“If you want to know where your heart is, look to where your mind goes when it wanders.”
~Anonymous
1. Seeing Les Miserables for the first time is quite an experience. Seeing it from the second row at the Academy of Music, one of the most beautiful buildings in all of Philadelphia, makes the experience even more fabulous. So many kudos to the amazing cast and crew of the touring company. They did a phenomenal job. (Also: “On My Own” has now been running on constant repeat in my head since yesterday afternoon.)
2. Whoever came up with the idea for antibacterial hand sanitizer is a genius. I cannot even begin to count how many times I’ve used it this past week. New favorites from Bath & Body Works: Iced Gingerbread, Vanilla Buttercream, and Paris Amour. Such pretty scents to go along with the germ-fighting.
3. As of last Friday evening, my query letter and synopsis are both finished(!!). I’m working on my agent database for the next couple days, and then it’s time to jump back onto the emotional roller-coaster also known as querying. I’d be lying if I said I’m not nervous – for some reason, the process just feels even more important and electrifying with this novel – but I’m excited, too. It’s been a joy to send the book out to a few readers, and I can’t wait to see what agents think.
4. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are beyond awesome. Can they please host every awards show from now on, even the ones that have nothing to do with television?
5. There is nothing better than a flash of writing inspiration. I haven’t begun any official planning for my next book – wanted to focus on getting the first Mine to Love queries out there first – but even so, ideas have been flying into my head and I’ve been rushing to put them to paper (well … computer). So, so excited to start fleshing out this manuscript even more in the days and weeks ahead.
Your turn: tell me something that’s on your mind today!
Shari Speaks 
Good luck, Shari!! And thanks for helping with mine ;) I’m not sure what I want to do next, but some ideas are starting to rear their heads, like little worms in the dirt *giggles* It will be fun moving on to something new I think!
Thank you – and for all your feedback on the query letter/synopsis, too! It really helped, and I so appreciate that you took the time to look them over. YAY for those antsy little worms who want to break free (LOL … now there is a sentence I never would’ve imagined writing!). I hope you have a blast with whichever new project you decide to pursue. Best of luck to you in your querying journey, too. Can’t wait to read your book one day!
Good luck! And yes, major yay for hand sanitizer. I use it (carefully) to de-germ-ify my keyboard and cell phone too.
On my mind today is the idea of uncomfortable truths. Looking myself in the mirror (proverbially) and not flinching.
Thank you!
Oh, I used to do that all the time in college. Wherever I was working – library, computer lab, writing center – I’d always wipe down the computers first. People used to look at me a little strangely, but hey, it’s better than leaving germs there during cold and flu season.
On the bright side, at least those uncomfortable truths can push us further? Once we accept them, we can figure out what steps to take next. Sending hugs. <3
Woohoo! Congratulations on finishing your synopsis and query letter! And good luck with querying. I know you’ll do great! Are you using querytracker.net? I used that, and I swear by it.
Thank you! It took a few rounds of edits on each, but I’m pleased with how they turned out. Fingers crossed for a querying experience that isn’t too much of a roller-coaster (I know, I know … that’s an oxymoron). I use QT in conjunction with a (color-coded) Excel spreadsheet. Crazy to think it’s almost time to start plugging in data! You can probably expect some long and rambling emails from me sometime soon … ;-)
Good! I like your emails! And I love that you have a color-coded spreadsheet. That does not surprise me a bit. I think it’s awesome. You’re an agent’s dream querier because you’re actually prepared instead of just spamming everyone with “Dear Sir” letters — over and over and over again.
Can I just say that I am THRILLED to the point of making little squee noises that your brain is already getting flooded with some ideas for your next book? That is wonderful. And best, best, best of luck with querying MTL, and also embarking on a new writing adventure. This is going to be a huge year of creativity for you, blossoming every which way, I just know it (I’m gonna go ahead and let that now be “the thing that’s on my mind today!”).
Also, congratulations on getting your query letter done, but a billion times more congrats on tackling the synopsis – sheesh, those never do get any easier/less tedious to tackle, do they? ;)
You make me smile, just so you know. Thank you so much for all the sweet words and for being there throughout this whole journey. It seems like only yesterday that I was emailing you the first draft of MTL. Actually, for that matter, it seems like I was just emailing you DE & ROM. It means the world that you’ve wanted to share in the stories, and I can’t wait to see what happens in both of our writing worlds this year. I have every faith that it’s going to be a beautiful and inspiring adventure for you this year, too.
(And a heads-up: expect an email … or two … or twenty … as I get the ball rolling on the new book! I have so many ideas I want to bounce off of you!)
<3
(um yes please feel free to send me as many email as you like! I’m excited to hear about your newest baby.)
I adore that flash of writing inspiration too–I wish it came more often! Amy and Tina for President, for World Leaders, for every awards show host for the rest of time….
Yes, please! Who do we talk to about making that happen? ;-)
I don’t usually like to use hand sanitzer (except when I’m at a music festival and that’s all that I can use) but with the crazy sickness flying around I’ve been using it more often and I had NO idea they actually had ones that smell good! lol!
On my mind… it’s only Tuesday, ugh! I’m dreaming of the weekend. I’m going away to a friend’s mountain house and doing some skiing!
Oh my gosh, yes, there are some that smell amazing! Bath & Body Works has dozens of scents, and then places like CVS or Walgreens have a few good ones, too. Makes de-germifying much more pleasant!
Sounds like you have a wonderful weekend planned. The mountains must be positively beautiful this time of year!
Anti-bacterial cream is the best… thing… ever… Especially when it smells pretty!
Yay for the querying/synopsis-ing/agent-finding process! Emotional, but keep up the dedication and you’ll do brilliantly.
Best of luck fleshing out your next masterpiece :) Hope you’ve managed to make a note of every idea you’ve had so far so you can get back to it at the right time.
Agreed! There are so many awesome ones out there. I’m tempted to buy them all! ;-)
Thank you for the kind wishes. At least the emotional aspect of it keeps things interesting? Ha!
Oh goodness, I have notes everywhere – on my phone, in a notebook, saved as drafts in my email. I’m really excited to compile them all into something more concrete!
So glad that Les Miz was awesome! :) I love Bath and Body Works Antibacterial Hand Gel. I’m obsessed with the gingerbread scent! I have the soap in my kitchen and it smells heavenly.
Congrats on the synopsis and query letter!!! I am keeping my fingers crossed for you! :)
It was! I totally understand now why people get so swept up in its emotion (and even now, four days after the fact, the music is still running through my mind!).
You know … for some reason (no idea what!), I’ve never bought soap from B&BW. I have the hand gels and some sprays, but that’s it. I’m thinking this needs to be remedied ASAP.
Thank you so much!! :)
I giggled at your “such great scents for germ fighting” comment. So cute :)
Les Mis is simply amazing, no matter how many times you see it or where you see it! Congrats on all your accomplishments girl.
LOL ;-) Hey, it sure beats the ones that smell like antiseptic, right?!
What struck me most about it is the pure, unadulterated emotion the cast clearly put into their performances. It was quite touching.
Thank you! <3