June 2009
Introverts, Extroverts, and Something Else Entirely
1 June 2009
I used to believe there were two types of people in the world—introverts and extroverts. Last Friday night, Ben and I went to the Royals game, and I discovered a third type.
First, Royals’ games are unlike any other baseball games I’ve gone to. (I’ve been to four other stadiums in my years.) Between innings, there’s constant activity. Dance competitions, a kiss cam, several relays (one of which people are dressed in hot dog suits) and a variety of other things.
As if all this isn’t enough, someone is often trying to get the wave going, usually a group of semi-drunk guys. But on Friday night, it was one guy who was at least sober enough to jog up and down the stairs, trying to get the crowd enthused for some wave action. When he got our section going, he shifted down in hopes of expanding.
This was when I discovered Personality Type Three. A type so foreign to me that I can’t even attempt to name it. It’s obviously a strain of extrovert, but wow. I feel weird talking to small groups of people I know about things I feel passionately about, yet this guy—the sober wave-starter—didn’t mind standing up in front of a crowd of strangers in the name of the wave. (And for those familiar enough with Kauffman stadium to ask, he didn’t have on any K-Crew stuff. He really did seem to be acting alone.)
Later, during the YMCA (is that mandatory at every sporting event???) we had our second encounter with a Personality Type Three. Up on the stadium screen, they showed various groups of people dancing along to the music, all who clearly hoped to capture the attention of the camera men. Mostly they were groups of girls, though some were kids, and others were guys our age who had painted their chests. Then a girl came on the screen. A very normal looking girl around my age. Unlike the others, she was alone, and she was sitting. But when she noticed her image being broadcasted in front of 30ish thousand people, she leapt out of her chair and busted some moves. By herself. Alone. No group of girlfriends dancing alongside her and no beer in sight.
As I watched her for those ten-ish seconds, I realized my reaction, had I found a camera trained on me, would have basically been the exact opposite. I mean, I try to avoid standing up at baseball games, afraid of blocking someone’s view. And I feel silly just dancing in the privacy of my living room with McKenna. If they put me up on the screen, I might offer a bashful wave, but I also might just slink down in my chair and turn really, really red.
Hopefully, I’ll never have the opportunity to find out.
And hopefully everyone had a great Monday.
Falling Short of Serious
1 June 2009
This is a link to an article I wrote for Christian Fiction Online Magazine about why I write YA fiction. If you’re a writer or avid reader, you’ll want to check out the rest of the magazine as well.
Put the crayons down
3 June 2009
Over the weekend, we bought McKenna her first box of crayons. She loves them. She’ll color with them for about thirty seconds, then gather about seven in her tiny hands and walk around. She’ll set them inside the fireplace, carry them to the couch, then put them on the lid of the kitchen trash. These are the “large” crayons, so seven is quite a handful for her, and she’s regularly dropping one or two. Yesterday when she was doing this, it was about thirty minutes before naptime, which meant every dropped crayon was a catastrophe. And after about ten catastrophes in two minutes, I’d had enough.
I steered McKenna back to the coloring book and said, “Girl, this is what the crayons are for. And it’d be a lot easier if you didn’t carry so many at the same time. Why don’t you put down a few?”
As the words escaped my mouth, I wondered if God hadn’t been shaking his head at me recently and saying the same thing. Particularly this week, as we prepare to leave on our first family vacation, and I want to cross a thousand things off my to-do list before we go. I wonder, during my various freak outs, if God hasn’t been saying, “Girl, that’s not why I gave you these blessings. You don’t have to do so much. Why don’t you put down a few things?”
Will this revelation stop me from freaking out come this weekend when we head out of town, yet I didn’t accomplish everything I wanted? I really hope so. Fortunately, God’s proven to be much more patient with me than I am with McKenna. He can handle my over-the-top reactions, and will very gently say to me, as gently as if it’s the first time we’ve gone through this, “Girl, put the crayons down.”
Yep, it still exists.
4 June 2009
I’ve had one of those days where everybody’s being randomly helpful. These days don’t often happen, so it’s certainly a blog-worthy experience.
First, the neighbor’s dog started barking early this morning. I know—sounds like a nuisance, right? Most mornings it is. This morning, however, it forced me to open my eyes and realize that I felt a little more rested than normal … and that it seemed pretty bright in our room for 7:00… That’s when I realized it wasn’t 7:00, but 7:45. The time Ben normally leaves for work. (7:45 is still a lousy time to let your dog bark on and on, but that’s another post for another day.)
