Tricky Treats

Happy Halloween, everyone!


Halloween has me thinking...CANDY CORN! I believe you're either a candy corn person or you not? Which are you?--"I won't touch the triple-colored triangles." OR "I eat 'em 'til I'm sick."

I'm the second. But another question then has to be asked, "How do you eat them?" Pop the whole thing or eat it one color at a time. Again, if your answer is the second (mine is, typically), which end do you start with, the white or the yellow?


Shockingly, I have yet to eat one of the addictive buggers this Halloween. And I plan to stay away. Far, far away. (If you've already been popping them this Halloween season, skip the rest of this paragraph...just do.) So, I know they are full of sugary yumminess, and we all know sugary yumminess contains calories (empty ones) but still...Yum. Then I heard that only 10 of those little babies contain 70 calories. Who eats only 10? If you do, you're not normal. It just doesn't happen. They sit in a bowl on the counter and you pop 'em, then pop 'em some more...until you have a stomach ache and you tell yourself to stop, but then you don't because they have some crazy addictive factor and you eat them until they're gone or you are truly hurtin'. (Okay, maybe that's not you, but it's me.)

Although I love the nasty, little candies, I'm a purest. Do NOT give me ones with chocolate/brown on the bottom instead of the yellow. No way! Don't give me ones colored for a different holiday, like the white, red, and pink ones for Valentine's Day. Nope.

Although, I'd maybe consider one of these:

A Trick-or-Tini!

Yah! I'd consider.

From the Shower into Bed (A New Place to Blog)

I was brilliant through the night. I knew exactly what to tell you. It made perfect sense. And I wasn’t going to forget a thing because it so very clear!

Ever happened to you?

But when the morning hours hit, I sat with my coffee in hand, thinking, What was I thinking? Am I forgetting something? Because while I was awake (or thought I was awake) during the night, it all made perfect sense.

My husband is currently away form home, working. So it’s been just me and Hank at night. Alone.



Yup, that’s Hank, this morning as I was drinking my coffee, sleeping like a puppy. He's our very sweet, but very smelly-itchy beagle. He’s a good boy, but he has serious, incurable skin issues and there are times that he licks and itches until I think I might lose my mind. When Hank scratches, he thumps. When he licks, it’s like he has a microphone living on his tongue. He spent most of last night scratching and licking, which means I did not sleep well. At all!

BUT I thought about blogging, and whatever I was thinking had everything do with Hank. It all made perfect sense, until I woke up.

Now…I’m blank! I have nothing to tell you except that my dog kept me up last night. (Must be lack of sleep.)

I'm a Complete and Total Story Fabricator

I should have seen it coming. That I’d start writing fiction. I’ve been spewing it out my mouth for ages, just not writing it down on paper. Actually, now that I think about it, that’s not exactly true. (I’ll come back to that. Promise.) But I’ve made up stories forever. Not to be a big fat liar—although if the shoe fits—but more of a big fat maker upper.

I do this even when I’m by myself. For instance, the other day while I was driving home there was a pair of pants in the middle of the road. What’s a pair of pants doing in the middle of a two-lane highway? A normal person (I think) wouldn’t have given it a second thought, or they might think, Hey, that’s strange! But then they’d start compiling their grocery list. Not me, I start to formulate (or fabricate) a whole story about how and why those pants are there...in the middle of the road.

This story fabricating has been a part of my life for a long time. I mean, who doesn’t get stuck in rush hour traffic and make up stories about the people in their cars as they roll on by? I'm surely not the only one.

I mentioned earlier that I didn’t write previous fabrications down, but I lied. For some reason, in that moment, I recalled something I had long forgotten: Dream Prom Date Stories. As sophomores in high school, my best friend Julie and I (yes, two best friends named Jolie and Julie, no fabricating) wrote stories about going to prom with the senior boys we had crushes on. (swoon) Pages and pages these tales were! I can still remember sitting downstairs at Julie’s, reading the stories to each other. There was much giggling. Lots of giggling. And wishing. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to get my hands on those pieces of notebook paper.

When, where, and how do you fabricate?

A Spoon Full of Teen Cheese Helps the Revision Go Down

A little teen cheese can tackle anything! Or, that’s what I’m telling myself after my slight revision meltdown last week.

