Self-Deprecating Sunday (24)

In which the YA author showcases the great and awkward of being a teenager.

We just took the kids to their first professional baseball game last night. The Tigers played the Oakland A’s. I’d gone to an A’s game when we lived in California. I’ve seen a Cubs game, too, but that’s the extent of my professional baseball adventures. The Tigers may have lost the game, but the stadium steals the show. I was incredibly impressed with Comerica Park. I actually felt like I was in Disney World, what with the sculptures of players past, the ENORMOUS tigers on the Entry Arc, the huge tiger sconces with light-up baseballs in their mouths lining the stadium walls, the perfectly manicured baseball diamond, the carousel with all tigers, the loyal ruffian fans, the fireworks that literally shook the stadium. It was a spectacle!

So, in honor of that grand adventure, I give you one of my  only all-star games in little league. I was generally in right field, if not benched. I barely ever got  any at-bats, so this was a rare and terrifying moment. Check out my focus. Especially through the rec specs — hand me down rec specs, naturally. And like any Eighties girl, I’ve pulled my perm through the back of my ball cap. There may not be any crying in baseball, but there’s still style!

P.S. It’s likely I struck out. But, I got in the game, yo!

I’m always looking to share the hilarity, so If you’re a YA Author and would like to do a guest post on Self-Deprecating Sunday, please contact me jody.mugele(at)gmail.com. It’s more fun than Church.

Fare Thee Well

I took down my pictures of my girls at my work station. I’ve had the same photos going from office to office with me for years. I LOVE these photos of the girls because they PERFECTLY reflect their individual attitudes about life.

Here’s Eleanor, Age 4

Here’s Maggie Pie, Age not-quite 2

Here’s Magnolia now (9):

Here’s Ella now (12):

Here they are together:

Does it look like Maggie’s hair is pink? That’s because it is. We’re talking Frenchy from Grease in the most literal of ways. It rules. As does Eleanor deep red do.

It’s so typical, but I’ll say it anyway because it’s true: It’s hard to believe how much time has passed. You think the baby years will never end. Taking down those pictures at work isn’t just a marker of how much time has passed for me at my job, but how much time has passed for my girls. I’ll still take those photos with me to my next job.

So, Farewell to my Michigan job. I’ll miss you.  Thank you for letting me be me and showing me that friendship can come in the form of tremendous bosses. It’s been a helluva experience being around creative, intelligent, and kind-hearted women. Best wishes to you all. The times they are a changing.

The Wanted Section

So then, just like that (*snaps*), I get a job. Of course I just blogged about the difficulty of the thing. It’s like looking for the TV remote control for five minutes and then as soon as you ask if anyone’s seen it, you’re staring at it.

I am 100% excited about this new path in my life. It took me a long time to find a job in Ann Arbor where I was respected, felt comfortable, and liked the work. Since day one  at my current Michigan job, I’ve appreciated working with creative, kind, intelligent, hard-working women. Leaving the job is going to be hard because of it. I’ve never had a job before that I was sad to leave behind. It made interviewing even more difficult. My motivations weren’t that of someone whose boss is mistreating her. I had high expectations for finding a place where the people have similar values to the ladies I currently work with. And I think I found it. (I was beginning to fear that I wouldn’t. I know what I have is rare.) There’s an honesty and comfortableness at the new gig, maybe because it’s not simply a business, but a home. There’s even a dog. And a cat.

And scrabble.

It’s fancy-pants, though, too. It’s so swanky, I’m not called a receptionist. I’m a concierge. I’m probably going to need some new clothes. (what a pity.) But mostly what I’m excited about is the kindness. That’s what I want to be a part of.

