Sneak Peek: Read the First Chapter of THE DARK DIVINE

This last week has been full of interesting happenings and surprises. . . to say the least. Most of them were pretty awesome. Except for the time I got head-butted in the mouth at the grocery store by an enraged 3-year-old who had been denied pumpkin cookies, resulting in a in split lip that has healed into something that looks like a cold sore . . .Or when I was babysitting 7 kids in a house with no Internet or TV, and the two houses next door were burglarized and ransacked in the middle of the day. (Freaky!)

Anywho . . .some pretty darn good things happened this week to balance out the craziness. I now get to share some of them with you:

1. I got to see my cover. And it's absolutely gorgeous. It really was a surprise since I thought that it was going to be a few more weeks before it was done. I even thought I'd end up with advanced copies of the book with a blank cover. This I can't share it with you yet, but you WILL see it the second I am allowed to share it publicly. Seriously, I can't wait!!

2. My book went to the printers for Advanced Reader Copies. . . And they have a cover! ARCs should be done by the end of the month. And I'll be sure to give a few away on the blog.

3. I randomly got a free copy of THE CHOSEN ONE by Carol Lynch Williams in the mail. Cool thing to get, eh? Too bad I'd already bought three copies.

4. And most exciting of all (since I can't yet share my cover)-- My editor sent me the formatted first chapter of THE DARK DIVINE. And he said I could share it with all of you!

So here's the deal: I've posted the first chapter of THE DARK DIVINE on my website, and you can get to it by clicking here, or by clicking on "books" above, then "sneak peek." And since I have a random free copy of THE CHOSEN ONE sitting next to me, I've decided to give it away to one of my readers. All you have to do is read my chapter, and then go to my contact form on my website and send me the answer to to this question, "What does Grace keep in the lunchbox?" If you answer correctly, I'll enter you in a drawing to win Carol's book. And you can still read the chapter even if you don't want to enter the contest (hehe).

Happy Reading!

(P.S. Please share the chapter with anyone you think might be interested. Thanks!)

(P.P.S. I've also updated the synopsis page on my website, so you can check that out too if you want.)

I've been blurbed!

Today has been a really surreal day. I wish I could tell you everything that is going on in ReadBree land . . .but, Agent Ted would kill me . . .and I don't want to jinx anything. (Random fact about me: I'm really superstitious. I knock on wood at least once a day . . .if not multiple times. In fact, I've said too much already. *Commences knocking on wood.*) Let's just say that in between changing poopy diapers and microwaving chicken nuggets, I got to write and respond to a few exciting emails that felt really trippy when compared to the poop wiping and nugget nuking that is my regular schedule.

Anyway, I am allowed to share one little tidbit with you all. While it's not the cover art for my book (which looks like it's still a while out :-( ), it is something that will go on the cover: My very first book blurb!!

Now for those who are wondering what a book blurb is, go pick up any novel and scan the jacket until you find a little quote about the book by another author, or a reviewer. Publishers send out advanced copies of a new book to well-known authors and reviewers in hopes of getting a little nugget of praise to adorn the cover (and entice buyers). I don't have advanced copies of my book yet--but they should be ready by the first of next month (watch for giveaways!)--so I had no idea that my publisher had sent out my book in manuscript form to get blurbs. Therefore, I was very, very, very, over-the-moon, excited to find a wonderful surprise in my in-box from my publisher this morning.




The following is my first ever book blurb. It's from Lesley Livingston, author of the novel WONDROUS STRANGE (which is a modern, paranormal, A Midsummer Night's Dream set in NYC):




“Reading THE DARK DIVINE feels almost like following a trail of moonlight into the heart of a forest at midnight--at once spooky and compelling. Bree Despain takes familiar myths and legends and wraps them elegantly around a haunting story of love, loss, family and forgiveness. Beautiful.”

"Squeee!!!!!" is seriously the only word I can use to describe how happy this blurb has made me. It is so lovely and well-worded . . .and complimentary!! Seriously, if I had to write a blurb on someone's book it would probably just say, "This book is cool. I loved it." Wow, just serious WOWNESS! I am in love with this blurb. I may just have to take it out for dinner and a movie.

