The regular party animal, I am blogging at 10:30 on New Years Eve, and all I can say is that I'm so thankful that my husband is so creative. Very creative--way more creative than me. My sons' birthdays are coming up, and I just wanted to do a simple, laid-back party at our neighborhood park. I thought we'd have some games or sports or whatever, let all those boys run and run and run, fill them up with ice cream and cake, and send them on their merry (rowdy, hopped-up) way. But my husband took things one step further...
Now the party theme is to be a Junior Olympics, with teams and activities loosely based on Olympic events (i.e. discus with an enormous frisbee, archery with a bow that shoots marshmallows, basketball, a relay race, etc.) So now we're thinking up team names, logistics, and party bag goodies. So far I'm thinking some sort of Earth ball, a medal, and some gold and silver wrapped bubblegum coins. My idea for the cake is a selection of cupcakes arranged as Olympic rings, frosted in white and edged in the colors of the Olympic rings.
So now...who among you is as creative as my husband? Who has further, stellar ideas to make this the party to remember among the six and eight-year-old sets? Bring 'em, people.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Saturday, December 29, 2007
New Books!
Okay. I hope no one got too excited about 'the books I got for Christmas'. There were only four--four good ones, but just four. They are as follows:
1. Flip Dictionary. Mentioned on Barrie's blog, I checked it out on Amazon, thought it sounded perfect for me, and promptly asked my brother for it. I've only had a few moments to page through it, but it looks right up my alley. It's a dictionary for people who have an inkling of the word they're looking for, but can't quite pinpoint it. I also like how it has lists of things, like fruit, fabric, and mythological creatures, just in case you need the big picture.
2. An Exultation of Larks. My husband and I heard about this book on that NPR show about words--imagine that, I can't think of what it's called right now--and I knew immediately I had to have it. It's from my husband. In essence, it's a book about groupings or classifications. For example: a bunch of larks is called an exultation. I'll be posting a selection of my favorites shortly.
3. Neptune Noir. A Smart Pop Series book from BenBella Books, with essays on the recently cancelled Veronica Mars television series. I'm fascinated by that show and wanted some further insights. Also from my brother.
4. Blind Submission. I noticed this, a Bookmarked book, while shopping for others in Target. The same day, my mom asked me what was on my Christmas list. My return email listed only this book. It's basically about a mix-up/mystery at a publishing house. I scanned the back cover, the quotes, etc, not to mention checking it on Amazon, but that's really all I want to know. I'm sure I'll be posting about it at some future point.
And that's it. Anyone else get any good books...?
1. Flip Dictionary. Mentioned on Barrie's blog, I checked it out on Amazon, thought it sounded perfect for me, and promptly asked my brother for it. I've only had a few moments to page through it, but it looks right up my alley. It's a dictionary for people who have an inkling of the word they're looking for, but can't quite pinpoint it. I also like how it has lists of things, like fruit, fabric, and mythological creatures, just in case you need the big picture.
2. An Exultation of Larks. My husband and I heard about this book on that NPR show about words--imagine that, I can't think of what it's called right now--and I knew immediately I had to have it. It's from my husband. In essence, it's a book about groupings or classifications. For example: a bunch of larks is called an exultation. I'll be posting a selection of my favorites shortly.
3. Neptune Noir. A Smart Pop Series book from BenBella Books, with essays on the recently cancelled Veronica Mars television series. I'm fascinated by that show and wanted some further insights. Also from my brother.
4. Blind Submission. I noticed this, a Bookmarked book, while shopping for others in Target. The same day, my mom asked me what was on my Christmas list. My return email listed only this book. It's basically about a mix-up/mystery at a publishing house. I scanned the back cover, the quotes, etc, not to mention checking it on Amazon, but that's really all I want to know. I'm sure I'll be posting about it at some future point.
And that's it. Anyone else get any good books...?
Friday, December 28, 2007
The Wind-down
Thanks so much for all the birthday wishes! I had a very nice birthday, even if it was without a cake. (I bought my own Pepperidge Farm chocolate fudge cake at the store this morning--tonight my husband 'plated' it with a sprinkling of powdered sugar, probably just hoping for a little credit).