Goonies Never Say Die

I’m pretty sure the Goonies shirt I just bought (Target, $5) is making me run faster. Or Indiana streets are flatter than Michigan streets. Whatever. I am a big Goonies fan. (Somewhere in the blogosphere Michael Stearns is cringing. Bless his heart.) I can’t help it. The movie has it all: teenagers, adventure, treasure, a bit of smooching, a bit cursing, a malformed giant with a superhero fixation. And in the end, the underdogs win! This is a lot like my life. (Minus the giant)

Do we all see ourselves as the underdog? I definitely see myself that way. Many of you know, I’m on the interview trail right now. As well as trying to become a YA author. That’s A LOT of rejection to deal with. There are many things I’d love to blog about that have happened in interviews that I just can’t because, well, I want a job and need to keep some things private. But, I can tell you this: the randomness of  trying get a book deal and trying to get a day job are eerily similar. Yesterday I interviewed for a job right before a girl who is fresh out of college. Our life stories, experiences, educations were wildly different. How were we interviewing for the same job? Today I have a group interview – alongside other candidates – for a different position. Who has ever heard of that? Sometimes in interviews, people want to know a lot about my personality. Sometimes they ask questions I’m sure they’ve downloaded from some interview article quickly retrieved from the Internet. However the interview is done, it always seems like the specific reason to hire or not to hire is very personal – just based on a few people’s tastes. And the same seems true in publishing. The reason to take on a book is personal, based on probably many things, but each “thing” (I’m guessing) is differently weighted. So where am I going with all of this?

I’m a research person. I like to study the problem and follow the steps to a rational, if not logical, solution. But there’s not a very solid approach one can take to finding a job or a book deal. As Josh says, I can only really keep on throwing myself out there and hoping I stick somewhere. I keep trying to study the situations, find where my resume or cover letter or interview, or plot or character or writing style is not working, because if it’s not working, I want to improve it. This is stupid. It does not apply to getting a job or a book deal. It’s kind of a weird thing to have to sit back and trust what I’ve got – what’s already there. And just keep throwing it out there over and over and over. But that’s what I’ll do. I really think that in the end, I’m going to win at both getting a job and a book deal. But, it’s no picnic trying to deal with the Fratelli’s of the world while I get there, so pardon my complaining along the way.

Self-Deprecating Sunday (23)

In which the YA author showcases her teenage years in all their awkward glory.

This one is for all those Disney fans out there. I’ve talked about the weird obsession I had in high school (and into college) with all things Disney here on Self-Deprecating Sunday: my trying to make “The Happiest Place On Earth” a goth flavor, and my carrying a decapitated Mickey Mouse head for a purse. So to round the Mickey Mouse obsession out to a full trilogy, I give you a photo of me actually AT Disney World.

It’s my junior year of high school, Christmas Break. I am in sweatpants shorts? And they are cuffed! My converse all-stars match my sweatpants shorts like a 1950’s housewife matches her pumps to her apron. But I really  bring the look home by scrunching my socks over the tops of my Chucks. Oh, sweet tan lines, here I come! Why have I climbed a sign in order to hug it for the camera?  Why am I happy that I’ll be camping????  There are just so many things wrong with this photo! I really wish I knew what my t-shirt was all about. I suspect it’s air-brushed.

Also, it’s interesting that Mickey Mouse is packing heat. And wearing animal fur. The hero of my childhood is a politically incorrect rodent!  Huh.

I’m always interested in featuring other YA Authors as guests on Self-deprecating Sunday, so If you’re a YA writer and wish to join in the fun, please contact me at jody(dot)mugele(at)gmail(dot)com. It’s more fun than church.

The House is Hungover

I always put my jammies in a certain corner of the bathroom floor. I have my coffee upstairs in the morning while I blog. Josh’s feet hang off the end of the bed, which barely fits in our bedroom, so I’ve gotten in the habit of pinching his toes as I walk around the corner. This morning I can’t stop noticing all these things. Now that the festivities are over (that blog post will come later, with photos [thank you, Kari]), our home has that hungover feeling: a messy, quiet, where’s-the-coffee stupor. It feels too big in here without our guests, and the dog is depressed–wandering around in search of Bob and their morning walk. There isn’t a lot left to do now before we move, except pack. Some of our friends from med school have already left. Today, I begin training my replacement at work. Everything is winding down.

And while I love thinking about how to organize the biggest closet we’ve ever had in our future bathroom, and even though I know my jammies will again find a corner on the bathroom floor, I’m really going to miss the little habits and comforts we’ve created here. That’s all.

Goodbye to Our Place

Dear West End Grill,

Of all the places in Ann Arbor that I’ve been to over the last six years, I’ll miss you the most. I think every time Josh shared a meal here together, we fell in love a little more. From birthdays and anniversaries to the once in a lifetime moments like Med School graduation and signing with a literary agent, West End Grill was the perfect setting.