Many thanks to Lesley Livingston (who I've never met, btw) for her kind and beautiful words. I'm off to go reread that email a few hundred more times. Have a great (and surreal) day!

P.S. We are getting ready to post a sneak peak of THE DARK DIVINE on the website. Stay tuned for the first chapter! It's coming really, really soon. I promise.

Putting a little "x" on life's dream checklist

Seeing my very own book-deal announced in Publisher's Marketplace has been a life dream of mine for the past several years. Basically, Publisher's Marketplace is the authority on the publishing world. They gather news about the industry, report book deals, track sales trends, have a forum for editors and agents to post what they are looking for, etc, etc. Each day they put out a report of recent books deals, and each day I read the list, imagining that my very own book is listed with all the other bright, shiny deals from all the bright, shiny authors. So you can imagine my delight this afternoon when I clicked on the PM deals page and saw this little announcement to the entire publishing world:

January 15, 2009
		Children's: Young Adult		Bree Despain's THE DARK DIVINE, a modern exploration of the Prodigal Son parable with a paranormal twist, to Regina Griffin at Egmont, in a pre-empt, in a two-book deal, by Ted Malawer at Firebrand Literary (NA). ted@firebrandliterary.com

How cool is that?!! I'm one of those bright, shiny authors who deserves space on the glistening webpages of the Publishers Marketplace. Wow, this is all really happening! I can barely believe it.

Sorry, just had to bask in the coolness for a bit.

p.s. FYI, not every book deal gets listed in PM. Just the one's by the "cool" people. j/k

p.p.s. The other thing that is really cool about getting listed in PM (other than official bragging rights, and proof that your book deal isn't just a figment of you imagination) is that occasionally movie producers will go trolling through PM, looking for new project ideas. Not that I'm saying that will happen to me . . .it's just cool to think about the possibility, don't ya think?

The Dark Divine soundtrack: song #16

NOTE: IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT, CLICK HERE!

Alas, I am capping off the last day of my 20s, and the end of The Dark Divine Play-list/Soundtrack, with the perfectly bittersweet song Love You More by Alexi Murdoch. I didn't realize until I started listening to it while writing this post that this song only has 4 simple lines:

"Love you more than anyone
Love you more than anyone
Love you more in time to come
Love you more"

The line that resonates the most with me at this moment is: "Love you more in time to come." For me, this song symbolizes the sadness that comes with the end of something that is practically a part of who you are--but also the sweetness that comes with the beginning of something completely new. This is the way my characters feel at the end of the book--and hopefully how the reader will feel also. I know it's the way I felt when I finished writing it.

And it's definitely how I feel looking toward tomorrow. It's the end of a wonderful decade--but the beginning of a new one. And who can complain too much about turning the big 3-0 when kicking off the year with a two-book deal in her pocket?

Here's to a whole new year, a whole new decade, and a whole new adventure . . .

Love You More - Alexi Murdoch

The Dark Divine soundtrack: song #13 and #14

NOTE: IF YOU CAME HERE LOOKING FOR THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT, CLICK HERE.

Since we had a minor interruption in our regular programming yesterday (and what an interruption it was!), I'll be presenting two songs (as promised) from the play-list this evening. I'll talk about each song and then post the player for them at the bottom so the text doesn't go all wonky again.

Our first song is another by Spoon. Stay Don't Go is another one of those perfect songs to listen to while running on the elliptical. Which means it is also one of the songs I listen to while plotting in my head (for action in my novel, not for diabolical schemes--I save those for the shower). I love this song, and it is absolutely perfect for the way Grace feels at this point in the novel (you know, the novel that is getting PUBLISHED!).

Side note: This song is actually the reason I titled my blog "Confessions of a Mere Mortal," because I love the line, "Confession is: stay don't go." Originally I wanted to start each of my blog posts with something like "Confession is: [fill in the blank]," but I ultimately decided that it might get a little old after a while. It's a fun idea, so I may still use it from time to time.

