Feb 27th 2008
Wanna help me write my next book?
I’m currently working on the sequel to Sucks to Be Me and I’d love (love, love, love it) your help.
First off…
What do you think of when you think about myths about people who live in the South? Or about the South in general? The next book is set in Louisiana. What are myths (or truths) funny or otherwise that you associate with people who live in the South?
I’m thinking of things like “People in the South always say ya’ll” or “Everyone in the South owns a gun.” Really, anything that you associate with the South could work and I appreciate any input you have (it doesn’t matter whether it’s a true association or not…in fact, it’s actually pretty helpful if you don’t know anything about the South…the character will be moving there from California).
And Next…
What are the major events and milestones during high school during senior year?
Specifically, I’m looking for all the big stuff. Like what kind of dances and events occur? Approximately when (month is fine) do these things happen? What about big tests? Yearbook stuff? Anything you can think of will help. It’s been a while since I was in high school. 
Yeesh, I don’t want to think about how long ago it was…
You can either leave a comment on this post (see below) or drop me a note at kim@kimberlypauley.com
Sucks To Be Me
Still Sucks To Be Me
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When my family moved to Arkansas from Wisconsin in 1985, my mother and I (we were joining my father, who had already taken a job there and delayed our move so I could finish the school year) literally thought all the people were going to be something out of The Beverly Hillbillies or the Li’l Abner comic strip. They’d wear really ratty overalls, no shoes, and talk in a drawl. I think the most commonly associated thing with the south is the southern accent, which really sounds funny to anyone who’s not used to it. I remember there was even a joke book out at the time called “How To Speak Southern” or something like that.
When I was younger, I lived in Arkansas for a little while too (about ages 3-5) and then in Mississippi (ages 15-17). The drawl definitely takes a while to get used to. My mom, who is Chinese, picked it up and it was pretty cute to see this little Chinese lady with a thick Southern accent. Luckily, I didn’t pick up any permanent accent from my time there.
Have you read Tennyson by Lesley M.M. Blume? If not, do!
y’all = the apostrophe takes out the ‘ou’ in ‘you.’
Major events and milestones during high school during senior year: homecoming, prom, senior awards night, superlatives / hall of fame, rings, finals, SATs, college admissions, internships, newspaper, yearbook, tournaments, graduation.
One of the funniest things I heard when I first moved to TN was, “So, are you just gonna stay a yankee or do you think you’ll turn into a damn yankee?” I asked what turning into a damn yankee meant and learned it means you used to live in the north, but are going to relocate for good to the south. I will think on this one… more to come
Every school is different, but these are some general events that occur during senior year.
Senior Portraits- occurs in the summer before school starts
Homecoming- usually involves a football game where the Homecoming queen and king are crowned and a dance. Some schools have a parade and each grade makes a float to be judged.
College Applications- usually sent out by Thanksgiving, latest Christmas.
Winter Dance- occurs in December or January.
Senior Prom/ Post Prom- occurs in April or May
Senior Trip- occurs late May. Most schools go to Disney World or the equivalent.
Senior Awarads Banquet- occurs in late May
Graduation- depending on the area, late May to mid June
Senior Week- a week at the beach sometime in June after Graduation.
Thanks, Megan! I’d forgotten about how senior portraits are taken so early…why do they do that, anyway??
The big projects to stress about is the senior project, which you need to do to graduate. You need to get old tests, quizzes, paper (like essays) and all of that stuff. Depending on the school, you may have prom or not. If you need more info, go to a school site and find Graduation Requirments, if you want to make it more in this time.
Hope that helps!
I’m from Oklahoma, EVERYONE says y’all(even me! LOL and i don’t even have an accent!)
And yes, just about EVERYONE owns a gun here!
lol
My neighbor accidentally shot himself in the foot once!
it was BAD!
I have some friends that lived in Louisiana for a while to help with hurricane Katrina, I could ask them what they know about that area.
As for High school, I’m in jr. high so not much help there:(