Return from ALA

Today's a big day for me. First, I've just escaped the warm, balmy land of San Diego, Ca following my book signing at the American Library Association (ALA) conference (where I met some really cool teen readers), and now I am back in the land of living cold, Chicago, where a storm is set to begin soon. What more could I ask for?

Second, I picked up dozens of new books there, trust librarians to get all the best stuff, so my reading and reviewing cup runneth over.  Some real gems are coming out this year, especially in the YA book realm.

Third, I met a great bunch of teen readers at the conference, including one I'd swear was a dead ringer for PULL's heroine, Yolanda Dare.  The conference was a major experience.

Members of Teens Read at the book signing for PULL



I finally had a person-to-person with PULL's Editor - Evelyn Fazio at the ALA

 Last, but absolutely not least, I am guest blogging today at http://kyliegriffinromance.blogspot.com/  I hope you'll stop by, learn a little more about me and PULL and leave a comment. One lucky commenter will receive a $10 border's gift card on Friday, so if you stop by include a way I can reach you.

P. S. I did not forget to report on my challenge, but this week has been a blur - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. I did make it to the gym twice, and I spent a lot of time at the hotel hot tub trying to ease muscles sore from walking the exhibit floor at the ALA so that has to count for some exercise.  But with both Friday and Monday being airplane days, I did not get to do everything I wanted. But I'll be back on track this week, and that's a promise to myself.

Not a Resolution - week 2

Here's my first keep myself honest post. Since last Monday I have visited the gym every day except Thursday and Sunday. The real test comes this week, when all the resolution people crowd in and take up the parking spaces around the gym and the class slots.  My weight - gulp - no change. I suppose it's too much to expect a dip after only one week, but still, I hoped for something.

I'm still writing, I've done thirty pages of edits in the last week, I'm determined to finish my next YA, tentatively called BAMF (I really need a new title, but the teens I've spoken to about it seem to love it as is - and so do I) The hero is Malik Kaplan, the really bad bad boy from PULL. I need to explain him and make him see the error of his ways.  BTW - I woke up Sunday and realized something about my main character - his recently deceased older brother tried to kill him.  That explains a lot about why Malik is the way he is.

Like I said, my continued writing and my trips to the gym are my challenges to myself, and have nothing to do with any all-too-breakable New Years resolutions.

How are you guys doing? Anyone want to share?

Not a resolution - a challenge

Last year I did a post on what I called the Weight Gaining Lifestyle that is the life of an author.  I won't tell you how many pounds I've gained since then, but it is A LOT. So I have decided to issue a challenge to myself.  It is NOT a New Year's Resolution, because those things are just doomed to failure. They are made to be broken, hence I ceased making them a few years back. No, this is not a resolution, it's a challenge. I'm going to (gulp) post my weight and my exercise quotient. Since I've already started (remember, its not an N. Y. R.), here are my numbers from last week (OK, I only started Sunday, but Christmas Eve and Christmas were busy).

Anyway my starting stats.

• Weight - 250 pounds. Please don't all laugh at once.
• Exercise - an hour on the treadmill (slow speed, but still, it's the thought that counts) another hour on the exercise bike, and fifteen minutes on upper body weights. Then the lovely steam room and sauna. 
• Oh, and I started out the day by shoveling my driveway, that counts too.

I'll keep these posts going.  And any and all words of encouragement or suggestions are welcome.

May 2011 be my thinner year.