Contest, more!

Update to contest:

1) To bring in the early purchasers, I'm changing the rules so you can also send me a picture of The Spymaster's Lady on YOUR shelf. Bring out the cameras!

2) To clarify/sweeten the pot, I'm adding the following two books to the prize:
Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost, a wonderful, kick-ass vampire romance. (I also love Jeaniene's blog, here)
Me and Mr. Darcy, by Alexandra Potter. This one's a fun, modern take on Mr. Darcy and women's obsession with him. Not that I {cough} suffer from this.

That's 4 free books, guys! Free shipping and handling! (I don't have a single entry so far, so you've got a really good chance here...)

Progress

Yay, 25,000 on Ghost Girl!

I do love milestones.

Only 10,000 more to go this month...

A Giveaway! For The Spymaster's Lady

I want this shirt.

Because I'm feeling all happy and buoyant today, I'm going to do a giveaway. I still have a couple books here that didn't make the giveaway list last time, so why not let someone else love them like I did?

Today's giveaway is to help promote my fabulous friend Joanna Bourne's book, The Spymaster's Lady.

I don't have the book myself yet, so I can't give THAT away (and probably won't want to give away my copy anyway!). But here's your assignment:

Go to a bricks-and-mortar bookstore. Take a picture (with your cell phone, if you're fancy like that) of Jo's book on the shelves. It would be lovely if you could turn it face out first, letting others see this fantabulous book.

Email me the photo, to susan dot adrian@yahoo.com. I'll post at least some of them here. The contest will last until Friday morning, 9 AM Montana time, at which time I'll draw a random winner. The winner will receive copies of:

--The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler
--Secret Society Girl by Diana Peterfreund (hardcover)
--a mystery book or two which I will choose from my overwhelming piles. All wonderful, of course.

Anybody up for it? Anybody want free books? :)

On Writing

I heart Stephen King.

Which is kinda weird, because I've never actually read one of his books. I have no idea WHY. I'd think that maybe it was a too-popular snobbery problem, except for that little obsessive period I had back in 7th grade with V.C. Andrews and Sweet Valley High. (I can't believe I'm admitting that!) And I did read BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY (ditto!), so really, I think snobbery is out as an explanation. I think I just haven't.

Anyone want to recommend their favorite King book, in case I want to dip my toes in?

Anyway. I heart him because I'm reading ON WRITING, and bless the man, he has told the truth about writing. He talks about all the things I've tripped over on my own, the things I've gotten excellent advice on over the years, and some things I just need to listen to. It's awesome. I'm so glad I bought a copy, so I can poke into it whenever I want.

Anybody who's having trouble with revisions, OR second-guessing yourself on a first draft, buy it and read Chapter 11. Then put it back down and write. That's what I'm going to do today, freshly inspired and freed from worries. (It's okay that the first draft sucks! I can fix it later! Hooray!)

The poem

My wonderful, brilliant friend Pam Patchet Hamilton (who is a Most Excellent writer and humorist--she also wins the Surrey Silly Writing Contest EVERY YEAR) wrote this for me:

There once was a writer named Susan,
Who didn’t waste Surrey-time boozin’.
Though for some, suicidal,
Suze presented at Idol,
The buzz it created, amusin’.

On the panel, was someone named Jet,
(That’s Janet’s unique sobriquet.)
This agent did jump,
With a lightning-speed trump,
Seems her appetite, Susan did whet.

But then she forgot, our Miss Reid,
Or got busy, with some lesser deed.
But with Susan’s persistence,
Her book went the distance.
A well deserved coup, it’s agreed.

LOLOLOL! Isn't that marvelous? Thank you, Pam!!

Pam, BTW, also makes a guest appearance in JENNA. {s}

Addition to NEWS:

I neglected to say that Vicki TOLD me to go give Janet the flipping pages, even though she didn't do YA. And Vicki talked about me to Janet over breakfast, and introduced us at the banquet.

When I say in various places that it wouldn't happen without Vic, I mean that quite literally.

News (yes, finally!)

I am absolutely THRILLED to announce that as of this morning I have signed with Janet Reid, of FinePrint Literary Management!!!!!

I first ran across Janet at Surrey, as part of the panel of the dreaded SIWC Idol workshop. As in previous years, I submitted my 2 pages, this time of JENNA, to be read aloud and critiqued. Kristin Nelson stopped the reading, but Janet stood up for it, and said she loved the beginning and would have kept reading.

I didn't really consider submitting to her, though, because I knew she didn't take YAs. However, I ran into her again at the banquet, and reminded her that she'd liked my book...and she asked for pages right there. Sadly, I didn't have them hiding in my cocktail dress, but I slipped the first chapter to her the next day. She said she'd get in touch with me.

Fast forward to November. I hadn't heard from her, but I'd been submitting to other agents, and I still had her on my list as a long shot (no YAs, remember?). So I sent her a follow-up email with the first chapter again. Didn't hear right away, but that's standard. Kept submitting. In the meantime a few other agents asked for the full.

