Why are Writers Fascinating?

This is something that mystifies me. When I tell people I'm a writer, they are so excited and lob questions at me like I'm the all-knowing Oz. I live two blocks from the Apple campus (and they didn't ask me or I would have used my marketing degree to advise them on the STUPID iPad name -- hello? Focus group, people, get out of your closed-in world. I'm available at your Starbucks every morning!) Sorry, tangent. And it seems nearly everyone here has a PhD -- at least a Masters and they all wear their fancy college name on the back of their Mercedes. I went to San Jose State, and let's just say, I graduated all right? I was happy with that. I saw no reason to go to school any longer than that. I thought, quick, grab the degree before someone figures out that you guessed on that Scantron test for statistics and takes back that B-!

As someone who is good at things that make no worldly difference, like the lyrics to 80's classics or what season someone's Coach bag is, I'm always interested in hearing what people do around here. Yesterday, I was in line and I met an Indian woman who teaches university classes online. Well, I know another Indian woman who teaches online and I ask her if they're acquainted. Lo and behold, they know each other from the YMCA and unanimously, the worst part of teaching online is grading. I will put that info away for further use! But both thought they might write a book someday.

I met a female pharmacist the other day, educated in India -- who hates her job. She wants to be a writer and couldn't wait to pick my brain. I sort of resent this. These people are fully employable. So go. Work. Leaving the writing to us hermits with no other discernable skills, okay?

I want to tell these people, I'm a writer -- which means I am the most boring person you can imagine. Think of a librarian and take out the social aspects. We spend our days alone, in our imaginary worlds and we ingest a lot of caffeine. Does that sound like the life of Riley to you? Oh, and our paychecks are few and far between unless your name is J.K. Rowling -- and mine isn't.

Colin Firth was on "Charlie Rose" last night, and he said he wanted to be an actor because he didn't want to get up in the morning. He didn't want to do anything that required him to be somewhere early. I second that. My brain doesn't turn on until about ten. But that got me to thinking, these people who are so fascinated by writing as a job -- they are CAPABLE people with a paying job, why would they want to do this? Can you live with a paycheck being optional? Can you live with people saying you suck online and in magazines?

So why do people who are smart enough to get PhDs, and valuable enough to make the big bucks in Silicon Valley, why on earth do they want to ask me questions? Maybe they're thinking, how on earth is that stupid chick a writer? Gosh. Anybody can do it then!

At the same time, if I met Maeve Binchy, Anne Tyler or Martha Beck, I wouldn't be able to speak from being starstruck -- but what fascinates me is people who can get multiple advanced degrees because I could NEVER do it. I'm a writer because I want to know the answers. I want to know what made people the way they are. What building blocks go into what kind of people? Quirky people fascinate me. The guy with two Phds who is collecting/trading Star Wars card on a Saturday morning at the mall. What synapse are/aren't firing to make that happen? What kind of people do you find fascinating? And where do you find them? I get my best stuff at my son's soccer game.

Labels: Apple, librarian, novelists, People watching, Phd, Silicon Valley, writers

First off, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for all of your prayers and words of encouragement, on this blog, in my email and on my daughter's blog! You guys are totally AMAZING!!! I've never felt the outpouring of love and support ever in my life like I have this week! I am humbled by your kindness, truly!!!

I had some great girl stuff prepared for today--men not allowed, sorry. But then I changed my mind about telling our GWO girls about my very hilarious and embarrassing appointment with my physical therapist Monday. So men can stay.

JOSHUA 1:9
Celeste, our buddy here on the blog, gave me this verse and it's so needed for all of us right now. I was all set to write a light-hearted blog post but we all just had a curve ball that has left us breathless. Our dear, dear Di was diagnosed yesterday morning with ovarian cancer. While we're thankful it was found in a routine PET scan, we're reeling and grieving that she has to go through this again.

