How I Lied and What I Gave Away

So that you can see the five truths and one lie from my March 1 post, here they are again:

1. My first book was rejected47 times before it sold. And when it sold, it was to the publisher that had seen it first.
2. I once aced a college chemistry test in the following manner: I answered the 7 questions I knew, and wild-guessed the 13 I didn't. Results -- ALL 7 answers I "knew" were WRONG. ALL 13 I guessed were right. Highest grade in the class.
3. I'm a synesthete. In synesthesia, stimulation of one of the five senses evokes response in other senses as well. Some see sounds, smell colors, hear smells, or feel sights. The most common form is seeing letters or numbers in color. I see some letters and numbers in color, but my main form of synesthesia is a little weirder: I taste words.
4. It took me four tries to pass my driver's test. Right after finally doing so, I backed out of the driveway and ran over the garbage can.
5. I had rheumatic fever, measles AND chicken pox in first grade. Not to mention colds (with what was then called "croup") and flu. My teacher wrote in my Christmas card, "I hope you have a healthy vacation so we'll see you again in January.” I lost so many weeks of school that I had to repeat.
6. I sing in a band. In 2009 we put out our first CD, and on one track I can be heard doing something I hadn't done in years -- hitting high G. Twice.

So which is the clinker? Number 5. I've never had rheumatic fever. I didn't repeat first grade. I didn't have chicken pox in first grade either. I may have had measles then. The bit about the teacher writing me a card is true, but that happened in kindergarten and only because I was the oldest child in the family in school for the first time and picked up every virus in existence. The other 5 points are, so help me, true. Disclaimer: Lest you be afraid to encounter me on the road, I should point out that my driving record since the garbage can's demise (I was 17) is spotless. Truly.

So all of you have won an entry in the When You Reach Me giveaway. And because ONE person correctly guessed the lie, that's TWO entries for Amber Lough! Bright and early tomorrow morning, I'll post the winner of the book.

March Book Giveaway

I'm careful about the books I buy. Peculiar in my buying habits too, I guess. I'll buy adult nonfiction online on the basis of a blurb or review, at a brick-and-mortar store while browsing, or because it's a required text for a class or seminar. With fiction, though, I behave quite differently. Any novel I buy I've already borrowed from the library, read, loved, and declared, "I've gotta own this." It happens, but it's infrequent.

Another event that "happens, but it's really infrequent" is my correct prediction of the Newbery winner. I did it the first time in 1994, when I knew as I was reading it that The Giver by Lois Lowry would win. And this year, I did it for the second time, with When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. (I should've known about Holes, too, but oh well.) This novel is, all at once, mystery, time travel, and historical (1970s). It's about friendship, family, self-sacrifice, intelligence, and at its center, a really cool puzzle. And if I think it's a must-own, maybe YOU'D like to have it too.

To be entered in the drawing:

• Comment on this post anytime on March 4, 5, or 6.
  
• For an additional entry, become a follower of this blog and mention that in the comment. Ditto if you already are a follower.
• For an additional entry, post a link to this contest and give the URL in either the same or a separate comment. In this category, you can enter as many times as you have cyber-places to post the contest.
• Special for this month: If you haven't already, for an additional entry, backtrack to the previous post and take a guess which one of the six "stories" about me is the lie. For TWO additional entries, guess right!
  

I'll tally the number of entries per person, put 'em all in the hat, draw one, and announce the winner bright and early on Monday, March 8.

So, come one, come all--and meanwhile have a great day in the world of books.

In Which I Accept an Award and Spring a True-or-False Quiz

It's always nice to win awards, dubious though some of them may be. This pinocchio guy was bestowed on me by Katie L. Carroll, whose writing blog, Observation Deck, may be found here. Thank you, Katie! :) Following is the list of things to do are the perks of this honor. I must:

*Thank the person who gave me the award and link to her.
*Add the award to my blog.
*Tell six outrageous lies about myself and One Truth.
*Nominate six creative liars...er, writers, and link to them.
*Let my nominees know they have been nominated.

Numbers 1 and 2, check. Now for point 3. What can I say; lying makes me squirm, and I always cringe when writers, seeming serious, say that fiction equal lies. I prefer a different adage that says "nonfiction is fact; fiction is truth." Even my Keirsey temperament type (which is INFJ, the counselor idealist, if you're into that stuff) reveals the esteem in which I hold Truth. Now combine this with the fact that I don't follow directions as well as I did Once Upon a Child, and it will be no surprise that I changed the rules some. Here are, then, five truths about me, and one lie. Can you spot the lie? All those who successfully rat me out will win TWO entries in my March book giveaway, which is a BIG NAME mid-grade title that will be announced on Thursday, March 4. These are, of course, in addition to any normal entries by said winners. Those who comment here, guess wrong, and like surprises, earn one entry. (If you'd rather not be entered, just say so. If you want to wait till the 4th and see what the book is, that's cool.) The deadline for your guesses will be the same as the deadline for the book drawing: midnight, Saturday March 6. On Sunday the 7th, I'll 'fess up and reveal who won two (or two MORE) entries, and the winner of the book is announced March 8. Okay -- TMI? Let's cut the chatter and dish the dirt. Truth, or lie?

1. My first book was rejected47 times before it sold. And when it sold, it was to the publisher that had seen it first.
2. I once aced a college chemistry test in the following manner: I answered the 7 questions I knew, and wild-guessed the 13 I didn't. Results -- ALL 7 answers I "knew" were WRONG. ALL 13 I guessed were right. Highest grade in the class.
3. I'm a synesthete. In synesthesia, stimulation of one of the five senses evokes response in other senses as well. Some see sounds, smell colors, hear smells, or feel sights. The most common form is seeing letters or numbers in color. I see some letters and numbers in color, but my main form of synesthesia is a little weirder: I taste words.
4. It took me four tries to pass my driver's test. Right after finally doing so, I backed out of the driveway and ran over the garbage can.
5. I had rheumatic fever, measles AND chicken pox in first grade. Not to mention colds (with what was then called "croup") and flu. My teacher wrote in my Christmas card, "I hope you have a healthy vacation so we'll see you again in January.” I lost so many weeks of school that I had to repeat.
6. I sing in a band. In 2009 we put out our first CD, and on one track I can be heard doing something I hadn't done in years -- hitting high G. Twice.

Number 3 requirement, check. Here are six nominees and links, with apologies if you've already been nominated:

Nora MacFarlane at Lemons for Lemonade.
Terry Lynn Johnson at TerryLynnJohnson.
Larissa at Larissa's World.
Amber Lough at Amber Lough.
PJ Hoover at Roots in Myth.
Mary Whitsell at Resident Alien.

Number 4 requirement, check. Number 5 I have to fulfill at the above lovely blogs. So -- which of the above six stories is the lie? I'm lying, er, dying, to hear your guesses.