Weekend Update

Update from T13: both Spring programs were awesome. The Mexican hat dance performed by three and four year olds was really something to see. I had fun with my mom (and so did my youngest son, whom she taught to headstand against the wall), my diswasher's fixed, and I've had Key Lime pie every night since Wednesday. For Sara: the Key Lime pie I know and LOVE has a graham cracker crust, a filling made with Key Lime juice (from tiny limes grown in Florida) and condensed milk, and whipped cream topping. I highly recommend it. My front door is currently off it's hinges (being re-stained)and will hopefully be replaced in the very near future as I'm ready to go to bed.

I know I've seen the button on other blogs before, but I finally discovered (through my mom) Technorati. Fascinating stuff. You can see who's linking to you, what they're saying, and why. Just recently I was reading on Stacy's blog how she was researching what brought readers to her site. I haven't tried that yet, but it's on my list. I've always be sort of afraid to add a counter, figuring the lack of hits would dampen my spirits just slightly. Without one, I imagine I have all these strong, silent-type lurkers who find me witty, funny, and insightful. It's fantastic!

Having never had a critique partner (and being a little insecure and needy), I'm having a little trouble deciphering some of my critique partner's comments. We've never met and only communicate via email. She has lots of good advice, and I really like her, but I'm stymied. So we're having our first phone call Monday night. Interestingly enough, she told me she thought there was enough to discuss for our entire first phone call on my first chapter alone. (!!!) I'm not sure how to take that, but she assures me, 'it's all good'. We shall see.

I'm also debating entering a couple of contests. Has anyone out there had a good experience with the 'Get Your Stiletto in the Door' contest? Any of you wildly successful, intelligent lurkers? Or, of course, any of you wildly successful, intelligent, and communicative posters? Do tell!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things I'm Looking Forward To Tomorrow

1. Mother's Day Out!

2. My younger son has a Spring Program in the morning, and the kids in his class (and the two younger classes) will be singing some Texas-related songs. My son has been singing "Deep in the Heart of Texas" around the house. Very cute.

3. Our family will be making a good showing. My husband and I will be there, along with my mom, and my in-laws.

4. My mom is spending the day with us (and part of Friday too).

5. A free day without writing (except, of course, my 100 words)! I love my writing, but a day off--a real day off--every once in a while is nice too.

6. Lunch out--maybe fish tacos if I'm lucky.

7. A little shopping...

8. My older son has a program in the evening: Bugz! He gets to unwrap one of the little girls who transforms from a cocoon into a butterfly.

9. Chicken Pie and Key Lime Pie

10. Crossing my fingers here...a fixed dishwasher.

11. Finding Neverland

12. Looking forward to Friday.

13. Visits from Thursday Thirteeners!


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Just Stuff

This month, my idea for a PRO column (for those non-RWA members, a PRO is a person who's completed a manuscript and submitted it to an agent or editor...and been rejected) is to ask 'What do you do if your WIP falls into a genre that has fallen out of popularity?' Admittedly, I may need to trim that question up--not too catchy. Anyway, I'm hoping to offer some suggestions as to what an author (like myself) can do if the genre she's targeting (chick-lit) is now taboo. Sooooo....if anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. And, assuming I haven't already thought of it myself, I'll happily credit you in the mini article.

In writing news, my 'Hundred Words in a Hundred Days' challenge is doing wonders for me. I'm on Day 32 today! I'm also doing a much better job of 'Writing Forward', a term I read on Erica's blog, so that's helping my throughput, which is always good. I was asked in advance to substitute at my son's Mother's Day Out program three more Tues/Thurs in May, and my son's last day is May 17, so I don't have too many full writing days left before summer...maybe one and a half. So I'm trying to really power through.

In reading, I know I said I was going to read Persuasion with The Family Fortune, but I got sucked into Persuasion and don't want to abandon it to read both piecemeal. I should have foreseen that. I also just got A Poisoned Season from the library, which I have been waiting anxiously to read. And...for all you Peter Pan fans...I'm happy to say that I checked out Finding Neverland. I realize that it's not actually Peter Pan, but it's close.

New York

My husband and I decided to take advantage of some of Southwest Airlines' low fares, and we plan to fly to Long Island, NY next month. The boys are staying with Gramma. Neither of us has ever been to New York, and we're trying to decide and plan what to do in a long weekend. I think no matter what I do I'll feel as if I didn't see enough, but that's the breaks I guess. So...if any of you have any recommendations for Manhattan or the surrounding area, please let me know--I'd love to have some insider advice! I can't wait!

