Warning: Some Violence and Much Strong Language.HE WROTE: Hot Toy
I’ve clothed the women in the book. Scantily, but they’re clothed. Technically.
I was in the supermarket yesterday buying clothes for my characters, paper napkins if I remember rightly, when I looked across all the checkout counters—a long way—and saw JENNIFER CRUSIE on the top row of the paperback rack. It was the only name I could read so it was a good cover. I thought the name sounded familiar so I decided to investigate.
There was a book there called HOT TOY. With a very hot cover.
It turns out my ‘partner’ has been cheating on me and writing other stuff. Well, I was dismayed to say the least. Shocked. Aghast. Whatever. The Usual Suspects.
But I also noticed chapter one of DON’T LOOK DOWN, our He Wrote/She Wrote, Crusie/Mayer, romantic adventure, (three other speaking points, whatever) was in there. So good advertising. If you got to cheat, at least pay the piper. Or the toll. Or the troll. Whatever.
Where was I?
AGNES: we’ve had a draft done for a while but it’s not quite there. The ending needs to be tightened. It’s a little too long right now and complicated. So that’s my job today because Jenny has abandoned me to go home to the bosom of her family in Wapakakakanottoa, Ohio. Of course, I’m abandoning her tomorrow to drive to Charleston.
We talked a lot about what will follow Agnes this past weekend in Norfolk. And will talk more this upcoming weekend in Cincinnati. I spent the flights coming home sketching out ideas for my character and supporting characters. Very exciting to be doing new stuff.
We also discussed marketing and other ideas. Jenny had a pretty good idea that we’ll check out next year.
Yes. Teasers all.
Back to figuring out how to kill all these people.
172 Comments:
First!
Yes Bob, teasers all. But we'll forgive all if we eventually, at some point, actually get to read Agnes.
And we know you clothed the characters. One of them at least. Princess, in a tight pink t-shirt.
I'm laughing so hard I can't see straight.
Thanks Bob. That was good.
Now to go decifer the nine page lesson.
If you keep spelling Jenny's home town wrong like that, I'm sure she'll come up with a few ways to kill people. You, for instance.
You're such a tease. But we like you anyway. Looking forward to Agnes and whatever else it is you're taunting us with.
Bob wrote: "Back to figuring out how to kill all these people."
Yeah, somehow I don't think this will be much of a problem for you... back to the nine page lesson.
BB guns, wasn't it, out of your office window? Or your favorite and mine, a Glock with plenty of extra ammo and limes. Gotta have limes. Especially around Charleston, as I recall.
Bob.... Wapakakakanottoa??? I was going to ask if you were pulling our collective leg (or at least the legs of those of us who are not familiar with American towns... oh dear, the legs are multiplying...), but I see from Me's comment you were indeed.
Not nice, Bob :P
:D
*sigh* Hot Toy isn't out over here in the land of Oz. Or, at least, it isn't in the book section of Big W. Isn't that sad? There is no proper book shop in this town. That alone is reason enough to move.
*sigh*
dammit.
Bob said: If you got to cheat, at least pay the piper. Or the toll. Or the troll. Whatever.
Yeah, those trolls will get you every time. *grin*
BTW, napkins are diapers in Australia ... so ... interesting idea for clothing your women, if you're into that kind of thing. Heh. We say serviette for a table napkin.
rg
hemxclr Hem xtra clear (today)
You clothe them, then kill them? Sounds verrry interesting Bob. You are such a tease, part of your charm. That, and the Glock.
Erica said...
Bob.... Wapakakakanottoa??? I was going to ask if you were pulling our collective leg
*snort* Bob was giving Jenny a hard time. There is a Wapaka, Ohio which I assume is what he was referring to.
Should be interesting to see see Jenny's come-back ... oh you don't think she's going to let that go, do you?
"It turns out my ‘partner’ has been cheating on me and writing other stuff. Well, I was dismayed to say the least. Shocked. Aghast. Whatever. The Usual Suspects."
Interesting, considering you are in the acknowledgments for your contribution to the story.
I personally think it would be cool to have some suspects killed with paper clips. This would keep the "Bob Mayer mystique" going.
Ok kids, and GAM, it is officially Wapakoneta, or Wapak to those who call it home. Named for the Blackhoof Indian chief Wapa and his princess Koneta. At least that is what they made us learn in school.
There now, a little history lesson on Monday.
I read Hot Toy and it is Absolutely written by Jenny Crusie. Snark infested, it is. And wonderful.
Carry on with the NANO NANO and the killing.
Seems like the TA DA cover was also a talking point. (Wonder if the paperback DLD will also have TA DA cover?)
Pretty good snark Bob. This blog entry had me choking on my green tea.
I am SO looking forward to Agnes - however the people die - but have had my craving fed, temporarily, by "Hot Toy", which arrived at my house Friday. I didn't get home 'til nearly 10 p.m., had to get to the Farmer's Market and put together a version of Tiramisù to mellow (for 6 hours or more), so I didn't get to Santa Baby 'til the afternoon on Saturday. Then I read it from back to front, saving the BEST for the last.
Somehow it seems more likely that one could appear soigné in a serviette than in a paper napkin. Does this non-traditional clothing material mean that Bob has been influenced (however unconsciously and indirectly) by Project Runway? Or do they teach supermarket dressing in Green Beret school?
I read "Hot Toy" again yesterday.
I guess people who are successfully self-employed writers must be fundamentally different from me - I become positively hostile when people want me to talk about the next project when I'm neck-deep in the current one. Depending, of course, but when I'm overwhelmed with, for example, the Christmas season (a darned overwhelming season, as "Hot Toy" illustrates), I am not prepared to discuss even plans for Twelfth Night. Once Christmas Day (and its dinner) is over, I can think again, but between presents and food and travel - no.
