It could be someone that just inspired one specific trait in a character. Maybe your Main Character’s ex has a weird obsession with anime, kind of like a certain ex of yours. Or maybe the evil witch wreaking havoc on your other characters is straight-up Mrs. Hawkins, your 3rd grade math teacher. Confession time – who’s in your book?

As for me… I put some past friends in a story once when I was in college. But, I ended up not liking the story so I scraped it and moved on to something else. I’d like to think I portrayed them in a good light. They were good friends, afterall. It’s not something I would do again. I want my friends to continue being friends, and not everyone wants to be in a story, regardless of how well you portray them.  

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YA Highway is a blog (www.yahighway.com) by a group of young adult authors from all over the world! And every Wednesday YA Highway’s contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question and answer it on their own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination, from their blog, and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

But, why not do the same thing on our blog every week? I’ll post their question and you can put your answers in our comments section, or on your own blog and link back to it in our comments (and theirs too, if you’d like, because I’m sure they’d enjoy reading your answers!)

This week’s post is all about a brand new book release! Like Mandarin by  Kirsten Hubbard.

“In Like Mandarin, 14-year-old Grace Carpenter would give anything to be like 17-year-old Mandarin Ramey — the bold, carefree wild girl of their small Wyoming town. Many people I’ve spoken to experienced that sort of longing as a teen — a longing to be like someone else. A friend, a sister, a celebrity, an acquaintance, a cousin, a teacher or, as in Grace’s case, a girl you thought had no idea you existed.  I know I did!

I’ll be giving away a swag pack to one of the commenters* every day of the tour. All commenters are also entered to win a signed, annotated AND doodled-in copy of Like Mandarin.
But wait! there’s more! I also want READERS to participate. And I don’t know any group of readers who are more awesome joiners that YA Highways RTW participants! So: everyone who follows the prompt on their own blog, today or anytime before Friday, March 18th, will be entered to win a SECOND copy of Like Mandarin — also signed, annotated and doodled in! Plus swag.
*Just make sure your email address is in your comment when you post to the YA Highway Blog” -Kristen Hubbard

The link to the YA Highway blog is here: www.yahighway.com

So… what is the prompt? What’s the question you need to answer to get the free swag? Here it is:

“I would have given anything to be like…”

So, who do you want to be like? And why?

For myself, when I was a teen, it was always about being able to ride horses. I would have given anything to be like the girls in my favorite horse books, just because I love horses and love horseback riding. Especially out west. That always did look like a lot of fun in the warm sun, and adventurous too!

So, comment here, let us know who you always wanted to be, or still wish you could be… but don’t forget to post on the YA Highway blog to get free stuff!!!

This Week’s Topic:
Invent your own mythological creature!

Song of the Week:
One-Eyed One-Horned Flying Purple People Eater

I have to say, I LOVE the song of the week! It’s one of my faves, as well as the movie that was based on the song. The movie “The Purple People Eater” came out in the 80′s: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095930/ And there are some pretty popular oldies singers in the movie too! Check it out! I know it’s kinda cheezy, but hey, it’s got fantastic music, car chases, and purple monsters who want to sing in a rock ‘n roll band!

As for my own mythological creature, I think I’d have to go with my shape shifter character, who has large white feathered, angelic wings, which are bullet proof. So, he’s more human than creature, and hardly compares to Purple, but he could still become a myth legend very easily! Sadly, I can’t as of yet, point to a book and say you can read about him there. He’s still living in my head for the moment. But he is dying  to get out someday soon.

So, tell us about YOUR mythical creature! Post it to our comments page and let’s see those cool characters!

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YA Highway is a blog (www.yahighway.com) by a group of young adult authors from all over the world! And every Wednesday YA Highway’s contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question and answer it on their own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination, from their blog, and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

But, why not do the same thing on our blog every week? I’ll post their question and you can put your answers in our comments section, or on your own blog and link back to it in our comments (and theirs too, if you’d like, because I’m sure they’d enjoy reading your answers!)

This Week’s Topic:

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YA Highway is a blog (www.yahighway.com) by a group of young adult authors from all over the world! And every Wednesday YA Highway’s contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question and answer it on their own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination, from their blog, and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

But, why not do the same thing on our blog every week? I’ll post their question and you can put your answers in our comments section, or on your own blog and link back to it in our comments (and theirs too, if you’d like, because I’m sure they’d enjoy reading your answers!)

This Week’s Topic:
Who are your favorite literary couples?
You know — the ones you like by themselves, but LOVE together!

Yeah, ok, so sue me. It’s Friday and not Wednesday, I know. Eh, some things are just better late then never. Right? Right!

This is question is one where it seems as if we’re strictly talking about romance, but we don’t have to be! I’m going to choose Legolas and Gimli from Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien just because together, they make the perfect comic pair.  I will always remember that scene, especially in the Two Towers movie where Gimli is telling Aragon “Toss me! Just toss me! …but don’t tell the elf!” Those two are hysterical together.

But, you might be thinking of an actual romantic duo and that’s totally cool too. Think of who you would choose and let us know in your comments. Just don’t forget to include the book title, author, the two character’s names, and why you chose them.

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YA Highway is a blog (www.yahighway.com) by a group of young adult authors from all over the world! And every Wednesday YA Highway’s contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question and answer it on their own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination, from their blog, and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

But, why not do the same thing on our blog every week? I’ll post their question and you can put your answers in our comments section, or on your own blog and link back to it in our comments (and theirs too, if you’d like, because I’m sure they’d enjoy reading your answers!)

