Monday, October 31, 2005
Memory-Challenged
The older I get, the more trouble I have remembering things. Mostly, short term things. Pick this item up at the store; make a doctor's appointment for that kid; return a borrowed item to this friend; purchase a ticket for that event; stop by the bank; et.al. (And, yes, I do have a calendar and I do look at it, but I get busy and before I know it, I look up and I am either late or I have about 2 minutes to get to said appointment.)
The worst thing, though, is having someone who knows me, say "hello" and ask me about my kids (by name), yet I have no earthly idea who they are and how I know them. Or someone tells me they received my message and that it would be "fine with them." Yet, I have no idea who they are, what message I left and what it is that is "fine."
This happens to me ALL the time. Is it age? Is it simply that I am more focused on me instead of others? Is there some medical issue I need to have checked out?
And what is the protocol for this situation? Do you say, "I'm sorry. Who are you again?" It would be the honest thing to do, but how awful would that be?? I've yet to bring myself to do that because clearly we are more than acquaintances. Our kids have played on the same team, or we have been in the same Bible study group or we worked together on some committee or something. So instead, I nod and answer in very general terms and inside cry out to the Lord to reveal their identity to me. Sometimes He does. Often He does not.
Am I alone here? Does this happen to you just a little or does it happen A WHOLE, WHOLE LOT? What do you do when this happens?
posted by Deeanne at 9:12 AM
Friday, October 28, 2005
Creston Mapes
 Remember that virtual book tour I did a while back? Well, I've joined up with the group of bloggers who put that on. So, every month or so, I will be forwarding you information on whichever Christian novelist has written the "feature of the month." They will be from a variety of genres.
This month's author is Creston Mapes. And the book being featured is his debut novel, Dark Star. Here's what it is about:
Everett Lester and his band, DeathStroke, ride the crest of a wave to superstardom. But the deeper they become immersed in fame, wealth, and power, the more likely they are to be swallowed alive by the drugs, alcohol, and discontentment that have become their only friends.
Discontent and dabbling in the psychic realm, Everett is headed down a perilous road of no apparent return when he's charged with the murder of his personal psychic. The only hope he can cling to comes from Topeka, Kansas, and the letters written by a prayerful young lady who lives there. Consistent and persistent, the notes cut straight to Everett's empty heart, offering a fulfillment he's never grasped before.
But what if he's found guilty of murder? Will he recognize the spiritual battle raging for his soul?
Sounds good, huh? I find the subject matter particularly appealing because I'm raising a guitar player, a drummer and an actress. I spend much time on my knees because these particular professions (if they do indeed decide to pursue them) are rife with temptation. I'm looking forward to reading his book.
If you go to his website, you will see he has another book, Full Tilt, coming out in March.
Have a great weekend and don't forget to enter our contest!
posted by Deeanne at 10:26 AM
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Divine Intervention
Do you pray for Divine intervention during sporting events? Any sporting event, whether it is professional, collegiate or your own kid's YMCA game?
I ask because of the heartbreaking series my Astros just played. Even though they lost all four games, they were not--in any form or fashion--"blown out." Every single game was of a nail-biting caliber and could have gone either way right up to the very last swing of the bat. They were packed with passion and anxiety and drama. With huge highs and devastating lows. With controversy. With new world records. With ... prayer.
I, personally, don't ask God to give a particular player a homerun, or to give our team the win, or to give the opposing team poor performance. My fear is that God just might answer my prayer and I really don't want that responsibility. I mean, what if God has other intentions? What if He had a series of ripple effects He was going to use in order to work in peoples lives (whether those of the players or the fans). I mean, the ramifications of changing the outcome of the World Series is more than I can even take in.
But even in the local games of my kids. What if I prayed that we won? And He granted my prayer with a "Yes"? And, we went to the play-offs? And then in the play-off game, somebody on our team got hurt?
No, I simply don't want that responsibility.
But, ooooooh, was I tempted last night. I managed--just barely--to keep from asking the Lord to give the Astros the win. Instead, I kept praying: "Your Will be done. Your Will be done." Then every time our player would come up to bat or something I'd ask God to bless him. (Just because we didn't win doesn't mean that player didn't receive God's blessing.)