I’m not sure if it was the time with my girls; watching a movie filled with cheesy charm; the popcorn/Junior Mints/Hot Tamales combination; or all of them combined, but I’m feeling ready to get to work tomorrow and wrap up the revision. (Thanks to all who sent encouragement.)

So the verdict on HSM3? Good fun! There’s nothing like being in a theater with lots of young kids. I would say girls, but there were plenty of boys there, too. A favorite theater moment was the Troy and Gabriella kiss, as many girls let out quiet giggles and I’m sure my own girlies cringed as they had to sit next to their mom and watch.

But I’m not a reviewer and would never try to be, so if you’d like a nice review of the flick, head over and read what my friend Cinemama has to say.

Before I dive back into the revision tomorrow, I’ll dive into my girlies, pizza, and probably some bad T.V. tonight.

But for now, here’s my eight-year-old girlie (just minutes ago) reading Wanted…Mud Blossom by Betsy Byars for school. I have to admit, this is great fun for me, certainly more fun than working through math homework (shocking…I know!). For now, she’s putting up with the fact that I want to do her homework too; reading the chapters once she finishes.

Of course I have visions (HSM3 didn’t help) of how all too quickly she and her little sister will be graduating high school, just like those Wildcat kids we’ve come to love (I will admit to having some lump-in-throat moments watching those red and white caps fly into the air).

We're All In This Together!

Thanks, everyone, for listening to (I mean reading) my writerly tantrum yesterday. Sigh! I feel better today. I do!

I really appreciate all of your support, everyone telling me it' s normal, and that I'd get the revision done. Oh wait. Only Jehsyka did that! Thank you, Jehsyka! (To the rest, I know I'll be hearing from you, letting me know I'm not losing my mind.)

Jehsyka gave me some great advice: "Maybe you should take a break to catch a movie or visit the spa. :D When's the last time you did something like that?"

My answer, I can't remember! The last movie I saw? Hmmm... Oh, yah, I went to the drive-in with the hubby to see Dark Knight and FELL ASLEEP! (That's bad!)

The spa sounds perfect though! Anyone have about five Benjamins on 'em so I can spend the day spa-ing? No? Me neither. Next plan...

Here's what's funny? I've had a plan all week to run to the theater today...something I never do. And what movie is hitting theaters today, making gazillions of young girls squeal and beg their parents to get them to it? Uh, yah! High School Musical 3! It's graduation - wahoo!

Hey! Stop laughing. Seriously. I'm the proud mama of two girls, and after school we're hopping in the mom-mobile (that would be a minivan - oh yah!) with our friends (another mom and daughter) and heading to a nearby town where HSM3 is playing.

I plan to stuff myself with popcorn and Junior Mints (yes, together, at the same time) as I bop to the sounds of those teen superstahhhs!

Spa! Who needs the spa? (Okay, I do!)

I've Had It

Please tell me I’m normal. Talk me off the ledge. Tell me I’ll get there.

But I’ve had it. Had it!

Is it wrong for me to want to take a “break” from my novel? It's not, right?

Right now it’s reminding me of times when the kids are fighting, then fighting some more, and I feel the need to get away. You know, have me one of those Calgon moments. Does Calgon even exist anymore? If it doesn’t, it should for noveling needs. “Calgon, take me away. Please. And, Calgon, if you could wrap up this revision for me, too, I’d be oh-so grateful.”

I’m recalling that it wasn’t long ago, Stephanie had a very heated letter correspondence with her novel. Maybe that’s where I am. I think I’ll head over there and give it another read to make me feel better.

Then I’ll return back to the revision, wrap it up, and get it out the door by the end of the month. Right? Please tell that’s what I’ll do. I need some back up here.

The Writing's on the Wall (You and Me in the Shower, Part 2)

I've told you about the uber-cool Debra at The Vault. This is how cool she really is. On Friday I'm working away: making brilliant revision choices, no doubt. At that moment she had no customers, but was giggling behind the counter.

What--you might ask--was she doing? Reading Cuppa Jolie. See...

I feel right at home on the barista counter. Don't I look cozy back there?

Then Debra said, "I learn so much from reading your blog." Of course I laughed, because I'm thinking, What could she be learning? Really? But it's all more bonus points towards her uber-cool ranking.