If you could live within the universe of one book, which would you choose?

That’s a tough question for sure! lol, if Rainbow Brite were for teens, I’d choose Rainbow Land, without a doubt! I’ve got a thing for rainbows, horses, and magic, so it’s my perfect home. 

However, it’s not, so… perhaps I’ll go with Middle Earth. I mean, riding horses into battle, with swords, hot elves, and funny dwarfs… what could be better? Of course, Middle Earth was created by J.R.R. Tolkein for his books The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.

Those are my choices. And, if you’re interested, Rainbow Brite started out in the 80′s as a series of cards, I think, from Hallmark, then morphed into a tv series with one short season, then into a movie, and there were a few random books in there, so therefore, I can use it here. lol, if we’re talking about children’s books anyway.  

Want to post your response to this question? Just send us a comment! Be sure to include the title and author of the book!

You can also see other’s responses to this question at the YA Highway Blog here: www.yahighway.com and you can also post your response there as well, if you wish.

YA Highway is a blog (www.yahighway.com) by a group of young adult authors from all over the world! And every Wednesday YA Highway’s contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question and answer it on their own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination, from their blog, and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

But, why not do the same thing on our blog every week? I’ll post their question and you can put your answers in our comments section, or on your own blog and link back to it in our comments (and theirs too, if you’d like, because I’m sure they’d enjoy reading your answers!)

This week’s topic is: blurbs! Write a blurb for your favorite book or one you’ve written.

What’s a blurb? You can take that to mean anything you want. But, I’m going to take it to mean a summary of a book, although it could also be your interpretations of the book. Generally, a blurb isn’t very long, only a paragraph or two. And, don’t forget to give the title and author too!

And here’s my book and blurb:

The Black Canary Archives Vol. 1: This is a collection of comic books featuring the superhero woman known as Black Canary! She winds up saving the day more often than not, especially when it comes to her clueless Private Investigator friend, who seems to need saving quite a bit.

However, as far as I know, we should be open tomorrow, Thursday the 13th.

My suggestions for the day, since you can’t hang out in the library? Go have fun in the snow! Then head indoors for some nice hot chocolate… and perhaps a good book or two! If you have a digital camera, feel free to send us pictures via email of you having fun in the snow. Just make sure to tell us who all is in the picture so we can label it properly and we’ll post it on the blog! Email them to bplteenblog(at)yahoo.com.

In the meantime, here’s a YA Highway Road Trip Wednesday question to keep you busy on this cold day! #62:

What is your favorite line from your WIP (Work In Progress) or from a book you read recently?

Are you a writer? Do you write poetry, short stories, or novels? Is there a line you wrote that just astounds you? Let us know what it is!  Or, tell us a favorite line from a book you’ve read recently. Don’t forget to give us the title and the author!

As for me, I have to go with a line from a comic book I just read this morning called The Black Canary Archives Vol. 1 by DC comics.

“I never thought I’d live to see Thunderbolt unconscious!” – spoken by Johnny Thunder

Since I liked Black Canary’s response I’ll add it as well: “You’ll never live to see anything again if he doesn’t wake up!” I think her line especially adds to his. Great humor there!

Here’s the link to YA Highway’s blog: www.yahighway.com. You should definitely post your responses there as well as here. I know they would love to hear what you had to say!

I hope your day off from school is a good one! …Signing off to continue reading The Black Canary and Pegasus by Robin McKinley on my day off… I’ll see you all back at the library soon!

This week’s topic is:

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YA Highway is a blog (www.yahighway.com) by a group of young adult authors from all over the world! And every Wednesday YA Highway’s contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question and answer it on their own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination, from their blog, and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

But, why not do the same thing on our blog every week? I’ll post their question and you can put your answers in our comments section, or on your own blog and link back to it in our comments (and theirs too, if you’d like, because I’m sure they’d enjoy reading your answers!)

What is the best book you read in December?

Don’t forget to give us the title and the author! And, if you can tell us why you liked it so much, I’m sure everyone would enjoy hearing what you have to say!

As for myself, I’d have to go with The Outside of a Horse by Ginny Rorby. I love horse books, first and foremost. In fact, I’ve already got two more teen books about horses and unicorns checked out. That’s why I initially picked up the book. But, it’s so much more than a horse book! It’s the story of a young girl only 14 years old, struggling to keep her family from falling apart after her father returns from Iraq missing a leg. In the past, watching horse races had bonded her and her father together. After his return, learning to trust in real flesh and blood animals, just might help them rebuild that bond and help her father overcome his loss and his addiction to alcohol. It was an extremely realistic and emotional read, that had me in tears during several points. It’s one I highly recommend!

And, if you’re looking to check it out, we’ll have it on our “emotional reads” book display in the Copley Teen room all next month unless someone borrows it.

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YA Highway is a blog (www.yahighway.com) by a group of young adult authors from all over the world! And every Wednesday YA Highway’s contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question and answer it on their own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination, from their blog, and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

But, why not do the same thing on our blog every week? I’ll post their question and you can put your answers in our comments section, or on your own blog and link back to it in our comments (and theirs too, if you’d like, because I’m sure they’d enjoy reading your answers!)