Took my fabu new 'do from Bo Salon (2004 S. Congress) to JW's 80th b-day party in Buda this weekend at the Manchaca Firehouse Cafe. Luminaries in attendance included: AB (author interview), FH, BY, DHA (author interview) and TS. The family served fried fish, french fries, hushpuppies, cole slaw, and cakes decorated to look like JW's cover art. JW is the author of Earthscapes and The World According to Rock.
GLS and I passed Easter Sunday quietly, watching "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe," which seemed appropriate enough. He made shrimp creole for dinner.
I've had a sort of rough weekend. My eye was bothering me again, though it's better now. I'd also like to thank TLS (author interview), NW (author interview), LB (author interview), EB, CPK, SP, LG, FB (author interview) for their words O wisdom and LR (author interview) for that and the extra TLC. Most appreciated.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Thinking Ahead
Oh, how I love royalty checks! I'm not so organized as to know when they are coming, so from my perspective, they appear as if by magic with an untold amount of money. This time around I'm earmarking a healthy chunk of the earnings to pay for my publicist for Santa Knows (Dutton, 2006). I consider it an investment in the future.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Cornish Game Hen and Shrimp
In 2001, GLS and I took my advance from Rain Is Not My Indian Name (HarperCollins, 2001) and, after ALA-Chicago, flew to Paris. To the George V Four Seasons, to be precise. We still bask in memories of the experience.
At the hotel restaurant, we had the most divine chicken-and-lobster dish, which GLS replicated for me (using shrimp instead of lobster and Cornish game hen instead of chicken) tonight using a recipe from Chubby Hubby: One Pot Meal: Musings on Food, Wine, and Marriage.
I'm now halfway through grading VC packets and, going through the mail, found a lovely thank-you note from DCR (author interview). I had a chance to chat with NJO at KWH's signing at BookPeople yesterday, and NJO mentioned how much she loved DCR's workshop in conjunction with Austin SCBWI. I've heard great things about this event from a lot of the participants. DCR is a gem!
At the hotel restaurant, we had the most divine chicken-and-lobster dish, which GLS replicated for me (using shrimp instead of lobster and Cornish game hen instead of chicken) tonight using a recipe from Chubby Hubby: One Pot Meal: Musings on Food, Wine, and Marriage.
I'm now halfway through grading VC packets and, going through the mail, found a lovely thank-you note from DCR (author interview). I had a chance to chat with NJO at KWH's signing at BookPeople yesterday, and NJO mentioned how much she loved DCR's workshop in conjunction with Austin SCBWI. I've heard great things about this event from a lot of the participants. DCR is a gem!
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Gregory, Shrimp, Shrimp, Sushi, and Six Feet Under
AB (author interview) invited us to the U.T. Club for a Friday shrimp siesta.
Then on Saturday, GLS and I hit KWH's signing of Waiting for Gregory, illustrated by GS (Henry Holt, 2006) at BookPeople (author interview). We three had sushi and so forth afterward at Musashino.
We had an interesting conversation about voice, about whether it can be taught. I think it's a matter of courage, that we all have voice worth hearing within us, but sometimes it's a struggle to find the courage to let our voice (as manifested in character) be heard.
I was sorry to miss MM's talk on non-fic at Austin SCBWI today, but the schedule had already filled.
Grading is ongoing. Tonight we're also beginning to watch the final season of "Six Feet Under" on Netflix.
Then on Saturday, GLS and I hit KWH's signing of Waiting for Gregory, illustrated by GS (Henry Holt, 2006) at BookPeople (author interview). We three had sushi and so forth afterward at Musashino.
We had an interesting conversation about voice, about whether it can be taught. I think it's a matter of courage, that we all have voice worth hearing within us, but sometimes it's a struggle to find the courage to let our voice (as manifested in character) be heard.
I was sorry to miss MM's talk on non-fic at Austin SCBWI today, but the schedule had already filled.
Grading is ongoing. Tonight we're also beginning to watch the final season of "Six Feet Under" on Netflix.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Dead Lines
Deadlines. Dead Lines. Lines of the Dead. Hm, beware of gothic fantasy authors on deadline and where their minds may go.
My students' packets are due this weekend, so my self-imposed deadline for finishing my second first draft of F&M was today. I'm happy to say that all (known) scenes are written. I was going to read it tonight and key in, but real life intruded. It'll have to wait until I'm done grading, and then I'll let it sit for two weeks. During that time I'll prepare a talk and hopefully write two articles.
Call it a plan!
My students' packets are due this weekend, so my self-imposed deadline for finishing my second first draft of F&M was today. I'm happy to say that all (known) scenes are written. I was going to read it tonight and key in, but real life intruded. It'll have to wait until I'm done grading, and then I'll let it sit for two weeks. During that time I'll prepare a talk and hopefully write two articles.
Call it a plan!
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Scrumptious Signing
Tonight GLS and I attended the first signing of debut YA fantasy author JW (author interview) at Barnes & Noble Sunset Valley. It was quite the event! JW went all out, offering chocolates, raffle prizes, and a cookie cake to her guests. It was JW's first-ever author signing, and she handled it with great grace and charm. Luminaries in the audience included VJ and JL.
This afternoon I got one scene written on F&M and then, though I had time to try another, found the well dry. The setting for the next one up is particularly impressive, so I did some online research to try to trigger my imagination. GLS suggested an alternative that may accomplish the same goals for the scene without the complication/diversion. On the theory that sometimes the least complicated solution is the most effective, I'm going to try that first.
This afternoon I got one scene written on F&M and then, though I had time to try another, found the well dry. The setting for the next one up is particularly impressive, so I did some online research to try to trigger my imagination. GLS suggested an alternative that may accomplish the same goals for the scene without the complication/diversion. On the theory that sometimes the least complicated solution is the most effective, I'm going to try that first.
Postal Purgatory
Did I say I had three scenes to go on this draft of F&M yesterday? Funny, I wrote a four-page scene today, and when I was done, I still had three to go. Hm. How did that happen?
Today I also had a Stephen-King-esque post office experience. It was the line that would not end, peopled by people with whom I did not want to spend eternity. One postal worker, four empty registers at the main desk. There was a cranky factor.
Forty-five minutes later, I climbed into the Olds, turned on the ignition, and looked behind me just in time to see two cars behind me crash into one another. Needless to say, my quick trip to the P.O. took longer than anticipated.
On the upside FH and BY came by tonight with lovely flowers and red wine to chat writing, reading, and life for a while.
Today I also had a Stephen-King-esque post office experience. It was the line that would not end, peopled by people with whom I did not want to spend eternity. One postal worker, four empty registers at the main desk. There was a cranky factor.
Forty-five minutes later, I climbed into the Olds, turned on the ignition, and looked behind me just in time to see two cars behind me crash into one another. Needless to say, my quick trip to the P.O. took longer than anticipated.
On the upside FH and BY came by tonight with lovely flowers and red wine to chat writing, reading, and life for a while.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Three To Go
GLS and I took a break last night, and I tried a cup of the shrimp gumbo at the Shoal Creek Saloon on North Lamar. It's a tad pricey at $5.25, but the shrimp are huge, fresh, and worth it.
I spent this morning formatting a couple of incoming author interviews on Cynsations and then keying in the last of of the changes from the read-through. This afternoon I wrote one of the four last scenes--three to go!
Dinner tonight at P.F. Chang's, largely because DHA stuck it in my head at her signing this past weekend. Kung Pao shrimp with peanuts on brown rice.
I spent this morning formatting a couple of incoming author interviews on Cynsations and then keying in the last of of the changes from the read-through. This afternoon I wrote one of the four last scenes--three to go!
Dinner tonight at P.F. Chang's, largely because DHA stuck it in my head at her signing this past weekend. Kung Pao shrimp with peanuts on brown rice.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Spike Versus Dracula
I've finished reading through F&M, and I believe that I have four scenes (that I know of) to write. I still need to key in my notes from this time through, but I'm going to try to have the new stuff written before I receive VC packets on Friday.
By the way, I was reading over at AL's blog that her 18-year-old son thinks she's vain for hosting a website about herself. She takes it in stride, but I suggest Spookcyn readers surf over to offer some TLC (especially any of you who've ever been criticized by a teenager, whether you were one yourself at the time or not).
Also, am I the only one who thinks clocks that automatically switch to Daylight Savings Time are creepy?
Comic O the Week: a hard-fought battle. Runners-up were Batman: Legends of the Dark Knift #202 and Ultimate Spider-Man #92 (could anyone with a magnifying glass please tell me what Kitty says to Peter when they are reunited to prove she's her?); but the winner is: Spike Versus Dracula #2!
Comic Observation O the Week: any superhero whose code name ends with "lad" has a short future.
By the way, I was reading over at AL's blog that her 18-year-old son thinks she's vain for hosting a website about herself. She takes it in stride, but I suggest Spookcyn readers surf over to offer some TLC (especially any of you who've ever been criticized by a teenager, whether you were one yourself at the time or not).
Also, am I the only one who thinks clocks that automatically switch to Daylight Savings Time are creepy?
Comic O the Week: a hard-fought battle. Runners-up were Batman: Legends of the Dark Knift #202 and Ultimate Spider-Man #92 (could anyone with a magnifying glass please tell me what Kitty says to Peter when they are reunited to prove she's her?); but the winner is: Spike Versus Dracula #2!
Comic Observation O the Week: any superhero whose code name ends with "lad" has a short future.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
I See Imaginary People
GLS and I were crusing home from Dragon's Lair tonight after an afternoon of novel writing. I'm reading over my WIP up to this point, fact-checking and preparing to address the skipped scenes.
Anyway, we're passing the Johnson Creek Greenbelt and my mind's eye produces my first clear image of my co-protagonists. I could "see" them standing side by side in the darkness. They're that real to me now. Finally. Hooray! And whew.
Today's scribbles in the Chicago journal from ERC include a note about T's wardrobe and the weather as he and D leave her place.
Anyway, we're passing the Johnson Creek Greenbelt and my mind's eye produces my first clear image of my co-protagonists. I could "see" them standing side by side in the darkness. They're that real to me now. Finally. Hooray! And whew.
Today's scribbles in the Chicago journal from ERC include a note about T's wardrobe and the weather as he and D leave her place.
Friday, March 31, 2006
I Love the Nightlife
It's Friday night, and I've just keyed the last of my world guide, research, and character notes into my F&M mss. I'm in the bedroom suite on the denim futon with Bashi, the smaller of my two gray tabbies. He's resting on a Pendelton blanket, avidly watching Blizzard, my puffy white cat, enthusiastically chase a medium-sized blue sparkle ball. My tea glass is empty, even the ice has melted, and though I can't see him, I know GLS is writing a new scene in the library. He has classical music playing (Mozart), which is generally a good sign. I'm off to print. Fact-checking and new scenes to follow!
I have no idea what other people do for fun.
I have no idea what other people do for fun.
Haven Gallery
Last night GLS and I split a chicken, garlic, tomato pizza on whole wheat at Mangia on Lake Austin Boulevard. That was good. It also was the third night this week that we went out instead of staying home and writing. That was not so good. My bad, as the kids say (do they still say that?), as I'm a full-time writer and after a nice afternoon of productivity, I'm more likely to urge us to go play. That's not helpful to GLS though who has a day job. Not that he's complaining, but I resolve to be a better co-author-wife in the future.
Today I played hooky a bit myself, grabbing a hybiscus tea at Magnolia Cafe with AB and then doing a bit O shopping on Sixth Street. We stopped by Positive Images (1118 West Sixth) and Haven Gallery & Fine Gifts (1122 W. Sixth), which recently replaced the Pecan Street Emporium. I urge Austinites to visit Haven Galley and welcome the new business. The remodel is almost as gorgeous as the art--almost! Lots of price points. Definitely a must-see destination!
I'm off to workout and then it's back to F&M!
Today I played hooky a bit myself, grabbing a hybiscus tea at Magnolia Cafe with AB and then doing a bit O shopping on Sixth Street. We stopped by Positive Images (1118 West Sixth) and Haven Gallery & Fine Gifts (1122 W. Sixth), which recently replaced the Pecan Street Emporium. I urge Austinites to visit Haven Galley and welcome the new business. The remodel is almost as gorgeous as the art--almost! Lots of price points. Definitely a must-see destination!
I'm off to workout and then it's back to F&M!
Thursday, March 30, 2006
The World Stage
I've now successfully at least scribbled in notes from my world-building document into F&M, though of course I'll keep the former handy for reference.