Speaking of, we're discussing ways to stay in touch with our extended family for the holiday season: we've done a Family Santa thing where each person gets someone a gift in the extended family, but it feels pretty perfunctory when they fill out a gift questionnaire and you buy them something from it - in some cases, I haven't seen these people in over 10 years (nearly 20 for one of my first cousins). And my sister does most of the work in her kids' names, so it's a lot for her. Any suggestions to a) retain/expand the connection b) reduce the expense for families with kids c) encourage involvement by men and children?
"Verbose" is definitely the mot juste.
still diane: perhaps whatever gift exchange happens, it should be accompanied by a personal note saying something about the person's work/school (for kids and adult), hobbies, and something they are looking forward to doing soon (playing with friends, participating in a sport, reading quietly, etc.). That way each person knows something about the person they are receiving the gift from and families can share these around and maybe learn something they wouldn't about the other extended family members.
You could also include my favorite question to ask people: if you could travel anywhere, money no object, where would you go first?
I'd assume that over years an accumulation of these and giving different people things each year would eventually mean you'd either learn more about a larger number of family members or you'd see how one person grew and changed over the years if you had the same person again.
You make me so grateful that it's just me and my parents at the holidays! :)
Hey cherry magic sheryl I think Bob just told you how to dress your demon. Paper napkins sound good or serviettes or whatever one calls them.
Met with other Nano people in our city last night. It was interesting. It was also helpful so we exchanged emails and are going to keep encouraging each other. One girl has been doing this for four years but has not reached the 50,000 yet. Hopes to this year. Me too. As jen-t keeps pointing out "I think I can, I think I can" is a good mantra. Then at the end I would be able to say, "I knew I could, I knew I could." /,D
wewbd Write every word, Bob Doherty.
SD, you'll be fine. My motto this year is, rock on with your bad self. I'm using it pretty liberally, so will have to come up with a new catchphrase by the end of November, but it works for now.
Still ... I perhaps with each gift could be included that person's place on the family tree, plus perhaps a story or bit of info they know about another member of the family. People are funny when it comes to talking about themselves, but they might share an 'I remember when' story about someone else. Or maybe just a bit of that person's history ... such as "I know my grandad was in the army" or "my Aunt Martha used to teach 2nd grade"
We also discussed marketing and other ideas. Jenny had a pretty good idea that we’ll check out next year.
I read those two sentences four times and decided it was more odd Bob humor. Checking out is slang for dying. Nobody would consider the authors 'checking out' a good marketing idea.
Faking it wouldn't work -- unless we concocted an entire "Paul is Dead" ruse. I guess we could concoct some scheme where Jenny and Bob disappear and we have to decode the hints in Agnes and the Hit Man to find out what happened to the Cherry and the GAM.
Of course, they'd have to disappear together to some secluded island. Plus: They could write all the time without interruption. Minus: They'd fight all of the time without distraction.
Clearly, I'm overtired and brain-drained from my own version of living the dream this weekend. *g*
I finally realized that, duh, they were going to check out the good idea as in investigate.
ddhvj: Death definitely hampers vivid joy.
Diane, in the spirit of the discussion of Agnes, Hot Toy, etc... Since you live in Oz, (you do, don't you?), it's warm enough that you could give each family a, TaDa, flamingo!
Now, wouldn't they be overjoyed and, well, speechless? Particularly when you say the CB's recommended flamingoes for everyone.
lnhvgver: An extended hangover
Gatorperson: no, I live in upstate NY (where it's beautiful today, but cannot be expected to be indefinitely). Members of my family live in MA, OR, CO and UT - but the flamingoes are an idea, as my mom and dad and sister and I used to be on Flamingo Way (in CA).
But maybe we should do the "adopt an animal" routine this year, and send each other notes about, if I were an animal, what I would be.
BTW, I was talking to my parents yesterday, and there is, apparently, an ice cream with my Dad's first name. So, I said, "what kind was it?", but it turns out it's a brand. If you were an ice cream, what flavor would YOU be?
I like some kind of personal note thing - I don't know if it can be made light-hearted enough to be fun and not yet another holiday chore, but we could try. The memory idea is nice, as some of my cousins are too young to remember their grandparents.
Mary Stella said...
Faking it wouldn't work -- unless we concocted an entire "Paul is Dead" ruse. I guess we could concoct some scheme where Jenny and Bob disappear and we have to decode the hints in Agnes and the Hit Man to find out what happened to the Cherry and the GAM.
You know I didn't read it that way the first time around, but now that you've mentioned it ...
Could be that the whole "we're taking time off next year to work on our own books" is indeed 'checking out' as in disappearing for awhile.
And why do I have the feeling that SMP will blame the CherryBombs? They'll send Needles after us, so our only hope will be a race against time to decode Agnes and the Hit Man to find out where J&B have been stashed (of course they saw this coming ahead of time and left clues in the MS) ... and you know its possible that while him and her were only talking about down time, that Mother does indeed have plans for our digiting duo. Remember the Maltese Flamingo? Mother escaped that time, but like the best super villians ... she'll be back. She's only been resting and hatching her next nefarious plot on the Island of San Moot.
"Faking it wouldn't work" Not to mention which, Jenny already wrote that book.
zqwlp: zebra quossing, wobbly like penquins
MCB and Mary Stella--this is beginning to sound like the Da Vinci code...
Ah but Bob, did you buy it? Royalties, Bob royalties.
Erica - do what I do, order it through Rosemary's Romance Bookshop in Brisbane. She got me DLD(which still is not stocked in any OZ store I've been in) which arrived the same day it was released in the US. That woman is a romance goddess and she'll get you anything you want. It'll be a little more expensive but not having to wait for the latest JC is worth it IMHO. I ordered mine last week. So now I wait....
