Question of the week, “What are you doing New Year’s Eve?” I ask you. “I know what I’ll be doing!” Sorry, I have been editing PESCADERO CREEK all week. (Quotation marks, not my strong suit!) Every time they (Mirror) makes a part of the book, I have to proof it. So I have basically memorized the entire manuscript. It is taking longer to edit it than it did to write it. Which would explain why it is taking so long to edit it!
I wrote the 317 page book in less than three months. 140K Word count. Needless to say, it has changed. Story is the same, just the typing and unnecessary words are now gone or corrected. I will have it back to the editor again before the year is out! Yahoo!
Valentine’s Day release is probably not going to happen, more like late February. I apologize, I know everyone is excited. I just don’t have a firm date for release yet. I have a way to go, but Mirror is moving very quickly, I am the hold-up. I have been fighting a computer freeze, a fried flash drive and my own stupidity to get this book edited. As my editor says, “We’ll get there!” I can’t wait. I am not a patient person, but I am learning the ropes. The next novel, UNDERCOVER, should be a lot easier!
For those of you that missed it, Joyce Tenharmsel won the drawing for the free signed copy of PESCADERO CREEK. I took everyone’s name that left me a comment on Vickey writes.com or Facebook and had a drawing. Congrats Joyce! Your name was drawn. I have ordered two hundred books so everyone on FB that wants a signed copy will get them. I can order as many as I want and as frequently as needed. Not sure about the price yet.
So, that is why I took a short hiatus from the Blog. Three major holidays in a row didn’t help either! I will be glad when I get to the point in my life where Christmas is enjoyed instead of dreaded. When it becomes a pleasure and not an interruption, like it has been the last few years. That’s what it was meant to be. Enjoyed.
I think I enjoy Thanksgiving the most of all the major holidays. It just means a longer grocery list, more money at the grocery store and a day of cooking. (Ok, maybe an afternoon of baking and house cleaning.) But it requires no decorating, no gift wrapping and no tree. Definitely my favorite holiday.
Valentine’s Day is also one of my very favorite holidays. (Of Course!) It is a chance to show those we love how much we appreciate them. And it’s covered in roses and chocolate. I think I’ll send myself a dozen assorted roses this year. Maybe buy me something special. Sometimes if you need to feel good about yourself, you have to make it happen. Don’t wait on someone else to do it.
Take New Year’s Eve for instance. I will spend New Years Eve in front of the computer and listening to the Music Choice channel tuned in on Singers and Swing. I will probably have a nice dinner. Don’t know if I will cook or go out. I’ll take a bubble bath and put my pj’s on early and most likely be asleep by midnight.
If you are going to be alone on New Year’s Eve here is a list of suggestions to do:
1. Go to the movies. I love going to a good “chick flick” alone and crying my eyes out with no one around to make fun of me. I can sit where I want and I don’t have to share my popcorn! You may just meet someone! I see others in the movie theatre alone all the time.
2. Get dressed up and go out to dinner. But go early, if you go later it is crowded and you’ll be flying solo so they will seat you at the bar. Unless you’re looking for someone special, if so, the bar is perfect.
3. Stay in and rent or buy a great movie. Movies I recommend for New Year’s Eve: When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, Devil Wears Prada, Boys on the Side, Gone With the Wind, An Affair to Remember, Letters to Juliet, Mama Mia, Cold Mountain. Or if you are wanting to have a good cry, here are some movies to really make you boo-hoo; Love Story, Terms of Endearment, Steel Magnolias, My Life, One True Thing, and Into the Wild.
4. Order a big fat pizza with the toppings you want. But eat it all before midnight! Remember that New Year’s diet! Don’t forget the chocolate for dessert. Grab a bag of M&Ms or Hershey Kisses. Or better yet, stop by the Outback for a piece of Chocolate Cheesecake, to go.
5. Open a nice bottle of wine or bubbly. Or get a six-pack. It’s ok to drink alone, just don’t do it every night. Drink the whole bottle. Just don’t start too early or you’ll miss the ball drop. Remember to drink water and pop a couple of Tylenol before you pass out! Don’t want to wake with a hangover-you have to work out in the morning!
6. Shop-On Line. They never close! I recommend Overstock.com, for improving your home and buying music and movies; Nordstrom, for clothing; Victoria’s Secret, for the fun stuff; New Egg for electronics; and Amazon for books and just about everything else.
7. Work out. Get a jumpstart on looking good for next year. I always feel amazing after a long walk or a good workout. Really boosts your energy level.
8. Write your New Year’s Resolutions, at least one, come on! Everyone has a least one thing they want to do better next year. 
9. Pamper yourself. a) Bubble bath b) Pedicure c) Manicure d) Shave your legs ( I know it is winter and no one sees your legs, but it really does make you feel better!) then lather on some great smelling lotion, you know the one you save for special occasions. If you’re a guy, you might enjoy a hot bubble bath too!
10. Read your favorite novel, again. Or start a brand new one. Many good ones out there and a few great ones will be coming out soon. Why not make a New Year’s Resolution to read more? It’s a great escape.
11. Get organized! I know, it doesn’t sound very glamorous, but it will make you feel better. Pop in some tunes with a good beat and take everything out of your closet, you know it needs it. Separate by color or season and put it neatly back in. And for Heaven’s sake, throw out the old stuff. Get rid of everything you haven’t worn in the last three years. I am famous for buying clothes and never wearing them. Every January I stick those items in a box and rush it to Good Samaritans before I can change my mind! It helps others out and then I can buy more! Or balance your checkbook or catch up on laundry. You don’t have to tell anyone what you did while you spent your quiet evening at home.
12. Call someone you know who is celebrating alone this year and wish them a Happy New Year! Let’s all have a safe and wonderful New Year’s Eve. There is so much to look forward to next year! I know there will be at least two awesome books out there to read! Looking forward to 2011! Happy New Year, All!
Got a favorite movie you want to add to the list? What about a wine? Let me know your favorite dessert, come on, leave me a comment. Let me know your favorite thing to do when you are alone! Don’t forget to like my blog!
