Update

I haven't been very good at keeping my blog up through the crazy summer.  I think now (maybe) I'll get back to it at least a few days a week.

So, I've been trying to come up with a follow up book to Never Eighteen, and have no idea what to write.  I have two finished YA manuscripts, but not sure they're going to fly (even though in my opinion they rock, but I might be biased).  I started a new one tentatively titled Sad.  And yes, I still have Finding Nirvana, and another one I've started but haven't found my groove on them yet.

I'm also involved in the awesome Class of 2k11 group.  It's a group of debut YA and MG authors getting together and helping each other market our books.  This group started with authors from 2007 and has been going since.  We have some exciting stuff that we're doing.  Our official launch is 11-11-10.  You can look us up on Facebook.

That is all I've been up to aside from my new job and soccer. 

What have you been up to?

Ciao,

Megan

Austin's Journey: The Space Needle

Following Austin's journey once again, this time to the Space Needle.  Funny, I've lived in this area pretty much my whole life, and never stepped foot in the Space Needle until researching for this book a year ago.  

He takes his best friend, who also happens to be his secret crush there, a place neither of them had ever been.  It takes 41 seconds to reach the top of the 605 foot tower built for the 1962 World's Fair.  Here are some panoramics I took while I was there. 

This was the line to get in.  It doesn't even show a quarter of it.

We come full circle.

  

I don't think you can even get the idea of how amazing this structure is from the pictures.  You have to come see it for yourself.

Ciao,

Megan

We Make Our Bed...

...and most days we have to sleep in it.

The tragedy we call life.

That is all.

Ciao,

Megan

Austin's Journey: Comet Falls

I took an unexpected trip to one of the destinations in my debut novel, Never Eighteen.  I hiked up to Comet Falls, which I haven't done in probably ten years.  I realized I didn't do it justice in the book, and I'd forgotten many of its details through the years. It's 3.8 miles and will take about three hours round trip, you get there early enough, you could be home by noon.

It starts out kind of steep, as you hike up the mountain.  You're rewarded fairly quickly though,  because about a quarter mile in you cross a bridge and hit Christine Falls.  To the right is a view from the bridge.  You walk side by side with the falls, while it snakes up the mountain side.  Then you begin to weave through the trees, the sound of the falls waxing and waning with every turn.

The hike evens out a bit and then you start to climb natures stairs again.  This is when I realize how out of shape I am. lol.  I take it slow, not only because it's hard, but because there is so much to see. Rock, trees, plants, animals.  I normally will see a marmot on the hike, and am always praying a cougar or black bear doesn't find me, but this time only ran into a tiny field mouse, .

A ways in, the din of the falling water becomes louder and you come into a "Y".  Water falling from two separate sources, Comet Falls, and Van Trump Creek, that latter looks more like a waterfall than a creek.  You can get a good view of the "creek" from a narrow, one rail bridge, which is in the photo below.

Many who've never been there before think this is their destination.  I wonder how many have turned back without experiencing the real attraction.  If you're ever on that hike, make sure you go past the bridge.  Comet Falls is a little bit further and is worth the aches and pains to get there.

You cross the bridge and this is where the steeper, harder, switchbacks start.  The temperature drops, the sound of Comet Falls resonates through the forest.  You may, if you're in the same shape I'm in, want to give up.  But if you continue, your mind, heart, and soul will thank you for it.  I've been there on clear days, and it's beautiful.  That day happened to be overcast , and when we reached our destination, the water looked as if it were falling straight from the sky.

You can climb right down to the base of the falls, and on a hot day, it would be refreshing.  We stayed up a little higher because it was cold out, but still felt mist on our faces.  It's definitely a sight to behold.  If you're ever in the area and love to hike, I highly recommend Comet Falls. 

Thanks for reading.

Ciao,

Megan

High School? Already?

So, Thing One left for halls of high school this morning with her cousin and friend by her side.  And while I didn't cry, I did feel like I needed to take a few Xanax, knowing how difficult the high school years can be, and how many things I forgot to tell her before she started.

We've already had the drugs/alcohol/sex talk.  But her father and I both failed to have the older-boy-with-a-car talk.  Meaning, we forgot to tell her they were off limits.  And she's a very VERY cute girl, so it's only a matter of time before some suave upperclassman sees the cutie soccer player and wants a date.  Not going to happen.

High school also makes me face my mortality a little more, well, mostly my age.  I'm getting older, no matter how hard I try to fight it.  How much longer can I get away with mini skirts and high tops before I stop looking like "Cool Mom" and start looking like someone desperately trying to cling to their youth?

And then I have to face the fact that I won't be seeing her much anymore.  With sports and social activities, high school is the time where the kids become more independent and hate being home. sigh.

I will say that she's a good responsible girl who I completely trust. She knows the order of priorities, school, soccer, social life.  She's never been in trouble and she talks to me about pretty much everything, so I think if issues arise, we'll be facing them together.

Ciao,

Megan