On a completely different note, but one the CBs would understand.
I got to watch while they removed my pink oven, pink stovetop, and took a sawsall to my pink countertop. I think I giggled the whole time. Yes, this kitchen dates back to 1962. Today was the first step. I am so excited to be stepping into the 21st century. We actually get a dishwasher. Woohoo! I had to tell somebody, and you guys got to be it.
kl: perhaps they could place them next to the pink tub, pink sink, pink toilet, pink tile surrounding the tub, and pink fake marbelized countertop in my bathroom, in the event that the landlords ever decide to refurbish this place.
Better than the aqua or mustard in other apartments in the building. At least it doesn't reflect a color that makes you look ill. Pink is comparatively healthy...
k.l. - I just finished my moment of silence on behalf of your kitchen.
I've been chasing "retro" kitchen stuff from the 50s and early 60's in pink, turquoise, and black for the last 3 years.
But, I can totally understand the desire to have NEW appliances.
Enjoy the 21at Century.
Marcia,
You can currently take any retro stuff you want right out of my front yard. It is just sitting there waiting to be hauled away. Of course, the stove top only has 3 working burners, and they are all the small ones. The oven is only 24" wide and the wiring is almost totally fried, and the countertop was pretty beat up before the sawsall had its way with it. I think after 14 years of that particular color, I am done with retro.
k.l. - congratulations on the new kitchen - I hope that you didn't miss a "break-even" opportunity by not selling your pink stuff to marcia in OK! Re-use is very environmentally sound and clearly tastes differ. My sister loves not the pink fixtures in her bathroom (lower on the priority list than the horrible kitchen floor and carpets), but decided to just go with it and painted the walls dark lavender.
And dishwashers are very important!
GG,
I think your pink fake marbelized countertop and my pink fake marbelized countertop were made at the same factory. And I am sure the pink enamel paint was made in large quantities during the early 60s. Yes, pink isn't the worst color they made, and that avacado green stuff and mustard stuff would have turned my stomache. I am looking forward to a more wood toned look though.
Hi Diane,
Yes, we just went with the flow when we moved in and installed white vinyl with little pink squares and gray piping. Visualize this though. It covered up the original linolium which was yellow toned with little gray and white squares and flecks in it. Pink counters and a yellow floor. *Shudder* We had to take up the vinyl in preperation for the new flooring, so now we are back to the yellow stuff, which is now discolored with glue stains. Even better.
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Bob! You wrote Cincinnati! Picture me wiping a proud tear from my eye.
Thanks wapakwoman, I'd never heard of Wapakoneta, OH. You saved me a Google search, I learned something new today, and it's almost time for the ACM's this evening. Win-win all around.
Well, you all have been busy today, haven‘t you? And Bob is tightening up Agnes because it’s too hard-- no, that’s not what he said. It’s complicated and too long.
Bob. [sigh] Pay attention, darlin'. We’ve been reading and commenting on this blog for almost a year now. It should be apparent that we love complicated and too long. We’ve gotten used to it, in fact. We probably won’t even care whether Agnes arcs, or even particularly makes much sense.
Well, except for the fact that Jenny told us all the things to look for in a well-written ms. And then ran off and left you to achieve perfection all by yourself. Buy hey, no pressure.
Geez. Just turn it in already. You can fix it in the line edit stage, right? Or just write an epilogue to explain things. Or does Jenny object to those, too?
Can’t wait to hear more about your new stuff, with its sketchy but supportive characters. Almost sounds like you’re planning to write about the CBs.
bw
KL and GG - did the marbelized counter-tops have that fake gold vein running through? KL - I can totally appreciate that you wanted to watch.
How well I remember avocado *shudder*.
The came to measure my house for new flooring today. First floor only as I have to do this as I can afford. I'm going with laminate - wood for all rooms except the kitchen, and in the kitchen terra cotta slate ... well fake but looks good.
Can't wait to get rid of the hideous linoleum and carpet.
Mayer flew low, mapping Atlanta
Ahem....
**** Cookie Biz ****
Anyone who'd like to participate in the cookie exchange, I've posted a how-to on my blog at another-cb-totw.blogspot.com. (Sorry, too crunched on time to do the tiny URL thing....)
The Thanksgiving Cookie Exchange List will close on November 10th, so please let me know by Friday if you'd like to participate.
The Christmas/Hanukah Cookie Exchange List will open as soon as my blood sugar stabilizes from the Thanksgiving Exchange.
BCB pointed out ... It should be apparent that we love complicated and too long.
Yeah, but the Cherry gets upset when we beg for longer books.
Apologetically, Bob pens quickly, going eagerly in.
Kl: congratulations.
diane: i'm still voting for Twinkletoes.
BCB said "Almost sounds like you’re planning to write about the CBs."
now there's a freaky thought.
BTW Bob, i liked the post.
Eileen posted on Well Behaved with very exciting news.
Jenny also changed how the site looked on Argh Ink (no new post though).
and for anyone noticing how big a ime lapse it is for these posts of mine, it's because the internet connection in my room is HORRIBLE. ok, i have a lecture, later.
Hot Toy huh? Was the subtitle: working with my writing collaborator? Or if we call Bob a Hot Toy does it demean his person? Reduce him to a pinky killing boy toy? Can't have that. We love him for his brain too of course. And his luggage carrying abilities.
Bob -tease tease tease - but yippee. keep on keepin' on - we are an almost patient bunch and have no choice but to wait for what must surely be the best romantic/kill all these people book ever.
Hey everybody - can't comment on comments, too much, and still have fried brains from move. We've all decided I really don't do well with change. And being a nonconfrontational sort(except in my head, then I really talk up a good fight) I was unable to "jack-up" as my boys say, the cable/phone/internet bungler, I mean bundler. I've missed you all and the pseudo-sanity/insanity you bring to my day!
