4 years

Last night I came to a realization. I was looking through this blog of mine, for what I don't remember, but I was scanning through posts past. I came across one about the tornado book. I noted the date. It was 4 years ago!

I can't believe I started writing that back in 2011. That means I've not touched any other manuscript since then.

I'm absolutely melancholy over this. I mean, granted, I've been busy. Never Eighteen came out, then I released Dissected, but that was a year and a half ago!!!

So now I'm determined. I NEED to finish revisions on the football book and decide whether I'm going to query it out or self pub. I'd sure like to get another book  traditionally published, but my GOD, the process takes so long. I mean, either way takes a long time, but we're talking 2 years for traditional, whereas I could probably get it out by the end of the year *fingers crossed.*

Ugh. Where does the time go.?

30 days of thanks: Day 12

Today I'm thankful for books. Books that showed up at my door yesterday. Yep. So I could have a release party tonight.

Of course, not only those books, but books in general. I love reading books. My mother instilled the love of reading in me. I've been reading since I could, devouring Dr. Seuss, Donald J. Sobol, Judy Blume, then on to S.E. Hinton, then Stephen King, J.R.R. Tolkein, Ray Bradbury. I even enjoy some Shakespeare from time to time. Those are authors whose books (and plays)  I've read a lot. 

Some favorite books:

• Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
• The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
• The Crucible by Arthur Miller
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
• The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
• Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice.

More contemporary novels I've liked have been:

•  The Beet Queen by Louise Erdrich
• Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg
• The World According to Garp John Irving
• She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb
• Mystic River by Dennis Lehane (I also enjoyed his McKenzie series)
• Red Dragon & Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris (never read Hannibal)
• Geek Love by Katherine Dunn

When it comes to Young Adult fiction, some of my favorites are:

• The Wicked and the Just by J Anderson Coats
• Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
• 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
• The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polisner
• Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf
• Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach
• Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay
• Popular by Alissa Tregay
• XVI by Julia Karr
• Divergent by Veronica Roth (I can't wait to read the rest of the series)
• The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
• The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Truly, I could go on and on all day. And if you're looking for recommendations from me, note, that aside from a few of these books, I read very much like I write, books that tackle tough subject matters. The stories aren't always pretty and there aren't always happily ever afters.

Are there any books you are thankful are in the world?

If you're in the Tacoma area, don't forget about my book signing tonight at Garfield Book Company at 7 pm.

Inspired by Reading

I finally started reading Veronica Roth's, Divergent. I've been wanting to read it for a really long time, but I've been reading friends books, and writing, and you know, there's that thing called life, but on vacation, I finally had some time to actually sit down and relax.

So far, I love it. I'm a big fan of dystopian stuff anyway, so it's a no brainer for me really as a best seller. But the other thing about it is it's made me excited to work on my own dystopian books. I have one adult I started ages ago and one trilogy I'm writing based on the first novels I ever wrote. Last night I got up to 5k on the first book of the trilogy.

I love how reading inspires and I realize how much I miss it when I haven't done it in awhile.I miss the escape, and let me tell you, if anyone needs to escape from life it's me.

Are there any books that have inspired your writing? Tell me.

What's your favorite genre?

When I read, nowadays I read YA. I have books upon books on my to be list. I have enjoyed suspense, mysteries, and thrillers a lot though too. Some of my favorite authors from those categories are Dennis Lehane, Harlen Coben, and Michael Chrichton. Stephen King is probably my favorite author of all time though. He's really the only horror author I've read, aside from a couple Dean Koontz books. To be honest, though, I think the last book of his I read was The Green Mile.

If we're talking writing, YA obviously. Mostly I've written contemporary, but I'm now trying my hand at fantasy and sci-fi. I've got a couple adult projects on the back burner as well, and a couple more ideas for those as well.

That's mainly my problem is too many ideas and not enough time.

So tell me, what is your favorite genre to read? To write?

Class of 2k13

Can you believe this year is close to being over? And with that brings a new 2k class. Yep, the class of 2k13, Books Without Boundaries is up and running as of today. 20 new Young Adult and Middle Grade authors coming your way in 2013 in all different genres. Find them all over cyberspace and check them out.