Though there are essentially three main settings for the story, it also takes place quite literally around the globe, which is a wonderful opportunity and also heightens the research/fact-checking burden. The first thing I'm going to do after I key in tonight is to read through and highlight anything I might want to double check and do so before continuing with new scenes. I'm positive I'll also do it again down the road, but there's nothing more disconcerting to the obsessive than having a place name with 16 letters that I can't pronounce, let alone be sure I've spelled correctly.
What was interesting to me about this part of the process--integrating the research and character/fantasy element brainstorms--was that there was clearly a place in the manuscript for each piece of new information. I wouldn't guess that would be true. It seems more likely that I'd end up with a lot of extraneous stuff. Maybe upon revision some will be cut back out, or maybe the subconscious is more savvy than I give it credit.
Also, falling under the category of karma, my apologies to the boisterous phone solicitor who wanted my support in response to the horror of "dark themes" in children's/teen programming and literature. I was perhaps a tad cranky at having my work interrupted by your request for support. That said, you might want to trim gothic fantasy authors from your call list.
Though there are essentially three main settings for the story, it also takes place quite literally around the globe, which is a wonderful opportunity and also heightens the research/fact-checking burden. The first thing I'm going to do after I key in tonight is to read through and highlight anything I might want to double check and do so before continuing with new scenes. I'm positive I'll also do it again down the road, but there's nothing more disconcerting to the obsessive than having a place name with 16 letters that I can't pronounce, let alone be sure I've spelled correctly.
What was interesting to me about this part of the process--integrating the research and character/fantasy element brainstorms--was that there was clearly a place in the manuscript for each piece of new information. I wouldn't guess that would be true. It seems more likely that I'd end up with a lot of extraneous stuff. Maybe upon revision some will be cut back out, or maybe the subconscious is more savvy than I give it credit.
Also, falling under the category of karma, my apologies to the boisterous phone solicitor who wanted my support in response to the horror of "dark themes" in children's/teen programming and literature. I was perhaps a tad cranky at having my work interrupted by your request for support. That said, you might want to trim gothic fantasy authors from your call list.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Beautiful Lady of the Lighthouse
I quite enjoyed the remake of "Yours, Mine, and Ours," but of course I love sappy movies. The "beautiful lady of the lighthouse" story though was a bit over the top, though. Yowza.
Too much of today was spent working on the website. A lot of the old-time content is from back before I had a consistent style, and not long ago, a grad student complained that not all of the early interviews were fully annotated. I spent about four hours on clean-up duty today.
In book news, my CP editor faxed me the "before" TOC pages for Tantalize (Candlewick, 2007), and my, are they long! Is it front matter or a novel unto itself? I look forward to the "after" version, due ASAP. My agent's assistant also emailed about a secondary rights request for Indian Shoes (HarperCollins, 2002), and I still need to take a closer look at that. Intrinsically, though, I love the whole concept of secondary rights.
DT (illustrator interview) also stopped by to pick up a stack of my books on writing and illustrating graphic novels/comic books. I hope they're of use to him.
Too much of today was spent working on the website. A lot of the old-time content is from back before I had a consistent style, and not long ago, a grad student complained that not all of the early interviews were fully annotated. I spent about four hours on clean-up duty today.
In book news, my CP editor faxed me the "before" TOC pages for Tantalize (Candlewick, 2007), and my, are they long! Is it front matter or a novel unto itself? I look forward to the "after" version, due ASAP. My agent's assistant also emailed about a secondary rights request for Indian Shoes (HarperCollins, 2002), and I still need to take a closer look at that. Intrinsically, though, I love the whole concept of secondary rights.
DT (illustrator interview) also stopped by to pick up a stack of my books on writing and illustrating graphic novels/comic books. I hope they're of use to him.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Delicious Day
What a delicious day! I had the honor of lunching with the fabulous ERC, her very cute husband, and their son along with DHA and GLS at Green Pastures in South Austin, complete with peacock sightings. I'm not sure about everyone's lunch, but I had the grilled pesto chicken with avocado on yellow rice and ERC had a chicken salad with Macadamia nuts, cranberries, and manchego cheese, followed by creme brule for desert. GLS had what he said was the best steak he'd eaten in a restaurant in some time. ERC also gifted me with two small Chicago-themed journals just perfect for working on F&M.
I came home to an e-note from my CP editor, informing me that the Table O Contents Table was too long to fit on two spreads without it looking cramped. They didn't want to stretch to three because it's just too much to page through before the story starts. I replied that: "I'm firmly against anything that is insanely tight and off-putting. It reminds me of a dress I can't/shouldn't quite fit into--most ill advised. " In any case, it dawned on me that the reason the dates were there in the first place had been more for my own temporal reference than a carefully thought-out design element. I won't miss them, and I agree that it's best to play up the menu headers more as these go more to the flavor of the novel, so to speak.
VJ stopped by this afternoon to chat, and it was a pleasure to see him. Then ERC and her family also stopped by, also to chat (and for directions to Musashino, Hoover's, and the East Side Cafe). GLS and I grabbed dinner afterward at Hyde Park. I had a turkey burger with Gouda and mushrooms and the most fantastic Mexican bean soup.
I'm off to watch the remake of "Yours, Mine, and Ours." I loved the original, so I'm curious.
I came home to an e-note from my CP editor, informing me that the Table O Contents Table was too long to fit on two spreads without it looking cramped. They didn't want to stretch to three because it's just too much to page through before the story starts. I replied that: "I'm firmly against anything that is insanely tight and off-putting. It reminds me of a dress I can't/shouldn't quite fit into--most ill advised. " In any case, it dawned on me that the reason the dates were there in the first place had been more for my own temporal reference than a carefully thought-out design element. I won't miss them, and I agree that it's best to play up the menu headers more as these go more to the flavor of the novel, so to speak.
VJ stopped by this afternoon to chat, and it was a pleasure to see him. Then ERC and her family also stopped by, also to chat (and for directions to Musashino, Hoover's, and the East Side Cafe). GLS and I grabbed dinner afterward at Hyde Park. I had a turkey burger with Gouda and mushrooms and the most fantastic Mexican bean soup.
I'm off to watch the remake of "Yours, Mine, and Ours." I loved the original, so I'm curious.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Twilight
It's dark and dreary today, perfect for getting things done. I finished integrating character brainstorm notes into my mss, and it was so covered with scribbles that I decided to go ahead and key them in before moving onto mythology. This way, I can at least see what I'm doing.
Spooky News & Links
Don't miss today's Cynsations interview with Stephenie Meyer, author of Twilight (Little Brown, 2005).
Cheers to JK and VJ!
Spooky News & Links
Don't miss today's Cynsations interview with Stephenie Meyer, author of Twilight (Little Brown, 2005).
Cheers to JK and VJ!
Sunday, March 26, 2006
More Kaley To Come
The weekend's guest star was DCR, who was in town from Wichita giving a workshop for SCBWI Austin. We picked her up Sunday morning at the Hotel San Jose, swept by the wine department at Whole Foods, and then brought her home to our dining room.
GLS served pink gazpacho with shrimp and deviled crab with cucumber sandwiches on whole wheat. She shared the good news that Darby Creek is publishing three more Kaley books, and we got a sneak peek at the cover art.
AB will be joining us for dinner.
Last night we watched "My Fair Lady" for the umpteenth time because GLS was looking for inspiration on the ball scene in his WIP.
GLS served pink gazpacho with shrimp and deviled crab with cucumber sandwiches on whole wheat. She shared the good news that Darby Creek is publishing three more Kaley books, and we got a sneak peek at the cover art.
AB will be joining us for dinner.
Last night we watched "My Fair Lady" for the umpteenth time because GLS was looking for inspiration on the ball scene in his WIP.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
The Whole Brain
Today I made an effort to begin integrating my world-building into F&M. I'd written the rough draft first, then let it cool while I did research and side-writing work on character, setting, and fantasy elements.
I'd thought about drafting the handful of scenes I'd skipped ("not working, don't force it; keep going") in the manuscript first, but I had so many notes on them from having done the side work that it made more sense to start there.
I did have an initial rush of overwhelmed-ness at the enormity of the task, the puzzle-work. I decided to begin by trying to figure out where and how the co-protagonists' traits and back-stories fit into the larger whole, help advance the story, and/or should be ignored as irrelevant.
Basically, I have two sets of writing on this same manuscript--one that is rooted in story as it flowed from my fingertips (more subconscious) and the other as I brainstormed, read, and took notes (more conscious). Integrating them is sort of like doing brain surgery on myself.
But I just poured myself a glass of iced tea, curled up on the futon in the upstairs sitting room, opened both documents, and began with the first reference first and so on.
Spooky News & Links
Technovelgy: "where science meets fiction.""Explore the wide variety of inventions and ideas of science fiction writers--over 975 are available on Technovelgy (that's tek-novel-gee!). Use the Timeline of Science Fiction Invention or the alphabetic Glossary of Science Fiction Technology to see them all, look for the category that interests you, browse by favorite author/book or check Science Fiction in the News and watch sf come to life."
Cheers to BH!
I'd thought about drafting the handful of scenes I'd skipped ("not working, don't force it; keep going") in the manuscript first, but I had so many notes on them from having done the side work that it made more sense to start there.
I did have an initial rush of overwhelmed-ness at the enormity of the task, the puzzle-work. I decided to begin by trying to figure out where and how the co-protagonists' traits and back-stories fit into the larger whole, help advance the story, and/or should be ignored as irrelevant.
Basically, I have two sets of writing on this same manuscript--one that is rooted in story as it flowed from my fingertips (more subconscious) and the other as I brainstormed, read, and took notes (more conscious). Integrating them is sort of like doing brain surgery on myself.
But I just poured myself a glass of iced tea, curled up on the futon in the upstairs sitting room, opened both documents, and began with the first reference first and so on.
Spooky News & Links
Technovelgy: "where science meets fiction.""Explore the wide variety of inventions and ideas of science fiction writers--over 975 are available on Technovelgy (that's tek-novel-gee!). Use the Timeline of Science Fiction Invention or the alphabetic Glossary of Science Fiction Technology to see them all, look for the category that interests you, browse by favorite author/book or check Science Fiction in the News and watch sf come to life."
Cheers to BH!
Friday, March 24, 2006
Foundation
I love spring, love cocooning with my WIP.
I just read the second first draft of F&M, after cooling time to work on world building and to grade VC packets, and I've now keyed in the initial changes--many tweaked for consistency.
This past sweep, I fiddled excessively with names, ethnicities, and hometowns. Likewise, I decided one character conflict just wasn't necessary--snip! And of course once snipped, the thread must be pulled out of the whole.
The good news is that it isn't totally wretched. Don't get me wrong. It is partially wretched--quite a lot actually--but I can see the potential in it.
I have a foundation.
Cheers to UK!
I just read the second first draft of F&M, after cooling time to work on world building and to grade VC packets, and I've now keyed in the initial changes--many tweaked for consistency.
This past sweep, I fiddled excessively with names, ethnicities, and hometowns. Likewise, I decided one character conflict just wasn't necessary--snip! And of course once snipped, the thread must be pulled out of the whole.
The good news is that it isn't totally wretched. Don't get me wrong. It is partially wretched--quite a lot actually--but I can see the potential in it.
I have a foundation.
Cheers to UK!
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Writer's Workout
I've amped up my workouts by another 15 mintes this week. I have a treadmill that folds up against the wall in my dressing room, and I click around my iPod to listen to mostly 80s music as I go. One thing about having the beast of the machine in the house is that, unlike the gym, I can't pretend it doesn't exist or that I can't fit it into my schedule. Mostly, though, I'm just relieved that it hasn't turned into a clothes hanger.
Much of what I do--reading and writing--is fairly sedentary, and a couple of years ago my blood sugar was showing it. I was borderline diabetic, which basically scared me straight. I've revamped my diet to become more nutritious, too (Spookycyn readers have no doubt noticed my adoration for cuisine, sensualist that I am), but I find that regular, intense walking has been the greatest thing I've ever done for my health, including my stress level.
Maybe it's the mind/body connection, but I feel as though I'm writing better, too. In any case, I have to bring a Post-It notepad and pen with me, so I can scribble ideas as they arise. All the blood rushing around seems to inspire my thought process. Or perhaps it's the sweat, thinking in water, as I always seem to get a lot of ideas in the bath/shower, too.
