So cute!

This is from the email from my agent where he responds to my terror at his suggestion of reworking my opening chapter*. 

I know, I know. First chapters are the worst. But what I want to make sure you avoid is that first chapter that just feels so extra-first-chapter-y...

I love that.  Extra-first-chapter-y!

*For those of you who have read it, he doesn't want me to scrap the whole first chapter, as I'd feared initially.  He just doesn't think that first scene with the hangover is the best way to introduce Seth.

The revision notes have arrived.

I've read other people's reactions to their agent and/or editor revision notes, which often seem to start with them freaking out about how much they'll have to do and then eventually calming down, accepting it, and getting to work.

For me, I read the notes from my agent upon arriving at work in the morning and thought, Wow!  That's ALL?  That's so easy!  I can finish in a few weeks, no problem!  Yay!

Then I reread them after coming home from work twelve hours later and thought, Hmmm.  Maybe this is going to be harder than I thought.

In any case, I'm glad to have the notes, and I'm very ready to get to work on them.  It was a year ago on February 17th that I "finished" revising this manuscript.  Since then, I've done tweaks based on feedback I've received.  I also completed that tiny revision in December.  But for the most part, I've been away from this project for the better part of a year now. 

I've had lots of people read the manuscript (or pieces of it) and offer opinions, but this is the first time I've received feedback where I'll have to make the changes and then send it back for review.  I think revising for someone other than myself will be a very different type of experience!

Sudoku and pencils.

One of the gifts I got from my department's holiday gift exchange was a Burt's Bee's hand and nail set. I've been using it constantly! 

The other part of the gift was a Sudoku page-a-day desk calendar.  I've never done Sudoku.  But now that I have this calendar, it seems like a good time to try it out.  Especially considering we are now six weeks into the year and I've not taken out the calendar!

I'm looking it over.  The rules.  I think I understand the concept.  I'm just afraid!  I'm afraid to start because I know that I won't get it right on my first try!  Mistakes, they will be made.  

Now, I know you're thinking that I'm being a weird and wacky perfectionist.  That isn't exactly the case here.   I'm actually being a weird and wacky pencil hater.  (I would say I'm "pencil phobic," but I'm not actually afraid of them.)  

I don't know how or why it started, but I cannot stand using pencils.  There is something about the wood, the paint, the smell, the sound the lead makes as it scratches across the paper.  It makes the roof of my mouth itch.  It makes my jaw and fists clench.  And erasing!  Oh, how I loathe the feel and sound of an eraser doing its horrid erasing thing.

For Sudoku, I am going to make mistakes.  I'm going to need to be able to fix those mistakes if I ever want to complete a puzzle.  And so, I'm going to dig through my drawers to see if I can find a pen with erasable ink (best option) or a mechanical pencil.  I don't like them, but they are better for me than wooden pencils.  If I can't find either, well, then I'm going to have to make a decision:  put off Sudoku to try some other day, or suffer and play using the one wooden pencil I own. 

With how tense I've become just typing about pencils, something tells me the former will win out.

Research will be required. Oh, yes.

For the manuscript I'm supposed to be working on, one of the characters (Sean) excels at a particular sport.  It doesn't figure prominently into the storyline at all; it's just there to give him something to do and a goal for him to try to reach on his own time while he isn't spending time with the MC.  Unfortunately, the sport I chose is the same one played by the love interest in Seth's story.  Which... well, that's kind of stupid, right?  What I have makes sense for each of the stories and characters, but if I happen to get both of these novels published someday, readers might get the idea that I'm obsessed and/or non-creative about my characters extra-curricular activities!  

Today--after almost a month of pondering--I finally came up with something different for Sean to be into.  I'm still working hard to wrap my head around how it will fit in with the plot and story timeline I've already laid out, but I think it will be a great addition once I do so.  Much better than what I had before, because it can work in with Kae's goals as well. 

I'm excited because this is something I've never seen in YA, or in fiction at all!  Oh, but also?  I don't personally know anyone who is into it.  Which means I have A LOT to learn though my own devices.

I met a guy (which is how got the idea) who is an expert and can give me information later.  But, for now, I'm reading all I can online.  He gave me some magazines to check out, so I'll scour those, too.  And I'll definitely have to take a lesson.   It's expensive, but the first lesson is five hours long and goes through EVERYTHING.

Already, I can see that getting the details right for this is going to be a huge undertaking.   It should be cool, though!  I hope.

Stick of gum? Yes, please!

On television and movies, I constantly see this thing happen that would never, ever occur in my life.  It feels like a fairy tale to me.  A terrible and unpleasant fairy tale, I hasten to add.

That thing that happens?  People waking up in the morning and totally going at it with the person lying next to them!  Like, all passionately kissing with open mouths and tongues and stuff!  With what I assume to be bad breath!

Now, I've been kissed when I've awakened before.  I have!  On the cheek, forehead, or lips.  But I don't think saliva was exchanged.  I just... wouldn't care to have that happen.  Not until I've a) drank water, b) eaten something sweet, c) rinsed with mouth wash, d) popped a breath mint or gum, or e) brushed my teeth.  After I've done one of those things (particularly any of the last three), I am happy to engage in morning kissing, you know?  (And here's some TMI:  I do always keep gum and mints on my nightstand.)

When I see the passionate exchange of saliva in the morning happening on film, I'm always a little appalled.  And I wonder (aloud sometimes) if that kind of thing really goes on.  I've been told by a number of sources that it does, and that normal people aren't as weird about such things as I am.  Huh.

So, tonight, I saw a movie.  Two characters woke up in bed together.  One of them grabbed a pack of gum from the nightstand, unwrapped a piece and started chewing, and then offered a piece to the other person.  They chewed and talked for a couple of minutes.  All the while, it was obvious that they were using the gum specifically to make their breath pleasant for morning kissing.  When it finally happened -- the kissing -- I applauded. 

Somehow, it was one of the most amazing and realistic filmed scenes I've ever seen.