May 27, 2008

Recently the vet prescribed a three week, twice daily medication regimen for my cat, Wendell, (yes, just like the kitty in A HIGH KICKING CHRISTMAS).  When we were in the office, the vet showed me how to gently use my thumb and forefinger to lovingly urge said Wendell to open his mouth wide, thus permitting the quick and easy administration of the medication.  

Simple, right?  

It seemed so at the time, but anyone who has actually tried to pill a cat know that this operation is anything but. And as the days go by, it only gets harder.  Since Wendell is now utterly suspicious of even my most benign intentions, the first challenge comes in actually locating the cat.  He's come up with some truly ingenious new hiding places and has completely stopped responding to my calls.  Once I've located him, getting him to open his mouth is a real challenge and, of course, putting the pill into his mouth usually leaves me with several bites marks on my hands - those little kitty chompers are sharp!  And, the reason I get several new marks daily is because, no matter how long I hold his jaw shut and gently stroke his throat to encourage the swallowing of the capsule, the second I release him - Ptui!  He spits out pill and we have to start over again.  

One of the vet technicians at the doctor's office suggested I coat the capsule in butter and I find that helps a lot. After Wendell spits the greasy pill out ten times, I use the remaining butter to soothe the bite marks on my hands. 

May 21, 2008

Last week I had the pleasure of talking with Judith Norman, host of WORDS OF FAITH, a program highlighting authors of Christian and Inspirational fiction.  We talked about everything from my newest book, ON WINGS OF THE MORNING, to getting started in publishing, to the challenges of being a working mom, and the need for a good crock pot.  If you'd like to listen to our discussion, go to www.virtueradionetwork.com.  

In addition my conversation with Judith, you can also hear archived interviews with many other authors including Anne Rice and my friend, the lovely Debbie Macomber, and many others.  

Speaking of Debbie, last night I went to Madison, Connecticut to a bookstore where she was signing.  It was about a ninety minute drive each way in rainy weather, but I'd have driven twice as far to see her.  Debbie is just the funniest, dearest, and most endearing woman in the world.  She had her audience roaring with laughter and took time to chat with every person in the (very long) line of readers waiting for autographs.  I think Madison was about the halfway point in Debbie's 20 city tour promoting her newest book, TWENTY WISHES, so if you have a chance to see her in person, do so!  You'll have a great time! 

May 16, 2008

Well, I'm back from my too-brief writer's retreat for one.  It's amazing how much work I can get done when it's just me in a hotel room with no distractions - at least double my normal daily page count.  In addition to getting a lot of writing done, I also had a great time visiting and discussing RIVER'S EDGE with a lovely group of readers who meet at Bank Square Books (if you're ever in Mystic, Connecticut be sure to stop in.  It's a terrific independent bookstore).  This was a particular pleasure for me because I haven't read RIVER'S EDGE in a while and it was interesting to hear people's thoughts on this book.  They had great questions which I tried my best to answer.

However, one question had me stumped.  The fact that they'd pulled this head-scratcher from my very own online discussion guide (which I actually don't write myself) was slightly embarrassing. 

The question was: If RIVER'S EDGE was made into a movie, who would you pick for the roles of Mama, Papa, Junior, and Elise.  Well, I must confess, I'd never considered it before.  When it comes to actors and actresses, for me the answer is almost always George Clooney and Meryl Streep - but somehow they don't seem quite right for these parts.  I've been thinking about this since Tuesday and I still haven't reached a conclusion.  If you've got some suggestions, pop me and email and share them with me.  Heaven knows when this question might come up again.  I'd like to be prepared next time!  

May 10, 2008

Today I'm at the Connecticut Authors and Publisher Association writer's conference, CAPA-U.  I have to say this is a nice break from my regular routine.  Writers, by nature, have to spend so much time alone that's it's kind of nice when I get to emerge from the cave and interact with others from my tribe.  

Yes, I'm still panicked about my deadline and from Sunday through Wednesday I'm into a hotel for a few days so I can totally focus on writing, but it is really nice to come here to get energized and inspired before I resume my hermetic existence.  A big thrill today was the opening session by author Wally Lamb!  He read a wonderful piece about his growing up in Connecticut that made me laugh and also brought a tear to my eye.  What a joy!

Happy Mother's Day to all of us moms out there.  I wish you kisses, hugs, homemade cards with misspelled words written in red crayon, and slightly burnt toast served to you in bed.  Being a mother is the best job I've ever had.  I'm sure most of you moms agree!  (except maybe the ones who have two or three toddlers at home, but hang in there.  It'll get easier.  Someday you'll actually wish you could have slowed those days down.)

May 7, 2007

I know I haven't blogged in a while, but the deadline for my next book is coming up on July 15th.  To regular people, July 15 is weeks and weeks in the offing, but in the writing world, nine weeks might just as well be nine hours!  I am panicked, stressed, and insistent that, abbreviated writing schedule or not, this book be as good as I possibly can make it.

Wish me luck! 

May 1, 2008

Today is May Day.  When I was a little girl this was the day we'd make paper baskets in school, fill them with daffodils, leave them on a someone's doorstep, and then ring the bell and run away.  Does anyone do that anymore?  I don't think so.  Too bad. It was a sweet way to lift the spirit of others.   

But, this May Day brings an opportunity to do just that, lift the spirts of people you might not know, but who could use your help and encouragement.  

Today, author Brenda Novak opens her fourth annual online auction to benefit Diabetes research.  Over the last three years, she has raised upwards of $250,000 for this very worthy cause.  What an accomplishment!  

When I heard about the auction, I was delighted to help.  If you go to www.brendanovak.com, then click on the diabetes auction tab, then on the items for auction that are marked as "for everyone", you'll find a "maple sugar" lap quilt/wall hanging (a' la A High-Kicking Christmas)  made by yours truly.  And in the "for readers" section, you'll find a complete autographed set of my books.  I checked in the morning and was relieved to see that there were already a couple of bids them!  

Of course, there are literally hundreds of other gorgeous items up for auction, everything from jewelery and electronics, to vacations and lunch with authors and editors, and, of course, books - lots and lots of books.  So, head on over to the auction and bid on some great prizes.  It's fun and it all goes to a very worthy cause.