It’s been 10 days since I last posted but I have been writing every single day, mostly on the novel that I think has a long way to go. I’m hoping to finish the first draft in the next two weeks. But I’ve also been revising a picture book for one of my current editors in the hopes that we’re close to making a deal and getting a contract. (Remember? It’s the pb-that-I-feared-to-revise, but that I eventually fell in love with again.) I’m still in love with it and hope I’m closer to what the editor wants. I KNOW it’s improved/deeper/more detailed, so that gives me hope.
I’ve also started notes on a new novel (believe it or not, I think it’s a YA!) that I’ll be working on in a couple of weeks at a retreat. I’ve got some research to do that I’ll need to take with me, so I’m hoping to find time to pull that together before I leave on July 3rd.
This week, I’ve got to decide what I want to have critiqued at that retreat. I think I’m going to send something short, a picture book perhaps, something that would be easy to revise on the side while I work on my new novel.
My picture book, Surfer Chick, which was going to be a Harcourt book, is now headed to Allyn Johnston’s new imprint at S&S. I’m thrilled of course that it will stay with Allyn, as she is a surfer herself and a wise and funny editor to boot. She was my pick from the time I began to write it.
In other news, I hurt my neck yesterday and had to go to the hospital for pain relievers and muscle relaxants. I’m much better today, but a litle loopy. Suffice it to say, I won’t try pulling heavy mattresses off of the top of a bunk bed by myself again.
Kristy Dempsey 
You are busy, busy. Good luck with your pb and your wip. Also, your new book idea, and the retreat. Whee! I’m tired just thinking about your schedule. Anyway, have fun and a good week.
You have been very productive. I’m impressed. And, yeah, leave those mattresses alone if you can help it.
Hope you feel better…
YAY for SURFER CHICK!
It sounds to me, my friend, like you are on fire. Enjoy!!!
Oh, sorry about your neck. I know that’s an injury that’s hard to ignore. Hope it’s better soon.
YAY for YA!
Ouchie on the neck! I hope you feel better soon.
Hey!! An LJ friend just told your secret about the Children’s Writer Poetry competition – Congrats!!
Congrats on winning the Children’s Writer contest, and on moving with Allyn! I hope your neck is better soon!
You are a busy little writer, Kristy!
(I forgot I had read this at work and wanted to come back and ask you a question) So, I’m confused. How can a manuscript move to a different house? Had the contract not gone through yet? That must be it, now that I think about it.
Actually, no, the contract had gone through and I’d already been paid part of the advance. That has to be paid back, of course. 🙂 To be completely honest, the details are still being worked out, but it’s headed in that direction. So can I come back and answer you afterwards? 🙂