Before I forget...

Foie Gras Faux Pas: Anniversary Tales

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:24:37 GMT

I like to take risks and try to step out of my comfort zone whenever possible. That's how I found myself in a bit of a conundrum on Sunday night...

FabHusband and I were out to dinner, celebrating our 8th anniversary (a couple of days early) at a super-swank restaurant on Cape Cod. This five-star place had an amazing view of the water (complete with nearly-full moon and bobbing boats), a menu of culinary wonder (lobster in beurre blanc sauce), and impeccable service.

It also offered a 4 course "Chef's Special" tasting menu. As our waiter explained, if we chose it, we could tell him our preferences/allergies/restrictions, and the chef would create a dinner for us that was off the menu but featured the freshest seasonal ingredients. Every course would be a surprise--two apps, an entree, and a dessert.

It was too good to pass up. Both FH and I decided to go for it. Now, FH is essentially a true omnivore (minus a few green veggies and excessive dairy), but I am a bit more judicious in my food choices: I eat any vegetable you can put in front of me, plus poultry and fish. Eating other mammals is not my thing. So we order the tasting menu, and I tell the waiter my customary, "I don't eat beef or pork," and the chef is cool with that--after all, we're essentially at a seafood restaurant!--and we start speculating about what's to come.

First Course: German Potato Salad
...but not just ANY potato salad. The runner put the plate in front of me and grandly pronounces, "German potato salad dressed with foie gras and a 5 minute egg!" and walks away. Foie gras, if you've never had the "pleasure," is goose liver. But said liver has been made extra fatty because the poor goose has been force-fed his/her diet and kept in a low-mobility environment. It's the poultry equivalent of veal.

I blanched. Although foie gras is technically NOT beef, pork, or mammal, I find it kind of morally awful to eat. And, in my pregnant state, I'm pretty sure that both it and the very runny egg are not on the "preferred" food list. But, as I told FabHusband, "it's my own fault. And it IS poultry, so it's not like the kitchen made a mistake. I'm not sending it back." So I gamely picked up my fork and went for it.

Foie gras? Not my thing. Kind of game-y and super, super rich. But the egg and potato salad with it balanced it out. I picked around some of it, and gave the rest to FH (who loved it, BTW).

Second Course: Seafood Surprise!
FH and I were still chuckling over my bad luck with course #1 when appetizer #2 arrived. Our runner grandly placed our places and announced, "Seafood medley: seared tuna sashimi, haddock, and swordfish belly!" Now, as I said, I love seafood. LOVE IT. And will eat anything that comes from the water. However, when one is in a pregnant state, one is not supposed to eat raw fish, let alone high-mercury raw tuna and...you guessed it: swordfish.

"Oh man," I said. FH shook his head. I picked up my fork. Considering where we were, I felt confident in the quality of the fish (and the tuna looked damn fine). I dove in. My concession: I nibbled at the swordfish and gave the rest to FH.

Course Three: Entree- Boo
After the seafood explosion, I turned to FH. "Seriously, what could they POSSIBLY give me for an entree?" I was sure I was in the clear--I mean, what are the odds that two non-beef/pork things that I shouldn't /typically wouldn't eat would show up on my plate? Besides, the majority of the menu was seafood based, and the waiter said that the chef was using ingredients off the menu.

Runner, plate, grand pronouncement: "Lamb medallions!"

I couldn't stop myself, I threw my hands in front of my face and started laughing. I don't eat lamb...but it NEVER would have occurred to me to tell the chef that. What are the odds that LAMB would show up on my plate at a SEAFOOD restaurant?! I don't even think it was on the menu. FH was sympathetic: "You can't eat that," he said. I shook my head. "I know."

The waiter came over. "You don't eat lamb," he said flatly. I shook my head and apologized profusely. "It never occurred to me to specify...I'm so sorry...please apologize to the chef..." Waiter took both of our plates away, generously saying, "it's not a problem...no big deal..." but I watch enough Food Network to know that the chef would be annoyed/hurt/upset.

He returned a few minutes later with fish for me, the lamb for FH, all smiles. But I still felt terrible.

Course Four: Chocolate Relief
"Nothing can go wrong with dessert, right?" I asked FH, worried. But no...it was a chocolate tasting plate, with a rich chocolate brownie smothered in sauce and chocolate ice cream. Sweet relief.

All of the food--whether it was something that I'd usually eat or not--was fabulous: meticulously prepared, presented well, and delicious. And although I ended up kind of bumbling my way through the meal, I'm glad I took the risk and went with the blind menu. I certainly learned a few things: being more specific, communicating clearly, and never making assumptions based on what's in front of you. And I got a great story out of it.

We had a wonderful night, and laughed a lot as we celebrated our anniversary. Tonight is our "official" anniversary date: we're ordering Indian take out and will show CC our wedding photos (she's very in to "brides" right now). It's not foie gras and lamb, but it will be wonderful and special in its own right.

And I'll eat it all.

Creepy Cake N' Bake: All-Seeing Eyeball Cupcakes!

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 03:54:05 GMT

Okay, much to my mother--and probably mother-in-law's--chagrin, I am not Suzy Homemaker. But Halloween + author friends + competitive baking?! SIGN ME UP.

I based my entry on my love for dystopian fiction. Societies where every move you make is scrutinized freaks me the heck out. Teri Hall's THE LINE, Pam Bachorz' CANDOR, Suzanne Collins' THE HUNGER GAMES, and classics such as 1984, THE HANDMAID'S TALE and BRAVE NEW WORLD are some of my favorites.

So I chose to make All-Seeing Eyeball Cupcakes!!

Here's a close shot:

Inside (what you can barely see are the "bloody" red streaks through the cake--but in person they look awesome):

To make your very own All-Seeing-Eyeball Cupcakes:

- Whip up some yellow cake batter
- Add several drops of red food coloring to the batter. Do NOT mix the food coloring all the way--you are going for pinky-red streaks.
- Bake cupcakes as directed and let cool.
- Frost with white frosting (sorry, prncssdidi - I used store bought) and sprinkle with white sparkle sugar to get that glistening effect.
- Dot the top with gummi ring candy (I used Peach Rings) and use dark M&M's for the pupil
- Skinny licorice whips make great lids and bloody veins.
- Sprinkle red sparkle sugar for those last dashes of gory bloodshot detailing.