On December 18th, I got a wonderful email from Janet saying she couldn't believe she hadn't asked for the full right away, and could I please send it?

She read the whole thing IN ONE DAY and called to offer representation that night. She loved it. (okay, I feel like Sally Fields now; I will refrain)

We had to wait until the other agents considering the full had a chance to respond, which is why the long radio silence between then and now. But from the moment I talked to her that night, I wanted to sign with her. She's wonderful, and she LOVED THE BOOK. Just as it is. (yes, I did watch Bridget Jones last night, why do you ask?)

As to not repping YAs? I asked Janet that. She said "Well, we're just going to change that right now, aren't we?" :)

So there you have it. I have an agent.

Thanks to all of you for your support through everything!!

argh-a-licious

Argh.

This is my horoscope for today:

Try to adopt a 'keep it to yourself' attitude about controversies today. Play it safe, because it's quite likely that your boss or another authority figure will have different opinions than you do. It's best to just button your lip and bite your tongue -- this person is not interested in starting a debate about what whether you are right or they are right. They need you to just go along with them and not make any waves. And for today, there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing just that.

You know, I'm not a big follower of horoscopes, but sometimes they're spot on. And I really should have read that one BEFORE I made some phone calls this morning. {SIGH}

Excuse me while I pry my foot out of my mouth.

Brown Lessons

Having a kid is all about learning. We start out blank, and have to learn all that stuff about how to change diapers, how to handle tantrums, how to set boundaries, how to play with Polly Pockets for hours on end, yanking tiny little rubber outfits on and off, without screaming.

I've learned lately that for a 5.5-year-old child, boy OR girl, there's nothing as funny as poop.

I did not foresee this, when I imagined having a little girl. ANYthing that mentions poop, or farts, will cue instant giggles. She adds "poop" to any word, any sentence, any conversation, and cracks herself up. Constantly.

Yesterday she whispered in my ear, stopping often to giggle, that "if your poop had rockets in it, it would FLY!" and "if your poop was chocolate, would it come out with wrappers?" She laughed so hard she fell on the carpet.

This is not my usual favorite form of humor, so it's taking a little getting used to. (Her daddy's not having such an adjustment, but that's another story.) But I can join in, when necessary.

Last night at dinner she was telling the usual flood of poop jokes. I shook my head, serious, and said (with a straight face) "Please. That's not a-poop-riate."

I don't think we could eat for 10 minutes, we were all laughing so hard.

2008!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

A little bit late, but yesterday I was too busy playing with dolls, reading books, munching chips-n-guacamole and watching the Twilight Zone marathon to get near the computer.

I was a little surprised by the number of TZ episodes I didn't remember well. I kinda thought with all the years of watching marathons I'd have them memorized. But no! (hmm, or maybe I'm losing my memory. In the TZ frame of mind, that seems more likely)

I was also quite surprised by how similar one of the episodes (Number 12 looks just like you) is to the basic premise of UGLIES by Scott Westerfeld. Enough that I had to dig around to see what he had to say about it...he vaguely remembered it, and thought parts were similar. Goes to prove the adage that there's nothing new under the sun (or in plots), but it's all in how you handle it.

I'm hanging on rather tight to this adage myself, as my current WIP is a ghost story, and there seems to be a flood of them just now. The good thing is I have confidence that nobody's twisting it the same way as me.

Had a rather good idea for the next scene come to me this morning, so I'm raring to go at lunchtime today. Now I just have to figure out this odd "work" thing I'm supposed to be doing until then!

Happiness is...

(Note to say: weird, this post disappeared for a while. It must have been when I tried to revise and hit the "draft" button...)

I'm a happy girl.

I'm managing to get some (few) words in despite being home, which is rare. Child is thrilled, and obsessed in a good way, with her new dolls. We're all going out to lunch in a little bit, and then we're going to stock the fridge.

AND I just got to use my Amazon gift card. Hooray!

I ordered:

STORY by Robert McKee. I've read bits before from the library, but I want my own copy.
DREAMS AND WISHES: ESSAYS ON WRITING FOR CHILDREN by Susan Cooper, one of my favorite authors evah.
PRETTIES by Scott Westerfeld
BREATHE MY NAME by R.A. Nelson
and last but not least, a fabulous new book by a forum friend of mine,
THE SPYMASTER'S LADY by Joanna Bourne

Hoooraaaaaaaay!

yes!

I made it to 22,000. Whew.

A few recs

Goal: 22,000 by end of today. It's a stretch, but I can do it.

I've seen a couple of wonderful indie movies lately that I have to recommend. Last night's was a total surprise--we ran across it idly on the rack, and brought it home based solely on Alan Rickman's participation. Loved it. Trust the Rickman.

1. CHALK. A mockumentary following several teachers in their first years on the job. HIGHLY recommended for anyone who's ever taught. Or, you know, gone to school. I giggled.

