Candles, Cake, and Links

Birthday Cake
Today I turn one year older.
But luckily, as my daughter told me, I don’t look any bigger.

Not for a lack of trying, mind you. I spent last night at a wedding reception filling my belly with desserts and this morning nibbling on a cinnamon bun baked for royalty. “Looking bigger” is only a matter of time.

After the sugar highs, I’m laying low, soaking up some beautiful weather, cashing in a gift certificate on new clothes, and getting ready to jump back into my day job tomorrow. My birthday is always bittersweet, as it marks the end of my summer and the beginning of a new school year.

So, while I kick up my feet and demand more cake, here are some links I’d like to pass your way.

  1. 10 Things to do with an Old Sweater (from Savvy Housekeeping.com). I know it’s still August and plenty hot these days, but when Fall does round the corner, here are some great ideas for how to deal with those sweaters that don’t fit anymore. You know, the ones that got all stretched out last winter? Or put in the dryer with that load of kids’ clothes? There’s nothing like slipping on a sweater to find the arms two inches too short.
  2. Return to Writing in Six Steps (from hownottowrite.com). Did your summer fly by like mine? And, there on my desk sits that novel in progress, still…in progress. Waiting and whispering, Rewrite. Rewrite. oooOOOOoo0! So, get to it.
  3. Writerhead Wednesday: Featuring Tracy Seeley. A great Writerhead interview on Kristin Bair O’Keefe’s blog with Tracy Seeley. Tracy has a new memoir out, My Ruby Slippers, that sounds amazing. And, in her interview she mentions one trick that keeps her writing: not checking email before she gets out of bed. Not that I do that….

And, PS. Don’t forget this Wednesday Jenna Blum stops by for an interview about her bestselling novel, The Stormchasers.

Happy Day, folks!

Do a little dance, and mark your calendars.

There’s been a slight, but critical correction to this post, an update on that Second place win. Read it here.

Sunset Party Dancing Girl Silhouette

The weather is hot (just how I like it), the sun is out full force (yay for freckles!), and yesterday I found out I placed Second in the Pen Parentis 2011 Writing Fellowship for New Parents.

Second!

When you’re fighting self-doubt with both fists lately, second place feels really great. I was alone, in a quiet house, when I read the announcement, but I didn’t stay quiet for long.

And, there’s more good news — for you. In the month of August, I’ll be hosting three authors here: two for interviews and one for a guest post. Plus, all three events include book giveaways.

Sean Keefer will talk to us about his award-winning novel,
The Trust, on August 10th.

The lovely Jenna Blum stops by on August 24th
to discuss her bestselling novel, The Stormchasers.

And, Caitlin Kelly will be guest posting on August 31st and giving away a copy of her memoir, Malled: My Unintentional Career in Retail.

Watch for these posts and enter the giveaways. It’ll be easy: all you’ll have to do is leave your name in the comment section. Leave a pseudonym if you want, but don’t miss your chance to enter.

What good news do you have to share? I bet you’ve got something. Big or small, let’s celebrate together.

* photo credit: Pink Sherbet Photography on Flickr