Things are starting to work their way back to normal here. We said goodbye to my sister's family today, and we have one more day with my sister-in-law before she goes, and then it's just us. I'm hoping that at least by next week, I get back to the writing. Several Christmas cards and well-meaning comments probed into the progress on Novel #2--my progress report was far from impressive. Clearly I won't finish the book this year--quite the disappointment. My new goal is definitely, no-excuses by the end of the school year, and I'll probably try to have queried a few agents before then. That's the plan, and I'm sticking to it. I think I may even write down some daily goals--imagine that...
Since my last book update, I've finished The Luxe, which I enjoyed very much. Really it was a light but very eloquent book, a romance of sorts with some dicier topics. I'm actually a little surprised that they're billing it as appropriate for forteen years old and up. There is quite a little bit of innuendo and inappropriate behavior going on, and while I certainly read romances at that age myself, I wasn't reading teen-geared novels with the same sort of implications. It (The Luxe) definitely wasn't explicit, just read-between-the-lines racy.
Right now I'm reading Sharie Kohler's Marked at Midnight--my RWA PAL's debut paranormal romance. Very edge-of-your-seat creepy so far. In a good way. Maybe I'll finish in the next couple of days--before I get back to writing. A few minutes to myself...that sounds nice.... I have so many good books on my stack... Tomorrow I'll post on the books I got for Christmas.
Things are starting to work their way back to normal here. We said goodbye to my sister's family today, and we have one more day with my sister-in-law before she goes, and then it's just us. I'm hoping that at least by next week, I get back to the writing. Several Christmas cards and well-meaning comments probed into the progress on Novel #2--my progress report was far from impressive. Clearly I won't finish the book this year--quite the disappointment. My new goal is definitely, no-excuses by the end of the school year, and I'll probably try to have queried a few agents before then. That's the plan, and I'm sticking to it. I think I may even write down some daily goals--imagine that...
Since my last book update, I've finished The Luxe, which I enjoyed very much. Really it was a light but very eloquent book, a romance of sorts with some dicier topics. I'm actually a little surprised that they're billing it as appropriate for forteen years old and up. There is quite a little bit of innuendo and inappropriate behavior going on, and while I certainly read romances at that age myself, I wasn't reading teen-geared novels with the same sort of implications. It (The Luxe) definitely wasn't explicit, just read-between-the-lines racy.
Right now I'm reading Sharie Kohler's Marked at Midnight--my RWA PAL's debut paranormal romance. Very edge-of-your-seat creepy so far. In a good way. Maybe I'll finish in the next couple of days--before I get back to writing. A few minutes to myself...that sounds nice.... I have so many good books on my stack... Tomorrow I'll post on the books I got for Christmas.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
The Aftermath
The big day has now come and gone--I've survived the many and varied stresses that involve having people over to my house. Today it's just me and the boys, and I'm so calm. The boys got a Wii for Christmas and I've barely seen the older one since. The little one loves all his stuff. We just got back from Big Lots! and a few other errands, and it took for-ever! The boys each got a $25 gift card from Big Lots! and it was an excrutiating ordeal for them to find a combo of stuff to total this amount. But I think they did good.
Tomorrow is my birthday, and so far, the only plan is that we'll be going out for Tex-Mex at my favorite restaurant, thirty minutes away. There's been no mention made of a cake, but honestly, I'm not sure I care that much. And that is definitely saying something! I always care about cake--I'm usually all about the cake. Maybe I've just had too many sweets lately, but even that is a foreign concept for me. I suppose I'll just see how it goes--what my husband will dream up.
The SIL saga turned out to not really be an issue at all. Oh, it was definitely awkward, but I think mostly for me. She acted as if nothing had happened between us, as if there weren't a HUGE matzah ball hanging there between us. And eventually I tried to act like that too. But it was hard. The process was helped along slightly by the fact that we lost power at the lakehouse for an hour. We played Boggle and laughed over several ridiculous little episodes involving our time in the dark. Oh, and my husband and I slept in the house across the street. She, of course, as suspected, had already claimed the room with the queen bed in the lakehouse for herself, but my husband and I slept in solitary splendor in the new house by ourselves. Distance is good.