Website
The Authors
Books
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

Oh, and they're giving away some big prizes including a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card, a prize pack of awesome swag, and all the 2k12 books. You better check out their blog to find out how to win.

Interview With Author Ian Thomas Healy

Ian and I have been friends since 2007 when we both found ourselves vying for the top prize in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest (ABNA). Our books, both about superheroes, brought us together. While I've scrapped mine, Ian has pushed forward. I read the first Just Cause book and liked it a lot. Now the second book is out and Ian is once again in the house telling us all about it.

Ian Thomas Healy Talks Candidly About The Archmage

Tell us about your latest book.

The Archmage is a sequel to the novel Just Cause, starring the super-speedy Mustang Sally along with the rest of the Just Cause superhero team. In it, I explore the use of magic in a superhero setting. In this case, a character named Wolfgang Frasier has been slaughtering other mages around the world and taking their power for himself. He’s gotten so powerful that there is only one other mage remaining besides him, the hero Stratocaster, who is a member of the Lucky Seven hero team that Sally trained with at the beginning of Just Cause. If Frasier manages to kill Stratocaster, his power becomes absolute and he could plunge the entire world into darkness, becoming its total ruler. This is, of course, his goal. Sally and the other heroes have no choice but to try to stop him, even though his power is so great that he can call armies of the dead out of the ground and turn anyone captured to his side. There’s a nifty bit of time travel thanks to magic going awry that sends the team back to the 1870s, and of course some great intrigue and epic, cinematic battles. At the same time, Sally’s relationship with Jason is growing much more complex and suffering growing pains all its own.

What is Local Hero Press?

LHP is an imprint I created specifically for the release of my novel-length work and collections. I didn’t want to simply release them under my own name as the publisher because with such a wide variety of genres under my belt, I wanted something to tie them all together. This way, if someone buys The Archmage, likes it, and looks to see what else LHP has to offer, they might discover Blood on the Ice or Pariah’s Moon or Troubleshooters.

You do write in a variety of genres. Tell us about some of them.

I don’t like to be pigeonholed, so I don’t force myself to stay in one genre if I’m interested in writing in a different one. This goes against common wisdom of building a brand, from what I’ve seen on the internet, so I’m forming my own uncommon wisdom instead. That again ties back to the LHP imprint by creating a common thread beyond just my name. I follow my muse, so I’ve gone from superheroes (Just Cause, The Archmage) to funny science fiction (The Milkman), to cyberpunk (Troubleshooters), to fantasy/Western (Pariah’s Moon), to urban fantasy sports (Blood on the Ice), to religious symbolism (Hope and Undead Elvis) and even more. And if my agent sells The Guitarist, I can add “Mainstream Young Adult” to my genres.

You have an agent? But I thought you were self-published.

I do have an agent, Carly Watters of PS Literary Agency in Toronto. She represents my Young Adult work only, and when we discussed the possibility of her representing me, we both agreed that she could still effectively represent a portion of my work and I could still effectively release my speculative and adult fiction without interfering with one another. I am, in fact, searching for a second literary agent to represent The Oilman’s Daughter, the epic steampunk/space opera that I coauthored with my dear friend Allison M. Dickson.

What’s it like working with another writer so closely on a project?

I’m not sure I have anything better to compare it to than a successful marriage. We worked very closely together on the project (two time zones separating us notwithstanding!). We had complete trust with each other, and were able to discuss what should have been extremely divisive and difficult issues not only with calm heads, but with a sense of joy that only two opposing viewpoints between dear friends can bring. The best thing about working with someone like that is going back through the manuscript and not being able to tell exactly who wrote which parts. That’s just awesome.

The Archmage, book 2 of the Just Cause Universe series, launches from all online retailers on September 1, 2012. Exclusive signed editions can be purchased directly from Local Hero Press (http://localheropress.ianthealy.com).

Find Ian on Twitter as @ianthealy, and follow Local Hero Press as @LocalHeroPress.