Enjoy...if you can get past the guilt of having your dessert watch you eat it! Mwa-ha-ha-ha!

The Creepy Cake N Bake-a-Thon is ON! Vote for your favorite entry by commenting below. You can comment on EVERY Cake N Bake post, one entry per post, for a chance to win a $20 gift certificate from Barnes and Noble or an official Creepy Cake N Bake doll! Please include your email in order to be entered to win.

Trophies will be awarded on Halloween for the top creeptastic creations. Winners will be chosen by our special Celebrity Judge, Adam Rex, author of such deliciously creepy creations such as FAT VAMPIRE, FRANKENSTEIN TAKES THE CAKE, FRANKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH, and PSSST!

Check the list of contestants and their post dates so you don't miss any of the fun:

Mon Oct. 3 - Saundra Mitchell - Zombaby Bread!
Wed Oct 5 - Stacey Jay - Insane Clown Zombies!
Friday Oct 7 - Erin Dionne
Saturday Oct 8 - Sydney Salter
Mon Oct 10 - Brenna Yovanoff
Wed Oct 12 - Tara Hudson
Friday Oct 14 - Karen Healey
Saturday Oct 15 - Robin Bridges
Mon Oct 17 - Michelle Zink
Wed Oct 19 - Julia Karr
Friday Oct 21 - Victoria Schwab
Saturday Oct 22 - C.Lee McKenzie
Sunday Oct 23 - E. Kristin Anderson
Mon Oct 24 - Natalie Zaman
Wed Oct 26 - Stephanie Burgis
Friday Oct 28 - Dawn Metcalf

Exciting NOTES news!!!

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:26:49 GMT

A while back, I wrote about connecting with Vince DiFiore of CAKE over an article on marching bands that he published on CNN.com. Well, what I couldn't say at the time--and what I can FINALLY share now!--is that Vince and CAKE put me in touch with the US Scholastic Bands Association, a huge organization that sponsors marching band events all across the country. And this is what came of THAT:

New Book Release for ‘Band Geeks’
USSBA Partners with Author to Celebrate Geekdom

The USSBA continues its campaign for students and parents to prove that marching band is more than just a class, it’s a lifestyle - by partnering with Penguin Books and author Erin Dionne on the release of “Notes from an Accidental Band Geek.”

In the book, Erin Dionne crafts a funny story about a young girl following in her family’s footsteps but marching to the beat of her own drum.

Author Dionne is a band geek at heart, having marched in her high school and college marching bands and recently attended the USSBA event at Blackstone-Millville High School near her home in Massachusetts.

Erin wrote about her experience at the USSBA event in Mass., “I had a *blast* on Saturday night. It brought back memories of competitions I did in high school. The bands were so proud of their achievements and worked really hard on their shows. I was impressed by their dedication--but also remembered feeling the exact same way when I was competing. There were some great music choices and a few really strong shows.”

Dionne continued, “I also did a giveaway and had BAND GEEK stickers made for instrument cases--and they went like hotcakes. I’ll be sure to have more at my next appearances.”

Erin Dionne will be on-site as a special guest of the USSBA signing books at MetLife Stadium and the Yamaha Cup on October 15 and at the USSBA National Championships in Annapolis, Md. on November 12-13.”

“Notes from an Accidental Band Geek” follows thirteen-year old Elsie Wyatt who plays the French horn just like her father and grandfather. When she learns that she can only qualify for the prestigious orchestra of her dreams by joining the high school marching band, all she can think of is an impending musical death in a polyester uniform. Will Elsie survive her first year of high school playing in the marching band, make it into the prestigious orchestra, and follow her dreams? The lessons learned along the way are more than Elsie bargains for, and definitely ones she will never forget.

To order your copy of “Notes of an Accidental Band Geek,” CLICK HERE where a portion of the proceeds will go to help support the USSBA and our activities.

“Notes from an Accidental Band Geek” author Erin Dionne (www.erindionne.com) is an assistant professor of Liberal Arts at a small college north of Boston, where she teaches freshman comp, lit classes, and some creative writing electives. When not actively promoting her writing with her great humor and enthusiastic understanding of the miseries and magic of middle school, Erin reminisces about her days in high school and college marching band. She lives with her husband and daughter in Framingham, Massachusetts.

EEEEEE!!! I'm so proud and excited to be affiliated with this awesome group, which celebrates the work and achievement of so many students. Band geeks rule!

Rock Bands heart Marching Bands: 3 Videos

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:53:11 GMT

Band geeks? Okay. Call 'em what you will, but when was the last time YOU performed with rock stars?

Exactly.

Check out these three band-tastic videos!

1. The only time I can support my college arch-rivals Notre Dame? When their band performed in OKGO's video, "This Too Shall Pass."
(it would've been way better if OKGO'd invited the BC Eagles...but whatever)

2. My parents played Fleetwood Mac (on 8-track, no less!) to help me fall asleep when I was 4 or 5. No way I would've snoozed to this version of "Don't Stop," featuring the USC Trojan marching band.
(poor video quality, but the sound is GREAT)

3. And oh, two great bands that go great together: The Boston College Screaming Eagles Marching Band performing "Shipping Up to Boston" with the Dropkick Murphys. I only wish I'd still been in school for this performance...

So what's a "band geek," anyway?

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 01:53:36 GMT

I get that question a lot these days. Can't imagine why.

Firstly, band geeks are primarily found in marching bands--although many are proud members of concert/symphonic, jazz bands and orchestras--it's the marching aspect that lends (ahem) street cred to your geekdom.

The second element of geekdom? Practice time. Marching bands are rigorous, (most of the time) competitive groups that perform on a bi-weekly basis for a whole sports season. And when not entertaining the crowd at halftime or in the stands, bands are also participating in competitions and marching in local/regional parades. Prepping for all of that takes LOADS of practice time. Practice that involves:
1. learning and (most of the time) memorizing your music
2. learning--and memorizing--your spot on the field show drill charts (those are the things that tell members exactly where they're supposed to be at any given time on the field during halftime.) here's a sample:

3. learning how to march to your spot while playing your instrument and not crashing into anyone else
4. practicing the "stands tunes" that get played during time outs/touchdowns/stoppages in play
5. learning--and memorizing-- a WHOLE NEW SET OF MUSIC for parades
6. marching in straight lines for parade formation.
-and-
7. learning to love a rockin' polyester uniform.

