Thor vs. Loki, or Why it's a shame I can't rap

Artist:  Esad Ribic from Loki.  Awesome!

Yes, because Thor and Loki are AWESOME!  I have not seen the new movie, nor am I endorsing it, but what I AM endorsing is Loki's awesome helmet and Thor's awesome hammer. 



Odin's throne room made an appearance at Comic Con last year in San Diego, and I was moved... to rap.
And so, here they are, the lyrics to my Loki vs. Thor/ Thor vs. Loki rap challenge.  If you want to hear it live, you'll have to... figure it out on your own.  Trust me, it's awesome.

Loki vs. Thor:  a rap by Sherri L. Smith (copyright 2011-- don't steal this baby!)

His name is Loki
and his rhymes are dope even
though he's not the favorite son
he's the one that makes you come alive
with pleasure!
while he
endeavors!
to kick Thor's
Asgard!
and take over
Midgard!
With Thor's own hammer
he'll make the ladies clamor
For Loki!  For Loki!
L to the O to the K to the I
Even Odin says:  Oh, my my
For Loki!  For Loki!
He's kind of high strung though, isn't he?
Oh, no, no, he's real low key
He's LOKI!  SAY WHAT?

Thor vs. Loki:  A response rap by Sherri L. Smith (copyright 2011- I'm telling you, it's gold!)

Thor! 
(Norse god, y'all!)
What is he good for?
1, 2, 3
I said that his name is Thor!
And I'll tell you what he's good for:
kicking Loki's rear with his war hammer Mjolnir!
When Thor is on the clock
get ready to Ragnarok!
Don't mess with the Lord of Thunder
He'll put you six feet under
Get in his face and he'll lay waste and tear your world asunder!
Thor!
(That's right!)
That's what he's good for!
1, 2, 3
And all the ladies say "Valhalla!"
All the ladies say "Valhalla!"
All the ladies say "Valhalla!" for THOR!

For those of you who didn't read comics, norse mythology, or watch cartoons... I feel sorry for you.  And also here's a glossary:

Thor - Norse god of thunder
Loki - his trickster brother
Odin - The All-Father, or old One-Eye.  God of Lightning, father of the gods, including Thor and Loki
Asgard - Norse realm of the gods
Midgard - Our world
Mjolnir - Thor's hammer (umlaut over the O-- haven't figured out how to type that yet!)
Ragnarok - End of the world, norse style, Armageddon
Valhalla - Norse heaven for heroes, Odin's great hall.

Please don't try to pass an exam using this glossary!  I don't want to be responsible for that!

And yes, that's a nod in the Thor rap to Edwin Starr.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

Join me at Word Wenches!

You heard me.  Go check out my interview with the delightful Mary Jo on Word Wenches, a fun historical fiction blog.  Don't forget to write a comment for your chance to win a signed copy of FLYGIRL.  Free books?  Interesting facts?  What are you waiting for?

Meet the Author - Los Angeles Times Festival of Books!

Hey folks, next Sunday, May 1st, 2011, I'll be at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at USC!  Join me for the Believe in Yesterday:  Historical Young Adult Fiction panel on the YA stage at 12:00 pm, along with the amazing Cecil Castellucci, Sherry Shahan and Judy Blundell.   We'll be signing books afterwards, so bring your copy of FLYGIRL, or buy one on the spot-- and don't miss out on the fantastic books by Cecil, Sherry and Judy.  I just gobbled them up!

What did I miss?

Hi all.  I'm back from the Great White North and my weeks of peace and writing in the woods.  The north was indeed great, and also very white.  It snowed so heavily my last day on Whidbey that I almost missed the ferry back to Seattle due to bad roads!

Alas, I made my flight on time and now I'm back in sunny LA, nose still to the grindstone on writing, but with traffic lights tossed in the mix.  I'll be sure to post pics of my trip to Hedgebrook and give some updates on local (LA) Hedgebrook events coming up.  In the meantime, please check out my interview on the Teen Writers Bloc.  Thanks to Dhonielle for the great questions.  Be sure to check out her round-up question for Black History Month:  The Color of Universal Experience, which asks (and answers) some fascinating questions of race in literature.  Read on!

February in the Woods

Yesterday marked the start of Black History Month.  I immediately thought of Ms. Bessie Coleman, the African-American aviatrix that inspired my character Ida Mae Jones, in FLYGIRL.  Start the month off right, and read a little something about the woman who flew against the odds.

This will my only post for a few weeks, as I am back at Hedgebrook, the women writers' retreat on Whidbey Island, WA.  I'll be tucked away in my little cottage in the woods like a hibernating bear with a laptop.  When I emerge, hopefully I'll have a near-to-final draft of ORLEANS as well as a few other goodies.  Wish me luck! 

There should be some sort of Writer's bless—may your synapses spark merrily, your fingers skip nimbly, and your dreams take flight on the page.  That's my wish for all of you writers out there this February of 2011, and always.  Happy Writing, everyone.  Now, get back to work!

Speed Dating 101

Last Sunday I took part in Flintridge Books and LA Parent Magazine's Meet the Author event.  It was awesome.  Five of us young adult authors sat at tables while groups of moms and daughters circulated around, spending ten to fifteen minutes at each table, asking questions, shooting the breeze, and getting to know one another, much like a single's speed dating event (but without all the pressure and desperation).  What a fun idea!  When it was all over, the authors sat down together and did the same thing.  How I wish this had been around when I was a kid.  Thanks to Catherine Linka and LA Parents' Mag for including me in a super fun event.  If this had really been speed dating, I'd like to think I'd have gone home with more than few phone numbers!

That Magazine with the B-word Name (fair warning for delicate eyes!)

I'm so excited!  Two of my books, FLYGIRL and LUCY THE GIANT, have been listed on Bitch Magazine's 100 Young Adult Books for the Feminist Reader! Be sure to check out the other great books on the list.  I'm thrilled to know the editors see my Ida Mae and Lucy as role models for strong young women.  This especially means a lot to me because LUCY THE GIANT was my first book, lo those many years ago.  It's a real honor to have my earliest work recognized alongside my latest.  I feel like I'm on the right path.  Rock on, Ida and Lucy.  We rule!