Now I think we've sort of bridged the gap. I've even initiated a couple of conversations with her. This is all good, because she's coming to stay with us on Friday. (Side note: some of you may think I'm making this harder than it is, but I can't help it. For me the whole mess is just so...awkward. And I tend to avoid any and all awkward situations).
So that's the update from here. I hope you all had lovely holidays!
Tomorrow is my birthday, and so far, the only plan is that we'll be going out for Tex-Mex at my favorite restaurant, thirty minutes away. There's been no mention made of a cake, but honestly, I'm not sure I care that much. And that is definitely saying something! I always care about cake--I'm usually all about the cake. Maybe I've just had too many sweets lately, but even that is a foreign concept for me. I suppose I'll just see how it goes--what my husband will dream up.
The SIL saga turned out to not really be an issue at all. Oh, it was definitely awkward, but I think mostly for me. She acted as if nothing had happened between us, as if there weren't a HUGE matzah ball hanging there between us. And eventually I tried to act like that too. But it was hard. The process was helped along slightly by the fact that we lost power at the lakehouse for an hour. We played Boggle and laughed over several ridiculous little episodes involving our time in the dark. Oh, and my husband and I slept in the house across the street. She, of course, as suspected, had already claimed the room with the queen bed in the lakehouse for herself, but my husband and I slept in solitary splendor in the new house by ourselves. Distance is good.
Now I think we've sort of bridged the gap. I've even initiated a couple of conversations with her. This is all good, because she's coming to stay with us on Friday. (Side note: some of you may think I'm making this harder than it is, but I can't help it. For me the whole mess is just so...awkward. And I tend to avoid any and all awkward situations).
So that's the update from here. I hope you all had lovely holidays!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
The Saga Continues...Starting tomorrow
I'm taking a break from cooking and cleaning to post about the continuation of The Saga of the Fourth of July. If you missed it the first time or just want to refresh your memory so you're ready for the upcoming installment, go here.
In just a few short days, I'm going to be up at the lake again, potentially sharing the same house with my SIL. Although it's possible I won't (be sharing, that is). She's already in town, which, by her rule would put her in the bedroom with the queen bed, leaving the bi-level trundles for my husband and I. But!...my in-laws have purchased the house across the street and been frantically remodeling with a deadline of Dec. 18--the arrival date of my SIL. It's been delayed slightly, but is supposed to be done today. So...where will she be when we arrive? Anybody's guess. Will the weekend be tension-filled and bordering on the brink of an all out cat-fight? Stay-tuned.
In other news, I'm dragging my boys to the dentist today. The older one just lost a tooth that was getting pushed out by the humongous big-boy tooth, and now my husband has hypothesized (to him) that he might have to have the adjacent one pulled. This is only days after warning him that he'd most likely have to have that baby one pulled if he didn't work it out of there himself. I can't say how much I appreciate his contribution. My little one has a cavity they've been watching and is now worried he'll have to get a shot so they can deal with it. Oh, and he wants a gold filling, because in his words, "I'd look good with it."
Back to work...
In just a few short days, I'm going to be up at the lake again, potentially sharing the same house with my SIL. Although it's possible I won't (be sharing, that is). She's already in town, which, by her rule would put her in the bedroom with the queen bed, leaving the bi-level trundles for my husband and I. But!...my in-laws have purchased the house across the street and been frantically remodeling with a deadline of Dec. 18--the arrival date of my SIL. It's been delayed slightly, but is supposed to be done today. So...where will she be when we arrive? Anybody's guess. Will the weekend be tension-filled and bordering on the brink of an all out cat-fight? Stay-tuned.
In other news, I'm dragging my boys to the dentist today. The older one just lost a tooth that was getting pushed out by the humongous big-boy tooth, and now my husband has hypothesized (to him) that he might have to have the adjacent one pulled. This is only days after warning him that he'd most likely have to have that baby one pulled if he didn't work it out of there himself. I can't say how much I appreciate his contribution. My little one has a cavity they've been watching and is now worried he'll have to get a shot so they can deal with it. Oh, and he wants a gold filling, because in his words, "I'd look good with it."