Yesterday I had a long chat with AS in the morning, and speaking of food, that evening GLS and I stopped by Magnolia Cafe on Lake Austin Blvd. for dinner (scrambled eggs and mushroom soup), followed by tuna sashimi at the Four Seasons Lobby Lounge on Town Lake.
Today, I had lunch (Kung Pao shrimp with brown rice) with new voice HH, who's a VC MFA grad. Ausinites, be sure to give her a warm greeting if you spot her at a local SCBWI event!
Much of what I do--reading and writing--is fairly sedentary, and a couple of years ago my blood sugar was showing it. I was borderline diabetic, which basically scared me straight. I've revamped my diet to become more nutritious, too (Spookycyn readers have no doubt noticed my adoration for cuisine, sensualist that I am), but I find that regular, intense walking has been the greatest thing I've ever done for my health, including my stress level.
Maybe it's the mind/body connection, but I feel as though I'm writing better, too. In any case, I have to bring a Post-It notepad and pen with me, so I can scribble ideas as they arise. All the blood rushing around seems to inspire my thought process. Or perhaps it's the sweat, thinking in water, as I always seem to get a lot of ideas in the bath/shower, too.
Yesterday I had a long chat with AS in the morning, and speaking of food, that evening GLS and I stopped by Magnolia Cafe on Lake Austin Blvd. for dinner (scrambled eggs and mushroom soup), followed by tuna sashimi at the Four Seasons Lobby Lounge on Town Lake.
Today, I had lunch (Kung Pao shrimp with brown rice) with new voice HH, who's a VC MFA grad. Ausinites, be sure to give her a warm greeting if you spot her at a local SCBWI event!
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
More Flap
My original quote for the back flap bio on T was stupid, according to GLS. He of course didn't say "stupid." He said something like "do you really need anything here?" and "can't you just use something from the author's note?" But I can translate.
Fear not! By the end of dinner, I had something much better. More conversational, less contrived, less trying, if you know what I mean.
This afternoon I sent it to my CP editor with some trepidation as I'd also fiddled with the first-pass front flap copy. What she'd had was wonderful; I just didn't want to give away quite that much of the story, especially since it's supposed to be suspenseful. So, I massaged a wee bit. This made me a little nervous, but the reply I got was quite enthusiastic, using words like "LOVE" in all caps and "off to copyediting." Hooray!
Fear not! By the end of dinner, I had something much better. More conversational, less contrived, less trying, if you know what I mean.
This afternoon I sent it to my CP editor with some trepidation as I'd also fiddled with the first-pass front flap copy. What she'd had was wonderful; I just didn't want to give away quite that much of the story, especially since it's supposed to be suspenseful. So, I massaged a wee bit. This made me a little nervous, but the reply I got was quite enthusiastic, using words like "LOVE" in all caps and "off to copyediting." Hooray!
Monday, March 20, 2006
Flap Quote
My CP editor wrote today with her first pass at the flap copy, a request to give my bio a once-over, and to invite me to offer a quote about T.
Okay. I can talk about T for hours, but in just a few lines--not catalog copy kind of lines? Something else. Theoretically, thoughtful-but-kicky genius author lines?
I have something. Does it sound stupid? Maybe it sounds stupid. I'll ask GLS tonight at dinner if it's stupid.
Let me break this down: Am I supposed to be speaking to prospective reviewers, target readers (14-up), the nice people who'll want to burn me at the stake for writing it? Forget the latter; everbody knows they don't actually read. The business person in me says that I should spin for the grown-ups, highlighting the deeper thematic undertones, but my inner adolescent says to forget all that, trust YAs to figure it out, and just roar.
Spooky News & Links
Congrats to DHA on all the starry attention for An Egg is Quiet (Chronicle, 2006).
Good luck to AB on her upcoming talk!
Okay. I can talk about T for hours, but in just a few lines--not catalog copy kind of lines? Something else. Theoretically, thoughtful-but-kicky genius author lines?
I have something. Does it sound stupid? Maybe it sounds stupid. I'll ask GLS tonight at dinner if it's stupid.
Let me break this down: Am I supposed to be speaking to prospective reviewers, target readers (14-up), the nice people who'll want to burn me at the stake for writing it? Forget the latter; everbody knows they don't actually read. The business person in me says that I should spin for the grown-ups, highlighting the deeper thematic undertones, but my inner adolescent says to forget all that, trust YAs to figure it out, and just roar.
Spooky News & Links
Congrats to DHA on all the starry attention for An Egg is Quiet (Chronicle, 2006).
Good luck to AB on her upcoming talk!
Saturday, March 18, 2006
St. Pat's Weekend
I am partly Irish (thank you, great-grandpa Ernest), but I'm afraid my celebratory efforts were arguably lacking yesterday, especially compared to the festive DMF in Shanghai.
The hands-down highlight of the day though was watching a pro fireworks display from the sunroom window. It was in celebration of 20 years of SXSW in conjunction with the free Friday concert at Town Lake Stage at Auditorium Shores.
Today I'm back to work on F&M. GLS made a convincing argument that Tantalize (Candlewick, 2007) readers might assume F&M, if also set in Austin, was set in the same fantasy world, which is not the case.
It's difficult, though, because I'm a visual writer, and if I can't "see" the scene unfold, it's that much harder for me to craft it. So I'm trying to move the next draft to Chicago because it's a major city that I love, and I have lived there in the past.
(This isn't the kind of story that would take place in a small town or even someplace like Kansas City or Okie City).
He mentioned a northern suburb that I'll research, and I'll try both a neighborhood scene as well as one on the lake front, along Streeterville. Most of the rest of the story would take place in fantasy locales anyway.
I also had a chance to go through my comments from last week's crit group. At this very early stage, they've been around long enough to know the most important thing is offer the encouragement to keep me writing and I've been around long enough to go with it.
Various comments: Love the modern twist. So today, so traditional. Wow, that's neat. Maybe the animals should go silent in the woods next time. Modern architecture is disappointing. Dublin, Ireland or Dublin, Ohio? Cut the rest of the family from the cemetery. Baseball card collection, not baseball collection. Not a lot of humorous books like this. Page turning. Readers will know he's a smart ass so they'll want to see how he gets out of this uncomfortable situation. Spell out bloodlines. Stakes are high. So real. Do parents think he can do it? Depressing but good. Fun for reader. Fresh.
Spooky News & Links
Congratulations to VJ, whose debut novel Red Polka Dot in a World Full of Plaid (Genesis Press/Black Coral, 2005)(excerpt) is listed as #6 on the Essence Best Seller List for Paperback Fiction.
LJS offers an excerpt from Shamrocked (2005).
Sending cheers to LR (author interview)! Happy belated b-day to LB (author interview)!
The hands-down highlight of the day though was watching a pro fireworks display from the sunroom window. It was in celebration of 20 years of SXSW in conjunction with the free Friday concert at Town Lake Stage at Auditorium Shores.
Today I'm back to work on F&M. GLS made a convincing argument that Tantalize (Candlewick, 2007) readers might assume F&M, if also set in Austin, was set in the same fantasy world, which is not the case.
It's difficult, though, because I'm a visual writer, and if I can't "see" the scene unfold, it's that much harder for me to craft it. So I'm trying to move the next draft to Chicago because it's a major city that I love, and I have lived there in the past.
(This isn't the kind of story that would take place in a small town or even someplace like Kansas City or Okie City).
He mentioned a northern suburb that I'll research, and I'll try both a neighborhood scene as well as one on the lake front, along Streeterville. Most of the rest of the story would take place in fantasy locales anyway.
I also had a chance to go through my comments from last week's crit group. At this very early stage, they've been around long enough to know the most important thing is offer the encouragement to keep me writing and I've been around long enough to go with it.
Various comments: Love the modern twist. So today, so traditional. Wow, that's neat. Maybe the animals should go silent in the woods next time. Modern architecture is disappointing. Dublin, Ireland or Dublin, Ohio? Cut the rest of the family from the cemetery. Baseball card collection, not baseball collection. Not a lot of humorous books like this. Page turning. Readers will know he's a smart ass so they'll want to see how he gets out of this uncomfortable situation. Spell out bloodlines. Stakes are high. So real. Do parents think he can do it? Depressing but good. Fun for reader. Fresh.
Spooky News & Links
Congratulations to VJ, whose debut novel Red Polka Dot in a World Full of Plaid (Genesis Press/Black Coral, 2005)(excerpt) is listed as #6 on the Essence Best Seller List for Paperback Fiction.
LJS offers an excerpt from Shamrocked (2005).
Sending cheers to LR (author interview)! Happy belated b-day to LB (author interview)!
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Tantalize Preliminary Page Samples
"If you like us, tell your friends.
"If not, tell your enemies."
--written in chalk on a sign at Amy's Ice Creams
at Sixth and Lamar in Austin, Texas
(that's what I call win-win marketing)
"If not, tell your enemies."
--written in chalk on a sign at Amy's Ice Creams
at Sixth and Lamar in Austin, Texas
(that's what I call win-win marketing)
The big news this week is the arrival of some preliminary page samples of Tantalize (Candlewick Press, March 2007), so I can get an idea of how the various interior design elements will look. I'm entirely wowed but still soaking them in. First, there's nothing like professional typesetting to make a manuscript start to feel like a book, which in itself--at least for the author--is thrilling. But this manuscript had a number of opportunities for design, and clearly, CP is taking everything to the highest level, really investing in a vivid reader experience. The only thing missing was the Table of Contents, which apparently will come after they get the page count nailed down. Design and production quality are two of the aspects of the house that have always impressed me, so I can't say I'm surprised. Yet I so much appreciate that they really "get" the story, its world, and have the artistic ability-commitment to reinforce that perfectly.
GLS and I have a pact to celebrate any and all tangible progress on the writing front, so we celebrated this great landmark Tuesday night by splitting a Mediterranian platter at Jeffrey's.
Crit group was last night at AB's (author interview) house, and she served chicken chili with Fritos and berries or peach pie a' la mode for desert. As usual, it was a fun and thoughtful meeting. We're a lively bunch--three men, two women; three of us with law backgrounds, two with teaching. Everyone gets along, has a good sense of humor, and really applies themselves both to listening and offering feedback. It's an excellent dynamic.
Today I had lunch with CB, who had some questions on the soon-to-be published front, at Suzi's China Grill-Shoal Creek. That reminds me, if you're not already reading his blog, I highly recommend it. I also had a Lesley sighting while driving down South 1rst, near the School for the Deaf. He was sporting a hot pink halter top, thong, cowboy hat and boots. Quite fetching.
Beyond that I have finished grading my second round of VC packets, and so now it's back to F&M. I'm finally going to spend a few days on that character work I kept talking about and then start revising the second first draft. Yikes.
Spooky News & Links
Thanks to EH (author interview) for the hand-y bookmark and mini journal as well as to AS (author interview) and NR for their e-cards! Cheers to SC (author interview)!
Monday, March 13, 2006
Magical Moments
Am in deep VC packet-grading mode; one to go. Took breaks today only to walk on the treadmill for 45 minutes to the soundtrack from "Rocky II" (go ahead, mock me) and have sake sashimi, an avocado bomb, and edamame at Suzi's North.
Cheers to the curvy lady with the long blond hair and low-cut, bright red red dress, smoking a cigarette and sitting at the cocktail table outside Cippolina on West Lynn yesterday evening. The effect was magnificiently Marilyn.
While I'm talking West Lynn, cheers, too, to the owner of the pink sedan with various pigs glued to the exterior, parked outside Anthony's Laundry & Dry Cleaners at the same time. Thanks for keeping Austin weird!
I also was charmed by the four-or-five-year-old fairy princess in the crown, glitter wings, and long gown on Duval late this afternoon.
And more personally, thanks to GLS for fixing the faucets in both upstairs bathrooms as well as the baseboard of the kitchen cabinets. Ah, the finer things in life!
Cheers to the curvy lady with the long blond hair and low-cut, bright red red dress, smoking a cigarette and sitting at the cocktail table outside Cippolina on West Lynn yesterday evening. The effect was magnificiently Marilyn.
While I'm talking West Lynn, cheers, too, to the owner of the pink sedan with various pigs glued to the exterior, parked outside Anthony's Laundry & Dry Cleaners at the same time. Thanks for keeping Austin weird!
I also was charmed by the four-or-five-year-old fairy princess in the crown, glitter wings, and long gown on Duval late this afternoon.
And more personally, thanks to GLS for fixing the faucets in both upstairs bathrooms as well as the baseboard of the kitchen cabinets. Ah, the finer things in life!
