Wednesday, November 21, 2007

What I’ve been up to

November 3 was a busy day for me. In the morning I ran in my fourth 10-K race. I came in 1665th! Boo-yah! For real, I’m happy with that finish. I guess I haven’t progressed past the point that I’m thrilled to complete a 6.2-mile run without stopping, walking, or falling down. I celebrated my fantastic finish by registering for a half-marathon in February. I’ll let you know how THAT goes.

Then it was off to the annual Readers’ Luncheon hosted by my local writers’ group here in Birmingham, Southern Magic. Chicks travel from all over the Southeast for this gig. About 20 authors each have their own table, and the 120 or so guests sit with whatever author they’d like. So if they’re early and lucky, they sit here:


If they’re late and not so lucky, they sit here:



But we had an awesome time at my table. The chicks were very cool, and some were up-and-coming authors. They didn’t even stay mad very long when I accused them of eating my cake while I had my back turned. (I found it later.)

There were beautiful door prizes and raffle baskets full of books. There was barbecue. Did I mention cake? The keynote speaker was best-selling author Sherrilyn Kenyon. But for me, the highlight of the luncheon was welcome speaker Debra Webb. She said people always ask her what her writing day is like, so that was the focus of her speech. To get us in the mood, she wanted to show us what she wears when she writes. She promptly stripped out of her suit, revealing her PJ’s underneath. She wore her bedroom slippers through the rest of the luncheon and the book signing afterward.

Then, on November 8, I finished my novel in progress, No Parking. I now have two completed novels circulating with publishers, looking for a home. I need to start something new but I’m not sure what that will be. In the meantime I’m reading, cleaning my house, working at my "real" job as a freelance copyeditor for medical journals (check me out: I can spell fluorescein isothiocyanate without looking it up) and deciding whether to dye my hair red. What do you think?

3 comments:

Wendy Toliver said...

Congrat's on finishing your MSS, and I'm sending good vibes that a publisher will gobble up those that are being sent around.

As for the red hair, have you ever dyed it that color before? I hear it's the most difficult to "get right" and keep up. So you'll want to go to somebody you trust. I think it would look lovely on you and it's always fun to change. Post a pic if you go for it!

Jennifer Echols said...

I'm so glad you said this. I've only colored it once before. My hair was really dark after I had a baby, so I highlighted it. I ended up with really bad roots like a Russian ice skater. Maybe I will hold off.

JamiePonti said...

For the record Jen, I would have sat at your table. Although I probably would have eaten your cake.