Sprinklers and Attempted Murder

How was everyone’s weekend? Ours was eventful. Saturday my awesome family helped us to install our sprinkling system, which may or may not have involved 2 quarts of Coleman Fuel and a small fire. We aren’t completely done, but its progress toward having a yard and feeling civilized again.

Then, on Sunday, Ben almost killed our little doggie with a rock to the head but, much to his chagrin, she is doing fine. Thanks for all the well wishes and casseroles.

What did everyone else do this weekend?

Tonight is the launch party for Bree Despain’s THE SAVAGE GRACE at Kings English Bookstore…don’t forget! Also, there are only four days left to enter the contest. Find out how to enter HERE

Have a Happy Tuesday everyone!

The Great Cupcake Heist of 2012

I am more than happy to be back from my tour of the South. I missed my family and my Pipster and didn’t accomplish much of anything other than gaining chub. But the weather was fabulous and the flowers were in bloom. It gave me spring fever like mad.

Part of blogging is putting yourself out there in the world and exposing your deepest, darkest, most embarrassing secrets. Here is mine for the week. I have a weakness for the Cupcake shop in Columbia, South Carolina.

During one of our breaks during the day, I got in my rental car and ran to the shop. I bought 4…count ‘em…cupcakes. After I bought them, I realized everyone at the office would want some too and I was too cheap to buy some for everyone. So, I hid them in the smugglers hatch of my car. Then, I drooled over their chocolaty, sugary goodness all day. I had to wait until we were back at our hotel and all my coworkers were up in their rooms before I snuck back down to the car and retrieved my spoils. I went back to my room and made myself sick. It was the highlight of my trip! Please tell me I’m not the only one that pulls fat tricks like that. Somewhere deep down you’ve done something just as despicable, right? I will assume yes.

Now for Housekeeping issues:

The Savage Grace by local author Bree Despain launch party is Tuesday, March 13th at the Kings English. Is anyone coming? I’d love to see you there.

Also, I am going to the SCBWI conference in Boise April 20-21st. Is anyone else going to attend? Let’s make it a party!

The contest for Amazon Gift Cards and a signed copy of EVERNEATH is still going on. So far the odds are in your favor—Lili, Tara, Jonni and Jen are the only entries I know of so let’s step it up. I’m getting a complex! Spread the word, follow my blog, Friend me on FaceBook or follow me on Twitter…OR post something on your own pages to tell people about my blog then leave a comment telling me what you’ve done and viola—you are entered.

Traveling South

I can’t think of anything worse than flying. Who’s with me? There is something about being herded like cattle, condensing everything you own into one ounce containers and a 2 foot suitcase, shoving your hips into a seat that is two sizes too small and being stripped of all your rights, including your God given right to go to the bathroom. What is it about being trapped that makes you need to pee? I feel violated—itchy and dirty coupled with constipation and a burning desire to call a therapist when it’s all over.


This week I am traveling to South Carolina and then up to Tennessee for a lengthy series of painful business meetings. The only redeeming part of the trip is that I will be able to spend some time writing. And I get to sleep in a King Size bed all by myself. Not that I look forward to that. Not at all. What I do look forward to is some Steak N Shake and Fried Green Tomatoes. Ahhhh, the South.

I finished Catcher in the Rye—it was very good so thanks Em. My book of choice on the trip is Cassandra Clare’s “Clockwork Prince”.

Has anyone read her works? What did you think? I think her books are amazing but don’t take my word for it. Does anyone else feel stupid recommending books to people? I think books are so personal, they speak to each of us differently depending on our experiences in life and who we are as people so when you love something, it’s possible…and probable…that someone else will hate it. And if you recommend it—then you just feel stupid, right? I feel that way about writing too. It’s so intimate that it’s hard to open your writing up to others and rip open your chest, ready for an attack. But alas, my skin is growing thicker as we speak…or is that just another layer of fat. It’s so hard to tell these days.

Anyway, don’t forget about the Contest. Awesome prizes, all you have to do is follow me on this blog, friend me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter or post about me on your own Social Media of choice. Just leave a comment to let me know what you did to enter. Prizes will be given away March 16th so check back!

Contest, Dr. Suess and Catcher in the Rye

As promised, we will be having a Give-A-Way to kick off my blog! The point is to create a following, so all you have to do is follow me on this blog, friend me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter @caballou. But what if you already follow this blog or we are already friends? No problem. Just post a referral to me on Facebook/Twitter or on your own blog. Leave a comment to let me know what you did to qualify for the contest. I will draw names out of a hat (very official). Winners will be announced March 16th.


The prizes?

• Signed copy of Brodi Ashton’s awesome debut novel—Everneath
• $15 Amazon Gift Card
• $10 Amazon Gift Card

With the housekeeping out of the way, on to today’s post…

A Big Happy Birthday to Dr. Suess today. Is anyone going to see the Lorax or go to IHOP for their Green Eggs and Ham? Thing 2 (That would be my youngest daughter) celebrated at school today with a Read-A-Thon. When I went to the classroom all the kids had made Cat in the Hat-Hats with their names on them.