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Green Pastures
KA, GLS and I spoke at a successful panel on YA Writing and Literature at AWP. I offered an overview of the field, touched on its history, and then focused on trends, especially in the context of multiculturalism. GLS talked about humor--how to write it in books with substance, and KA offered a "sermon" on who YA readers are today.
Our moderator was the lovely LV, who introduced the topic by showing cover art from Nancy Drew books through the ages.
Afterward, LV's husband joined our group for a long, leisurely lunch at Green Pastures. Spotted: one white peacock. I had the gaspacho with shrimp (and coveted KA's cesar salad with tempura lobster--she was kind enough to share).
Last night, GLS and I watched the syndicated episode of "Star Trek: DS9" where Worf and Jadzia are married in traditonal Klingon style. My husband, who is a trekker (which is what they prefer to be called) informed me that some real-life people really do get married this way, and I didn't entirely believe him until I tried Google and found photos. Since I saw "Star Wars: ANH" more than 350 times (paid admission--granted, many of these for only $1) in the theater as a kid, I personally find the whole thing romantic.
Spooky News & Links
Beyond Nancy Drew: Girls' Literature in the Sallie Bingham Center For Women's History and Culture at Duke University. Bibliography compiled and written by Rabia Geha and Kelly Wooten and edited by Amy Leigh.
Thanks to KR for her suggested agent-related writer links!
Our moderator was the lovely LV, who introduced the topic by showing cover art from Nancy Drew books through the ages.
Afterward, LV's husband joined our group for a long, leisurely lunch at Green Pastures. Spotted: one white peacock. I had the gaspacho with shrimp (and coveted KA's cesar salad with tempura lobster--she was kind enough to share).
Last night, GLS and I watched the syndicated episode of "Star Trek: DS9" where Worf and Jadzia are married in traditonal Klingon style. My husband, who is a trekker (which is what they prefer to be called) informed me that some real-life people really do get married this way, and I didn't entirely believe him until I tried Google and found photos. Since I saw "Star Wars: ANH" more than 350 times (paid admission--granted, many of these for only $1) in the theater as a kid, I personally find the whole thing romantic.
Spooky News & Links
Beyond Nancy Drew: Girls' Literature in the Sallie Bingham Center For Women's History and Culture at Duke University. Bibliography compiled and written by Rabia Geha and Kelly Wooten and edited by Amy Leigh.
Thanks to KR for her suggested agent-related writer links!
Friday, March 10, 2006
Too Early To Howl
Thursday night night GLS and I swung over to Hyde Park Bar & Grill for dinner (lentil soup and turkey burger) and then cruised across town for one drink at the Four Seasons.
On the way, I spotted a redheaded, bearded werewolf-looking fellow at sunset walking along the sidewalk, approaching the corner of 38th and Duval.
Yesterday was a quiet but productive one. I got quite a bit of correspondence and website management done, then read my first VC packet.
Looking forward to this morning's presentation at AWP!
Sending cheers to TLS!
On the way, I spotted a redheaded, bearded werewolf-looking fellow at sunset walking along the sidewalk, approaching the corner of 38th and Duval.
Yesterday was a quiet but productive one. I got quite a bit of correspondence and website management done, then read my first VC packet.
Looking forward to this morning's presentation at AWP!
Sending cheers to TLS!
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Juggling Hats
I timed myself at 13 minutes, not including the very short readings, for my AWP speech, so I'm feeling pretty comfortable with that. (We're supposed to keep it under 20 but preferably about 15). I also decided to mention the Norton Anthology of Children's Literature for those seeking more information. KA graciously offered to put together the visuals and bibliography, so we should be all set. GLS and I have a date to practice tonight. I need to remember to make 10 copies.
I was going to wait until after grading packets to start in on character work, but I'm just going to go ahead. I can grade in the days and work on the novel at night. I pulled four character craft books to glance through first, just hoping they'll gear my brain in that direction. These were the ones I found on the shelf: Creating Character Emotions by Ann Hood (Story Press, 1998); Creating Characters Kids Will Love by Elaine Marie Alphin (Writer's Digest, 2000); Dynamic Characters by Nancy Kress (Writer's Digest, 1998); The Writer's Guide to Character Traits by Linda N. Edelstein (Writer's Digest, 1999). LOL! You'd never guess I quit my day job in 1998, eh?
Sending cheers to PM!
I was going to wait until after grading packets to start in on character work, but I'm just going to go ahead. I can grade in the days and work on the novel at night. I pulled four character craft books to glance through first, just hoping they'll gear my brain in that direction. These were the ones I found on the shelf: Creating Character Emotions by Ann Hood (Story Press, 1998); Creating Characters Kids Will Love by Elaine Marie Alphin (Writer's Digest, 2000); Dynamic Characters by Nancy Kress (Writer's Digest, 1998); The Writer's Guide to Character Traits by Linda N. Edelstein (Writer's Digest, 1999). LOL! You'd never guess I quit my day job in 1998, eh?
Sending cheers to PM!
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Riding the Waves
Hurrah to the driver of the compact turquoise car covered with 3-D sea creatures headed south on Lamar at 5 p.m. yesterday! Thanks for keeping Austin weird!
GLS made a particularly yummy dinner last night--a tomatillo-based gaspacho with shirmp. We also served sliced Fuji apples with low-fat Vermont cheddar and sliced smoked salmon. AB was our guest, and it was lovely to see her.
After I work out, I still need to key in various points of information from my mss to my world guide. Then I'll switch to AWP prep. I'm making a decision to skew from more of a focus on the history of YA to what it is today and just refer the audience to additional reading. That's more my area of expertise anyway, though I'll give the history a contextual nod to start off. I'm also planning to briefly read from my first novel, Rain Is Not My Indian Name (HarperCollins, 2001)(10-up), Moccasin Thunder: American Indian Stories for Today edited by Lori M. Carlson (HarperCollins, 2005)(12-up)(editor interview), and My Road Trip to the Pretty Girl Capital of the World by Brian Yansky (Cricket, 2003)(14-up) as examples of YAs at the different age subcategories.
Sending cheers to DHA!
GLS made a particularly yummy dinner last night--a tomatillo-based gaspacho with shirmp. We also served sliced Fuji apples with low-fat Vermont cheddar and sliced smoked salmon. AB was our guest, and it was lovely to see her.
After I work out, I still need to key in various points of information from my mss to my world guide. Then I'll switch to AWP prep. I'm making a decision to skew from more of a focus on the history of YA to what it is today and just refer the audience to additional reading. That's more my area of expertise anyway, though I'll give the history a contextual nod to start off. I'm also planning to briefly read from my first novel, Rain Is Not My Indian Name (HarperCollins, 2001)(10-up), Moccasin Thunder: American Indian Stories for Today edited by Lori M. Carlson (HarperCollins, 2005)(12-up)(editor interview), and My Road Trip to the Pretty Girl Capital of the World by Brian Yansky (Cricket, 2003)(14-up) as examples of YAs at the different age subcategories.
Sending cheers to DHA!
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
World Building Is A Big Job
No matter how much I'm aching to get to it, I'm going to have to push back character-specific work until after I grade VC packets and speak at AWP this weekend. Today, I need to read through my mss and plug all indicated character, mythology, and setting information into my world guide. Tomorrow, I'm going to re-read MC's book for my AWP talk in case that lends itself to any tweaking.
Looking forward to seeing AB (author interview) at dinner tonight!
Thanks to TB (author interview) for the lovely card!
Looking forward to seeing AB (author interview) at dinner tonight!
Thanks to TB (author interview) for the lovely card!
Monday, March 06, 2006
Tantalize Publication Date Moved Up to Spring 2007
Those of you who read Cynsations may recall my recent post that the publication date for Tantalize has been moved up from fall to spring of 2007.
I'm excited, nervous, a jumble of emotions, even though that's still a year away. I can't wait to get that initial glimpse at the cover art concept, which my editor suggested might be within the next month or so. CP does a top-notch job at production--one of the reasons I'm so thrilled to be working with the house.
I'm also feeling a tad more pressure on writing F&M as I'm contemplating a companion book for T, too. No matter, each mss will take the time it takes. I'm pleased with my productivity lately.
Incidentally, on my Spookycyn LJ syndication, BSM (LJ) alludes to a good point about the circumstances surrounding cats sitting on manuscripts to facilitate sales. Note that she says she'll "let" Sugar sit on her manuscript. The opportunity is there, but the decision remains the cat's. Writers are not to plop cats on manuscripts or slip manuscripts under cat beds. This is cheating the magic, which is perilous at best.
I'm excited, nervous, a jumble of emotions, even though that's still a year away. I can't wait to get that initial glimpse at the cover art concept, which my editor suggested might be within the next month or so. CP does a top-notch job at production--one of the reasons I'm so thrilled to be working with the house.
I'm also feeling a tad more pressure on writing F&M as I'm contemplating a companion book for T, too. No matter, each mss will take the time it takes. I'm pleased with my productivity lately.
Incidentally, on my Spookycyn LJ syndication, BSM (LJ) alludes to a good point about the circumstances surrounding cats sitting on manuscripts to facilitate sales. Note that she says she'll "let" Sugar sit on her manuscript. The opportunity is there, but the decision remains the cat's. Writers are not to plop cats on manuscripts or slip manuscripts under cat beds. This is cheating the magic, which is perilous at best.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Research Resumed
Decided to keep going with the research rather than trust my frazzled brain to know the subject. That said, I fairly zoomed through books on the second, more familiar mythology. This was essentially review, refreshing, compiling a checklist of sorts, and I still ended up with about six pages of scribbled notes to key into my world guide.
Of the mega stack, seven books turned out to be especially helpful, and I'm keeping them under my nightstand so that the knowledge can sink into my mind as I'm sleeping (call it "wishful thinking"). I also poked around a little online and found a site with fantastic photographs for setting reference.
Tomorrow I'll organize it all and move onto character building--protagonists first.
Of the mega stack, seven books turned out to be especially helpful, and I'm keeping them under my nightstand so that the knowledge can sink into my mind as I'm sleeping (call it "wishful thinking"). I also poked around a little online and found a site with fantastic photographs for setting reference.
Tomorrow I'll organize it all and move onto character building--protagonists first.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
If A Cat Sits On Your Manuscript, It Will Sell
"You will discover an unexpected treasure."
--most recent fortune from a cookie at Suzi's China Kitchen
Publishing legend has it that "if a cat sits on your manuscript, it will sell."--most recent fortune from a cookie at Suzi's China Kitchen
I'm not sure where I first heard this, but I prefer to believe it, especially because I have four cats and that greatly increases my odds.
[I'm not an expert on the success rate of dogs, rabbits, gerbils, etc., but as an optimist, I'd be hopeful].
I mention this because Leo Galilei, my tawny Egyptian Mau, sat on F&M this evening.
In other news, found an additional research tape from the History Channel. Will watch it tonight and start in on characters tomorrow.
By the way, spent a ridiculous amount of time/thought today debating with GLS on the gender of an animal character. He thought it should be male. I thought it should be female. Guess what? She's a girl. And for legitimate logic reasons revealed by today's research.
Moving Pictures
Today's research includes watching: an A&E Biography that, incidentally, featured one of RS's magical illustrations; an episode of "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom," narrated by LG; and a feature from The History Channel.
Video/DVDs are especially useful for, say, notetaking on noises that animals make. Also, sometimes hearing (as opposed to reading) information triggers different kinds of ideas.
I also received an out-of-print, horridly written picture book that has some color photographs that will be useful for describing one of the major settings in the mss. I'll take a look at that later.
Video/DVDs are especially useful for, say, notetaking on noises that animals make. Also, sometimes hearing (as opposed to reading) information triggers different kinds of ideas.
I also received an out-of-print, horridly written picture book that has some color photographs that will be useful for describing one of the major settings in the mss. I'll take a look at that later.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Research Fiend
One major research area is done for now. I also have a document, sort of a "world guide," that's divided into: characters; mythology; setting; and timelines. It's about 18 pages, some of which are blank, and includes a cast roster and to-do list. I had tons of related books, but two were infinitely more useful than the rest. I've got about 3,400 words of notes, just getting started. Feeling some eagerness to get through this part so I can do some character work, but all in good time (and no doubt a break for grading packets in between).
Thanks to HB for her get-well wishes; and yes, I did look quite cute in my eye patch (I'm 100% better know; the eye really does heal quickly). Thanks also to LZ for mentioning From Romance to Realism: 50 Years of Growth and Change in Young Adult Literature by Michael Cart (HarperCollins, 1996), which I agree is outstanding.
