Because You asked

Yes, I emailed said editor from post below and she said, "Do send it on to me, I'd love to take a look at the revision." Yay! She's a dream editor for this middle grade magical, bayou project. All fingers and toes crossed, but I'm also trying to be realistic. The good news is that this editor usually responds in a very timely manner of no more than a couple of months. She's very fab that way. And just bought a project from another writer friend recently. (A big shout-out congrats to Melissa!)

Of course, I had to go back through the entire manuscript one more time - the first chapter has been redone about 20 times in the last month (why are first chapters - the first page especially - the hardest?) - and it was mailed last Friday just before the post office closing. I'm always barely making it before the post office closes!

This week I've been digging back into my YA chick-lit, IN A PARIS MINUTE again because I'm feeling the need to flesh out my characters more deeply. I also changed the backstory to Sasha's boyfriend, Matthew, because he felt too flat and he's an important part of the story. Of course, aren't all guys?! Because of Matthew (and the French hottie, Jean-Paul), Sasha learns that what she wants isn't necessarily what she needs.

Just finished reading two of the Newbery Honor books, PENNY FROM HEAVEN by Jennifer L. Holm and RULES by Cynthia Lord. They were both wonderful and I couldn't stop reading until I got to "The End". Truly fabulous writing and stories.

Last week I read SEE JANE DATE by Melissa Senate, a very fun adult chick-lit and THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES by Sue Monk Kidd. I'd heard about this last one for years and finally read it. Thought-provoking, moving, incredible writing, and I also loved the southern setting which I hadn't realized about it before.