Back to work...
Monday, December 17, 2007
Nada Mas
I'm no one to be trifled with--that's all you'll ever need know.
So no more memes...
Okay, just kidding (even though technically the above is true). My husband is watching The Princess Bride, and it's just past the 'Battle of Wits'. I will never get tired of watchng that movie. Ahh...but I must blog...
Not much of interest occurred today (and no writing, but it was errand day). But, there were two marginally interesting moments:
1. I was passed by a woman driving in a jeep with the bumper stickers, 'Legalize Polygamy' and 'Bi Girls Rule'. Very interesting, I think. Ponderous, incredulous thought ensued.
2. I was listening to K.T.Tunstall in the car and had just parked at the library and heard 'You see a penny in the street...' when I opened the door and saw a penny sitting in the parking space next to me. I sung the part of the song that had gotten cut off, 'Pickin' it up is easy.' And I picked it up--a lucky penny the week before Christmas. Perfect!
Also interesting is the fact that last weekend we were near record highs here (at about 84 degrees), and this weekend, we were near record low (33 degrees). Quite the swing. And then we're back up to mid-seventies later in the week.
Tomorrow I'm going to M.D.O. for the Christmas party. I'm not working, and I don't have to go, but I've been invited, and I love a little bit of Christmas cheer. Plus, I want to see for myself what really goes on at M.D.O. on Tuesdays. Is it as bad as they say (last Thursday was fine, by the way), or is it all drama and hype? I confess, I'm letting curiosity get the best of me... I will report back.
So no more memes...
Okay, just kidding (even though technically the above is true). My husband is watching The Princess Bride, and it's just past the 'Battle of Wits'. I will never get tired of watchng that movie. Ahh...but I must blog...
Not much of interest occurred today (and no writing, but it was errand day). But, there were two marginally interesting moments:
1. I was passed by a woman driving in a jeep with the bumper stickers, 'Legalize Polygamy' and 'Bi Girls Rule'. Very interesting, I think. Ponderous, incredulous thought ensued.
2. I was listening to K.T.Tunstall in the car and had just parked at the library and heard 'You see a penny in the street...' when I opened the door and saw a penny sitting in the parking space next to me. I sung the part of the song that had gotten cut off, 'Pickin' it up is easy.' And I picked it up--a lucky penny the week before Christmas. Perfect!
Also interesting is the fact that last weekend we were near record highs here (at about 84 degrees), and this weekend, we were near record low (33 degrees). Quite the swing. And then we're back up to mid-seventies later in the week.
Tomorrow I'm going to M.D.O. for the Christmas party. I'm not working, and I don't have to go, but I've been invited, and I love a little bit of Christmas cheer. Plus, I want to see for myself what really goes on at M.D.O. on Tuesdays. Is it as bad as they say (last Thursday was fine, by the way), or is it all drama and hype? I confess, I'm letting curiosity get the best of me... I will report back.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Nada
With the absence of anything interesting to report, I have been absent from the blog world. I'm busy doing all the last minute things: baking and decorating Christmas cookies for both boys' classes, shopping for last minute gifts, wrapping things, planning menus, praying I'm not forgetting anything... And time is just flying by. This week--my boys' last week of school before the holiday--is my week to write. Or at least that's what I'm telling myself. I have minimal responsiblities this week. Basically the holiday baking, some cleaning (it never stops), and the kids' school parties. So...I'm thinking I can squeeze in some productive hours in between the trays of baked goods. It's worth a try anyway...
In other news, I started and finished (it only took a couple days) Enthusiasm--the book I was raving on and on about a month or so ago. I loved it--absolutely loved it. It was playful, different, witty, and basically just wonderful. I'm delighted to have stumbled across it and that I decided to buy it, because this one was definitely a keeper. I lent it to my mom yesterday, so we'll see what she thinks. I also finished One Night With You by Sophie Jordan and posted my review here. So, if you're looking for a recommendation, look no further than these two books. Now, on to The Luxe!