Then Debra provided some great advice on my showering issues, adding even more bonus points.

Side note: Here's the thing (regarding my Me and You in the Shower Post). I know many of us have these brilliant ideas in the shower. In the car. You know, everywhere inconvenient for actual writing. I suppose with that writing the You and Me in the Shower post was me playing a bit. I know there are underwater tablets for scuba divers, but I don't ever see myself actually putting one in my shower.

Back to Debra...she passed on a suggestion that I think I just might use for emergencies. Using a tile pencil or china marker! They're inexpensive and they work. Look...


All right, the flash on the camera isnt' making this all that easy to read, but it says, "The writing's on the wall. Yay! Pick yourself up a china marker for the brilliant ideas that come in the shower." And yes, I did write that while showering.

The good: You can jot something down if necessary while showering, rescuing potential brilliance.

The bad: You need to find a fairly dry spot or else it doesn't write as well.

The good: You have to clean up the china marker which might make you clean your shower more often.

The bad: You have to clean your shower.

The good: It's fun!

The bad: You might not have enough hot water to shave your legs.

I Had Me Some Big Hair

A challenge has been issued by Jay over at the Disco Mermaids. A throw down, really. You game? Yes? Good! Dig up your senior picture, post it on your blog, and comment over at the Mermaids directing all to your lovely photo.

I'm playing. Even though it is causing me to have a serious Cringe Moment, because, WOW, did we (I mean, I) really think hair this big (see below) looked good. Really?

Look at that! My bangs MUST be 4 inches tall. Don't you think?

Isn't it funny what looking back at a photo, as old as it is, can bring back? I totally remember those jeans, that sweater, and just the visual of my dark hair brings me right back to that time and a certain specific memory.

Want to hear a high school story...about moi?

This may not seem like a big deal, but it soooo was! I mean, I was in high school.

All right. It's senior year. Spring. Lots is happening. It's an exciting time. Tolo (the girl-ask-boy dance) is just around the corner. I decide I want to get highlights for the first time ever. I convince my parents it's a good idea. I make an appointment at a cool, hip place in the city. I drive myself there, get foils (which I think is going to add some natural highlights to my color), BUT the girl highlighted AND colored me. What color you might ask? Uh...it was red. RED! What do you do when someone takes a towel off your head and your hair is red and you didn't expect it to be that color and you've got a dance the next day and you've got senior portraits the next week? I'll tell you what you do (if you're me)! You pretend like your happy, pay the lady, get in your car, continually peek in the review mirror trying to decide if it truly is red, and attempt to figure out if maybe, just maybe, you could like it. But instead you cry all the way home, you get to your house, run to the bathroom, stick your head under the facet in the tub and scrub and scrub and scrub. Oh, yah! And cry some more. DEVASTATING!

My mom felt so, so bad. She immediately lined up an emergency appointment at another salon where they tried to match my hair color to my natural, which really isn't possible. Of course it was far darker. Way darker, actually.

See what one picture brings on! Phew.

What's your story? I want to know. Come on, come on! Post your senior picture. I promise I won't laugh (no, my fingers aren't crossed behind my back).

You and Me in the Shower

You think I kid? I don’t. Lately, (no not lately, ever since I’ve started blogging) I talk to you while I’m in the shower. Not out loud! But I have a blogging conversation with you. I come up with wonderful things to share (always hilarious and smart and inspirational). Really, I have blogged far more than has been seen here on Cuppa Jolie. Unfortunately, it’s all gone down the drain with the shampoo.

This makes the shower a dangerous place. It’s like a black hole for great ideas. Right? Hasn’t this same thing happened to you? Come on writers, back me up here. Haven’t you had the greatest idea, or a line comes to you while showering that you either forget or can’t get right once you’re out of the shower?

How about when you come up with the perfect sentence, I mean perrrfect. The kind that makes you rush to your computer, still dripping wet, towel piled on top of your head, bathrobe thrown on…typing…typing…typing…growling…groaning…because now, it’s gone. Hate that! It doesn’t come out in the brilliant way you thought it up in the shower. Either that, OR it seemed brilliant in the shower but once you get it down, it’s a little wah-wah-wah, not so great.

