Sirius Satellite Radio Interview

I know I'm a little late with this news, but last Tuesday, May 26, I was interviewed on FamilyNet's "Mornings with Lorri and Larry" Sirius Satellite Radio program. For about another week you can still catch the podcast of my interview, which focused on my humorous parenting column, Bad Mom. Click here to find the podcast link. From there, you'll need to click on the small pink "itunes" button.

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. ;-)

Style Manuals

As a novelist, I've learned to consult my thick copy of Chicago Manual of Style, but now that I'm writing for New Christian Voices--and doing a bit of editing online as well--I'm diving into AP style.

Wow! There are a lot of minute differences between the two, so I'm having to stay alert.

But that's okay, because I'm committed to being a professional. And professionals aren't stubborn or sloppy.

What are you doing to pursue professionalism in your writing? (And can you tell which style I'm using in this blog?)

BAD MOM Column Debut

My new humorous BAD MOM column has gone live at New Christian Voices! NCV is a non-denominational Christian humor and lifestyle website. It's not your typical conservative Christian website. Yes, we're clean. Yes, we're Christian. But our goal is to help our readers to both laugh and stretch outside their comfort zone as they learn more about themselves and their faith.

The site is still being tweaked in advance of an official launch, but my friend and editor Joanne Brokaw said I could send readers that way.

Look for BAD MOM on the columns sidebar. Right now my columns are being published on Mondays. I'm also writing the occasional feature article. "Pregnant Man Confuses the Issue" can be found under "Features" then "Society."

I'd love to see a comment from you at NCV! http://www.newchristianvoices.com (or click on the title of this post to go directly to the site)