There are some people who light up a room. Di is that person. She can make me laugh and just being around her lifts any care I might have away. She has so much love and compassion for people. She's the best grandma around and a wonderful mom and wife. Go here to read her daughter's post about yesterday. Di has this way of just looking at a situation that makes me giggle. Sometimes we laugh so hard we cry. I would do anything for her, just anything. I'd even take this on myself if it would mean this cup would pass from her. I can't do that, but I can pray. I can research the best treatments. I will go with her anywhere we need to go for treatment. I could take her wig shopping, but I hear Amber has already claimed that joy. :-) I can hear the laughter now. (Anywhere Di is you'll find lots of laughter.) So I'll do the things I can and know God loves her even more than I do. I know He has her wrapped in His big arms. He has us cradled there with her because He knows those of us who love her are hurting too.

Now realize that after surgery I won't be allowed anywhere near her morphine pump. Last time I gave her a shot of pain meds when I thought I was calling the nurse! I will never live that one down. All of us will be in town for the surgery. We'd planned two days of brainstorming together but God knew we needed to be together for this. Isn't that cool how He had it all planned out? And there is nowhere any of us would rather be than with Di.

We'll know about staging and treatment at the end of the week, but please, please keep Di in your prayers. Let's flood the gates of heaven with our petition on her behalf! Thanks for praying, friends. I know you love her too.

Labels: ovarian cancer

Today is Opposite Day. Not sure who came up with that one, but there it is. As a romance writer I think about opposites a lot. We've all heard the saying "Opposites attract", and that's a tool I utilize when developing my characters.

SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

As writers, we tend to be sensitive sorts and for me, that's nowhere more apparent than Winter. I am a Spring -- both in colors and nature. I'm happy, not yet the full bloom of summer (read: acts childish) and winter just feels never-ending. And this is California!

On the advice of another writer, I got myself a sun lamp to combat the winter blahs, but my brain isn't fooled. It wants sun. It wasn't to be outside, preferably in a convertible or running in the hills, but it's too muddy. I don't remember it raining this hard since the early 80's. It's been consistent and nauseating.

Last night, I worked out until my legs were ready to fall off and that worked for a short time, but today, again, I'm ready to hop a plane to Hawaii. What do you do to ward off the winter in your life?

Labels: SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder

I'm all about staying in my comfort zone. But every once in a while, I push myself to do something I've never done before and it's good for me--most of the time.

Labels: challenge, Last Holiday, Queen Latifah

There is music in my soul today. I'm sitting here staring out across the diamonds on the lake, listening to the sounds coming through the open door. Somewhere, a maintenance man is using a saw. Somewhere, eagles call. The whisper of tiny waves of water kissing the shore drift up to me. The refrigerator motor hums quietly. But the music that fills me comes from the rich tones of the wind chime out on the deck. If I choose, I can block out all other sounds but that, and it thrills me. Yes, the notes are chaotic, and I never know which chime will reach my ears next, but each chime has such a beauty all its own.

CELEBRATION DAY!
Today is my birthday but that's not the real reason I'm celebrating. I just found out this morning that my sales at Thomas Nelson have hit an important landmark we've been working toward. I'm sooo thrilled and happy to be with Thomas Nelson. They are my family and I love them so much. They've worked hard to build me and grow me as an author and I would be nowhere without them! My dear Ami McConnell has taught me so much! Erin Healy too. And my agent Karen Solem is hugely responsible too. She has been such a great friend and advocate. I love how she gives me a swift kick in the behind when I need it! LOL Allen Arnold and his team are always thinking outside the box on promotions. Jen Deshler takes good care of me in the marketing department as does Katie Bond in the publicity department. :-) I couldn't even think about writing without my Girls Write Out buds too. We're getting together to brainstorm on Thursday for the new book. I'm so grateful God has brought such friends and partners into my life.

What a birthday present! This book, Without a Trace, is the book that started it all with Thomas Nelson. I'll never forget sitting on the floor at Mt Hermon Christian Writer's Conference and pitching it to Ami.

And now it's time to give away the free copies of The LIghtkeeper's Daughter you signed up to win last week. Here are the winners:
Valerie
Adge
Suzanne
hotcoffeenow
Karen K

Email me with your addresses and I'll get you all a copy right out!

So what are you thankful for as you look at the past year?

2. Feel the fear and do it anyway. Lots of things in life are scary, and for me, the creative process is one of those things. What if it's not there today? What if it's never there again? What if this book tanks my career? I've learned to pray, then plow through the writing. Somehow it'll all work out the way it was meant to. Is fear preventing you from doing something?