Then, as I was making breakfast, my neighbor knocked on my kitchen window. (Moments like those are why my parents left the suburbs for the country.) She wanted me to know that two streets down there was a garage sale going on, and they had lots of toddler and kid toys. I especially appreciated this an hour later when I bought a little picnic table for McKenna for $5. When I returned a few hours later with my car to pick up the table, the wife asked if I needed help. I said I didn’t, but the husband still leapt to his feet and finagled it into my trunk.
And my awesome Father-in-law has been playing with my daughter all afternoon.
And the guy who made my mocha at Scooters was really nice. (Which helped me to feel okay about spending $3.75 on coffee.)
And my publicity buddies had tons of ideas for promoting Me, Just Different.
And I’ve had a flood of e-mails from people who want to come to the book signing.
And my parents’ pastor called and asked if I’d be interested in doing an interview during a service in a couple Sundays.
And, and, and.
Sometimes I get a little freaked out about raising kids in our world. There’s a lot of meanness going on out there. So how refreshing a day like today is, when I see there’s still lots of goodness too.
Hope everybody’s day has had some good in it.
Book Day – Twilight/New Moon
4 June 2009
On Tuesday, my awesome husband, who loves me enough to watch out for Twilight updates, sent me the link to the New Moon trailer. (This is it for those who have yet to see it.) I am psyched. And it’s not because of shirtless Jacob, regardless of what my husband says. It’s because the scenes look just like the book, and of course that’s what I want since I adored New Moon.
Twilight and New Moon feel like the same book to me, because I read them back-to-back within 72 hours. And other than the fact that I had a nasty cold and was blowing my nose every two minutes, I loved those 72 hours. I felt like I’d been transported to a completely different location; a green, foggy location, where I had the joy of hanging out with Bella, Jacob, and Edward. (For you Twilight fans out there, no it’s not a mistake that I listed Jacob’s name first.)
The last book I read because of all the hype was The Da Vinci Code, which I didn’t enjoy at all. (And it was a miserable week for Ben, who really didn’t care to hear about every stupid adverb.) The reason I picked up Twilight was because I was so tired of saying, “No, I haven’t read it yet,” when people asked. I read the first ten pages one night before I went to bed and thought, “Well, okay. Not bad, but not great either. If it’s all like this, I really don’t see what the fuss is.”
But then the next day, those first ten pages kept coming back to me, and I found myself being haunted by the story. And the next thing I knew, I’d finished the first book. And then I was halfway through the second and needed to find books three and four right away.
If you haven’t read any of The Twilight Saga yet, I’d at least give them a try. The idea of vampires didn’t appeal to me at all, and I’d roll my eyes when people said, “You’ll love Edward. He’s the perfect boyfriend. Except the whole vampire thing.” But it’s true. I came to love Edward, and he really is the perfect boyfriend. Other than being a vampire.
Ben and I are vacationing in Colorado next week, and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what books I’m going to take. I have tons that I need to get to. This is vacation, however, and what I really want to do is re-read Twilight and New Moon. Re-reading is a luxury I rarely allow myself, and I’m excited to return to Forks and hang out in Bella’s mind for a while.
I won’t be blogging next week, so if my absence leaves a reading-shaped hole in your life, give Twilight a try. And consider saving yourself an extra trip out by picking up New Moon while you’re there.
Hope everyone has a great weekend and week!
My Book Baby
15 June 2009
I originally planned to talk about our vacation to Colorado in this post (riveting, I know) but something trumped it. ME, JUST DIFFERENT SHOWED UP. It actually arrived while we were in Estes Park. We’d been home about five minutes, then I dragged McKenna to the neighbor’s house to see if any packages had arrived. To see if the package had arrived. This, of course, is a moment I’ve fantasized about since I was in first grade. Back then I thought it would happen when I was really old – like ten or so. I thought I’d cry. I thought I’d feel different inside, changed somehow. Like now I’m the real deal. A real writer.
But instead, it was similar to the first time I held McKenna. I didn’t feel like a mom right away. That feeling slowly crept up on me over the next couple weeks, as I came to memorize her every detail, every nuance of her cry. And even though I’d seen sonogram pictures, though I’d felt her moving around inside me for a few months, the ways she looked and moved were still strange to me.
It’s similar with my first book-baby. I saw the jpeg of the cover, of course, but it was so different seeing it in 3D where I noticed things like Skylar’s shirt is ribbed, and the text and the hibiscus are shiny while the rest of the cover is matte. When I flipped through it—savoring the smell of the pages the way true book lovers do— I was surprised to find certain scenes earlier in the book than I’d originally thought. To see words I wrote swimming around in there as part of an actual book.