So band kids practice several times a week, and typically start at an intensive "camp" before school actually begins...and, in some parts of the country, the season begins swelteringly hot and ends at freezing. My practice sessions in high school began at 6:50 am and we also rehearsed after school. In college, it was Tues/Thurs, 6:45-10pm, and Saturday mornings anywhere from 3-5 hours before kickoff. Both my high school and college bands also had week long intensive band camps before school started, to help members get a jump on the season.

To do all that, you really have to love several things:
a. Music
b. Sustained discipline and goals
c. The people you're spending all this time with.

That last one? That's the last big part of where the "geek" in band geek comes from. You're with the other members constantly, working together to achieve a goal (a perfect show) that's much larger than the sum of any one person's part. You travel on long bus rides together, stand out in the sun (or rain, or snow, or all three) for hours together, and endure grueling, repetitive practices together. Those people? They become your family. Band members develop inside jokes, slang, and their own language shortcuts out of their shared experience. (Yeah, sometimes we get a little obsessed with 70's and 80's epic sci-fi adventures...but how can you NOT love The Imperial March?!)

So the band geeks in your life? Respect them and the work they do.

Yeah, I'm a band geek. I own it.
(me, as drum major in high school. Respect the skirt. And the hat)

Collecting books for RI kids in need

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:13:31 GMT

Author friends, readers, and book lovers...

I'm collecting books (primarily picture books, chapter books, and easy readers, but will take all levels of kids' books) for a really exciting project to help Rhode Island kids in need. Here's the deal:

When my grandmother, Nina, passed away almost 10 years ago, my family decided that they wanted to honor this amazing, special person in a very public, permanent way. They created The Nina Foundation, an organization to raise money for RI kids in need, and paired with the Dept. of Children/Family services to provide basic necessities for kids lacking clothes, properly heated homes, and food. Through our fundraisers, we've helped 70 families, but wanted to do more, reaching more kids.

After nearly 10 years, the Nina Foundation is making an even bigger impact. First, we paired with the Providence Children's Museum. The Children's Museum runs a program where children separated from their families and in the foster care system come in to the museum with their birth parents for supervised family visits, so they can get on the road to being permanently reunited.

The Nina Foundation purchased a HOUSE in Providence and are renovating it. The Fairfield Avenue house--to be called Nina's House--will be a major extension of the Museum's DCYF visitation program. Children will be able to visit with their parents in a home-like setting. Mom and Dad can make lunch for their kids, give them a bath--and--of course, snuggle up and read to them. Social workers will be able to offer guidance and hands-on help as mom and dad negotiate day-to-day skills. The upper floor of the house will hold offices of the Museum DCYF staff.

This is a completely new model of family visitation in New England. (typically, family visitations take place in public places--notably, McDonald's play spaces, or in the LOBBY of the Providence DCYF building. Depressing and sad.)

My part in all this--I'd love to have a mini "library" at the house, so parents can connect with their children through reading together. And beginning readers can proudly show their parents their new skills! All of the books will remain on-site.

If you'd consider donating one of your books, or a favorite read, to the program, I'd be so grateful--and you'd be making an impact in a lot of kids' lives. Nina's House will be finished and presented to the museum on November 1st. I'll accept books via snail mail up through October 28th. (Feel free to sign them with an encouraging note, or if you'd like to send bookmarks, etc, instead, I'd gladly accept those, as well.)

Packages can be sent to me. DM me for my address.

I'll also be presenting at this year's ENCORE! program at Rhode Island College on the 29th, and will gladly accept donations after my session.

If you'd like more info about Nina's House or the program, feel free to message me or leave a note in the comments.

Thanks for thinking of Nina's House!

ETA: new, ARCs, F&G's (as long as the pages are attached), and gently used books are totally acceptable. These books will not be sold or circulated--just read and loved.

A little CAKE, a little serendipity, a lot of polyester

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 03:12:52 GMT

At the beginning of the summer I was on hold with some giant beauracracy, clicking through websites to make the time pass, and came across this article about the importance of marching bands and music education on CNN.com. Vince DiFiore, trumpet player for the band CAKE, wrote it. I'm already a CAKE fan--three-year-old CC knows most of the lyrics to "Short Skirt, Long Jacket"--but his article cemented my love for CAKE.
As an eight-year veteran of polyester uniforms and plumed headwear, I was struck by Vince's passion and the clear argument that he made. In essence: band matters. Music matters. It helps kids grow and develop into confident leaders.

Preaching to the choir, here, Mr. DiFiore. Band was an amazing experience in my life. When I abruptly moved twice in two years (one move took place between my freshman and sophomore years in high school), it was marching band that opened the door to friendships and belonging. As an awkward, unathletic teen, it gave me the sense of cameraderie and competitiveness found in team sports. I represented my school--both high school and college--and had the opportunity to travel across the country, perform on television, and learn leadership and problem-solving skills. Marching band forced me to step outside of comfort zone (no pun intended).

Did I mention that most of my closest friends, including my FabHusband, all marched with me?

Anyway, I was so struck by DiFiore's straightforward nature in the article that when I finally got through the hold chain, completed my business, and hung up the phone, I dashed off a quick thank-you note, found CAKE's email address, and sent it. I told Vince how much I appreciated that he was using his platform to support music education, and told him how much band had meant to me. I told him about NOTES FROM AN ACCIDENTAL BAND GEEK, and offered to send him a copy as a thank-you (never expecting that an alt-rock star would be interested in a book for tween girls, but hey...why not?). The article also explained that CAKE has partnered with the USSBA (US Scholastic Bands Association), and together are running a super-cool contest for bands across the country (click here for details). How awesome is that?!

So I sent the email message, and kind of forgot about it.

Until Vince wrote back.

And said that he'd love to read NOTES. (And I freaked out and sent it to him immediately, of course!)

And since then he's emailed a few more times...enjoying the book.

Holy crazy, Batman! A bona-fide ROCK STAR, reading my book?!?! And some other things have come from that, which we'll get into later. But...man. I look at how this unfolded, and what occurs to me is that it all goes back to stepping out of your comfort zone, and championing what you believe in. Although I don't play my instrument any more (flute/piccolo, if you're keeping score), music has never left my life or art. Obviously, it's the central part of NOTES...but it's important to Celeste in MODELS, and even Hamlet has a musical moment in TOTAL TRAGEDY. I frickin' LOVE marching band.