Anyhoo, what are your thoughts? Do you ask for specific Divine intervention? Do you think it was "God's will" to have the White Sox win? Do you think I am being full of myself to assume that my measly little prayer could have that much control over the outcome of the World Series?
posted by Deeanne at 9:13 AM
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Ideas
You know that romance blog that I post on once a month? Well, we can post about anything we want so long as it has something to do with the romance industry. The folks who visit that blog are romance readers, writers, agents, publishers, etc. So, I'm trying to think ... what could I post about that no one else has already done?
Book trailers have been discussed. What it's like to have a first novel has been discussed. What it's like to write a second novel has been discussed. The importance of titles and covers and how they are decided upon has been discussed. So ... I need your ideas.
What could I bring to the table that no one else has? Any suggestions?
posted by Deeanne at 10:49 AM
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Six More Weeks
Six more weeks before the hurricane season is officially over. Meanwhile, Wilma continues to move up the coast, severely effecting our northeastern states while the Gulf Coast states struggle to recover, rebound and rebuild from the first ever hurricane season to go through the entire alphabet and on into the Greek alphabet. The first ever to have three Category 5s hit land in one season.
I read an article yesterday about a woman who has 5 kids. Three of them are named Katrina, Rita and Wilma. Whoa.
Prayers and thoughts to our fellow citizens in Florida and all those folks across our country who have evacuated, who are supporting evacuees, and who are still without power and homes and jobs.
At times like this, what Scriptures do you turn to for comfort, hope and inspiration?
posted by Deeanne at 7:08 PM
Monday, October 24, 2005
Wicked
The new musical "Wicked" is coming to our town at the end of the month. That's the Broadway show that tells the backstory of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch and how they were at one point two unlikely friends.
Has anyone seen it? Heard about it? The music and lyrics are done by the same guy who did Godspell, Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt. The play is based on the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire. Anybody read it?
My 14-year-old daughter wants to see it and the whole thing sounds intriguing to me. Just wondered if anyone out there has seen it.
Btw, if you haven't signed up for our latest contest, click here.
posted by Deeanne at 1:52 PM
Friday, October 21, 2005
Chris Well --- Live and In Person
 Chris Well, author of Forgiving Solomon Long--the book we've been discussing this week in case you're just popping in--has graciously accepted my invitation for a short interveiw and then a Q&A thing on our comment section.
Forgiving Solomon Long is your debut novel. How has it been received by the market so far? Are we going to be seeing more and more Christian suspense thrillers on the store book shelves?
"For a debut novel, I have gotten many, many fine comments and reviews. One of my editors remarked that my book is unusually well reviewed, in fact.
This is not the first Christian suspense novel, by any means — there are many others who broke ground there -- but, apparently, I have written the first 'Christian mobster novel.' (And certainly the first Christian mobster novel so jammed full of kooky characters and pop culture references right alongside plot parallels with both the Bible and William Shakespeare.)
But the market for all of Christian suspense is growing by leaps and bounds--so this is a great time to get in on the action (so to speak)."
What did you do before you became a novelist? Do you write full time now?
"I have been working in magazines and newspapers for probably 25 years, which I started while still in high school.
I have been a full-time magazine editor for the past 12 years, including, at various times, work for 7ball Magazine, Release Magazine and, yes, Christian Bride.
My day job for the past three years has been (and continues to be) editor of Homecoming Magazine, and I am also a contributing editor for CCM Magazine."
Your next book, Deliver Us From Evelyn, is coming out in March. What is it about?
 "Reclusive media baron Warren Blake is missing -- but his public relations-conscious wife, Evelyn, is more worried about running the media empire than in finding him.
Meanwhile, a vengeful Russian mobster is convinced the disappearance is connected to a bloody ambush from a rival gang, and a con artist with a Bible is working his own angle on the 'grieving' Mrs. Blake.