Like the early days of McKenna’s life when Ben and I would look at each other and say, “She’s here … she’s really here…” I did that again and again through the night.
And then I checked my e-mail.
Waiting for me was the first public review for Me, Just Different. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either. As a writer, you know this will happen. It’s what you tell yourself as you deal with all the rejection while you search for the right critique partners, the right agent, and the right editor—that you better get used to it now, because when you’re published, it’ll only get worse. And it’s not that the criticism’s harsher, it’s that the product is done and you can’t make any changes. All you can do is stare at the words—which are out there for anybody to read—and ask yourself if they’re true. Is your plot thin? Predictable? Should you have focused so much attention on that story line, or something else? (Hypothetically speaking, of course.)
So there I’m sitting with my book, which I’ve had in my possession merely hours, looking from Skylar’s smiling face to the computer screen, which tells me I created a pleasant read, but nothing great. It felt like I was sitting in the delivery room holding my newborn, and someone came in and started saying things like, “Her eyes are fine, but that nose could use improving. And why’s she bald? That’ll change, right?”
So the night didn’t go exactly as I’d fantasized all these years. I didn’t think I’d be dog-tired from spending all day in the car, then forced to reconcile my excitement with my first not-so-hot review. But I guess I’m now one step closer to being a real writer. Stephenie Meyers had to figure out how to withstand scathing criticism from Stephen King, so I suppose I can suck it up and deal with this like an adult. Like an author.
In the meantime, I’ll just stare at my book some more and feel wonderfully overwhelmed that it’s finally my turn, that my book has finally arrived. Thanks to those who read this blog regularly, who have read the first chapter, and who continue to say things to me like, “I can’t wait for your book to come out!” Your support makes all the difference.
Those Scary Reactions
16 June 2009
I’ve lived in Kansas about half my life now, but I’d never seen a tornado until our vacation last week. (And this is why I always chuckled when we lived in Florida and people said they’d never live in Kansas City because of the tornados.) Even thought I’d never seen one, I’ve watched Twister more times than I’ll publicly admit, plus a handful of Stormchasers episodes. So right outside of Denver when Ben pointed ahead and said, “What does that look like to you?” I had no problems identifying it as, “A funnel cloud.” A funnel cloud we were headed right for.
These are life-moments I dread. And I’m not talking specifically about scary tornados looming ahead, I mean those moments where you’re forced to react to something on the fly and you just hope you make the right decision. It doesn’t have to be something bad. It can be something good too, like meeting a celebrity. Something I’ve done and would really rather not repeat. Because I’d rather not once again endure the humiliation of calling a celebrity—someone whose show I watch and whose recipes I use—by the wrong name. Oy.
For the most part I can fake being confident and “together.” It gets a little harder when you’re driving in a strange city on a crazy expensive toll road with virtually no exits, and your 18-month-old daughter is singing to herself in the backseat, blissfully unaware that you’re headed toward something very dangerous at 75-miles-per-hour. We made the snap decision to hit the gas and race the next few miles to our exit, which would take us in the opposite direction of the storm. Fortunately, it turned out to be an okay decision. Other decisions I’ve made—like opening my mouth when a famous person is walking by—have not turned out so well.
I wish there was some kind of seminar to teach you how to react better. Until I find one, I suppose I should just keep my mouth shut and let Ben do all the driving on vacation.
Hope everyone’s having a great day!
Justine Magazine Review (no energy for a creative title today)
17 June 2009
There are days where I feel like I’m leading a double life. I’m a mom and a writer, and never the two shall meet. When McKenna’s up, I’m 100% mom. (Except on the days where I don’t get my normal amount of coffee. Then I’m like 75% mom.) I rarely even check e-mail when she’s awake because my office is tucked in a different section of the house than where we play. When McKenna naps, I’m pretty much 100% writer. Maybe I pause to pop her milk in the fridge, but I usually put her to bed and head to my office. It’s a good system.
So on days like today, when the two worlds do meet, I find myself grappling a bit. Today I made the mistake of checking the mail (the regular mail) while McKenna was awake. I checked because it’s the middle of June and I assumed my copy of Justine would be arriving in the mail any day. Justine was my first real interview and I’ve been anxious to see it.
Today it arrived.
