1. We adopted a mutt yesterday. A truly homeless dog that was living at the university. Took her straight to the vet where she spent the night and was checked out and now she is ours. Her name is Pepper. She and I both are still adjusting.

2. Pan-fried tilapia for dinner with steamed veggies. Very soon.

3. We (my older sister and I) bought my mom and stepfather a Wii Fit for their birthdays. I’m looking forward to trying it while in the US. Anyone love or hate it? The thing actually weighs you when you step on it? Eep.

4. The monkeys outside our window have not been to visit in two weeks. 😦

5. Scheduled three book events so far for late summer/early fall. Who lives near Greenville, SC or Asheville, NC?

6. It’s been close to 100F here for the past few days and yesterday it finally rained and cooled just a notch or two. I may actually sleep tonight.

I am a terrible shopper. I love the idea of shopping, but I have the stamina of a small mouse in a crowd of steel-toe-booted construction workers. IF I am with a friend who is in need of something specific and whose conversation can buffer the chaos going on around me and I can be on MISSION to find that perfect pair of black pants or that not-quite-cream, not-quite-khaki satin blouse she’s on the hunt for, then I can hang in for a bit longer than if I’m alone.

Even as I type that out, I shake my head in disbelief. How can anyone not enjoy shopping? If you were to ask me if I enjoy shopping and you were to give me money to spend, I’d immediately say YES! I want to go now. And then I would get to the mall, and the crowds would be loud, and I’d get an upset stomach and a sniffly nose, both of which I attribute to the dyes in clothes, and then I’d be ready to leave at least within the hour. Usually within twenty minutes. (annemariepace can attest to my mild panic attacks about shopping. She once took me to a mall to look for a book after a writer’s conference. I got light-headed and dizzy. At the time I blamed it on being overwhelmed with all there is to buy in the US as opposed to Brazil, but the truth is, I do it here too sometimes.)

I don’t enjoy the grocery store for many of the same reasons. Too many people. Too many choices. I don’t want to have to wait in line. By the time I get to the front, I will have talked myself out of buying half of what I put in my cart. (I waited in line for 45 minutes the other day to buy eggs. Just eggs. In that 45 minutes I removed a diet coke, a pair of exercise pants and something else that I forget from my cart. AND this was in a store that had 30 checkout counters, but only 15 or so were open.) I understand now why people buy everything — even their groceries — online. Ahhh, so much easier. Less chaos. But not possible for me here in Brazil.

So, today is grocery day. We must eat, so therefore I must buy groceries. I’m gearing myself up for it. Mentally preparing. Making a list of the things that must stay in my grocery cart. Wish me luck. And short lines.

I’m trying to find my way into a story, likely a picture book. I’ve written 600 words and I’m not even really into the meat of the story yet. For those of you familiar with picture book texts, you’ll recognize I’m already in trouble length-wise. For those of you unfamiliar with picture book texts, well, I’m already in trouble length-wise. It’s going to be too long. And I’m not even really sure I’ve found the right voice for the story OR the right voice for the main character.

I’m writing the story because one of my editors sent me a note about a book they’d like to do and asked me if I’d like to try. I began researching. I got excited about the idea of doing a story on this subject and found a really cool, interesting anecdote that would be perfect to build a story around. So, of course, I really want to grab this opportunity. But I haven’t found my way into the story yet. Has this ever happened to you?

My plan is just to keep trying. I’m going to finish the story I’ve started and get it all on paper, likely topping out at about 1200 words. Too long. Then, I’m going to try a completely different approach and write it in a different style. And then I’ll keep trying if I have to. If it’s a story worth telling, I’ll eventually be able to burn off the dross, right?

Who are your favorite African-American illustrators? Know of any up-and-comers you’d like to share?

I’m happily sunning at the club while all my kiddies are involved in their individual athletic pursuits. I have written this morning (600 words on novel — my mc has been rescued; 65 words on picture book; more writing to come later), brainstormed book promotion, and exercised for an hour and a half. And none of the children have homework this afternoon. This is one of the good days. But beware, dear reader, do not be jealous. They are few and far between. I wish one for you as well. Soon.

You people are so interesting! I’ve missed you so much. I am coming back from a long, too long break from LJ. Congrats to all those with recent book releases (jenny_moss and Winnie’s War!) I can’t wait to get to the States for my very own copy.

Tomorrow, summer break is over here in Brazil and the kids return to school, which means I return to a strict writing and exercising schedule. I’ve written some over the past few weeks (a preschool pb that fingers-crossed-my-agent-will-love) but I need to jump back into the novel that I’ve left in midstream (umm, actually in mid-accident; my poor mc needs to be rescued). So hold me accountable, okay? It’s time to get back to work.

Just so you know, I have NOT departed to that Great Eternal Beyond. (Yet.) I’m only moving to a new apartment, the move which will henceforth be referred to as the Great Eternal Move because it’s taking forever and slowly sucking my life from me. I’ll let you know if there’s anything left when I’m done.

(OH, and JONOWRIMO? I’m just bumping you forward a few days. In my mind, I have until Christmas to finish.)

Well, I’m moving along. Today my protagonist encountered her antagonist for the first time. (I think I’ll have to move that scene closer to the beginning. I haven’t exactly been writing in order.)

And then a goat followed her home. Kind of out of the blue.

Umm, yeah. We’ll see how I’m going to work *that* little detail into the story later.

The Fed Ex man just paid me a visit. THE FED EX MAN JUST PAID ME A VISIT!!!!!! I have proofs for my upcoming picture book with Philomel and I’m telling you, the art is just WOW! I really don’t know if I’m supposed to do this but you have to see the cover.

Aren’t they adorable? Here’s the flap copy:

We’re a pair beyond compare,
a rare and special two,
in all the ways that I am me
and you’re completely you.

"Here is a special twosome. From tea time to game time, in singing or swinging, in the good times and even the grumpy ones, too, this granddaughter knows her grandpa loves her. Indeed, they are a "pair beyond compare."

With simple rhymes and delightfully charming illustrations, Me with You celebrates the sure love that comes from a grandfather and grandchild who dare to be "completely themselves" while knowing that together — they are even more!"

I’m in love with the whole package. I wish I could show you the rest. "The sure love". Isn’t that just spot on? 🙂