Under the blaze of media scrutiny, the Kansas City police are feeling the heat to find Blake, and quickly — even as the case threatens to drive a wedge between Detective Tom Griggs and Detective Charlie Pasch ..."
Ooooh! That sounds good, doesn't it? I really enjoyed our discussion, folks. Thanks so much to Chris for stopping by today and thanks to all of you who participated. If you are just now stopping in, scroll down and join in!
And now .... heeeeeeeeeeeeere's CHRIS! If you have a question (or comment) for him, don't be shy!
posted by Deeanne at 9:26 AM
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Book Discussion - Day 2
Before we get started on Day 2 of our discussion, I just wanted to say one little thing:
HOW 'BOUT THOSE ASTROS?!! OH, YEAH ... OH, YEAH ... OH,YEAH/OH,YEAH/OH,YEAH!
Okay. Now ...
 I realized why we had such a hard time with Question 3 yesterday. It was supposed to say:
"Which characters do you feel planted the best seeds?" (Not: "Which characters reaped what they sowed?") My bad. Sorry about that. Thanks to those who attempted it! If you have thoughts about this new question, scroll down to Question 3 and post your thoughts there (other than any disparaging remarks about me messing up.) ;-)
Today, we will continue on with our discussion of Chris Well's Christian suspense thriller, Forgiving Solomon Long and tomorrow, Mr. Well himself will be coming by for a visit.
If, after reading questions 4, 5 & 6, there was something else about the novel you'd like to open up for discussion, please, I'd love for you to do so. Whether its a specific question or just your overall impressions of the novel, click on the comments section here and post away!
Here we go. I'm looking forward to your comments!
posted by Deeanne at 9:24 AM
Question 4
In a crucial scene, Pastor Fresno forgives his murderer -- was that believable? Do you think a person could really do that?
Post your answer in the comments section, then scroll down to proceed to Question 5.
posted by Deeanne at 9:22 AM
Question 5
Do you think Solomon was "saved" at the end of the book? Why or why not?
Post your answer in the comments section, then scroll down to proceed to Question 6.
posted by Deeanne at 9:20 AM
Question 6
Who is the hero of Forgiving Solomon Long?
Post your answer in the comments section.
posted by Deeanne at 9:19 AM
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Welcome to our Book Discussion!
 Well, the big day has finally arrived. For the rest of the week we will be discussing the Christian suspense thriller, Forgiving Solomon Long, written by Chris Well.
This is how it will work:
We will discuss 3 questions today, 3 tomorrow, and then on Friday the author has graciously agreed to stop by for a brief interview. Then, he will open it up to a Q&A session within our comments area.
To better facilitate the discussion and to better organize our comments, I have sepearted the 3 questions. Simply scroll down the page, read the question, then offer up your thoughts.
Remember, it is time for my "lurkers" to come out of hiding. This is to be a discussion, so in order for this to be successful, you need to post your thoughts. If you are not sure how to post a comment, scroll down to yesterday's post for instructions.
Okay, here we go!
posted by Deeanne at 6:06 AM
Question 1
Did you find Solomon Long to be a sympathetic character? Why or why not?
Post your answer in the comments section, then scroll down to proceed to Question 2.
posted by Deeanne at 6:05 AM
Question 2
One of the detectives, Charlie Pasch, is demonstrated to be a complex, flawed and less than stellar Christian. As a believer, what can we learn from him?
Post your answer in the comments section, then scroll down to proceed to Question 3.
posted by Deeanne at 6:04 AM
Question 3
Much of Forgiving Solomon Long is about the "seeds" we plant, and the consequences of our actions. Which characters do you feel reaped what they sowed?
Post your answer in the comments section.
posted by Deeanne at 6:03 AM
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
How To Post A Comment
Since our big book discussion starts tomorrow, I thought I would reveiw with everyone the procedure for posting a comment ... because I'd like everyone to join in our discussion!
So, here is the procedure and feel free to practice "commenting" after you have read the instructions. Your post could be as simple as: "This is a test of the commenting blog-o-sphere."
Okay, here we go.
- Click on the "comment" link. (Located at the bottom of each daily post.)
