Plotting

As a middle school teacher, I'm thoroughly enjoying Spring Break this week. It's been a joy to avoid math for the past seven days. Of course, I always avoid math on school breaks, weekends, and after 4 pm weekdays.

Instead, I've been on a couple of hikes in our local Palo Duro Canyon and spent yesterday on a ranch hike near Pampa, TX.

In between, I've been plotting and researching a new novel. Two new novels actually. In addition to the mainstream piece I'm fleshing out, I'm also collaborating with my writing buddy, Val, on a romantic suspense novel. We made great progress while hiking yesterday and afterward, while splitting a burger and drinking milkshakes at Braum's. Haven't had one of those in a while, though you wouldn't know it to look at me.

News update #1: A program on Sirius Satellite Radio wants to interview me concerning my weekly Bad Mom column. The column's been attracting the attention of mommy bloggers and various media lately. Especially my "25 Random Things That Make Me Feel Like a Bad Mom" piece. I'll let you know if/when the interview is scheduled.

News update #2: Apparently I didn't place in the Amazon contest after all. I received a note from them that said, in summary: "Whoops, you didn't even make the 2,000. Our mistake. But here's a $5 coupon to take your mind off the fact we're trampling your pride." Clearly, my pride is easily bought. ;-)

Upward and Onward

Though I apparently made the top 2,000, I didn't make the top 500 in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition this year. And for some reason, I don't feel bummed about it.

Maybe that's because my editor at New Christian Voices had some very awesome and encouraging things to say about me yesterday, my agent is sending my proposal off to another publishing house, I'm working out the plot for a new novel that I'm very excited about, and I'm talking collaboration with my friend Val who is a great writer.

I'm also very happy for my friend Travis Erwin, who did make the top 500 in the ABNA competition. He's also a terrific writer and friend.

Let's Connect

Hey, folks,

I've been on Facebook and Twitter for a while now, but must admit I spend much more time on Facebook. At any rate, I'd like to invite you to connect with me in either location. Or both.

Just let me know you found me via this blog.

In the meantime, I'm awaiting the announcement of the quarter-finalists for the 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition. Last year I made the top 100 semi-finalist round out of 5,000 entrants. This year, they were taking up to 10,000 entries, but I only decided to enter at the last minute, so my chances are slim . . .

But still, it's all fun.