tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post3400152344083724313..comments2024-03-27T00:14:01.220-07:00Comments on Wendelin's Blog: Think TankWendelin Van Draanenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-69417323144432193732010-01-01T08:43:56.528-08:002010-01-01T08:43:56.528-08:00Thank you, Michael! Welcome to The Tank :-)Thank you, Michael! Welcome to The Tank :-)Wendelin Van Draanenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-4694067814440728222009-12-31T03:08:03.340-08:002009-12-31T03:08:03.340-08:00i live for these books and 13 is my lucky number s...i live for these books and 13 is my lucky number so the idea of there being a collecting item in this book is amazing. i like the bracelet idead, but as a boy i know that its not exactly the most unisex idea. the shoelaces are a good idea that also tie well to sammy. i personally think that it would be cool if you gave out a Sammy Keyes membership card that could link to a new site with sammy. or if you could give out the rubber "livestrong" bracelets. they were popular and unisex. also i think it would be amazing to get "tweets" from sammy, marissa, holly, dot, even heather. that would be a fun way to "keep up to date" with the characters.<br /><br />Keep writing as amazingly as you do! <br /><br />your #1 fan<br /><br />Michael [mjcdotty@sbcglobal.net]Michael Cotterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11977205842191536709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-15920087375372601042009-12-29T07:51:57.992-08:002009-12-29T07:51:57.992-08:00Yeah, he's a great teacher. This year he worke...Yeah, he's a great teacher. This year he worked on programs for alzheimers, he did a "Memory Walk" for the school to walk a whole mile wearing purple clothes for alzeimers on a saturday and donate money. He was *really* enthusiatsic so I hope he will be for this too :]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-89852376563023215932009-12-28T23:13:00.778-08:002009-12-28T23:13:00.778-08:00The right teacher makes ALL the difference. I have...The right teacher makes ALL the difference. I have met some of the best teachers through this program. Their enthusiasm is amazing (and the results are impressive, to say the least). Lots of "what worked for us" suggestions on the site. The whole "School Program" portion is chock full of good (free!) stuff. Good luck!Wendelin Van Draanenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-85683336217546458712009-12-28T19:39:55.513-08:002009-12-28T19:39:55.513-08:00I'm going to go check out the ETRTR website ri...I'm going to go check out the ETRTR website right now so maybe I can reccomend it to our school :] I know exactly what teacher would wanna help me out. :]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-74351696453499091242009-12-28T17:57:43.503-08:002009-12-28T17:57:43.503-08:00Okay! I've had a chance to read over all the c...Okay! I've had a chance to read over all the comments and suggestions--thank you all so much for your input! I'll share the ideas with the people at Random House after the first of the year and see where it take us. It looks like shoelaces is the hands-down winner among this group, but there are some other excellent ideas presented--I'll let you know as things progress, and please do chime in with new ideas if you come up with any. <br /><br />And now for some miscellaneous answers / comments:<br /><br />Male fans. Yes, lots of them actually. (Which is why a leather band seemed cool.) I think they're looking for a girl like Sammy. Gives me hope for this world!<br /><br />RE: Dot! My son says the same thing! "Why is she even in the books?" Well, gee. She is in Wedding Crasher (no "S" on the title), although not in a big way, but come the next December book (2 books from now) she will have a BIG role. I love Dot 'cause she's sweet (and Dutch, which I am, too).<br /><br />I do school visits a lot--some schools have the budget to bring in authors, lots don't (especially now, with budget cuts, etc.). Get your school to do the Exercise the Right to Read program and you might win one! (Really, check out the website--it's a cool program.)<br /><br />Tracy--you are so cutting edge! I need a translation sometime!!<br /><br />Thank you for saying you wanted to know about my Christmas. That's part of why I wrote this week's entry (Ghost of Christmas Past). <br /><br />Also, the music thing--my husband, sons and I have a rock band (if you can believe that!) and we're putting the finishing tracks on a new song. I'm thinking about sending y'all a link to our "secret site" when it's uploaded 'cause I think you'd think it was fun even if rock isn't your thing. I wonder if you'd think my songs would belong on Sammy's playlist :-)!!!