Green's Hill-Amy Lane's Home - News

Friday, May 10, 2013

Excuse me while I Snoopy-Dance in the kitchen

Okay--

So you probably all fathomed that I got home okay (YAY!) and then that I promptly dropped off the map.

Well, see, I sort of did.

Getting home was, well, long.  I left at the equivalent of 2:30 a.m., California time, after two hours of sleep, and got to California around 11:15.  Mate picked me up, we went to lunch, I took a nap, and Mate woke me up to go get the kids.

That's when I realized how truly I had beaten myself the fucketh up.

I could barely wake up enough to walk to the car, and once there, I fell asleep on the way to the school, and on the way back.  I had to wake up to go have dinner with Mate's delightfully chatty Aunt, and then I got home, and crashed, and tried to get up and crashed again.

Boom.  Bang.  KABLOOEY!

And all of this sleeping would have been just swell, really, except for two things.

One was that I missed some REALLY GREAT details on the blog about Kansas City, and I need to put them down or people will be hurt, because they'll think I don't appreciate the holy hell out of them when I do, and the other was that I had a deadline to meet.

I know, I know-- what the hell was I thinking, right?  Well, I was actually thinking that my dedication to Rusty and Oliver, and the  Christmas novel that was supposed to be a novella had put me way behind on my usual queue, and I needed to get my next project done stat.  It was a good plan, especially because this one really was a novella, and I managed to get it done on time--but, well, I had to pretend I was a dead turtle in order to do that.

But I really am alive.

So let's start out by my HUGE thanks to B.A. Tortuga and Julia Talbot, who love me.  They must.  These two lovely ladies, the founders of Torquere Press and friends who still want me to write this Green's Hill Novella that I've been dyeing to put down, gave me yarn.  And not just any yarn-- Mongolian Yak Yarn.  I shit you not.  They're LYS owner actually goes to Mongolia.  And I have the proof!  I'm going to knit me a basic sherpa hat, and then send it back to them with scads and scads of love, because seriously-- Mongolian Yak Yarn.  It's too delicious, too amazing, too... FUCKING AWESOME not to reward with knitting.  Love you ladies!  *big smishy schwacking kisses*

And then let's move on to a celebration of something sort of magical that happened that I forgot to mention.  Ms. December Rain (also known as Historical Lie) who helped me edit Rampant a few years back e-mailed me and asked if I could get a cup of coffee with her while I was at RT.  I said sure, and she was coming for the signing on Thursday, and that was great.  And then I realized I was sort of double booked--I the event was at 2:45 pm, and I was supposed to meet December at 3 pm.  So I did what any mother would do-- I consolidated my activities.  This means, I ran out into the lobby at 3, grabbed poor December by the scruff of the neck and said, "Great to meet you!  Come with me!"  And she did, and was promptly rewarded by a zillion free books, a free T-shirt, lots of writers she recognized and got to talk to and a little bit of conversation with me, which I treasured.  Now I know it cost a lot to go to this convention, and parking was outstanding, so I felt pretty good about that.  I got to meet December, and she got lots and lots of free stuff, and, well, she gave me a mug with my Little Goddess people on it, and I love her.  I hope she had a good time--I really love that she got to do something sort of amazing because I grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and said, "Come here--it'll be great!"

Oh-- and did I mention the soundtracks?

I need to mention the soundtracks!  Bibliojunkies  Bel and Nat are amazing fans--and they're trying to convert Shel, the third person in their trio, into an Amy Lane fan too, which is sweet of them, but Shel is by no means obligated.  Anyway-- Bel put together some soundtracks (and I'm pretty sure Nat helped!) for Chase in Shadow and Keeping Promise Rock-- and I'm so excited!  I can't wait to listen to them-- I'm like, saving them, for sometime when I'm not writing hell for leather-- but I have them right next to my computer, and every time I look at them I tear up.  I love that-- you all know I love that--I love music and books and the seamless way they fit together sometimes.  *sniffle*  Thanks, Bel.  Meeting you and Nat and Shel was an awesome experience, and I really needed to get that out there and tell the world.  You ladies are just a triangle of loveliness and I'm honored.

So that was what I'd forgotten to say about Kansas City.  *whew*

And now I get to go spend some more quiet moments with my kids.  Mother's Day is Sunday-- it's going to be busy, since I haven't seen Alexa in some time, but my kids are going to take me to a nice place with red meat (my one requirement in a restaurant actually) and I'm going to relax a little, and maybe not take the whole thing so seriously for a day.

And I'm also going to pet all the animals all the time-- after my absences of the last month, they seem to think they have that coming!

Oh-- and about the pictures--

Zoomboy's gift from Kansas City was the Chewbacca Angry Bird-- he thought it was awesome, and wore his Chewie Outfit in celebration.  (Although I don't think quite so much of Chewie's underwear was showing.

And as for the Warrior Hamster?  So, see, Chicken sent me that as part of her homework, and I sort of adored it.  Since I'm the hamster on her tumblr page, I loved that it was for me.  When I told her I was going to by golly finish this novella by today, she said, "Go little warrior hamster, go!"

So I brandished my little sword and jumped into the fray screaming "AIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!!!"

Which, sometimes, is how you get shit done!

ETA: Tina, #21 in comments, you are our winner!  Please, either contact me on twitter or through my website to get your free copy of Dex in Blue, Bolt-Hole, or Under the Rushes!  Congratulations!