In other news, I started and finished (it only took a couple days) Enthusiasm--the book I was raving on and on about a month or so ago. I loved it--absolutely loved it. It was playful, different, witty, and basically just wonderful. I'm delighted to have stumbled across it and that I decided to buy it, because this one was definitely a keeper. I lent it to my mom yesterday, so we'll see what she thinks. I also finished One Night With You by Sophie Jordan and posted my review here. So, if you're looking for a recommendation, look no further than these two books. Now, on to The Luxe!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Charmed
I've decided that I either had a great deal of luck in getting assigned to work Thursdays at Mothers Day Out or else God intervened, knowing I wouldn't handle Tuesdays well. Every week I go in on Thursday, only to be told that Tuesday was absolutely, unbelieveably horrid. Various, justifiable reasons are given, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
Well yesterday was the topper. Evidently they had to deal with the following:
1. There is one little girl whose parents and grandparents are under the mistaken impression that she is potty-trained, so they dress her in panties and don't provide diapers or pull-ups. She has an accident everyday, usually on some toy or other, and an area often has to be cordoned off. Well, yesterday, she apparently went behind the dollhouse to poo and it seeped down into her boots. Ick, ick, ick, ick, ick!
2. Then there was a little girl who feel asleep during nap time and started throwing up in her sleep, getting stuff all over herself and her mat.
3. There was a biting incident, a screaming problem, and a dad who, out of the blue, apparently was demanding to see his child.
4. And finally, there was a potty-trained little boy who was sleeping so soundly that he didn't notice he'd peed all over himself, his mat, and his pillow.
Glad to have missed it all! I'd come to the conclusion that Thursdays at M.D.O. were
50% Quality time with the kids
25% Clean-up (of lunch messes, the floor, toys, books, the bathroom, etc)
and 25% bodily fluids
I think Tuesdays weigh much more heavily on the bodily fluids. Cross your fingers that my luck holds tomorrow!
Well yesterday was the topper. Evidently they had to deal with the following:
1. There is one little girl whose parents and grandparents are under the mistaken impression that she is potty-trained, so they dress her in panties and don't provide diapers or pull-ups. She has an accident everyday, usually on some toy or other, and an area often has to be cordoned off. Well, yesterday, she apparently went behind the dollhouse to poo and it seeped down into her boots. Ick, ick, ick, ick, ick!
2. Then there was a little girl who feel asleep during nap time and started throwing up in her sleep, getting stuff all over herself and her mat.
3. There was a biting incident, a screaming problem, and a dad who, out of the blue, apparently was demanding to see his child.
4. And finally, there was a potty-trained little boy who was sleeping so soundly that he didn't notice he'd peed all over himself, his mat, and his pillow.
Glad to have missed it all! I'd come to the conclusion that Thursdays at M.D.O. were
50% Quality time with the kids
25% Clean-up (of lunch messes, the floor, toys, books, the bathroom, etc)
and 25% bodily fluids
I think Tuesdays weigh much more heavily on the bodily fluids. Cross your fingers that my luck holds tomorrow!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Fa la la la, la la la la
I'm rarely frazzled--I usually have things pretty much together and pride myself on being able to efficiently multi-task. But suddenly, this week, I'm floundering a little--I'm frazzled, and I don't really know how to fix things. When I was wrapping gifts, I'd eyeball the gift and estimate how much wrap I needed, then I'd cut it, and the paper would be no where near big enough. And then today, after a marathon shopping trip to Target lasting almost two hours (I'm not even sure what I was doing in there that took so long), I got home and was walking towards my front door pressing the car's keyless entry, evidently thinking it would work on my house. This year it just seems like there are so many little things, and I'm having trouble keeping track. I've also got no time for reading and barely any for writing. I have my RWA local chapter holiday party tonight, but I'm hoping to sneak in a little bit of editing before I have to leave. Basically this hinges on the ability of my little one to entertain himself. Dicey at best.
