Quick Update

I'm coming off another insane work week (I swear, by Friday my eyeballs are ready to fall out), so today's update will be quick.

First, in light of the news of the 25-year anniversary of the Challenger disaster, let me recommend TAKING OFF by Jenny Moss, which tells the story of Annie, who meets Christa McAuliffe and takes a road trip to see the launch. I got to read one of Jenny's earlier drafts, and this is *such* a great story. Go here to check it out!

Also, there's still time to enter the L. K. Madigan Feast of Awesome Giveaway. Go here for more info!

Love . . . Peace . . . You know. I'm going to try to get some quick edits in before I have to start working for real. I love and appreciate my day job, but I hate the time it takes away from writing.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Love,

~Leigh~

My Playlist

Music inspires me more than anything else, I think, and my taste is *so* eclectic that barely any patterns emerge in my playlists. Indie Rockers, 80's power ballads, pop divas, classical. . . . It's kind of insane, actually. I do tend to prefer slow, intense songs because these directly relate to the stories I write. I like songs that move me emotionally; make me feel something I can transfer over to my writing.

So, in honor of Friday, here are the three newest "favs" on my playlist:

1. "This Year's Love" by David Gray

I am clearly going through a David Gray phase, and I had this song on repeat yesterday while I was working on my WIP; one scene in particular.

2. "Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri

This song is *epic* and I listened to it so much last week that I've actually had to take a temporary break from it, because I was literally waking up in the middle of the night singing it. And, you know, I am evil without sleep.

3. "Boston" by Augustana

This is one of the newest additions. Clearly, I love my boys angsty and with stringy hair. In reality, I would probably say: "Suck it up and find a brush."

What? You're surprised Michael Buble isn't on this list? Yeah, me too; but then . . . he brushes his hair. Or, you know, has people to do that kind of stuff for him.

Have a great weekend!

Love,

~Leigh~

Happy Birthday, Eddie!

Today is Edgar Allan Poe's birthday, so I feel it's only right to wish the author whose stories and poems continue to creep me out a happy day. Am disappointed the Poe Toaster seems to have retired, though. The annual trek to leave roses and cognac is a fitting tribute, I think. Poe would have approved. And I am just enough of a nerd to have been one of the "watchers" had I the opportunity.

In other Poe news, a search today revealed that there is a new movie called The Raven In post-production right now.

John Cusack makes a dashing Poe. Don't you think?

In honor of Eddie, and if you have some extra time, go here to read some of his works. I'm partial to "Annabel Lee." Always.

Have a Great Day, Everyone!

Love,

~Leigh~

In Honor of L. K. Madigan . . .

The 2009 Debutantes are spreading the L. K. Madigan book love!

Go here to learn how you can win one of 40 sets of Flash Burnout (the 2010 Morris Award Winner) and The Mermaid's Mirror.

Please link, post, and re-tweet to your heart's content.

~Leigh~

Weekly Recap

A lot happened this week. . . .

The Newbery and Caldecott winners were bumped from The Today Show so Snooki could plug her book. I don't even know what to say about this.

For a moment, because of some crazy Astrological mix-up, I thought I was destined to be a Taurus for the rest of my life. Not that there's anything wrong with that, I'm just proud to be a Gemini. Turns out the 13^th sign does not affect our system, so the signs we were born with remain ours. (insert sigh of relief here)

Finally, some not so great news was released from fellow 2009 Deb L. K. Madigan, author of FLASH BURNOUT and THE MERMAID'S MIRROR. You can read her post here. I hope you'll stop by and give your best wishes if you haven't already.

In conjunction with this, the Debs will post a Super Special Super Sekrit Surprise Announcement very soon.

That is all. . . .

Love,

~Leigh~