Savvy Chick

I'm Giving It Away For Free!

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:21:00 +0000

Giving It Away For Free
(the only time Momma would approve)
I'm giving it away for free the entire month of June. That’s right. A book a day, every day in honor of my latest book release Giving Up the V. All you have to do to is sign up for my newsletter and you are entered to win. Enter once and you are in the running to win a book every day in the month of June.

I have a fresh, new look to my website and have moved there permanently. I blog over there in the Advice for Young Ladies section. I will keep this blog up as an archive but you may want to switch your bookmark to http://www.serenarobar.com/

Thanks!

Cover for Giving Up The V

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 06:23:00 +0000

Check out the preliminary cover for Giving Up The V. Pretty cute, huh? Another midriff book. I am beginning to refer to all my books as The Midriff Books. The last four books have all had the midriff model. What is happening to these poor girls heads? Some sort of free floating photography accident run amok?

Look at me with Felicia Day...

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 06:49:00 +0000

...the talented actress, writer and producer of The Guild. She also played Penny in Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. Picked up a copy of The Guild this weekend at the Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle and can't wait to see all the groovy behind the scenes stuff.

Working on my next book proposal as Giving Up the V has past the revisions and edit stage. Look for it in bookstores on June 9, 2009.

New book coming in Summer 2009

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:06:00 +0000

I have a new book coming out with Simon Pulse in the summer of 09 entitled "Giving up the V". Here is the blurb from PW.

March 24, 2008
Children's: Young Adult
Serena Robar's GIVING UP THE V, about one sixteen-year-old who swears she's nowhere near ready to "give up the V" despite being surrounded by a forward thinking mother and sex-obsessed friends, to Michael del Rosario at Simon Pulse, by Holly Root of the Waxman Literary Agency (world).
This is a departure from my usual paranormal fare but I am excited to do a contemporary YA. This is a candid, hilarious view of high school today and I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. I imagine the tagline of the book reading something like this "Will she or won't she?"

At first I knew the answer to that question but as I get to know the characters better and delve deeper into their psyche, I am beginning to question my decision. So, will she or won't she? Now I'm not so sure. Stay tuned to find out.

PS- And I apologize to my readers who have been hounding me about the next installment in my Psi Phi house series. At this time the publisher has no plans to continue with Colby and Piper's adventures but I will be the first one to tell you if things change. I would like to continue on with something new set in the same setting of PSU (Puget Sound University AKA Paranormal Supernatural University or Para Super U) but my fingers can only type so fast. :)

Great sense of humor required

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:08:00 +0000

This is probably not the first time you have seen these clips but if it is, here is the set up. Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimbell having been going out for going on five years so for her anniversary present to Jimmy, she rolls this clip...on his late night talk show.

A month later Jimmy exacts his revenge at his post Oscar show with this clip.

I can't help but imagine Ben and Matt's daughters as teens, surfing the web and they stumble across these videos. I imagine the horror on their faces at the thought of anyone bleeping their dads or contemplating their dads having sex at all. No matter if you are the sexiest men of the year, your kids will always think your having a sex life is the grossest thing ever.

Also, how funny would it be for Jennifer Gardner to buy the bumper sticker on Harrison Ford's car (selling on ebay) and putting it on the back of her vehicle?

I love a good private joke and love it even more when I am included. Kudos Jimmy and Sarah!

-Serena

They are back to writing and I am back to blogging

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:30:00 +0000

This will be a short post as I have to join my son at his coop preschool today. Very happy the writers voted to ratify their contract and go back to work. The part about the writer's strike that really bugged me is how the media (owned by the people the writer's were striking) kept saying the writers were asking for more money on internet content and downloads. Since they were getting absolutely NO MONEY for these things that seems very misleading. They just wanted what was fair. In a couple of years I doubt anyone will be watching their favorite shows on traditional television. I know I don't now. I watch all my stuff online. And I even own a tivo.

So I am very happy the writers are creating and giving us the shows we love. Think of all the times you quote a line from a show and you don't even know who the brilliant mind was that wrote that episode. Very sad. I wish they would always put the writers in the credits (which is rarely done). I follow my favorite actors to new series and shows. I watched Firefly because it starred Gina Torres who I discovered from Xena: Warrior Princess. That's when I fell in love with Joss Whedon's work and proceeded to watch all the Buffy episodes in 3 weeks one summer.