The next song on the play-list is I Will Follow You Into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie, and it is one of my ALL-TIME favorites (only to be recently surpassed as current favorite by Postal Service's Against All Odds). To say that I am obsessed with this song would probably qualify as an understatement. In fact, my obsession has gotten so out of hand, I probably shouldn't include this song in the soundtrack for this book, because I have actually started writing another novel based on this song. (That's my Persephone/Orpheus story for anyone who is keeping track.)

To me, this song represents sacrifice. A willingness to follow someone into the dark, or do something unbelievablely difficult for someone else without knowing what the outcome will be for yourself. This song is about the heart of love.

Another side note: Even though this song talks about death, that doesn't necessarily mean that someone in my book dies. (But me giving you this disclaimer, doesn't necessarily mean that someone doesn't die, either. You'll just have to read the book--you know, once it's PUBLISHED!)

Anyway, here are the songs. Enjoy them, because they are a couple of my favorites.

The Dark Divine soundtrack: song #10

Today was ONE OF THOSE DAYS. It all started when I was awakened 1.5 minutes before my alarm was supposed to go off by both of my children screaming. I stumbled out of my room and discovered that KidZ had puked in his bed, and his following screams had freaked the heck out of KidA. I made a new bed for KidZ on the couch, cleaned up the puke, and since both of the kids were sick, I decided to let them have a movie-day while I got some work done. In the meantime, KidA discovered the wonder of the microwave . . .which I didn't realize until poor nauseous KidZ started freaking out about a stinky smell in the kitchen, and I discovered KidA standing (gleefully) in front of the buzzing microwave. I flung open the door and found two, shriveled, blackened, vaguely pterodactyl-shaped chicken nuggets and a partially melted IKEA plate. After I threw the plate outside and opened all the windows to air out the toxic pterodactyl+plastic fumes, I returned to work in the next room. . .only to be beckoned a few minutes later by a crashing noise from the family room. Apparently, the kids "resting on the couch" had digressed into a Power-Ranger's-style-death-match that resulted in the demise of my favorite lamp.

And that was only what all happened before lunchtime. . .

So anyway, I've decided that I need to focus on a few of the good things about today:

1. I got to read the first draft of Emily Wing Smith's new novel. And by the way, you MUST MUST MUST go check out her new book trailer for The Way He Lived. I helped make it! (Well, if you call picking out pictures of cute guys with no shirts on "helping." Although, I noticed that Em didn't actually use any of those . . .but she did use a couple of the other pics I chose.)

2. I got a really good email update from Ted

3. I remembered that I Tivo-ed the new Bachelor season premier

4. Today's song for The Dark Divine Play-list/Soundtrack only happens to be my current most favorite song: The Postal Service's cover of Against All Odds

Not only is this another one of those completely and totally perfect-for-the-moment songs for the soundtrack, it is also a freaking awesome song. Yeah, I know, I always say that each song is awesome--but hey, they wouldn't be in the soundtrack if they weren't--and this time, you don't just have take my word for it. The New York Post named it as one of The Top 100 Best Cover Songs of All Time! How's that for a ringing endorsement? And, of course, you all get to check it out here for yourselves.

And I really wish I could tell you why this song is so perfect for the soundtrack, but once again, all I can say is: You'll have to read the book. So for now, just sit back and picture me madly working on revisions while you listen to this song. (And make sure you listen to the whole thing so you can get the full effect of the song.) I'm off to go force hubby to watch The Bachelor with me. . .

Against All Odds - The Postal Service

The Dark Divine soundtrack: song #9

Today's song is Creep by Radiohead, and it is so absolutely perfect for my novel--in sooo many ways--but I can't tell you why. You're just going to have to read the book :-)

Sorry, but I keep getting way too descriptive with these posts and I have to leave some things for you all to read in the actual book, right? So let's just say that it's totally the most perfect song for this moment in the soundtrack. In fact, if I could have commissioned someone to write a song for this chapter of my novel, this totally would have been the song I wanted. Seriously, it's like Radiohead is channeling me . . .or perhaps it's the other way around . . .