<br /><br />All for now--thanks again for all the comments -- you "guys" are great!Wendelin Van Draanenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-88397368867689619362009-12-26T20:23:27.615-08:002009-12-26T20:23:27.615-08:00Hai! I just thought I'd be that 40th comment. ...Hai! I just thought I'd be that 40th comment. Happy Saturday-afternoon! And almost 2010. ;DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-25429260077080086122009-12-26T19:23:25.756-08:002009-12-26T19:23:25.756-08:00On my new Mac!! anyways tomrrow new blog post! an ...On my new Mac!! anyways tomrrow new blog post! an using the mac is so much easier than my phone cuz thats what i usually use=]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-69554046972325225492009-12-26T18:41:36.405-08:002009-12-26T18:41:36.405-08:00Hey Wendelin! I hope you had a good Christmas beca...Hey Wendelin! I hope you had a good Christmas because I had a blast =D!!<br />I like the shoelaces idea the most and the idea about the contest for the autographed books is cool too! Too bad I can't draw!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01787272526995915402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-8893716061041667552009-12-25T19:57:30.137-08:002009-12-25T19:57:30.137-08:00PS- Woah! I comment a LOT! Maybe its cuz I'm y...PS- Woah! I comment a LOT! Maybe its cuz I'm your bigest fan ever? *tries to act calm and collected*<br />Oh well! Cant wait til you pick the Fan-Quote thing! If I did get to be on it then [insert happy blubbering].<br />:]<br />XoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-35187264993734679102009-12-25T19:55:39.001-08:002009-12-25T19:55:39.001-08:00I cant wait for the book of Sammy's eight grad...I cant wait for the book of Sammy's eight grade Christmas. Its my favorite holiday, and if Casey and Sammy DO finally kiss in SK 13, then the Christmas book would be so cute haha if they got each other gifts! Kind of like that new SK fanfic for Secret Santa's where Casey got Sammy haha. Anyways, hope everyone had happy holidays! I know *I* did! Tomorrow our family and the guests who are staying over are going to go alllll over Chicago (we live there) and then watch 2 movies (Avatar and Sherlock Holmes.. Sammy is *so* much better lol haha) and then go around practically the whole state of northern Illinois. And THEN arrive back home to go to dinner at a friend's house. Talk about a day! All I really wish for next Christmas, though, is for SK 13 to come over before June or May becaue if it comes out later I'm going to literally burst. I think to contain myself while waiting this blog is GREAT. :] It really helps fulfill my NFSK (need for SK) lol. So, WVD, hope you had a Merrrryyyy Christmas :]<br />Oh, and another suggestion: You guys at RH could make a boxed-set SK thing from books 1-13. I think someone already said that though but I totally forgot.<br />Oh? And I know this is random but people on FF say Sammy's dad is Officer Borsch. I think its..<br />BRANDON!<br />Okay, okay, okay, okay. No I dont lol. But I just dont think its Officer Borsch. I'm a bad guesser.. :\ Lol.<br />And.<br />HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS! Merry Christmas! Happy Almost-2010! Sammy's 12th year of being written right? Or 13th? Or 11th? I forgot... <br />Bye!<br />XoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-37126102195932122202009-12-25T17:02:06.668-08:002009-12-25T17:02:06.668-08:00It's Christmas day and I'm so bored...My f...It's Christmas day and I'm so bored...My family isn't Christian so we basically spent all day eating and watching TV and reading. I know atheists celebrate Christmas too, and we would...If all the stores and restaurants in our area weren't closed.<br /><br />I wonder what Sammy's doing right now?<br /><br />Hope everyone else is having fun<br /><br />Mry X-Mas =)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-59911135225703617542009-12-25T11:59:59.183-08:002009-12-25T11:59:59.183-08:00Hope everyone has an awesome Christmas!!! KaileyHope everyone has an awesome Christmas!!! KaileyThe Whitted Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01893306470565901526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-45217794888902936722009-12-25T08:33:53.439-08:002009-12-25T08:33:53.439-08:00Oops sorry, in my last post, I typed a lot of &quo...Oops sorry, in my last post, I typed a lot of "also"'s. And I meant Sammy Keyes boo*ks*not boo.