- "Choose a Username" This is the name you will use to "log in" everytime you post a comment. No one but you will see this name. (Write this down so you remember it.)
- "Enter a Password" Think up a password and enter it. (Write this down so you remember it.)
- "Display Name" This is the name that will show up everytime you post a comment. Many people use their first names. Others have "code" names. It's up to you.
- "Email Address" Enter your email address. This is not available to the public when you post.
- "Accept Terms" Click the "yes, I accept" box if you agree to the terms.
- "Continue" Click on the Continue arrow.
- When you get to this box, if you do not want to set up a blog of your own, simply close out of this window.
- Now, you can type in whatever comment you would like to leave on my blog.
- Enter your username (from step 2) and password (from step 3) and click on the "Publish and Login" button.
That's it. From now on, anytime you want to post a comment, you simply type it in, enter your username and password and "publish." If you have any trouble, email me here and I'll try to troubleshoot with you. Looking forward to hearing from you!
posted by Deeanne at 12:37 PM
Monday, October 17, 2005
Coming Home
Well, the college student has a three-day weekend and has decided to come home for it. I can't wait. We saw her briefly during "Parent Weekend" last month, but this will be the first time we will have her back under our own roof and all to ourselves. (I say that with a grain of salt. I'm sure the moment she hits the door, she'll give us the obligatory kiss then be right back out and meeting with friends. Ha!)
Still, it will be good to have her sleeping in her room "right where she belongs." (Though I received an email from her that was written around 1:00 in the morning saying that she was going to try and "get to bed early" tonight. Yikes!) So, how much "sleeping" she'll do in that bed of hers is up for debate.
I remember when the kids were little and I was wishing for some quiet time far, far away from them. Funny. The memories I have now of those times aren't the stress-filled ones, but the poignant ones. And even though I am excited for her and this big adventure she has embarked on, boy, do I miss her!
What about you? What's going on at your house this weekend?
(Don't forget: Our our book discussion starts Wednesday!!)
posted by Deeanne at 9:36 AM
Friday, October 14, 2005
Beth Moore
I'm in the midst of doing Beth Moore's Bible Study, The Patriarchs, with a group of ladies at one of our local churches. Since Beth is from Houston, she often tapes her videos for soon-to-be-released Bible studies every Tuesday night at her home church downtown.
This season, she is doing something a little different. She is doing her Patriarchs study on Tuesday nights. Due to my schedule, I have yet to get downtown to see her live and have instead been watching the boxed videos with my women's group on Wednesday mornings.
But next Tuesday night, I am going to try and get down there to enjoy her live. It is lots of fun because she always has incredible praise-and-worship thru music scheduled before she speaks, then opens with a powerful prayer and culminates by allowing the Lord to speak through her and to all of us. The Spirit so fills that place, that by the time I crawl back into my car to return home, I am singin' and shoutin' to the Lord the entire drive. (My challenge is in keeping both hands on the wheel during these moments I share with Him.)
Isn't it amazing how relevant these Bible studies we do are? Do you ever feel like God is talking directly and specifically to you? God's Word speaks.
What are you doing now? Do you have a "favorite" Bible study that particularly spoke to you? I'd love to hear all about it.
P.S. Are you reading Forgiving Solomon Long? Because our book discussion starts Wednesday!!
posted by Deeanne at 10:45 AM
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Some Kinda Wonderful--Part III
My husband operates in one gear: High gear. I, on the other hand, operate in a rather leisurely gear. (I like to stop and smell the roses; he likes to prune them.) Anyway, in our early married life he quickly discovered that it took him less than half the time to get any given job around the house completed than it would take me.
So, engineer that he is, he made us a picture graph. It listed all the household chores and the days they needed to be done. All of my chores were indicated with pink circles, all of his with blue circles. If it was a chore we shared, he made the circle half pink-half blue. The circles were assigned with a 60/40 split ... he doing 60% of the chores (because he was bigger, stronger and faster), me doing 40% of the chores.
I loved this because I'm a visual learner and it gave me something visual to schedule my day around. He loved it because I would actually do my chores.