PLEASE NOTE: If you go looking for this song on iTunes, this is the "clean version." And although it will say "clean version" in parenthesis (as opposed to quotes), it will still have the little, red "explicit" box next to it--because apparently the word "hell" is considered explicit by the iTunes people. Which apparently means my book is explicit by iTunes standards because it has a few "hells" in it . . .and apparently now my blog is explicit too . . .hehe. So, yeah, just know that if you click on a version of this song that does not say it is a clean version, it may get a little more explicit than a couple of hells. Sorry, there I go being all explicit again . . .

Anyway, here is the perfect song that I can't tell you why it is so perfect:

The Dark Divine soundtrack: song #8

If yesterday's song represented the "highest heights" in the mood of the book, then today's song is the beginning of the decent into the "lowest lows."

The overall bittersweet feeling of No One's Gonna Love You by Band of Horses is perfect for this moment in the soundtrack, but the most important lines are:

"Things start splitting at the seams and now
The whole thing's tumbling down."

This song also represents a whole lot of denial. Man, even I feel sorry for my characters sometimes. . .But at the same time, you gotta love conflict. I once took a writing class from the marvelous Martine Leavitt called "How not to write a boring book." Her theory was to "chase your characters up a tree, and then start throwing rocks at them." Basically, be as hard on your characters as you possibly can. Conflict. Conflict. Conflict.

No One's Gonna Love You may be bittersweet, but it is also hard not to love. So go ahead an enjoy it anyway.

The Dark Divine soundtrack: song #7

People often ask me where I got the inspiration to write The Dark Divine. Honestly, it's a hard question to answer because it didn't just come from one place, or a dream, or a single idea. It was more like a perfect storm of ideas, thoughts, and memories, over a few weeks time. It all came together while I was riding in the car on a dark January night in 2005. It was shortly after I'd read the book Speak, watched the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer for the first time, listened to the song Such Great Heights over and over again, and was asked to teach a lesson about the concept of grace at my church. I was thinking about all of these things, along with a random memory from the 9th grade, when we stopped at red light and I looked up at billboard in the dark and suddenly this conversation between a brother and a sister popped into my head. The brother was warning his sister to stay away from their former best friend. "He's dangerous. He isn't the person he used to be. You have to promise to stay away from him." And that was when it all started. . .

By the next day, the random 9th grade memory I'd been thinking about had transformed into the first scene in chapter one (except my main character is in the 11th grade), and the conversation between the brother and the sister had become the third scene in the book. And a lot of writing, revising, head pounding, swearing, praying, writer's block, listening to music, reading, more inspiration, and 4 whole years later--I have a finished novel.

And a killer soundtrack to go with it! (Nice segue, don't you think?) In case you didn't guess, today's song is the aforementioned Such Great Heights by The Postal Service. Partly, because it is an awesome song . . .but mostly because when people ask me where I got the inspiration for my novel, and I don't feel like going on and on with the long version, I usually just smile and say, "Such Great Heights." This is the song I listen to over and over again to get into the mood to work on this book--and I'm not kidding about the "over and over" part. Sometimes, I just put it on repeat for awhile. There is even a chapter in my book titled, "Such Great Heights," and let's just say that this particular chapter is highly inspired by the song (see definition of "inspiration" from above).

This portion of the soundtrack represents the "highest highs" of the mood of the book. . .So have a listen, and I'll be very surprised if this song doesn't make you feel good.

The Dark Divine soundtrack: song #6

Today's song is one of the few on the list that mostly represents Grace's point of view--and it is the only song on the soundtrack that is preformed by a female vocalist. Feist is actually one of the few female singers that I enjoy listening to--I don't know why, I just tend to prefer the sound of male vocals. But Feist has one of those unique voices that I can't help but love--and interesting music to go along with it.

And My Moon, My Man just happens to be the perfect, romantic, (and to be perfectly honest) sexy song for the way Grace is feeling at this moment in the story. (This is a romance, after all!) Grace is in love with a guy who is far from perfect--and at the same time he's the perfect guy for her. (Or is he? ;))

I love the lines of the chorus:

"Take it slow
Take it easy on me
And shed some light
Shed some light on me please
Take it slow
And shed some light
Shed some light on me please"

Part of Grace wants to take it slow, the other part wants to rush right in. Also, at this moment, Daniel is "shedding light" on a very important revelation--one he has to ease into for her sake. How perfect is that?

