Category: Random

Don’t Sleep Where You Weave

Consider this my PSA for the week. I’ve recently started playing Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, and when I do get to play (read the internets if you want to hear about launch issues) I’ve been running around collecting various jobs and the like. Last night I became a level six Weaver.

FFXIV maintains a lovely site for the players and displays profiles of what your character is up to. Well, I was tired and logged out in a STUPID OUTFIT. *sigh* Now the world can see what a numpty poor Nivvy looks like. :/  (Check here if you want to see, too.)

In further news, or rather, moving on to proper news, after the big compilation last week and my birthday, I’ll be honest and say not much work was made on Apprentice. But that’s all right! That’s what server maintenance in FFXIV is for! Right? …right? Right… *sigh*

Also, less than a week left in Blighty, so if anyone wants to see me and grab one of the few books I have left (I think like two or three paperbacks?) let me know ASAP; I’m getting pretty booked up (no pun intended — promise)!

I am looking forward to getting home to the States, though I imagine that will wear off quickly. Happy birthday to me, because I’M GETTING MY MOTORCYCLE LICENSE. Booyaka.

xoxo

High-Waisted Jeans and Compilations

As the title suggests, yes: I’m wearing high-waisted jeans. These are, however, helpful in sculpting an absolute perfectly-shaped bum, so I am willing to suffer a little for the sake of selling more books (pics to come, I promise). In any case, when in London…

The weather has been beautiful, and despite my gamboling about the parks and imbibing all of Blighty’s ale, I actually have been productive. I’m wrapping up chapter nine of Librarian‘s sequel, Apprentice (webpage to come soon, too), and as the conclusion of chapter eight ends on quite a revelation about the NATURE OF THINGS, I figured now was a good time as any to start looking for beta-readers.

So if you read my blog and have read the first book, you know the deal. Hit me up, and I’ll send you the rough first draft of the chapters 1-8.

Anywho. Back to work (and wine). I’m getting ready for the production of an audiobook, so watch out! Soon you’ll be able to bitch about Lenna in your cars, trains, or as you drift to sleep at night with your device of choice in your ear.

Hunting for Dragons

Ah! It was so amazing to catch up with my former flatmate from Oxford, Megan! She’s my favorite dragon, and it’s gladdening to know that I can just pick up with her as though we’ve never stopped living together, even though it’s been… what, four years?

I had a very non-productive weekend (read: I did NO WORK ON APPRENTICE), but the market was lovely yesterday, and I had yet another delicious lunch. I WILL LOSE A STONE YET!

Heading back to Oxford this week, meeting up with some old friends, doing a SEKRIT SIGNING)… much excitement! I proooomise, however, to make sure I get some work done on Apprentice, as chapter eight is nearly finished and I’ll be proactively hunting for beta-readers.

Also, people are starting to finish up Librarian and the reviews are pretty nice! Check it out on Amazon!

July, Come Back!

This month has practically FLOWN by, meaning my Goodreads giveaway only has a week or so left, so if you haven’t entered to win a signed copy of Librarian (paperback only), you should do so! Stat!

We’ve had some miserable weather, some family troubles, and in my own case, a bit of writer’s block this month, so I wish I could rewind and start it over on a better foot. Don’t worry, though, Apprentice is still on track; chapters 1-5 are already out to early beta-readers, and barring any more of this horrific slump I’m in I should be able to get a couple more chapters in before I head off to England.

Worry not, though: I’ll still be hard at work even though I’m technically on vacation (just most likely I’ll be working from a pub instead of my office).

Keep cool, kiddos!

x

Meltybao

Holy crapola, kids, this is quite a heatwave! I woke up this morning at 8 am and it was already 82 F. This week is supposed to be mega-hot-super-sassy-sauce, and it’s making me think of that hysterical Black Books episode when Manny turns into a neanderthal.  Well, those who get it, get it.

I’ll try to keep up my steady resolve, though! Yesterday I cranked out 3540 words on Apprentice, finishing up chapter five. That at least makes me feel a big better about the huge amounts of nothing I did over the weekend.

In further news, the Goodreads giveaway for Librarian is half over, so if you haven’t entered to win a free signed copy, you’d better sign up soon!

WAIT! Summer Vacation

…it’s happening! I had enough miles banked up with Virgin that I scored a free ticket back to England, so I’ll be there from 2 August until 2 September! In addition to being very excited about seeing all my old mates and visiting my haunts in Oxford, it means I’ll have a lot of time to work on Apprentice (from pubs).

Also, I’ve scored my first official book signing of Librarian — September 7th (Sat) at 1 pm and the Barnes & Noble in Brick, NJ.  Nervous as anything, but I have my fingers crossed that it’ll be a success.

I’m American!

Who knew? Finally, a little justice for the LGBT community; common sense and decency prevailed, and now the federal government recognizes that I have the same rights as a heterosexual! Huzzah!

GOODBYE DOMA!

…in further news, the first three chapters of Apprentice are complete and being beta-read. I’m crankin’ this stuff out, so those who haven’t picked up Librarian — you’d better get cracking!

4235

…is the number of steps it takes from the backdoor of my house to the office. I know this because I woke up, inhaled the sweet summer breeze, and decided to march along the tree-lined paths to work rather than increase the size of my carbon footprint by using a car.

Actually, that’s not why I walked at all. It’s 4235 steps, and that gave me 10 coins on my Nintendo 3DSXL. That’s the most brilliant method to encourage exercise EVER, Nintendo. EVER!

Then, I did some paperwork to fund a new ordinance in town, I harvested some fresh peaches and cherries, and chopped down a tree. I also bought a new pair of glasses and donated some fossils to a local museum.

…in Animal Crossing…

Welcome to my pathetic existence.

…

In further news, Librarian made the main SFF review page on Kirkus Reviews! I’m ONE ABOVE JOHN SCALZI. I had such a nerdgasm I might have started to have a nosebleed. Check here for the SFF page, or go straight to the review. Calloo-callay! If you haven’t gotten a copy of Librarian yet, pick up one today!

Thank You for Soap

So, big week. I launched a book! (If you’re reading this blog and don’t know what the heck I’m talking about, see: this post). I want to offer a HUGE thank you to everyone who’s taken their time and/or money to support me with Lenna’s adventure!

BUT REALLY. More pressing on my mind is the state of affairs in my bathroom. Now, that sounds far scarier than I intend it, but it’s kind of becoming a strange place. If you know me, you already consider bathing something of an obsession of mine, as I’m frequently in the shower or the tub.

Subsequently, I produce a certain amount of humidity (and use so much water that all of Australia weeps every time my hand draws near a faucet) so I’ve found that my bathroom is the ideal place to start growing plants. I have an Anthy plant (real name: unknown), a moon plant (real name: I think it is a moon plant), and then a couple of cacti that sometimes stab me when I’m reaching for my toothbrush, hungover.

I’ve also been cultivating a bar of soap. That sounds strange, and I’m willing to agree with that. As I started using it, it began to take on a shape that alarmed me, so I ceased. Now, I just watch as the gradual splashing from me in the shower and the humidity wear it down.

And do you know what it looks like? DO YOU? It’s Rei/Lilith from THE END OF EVANGELION. 

My shower is the site of the Third Impact.

Lilith Soap
Don’t let any Angels touch it!

If you don’t believe me, compare!

Oh yeah. I’m officially an author on Goodreads.

Still Smiling

Hello, kids!

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted. My life’s topsy-turvy due to a family emergency, but it should be sorted out by the end of the weekend. The launch is slightly delayed, but don’t worry; deals are being made and the hardcover and Kirkus review should be out by mid-June! Get your imaginations ready!