Do you have a bad habit you need to change?

Since I was 19, I have worn expensive sunglasses. In my defense, I need them for my funky MS eyes. They have to be polarized. Now, I used to always clip them on my shirt -- and consequently, they were always scratched when they fell off my person. Now, I wear them on my head. So they're safe.

But I have a new bad habit. I shove my keys in my back pocket. Today, I went walking in the hills, and when I came back there was a note on my car. It said, "Your keys are at the map station!" Sure enough, I walked over to the map station and there were my keys. Isn't that so cool that someone did that?? So later, I came home, did the same thing with my keys and they fell into the toilet.

So clearly, I need to get a hook or a new system for my keys. What habit have you had to adjust? How'd you do it?

Labels: adjustments, habits, keys, sunglasses

ADDIE FOR REAL
I have the best cover designers at Thomas Nelson, bar none! With The Lightkeeper's Bride, Kristen actually did a photo shoot which was pretty cool. Ami and Kristen got my input on the dress the model would wear and consulted me on the model as well. As soon as I saw the model for the cover, I knew she was Addie. I'd never dreamed to find a model who looked like the picture I had in my head. I just love the way the cover came out! Then last week I got an interesting email from the MOTHER of the model! Isn't that the coolest thing? Her mom told me Alycia is expecting a baby girl in April. She lives in Oregon, which is just perfect since the book is set in northern California! She's a photographer herself by trade. Here is her website: http://www.echophotography.smugmug.com/

I was just thrilled to "meet" her mom, and through her, Alycia! Yesterday I got to pick the dress for the new book, The Lightkeeper's Bride, and last week I picked the model. I can't wait to see what they do with the new one too! But it will be hard to outdo this one. I thought I'd show you how it ended up because I asked your input several months ago when I first got it. It was beautiful then but didn't hint of any suspense. Several of you suggested darkening the sky, and I passed that request along. Kristen did exactly what I asked and I think it turned out perfectly! I'll be drawing a name from my last post to win the free copies and will post the winners here later today.

When you read a book, do you picture the person on the cover or do you come up with someone in your head? What makes you grab up a book? Title, cover, back blurb?

Labels: cover design, The Lightkeeper's Bride, The Lightkeeper's Daughter

Why are we here? I wonder this every year, come about January when the Indiana wind bites my skin with brutally cold teeth. I'm not a fan of the cold--I carry a sweater in the summer to combat indoor air conditioning. And yet here I am in northern Indiana where winter seems to last 98% of the year.

What a couple of weeks! I am exhausted, and I just realized I've forgotten to eat. I'm so tired of life being go, go, go. I want to get off for awhile. Unfortunately, with four kids and a big electronics show in Vegas, I am not alone in my thoughts this week. In fact, both my son's friend's parents were at the show, so he was here with us.

In case you can't tell from the photo, I work in the living room. Which is a small, dismal place, but it's all this house can manage. I had a desk that you could close off and so it didn't look like a desk in an obvious place, and it was fine when I was in Saratoga and had a beautiful, sunshiney view of the city. But now, it felt like I was working in a cell and on solitary confinement. This house has wood ceilings, so it's a bit dark to begin with. We never really get direct sunlight in here and quite frankly, I wasn't getting anything done unless I went to the coffee shop.

Which, you know, works if you don't have to do things like coordinate kids' schedules, pay bills, etc., at the same desk. So with my last paycheck, I splurged and bought myself a corner desk from Pottery Barn. Yes, it looks stupid in here. No, I can't close it off to the world, but sometimes, you have to do what you have to do.

So today, I set up my new desk (which is why I'm late posting, the computer was off.) I feel incredible not having to stare into that dark box and I'm hoping my writing will reflect it. I have drawers!! Have you ever had to do that? Stop mid-project and organize yourself so that you can continue? I have to say, I think it was worth it. I put the desk together myself and made my teenagers help me lift the top on -- payback for pizza and the non-stop driving to soccer. Since I'm the only "stay at home" mom on the team, I find myself shuttling freshman boys all over the city. Which, is very helpful for the young adult novel I'm writing. I only look innocent...