Anyway, enjoy. I mean, who doesn't like a nice, sexy love song?

The Dark Divine soundtrack: song #4 and #5

I left my house yesterday morning around 11:00 am, and I basically haven't been home until right now--so many apologies for missing yesterday's song. Seriously, it's been stressing me out. Therefore, today I will give you two songs for your listening enjoyment (and they're really good ones!).

The Dark Divine song #4 is Ooh La by The Kooks.

I love The Kooks. They have recently made it into my top 3 favorite bands. My friend Rachie did a recent post on The Kooks where you can listen to more of their songs if you want (and why wouldn't you?!) Ooh La is not only one of my favs (and a song I often listen to while writing) it is a favorite of the entire Despain family. I do believe this is the first song little KidA ever started singing along too. It is so cute to hear his tiny, raspy, toddler voice (did I ever mention that KidA has a smoker-baby voice?) crooning the "Ooh las" from the backseat of the car. And KidZ always requests this song for our family dance parties (even I am known to dance along with this one).

The line: "She was such a good girl to me," is the one that resonates the most with my book. But the overall feeling/mood I'm going for at this moment in the soundtrack is that of someone feeling used or unneeded. Or perhaps that of someone else lamenting the fact that they've made the other person feel used or unneeded.

Have a listen--and I dare you not to dance!

So on to song #5: Be Still My Heart by The Postal Service (the Nobody remix--and yes, it absolutely has to be the Nobody remix!!!)

The actual words of this song don't have much to do with what is happening in my book (other than the line: "This could be a brand new start . . .with you"), it is more the feeling of the song that I wanted for the soundtrack. I wanted to capture the elation/excitement/overwhelmingness (yes, I know, that is also not a real word) of starting a new relationship with someone, or sharing something really special with another person--and no, I am not referring to sex ;).

Enjoy this beautiful song . . .and if you want to download it from iTunes, just remember not to settle for anything less than the Nobody Remix. Ben Gibbard may be a genius, but Nobody took that genius and like multiplied it by ten.

Be Still My Heart (Nobody Remix) - The Postal Service


Oh yeah . . .I wish you all a joyful and amazing new year!

The Dark Divine soundtrack: song #3

Today's song is brought to you by the band Spoon. I love Spoon--especially when I'm running on the elliptical or exercising on my recumbent bike. There's nothing like a good Spoon song to get my heart-rate up. And since I do some of my best plotting while working out, it was only inevitable that a couple of Spoon songs would make it into my play-list.

(Side note: you know how at the end of a yoga class, you're supposed to just lay there on your mat and empty your mind of all thought? Yeah, that SO doesn't work for me. This is usually when I end up writing dialogue for romantic scenes in my head. Yes, I know, I'm weird.)

Anyway, the song for today is Spoon's The Way We Get By. Probably not everyone is going to love this song as much as I do, but I really feel like it reflects Daniel's life--or at least how Grace thinks Daniel feels about his life (at first). Kind of a flippant, "Yeah, my life is messed up. But this is how I get by."

Enjoy (or not) and try running on the elliptical to it

Note: Inserting the music player has been doing funky things with my text (single spacing or that giant quotation mark in yesterday's post) so from now on I'll put the song after its description.

The Dark Divine soundtrack: song #2

Song #2 for The Dark Divine play-list/soundtrack just happens to be another by The Notwist. Don't worry. Don't worry. I promise there is more variety in the soundtrack than just sixteen songs by the same band--but let's face it, soundtracks often have multiple songs from the same band throughout. However, this is the last song by The Notwist (I'm just warning you for when we get to the Ben Gibbard portions of the play-list--that man is a genius).

NOTE: If you are scratching your head, thinking, "What the heck is The Dark Divine play-list/soundtrack?"--then you need to go back and read this post.

So anyway, today's song is One with the Freaks by The Notwist. Take a listen and tell me what you think.

