THE RED PYRAMID by Rick Riordon

From Goodreads:

Since their mother's death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane.

One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a "research experiment" at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives.

Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them —Set— has his sights on the Kanes. To stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe - a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.

I seriously picked up this book as I started some research about Ancient Egypt.  Not that it IS research, mind you, but I thought it would be good inspiration.  I didn't really expect to love it like I did.

This story tells the story of Carter and Sadie Kane, children of famed Egyptologist Julius Kane. They witness their father open a portal which releases five major ancient Egyptian gods. In the ensuing explosion they are each possessed by one of the gods. Carter and Sadie discover that they are descendants of pharaohs and their possession is a powerful magical event. This kicks off the action which takes the Kane children to Paris, Washington D.C., Graceland in Memphis, New Orleans, England, and Phoenix. They must defeat the god of Chaos, Set, before he destroys the world.

This was a great book--full of mystery, adventure, and a really cool premise. I loved every minute of it. The story is told alternately by Sadie and Carter, through a "transcription" of a recording the kids make about their experiences. I really liked the idea of the transcribed recording. There are even little asides to each other as they are "recording" their parts of the story.

I've already got my name on the list for the next book in the series from my local library!

Read any good ancient myths lately?

The Best 150 Followers Contest. Ever.

The Best 150 Followers Contest. Ever.

Cool contest by Amie Borst. I entered, did you?

Getting Organized with THE WRITE PLANNER

Back in December, I was the lucky winner of THE WRITE PLANNER on Michelle Teacress' blog.  It was an early Christmas present--and oh so fun to win something just for me!!

I told her I'd write a review, but I've hesitated because, um, my husband got me a smart phone for my birthday (a few days after I won the planner).  The planner is soooo cool.  The phone is cooler.

BUT.  I need to get organized.  Need. To. Get. Organized.
I've got two nonfiction contracts for books in an Ancient Egypt set due this spring.  I've got an article to write for a friend of a friend's blog.  I have an itchy-scratchy feeling that another round of revisions might be an order on my completed novel.  Oh yeah, and I've got two WIPs that need some attention.  It's awesome to be busy with writing, but how do I multitask?

So back to the WRITE PLANNER.  It's got a space to fill in your daily word goals.  And space to write quick notes on each day.  And great inspirational quotes.  And a monthly calendar for quick reference.  It's a perfect [smallish] size--so it's not meant to get cluttered up with all your other activities.  You can get you own here at the Writer Remedies website.

Now I just need to use it. 

Anyone have any other tips for getting/staying organized?

Reenergizing

Writing is often a solitary activity.  Twitter, blogging, and other social media have a value added benefit of helping writers feel like we are less on our own.  Experiencing writer's block?  Log onto Twitter and find a hundred others who are feeling the same.

Sometimes virtual relationships are all you need to get yourself out of the doldrums.  My weekly online chats with my crit group are usually a great way to help me get out of my own way. 

But other times, there's nothing like meeting another writer for coffee, or better yet [gasp] LUNCH!

I've been part of an active crit group for almost two years.  We all live within a two hour ride of each other, but we meet online.  We crit over email.  But seeing these women in person is a rare treat.  It usually only happens at our regional SCBWI conference.

Yesterday we met for a late lunch.  We talked about our lives, our kids, and of course our writing.  To see their expressions, to hear the tones in their voices, and to share little things like whether or not I should use regular sugar or nutrasweet in my coffee was priceless to me. 

There's nothing like meeting in person.  Anyone looking for an opportunity and living in the general vicinity of central Massachusetts?  Ansha Kotyk and I are hosting a Meet Up for anyone interested in Kid Lit on February 15 at the Westford Grille in Westford Massachusetts.