I got a special delivery this week! Advanced Readers Copies of ONE WISH!

I’m kind of nervous about reading it, because even in skimming I’ve already seen things that I’d edit if I could and, well, it’s just too late for that.

I really don’t want to go all neurotic on anyone, but just the thought that my book is out there for people to love, like, and even hate (shudders) . . . okay, yes, I’m completely neurotic. I have a terrible habit of worrying too much about what other people think.

What is important here is that Wrenn had a story she wanted me to tell, and I told it the best way I knew how.

So, if you have nothing else to do at the end of April, and maybe want to catch up on a bit of reading . . . you know where to go. :)

Synopsis: Overweight Wrenn Scott desperately wants to be popular and snag a hot boyfriend. Living with her single mom and younger sister, Karly, she lands a lead role in the high school musical, her voice for once overshadowing her weight. Pushing to get thinner by opening night, Wrenn's waistline shrinks as she learns all the wrong ways to lose weight from a new "it-girl" friend in the show. Meanwhile, her mom is falling for Phil, "a balding Channel 8 News-nerd"; her sister is wrapped up in her own share of middle school drama, and Wrenn's best friend has fallen for a guy she met online—but hasn't even seen yet! Topping it off, geeky stage manager Steven has a crush on her. But Wrenn doesn't want to be seen with him—she's holding out for a trophy boyfriend whom everyone will envy. By opening night, the old Wrenn has almost disappeared. After a crisis reveals her weight-loss tricks, Wrenn realizes there are much more important things than being thin, popular, or even dating a hunk.

Despite the neurosis and random freak-outs, this has been a pretty awesome week for me! I hope yours has been just as great!

Love,
~Leigh~

It's the Most Wonderful Time. . . .

On this first day of December (since it’s after midnight, I’m on a technicality), you will be happy to know that Christmas preparations in the Brescia household are fully underway. In the three days since Thanksgiving, I have . . .

1. Eaten way too much sweet potato casserole, but since it’s like, the only vegetable I consume all year, it’s okay.

2. Officially changed my desktop background to a “Christmas” photo.

3. Set my radio dial in my car to the Christmas station (am still waiting to hear Feliz Navidad).

4. Watched the Garfield Christmas special on DVD at least five times (could be more, but not sure, as things are sort of hazy at this point).

5. Watched Elf (or parts of it) three times.

6. Witnessed my favorite Elf scene of all time:
Walter: “He thinks he’s an elf.”
Emily: “I’m sorry . . . what?”

7. Watched the guy I’m sorta married to but not allowed to talk about online complete the majority of our Christmas shopping online, then subsequently wrap and label each package once it arrived.

8. Listened to my Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton Christmas CD in its entirety . . . proceeding to dance around the room and sing “I’ll be Home with Bells On” at the top of my lungs (a Christmas tradition).

9. Watched my favorite Christmas commercial: the Hershey’s kisses that ring “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” . . . because that little kiss who’s relieved his part is over is so cute!

10. Put up half of the Christmas decorations. All that’s left is the “big” tree (the real one we put in the living room, because everyone knows that “Christmas tree smell” is my favorite).

I will tackle this tomorrow . . . today. Well, later today after I wake up.

What gets you in the mood for Christmas? Elf? Kenny and Dolly? Fess up!

~Love, Leigh~

Top Ten Reasons you know it’s time to abandon a WIP (Work in Progress) for the night:


10. Your legs are all warm and tingly from the heat of your laptop because it has been on so long.

9. You’ve been through your iTunes *official* writing playlist—twice.

8. You’ve now moved from your writing playlist to Celine Dion.

7. The fact that you’re listening to Celine Dion doesn’t bother you at all . . .

6. Even though you’re embarrassed to actually admit to people that you have Celine songs on your playlist—several of them (cough, cough).

5. You’ve been rewriting and re-reading the same paragraph for the last thirty minutes.

4. Your eyes are beginning to blur the words on your screen . . .

3. And they are now dangerously close to crossing.

2. When you go back to edit the previous sentence, you briefly wonder if you’ve suddenly been given the ability to communicate in Russian.

And the Number One reason why you know it’s time to abandon a WIP for the night:

It’s way past midnight and there is an incredibly warm featherbed/comforter and pillow with your name on it . . . and an alarm that will not be set so that you may crawl out of bed when you’re good and ready . . . or when baby girl decides she’s ready—whichever comes first. And because sleeping is always better than writing Russian—especially when you don’t *really* speak it.

Love,
~Leigh~

I know . . . I know I need to update these blogs more frequently (Erg!). Working on it. Maybe if I wasn’t addicted to the Yahoo Daily Sudoku puzzle (Curse You Five Star Puzzles!) Or maybe if I wasn’t juggling five online classes right now. . . .

Anyway, this post comes to you in five parts (Nerdfighter joke):

1) Congratulations to John Green for his new novel, Paper Towns, debuting at number FIVE on the Times Bestseller list, AND for the movie option. You . . . are On Fire! Best Wishes!