In my opinion, not only is this a beautiful song, it just works with my book in so many ways. First, there's the question: "Have you ever been all messed up?" Because, frankly, Daniel is messed up. I also love the line: "Things look much bigger on your knees." I have no idea if I'm interpreting the line right at all, but to me it symbolizes when you sink so low, that getting on your knees is the only way you can even try to figure things out--and from there things look so big, you can't possibly do it on your own. This is Daniel. He needs help--and Grace is the only one who can help him.

But I mostly see this song as a warning to Grace. She is drawn to Daniel, but Jude (knowing a pretty dark secret about their former friend) tries to make Grace stay away from Daniel. But she doesn't--she can't. Grace sees herself as Daniel's "life-line" (or lifeguard as the song says), and her decision to help Daniel behind Jude's back is what propels the action of the story. But can Grace help Daniel find his way, without losing her own?

I love the lines in this song that go:

"Miss the signal
Miss the signpost
Miss the exits to it all
And all of a sudden
you were one with the freaks"

Okay, so future song descriptions probably won't be as detailed as this one. So far
I haven't given more away than you'd learn in the first chapter (or by reading the
back of the book while standing in B&N) but I don't want to spoil anything for
those who haven't read the book yet. . . So for now, enjoy the song and tell me
what you think. The next one will be posted tomorrow.

XOXO,

Bree

My Gift To You

Now that Christmas is over, and the kiddies are content to play with their new toys for a few days (and pretty much ignore me) it is time to turn my mind to other important things . . .my birthday! And this year isn't just any old birthday, it's one of those big-significant-scary-your-life-will-never-quite-be-the-same-milestone birthdays (let's just say there's a big fat number 3 in it). In an effort to count down to this significant day (and to ease the stress of leaving my twenties) I've decided to celebrate by presenting you all with a gift.

16 of them, actually. That's right, for the next 16 days leading up to B-Day, I will leave you a little gift on my blog for your enjoyment. And what is this amazing gift that I've been working on for many days to make for y'all?

Well, I'm glad you asked.

It's the THE DARK DIVINE PLAY-LIST/SOUNDTRACK!!!!

Okay, so many of you are probably thinking, what the heck is The Dark Divine--and how can it have a soundtrack? And why is Bree so darn excited about it?

First off: The Dark Divine is the title of MY BOOK. Second: Yes, books CAN have soundtracks.

I know a lot of authors are posting play-lists of songs that inspired the writing of their novels--yeah, I'm not all that original or anything--but I am proud to say that my song-list is way super awesomer (I know, I know awesomer is not a real word) because not only is it a list of songs that inspired my writing, but I've also arranged them in a way to reflect the mood/characters' thoughts/progression of the novel. In other words: it's a book soundtrack!

How awesomer is that?! And it totally wasn't easy, either. I mean, some real painstaking work went into selecting these songs and arranging and rearranging them just right. Good thing I've got all this time and anxiety to kill . . . too bad for hubby I didn't channel any of it into doing the dishes . . .

Anyway, I was going to just post the whole thing at once, but then I realized that most people (other than myself) don't have the time to sit and listen to 16 songs in a row. So I decided that since there are 16 days until my birthday, I'll present one song a day for your listening pleasure. I'll also include a little description of the song and why it is part of the play-list. And then on the 17th day (January 13th--my B-Day) I'll post the entire play-list as a permanent resident on my blog so you can listen to any of the songs, anytime you want. (Because I'm hoping you'll all like the songs as much as I do--and it will put you in the mood to read my novel. :-))


To kick off our 16 Days of The Dark Divine Music Extravaganza, I present to you:

Pick up the Phone by The Notwist

I chose this song not only because it is a freaking great song and totally reflects the mood of my book, but also because of the line "Today, I will step out of your past"--which is exactly what happens in the first few pages of my novel when Daniel Kalbi (Grace's first love and Jude's former best friend) shows up out of the blue after a 3 year disappearance . . .

Oh, and don't forget to keep this image in your head while you listen to any of the songs:


Daniel Kalbi (aka Taylor Kitsch)

Because even though Grace is the main character, I found that most of the songs are from Daniel's point of view. Go figure . . .