33 comments:

Becky said...

I'm in awe of people who *don't* collapse in a heap the moment they get home from RT. It's a long week, and I'm pretty sure I survive on adrenaline alone.

Juliana said...

Glad you came back with some words for your book! Can't wait to read it! ;)

Darlene said...

lol. I am glad you got back in one piece. Be careful of the Snoopy Dance getting too exuberant. Happened to me once... My puppy's tail was not pleased. =)

Unknown said...

hamsters are YAY! and i love her sketch!

VThompson said...

Has your Chi-who-what forgiven you for your absence? Sometimes the pets are more likely to punish you than the kids!

Darlene said...

My last Snoopy Dance ended with my poor puppy's tail being stepped on. I try to stick to happy-butt dances in my chair now. Glad you got back safe from your trip!

Unknown said...

hamsters are YAY! especially sword wielding hamsters *nods*

and the sketch is adorable

Ellen Russell said...

Oooh. Is this novella the write-funny one?

Zeoanne said...

You sound like Little Miss Tornado! Phew! Where'd you get all the energy from? No wonder you collapsed once you got home! Glad you made it safe and (sound?) hehe... Got your batteries charged already?

Z.

Unknown said...

I always snoopy-dance wherever I can!

Unknown said...

I snoopy-dance wherever and whenever I can :)

JL said...

Oooooooh, a soundtrack for Keeping Promise Rock?!? I am barely containing myself at the thought!

Great post and catch-up. I smiled big at the "I shit you not" part. That's one of my dad's favorite sayings! Love it.

Now go get some more rest! And Happy early Mother's. :)

JL said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

How great that you have one less sword (no matter how lovingly-crafted and bejeweled, still a sword) hanging over your head. Enjoy your meat and your Mother's Day and your time off for good behavior. :)

Carolyn
caroaz [at] ymail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

Why do I always feel like I'm exiting a roller coaster ride when I finish one of your posts. Fun and one hell of a ride! heh. YAK WOOL NO WAY. (oh and I'm gonna get a cover soon heheheheheh)

Unknown said...

Glad you are back and feeling better. Love the little warrior hamster with an attitude - very cute (in a warrior way, of course).

Hope you have a fantastic and relaxing weekend!

Unknown said...

Glad you are back and feeling better! I love the little warrior hamster. So cute (in a warriorly way of course).
Hope you have a fantastic and relaxing weekend with your family.

Maria said...

Loved this whole post :) Please know all your hard work and "sword fighting" is so very much appreciated!! Much love

Unknown said...

I am so relieved to see that awesome hardcore writers do the 'oops my novella just became a novel' dance too :D

dorome said...

The warrior hamster sketch is awesome!
I'll guess you need a lot of stamina surviving RT and the whole family business afterward. I know I am exhausted from family alone. ;)

Tina Marie said...

I like it when my favorite author gets bored!

Anonymous said...

*Bouncing* along with the *Snoopy dancing* - OMG where do you get all that energy???
OK, don't answer, b/c now you're offering SIGNED copies?? *swoons*

Glad you got home safely; glad you got some rest; and probably doubly glad you got bored :)

Hugs
Carole-Ann

Amanda said...

It does seem like a vacation is needed for authors after RT. Especially this one because it sounds like so many were dealing with sickness of some sort. Glad your feeling better and hope you have a lovely mothers day.

northerngirl_2013 said...

Have been Snoopy-dancing while cleaning my condo - makes boring work fun.

I look forward to reading your next story, as the previous works are all so very very good!

Hanne

northerngirl_2013 said...

Have been Snoopy-dancing while cleaning my condo - makes boring work fun.

I look forward to reading your next story, as the previous works are all so very very good!

Hanne

roxie said...

Geeze, I was on a cruise few crying out loud, and it took me a week to recover. And you plunge right into family and work? You are a better woman than I am. GO, you warrior hamster!

And, fergodsake,let me know when the next Litle Goddess book comes out. Please? PLEASE? I have money to buy it and everything!

ceagles said...

You crack me up! I loved the blog entry. And I adore your books. always waiting for something new to come out.

Chris
ceagles48218@yahoo.com

snowsim said...

If most people need a vacation to recover from their vacation, then even you might need a few naps to recover from something that definitely was not a mere holiday!

Glad you're back safe, happy for you yarn-, pet-, and kid-wise, but I gotta say, new Little Goddess book? YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!
It's all I can do not to beg "Gimme NOW!"

Lele said...

Glad you are home safe and sound and hope you have a fabulous Mother's Day. I can't wait to read the novella that became a novel.

d.blue said...

Happy to hear that you are back and recovered. Love the sword wielding hamster. Reading Racing for the Sun right now. :-)

d.blue said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Donna Lee said...

Hamsters may be small but they have huge hearts. We had one that could bend the cage bars. We of course called her Xena, Warrior Hamster and she rewarded us by hanaging upside down from the second floor of the cage (and escaping every chance she got).

You have the quality of making friends wherever you go. What a frenetic time you had and yet, everyone got their special time with you.

DecRainK said...

Sorry I haven't been commenting for a while.... it was the last month of school/work and since I work with SpEd kids it was INSANE! I had a GREAT time at the convention. Thank you so much for not only meeting me but for sneaking me in to that panel and getting me so many freebies. You ROCK!