Finally working on my new book a bit. I had the idea about four months ago and I've been trying to figure out how to get it started, but it's giving me fits. I've finished about thirty pages and I'm still not sure it's going to take off, but I'm going to keep at it a while longer and see what happens.

I had a very nice email from someone named Vani, but there was no email address for me to get back to her. So Vani, if you happen to see this, send me your email address and I'd be happy to answer your questions! Thanks!

It's Official...

I am a terrible blogger. I knew I would be, even from the beginning.

I think the main problem is, my life just isn't that interesting. But I did have some news about the next book. It was originally slated for release in November, but they've changed the date to March. So hopefully, the four people who occasionally check this blog to humor me will look for it then. :) I will post more info about it once I find out more specific details.

I'm a big slacker

Haven't been on this blog forever, for various and assorted reasons, one being that no one ever came here besides me. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that I had not one, but TWO comments! Congratulations to Craftygoodness and Tyler and Thais, the only people who have documented proof that they've actually been here! :) Thank you for your comments- I was actually really excited to see my book on the SL County Library page, and thank you Thais, for going the extra mile and rating my book on Goodreads.

Got the good news that my second book has been picked up by my publisher! It is going to be marketed in the middle grade genre, but I hope that adults will enjoy it as well. If all goes according to plan, it should be on the shelf in November or December. I'll post more about it when it gets a little closer.

Firsts

Finally got to see my book on the shelf in Barnes and Noble. It's something that I've dreamed about for so many years now that I had to keep pinching myself to make sure I was awake. I'm kind of a shy person, but it's funny how suddenly you want to tell everyone you see about your book!

Finally gave in and read the Twilight series. I've been putting it off because I had so much writing to do and I knew that once I started, I wouldn't be able to stop. They are amazing; I loved the characters and the conflicts, and of course, the vampires. Can't wait for the fourth one to come out in August. But now, I've got work to do- I've got to get back to work on my own stuff! :)

Weekend of endless rewrites

Really been slacking off on this blogging business. Spent the beautiful weekend inside, trying to get my rewrites finished so that I could get them sent back. I made occasional forays into the sunshine, but since I burn just thinking about going outside, it's probably for the best. Unfortunately, I like the sun but it doesn't like me.

I had to take a break from the book I've been working on to fiddle with the rewrites for the previous one. I'm to the point with the current book that I just want it to be finished, and given the fact that I'm only halfway through, I might have to put it away for a while until I get interested in it again.

Was supposed to help my mom put in the garden yesterday, but it rained all day. Ended up babysitting my niece instead- she's darling, but she's hit her terrible twos a bit early. She's only been walking for a couple of weeks, but it seems to have enhanced her already independent nature. Anyway, she loves to watch QUBO, and I always end up with one of the theme songs stuck in my brain for days- today, it's Theodore Tugboat. :)

Had one of the patients from my office call today and tell me that she really liked Spare Change. She is the first patient who's read it and given me her opinion. Since the book is about a girl who works in an office like mine, I was curious to see what the patients would think about it. I'm really glad she enjoyed it.

Something to think about

I watched a memorial through the lunchroom window at the hospital where I work today. They have it once a year, as a chance for staff and family members of patients who have died to have a chance to gather and mourn together. I watched curiously from the third floor as I ate my microwave lunch. When the short service was over, people tied ribbons on the surrounding trees and hugged each other. It's easy to forget how short and uncertain life is, and working here has taught me to be glad for every day that I have.

On another work-related note, if you want to read an interesting blog, go to www.npr.org/blogs/mycancer. It's easy to think that you're having a bad day until you read about someone who is fighting just to make it to the next one.

Monday again already- the weekends are gone almost before they start.

Worked in the garden on Saturday- it was so nice to see the sun. In fact, it was almost a little too warm, but that's Utah for you. We go straight from 50 degrees to 90 in one day!

Still plugging away at my rewrites, but I feel like I'm making some progress. Spare Change seems to be selling fairly well also, although I still have trouble believing it. Not that I didn't think really believe in it as a book, because I do, but there are just so many excellent books out there. I never have enough time to read all the books I'm interested in, and I'm so grateful for the people who have taken the time to read mine. I have been very richly blessed.

My day off

Wednesday is my day off, and I love it! There's something so nice about having a day off in the middle of the week. I usually watch my niece for half the day and try to get some writing done the other half.

Got my first review on www.goodreads.com. It's so exciting to think that people I don't know are reading my book! I'm sure that people who know me will say they like it because they feel like they have to. But when a stranger likes it, that's awesome. :)

Good night

Had a bit of a breakthrough with the rewrites last night. It was the same with my first book. When I hear about everything that needs to be changed, I always think it's impossible. I just know that there's no way to fix it, and I fight it for a while, but then something just clicks. Once I get started, it's easier to see the end goal. I think it's mostly about change and how threatened I am by it. Even positive changes in my life are difficult for me to process because I am such a creature of habit.

Anyway, I'm starting to look forward to working with it again, which is a good sign. Before last night, every time I sat down to look at it I ended up playing endless games of spider solitaire instead...my favorite form of procrastination. :)

FYI

Just wanted everyone to know that my book, Spare Change, will be available soon at Barnes and Noble and Borders! You can find it currently at Deseret Book and Seagull Book, and also at www.cedarfort.com

Monday already

Didn't get a whole lot of writing done this weekend because one by one, my family all started to get the flu. I felt a little guilty, having been the one who had it first and passed it on to them, so I spent most of the weekend playing nursemaid.

Having a hard time getting started with my rewrites. Usually I find that after I look at it long enough, something just clicks. Once I get an idea about where to start, the rest of it usually falls into place without too much trouble. Hopefully this week, I'll have some extra time to start looking at it seriously.

Started watching The Golden Compass yesterday, but only got about forty five minutes into it before I gave up. Maybe it's one of those movies where you have to read the book first, but I was pretty lost.

Busy Saturday

All kinds of things going on today. Got up this morning and worked in the yard for a while before going to pick up my Mother's Day presents for my mom and sister. (I'm not really a slacker- the spa where I got the gift certificates is just downtown, and today was the only day I could get there.)

Also bought groceries for dinner tomorrow, but got home to discover that Mom has the flu, so dinner is probably off.

I'm finally going to try to get some writing done now, but if tonight is anything like the rest of the day, I can't make any guarantees.

My first blog!

Hi!

Still trying to get this whole blog thing figured out. I know enough about the Internet to spend money, but blogging is a foreign concept. I'm sure it is one of those things that get easier with experience. :)

I'm really glad it's Friday- only two hours of work to go before the weekend! Hopefully, I will have some time this weekend to work on the rewrites of my current project. It's hard to know where to start when there is so much that needs to be changed!