Sending out thank yous to a few folks who've been above-and-beyond supportive this past week or so: GLS (author interview), EH (author interview) at SCBWI-Houston, and KA (author interview) at Kerbey Lane Cafe.
Thanks to HB for her get-well wishes; and yes, I did look quite cute in my eye patch (I'm 100% better know; the eye really does heal quickly). Thanks also to LZ for mentioning From Romance to Realism: 50 Years of Growth and Change in Young Adult Literature by Michael Cart (HarperCollins, 1996), which I agree is outstanding.
Sending out thank yous to a few folks who've been above-and-beyond supportive this past week or so: GLS (author interview), EH (author interview) at SCBWI-Houston, and KA (author interview) at Kerbey Lane Cafe.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Logic Hound
My brain is melting, really leaking out of my ears.
Today, I'm working on the some of the logic aspects of my WIP, which among other things involves figuring out the timeline, both in the sense of centuries and the passing of one night, the sunrise and sunset times, and compiling an international backdrop to the mythology. I also researched baby first names from particular eras and surnames specific to time and place.
I've made great progress with the topic research, which has also offered much inspiration for rounding out the protagonists' backstories. One more subject to finish up (I've got two more books to check for now), one to go, and one that is mostly review.
Thanks to KWH for her kind condolences.
Today, I'm working on the some of the logic aspects of my WIP, which among other things involves figuring out the timeline, both in the sense of centuries and the passing of one night, the sunrise and sunset times, and compiling an international backdrop to the mythology. I also researched baby first names from particular eras and surnames specific to time and place.
I've made great progress with the topic research, which has also offered much inspiration for rounding out the protagonists' backstories. One more subject to finish up (I've got two more books to check for now), one to go, and one that is mostly review.
Thanks to KWH for her kind condolences.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Naming Characters
It's supposed to reach 85 degrees today. The sun is shining. My redbud and daffodils are in bloom.
I'm working steadily on the WIP while letting the actual mss cool. I took another look at the character names. I wasn't wholly satisfied with the surname of one of the alternating POV protagonists and that stopped me until I could find one. Obsessive behavior, no doubt. Along the way, I ended up changing the names of four more characters.
Considerations in naming characters:
Vary in terms of first letters;
Very in terms of numbers of syllables;
Vary in term of the sounds they make (vowels and ending letters have great impact);
Consider the meaning of the name (but not in a too-obvious way);
Consider the age of the character (don't give a "new" name to an octogenarian)
When applicable, consider names' geographic/ethnic history (whether thematic or not; hey, it's a diverse world).
Here's an example of the names from Jingle Dancer (Morrow, 2000): Jenna, Grandma Wolfe, Great-aunt Sis; Mrs. Scott, Cousin Elizabeth. Note the variety of syllables, sounds, etc.
This reduces reader and, for that matter, writer confusion as well as adds resonance. I don't go crazy with it so as not to seem forced, but I do think about it.
Two of the minor characters in my WIP have similar names, but the meanings fit each, they never appear in a scene together, and in many ways they're supposed to be mirrors anyway.
I'm working steadily on the WIP while letting the actual mss cool. I took another look at the character names. I wasn't wholly satisfied with the surname of one of the alternating POV protagonists and that stopped me until I could find one. Obsessive behavior, no doubt. Along the way, I ended up changing the names of four more characters.
Considerations in naming characters:
Vary in terms of first letters;
Very in terms of numbers of syllables;
Vary in term of the sounds they make (vowels and ending letters have great impact);
Consider the meaning of the name (but not in a too-obvious way);
Consider the age of the character (don't give a "new" name to an octogenarian)
When applicable, consider names' geographic/ethnic history (whether thematic or not; hey, it's a diverse world).
Here's an example of the names from Jingle Dancer (Morrow, 2000): Jenna, Grandma Wolfe, Great-aunt Sis; Mrs. Scott, Cousin Elizabeth. Note the variety of syllables, sounds, etc.
This reduces reader and, for that matter, writer confusion as well as adds resonance. I don't go crazy with it so as not to seem forced, but I do think about it.
Two of the minor characters in my WIP have similar names, but the meanings fit each, they never appear in a scene together, and in many ways they're supposed to be mirrors anyway.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Research/Pre-Writing Phase
Today I'm satisfied with leaving the six scenes to be written. They'll be sirens to lead me back to the manuscript. I'm going to set a goal of doing research and character work for three-to-four weeks while the story cools.
This is what I'm doing now. I'm breaking in my extremely pretty blue and metalic gold kitty-butterfly journal that was a gift from FH (saved for just such an occasion). So far, I've: listed my major research topics (7); made some notes on the timeline questions; listed the named characters (15); and listed the major settings (3, though, say, interior rooms of a building aren't included).
I've also begun assembling research books. Many of them I have already. I'm quite vexed though because there's one wonderful picture book (so good for the visual images) that is out of print, and the cheapest it's available is $54 on Amazon. That's just wrong. I could get it through interlibrary loan, but then I can't keep it. I may have to settle for that anyway. We'll see.
Basically, my plan is to write the name of whatever it is I'm brainstorming, underline it, and then make a note underneath. When I'm done, I'll synthesize and key up reference guides to each topic. Previously, I've used notecards, so this is a new strategy.
In other news, I wrote a draft of my panel talk on YA history and multiculturalism. I'm speaking with KA, who's talking about alternate forms, and GLS, who's talking about humor, at the upcoming AWP convention. By the way, Exploding The Myths: The Truth About Teenagers and Reading by Marc Aronson (Scarecrow, 2001)(author interview) was the best reference source I found. I'll refer the audience to it for further reading.
Oh! One last thing, try the turkey melt sandwich on whole wheat at Magnolia Cafe on Lake Austin Boulevard. I had it for dinner. Yummy!
This is what I'm doing now. I'm breaking in my extremely pretty blue and metalic gold kitty-butterfly journal that was a gift from FH (saved for just such an occasion). So far, I've: listed my major research topics (7); made some notes on the timeline questions; listed the named characters (15); and listed the major settings (3, though, say, interior rooms of a building aren't included).
I've also begun assembling research books. Many of them I have already. I'm quite vexed though because there's one wonderful picture book (so good for the visual images) that is out of print, and the cheapest it's available is $54 on Amazon. That's just wrong. I could get it through interlibrary loan, but then I can't keep it. I may have to settle for that anyway. We'll see.
Basically, my plan is to write the name of whatever it is I'm brainstorming, underline it, and then make a note underneath. When I'm done, I'll synthesize and key up reference guides to each topic. Previously, I've used notecards, so this is a new strategy.
In other news, I wrote a draft of my panel talk on YA history and multiculturalism. I'm speaking with KA, who's talking about alternate forms, and GLS, who's talking about humor, at the upcoming AWP convention. By the way, Exploding The Myths: The Truth About Teenagers and Reading by Marc Aronson (Scarecrow, 2001)(author interview) was the best reference source I found. I'll refer the audience to it for further reading.
Oh! One last thing, try the turkey melt sandwich on whole wheat at Magnolia Cafe on Lake Austin Boulevard. I had it for dinner. Yummy!
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Almost Drafted
Eye is much better, though I'm going to hold off until Tuesday to jump back on the treadmill (margin of error and all). I wrote sixteen pages today, which is phenomenal for me, and I'm up to 18,885 words, having also cut a lot. The manuscript has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
It's arguably the second first draft. I'm not letting myself off quite that easily, though. The next time I sit down, I'm going to study the six scenes, which are outlined, that I skipped. I'll decide whether I really need to do more pre-writing before tackling them. That in mind, I'll dive into what I can and then set the mss aside to work more on character development and world building.
Thanks to AS for her amazing e-card!
It's arguably the second first draft. I'm not letting myself off quite that easily, though. The next time I sit down, I'm going to study the six scenes, which are outlined, that I skipped. I'll decide whether I really need to do more pre-writing before tackling them. That in mind, I'll dive into what I can and then set the mss aside to work more on character development and world building.
Thanks to AS for her amazing e-card!
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Suffering for My Art
I wrote eight pages today, bringing the mss up to 16,504 words.
For a while, I tried writing with the eyepatch on, but that was too distracting. It's stinging now, no doubt vexed by the abuse, but globally feeling better than even last night. It also seems to be much better inside than out. The natural light results in its watering almost immediately.
I'm mostly staying in, but there was a lost puppy earlier that I had to check on. (Puppy is fine now).
For a while, I tried writing with the eyepatch on, but that was too distracting. It's stinging now, no doubt vexed by the abuse, but globally feeling better than even last night. It also seems to be much better inside than out. The natural light results in its watering almost immediately.
I'm mostly staying in, but there was a lost puppy earlier that I had to check on. (Puppy is fine now).
Friday, February 24, 2006
Pirate Cyn
Ow! I poked a fin'ernail in me eye! I have t' wear a patch for t' next three days. I'll be spendin' as much o' that time as possible off-line as it's wicked light sensitive. You all take care in t' meantime!
Check out me favorite pirate book, and find out how t' talk like a pirate!
Check out me favorite pirate book, and find out how t' talk like a pirate!
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Subheads
It's silly while writing the second first draft to fret something like the title, which might well be changed by Marketing anyway. But I have my vaguley o-c preoccuptions. Not long ago I changed my WIP title from F&M to T&C:ALS because I thought the latter was rather clever and the juxtaposition of the subhead would hook the market.
I've never had a book with a subhead before, but they always seemed to make novels sound more interesting somehow--maybe just because you get more information. I've been noticing of late, though, that people frequently leave off subheads. In my case, that would give a related but less sellable connotation. So I'm back to F&M. I'll use T&C, though, as a chapter head.
I also found a biblical quote that I'm including for now in the front papers.
13,849 words; I've been going through and reading each draft, keying in changes, then writing the next scene. The idea is not to polish--I'm still looking for the forest, not trimming the trees--but rather to keep the fantasy construct internally consistent.
I've never had a book with a subhead before, but they always seemed to make novels sound more interesting somehow--maybe just because you get more information. I've been noticing of late, though, that people frequently leave off subheads. In my case, that would give a related but less sellable connotation. So I'm back to F&M. I'll use T&C, though, as a chapter head.
I also found a biblical quote that I'm including for now in the front papers.
13,849 words; I've been going through and reading each draft, keying in changes, then writing the next scene. The idea is not to polish--I'm still looking for the forest, not trimming the trees--but rather to keep the fantasy construct internally consistent.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Paraskevidekatriaphobia
Keying in changes from reading everything I have up to this point on the WIP. I've made notes, too, on two scenes, one from the POV of each main characters, that fall somewhere near the front. I think I'm not going to write them now, but rather keep going. That way, after I set down to cool and pick up the mss again, I'll have assignments waiting for me that force me back into the groove.
Also had lunch today with FH at Katz's (turkey ham, swiss, lettuce, tomato--hold the bread). Wanna hear something spooky? Both of our fathers died on a Friday, the 13th. As a result, we suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia.
Staff picks at BookPeople today include Freaks: Alive on the Inside by Annette Curtis Klause (Simon & Schuster, 2006)(author interview); Grand & Humble by Brent Hartinger (HarperCollins, 2006)(author interview); and Ask Me No Questions by Marina Budhos (Atheneum, 2006)(author interview)(recommendation)(excerpt).
Also had lunch today with FH at Katz's (turkey ham, swiss, lettuce, tomato--hold the bread). Wanna hear something spooky? Both of our fathers died on a Friday, the 13th. As a result, we suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia.
Staff picks at BookPeople today include Freaks: Alive on the Inside by Annette Curtis Klause (Simon & Schuster, 2006)(author interview); Grand & Humble by Brent Hartinger (HarperCollins, 2006)(author interview); and Ask Me No Questions by Marina Budhos (Atheneum, 2006)(author interview)(recommendation)(excerpt).
Monday, February 20, 2006
The Second First Draft
In my workshop with LK at the last VC residency, I mentioned in passing that I always throw away my novel manuscript first drafts and delete the files. This got a much bigger reaction than I'd ever intended, but in any case, the reason for it is so that I can give myself permission to just write full-out--find the voice, explore the setting, really play with no inkling that I'll ever use any of it as a real foundation.
But now I'm onto my second first draft, the real one that I'll build on from now on. Maybe. Unless for some reason I have to throw that out, too, which is what happened when I was writing T. But this time I feel more secure in it. My Spidey sense is happy.
