It's been a busy couple weeks after the holidays ended... I haven't had a chance to blog on a more regular basis because of some work deadlines. Keep reading for a quick update on what I've been up to...

1. My new job - YOOREKA!

Whenever I blog, it usually means one of several things. 1) I'm procrastinating. 2) I'm unemployed and writing from home. 3) I'm procrastinating. 4) I have something important to say about writing-related issues. 5) I want to post more pictures of my cat Oreo. 6) I'm procrastinating.

Whenever I DON'T blog, it means only one thing. 

I have a job.

LOL!

So the main reason why I haven't blogged on a more regular basis since the holiday season is because of my new job as Co-Producer of EUREKA on The SyFy Channel.

It's been a great year so far on the show - it's a fun show filled with talented, hard-working writers. We even have our own blog, EUREKA UNSCRIPTED here: http://eurekaunscripted.typepad.com/

One of my new duties as Co-Producer is to draw cartoons of everyone for their bios on the blog. Warning: I am NOT an artist. I just like to doodle silly cartoons of people when I'm at work. Long story short, I got recruited to doodle cartoon portraits of everyone for their bios.

So if you want to see my cartoon debut on the web, go here!

http://eurekaunscripted.typepad.com/blog/2010/01/about-us-jaime-paglia-and-bruce-miller.html

Like I said, I am NOT an artist! LOL!

So check back on our EUREKA UNSCRIPTED blog daily for new updates about the show and what we writers are up to! 

2.BOOK UPDATES

Yes, I still write books. My latest book is SHINING STAR: THE ANNA MAY WONG STORY (Lee & Low Books 2009) about the actress Anna May Wong who overcame much discrimination and poverty to succeed as Hollywood's first Asian American movie star in the 1920s-40s. 

My publisher, Lee & Low Books, recently posted this fascinating blog about a CNN news report about the model minority myth entitled, "ARE ASIAN STUDENTS SMARTER?"

The link is here: http://blog.leeandlow.com/2010/01/14/are-asian-students-smarter/

Although the CNN news piece tried to be fair and balanced in its investigation of the topic, I found that it was yet another vague, superficial piece that did not truly examine this "model minority myth" on a deeper level. I was disappointed by the report and felt that these types of articles and news pieces end up promoting (unintentionally) the stereotype.

It's a topic that I am obviously very invested in, given the topic of my debut YA novel GOOD ENOUGH (HarperCollins 2008) in which I myself skewer the "model minority myth" and the academic pressures Asian Americans, particularly Korean Americans, experience.

When I wrote GOOD ENOUGH, I was worried that by examining this topic that I myself would be guilty of promoting a racist stereotype. But because the book is based on my own personal experiences growing up, I feel that I avoided the stereotypes because I explored the PERSONAL stories behind this topic. I also tried to make my characters universal - as a result, I have received many wonderful emails and letters from middle school and high school students of ALL races and backgrounds who identified with my novel on a universal level.

I definitely want to respond more to this topic in a separate blog because it's an important issue that deserves more than just a quick and sketchy blog reaction. So when I am done with my EUREKA deadlines, stay tuned for a more in-depth blog exploring the topic of the "model minority myth."

As for future books, well, I'm working on it! I have a couple novel projects that I'm currently writing, so stay tuned for future details on those books once I finish them!

3. MUSIC!

Despite my deadlines, I always have time for music. I'm rehearsing again with my pals in THE GREAT DECEIVERS. We are a King Crimson tribute band, and the music is both challenging and fun to learn and play. The photos above were taken at our last rehearsal, where I always put my electric violin down and try to take over the drums. (Note: I am the world's. worst. drummer! LOL!)

We're playing Friday Feb. 19th at Palladino's (6101 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana, CA 91335) at 11 P.M. Other tributes that night: Led Zeppelin, Cheap Trick and Tom Petty! DOORS OPEN AT 8pm!!!

For more info, go here:  http://www.myspace.com/tgdkingcrimson

4. The Big Awards Are Tomorrow!

I have to return to my deadline writing batcave, but I hope to write a quick blog tomorrow about the Big Awards. No, not the Golden Globes... the announcement of the winners and honor recipients of the Caldecott, Newbery, Printz and other medal awards for children's literature. Should be an exciting morning. Until then, here's an article examining some of the front runners and predictions:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2010796635_kidsbooks16.html?syndication=rss

And go here to find out who the winners will be tomorrow! http://www.ala.org/index.cfm

Well, I must slink back into the Deadline Writing Batcave. However, I am so exhausted by writing this blog that I will procrastinate... uh, I mean fortify myself by taking a chocolate chip cookie break! HAPPY WRITING!