I'm so grateful that Vince DiFiore took the time to respond to my message, but even more so that he took the time to write that article in the first place. I'm grateful to those years I spent in polyester, and the instant connection that experience generates when you meet someone else who is a bona fide band geek.

If you are so inclined, head over to iTunes and show CAKE some support...they have a great new album out.

Coming to a Computer Near You: September/October Skype Visits!

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:28:24 GMT

As well as doing in-person school and bookstore events, I love reaching out to readers virutally via Skype. So, this fall I'm offering 10 visits as a Skype "tour" for classrooms, book clubs, homeschool groups, etc to talk about NOTES FROM AN ACCIDENTAL BAND GEEK (Dial Books). And it's free!

Details:

Title: NOTES FROM AN ACCIDENTAL BAND GEEK (Dial Books, releases Sept 1, 2011)

Best for Grades: 5-12

Themes/topics for discussion: family issues, music, marching band, social pressures, reaching out to others, making friends, creativity and passion

Writing Topics I like to discuss: brainstorming, revision, editing, character development, humor, incorporating personal experience into fiction

About the book: Thirteen-year-old Elsie Wyatt wants to be an orchestra superstar, like her dad and grandfather. The first step? Get into Shining Birches, a super-selective summer music camp.
But a missed audition (thanks, Dad!) and approaching application deadline lands her in the plumed hat and polyester pants of her school’s marching band—where she can’t play her own instrument, can’t sit down, and can’t seem to say the right thing to anyone…let alone Jake, the cute trumpet player she meets on the first day. Surviving marching band is going to be way harder than Elsie thought!

Available days/times for Skype chats: Mon/Wed 11:30-12:15pm EST in September and October; some afternoon/evening availability, as well

Tour Dates: September & October 2011; scheduling 10 visits

Email: erinmdionne@yahoo.com

Notes from the Road: Etruscans, Tombs, and Sculpture, oh my!

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:38:22 GMT

Sorry for the lack of postings...we had a week of spotty internet service, which is so frustrating! However, I have a backlog of posts to activate, so you'll see things over the next few days. This entry is about a field trip we took with the students July 9. We spent this past weekend in Rome, so I have a separate entry about that for later this week.

We boarded our bus at 8am and rode an hour and a half south to see Etruscan tombs in Cerveteri. Built in approximately 700 BC, there were over 30,000 dead in these mound tombs. Each one is carved into rooms for "sleeping" and "dining." we had to walk down flights of stairs to get into them. Some had been fitted with lights, but others were dark and overgrown, dusty and musty with age. So beautiful and such an incredible sense of the weight of time. There's no other way to describe it...

CC loved it. We walked with different bunches of students and she was able to identify what was sleeping spaces vs. Dining areas. It was really, really hot, so we took it slow.

After that, we got back on the bus for 40 mind and went to Tarquinia, to see more tombs. These were painted inside--some, decorated with animals and hunting scenes. Others were banquets and family life. Lots of the paint had faded, but the vibrant reds and yellows were still visible. To see something that had been painted over 1000 years ago...awe inspiring. It makes you feel very, very insignificant.

On the bus again, and it was time to hit the beach. We drove 30 minutes to the Mediterranean. We had 3 hours to have lunch and enjoy the beach. FH, CC and I ate with the faculty--we took a long lunch to cool off in the a/c-- then spent a half hour in the sand. The waves were high and rough, so CC dipped her feet and splashed with the kids, but didn't go deep. The sand was black--volcanic-- and HOT. There are rental chairs and umbrellas scattered along the beach, and we were able to score one for free. FabHusband went for a dip in the sea, but I opted not to put on my suit. I splashed in the surf, though!

Back to the bus at 5, and then it was 25 minutes (during which CC was so tired she fell asleep with her arms up in the air) to the Tarot Garden Sculpture park. A contemporary artist made a giant piece of art for each of the 22 figures in the tarot deck. The sculptures are so big you can walk in them, and each is covered with beautiful mosaic tiles and mirrors. CC was beside herself, as were the kids.

We finally got home to Viterbo at 8:15pm, exhausted.

So far, I've done about 4 loads of laundry BY HAND ( the washing machine? Filled with mold in the detergent dispenser. So gross I can't even deal), including our sheet and pillow cases. Lemme tell you, the "old country"-- in some ways not all it's cracked up to be!

Notes from the Road: 5 Things I've learned so far

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 18:39:43 GMT

1. Adapting takes work. Especially if you're traveling with a three year old. Normally, I'm what you'd call a "control freak". I am organized and like things my way. Here, though, I'm at lots of mercies-- the program director's, the weather, the language barrier, jet lag, and my family--and I have to remind myself each day that changing, adapting, and stepping out of my comfort zone is part of the whole experience. Letting go is a process for me.

2. Comfort is important, too. We haven't been nose- deep in a guidebook this week--as a matter of fact, we didn't even have one for our city until yesterday. This allowed us to build a routine, explore local places, and become comfortable with our surroundings without rushing to see sights. This has been really important for CC-- she needs to feel like this is home, since we still have three full weeks of living here.

3. Kindness is key. This is always important, but when you and your spouse are in close quarters, jet lagged, out of your element, and dealing with a mercurial child, taking a breath and being kind goes a long way. FabHusband is Fab always, and it serves me well to remember--and be appreciative-- of that.

4. Sestina is the way to go. For the first few days we were here, adapting to the time change meant staying awake all day and getting back on to our routine. But now that we're over the worst of the jet lag...well, the Italians close up shop in the heat of the day for a reason, people. Even though the weather has been molto cooperative, I have to say it's nice to chill out and relax for a bit before hitting the street after dinner. Even the littlest kids are in the street with their families at 11pm. We're not quite at that level, but 9-9:30? Doable.

5. Put yourself out there. See number one, especially in regards to the language barrier. The more Italian I stumble through, the more comfortable I feel in new situations. I can already order like a pro, and am working on small talk. Plus, a big smile doesn't hurt.

Notes from the Road: Italy

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:18:39 GMT

Two days ago, FabHusband, CC, and I landed in Rome and headed north with a busload of college students and colleagues to Viterbo, Italy. We're here for a month, while my American art students take classes in painting, photography, journalistic drawing, art history-- and (my class) journal writing.

Holy Schnikey, Batman, I'm living in Italy!

