2. G. is my relunctant reader. But thanks to Kathryn Lasky, he is now reading books he is excited about! There are 14 books in the Guardians of Ga'hoole series. My older son loved read them all, and we own most of them.
G. is on this one right now, #5. I'm so glad he has many more to read. Thanks Ms. Lasky!
3. Sorry. Boring weather report: Sunny and 95 degrees today and tomorrow. Three days ago? Cool and drizzly. Spring doesn't want to play so summer says, fine, I will. At least the strawberries in the fields are happy, I'm sure.
4. I got a rejection yesterday on DEAR ROMEO. She had some nice things to say, but ultimately, it just wasn't right for her. It hardly even made me blink. What does that mean? I'm expecting nos more than I'm expecting a yes? Maybe...
5. I'm working on ANGEL IN PROGRESS. I've been working on this book for what, three years? I rewrote the beginning, and it's been challenging. I've been trying hard to ground the reader in the scene. It's what caused me to write about details in my weekly blog post at Author2Author. I want to finish the book by the end of June so I can start on the new book that's rolling around in my brain. Look for a teaser of the new beginning on Teaser Tuesday. ha - a teaser for the teaser!
Have a good weekend!
- Mood:
busy
![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
kimberleylittle tagged me!What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was trying desperately to make my Pampered Chef business work so I didn't have to go back to a day job. I loved being home with my boys (ages 1 and almost 4 at the time). In the end, I made PC work for us for six years, until both boys were in school.
What are 5 things you need to do today?
1. Take my 11 YO G, whose birthday is today, out to breakfast
2. Buy postcard stamps
3. Get transparancies made for presentation on Saturday
4. Work on renewal letters at work
5. Buy special birthday donuts for dessert tonight
What are some snacks you enjoy?
Strawberries
Apples
Popcorn
Tea and Cookies
Chocolate covered pretzels
What would you do if you were a billionaire?
Quit my job.
Give. Give. Give.
Save. Save. Save.
Travel.
Hire a personal chef and a personal trainer.
What are 3 bad habits?
I worry too much.
I check LJ too often.
I drink too much diet coke.
Name 5 places you have lived
Salem, Oregon
Lebanon, Oregon
Corvallis, Oregon
Lake Oswego, Oregon
Beaverton, Oregon
What are 5 jobs you've had?
Strawberry picker
Secretary/Receptionist
Pampered Chef Director
Employment Specialist
Compensation Analyst
I tag:
brian_ohiodeenamlelmarshallkidlit_kimjamarattiganThe postcards have the covers of both of my books on the front and then on the back are the titles and stuff along with information about contacting me for author visits. Can I just say they are SO pretty! Here's a pic of the front, although in person everything is clear and shiny and perfect. :)
They did an amazing job. If you need anything like bookmarks or postcards, I say go to www.iconix.biz and request Kelley. She did the design of my bookmarks and postcards - I didn't do much of anything except give her the text and send her the covers. I'm so happy, and the prices are very reasonable, I think!
ANYWAY, Oregon has a month of school left. Should I mail some to MS/HS librarians now or wait until the fall? I just want to start getting my name out there as a possible presenter. I'll probably mail some to a few of the public YA librarians nearby, in case they might be interested in some kind of event this summer.
I'm so happy I got them in time to take to the conference this weekend. Yay!
My director at work complains about his almost two year old who takes her poopy diaper off and walks around showing people.
I'm telling you, I'll take that over algebra and science write-ups any day.
This is SOOOOO good. And I can't wait to see how it ends. I'm not quite done. But almost. Jeannine did such an AMAZING job with the characters. Wow. We should all study this book to become better writers. Seriously.
And I finished this
I LOVED it!!! It has just been released, and Jennifer is being featured here this week: Class of 2k8's blog. This book has adventure, mystery, friendship, and a realistic teen voice. And the story is so fresh. Two kids riding across country on their bikes. Which Jennifer herself did. Can you imagine? I think I'll get my bike out and ride it tonight. Maybe down to the Plaid Pantry to pick up a pack of Ding Dongs.
Yes, it was a great, relaxing Sunday. I *finally* watched the BBC version of Sense and Sensibility that I had DVR'd, and I LOVED it. I loved Edward and WIlloughby, and the sisters were fabulous. It made me want to write a love story. Which reminds me, Friday night, I was driving home from work, thinking hard for ideas, and one popped into my brain. Just like that (snap), there it was. An idea. I got that Spidey tingly feeling and I thought, that's it!