AnySolder.com

Yesterday I sent a package to a soldier stationed in Iraq. I'd learned about AnySoldier.com on someone's blog--can't remember whose--and loved the idea. Basically it lets soldiers sign up and post what they need. Often it's soldiers not getting care packages from anyone else. So I selected a soldier from Texas and asked my son's 1st grade teacher if she would be interested in having the class send letters to him. She loved the idea (and my request just happened to coincide with the class studying careers, so it was perfect). I sent her a picture of the soldier from the AnySoldier.com website, and each child wrote a personalized letter. My favorite was the girl who asked, "How do you like Iraq?", and how many of them signed "Your friend". The teacher paperclipped them all together and even added a sheet of photos, identifying each student, so that the soldiers could see who had sent which letter. I added a couple of DVD's, a citronella candle (which had been requested), and a package of trail mix. I don't expect to hear back, but I included a notecard and envelope and my address just in case they'd like to write back to the kids. I think it'll be a big hit.

Why Not?

A few months ago, I heard about a new idea for 'independent' writers. A former Random House sales manager Jerry D. Simmons has started a program to increase the sales of independently marketed books, and develop a community of indie writers around the world, giving them a place to market themselves and their books. I thought, why not give it a shot. Nothing Binding went 'live' today. And while it's still pretty bare bones, I think it's a good idea with a lot of potential. I'm listed here.


In other news, I bought a Bookmarked book at Target last week: A Family Fortune by Laurie Horowitz. It's a modern take on Jane Austen's Persuasion. Seriously, I can't resist those books. Any mention of Jane Austen, and I've got to find out about it. So I was intrigued...plus, it was a Bookmarked book. So then I thought, I haven't actually read Persuasion.
I know, I know, it's horrible. I'm obsessed with Jane Austen but have only ever read Pride and Prejudice through to completion (a couple of times). So, I promptly checked Persuasion out from the library and plan on reading them together and comparing. Like a little literary criticism exercise. It'll probably take me forever, and I'll stall out on both of them, but I'm giving it the old college try.

Thursday Thirteen

The Thirteen Retail Stores That I Hit the Most

1. Target (of course)

2. Walmart (I'm not lookin' for any blog fallout here...)

3. H.E.B. (Awesome Texas grocery store)

4. Barnes & Noble

5. Old Navy

6. Home Depot

7. Lowes

8. Macy's

9. Gap Kids

10. The Children's Place

11. Michael's

12. Ann Taylor Loft

13. Borders


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Mystery Meme

My mom found this one for me. The trick is to answer each question using exactly three words. It's a little harder than it looks

01. Where is your cell phone? By the keyboard.
02. Boyfriend/girlfriend? I'm married now.
03. Hair? Haircut last week.
04. Your mother? Dotes on me. (she'll love that)
05. Your father? Loves to tease.
06. Your favorite item(s)? All my books.
07. Your dream last night? Nothing to report.
08. Your favorite drink? Can of Coke.
09. Your dream guy/girl? Confident not cocky.
10. The room you are in? Joint home office.
11. Your fear? Missing something wonderful.
12. What do you want to be in 10 years? Bookmarked published author.
13. Who did you hang out with last night? My distracted husband.
14. What are you not? Athletic, laid-back, patient.
15. Are you in love? Oh so much.
16. One of your wish list items? Cooler summer weather.
17. What time is it? After school pickup.
18. The last thing you did? Took a call.
19. What are you wearing? Capris and polarfleece.
20. Your favorite book? This Rough Magic.
21. The last thing you ate? Chocolate Iced Cake.
22. Your life? Full and messy.
23. Your mood? Like the weather.
24. Your friends? Perfect for me.
25. What are you thinking about right now? Finishing this up.
26. Your car? Big hulking Suburban.
27. What are you doing at this moment? Typing and pausing.
28. Your summer? Sweaty, sticky heat.
29. Your relationship status? Very happily married.
30. What is on your TV screen? TV's not on.
31. When is the last time you laughed? Today on telephone.
32. Last time you cried? Sorry. Don't remember.
33. School? Glad I'm done.