Viterbo is a medieval walled city lined with twisty cobblestone streets, stucco buildings, and more fountains and piazzas than you can shake a stick at. People live in close quarters--the apartments are literally end to end, with few spaces between buildings (most of which were built between 1300-1550), so they do their celebrating and socializing in the street every night.

While walking back from a dinner with our while group at around 10:30 last night, we literally had to squeeze through the crowds in some places-- families, young people, old people...everyone milling around, chatting, laughing, walking dogs and eating gelato. Cafes and bars (which are actually more like US cafes...they serve gelato, snacks, and beer and wine) were open, and people spilled out of them onto the street.

I don't know about you, but at 6pm on a Sunday night, my mid-sized New England town is dead.

We're staying in medieval house-turned-apartment, which features stucco and brick arched ceilings, tile floors, two huge bedrooms, a bathroom, and a combination kitchen/dining/living room. Our door to the street has two lion door knockers, which CC is completely enamored by, and one wall inside our house is made of stone.

Our street is a tiny medieval alley--photo below.

So far, we've spent our days getting acclimated, outfitting the apartment, and practicing some basic Italian in the neighborhood. Classes begin today, and there's a field trip on Saturday to visit some Etruscan burial sites.

Working through the jet lag has been a see-saw process for CC. Saturday--the day we arrived-- she was miraculous after taking a red eye. Yesterday was tougher, and a late, late nap during dinner meant that she was up til the wee hours-- and is still sleeping (at nearly 11:30am). But, we'll figure it out. She is also a COMPLETE hit with the students, playing games and blowing kisses to them. She'll come home knowing more Italian than us.

Somehow, FH and I have to also figure out how to get some work done-- he has to check in at his office, and I have a book to work on. Again, all in good time.

For now, caio!

ETA: I am tinkering w how to post pics from the iPad to LJ. Patience!

April by the numbers

Tue, 03 May 2011 19:11:03 GMT

Book events, my own: 4
Book events, others: 2
Pages revised: 70
Tv appearances: 1
Print interviews: 1
States visited: 4
Hours spent stuck in airport: 4.5
Luggage lost: 0
ARCs for NOTES received: 25
books read: 3
Papers graded: 135
Skype visits: 1
Nights of 7 or more consecutive hours of sleep: 3

Ugh. As you can see, I'm still trying to catch up. I have fab photos from my trip to Tennessee for Knoxville's Shakesfest to share as well as a wrap up about that it's like to be on morning television.

I hope to get to all of that soon. May is already nutty, with 5 Skype visits and 2 in person ones in 8 days. This is definitely the best part of being an author--talking to readers. And I love that technology makes it so I can reach readers from places where I don't get to visit.

Spring...heck, summer is in the air! Let's bring it!

Five Things on a Friday: Starts with "T" Edition

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:29:57 GMT

1. Taxes. UGH. Still haven't submitted ours to our accountant/my father-in-law. I think we're 90% done, but UGH. 'Nuff said.

2. Tenessee! I'm going there. Next Friday, the 15th (see above) to be a presenter for the Knoxville Public Library Shakesfest! It's a celebration of Shakespeare-tasticness for the Bard's birthday. I'll be talking about the Bard and leading a writing workshop. Please come see me if you're from the skinny state!

3. Television! I'm going to be on it. WPRI, Providence, Rhode Island's Fox affiliate, is having me on their morning show, The Rhode Show. Eep! I'll be on next Tuesday, the 12th, between 8-8:30am. I'm so not a morning person, and am totally freaking out over what to wear. Luckily, mostly_irish is going to help me out. We're hitting the mall this afternoon.

4. Time. There's never enough of it these days, but at least it's filled with good things, right?

5. Taking risks/ terrified. Although I'm thrilled to be part of Shakesfest! and the Fox broadcast, both events are a big deal--there are a lot of people who will be relying on me to do a good job, or watching me (my whole extended family is in Rhode Island; literally). So I'm nervous in a way that I haven't been before. But I'm remembering the ropes course I did in October, and how pushing myself out of my comfort zone shows me what I'm capable of. So...*deep breaths* ....bring it on!

Five Things on a Friday--Quick & Dirty Edition

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 18:18:26 GMT

While CC plays with stickers and an (unsharpened) pencil at my feet and the dog lounges:

1. My Fabulous Husband started a fabulous new job two weeks ago...and it turned our schedule upside down. Adjusting to being full time mom, full time teacher, and working writer, all at the same time? Not so easy. I'm trying to breathe and prioritize, but I'm just so darn tired. And busy. Downtime will come...after Easter. *hunkers down and stops whining*

2. It snowed again last night. We have seven inches on the ground. It is April. 'Nuff said.

3. I'm reading WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON by John Green and David Levithan. Hysterically funny, poignant, and real. I need to up my writing game; these two set the bar high.

4. Went on a mini shopping spree last night. 50% off everything at New York & Company, so I outfitted myself for a bridal shower and Grandma's 90th birthday party (both this weekend) with a new dress, cute tank with rosettes, and a sassy jacket with ruffle detail. Even bought jewelry. Yay! If the weather won't cooperate in boosting my mood, retail therapy must step in. I need shoes, though.

5. The dog is hiccuping in his sleep.

and a bonus #6...

As soon as I get the time, I'm going to do the exercise Cheryl Renee Herbsman did.

Spring Break?

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:26:45 GMT

I'm on Spring Break from the day job this week. Yay!! A~~n uninterrupted stretch of writing, reading, rest and relaxation.~~ FH just started a new contract position, so I'm all mom, all the time from now on (typically we split CC-care on the days that we're both home). CC and I have lots of awesome events planned: 2 playdates, coffee with a college friend, time outside, St Patty's Day craft fun, and a trip to the mall. Although "rest" won't be in my vocabulary (please, please let her nap this week. Please!!), hanging out with her is its own kind of break. I get to run around, playing imagination games (yesterday I wore a cape and captured some bank robbers), and enjoy her personality.

I'm at a point where I need to redirect my focus, too: I am at the point in my latest manuscript where I need to take a little time away--no more than a couple of days, but when you're drafting, even that can feel like a lot--to figure out some structural issues. At school, my students have turned in one paper and are drafting another (I have to write comments on the draft over break) and we're starting a new book, Cormac McCarthy's THE ROAD, once we get back. And it's spring--Daylight Savings has arrived, the snow is (nearly) gone from my backyard, and the weather is (supposedly) going to get warmer. A time of change.

