak to all 500 members of the student body! It was so incredibly fun, and we got to cover such serious literary topics as how writers work, get paid, find agents, get rejected, and drool over Paul Walker when they see him in the airport.




Then, finally, I had to say good-bye to Carolyne, Krystal, and all the wonderful people at Louisville High.


I was so sad to leave, but I'm afraid I had caused the girls to miss way too many classes as it was. (If you fail French, girls, feel free to blame me!!!!)

I had an AMAZING time getting to know all of the amazing young women of Louisville High--my only regret is that I didn't get to spend more time with them.






Seeing that picture reminds me...


Weight watchers points consumed yesterday: 19 (I think)
Miles walked: zero
Kleenexes mutilated due to vigorous nose blowing: 27 (roughly)
pounds lost last week: three!



Have a good night, everyone!

Ally

Still cold

I'm sooooo sorry I haven't posted pics and highlights of the big trip--both are coming. Soon!

Just as soon as I can breathe through my nose again.

What does breathing through one's nose have to do with uploading pictures, you may ask.

Uh....not much. But it does have to do with one's desire to lay on the couch watching Gilmore Girls.

later gators,
Ally

Cold

I'm home.

I'm sick.

I'll try to post pictures and details tomorrow!


-Ally

Emergency post: things I've learned in LA so far

So far on my trip:

I've learned that if two girls are talking really loudly in the line for the plane they will most likely continue talking loudly ON the plane--no matter how many dirty looks people give them.

I've realized that on three+ hour long flights even window people should become aisle people becuase it's way easier to get up and go to the bathroom.

I've remembered that whenever people ask you "whatcha writing there" and you tell them "I'm an author, I'm working on my new book" that's usually all it takes to make middle-aged men talk for two and a half hours about their poetry.

I've come to really, really, really appreciate my new GPS unit.

And the final thing I've learned on my trip so far...

If you're walking through the LA airport, thinking "maybe I'll see a movie star" you're guaranteed to see a really hot guy and think "he could be a movie star" and then you realize--IT'S PAUL WALKER!!! He IS a movie star!!!!!

And then I was so freaked out I almost got on the wrong rental car shuttle.

So, that's my great LA adventure so far. I'm thinking a lot about LEARNING TO PLAY GIN and feeling a great deal like Julia--just wishing I'd brought a Nina. (To fully get those references, get thee a copy of GIN now!)

Later gators,
Ally

Update

This just in:

The no-Diet-Coke rule has been ammended.

I am now not drinking Diet Coke EXCEPT when I'm sitting on the floor of the Kansas City airport for long periods of time.

But at least the Kansas City airport has free wireless internet!


more later...

Ally

leaving on a jet plane

Busy day today because I'm flying to California for my big school appearance tomorrow (thanks to everyone for your tips!)

But before I leave I wanted to share the big weight l0ss progress and also the news that I haven't died from Diet Coke withdrawls (yet).


Points consumed yesterday: 21
Miles walked: FOUR!!!



Have a great weekend, everyone!

Ally

The art of school visits

Pop quiz time!

Let's say you're a student in high school (I know that won't be much of a stretch for some of you), and let's say an author (we'll call her Ally) is going to come visit your school and do a presentation in front of the entire student body--400 girls (because we're also assuming you go to an all-girls school).

What exactly should the author talk about?

I mean, hypothetically, I know what I usually talk about, but something about the 400 girls in an auditorium staring at me thing is starting to--hypothetically--make me second-guess myself.

So tell me, gang, if you were going to listen to an author for an hour, what would you expect?


-Ally



weight watchers points consumed: 22
miles walked: 2
diet cokes I wanted to consume: 95

Diet Coke: a tribute

I've decided to try to kick my Diet Coke habit.

Like a lot of addictions, I thought I could control it. I've told myself for years that I was a recreational drinker--that I only did it when I was eating popcorn or pizza; that it was just something I did to unwind at the end of the day. That I could quit anytime I wanted.

But then the deadlines started and one a day turned into three a day...and...

My name is Ally. And I'm a Diet Coke addict.

I know I probably shouldn't go cold turkey, but that's what I'm going to try.

Stay tuned for updates!


-Ally




Weight watchers points consumed: 20
Miles walked: FOUR!!!!
Number of dresses from Nordstrom.com that were too tight when I finally tried them on: 2




EDITED TO ADD: it's 4:12 p.m. and I'm starting to crumble. And shake. And think about that episode of House where they put that model into a coma to detox all the herione out of her system. Do you think my doctor would do that for me?


EDITED TO ADD: 5:14 and the headaches have started. Stay tuned to see what happens next...

weight watchers woes

First off, the stats:

Weight watcher points consumed yesterday: 22
Miles walked: 3
Pounds lost last week: 3


I'm confused. And obsessed. Two things that are pretty commonplace in my world, but for the life of me I can't wrap my mind around this weight watchers thing.

Like the 35 weekly allowance points? Some people say that you should use as few of your weekly points as possible, but some other people say you've got to use them all or your metabolism shuts down, and that seriously does not sound like a good thing.