I sat there and obsessed over it. Did I answer those questions the way I should have? Was I too flip? Too serious? Should I have used this word instead of that one? Do I sound as cool and effortless as Sarah Dessen, who’s featured only two short pages away from me? (No, I decided quite easily, I don’t.)
That’s when I discovered that I’m much softer when I’m in “Mommy mode.” I think softer is the word I want. I seem to feel each ounce of anxiety much more sharply. When I’m at my computer, when I’m Stephanie-the-writer, I detach better. Even if reviews sting, I realize that it’s not about me, it might not even really be about Skylar. But when I’m sitting in my living room with McKenna and KC, our dog, detaching becomes complicated.
Okay, I just reread what I have so far and realize it sounds like Justine gave me a bad review. They actually had very nice things to say. Their book summary is one of my favorites, and then under “Why read it?” they say: Me, Just Different reminds you that life is messy and complicated; but just when things seem their worst is when they finally begin to change for the better. Everyone will be able to relate to Skylar’s eventful journey from innocence into maturity.” And then below it “Kendall, 16” (my favorite person in the whole world right now) says, “This book hit home. It’s a really honest look at how hard it is to balance popularity and stay true to your beliefs when you’re a teenage girl.” You can see the write up and a few more comments here, but for the actual interview you’ll need to pick up a copy.
And why wasn’t Justine around when I was sixteen? (Or if I’m incorrect and it was, why didn’t I know about it?) It’s got all the fun fashion and music stuff without being trampy like Seventeen tends to be. Plus they do lots of literary stuff. So girls, if you’re arguing with your parents about teen magazines, check out Justine because it could be a good compromise.
Off to obsess a little bit more about why I used an exclamation point when I answered the first question … although McKenna’s sleeping, so I guess I’m done being hypercritical.
I’m an adult! Really!
18 June 2009
Housekeeping notes first – my Facebook fan page is up and going, so if you’re on Facebook you can become my fan here.
I get a little weirded out doing promotional things like creating fan pages or writing blurbs. Maybe it’s talking about myself in third person? (Stephanie’s debut novel Me, Just Different will be available in stores July 1st…) But at any rate, check out my self-created fan page.
This morning I spent part of my morning chasing McKenna around the house with her Fischer-Price phone and the other part in “Media Training” where I learned how to look like I know what I’m doing in interviews. This is one of the reasons I have a hard time taking myself seriously as a professional, and why I’m a little paranoid about others taking me seriously as well. One minute I’m singing the ABCs and saying things like, “Tell your boo-boo bye-bye and let’s go play.” The next I’m talking about book signings and other grown-up, professional things. Maybe this is why I continue to love writing for teenagers? Because most of the time I’m still not very sure how this adult thing works.
Like today I decided it might be time that I learn how to fix my hair. I’m twenty-five years old, and I still have no idea what I’m doing. I have several variations—straight/curly, and down/up. In general, I feel like I’m not in control of my hair, that in controls me. Ten years ago, I thought I would have all this worked out by now. I also thought I would know how to dress and feel comfortable disagreeing with people.
Maybe in another ten years I’ll feel somewhat like an adult. But probably not.
Book Friday - Emma
19 June 2009
At first, I was kinda at a loss for what to talk about today. I’m not allowed to talk about the book I’m currently reading (I’m a judge in a contest). I read Twilight and New Moon on vacation, but of course I talked about them last Book Friday. I really did think about talking more in-depth about them. (Why do I like them so much? Two and a half reads later, I’m still not sure. And it’s “a half” reads because I finished them both and had extra time, so I reread all my favorite parts. Total Twilight nerd, I know.)
Then I remembered my book club is getting ready to read Emma in August. I’m thrilled to have an excuse to reread Emma. If you’ve only seen the movie (either the Gwyneth Paltrow version or Clueless) you need to read the book. It’s hilarious. Emma’s dad is one of my all-time favorite Jane Austen characters, and Emma is such a unique heroine. She’s insanely self-involved, but for some reason she’s still easy to root for.
So if you’re looking for a summer read that’s enjoyable but will also make you sound way intelligent, go with Emma.
Have a great weekend everybody! (And happy birthday to my husband and brother-in-law.)
Excitement Finally Triumphs
21 June 2009
Allison Koelzer is one of my favorite people in the entire world.
Yesterday, I was invited to LifeStream Christian Church in Gardner, Kansas to talk about Skylar and God’s presence in my journey as a writer. If you’re in the Gardner area and looking for a church, you should totally check out LifeStream. The people there are warm and real, the worship music is authentic, and Russ Koelzer, the pastor, gave an awesome sermon.
