Surprise

Today Kid #1 slipped something into the back pocket of my pants without me noticing. Normally this wouldn't happen. I'm usually very aware of things happening to my body. Or around it. So either she's upped her game or my sensors are weakening.
I have to admit it was a proud moment for me. You see I've gotten quite good at slipping things in and out of my husband's pockets without him noticing. Keys, iPhone. Wallet. I can even slip them back in before he even notices that they're gone.

Sorry Jay. Kisses!

Now we can add pickpocketing to the list of things Kid #1 got from me.

And thank goodness I discovered it before I sat down. It was one of those pointy Tinker Bell Fairies. Could have been deadly.

Today I visited my local Borders. And guess what? It's one of the two-hundred stores that are closing. It's a sad day in Shariland.



NOOOOOOO!!!! BOOOO!!!!!

I love my Borders. Their hot chocolate is far superior to B&N's. And I know most of the employees there. Some even know me by name. When I was pregnant with Kid #2 they kept track of my progress.

Good thing someone was. Ya' know?

So why is Borders closing you ask. I really don't know. I've read multiple stories about it online but no one's giving a direct answer. Sure, there are plenty of theories. And lots and lots of "what will happen next?" articles. For instance yesterday Nathan Bransford wrote this post.

So I ask you, are bookstores following the path of record stores?

And if that's the case does that make authors similar to musicians? Cause I'm pretty sure when authors go out on tour they don't pull in millions and millions of dollars like bands do. And if bookstores disappear and pirating ebooks becomes as popular as pirating music... will that be the end of writers? Without a paycheck will writers keep writing? Because most of the writers I know would love to quit their day job and concentrate on writing full time but if they write a novel and everyone reads it online for free...
Will books survive? Will writers?

Hmm. Lots to think about.

I know it's not all about the money. I love writing. Believe me, I wouldn't do it if I didn't. Writing is a very lonely experience. Plus I really enjoy sleeping and when I'm writing I don't do a whole lot of sleeping. Or socializing.

But I'm not a rock star. Stadiums aren't going to sell out when the world hears I'll be reading my novel aloud.

So I need bookstores.

And I really need people to stop downloading books for free.

CONTEST!!

Hey Y'all!

Check out Susanne's super fantastic contest!!

CLICK ME!

FREE BOOKS!!

Alright. Back to revisionland.

Rewrite Overload

So I was writing today and one of my main characters up and changed on me. Just like that. One minute he's the guy I've known for about four years now and the next he's...
Not.
And so much for revising. This book has gone into rewrite overload!!

Sounds scary, huh? Well it is. I've found I no longer like anything I used to like and some things I still really like are getting thrown out too!

And what does one do when an innocent little revision turns into a full blown rewrite?

Listen to music. Good music. And brainstorm the crap out of each and every new scene.

So.

Here is what I've been listening to:

The Cave Mumford & Sons
Stamp The Rural Alberta Advantage
We Used To Wait Arcade Fire
Vesuvius Sufjan Stevens
Wide Eyes Local Natives
I Want To Be Well Sufjan Stevens

Go check them out on my music thingy --->


OH!!! And for all you Radiohead fans...NEW MUSIC ON SATURDAY!!!!

Did you hear that scream? Yes? That was me.

Sicky

I'm back. Being sick really sucks. Especially when you and your two kids all get sick at the same time. But I was good. Normally I allow myself to be sick for one day and then I get up and clean the house, get sick again the following day, clean house. Repeat.
But this time I stayed sick for two whole days before I got up to clean. So. Progress.

To pass the time Inthelandofsick the kids watched a whole lot of TV. And I read books on my Kindle.
You know I never thought I'd get into the Kindle but let me tell you, that thing is great. Especially when you finish a book and just move on to the next one without getting up off the couch. Seriously, folks. I didn't have to go upstairs once to get a new book. This is how it all went down: finish book, scroll down to new book, start reading, ask husband to make me lunch, adjust child #2 across left side so right side can get better circulation, keep reading. Yep. That pretty much describes the last week of my life.

And watching TV is good for kids. Especially when they're sick.

Child #1 has started watching this new show, we'll just call it Bubble Guppies, (cause that's what it's called) and she LOVES it! Everyday she has to check and see if a new one has recorded.

And guess what? It has.

So the other day we're eating lunch and she asks "Mom, how come the sun and earth are in the solar system?"

Uh. Um. Hmm. You know I wanted to take the easy way out and say, "Cause that's where all the cool planets hang out."

But I didn't.

So Yay! for kids shows. Yay for teaching my kids stuff I have to explain! It's a win win, you know?

And while we're on this subject I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dora for teaching child #1 how to count to ten, say hello and goodbye and of course "LET'S GO!" in Spanish.
Now that she thinks she knows Spanish she makes up her own words she calls "Spanish" and uses these words while we are out in public.

And of course she yells them, cause that Dora chick never uses her inside voice.

For Your Listening Pleasure

Here in Shariland all is not well. That is, I'm sick. Boo.
But I wanted to share something wonderful with you. Watch it loud!

Local Natives | Who Knows Who Cares | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Love them.

Now. Off to bed for me.

Nobody Said It Was Easy

Well it ain't folks.
Writing is hard. So hard that many times a day I stop and think, what the hell am I doing? No seriously. I do. Because I didn't go to writing school. I love run on sentences and I rarely put commas where I should. Like, here,
And sometimes I use the wrong use of a word! Like passed/past. I really hate those words. What is the difference already!!? Explain it to me.

I dare you.

But I love telling stories. For as long as I can remember I've been making things up in my head to keep myself entertained.

So right now I'm rewriting a book I really believe in. For the hundredth time. No joke.
And it's really really difficult. And then sometimes it's not.
And I'm going to keep trying, even though occasionally I think I'm crazy for attempting this whole writing thing. Crazy to even put myself out there.
But I am. Because I love it. I do. And that's why I stay up late writing when it would be so easy to watch another Veronica Mars episode or, you know, go to sleep like a normal person should.

I have to keep trying.

I believe in you, book one! I really really do!!

Some Music Just For You!

I found someone new! Well, technically my husband found her first, but I'm keeping her.




Her name is Lia Ices and she's awesome! I've only heard her newest CD so far (she has two) but it rocks. Great brainstorming music. That is, if you need moody. And I always need moody.


She even has the super awesome Justin Vernon from Bon Iver sing along on one of her songs. It's called Daphne. Go check it out over there on my music thingy --->

BON IVER!! LOVE!


<---How can you not love a musician who loves cats?


So go check them out. Or listen to my music thingy. Either way music is good.