Lookin' for a Bullseye

I've upped the ante slightly. My goal is no longer just to have a book (or two, or a bunch) published the traditional way. My goal is now to be a Target 'Bookmarked' book. I love Target, feel like I'm missing something if I don't visit every week, and really, outfit much of my life there. I've always bought books there, but it's usually been mass-market paperbacks. Now don't get me wrong--I have absolutely nothing against the mass market paperbacks. I've read a ton, have a ton, and will probably buy a ton more. But I've fallen under the spell of the trade paperback. First I rebelled against it. It's larger (takes up more space), typically shorter in length (at least it seems so if you take white space and page count into consideration), and is quite a bit pricier (close to double a MMP). But they're so lovely and smooth. (Odd, but that embossing on MMP now seems a little cheap looking to me). The paper is nicer, they're easier to hold, easier to read, prettier on the shelf. Anyway...I digress. Lately, each time I go into Target I must traipse by the 'Bookmarked' bookshelf. Occasionally I buy, sometimes I make a note of the book and get it at the library (particularly if I don't know the author), and sometimes I pass altogether. But there's just something about that 'Bookmarked' sticker--Target buyers think this book is something special. I gotta respect that. And now I have new 'target'.

Nothing Much

Okay...jellybean update. After all the talk on the blog the other day, I just couldn't help myself. So I tried vomit. I think they were just trying to psyche out all the poor unsuspecting kids, because it just tasted fruity to me. Or there's always the possibility that Jelly Belly actually thinks vomit tastes like fruit-flavored candy. Either way, it was totally palatable. I also tried bacon. DIS-GUSTING!! Ick, ick, ick, ick, ick. Can't say enough. Flavors still untried: Dirt, Earthworm, Rotten Egg, Sardine.

I mentioned in my Thursday Thirteen that I had a story about 9 1/2 weeks. So here it is. I think it's hilarious, but it could be one of those 'had to be there' kind of jokes. Bear with me.

In college I had this guy friend whom I didn't know all that well but who hung out with guys I knew really well. Let's just say he was a character (and pretty crude--I didn't understand half his comments, and I assume that's the reason). Well, he found out I hadn't seen 9 1/2 weeks. Couldn't believe it, thought that was a travesty.

Well, a week or so later, he borrowed a tape of a movie I'd recorded (can't remember which one). When he gave it back, I watched it (either again or for the first time--can't remember). When fast-forwarding through all the commericals, I noticed there were ads for 9 1/2 weeks. Thinking that a pretty funny coincidence (that we'd been talking about it and suddenly it was on), I mentioned it to my friend. Come to find out, he'd spent HOURS with my tape, recording the racy sections of the movie into the commercial breaks. And I'd fast forwarded through the whole thing without even knowing! It was the perfect revenge.

Hope everyone's writing or reading something good!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Must-See Movies I Confess I Haven't Seen

1. Casablanca (I've only seen parts)

2. Gone With the Wind

3. Doctor Zhivago (My MIL was stunned this weekend when I admitted this one)

4. Pulp Fiction

5. Schindler's List

6. The Godfather movies (any of them)

7. Jaws

8. It's a Wonderful Life (I've seen bit parts)

9. 9 1/2 Weeks (Okay, this may not be a must-see, but it has a funny story...I'll post tomorrow)

10. Annie Hall (or any Woody Allen movies, at least not knowingly)

11. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (never seen any M.P.)

12. Peter Pan (we've covered this before)

13. The Exorcist


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

A Little Of Everything

Okay, first things first...Disgusting jellybean update: my sons have now tried both Earwax and Booger and have pronounced them 'tasty'. My younger decided to chant 'I like boogers' after his taste. It was tastefully done. No takers yet on the Vomit. I'm sort of bribing them to try new flavors...they can have a tasty jellybean if they try a gross one. I'll keep ya'll posted.

Next, I'm including links to this and this. I recommend viewing both.

I'm thirty pages away from finishing The Spellman Files--the book I put on hold at the library after reading that it was 'hilarious' on Publisher's Weekly. Well, I wouldn't say it's hilarious--I laughed out loud only once, but I would say that it's clever, witty, amusing, spunky, intriguing--a really great read. I had to fly through this one as it's due tomorrow and I couldn't renew. (Someone else read Pub. Weekly and put it on hold right behind me). Another book coming highly recommended--it's about a family of quirky private eyes, and the cover flap says it's going to be a series.

One specific little thing that appealed to me about this book was how the author, Lisa Lutz, used little lines or quirks to link different scenes and various parts of the book. For instance, Izzy, the protagonist would say that her sister Rae kept silent for five minutes, 'beating her old record by a minute and a half'*. These were scattered throughout the book, and it was great for continuity and character arc, etc. I think I'm going to try to weave something like this into my WIP. I think it's sort of feels like an inside joke between the character and the reader. And how great is that?

Oh, and I got my hair cut/styled today. I asked my husband to take a picture and it came out looking pretty grim, so I turned around, told him to count down, and I'd turn and smile like a supermodel. I think that plan was a little optimistic. He got the back of my head and this Freaky Girl photo. Just look at the hair, not my psycho eyes and zany smile.