To all nano writers GO GO GO!
Did I miss Jen's trip to Sin City? and how's Frank?
Congrats on the demise of the pink kitchen KI.
Cary -I'll e-mail but count me in for cookies, can that be a euphamism for booze? Moving really stinks.
K.L. - I love retro as much as the next girl, but I think there is a lot to be said for stoves with TWO large burners and TWO small. My fave wanna-have-it retro item? Those fridges and stoves you see on the home design shows. All the style and color of the '50s version, but the convenient features of the new millenium (like frost-free freezer compartments and more large burners).
Okay, I'm home now, and the dog's had his evening walk, so he's sacked out on the floor sleeping, so....
**Cookie Biz**
I've updated the Thanksgiving Cookie Exchange List at Thanksgiving Cookie Exchange. If you'd like to join the fun, please e-mail me at cary_sanz@yahoo.com with your CB name, your secret real world identity, and your address. IF you're allergic to any food items, please let me know so I can provide that info to the others!
Thank you!
Will have to come back to read the latest comments, just heard the introductions on the CMA's ... got to dash. My "boys" are on tonight. *grin*
rg
just went to lecture. i saw about thirty species of mushrooms (the housemate i sat next to brought his laptop and he really likes mushrooms, and i don't mean the drug). i also learnt the lecturer's name was Bruce.
ok, this is probably good night. so night.
and USA CBs- DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!
Any American librarians want to come work in Canada?
Here's the link. I'm sorry I can't rememeber how to make the links blue. I went thought old posts to find the diretions but seem to be incredibly challenged finding things these days. But your job would entail making me more computer literate lol
http://thoroldpubliclibrary.ca/library1.htm
Several libraries in the area are switching to this new system but so far ours is the only one that's posted it. What do you think Lori,Bryan, Andi? This is all part of my TOTW plan.
The Christmas/Hanukah Cookie Exchange List will open as soon as my blood sugar stabilizes from the Thanksgiving Exchange.
For the Christmas/Hanukkah Exchange, may I participate with brownies? I make outstanding double-chocolate decadent brownies.
For the kitchen remodelers: I had my kitchen completely redone this summer. New ceiling, walls, lighting, floor, cabinets, counters, appliances. The guys at Quiznos and I became really good friends when I picked up my nightly meal. The results are SO worth the inconvenience. If I could only make up my mind about tile for the backsplash, we could finish up the last touches. I pledge by Christmas.
aszmssg: Alarmed, Susan zapped messages, suddenly sensing guilt.
Mary Stella wrote: I make outstanding double-chocolate decadent brownies.
My mouth is watering just reading this. But sadly, I can't participate because I won't be back in the states until Dec 21. I shouldn't complain too much though, because I'll be in Rome for the two weeks before that.
I know. I'll go back in my corner and shut up now.
"I shouldn't complain too much though, because I'll be in Rome for the two weeks before that." Yeah, as one of my grade school teachers used to say, "My heart bleeds purple kool-aid for you."
Lucky Christina!
MaryStella, of course your brownies are welcome in the Christmas/Hanukah cookie/goodie exchange! And I don't just say that because my mouth is watering already. (Although I haven't had breakfast yet.....)
If there are going to be double-chocolate decadent brownies for the Christmas/Hanukkah Exchange, me and my chocolate chip cookies will be there. My kitchen will be back in operation by then. I am going with the tile looking laminate too, and am just so excited. Such a pain right now, but it will be worth it. The electrician came in and finished up his part last night so now I can even plug everything in. And can I just say Convection Oven! WooHoo!
K.I.
Right on re: the convection oven. We put one in last Xmas...my DW swears by it. In hindsite...wish we had also put in the convection microwave.
kpfyzvt...blue
kitchen police find YEC zaps virtual time
I'll keep the convection microwave in mind. We are at the limit, and are not replacing the microwave at this time. But good to know for when we do.
K.L. said...
I am going with the tile looking laminate too,
Oooh, we can compare notes. Some of that is so realistic you have to actually touch it to know the difference. Hope to have mine in my month's end.
McB, Yes, it will be fun to see how each other's floors turns out. I may even try to put a picture on my blog site, since I seem to have one. A before and after pic.
I'll keep the convection microwave in mind. We are at the limit, and are not replacing the microwave at this time. But good to know for when we do.
Ohhh, do it! I chose a convection microwave for the new kitchen. Love love love it! Also love the fridge with the freezer on the bottom. Can we say appliance ecstasy (even without batteries)?
The big splurge for the kitchen remodel, aside from the fact that the entire remodeling was a splurge, was the Silestone quartz counters. Gorgeous, resilient and, it bears repeating, gorgeous.
keoecd: Kitchens, especially ovens, expand cooking delight. (What a timely word verification. LOL)
Ya'll realize that Jenny is in the bosom of her family and Bob is driving to Charlston...children, we are home alone....PARTY!
Snort.
I had what my friend cakes and I like to call a Bruce Willis Moment (or a light bulb moment) today. Maybe it was a Bob Mayer moment, since something he said in a lecture recently triggered the blub to go off. Either way, it was a moment of "Holy shit! I can't believe I didn't think of that before."
And then I got to work and just now i took a break and I looked back and I wrote 35 pages! Holy crap. 35 pages in like 5 hours! Okay, not 5 hours straigth. That would be 3 hours this morning, and 2 hours just now, but how does one do that? I'm not sure I've ever written more than 25 pages in one day before. I don't really count because you can become obbessed with word count, and that can be a bad thing for me. I write every day, but each day my time limits are different so I don't stress over how many words I put on the page only that I put words down.
Anyway, just had share. Now off to the hockey rink.