Maybe it’s the stained glass, candlelight, and warm welcome that made us feel a little more special. Maybe it’s because Maleah knew our names and how we take our coffee that made us feel like we were part of something more than a business. Something comforting and familiar. It certainly helped that the sea-bass was outstanding and the duck risotto was incredible. Whatever it is that kept us coming back, you will always be “our place.” Every couple should have  a place like yours. Thanks for the memories!

Love and happiness,

Jody Sparks Mugele

I Got A Wombat For Mother’s Day

Magnolia made it for me.  I think it’s pretty awesome!  Also I got a letter in her best cursive (why are they still teaching cursive?). It highlighted how she liked the time Josh and I threw a surprise party for her and Ella for no reason at all.  It’s weird; I’d forgotten about that. But my favorite line was, “I whant to let you know I will always love you even when I’m 16.” And also – and here’s where I really rev up your jealousy –  I got coupons. Yes! In the next few days, I will spend them on:

1. 35 kisses
2. Baking coffee
3. Turning on the shower
4. 35 hugs (anyone wonder how old I am?)
5. Breakfast in bed
6. Cuddling
7. Hugging you right when you get home (I’m spending that one today)
8. Not following you for a whole day  (this one kind of breaks my heart)

And to finish it all off, she made a portrait of me. I was thinking I could use it as my author photo someday (always hopeful). I totally look like a hipster-coffeehouse-writer-reader-chick. Oh, and I’m in my Detroit Derbygirls sweatshirt. Of course.

Eleanor took me out for breakfast and we talked about what she likes about me. My honesty. She asked what secrets my parents kept from me. There were some, to her surprise. We also decided it was time for her to start shaving her legs. Mother’s Day with Eleanor is really changing. I’ve always said that the older they get, the more enjoyable they are. Still true.

Free Books!

In less than a month, I’m moving to the great city of Indianapolis! Because I’m sort of in denial, I’ve been reading a lot! Just finished Struts and Frets, which I loved loved loved! And now I’m trying out a paranormal romance, which is a stretch for me. When I went to shelve Struts and Frets (Possibly the most clever YA title ever, btw) I noticed there was no room for it and I started thinking of packing all those books! And then I thought, hey! I’ll just give some of them away on my blog!

Some of them I’ve read and want to share with you. Some of them I’ve come to grips with the fact that I just won’t read. It happens. Some of them I had to teach when I was thinking of becoming a teacher. During those years I would write MUGELE across the top; so, many of the books have that scrawled across them. Otherwise, they’re in good shape.

So, here’s how it will work: Just leave a comment listing which one or ones you want. List them out in your comment. I’ll give them away by first come first serve. So, you may have to read the comments to see if someone else has claimed the book before you. I’ll cross them out as they are claimed, as well.  Then email me your address, so I can mail them to you. Please only U.S. residences; I’m cheap and won’t mail out of the U.S. Also, if you don’t mind, I’d really appreciate some linking and tweeting of this post, because I want share the YA author love! And my readership isn’t enormous. Thanks everybody and I hope you find some books you want! Contact me at jody(dot)mugele(at)gmail(dot)com.

In no particular order:

PAPERBACK

That Summer by Sarah Dessen
Zazoo by Richard Mosher
Must Love Black by Kelly McClymer
True Believer by Virginia Euwer Wolff
Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff
Saffy’s Angel by Hilary McKay
One Butt Cheek at a Time by Amber Kizer
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss (not YA)
Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
Witch Child by Celia Rees
Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
Monster by Walter Dean Myers
Airborn by Kenneth Oppel
CRANK by Ellen Hopkins
How To Hook a Hottie by Tina Ferraro
The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King
Cuba 15 by Nancy Osa
Dancing in My Nuddy-Pants by Louise Rennison
Knocked Out by My Nunga-Nungas by Louise Rennison

HARDCOVER

Away Laughing on a Fast Camel by Louise Rennison
On the Bright Side, I’m Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God, by Louise Rennison
The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares
Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Pirates! by Celia Rees
The True Meaning Cleavage by Mariah Fredericks
Tending to Grace by Kimberly Newton Fusco
Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog