HIGHLIGHT: Jojo Moyes Discussion, Q&A, & Signing of "Me Before You"

What a fun and exciting "last minute" event. Yes, this event was only posted about two weeks ago...haha! For many fans, this was definitely "last minute." I know it was for me!! Thanks to my good friends, I was able to attend and meet up with friends. Moreover, this event had very strict guidelines since the author, Jojo Moyes, was on a very tight schedule. The event was so strict that there was a limited number of wristbands available, a three book limit, only one book can be personalized, and no posed photos. Regardless of the time constraint of this event, I had fun! However, a small amount of Advance Screening Passes were given out! Whoa!

Yup! Ready for this event!

The event started off with a viewing of one of the trailers for the upcoming film Me Before You which was based on the novel of the same title by Jojo Moyes. Following right after was a brief discussion with a Q&A with the audience. There were the usual questions: What was the inspiration behind the book? What advice would she give to aspiring writers?...so on... I could never get tired of all the different answers from different authors. It's always interesting and informative. It was even very cool to find out that the Christopher Reeve Foundation was very supportive of the film! Wow!

Although the book and the film involves a very controversial topic, this discussion involved one very important point...having a choice. Yes, these characters have choices, but, ultimately, it is their choice. In particular, both book and film focuses on Will's choice. Yes, there is life with this disability, but it is Will's choice...no one can make it for him.

I got emotional during this! LOL! A lot of good points this book and film makes...even Jojo. I think she wrote all this with the utmost respect. No disrespect to any one, I think.

This discussion was very informative and inspiring. Come to find out that this novel was inspired by a friend in a similar situation; and that there is something in the book that comes close to being personal for her...something she can relate to. A fan asked her that particular question, if there was something in her life that she completely "obsessed" about like the bumble bee tights to Louisa in the book.

As for that advice for aspiring authors...basically, I'm paraphrasing here, she said to keep writing; make time to write; don't that tenacity to write no matter how busy life can get. Plus, don't let life deter you from writing. Very sound and similar advice that I have heard from the various authors I have met. And...look at where they, including Jojo, are now! Damn, I love being a reader...haha!

Jojo even expressed how much she enjoyed writing and being a part of the making of the film. It's not very often that the author and the director were able to work together in the making of this movie. She expressed how much she wanted to stay close to the book when she wrote the screenplay.

Oh... A fan asked Jojo what her inspiration to write the sequel was? Guess what...her response was "the fans!" Fans were always asking her about Louisa after Me Before You. And, of course, she even admitted that she even wondered that, too; hence, the sequel, After You.

Yeah! I can't wait to read the sequel. After reading Me Before You, OMG, I was absolutely emotional...haha! I seriously had to have a moment after I turned the last page of the book. <sigh>

After the discussion, fans lined up for the signing...and that went smoothly. Of course, the fact that we got passe to watch the movie helped the line to move along...haha! I'm just thrilled to have met such an amazing writer.

Jojo's signing my book!

Had a lot of fun last night! Of course, watching the movie early was a bonus! My review will follow!

View the full event album on Facebook!

'The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones' Los Angeles Camp Out!

What an adventure...all for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones! Yes, we were definitely living it up as fangirls...from camping out on Sunset Blvd. to standing out under the hot sun at The Americana at Brand. There was no question about it, Mariah and I just had to be a part of this amazing phenomenon! Those three days were exciting and fun as we camped out and hung out with several friends who are also major Cassandra Clare fans.

Where to begin!?! Let's begin with the camp out! Yes, we did camp out on the streets of L.A. just so we can be a part of this awesome experience. At first, we were planning to drive out to L.A. late Sunday night... especially since we just got back from an overnight trip to Arizona! But, then, my awesome fangirl friend, Victoria, messaged me about a tweet by Harald Zwart, the director, about visiting the fan camp and bringing soup. Well, that woke me up! My other fangirl friend, Cassandra, also decided to camp out as well, after seeing Harald's tweet.  Mariah and I met up with Cassandra, then we made our way to the Arclight in Hollywood for the fan camp. I would say we arrived around 10PM, and we met up with other fangirl friends... we even, finally, met our friend, Diana, who flew all the way from London! We weren't many fans, but we were enough to have fun!

