Letters Books Paradise Author Events Readers Photos Reviews Press Home   There is a soft dusting of snow on the bird feeder this morning and a winter storm watch on the horizon and the garden store at the end of the street is selling Christmas Trees. Tis definitely the season. It doesn't seem to matter what season it is around here because we are always busy. That's probably a good thing, because with a mind like mine I prefer it that way. I'm the kind of woman who likes to read, sketch, write, sing and tap dance while I am supposed to be just sitting down and watching a movie. Some people call just watching a movie relaxing. I am always thinking about what my character is going to say next -- now that is relaxing. As you read this, I will be preparing for a trip to New York City for a round of meetings with my fabulous agent, Ellen Geiger from the Frances Goldin Literary Agency, and my beyond-wonderful team at Bantam Dell. We are gearing up for the big April 1 release of Searching for Paradise in Parker, P.A. and to say I am excited is the understatement of the year. Paradise is coming out in hardcover and I have this Radishlike feeling that you are going to love this story and its wild and hilarious and emotional characters. I think I may have mentioned before what a stretch this book was for me as a writer because it includes a male viewpoint. I say without the stretching, none of us grow and I want to be as big as I can be. My editor, Kate Miciak, plays a large role in this stretching and I love the give and take we have developed over the years. Not every writer is as lucky as I am to have such an open and free flowing relationship with their editor (I think many writers plot the death of their editor when they write.....~!) and Kate has really pushed me to be a better writer with each book. I owe a lot to her and to the team she works with at Random House. Next month I will throw a small slice of the book on the website and hopefully I will have some tour dates and appearances to share with you as well. Always keep your eye on my events page because there are some very cool events coming up next year. Also do not forget to check out The Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation. I will be doing some events with them in '08 and this is a fabulous and very worthwhile cause as the money goes towards the fight against ovarian cancer... plus all the women involved are really lots of fun. While Paradise has been shifting into semi-high gear, I have not been sleeping late and drinking wine before noon. (Damn) I have been totally cranking on my sixth novel, The Shortest Distance Between Two Women, and loving every second when I am lost in its pages. Oh! That's all I am going to say about this book for now. The novel is scheduled to be in your hands in 2009, which is not as far away as we all think. On the homefront, we are now waiting for responses from all the colleges Rachel has applied to and as part of her Christmas present she gets to come to NYC with me to interview at one college and see the big lights on Broadway. She's also waiting to find out about her tryouts for the musical Cabaret, which will be her last high school production. She also seems to be studying Spanish a lot and working on her debate presentation. She has been a good girl. (Santa is on her way.) Her brother is flying through his second year of college and working part-time at an inpatient psychiatric hospital. He is already looking at graduate schools and is on this hilarious quest to find the perfect winter coat to wear on his moped while he rides through the freezing Wisconsin winter. This is the kid who puts stuff like "pencils" on his Christmas list. Madonna, who has been doing double time, has been working on everything from new business cards to a lovely gift that you will get when you come see me on tour. She also works out all the details for my travel and speaking engagements and if anyone deserves a Christmas bonus -- she does -- for putting up with my non-stop worrying. I am about to do a new photo shoot and that means we'll have some new stuff on the website in the next month or so. Please stand by. Whew. I have to tell you that Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral, my third novel, has just been released by Recorded Books, and I highly recommend this as a holiday gift. I have been listening to it myself and it is so well done. I have been driving around and sobbing and sitting in the car because I can't get out. The Sunday List of Dreams, my fourth novel, is also on audio if you feel like really being nice to someone you care about. There's a new load of firewood stacked up in the backyard and this is the weekend we are going to throw up all the holiday decorations and try and focus on what a wonderful year this has been. I hope you get a chance during what is usually the busiest month of the year to celebrate and sit and take lots of deep breaths. As I do that know that I am giving thanks for all my readers, for every email you send me, for the encouragement and empowerment that you throw into my path and I am kidding when I say that I love each and every one of you. Happy December and Merry Christmas and Kwanzaa and Hanukkah and New Year's and every other thing that you celebrate. Paradise really is already here. Always in Paradise...(well, mostly always)
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