2. SNOW CAKE. Don't read about this movie...you don't want to ruin any surprises for yourself. Just rent it and watch it blind. Good, insightful flick.

We've been on a movie kick. We've also seen The Nanny Diaries, We Are Marshall, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and many others I can't even think of right now. I lurve movies.

One more rec, for those of the book persuasion: I got GODS BEHAVING BADLY for Christmas. I haven't had much time to get very far yet, but I love it. One of the most original things I've seen in a while...and reminiscent of Douglas Adams. (high praise!)

Off to work!

Yay, 1000 words today! And a brand-new scene I'm happy with. Yay!

Oh, it was a good one

Usually, Child wakes me up with a gentle tapping on my back. Sometimes it incorporates into my dream, like the alarm buzzer, but she just keeps up the tapping, tap tap tap, until I respond.

Yesterday it was more of a thump thump thump.

"HE CAME!" she said, in a barely restrained whisper. I rolled over immediately, to find two big eyes, right there. "He CAME and you'd never believe it I've never seen so many presents IN MY LIFE!"

She bounced up and down, clutching her teddy bear, beaming.

"Really?" I whispered back, snapping out of grogginess pretty quick. "Did he eat the cookies?"

"YES! I looked, and there were only CRUMBS LEFT! And he drank all the milk except for THIS MUCH!" She scrunched her fingers together in a fist, showing me a teeny gap, and grinned. Bounce, bounce, bounce. "And I've never seen so many presents, and you have to come look, and there's a present on top that's shaped like a TURKEY! Come ON!"

There was no "okay in five minutes" yesterday. There was only a smile between me and hubby, and a quick throwing on of socks and such, and an even quicker push of the coffeemaker button.

And then it was Christmas.

The rest of the day was wonderful, filled with surprises and playing and phone calls and a lovely time with grandma and grandpa. But that...that was my favorite moment. That lasts me all year.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

My house isn't clean and shiny and sparkly, but we've been spending all our time playing together, making crafts and fudge and wrapping presents. Listening to Christmas carols. Watching the Grinch, all snuggled up on the sofa. Ticking off the days on our advent calendar. There is nothing quite like having a 5-year-old at Christmastime. Everything is vibrant, thrilling, and magical. I adore it--Christmas has always been my favorite time of year, and this one is looking to be the best of all.

Merry Christmas, everybody. May you all have a wonderful New Year.

One day

A day in the life...yesterday.

I wake thinking of snakes. I have to remember to add the snake idea into my WIP. Add in a brief mention in previous scene, longer bit in current scene, with explanation.

Realize that the water is boiling, Child is not fed yet, and I really have to put together that pasta salad for the potluck. Go do all this, dress child in fancy velvety Christmas dress with fur. Shower and clean myself up, check on husband, get everyone to sign cards for teachers, herd out the door.

Arrive at Child's Christmas program, chat with parents. Watch the rather surprising choice of a play about a child dying from the atom bomb attack, then Child ringing Christmas bells. Think idly about snakes. Wonder if I need to rework that last paragraph...something's not right there.

Abandon the hour-long line for a buffet of cocktail weenies, go out to lunch instead. After lunch, split off and go Christmas shopping (alone!). Puzzling over what happens next in the story, while driving under big lit-up bells hanging at the stoplights.

Go home, clean. Decide I need to definitely take out that last para about snakes...too telling. Don't get a chance though, because Child and hubby come home. Play.

Pack dinners, head out to basketball game. Stuff self with popcorn and candy.

Come home, rush Child to bed, zone on sofa with hubby and a movie. Go to bed at midnight. Fall asleep thinking about plot and boyfriend issues in the book, and snakes. :)

snow

YAY! It's snowing!!

Finally. I was getting so tired of looking at brown with spots of muddy ice.

If you're going to live in Montana, you should at least get a white Christmas...

A dirty secret

It's time to admit my addiction.

I tried to deny it, really I did. I tried to remove the temptation. I tried to pretend that if it wasn't right there, easily clickable, I wouldn't go look. I certainly wouldn't seek it out, right?

But oh yes, I do. I will click through three websites now to get there, daily. I snort and I giggle, and I spew coffee all over my monitor.

And in the name of facing up to it, I'm just going to add the link. No more being ashamed!

I'm a fug fan.

It's all A Novel Woman's fault.

What?

From The Onion today:

Nation In Frenzy About Little Wizard Boy And All His Little Wizard Friends

As a 30-something person who loved HP--not crazy love like some people, but I did order the thing in hardcover so I could read it before some fool told me what happened--I laughed out loud. I think maybe my husband wrote this piece, actually. :)

Looking back over my blog posts lately, _I'm_ bored. So here's the question all bloggers ask when they're tired of hearing themselves blah all over. What would you like more of? Giveaways would be good, right? What else? Craft? Gossip? Recipes?

I'm looking to inject a little life back over here, if the needle's not too big.