And Diet Coke? What am I supposed to do about my Diet Coke habit? It's zero points, but then there's a massive arguement that artificial sweeteners are killing us all slowly!

I'm at a loss. I'm confused. I'm obsessed.

And hungry--did I mention hungry?

-Ally


ps....many thanks to everyone who has commented lately with nice words about the book--you guys rock!

Dramarama!

The ubertalented E. Lockhart has honored me with a place on her wonderful blog.

Go read all about my musical ambition and why I frequently find myself singing the Gaston song from Beauty and the Beast on a daily basis.

I also happen to be the proud owner of an advance copy of E's great new book, Dramarama. I've been saving it for a cross-country flight next weekend--full review is coming!


happy weekend!
Ally


Weight watchers points consumed yesterday: 25 (well within weekly allowance)
Miles walked: zero.

Rainy days and Mondays

It's cold and rainy here again today, but the farm girl in me learned early never to cuss the rain unless you've got hay down, so I'm not complaining.

Speaking of the farm girl in me, I've started a new book, and I really want to talk about it. But I can't. For several reasons.

1. As I've said before, ideas are valuable, but they're not easily copyrightable, so don't go blabbing them!

2. This is a book I'm writing just for me, and whether it's ever published or not is kind of beside the point, so it's probably best not to blog about something that may never be available in stores.

3. I think a very common mistake writers make early in their careers to spend more time talking about their books than they spend actually working on their books. Talk is cheap, folks. It's easy. And it never put anyone on the Times list. If you want to be a writer you've got to write. Sorry, there's just no way around it.

4. This book is personal. Like serioulsy personal. And not at all like anything else you've read from me, which goes back to #2 about how it may never see the light of day, so why blab now. If and when it sells, I'll tell you all about it.

5. (the biggest reason) Why should I waste anyone's time writing about a boring old book when you're probably far more interested in the exciting world of "Ally's diet!"



Weight watchers points consumed: 23
Miles walked: 2
Fabulous-sounding muffin recipes found on weightwatchers.com: 1


have a happy weekend, everyone!
Ally

Favor!

Hi Everyone,

I need to ask a favor. It may be a pretty big one, or it may not, depending on your circumstance. But as I've said here before Barnes and Noble is doing a really cool free-standing display for the Love You Kill You paperbacks, and I'm dying for a picture!

This is seriously the kind of thing that might only happen once in a writer's career, and I really, really, really want a picture, but I haven't been able to get one yet.

So, if any of you are going to Barnes and Noble in the near future and happen to have a camera in your purse or something, and you see the display, could you please take a picture and send it to me? Seriously, I'll love you forever if you do.


thanks!

Ally




Yesterday's diet progress:
Weight Watchers points consumed 22
Miles walked: 2
Number of times I seriously started to order Mexican food with the really good queso: 927

What happens next

Easter is over. The next Gallagher Girls book is finished. And Book Expo Amercia is still a couple of months away, so what's a girl to do?

Go on a diet.

Seriously this time. I mean it. In fact, I'm so serious about it that I signed up for Weight Watchers, all ready to be guilted into sticking with it by my fellow weight watchees, only to find out that we no longer have a Weight Watchers meeting here!

What am I going to do?

I'll tell you what I'm going to do: I'm throwing down the gauntlet. I'm stating here--publicly and for the record--that I will post my dietary progress each and every day and you, the blog reading public, will have to keep me honest and cheer me on.

Now, who's with me?


Points consumed yesterday: 19
Miles walked: 2


Not a bad day.


later,
Ally

A guide to the hunt

I think everybody is truly good at something. It may be a little thing. It may not be something that has much economic or cultural value. But we've all got something.

And honestly, I've got Easter Egg hiding.

It's true. When it comes to arranging for a proper hunt I kinda rock.

Now don't get me wrong--a person can't become a master egg hider overnight. It takes years of practice and dedication to the craft; of attention to detail and careful observations of weather patterns, topography, and the changes in Easter fashions.

It's a big responsibility, and not one that should be taken lightly. But if anyone out there wants to tackle the important and exhilerating world of egg hiding, here's where I suggest you begin.




First, as my cousin-slash-apprentice, Abby, illustrates above, you should choose your hunt location carefully.

Pros are brightly-colored flowers and plentiful foliage.

Cons are terrain rough enough to make kids fall down and thorny plants (trust me--on this I speak from experience.

As you can see, my sister's house pretty much is the perfect hunt environment. That's why I made her buy it.

Next, it's important to know your audience.

Some eggs may need to be hidden way up high to challenge the older kids.



But don't forget your beginner-hunters, either. They've got to learn while they're young!




And remember to utilize both natural and man-made hiding places to keep them on their toes!




I know this is a lot to take in--and believe me, there's far more to it--but I think it's a good place to start.

Good luck, everyone.

And happy hiding!


Ally

Hunting

It was a big weekend for hunting all around.

Hunting someplace that wasn't freezing cold.

Hunting Easter eggs (more on that--with pictures--tomorrow).

