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Sunday, January 06, 2008

MJ AND LIBBA BRAY

While I am reading all these entries in the Suite Scarlett contest, you can maybe watch this video of me interviewing Libba Bray about her new book, The Sweet Far Thing. If you like that sort of thing.

YOU STILL HAVE LOTS OF TIME TO ENTER! YOU HAVE UNTIL MONDAY!

Also, because it's important that I always get something wrong . . . the book is The Sweet Far Thing. I keep calling it A Sweet Far Thing, maybe because I always dropped off the article when talking about it. Or maybe just because I am dumb. Hopefully, I will not confuse too many people. A Sweet Far Thing . . . The Sweet Far Thing . . .

It's sweet. And it's far. That's what you need to know.

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43 Comments:

Blogger WannabeWriter said...

Oooh, first comment priveleges.

Hilarious video!!

*wheeze* Gemma! Don't go in the realms!

Hi-la-ri-ous.

6:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

lol so funny!
I just got done with the book today! Loved it of course :)

I want a bandaid!

7:42 AM  
Blogger Hannah Rose said...

You have no idea how hard that made me laugh. That made my day much better! Maureen, could you maybe come WITH Libba on her tour with Shannon Hale, to Portland Oregon because I'M GOING TO BE THERE, and I love you desperately. But not in a creepy want to smell your hair way, of course.

I was totally freaked out when Spence's Motto changed from "Grace Charm and Beauty" to "Grace Strength and Beauty". I thought maybe I was going nuts until I read on Libba's blog that other people noticed too.

I want cool author friends. Why is it that authors ALWAYS live in New York? It's the mecca for good YA authors! *sigh*

Maybe I'll get there someday...

Love,

Hannah

7:48 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That was one awesome video. I mean, TWO great authors in ONE video? Can it get any better? Well, maybe if there were 3 or 4 or 5 authors in one video, but still. It was a great video. I enjoyed it immensely.

9:52 AM  
Blogger Little Willow said...

Move over, Regis & Kelly - Here come Maureen & Libba!

For the record, I'm not a fan of Regis & Kelly. Or Regis & Kathie Lee. Or Regis. You individually are each 103 times cooler than he, and when your powers combine? Forget about it!

10:43 AM  
Blogger YA Librarian said...

Rockin! Loved the video. I demand more. I put your youtube video on my blog. I hope ya don't mind.

7:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is kind of the best video ever. :B

And: MJ should send me Suite Scarlett because I need delicious books to devour between attacks of assigned literature. My mind has to stay intact somehow!

7:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can't wait for your book! As I posted on Libba's LJ, my father has his friends over to watch the NY Giants vs. Tampa Bay Buckaneers (sp?) for wild card playoffs. Translation: I can't hear anything. SO. I will also repost here afterthe game is over. (Football is not my sport, skiing and baseball are)

*Emilee

9:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That was hilarious. Totally filled up the empty hole B2.0 left.

9:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A+ hilarious eye-widen of fear when Libba made the childbirth comment.

10:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I always thought it was called 'The Sweet Fair thing' *shrugs*

11:58 PM  
Blogger Little Willow said...

Unicorns. Watch them.

12:11 AM  
Blogger Flinn said...

Aw, you guys are great. Also, I just want to check to see if you got my address.

2:27 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Omg, that was hysterical. I give you big kudos, I could not have kept a straight face that long. (Just for the record, I'd be the one freaking out and smelling hair.) And the cataracts thing, yeah, for some reason, I couldn't pronounce his name at all in AGATB. I was like "The guy who those six letters refer to" each time I read that. x)

