Writing Again

By Marcia Mickelson

So, I took a few weeks off from writing. I watched a few movies. I read Stephenie Meyer's Breaking Dawn. (Go to my blog if you'd like to read my review.)

Now, I'm back to writing mode. It feels good to be off editing mode and back to writing mode. I have 38,352 words written in my work in progress. So far, I don't like my working title. It needs a little work.

It feels good to be back to writing. And, I'm working on a fairly new project. I started it in April during Book In A Month and am so happy to pick it back up. I've been working on old stuff for so long. It feels good to be working on something new.

I'm trying to write at least 1,000 words a day. So far, the month has gone okay. Thanks to Tristi Pinkston for once again sponsoring a BIAM for August. I hope to actually add to the word count this time. Last BIAM, I used for editing and my word count diminished rather than increased.

Once school starts, I think I'll be more successful because the kids' bedtime gets more regular. I would love to have this thing finished by October. Then, it's back to editing mode. Yuck. I don't like editing.

Breaking Dawn

By Marcia Mickelson





(No Spoilers)

I pre-ordered my copy of Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer from Amazon a few weeks ago. I was expecting to receive it on Saturday, but when I checked the tracking number from UPS, it said the book would be arriving on Tuesday. No, sorry. I want it Saturday. Isn't that the whole point of pre-ordering? Well, I couldn't wait. I'm a little bit mad at Amazon. I know someone who also pre-ordered it, and she received hers on Saturday like promised. I don't know why I didn't get mine.

I went to Barnes & Noble to pick up a copy, thinking I would just return the Amazon copy once it gets here. Barnes & Noble was sold out. Thankfully, there were copies left at HEB (a chain of Texas grocery stores). I know, I know. It seems lame to buy it even though it's on its way, but I really didn't want to wait. I want to finish it soon so I can read everyone else's reviews. It's getting a lot of bad reviews on Amazon. So far, there are over 245 1-star reviews. Ouch. I haven't read any of them yet. I'm waiting.

So, I've been reading all weekend and about halfway through so far. When I'm done, I'll probably post a review on my blog.

LDS Authors Make a National SPLASH!

By Tamra Norton

Have you noticed lately how many LDS authors are making a huge splash in the national market? If you live in Utah, maybe it's not as noticeable, but out here in "the mission field" is obvious.

The other day I was in my local Wal Mart (I live in a suburb north of Houston) and on the main aisle I was stopped in my tracks by the following display. (Aren't camera phones great? Click on the picture to enlarge it.) In the handful of high profile authors listed here, FIVE of the books were by LDS authors--two by Obert Skye (Leven Thumps books), one by Brandon Mull (The Candy Shop War) and two by Stephenie Meyer (from the Twilight Series). And this just scratches the surface of what's hot right now!

Very exciting, eh?

Oh, and don't forget to nominate your favorite LDS author for The Whitney Awards. The deadline is almost here--Dec. 31st!

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!

Conversation I had with my best girlfriend an hour ago...

(Driving in car, my cell phone rings)

"Hey!" (I knew who it was--caller ID)

"Today's the day!" (We scream in unison--the wussy girl type of flailing-hands scream you only do in the company of other girls.)

"I know. I'm on my way to pick it up right now!"

"Ooooooh!" (extreme longing in her voice) "They messed up my schedule at work and I can't get to the store until 5:00 tonight."

(Gasp) "What if they run out of copies? You know, Stephenie Meyer was on Good Morning America this morning."

"Crap--I missed it!"

"She did great. And now that I've seen her in the moving/talking flesh, I like her even more. She's not pencil-thin, you know."

"They say TV adds 10 pounds."

"Then she probably is pencil thin...and she's gorgeous...and a millionaire, to boot." (We both sigh.)

"Do you want me to pick up your copy while I'm there?"

"You'd do that for me?" (extreme gratitude emitting from her voice)

"Of course. What are best friends for?"

"So why do you think a couple of middle-aged women like us love these books so much?"

"The characters! I love Bella. She's every girl. And Edward..." (We share a moment of silence)

"He's only 17 you know--that's younger than 3 of your children."

"Nuh-uh! He's like 100 or something!" (I shudder at both thoughts) "Anyway, I'll talk to you when you pick up your book. I may even have it finished by then."

"Shut up!"

"I love you too!"

(End of conversation.)

So now I have TWO copies of Eclipse in my hot little hands. For those die-hard Bella and Edward fans, it has 629 pages (27 chapters), and I paid $17.09 at Target (after I couldn't find it at Wal Mart--actual retail price $18.99).

I just stuck a chicken in the crock pot and put on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the kids (released today as well--not a mere coincidence, but a gift from above).

Goodbye world--I'll resurface in 629 pages.