Word.

So, I read this book a few weeks ago. I think the title was THE WRITER'S GROUP or THE WRITING CLASS or something similar...I tried to Google to find out the title, but you can imagine the problems I got (remember that when you're naming your books). Anyway, the book was a well-written mystery. The main character had a blog, and if I remember correctly, she would post some of her favorite words on it.

Below are some of my current favorite words (based on sound, imagery, craziness). What are some of yours?

Penchant
Yoga
Quirk
Vertigo
Thespian
Posse
Kickass

Yo. A question.

I recently read the YA SPANKING SHAKESPEARE. There's a section where three high school friends post questions around their school. Example:

Would you rather spend your whole life with no music or drink one liter of vomit on your birthday every year?

So, I ask you:

Would you rather spend your whole life with no publishing contract or drink one liter of vomit on your birthday every year?

ADDITION AFTER QUESTION POSED BY FOLLOWER:
It's your best friend's vomit.

A little Miller humor

So I get a lot of "I don't know how you do it...writing on a book, taking care of four kids, working part-time." Well, let me tell you, things (and sometimes people) fall between the cracks.

A few weeks ago, the whole family was going to Pueblo for some event, but we had to stop at guitar lessons first. All six of us are crammed into the hall at Graner Music (for you locals) while two kids get lessons.

On the way out (an hour later), we are hurrying to the van, so we won't be late to Pueblo. We've got guitars and books and crayons and coffee. We are a mess. It's at this point Oldest Daughter informs Husband that she never turned in her Math assignment they had worked on for so long. On comes a full-throttle lecture (as we're loading up the van) about how Oldest Daughter needs to take things more seriously and be responsible and blah, blah, blah.

I decide to get into the driver's seat. We all load up and are driving away when I see this adorable little girl running down the sidewalk, with her long, light hair flapping in the wind behind her. It's my adorable little girl (age 8). We've forgotten her. I slam on the brakes, and from the backseat, Oldest Daughter (age 13) says, "Well isn't this ironic?"

Side note: Forgotten Daughter gets in the van and I start driving off, but I'm now blubbering and hyperventilating so much that Husband makes me pull over so he can drive to Pueblo. I cry the whole way (one hour) and Forgotten Daughter doesn't even shed a tear. Oldest Daughter later apologizes (but I think she's still inwardly smirking).

Snow days

Yesterday was a snow day. Four kids at home and very little snow. Almost zilch was done on the writing front.

Today, another snow day. Four kids at home and (finally) lots of snow. Husband is also home (big cheer here) and I am glued to the keyboard. Can't you just feel that bestseller being written?! :)

I hope you all are warm and cozy and typing away!

Somebody made me cry (and Sneek Peek)

So I'm driving along in the van yesterday with Oldest Daughter and that 15 song by Taylor Swift comes on and I just start crying. Yes, I was bit hormonal anyway, but the blond-haired, Southern beauty made me cry. I am not usually a cryer.

After taking a deep breath, I was like, "I want to make someone cry, by golly!" With my writing, of course. So new writing goal: add a little heartstring that can be mercilessly pulled.

Side note: I kept the kids up last night because I knew Taylor was singing on DANCING WITH THE STARS. She was not that good, folks. Weird.

Sneek Peek: Will be recommending THE NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY in an upcoming Gazette column. Good stuff. Excellent writing.

Accountability Group

So last week I met with my two dear friends and Accountability Group members. We met at my house (we almost always do, because I am such a homebody) and talked about our personal goals (and also about all sorts of other things, but nothing I want to admit in a public forum). Anyway, I pledged to have the first draft of my current manuscript complete by the end of next month. Just saying it lights a fire under my booty. It's great being held accountable. I highly recommend it.

Interesting side note: my two friends, as well as some high school friends and some book club friends, visit this blog regularly and some even follow it. But they never comment. (Not that I want them to! Yikes!) But don't you think that's interesting?

THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET: Published in the Gazette October 16, 2009

I'm a couple weeks behind posting my book recommendation columns here. I'll catch up this week. The one below is from a great book...I think one of you followers told me about it--thanks!

Leaves and temperatures are falling. It’s the perfect time of year to snuggle with your family and read a good book. My current favorite for best family read-aloud is Brian Selznick’s “The Invention of Hugo Cabret.”


When first setting eyes on "The Invention of Hugo Cabret," you'll think I'm crazy. At more than 500 pages, it may look intimidating. Flip through the pages, though, and you’ll discover a good portion of the book is actually illustrations.


These gorgeous illustrations earned Selznick the Caldecott Medal in 2008, quite a feat considering the medal is usually awarded to authors of picture books, and “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” is clearly a chapter book. Like me, I’m sure the Caldecott Committee was impressed with both Selznick’s artistic talent and his ability to weave his illustrations into the story seamlessly.


The story is historical fiction. Set in Paris in the 1930s, the book follows an orphan boy, Hugo, who is secretly thrust into the position of clock keeper in a Paris train station. When not working on the station’s numerous clocks or plundering food, Hugo repairs an automaton — a self-operating mechanical figure — with which Hugo’s father was once obsessed. Hugo uses his father’s notebook to guide him through the intricacies.


While repairing the machine, Hugo is in need of spare mechanical parts and steals some from the train station’s toy store owner, Georges Méliès. Méliès catches Hugo and takes Hugo’s notebook. So begins a story with twists, turns and a beautiful ending.


While Hugo is a fictional character, Méliès (pronounced mel-YEZ) is a real person of historical significance. Méliès was a famous filmmaker who worked in the early 1900s. He is perhaps most noted for "A Trip to the Moon," the world's first science fiction movie. Selznick maintains the historical accuracy of Melies' role.

Selznick traveled to Paris and found illustrations of the home's exterior that are included in the book.

I imagine families reading "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" will also enjoy visiting the book's official Web site and learning more about Selznick's research. There are great links from the site, including one showing "A Trip to the Moon."

A movie based on “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” is due to be released next year, offering families an opportunity to extend the literary experience.