This is pure randomness, but you don’t mind, right?
Six things I’m loving right now:
1. Good reviews in unexpected places
I got the most amazing review of CREEP on my friend GYSC’s blog, Economic Disconnect, last Saturday. He sent my book to one of his regular readers, and that reader had some very cool things to say about it. What does CREEP have to do with economics, you ask? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, but that’s the beauty of the internet. You never know who you’re going to meet. And I’m glad I met GYSC. I know way more about the stock market, robots, and DNA than I ever thought I would (just don’t quiz me).
2. Book signings in my hometown
Don’t you love meeting authors in person? ME TOO! I will be in Toronto for a book signing at the Chapters on Queensway on Monday, November 7th at 7 p.m. If you’re local, come by and say hello. If you’re not, that’s okay. I’m sure I’ll come back with a ton of pictures to post here, most of them with my mom looking insanely proud. (This will be my first solo book event, AND my first event in Canada – I’m nervous, y’all!)
3. Fourth drafts
Book Two is going splendidly. I’m well into the fourth draft, and this is the stage where I do all my edits by hand in purple ink (yes, it must be purple – I am very superstitious about this). This is when the story becomes fully realized and the writing becomes really beautiful. Fourth drafts fill me with joy. I’m hoping to send the book to my editor at the end of this month.
4. The magic of Twitter
I used to hate Twitter, mainly because I couldn’t grasp how it all worked. I finally get what the fuss is about, and I’ve got to say, I really love it! I’ve met so many cool and interesting people lately. If you’re not stalking me there, why aren’t you? I’m @JenniferHillier.
5. The month of October
I love October. It’s my favorite month. Cool but not cold, red and gold leaves, pumpkin spice lattes, Thanksgiving (in Canada), and Halloween. What more could you ask for?
6. Lady Gaga’s “You and I”
Hands down, this has got to be my favorite song of 2011. I love everything about it, and whether you love her or hate her, Gaga always gives it her all.
What do you love right now? Be as random as you want!
Hah, third draft is my magical draft. Four is when I start hating my book. 😉 Glad to hear yours is going well!
THRILLED the book is going well for you!! Keep us posted on when it should hit the shelves.
Congrats on the awesome review. Creep so deserves it! Fourth draft! Wow, that's great progress! Argh, I still haven't grasped the whole twitter thing yet. Got an account, I just don't use it. Perhaps a lesson is in order. And as for Lady Gaga, well uh…no comment. We can agree to disagree. Heh heh!
I'm so glad to hear everything is going well. Good luck with your book signing! 🙂
I need to know more about the purple ink. ***taps desk***
Yay for loving where you're at with the book (and superstitious purple ink)! I love my library, provider of books from 1933 and debuts. And adding to my list of books I've read this year.
Hooray for the world being shiny, happy place once more! And I'm right there with you on the purple – once a lucky colour, always a lucky colour IMO. Good luck with the signings and drafting and all that jazz 😀
Congratulations on the review and the book signing. =o)
I'm loving writing again. Because of this, I also love Aspercreme for my achy hands and Aleve for my stiff joints from sitting here. LOL
I'm loving apple cider donuts right now. 🙂 Never heard of these before, but now I'm addicted. Great for October, too!
Oh, and that made me so happy to hear about your fourth draft. HOORAY!
Fourth draft already? You go, Jennifer! What are each of your drafts like? Just curious about your writing process.
Great things to love! Purple ink is awesome!
I'm looking forward to November and a month just for writing. I feel like I haven't written enough this year, and a month of just writing and no editing sounds fantastic right now.
Michael Jackson, Francis Scott Fitzgerald, the short periods of time where I don't have responsibilities, people thanking me because they bought and enjoyed the books I reviewed, literary awards.
As random as it gets.
Who doesn't love the Gaga? Her songs are like crack for the ears! I'm envious of your 4th draft, as I'm struggling through a zero draft right now that's making me want to tear my hair out! 😉 And as for October…what's not to like? I love sweater weater!
I guess I just missed the list at number seven.
Some random facts about me…
1. I love Yes. Jon Anderson's out-there lyrics still reveal things to me, even after decades of listening. His constant references to light and love has helped me through the darkest of times. (The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame sucks for ignoring progressive music giants like Yes, ELP, Gentle Giant, Renaissance and hundreds of others.)
2. I also love meeting authors at signings. The last writer I met was Lisa Unger. She's a very nice, friendly and smart lady. (She actually recognized me from my picture.) She lives in Florida but came up to Brooklyn to do a signing. At least she listed it on her events page! 🙂
3. I drink way too much coffee. I hate vegetables. I love pizza; the one advantage of living in New York.
4. I'm settling for simply stalking you on Twitter because you keep closing the curtains and blocking my view.
5. Every time I reread my book, I think of something better to add to it. My readers offer comments like "I really liked it," which works after it's published, not before.
6. Most of my short stories are about me, my aspirations, or my fears.
7. I absolutely positutely must retire to someplace where I can look at a mountain or a lake (or both) through my window.
Yay for your first solo book event! Can't wait to see pics! Good luck with the fourth draft!
Ah very cool randomers – book signings must be so much fun. I know I'd need to have plenty of tea nearby 🙂
I thought I was the only one who loved October! Well, not the only one, but you know what I mean. 🙂 Of course, it's still 90 degrees down here, but Halloween is around the corner, which means fires in the grate and Christmas peeking over the horizon at me. Love it!
Love the fall. Pumpkin lattes make my day. 🙂
Congrats on all the great reviews. And how fun to do a book signing in your hometown. That will be a moment worth documenting.
I love October. It finally cooled off to the high 80's (which feels great)and who doesn't love a month featuring that most awesome of holidays? Halloween!!
I have a love/hate thing with Lady GaGa but I do love that song. I think it's the best she's ever done.
I'm so happy the book is going well!!!!
Some great comments here, guys! Glad to see I'm not the only one who loves October.
October is a good month. Getting to wear sweaters and all that jazzy wintery stuff without it being too cold. And congrats on fourth draft awesomeness 😀
Glad you liked the reader reviews! Never know where your work will end up. Glad to have met you too Jennifer. Hope the best for the draft work, in Purple Rain pen!
I can't wait to hear how the book signing goes; you see, I have every confidence you and your book will blow them away.
What I'm loving right now? That I believed in myself to write an edgy historical novel about American slavery–and that I have the confidence to get out there and start shopping it. 🙂
I love this list. You and I is also one of my favorites! Whenever I'm in the car and it comes on, I start singing like a maniac.
Twitter is fun, isn't it? Congrats on your unexpected good review and good luck at your signing!
That's too funny about your review.
I'm not on Twitter, so I'll take your word for it.
I'm excited about attending a wedding in New Orleans in October!
Congrats with the progress on book 2 Jennifer. That must be a good feeling.
I'm right there with you regarding October. It's a beautiful time of year.
I hadn't heard that Lady Gaga song yet, but wow! Love it!
And I'm glad this draft of your novel is going better than the last.
I am also loving Lady Gaga's song, love watching the video. October is my most favorite time of year, getting ready for Halloween. Love your purple ink, I am crazy about purple lol my blog says it all, it's totally pimped out in purple. 🙂
Congrats on your review and the fourth draft.
Natalie Hillier
I am the queen of random… found some amazing new French wine on my trip to D.C. Definitely love this time of year best, before it gets too cold. Love that all the good holidays are coming up. Love and want some new tall boots.
I love that you edit with purple pen. I like editing by hand with purple pens too. Best color ever. Also, autumn is the best season ever. 🙂