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorIanThomasHealy and http://www.facebook.com/LocalHeroPress

Author website: www.ianthealy.com

F³A: The Fruits of My Labor

Writing. Sometimes it seems so unrewarding. I mean, most people will never see their work published. Of course with the rise of self publishing I supposed that's changed, which has its advantages and drawbacks.

But I digress.

Even those that are published--how many unpublished manuscripts do they have collecting metaphorical dust on their computer. I have at least six.

And when you're published, self or traditionally no matter,  you cannot believe how much work you have to do to market it. I mean, it's not going to sell itself. I've spent so much money and time trying publicize me, Never Eighteen. I'm constantly exhausted.

Sometimes it seems like it's not even worth the trouble.

But it is, isn't it?

Writers don't write for notoriety or money (well most, I mean there are those big names that are now just churning out shit to make a buck. They probably aren't even writing their own books anymore. I'm not naming names).

We write for ourselves. Because it's cheaper than therapy. We write to feel a sense of accomplishment. We write because simply, we love it.  I'm not going to use the cliche that writing is like oxygen,  I'm more about the whole therapy thing. Seriously though, some of us writers can't imagine a life without it.

It's what we do, it's who we are, and every word we write becomes part of us, like a cell or a mole, or an eyelash. Little bits that alone seem like nothing, but when put together become a whole.

Writing completes me.

A big advance doesn't necessarily mean a big backing

I just read in an email from a fellow writer that an author received a six figure advance but still received no marketing help from the publisher.

When you get published, this is a good thing to keep in mind. If a publisher won't help an author pay back a large advance, what are they going to do with a little quiet book?

Nothing.

Probably nothing.

Maybe a little but more than likely nothing.

• I admit to having spent some *cough* of my own money marketing Never Eighteen. I put money into bookmarks, buttons, and bracelets. I do my own designing, so I don't have to pay for a graphic designer which saves money. I do know a great graphic designer who has done author swag and self published book covers though if you need one.
•  I try to always have extra books with me. I buy them at my local indie because they count toward my sales, and they give me a discount. 
•  I've traveled to New York, as well as used gas locally to get to events. 
•  I hired a local publicist, which for me was worth the money. Not everyone goes this route though.

I have done some things that don't cost as much.

• Postcards. They really didn't cost that much. I sent them out to all the schools and libraries in my area to tell them about my book and to let them know I was available for school/library visits. I believe I sent out close to 200, all hand written for that personal touch. From  these I got an offer from the Tacoma public library to host my release party and a handful of school visits, which to me was worth the $30 or whatever amount it was.
•  My publicist opened the doors to some opportunities, schools, libraries, book stores. However, this is something I can do on my own. I think I just wasn't at that comfort level yet when my book first came out. Now? I have no problem with it. I have the contacts I made through my publicists and have made new ones through other events I've done. I've done 27 author events this year (one was a Skype visit, that was fun) and have a bunch more coming this fall. I will say, eventually I will be asking to get paid for some of these visits, but for now, I'm doing them for free. I will say my publicist also got me a couple radio shows and interviews.
• Book bloggers. Say yes to every interview, guest blog, blog tour. Some of these bloggers have thousands of followers. Is it a lot of work? Yes. But it's free publicity. You may have to try to get them an ARC from your publisher or you may have to donate swag for a giveaway, but it's a free way to get your book out across the globe (there are many bloggers out of country).
• Apply to speak at conferences, book festivals, and the like. It will get your name out there, and hey, you may even get paid for it.
• Newspaper events. Anyone can post an event in their newspaper's website. You just go to their events page, and they should have a link that says "post an event". So anytime you're at a library or book store, post it in that area's local paper.
• And don't forget social marketing. Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, Vlogging, Tumblr, whatever. Don't just tell people "Buy my book" though. Give them some advice, information, a little insight to your personal life.
• Think outside the box. What's your book about? Where is it set? Find places that have something to do with your book and ask if they'll carry it, or if you can do an event there.

Okay, I think that's all I've got. Just keep in mind, once you get published, your book doesn't sell itself. Book marketing takes perseverance and dedication. If you want people to read you, you have to be ready to work.