I never would have discovered the brilliance that is Joss save for following one of my favorite actresses to her next job. I feel the same way about the entire cast of Firefly. I watch Chuck because it stars Adam Baldwin and I watch Terminator: The Sara Connor Chronicles because it stars Summer Glau. And I will watch ANYTHING with Nathan Fillion in it.

I would totally follow my favorite writers to whatever show they were working on. Hell, that's why I love Chuck Lorre and all his work. He's brilliant. Then I found him on the internet. I now know he was the guy who wrote all the programs that I thought were so funny. That is how a fan base is built. People wanting to connect with their favorite actors, writers, authors, etc and learn more about them and their work.

So welcome back writers. We missed you.

Will not blog until writer's strike has ended and the WGA gets to go back to work

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:25:00 +0000

Overheard at my house this weekend

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:44:00 +0000

I rarely blog about my family but thought I would take a page out of Jill Shalvis's book this morning.

My daughter was walking up the stairs behind me and we were having a lovely teen and mother conversation (and I am not being sarcastic, we were actually enjoying each other's company) when she paused and said, "Mom, ever thought about working out?"

Ouch.

I have been Simpsonized

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 17:47:00 +0000

Courtesy of Diana, I found out how to Simpsonize myself. What do you think? I also took the liberty of Simpsonizing my husband.

What a writer can and cannot do

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 17:26:00 +0000

This may come as a shock to some but a writer cannot control the sales of their books. They cannot guarantee X amount will be sold, even if they go on book tour or give away free stuff or whatever. You may help boost sales for your book but don't kid yourself. It won't be by a huge margin, but every little bit helps, right? Instead of focusing and spending energy on the stuff you don't have control over, such as sales, which bookstore will carry your book, publisher marketing, placement in stores, etc I challenge all of you authors to let go of what you cannot control and focus on what you can control: The story.

I have made the following pact with myself.

I will only write the stories that make me proud, that tell the tale in a way I think it needs to be told and I will make it the best story I can.

I can control these things. I am letting go of the other stuff. I will not stress over print runs and sell thru's and who is carrying what. That doesn't mean I don't care about these things but only in as much as I have control over it. I can visit/call/mail bookstores and ask them to carry my book. I can control my actions to that point. But I can't control their actions to carry or not carry certain books. And that is okay. Say it with me A type personalities. That is O-K. Breath in and let it go.

I find myself a lot less stressed now that I have made this pact with myself. Call it my Mission Statement if you will. Whenever I am in doubt about my career or how I am handling something, I refer back to my Mission Statement and everything just comes back into focus. I am not saying don't promote yourself or market yourself. I am simply saying, don't invest so much energy into thinking about the success or failures of such ventures that you are willing to change your writing into something you are no longer proud of.

So that's my challenge to you. Good luck.

Fendi, Ferragamo and Fangs Available now

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 16:50:00 +0000

Three girls win modeling contracts and a trip to New York, hoping to take a bite out of the big apple, only to discover the city bites back.

Blogger wouldn't let me log in for the last couple of days. Argh. Wanted to let you all know that my latest book is out and its a novella with the very talented Julie Kenner and Johanna Edwards. Each of the stories are very fun and entertaining. My story features Carl from my Psi Phi series and he gets his own love interest in Sydney Turner.

POV or how to screw up your voice

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 19:00:00 +0000

I recently turned in a proposal for a YA and decided to do it in 3rd person POV. I normally write my books in first person but thought it might be best to try this book in 3rd person so I could get some other character thoughts involved. I sent it to my agent who sent it back with a notation: "Your voice is muted. Your voice is one of your strengths." Its important to note she didn't say change it to first person, she merely wanted me to fix it.

And I tried. Several times. Finally I rewrote the chapters in first person and low and behold, it was 10 times better. When I am in first person, I get so much more the the character on the page. Her quirks, her humor, her angst, her deep thoughts. I thought I'd managed to do that when I was in deep POV but apparently, not so much.

So, if you are struggling with your manuscript and it isn't feeling vibrant enough (YA especially) consider switching POV to another character or go first person. Look at the difference. You can always change first person POV to deep 3rd person POV when you are done and I bet you will find your character more alive and personable.

New career opportunity...