Someone needs to invent a waterproof tablet and pencil/pen that can hang in the shower to collect all the genius that comes about in there. The only problem with actually having such a tablet? The hot water might run out before we get the shampoo out of our hair.

And then there's the car...

Office Hour Surprises and Last Chance for CYBILS

Just a typical Tuesday. (Or so I thought.) All the morning activities lead one to the next. I make my way to The Vault for Office Hours. Still typical.

Then things start to go slightly off course. I don't get a latte right away. (Not such a big deal.) I settle in and get to work then think, I'll get a drink in a bit. Hey, I'm here for three hours. No rush. Then Debra (the uber cool manager) says she wants me to help with some taste testing. Whoa, Debra. Twist my arm! But she still has coffee tasks to contend with before the taste testing can roll out, so back to work I go.

Tra-lee-la-lee-la...typing...getting the revision done, when suddenly I hear Debra's lovely voice belting out Happy Birthday. I'm thinking, How did she know? But, oh yah. She reads my blog now and again. Then, as she finishing out the song, Debra announces, "Love from Jaime. Here's a card good for ten of your lattes."

What? Ah, shucks. How nice is that? (Thanks again, Jaime.)

To follow that up...bring on the tastin'! Here's visual image of my experience today at The Vault.

Yes, those are all my tasting mugs (from small to large) and my 10 latte card from Jaime. I might have lost a wee bit of work time with all the fun, but it was worth it!

On a different note, tomorrow (October 15) is the last day to make your nominations for the Cybils - the children's and young adult bloggers' literary awards. If any of your favorites haven't been nominated, better get over there lickity-split and get it done.

Counting Down to NaNoWriMo!

I feel it. Anyone else? It’s like a finger running up my back, a whisper blowing under my door. It’s a sure sign October is here. There’s a change in the air. Do you feel it, too? It’s looming. Waiting to pounce and carry me away.

Or, at least, I hope it does.

No, not Halloween spooks and ghouls. It’s another sort of October creature. It’s a new book, making it known, that come November 1, it wants to be started.

National Novel Writing Month, otherwise known as NaNoWriMo is almost here.

You’re either into it (because you’ve participated and you’re hooked), you’re toying with the idea and will give it a try (but not sure about committing), you’re still thinking about it, or you're sure it’s pure nuttiness.

Me? I’m sort of in the first group, without the frenzy and obsession that many NaNo writers have (you know, those that write 20 K word on day one). I gave it a go last year and I LOST, proudly! (You must write 50,000 words during the month of November to call yourself a winner.) What I do know? I did more writing last November than I would have had I not participating. But, even more, I loved the process of turning off my internal editor and going for it. I’ve carried that keep-it-moving-forward attitude throughout my current work in progress, even during revision.

But back to that feeling; it crept in over the weekend. A character started talking to me, (I know for non-writers that probably sounds crazy) revealing things that made me want to get started now, before the revision is done, before November arrives. But I won’t—not that I didn’t get down what that finger up my back and whisper under my door delivered to me. I did!

A Birthday Weekend

Yes. Mine.

I did exactly what I wanted to all weekend long. (Sort of.) I didn’t let myself worry about what I should be doing. (Some of the time.)

But really, I had a great day, spent with my family, and receiving tons of well-wishes from friends.

I started the day with a workout to prove I’m stronger than I’ve ever been, sporting a heart-shaped bruise on my bicep (a big one) that made me look super tough.

Then a special gift, from a special friend, with a special meaning came in the mail.

Plus, I was surrounded by many of my favorite things. Nothing big or over the top…all simple…the little things that mean more to me than anything else...

My husband, my girlies, and my parents plus these:

Gerbera Daisies, pomegranates (my first of the season), cupcakes, and an all-time favorite angel food cake frosted with seven-minute frosting (I ate at least half that cake, no joke). Plus...

...a favorite meal; salmon on top of lemon/basil spaghetti and baby spinach (with a glass of red wine).

My pomegranates reminded me that I meant to mention something on Friday, but it seems appropriate to say here after turning—eckhem-ty-x. I’m still not of standard mammogram age, but I have had one. And because my birthday falls within Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’d like to hop on my soap box and say, Girlfriends, you need to check and be checked.

Check your Boobies. I did. And I found something that lead to a mammogram. Thankfully, the something I found turned out to be of no concern. But check them, ladies. Keep your pomegranates healthy.