In the journey to publication, patience is a virtue

At the author gig I had this week, we were asked the question, what surprised you most about becoming a published author. While there are many astonishing things, one of the bigger ones was definitely how long it takes from book deal to shelf.

You know how long it takes to hear back from an agent, and then land one if you're able? Nothing really changes once the book deal comes.

It seemed like forever to get my contract once I was offered a deal, which was at the beginning of April, 2010. And my agent sent it back to HMH once because there was something in it she didn't like. I can't remember how long it took, but I would guess 8 to 10 weeks.

Then comes the advance check. That seemed like forever. I'd say another two months. So now we're at about four to six months.

Next comes line edits, copy edits, and first pass pages. These are all editing phases. You wait about three to six months for each phase, then only have about two weeks to get them done.

The one thing that seemed really early to me was the ARCs (advance review copy). I received those about March of 2011, and it was going out to the media and reviewers, which seemed really early to me. But what do I know, I'm only the author.

Then comes the longest wait. The book. As you know, my novel came out January of this year.  That's nearly two years from deal to shelf.

You've been warned. You want to be in this frustrating, yet rewarding business? Learn patience. Keep on writing to bide your time, otherwise you'll go crazy.

Don't you hate it when...

...you're in the middle of writing a novel you think is different and new and the best thing since white chocolate, and no one will have ever thought up the idea, and then you come across a book (or a movie, or TV show) with the same general premise?

I do. I hate that.

After I wrote the superhero book, out came The Incredibles, Sky High,  and Heroes.

Last year a book came out with the same subject matter  as a book I wrote a few years back.

Then last week I found out there was a middle grade book with the same fantasy theme as one I just started writing!!!

The thing is, even though it's kind of annoying, it doesn't matter. Give two people or five or ten for that matter the same character, same setting, same plot line even and you're still going to get ten different manuscripts. No one will write the same story.

So next time you have that great next big idea, then find out someone's already writing it, don't get discouraged, don't stop, keep going. That other person and you can never write the exact same book. And hey, yours may be better. :)

Millions of things to do so little time

Pretty sure I forgot to post a monkey this week.

I've not blogged in a couple days because I've been so scattered going this way and that way, I've not been able to focus on one task at a time. Here's what I've needed/wanted to do the last few days.

• Edit a 2k12 video
• Study and play with Adobe Creative Cloud
• Consolidate my bills
• Write book reviews
• Look for some contract work to make some extra money
• Practice my new Photoshop and InDesign skills
• Work on my rewrite
• Work on gathering more agents to query
• Clean my house
• Mow my lawn
• Weed my gardens
• Spray my blackberry bushes
• Pick up the box of books I ordered
• Clean out my inbox
• Probably some other crap I'm not remembering.

Instead of any of those things, this is what I worked on last night:

And just saw someone gave me a dislike!! >:(
Oh well. Chaos isn't for everyone.

Okay, I'm going to try to maybe do one of those things *points above*. Enjoy your Thursday night.

F³A: I Will Not Be Seeing Hunger Games

At least more than likely in the theater. You see, I hate seeing the movie before I read the book. Hate, hate hate. And I don't really have the time to read the book right now. I'm reading my friend and co 2k12er,Danny Marks ARC, Velveteen right now, then I have two books I have to read for an intensive workshop on voice for conference next month.

And work, revising, kids, and everything else I've got my fingers in lately makes for a very slow reader. veeerrrryyyy sllllooooowwwww.

So unless Hunger Games is still in the theaters say, 2014, I don't see it happening. :(

I remember when I had the time to devour books.

I'm jealous because like 9 posts out of 10 today on Facebook are about people either going to see, or having gone to see the movie and apparently it's made of awesome.

Maybe I'll have to step up my reading game.

Friday Scribbles:

Random iPod Shuffle Song: Breakeven by the Script


Book of the Week: Hell, let's go with the Hunger Games

Netflix of the Week: Back to watching Scrubs

Quote of the Week: "No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance." ~Confucius

One Week

OMG! It's one week until my book release. Am I excited? Of course. I'm I terrifed? Definitely. Am I freaking out? Undoubtedly.