I've got 13,703 words so far, which translates to 67 pages, the last four of which are single-spaced notes on what's supposed to happen next. I have no idea how long this draft will run, but no doubt it'll be a whole lot shorter than every subsequent stab.
The great thing is that I have a solid grasp of the work in front of me. On the other hand, the scary thing is that I have a solid grasp of the work in front of me.
The even better news: I'm having fun!
But now I'm onto my second first draft, the real one that I'll build on from now on. Maybe. Unless for some reason I have to throw that out, too, which is what happened when I was writing T. But this time I feel more secure in it. My Spidey sense is happy.
I've got 13,703 words so far, which translates to 67 pages, the last four of which are single-spaced notes on what's supposed to happen next. I have no idea how long this draft will run, but no doubt it'll be a whole lot shorter than every subsequent stab.
The great thing is that I have a solid grasp of the work in front of me. On the other hand, the scary thing is that I have a solid grasp of the work in front of me.
The even better news: I'm having fun!
Saturday, February 18, 2006
So Long Savannah
I was supposed to be flying to Savannah today. I had reservations at the Ballastone Inn. I was looking forward to the ghost tours. It's been more than five years since my last vacation, though that one was to Paris. This one has already been rescheduled twice. But GLS had something come up at the last minute with his law practice. Ah well! Such are the perils of self-employment.
On the upside, I got two scenes done on my novel mss today. That's nine pages, which is basically my max for one day's new draft efforts.
Thanks to JLH and HB for their sweet cards!
On the upside, I got two scenes done on my novel mss today. That's nine pages, which is basically my max for one day's new draft efforts.
Thanks to JLH and HB for their sweet cards!
Friday, February 17, 2006
Alternating POV
I'm back in the saddle--literally, one of my co-protagonists is riding along... I have co-protagonists! I blame/credit GLS for his influence as Ninjas, Piranhas, and Galileo (Little Brown, 2003, 2005) and Tofu and T. rex (Little Brown, 2005) are both alternating point of view novels.
It's harder than it looks. First, you have to find two sufficiently compelling voices. Then you have to keep their perspectives straight and plots interwoven in a mutual crescendo kind of way. Hm, that sounded sexier than the mss seems to be (so far), but you know what I mean.
Whenever I have a break, I have to re-read the entire mss to get back into it again. I spent much of the afternoon doing that and hope to draft a new scene tonight.
Thanks to AS for her lovely e-card; check out her new picture book, Mocking Birdies (Simply Read, 2005).
It's harder than it looks. First, you have to find two sufficiently compelling voices. Then you have to keep their perspectives straight and plots interwoven in a mutual crescendo kind of way. Hm, that sounded sexier than the mss seems to be (so far), but you know what I mean.
Whenever I have a break, I have to re-read the entire mss to get back into it again. I spent much of the afternoon doing that and hope to draft a new scene tonight.
Thanks to AS for her lovely e-card; check out her new picture book, Mocking Birdies (Simply Read, 2005).
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Dedication Day
My editor emailed today, requesting the dedication information for Santa Knows (Dutton, 2006). That's always exciting--counting down to the August release. GLS and I are dedicating the book to my mother and in memory of my father.
Also finished my last VC packet (300 pages) for January and wrote the letter. Whew!
Also finished my last VC packet (300 pages) for January and wrote the letter. Whew!
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Charade
Last night GLS and I celebrated Valentine's Day at home.
He gave me a couple of shiraz/syrah wine tumblers and a bouquet of red roses. I gave him a copy of The Driskill Hotel: Stories of Austin's Legendary Hotel -- A Cookbook for Special Occasions by David J. Bull and Turk Pipkin. He made shrimp and turkey thighs with peppers, onions, and squash for dinner, and after dining, we watched "Charade," which is my second favorite Audrey Hepburn movie after "My Fair Lady."
Incidentally, I must confess that I've always thought the fuss over the right glass for the right wine was simply a manifestation of snobbery and marketing, but I was so wrong. It makes quite a difference for the better.
Today, I received valentines from AB and LGS--sweet! And GLS and I had a wonderful lunch with JW at ClayPit: Grill and Curry House (try the Taj Mahal soup--"fresh lentil and vegetable soup with a quick tempering of cumin").
Look for JW's debut novel, Escape from Arylon (The Silverskin Legacy)(Llewellyn, 2006). It's the first in a trilogy!
He gave me a couple of shiraz/syrah wine tumblers and a bouquet of red roses. I gave him a copy of The Driskill Hotel: Stories of Austin's Legendary Hotel -- A Cookbook for Special Occasions by David J. Bull and Turk Pipkin. He made shrimp and turkey thighs with peppers, onions, and squash for dinner, and after dining, we watched "Charade," which is my second favorite Audrey Hepburn movie after "My Fair Lady."
Incidentally, I must confess that I've always thought the fuss over the right glass for the right wine was simply a manifestation of snobbery and marketing, but I was so wrong. It makes quite a difference for the better.
Today, I received valentines from AB and LGS--sweet! And GLS and I had a wonderful lunch with JW at ClayPit: Grill and Curry House (try the Taj Mahal soup--"fresh lentil and vegetable soup with a quick tempering of cumin").
Look for JW's debut novel, Escape from Arylon (The Silverskin Legacy)(Llewellyn, 2006). It's the first in a trilogy!
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Retirement Cheers
GLS and I had lunch yesterday with JL at the Eastside Cafe to celebrate her retirement from the APL. Not that this library guru won't be keeping really busy...!
I'm wrapping up my VC packets. I've finished all but one.
Spooky News & Links
If a vampire were after you by Kimberly Pauley of YA Books Central.
I'm wrapping up my VC packets. I've finished all but one.
Spooky News & Links
If a vampire were after you by Kimberly Pauley of YA Books Central.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Karma
GLS cooked DHA and me a wonderful dinner this afternoon--Cantonese lobster and shrimp with snow peas, both on brown rice. She was lovely company, as always.
More globally, I'm still feeling somewhat hollow, but trying to pour as much positive energy into the world as I can. My grandma was a big believer in karma.
More globally, I'm still feeling somewhat hollow, but trying to pour as much positive energy into the world as I can. My grandma was a big believer in karma.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Crispy Oysters
Had crispy oysters for the first time ever last night at the 34th Street Cafe (extra parking is around back). Yummy! I dislike oyster dressing and oysters on the half shell and so was loathe to try them, but FH encouraged me, so I decided to go for it. I also had the Chinese Hack Salad with crispy shrimp, which was great, too. It was my first time at the restaurant, and the service was quite good. Try to snag a booth seat though. The chairs looked uncomfortable.
FH , GLS, and I were celebrating the sale of BY's second novel--a WF novel, no less! Yay!
Finished grading one VC packet yesterday evening before going out, starting on another now.
FH , GLS, and I were celebrating the sale of BY's second novel--a WF novel, no less! Yay!
Finished grading one VC packet yesterday evening before going out, starting on another now.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Mulligan Report
The Mulligan stew was a big hit last night with the crit group. I had some of the leftover whole wheat noodles this morning with my turkey bacon, scrambled eggs, and American cheese for breakfast.
Everyone was likewise positive about the tall tale revision. We read the original version sent to the editor, my summary of his notes, and then my rewrite. Suggestions included making it a more universally tall-tale world rather than specifying Texas (to broaden the market), tightening the series of events, and omitting a "sound" word that was hard on the read-aloud. A good question was raised about the exasperation level of the parent characters, but the teachers in the group seemed convinced that their dialogue rang true. After everyone left, GLS had an additional suggestion to make one of the scenes bigger, and this morning I smoothed out one last parallel construction before contacting my agent. Cross fingers!
This afternoon, I must set my own writing aside for a few days to focus on VC MFA packets. New students, new writing, most exciting!
Spooky News & Links
Don't miss today's interview with Margaret Bechard on Spacer and Rat (Roaring Brook, 2005) on Cynsations!
Comic of the Week: Nightwing #117--sigh.
Everyone was likewise positive about the tall tale revision. We read the original version sent to the editor, my summary of his notes, and then my rewrite. Suggestions included making it a more universally tall-tale world rather than specifying Texas (to broaden the market), tightening the series of events, and omitting a "sound" word that was hard on the read-aloud. A good question was raised about the exasperation level of the parent characters, but the teachers in the group seemed convinced that their dialogue rang true. After everyone left, GLS had an additional suggestion to make one of the scenes bigger, and this morning I smoothed out one last parallel construction before contacting my agent. Cross fingers!
This afternoon, I must set my own writing aside for a few days to focus on VC MFA packets. New students, new writing, most exciting!
Spooky News & Links
Don't miss today's interview with Margaret Bechard on Spacer and Rat (Roaring Brook, 2005) on Cynsations!
Comic of the Week: Nightwing #117--sigh.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Suffering Soccotash!
Zoomed out this morning to BookPeople to shop for birthday and Valentine's gifts and cards. Then I was treated to lunch by KD at Thai Tara on 6th. I enjoyed my shrimp spring roll and my chicken satay with peanut sauce (four hearty servings--order to split), but next time I would sit outside on the deck, weather permitting.
After lunch I picked up a box of 400 individual packets of Splenda at Randall's on Exposition.
So, I'm in the sweetner section, and this motion-detector device begins lecturing me in the voice of Sylvester the cat to buy the pink stuff instead. I was appalled. I find the trend toward more and more in-store advertising at groceries vaguely vexing (point of purchase coupons, ads on the floor, etc.), but this was like being berated by a salescat (and you know I'm cat friendly) simply for walking by. I'm trying to imagine the cacophony of noise if product "spokesman" were pitching on five or six products on the aisle. Sigh.
My crit group meets tonight at my house. GLS and I are serving what my family calls "Mulligan stew," which is made from 2 cans of tomato sauce, 2 cans of tomato paste, 1 can of Campbell's Vegetarian Vegetable Soup, and ground turkey over whole wheat linguine. (My family uses hamburger and regular pasta). Can't wait to hear what the group thinks of my tall tale revision!
Happy birthday to KZ on Vashon Island in Seattle!
After lunch I picked up a box of 400 individual packets of Splenda at Randall's on Exposition.
So, I'm in the sweetner section, and this motion-detector device begins lecturing me in the voice of Sylvester the cat to buy the pink stuff instead. I was appalled. I find the trend toward more and more in-store advertising at groceries vaguely vexing (point of purchase coupons, ads on the floor, etc.), but this was like being berated by a salescat (and you know I'm cat friendly) simply for walking by. I'm trying to imagine the cacophony of noise if product "spokesman" were pitching on five or six products on the aisle. Sigh.
My crit group meets tonight at my house. GLS and I are serving what my family calls "Mulligan stew," which is made from 2 cans of tomato sauce, 2 cans of tomato paste, 1 can of Campbell's Vegetarian Vegetable Soup, and ground turkey over whole wheat linguine. (My family uses hamburger and regular pasta). Can't wait to hear what the group thinks of my tall tale revision!
Happy birthday to KZ on Vashon Island in Seattle!
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Tale Tale II
Had a glorious three-hour lunch with AL at Houston's at Anderson and Burnet this afternoon. She's fantastic. I can hardly wait to read her upcoming YA. She shared part of it at WF, and I was wowed. Plus, you know, she looks quite fetching in pinstripes.
Also continued rewriting the tall tale. It now has a statement of mythology, and...that is new why? Ditto on clarifying the emotional stakes.
Also continued rewriting the tall tale. It now has a statement of mythology, and...that is new why? Ditto on clarifying the emotional stakes.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Tall Tale
I've spent most of the day working on my Texana picture book revision. This has been a toughie, coming in bits and pieces. I'm definitely getting closer though. The key was to keep thinking bigger, bigger, and now, okay, I've got a TALL tale, which not coincidentally was along the lines of my editor's comments. Go figure. Those editors. Smart cookies.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Valentine Rose
A red rose is blooming just outside my front door. Not having grown up in the southwest, I'm wowed. Roses in the yard in February. The first Christmas I lived here, one bloomed on the holiday and I was enchanted.
After a break for teaching and travel, my muse has regained full force. I'm enjoying working on F&M, which is now called T&C: ALS. I've got about 10,000 words, though the last four pages of the 44 is comprised of single-space notes that (hopefully) tell me where the story is headed.
