For Lisa. . . .

Sending my thoughts and prayers, love and hugs out into the world for L.K. Madigan and the family and friends she left behind. . . .

Hurry Up, Spring!

The high here today is 75 degrees. Yes, a warm front is coming through, and it's just enough to make me want to push winter out the door, kicking him out forever. It's only mid-February, though, and we have cool days all through March (and even April). In fact, it's going to hit the 40's again next week. . . .

Still, I have *big* plans . . . like opening the windows. I *must have* sunshine and fresh air. I cannot live without them. Winter is like, my nightmare.

This time of year, though, I always feel the need to buy a flowering plant (which is stupid, because I know I'm just going to kill it). I also want a bird feeder. I have a thing for hummingbirds. I think I need wind chimes, too.

So, is it possible if I buy all these things spring will hurry up and stay for a while?

*crosses fingers*

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Love,
~Leigh~

I'd Rather Be Writing

I have a passion project I'm working on right now, and I'm just *so* in love with it I don't want to do anything but write, which is hard because my days are packed with work and family obligations. I've spent two years now with these characters, and this is a companion story to an ms I've been tweaking during this time.

I *love* these people, and I've been giddy all week about this story. . . .

Virginia Woolf said that in order to write, a woman must have a room of her own and 500 pounds a year. I don't know what that is adjusted for inflation, but yeah, totally. Please sponsor me, Virginia, because I'm thinking if I had to pick between the power bill this month and the characters' voices in my head, I'm going with the voices.

Happy Friday!

Love,

~Leigh~

EBooks and Lip Gloss

There's been some buzz in the indie publishing world about the new NYT bestseller list for ebooks.

Apparently indies aren't included.

Yes, they're called indies now. Remember when self-publishing had this stigma? As in: never do it or you'll screw yourself forever? Um, that's not really the case anymore. Ever since the Kindle came along, there's been an indie ebook revolution. Authors are loading their backlists, publishing short stories and novellas to promote their other titles, and some are skipping traditional publishing altogether. It's all about trusting the reader to find and promote. . . .

I'm not well-versed in "all things indie," but it seems that Amanda Hocking's name keeps popping up wherever I go. Amanda Hocking, indie writer, who has sold over 500,000 ebooks. Amanda Hocking, who holds more than half of the spots on the Amazon YA/Children's bestseller list at any given time.

I'm sorry, but that is just *insane*.

I haven't read any of her stories yet, so I can't comment in that regards, but in terms of selling ebooks, the girl is dominating.

Seems to me she should appear somewhere on that list. . . .

In other news, I bought some new lip gloss . . . and it WORKS. Seriously. I am notorious for making poor lipstick decisions. The problem is I go for browns, and the selection is extremely limited. I've yet to find that perfect color I can live with forever, and I usually resort to mixing them. My last attempt was too orange, and the lip gloss before that tasted great, but died early. This time it's on the lighter side, but if I mix it with my darker shade, I think it'll work. At least it's not eight bucks in the trash. For that, I consider myself a success.

I also bought new Sharpie pens. I will rule this world.

Love,

~Leigh~