Everyone seemed very enthusiastic about my book and said lots of wonderful, encouraging things to me. My favorite, however, was Allison Koelzer, who’s the pastor’s oldest daughter. I’d brought a book for Russ and his wife, Heather, as a thank you for having me. Apparently Allison had read the first chapter on-line and has wanted to read more. After service, she bounded up to me, book in hand, and started chattering excitedly about reading it. About five minutes later, I spotted her sitting on a bench with her sister, Katie, the book open and her gaze hungrily moving across the page.
Through this whole process—the process of selling and waiting for my book to hit shelves—I’ve been surprised to find that I feel more nervous than excited. I kept expecting the excitement to hit, but instead I’ve just fretted. About lousy reviews, the book flopping, letting down the team at Revell, who’s worked so hard and taken a risk on a newbie like me. Each milestone that I thought would bring a thrill—my first check, cover art, page proofs, even the book landing in my hands—have brought more nerves than excitement.
Yesterday, watching Allison, was my first moment of pure joy throughout this whole process. I was reminded during worship time, as we sang David Crowder’s “You Are My Joy,” that this isn’t about me, this is about doing what God asked me to do. And I’m so thankful that He gave me an encouraging glimpse yesterday at how sweet the rewards can be. (Though I’m a little embarrassed to admit that as I watched Allison’s enthusiasm, a little part of my brain was thinking, “Suck on that very-long-list-of-people-who-discouraged-me-all-these-years.” Sigh. One step forward, two steps back.)
So thank you to LifeStream for having me and for reminding me that this book-thing is exciting because He’s in charge.
Tuesday Morning … and yes, that’s really the best title I could come up with
22 June 2009
I imagine everybody but me all ready knew this, but I’ll share anyway. On Gap, when you’re looking at shirts or skirts or whatever, there’s a little window that pops up with a direct link to the corresponding pages on Banana Republic and Old Navy. Genius. I discovered this on Saturday when I did a little on-line shopping. I ended up ordering two skirts from Gap and one from Old Navy. It was so easy. Someone at that company is thinking.
In other news, I’ve finally posted pictures of Me, Just Different arriving. Hopefully that link works. It’s to my Facebook fan page, to which I understand you can view even if you’re not a member of Facebook. If anyone has problems, post a comment, and I’ll get the pictures on a more accessible site. The first pictures are of the initial book showing up, which my copy editor sent to me as soon as they came in. The later pictures, the one with the big box my daughter thought was a new toy, are my author copies.
In my head, when my author copies showed up, we’d open them as a family (that happened), go out to dinner (kinda – we met our small group at the park and grilled hot dogs as previously planned), and then hit Sheridan’s. The Sheridan’s thing eventually happened, it just took a couple days. But boy was it good. And boy did I feel silly out there taking pictures.
The other thing I did not anticipate was McKenna climbing all over me while I tried to sign a book for Ben. You’ll see in the pictures that she was quite pleased to have such easy access to my hair and made good use of it. A memorable moment, just not exactly in the way I thought it would be. Ah, life.
Hope everyone’s having a great day! (And happy birthday to my mama!)
A Reading Vacation
23 June 2009
Last night I read for an hour. I rarely get a chunk of time that big, and it was glorious. The book I’m reading now is so good that I likely would’ve read more, but Ben closed his book and rolled on his side, signaling clearly that it was time to go to sleep.
It occurred to me, as I lay awake in the dark thinking about the book, that I didn’t always adore reading the way I do now. I’ve always enjoyed reading, but particularly since McKenna’s come along, I find myself needing to read. I need that escape. I need that total immersion in another life, another circumstance. I need just a few minutes to not think about the problems and stresses pulling at me throughout the day.
To put it plainly, reading feels like a vacation. Especially when the book is good. If the storyline has captured me, I find myself sneaking in mini-vacations throughout the day. I’ll take the book outside and read snippets while McKenna reorganizes the mulch in our flowerbeds. Or while I’m waiting for yeast to activate, which takes just a couple minutes, I’ll cram in another scene.
So if you’re feeling really stressed—though it’s summertime and you should be spending your days chilling by the pool, soaking up rays—try reading a novel. And I’m not talking about your required reading for English. I mean something you picked out because the story looks interesting to you.
And I just looked at the calendar and realized it’s Wednesday the 24th. Which means Me, Just Different officially hits stores in a week. Yikes.
Honesty Maybe to the Point of Stupidity
24 June 2009
I had a fabulous blog idea last night, but of course I was stupid and thought, “I’ll remember this tomorrow morning.” Do I ? NO. So instead I’ll have to talk about something else.