At this point, I tend to panic that there's not enough to sustain a novel, that it'll all be written in 75 or 80 pages. It's a familiar byproduct of the fact that my rough drafts tend to be fairly bare bones (so there is much to be added), the fact that I always underestimate how many words it'll take to translate a handful of notes into a scene (sometimes a sentence equals six or more pages) and typical author insecurity. I've grown to recognize and accept it. You'd think I could also smite it from my writing life, but that may be asking too much.
In other news, GLS and I have been watching "Fantasy Island season 1" (very rhetro--women scream and faint a lot) and "Remington Steele season 2" (definitely one of the best and most underappreciated shows of its time; lots of action and charming really).
After a break for teaching and travel, my muse has regained full force. I'm enjoying working on F&M, which is now called T&C: ALS. I've got about 10,000 words, though the last four pages of the 44 is comprised of single-space notes that (hopefully) tell me where the story is headed.
At this point, I tend to panic that there's not enough to sustain a novel, that it'll all be written in 75 or 80 pages. It's a familiar byproduct of the fact that my rough drafts tend to be fairly bare bones (so there is much to be added), the fact that I always underestimate how many words it'll take to translate a handful of notes into a scene (sometimes a sentence equals six or more pages) and typical author insecurity. I've grown to recognize and accept it. You'd think I could also smite it from my writing life, but that may be asking too much.
In other news, GLS and I have been watching "Fantasy Island season 1" (very rhetro--women scream and faint a lot) and "Remington Steele season 2" (definitely one of the best and most underappreciated shows of its time; lots of action and charming really).
Saturday, February 04, 2006
The Ghost Boat
I finally have had a chance to begin unpacking from a busy January and now a journal recycled from a book, The Ghost Boat by Jacqueline Jackson, sits on my desk--fresh, fierce, awaiting scribbles. It was a gift from the VC graduating class--each faculty member and first semester student received one, though of course the books recycled varied. Very spooky!
Friday, February 03, 2006
www.cynthialeitichsmith.com redesigned
The Spooky news of the day is the redesign of my site at www.cynthialeitichsmith.com by Lisa Firke of Hit Those Keys. Surf over to check it out and then pop over to Cynsations to read Lisa's related interview and soak in some of her global thoughts on author sites.
Highlight of yesterday was lunch with AB at the U.T. Club. Due to recent travels, hadn't seen her in far too long. We had much to catch up on.
On another note, I can't help thinking that someone would have a field day trying to psychoanalyze me from my Google searches. Writing demands all kinds of research, and I do mine along the way. Today it was "Stages of a Drowning." And for the record: not planning to do it myself or inflict it--just background, okay?
Highlight of yesterday was lunch with AB at the U.T. Club. Due to recent travels, hadn't seen her in far too long. We had much to catch up on.
On another note, I can't help thinking that someone would have a field day trying to psychoanalyze me from my Google searches. Writing demands all kinds of research, and I do mine along the way. Today it was "Stages of a Drowning." And for the record: not planning to do it myself or inflict it--just background, okay?
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
In The Groove
Wrote the prologue. Am scribbling on it. Plan to begin drafting new scenes with earnest beginning tomorrow. This, I love.
Beyond that, not much to report. Turkey tacos for dinner. Made out my Valentine's Day cards for the family. Elders really like cards, and so do kids.
Beyond that, not much to report. Turkey tacos for dinner. Made out my Valentine's Day cards for the family. Elders really like cards, and so do kids.
El Chile
Had dinner last night with GLS, AG, and his fiance S at El Chile Cafe y Cantina. It was the first time I'd been to the near East Austin restaurant. I was impressed with the casual atmosphere and higher-end interior menu. The Rajas con Queso was fantastic, though the Downtown Charlie's Special was a bit on the dry side (I had the chicken). That said, people go there for the sauces, but most aren't on my diet. Downsides: no whole wheat tortillas (I brought my own) and only one ladies room to serve the entire restaurant (though there was never a wait).
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
A Place of Solace
Thanks to everyone who wrote with condolences about the death of my grandmother. It's interesting because some writers can write when they're grieving, others can't. I have to. Writing isn't only my playground and passion, it's also my place of solace. Not of safety, definitely not that. But where I belong. It feels reassuring, the belonging.
So, I wrote today. I'm revising a picture book manuscript for one of my editors. It's humorous, tall-tale-ish, and relatively experimental, though I've worked on it for some time. I like it.
So, I wrote today. I'm revising a picture book manuscript for one of my editors. It's humorous, tall-tale-ish, and relatively experimental, though I've worked on it for some time. I like it.
Monday, January 30, 2006
In Memory: Grandma Dorothy
My grandmother Dorothy died last week of heart complications arising from a hip surgery. She was 86 years old, strikingly beautiful, imaginative, a dedicated matriarch, a collector of ceramic bluebirds, precise about her cottage and its grounds, as well as fond of entertaining guests, traveling, dining out, and gaming at the riverboats in Kansas City.
Grandma Dorothy also was the inspiration for one of my short stories, "The Naked Truth," which appeared in an anthology titled In My Grandmother's House: Award-Winning Writers Tell Stories About Their Grandmothers edited and illustrated by Bonnie Christensen (HarperCollins, 2003).
I had the honor of giving her eulogy at the memorial service on Saturday. It's a task that often falls to writers in a family, and my experience has been no exception. It's tremendously personal, emotionally draining, and yet also a welcome opportunity to use years of craft to offer tangible comfort to those closest. I'm grateful that when there are no words, some seem to find me anyway, if only out of training and love.
Grandma Dorothy also was the inspiration for one of my short stories, "The Naked Truth," which appeared in an anthology titled In My Grandmother's House: Award-Winning Writers Tell Stories About Their Grandmothers edited and illustrated by Bonnie Christensen (HarperCollins, 2003).
I had the honor of giving her eulogy at the memorial service on Saturday. It's a task that often falls to writers in a family, and my experience has been no exception. It's tremendously personal, emotionally draining, and yet also a welcome opportunity to use years of craft to offer tangible comfort to those closest. I'm grateful that when there are no words, some seem to find me anyway, if only out of training and love.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Prologue Postponed
I didn't get the prologue written yesterday, but I did spend some time going over the existing scenes and reconfigering their order. I'm trying this draft at least in alternating POV, and that's a bit more tricky than I'd first envisioned.
Right now, there are about 18 pages of manuscript and another 5 of single-spaced notes. It's not a bad place to be. The voices are taking shape. The internal and external arcs look pretty solid. The previous draft (AKA throwaway draft) was time well spent.
Right now, there are about 18 pages of manuscript and another 5 of single-spaced notes. It's not a bad place to be. The voices are taking shape. The internal and external arcs look pretty solid. The previous draft (AKA throwaway draft) was time well spent.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Perils of Prologues
I'm going to make an effort today to write a prologue for F&C: ALS (formerly F&M). Or maybe it isn't a prologue. Maybe it's just a chapter that takes place, oh, a year or so before the rest of the story begins.
Who am I trying to kid? It's a prologue.
Lots of folks don't like prologues, and I think it's an unfair bias. True, many are unnecessary indulgences of an author who simply can't seem to cut prewriting. But let's say there's a literary reason that can be clearly articulated. That's arguably more likely in gothic fantasy. Consider, for example, that "The X-Files" and "Six Feet Under" had a real affection for the beasts.
So, having mused on the subject, I'm going to dive in with the understanding that it all may be cannon fodder in the end anyway.
By the way, I'm reading The Reluctant Miss Van Helsing by Minda Webber (Dorchester, 2006), which is light, mass market adult fare with a penchant for puns. A cute read for romance fans. It was an airport bookstore purchase.
Who am I trying to kid? It's a prologue.
Lots of folks don't like prologues, and I think it's an unfair bias. True, many are unnecessary indulgences of an author who simply can't seem to cut prewriting. But let's say there's a literary reason that can be clearly articulated. That's arguably more likely in gothic fantasy. Consider, for example, that "The X-Files" and "Six Feet Under" had a real affection for the beasts.
So, having mused on the subject, I'm going to dive in with the understanding that it all may be cannon fodder in the end anyway.
By the way, I'm reading The Reluctant Miss Van Helsing by Minda Webber (Dorchester, 2006), which is light, mass market adult fare with a penchant for puns. A cute read for romance fans. It was an airport bookstore purchase.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Shoreline Celebration
GLS and I went to Shoreline Grill to celebrate the sale of his Korean rights to Ninjas, Piranhas, and Galileo. We're running a little late on this celebration because I was at VC so much of this month, but we make it a policy to cheer every publishing victory. This is our first of an international nature--woo woo!
Also logged in a couple of hours of grindstone work on the novel mss in progress; feeling pretty yay about the whole thing. I can do this! I can!
Spooky News & Links
Freaks by Annette Curtis Klause: a review by Adam-Troy Castro from SciFi.com (author interview).
Comic of the Week: Birds of Prey #90 (much funnier if you're a close, personal friend of the Batman, as of course I am)
Also logged in a couple of hours of grindstone work on the novel mss in progress; feeling pretty yay about the whole thing. I can do this! I can!
Spooky News & Links
Freaks by Annette Curtis Klause: a review by Adam-Troy Castro from SciFi.com (author interview).
Comic of the Week: Birds of Prey #90 (much funnier if you're a close, personal friend of the Batman, as of course I am)
I'm a Writer
Between all the writing, speaking, teaching, traveling, and what not, it seems like forever since I've really felt like a writer--as opposed to someone who's frantically checking on this or that with regard to her already-contracted manuscripts.
I actually worked on my pb mss with the pending revision request today, and I'm somewhat pleased. It's at least worth running by GLS at dinner. It's funny. It's visual. It moves. My big questions are whether the kid sensibility rings true and whether the resolution resonates.
Tomorrow--maybe tonight--I'm diving back into my novel.
I actually worked on my pb mss with the pending revision request today, and I'm somewhat pleased. It's at least worth running by GLS at dinner. It's funny. It's visual. It moves. My big questions are whether the kid sensibility rings true and whether the resolution resonates.
Tomorrow--maybe tonight--I'm diving back into my novel.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Snapshots from San Antonio
Just back from a whirlwind sweep through ALA midwinter in San Antonio. GLS and I stayed at La Mansion del Rio, which is wonderfully haunted, though perhaps not worth the extra money for a river view unless you really want to hear 50s tunes until midnight and beyond (I was too tired to care).
Highlights included:
lunch at Boudro's with my glam, whip-smart CW editor, DW (guacamole and perhaps one more margarita than absolutely necessary, but when on the Riverwalk...)(she mentioned the possibility of companion book to T--hmmm);
lunch at Zuni with PRG (author interview);
dinner at Sage (at the Fairmount) with DMF, an editor at Simply Read, and the lovely J;
breakfast with SR, JK (author interview), FB (author interview), HVF (author interview), NW (author interview), and the lovely MP;
spotting DT, VJ, BG (live!), and all manner of publishing types on the floor.
Great time and fabulous folks, but I'm fried both in terms of sheer endurance as well as stress---juggling a long-distance family health crisis. May be on a plane sometime this week.
Highlights included:
lunch at Boudro's with my glam, whip-smart CW editor, DW (guacamole and perhaps one more margarita than absolutely necessary, but when on the Riverwalk...)(she mentioned the possibility of companion book to T--hmmm);
lunch at Zuni with PRG (author interview);
dinner at Sage (at the Fairmount) with DMF, an editor at Simply Read, and the lovely J;
breakfast with SR, JK (author interview), FB (author interview), HVF (author interview), NW (author interview), and the lovely MP;
spotting DT, VJ, BG (live!), and all manner of publishing types on the floor.
Great time and fabulous folks, but I'm fried both in terms of sheer endurance as well as stress---juggling a long-distance family health crisis. May be on a plane sometime this week.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Home to Good News
I'm finally back in Austin after a successful, if sometimes stressful, residency. My one regret is that due to a last-minute scheduling conflict, I didn't get to see my pal TLS, though KCC was kind enough to pick up a couple of signed copies of TLS's fabu new novel, A Bad Boy Can Be Good For A Girl (Random House/Wendy Lamb Books, 2006) for me.
I came home to good news. WF alumnus BY has sold one of his WF novel manuscripts to Flux (an imprint of Llewellyn). Yahoo and congratulations!
Beyond that, I'm in frantic catch-up mode!
I came home to good news. WF alumnus BY has sold one of his WF novel manuscripts to Flux (an imprint of Llewellyn). Yahoo and congratulations!
Beyond that, I'm in frantic catch-up mode!
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Downhill Slide
The sun is back out, and the cold has once again lost its bitterness. Today is the second to last of the VC residency. Graduation is tomorrow.