Oh, last night we had our first ever HS girls hockey game here in Rochester! For three years we have been trying to make Varsity girls hockey a reality. Well, we are not there yet, but we do have the backing of most of the Atheltic directors. This was an exhibition game, and hopefully there will be more this year. Hopefully we will have a team next year.
Hi Jen T,
I need to ask. We recently started going to our local hockey games, and the league is for 15-19 year olds. Anyway, the other night there were like 7 fights. Didn't think the actual game would ever get finished. And the refs just stand back and wait until someone goes down. Any other sport and people would be ejected and suspended, but it seems to be pretty much standard practice in hockey. Why is that?
k.l. - Youth hockey rules are that if they fight, they are ejected from the game. No if, ands or buts about it. You fight, you are gone for rest of game and suspended for the next one. This is a zero tolerance rule in USA Hockey. If what you are watching is a youth organization, this should not be happening.
Now, I've seen youth games where one kid punches another kid and the refs don't call it fighting, but unsportsman like, or maybe a ruffing penalty. I've seen refs use their discrestion in calling the "fighting" penalty. And just recently while wathing my DS13 game I saw a fight break out and I watched the kids get escorted off the ice. Believe it or not, fighting is not encouraged. HS games are very physical and checking is part of the game, but kids want to be like the NHL players and sometimes the fighting is glamorized. But if you pay attention, the fights are penalized.
As far as the refs go, well, I know in NHL hockey they won't break up the fight until someone goes down or looses equipment (like the helmet). In youth hockey, the break it up right away.
Now, in men's league, it depends. My husbands league is a non-checking league. No fighting allowed the refs would probably suspend the players for one game. There have been fights, and the players have been thrown from the game.
So I'm really not sure what you are watching and why that is happening. I know games look pretty nastly, especially at the HS level with all the "checking" but fighting really isn't allowed, even though it happens.
Convection microwave? Didn't know those things had been invented yet. I'll think about it when mine dies. I have an oven that's regular; convection; regular/convection; and broil. LoveIt. Couldn't live w/o it. That and my 6 burner (gas) stove top! Yep, good stuff. Hmmm. Maybe that's why everyone ends up here for holiday dinners.
mkrnb: Macaroni, krumkakes, ravioli. Nummy! Burp!
Jen-T: congratulations on your productive day! It's wonderful when things come together that way.
OH: I'm still waiting on the Twinkletoes - that was the choice if I freak out in my identity crisis, and it hasn't quite happened yet, though I'll agree it's memorable. Was the mushroom lecture for a class, or just because you were interested? And were they about food or plant pathogens, or mycorrhizae or what? A friend of mine, inspired by a recent lecture, dressed up as mycorrhizae for Halloween - lots of pipecleaners to represent the fungal filaments, and a mushroom on her head. Her children helped, as her (5th grade?) son had learned about this mutually beneficial relationship between fungi and roots in science.
I tried to hold back, I really did. I don't say I tried very hard ... but I did try. I can't help it, I'll regret it later, heck I'm regretting it even as I type but I can't stop myself. I have to ask ...
JEN ... when your blub went off, did it make a mess?
Speaking of Halloween, there were two people dressed as spiders at the milonga I went to, one male, one female. It looked incredibly funny when they were dancing together.
Goodness gracious! I've voted already! When are all these political idiots going to stop phoning me with their messages??? And do they REALLY think I'm going to listen to their tape recorded messages on my voicemail (or on the phone)? Please.
MCB - snort! Actually, the blub mand a huge mess as two cars ran a truck off the road and it smashed into a tree, then flipped over and the person inside is near dead, and the heroine is going to be accused of hiring someone to kill her nephews father...you'll have to read the book when it comes out in September (hey, if Bob can tease, so can I!)
crap - I meant made! not mand - my nails are out of control! Thanks goodness I go tomorrow. No more glow in the dark - back to sparkles.
I was snorting over the blub too, but was able to refrain. On the hockey thing, it is the Western Hockey League. Not a youth hockey league. I think they allow a few 20 year olds but mostly it is 15-19. They eventually get drafted up into the NHL. Does this help? The refs did call for instigating penalties, fighting penalties and such. Whoever instigated ended up with a total of 17 minutes in the box.
Completely off topic, but I am compelled to ask if anyone else watched Desparate Housewives on Sunday evening. I had to LOL when Edie told the cheating husband in the grocery store to go ouside and face his lunatic gun-wielding wife because "sometimes you have to take one for the team."
Oh, Jen, we do soo miss you when you don't post. Go ahead, blame it on the nuclear-glow nails, but we know the truth....
Come on, tell us... Did you use auto-correct on those 35 pages?
I'm worried that the the cars ran a truth off the road and heroin killed the nephews. That sounds like political intrigue, not romantic suspense....
Cary, if Jen plays her cards right she could end up with two different books from one ms.
jxqzak: Jenny, Xavier quietly zinged, always knows.
MCB, don't you mean if Jen hits the right keys?
I am so excited, I had to come over here and share. One of my sisters is visiting me for a few days (yes, the one who drew some of the logo ideas) and guess what she brought for me? Give up?
My very own CB Bar & Grill mug! With one of my favorite logos on it! (the one with the solid red martini glass and the cherry on a swizzle stick -- only she "perfected" it just for me! HA!)
Sisters are so cool sometimes. I'm so happy.
That's all. Got to visit now.
bw
Jen-T and all other writing CBs--When you write, is the document single or double spaced? I find that single space works best for me while I am writing but am curious to know what works best for others and why.
BCB: ooh, how wonderful! Sisters can, indeed, be fabulous.
Christina: I'm not a fiction writer, but I both read and write a lot electronically, and I rarely print out. I prefer to read single spaced, and with the wonders of "track changes" editing, can interpolate without needing DS.
k.l. - it sounds like it's possibly what is called Juniors. Many kids who are really talented play in Juniors before they play for their colleges since mostly juniors and seniors play and it's a good way to get noticed. Some will argue that if you don't play Juniors, you won't ever play in the NHL.