<br />And I know they're probably a lot of typos, sorry I was rushing.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209850643423512780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-14029661948896763562009-12-25T08:32:04.428-08:002009-12-25T08:32:04.428-08:00I like all the ideas, the shoelace, the website, t...I like all the ideas, the shoelace, the website, the twitters, everything. Except I think that the charm bracelet idea should be just a keychain, like take the charm and put it on a keychain. <br /><br />Also, an idea is a keychain mini book with the same exact cover as the 13th book, except that maybe it might have an extra that says like "your own thoughts" because on the inside it could be all blank, just for someone to write they're favorite quote or something. (Sorry, this is a terrible idea, and it's not very economical either.) <br /><br />Also, they're could be a sort of like "pass-around" book sorta thing. Maybe it could be just like the mini book idea thingy except on a larger scale, and on the inside it has the address of a certain place and it would work like this: Someone buys the book, and writes in it, writes either a continuation of the rest of the book sort of idea, or sort of fanfiction stories, or like some kind of thought of the book. After they're done, they leave it somewhere else visible to wait for another person to take it (for example, leaving it at the airport, so someone can leave with it) and so on, until the book is filled. Then the book could be sent to the address ( i have no idea what it would be) and it could be like read through. Sorry!!!!! THis idea makes no sense it seems like, and is really bad + non-economical. I'm just posting it cause......I dont' know.<br /><br />Also maybe a "message in the bottle" type of thing. There would be a small (maybe mini) plastic bottle attached to a key chain, and inside could have something exclusive, like an author's signature (heheh) and maybe a sneak peak quote from the 13th book on a slip of paper inside the bottle. and then maybe filled with other goodies. I'm sorry, this idea is terrible too.........<br /><br /><br />Anyway, I really like everyone's ideas on this and I love the Sammy Keyes boo........A LOT! (like everyone else) So thanks soooooo much Wendelin! :D (I wonder if there is ever the chance that fans get to read the unpublished yet book.......and read the edited versions and things like that.....hehehe....)<br /><br />Happy Holidays everyone!!!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209850643423512780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-81576834064301884752009-12-25T06:52:53.418-08:002009-12-25T06:52:53.418-08:00Feliz Navidad! haha, Merryyy Christmas to you too....Feliz Navidad! haha, Merryyy Christmas to you too. :] i'm still learning Spanish ;)<br />xoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-23704433315676573862009-12-24T20:02:41.146-08:002009-12-24T20:02:41.146-08:00Wow! I leave for a few days and come home to this ...Wow! I leave for a few days and come home to this flurry of comments. How nice! It's Christmas Eve and I still have wrapping to do, so I'm going to have to read them more carefully later (first chance I get, though!), but meanwhile, I want to thank you for your ideas and comments and wish all of you a merry, magical Christmas! <br />Sending out holiday hugs, <br />WendelinWendelin Van Draanenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02534698736990684819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-55027659859401370152009-12-24T17:51:46.337-08:002009-12-24T17:51:46.337-08:00Merry Christmas Sammy Lovers and Casey Lovers! :) ...Merry Christmas Sammy Lovers and Casey Lovers! :) <br /><br /><br />Happy Holidays, too! :)Pooja D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01527477216276130517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-36932847567383937842009-12-24T17:51:44.970-08:002009-12-24T17:51:44.970-08:00Merry Christmas Sammy Lovers and Casey Lovers! :) ...Merry Christmas Sammy Lovers and Casey Lovers! :) <br /><br /><br />Happy Holidays, too! :)Pooja D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01527477216276130517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-85629367563237420142009-12-23T18:15:15.392-08:002009-12-23T18:15:15.392-08:00I love The Whitted Family's idea! The contest ...I love The Whitted Family's idea! The contest could also be a drawing one! Oh, and that leads to more ideas... You could have a fan art section of your website or blog or whatever new website you'd make, and we (the fans) could send in drawing of how me imagine Sammy (and