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 21:05:00 +0000

I learned a new trade yesterday. I was tired of paying someone huge amounts of cash to lay tile in my house so I did our bar area myself. I picked up an inexpensive tile saw (around $70 at Home Depot) and a free DIY newsletter on how to cut and lay tile. And guess what? It was freakin' easy!

Not to say there aren't hard tiling jobs out there but knowing I could do this job myself made me feel like a Rock Star! Just need to grout it tomorrow. Next I am going to do a bar for the rec room. However nice it was to learn a new trade, I'm not giving up my writing career anytime soon. Cutting tile and such is hard work.

-Serena

Gamer girlfriend/wife lament by Tripod

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Thu, 03 May 2007 00:03:00 +0000

New office and hobby center pictures

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Wed, 02 May 2007 21:57:00 +0000

My new office set up. Isn't it sweet? Those are Disney Villian dolls on top of my cabinets with Wonder Woman and WSU cheerleading Barbie.
Here is my hobby side of the room. Note it is not cleaned up yet, but I wanted to show it as well. The drawers actually are hidden behind some pocket doors, but I have them open so you can see all my cool drawers. Yeah me.

Dating4Demons out today

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Wed, 02 May 2007 19:57:00 +0000

How could I forget to plug my book?! Book 3 of my teen vampire series is out today and its getting rave reviews. Go pick it up. If you haven't read the first 2, no worries. You can totally follow the storyline as they are meant to be understood without reading the first two. Go, shoo. What are you waiting for?

Those *astards at FOX

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Wed, 02 May 2007 19:49:00 +0000

I am never one to start a blog with an expletive but they cancelled DRIVE after just 4 freakin' episodes. Will I never get to see Nathan Fillion on a weekly basis without FOX screwing the pooch?! Let us take a moment of silence. Tim Minear will prevail. Let's just hope he goes with HBO or something next time. And bring Nathan with you. sigh.

Returned home from RT convention with a lovely surprise (sarcasm alert). My 4 year old broke his collarbone. Scared me to death to hear "Serena Robar, call home. Medical emergency" at the Dorchester party. For all you attendees who were so concerned. Thanks a bunch! I am including a photo of my injured buckaroo. It took him less than 48 hours to figure out how to hold the Nintendo controller with his injured hand so life is good again.

I know you are all patiently waiting for photos of the new office. It is almost clean enough to photograph. Hubby brought me up several boxes from the basement to go through. Blech. Will get some photos up as soon as its ready. Am knee deep in a new YA series proposal and adult paranormal proposal so as soon as those are done, I can breath easier.

Office Make-over

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 22:30:00 +0000

Thought I would post a view pictures of my office Before shots, as the cabinet maker is bringing my new office to install today.
Can you imagine getting anything written or any scrapbooking done in this mess? These boxes have been in here since we moved at the end of December. Finally, we are getting to my office. Yeah me!

Barry White for frogs and completed book proposals

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 05:11:00 +0000

My agent has my next book proposal. Those are YA's and now I am free to work on my adult paranormal book proposal. But this evening, I took a little break and went frog hunting. Yes, you read correctly. I made the whole family come with me at around 9pm and hang out at the resident watershed pond and look at frogs. Okay, so I didn't actually 'catch' any frogs. My youngest wanted nothing to do with going outside because it was past his bedtime and my middle son freaked out when a frog jumped on his shoe. My oldest, showing more and more signs of becoming an official teenager made comments, in a deadpan, monotone voice such as "Oh wow, yeah, the frogs are so deafening," when I remarked how loud the frogs were. Yeah, good times.

But, their lack of enthusiasm could not damper my adventurous spirit. Armed with flashlights I saw dozens of little frogs, all croaking at the top of their lungs, looking for a little frog lovin' as mating season is upon them. When I mentioned this to the teen, she replied, "I am not waiting around and watching anything like that. Gross." I never thought of myself as the kind of parent who would take their children to the edge of a pond and demand they watch frog fornication but apparently, my daughter would disagree.

Needless to say, no frisky frog activity was identified and we walked back to our house, under the starry sky, asking the kids to identify different constellations. They could not. It's good to know those hours with star charts, a laser pointer and an elaborate glow in the dark night sky painted ceiling was worth it. sigh.

At least, I thought the frogs were cool.