Fighting - you have to drop your gloves to fight (weird rule) and the refs won't break it up until either someone goes down, a helmet comes off or some other circomstance that is at the refs discretion. Either way, it's a five minute penalty for those who engaged in the fight. At least this is the rule for AHL/NHL. I'm not completely sure about Juniors, but one would think it would be somewhere between youth/college and the NHL.
Not sure if this helps. Have you ever seen the movie Slapshot? It's a great movie and has the best hockey fight scene ever. Well, it's a weird scene, but it's great. It's an R rated movie.
I know both of my son's hockey coaches highly discourage any type of fighting, but if the gloves come off in youth, you are out of the game. I guess you can punch wiht the gloves on and just get a 2 minute. And according to my children, who I just asked...punches get thrown every game.
MCB wrote: "Cary, if Jen plays her cards right she could end up with two different books from one ms."
Snort - that already happened. DARK WATERS was actually born from LOVE LIES BENEATH (yet to vbe finished or sold). The latter needs some serious work and will end up with political undertones to it. I need Bob's help with this one, hence the course at KOD on special ops. Very interesting stuff.
DARK WATER comes out in September, just in case you want to buy it. Frist book comes out in June. Just saying, you know.
Cary wrote: "Come on, tell us... Did you use auto-correct on those 35 pages?"
Always!
Christina wrote: "When you write, is the document single or double spaced? I find that single space works best for me while I am writing but am curious to know what works best for others and why."
I always do double space. At first because it was just easier and when submitting everything was based on page count, double spaced, new courier, yadda, yadda, yadda. Now when I submit to my e-pub I submit it single spaced, but I still type it double spaced and then just select all and change it. When I'm editing I like to print it out double spaced so I can make notes - just easier to read. When doing critiques - my partners give it to me double spaced and it's easier. Every contest I've done has always been double spaced. So there you have it.
Jen T. Thanks, that does help. I was wondering about all the misc equipment scattering the ice during the fights. The usual penalty was 5 minutes for fighting (each player) 10 minutes for instigating (just one player) and a 2 minute penalty where the team is short that player. The penalty boxes were not lonely that night.
cary said "Yeah, as one of my grade school teachers used to say, "My heart bleeds purple kool-aid for you.""
oh, that is so muchb etter than rubbing two fingers togetehr and going "i'm playing the smallest violen for you"
mcb said "JEN ... when your blub went off, did it make a mess?"
*snort* but congrats JJ.
twinkletoes: (i'm trying it out for you): aka TT: actually, the lecture was about philosophy, it was just my housemate sitting next to me was going through his pictures of mushrooms. i found it way more fascinating (some of them are so cool looking) than Bruce.
BCB: nice sis.
christina: for school essays, i write single space and normally a small font size (like ten), and then when i turn it in i change it to 12 and double. for story writing i normally do the same. something about the tinyness of it makes it seem like i'm making more progress than i am (my mind's screwed up, so this may not help you much). but when i'm correcting it and it's printed out, i double space it. like JJ said, easier to correct that way.
wow, i did a horrible job previewing. i blame it on my lack of nails- i accidently ripped one of them off and it's screwing with my typing.
that's my story and i'm sticking to it.
gg> well, I was diligently erasing the political messages until one of them said -
"Hi, this is Robert Redford..."
I don't even know what he was supporting (Prop 87 I think), BUT Robert Redford called me, la, la, la. I am going to have to save that don't you think? I wonder if he left a number?
(OH, I know you think he is too old, but ... Robert Redford called me.)
kay t: Don't feel that good about it, he called me, too. I deleted it. That man has no morals. If you call one girl, you shouldn't call others as well! He's a player, what can I tell you? :)
Wow, just haven't really appreciated much whats comes into a good book.
I can't wait to see Agnes on the shelf. Is this the same book with Ms. Livia on it?
Jen - thanks for the hockey lesson, my husband played until a broken leg resulting from an illegal check in a no-check league at 34. He was so bummed about not being able to finally play in the over 35 league. Now can you explain icing? Because he has even drawn pictures and I still don't get it.
Have the last of the sub-contractors coming tomorrow to "fix" the built-in in the family room. It looks like that really bad office furniture, can't even paint it b/c the wood grain is too deep. We can't afford what I want, so instead we plan to make what is there look really bad so people don't mistake it for my taste and then it will become the priority on the expenditures list, when the money tree blooms again. Convection microwave? I didn't even know there was such an animal. I did get the French door refridgerator with the freezer on the bottom, and a front loader washing machine. We are so FAyancy(big southern drawl) here now!
How come I didn't get a call from Bob Redford? and I did vote. Had to keep myself from not drastically changing my opinion of my dearest friend in GA, when she said she didn't think she would go vote, in front of her kids. I'm scowling now just thinking about it. I love election day! I love voting, even with the touch screen, I feel very patriotic! GO democracy - you rock!
OH - I'm absolutely convinced I would much rather read your tiny single spaced writing than my DS's 14 font, opti-color report on modern Japanese entertainment. ouch!
Yep, me too, double spaced, easier to catch the typos. Eyes get very strained in this business.
Hey, no fair ... Bob didn't call me (Redford that is ... relax Bob Mayer, we all know you don't do phone.) Hehe.
rg
Andi - I broke my leg at 37 playing Hockey and got a concussion. The concussion was what made me quit. Although the bug as bit me again. I might sign up and play in January. That is if I can keep my husband from freaking out over it. He got a little wigged out when he saw me sprawled out on the ice, out cold. I guess it was kind of scary for the guy. Personally, I don't remember it. Snort. Okay, so it's not really all that funny, but when you husband says to the doctor, "her eyes were open, but I could tell she left the building." Well, it's funny.