other characters to look) and you guys at RH can post them on the website. It wouldnt be a 'prize' but it would be really cool for the fans to see their drawing on the website! :)<br />XoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-23714875295457128182009-12-23T18:05:50.429-08:002009-12-23T18:05:50.429-08:00Wow there are a lot of comments!!! I had a few ide...Wow there are a lot of comments!!! I had a few ideas!!! I was thinking that you could have some of those little pins/buttons that some people have on their purses and on them have stuff like I <3 Casey Acosta and cool Sammy quotes!! My other idea was that you have a drawing or an essay contest like xxCammyLoverxx said..... but have the grand prize be all the Sammy Keyes books plus the new and all of them could be signed by you and/or maybe just have the signed Wedding Crashers be the grand prize or the other smaller prize. Anyway those were my ideas. Hope they help a little! Kailey<br />P.S. Oh and I like the shoelaces idea! That sounds really cool!The Whitted Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01893306470565901526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-57271214714472840942009-12-23T17:14:22.798-08:002009-12-23T17:14:22.798-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-48836247244673778252009-12-22T22:52:48.868-08:002009-12-22T22:52:48.868-08:00And songs! And songs! Lol, I finally got aroundto ...And songs! And songs! Lol, I finally got aroundto posting my Fanfics. :) I make drabbles and I just made one for asong called Love Drunk by Boys Like Girls. Love Drunk is my favorite song and I'm gonna post the SK Drabble on Fanfic tomorrow. :) I'm BaddaBam-AlexIzHerrre on FF! Your fansite could have songs! If it doesnt, I'll cr xC I'm obsessed with music so much I think I'm kill myself if I could never listen to it or write it again. :) <br />"I used to be love drunk, But now I'm hungover, I love you forever, Forever is over. We used to kiss all night, Now its just a bar fight, Girl dont call me crying, Say hello to goodbye."<br />Hope our ideas help! I like that everyone is connecting to each other's ideas and grouping them and helping each other out. <br />I think, by far, this team wins. Epic.<br /><br />XoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-73299397871517239062009-12-22T21:59:27.955-08:002009-12-22T21:59:27.955-08:00WHOA! I want Sammy Keyes shoelaces! I swear, I wou...WHOA! I want Sammy Keyes shoelaces! I swear, I would never complain about my running shoes again lol. Though I don't think including a free gift with a book is going to help much. (that includes the charm bracelet and the leather band) That's not going to tell a lot of people about SK; it's going to get the people who DO know about it to want the book (a little) more.<br />If you really want to include a free gift, I think it should be something that appeals to all ages. A bookmark? Maybe. I don't know if a free bookmark makes people want to buy a book more.<br /><br />You know, I helped spread the word simply by recommending a SK book yo one of my (popular) friends. I'm sure she'll like it. And since she knows a lot of people, she might tell them about Sammy herself!<br /><br />Or...maybe a commercial? (There's a stupid idea for you) That would REALLY get people's attention, which is why I'm suggesting it. I know commercials cost a lot. Even an ad on a popular website, like Twitter, would help.<br /><br />I remember once Eric Walters came to my school. He talked about his books, and for months people were buying them, checking them out from the library. They knew about them...because he told them about them. So the best way to get people interested in Sammy would be...to tell them how awesome she is! And there's gotta be a million ways to do that, isn't there?<br /><br />An SK fansite! with games and blogging. How about that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004974476643738026.post-78256612286572377362009-12-22T21:27:17.684-08:002009-12-22T21:27:17.684-08:00You know how you said the 13th book was special? :...You know how you said the 13th book was special? :P Well I thought of a good reason :] is it sort of because Sammy repeated her 13th year?<br />I know its dumb, but.. I was thinking. So thats why I thought maybe it would be good to bring up, because it could *spark* some ideas. :) <br />Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays! *2 more days! You should post an entry on Sunday about your Christmas. We all still care about whats going on in your life! :]*<br />Xo,<br />xxCLxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com