Top Four Reasons to Join my Friend Gae's Facebook Fan Page: # 1

She's inspiring. In so many ways.

I told you about her road to publishing. How hard she worked, writing and revising for hours at a time. She's inspired me to do the same. She read my manuscript, told me what she thought it needed based on her feedback from her agent and publisher. I think she's right. So I've started revising. Now, if you know me, you know I hate editing and I hate revisions. But Gae got me excited about it. Almost like I'm working on a new project instead of perfecting an old one. And I know she has inspired others in the same way.

Just seeing her get this book deal makes me believe it can happen for me too. Not that, if she can do it, I can do it, but if you dedicate yourself and research and toil and the writing is good, it can be done.

Gae has always been a support to all her writing friends, cheering us on, commiserating with us, telling us to get to work. She is honest with her opinions about our work. Tells us what's good, and what's um, not so good.

She makes us strive to be better.

She inspires.

Top Four Reasons to Join my Friend Gae's Facebook Fan Page: # 2

Dedication. She is not only dedicated to her writing, but to her friends (and I'm sure her family, though being 3000 miles from her, I'm not witness to it).

It has been a long road for her to get Steinbeck, the Scoot, and the Pull of Gravity published. She got an agent. Agent said, revise, she revised, agent said revise again, she revised again, agent sent to publisher, publisher said revise, she revised again. Voila. Yes that is the short version. I've seen how long and hard she has been working on this novel.

Like I said, she's also a dedicated friend. She has helped me with both my query letter and my novel. And I know she has helped countless others as well. She's selfless, she's busy writing and revising her own work, but has the time to edit my manuscript, call me on the phone to talk about it, send endless emails about how to make it better.

And it's not all about the writing. She comes through in all aspects of life. Personally, she's helped me through some personal stuff that I don't think I would have made it through without her.

Join her fan page. You won't regret it.

Top Four Reasons to Join my Friend Gae's Facebook Fan Page: # 3

She's hilariously funny. She without fail makes me laugh every single day. Even on my darkest days. Here are some Gaeisms:

This is what she said when I told her I was going to blog about her fan page. "make me witty, and clever, and overall smokin hot. Oh, yeah, and I write well."

Her favorite phrase is "bite me" If she says it to you, she probably likes you. If she doesn't like you, believe me, you'll know.

Much of her funny is too racy to post here. Just sayin'.

Here are some funnies she posted on a forum we used to frequent.

"A crazy few months of my life started once by accidentally calling myself Gea. There was soccer and some nakeness involved. I can't go back there."

"I found a life for the last 24 hours. Don't worry. I've misplaced it again."

Honestly, I could go on and on and on, but you get the picture, right? So if you want to be witness to this brilliant insanely funny sense of humor, join her fan page. You should be constantly entertained.

If you're not, you're probably doing it wrong.

Top Four Reasons to Join my Friend Gae's Fan Page on Face Book #4

# 4 This is the most obvious. It's because she's getting published. Gae is a friend I met through the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest. She has since become one of my best friends, though we've never met in person. Her YA book, Steinbeck, the Scoot, and the Pull of Gravity is getting published by a major press. No details yet, the details come later.

Here's a little taste of what it's about:

Nick Gardner is having a rough year. I mean, it's hard enough to be 14. Add to that your brother's a jerk, your big fat dad has hit the road, and your sort-of best friend is dying, and it's enough to wear you down.

But when a water tower, a broken leg, and a television news crew put Nick on a collision course with one Jaycee Amato -- a girl with Siberian Husky eyes -- his whole life begins to change. Together, they set out to deliver a gift for his dying friend.

Will they find what they set out for, or merely discover the beauty of Steinbeck, the crappy truth about plans and a few small facts about gravity?

Steinbeck, The Scoot and the Pull of Gravity is a coming-of-age story about first love, friendship, and the true nature of family.

So, support the arts. Become a fan.

You could also become a fan of yours truly, if you want.

Thanks for reading.

Friday Free For All: Pets

Thanks if you read my blog this week about middle school.

Today I want to talk about pets. I don't have any. My kids are constantly talking about wanting a puppy or a kitty, and while at times I feel guilty not allowing this inalienable right awarded to most children, it is impossible.

I know having a pet will teach my kids responsibility, but I have allergies. To everything. So, there's that. We also like to travel , and we house sit at this amazing house quite often, with pets we would either have to pay to kennel, or get someone to feed the animals.

But there is a more pressing issue at hand. My kids. The kids who want to feed, and bathe, and love an animal cannot even put their clothes in the laundry room. Or their dishes in the dishwasher. These kids who want a kitten to pet and hold on their laps cannot replace a toilet paper roll or put their things away when they're done with them. These kids who want to clean up dog poop complain when asked to set the table or tidy the bathroom or take out the recycling.

So I've decided to get them a pet. A rock. Rocks are hypoallergenic. They do not require food or water. They need not be petted or entertained. They will not bark, whine, or rub up against your pants leaving a mess of hair. They will not pee on the couch, poop on the floor, or throw up in your bed. They do not need to be kenneled or pet-sat. They do not lick or bite or rub their wet snotty noses against your cheek. They don't need to be taken for walks and you don't have to clean up after them.

So, my answer to my girls request for a pet will remain as it's always been, when you move out of the house you can have a pet.

Music of the week: I think I'm going with The Airborne Toxic Event. Check them out.
Movie of the week: Couples Retreat. Haven't seen it, but dying to.
Book of the week: Bloodroot by Bill Loehfelm. So far it's really good. You'll see my review soon.
TV show of the week: Hell's Kitchen. You gotta love chef Ramsey