I don't have much yet. But I have the premise. And I'm so excited!
Okay, time to get ready for work. Have a great day, everyone!
Now, I'm going to my bed to read. I have a tower of books that is going to topple over any minute.
BEFORE, AFTER AND SOMEBODY IN BETWEEN, by Jeannine Garsee
SHIFT, by Jennifer Bradbury
READ MY LIPS, by Teri Brown
42 MILES, by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
GREETINGS FROM NOWHERE, by Barbara O'Connor
THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX, by Mary Pearson
THE LUXE, by Anna Godberson
PERFECT YOU, by Elizabeth Scott
WAKE, by Lisa McMann
SIMON BLOOM, GRAVITY KEEPER, by Michael Reisman
There are probably more I'm forgetting. And there are many more I don't have, but want.
I secretly wish I could stay in bed all day tomorrow, reading. That sounds like pure and total bliss to me. But I imagine we'll go to church, out to lunch, and then do something as a family. Which is fine. And as it should be. I just feel like I've been running, running, running the past few months. I have nothing to complain about - I'm blessed to have a good job, a book that's out and another one coming out, a conference to attend with other writers, and a family to come home to every day. I'm just...tired. I'm sure many of you know the feeling. ♥
2. Rice Krispie treats are evil. Whoever invented them should be thrown to the wolves. Or perhaps whoever made them and ate half the pan should be thrown to the wolves instead.
3. I've learned that BABY CAN'T SLEEP will be published in Australia and Korea! It feels like my baby has grown up and is off to see the world!
4. I keep having thoughts about small things I want to change in FAR FROM YOU. I think it's okay to make small changes during the copy editing phase, right? I hope so. Do we ever feel satisfied, I wonder? I don't think so.
5. 2.5 MILLION copies is the initial print run of BREAKING DAWN by Stephenie Meyer. Wow. WOW! I still need to read the third one. Maybe this summer.
Have a good weekend. Happy Mother's Day!!
She gave me life. She didn't have to. I'm pretty sure there were times when her young 19-year-old self didn't want to. But she did. And she did the best she could. I now know that, understand that, and appreciate that. And even when things were difficult, I knew she loved me with all of her heart and would have done anything for me. I still know that today.
This Mother's Day will be hard for my mom. It's the first year she is without hers. As I was shopping for Mother's Day cards, I automatically slid over to the Grandma section.
And then I stopped.
For years, I have bought my grandmas Mother's Day cards. And this year, for the first time, I didn't buy any. I took a moment, to let the tears fall, and then I walked away, thankful for the two Mother's Day cards I can buy and send to the mothers in my life.
Me: Did you finish it?
Him: Yes
Me: What'd you think?
Him: It was all right.
Me: So did you like it?
Him: Kind-of
Well, that's what I get for not putting a storm trooper or battle droid in the book.
Now that I've walked away with all body parts still intact, I can talk about it.
The letter had 6 (or was it 7 - see, I'm so glad to be done, I've already blocked the details from my mind) major points my editor wanted me to work on. I like being told what to do, so it was all good. I worked diligently, night and day (well, if you consider 9:30 pm night, because I'm old, and can't stay up past then), to get it just right. Among other things, I had to write a big blow-up scene between two characters, I had to write a melt-down scene, I had to fix a flow issue, and I had to dig deeper with an issue between the MC and her boyfriend. I took the issues one at a time, and worked through them, eating chocolate as I went along for nourishment.
In the end, it wasn't *too* painful. Sorry for those of you who are getting beat up worse than me in the Revision Club. Keep on fighting the fight. You'll get through it. You will. You may have a few bruises to show for it, but hey, I've heard tough writers are highly sought after. I'm pretty sure it'll increase your net worth. Or your insanity, one of the two.
I sent the revised manuscript off to my editor last week. I didn't sleep for five nights. Okay, you caught me. That's a lie. I slept just fine. Because I pretty much love sleep even more than I love chocolate.
Yesterday, I got an e-mail from my editor. He used these words - "awesome," "spectacular job," "extremely happy." I did a happy dance around the room. And then I ate more chocolate. And then I took a nap. That's some major celebrating in my house, let me tell you! He had a few more small tweaks for me to do, and then, today, he'll move it on to copy editing.
So we are one step closer to A BOOK. Hooray - a book!!! Coming to a shelf near you January 6, 2009.