Icing is actually very easy, when it's five on five. If the puck leaves your zone and goes untouched by the other team (and they couldn't possibly get it) and the puck goes past the goal line on the other teams zone, it's icing and the refs blow the whistle and bring it back to your zone. You can ice the puck if you a on a penatly kill. That is to say you have a guy in the box and the other team has all 5 players on the ice. Then you can ice the puck without the whistle being blown, but the other team can not. Make sense? Really, Icing is easy.
Off sides is always hard to explain because there are USA hockey off sides and Canadian offsides (or tag up). Colleges and the NHL play tag up. Canadian youth hockey plays tag up. We American's don't and it's a pain when we go to Canada for tournaments.
I'm still learning all the penatly calls since my youngest sons leads his team in most minutes in the box. No, I'm not proud, it's kind of funny since last year he was the total opposite.
Should not get me going on hockey. It's kind of my life.
skkorjka - the sound that comes out of my mouth at hockey games when my kids do something they shouldn't (like take a stupid penality).
christina I am writing my NaNo in single space but when that is over I will be doing it in double if I can figure out how to change it. I want it double spaced for critiquing and editing. How's your nan0 coming? I had the worst day so far, I only did 2433 words. I may get some more in when DH comes home but that will go on tomorrow.
jen-t that is remarkable. I have only written 37 pages in 7 days, not even 7 hours. 35 pages in 5 hours--WOW, good for you.
Jen - I'm with your really smart DH on the stay off the ice for competitive purposes idea. Concussion - yowza. And oh yeah I totally get icing now. Especially the power play you may not get called icing call. Really cleared that right up!If you ever need a tennis or baseball primer I'm your gal - LOVE 'EM! still sad about my dang tigers. and would consider a May-December thing for Carlos Moya. although I think he is 25 and in my head I'm still 27 sometimes 33, so it is often startling when I'm confronted with visual evidence of my age. I'll never be ready for my close-up Mr. DeMille, unless it is an x-ray!
JJ: like andi said, listen to your smart DH. hey, we gang up on scope dope, and we'll do it to you. geez, you're a grown woman.
voting: do not get me started on this. apparently twelve of the people (that i know about so far) in my house haven't voted. ARGH!!! and the issue i've spent every saturday since i got up here working on is still being calculated. so far it's losing (thank bob), but it's a close race. ARGH!!! if someone hears a scream from up here tomorrow, it's me, and it means the issue passed. ARGH!!!!!!!!!!
I don't always listen well. Maybe I just won't tell you when I sign up to play. It's a lot of fun, really.
Andi - glad I could clear that up for you. Sorry, I hate baseball. I might watch the world series, but otherwise find it worse than watching paint dry. I'm soooooo glad both of my boys decided it wasn't the sport for them. The changed over to lacrosse...now that is a sport I don't get. And talk about violent? Geez, it's worse than hockey, really.
I love tennis. I play in an adult league...but they want to kick me out. Seriously, some of the "older" ladies don't like me. Something about being too competitive and I hit the ball to hard? Geez. Thought that was the point. Actaully, it all started with my overheads. Hey, if you are going to put it away, then dang it, do it right. At least I got good aim and I've never hit anyone. Two years ago I hit in the eye with the ball. When they got me to the eye doctor the doctor snorted and said he'd never picked yellow fuzz off someone's eyeball before. Talk about looking like someone decked you. I told everyone I got in a fight in hockey...they all believed me. Snort.
OH - being a grown woman doesn't make for a muture woman. I'm just like that middle child I love to complain about. Tell me no, or you can't, and i'll do my best to prove you wrong.
SDCB - remember - they were double spaced, not single. And I read through them this morning...geez, you people would have a field day. Oh my God! and I had to laugh quietly because people were still sleeping. But besides the typos, mis use of words, wrong words all together and few flying body parts...it wasn't awful. Not great, but not horrible.
christina: I write with 1.5 spacing, because I like to print off my MS to edit it, and it makes it easy to mark it up between the lines. It also takes up a little less paper when printing than double-space.
ecooxg everyone's candidly overwhelmed on Xavier's going.
Lynn said...
Edie told the cheating husband in the grocery store to go outside and face his lunatic gun-wielding wife because "sometimes you have to take one for the team."
LOL!!!
Thanks to Bob and Jenny, we will never be able to hear 'take one for the team' and keep a strait face ever again... well not me anyway.
Jen-t: When does your book come out in Australia?? I will be waiting :D
DUG, unfortunately I very rarely get to Brisbane, but I'm checking out the web site for the book shop, and hopefully there’s a way to do it by distance... I may have to enlist one of my brothers (the uncooperative one *sigh* - the helpful one doesn't live in Brissy)
OMG!! I'm on the web site for the book shop and their having a sale this month!! why don't I live in Brisbane, dammit?!!!
Jen, you remind me a lot of my sister ... except funnier. In addition to schlepping kids around for hockey (her DS#1 was in Chicago last weekend, I think) she recently took tennis lessons and joined a local league. But she doesn't have your nails and doesn't read romance. So sad.
Erica ... MAIL ORDER, DARL'N!
Lynn I did see that episode and yes I did a *snort* ... but I'm watching the show less and less overall. It seems to much like the same plot lines every season, just different characters.
So I voted last night and paid no attention to the media until this a.m. I found it interesting that supposedly few people voted and yet those who did had such a big impact. Goes to show that every vote really does count. And regardless of what side of the line you are on, I think its very encouraging, democracy-wise, that people used the vote to make such a strong statement. Beats the heck out of apathy, anyhow.
