Chris Howard is our guest author for Truth or Dare this week. His debut YA novel, ROOTLESS, will be published by Scholastic, November 2012. Chris chose a dare, submitted by one of our own--April Tucholke dared Chris to write a ROOTLESS inspired song, and he did it. Happy Valentine's Day.Hi! This is Chris, and I'm honored to be included on Friday the Thirteeners this week! Thanks for having me! I hope you enjoy the song I wrote for the main character of my debut novel, ROOTLESS. It was supposed to be a "dare" ... but to be honest I had an absolute blast working up the tune on my acoustic guitar. ROOTLESS is the first in a series of books set in a distant future where nothing can grow. The main character's name is Banyan - he builds trees out of old scrap and salvaged junk, until he finds a clue to the whereabouts of the last living trees on earth ... He's an awesome young dude, really, and he deserves a song - so thanks for inspiring me!
Chris Howard grew up not far from London, but he currently lives in Denver, Colorado. He studied Natural Resources Management in college, and spent eight years leading wilderness adventure trips for teenagers. Chris is passionate about art and the environment, and his debut novel celebrates both those things...and more. ROOTLESS will be out this November, via Scholastic Press, and Chris is currently working on Book 2 of the series. Find him here:
http://chrishowardbooks.com/
http://www.facebook.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/book/
http://twitter.com/chrisH0WARD
Next up: the brilliant Erin Bowman. She'll take the stage Friday, Feb. 17. Submit a truth or dare for Erin here.
As if I needed more of a reason to want to read his book!!! Uh, seriously could he have been any cuter?
ReplyDeleteChris - you totally rock and I suggest you sing this song at your author signings so all the teenage girls (and their mothers) can swoon at your feet!!! ;o)
Ditto to what Ellen said. Your readers will swoon if you sing them this. How fun :D
DeleteLOVE IT, Chris! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing a bit more of ROOTLESS with us! Can't wait to read the novel come November! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Chris! That was fantastic, and you are one brave dude. Cannot wait for ROOTLESS! Thanks for playing--and agree with Ellen and Erin about the guitar and book signings!
ReplyDeleteThat was awesome, Chris. And you book sounds AMAZING! Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDelete*your book.
DeleteI really know how to edit. :)
So I'm getting a lot of comments from people (apparently too shy to post here!) that they are really enjoying having a "cute floppy haired boy" serenading them on Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteI am still trying to figure out in what possible universe this is embarrassing. I had no idea we could opt to look adorable and talented during our dares.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if no one else is going to say it, I will. I am TOTALLY CRUSHING...on the wall color. Seriously awesome paint job. Oh also the guitar and singing etc, and the book sounds awesome. BUT THAT WALL.
Right?! He took what would be an embarrassing dare for most and managed to look adorable and charming. Come Friday, when I tackle my dare, I doubt I will be so lucky. ;)
DeleteHA! Me too! About that Wall!!!
DeleteThanks for the kind words! And thanks for the idea, and the DARE! I'll bring the guitar along to my first signing and dedicate the song to Friday the Thirteeners! Look forward to seeing your brilliant books on the shelves... oh, and I believe I painted that wall FIREDANCE red! :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband plays the tin whistle (a somewhat questionable pastime he picked up in Scotland). Maybe I should have him come to my first signing and tweet some Devil songs. Hmmm. Somehow this just doesn't seem as cool.
Deletesounds spooky! and more peaceful than bagpipes! i say do it!
Delete:)
I agree with Kiersten--not necessarily fair that Chris got to be all, look at me, i'm nice and talented and I SING, and *I* had to admit to embarrassing high school crushes. Maybe we need to bring Chris back for some REAL embarrassment!
ReplyDelete(in all seriousness, thanks Chris. Way to make #TeamRennert look FAR cooler than I ever have!)
well, my embarrassing high school crush was on my English Teacher! and i asked her out to go see a play in London with me (Shakespeare - can't remember which one). needless to say, she said NO. and i got detention for a week (not with her, unfortunately!!)
Delete:)
OMG THAT IS THE BEST STORY EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteAnd I am so hearing "Hot for teacher" in my head now... :)
Chris, that was AWESOME! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI think he has too much talent for one person. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. Dude.
ReplyDeleteIt really is awesome. Objectively. A floppy-haired boy. A book. A guitar. A wall color. If you don't think this is awesome, there is something wrong with you.
Deletewhat a gem to find! Love the blog. And love this little ditty, Chris.
ReplyDeleteI took Naural Resources in college as well. Canadian style. I'm a Conservation Officer in my spare time. Can't wait for 2013 - looking like a great year for books.
keep up the good work, Terry! I studied at Colorado State and loved every minute - especially the field work!
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