"Hot Dogs and Hot Heads" another short story featuring a pair of my favorite characters, Christy and HER mentally challenged neighbor Janet, will appear in the January 11th issue of ENCOUNTER.
To order your own subscription of ENCOUNTER, click here.
Look for more stories and articles to come out in the March issues of: Credo, ENCOUNTER, and insight!
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
The Summer of Cotton Candy by Debbie Viguie.
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt.So there I was revising one of my manuscripts when the phone rang. The call was from insight and they wanted to purchase the article I sent them called "Another Ex-Stepdad." Woohoo!
I had to try very hard to sound calm and all-together-like on the phone, even though I was about as happy as my nephews with cotton candy. And if you knew my nephews, you would know that's happy!
"Forbidden Truth," a three-part story, will appear in the October, November and December issues of Credo.
To order your own subscription of Credo, click here.
My quiz "Choosing Wisely" is also out in Encounter. This quiz is a must to put on your "to do" list. Doesn't everybody need to know if they are the wise choice maker they think they are?
To order your own subscription of Encounter, click here.
I just got the published copy of one of my short stories, "Anna in Black." And this time, it was extra special to see my work splayed across two pages, because a friend of mine from Kansas City inspired this story. Plus, you never know what the illustrations and layouts are going to look like, so it's always fun to see the finalized copy.
"Anna in Black" is in the July 20th issue of ENCOUNTER.
To go to ENCOUNTER'S website and order your own subscription, click here.
The other day I was thinking, "If I get another assignment to write a three-part (fiction) series, I'm going to write about this teenage band that's been brewing in my head."
And guess what.... I got the chance. The editor (another one of my favorite editors) emailed me with the assignment. I wanted to do a cartwheel but remembered what happened last time— which entails me and back pain and finding I'm not as limber as I was in the eighth grade—so I thought better of it. The Happy Dance will have to suffice.
Anyway, I'm ecstatic that I got to use these characters, because I'd really been wanting to. Is it strange to like your own made-up characters so much? Hmmm, probably so, huh? Maybe I should have kept this to myself.
This three-part series, "Out of Tune," will be published in Credo in April, May, and June of '09.
I met Ellen Hopkins (New York Times Bestseller) at the 2008 SCBWI Writer's Retreat in Temecula, California.
What have I been reading?
Burned by Ellen Hopkins 
A Time for Dancing by Davida Wills Hurwin
Farewell, My Lunchbag: A Chet Gecko Mystery by Bruce Hale
l woman I am hugging went home to Jesus this week. It has been an emotional last few days. When someone leaves an imprint on your life, like my grandma did mine, grieving heaven's gain is inevitable. She blessed so many people, touched so many lives. I am fortunate mine was one of them. I feel really blessed, because I've been able to work with such great editors. One of my favorite editors purchased another Janet and Christy short story. Janet is loosely based on a mentally challenged neighbor who used to live next door to me. She'd knock on my door at least three times a week and want me to help her with small tasks such as help her make her bed, search her apartment for a lost item, or take her shopping for shoestrings. I have fun writing these characters, since all I have to do is let my mind wander back to the days when my neighbor would bang on my door and yell loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear, "Melissa, I know you're in there!"
"Hot Dogs and Hot Heads" will be published in ENCOUNTER—The Magazine in January of '09.
My two lates reads:
Speak by Lauri Halse Anderson
Novelist's Essential Guide to Creating Plot by J. Madison Davis.
Another blog draft lost in my archives. I brushed off the dust and decided to post it, even though it's a year old. And just like last year, I had an awesome birthday, celebrating it with my niece.
I have two adorable nephews. I mean, really adorable. But when my sister-in-law told us she was pregnant with her first girl, we were all ecstatic. She'll be the first niece, the first daughter, the first granddaughter, the baby of the family. The girl is so going to be spoiled! And like that Shake 'n Bake commercial, I'll be able to say, "And I helped!"
We knew she was due at the end of March, but with my birthday right there, I told my sister-in-law maybe she'd be born early...on my birthday. I hoped that would happen. But what were the chances of that?
So when my brother called me and said, "Well, your birthday is now officially Lilly's too," I cried, I danced, I did a cartwheel and pulled a muscle in my back. What a wonderful present. I couldn't wait to hold her and sing, "Happy Birthday to us."
After my husband took me to dinner (at The Melting Pot—YUMMY!) for my birthday, we ventured up to the hospital. The nephews were, of course, as adorable as could be.
The youngest, Shane, went up to his mom and said, "I am so happy." He's only two, almost three, and I thought that was the cutest thing. The whole time there, my heart kept getting gooier.
Then my five-year-old nephew, Riley, had to put his bag of peanuts away for picture time. Propped on the bed, he asked his mom if he could hold the baby.
Aaaah, how sweet! With a majorly melting heart, I said, "Aren't you just so excited to hold your little sister?"
He turned to me and was like, "Well, no. Really I just want my peanuts."
Of course! I should have known. He's such a boy.
This year, I had an awesome birthday.
Things that make me sad:
Prison Break over for the season. Except I think it's done. As in finished, over for good, based on the season finale, anyway. Plus, how many different ways can you make Michael Scofield escape without it getting cheese-ballish?!
And...
...No episodes of The Office until April. I'm counting down the days.
Things that make me happy:
The Office coming back in April.
And Brooke, Carly, David Cook, David Archuleta, and Michael in American Idol's Top 12.
Call me crazy. Say whatever you like...but I love American Idol.
Here's what I don't understand: people saying this year isn't as good.
Wh-wh-what?
This has got to be the most talented bunch yet. With the exception of a few turds (I will withhold from mentioning names).
Tonight, you will find me celebrating the Top 12! That is, as long as Brooke, Carly, David Cook, David Archuleta, and Michael are still there!
The other day I was out to eat with a friend, and I thought I'd be a little daring and try something new. You just never know if you will like something or not until you try it.
So I ordered a panini with prosciutto. And I really wish I would have known it was raw ham before I ordered it.
Yuck! Definitely not a fan.
Sushi I can do. Uncooked pig I cannot.
I'm so happy. Prison Break is keeping me on the edge of my couch—just like in the first season. See, last season, I was ready to give up my Prison Break habit, but now I don't have to because it's good again.
Is it just me? Or are the creepy characters this season on American Idol—and no, I'm not talking about Paula, Randy, or Simon—even creepier? I used to love the auditions, but now I can't wait for the competition part. I have nightmares after some of those tryouts.
And even though I'm happy, I will be even happier when this writer's strike is over so the office will be back on. I'm having withdrawals.
OMGosh! Next week is going to be so good. I can't wait!
First Prison Break is finally coming back after their little hiatus. So I get to start Monday off with a brand new episode! Woo hoo! And then on Tuesday is *cue the dramatic music...duh.duh.duh* American Idol. I am so excited.
It's sort of sad to think I get this excited over TV.
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