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Friday, February 12, 2010

February Update

Well, it's February, my least favorite month of the year. At least it has the decency to be short.

Seems like a good time to give a brief update on certain fronts:

Appearances: I'll be signing books at the Barnes and Noble in Oceanside February 12th (that's tonight...sorry for the late notice) at 6:00 p.m. to help raise funds for an elementary school in Vista. The school gets up to 20% of the money from ANY books (not just mine) sold during the hours of the book fair. With these days of budget cuts, these events can really help a school out. So, if your school isn't holding a book fair at a nearby B and N, you might want to suggest they look into it. And maybe there will be a nearby author who is willing to don her crown and cape* for a little magic/fun/puppet time. All for a good cause.

Resolutions: I have successfully given up Dude. Yes, of course it slips out sometimes, but then I glare at the person responsible and say, "Look, I just Dude-ed because of you. (Yeah, it sounds weird.)

I am doing not so great on the vegetable end of things. Bought lots of mini-cucumbers at Costco (which was FILLED with thousands of people who really seemed to need to put their carts in MY WAY, forcing an unstoppable (but whispered) Dude.

Goals:

Revise Wren Faire this weekend.

Revise 2 picture book drafts from January's surprize-a-palooza.

Polish Nix the Naughty.

One more draft of Chicken Wizard (Hey, how about if it's a good one this time?)

Maybe doodle a bit on next middle grade project....but only doodling.

I've got to get crackin'!

hrh

*Apparently, not all authors wear a cape and a crown to booksignings, although I recommend they try it. Way more fun than it sounds.




17 comments:

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I have not been very successful with my "dude" resolution. You give me hope! :-)

Amanda Borenstadt said...

I simply love the image of you saying "dude" while wearing a cape and crown. Adorable! LOL

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

I wish I could've heard you say Dude in Costco. Ha!
I am so awed by your productivity. For someone who doesn't like February, you really got some serious work done. (me, not so much, sigh)

Corey Schwartz said...

Surprise-a-palooza? How is it that I don't know about that??? Sounds fun!

Anonymous said...

How exciting and fun for the kids seeing you done up in all your finery :o)

Jackee said...

You are so motivated that it inspires me to be better, Shelley. *Dude.* I'm so glad I met you.

PJ Hoover said...

Hmmm...maybe I'll wear a cape and crown next time I have an appearance. That would be fun :)
Go veggies!

storyqueen said...

Shannon: It's not that I don't think it, I'm just getting better about not saying it.

Amanda-Well, yes. It's probably more goofy than adorable, though.

Tricia-Maybe it's because I don't like Feb. and need something to make it good....? And, gosh darn it....I want 3,000 more works by Tuesday!

Corey-Sounds cooler than it was. Surprise-a-palooza happened when I sat down to write some stuff on my goal list, then instead cranked out two new picture book drafts of sheer randomness. I re-read them yesterday to my writing group and I still love them.

Niki-The finery usually garners me one of two looks, "Hey, look, a queen!" or, "Hey, look, a crazy lady."

Jackee-Aw, thanks. But I'm probably not any more motivated that anybody else, I just make lists about what I've done because it makes me feel good to check stuff off.

PJ-Seriously, way more fun than it looks.

Hardygirl said...

Love the cape and crown!!

And, dude, you sound BUSY. (just because you can't say it doesn't mean that I can't!!)


sf

Sherrie Petersen said...

I could never give up Dude. And I'm pretty sure the cape and crown would earn you points in more places than just the book signings!

MG Higgins said...

Dude, I love Costco but shoppers can be so oblivious that anyone else might like to, you know, use the same aisle they're dawdling in the middle of. Congrats on all your productivity! And I'm sorry you don't like Februarys. :(

storyqueen said...

SF-Yes! Please use Dude often for those of us who no longer can. It's like Dude-ing vicariously.

Sherrie-I try not to wear them too many places, because then you get the look, "Wierdo or Idiot?"

MG-Why?? WHY must people always be in my way when I'm in a hurry? In a past life, I was probably a snail that blocked an entire ant trail or something.

Jackee said...

Shelley, you won! Come over to my blog. :)

Clementine said...

Dudette, that is too funny! I would certainly stand in line if the author wore a cape to the signing. You sound like you're plugging along. I can't wait for the new releases!

Stephanie Faris said...

I think a cape and crown are a great idea!

I don't know that I say dude very often. I do say the word 'actually' too much...and 'like.' I think that's a product of growing up in the 80s -- valley girl talk!

Susan R. Mills said...

I'm so wearing a cape and a crown. You inspired me.

kanishk said...

How exciting and fun for the kids seeing you done up in all your finery

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