The entire experience has been intense, inspiring, frustrating, fascinating, and thought-provoking. I'm looking forward to readings today by LG and MH, two of my former advisees. I'm signing semester plans for new students. And I'm a little hungry because I was too busy this a.m. to go to breakfast. (I've had some almonds as a hold-over snack).
The entire experience has been intense, inspiring, frustrating, fascinating, and thought-provoking. I'm looking forward to readings today by LG and MH, two of my former advisees. I'm signing semester plans for new students. And I'm a little hungry because I was too busy this a.m. to go to breakfast. (I've had some almonds as a hold-over snack).
Monday, January 16, 2006
New Students
I'm meeting today with my new students, which is so exciting. At this point, we're going over their creative and critical goals so that they can formulate their semester plans. LG's graduate lecture today was on YA/A crossover, and she did a wonderful job. I'm so proud of her!
I look forward to hearing LS, NFM, and EH read tonight.
Must run--one more student meeting to go!
I look forward to hearing LS, NFM, and EH read tonight.
Must run--one more student meeting to go!
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Special Weekend
The VC program traditionally includes a "special weekend" on a theme, featuring lectures, Q&A, and seminars with guest speakers. This weekend, our theme was "the picture book."
Our guest speakers included MK from FSG, MG, WW, JFH, and APS.
Highlights:
MK's seminar discussion of recent FSG picture books. She emphasized finding the emotional core, the emotional truth. Going deeper.
MG's reading from The Old Country (Roaring Brook, 2005), which is a book that has lingered unread on my shelf these past few months, but will absolutely go to the top of my pile once I return home--simply charming man. Spellbinding reading!
APS's fun, upbeat, healing presentation on non-fiction. She is an amazing speaker--I give her my highest recommendation to event planners.
WW's insightful discussion of her determined research process and her inspiring father's influence in her work.
JFH's shared talk with faculty chair KA on the long and dramatic story behind the story of Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers: How A First Lady Changed America (HarperCollins, 2005).
In other news, it's now really cold for the first time since I've been here--brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Our guest speakers included MK from FSG, MG, WW, JFH, and APS.
Highlights:
MK's seminar discussion of recent FSG picture books. She emphasized finding the emotional core, the emotional truth. Going deeper.
MG's reading from The Old Country (Roaring Brook, 2005), which is a book that has lingered unread on my shelf these past few months, but will absolutely go to the top of my pile once I return home--simply charming man. Spellbinding reading!
APS's fun, upbeat, healing presentation on non-fiction. She is an amazing speaker--I give her my highest recommendation to event planners.
WW's insightful discussion of her determined research process and her inspiring father's influence in her work.
JFH's shared talk with faculty chair KA on the long and dramatic story behind the story of Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers: How A First Lady Changed America (HarperCollins, 2005).
In other news, it's now really cold for the first time since I've been here--brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Author Interview: Annette Curtis Klause on Freaks: Alive on the Inside
No spooky readers worth their stripes should miss out on my interview with Annette Curtis Klause on Freaks: Alive on the Inside (Simon & Schuster, 2006), featured as of tonight on Cynsations.
Spooky News & Links
More on the VC special weekend later, but I must say that while listening to MK (of FSG) talk about picture books this morning I had an epiphany about one I'm revising and wrote a whole rough draft of a brand new manuscript. Talk about an inspiring editor!
Spooky News & Links
More on the VC special weekend later, but I must say that while listening to MK (of FSG) talk about picture books this morning I had an epiphany about one I'm revising and wrote a whole rough draft of a brand new manuscript. Talk about an inspiring editor!
Friday, January 13, 2006
Laundry Day
I got through speed dating just fine. Lots of folks came to chat, and they all seemed to like the handout, though I should've clarified my stance on first semesters with pre-existing WIPs and the packet response protocal.
My reading from MT last night seemed to go well, too. DD said the Austin setting made her homesick.
Conventional wisdom is that today, the Friday before special weekend, is the day on which the most people cry. Fatigue, homesickness, a less-than-sterling critique kicks in--whatever. I'm carrying tissues in my purse in case I come across someone who needs one.
On the upside, special weekend is almost here. JFH arrived yesterday, and she is as always a warm, inspirational, and loving pal.
My reading from MT last night seemed to go well, too. DD said the Austin setting made her homesick.
Conventional wisdom is that today, the Friday before special weekend, is the day on which the most people cry. Fatigue, homesickness, a less-than-sterling critique kicks in--whatever. I'm carrying tissues in my purse in case I come across someone who needs one.
On the upside, special weekend is almost here. JFH arrived yesterday, and she is as always a warm, inspirational, and loving pal.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Speed Dating
So far, Vermont hasn't really been all that chilly. Not to tempt Snow Miser, but I don't think he's trying that hard.
Highlights of the residency so far include KLG's opening night talk. She's a tremendously thoughtful, intelligent, and inspiring speaker. I also particularly enjoyed a party in town with the graduating students and faculty. Also, the food is much better this time!
Today begins the speed-dating portion of the event. What happens is that faculty are assigned to various locations around campus. The students come on a flowing basis to ask us questions about our styles and interests. Then after a few such exchanges, they'll be asked to preference which of us they'd like to work one-on-one with over the course of the next semester.
The farther along they are in the program, the fewer choices they put down (so they have a higher chance of getting their top choice).
Fifteen minutes to go! I'm excited to talk to whomever wants to chat with me...but my inner seventh grader frets a tad that I'll be a wallflower.
Highlights of the residency so far include KLG's opening night talk. She's a tremendously thoughtful, intelligent, and inspiring speaker. I also particularly enjoyed a party in town with the graduating students and faculty. Also, the food is much better this time!
Today begins the speed-dating portion of the event. What happens is that faculty are assigned to various locations around campus. The students come on a flowing basis to ask us questions about our styles and interests. Then after a few such exchanges, they'll be asked to preference which of us they'd like to work one-on-one with over the course of the next semester.
The farther along they are in the program, the fewer choices they put down (so they have a higher chance of getting their top choice).
Fifteen minutes to go! I'm excited to talk to whomever wants to chat with me...but my inner seventh grader frets a tad that I'll be a wallflower.
Monday, January 09, 2006
The Great White North
I'm writing from snowy Vermont. Yesterday's travel went well. I took two regional jets--one from Austin to Cincinnati and the other from Cincinnati to Burlington (plus a 45 minute cab ride $98 to Montpeiler).
I read a USA Today on the first and tore out an article, "Cats Have More than 9 Lives, and Plenty of Cousins." Either it's research, or I just miss my kitties already. In the Cincinnati airport, I was delighted to find a sit-down restaurant, Moe's, which served me a wonderful chicken-and-parmesen omlette, and at Border's, I picked up a copy of Mr. Monk Goes To The Firehouse by Lee Goldber (Signet, 2006)(read excerpt), which is a mass-market tie in book to one of my fave TV shows. It's told from the POV of Monk's assistant, Natalie, and is quite good.
When I arrived in Burlington, there was snow on the ground, though the roads were clear. (People here really believe in salt!). I went with KA and LK, who'll be my workshop partner, to the grocery store for provisions, and then to the faculty dinner. MDB and EL, both scheduled to be here, had to cancel at the last minute. They are missed. NFM brought her husband HM last night, which was a treat. The whole party ran to about 11 p.m. local time, and I feel instantly to sleep.
Enjoyed breakfast this morning with KA, PK, and SM, which had a vaguely WF reunion feel.
I read a USA Today on the first and tore out an article, "Cats Have More than 9 Lives, and Plenty of Cousins." Either it's research, or I just miss my kitties already. In the Cincinnati airport, I was delighted to find a sit-down restaurant, Moe's, which served me a wonderful chicken-and-parmesen omlette, and at Border's, I picked up a copy of Mr. Monk Goes To The Firehouse by Lee Goldber (Signet, 2006)(read excerpt), which is a mass-market tie in book to one of my fave TV shows. It's told from the POV of Monk's assistant, Natalie, and is quite good.
When I arrived in Burlington, there was snow on the ground, though the roads were clear. (People here really believe in salt!). I went with KA and LK, who'll be my workshop partner, to the grocery store for provisions, and then to the faculty dinner. MDB and EL, both scheduled to be here, had to cancel at the last minute. They are missed. NFM brought her husband HM last night, which was a treat. The whole party ran to about 11 p.m. local time, and I feel instantly to sleep.
Enjoyed breakfast this morning with KA, PK, and SM, which had a vaguely WF reunion feel.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Pre VC Winter Residency
Not a morning person and leaving at 5 a.m.
Not a cold-weather person, though gear is packed.
But semi-functional toe! (Can hold weight, less swollen--yay!)
Spooky News & Links
SF (Sci Fi) for Kiddies from Bookslut.
Not a cold-weather person, though gear is packed.
But semi-functional toe! (Can hold weight, less swollen--yay!)
Spooky News & Links
SF (Sci Fi) for Kiddies from Bookslut.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Rose Bowl
I'm somewhat ashamed to admit that I was the last person in Austin to realize that the U.T. football team won the Rose Bowl because I fell asleep before the game was over and miraculously slept through all the fireworks and festivities.
OTOH, GLS is a U.T. grad per his master's in electrical engineering, and he was sufficiently excited to buy me two commemorative T-shirts to take with me on my trip--if only to tease KA, who's an Aggie.
According to my wonderful doc, it looks as though my toe will survive, though it will be interesting to see me sneaking off to soak it and pack it in cotton three or four times a day at the VC res.
By the way, if you live in Austin and need a family practice doctor, I highly recommend James Hahn on 38th St.
Comic O The Week: Teen Titans #31
OTOH, GLS is a U.T. grad per his master's in electrical engineering, and he was sufficiently excited to buy me two commemorative T-shirts to take with me on my trip--if only to tease KA, who's an Aggie.
According to my wonderful doc, it looks as though my toe will survive, though it will be interesting to see me sneaking off to soak it and pack it in cotton three or four times a day at the VC res.
By the way, if you live in Austin and need a family practice doctor, I highly recommend James Hahn on 38th St.
Comic O The Week: Teen Titans #31
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Bow and Arrows
My bow and arrows from GLS arrived yesterday!
I feel quite Speedy-Diana/Artemis about the whole thing. Of course, non-mammal eater that I am, I will be using the set on targets only.
Almost all of my VC packing is done, except the small bag for the plane. If only my foot weren't throbbing...! Cross fingers that the doctor will be able to fix it tomorrow morning.
Had a lovely lunch yesterday with VJ at Katz's. I hope I wasn't too bad of company, what with the ouch factor going on.
I feel quite Speedy-Diana/Artemis about the whole thing. Of course, non-mammal eater that I am, I will be using the set on targets only.
Almost all of my VC packing is done, except the small bag for the plane. If only my foot weren't throbbing...! Cross fingers that the doctor will be able to fix it tomorrow morning.
Had a lovely lunch yesterday with VJ at Katz's. I hope I wasn't too bad of company, what with the ouch factor going on.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Vermont Bound
After a dicey tech morning, my blogs are both working just fine.
I've been busy getting ready for the VC winter residency. My speech and intros are written, handout sent in for copying, reading selected, and--ta da--my winter coat has been delivered from Eddie Bauer. It's maple with a faux furry hood. I love it!
Sadly, the EB moccasins I ordered, which supposedly had plastic soles, actually had suede soles. That won't work for the dorm, though they are the most comfy mocs ever, and I will enjoy them at home. So, I'm just packing one of my regular pairs. I'm also going to pick up some lycra running tights tomorrow since the whole long-underwear thing didn't work out. Pity that.
I also wanted to mention that I saw "Fantastic Four" this week, and it was much better than I expected it to be.
I've been busy getting ready for the VC winter residency. My speech and intros are written, handout sent in for copying, reading selected, and--ta da--my winter coat has been delivered from Eddie Bauer. It's maple with a faux furry hood. I love it!
Sadly, the EB moccasins I ordered, which supposedly had plastic soles, actually had suede soles. That won't work for the dorm, though they are the most comfy mocs ever, and I will enjoy them at home. So, I'm just packing one of my regular pairs. I'm also going to pick up some lycra running tights tomorrow since the whole long-underwear thing didn't work out. Pity that.
I also wanted to mention that I saw "Fantastic Four" this week, and it was much better than I expected it to be.
Cynsations Frozen
I seem to be having a serious posting issue with Blogger on Cynsations. I'll keep you all posted.
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