Really, I Didn't Fall of the Face of the Earth

Though you'd think I did from my terribly long absence. Sorry all!

I have a good excuse, really. I was hard at work on Shifter 2, (which is done, yay!), then there was Thanksgiving, and then I got sick for two whole weeks! Then there was Christmas, and I went away for a much needed vacation after all those deadlines and being sick and all.

But I'm back! So where was I on vacation? I'll give you a hint...


Yep, Disney World!

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, and had a very talented towel artist taking care of our room. Not only did that Mickey Ears greet us when we got there, but the next day, we found this cutie. And even a fun fan thing that held our toothbrushes in the bathroom. (I didn't take a photo of that though)

We had a great time, and now I have the urge to watch the movies for every ride I went on. So I sense a big lazy movie day in my future. But since I'm not starting on Shifter 3 until January, I can veg out for a while longer.

I did find the most amazing store ever though. In Downtown Disney, there's a store called Little Miss Match, that sells the funkiest socks. (Did I ever tell ya'll I adore funky socks?) They come in "pairs" of three, and are different patterns that go together, even though they don't officially match. You can wear the blue and yellow and green stripes with the pink and blue and green stripes one day, then the orange and green and blue stripes another. They rock. There's even TOE SOCKS!


Did I go crazy? Oh yeah. I need at least an extra sock drawer now, if not two.

As soon as I get unpacked and squared away I'll update everyone on the fun things I've been doing and the great bookstores and schools I've visited (in between being sick and being a world traveler and all). And maybe even a sneak peek or two at some of Shifter 2. We have a title now, so hopefully soon I'll have a cover as well to show everyone.

Offline for a Bit

Hi all! I just wanted to let you know that with the deadline for Shifter 2 fast approaching, I'll be offline until December 2. So have a great Thanksgiving next week, enjoy your holiday and I'll see ya'll in a week or so.

Hitting the Bookstores Again

I'll be out and about the next two Saturdays in a row. Tomorrow I'll be in Marietta, GA at Borders, and next week, I'll be in Gainesville, GA at Hall Book Exchange. So if you live nearby, come on out and say hello!

Saturday, November 7, 2009, 2pm
Borders
4475 Roswell Rd. - Ave E Cobb
Marietta, GA

Saturday, November 14, 2009, 1-3pm
Hall Book Exchange
1854 Thompson Bridge Rd.
Gainesville,GA

I Think I'm Caught Up Here, Too!

Now that the traveling is over, I was able to get caught up on answering my comments. I should be up to date again. I just hate leaving them unanswered for long. Feels rude to me. Anyone else feel that way? Even in games, when someone sends me a tell a I have to answer RIGHT AWAY or I feel bad.

Yet oddly, I can ignore my phone. Hmmm...

Maybe it's a writer thing. Can't ignore the words.

Okay, So a Journalist I'm Not

My apologies all. My plan was to tell you more about World Fantasy, but there was so much going on, that by the time I got back to my room each night, I crashed and forgot to blog. Then I forgot again in the morning before I headed out again. Suffice to say that journalists of the world are safe in their jobs, since I make a really bad reporter.

Anyway...

The weekend was loads of fun. There's great creative energy when a bunch of writers get together, and it's wonderful knowing you could sit down at the table with anyone hanging out in the lounge area and strike up a conversation. Everyone had at least one thing in common: we love fantasy. Just about everyone also had writing in common too. Groups would form and mix and merge as people came in and out of conversations. I tell ya, writers are about the nicest bunch of folks you'll meet.

I met some wonderful folks (one of whom won the World Fantasy Award for Best Short Story, grats Kij Johnson!) and learned a few things about writing to boot. (I'll talk about that on The Other Side of the Story) this week. I was also there when a good friend got some fantastic news. (Hint: it involves an agent!)

Halloween night was also a lot of fun, even if I did have to take a nap before hand. I stayed on East Coast time the whole weekend, so I was three hours ahead of everyone the entire convention. That wasn't so bad except for meals, so I was starving by the time breakfast rolled around. There were some great costumes, and doofy me forgot my camera. (Really, I'd lose my head if it wasn't attached!) I'm kicking myself now, because fellow NLA'er Gail Carriger had her book launch party that night, and since she writes steam punk, everyone was dressed in Victorian garb for a high tea party. They looked awesome!

All in all a great time, though it is good to be home.

Live From World Fantasy!

I'm here! Was a long day yesterday, and the flight over was pretty bumpy, but I'm ready to hit the convention and have some fun. I've already passed by some great authors in the hall, and everywhere you look, people are curled up with a book or gathered together talking about books. It's awesome.

They also gave us a bag o'swag upon check-in.

Free books!

About 13 books, a bunch of magazines and a calendar. You can't go wrong there. One is even the second book of a series I just bought, so that'll save me a trip t the bookstore. (Okay, who am I kidding? Me, skip a chance to go to a bookstore? Never.)

More photos and tales throughout the weekend!

Taking Over the World

Okay, not really, but I will be at World Fantasy this weekend (just attending, not presenting or anything). They have some amazing authors there this year, like Garth Nix, Carol Berg, Sharon Shin, Patricia McKillip, and lots more. I'm looking forward to sitting back and soaking up all the creative energy and advice.

They'll be a Halloween party Saturday night, and I have the coolest ghost costume all ready. Don't you just love the wispyness of the cape?

(Not me, just the model from the catalog)

I'll take pictures while I'm there and tell you all about it when I get back. Until then, have a Happy Halloween everyone!

Oh, hey, for funsies, post your favorite Halloween candy. Let's see how they stack up, shall we?

My favorite: those orange and black red hots in the tiny little packages. They taste better than any other red hot you can get at any other time.