I just finished going through the copy edit of SCONED TO DEATH. I always go through the whole manuscript again. By now I have enough distance to see it almost as a reader would-- though of course I already know how it ends. I had just a week to do it, so it was pretty intense. I added the acknowledgements and will send it off through cyberspace.
It's so much better than having to mail back a paper document and hope that my handwritten in changes are clear.
In the meantime, my editor sent me the cover they came up with. I am very happy with color and how it is like, but different from the cover of DEATH AMONG THE STITCHES.
The very best news was that I got an offer on a third book and I already have a page full of notes.
As soon as I hit send, it will be back to the next Yarn Retreat book. It's been in the back of my mind all along and I have some new thoughts about the characters.
There are lots of non writing things going on. Jakey is helping with a cub scout float for a parade this weekend. Then he gets to ride on the float in the parade. I can't wait to see it. It's in a part of the San Fernando Valley that feels like a small town and the parade is going to reflect that. I had a lot of fun being in a parade when my son played tee ball. We were in the back of a pickup truck and I don't think there was much of an audience, but I still had a good time.
Then there's Jakey's birthday. It's been hard having a party since it his birthday is right before Christmas, but we are having a real party this year and all the invited guests have RSVPed. There are some other events going on too and of course the actual holidays.
It seems I am always working on a book at this time of year and I actually like it. It keeps some sense of normalcy with all the special stuff going on.
12 comments:
Good morning -- I woke up about 2:30 a.m. and got up to putter around a bit -- been crocheting and now at 4 a.m., checked to see if your blog was up and sure enough, it is!! Great about your book and the offer for a third. I'm looking forward to reading it.
I'm working on a granny square blanket -- using speckle yarn in the color called Bubblegum -- pretty pink with speckles of several other colors. The Bitty Stripes yarn has some new color combinations so I treated myself to several skeins -- the color names are Unicorn Mane, Lollies and Sweetie -- pretty soft shades, perfect for the blankets I make.
Jakey's parade sounds like great fun. There was a very small town about 15 miles from where we lived in Gainesville -- a restaurant there served a hamburger that had been rated one of the 10 best in Texas by the "Texas Highways" magazine. Every October they had a fall festival parade -- it was great. Kids riding bicycles with playing cards clipped to the wheels to make a flapping noise, trucks pulling flatbed trailers loaded with bales of hay and various people sitting on them -- and of course a very small, and very bad-sounding, marching band!!
Today's is my daughter's 66th birthday -- hard to believe she's that old -- that makes me really, really old!! Back in the days when homemade food could be taken to school for treats, I always made chocolate cupcakes with a peppermint stick in each one for her to take to her classmates.
I'm ready to go back to bed for a bit -- hopefully get some more sleep.
Enjoy your day and all that you choose to do.
I so look forward your blog! I am always at work when I read it and it brightens my day. I am so happy that there will be a third book in your Crochet and Crumpets series. I really enjoyed the first one. Looking forward to more books from your other 2 series as well. Besides work, I have been busy crocheting Christmas stockings. I made a few last year for some family members when I found the pattern but this year I stepped out of my comfort zone with them and added crochet appliques on them and I am also sewing in a handmade cotton liner in each one. I have made and sold 10 so far this year for my coworkers children and grandchildren. They are so fun to make and I love how creative I can be. Each one is different in it's own way. I am hoping to get a bunch made over the non-Christmas months next year and sell them at the Christmas markets. That will be an even further step outside my comfort zone. I hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy the weekend!
Patty, It is great that you do something with your middle of the night time instead of fretting about being awake. The yarn companies are coming out with a lot of interesting yarns and cool names to go with the colors.
That parade sounds like so much fun.
Wish Dana a Happy Birthday. I bet the cupcakes were delicious. I hope you were able to fall back asleep.
Sharon, I'm so glad you enjoy the blog. The stockings you're making sounding fantastic and a great gift item. Good idea to stock up during the year. They seem like the perfect item to sell at holiday markets. I understand about it being out of your comfort zone but it's good to be brave and do it. Happy creating!
I hadn't thought of making a crocheted Christmas stocking -- what a great idea. There are so many free patterns online -- a great year-round project to work on. Thanks for the idea.
Congrats on the offer for a third book! And sounds like a particularly busy holiday season this year. Have fun!
That's a lot going on, but it is the most wonderful time of the year. I'm looking forward to your books. Any idea of when it will be released?
When we moved to Florida seven years ago, I wondered if I would have a problem enjoying the holidays in the mild weather. Nope. I love the holidays more because you can enjoy outdoor activities without freezing off your caboose.
Happy Birthday to Jakey and I hope he enjoys riding on the float. Good times!
PS: I love the blog as well. Generally one of the first things I look at on Wednesday and Friday.
Happy Birthday to Jakey! The parade sounds like a lot of fun. I live in West Hollywood and the annual Gay Pride Parade is a big deal here. I have been to it a few times. It is a big celebration. I also love this blog and look forward to it every week. I look forward to your new books coming out.
Linda, Thanks for the congrats. It is a busy time and I am enjoying it. I hope your wrist is healing. It has to be so difficult to do things one handed.
Patty, I'm glad Sharon's comment inspired you to make Christmas stockings.
Sally, I think Sconed to Death will be released in the late summer. The paperback edition of Death Among the Stitches comes out at the end of January.
At first I had a hard time adjusting to Christmas in Southern California after snowy Chicago, but now I'm with you. I love being able to enjoy go and see all the Christmas lights without having to bundle up. It is such a treat to find a sunny spot in my yard to have my morning coffee.
Jakey is so excited about his birthday. Because it's so close to Christmas, he never had an actual party with kids. This is the first time. I like to tell him the story of the day he was born and how it was pouring rain and we went out and got a birthday cake for him (more for his parents) and how happy we were to see him.
He loved being in the parade.
Miriam, The Gay Pride Parade is a lot more showy than the Chatsworth Christmas Parade. It was very folksy with high school bands and people on horseback. It was so much fun because it was so casual. Jakey loved it and I was so happy for him.
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