*This is not a direct quote from the book

A Weekend of Surprises

We celebrated Easter yesterday, thinking the weather would be better than it was today. We were up at my in-laws lakehouse--a cabin sort of house where you pretty much plan to spend most of your time outdoors because it gets cramped with too many people inside. Well, my husband's parents and my parents were there, and then us (hubby, two boys, and me). We didn't go outside. After 80 degree plus weather earlier in the week, it was drizzly, cloudy, murky, and in the low forties. So...we all stayed inside. We ate, watched movies, boys played computer games (my husband and father-in-law are included in that grouping), and just lounged and vegged. It felt very odd to me. And then, in the evening, it started to snow--just a little--great big chunky flakes falling down and melting instantly as it was 42 degrees.

I did finish Tantalize (which I mentioned last week)--actually I read the vast majority of the book yesterday. What can I say except Wow! I am so impressed. It's a YA book, but it's about a seventeen year old and really very freaky and creepy. So many twists and turns and surprises, such a fun heroine, so many zany and quirky characters. I really, really loved it. The author, Cynthia Leitich Smith mentions at the end how there's a 'nod' to certain authors, one of them being Maurice Sendak. I totally missed that, darn it. I highly, highly recommend it and will probably be buying it for my niece for her birthday (after I check with her mom that she can handle it in all its glory).

Also...I watched The Holiday (with Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black), which I'd been going to see right before Christmas but didn't. I saw Stranger Than Fiction instead (and it was great). Anyway, I loved it too! It had all the stuff I liked: great setting--the house swap looked like so much fun, really interesting characters, romance, comedy, that special touch of quirkiness--PERFECT! I think I'm actually going to buy it as I think I could watch it again and again. Jude Law was adorable, but I just LOVE Jack Black. Much like I LOVE Ben Stiller. I find quirky very appealing.

Oooh...also, I tried a couple of Harry Potter Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans when my sons were too chicken. They each got a pack from the Easter Bunny, including a mix of tasty and not so tasty flavors. I've now tried Black Pepper (strong) and Soap (really kind of gross). My gramma used to threaten to wash my mouth out with soap, and I now know it would have just been nasty. After I braved it out, both boys tried Grass and said it wasn't too bad. None of us have yet tried Booger, Vomit, Sardine, Earthworm, Earwax, Rotten Egg, or Dirt. And I'm not sure we ever will...

:) :) :) :) :)

I sent it in! I finally, finally sent in the submission that was 'requested' at my agent appointment at the beginning of February. True, no one but me proofed it, and neither of my critique partners saw the final version, but I just had to let it go. Otherwise, I think I would have been trapped in an endless loop of editing. What a huge relief. I'm not even second-guessing anything (hardly). Now I just have to write my RWA PRO article, get my 100 words done today, and get started reading the pages my critique partner sent me, and I'm a free agent. Well, I still have to make dinner, and oversee the coloring of Easter eggs (no small project), but after all that, I'm just going to relax and read. I'm in the middle of both Tantalize and Friends in High Places by Marne Davis Kellogg.

Life is good.

Update, Complete with Excuses

I had a really good productive day today. (Don't want to jinx myself and find out tomorrow that I hate all the writing that I did today, but now there's no going back). I didn't get called to sub today--and actually I was going to say no if the director did call as I really needed today--and I came home and wrote, wrote, wrote. I didn't read email or surf around the internet, or get distracted, or any of that. I barely looked at the clock (which is great for me). I'm crossing my fingers that absolutely everything will be ready to go, to be sent out Thursday morning. My son only has a half day of school, so I don't have much to work with. Scary possibility: what if I get called to sub. It's Easter egg hunt day...I don't know if I'd be able to resist.

Okay...the weekend. I did not accomplish my goals. Well, I suppose one of them: I finished Little Lady, Big Apple. Really liked it, but the first in the series is still my favorite. I didn't get much writing accomplished at all given that one son was invited to a birthday party, and the other stayed home (with me), my husband took one son to a Rockets game and the other one stayed home (with me), and my husband decided to do some work on the taxes (on the computer I use to write). So...writing didn't get done. So...I'm frantically trying to make up time this week. I WILL get this out if it kills me.

On a happy note, I'm on Day 12 of writing 100 (or more) words in a day. I'm proud of myself.

Awww!

Possibly a bit of a cop-out as far as blog posts go, but I still havne't met my deadline (more about that later). So watch this and talk amongst yourselves. You can, of course, feel free to leave a comment and talk to me too though...