MONDAY MUSING -- catching up

These days (or dark early mornings), I am a product of mismanaged caffeine and too much on my mind. Up since 3:25 am, having great fun checking out my revamped website and getting a little silly with the tagging feature for my blog. 

And then in the darkness, little Pip snuggled in beside me, I did something I haven't done in a long time--I wrote in my journal for two blissful hours. So much going on, so many things to say, so much to catch up on now that my frenetic working pace (the writing of my second novel) is slowing.

There is the good... so many exciting things happening for CHOSEN as we near paperback release date, like the Sutter Home Wine Book Club contest (please take a second to vote), selling the Brazilian rights and most recently, the nod from Target, selecting CHOSEN as an Emerging Author pick. I get so tickled about the idea of riding up the escalator in my local store and seeing my novel in the endcap... In fact, I will probably go spend some money there today to show them my gratitude (and pick up birthday gifts for the upcoming kid parties.) It is a huge testament to Maya Ziv (paperback) Sally Kim (hard cover) and Maria Massie (agent) that this book is getting good legs the second time around and I look so forward to talking about it again at upcoming book clubs and events. Stay tuned for information about stops on CHOSEN's blog tour this November/December as well as radio interviews and new reviews.

Remember all my worries about education this year, how after a year of homeschool, book tour and travel, we finally chose traditional school for all three kids? Good news: Hayden is thriving, Max is hanging in there and making me proud, and Pip is blossoming. And I am getting boatloads of writing work and even some running in those twelve hours a week when they are all there. Though J and I still toss around thoughts of next year, of more travel, alternative education, this is working for now.

Then there is the tough... two recent deaths--a father who leaves behind twins the same age as Hayden to cancer, and the loss of the lovely Brazilian man who baptized our children and charmed us at gourmet group dinners with his sparkling eyes and irreverent wit. The anniversary of the loss of dear Matty G looms large. An upcoming surgery for Hayden and Max's tricky transitions to academic life (see above, on the making me proud.) 

And there is the hopeful... a second novel, a love story, off to my agent last week. With that, a chance to return to other writing, to blogging, to reading, to revising and editing with friends. There is also a baby, a new niece, due in a matter of weeks. And of course, Sampson, who continues to challenge and charm us all. You'll be hearing more from me on all of these fronts soon... 

Please let me know if you would like to take a turn on the WRITERS ON WEDNESDAY series, or the DOG BLOG or if your book club would like to chat about CHOSEN.