These days, our chart is long gone (though I'd give anything had I saved it for posterity), but the 60/40 split is still intact. Greg washes dishes, cooks, vacuums, helps with schoolwork, does laundry, etc. About the only thing he simply does not do is make beds. That's it.
We went out for dinner with three other couples a while back and the guys sat on one side of the table, the girls on the other. The guys were talking sports and business and how their wives constantly nagged them. The girls were talking kids and carpools and how the guys never helped around the house.
About halfway through the dinner, Greg catches my gaze. We were too far from each other for the words to actually be spoken, but no matter. We were able to communicate with our eyes the way only longtime lovers can.
You're wishin' you were over here, aren't you? he asked.
I gave a barely perceptible nod of my head. I don't do half the stuff all these gals do.
He wiped his napkin across his mouth to hide his smile and winked. I know, love. Believe me, I know.
And though he affirmed that I do indeed come up short in the domestic end of things, the other message coming through loud and clear via that intense green gaze was: And I'd pick you again ten times over.
Yep. He's my Somekinda Wonderful.
So ... the moral of this series is: If the stories I tell about my husband make it appear like he has a rather warped sense of humor, please do not misunderstand, because he is truly some kinda wonderful.
posted by Deeanne at 10:02 AM
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Some Kinda Wonderful--Part II
I'm a crier. I cry when I sing praise songs. I cry when ET goes home. I cry at the "reach out and touch someone" commercials.
So on my wedding day, twentysomething years ago, I got to my knees and told the Lord that under no uncertain circumstances did I want to cry at my own wedding. Pictures that last a lifetime and more were to be taken after the ceremony and I didn't want smeared mascara and blotchy circles around my eyes.
The Lord heard my prayer. It is the one and only wedding I have ever attended that I have not cried at. But guess what? When it was time to exchange vows, and the preacher asked Greg to repeat after him, my precious man got all choked up. Not because he couldn't choke out the promises, but because he was so overcome with love and emotion for me and the seriousness of the vows he was making.
I squeezed his hand, tugged at the Belgian lace peeking out from the sleeve of my gown and whispered, "You wanna borrow my hanky?"
He gave a quick negative shake of his head and finished the I dos.
The preacher prayed over us, said a few more words, pronounced us man and wife and told Greg he could kiss his bride.
We turned to face each other.
 He cocked his head first to the left, then to the right and said, "You want this side or this side?"
I couldn't help it. I started laughing. The best man laughed; the maid of honor laughed; the preacher laughed.
Exasperated, Greg grabbed me and kissed me whichever way he could.
Yep. He's my Somekinda Wonderful.
posted by Deeanne at 12:19 PM
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Some Kinda Wonderful
It has been pointed out by some of you that I give my hubby a pretty hard time on the blog and I didn't want y'all to get the wrong impression. So, I'm going to take a couple of days to tell you about him. Just a little anecdote here and there to show you that even though he is a jock, he is also my Mr. Somekinda Wonderful.
Once upon a time, my best friend and I would go out for coffee most every morning. We'd meet up at Starbucks, order our drinks of choice, settle into the big, cozy arm chairs and solve the world's problems.
We laughed; we cried; we debated; we commiserated. Inevitably, Greg (hubby) would call during our morning ritual and ask what I was doing. He simply could not understand this fascination I had for "going out for coffee," but he slowly began to feel left out and maybe a wee bit threatened.
So one Saturday morning, he walked into the kitchen and said, "You wanna go get some coffee with me?"
Delighted, I answered with an affirmative and off we went.
He took me to the corner gas station.
We went in. He poured himself a tall cup of black from the pot. I got me a coffee at one of their automated frappa-chemical machines. He paid for these lovely beverages and then stood there, looking a bit hesitant and confused, as if he wasn't sure exactly what came next.
Clearly, "going out for coffee" only took, as he had suspected, less than five minutes.
I cocked my head. "Wanna go for a drive?"
"Yeah! Okay. Sure. Let's go for a drive."
