I'm a lame poster.

Yes, it's true. I'm as lame as it gets. Twice a month. Ouch.

I got mail this week -- author copies of 5 new books! The covers are beautiful and I will be posting soon.

I've been diagnosed with asthma this last month. This is apparently why I cough my head-off. I'm now immersed in the new world of inhalers. Very handy things.

My rewrite on my novel was buzzing until Chapter 23. Is 23 one of the numbers? I've written myself into a dark little disturbing corner and I don't know the way out.

I got a rejection from a won't be named house. Apparently my short story has a "heavy handed" message with a twist of awful character development mixed in. They liked the chocolate. Yes, I sent chocolate. Hey, I made them read my manuscript -- the bad news, I don't think I like my manuscript either. It's just a dreary piece of exorcist writing -- me, working out the bad dreams that have really happened. I haven't ever found a good story in the bad stuff. I find good story in the victories. I really don't like stories that are a major downer anyway.

The good news is that it is quasi-official that Archimedes invented calculus long before Newton got hit in the head with that apple. At least that's what tonight's Nova episode was about. I'm a Nova addict.

Other important news: I'm not able to keep up with Surface, Threshold and Invasion. I think I like Invasion is the best, but I like William Fitchner. I also had a poster of Shaun Cassidy (producer) on the inside of my record cabinet when I was in the 8th grade. I was a faithful Hardy Boys fan. Threshold has too much "Star Trek" cheese. Surface is like "the most incomprehensible mess" I've ever seen. Ok, that's the Sci-fi wrap up.

On to book news - the next book I'm going to read is "The Liberation of Gabriel King." I will let the world know if I think it is any good.

I want a sign-off thing. I'll start with this. Peace.

Is the sufficiently random for the universe out there?

SCBWI

Jane O'Connor spoke at our first SCBWI meeting of the 2005-6 season. What a great look at the mass market children's world! I especially loved her take on process. I think approaching editing with enthusiastic vigor is the way to go.

My carpool is also one of the best parts of the meeting. The dedication and excitement of all the folks is energizing.

I'm doing writing prompts this week.

Here is my ode to green.

Frogs, pollywogs, leaves, grass,
sewer sludge, trees, emeralds,
peridot, alligators, crocodiles,
turtles, my eyes, kiwi, lettuce,
and the thick ropy stuff coming out of my nose.


I really don't understand why I love the gross out stuff, but I do.