"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.
We celebrated our first Christmas in San Diego.
Despite the handful of times I cried—I've been a bit more emotional than I thought—over missing everyone back in KC, Mike and I had a great Christmas together.
For three days in row, the weather was fabulous and we took walks on the beach. It wasn't every day that I could do something like that in KC. Well, okay, really...it wasn't any day. So, standing there on the beach watching the waves rush to shore was quite an awesome thing. I think I love the ocean as much as I love chocolate. And I looooooovvvvvve chocolate!
As it turns out, Santa loves the ocean, too. We spied him hanging out at the Del Mar Lifeguard headquarters. And apparently, Santa doesn't just ride in a sleigh. Santa surfs!
I am such a slacker! Not only did I post absolutely zilch in November, but I just found this unposted entry from April. So, I figured if I post it now, it sort of makes up for something, right?
April's post:
Well, I finally finished reading Novelist's Essential Guide to Crafting Scenes by Raymond Obstfeld, which took me a little over forever to finish it.
The book offered some good advice, especially the part on revising. For example, Obstfeld, author and teacher at Orange Coast College, suggested a five-step process in editing your work. In a nutshell (every time I say that phrase, I think of Austin Powers saying, "This is me in a nutshell."), you review scenes or chapters based on steps: step one is structure, step two is texture, step three is dialogue, step four is editing, and step five is blending.
I've tried, though, to look at scenes while trying to focus on one area such as dialogue or structure, but I always get sidetracked and start looking at everything again.
One of the final chapters in Obstfeld's book was—and doesn't it make sense—Final Chapters and Endings. Now I'm eating cookies by the box and sprouting gray hairs while worrying over the ending of my novel. I know it's wrong. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what the response is. In the meantime, I'll keep coloring my hair. At this degree of fretting, I'm guaranteed to be a full gray head in the next two weeks.
By the way, since this post was from April, I can happily report that I did not go fully gray.
The evacuation was lifted from our area this morning around 7:30.
The number of homes destroyed has risen over 1,300. Acreage destroyed is an incomprehensible amount. Fires still threaten homes and land. But as I look out my window, the sky is blue. Yesterday the sky was smoke.
While relief seems to be in sight as several areas have been reopened, my heart goes out to those who have suffered the loss of their homes and belongings.
For the last two days, I've been sitting in my husband's office waiting to be able to go home. And in the last 48 hours, I've heard "Well... Welcome to San Diego" at least six times. Can I just tell you that phrase has been freaking me out. Finally, the last person who said it put me at ease and told me these major fires are not normal.
Yesterday morning we got the mandatory evacuation notice. But not knowing the area that well, I was just like, "Oh, I'll wait and see." Yes, the ashes on my patio were alarming, not to mention the huge brown cloud. But I had a paddle and was happily taking a boat trip down the river of denial. I mean, I did just move there. How odd to think there was the very real possibility it could be destroyed in a fire. I kept checking the Internet and the news and the radio, then Mapquesting the area to find out how close the fires were. Finally, Mike called me to clarify the notice was for us. I was in such a hurry I completely forgot to pack shampoo, conditioner, razors, face wash. But thank goodness, I remembered the deodorant.
Now Katie Couric's here. The president is coming. These fires are so bad. I can't believe it. Over 300.000 people have been evacuated, 100 homes destroyed, which means that Mike and I are only two out of that huge number that's being affected. But Mike and I, as of now, still have place to go back to. It's heartbreaking, though, watching other people's homes consumed in flames in less than two minutes. When I'm watching it on the news, I can see the frames of washing machines and dryers. Bicycles. Dining room tables. It's sad to think that everything a person has can be burnt up. Just like that. Yet some people are so in love with their homes that they would rather die than leave. But I don't get that at all. It's just stuff. Yes, memories, too. But stuff can be replaced. And memories can be remembered.
Another thing I keep thinking about is how do people go through these devastating times without having a relationships with Jesus? I've needed His peace several times throughout these last two days. And every time I ask for it, I'm overwhelmed with comfort.
So that's the update. Quite an interesting last two months of living here. My goodness!
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