Hunting paperback copies of I'D TELL YOU I LOVE YOU BUT THEN I'D HAVE TO KILL YOU.

Let me just appologize again to all of you who have ended up with the misprinted copies of the new paperbacks. There was an error with the print run--or part of the print run--I'm not sure.

All I know is that booksellers should have been notified about the problem and misprinted books should have been pulled from shelves.

But, alas, a few of the misprinted books slipped through. If this happened to you, I would recommend you notifiy the bookstore and tell them you'd like to swap out for a correctly printed version when they are available in a few days.

I don't know when the paperbacks will be available everywhere, but I REALLY hope it's soon!!!

more tomorrow!
Ally


ps...my email is (crosses fingers and knocks on wood) finally working! But unfortunately a lot of emails got lost in the transition from one account to another. If you haven't heard from me--that's why. And I'm REALLY sorry!

Cross My Heart...the blurb

So people keep asking me what CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO SPY is about.

And I keep dodging the question.

Seriously. It's like I don't know the answer or something...like I didn't do my homework...like I didn't read the book and am waiting for the movie.

But I WROTE the book! I totally, absolutely know what it's about.

I can even do the two sentence elevator pitch if I have to, but...

I don't want to.

And I just realized why: I don't want to give anything away. And I do mean anything.

I think there are very few times when a reader has a pure reading experience. This is something I used to think all the time when writing screenplays--that the first reader is the only person to sit down without having seen the previews or hearing the pitch. Without having a clue where the journey is going to take you.

Same thing with books. It's almost impossible to start a book without having at least some of the plot be spoiled for you.

After all...

...you know what the cover looks like.

...you know what you read on the back of the book.

...you know what your friends said about it.

...you know what the reviewers or people on BN or Amazon.com had to say (and sometimes they say waaay too much if you ask me.)

But how often do you pick up a book and just wait to see where the story takes you--a completely unexpected journey?

And that, I guess, is how I think this book could be enjoyed most.

There's a big plot twist that happens at about page thirty, and another at page 80, and another at 150, and so on and so on. And if I were to tell you "what the book's about" I'd have to share at least a part of those.

And I really, really, really don't want to.

If you want to know more there will be an official "blurb" from the publisher that will no doubt be on the bookjacket and all the online stores and everything else. And maybe someday I'll break down and post it here.

But right now I'm being stubborn. I want your jaws to drop and you to scream "no freaking way!!!!" as much as possible, so let me just say this:

Nothing at spy school is ever as it seems. And Cammie's getting ready to learn that the hard way.


And I'd tell you more, but well...you know.


-Ally

My fictional world

It is probable--not just possible--that I have the worst memory in the world.

Really. It's true. There are amnesia victims out there who have a better grasp on their pasts than I have.

For example: today I'm on a plane, just sitting there reading Everything Changes by Jonathan Tropper (a really good book, by the way) and I glance up to see a guy walking down the aisle, moving to the back of the plane (we were still in the boarding process.)

Immediately I start the "do I know him?" "I think I might know him?" "Is he someone I know?" arguement with myself. Then he smiles at me so, yes, I do know him.

Or he was wondering why I was staring at him.

So then I spend the entire duration of the flight trying to figure out where the heck I know that guy from?????

I even consider violating federal aviation law and calling my friend Crazy Beth to see if I could describe him and have her confirm whether or not he was an OSU guy.

Well, cut to us at the baggage claim and him saying "So do you get back to Stillwater much?"

Bingo!

He IS an OSU guy!

But I couldn't tell you his name if my LIFE depended on it.

I'm pretty sure I had multiple classes with this person for multiple semesters. I'm pretty sure I remember more about the actual classes than about the people who sat beside me during them.

How sad is that?

But, on upside, I had an excellent GPA.

I've read a lot of good books lately. How about you?


-Ally

The great paperback hunt

I've had three very cool readers email me pictures of their super cute paperbacks!!! Yea!

I'm so glad they're out there in the world, but I have to say that I personally haven't found one yet.

I did find the beautiful display case that they have for the paperbacks in Barnes and Noble (hopefully I'll be able to post a picture soon), but unfortunately they didn't have any actual paperbacks since there was a problem printing some of them.

So, if you've bought a paperback, 1--thank you, and 2--doublecheck to make sure your copy is printed correctly. All the copies being sold should be fine, but it probably wouldn't hurt to doublecheck.

Okay. I'm on the road today, so I guess I'd better get back to it!



Ally

Paper, paper everywhere and not a piece to write on

I'm drowning--in paper.

Receipts!

Bills!

Investment Portfolio summaries!


These things have been piling and piling and piling up for months as I've been finishing Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy. But now I'm finally able to tackle them and after three days of doing nothing BUT opening and sorting and entering and going cross-eyed, I've just about got it.

I know this is maybe the most boring blog topic ever, but it's all I've got.

As soon as the paper stacks are gone I plan to get my email sorted out. Also, my wireless printing capabilities.

And then...

I've got to start writing.

Again.


later,
Ally



ps...the bad news is I can already tell I'm going to owe a lot of income tax. The good news is that means I had some income!