The Friday Five!

You gotta stop and take a look back once in awhile.

1. It’s December 1st. Did November blur past you, too, so quickly you’re surprised to find us here? I feel like I didn’t even slow down enough to really enjoy my mashed potatoes. And now I have two weeks or so before school is out and the holidays take over basically full-time. My mother told me yesterday that it’s better to be busy than idle, and I do agree with that. But I’m learning that when the world and time won’t slow down, you have to create your own stillness. For me, being outside helps. But a few deep breaths can do the trick, too.

2. I’m just so proud of Bethany and Mikelanne, the women behind the Hate Spinnerbait podcast. They’ve been steadily working their way through my books and are just starting What Happened to Goodbye. It’s the most flattering and amazing thing as an author to see something so wonderful come from your work. Even better, this week they put up some merch which immediately sold out. I listen I’m currently patiently waiting for a restock, because I really want this one:

3. Speaking of things that are wonderful, we recently went back and started Gilmore Girls from the beginning. It is so perfect, especially at a time when the world feels especially dark and scary. I first watched when it was on air (weekly! you had to wait for new episodes!) and then again with my daughter when she was much younger. Now, at 16, she sees it differently and so do I. The constant is that it’s like a warm hug, coming straight from your TV screen. Fun fact: one time I met Lauren Graham and totally planned to act all cool. Then I threw my arms around her and almost started crying. She was so nice about it, probably because it happens a lot. But I am still embarrassed. (Does anyone else carry around small humiliations like this, in order to pull them out at 2am when you can’t sleep? God, I hope so. )

4. Meanwhile, the writing continues, bit by bit. Some books come easily (This Lullaby, Along for the Ride) and others pretty much destroy me (The Truth About Forever, Just Listen). This one is different, though, because it’s been so long since The Rest of the Story was released, and publishing (YA specifically) has really changed. I worry this story will not find a place, and if I was smart, I’d write something that was guaranteed to do so. But writing has never been about the market for me (sigh). It’s what bubbles up when I’m alone with the cursor and dreaming. Right now, that’s a story about family and music, being uptight and letting go. And today my narrator wakes up in Colby. Oh, man. I can’t wait.

5. Also this week, I realized it’s important to recognize progress. And not just in page numbers (which is where my head it at, these days: see above). My miniatures were literally taking over my workspace, so I decided to document all I’ve done since the fall before starting to give them away. As I said at the top, you can’t see the distance you’ve come unless you stop once in awhile. And when you do, often you realize it’s a lot further than you think. Hopefully by February I’ll have a draft finished. And, most likely, an entirely new table of minis. Fingers crossed!

Have a good weekend, everyone!