Musing on the Joy of Research

This past week I've been knee deep in research and loving every minute of it. Reading books, watching documentaries, reviewing my notes, ordering books, searching the Internet--I'm in writer paradise. The only obstacle is finding enough hours in the day. And the fact that I'm falling in love with a man who's been dead for over 60 years. Will this make my husband jealous?

If anyone finds the three hours a day I've been misplacing, could you please send them back?

WHAT I'M READING THIS WEEK: Dawn (K. Brooks) Stealing Heaven (E. Scott) Humming of Numbers (J. Sensel)

SCBWI+WWA+Annual Conference=Success!

Two days later and I'm still riding the post-conference wave. When I get to shore, I'll share some of my favorite conference quotes. In the meantime, I am enjoying quiet moments with the first drafts of three new stories. And reading. And taking naps by the fire. And reading some more.

It's good to be a writer.

WHAT I'M READING THIS WEEK: Leaving Paradise (S. Elkeles) Heist Society (A. Carter) Prada & Prejudice (M. Hubbard)

It's SCBWI WWA Spring Conference Time!

This year's spring conference is loaded with reasons to get excited, like keynote speakers Laini Taylor, Jay Asher, Mitali Perkins, and Peter Brown. If that's not enough, there'll be a story garden full of other fabulous authors, illustrators, editors, agents, and marketing professionals. http://scbwi-washington.org/20/annual-conference.html

Of the many people I'm looking forward to seeing, I'm most excited to meet my favorite on-line critique partner for the first time, face-to-face.

At shout of thanks to all those who have worked hard to make this year's conference happen. Can't wait to see y'all there!

WHAT I'M READING THIS WEEK: If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince (M. Kantor) How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation (S. Elkeles) Before I Fall (L. Oliver)