On the Santa front, thanks for all the condolences and suggestions. Here's the plan as it stands now. I found a little bag of 'Santa's Coal' bubble gum, and I'm going to stick it in his stocking with a few other things and a note that says something to the effect that 'I still believe in you, and I hope you'll give me another chance next year.' Thoughts? Further suggestions?
On the Santa front, thanks for all the condolences and suggestions. Here's the plan as it stands now. I found a little bag of 'Santa's Coal' bubble gum, and I'm going to stick it in his stocking with a few other things and a note that says something to the effect that 'I still believe in you, and I hope you'll give me another chance next year.' Thoughts? Further suggestions?
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Santa Debunked?
We are having Christmas issues at our house. First of all my children seem to think that it's somehow legitimate to ask what their gifts are. Facing a wrapped gift, they can't stop themselves from begging to be told what's inside just one gift. I tried to explain the problems with that picture to my five-year-old, and his response was, "I can't help it--I'm a curious man." Apparently they grow up even quicker than I thought.
He also, all of a sudden, doesn't believe in Santa Claus. Evidently a third-grader at his school--a boy he doesn't even know--told him that there is no Santa Claus, that he's caught his own parents on film for the past several years, stuffing his stocking. So Santa is now a myth in my son's mind, and so far, there's been no convincing him otherwise. Even my seven-year-old believes and keeps telling him that if he doesn't stop with the Santa-bashing (and blatant disbelief), he's not going to get any gifts. So his investigative plan is to check his stocking Christmas morning. If he received any gifts (ostensibly from Santa), he'll know there is no Santa. But if he doesn't get any gifts, he'll know there is. Interesting, isn't it? I'm not exactly sure how this is all going to play out.
He also, all of a sudden, doesn't believe in Santa Claus. Evidently a third-grader at his school--a boy he doesn't even know--told him that there is no Santa Claus, that he's caught his own parents on film for the past several years, stuffing his stocking. So Santa is now a myth in my son's mind, and so far, there's been no convincing him otherwise. Even my seven-year-old believes and keeps telling him that if he doesn't stop with the Santa-bashing (and blatant disbelief), he's not going to get any gifts. So his investigative plan is to check his stocking Christmas morning. If he received any gifts (ostensibly from Santa), he'll know there is no Santa. But if he doesn't get any gifts, he'll know there is. Interesting, isn't it? I'm not exactly sure how this is all going to play out.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Tagged!
Having been tagged by Sara Hantz for this meme as 'someone who might respond', I feel duty bound to participate. Read on...
Two Men I’d Love to Date if I Were Single (and they were single)
Ben Stiller
Luke Wilson
I Am Wearing Right Now
Pajama Pants
T-shirt
Two Things I Would Want in a Relationship
Laughter
Commitment
Two of My Favorite Things to do
Reading
Having lunch with friends
Two Things I Want Very Badly At the Moment
To be finished with my book
To get this one sold!
Two things I did recently
Finished reading an ARC (I'm writing the review today)
Tried to teach a 2-year-old not to knock down everything in his path
Two things I ate today (I'll do yesterday because I haven't eaten anything yet today)
Leftover Gyro
Peppermint Bark
Two people I most recently talked to
My husband
My two sons
Two things I’m doing tomorrow
'Brunching with Santa'
Going 'behind the scenes' once again to see and feed white tigers
2 longest car rides
Houston to Charleston, S.C.
St. Paul, MN to Tucson
Two Favorite Holidays (I assume this means where I spent them...?)
Denver, the year my husband proposed
Houston (that covers a lot of ground)
Two Favorite Beverages
Hot chocolate
RC Cola
Two Things about me, things you may not have known
I'm a little claustrophobic
Cats freak me out a little
Two places I have lived
Columbus, Ohio
St. Paul, Minnesota
Two of my Favorite Foods
Enchiladas
Fettucini Alfredo
Two Places I’d rather be right now
Lying in bed reading a book
Traipsing along a Carribean beach
4 people I think will respond
Lucy (I purposely didn't link you!)