I don’t know if this is a normal thing for a child, but McKenna is way into telling me what she’s not allowed to touch/do. Often while she’s doing it. Like this morning, she was in her high chair as I toasted a bagel for us. I’d given her a handful of Cheerios to eat while she waited, then turned and focused on getting her “real” breakfast ready. Behind me, I heard McKenna saying, “No.” I turned and saw she was offering a Cheerio to KC, our dog, which she knows she isn’t allowed to do. I said, “That’s right, McKenna. Don’t feed KC.”
Yesterday I was in my room washing my face and McKenna was across the hall playing in her bedroom. I heard her saying, “No.” I popped my head around the corner and saw she had the diaper cream tube in her mouth (which used to I didn’t really care about, but now she’s figured out how to pop off the top with her teeth. Gross.)
She does this kind of stuff all the time, which is amusing on one hand, but on the other, if she knows she’s not supposed to, WHY DOES SHE KEEP DOING IT? Which I’ve asked her, but of course I receive a blank look.
And it occurred to me that if God asked me something similar, I’d have no idea how to respond either. Why were you selfish? You know you’re not supposed to be. Why did you lie about that? You know you’re not supposed to. Of course I know. And of course I expect punishment when I do something wrong. Yet I keep doing it.
So I’m trying to be patient with McKenna on this one, but sheesh. I’m wondering if this blatant honesty will transfer to her teenage years. Like if at breakfast she’ll tell us she snuck out the previous night, or something. Or, if she follows her current patterns, maybe she’ll call out to us as she climbs out the window. A parent can hope, right?
Book Friday – A Katie Parker Production
25 June 2009
I often get asked for recommendations for Inspirational YA books. I cannot say enough good things about Jenny B. Jones, particularly The Big Picture, which is the third and final book in the Katie Parker Production series. Jenny’s books are hilarious, but in that effortless way where it’s not like Jenny’s stretching herself to be funny. She just is. Katie’s a delightful narrator, thought it’s the wacky grandmother who’s stuck with me since I closed the book.
Jenny has a new book out, So Not Happening. It’s sitting on my to-be-read stack, and I’m really itching to move it to the top. Alas, I cannot. But in a couple weeks I expect to be gushing over it, and crying that it’ll be months until the next one is released.
So if you haven’t checked out Jenny B. Jones yet, get on it!
Have a great weekend everybody!
People are talking…
28 June 2009
So last night at small group, my friend Kelli said, “Hey, I see you have a five-star rating on Goodreads!”
This is good news, right? A normal person would be thrilled by this. I, on the other hand, thought, “Oh, it’s going to be so embarrassing when someone inevitably rates it a one, and all my friends see!”
I used to think of myself as a fairly optimistic person. But then I think/say stuff like the above and I have to face the facts—I can be a little doom-and-gloom. Ben said to me a few weeks ago, “You’re a pessimist.” I said, “I’m a realist.” And as soon as the words were out of my mouth, I realized that’s what all pessimists say.
Having my book out there (which officially happens this Wednesday, but has already happened at the Barnes and Noble by Oak Park Mall here in Overland Park) gives me a strange itchy feeling inside. Like people are talking about me behind my back, and maybe some are saying nice things, but others are picking me apart, then posting it on the internet for everybody to see. And I have no control over it. (On top of my pessimistic tendencies, I also learned pretty recently that I’m somewhat of a control freak. Sigh. Still so much to work on…)
In a way, it feels similar to middle and high school, though I was never the type who got talked about often. So since I can’t change what people might say, I guess I’ll just soak up this experience and pour it back into another story.
And hope that Kelli and other friends will still love me just as much on days when I’m not a five-star author.
Just for Men and an Interview
30 June 2009
I feel the need to put this out there – I really hate Just for Men commercials. And yet, when they’re on, I can’t turn away. I don’t dislike them quite as much as Jared Galleria commercials, which I so thoroughly hate that I told Ben on our five-year anniversary, “I do not want to say ‘He went to Jared.’” (For the record, gorgeous diamond earrings, but from locally owned Noble House.)
This recent Just for Men ad, with the girl who gives her dad hair dye before he goes to his job interview … something about it drives me crazy. The manipulative scenario, maybe? I don’t know.
Moving on. This is a link to an interview I did for So Many Books, So Little Time. I was so excited when Jen asked me about doing an interview because her blog is darling. If you comment, you could win a signed copy!