( Wanna see what the book will look like? )
* The kind and wonderful
lkmadigan has a fun little interview with me on her blog. Check it out and find out how much I love pie. (Thanks Lisa!)* Have you noticed that as our grocery bills go up, at the same time, the containers are shrinking? Smaller boxes of crackers. Smaller tubs of ice cream! Now, for me, this is probably a good thing because perhaps I will feel guilty and eat less ice cream. I doubt it, but we'll see. Anyway, I have this image of what the food will look like 10 years from now. We'll be paying 20 bucks for a yogurt-sized container of ice cream!
* I was telling Anne-Marie that my 13 YO son took my book to school to read during literacy workshop (30 minutes of free reading). He took it ON HIS OWN (because he is between books and I haven't made it to the library lately, which is why I'm going today. But still, I didn't have to bribe him to read it or anything). If he lets me, I'll post his thoughts (good or bad). I'm curious what he'll say.
* For the last two weeks, ABC has been glitchy. It's the only channel, and it does it on both TVs. It's driving me crazy. I mean, Grey's Anatomy is on ABC, and I can hardly watch it because it's so bad. I'm going to call the satellite company today and let them know. I think they're going to say it's me. But honest, it's not me!
* My editor said the cover for FAR FROM YOU is officially approved. I'll post it sometime. Maybe tomorrow.
Okay, I have to go. Here, you can have the shovel and bucket. No throwing sand, k?
12 of the 13 miners perished. 1 person survived. I saw Randal McCloy Jr. on the news shortly after it happened, and of course he was asking the question, "Why me?"
I think it's a question we all ask from time to time.
Something doesn't go our way.
Why me?
Or, like in Randal's case, something does go our way.
Why me?
When lots of people are sharing their frustrations and struggles with this incredibly difficult business, I feel a little like Randal McCloy Jr.
Why me?
Some days, I feel like the universe must have made some mistake. As I've said before, so much of it is luck. Right place, right time. There's no way my books are better than any number of unpublished books making the rounds right this very minute in New York. I got lucky. My book spoke to one person. One. Out of a thousand editors, I found one who was willing to take a chance on me. Basically, I won the publishing lottery.
I am incredibly grateful. But I am also sad that I can't somehow share my publishing contract with other people trying so hard and more deserving than me.
Just please, keep writing. Keep hoping. Keep trying.
First - May 3rd is FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!!! Go HERE to find a store near you.
Secondly, if that weren't enough to make two comic-loving boys happy, I told them we'd go and see Iron Man tomorrow. They're all about Iron Man. Me? I'm all about Robert Downey, Jr. What can I say, I adore him and think he's an incredible actor. The movie is getting rave reviews. What do you think - are you going to see it?
Sunday it's supposed to be seventy and SUNNY!!! We'll be doing something outside for sure.
Happy weekend everyone!
Winter was HERE
And now, what do you know, it's time for...
Spring
by Lisa Schroeder
Spring cleaning time
Dust everywhere
Open the Doors
Feel the fresh air
Spring is here, spring is here
For all to share.
Buds on the trees
Rain showers fall
Eggs in the nest
Ever so small
Spring is here, spring is here
Daffodils tall.
Baseball games played
When it is dry
Pitch the ball low
Smack it up high
Spring is here, spring is here
Clouds floating by.
If I could have THIS, I would be one happy mama! Okay, so maybe the "Mary Jane" leaves painted on the inside would have to go, but aside from that, it is pure perfection as far as I'm concerned.
Read the description and just try to tell me that you wouldn't have fun if you were the proud owner.
I told my husband I really think it's meant to be. I mean, Newport, WA is totally within driving distance!!!
Oooh, that sounds so good, I wish I'd thought of that!
I think I've said before, ideas don't come at me a mile a minute like some authors. I wish they did. And I've made the mistake of writing a whole entire book around an idea that really isn't very good.
So now when I get an inkling of an idea, I think about it for a long time. But I still don't know that I'm very good at figuring out if it's a book-worthy idea or not.
I know some people run their ideas past their agent or editor before they start in. I've never done this, but maybe I should? For some reason, though, this scares me. I feel like I have a hard time explaining what's in my head sometimes. It might be a good exercise, however, in getting the idea down to a succinct, one or two sentence hook.
I think Rhona put a few possible ideas on her blog and had people tell her which ones sounded good. Maybe I should try that.
I don't know, but what I do know is come June, when FAR FROM YOU is wrapped up and on its merry way to the printer, and the Oregon conference is done and behind me, I want to start in on a new project.
