WELCOME KATHERINE STONE AND HER WRITING PARTNER...WENDY!

Greetings! And how lovely to be a guest on this fabulous blog run by these amazing authors (and -- more importantly -- wonderful human beings.)

It's honest, informative and fun. What could be better than that?

I'm intrigued by the Quill Quickies (who knew Jayne's favorite TV shows were Monk and Food Channel?), am tempted by every delicious recipe, love the comments from visitors, and, as a writer, appreciate the sharing of experiences.

Lori's "Writer's Family Life" resonated big time (of course!)

My dear friend Stella, who so graciously invited me to do this, said -- in response to my "I'd love to! But what would I say?" -- that it was fine to do a what-am-I-up-to report.

So, here goes...

I'm in that heady, hopeful place where the new book (Caroline's Journal) is out of my hands. I've given it my all, and, even as I type, it's at the printer in anticipation of hitting the bookshelves in August.

I'm not even thinking (ha!) of all the potential glitches (out-of-order pages, upside down or wrong covers, etc, etc.)

I've learned in publishing (as in life), you do your best, control what little you can, and surrender as cheerfully as possible to what you can't.

Of course, learning that philosophy and living it -- cheerfully! -- aren't always the same .

Which is where Wendy, my cocker spaniel, comes in. Those of you who've visited my website know her well. She has no worries, and is relentless in her determination to share her tail-wagging joy.

With Wendy's help, I'm happily clearing the clutter that accumulated while I was immersed in the book (though, arguably, since the Christmas decorations would be coming out in four months or so, should I really even bother putting them away now? )

I'm a multitasker from way back -- as we all are -- except when I'm writing.

I'm emotionally multitasking then, I guess, throwing obstacles in my characters' paths, figuring out how I'm going to get them out of the dilemmas I've created, and worrying around the clock about their issues (and clutter)...to the exclusion of my own.

Don't even talk to me about dieting whilst I'm writing!
Or while I'm in this heady, hopeful book-at-printer time.

Or if it's Monday, or Tuesday, or I'm wishing everyone who's reading this blog the happiest of summers ...which I am!

and joy to your and yours,

Katherine and Wendy

PS. My favorite TV shows:
1. The entire Law and Order franchise (especially SVU). (And, not surprisingly, before Law and Order, it was Columbo and Murder She Wrote.)
2. Many Lifetime network movies.
3. I got totally hooked on American Idol this season. (Once they were down to the final 12.) I was a Chris & Elliot devotee. I may watch So You Think You Can Dance at the final grouping stage. I have no interest in watching people's dreams get dashed -- but figure everyone in the final 12 has a very good shot at dreams coming true whether or not they win.