So this week I'll wear my cape, build with blocks, cajole a nap or two, and spend some time outside. Hopefully, by the end of it, we'll all be refreshed and ready to get back into the routine of work, writing, and daily life. Until then, I've gotta police a jailbreak.

Six Random Thoughts on a Friday

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 18:24:03 GMT

- After a great critique by my writing group last night, I'm ready to revise the first quarter of my current project. I really, really like this book--it's a little different for me, and it's SO FUN to write.

- I'm up to my ears grading HUNGER GAMES papers for the day job. The students in my class overwhelmingly loved the book to the point where they want to meet at lunch to discuss the other books in the series. One student came up to me after class yesterday and told me that he's behind on the reading we're supposed to be doing for class (we've moved on to THE HANDMAID'S TALE) because he's reading CATCHING FIRE. I couldn't be upset about that, could I? : D

- John Truby's book THE ANATOMY OF STORY is amazing.

- Our Christmas tree, which has been in a frozen cocoon at the end of our driveway since early January, has finally started to emerge. I'm running a contest on my Facebook page--guess when the town finally takes it away and you can win a mystery prize pack!

- Also reading Lauren Hillenbrand's UNBROKEN. Holy mackerel, it's good. Not something I'd normally pick up, but my highly-selective dad raved about it. With good reason.

- My iPad has, and continues to, revolutionize my life. I love it. But I am also completely willing to hand mine over to FabHusband in favor of the iPad 2. Skype?! Cameras?! That CASE?! *drools*

Have a great weekend!!

Five Things on a Friday--Contemplative Edition

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 19:32:33 GMT

1. The kidlit publishing community and my 2009 Debs friends are still reeling from the loss of lkmadigan . Someone so giving and funny and warm and genuine doesn't deserve to leave us so early. Before she passed, she set up a trust fund to help fund her son's college education. If you'd like to contribute, here are the details:

Nathan Wolfson Trust
Becker Capital Management, Inc.
Attn: Sharon Gueck/John Becker
1211 SW Fifth Ave, Suite 2185
Portland, OR 97204

Donors will be sent acknowledgment letters. You should also feel free to repost this information in your own blogs, or tweet about it, should you so desire.

2. It's pouring rain today. Better than snow, I suppose, but since we still have three feet of it on the ground, it's making for flooded basements and roads. Plus, getting anywhere is just a soggy mess. Bah. Spring, please? PLEASE?!

3. Had a great post-writing date talk last night with my writing group buddy, Gary (gjcrespo ). I'm in the thick of a new novel, and he asked all the right questions about character motivation and growth. Too bad I didn't have any answers--a clear indication to me that I have some thinking to do before I move forward with this story.

4. In accordance with my 2011 goals/resolutions list, I've been spending a bit of time exploring options for presenting at writing conferences. I have my eye on a couple later in the year. Hopefully they'll pan out. This is something I truly enjoy.

5. I've given up on the idea of finding balance. I don't believe it's possible to manage the unpredictable, constantly changing aspects life in such a way and it was stressing me out to no end. Instead, I'm shooting for a bigger picture view, with the understanding that sometimes the day job takes up more time, sometimes the writing demands the most attention, sometimes the laundry just has to be out of control, and that family is paramount. For the most part, it's working...and although it's not any less stressful, at least I'm not beating myself up for spending more time in one area when necessary. That's progress, right?

What are you thinking about these days?

LK Madigan

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 02:48:34 GMT

Sometimes, you don't have the words.

Lisa, you are in my heart.

A few minutes with...Eleanor Brown!

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 21:33:30 GMT

Meet Eleanor Brown. She is super nice, very talented, and just might be my mainstream adult fiction doppelganger!

Her first novel, THE WEIRD SISTERS, debuted in January. It's about Shakespeare, and families, and sisters, and the strange ties that bind. It's gotten (well-deserved) fab-tabulous reviews, cracked the NYT bestseller list, was an Amazon Best Book of the Month for January, and makes indie booksellers salivate. And with its blend of humor, Shakespeare, and sisterhood (AND cool white cover), I like to think of it as the "big sister" book to TOTAL TRAGEDY.

Here's a little bit about the book, from it's Publisher's Weekly starred review:

You don't have to have a sister or be a fan of the Bard to love Brown's bright, literate debut, but it wouldn't hurt. Sisters Rose (Rosalind; As You Like It), Bean (Bianca; The Taming of the Shrew), and Cordy (Cordelia; King Lear)--the book-loving, Shakespeare-quoting, and wonderfully screwed-up spawn of Bard scholar Dr. James Andreas--end up under one roof again in Barnwell, Ohio, the college town where they were raised, to help their breast cancer–stricken mom. The real reasons they've trudged home, however, are far less straightforward: vagabond and youngest sib Cordy is pregnant with nowhere to go; man-eater Bean ran into big trouble in New York for embezzlement, and eldest sister Rose can't venture beyond the "mental circle with Barnwell at the center of it." For these pains-in-the-soul, the sisters have to learn to trust love--of themselves, of each other--to find their way home again. The supporting cast--removed, erudite dad; ailing mom; a crew of locals; Rose's long-suffering fiancé--is a punchy delight, but the stage clearly belongs to the sisters; Macbeth's witches would be proud of the toil and trouble they stir up. (Jan.)

Eleanor was kind enough to make some time to answer a few questions for a fellow Bard brain. Check out her answers, then go get THE WEIRD SISTERS. Trust me, you don't want to be "that person" who hasn't read it!!

1. What is your writing process like? Plotter or plunger? Outliner or seat-of-the-pantser?
I'm a total seat-of-the-pantser when it comes to writing. Usually all I need is a really good first line to start writing, and then I just dive in and see where it takes me. When I get further into a story (the dreaded middle), I will often do limited outlining - two or three chapters ahead, for instance, but the real structuring doesn't come until late in the revision process. Then the index cards come out so I can shuffle events and chapters around freely!
I think I might have to adopt your "limited outlining" strategy for the middle. I'm a big proponent of index cards, too. Here's to plungers!

