Taking a stab at Diana's MeMe

I've just loved reading everyone's answers to Diana's meme tag. Now it's my turn!

You're feeling: It's Saturday! How do you think I feel? Relaxed. Rested. Happy that I'm not commuting. Hopeful that I can go to the beach and get some sun today.

To your left: Mike, my hubby, working on his laptop.

On your mind: My next GHOST HUNTRESS book...THE GUIDANCE. Must start writing it!

Last meal included: Pancakes and bacon...mmm....baaaaaaaacoooooon.

You sometimes find it hard to: Wake up at 5:50 a.m. each morning. Bleck.

The weather: Supposed to be in the 90's today...although it's been 55-ish and rainy the last few days. More bleck.

Something you have a collection of: Matches. I don't smoke, but I love collecting match covers. Where ever I go, if they have matches, I grab a few.

A smell that cheers you up: Chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven.

A smell that can ruin your mood: Ben-Gay. Bleck! Nassssstay. Had a guy at work the other day who lathered up in it. Not only did it put me on perpetual gag, but it gave me a splitting headache as well. I ratted him out to the Sales Manager who told him, "Dude...don't do that in here."

How long since you last shaved: Tuesday...so I could wear my cute new skirt to my niece's high school graduation.

The current state of your hair: Curly...ahhh...fresh perm.

The largest item on your desk/workspace (not computer): My printer. Or my stuffed penguin that Pam Claughton gave me when I sold my sorority books.

Your skill with chopsticks: Quite good. In fact, I have my own set of them that I use now instead of the woody ones you get with your delivery.

Which section you head for first in a bookstore: Yeah, I admit it...Young Adult. I look for my books and those of all my friends. I'm also a serial book turner...meaning, I'll face friends' books out front for all to see. I also get to visit my books now that are displayed in the front window at Borders on Boylston Street in Boston.

Something you’re craving: Fried chicken. Like, really fattening, deep-fried, crunchy crust.

Your general thoughts on the presidential race: For the first time in about eight years...hopeful. I am an unapologizing, unabashed Obama supporter and have been for him since the moment he announced that he was running. I'm quite stoked by the idea of a young president and one that's close to my age. I think it's an amazing opportunity for our great country. I just hope that no matter what people's beliefs, ideals, or preferences are...you'll get out and VOTE. It's your right as a citizen...and your vote does matter.

How many times have you been hospitalized this year: Good lord, what kind of question is that? Who's the original author of this meme? Yikes! Thank heavens, the answer is zeeeee-ro.

Favorite place to go for a quiet moment: The bathtub. A long, hot, bubble bath.

You’ve always secretly thought you’d be a good: Travel agent. I used to play travel agent when I was little. I'd make the tickets and sell them to my stuffed animals. I used to write off to chambers of commerce and get brochures of places all over the country and the world to add to my travel agent "office." Funny...my day-job is planning travel and meetings for executives in my company...maybe I secretly AM a travel agent. LOL!

Something that freaks you out a little: I can't explain why...but whenever I try to open up a can of biscuits, I KNOW it's going to make that horrendous popping sound any moment, but I still jump and scream like a little girl when the biscuits break through. Maybe I had a traumatic Jack-in-the-box experiences as a child that I don't know about.

Something you’ve eaten too much of lately: Clam chowder. Like, every day for lunch. Just ask my friend, Rebecca. I can't get enough of the stuff. If I got cut, I'd bleed creamy sauce.

You have never: Been in the Pacific Ocean. But I will change that at the end of July.

You never want to: Voluntarily jump out of an airplane. WHAT is the fun in this? Please explain to me? I don't need an adrenalin rush that badly. If I do, I'll just open a can of biscuits. {giggle}

Okay, TLC...you're tagged for the finale of this meme...

Hugs,
Marley = )

SORORITY 101: Zeta or Omega? (Available Now! Puffin Books)
SORORITY 101: The New Sisters (Available Now! Puffin Books)
GHOST HUNTRESS SERIES (Coming May 2009, Houghton Mifflin)

Screamin' Meme!

We've been tagged by Diana Peterfreund, and all week, we're going to answer the same questions...

You're feeling: Excited.

To your left: filing cabinet, table piled high with my kids’ school stuff, a treadmill.

On your mind: My daughter. She's a finalist in her school's scholarship program, and the assembly is this morning.

Last meal included: Coffee. ;)

You sometimes find it hard to: believe that people can shrug off the same kinds of things I obsess about.

The weather: June Gloom.

Something you have a collection of: rejection slips. But ha--persistence pays off!

A smell that cheers you up: gardenias.



A smell that can ruin your mood: All Ultra 2 laundry detergent. (Let’s not go there.)

