(31) Days of Summer

"It is my pleasure to inform you that you have officially kicked ass this month. No matter how many words you have written, you have done an amazing thing. Through distractions and demands and family obligations, you forged ahead. Your willingness to go out on a creative limb, to stand up and reach for an impossible goal, is an inspiring example to all of us ... Most of you - like me - probably do not write fiction. Fiction is something other people write. But this month, you dared to say, "Screw that. It's my turn." You stepped up to the plate. And there is nothing more admirable in this whole damn world than someone willing to set for themselves the fearsome task of trying something big." - Chris Baty I DID IT! This has been such a fun month. Well, 24 days. I've been delighted to see my characters turn from things I made up in my head into people, seemingly taking on a life of their own and making their own choices and taking my plot in directions that I ...

I have wrapped up nearly all of my major and minor plot lines, and I have just one to go. I'll spend today thinking about whether the book can actually end where it is, but I think I need one final chapter to wrap up that last plot line (i.e. the opening of the cheese shop). By way of brief explanation for the excerpt and photo, I saw a book about vampires while the kids, Indigo and I were at the library yesterday. I decided to pick it up and read it right there, for research for my book, and flipped through the pages quickly. There were a lot of words, and small font, and nothing funny was jumping out at me. Luckily, the author included these fake pearls, and it drew my attention this this beautiful piece of literary inspiration. It is utter nonsense. And perfect for EsNoWriMo. It reminded me a bit of the Martha Stewart hand soaps, and that you should always have extra on-hand in case of unexpected guests. But more mystical. ~~~ MID-SEPTEMBER Jackie’s Place is now ready for the fi...

I think the following excerpt needs no introduction or explanation. Just read and enjoy ~~~ I looked to Evelyn, expecting her to be hesitant. Or nervous. Or to outright refuse. “I’ve been ready my whole life,” she said, then ran off upstairs. No time to think about what she was off doing, the rest of the guys ran to change into their performance gear. Crisp, white, tailored suits over untucked (yes, untucked!) button down shirts that were… completely buttoned down. White sneakers finished off the look. Jon rustled through the bag, pulling out extra large containers of blusher, bronzer and highlighter. The guys got to work with their make-up brushes, expertly applying all three of the products to their faces, given them a perfect sun-kissed, beachy look. And although they still had the near-perfect abs from their younger years, they applied bronzer and highlighter here as well. The overall effect was pleasing, giving the appearance that they could grate cheese off of their abs and make ...