The Author's Life For Me...

February is #AuthorLifeMonth. I missed out on the beginning because I was away in NC, then visiting family. I'm going to do it in two blog posts, so here's 1-14:

2/1 - Meet me:
Once a newspaper reporter, until Hollywood calls, Charlotte lives in NJ with her husband, sons, two needy cats, and sometimes a deranged squirrel. Her books include the middle grade trilogy, Evolution Revolution: Simple Machines, Simple Plans, Simple Lessons. She co-authored the Sirenz series: Sirenz, Sirenz Back In Fashion, Blonde Ops, and two anthologies: Beware the Little White Rabbit and Scare Me to Sleep. Currently she’s polishing up several MG, YA and NA novels various genres.

2/2 - My Books:

Missing is the ebook, 'Scare Me to Sleep' 

2/3 - Writing Fuel:

Chai latte in my Patriots mug! 

2/4 - Biggest Fan/Mascot:

Mink and Casey

2/5 - Show a Shelf:

My favorite library shelves!

2/6 - Inspiration:
So many things inspire me: fairy tales, horror stories, people, places, bits of conversations, weird dreams... you name it. I wish I could live long enough to write all the stories in my head...

2/7 - Swag:

Just some of the swag from my books...

2/8 - My WIP:
(First paragraph from my tween novel which involves a continuation and a twist on a horror classic...)

With an easy finger, I stroke Rogue, the 8^th grade science room hamster, softly on her head. Leaning over, I let her whiskers tickle my nose before I gently place her back in her fun house cage. She burrows deep into the pine bedding and disappears. My teacher, Mr. Gogi, only lets me feed the animals. He says I have a ‘way’ with them. Maybe I understand how they feel; they’re stuck in a cage or tank while I’m stuck in middle school prison. They want to be free as much as me, but none of us  are.

2/9 - Fashion:

I don't dress 'out there' except I have a thing for funny socks...

2/10 - Bookish Bucket List:
*NYTimes Bestseller list
*multi book deal
*appear at event with several authors I admire
*have my screenplay produced into a TV/movie
*have a famous author tell me they read 1 (or more!) of my books!
*be an SCBWI keynote speaker

2/11 - Goals Accomplished:
*been pubbed several times by traditional publishers
*fans told me how much they loved my books
*signing event at Book Expo America where 300 people showed up to get a signed book
*successfully did NaNoWriMo several times
*given numerous workshops and classes on writing
*been asked to give presentations

2/12 - Other Fave Media:
Instagram! I see a different side to people aside from writing and it's a chance to make friends out of the author circle. I can 'chat' with celebrities, see places I'd like to go, and learn about things going on in different places of the world.

2/13 - Writer Friends:

Just a few of my many author friends! Wish I could fit you ALL in! 

2/14 - Treat Yourself:

Reading poolside... doesn't get much better (unless I'm in the Caribbean!)

So that's #AuthorLife in half a month. Next blog post, days 15-28.

Char 

One of My Favorite Things....

Is the Raritan Public Library. It's old world elegance, harkening back to a time when reading was looked upon by almost everyone as a precious gift.

The library is  lodged in the former General John Freylinghuysen House. Originally built by an early Dutch settler in the 1700's, it has been a tavern, public meeting hall, jail, home and finally the library. Several additions have been added and the Federal style architecture appeared around 1810. Peter Freylinghuysen bought the property in 1970 and shortly thereafter donated it to the Borough of Raritan. In 1971 the building was placed on the National and New Jersey Register of Historic Places

See the light of wisdom shining on it? Wait, it gets better....

Here's a reading room:

Handmade reproduction period furniture makes it all cozy and inspirational. Somehow I imagine the Founding Fathers arguing over the grammar in the Declaration of Independence with a pint of ale (although the house in this form wasn't built until the 1780's).

Here's the children's room:

Now what kid wouldn't want to pick out a book and read it in the carriage, or at the tables, or near the fireplace?

And for the serious readers, look at these glorious stacks, packed with tomes of delight:

Need a break from reading? Meander upstairs to John Basilone room where you can see artifacts, documents, and photos of the decorated hero, and a even a small scale model of the USS John Basilone Destroyer.

If that's not enough to tempt you, the front reading room (there are bookshelves in every room!) is a cozy place to curl up with a book.

Director MaryJane Paese is one of the many helpful, friendly and knowledgeable people. This library offers a newsletter of events, staff picks, program descriptions and other information. There are crafting, knitting, yoga, family film and 1-on-1 computer classes, in addition to many special programs for children like a Lego party, storytime, and crafts. MaryJane and staff are working on expanding their Teen and Pre-Teen programs; they even have a teen blog: http://rpl.blogspot.com which will list new acquisitions, book discussion groups and other events. I will be there in mid-late May talking about Sirenz and Sirenz Back In Fashion, and answering writing/publishing questions. (Natalie is may be there as well, dependent upon schedule constraints).

Interested? Visit them at 54 East Somerset Street, Raritan, NJ, or hop over via www.raritanlibrary.org

Char