More Dog Days, Robot Dreams, and a little something from Donald Maass

Carrying on with my dog theme from yesterday...

Another original from my eight-year-old girlie

(excuse my inability to scan without leaving page edges)

This is a good depiction of my state-of-mind today... at home, but content (just like Muffin). No school for the kiddos today, so I'm working from home. That means I’m getting less done (lots less as far as revising goes), the laundry is talking to me (plus I’m listening), and I ate icecream.

I gave a recommendation yesterday for ROBOT DREAMS by Sara Varon. Today, I must add that it has now been enjoyed by three generations in my house. Not only did my eight-year-old girlie love it, but so did my mom. It even generated nice bit of discussion.

Before I get back to revisions (I fear I’m getting behind, really) I want to share a find that came Straight from Hel (that’s fun to say). Helen pointed out that Donald Maass is offering a free download of his book, THE CAREER NOVELIST: A Literary Agent Offers Strategies for Success. How great is that? You can get it HERE.

To Droop or Not to Droop...Plus a Graphic Novel Recommendation

Late last night, I made it back from Seattle where I ate, chatted, and learned a whole lot. Phew. A big couple of days.

However, today (another full and busy day) I'm feeling, well, like this:

I'm A LOT droopy.

What's a girl to do? It's time to head off to my Office Hours , where I should enjoy great coffee, but coffee doesn't even sound good. Not normal!

I'm sorry to bore you with this personal babble, but, really, it's all that's on my mind. How do I go from the doggy above to doggy below? How?

I need that pep, that energy, that...that...I need something.

Perhaps I should go plop and read another graphic novel or reread the great one I devoured on the ferry last night. Highly recommended reading with a cuppa of something.

ROBOT DREAMS by Sara Varon is wordless graphic novel that explores the friendship between a robot and a dog. I laughed out loud, I audibly gasped, and the ending made me want to reread it immediately. Pick it up, and I'm sure after the first scene, you will feel the need to know what happens between these two friends.

All right, I'll be good and head to the Office. Maybe the The Vault will have a wonderful herbal tea that can give me a boost. Fingers crossed.

When Post Titles Become Horrifying...

Okay, Blogger friends. Is there EVER a way to go back and "fix" something? You'll see below that I had a bit of a problem with my post's title. (sound of hand hitting forhead)

THANK YOU, LAURIE! There is a pink erarer for blogs, I just hadn't found it. So now (unless you were quick) you didn't see my mistake (no worries, there's sure to be others).

Where I'm At...Where I'm Going (an update on revisions)

Before I wake up to a crazy day (I'll be teaching my first Bodypump class) and hop on a ferry heading to the city, I had to be sure to get in a post. I'll be taking in lots of good info on graphic novels (Wednesday) at the SCBWI Western Washington events before rolling back to my home-sweet-home, sometime after midnight. Hopefully I'll come up for air on Thursday (but not before Office Hours and another Bodypump class). Whew!

What's in store for Thursday's Office Hours? I've been saying that I'd let you all know where I'm at in my process, so here goes...

So many of you gave me such nice, yet undeserved, kudos. Well, maybe not undeserved, but it's not like I'm done. Some days it feels as if I'll never be done. I've heard many of you express the same feeling. I'm currently living in Revision Infinity. (Ever visited? Ever leave?)

I did finish up my extensive revision, but because I NEVER let myself go back (at any point), I sort of made a revision mess. I have lots and lots of tidying up to do. The good thing? I kept track of my mess and kept a to-do list for the day I'd get to this very point. And, not long ago, I got great advise from Laini who suggested I put that to-do list on index card. Yes!

Here they are:

Oh, man. Don't know if you can see, but that's a huge pile (on the right). Forty-five cards to be exact. Told ya. Big, big mess. I'm definitely going have to tackle several cards a day if I'm going to get this manuscript out the door by the end of the month (the goal).

The itty-bitty pile on the right...well that's another bit I'm working on. It's a pile that should grow. This suggestion coming from the revision-smart Darcy Pattison (revised to work for moi). As I go back through this draft, I'm checking my sensory details, making note of what's already there and what I may not have already thought of. Those two cards (on the left) are from Chapter One, one for each scene. I think it will be useful and helpful, but really...