How long since you last shaved: TMI!

The current state of your hair: as good as it gets.

The largest item on your desk/workspace (not computer): a notebook filled with hard copy pages of my work-in-progress.

Your skill with chopsticks: pathetic because I’m too impatient to give it the school girl try!

Which section you head for first in a bookstore: Shamelessly, Young Adult, to look for my books.




Something you’re craving: inner tranquility?

Your general thoughts on the presidential race: It is exciting to me how many younger voters are signing up to have their voices heard this year.

How many times have you been hospitalized this year: 0.

Favorite place to go for a quiet moment: my car.

You’ve always secretly thought you’d be a good: sit-com writer. Although in my heart of hearts, I know I’m not funny enough.

Something that freaks you out a little: being late.

Something you’ve eaten too much of lately: honey-mustard pretzel pieces.


You have never: ridden in a helicopter.

You never want to: experience another earthquake.

Okay, Heather, I'm passing the baton to you...

Tina

Two heads are better than one!

...or three, if you include me. LOL!!

In our week of tributes to our critique partners (CPs in the writing world), I am blessed to have two awesome ladies who read all of my work and give me their invaluable input. I've known then pretty much since this whole "writing thing" started and I've cried and celebrated along with them when they sold their books.

First up is the fabulous Diana Peterfreund.



Diana and I met in 2002 on the eHarlequin message board, right after it first came out. We joined a critique group together and it was soon apparent that our voices and writing style didn't mesh with the others, so Diana and I politely exited. I've had the priviledge to see Diana's writing develop over the years into the wonderful Secret Society girl series and her upcoming YA book, RAMPANT. Her third book in the Secret Society girl series is coming soon...don't miss it!



Next up is the equally appreciated Wendy Toliver.



Wendy and I met at the Romance Writers of Ameria conference in (what year was it? Ummm...I want to say 2004 in Dallas?) I was immediately drawn to Wendy's sweet smile and friendly demeanor. She's just a total ball of energy and I saw that "must write" sparkle in her eyes. Ironically, I judged some of Wendy's work in a contest before we teamed up. I knew her style and work ethic and it just works to help each other with our writing. I introduced Wendy to her awesome agent and I squealed like a little girl when Wendy's book, THE SECRET LIFE OF A TEENAGE SIREN. Cutest. Book. Evah.



And a discussion on CPs wouldn't be complete without a shout-out to my first CP, and my writing mentor, Jessica Andersen.



Jess befriended me at my very first RWA meeting and from then on, she never gave up on me, taught me so much about style and substance of writing, and helped me navigate the waves of the publishing industry. Jess doesn't write YA, but for our adult readers, her unbelievable FINAL PROPHECY series comes out next month and let me tell you...she is going to hit it big with this. Go pick it up!!!



Have you read their books? If so, be sure to let them know here how awesome their writing is! If you haven't, I encourage you to pick up their books immediately...if not sooner.

Here's to Diana, Wendy, and Jess!

Hugs,
Marley = )

SORORITY 101: Zeta or Omega? - Available Now! Puffin Books
SORORITY 101: The New Sisters - Available Now! Puffin Books
GHOST HUNTRESS Series - Begins May 2009, Houghton Mifflin

Guilty Pleasure ... sun, sand and surf

Sorry to have been the silent bee of late...

It's been busy in the Gibson hive of late. But it's been all good stuff. I post to you from my hotel room in South Beach Miami where I've been since Sunday. Before that, we were up in Clearwater Beach for the wedding my wonderful friend and critique partner, Diana Peterfreund. I can't download my pics yet, but let me assure you, she was the essence of a bridal magazine bride...tres gorgy!!!

But yeah...I missed out on the guilty pleasure post because I was experiencing my guilty pleasure...the beach. For me, it's so much more than just a vacation away from the cold New England weather that's set in. It's a total mind and body getaway. The sun it soothing to me. Yes, I wear sun block, but I've got Indian blood in me and I seem to come alive in the sun. I feel better when I sit out in the sun. The surf...wow...I could sit and listen to the waves all day pounding the shore and slipping back out in to the ocean. And who doesn't like squiggling their toes in the sand?

Here's a view from where we stayed in Clearwater. The sand there is sugar...honestly. White and sifted like flour. I highly recommend a visit there.



And here's a picture of our spot in Miami Beach. Every time we visit here, this is where we plop down to spend several hours. The art deco designs of the whole beach decor is just gorgeous.



So...what is your favorite beach and why?

Hugs,
Marley = )

SORORITY 101: Zeta or Omega?
SORORITY 101: The New Sisters
May 2008, Puffin Books
writing as Kate Harmon