In honor of my one week left, I've decided to do another giveaway. Yep. I'm going to give away a marked up ARC and swag. For those of you who don't know what a marked up ARC is. It's a review copy that has notes written by me in the margins, telling you all the secrets I didn't get to reveal in the book or background story about the people and places I wrote about.

You want?

Visit my Facebook Fan Page in the Notes section, answer one simple question, and leave your email address. It's that easy.

Winner will be chosen at random to be announced on my book birthday, January 17th, 2012!!

I also want to wish a happy book birthday to Robin Bridges (The Gathering Storm), Caroline Starr Rose (May B.) and Robin Mellom (Ditched). Check out their books!!!

Author copies, Christmas, and good bfs

Totally unrelated things I know.

First off, I want to say that I received a box of author copies in the mail a couple days ago.  And SQUEEEEEEE!!!!  They are so beautiful.  The cover is metallic and everything seems to pop off of it.

I was asked by my co-prezzie of the Class of 2k12, Caroline Starr Rose if I would read it again now that it was in realsies book form.

I think I just might read it again, this book I've read a bazillion times and got so sick of I wanted to toss it from the Narrows Bridge.  It's kind of different with it's metallic blue cover and it's dedication and acknowledgments, and playlist in the back.  It's a bit surreal to look at it and know it's mine.  I created it.  The title stands out more on the metallic cover than it did on the other, and the car pops off the page.  If I were walking through a bookstore, I would pick it up for sure.  And on the back where the description starts the words I had the dream again are the same as the title, same font, each letter a different color.  I am so in love with this book, more than I've been in a long time.  So yeah, I may read it again.


Now that I've written all that, I can't remember what I was going to say about Christmas. hmmmm.  I'll get back to that when (if) I remember.


To good boyfriends.  I told you the other day, this is a stressful time of year for me, not just because of the holidays but for other reasons.  The other day I was panicking because there were presents to wrap,  Christmas cards to create and send, and gift baskets to make (57 to be exact), and baking to be done, and my house was a mess, and 18 videos and dvds to make and, and, and...

this is not my bf but you get the picture

...and I have a boyfriend who tells me to breathe.  A boyfriend who comes over and folds my laundry, and does my dishes, and vacuums my floors, and makes me dinner while I make videos.  He does allow this poor pathetic girl to breathe.  And I feel much better.  My videos are close to being done, I did some of my baking yesterday, gift baskets, done (just need to be delivered which is fun), my house is clean (outside my office which I just may clean today), I've printed out my Christmas cards, most important, I still have presents to wrap, baking to do, a few more videos to Lightscribe, but I'm also still breathing.


Now about Christmas.  Still don't remember, but I do love waking up to the Christmas lights, to hell with the light bill.

Oh, yeah, and catch me on Julia Karr's 2k12 Days of Christmas today.


Happy Thursday all.  Hope it's a great day.

F³A: Things to play with

I went to the darkside.  Yes, by way of the e-reader. *bows to the book gods in apology*.  I bought the Amazon Kindle Fire.  Why you ask?  There are a few reasons.  First and foremost, friends I knew to be good writers were self publishing straight to ebook.  Drat!!!  There is one in particular, his name is Jeff Fielder, I've read his work and I think he's brilliant.  Anyhoo, he published some short stories in his book Voices in the Field and Other Stories.  Then you know what he did?  He put it out in paperback.  I told him he owed me $199 + tax and shipping.

Of course I was kidding because there are other straight to e books I'd like to read.  But that's not the only reason I bought the Fire.  In fact, reading on it is secondary (I still love the feel of a book in my hands and that book smell, yeah, you know what I'm talking about)You know that thing they call the iPad? Well, the Fire does most of what that thing does.  But cheaper.  And smaller (if you like that kind of thing).

The bad thing about my Kindle Fire?  I've had it about two weeks and still not been able to play with it.  Yes, that sucks.  I've pledged to spend some quality time with my Kindle this weekend.

Do you have an e-reader?  If so, what kind did you buy?  If not, what are your hang ups?

Oh, one more thing, Julia Karr, author of XVI (which I LOVED btw) is hosting some of us 2k12ers in her 2k12 Days of Christmas.  Check it out the deets here.