3:56 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was very bored. I could not find ANY books to read. So I went on a brave and scary adventure next door to my friends house. I walked across the very icy driveway and was there. I rang the doorbell and a yappy dog greeted me.
"Hi! Is Miranda there?" I asked, pleasantly, to the little Shi tzu, who was barking like crazy. The dog responded with a series of yaps and yips, and I sat there trying to decipher this. Suddenly I heard footsteps and looked up. There was their older brother standing there giving me a weird look.
"You wanted Miranda?" He asked, quizically. I nodded, "Yeah!" I said, a little too enthusiastically. He motioned for me to come inside, and I did.
"MIRANDAA!" He called. I heard footsteps coming down the stairs, and looked up at Miranda. "Hi! I was wondering if you have ANY good books to read. My supply is running a little short." She nodded, and ran upstairs. I followed her, and went into her room.
There, a bookshelf stood against her wall, with many books. She told me to look and take what I wanted to. I grabbed a couple of books and sat down on her bed to read the blurbs. One book, in particular caught my eye. It was blue, and had a girl on the front cover. I read the title, "Is this book any good?" I asked, as I read the title, which was 13 Little Blue Envelopes, by Maureen Johnson.
"Yeah," She said, nodding. I read a little of the first chapter, and was hooked. I grabbed the book, and hastily said goodbye. Miranda dismissed me with a simple wave of the hand and resumed activity on her computer. I ran out the door to avoid the dog, and braved the icy driveway. Although, I wasn't watching where I was going, and slipped on a patch of ice. The book, which I was holding in my hands, slipped from out of my reach and flew into the air. I managed to catch it, and marveled at my luck for a while.
I finally made it through the door of my house, bruised and shattered. The 5 steps I took to get inside too much for me. I walked upstairs and into my room. There I immersed myself in Maureen's world. I didn't come out of my room for hours.
The next day, I asked my mom to buy me Devilish, which she did to my excitement. As soon as she had walked in the door I grabbed the Chapters book from her hand, leaving her with a dumbfounded expression on her face. I opened the book and stayed in my room and didn't come out.
When I finally got my library card renewed, I ended up getting the Bermudez Triangle, which I read in the summer holidays. I loved it dearly, and when I found out people had tried to ban it I cursed them. Silly people.
Soon, my library book funds caught up with me, and my lack of cash did too. I was not able to buy any books until recently when I bought Girl at Sea. I'm reading it feverishly now, along with your blog, which is where I found out about the Suite Scarlett contests. Excitedly, I entered the first contest, but I didn't win. I waited, and waited, and when the second contest came around, I didn't win that either. The amazon contest, I was not able to enter, because of the lack of funds I mentioned previously that prevented me from posting on the boards, I was heartbroken. Then the next contest came up, and I realized it was my chance.
So I constructed this story in hopes of winning. I hope it helps that my birthday is on January 14th, and it would be awesome to get a birthday present from the great Maureen Johnson.

Thank you, and have a wonderfully CHEERFUL day!

(That was REALLYYY LONG, for a comment, but I didn't know where else to put it :D)

4:03 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"I wanna be you when I grow up."
"No, you don't."
"I do."
"You don't, no, not really--"
"Can I smell your hair?!"

Best. Thing. Ever.

4:12 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just had to post this: http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/01/04/taser.party.ap/index.html

A pink stun gun!

Also, amazing video. Seriously.

5:13 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This video was so funny! I couldn't stop laughing. I love you guys!

5:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That video was hilarious! Will you ever put up an extended version, with no cuts?
The Sweet Far Thing was amazing! It gave me goosebumps when I finished it.

5:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I never knew Libba Bray was so hilarious.
And you, too, Maureen.

6:26 AM  
Blogger Rebecca said...

That is the best. video. ever. I think it even gives the Evil Baby Orphanage video a run for its money. :D

7:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Loved the video!!!!!! it was soooooooooo funny :) r u hiding anymore??:)

-I LOVE CHOCOLATE- xoxo-amoonzi

10:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

MJ should send me Suite Scarlett because I am a fan. I am a fan of your books. I am a fan of your blogs. As a fan, I would really like to be able to read your new book.

12:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

FREE TOY INSIDE, FREE TOY INSIDE?!

You made the first day of the new term a little brighter for me. Which is saying something because I have a two hour Japanese class and I have not practiced my kanji since the Japanese exam at the beginning of December.

Thank you MJ! :D Crazy Japanese-taking uni student out!

5:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

HI YOU ARE MY NEW FAVORITE. *coughs* Ahem. Anyway! This made me laugh so hard--right in the middle of my newspaper "class". (I get away with it because it is my job, sort of! My life, FTW.) AND I DO WANT TO BE YOU WHEN I GROW UP. Or Libba Bray. Or Tinkerbell/Jesus.

6:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

-Amanda
Heehee! You and Libba Bray have the funniest blogs (and books) ever, seriously. I loved when you talked about how teens react to books cause I was totally laughing at it then I realized I'd probably die then jump up and down like a loser if I ever met you or Libba.
Whenever I read your blog my sister looks at me like I'm deranged (I'm not,I'm just weirdly nerdy) because I'm practically rolling on the floor laughing so hard.
Suite Scarlett needs to come out now!!!I'm seriously so out of books to read that I've caught myself considering picking up a gossip girls book. Save me!

10:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Still finishing book...unfortunately school stuff got in the way...but not this week!!

O...M...G!! You two make awesome teenagers trapped in adult bodies.
No wonder your books are awesome and kick ass.

2:49 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

this video made my day. actually, it made my week. what could be better than two of my favorite authors collaborating to produce a hilarious montage of...humor?

Answer:

NOTHING!!!!!!

2:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow. That was basically amazing. I haven't read AGATB, RA or TSFT, but I already know the ending so that's okay. Now, however, I want to read them. I read the first fifty or so pages of AGATB, but have books to read for school, so I had to quit.

I seriously want to be a YA Author in new york. It is my life's dream to meet one of my favorite YA Authors.

