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What I'm writing in YEAR OF THE DOG

I just finished writing Year of the Dog ! It had a massive plot hole that I had to fix which turned out to be more work than I expected. Here’s a snippet: “Hey, Auntie Nell.” He wrapped his arms around her, bussing her on the cheek and breathing in pikake flowers and shortbread cookies. And suddenly he was nine years old again, and her solid presence had made his chaotic world stable once more. “What are you doing here?” He usually took her to dinner on Wednesday nights, but today was Tuesday. The edges of her smile faltered a little before brightening right back up again. “What, I can’t visit my nephew?” She angled around him to enter his home. “Is this your new house? Looks lovely.” Which was a blatant lie, because the fixer-upper was barely livable, much less acceptable to a neat-freak like his aunt. She also left four matching pink and purple floral suitcases on the stoop behind her. Only then did Ashwin notice the cab driver standing slightly to the side of the walkway. “Can ...
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One Thousand Gifts-6

Captain’s Log, Stardate 11.22.2006

I’m participating in the “One Thousand Gifts” list from Christian Women Online. Click on the picture to find out more about it.

126. Heather arrived in San Jose yesterday
127. We had a great time at Aqui drinking margaritas
128. We had an even better time hanging out at my house and talking and drinking decaf tea with sugar and cream
129. the Genesis contest judges’ thank you cards I got from entrants—better late than never! I’m very glad they sent them.
130. Tracey Bateman for always being so cool to talk to
131. Rachel Hauck for giving great advice
132. Diann Hunt for being so nice to me even though I could totally be an axe murderer except for the fact that Colleen vouches for me
133. Denise Hunter, for the same
134. Susan Meissner for having just the sweetest smile on a person, it makes me want to smack her ;)
135. Marta Perry for always being encouraging and kind to new writers
136. Trish Perry for being such a great conference mentee
137. Cyndy Salzmann, who always totally embraces me with love when I see her
138. Ginny Smith for being a hoot to talk with on the phone
139. Janice Thompson for always killing lots of people in her books
140. Susan May Warren for that shared strawberry margarita—yum! Next one’s on me, babe.
141. Beth White for being my fellow Z author and releasing her book the same time as mine!
142. Lenora Worth, for being one of the sweetest Southern ladies I’ve ever met
143. Eileen Key, who sees the lovable in everyone, including me
144. Jenn Doucette, my NaNoWriMo buddy, who’s kicking my fanny while keeping me away from the Pringles (I really do like her)
145. Tara for taking AWESOME publicity photos for me
146. Malia, for being my awesome food-bringing Hawaiian buddy
147. Danica, for being generous and giving, especially of her home
148. Chip, for being snarky and fun to talk to
149. Steve Laube, for the same even though he teases me mercilessly
150. Gina Holmes, because her noveljourney blog is just brilliant
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Anonymous said…
Yay! I made it to your list. I'm honored!
Wed Nov 22, 08:09:00 PM 2006
Heather Diane Tipton said…
totally agree with you on Eileen and Danica!
Tue Nov 28, 11:00:00 PM 2006
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