Eavesdropping the academy

Tomorrow (Saturday) is the release party for book of a thousand days at The King's English here in Salt Lake, and it's supposed to be rainy. I'm fairly certain Under, god of tricks, is to blame. We will be going on in any event. I'll be dressed like a proper girl of the steppes (more or less), and my dad's bluegrass band will play during the signing, because nothing evokes the sounds of the steppes like...er, a banjo. And mandolin. ahem. Anyhoo...

I recently had the extraordinary experience to listen to the princess academy audio book, produced by Full Cast Audio. They got an Audie award (the Oscars for audio books) for their production of the goose girl this year (that has nothing to do with this post--I just wanted to brag for them). I remember having a similar experience listening to the goose girl. I hadn't read princess for three years. And since, all this stuff* has happened, and I didn't know what I would think of it now. I was nervous. What if it wasn't any good? What if it's out there and everyone's reading it and it's bad? Or what if all I can hear in it are my own writing flaws?

Well, the completely awesome thing about listening to someone else read/perform your book is that the story isn't yours. It's theirs. You're the audience really for the first time. And Full Cast Audio did such a spectacular job with casting, I wasn't always thinking things like, "Hey, that's not how she'd say that! That's not what his voice is like!" I was able to just listen and be taken away in the story. Truly a miraculous experience.

I forgot or didn't realize how funny it was! There were parts, things that Miri said, that actually made me laugh. The actress playing Miri really delivered those lines well. My new favorite scene I think is the conversation between Miri and Peder at the Spring Festival. It was so great to hear in audio, such fun. And I love the relationship between Miri and her father. That subplot has become to me one of the most important aspects of the story, and I didn't even recognize it, didn't find it until the final two drafts. What if I had decided the book was good enough a couple of months earlier? What if I'd called it good and never found that story of their relationship? It would've been a sadder book, a half a book. Revision is godly power granted to mere authors. Hallelujah.

Even as I was completely transported in a story that I couldn't have written, I'm reminded what a huge pain in the spherical-rear-part it was. I think princess academy is the most difficult book I've ever written. Tortuous. the goose girl went through more revisions than anything else I've done, in part because I was still discovering my writing process. But princess academy--yeesh. On two occasions I honestly thought it was a lost cause and almost trashed the whole thing. Only stubbornness got me through. And blind hope. And revisions. Lots of painful revisions. (Did I mention the revisions?)

This is the book I thought no one would like. It's a small book. It's not what I was sure people expected from me after goose and enna. It was not what people would expect from the title. It was going to disappoint. I wrote it stubbornly, writing it strictly for myself, because, after all, I was the only one who was going to like it. And now here we are three years later, some 300,000 copies out there in North America alone. Crazy. It goes to show--you cannot anticipate what people will like. You cannot write for THEM. You cannot plan a bestseller. You cannot write a good book easily. And you cannot find a story right away--you have to work for it, fight for it, earn it. This is truth to me. And when people claim otherwise, I do not believe them.

I really really love this book. (I can't tell you how happy--and relieved--that makes me!) I'm so happy it's not mine anymore. I'm so happy it grew up and moved out and made it's own way in the world, made new friends, became it's own story. That's so gratifying. And I'm overjoyed Full Cast Audio helped me experience the story separate from myself, as its own tale. What a gift to an author.

*Newbery Honor, spending the past four months on the New York Times best seller list, that sort of freakin' cool stuff that I still can't process, and feel weird shy about mentioning again so I'll make it a footnote...

Comments

[Ruby Diamond]

Hoorah for looking back and, with that 20/20 hindsight, seeing something good! See you at the party tomorrow!

[Erin]

I love hearing these sort of writerly things. And about how you have to write a book for yourself!! Have fun at the party, wish I could be there...

[Kailana]

Hey! I finished Book of a Thousand Days last week, and I just wanted to say that I really liked it. I was a bit worried at first, but by the end of it I stayed up super late to see how it ended. And, I think I read it in a day. I have no idea how I had it so far before release date, but I enjoyed reading it! I still have to read River Secrets and Princess Academy, hopefully I will fit them in soon! Thanks for an enjoyable book. :)

[Leanna]

I can't wait for the party tomorrow! I'll see you there! And I sure hope it doesn't rain.

Anyway, they have full cast audios? Cool! I can't to listen to one of them.

[Laura]

I think one of the reasons I like reading your books so much is that the characters are such real, funny people. And I love that you are still real enough to be unable to "process" all your awards. I am truly looking forward to your new book. (Although, having read Kailana's comment, I am a little concerned since I have stayed up late reading in order to finish in the same day I started it every single other book you've written.)

[Taiger]

Thanks for the PA history. I wish I could go to the party. But I live no where near enough. :( But have fun. Oh, and if Enna Isilee comes to the party wish her a Happy Birthday. Yes, it's her birthday tomorrow. 22 is a lucky number. :)

[hwalk]

That's so great to hear that you struggled with PA and it turned out so well. You're amazing.