2. Revision--love it or leave it? How many revisions did WEIRD SISTERS go through?
Oh, I'd leave revision if I could, but it's so necessary. The secret, I think, is doing what Stephen King recommends in On Writing and putting it aside for a while and getting to work on something else. It's less painful when you're not looking at it and saying, "But I just DID this!" I can't even count how many revisions The Weird Sisters went through, but my money is on dozens. Basically my rule of thumb is that if I'm not completely sick of it, I haven't revised enough.
We are cut from the same cloth, you and I. Counting is overrated. Revising is not.

3. How did you celebrate your release day?
We had the loveliest reading and signing at Tattered Cover, a wonderful independent bookstore in Denver. So many friends were there to celebrate and support me, and it was just a wonderful launch.
Sounds like it was a lovely day!

4. What's been the most surprising part about being published?
The number of people who have connected with the book. I purposely kept my expectations low, so hearing from so many readers of so many ages and family configurations and experiences who each found something meaningful to them in the story just makes me all verklempt.
I love it when readers reach out like that.

5. Your LEAST favorite Shakespeare play...and why.
I'm not a big Romeo and Juliet fan, probably because it's overdone, and because I've never seen a production that really shook me up. But there is some gorgeous language in it!
Ninth grade English teachers everywhere are keeling over, Eleanor!

6. Favorite Shakespearean insult.
There are sillier ones, but I adore the banter between Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, and when he says, "What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet living?" that just cracks me up.
*chuckles* Great choice!

7. Favorite ice cream flavor:
Ben & Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch. Is there another?
ooh, I'm a mint chip fan, myself...but we can agree to disagree.

8. Most memorable book from childhood and why:
Honestly, I am such an insatiable reader I could never pick one. I love the classics - Little House on the Prairie, Harriet the Spy, A Wrinkle in Time, and then for no particular reason I was thinking about two other memorable ones today - Nothing's Fair in Fifth Grade and Karen Kepplewhite is the World's Best Kisser. Oh, but wait, there's also The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon, I Mean Noel, and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and The Secret of N.I.M.H. - yeah, it's just best not to get me started.
OMG! So many of these are on my list! Squee!!

9. Best bit of writing advice you've given or received:
From Jodi Picoult: You can edit garbage, but you can't edit a blank page.
Amen to that.

10. Can you tell us about your next project?
I'm awfully superstitious about talking about works in progress. But I will say I have been thinking a lot about love and marriage and divorce, and how those things fit together.
Or fall apart, as the case may be. : D

Thanks for coming by, Eleanor, and congratulations on THE WEIRD SISTERS!!

ETA: Eleanor will be at Newtonville Books in Massachusetts next Thursday, March 3rd!

Italy or bust!

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 21:56:35 GMT

HOW has it been two weeks since I've updated?! Yikes.

I was planning to update my resolutions and goals, and write a "taking stock" type post, but I got some super-fun news yesterday that has railroaded just about everything else.

This summer, I'm spending a month in ITALY! Teaching!! YAY!!!

Montserrat College of Art, home of my day job, runs a summer program to Viterbo, Italy. This year, enrollment was large enough for the Dean to run the journal/travel writing class that sometimes appears in that curriculum. And I get to teach it! Yay!! And FabHusband and CC will come with me. Yay!!

We're going to spend a month in an apartment in a walled city!! I'll teach in the late afternoons, but the majority of my day will be free to explore and record this fantastic adventure. But we have lots to do to prepare: CC needs a passport ASAP, and FH needs to renew his. We need to find a dog sitter, check on our airline miles, and figure out what to pack (I think I'm going to need a new stroller). I'll need to organize my writing projects, design my course curriculum, and do some prep on the area before we leave. The next couple of months are going to fly. My hope is to turn the blog into a travelogue while I'm there, so I can record and share our adventure.

I'm thrilled, totally excited, and a tiny bit nervous. Yeah, it's going to be a totally amazing experience, and FH and I have traveled to Europe together a few times, but bringing CC along adds a whole new dimension--navigating the time change/jet lag, dealing with car seats and transportation issues, what if she gets sick, etc. This is more than just a vacation jaunt.

BUT...I'm up for it. Ever since I started working at MCA, I've had my eye on this opportunity, and to have it come to fruition is amazing. I'm giddy. And even though CC will only barely be three, I can't help but think that something like this will help shape her little personality (okay, BIG personality) even more. We're very, very fortunate. I'm so grateful.

Time to start learning Italian...

Caio!

A Few Words on Retreats

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:56:41 GMT

Last weekend, I left my CC with FabHusband, packed up, and headed north to Burlington, VT for Kindling Words East.

I'd been dying to attend KW ever since I heard about it years ago. It's for published children's book authors and editors only, which gives it a different feel from an SCBWI conference. It also had a blend of craft-focused lectures in the morning, with time to work in the afternoon. Since I love craft, and needed time to write, this was also a bonus. Lastly, there was loads of fun to be had, too--spending time with talented people who truly care about making good books for kids always leads to fun! (And dance-floor shenanigans. Of which there were a few. Ahem.)

But instead of writing about KW specifically, I wanted to take the time to write about retreats in general. I've had the fortune and opportunity to attend three kinds of retreats (four, if you count SCBWI--which is really a conference instead of a retreat, so scratch that one), and I've gotten something different from each one. And, I think, depending on what I'm working on and what my needs are at the time, I get something different from the same kind of retreat from year to year.

Having an uninterrupted block of time to immerse yourself in writing can feel like a selfish luxury--after all, you're taking time away from your family to travel to a cool destination, talk about books and writing, and then "work" with people from your imagination. But, here's the thing:

Writing, 98% of the time, is a completely solitary endeavor. Writers are alone when they draft. Alone when they revise. Alone when they revise again. (And again). We're alone when we send our manuscripts out and get editorial letters to puzzle through. Even if we're sharing the contents of letters with a spouse or friend, we're still the ones who have to go back to the page and do the work of sorting it all out. We're alone in our negotiations with our publishers (yes, agents are present in lots of cases, but ultimately the contracts are between author/publisher), and we're alone in our receptions of good and bad reviews.

That's why these moments of connection are so important. It's a time for us to feel less alone in our work, to share and cheer and support one another, and to give valuable insight on craft and industry that may spark a flame in someone else.

This weekend, I had two major epiphanies about the book I've been working on--neither of which I would have arrived at on my own. It took another writer, with another perspective and different experience, to unlock the struggle I've been faced with. And the results will be a better book. Man, am I grateful! I wasn't the only one, either--several other people had similar experiences, all because we had the opportunity to come together and feed that creative spark some different fuel.

