Wait, you guys don't know about that, do you? Well, let me tell you: I JUST FINISHED WRITING ANOTHER BOOK! (If you couldn't tell, that is what it looks like when I jump for joy and do the happy dance.)
Do you remember back in November when I went full-steam ahead working on Purgatory, which is book three of Wilder Times? I got a lot done in November and December and then ... and then ... I stopped working on it. (I just heard a big NOOOO! being yelled all across the internet. Or not.) On Christmas Eve, of all days, a new book idea started growing in my brain, and as I went about preparing for Christmas, I got the book entirely plotted. As soon as Christmas break was over, I sat down and began to write, feeling at first like I was cheating on Ben Wilder. This book took awhile for me to break into a good stride, since it's a different genre--wait, it's an entirely different century! This book is a historical romance (of course it's a romance. What else did you think I would write?) set at the dawn of Renaissance--but once I figured out how to do the waltz rather than hip hop, I started writing at breakneck speed. I thought it would be an easy, short little book, possibly even a novella, but it ended up being around 100,000 words. All written since the first of January! That's a record for me.
But ... it's not done-done. This is probably the roughest 1st draft I've ever done (hence the speed) and it will need a lot of grooming before it's even ready for my alpha reader. Do you want to know what it's about? Well, since I am all fizzled-out on words, let me show you instead:
It is set in a castle (or two or three)
And is about one of these (a princess, not a Barbie)
And has a couple of these guys (princes, not Ken or Juan)
This is happening between two neighboring countries
And there's a bunch of these (like Montana! Weird how that happened.)
The current working title for the book is this:
You like?
So since my fingers have been glued to my computer since the New Year, you might be wondering what the rest of my life has been like. Let me tell you, it isn't very glamorous. Here's the past three months by the numbers:
1. Number of times the entire house (top to bottom) has been cleaned: exactly 2 times.
2. Number of meals from scratch I have cooked for my family: about 6
3. Pounds of almonds I have eaten: at least 8. Not joking. The squirrel in my tree outside says he's very impressed with how well I can pack nuts away. I think that's a compliment.
4. Cases of Diet Coke I've gone through: What? I don't drink copious amounts of Diet Coke. Why'd you even bring that up?
5. Number of times I've listened to songs by Josh Groban: 100,052. You might be thinking that this is an instance where there can be too much of a good thing, but let me tell you: there is no such thing as too much Josh Groban. I bet he saw a jump in his Rhapsody royalties since January-- that was all me. Glad to know I can help an artist etch out a living.
And after all that time sitting at the computer, my posterior now looks like this:
Did you read about this lady man last fall? One of the most bizarre-o news stories I have read. Ever.
So tell me: what have you been up to lately? What have I missed out there in the real world? Anyone maybe have a baby who I've only held once? Anyone finish their first year of college? Anyone getting ready for Iron-Woman or something? Have you guys seen any good movies/read any good books? Tell me what your life is like: I need some sanity!
And ... I have a game for you. I will give you four items, and you need to guess which ONE is NOT true. I will tell you the answer on Thursday. Bonus points if you pick right. (Bonus points for what? I don't know, just bonus points, OK?)
In the coming months, I am going to:
1. Finish writing Purgatory
2. Write a sitcom
3. Run for political office
4. Go on an overnight hike in the Bob Marshall Wilderness
