Leaving for TLA tomorrow

I'm very excited and busy. I'm leaving for Houston tomorrow, driving almost seven hours. On Thursday, I'll be doing my very first large school visit. I'll be speaking to three groups of 150 kids. I've finished my power point presentation, now I just hope it all works and comes together. Not sure if I'll have any pictures to share but my sis-in-law likes taking them, so maybe.

On Friday, I'll be meeting with Randi Rivers and catching up. That will be fun. I haven't seen her since the Chautauqua retreat in 2004. She was a blast to hang around. After that, I'll be signing from 11-12. I really don't know what to expect. It's at the end of the conference so maybe there will only be crickets chirping as I twiddle my thumbs. I asked for this slot since I'd originally thought my family could spend the weekend there with my brother's family but my kids have other plans (the life of teens!) So, this might have been a dumb idea.

Anyone have any experience about these things? I've never been to one. I will try to peruse as many booths as I can. If I learn anything new, I'll certainly post it here. Randi should be telling me more about their new Bridge book line.

My illustrator...

As I was talking with my editor yesterday, she told me that Wayne Geehan was probably going to illustrate all of my books. They like to "marry" an author with an illustrator if the team works. I was delighted as his illustrations are very funny and he's good at fairytales. All of my books are fractured fairytales.

This morning, I found a Google Alert that showed me he has a website. I love looking at his work. Here it is:

http://www.waynegeehan.com

I finally got to thank him as I've wanted to for the past two years. :-)

A Breakthrough...

After months and months of writer's block (and brainstorming), I finally started my new mg weird, contemporary fantasy! HOORAY! It's the first novel I've started since I began my second novel over FIVE years ago. I will NOT be doing that this time. It better not take me five years to complete it. Uga.
After I write five chapters, I'll start using the WIP-O-METER. (It's disheartening to see micrometers of progress on that thing right now.)

I feel good. Take THAT rejections!

Happy Easter!

In Isaiah of the Old Testament, he writes 700 years before Jesus' birth:

"But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us
peace was upon him,
and by his wonds we are healed...

and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

Isaiah 53:5-6

"After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and
be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous
servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities."

Isaiah 53:11

May all Christians delight in Him who was prophesied about so many years ago.

I leave you with His words of peace:

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."

---Jesus

Busy...

I just found out that I have been picked to write a series of read-aloud stories for an educational company. The assignment is to write 12 to 20 read alouds in 6 weeks.

Yikes!

I can't believe this has happened, really. I've tried out for FIVE of these types of jobs and each time, I wasn't chosen. REJECTION! WAH! But luckily, I didn't give up. If I heard of a job opening, I always sent my resume and tried out. Because of this, I had samples that fit perfectly for this company, so it wasn't a waste of time like I'd thought when reading those horrible rejections in my in-box. Tee hee!

But beware what you wish for! After I received the email from the ed, I panicked. Do I really have time for this? I'm in the middle of an agent search (which takes time), it's almost the end of the 6 weeks and I have HUNDREDS of papers still to grade (these are writing papers and take FOREVER), I teach a Bible study, and I'm helping direct our Vacation Bible School this year, NOT TO MENTION I have four children to mother AND I'm in the middle of brainstorming my WIP.

EEK!

But God is good. The ed emailed me and said the subject that he's thinking about giving me isn't finished and so, I'll get it later. Whew! Hopefully, I'll be caught up by then.

Setting the clock...

Okay...this rarely happens to me because hubby always takes care of this, but he's gone this weekend, SO, I wake up and get a ring from a friend. "Did you set your clock?"

"No."

"Did you know church is starting, like, NOW?"

"Aack!"

Luckily, I wasn't doing children's church. (Praise God!) And thank the Lord for late service. Tee hee! I may sleep in next week. That was nice!

Your catnip or your lives!

 

Heh...heh...