After setting up next to our friend Diana, we chatted with a few friends...all in different parts of the line! Yes, we had friends that started the line as early as 1PM on Sunday! That's dedication! It was like a big party! Everyone was so excited that we are all up chatting with everyone! 

Harald Zwart signing for fans!

As the midnight hour came to pass, Harald Zwart, Veslemoy Ruud Zwart and friends visited the fan camp and brought hot soup! How awesome was that! Not only did they bring soup for the fans, Harald and friends hung out, gave authographs, took photos and chatted with the fans. Everyone was giddy with excitement! It was great to actually meet the director of a movie that we all were excited for! I was and still am in awe that they are as excited as we are for this movie! 

Caught Cassandra in this shot with Harald Zwart!

Jasmine with Harald Zwart

Mariah with Harald Zwart

We were not only visited by Harald Zwart and friends, the ladies from several fansites: Mundie Moms, Fangirlish, TMI Movie News, The Mortal Institute, Page to Premiere, TMI Source and more! The most exciting part was the contests that they were having on the spot! The winning prize...tickets to watch the movie with the cast!! Woohoo!! I so wanted to win, but like with any contest...it's all about chance. And, guess what! We did get that chance! Erin from Fangirlish announced a contest..."Who's here as mother/daughter?" Oh wow! Mariah and I can definitely win that; we are, after all, mother and daughter...hahaha!! Yes! We won a couple tickets...woohoo!! I was so "over the moon" giddy with excitement! These awesome ladies continued with the contests until they have given away all the tickets that were in their possessions. Yup! A bunch of eager fans won tickets! Yay! After all the excitement, everyone settled in for a chilly night on Sunset Blvd.

Meeting the ladies of Page to Premiere!

Kevin Zegers as Alec Lightwood

Early Monday morning, fans were visited by a cast member! We woke up to the sweet sound of Kevin Zeger's voice! What a way to start of the morning! Guess camping out paid off...haha! He greeted and brought cookies for us! How awesome was that! When he got to our side of the camp, I congratulated him on his nuptials to Jaime Feld! That definitely brightened his smile...I could only smile in awe! It was an amazingly beautiful Monday morning! Kevin handed out cookies, chatted, signed and took photos with fans! We were absolutely giddy! 

Mariah with Kevin Zegers!

Jasmine with Kevin Zegers!

The visitations didn't end there!! A few hours later, we were visited...again, by Jessica Postigo, the screenwriter! She and her husband, Eric Paquette (senior VP for Sony Pictures), came by Sunday afternoon and found that fans started to create a line...a fan camp! Bummed that I missed that, but I needed the nap after driving back from Lake Havasu! But, no big loss, we got our chance to meet Jessica Postigo on Monday morning! Wow! I am always in awe to meet the people behind the film, since cast AND crew puts their whole heart into making this book come to life. Jessica was such a pleasure to meet! It was so wonderful to see how excited she was when she saw how excited and dedicated we were...camping out and all! 

Jasmine & Mariah with Jessica Postigo!

What other words can describe this camp out experience!?! The only words that keep coming to my mind was: AMAZING, FUN, EXCITING and MEMORABLE! Not only did we meet Harald Zwart (director), Jessica Postigo (screenwriter) and Kevin Zegers (Alec Lightwood); we also met various wonderful ladies from popular fansites! In addition to meeting them, we also met and befriended a variety of young ladies from around the globe to be here for this wonderful event, such as the wonderful ladies, Lilliana of Shadowhunters Colombia, Alessa of Shadowhunters Venezuela, Diana (from London), Irish shadowhunters and so many more! I have found that many fandoms like this one brings together a variety of fans of all ages, and have made many friendships because of it! We had an amazing time camping out! 

Cassandra, Diana, Jasmine & Mariah

For the full album of the camp out, go to: Movies, Shows & Books

Till the next camp out for the next film of The Mortal Instruments saga:

 City of Ashes