Labels: desk, organization, Pottery Barn

Daughter snapped a picture of hubby and me over Christmas and though I like the pic, I can't help thinking how much we resemble the couple who played on the cornflake commercial. Remember that one from ages ago? He held a pitchfork in his hand and the music was something like "New Country Cornflakes" or something like that?

Bad weather is threatening, snow is falling, and those of us with travel plans are scrambling to find out if we're going to have to make changes. I hate traveling in winter time, but some of the best experiences I've had are with close friends, huddled inside where it's warm, brainstorming new books. Um, did I mention those are writing friends?

MY BEST LIFE NOW
It's 2010! I can't believe it it was ten years ago we were all freaking out about Y2K. This last year of the decade was life-changing for me. My weight has defeated me all my life. I thought I was doomed to struggle forever. Then a reader told me about a new weight loss program called the HCG Diet. I was skeptical but the more I read about it, the more intrigued I was. I decided to give it a try with my friend's help. I've tried every diet under the sun. But this one sounded different. When I read the Pounds and Inches protocol, it made sense. And the thought that I would be resetting my metabolism was very seductive because I hardly HAVE a metabolism.

To say it was a success is an understatement. I've lost 55 pounds and I'm about to start my final round on Saturday. Here's how it works: you take a tiny amount of a natural hormone called hcg (yes the pregnancy hormone) and it rests your hypothalamus. You take it via an injection or a sublingual mixture. I prefer the injections myself. They're fast and easy and don't hurt. You then go on a very strict diet that lets you lose anywhere from 20-34 pounds in 40 days. Men lose on the higher end of that spectrum. I lost on the lower end because I was on my bioidentical hormone creams for my migraines and I wasn't about to go back to daily ones! But I was prepared for that and still thrilled at my weight loss! You're not hungry because the hcg is releasing abnormal fat, the kind that you usually only lose after months of starvation dieting. The hcg reshapes your body. I've always been a total pear but the protocol has me proportioned for the first time since I had a hysterectomy when I was 23. I fit in a size 12 jean and the waist AND the hips fit perfectly. No gaping at the waist because I had to buy a bigger jean to fit the hips!

This is a dream protocol. I tell everyone about it because it's the first thing I've ever done that actually works--and works so fast. You can do a 6 week round, then you go off for 6 weeks to stabilize before doing another round of 6 weeks. I started my first round in April and I'll finish up my journey in mid-Feb. So many of my friends and family have done it after seeing my results. There are clinics all over the country now but you can also do it yourself if you can't afford the clinic. You can buy the hcg from an overseas pharmacy and mix it yourself or you can do the homeopathic version. I realized I'd told tons of people about this but hadn't really shared it with my friends here. It's so easy, friends!

Just a few months ago, I gave away the smaller size clothing because I figured I'd never see it again. The last time I was in a 12 was when Dave and I got married! LOL Dave lost 32 pounds in one round by the way. Men are so lucky--they REALLY drop the weight fast. You feel really good while on the hcg. After the 6 weeks on the diet, you stop the hcg and continue the diet for 72 more hours. Then you can eat anything you want except starches and sugars. The key during this period is to eat enough calories. You really add in the fats and proteins. I eat 2000-3000 calories to reset the metabolism high. After that 3 weeks, you can add back starches and sugars, always watching your weight. If you go over 2 pounds above what you weighed the morning of your last dose of hcg, you do a "steak day" where you drink coffee, tea and water until dinnertime, then you eat the largest steak you can get down plus an apple or a tomato. It tells your body, "nope, the set point is down here." It works like a charm. :-)

So this is the first year in, oh about 37 years, that I haven't set a New Year's resolution to lose weight. I can run up and down the stairs with no pain in my feet and ankle from previous broken bones. I feel GREAT! And I'm going to get a cute bathing suit this summer, doggone it! I think I was 23 the last time I had one that didn't look like it was made for my grandmother. So in honor of not having to make a New Year's resolution this year, I'm giving away 5 copies of my new The Lightkeeper's Daughter which just shipped to stores. Comment on the blog and I'll put your name in the drawing. :-)

How about you? Any resolutions this year?

There is nothing like being away from creative pursuits to spur inpiration. I take a break from writing during Christmas, while the kids are home from school. I take a short break between books and during Spring Break, if my deadline allows.