So we went for a drive and drank our coffees and solved the world's problems. To this day he hasn't asked me to repeat this adventure, but it warms my heart every time I think about it. He knew it was important to me. And if it was important to me, it was important to him.
I'm tellin' you: He's some kinda wonderful.
(Btw, don't forget we start our book discussion next week!)
posted by Deeanne at 12:23 PM
Monday, October 10, 2005
Karaoke Night
I spoke at a romance writer's conference in Seattle this weekend. On Saturday night the group had a Karaoke Night. Oh my goodness. I had the best time.
Another writer friend of mine sang R-E-S-P-E-C-T with me. Actually, she sang and I did the "moves." Then I sang "My Boyfriend's Back" and she did the moves. Watching the other writers in the group was just as much fun as participating.
I know cameras were snapping, but I didn't bring mine with me. (I know. What was I thinking?) So, alas, I have no photos to share with you.
It was a night of laughter, as well as a reminder as to why I'm a writer ... because I'm sure not a singer!! Ha! What about you? Any singers out there? Anybody else ever done Karaoke before?
posted by Deeanne at 9:47 AM
Friday, October 07, 2005
Newsletter
Our first quarterly newsletter went out yesterday. So, if you didn't get one and want to be included ... sign up here and I will resend it next week to those who missed out.
Also, our new contest is up and running. You can click here for that.
If you are in the Greater Seattle area, be sure to come by and see me. If not, then, have a great weekend and I'll see you on Monday!
posted by Deeanne at 7:05 AM
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Food Fight
Well, y'all were asking for details on the food fight I participated in, but it was very unremarkable and not really worth sharing. Kind of like a game of dodge ball, but the projectiles had a trajectory field a little bit wider than an actual ball would.
However ... never let it be said I left my readers wanting. So, I asked my college-student daughter if I could post the picture she sent me a couple of weeks ago of her and her boyfriend. They had participated in "Slime Night" or some such thing. It was a big event where plastic baby pools were filled with a thick mixture of flour and water--dyed green.
 When she called to tell me about it, she said that no one really wanted to get into the pools of slime (she said this with bafflement, tinged by surprise--ha!). However, she and her boyfriend dove right in. (I know you can't really recognize him, but he doubled as the "sailor" that kidnapped Constance in my book trailer.)
Anyhoo, they had a marvelous time, though word has it the clothes they were wearing never fully recovered.
Tomorrow night the college is sponsoring a food fight, but, alas, my daughter will miss it. She is going on a get-away with some leadership organization that she is a member of. She is on the committee that plans the "extreme" activities. I asked what kind of activities those were exactly.
"You know. Extreme stuff," she said. "White-water rapids. Jumping out of airplanes. That kind of thing."
I paused, asked her if she had her health insurance card in her wallet, then told her to have a lovely time and to tell me all about it after it was all over. *sigh* I just want you to know: She gets all that stuff from her father.
posted by Deeanne at 10:02 AM
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
This Month's Contest
Okay. Who are the wise guys that thought I slept with a skunk?? Very funny.
These past few weeks our contestants were suppose to answer the following question:
Which activity from A Bride Most Begrudging has Deeanne Gist participated in?
- milked a goat
- wrestled a rooster
- slept with a skunk
- hacked at turtle heads
- fought in a food fight
The results have been tabulated and they are:
- milked a goat received 37% of the votes
- wrestled a rooster received 30% of the votes
- fought in a food fight received 20% of the votes
- hacked at turtle heads received 10% of the votes
- slept with a skunk received 3% of the votes
And the correct answer is: ***FOUGHT IN A FOOD FIGHT***
 Our winner of the free, autographed copy of A Bride Most Begrudging is Lauren from Arkansas. She voted with the majority and chose "milked a goat." I asked Lauren to send me a picture that I could share with y'all and she was kind enough to do so. Her response to the news of winning?
"Hi. Wow! Thanks so much!"
Well, you're very welcome, Lauren. Everybody help me in congratulating her!