...I think I could be fooling myself about getting it done by the end of the month. And yet, I've always taken the philosophy that if I set my mind to it, I make it happen. I'll get it done. I will.

IT...Again!

I shouldn't have opened my big mouth. The last time I was tagged, I let it be known that I've never been fast. I've never been good at tag...ever! I always get caught. (This is bringing back bad childhood memories.) Caught again, but I have to admit, this one's sort of fun. A different meme than the usual.

Holly caught me on this one, and because she did, I have to reveal my writerly quirks. Hmmm? Should I be insulted that she thinks I'm "quirky"? But that' s not it, she asks for them to be unspectacular . Well, I think if one is to have quirks, they should be spectacular. No? Okay, so mine aren't...I'll just spill.

First, the rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. List 6 unspectacular quirks you have.
4. Tag 6 bloggers by linking them.
5. Leave a comment on each person’s blog to let them know they’ve been tagged.

Onto the writerly quirks, unspectacular style:

Six of them! Really? I must have them. Let's see...

1. I CAN'T write at home. Okay, I'm exaggerating, but it's really hard for me. The laundry talks to me. So does the TV and lots of other things. Should I be worried?

2. I love white noise, especially the banging and whirring of the latte machine. Ahh! A quiet room just doesn't work for my process.

3. I have a playlist for the novel I'm working on. I don't always listen to it when I write, but for certain situation or scenes, it helps take me there...wherever there is.

4. I don't talk to my family about what I'm writing. At all! They know I'm working, sort of where I'm at in the process, if it was a good writing day or bad. But, they don't know what the book's about, names of characters, or even the title (usually).

5. I sometimes use writing as an excuse to watch reality television (and most of the time I think it's a good excuse). Really, it's great for studying characterization and dialogue (and that's just scratching the surface).

6. If my toenails aren't painted with Purple with a Purpose (a lovely, deep purple) then I don't feel like I can fully concentrate on my novel. All right, that's a bit of a fib, but maybe not. They've been painted with Purple with a Purpose since April. Maybe I should think about a color change (but I like purple). I wonder what would happen?

Time to tag...chasing...chasing...chasing...I gently tag: Steph, Laini, Dahti, Jaime, and I double tag Kim and Laurie. I tag you all with a writerly hug (because I've never been aggressive in the way tag requires) and say, play if you wish!

A Comment About Comments

There were a few key suggestions that came up over and over throughout the day at the Kidlit Blogger Conference. Yah, yah! I know. You’re over the conference and think I should move on already. But, hey, commenting on blogs has come up a couple of times this week, so it seems appropriate. Go with me on this.

First, it was repeated many times over, that it’s a good idea to read other blogs and COMMENT (if you're blogging yourself). I’m sure many of us do read several blogs, but some of us comment and others don’t. I’ve been in that don’t column for a long time now. (More about that in a few.)

This week one blogger actually called her readers on it, kind of like this…"Hey, a whole bunch of you come to read. Why not comment? Huh?" She said it much nicer, but that was the gist. And I get that.

Then, a few days ago, I get a comment that reads, “You are great!” Ah, sheesh! Thanks. I love compliments. Who doesn’t? But who’s telling me I’m great? I don’t recognize that name, but it sure was nice. I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy, so I think I’ll check 'em out. Then…





...Clink, clank, clunk—my heart falls down the stairs that exist deep inside me, because it’s all FAKE (I think) to make me figure out who you are. Mean!



Here’s the thing. There’s something strange about commenting. I’ve been on both sides. For me, as a blog reader, I feel like I’m peeking through someone’s living room window and any minute I might get caught. Then that person might think I’m interested in what they are doing, which I am. So what’s the problem? Is it just me? Am I the only one who’s weird like that?

So it stops now. Actually, it stopped last weekend. I hope you’ll do the same when you visit me at Cuppa Jolie, because truthfully, I want you to be like, “Wow, what a cozy living room,” and then feel like you come on in, stay a while, and say, “Hey, this is nice. I’m glad I stopped by…Blah dee dee blah blah blah...I think I'll join you for a Cuppa Jolie again."

Here's a thought, how about commenting on several blogs today? You up for it? I am.

Happy commenting!