I know that there are lots of brilliant writers who don't attend retreats or conferences and who come up with amazing stories and tell them in unique, distinctive ways. But for me, the sense of community, camaraderie, and inspiration found in a retreat is invaluable.

PS: As soon as I download the camera, photos of the purple hair!

Switching it up

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 04:27:30 GMT

Change is good, but it's also, by its nature, difficult. Once we get in a rut, or get comfortable, it's easy to stay there. To not grow. To stay safe.

This fall, FabHusband and I hit an adventure ropes course for our anniversary. Being suspended in the air, balancing on 2x4s, and gingerly traversing the aerial path was terrifying, exhilarating, and inspiring--all at once. It was an excellent reminder to me to step outside of my comfort zone. When I left, I wanted to find other ways to push myself, partly to get the thrill again, but also because being uncomfortable is what helps me grow and see things in new ways.

Which brings me to my hair.

My hair is about as vanilla as brown, wavy/curly, tends-toward-frizzy, hair gets. I've had minuscule variations on the same hair style for the past....decade (eesh). When I was younger, I tended to be more drastic with it--cutting it off into a super- short 'do in college, for example--but I never went the route of coloring it. I thought that if I had to "maintain" any shade or highlighting regimen, I'd lose part of myself and become a slave to fashion...the hair salon...expectations and images of beauty...take your pick.

I was also too chicken. What if my head turned orange? What if my hair fell out? What if, what if, what if.

So I stayed brown, which I was totally fine with, and got into the decade-long hair rut.

Until today. Well, technically, until I found out that there would be a masquerade ball at Kindling Words this weekend. Actually, it was once I settled on my costume--making use of the bridesmaid dress I wore in my brother-in-law's wedding this fall--that I made the decision: I was going purple. Not whole-head, Katy Perry violet or anything...just a little splash of color. See, I LOVE costumes, and I'll go to the extreme for a good one. And once I started thinking about what I'd wear and how I'd accessorize, I thought, wouldn't it be cool if....

And I followed that with Why not?

I mean, sure, I'm 30-blah-blah, am a mom and have a job. Sure, candy-colored hair is probably the top No-no on What Not to Wear. But you know what? I don't care. Maybe it's because the snow is piled higher than a kindergartner, or maybe it's the ropes course, or an early midlife crisis, but I needed to make a change. Shake it up.
So I picked up some Manic Panic Purple Haze, brought it to my stylist (there was no way I'd try this at home!), and went for it. It's just a few streaks under the top layer of my hair (and maybe a teensy one in my bangs), just enough to catch a glimpse if my hair is down. Not earth-shattering by any stretch. Conservative, for purple. But when I pull it up, you can definitely see it.

My hair didn't fall out. My head didn't turn orange. FabHusband thinks it's cute and CC adores it (but proclaimed that green would be better). I'm sure my students and colleagues will barely notice. But for me, it's a big change. It's a different type of risk, a little thrill.

Mission accomplished. And next time, we can totally boost up the color...

Back to School

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 04:29:27 GMT

Tomorrow, I head back to work for the second semester. My syllabi are ready, I've pre-marked the pages in my books to correspond with the assigned reading, and I've put all paper due dates and meetings in my calendar.

Although it's tough to juggle mom-dom, teaching, and writing, in some ways I actually look forward to the forced routine of work. It gives me defined structure--as well as defined stressors! But this time, I feel like I have a few new tools in my toolbox. I'm planning my days better and trying to organize everything from meals to writing time a week at a time. I'm using my snazzy iPad to stay on top of correspondence, blogging, and teacher-work (keeping meeting notes and to-do lists on it). My house is even slightly more organized than when last semester ended!

Maybe I should quit while I'm ahead?

Craft-y

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:51:14 GMT

I've been thinking a lot about craft lately.

In my day job, I talk about craft constantly--why authors make the choices they do, how the story pulls readers along, the quality of writing, antagonists' roles, world building...on and on. I love talking craft.

And lots of great writers post about craft. Case in point: check out Bethany Hedgedus's, editor of Hunger Mountain (and cool person) post on the character-oriented novel here.

And then I realized: I never think about craft when I draft.

(oh, an epiphany that rhymes! How often does THAT happen?!)

When I'm drafting, as I am now, I just write-write-write to get words on the page, to get the story out. I don't think about a character's growth, or the role of antagonists, or anything except getting the person from point A to point B.

And seriously, I wonder if this is why it takes me revision after revision to get to the heart of my story? Craft always comes later, when I feel like the story is out of the way and I can develop the piece more.

Hmmmm....beyond plotting and pacing, do you think craft when you draft?

Being a writer

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 20:24:34 GMT

On Saturday, my writing group went on its first-ever mini-retreat. We met early, wrote all day, broke for lunch, wrote in the afternoon, and read at the end of the day. We came up with a few goals for the group, and it got each of us thinking about our work in new ways. It was pretty rockin.

I set out to write 5,000 words on my Secret New Project, and I ended up coming in short, with 4,000. But I now have about 10 chapters of material and close to 12,000 words. The book is just under 25% complete! Yay!

Of course, it's in disasterous shape. At the very end of the day, I moved a scene from chapter 3 or 4 to chapter 10, which means I have to go back and straighten and smooth out the plot in those early sections. And the pacing is a little off, but that's okay. This is draft-stuff. And draft-stuff is messy and bumpy and doesn't always make sense. That's why I revise. A ton.

All of us remarked on how indulgent it felt to just spend a day writing--no other responsibilities or obligations. This is something I've been thinking about a lot lately, especially in relation to being a mom and working. It's hard. Writing means you take away time from your family--large chunks of time--to create. It means other people have to pick up your slack (or your kid). It never seems like you're done, especially once you finish a draft and realize how much work is ahead of you in revision. And when you ARE done, you turn around and do it all again for the next book.

Last week, the fabulous jbknowles wrote about how she was making this year the Year of Being a Writer . She wrote about the challenges and insecurities and difficulty that comes with putting the work first.

I'm sitting in Panera Bread, while my husband is home with our daughter, stealing away a few hours to work and write and catch up, and it looks like I'm dinking around on the computer. But I'm putting the work first. And when I go home--after stopping at the grocery store on my way--I'll be able to put my family first, and feel refreshed and energized about the work I just did.

I'm trying to Be a Writer, too, Jo.