And for our final act of business today ... what shall we do for our next contest? This last one came as a suggestion from one of our bloggers. So let's keep the tradition going. Y'all have any ideas??
posted by Deeanne at 6:51 AM
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
I Did It!
Well, I did it. I wore the period wedding costume to my hometown's Barnes & Noble book signing. As you know from Thursday's post, I was sooooo nervous. I'd been away from home all day long with other commitments, racing in with just enough time to throw on my costume, tease my hair and swipe on some lipstick.
I walked in and nobody was home. Not one single soul (other than the dogs). Well, this dress is like, impossible to get into by yourself. It has umpteen hooks and eyes and snaps and ribbons--all out of my reach.
Still, I tried, but no go. So, I stuffed it in a garment bag, put on a slip-over dress and made my way to the B&N. The nice person at the information counter paged the Events Coordinator. I greeted her and then asked if she would mind getting to know each other really, really well in the next few minutes?
I was terribly embarrassed, of course, but she was as sweet as could be and took me straightaway to her office. Guess what was inside? A big, ol' Spot the Dog costume. I looked at her.
She smiled. "You think a wedding gown is bad? I'm gonna be Spot the Dog tomorrow. And that doesn't count all the other characters I've been over the last several years."
Was that just the sweetest thing in the world for the Lord to do? Because she was absolutely right, I'd hands-down rather be a bride over Spot the Dog. So as I shucked down to my skivvies and as she fastened me into the gown, she told me about an event where the person dressed up in a normal Bunny suit used to, in fact, be a Playboy Bunny. Was quite the story, that.
Anyhoo, her office was upstairs in the far corner of the B&N and we couldn't go down the elevator because of the rolling blackout situation. It was parade down the escalator or jump over the rail. I smiled, faked it and rode down the escalator with as much dignity as one can while making a spectacle of oneself. The walk to the front door where my table was all set up topped off my little display with just the right touch.
It was a two-hour signing. And I have to say, the costume intimidated some people, intrigued others. But all-in-all was a smashing success when the most precious little red-headed two year old walked in the door, stopped in her tracks and said, "Ooooh! A pwenn-cess!!"
Since I am the daughter of a King, I squatted down, skirts billowing all around and told her yes, indeed, I was a princess. We had a lovely chat and I have posted a picture of her on the scrapbook section of my website along with a few others from the signing.
I saw people I knew--some well, some not so well--and people I didn't. When anyone asked where I was from, I said, "Right here! This is the Barnes & Noble I shop in--but not in this dress, of course."
We'd have a laugh and a good visit and before it was over, they'd buy the book. Will I do it again? Yes, I believe I will. But only in large stores like those. The small, independent stores are very intimate by their nature and so I would not need the dress in order to lure the unsuspecting over.
Will I be nervous again? Yes, probably so. But not as much. In the meanwhile, peruse my pics and thanks for all those votes of confidence.
posted by Deeanne at 11:02 AM
Join Me
Join me this morning at 10:30am CST for a radio broadcast. Look at my "Author's Schedule" under the "Meet Dee" tab of the web site for more info.
After the broadcast, I will start uploading those photos I promised you last week!
posted by Deeanne at 10:14 AM
Monday, October 03, 2005
Romancing the Blog
Hey, guys. Would you kill me if we put off the picture-posting party until tomorrow? Two reasons for this:
1. Today is the day my post is up on Romancing the Blog. I had done a "guest appearance" (or would that be a "guest post"?) this summer and since that time, they have invited me to be a regular columnist on their blog. This means I will post on their site about once every month or so. It is a general market site whose columnists are romance writers and readers of EVERYTHING from inspirational to romantica. So, be warned, anything and everything is discussed there. It is not for the faint of heart. And today is my first post as an official columnist. 2. I am working from a remote location today (I'm not in my office). Which means I have dial-up access as opposed to high-speed access. This complicates the uploading of pictures just a wee bit. So, if you don't mind, I'm gonna send you over to Romancing the Blog today and we'll do the picture thing tomorrow. Okay? (For those of you who don't know what pictures I'm talking about, read yesterday's post.) Thanks!
posted by Deeanne at 11:25 AM
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