Bacon.

At a recent brunch buffet, a guy at my table said something like, "Mmm, bacon."

Another guy said, "I don't eat bacon anymore."

And then they went on to just, like, talk about random things that had nothing to do with bacon!

I didn't even realize it was possible to do that. I thought that whenever a person says they don't eat bacon, the other person is obligated to begin the reenactment of John Travolta (Vincent) and Samuel L. Jackson's (Jules) discussion about bacon from PULP FICTION.

Vincent: Want some bacon?
Jules: No man, I don't eat pork.
Vincent: Are you Jewish?
Jules: Nah, I ain't Jewish, I just don't dig on swine, that's all.
Vincent: Why not?
Jules: Pigs are filthy animals. I don't eat filthy animals.
Vincent: Bacon tastes gooood. Pork chops taste gooood.
Jules: Hey, sewer rat may taste like pumpkin pie, but I'd never know 'cause I wouldn't eat the filthy melon farmer.

I mean, right? Isn't it a requirement to quote this in these sorts of situations?!!

I brought up their missed chance a few minutes later, because it was causing me such anxiety that they'd let it go like that. Everyone at the table just kind of gave me odd looks, though. I guess they've never heard the talking-about-not-eating-bacon rule. 

Or maybe I'm just a dork.

Progress update.

As you may recall, I'm attempting to finish a first draft before the end of July. 

In order to defeat my perfectionist within, I've been handwriting all my scenes in a journal, and not allowing myself to make corrections (aside from scribbled notes in the margins).  I am also not allowed to type these scenes on my computer. 

Actually, things are going okay.  I am working with two parallel time lines for this story.  I have most of the scenes completed for the past tense sections, and I finally have my thoughts for the present tense in some kind of order so that I may soon begin.

It's kind of crazy because I've changed my mind about something in every single one of the scenes I have so far.  Who is going to appear in them, how my MC feels, how my MC behaves.  Things are all over the place while I try to settle on, especially, who she is. 

I'll definitely be curious--once this is over--to see how much help this draft is going to be in actually getting something ready that I can show to people.  But at least I will have this collection of rough, rough scenes that can be revised, revised into something decent.  That's the real fun of writing for me, after all.

Illegal?

So, lots of authors have FAQs on their websites.  And a question that often appears is:  Can you read my work?

And the answer is always:  No. 

Most often, the explanation given is that the author is terribly busy with their own writing.  Sometimes they also say that is "illegal for them to read unpublished work."

Um.  Is this true?   I'd never fully paid attention before because, you know, it didn't apply to me.

But now, I'm wondering:  Is there going to be something in my contract when it arrives that says I can't read unpublished manuscripts?  Because, yeah, when I'm busy with my own revisions and/or new projects, I probably won't have time to do critiques very often.  But if I do want to, will it really be illegal?  Or is that just a handy excuse?

Surprise Party.

For as long as I've known that surprise parties existed, I've wanted one.  I just really love the idea of a whole bunch of people caring about me and wanting to make elaborate secret plans on my behalf.  I could never understand Mary Anne from THE BABYSITTERS CLUB getting all mad about her party.  I mean, yeah, she was shy and stuff.  But still, it was such a nice gesture, right?

I've make jokes about wanting a surprise party many times over the years.  Like, if I come into a room and family members are being all whisper-y to each other, I'll be like, "What's up?  Are you planning a surprise party for me or something?"  (It's a really fun question to ask, by the way.  People usually roll their eyes.)

In fourth grade--when I turned nine--I was so sure there was going to be a surprise party on or around my birthday.  Every time I'd walk into a room, I'd think to myself:  Okay.  Don't forget to look surprised even though you know what's coming.  

As it turned out, I didn't get a surprise birthday party that year.  Or any other year.  I've helped plan a few, and that was fun.  But I always hoped someone would do it for me one day. 

Last month, someone did!  My sister and my husband!  But it wasn't for my birthday.

Five days after I accepted my book deal from Pulse, I was spending the afternoon with my friend, Matt.  He drove me to a pizza place to have lunch, and led me back to a banquet room upon our arrival.  Around that time, I was thinking there was something odd going on, I admit, but I did not expect to walk in and see over 40 of my friends and relatives, all assembled together, yelling "surprise!" and applauding. 

"This Is My Now" by Jordin Sparks--which has been kind of my theme song these days--was playing on the stereo system.  There were balloons and streamers and signs that said, "Congrats!"  The whole works.

I stood there while the song played, looking around all teary-eyed.  It was just like, "Whoa!" as I was registering what was happening. 

Getting a surprise party really was just as cool as I'd always hoped it would be!  In fact, I'm going to use it as an affirmation for when I'm having tough days:  I am a wonder hyphen full woman.  I am kind and empathetic.  I am the type of person for whom people throw surprise parties.  Woot!

My aunt mailed me some photos from the event, which is why there's been delay in putting this post up.  See, I didn't have my camera that day because I didn't know there was going to be something important going on!  I used the scanner at work, but they didn't turn out great, so I'll only post two.  You'll have to take my word for it that people showed up, okay? 

My sister made the cupcakes, and my mother-in-law made the cake.  The title of my book is changing (new title unknown right now!), but that's okay.  This was the name on that day.   

And this is a shot of my cousin Larry and me:

Mandy's Launch Party.

Here are variations of the photos posted all over LJ and Facebook already from  's PRADA & PREJUDICE book launch party.  These were taken with my camera by my husband.  :-)

Me with Mandy and her books:

Me with Mandy, Kim Derting (  ), and Mandy's books:

And here's the three Tenners and a Deb photo!  Me with Mandy, Denise Jaden (   ), Kim, and cupcakes with high-heeled shoe toppers:

It was a lot of fun to see Mandy again, and to meet Denise and Kim.  I'm looking forward to going to more book launches for local YA writers as our books come out!