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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-7

Captain’s Log, Stardate 11.23.2006

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

151. the day spent with Heather and Dineen yesterday
152. Thanksgiving dinner with my husband today
153. the writing I got done yesterday
154. the honest prayer time I had yesterday
155. my new TNIV Bible, which is lime green and square shaped and so very hip
156. Ane for being my adoptive mom
157. Angie Poole and Pattie because I love praying for them
158. Dee Stewart, because the woman’s always so totally with-it
159. Delia, for being such a sweetheart
160. Ron, because we were talking about him today and how we wish we could have even a tenth of his clever wit, we’re totally jealous
161. Stuart, for talking to me like I’m one of his Saurian buds even though I don’t write sci-fi. Oh, and for teaching me how to say “Bite me!” in Saurian. Very useful, dude.
162. Kelly Mortimer for being diabolically diligent, selling Robin’s manuscript, and volunteering without her knowledge for the Genesis contest. ;)
163. ALL MY AWESOME GENESIS JUDGES
164. Lisa Samson for loving Heather the way she does
165. Paula for the same, plus her great devotionals
166. my coolio blog readers
167. Everybody else I forgot, because I know I forgot people
168. the fun time coming up with people’s phrases. Mine is “Suck it up.” Heather’s is “Really?” Robin’s is “Bite me.” Dineen we think is “No way!” but we were torn about “You’ve got to be kidding me!” I think Squirl’s should be “Yeeeeeeeeeeeee!” because she’s the only one I know who says that. We haven’t come up with other people’s phrases yet, so never fear, we’ll get to you.
169. In-N-Out burgers and fries—had them today and they were YUMMY
170. smoked salmon cheese dip—ditto
171. Dineen’s pumpkin cookies—double ditto
172. Mom and Dad—can’t believe I didn’t list them earlier, but then again, they’re also in the acknowledgements of my book which will make them happy. They never discouraged me from writing, even when my mom was editing my very first (very bad) manuscript and I got my first rejection from Del Rey for afforementioned (very bad) fantasy novel.
173. my dog’s wagging tail
174. The cute Japanese juice glasses my ex-roommate Yvonne found for me at a garage sale
175. The darling English bone china teacup and saucer Captain Caffeine found for me at GoodWill
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Comments

Heather Diane Tipton said…
loved spending that day with you and D.

awww, see I love that you consider people loving me a gift. and you say you're not fuzzy-wuzzy... I have news for you, babe! you're a sap at heart! LOL! and I love ya!

I love Lisa and Paula!
Tue Nov 28, 10:57:00 PM 2006
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