Art imitates life

Ever heard that before?

Let me back up.

Last December while on a walk with my baby Loki, my husband, my mother in law and brother in law (with his girlfriend) I managed to slip on flat (ice) ground and break my leg in three places.

I tell you what. I've not EVER had pain like that.

After I couldn't get surgery on it because it took so long for the ambulance to get to me (looong story but boy was it icy!) and had to wait and then had to live with the grandparents (which was awesome, don't get me wrong, but not MY house and not MY rules), I was at wit's end. Every month I thought "Oh, the next month will be okay; I'll be 100% better soon!"

Well, here we are, almost 7 months after and I have to say: It doesn't get better like how you see on the telly. It's a long, slow process, with setbacks, and the occasional reward just to keep you going. There aren't Disney endings for this sort of thing.

Like this week, for the first time since it happened, I don't have pain in my leg when I sit. It took me seven months to get here. I've learned from this, though.

Learned patience, and the fact that sometimes you have to just deal, and the fact that others WILL care for you if you let them. Also, little 1 year old babies and broken legs don't deal, and that I HATE being dependent on taking a pain pill just to function - but that they do sometimes help. I've also learned that depression can practically destroy a person, and keep her so frustrated and despairing that she'll turn on anybody and anyone to make it go away. But it won't.

I still have a ways to go, but at least I can mostly walk now. I can't wait to run, but thanks to my experiences throughout this thing I know it will take more time.

You can bet your farm these feelings and experiences will make it into one of my books someday.

Big fat spider sitting on a web

Hola, compadres!

How goes it?

How is the writing coming along? Life?

I've decided to take a more relaxed attitude to the blog. Back in the day (ie before publication) it was that. Just meanderings, writing updates, and baby stuff. More calm. Then the publication got all up in there and well, it wasn't much fun trying to be Ms. Popular. I'm no good at it.

I was no good at it in high school, I'm no good at it now. (And I didn't care in Middle Grade, which is probably why my mind's stuck there writing wise). But the difference between then and now is that I realize - hey. It's a life, it's my life, and it won't end if I am not the super most popular writer blogger person of all time.

This, my friends, was a revelation for me.

So I'm going back to fun. Slightly rambling, cat pictures, goofy Loki, and book stuff too - but just not all of it. Also? My book signing reading thing is coming up on Saturday, and I'm getting mad nervous. Already, you ask?

Oy yae. << (yes)

I have already had a dream where I go to stand in front of everyone and I look down to see I am a naked mother fertility figure. Oh yes. Just not a good mental image (and it woke me up).

So if I make it fun, I reckon I can bring myself to get back on here more often. That's what I'm a gonna do.

A review so nice

I posted it well, everywhere.

But this one is a keeper. :) I'm posting it here so I can always find the link. Because it made me cry.

BOOKS AND BEASTS

REVIEWS

POSSUM SUMMER

This.

"I have to say, since this an animal-centered blog, that for animal lovers Possum Summer is both wonderful and heartbreaking. The beauty and harshness of life get equal weight. There are a couple of emotionally wrenching scenes and a climax that is, literally (at least for me) breathtaking."

And this.

"P's world is the farmland of western Oklahoma, and she is the kind of stubborn, tomboyish heroine we expect. The tone reminds me strongly of books like Old Yeller and Where the Red Fern Grows. (Even Charlotte's Web - although none of the animals talk.)"

:)

News and thoughts

I am mean to this blog. I know it.

But life has taken me by the forehead and slammed me into the wall. I know, I know. I got myself into this craziness! So I'm just flowing as much as I can and dealing with the rest.

Mostly by Dr Pepper and M&Ms.

I have a lot of random news, but nothing like super amazing. I'm having a signing in Berlin at my favorite indie. I have a big talk coming up (perhaps?) as soon as we finalize everything. I pick up my book's bookmarks today. And beautiful posters my hubs made for the signing. Insane.

LOKI IS WALKING. Well, practically. She does so much! It's so amazing to say to myself, 'Holy cow, I COOKED THAT UP. And she is amazing!' (It's all her daddy's doing). She has a new babysitter!

My revisions are finally starting to come along! I had to stop being a diva and saying that I needed so-and-so long every day to do them, and just accept the fact that it needed to happen in the in between times. So I'm doing that.

And damn if I don't think that this has the potential to be a really, really good book. As long as I keep my eye on the prize and stay patient.

That is my worst problem right now, staying patient. I get anxious and want to cut in line, but the line cuts back. It's a real problem but I'm really trying to be better.