3:20 AM  
Blogger Reese said...

*Gasp!* I have a great story about smelling hair!

My class went to D.C. and on the bus back to the airport we were playing mash. Which is a game where you basically figure out your life. My car was going to be an umbrella, like in Mary Poppins, I was going to live in crate on the side of a highway and my job...
A PROFESSIONAL HAIR SNIFFER. I laughed for about a week. Now, in gym when I see the girl who did my mash she comes up behind me and sniffs my hair. Its really funny but kind of awkward.

6:06 AM  
Blogger Allie Beckaliciousness =) said...

ONE MORE THING =)

(just sayin...)

i'll be 15 on sunday!! AMAZING BDAY PRESENT??!!! I THINK YESSSS!

6:15 AM  
Blogger Allie Beckaliciousness =) said...

and the video was so funny i alsmot had milk come out of my nose. that's a lie, but doesn't it sound good? it always sounds better when the milk goes through the nose...odd.

6:24 AM  
Blogger Tiff @ Mostly YA Lit said...

MJ, this is totally off-topic, but I finally read Girl at Sea on my flight to San Francisco (only downtime a poor sad-sack MA candidate has), and I LOVED IT! I didn't want to say this before, but I didn't really like Devilish, and I was worried about Girl at Sea being disappointing...how wrong I was. I want to marry Aidan. And I want a box of those pastels Elsa gave Clio. And possibly a yacht, a Dive! game and a Margaret stone. Can you possibly deliver those things to me? The Margaret stone would be especially cool--linguists everywhere would be cunningly trying to wrench it out of my hands! Please, please, pretty please?

If not, maybe a copy of Suite Scarlett would suffice.

Libba Bray is now on my reading list. I'm working on finding time for Sarah Dessen and Stephanie Meyer. And possibly another look at Deathly Hallows. JK deserves that.

9:12 AM  
Blogger Tiff @ Mostly YA Lit said...

Oh, I guess I also need to clarify that you need to give me Suite Scarlett so that I won't spend hours harassing linguists about a Margaret stone somewhere around Toronto. Instead, I will spend hours reading your book!

Also, it's only fair, since you're probably not giving me Dive!, Aidan, Clio's pastels, a yacht, or a Margaret stone. Or, Zac Efron so that I can personally feed him a hamster.

So how about Suite Scarlett, then?

9:26 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

LOL! :D :) :D
Loved it! You guys rock!
PLEASE ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS SOON!
I don't care if I win--I mean, I do, but I won't freak out if I don't, okay, slightly, a wee little freak out maybe and some tears and stuff, but don't worry, I'll be fine, really, even if my whole family starts wondering why I start tearing up in the middle of dinner--I just really need another post from you to cheer me up! Going back to school was a big bummer...:(
So please cheer me up
:*) Katie

4:03 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I said this to Libba, and she told me to tell you. COME TO PA DAMMIT? I think it kicks ass that you are originally from PA. So both of you come. We need to have some serious coffee conversations.

9:38 AM  
Blogger Trish said...

To be fair, Libba was totally spot on with her childbirth reference. I've had two, so I know that moment when you want to grab someone (or you DO grab someone) and scream, "I can't do this anymore!" I had that same moment a couple of times while writing.

7:47 PM  
Blogger Jayme said...

MJ should send me Suite Scarlett because I am a poor college student who can't afford to buy my own copy. I could borrow it from the library, but then I would not be able to read it whenever I wanted--including waiting in line in the fast food drive thru, the bathtub, my roommate's bed, and my Major American Writers class. And if MJ was to send me my own copy I would be free to read it in my fair hometown of Bartlesville, Oklahoma where I might possibly upset, in Meg Cabot's words, some "Angry Moms."

3:33 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

this is REALLY off topic, but i'm new to this site and your books, so what's the deal with you a JK? if u or anyone else could answer, that would be great.
btw loved the video! saw it on ally carters website 2... soo funny!

4:52 AM  
Blogger Rebecca said...

i just keep watching this video over and over again. i can't stop myself. it's like a compulsion. it is a compulsion. :D

9:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wooster Collective Mentions Jorge

http://www.woostercollective.com/2008/01/identity_the_art_of_jorge_rodriguezgerad.html#mail

Fo sho.

6:18 PM  
Blogger Lindsay said...

Wow, I was actually really surprised that 3 of my favorite authors are connected somehow. I love John Green, which lead me to "13 little blue envelopes", which made me want to go to Europe, which then made me watch more of their older vlogbrothers videos, which lead me to want to find your blog. As I found your blog, I saw that you are friends with Libba Bray! Wow! And I didn't find her through connections. I guess great minds... become friends in the writing world. I want to thank you all for providing me with lovely reading material to fuel my brains hunger.

10:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

thank you nice sharing

3:59 PM  

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