Wizards have donated quiet flamingos, kicking zebras.
mcb - I did the same voted; then waited for this morning for the post-mortem reporting. And apparently enough folks got out there to make some changes.
fellas are here working on the family room eye-sore, and the DH swears he won't travel until next Monday, after he gets home today from San Antonio. We'll just see.
Jen - I'm not a net person, but if given half a chance I'll run your butt off at the baseline. I got beaned once between the eyes, knocked me clean on my back, made my nose bleed,and blackened both my eyes. I was brand new to the league looking to make some friends after just moving to MI. Let's just say we did not do lunch after the match. Some of those tennis gals are ruthless, so much for the cute skirts, they want blood. And isn't lacrosse your basic hockey without ice, proper pads, better weaponry, and fewer penalties? My middle son is itching to play - but I'll just force his skinny body back into the baseball pants. You east-coast yanks and your lacrosse, hockey, field hockey and crew. I'll take my red-neck baseball, football and bass fishing!
MBC, does mail order require a credit card? If yes, then I'm going to remain book deprived,lol - at least until I move somewhere that has a book shop beyond the section in Big W.
Anyone want a slightly used, slightly dinged up DH? My dear, dear, sweet DH, bought me Hot Toy since I am sick. Then he proceeded to HIDE THE DAMN BAG (hence the slightly dinged up part).
Sigh. You know I'll keep him anyway, especially since the meds I'm on are making me much loopier than usual. My boss laughed at me for five straight minutes this morning because I called him back twice to give him my home number and then proceeded to say it wrong 3 times. I don't think I could find my head with both hands about now.
I went to the doctor to see if there is a reason I can't shake this coughing thing and found out I might have pneumonia (tests will be back in a little bit). Well, yay me.
Too bad my dog never quite got the grasp of fetch and find the @#$% bag with Hot Toy in it. I could read it during the moments I'm half-way conscious.
Falling asleep here, so I'd better post and be gone. What do they put in that medicine?
In my district, the challenger I supported lost by about 4000 votes - out of 220,000. I think "I should've made phone calls", but I probably wouldn't have made 4000, so it's probably not ALL my fault - but that's a small enough margin where, if a few more people here or there had voted, it would've made a difference.
I don't understand not voting - if you don't like the way things are, why not vote against them, and if you do, why not vote for them? We have about the lowest participation rate of any democracy, and I know that means it's less democratic, and I suspect it means something pretty unhealthy about our political system. One guy called in to a program yesterday and said that he'd learned about election abuses in high school, so he didn't vote - my response is: they MAY not count your vote if you DO vote, but they CAN'T if you don't! Sheesh.
We did not have any fancy electronic touch screens - same old flip the switches and pull the lever that I've used since I became an NY resident (that my dad says sounds like what he used when he first voted 45 years ago!).
Just for OH, I'm using the TT in addition - I hope your initiative failed (the initiative against which you've been working, not the character trait) and some of your apathetic housemates got out to vote. People failing to vote is why extremists can take over, sometimes!
I did watch for nearly 3 hours last night, but then went to bed (I was also reading a book, so it wasn't a WASTE of time).
Erica - depends on where you order from. There are more payment options out there in general than there used to be. I often use a 'check card' rather than credit so that the money comes straight from my checking account and I don't get nasty end of the month surprises. But I would place a call to that store and see if you can't work a deal. Maybe they can invoice you or something? Hey you gotta do what you gotta do to get your books.
Twinkletoes (you're stuck with it now) - my philosophy on voting is this: If I don't vote then what right do I have to complain? As the saying goes, if you aren't part of the solution, then you're part of the problem.
Last weekend while visiting DS&DIL,a question was asked regarding how to tell a good friend that the book she had self published is really not well written. I read the first 4 chapters and could not finish it.
It was painful to read. But yet the folks that printed it told her how great it is and how they cannot wait to print the next one.
She is a very nice gal but after reading this blog I know how difficult good writing is but how can that be related to those who are being told what amounts to a bunch of lies?
Any thoughts would be great...thanks
jenb
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My parents taught me that voting is not only a privilege, but a duty. So I dutifully go to the polls every election even if the choices are sucky vs. suckier, vindictive vs. slimy, and butthead vs. crook.
Elections always remind me of the idea in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy that anyone who wants to be in power should on no account be allowed to be. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, etc.
I'm with everyone on not voting...My DW and I went to computer class and voted on way home. Even though registered one way we purty much voted the other way. The choices sometimes are not great.
Watched returns hit and miss while reading. Read the paper this morning to see final results. Oh well next time.
dyyfxjrh...blue
did your YEX finally Xtinguish Jenny's, Robert's hopes
Btuda whined, "My dear, dear, sweet DH, bought me Hot Toy since I am sick. Then he proceeded to HIDE THE DAMN BAG (hence the slightly dinged up part)."
Doesn't he realize this is grounds for withholding marital benefits like freshly cooked meals and clean socks and underwear?
Hope the tests come back negative and that you start getting well soon. And if you figure out how to get the dog to track down that book and "fetch", let the rest of us in on the trick, eh?
jenb: I admit I am speaking as someone who self-publishes, but sometimes those publishers say they can't wait to publish an author's next book for one reason: they want her money. (And yes, people have been known to call me a cynical b****.) And not all of them offer editorial services, either. Of course, it all could just be a matter of taste. She could be a great writer, but just not to your particular liking. Which is fine. There are tons of best sellers out there that I threw against the wall (Bridget Jones' Diary, for one).
Now me personally, I encourage people to tell me what they didn't like about my books and why. It makes me a better writer. How well does this person handle criticism? And if you plan on offering criticism, Maybe get her talking about it with sort of vague questions like "Why did you chose to write about XYZ?" then see where the conversation goes from there.
btuda - sorry to hear you are sick, but good that you have a diagnosis so that it can be treated. Feel better soon.