So, I'm actually leaving...

Well, I'm trying to leave. I decided I needed to get out of here at a decent hour tonight. And, of course, I stopped to blog on my way out : ) Probably not a good sign, in terms of leaving in the immediate future. I always start these things with this little idea that I think will only take me a few minutes...forty-five minutes later, I'm still here. Oh, well.

The end of the year is sneaking up on me quickly. I told my publisher that I would try to have a synopsis of Zara Book II by that time. Of course, my editor knows how I am (anal and perfectionistic -- is that a word?) so there's no pressure from her or anything. Which is cool. But I'd really like to meet that goal because if possible, I'd like to have Book II out in 2005, assuming that RuneStone likes what they see in the outline. I have two drafts already done, but now I'm in the difficult stage, or at least the difficult stage for me. Going through the story, making sure it makes sense. Which can also mean second-guessing myself horribly and trying to change things mid-stream. Fun. Plot points remain the same, but pretty much everything between them can be radically different. Frightening, really.

I haven't heard anything on the tentative queries on sent out for Bitter Pill a couple of months ago. I'm trying not to read anything into that : ) Everyone in the publishing business is extremely overwhelmed with the volume of manuscripts and with the holidays approaching, I'm sure it's only getting worse. But still, in this waiting period, your imagination tends to wander toward the extremes.

Some good news...I found out today that someone is giving my books as Christmas presents. How cool is that?!?

Okay, I have to run now. I haven't done any Christmas shopping, and I've only baked one batch of cookies (yes, it is my one claim to the so-called feminine arts, though personally, I think there's nothing sexier than a man who can cook and does so willingly for his wife and family.)

Time to shop! (And bake.)

I find that I'm in need of a new sign-off line. Something that adds a little closure to these otherwise random collections of thoughts that I call a blog..any suggestions?!? I'm not great at coming up with witty little lines for occasions such as this. So, please help!