June 28, 2007: Clean Slate
I'll be giving a talk (much like the one I gave at my junior high) at the Cypress Park Library (the new location not the one I grew up visiting) on Wednesday August 29 from 11 to 1-ish. No books for sale, but I'll be signing postcards and answering questions on how to get published after the presentation. And with that I'll consider myself free of the guilt from any overdue and lost books I may still owe (and I know I do) to the branch.
June 26, 2007: October in San Francisco
A date for a group signing for the Sunday Cafe Writer's Club is thisclose to being confrimed for the Stonestown Borders (right next door to SFSU, my alma mater). More details to come, like, uh, a date and time. Update: Saturday, October 6 from 1-3, look for me, Kate Perry, Josie Brown, Gemma Halliday and (hopefully) Bella Andre to be signing books and chatting with each other and readers at the Stonestown Borders.
June 25, 2007: Good Monday
Fine start to the week, bumped my Missed Connection word count to 29,044, got over my layout obsession and I have limited engagements for the rest of the summer so I can concentrate on the next 60,000 or so words that are in my future. I've also got some great feed back on my Underneath It All inspired short story and I'll figure out what do with it in the near future. I do like the idea of a novel telling the stories of some of the main characters before, during and after their time in Jacqs's life and I'll run it by my agent for her take on it. But for now, that project will have to wait in line. Priority number one is Missed Connections and planning Life Over Easy's release in October.
June 22, 2007: OCD and Me
What is it about finding ways to distract oneself from what really needs to be done? Right now I'm obsessed with formatting and the layout of my next book and I've stopped the actual writing of it to fiddle with this and that and can't resume writing until I figure it out. Which doesn't make any sense since I'm not a book designer and I'm sure a professional will have much better ideas then I do and it's all going to be changed anyhow...And parents this is why you shouldn't let your children to grow up to be writers...
June 21, 2007: Looking Ahead
Lingering effects of my self inflicted concussion aside, I've got a lot going on that I'm getting done. I have a September goal date of finishing my third novel, Missed Connections, on July 7th I'll be doing a signing at the Marina del Rey Barnes & Nobel, appearing on a local TV show on the 22nd about books and writing and gearing up for a a very busy fall. But most importantly, I'm planning a long weekend on my own up in San Francisco to do some writing and reconnecting with the city. Life is good despite my headache.
June 20, 2007: Addled Updates
Despite giving myself a minor concussion earlier this week I've managed to get some work done on Missed Connections (current word count 27,223). If I keep myself from getting distracted, I hope to be done with a first draft sooner rather than later. But working in my favor is that New York is gearing up for the summer and, as I've learned, things really slow down during this season and it will give me time to catch up with all my projects and maybe even get a little ahead.
June 16, 2007: A Panel of Latina Authors
My email plea worked. Mary Castillo, Reyna Grande, Sylvia Mendoza, Lara Rios and myself will be speaking at the East Los Angeles Library in early November to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. More details to come. In the meantime:
Mary Castillo recently contributed to the Names I Call My Sister anthology and is awaiting her next book Switchcraft to hit the shelves in October.
Reyna Grande is currently working on her second novel to follow up her much acclaimed Across One Hundred Mountains.
Sylvia Mendoza is the author The Book of Latina Women which tells the true stories of 150 inspirational women as well as several fun fiction reads.
Lara Rios followed up Becoming Latina in Ten Easy Steps with Becoming Americana.
June 14, 2007: Pubbed Author? Know One?
I'm working with the fine people at the beautiful and vibrant East LA Library to put together a panel extravaganza in early November to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with style, books, politicians and local VIPs. So far I've contacted two authors who I hope will say yes, but if you know or are one, please drop me a note on the Contact page.
June 13, 2007: Life Over Easy, Raw
I just got a batch of Life Over Easy ARCs/Uncorrected Proofs. I have a short list of names and places to send them so they can have a head's up on the official October release date and I'll keep one for myself.
June 11, 2007: Working for a Living
I'm not sure when Missed Connections (working title, by the way) will be out or even when it's due, but as of today I have typed 20,778 words. Only about 70k more to go. In other news I've officially switched from 12pt Times New Roman Type to 12pt Arial. Wow.
June 08, 2007: The Legal Stuff
What happens after a writer, agent, editor and publisher agree that the writer represented by the agent will submit a manuscript to the editor which will be turned into a book by the publisher? Contract talks, is what. And this is where I check out and my agent takes over. Things get complicated and even though I make my living with words, I don't speak lawyer. And I don't want to.
Also, had a lovely chat with Kate Duffy, my editor at Kensington, about what the splashy plans are for Life Over Easy and plenty is going to be happening. They (and me too!) are excited about LOE and there is talk of all sorts of promo goodness.
June 07, 2007: My First Blog Guest
Busy lady, Mary Castillo subjected herself to my ten questions on writing and her answers are on my blog. Next week, Kate Perry will be submitting herself to the same treatment and I plan to put a bunch of other writer friends in the same uncomfortable position of having to deal with a Q&A request from me.
June 04, 2007: Hello, June
Lots of stuff went on last week and I've learned my lesson to spread out life in easily manageable chunks. With everything going on, more kept happening, but this time I've spaced them apart so that I can actually devote some of my days to writing. First, I'll be doing a signing at the Maria del Rey Barnes & Noble on July 7th. Second, I received an invite to appear on a TV program for writers and readers to be tapped in July (check back for details). Next, I'll be teaching a class for mediabistro starting in September on Tuesdays (details to come). And, lastly, I'll be speaking at the Young Women's Health Conference in October.