Friday Scribbles:

Christmas song of the week:  The Monkees Riu Chiu.  I saw this on their show and fell in love with it (it was REPEATS people, I'm not that old *cough*)

Movie of the Week: The Ref.  Funniest damn Christmas movie ever with Dennis Leary, Kevin Spacey, and Judy Davis.  If you've not seen this movie, you're not living.

Book of the week:  Still reading (slowly, not because of the book, because of my lack of time) The Wicked and the Just by J Anderson Coats.  Do you like war and cussing and medieval stuff.  Then buy it.  Now.  And I might add, J and I have become friends and she's kick ass awesome.

Quote of the Week: I've got two and they are both from one of my favorite books, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.

"Do you know why books such as this are so important? Because they have quality. And what does the word quality mean? To me it means texture. This book has pores."

"There must be something in books, things we can't imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don't stay for nothing."

That is all.  Happy Friday my friends.

Third Degree Thursday: Desert Island Books

What are your desert island books?  I think mine would be:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
A River Runs Through It by Norman MacLean
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling
Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach (This is seriously my favorite new book)
Never Eighteen (What? I'd want my book there!)

At least for now.  But I suppose if I were on a desert island I couldn't really change my mind now, could I.

Keeping the The Desert Island Theme...

...I've decided to do this the next couple days.  Yesterday was cd's Today I'm going to do books.  I'll throw out ten of my favorite books I'd like to have with me if I'm ever stranded on a desert island.  Now, I'm not including things like, Desert Islands for Dummies, or a survival handbook.  Those are gimmes.  I'm including the books I'd want to read over and over.
Again, these are in no particular order.

The Stand by Stephen King   He weaves so many characters together expertly, each one distinct, the voices perfect.  The classic good vs. evil story.

A River Runs Through It by Normal MacLean If you've never read this book you should.  It's an autobiographical story about relationship, the human spirit, and fly fishing. The imagery is beautiful and truly captures the majesty of nature.  Even if you don't fish (which I don't) this is a must read.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood One of my all time favorite books. A dystopian novel where the rights of women are stripped right along with their families and their names, and their will tested.  Disturbing, yet in the end, hope is restored.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee This is my all time favorite book, the characters, the story, the voices.  I love how it's told from Scout's point of view and her innocent vision of people and society.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner from Azkaban by JK Rowling My favorite Potter book ( It was a toss up between this and Goblet of Fire).  And I just had to have one Potter book with me if I couldn't take all seven.

The Green Mile by Stephen King One of my other favorite Stephen King, books, by probably the writer that's my favorite.  Haunting and terrible at times, it really evokes emotion.

A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein Need a little lighthearted poetry to get through the rest of  your life.  Love me some Shel Silverstein.

Timeline by Michael Chrichton My favorite Michael Chrichton book.  It's exciting, educational, and entertaining.  Don't just this book by his others or by the movie (which I wouldn't go as far as say sucked, but it definitely strayed FAR away from the book)

Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice  Have to have at least one good vampire novel with me.  I said a GOOD one. ;)


Mending Fences by Megan Bostic  Because it's mine and because I can, that is as long as I don't get deserted until Fall of 2011.

Tell me what some of your desert island books would be.

Ciao,

Megan

In My Room

This room is supposed to be my Feng Shui room. My room uncluttered, bringing me peace and tranquility (I didn't use the actual idea of Feng Shui, just tried to keep it clean and not crazy making). Well, sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn't. It's hard to stay uncluttered with two kids a husband and a writer.

When husband is home, he sits at the desk on the desktop, I sit at the little table on my laptop. My laptop has become the official charger of the girls iPods so more often than not it has two long white appendages attached to it reminding me of something from the Matrix. Underneath my little table are two friend's manuscripts, yet to be read, and some months old magazines I don't know if I've read or not.

The desk is next to me, my coffee cup sits on it next to my credit card which was used to sign up for indoor soccer teams. The rest of the desk looks like a massive grave for sticky notes and USB cords. I have know idea what is written on all the paper strewn across it, nor what all the cords go to. Usually once a week I just recycle and put things in a cupboard until once again they pile up.