[Calliope1of9]

"My new favorite scene I think is the conversation between Miri and Peder at the Spring Festival."
Dang. There goes your trivia contest, Little Red. ;)

I'm really glad you didn't trash Princess Academy, and not just because it's brought you fame, or the fine print under your name that declares *Newbery-Honor winning author of Princess Academy*... but I'm glad because this is a book I love and am able to share with others. My mom has read it. My friends have read it. It's truly a magical thing to be able to share something like that with someone else, not just the author sharing the story, but the readers passing it along too.
I can't wait to hear the audio for PA. The Goose Girl from Full Cast Audio was marvelous... especially Enna and Isi.

[Dante]

Under? I thought the LDS were monotheists, you among them.

Third person singular pronoun posessives do not get apostrophes. Hers, His, ITS, etc. *cough*

As you have said before, there will always be problems with published works, but they ARE published, and it is pointless to either find issue with them or to nipick about their greatness.

[Enna Isilee]

If you've read Book of a Thousand Days Dante you'd understand.

I'm so excited for the party! Not only is it going to be wicked sweet but it's my birthday!

Muahaha!

[Enna Isilee]

Oh. And cool footnote.

[Taiger]

I think you're brilliant Shannon. And nice. Even though I haven't ever had the opportunity to meet you. :) Have a nice time at the party.

[Q]

Happy Birthday Enna Isilee! I wish I was where you are now!

[Linda]

As the mother of the actress who played Miri, I can relate so well to the statement "I was able to just listen and be taken away in the story." I didn't hear my daughter in the story - instead, it was the character who took shape in my mind's eye. Every single voice helped build the world of Mount Eskel, stone by stone and scene by scene.

I am an avid reader and like nothing better in the world than to curl up with a good book. Forget parties, travel, even movies - give me a book every time. But Full Cast Audio has created something that is one step better than the written word - they create a world of sound and sense that is as close to total immersion as I've yet experienced.

I'm glad you feel they did justice to "Princess Academy" - it's a glorious story and I found myself tearing up time and time again as I listened. My daughter was so proud of the opportunity she was given to bring Miri to life, and I know your words mean more to her than a thousand good reviews. Thank you.

[Taiger]

Wow, that's cool.

[hwalk]

Just finished reading Book of a Thousand Days. It was better than I was expecting, and I had high expectations.

Wow. It was so good--Shannon you're amazing.

(click on my name for my review)

[Leanna]

B1000 is great so far! I haven't finished it yet. The party was so great today Shannon! It was great to see you. :)

[Tara!]

Princess Academy is my favourite! I am going on a mad adventurous quest for Book of a Thousand days tomorrow. I shall bring chocolate bar provisions, and do furious battle with my local bookstores. What fun!

[Laini]

This makes me want to listen to both audio books! I can't IMAGINE what it would be like, hearing actors speak my words. Hurray for you -- and for all these well-deserved awesome experiences. I would never have guessed that Princess Academy was a struggle for you -- it has such a smooth and natural (I would say effortless, ha!) flow to it!

[Leanna]

I've listened to a couple of samples from The Goose Girl full cast audio books and it was amazing!

[Jas fr Aus]

irrelevant, but has anyone else noted that meringue is still a "dessert plasma" on wikipedia? haha

[Mads]

:o) This post made me happy. I don't really know why, but it did. :o)

[shannon hale]

Linda, how great to meet you virtually! I thought your daughter was AMAZING, saying that both as the author and a former actress. She delivered her performance with wit, intelligence, humor, and real feeling. I can't wait to see where she goes from here.

[Anne]

I LOVE Book of a Thousand Days!!! Shannon, did you drew the illustrations too? The drawings just added to the charm of the book!

And Happy Birthday Enna Isilee!!!

[Rose]

>And you cannot find a story right away--you have to work for it, fight for it, earn it.

I'm in the midst of doing just this, so thanks for putting it into words.

I'm looking forward to 1000 Days!

[Liesolotte]

Just a question, Dante-
Why do you feel the need to criticize in every single one of your comments?

[Enna Isilee]

Ah. The party was amazing Shannon. Thank you so much for making my birthday absolutely amazing. (Except I will have to find some way to get back at you for making people sing to me. Ooh. I have an idea. How about a certain video I have of you talking about "Milk vs. Water" and the tangent thereafter? Eh? Fitting punishment?
No worries. I don't think I'll go THAT far.)

And that dress you were wearing was absolutely gorgeous. Ah! Love it so much. That's what I'm going to be for Halloween.

[maribeth_kayla]

I loved B1000, I finished it like 2 weeks ago. My bookstore got it early. (Yay.)

[Dante]

SPOILER!
Read BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS. [spoiler deleted] Not fair, I'd say.

What's next?

