YA Fresh

Happy Holidays...and I Really Mean it!

Okay, truth time: I had trouble getting into the holiday spirit last year. For the most part I “phoned it in,” basically going through the motions of shopping and greetings, while idly wondering if it was over yet.

Because I had bigger fish to try. My first book was due out, my second was in the editing process, and I was racking my brain trying to come up with a decent proposal for a third one. A dream come true, and all-encompassing!

In fact, standing in the cold and watching our local Christmas parade, I was suddenly struck with a title (which is often how my book ideas present themselves). I remember saying to my husband, “How about The ABC’s of...of...well, Kissing Boys?” My husband nodded and told me I was probably finally on to something. He was right: that book comes out in Spring of 2009.

Well, we just watched that very same parade last weekend. And again, I am awaiting the release of a book, doing edits on another one, and brainstorming a new one.

But this time, I paid attention to the floats and marching bands and troops of Brownies. I made a point of stopping and speaking to people, of wishing them Happy Holidays. For I realized I really don’t remember much of last December. And I refuse to let this year’s season go by without me, too. I’m taking time to smell the pine scented candles, to try to enjoy shopping and finding “the right gifts” for friends and family, to be thankful for my blessings, and try to figure out how I can make the holidays of others just a little bit better, too.

In other words, I plan to be the main character of my own holiday season. Then, come January, it’ll be a full court press on promo for the new book. And just in case you're wondering when it comes out...