Here I am

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 20:33:00 +0000

I am back. No longer a pirate, just a lazy blogger. I sent in two proposals today to my agent and am going to work on a third. You can't just sit back and wait to hear back. That will drive you insane. Keep yourself busy and write another proposal. At least, that's what I should be doing. hehe. I am updating my blog instead.

Learned a new theory on women yesterday. After much thought I think it can be applied with pretty decent accuracy. The theory is "There are two types of women. Those that do and those that buy. "

If you won 100,000 dollars. What would you do with it? The gals that do would spend the money on travel, learning something new, etc. Those that buy would go shopping for clothes, furniture, etc. Apparently, the more desirable answer is those that do. At least, according to my source who lives by this theory. So now I know. Which one are you?

-Serena

I'm a pirate, ARRRRGH

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 01:52:00 +0000

My sister is a very gifted artist. I get especially excited around my birthday or Christmas when I know she's been dabbling in her art supplies. She usually makes something for me. And it features me. hehe.

Several years ago, she made me a pirate. Check out the face. That's me. I'm a pirate. So cool. I am finally digging through all those boxes I took out of storage and found it. Thought I would share since I have been slacker chick on the blog circuit.

Now where did I put that?

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 19:57:00 +0000

Can't seem to find my camera so I can post pictures. No, its not the only one I have but I can't seem to find the other ones that are packed either. Or if I can, they are not juiced up. Sigh. The story of my life.

I am very excited about my next two book proposals, that I haven't quite firmed up yet. I am going to Gerri Russell's debut book launch party at Bellevue Art Museum tonight, so hopefully I can grab some of my Tiara's and do a little impromptu brainstorming. Gerri was the 2006 Romantic Times American Titlelist winner and her book, Warrior Trainer is out this month. So exciting. To check out the action on the 2007 contest, still in progress, go here.

Well, I better get back to carrying boxes upstairs grumble, grumble.

ttyl
-Serena

Almost Normal

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 17:57:00 +0000

I sit here typing this blog entry, serenaded by the sweet hum of a table saw as contractors finish up the hardwood floors downstairs. Yes, dear friends, we are in the house-that-will-never-get-done. And true to its title, it's not done. But it's so much closer and we are actually living here. Yahoo!

I will post some pictures of our psuedo complete home as soon as I can find the usb cord that connects the camera to the computer. I know its in a box around here somewhere. But then, there are boxes around here everywhere, so it could take a day or two.

I am excited that my friend Shannon McKelden has the release of her debut novel this month, Venus Envy. It's a great Chick lit for adults and getting amazing reviews so go pick it up. Fun, fun read.

I am getting back to work after the weekend. Gasp, I know. My agent might very well have a heart attack, but this house has consumed my life for way too long. I can still unload boxes after I work on my next two book proposals. Gotta pay for this place somehow :)

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and don't forget that Fangs4Freaks is on bookshelves right now. If you didn't get it for Christmas, don't you owe it to yourself to pick it up? Sure you do.

-Ciao Bella
Serena

Trapped

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 00:25:00 +0000

I am currently trapped at the Embassy Suites hotel because we our apartment lease was up on Sunday and the new house was not ready for us. So, we went to visit mom and dad for a couple of days and came back and the house was not ready for us. So now I am at a hotel and Seattle had to have a huge storm that knocked out power everywhere and I am trapped with the family and guess what? THE HOUSE IS STILL NOT READY FOR US.

Nothing stops progress dead in its tracks like no power...across 9 counties. Luckily, this hotel is the ONLY one in the area that kept power. Not sure how that happened, but at least we are warm, if not going stir crazy. I need to do laundry and luckily they have some coin up machines. Apparently, most of the hotel is filled with locals who don't have power and they have the same idea. Guess we are all a bit ripe about now. sigh.

To top it off, I received Dating4Demons in the midst of the madness to review copyedits and get it back to NY by Wed. Yes, just a couple days away because it was late to start with. Happy Holidays anyone?

-Serena

I'm a Top Choice

noreply@blogger.com (SavvyChick) — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 02:04:00 +0000

Fangs4Freaks earned a Top Choice Award at Flamingnet.com review site for YA books. Yep, 9 out of 10 and a Top Choice so what are you waiting for? Go get it. It's great. It's a Top Choice, baby!

-Serena