The printer is also piled with paper, these more important usually. My New World Order I have written up to get my kids to do their chores and homework. Bills, soccer fundraising papers, pay stubs, all sit awaiting filing, which I'm very bad at. I'm not a very organized person. I try, but usually it comes down to filingfail.

One wall is painted a teal green, the others white and are adorned with prints of an Asian variety, mostly because at one garage sale I had, my mother brought over a bunch of Asian stuff, as well as my sister, and I had some other Asian items which I will get to later. All these items combined gave me the idea of the Feng Shui room. They sat in boxes for at least a year until the room became actualized.

On the opposite wall from the desks is a futon. Underneath the futon lays (lies? who knows) a bag full of old manuscripts in need of editing. Manuscripts put aside for more manuscripts to be written.

And then there's my bookshelf. Books I've read, some I've not. Books I'm supposed to review. There's a shelf for mysteries. Mostly Harlan Coben. Dennis Lehane would be there too but it looks like all my Lehane books have disappeared. My dad's book also graces that shelf. Next to that is a shelf of poetry books, Dickinson, Whitman, compilations. Next are the classics, Uncle Tom's Cabin, To Kill a Mockingbird, Lord of the Flies, among others.

The next shelf is devoted to my husband's Koontz books. I've only read two or three of his books, but I think Rusty's read about twenty or more. I also have shelves devoted to Stephen King (except he has to share with Michael Chrichton, half my King books having disappeared), YA, Harry Potter, cookbooks, natural and herbal books, and a couple mish mash shelves.

There's a shelf dedicated to my friend's books, mostly people I've met through the ABNA contest, Bill Loehfelm, Harry Dolan, Erica Eisdorfer, Scotti Cohn, etc. (a place saved for my friend Gae's book which comes out Spring of next year)

Then there's a shelf of all the books I want to read, but haven't had the time for yet. It includes titles like The Road, Water for Elephants, Long Way Gone, Eat, Pray, Love, The Memory Keeper's Daughter and MANY others.

Among these books are things my father in law, who I never met, who died when my husband was only about three, sent to his wife from Korea, where he was stationed, where he died. One is a beautiful vase with images of what looks like perhaps Asian magi or something. Then I have three porcelain Buddha's sitting crosslegged, smiling at one another. On another shelf stands another porcelain figure, this one a kind of creepy asian guy holding a staff in one hand, some undetermined round thing in the other. He's got a huge forehead and a long fu manchu.

That's it, my Feng Shui, non Feng Shui writing room, which, now that I've got a laptop with a working battery, I hardly ever write in because it's too dark. Now I often find myself at the dining table. I place where I can open up the curtains and let the sun shine in on me.

What's your writing space like?

Top four BEST experiences in school: # 4 English Classes

Since I did the worst last week, I decided to do the best this week. This was a hard decision. But I decided to start with my favorite subject, English.

I'm lumping things together, mostly I am talking about two teachers I adored in high school. Mr. Anstet, and Mr. Wilkinson.

Mr. Anstet was my favorite teacher by far. Funny, witty, crazy. I remember he would toss erasers at you from across the room if you weren't paying attention, or were talking too much. I remember running after and grabbing an eraser he had just hurled at me, and hitting him back. It was hilarious. He also would bring nerf guns, disc guns, anything he could shoot at us. He also introduced me to some great literature, JD Salinger, Ken Kesey, William Golding, and Nathaniel Hawthorne, just to name a few.

Now Mr. Wilkinson was also a cool teacher. He was the creative writing teacher. I wrote my first short story in his class, and had this great feeling of accomplishment. It was in his class that I began writing poetry, and songs as well. I loved taking my emotions and putting them down on paper. I owe a lot to Mr. Wilkinson.

I had English classes in college I also loved, women's lit, african american lit, poetry, nature writing. John Muir, Norman MacClean, Robinson Jeffers, Mary Shelley, Arthur Miller, Toni Morrison, Langston Hughes, Louise Erdrich, Margaret Atwood. I could go on and on. I loved it all, writing and literature giving me a high no drug could replicate.