[Rujie]

I loved reading this blog! It brought back so many good memories from when I first read PA. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get my hands on B100 yet. ARGH! I've looked at every bookstore within an hour and a half radius and no one is carrying it yet! Hopefully i can get it soon or someone might just lose a head...

[Panda]

I kind of liked the ending. [spoiler deleted]

Dante-Can we please try to keep all of our comments positive?

[Faith #2]

It would be great if we could focus a bit on the brighter side, please, Dante.

[Myrna]

Doesn't anyone besides me see the humor in Dante's comments--not so much in this blog as in the last one and some of the others? He's very comment provoking, spices things up.

I haven't been able to get my hands on B1000 yet, but I loved PA. You were right about the title creating false expectations though. I almost left it on the shelf at the library, but I'd read GG and EB and liked them. It wasn't disappointing. Thanks for writing!

[steven65]

"Book of a thousand days" reminds me Humor authors like Jonathan Swift."Book of a thousand days" has given lot of symbolic hidden meanings. I enjoyed in reading this book.

[Panda]

Dante's criticisms about Shannon and other commenters are not amusing, thank you very much.

[Marcus Aurelius]

I was so sad I couldn't show up. I wound up breaking myself playing ultimate Frisbee Saturday morning. I missed the Reptile Expo, MountainCon and the B1000 party.

I'm not sure exactly why fate despises me so.

I hope the party went well. And maybe I can send out one of my siblings to get me a copy of B1000 to read wilst I recupe.

[kristen]

almost done with 'thousand days' and i'm lovin' it! wasn't sure if i would be into it after reading the jacket (7 years in a tower? how boring is THAT?) but it's completely not what i expected - in a good way. Thanks!

[Dante]

Hey, I wrote in big letters at the top of my last comment that there'd be spoilers. Never mind.

With this, I depart, per request. About three months, I think, since I began posting here.

[Liesolotte]

No one's asking you to leave. Your comments are interesting, they just tend to be too malicious.

[Felicity]

Dante, I'm not asking you to leave. We appreciate people commenting politely about Shannon's posts here. That's pretty much the rule that I see, politeness. Some comments that you've made might be a bit critical, and maybe you should put those comments on your own blog. We still would enjoy to hear *kind* thoughts about Shannon's posts. Some of your comments have been very nice.
I'm sure that we'll miss you Dante, even if you're a bit different than the average squeetuser.

[Leanna]

I've finished B1000! It was great Shannon, I loved it! It's one of my favorites. :)

[Amanda]

So far, Shannon, I have enjoyed all your books. You are quickly becoming one of my favorite authors - not an easy feat! With each book that you publish, I get excited all over again for the chance at a delightful read and am happily pleased. On principle, I judge a book on its own marits, not simply because I am a fan of the author. But as I said, I enjoy all of your books! They are each so different that I don't feel like I'm reading the same story reworked. It also thrills me to be able to share my newly found treasures with each of my sistters. Nothing better than passing on a favorite book and having them enjoy it too! Thanks for writing and keeping me on the edge of my seat for whatever new work you will be publishing!

[Celadon]

Wow! I finished B1000 about a week ago, and I had no idea what to expect. Well, it was wonderful!! I simply couldn't put it down. :) specially the setting; it is very interesting that it is set in the steppes. I gradually caught on throughout the book that this is where it is set. lol. Anyways, i loved it!

[asha]

thankyou so much for B1000 Shannon! i can't wait to read it again!!! C:

[kitti]

re: princess academy -almost didn't buy it because I was afraid it would be all "disn*y princess" but am so happy I did. I can't wait to read it with my daughter. I LOVE a female heroine. I've been giving the book to all my friends to read.

I'm so happy to see more books about strong young women trying to find and then finding their way. Awesome.

Not to mention the stories all just rock.

[kitti]

re: princess academy -almost didn't buy it because I was afraid it would be all "disn*y princess" but am so happy I did. I can't wait to read it with my daughter. I LOVE a female heroine. I've been giving the book to all my friends to read.

I'm so happy to see more books about strong young women trying to find and then finding their way. Awesome.

Not to mention the stories all just rock.

[kitti]

re: princess academy -almost didn't buy it because I was afraid it would be all "disn*y princess" but am so happy I did. I can't wait to read it with my daughter. I LOVE a female heroine. I've been giving the book to all my friends to read.

I'm so happy to see more books about strong young women trying to find and then finding their way. Awesome.

Not to mention the stories all just rock.

[Sheryl]

This book captured me from the start. By the end of the first chapter, I was in tears, reading it to my mother, explaining about this amazing true story of true love. Captivating writing by a woman who finds love in a stranger, trusts the fates and jumps head first into romance, and a new life in Italy.
is a Website which provides you everything from comedy to spine-tingling tales of horror and suspense. It is not at all difficult to find your favorite book and to download it. Get it at http://www.im-listening-audio-books.com