2) I’ve made the difficult decision not to participate in NANOWRIMO (National Novel Writing Month) this year. Among the daily Sudoku’s and classes, I’m trying to wrap up a new YA I’m working on, and thirty days of mad writing in addition to this is not conducive to a healthy mental state. I hope to be in a better place next year so I can try again, because believe me, last November was EXCELLENT! I’m sending good vibes to all of you committing to write 50,000 words in 30 days. You can do it!

3) I *love* connecting with old friends, and am amazed how the internet makes it all possible. Since I write YA books I’m constantly aware of my inner teen self (both then and now). Though I have *many* things I would change about those years if I could, I’m glad to have “re-friended” people who knew me “way back when.” And no, I’m not writing about you . . . unless you were mean to me. ;)

4) I finally have a release date for One Wish: April 24, 2009! My understanding is that ARCs (Advanced Readers Copies) will arrive on my doorstep in a few weeks! I plan to take pictures and post! (If I can figure out how.) I’m also a new member of the 2009 Debutantes on Live Journal (http://community.livejournal.com/debut2009/) who have *a lot* of fun things planned in the upcoming year. The Debs are all debut writers with MG or YA books coming out next year, and I’m *so* happy to join them!

5) Though my list of “books to read” is growing at a pace I cannot seem to keep up with, I was thrilled to hear my favorite author (Sarah Dessen--www.sarahdessen.com) has a new book, Along for the Ride, due out in 2009. Because really, I can’t wait two years between genius novels.

That’s it! Back to grading and writing!

Love,
~Leigh~

I’m actually really over-extended at the moment, so thank you Janet for letting me steal this meme so I don’t have to think of something creative to say. I actually like these, though: I like reading them on other sites, and filling them out for myself, because you really learn a lot about people. . . . What can I say? I’m a sucker for useless information. :)

1. How many songs are on your iPod?
I’m not sure, but I do know it’s maxed out. I listen to itunes on my computer, and I have 262 songs uploaded. Don’t ask me to name them, because it’s embarrassing.

2. What do you do before bedtime?
Watch the guy I’m sorta married to but not allowed to talk about online flip back and forth from a dozen or so channels, trying to find something decent to watch, but then only getting little snippets of various programs.

3. What magazines do you have subscriptions to?
Mental Floss. Here’s to useless information.

4. What is your favorite scent?
Anything Vanilla, but I also love “Christmas Tree” smell.

5. If you had been born the opposite sex, what would your parents have named you?
As a girl, I was originally supposed to be Randi (my dad’s name is Randy), so I could totally see me being a Randy, Jr. But then, my brother’s name is Andrew, so maybe I would be Andrew? Weird.

6. What is your theme song?
I Hate You then I Love You, by Celine Dion and Luciano Pavarotti.
I know . . . I’m such a dork.

7. Do you trust easily?
Yes . . . probably to a fault.

8. Do you generally think before you act, or act before you think?
Act, especially when I’m mad, but I’m working on that.

9. Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days?
Yes. I have an education-related issue that is consuming my time and wasting everyone else’s.

10. Do you have a good body-image?
Not really, I’ve just learned to accept myself the way I am. I’m 5’8” and 125 lbs, which makes me tall and lanky. I have skinny, spider-like monkey arms and am so clumsy—tripping over things and knocking my elbows on door jambs. I’m really goofy, and it’s embarrassing. But then . . . there’s not much I can do about it. It’s why I’m a creepy, reclusive writer. Ha. Kidding. I socialize . . . honest.

11. Is being tagged fun?
Duh.

12. What websites do you visit daily?
My morning routine: both email accounts, Sarah Desson’s blog, Meg Cabot’s, J.E.’s, The Buzz Girls, Shana’s blog, Teen Fiction Café, an online adjunct loop, a YA writer’s loop, Nerdfighters, local news, and Mental Floss. Then I hit my online classrooms and start working.

13. What have you been seriously addicted to lately?
Milk, but I’m a dairy enthusiast, so that’s not unusual.

14. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?
Not tagged . . . I just stole this, but I think Janet is awesome! Entirely her own person; she’s got guts I can only dream of having . . . like getting her nose pierced. :)

15. What's the last song that got stuck in your head?
That New Jason Mraz song: “I’m Yours.” It’s stuck right now . . . like, at this very moment. Otherwise, I’m usually singing Disney songs with baby girl. Last week it was all about some Aladdin.

16. What's your favorite item of clothing?
My Express blue jeans. I don’t leave home without them. (It’s a good thing, too, right?)

17. Do you think Rice Crispies are yummy?
Sure. As long I can dump some sugar on it, it works.

18. What would you do if you see saw $100 lying on the ground?
I’m echoing Janet on this: I'd totally pick it up. If no one was around I'd totally keep it. (I’m sorry, but I’m in desperate need of new makeup and mascara and hair color, but I swear I would do something nice for someone later, to “give back.”)

19. What items could you not go without during the day?
My laptop

20. What should you be doing right now?
Finishing my WIP and catching up on school work.