Summer of Cray-Cray

Oh my gosh. Today, I looked at a calendar, and realized it’s September already. Not just barely September, either. The month is almost halfway over already. I keep looking again, staring at the calendar, wondering how in the heck this happened. How is summer already over?

*shakes head*

Mind boggled. Anyway, this summer has been every bit as eventful as last summer. And that’s saying something big—because last summer was CRAY-CRAY. So yeah. Here’s a short recap.

DESCENDANT was released.

I spent time in Utah conferencing and promoting and visiting. 

We moved. Again. (Still in Texas, different house.)

Did some promoting in Texas.

Due to my first agent’s phenomenal success as an author, I signed with a new agent—who I also love.

Celebrated holidays with the fam.

Spent more time in Utah, this time mostly visiting family and friends.

Got reacquainted with my boat, which still lives in Utah for now.

Also visited Jackson Hole (and Yellowstone) with my besties. Hey, it’s research!

 Attended WorldCON in San Antonio (which, by the way was PHENOMENAL for networking, and rocked a 15 on a scale of 1-10).

Finished drafting book 2 in the DESCENDANT series. Yaaayy!

My publisher announced they are closing. (BOOOOO!)

(Also, still no definite decisions made yet—but no worries, you’ll all be the first to know as soon as I do.)

And now school has started, and people are gearing up for fall. And I? I don’t know what I’m doing for sure, but I do know one thing. It’s time to write another book. (And hey, maybe someday I'll get one of these all my own!)

So yeah. That’s my plan. What about you? What’s your goal now that summer is over?  

More Summer Happiness

Yes, I'm still out of town. And probably taking a bunch more pictures. What can I say? I love memories like this, and summer is all about making memories. So this week I'm sharing a few more of mine in hopes that you will be inspired to make a few of your own.

This is what happiness is all about.

Happy summer!

The Height of Summer

Here it is, the height of summer, and I am out of town. Again. With all this talk of how to choose our own happiness the last couple of weeks, I think it's appropriate to share some pictures of things that make me happy during the summer months.

What about you? What makes you happy this summer?

Summah! (And other important stuff to do.)

Okay, so I know I’ve been somewhat incognito here and on social networking sites and all that jazz, but our move (from rental to owned-home) is complete (although, unpacking 20 years of crap is going to be a constant work in progress) and I’m diving back into edits/rewrites/drafts and planning to hit my writing hard this summer.

Usually, I don’t work as hard during the summer months because my kids are all over the place and I like to do fun summer things with them. But, um, I feel like I have lost a lot of time this year, which means I will spend the summer catching up.  This means juggling the two is bound to get interesting.

First on the agenda, an updated draft of a book my agent needs ASAP. Second, taking a look at the zero draft of the sequel for DESCENDANT and drafting a workable, editable manuscript. Third—a rewrite (like number 16 or something) of a book I wrote two-ish years ago (maybe three?) that keeps feeling not-quite-ready. And finally, a totally new draft of an idea I started on over a year ago before my life EXPLODED. I’d like to have those first three things I mentioned finished by the end of summer, and hope to be starting on the fourth by September.

Can I do it? That remains to be seen. I may need an incentive of some kind. And some accountability. And some encouragement. I can count on all of you for the latter two, right? And as for incentive, well. Maybe…

A new writing desk? Or a writing patio? Or maybe smaller scale, like shoes. Trips to the beach. Or a night out with friends. Something fun! (Your ideas are welcome and helpful.)

So yeah. Lots of awesome things to keep me excited about working. Now if only I can find a quiet place until my new in-home office is set up (including temporary folding table).

*twiddles thumbs and glances sidelong at more boxes*

Until then, I’d love to hear about what productive/non-productive things you’re planning this summer!