I have an author crush.
I’m not embarrassed to admit that if I could transmutate into Suzanne Collins, author of the wildly popular Hunger Games series, and only had to trade my immortal soul, I might be seriously tempted. Okay, maybe not, but I’m sure to be fan-girling when I meet her on Monday at a signing at our local Borders (what? Borders still exists? I know).
It’s not because her royalty checks are a pretty sight, or because she’s going to have legions of fans lining up just to meet her. It’s because I admire her craft and storytelling skills, and she’s legitimizing a genre (YA) and subgenre (SF) dear to my heart. I plan to tell her this, in between things like “ZOMGosh, I just love your books!” and *squee*.
I’ll also be getting a signed copy of Mockingjay to give away – BUT you’ll have to visit my team blog, The Scribbler’s Cove, to enter to win.
There will be other cool pirate prizes, like an eyepatch and some parrot artwork by one of our talented contributors, Jonene Ficklin, plus a gift certificate to B&N and a copy The Gardener by S.A. Bodine – so make sure you hop over and enter, and spread the word!
Although you might come for the prizes, I think you’ll stay for the conversation. We’re a relaxed group of eight writers (including our cabin girl!) posting and chatting about our adventures in writing. We’ve talked about Worldbuilding vs. Geometry Homework, Character Conflict, and Genre Hunting, as well as how to Talk like a Pirate and Driver’s Ed.
The Scribbler’s Cove is a great place to hang out and talk with your writer friends. Come join us!
I have so many author crushes it is embarrasing. Sheesh. Great post.
ohmygoodness! i have such an author crush on suzanne collins! i think she did wonders for YA with The Hunger Games! it's so exciting to seen teens excited about a book that makes them think! jiminey christmas! you are so lucky to get to see her!!!!
I'm nearly finished with Mockingjay and I simply must adamantly agree. Ms. Collins is a master of plot, characterization and pacing. She keeps the vocab and imagery simple, which is perfect for her audience, and yet she still conveys compelling emotions, ideas and concepts. She is a master of the craft.
Enjoy meeting her Susan!
Today's guest blogger in Christina Lee!
@Leishamaw I admire a lot of authors, but this author-crush thing is new for me, and a tad out of control!
@aspiring Yes! That Collins can make people think (and talk and argue) is one of the things I adore about her.
@Matthew She is brilliance – I'm going to see if I can get a picture with her … and I hate having my picture taken. That's how smitten I am. 🙂
So this is called an author crush? I thought it was just jealousy, at least from my end.
I love when I have an author crush! It opens up a whole new world of books. I'm with you on Suzanne too. 🙂
(ps, I found you Sharon's 'Random Thoughts' blog. *hi*)
I would love to meet Suzanne Collins too. I've "had a crush" on her since we first happened upon Gregor The Overlander. Actually, I would most love for Neal to meet her. He's reading the Wizard of Oz books right now and has decided that of all the authors he's read, Frank Baum, C.S. Lewis, and Suzanne Collins are the best. I haven't read any of the Oz books, so I can't comment on Baum, but I do agree about Lewis and Collins.
Oh, I am so with you! I have major author crushes on Brandon Mull and my beloved James Dashner. *sigh* 🙂
@KarenG Ah, with any great love, there is also the possibility of the green-headed monster. 🙂
@Amy Hi! Thanks for hopping over from Sharon's blog!
@Rhonda I love when the authors take time to visit with the kids! I heard Westerfeld is making a school visit on his tour for Behemoth. I'm sure he's uber busy, but his esteem just went up three notches in my eyes for making that school visit. 🙂
@Shannon Dashner is hilarious on Twitter. I need to read his books!
I was crushing on her after the first two books, but she fell off the pedestal w/ the last one. Still solid writing, stylistically, and I was fine with the emotional arcs (loved the last section in its entirety), but the plotting of the 1st two sections showed some serious flaws.
I have an author crush on Cynthia Rylant, Patricia Pollacka and Jane Yolen…(I've emailed with Jane Yolen…isn't that cool!)
I am so going straight to this contest – yeah I have a crush on that series too. Would LOVE to meet Collins and pick her brain for a while!
I'm reading Mockingjay now! I'm forcing myself to go slowly so I don't devour it too quickly! You're so lucky to have her nearby! 🙂
I have a HUGE crush on Suzanne Collins. I own every single book she's ever written and I love them all dearly. SO jealous that you get to meet her!
Oh my goodness, I have so many author crushes — it isn't even funny! My most prominent (right now, at least. I have a gazillion more) are Anne McCaffrey (I've been crushing on her since I was EIGHT! I'm 20!), Tamora Pierce, Richelle Mead, Aprilynne Pike (I actually TALKED to her on Twitter. And she replied! o_o), and Suzanne Collins.
Those authors have at least one series I'm completely in love with. I'm still new to the whole authors actually interacting with fans thing. I'm from a small-ish town, and I only thought authors spoke with fans during signings and whatnot. Then I find they have blogs and twitter — it's a total culture shock!
Anyway, you're insanely lucky to be getting to meet her! I'm jealous! Take me with you? 😛
@Everyone I was out of town celebrating our anniversary and WOW a lot of people came to visit! 🙂
@Bane I know a lot of people who saw plotting issues with parts of Mockingjay. I still love her. As I told Adam Heine, "Someday I hope to fail as much as Suzanne Collins!" 🙂
@Sharon I love how accessible the internet has made authors – connecting with readers is super-awesome.
@Margo I'm wracking my brain for the one perfect question I could ask Suzanne, given the chance. 🙂
@Jemi I slurped Mockingjay up in almost one sitting! Yeah, no self control …. 🙂
@Sherrie I am SO taking pictures! Can't wait! 🙂
@Kristina I wish we could go fan-girl together! 🙂 I think she's going to be mobbed.