The Weekly Rundown: Late February Edition

Hi friends! It’s been a while but I’ve been busy writing and revising and editing a new novel (and then starting another but more on that later). I am delighted to say that I WAS ANASTASIA will release in a mere five weeks! But I want to get back in the swing of things on the blog so I’m borrowing an idea from my lovely, brilliant friend JT Ellison. A weekly rundown of sorts. Just a little something to stay in touch and, as I go into this season of book touring, a way to let you know where I’ll be and what’s going on. That said, here’s the scoop.

Where I’ve Been:

I recently went to Denver where I spoke to a bunch of fun-loving librarians at the ALA Midwinter conference about I WAS ANASTASIA. Ain’t no party like a library party and fun was had by all.

And I just go back from a trip to Ft. Myers, Florida where I discussed FLIGHT OF DREAMS with a group of really fun book lovers. They’re so fun, in fact, that there’s a waiting list to join. My kind of people.

What I’ve Been Up To:

Last week I recorded the Author’s Note for the audiobook version of I WAS ANASTASIA. It was a first for me and I realized what a hard job narrating is. I don’t think I’d ever really thought about it but man, speaking clearly with emotion into a microphone (that picks up every single little smack, lisp, and twang) is no joke. Even if you’re only reading five pages. Mad respect to those who do this for a living.

What I’m Reading:

A FATAL GRACE by Luise Penny. I’m late to the Penny Party but man, I’m glad I finally got here. She’s such a lovely writer. And I have an unapologetic literary crush on Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. 

What I’m Eating:

Okay, don’t laugh, but I can’t stop eating fresh radishes. As a matter of fact, I’ve eaten fresh radishes almost every day for the last year and a half. (I got turned on to them one afternoon in Cozumel) They’re fresh and crispy and have a tiny little kick. They’re great with humus (if, like me, you’re trying to cut down on carbs) and, BONUS, they’re packed with water, fiber, and they help fight bloating. Radishes for the win!

What I’m Watching:

The Olympics. Of course. And I have to say, all of those commercials and segments featuring lovely, supportive parents are tugging mercilessly on my heart strings. I’m a weepy mess almost every night.

What I’m Listening To:

The Greatest Showman soundtrack. On repeat, forever and ever amen. My husband and I finally saw the movie on our anniversary last month (SEVENTEEN years, people) and it was a pure delight from first moment to last. We loved every second of it and we both bought the soundtrack the moment we got home. It’s been on at our house ever since.

Another lovely song that I just discovered is Fear Is A Liar by Zach Williams. Go buy it on iTunes and thank me later.

And I’m kind of obsessed with Good Old Days by Kesha and Macklemore.

What I’m Learning:

I love baseball. This is not a sport I watched or played growing up. (Though I do remember one ill-fated afternoon in which I got hit in the head with a baseball bat during PE. I ended up with a goose egg in the middle of my forehead so big it had its own zip code.) But it’s amazing the things you learn to love when your kids take an interest in them. All of our boys play baseball and it’s fair to say that I have become obsessed with the sport. See my “Baseball Mom” ball cap for proof.

With very few exceptions I cannot re-read a novel. Sometimes I love a book so entirely that when I pick it up again I feel an overwhelming sense of dread that my first experience will be ruined by a re-read. So I put it back on the shelf, I pet it affectionately, and I walk away. I’ve had to do that three times this month. Weird, huh? 

Collagen powder works. I’ve been putting one little scoop in my coffee since Christmas and my hair and fingernails are growing like crazy.

1980’s PG movies are NOT THE SAME as current PG movies. As in WHOA. So much language. So much…ahem…anatomy. Lesson learned. We have to pre-screen all PG movies made prior to 1995-ish before letting our kids watch them.

What I’m Loving Right Now:

Red lipstick. Mac Ruby Woo and tinted Chapstick in House Red to be specific. I turn 40 this year so my goal is to wear red lipstick, in public, with a straight face.

My new boots! I try to celebrate the publication of each book by getting a new pair of boots (technically my husband gave them to me for Christmas). Then I wear those boots while on tour. I’m typically not good at celebrating my accomplishments but this is something I look forward to every two years.

What I’m Working On:

Two short stories, one for an upcoming anthology and one for myself. Because, at the end of the day, a girl always has to write for herself first.

A handful of essays to go along with the publication of I WAS ANASTASIA.

A new historical novel that I’m forbidden to talk about.

And a secret book.