Vicki
Stacy
Sally
Two Men I’d Love to Date if I Were Single (and they were single)
Ben Stiller
Luke Wilson
I Am Wearing Right Now
Pajama Pants
T-shirt
Two Things I Would Want in a Relationship
Laughter
Commitment
Two of My Favorite Things to do
Reading
Having lunch with friends
Two Things I Want Very Badly At the Moment
To be finished with my book
To get this one sold!
Two things I did recently
Finished reading an ARC (I'm writing the review today)
Tried to teach a 2-year-old not to knock down everything in his path
Two things I ate today (I'll do yesterday because I haven't eaten anything yet today)
Leftover Gyro
Peppermint Bark
Two people I most recently talked to
My husband
My two sons
Two things I’m doing tomorrow
'Brunching with Santa'
Going 'behind the scenes' once again to see and feed white tigers
2 longest car rides
Houston to Charleston, S.C.
St. Paul, MN to Tucson
Two Favorite Holidays (I assume this means where I spent them...?)
Denver, the year my husband proposed
Houston (that covers a lot of ground)
Two Favorite Beverages
Hot chocolate
RC Cola
Two Things about me, things you may not have known
I'm a little claustrophobic
Cats freak me out a little
Two places I have lived
Columbus, Ohio
St. Paul, Minnesota
Two of my Favorite Foods
Enchiladas
Fettucini Alfredo
Two Places I’d rather be right now
Lying in bed reading a book
Traipsing along a Carribean beach
4 people I think will respond
Lucy (I purposely didn't link you!)
Vicki
Stacy
Sally
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
The Wealth and Mysteries of Amazon
I've discovered a very interesting discussion thread on Amazon in the 'Romance' forum...
Pause here for a digression...
I should admit here that I'm on Amazon all the time. For the obvious reasons: being a book-lover, book-buyer, browser, shopper, etc. But also because right now--three years later--it's the only place my book is still available. Or at least the only storefront with any visibility at all. As the distributor of a self-published book, I sell UP on Amazon Marketplace and can keep track of day-to-day sales simply using the ranking.
You may have lost interest by now, but I find the whole Amazon system fascinating. Particularly as a few months ago my sales shot up. I say 'shot up', but I'm using the term loosely--it is, after all, three years later. I couldn't figure out why my sales in recent months had increased significantly--I still can't. But you can bet I'm keeping close tabs on my ranking. My best guess is actually the avalanche effect--that someone buys, then someone else sees the 'This Customer Also Purchased:', or else they see stellar percentage under 'What Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing Items Like This:' I wish I had some insights...and I solicit anyone with any info to fill me in...please! My husband joked that My Biggest Fan: my MIL was probably buying a copy every now and then to boost my spirits. And let me just say that that casual comment freaked me out. I've since decided that she isn't. And if she is, well I'm blissfully ignorant.
Digression complete...back to the original post...
Anyway, there's a forum called, 'Dear Author: Please DON'T', and it's comments from readers on what specifically they'd like to not see in romance novels. Fascinating reading (at least for a romance novelist). Just a sampling:
> 'write in first person. i hate that. i also hate time travel.'
> 'invent heroines who are so small that they fit under the hero's chin, armpit or come to his waist ... real-sized men and women please.'
> 'make the hero drink the heroine's breastmilk'
> 'write another hero with a scar that bisects one of his eyebrows (honestly-how often can that happen?)'
Okay...I have to get some real work done--go read the forum for more!
Pause here for a digression...
I should admit here that I'm on Amazon all the time. For the obvious reasons: being a book-lover, book-buyer, browser, shopper, etc. But also because right now--three years later--it's the only place my book is still available. Or at least the only storefront with any visibility at all. As the distributor of a self-published book, I sell UP on Amazon Marketplace and can keep track of day-to-day sales simply using the ranking.
