A newspaper asked some writers for Valentine's Day present giving tips. My response: "When buying for your sweetheart, don’t spend money. A personal love note means so much. But when buying for me, I prefer hand-dipped chocolates and cash."
My cute neighbor Marthe came over with a Valentine's gift for me, giggling as I opened the bag to see:
She took me up on it! May I say, I was right about the handdipped chocolate. Delicious. I am so going to blow that bill on something naughty from a vending machine next time I'm out. Somewhere. Where there is a vending machine. In a few months. (Heh. I don't get out much.)
Happy Valentine's Day, and celebrate by buying one of the very fine winners of the Cybils announced today. I've said it before, but I predict the Cybils before long will be one of the very most prestigious awards in kidlit. Give them a few more years to ferment, make jacket stickers, and watch it explode. Their lists are always solid, and the judging process is excellent.
Oh you make me laugh so much. I love to read your blog, it is the high-light of my day. Happy Valentines Day.Just a funny story. I was on your blog at school (because I'm still in school) and the site was blocked. So I wrote to the computer specialist in town, asking his to unblock the site. I said this is an educational site and she the way she writes makes me want to read. He unblocked the site for me. So now I can read it every day.
Posted by: Emily | February 14, 2011 at 10:07 AM
Haha, that is an awesome V-Day gift! I myself like big, fluffy stuffed animals and brownies. And Emily, that is a great story. Way to get in some squeetus at school.
Going to check out the Cybils... Happy Valentine's Day, Shannon! :D
Posted by: Christen | February 14, 2011 at 11:06 AM
I'm a little concerned about the exploding Cybils.
Happy Single's Awareness Day.
Posted by: Marcus Aurelius | February 14, 2011 at 12:19 PM
That is so sweet. And the sort of stuff I like. So, go for her!!! :)
Posted by: Alexandra Wood | February 14, 2011 at 12:38 PM
Happy Valentine's Day, Interplanetary Be Who You Are Day, Singles Day, or whatever you celebrate. I wish I got some cash today, but I did get chocolates, which I love. I have to agree with Christen, too. Fluffy stuffed animals are the best!
@Emily: Squeetus at school rocks like nothing else.
Posted by: Helene | February 14, 2011 at 12:43 PM
Nothing beats chocolates and cash! I don't know about "raindrops on roses," "whiskers on kittens," "bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens," etc.-- chocolate and money are my favorite things! But I must say, books are my favorite Valentine's gift.
Posted by: Allegra | February 14, 2011 at 01:52 PM
My mom made me an entire chocolate cake...and then my boyfriend hid a "will you go to Mormon prom with me?" fortune in a fortune cookie. and to think, i don't even like Valentine's day that much...
Anyway, I LOVE your blog and I follow it faithfully.
Posted by: Kylie | February 14, 2011 at 03:09 PM
Two years ago I was in a bookstore looking for a gift for my teenage daughter for Valentine's Day. There was another Mom there and recommended your Books of Bayern series. I fully intended to give them to my daughter, but kept them for myself! Was that wrong? I'll always be grateful to that mystery Mom for introducing me to your books!
Posted by: Alisha C | February 14, 2011 at 03:22 PM
That was hilarious, and the gift looks sweet. Literally. I'm way jealous. Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Posted by: Dr. Sallie N. Cheinsteen | February 14, 2011 at 04:11 PM
I'll take the cash without the chocolate. And then I'll use it to buy a slice of pie.
Posted by: megwrites | February 14, 2011 at 04:34 PM
That chocolate on the left looks like the apple bon bon I had today. My dad was so generous in giving me a box of Bissinger's. Delish! Then I'd use the cash to buy some more chocolate; maybe this time a raspberry bon bon. They're very tasty you know.
Posted by: gracie | February 14, 2011 at 04:53 PM
Dear Shannon's Cute Neighbor Marthe:
I believe there is a house or two for sale on my street.
Just sayin'.
Posted by: Hannah | February 14, 2011 at 06:16 PM
Happy Valentine's Day, all! Ah, chocolate and cash...I got an iTunes card from my parents. :)
Posted by: Emma | February 14, 2011 at 08:55 PM
Mmmmmm chocolate! My favorite part of the article was the online tag where they described it as "Valentines Day Advice from Romance Writers." So you're officially a romance writer now! Haha!
Posted by: Lillian | February 15, 2011 at 12:17 AM
Chocolate is always good. Always. And cash is also nice to have...
but I prefer the handwritten note. :)
Posted by: Gwen | February 15, 2011 at 08:05 AM
Yes! Go Cybils! This is my first Valentine's Day since being officially divorced, so I especially celebrated Cybils Day. And I learned that my library system ordered 8 copies of a local author's book -- after it won a Cybils Award.
Of course, I plan to continue to apply to be on a Cybils panel until I succeed, so I'm definitely biased. :) If it ever happens, and a Shannon Hale book is eligible in my category, I admit I'd be pretty darn sure to pull for that book. I can't imagine you writing a book I don't love.
Posted by: Sondy | February 15, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Glad you had a great Valentine's Day! Loved the hand-dipped chocolate and cash photo. (But you made me hungry.)
I too celebrated the Cybils by buying one of the award-winning books. I can't wait to read it!
Posted by: Linda W | February 15, 2011 at 12:24 PM
Ah, love the shout-out to Cybils. It is a blast to be on one of the panels :)
Posted by: melissa @ 1lbr | February 15, 2011 at 12:47 PM
I've never gotten a valentines gift before from an opposite gender in Highschool...so what I'm I to think of V-day? It sucks to those that never have gotten one. I know, it's sad, but hey guess some of us aren't cut out for boys.
--Raindrops.
Posted by: Raindrops | February 15, 2011 at 01:37 PM
Yummy! And what a sweet neighbor.
Posted by: Christy | February 15, 2011 at 02:46 PM
Yum.... That is definitely the way to go.
Posted by: Je Reve | February 18, 2011 at 02:06 PM
Happy Valentines day!
Posted by: yaks | February 20, 2011 at 10:26 AM
LOL! Happy Valentine's Day to one of my ALL-TIME favorite authors!
Posted by: Hannah | February 20, 2011 at 03:50 PM
That, my friend, looks like a chocolate and money butterfly. ;)
Double yum.
Posted by: Amberargyle | March 25, 2011 at 05:40 PM
Can you pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaase write a 5th book of Bayern? Isi told Rin finding out her true self would make their adventure seem like a stroll in the woods. And on top of that, Rin needs to fall in love with Conrad!
Posted by: Ruth | March 29, 2011 at 02:19 PM
Felix is awesomeness!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Ruth | March 29, 2011 at 02:20 PM
Oooooooooh, this is the chocolate section of your blog...sorry for the random comments about your books!!!!!
Posted by: Ruth | March 29, 2011 at 02:21 PM