Thing 2 spelled her own name wrong. And by spelling it wrong, she wrote a swearword on her hat. It was a proud moment for me. I wept a little inside.

Yesterday I started reading Catcher In the Rye for the first time because I was verbally flogged by cousin Emily for not reading it.

Verdict? I’m only half way in but it is making me laugh out loud and the voice? Forget about it. The voice is amazing! I love what Holden said about a good book—how it makes you wish you knew the author personally and could call them on the phone. That is so true. No wonder my phone is ringing off the hook…or something.

I started wondering. What else have I missed out on in the wonderful world of literature? I need to know because I need lots and lots of books to read if I’m going to successfully procrastinate my writing and keep Amazon in business. I want to compile a list for everyone so please share.

My favorite book is “Of Mice and Men”. I read it the summer before 7th grade. It was so edgy and honest. It made my innocent little eyes burn (yes, I was sheltered). I love books that tell the truth and bring out the uncomfortable and unspeakable.

What about you? What is your favorite book of all time and why?

Welcome Back!

The Ballou Book Club is back! I know you have all been waiting anxiously for the last year and a half. Wow, I can't believe it's been that long. I am very rusty so this will be a lame-o blog entry. I promise they will get better!

For now, I plan to blog on Tuesdays and Fridays but we'll see if we need more or less "me" time.

During my sabatical, I am pleased to say that I finished my first book ever. It's called INSIDIOUS and it's basically eipc, if I do say so myself. Okay, not really. Truthfully it sucks rocks...but that's what revisions are for, right? It was hard but I pulled it together thanks to Melanie Jex and National Novel Writing Month. I am in the process of revising so I can send it off and start racking up the rejections.
In the meantime, I have started writing a new novel. I'm 14,000 words into it. It sucks rocks too but I'm having a lot of fun writing it. I hope to workshop the new manuscript at this year's Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers Conference. I've signed up for Cynthia Leitich-Smith's class this year. Is anyone else coming? Who's with me? Let me know so I can start getting even MORE excited.

Tune in on Friday for the announcement of a big contest to kick off Ballou's Book Blog. Don't miss it!

Quitting is for Losers...

Oiy. So frustrated. Haven't had as much as 2 solid hours to myself in months. I think a book was a bad, bad idea. WHAT was I thinking??

I want to quit.

I should quit.

Can't quit because I must save face...cannot be thrown into the throngs of thousands before me who have done the same. Surely I must be better than that?

Augh.

Update

Just an update to let you know that the book is coming along...I haven't blogged because any spare moment I have lately I have been writing, writing, writing and I am getting very excited about it. I dare say it will be the BEST book I have EVER written...seeinz how it will be the ONLY book I have ever written :)

Happy writing and reading all!

Manic Monday

I had a power weekend.

Any idea what that is? Well, let me tell you. It is sort of like a power nap - you know, a quick 20 minutes to help you feel refreshed and ready to finish the day?

I worked Saturday from 7 AM to 9 PM and Sunday until 7 PM. At 7 PM, I poured myself an ice cold Diet Pepsi and planted myself in my lawn chair in the warm summer air, watched our ducks and worked on my book.

It was a fabulous 3 hours. That was my power weekend.

And now I am back at work...

Is it bad I had to duck tape the hem of my dress pants this morning??? Could this be systematic of a much larger problem?

Since WHEN is Edward a redhead??

I just finished The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner. It was mind numbing. It was the first time I almost didn't finish a book. What I want to know is when slightly brownish, blondish, hints of red highlights on my Eddie became enough to call him a REDHEAD?!?!?! Has Stephanie been drinking? After that book I think I need to be drinking just to forget it!

Plus, I just walked past my trumpet playing neighbors house and heard him say to his friend, "Dude, I gotta take a dump." And then he turned around and saw me! HA! Serves you right for playing your trumpet at all hours, you little skin flute!

My day couldn't get any better. Bring on Ender's Game to round it all out!

Momma Said

My Momma never said, "Life is Like a Box of Chocolates." What she did say was this...

"You have to make good things happen for yourself! You make it happen."

That was the only bit of parenting advice I remember and it changed my life. I have lived that way for 12 years...until most recently.

Thank you to my husband for reminding me of that when I had started to forget!

Don't sit around wishing because at the end of the day all you will all end up with is what? A handful of poo. Because Grandpa John L. used to say, "You can wish in one hand and shit in the other and see which one fills up first!"

Today I make things happen.

I am tired of having handfuls of poo at the end of the day, especially since I am running out of places to shove it! It's really starting to smell and the neighbors are getting suspicious!

Love you all, Happy Monday!