You may have lost interest by now, but I find the whole Amazon system fascinating. Particularly as a few months ago my sales shot up. I say 'shot up', but I'm using the term loosely--it is, after all, three years later. I couldn't figure out why my sales in recent months had increased significantly--I still can't. But you can bet I'm keeping close tabs on my ranking. My best guess is actually the avalanche effect--that someone buys, then someone else sees the 'This Customer Also Purchased:', or else they see stellar percentage under 'What Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing Items Like This:' I wish I had some insights...and I solicit anyone with any info to fill me in...please! My husband joked that My Biggest Fan: my MIL was probably buying a copy every now and then to boost my spirits. And let me just say that that casual comment freaked me out. I've since decided that she isn't. And if she is, well I'm blissfully ignorant.
Digression complete...back to the original post...
Anyway, there's a forum called, 'Dear Author: Please DON'T', and it's comments from readers on what specifically they'd like to not see in romance novels. Fascinating reading (at least for a romance novelist). Just a sampling:
> 'write in first person. i hate that. i also hate time travel.'
> 'invent heroines who are so small that they fit under the hero's chin, armpit or come to his waist ... real-sized men and women please.'
> 'make the hero drink the heroine's breastmilk'
> 'write another hero with a scar that bisects one of his eyebrows (honestly-how often can that happen?)'
Okay...I have to get some real work done--go read the forum for more!
Monday, December 03, 2007
Christmas Bits and Pieces
I finished it--finally! Mansfield Park is now under my literary belt. And I enjoyed it. Not so much as Pride & Prejudice, but hey, it's Austen. Next year I'm targeting Northanger Abbey and Sense & Sensibility (squeezing them in amidst all those other must-read books).
Just got back inside, having been in charge of 'holding the ladder' for my husband as he climbed up to put uber-bright and colorful LED lights on our house. I'm free-ee-zing, and it's only forty-five or so degrees out there. But our house looks very festive now. I still have to add the mini white doves in the holly tree and my wreath to the door, but other than that, we're ready. Inside is also done and it seems a lot more crowded in here now--Christmas stuff crammed in to all the main living areas. I love looking at the lights on the tree. My MIL gave me a tree-spinner a few years ago, so we turn in on and watch it spin and it's just lovely.
I braved the mall today--too many gifts unaccounted for--and shockingly, I forgot until I was at the mall that there were going to be crowds. I figured it for any other shopping day. And mostly it wasn't bad--parking was the worst thing about it--particularly as I scored a number of good gifts. Yay! I'm still not quite finished though, so I may be going out tomorrow too even though it's been slated as a day to write (and clean the bathrooms).
I'm working on a difficult chapter right now, and am anxious to hammer it out. My CP has read several versions and insists that none of them are quite right, none of them are as interesting as they should be...that I'm losing momentum I'd been building, etc. So I'm really trying to tread carefully, getting just the right balance. And so far, I'm not sure I'm accomplishing it. I did only have one hour today, so I can't quibble too much. Hopefully tomorrow I'll hit the target.
Just got back inside, having been in charge of 'holding the ladder' for my husband as he climbed up to put uber-bright and colorful LED lights on our house. I'm free-ee-zing, and it's only forty-five or so degrees out there. But our house looks very festive now. I still have to add the mini white doves in the holly tree and my wreath to the door, but other than that, we're ready. Inside is also done and it seems a lot more crowded in here now--Christmas stuff crammed in to all the main living areas. I love looking at the lights on the tree. My MIL gave me a tree-spinner a few years ago, so we turn in on and watch it spin and it's just lovely.
I braved the mall today--too many gifts unaccounted for--and shockingly, I forgot until I was at the mall that there were going to be crowds. I figured it for any other shopping day. And mostly it wasn't bad--parking was the worst thing about it--particularly as I scored a number of good gifts. Yay! I'm still not quite finished though, so I may be going out tomorrow too even though it's been slated as a day to write (and clean the bathrooms).
I'm working on a difficult chapter right now, and am anxious to hammer it out. My CP has read several versions and insists that none of them are quite right, none of them are as interesting as they should be...that I'm losing momentum I'd been building, etc. So I'm really trying to tread carefully, getting just the right balance. And so far, I'm not sure I'm accomplishing it. I did only have one hour today, so I can't quibble too much. Hopefully tomorrow I'll hit the target.
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