How do you know when an idea is a good one? Do you run it by someone? Do you start writing and just see what happens? Do you have any extra ideas laying around that you aren't going to use and you might want to send my way?
2. Do I really have to read every single word of my manuscript out loud to myself before I send it off?
3. Do you think John Cusack might be available to come over and read it to me? (Martian Child was okay - sorta weird. But John? He was great!)
4. Is it weird that I'm over-the-moon excited that I am only #17 on the hold list for THE PENDERWICKS ON GARDAM STREET?
5. Is it weird that as I anticipate reading that book, my soul cries out to write a mid-grade novel LIKE THAT (which is probably about as likely as me climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro)?
6. Do you know how fantastic new pillows are? Why don't we buy new pillows more often?
7. Is three weeks enough time to get ready for my workshop on revision?
8. Can I really find something helpful to tell the people who come to my workshop? I mean, I don't want any of them wishing they were doing something more interesting or worthwhile, like listening to a debate where they go on and on about the importance of wearing a flag pin.
9. Do I have to blow my nose AGAIN???????
1. My son has been sick all week. I woke up with a sore throat this morning. Echinacea here I come!
2. On the counter from Netflix for the weekend - Martian Child. A guy at work said it's terrible. Someone on LJ said they liked it. Okay, can a guy really appreciate the awesomeness that is John Cusack? I think that's the problem, and why he didn't like it.
3. The winner is:
lauramanivong!!!Sweet Fiesta Verde Sauce
Verde Sauce
Verde Sauce
Sweet Fiesta Verde Sauce
Frankenstein's lip gloss!
Isn't that cute?
Now, we'll see if it stays in after my editor reads it. :) Thank you Laura! And thanks to ALL of you who played!
Here, have some cake, on me:
4. Grey's Anatomy was disappointing. Why do they seem to be into gross medical stuff lately? It's too much!
5. I've been thinking about starting in on my next novel when I'm done with my revisions. I'm scared, for some reason. So I went searching for some inspiration on the web. Here is Meg Cabot's take on how to write a novel.
Happy Friday everyone!
I am thankful for my husband, who rubbed my pulled hamstring muscle last night and said something about how all the cellulite has disappeared from my legs. Yes, I know, when a woman is cranky and in pain, a guy will say anything to improve her mood, true or not.
I am thankful Grey's Anatomy is back tonight. As much as I might tell myself that watching reruns of Intervention makes me feel better about my life, I think there might be something wrong when I wake up grumpy and wonder if a shot or two of Jack Daniels might be a nice way to start the day for a change.
I am thankful for my agent who sold a book for
varianjohnson! She sent one of my books out this week to some editors. Now the fun part of waiting. Let's see, how can I be thankful for the waiting part? While I wait, I will work out a lot, continuing to improve the cellulite situation on my body! Wait. Except I have that pulled hamstring. So not only will I have to wait, I'll have to sit around and wait, and watch cellulite creep back on to my body. Great.I think that's enough thankfulness for one day.
Edited to add: My friend
goadingthepen wants to send spring around to everyone. Isn't she nice? So here is a little spring for you.
I'm thinking, believe me, I'm thinking!! Please, Spring, wherever you are, come visit me!!!
Most of the time, I'm okay with working.
I mean, I like the people I work with, the income helps us pay the bills and save a little for college, and since it's a university that tries to be competitive for faculty, all employees get 12% a retirement contribution, with no employee contribution required.
But each year, as my boys get older, summer time gets harder and harder.
They are too old for a sitter and too young to work. They aren't very outgoing so they're not okay with doing camps every week.
And it doesn't help that I LOVE summer and would so enjoy hanging out with them, taking them swimming and hiking and to the beach and on adventures around town.
Yep, summer is when I really start wishing my writing career would take off in a big way so I wouldn't have to do the working thing anymore.
Yesterday I spent half the day trying to figure out some things for us and them to do this summer. They'll do two week-long day camps through OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). One is Da Vinci and Da Legos and the other one is Games Galore (learning how to make computer games). I think they'll be fun and educational. They better be. They are NOT cheap. I'll take a week in August to hang with them. DH is taking them to Montana for a week in July. We're going to Sunriver in Eastern Oregon for a week. And the rest of the time, they'll have to hang around home, do chores, and not get into trouble.
I have Mondays off, so that's good. And DH goes into work at 6 am so he's home by 3:00, which means if they sleep in, it's not really THAT long that they're home by themselves.
Anyway, I feel like I'm now ready for summer in more ways than one. What about you?
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