I realized that it's been a long time since I've added to my 100 Things list, so here goes.56. I got tired of being blonde. Now I'm stripey. (And I think this picture is funny, because it looks like I'm slightly annoyed at having my picture taken, but I took the picture).57. I love Reel Big Fish. I realize that listening to Reel Big Fish annoys everyone in my general vicinity, but they have a kick ass horn section and they curse a lot, and when you've had a bad day, it's very satisfying to dance around like an idiot and sing along. Sadly, I realized in 2002, the last time I saw RBF live, … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2009
Backpacking My Way Through Stars Hollow
I haven't been graceful about accepting winter this year. Back in late October/early November, I started feeling this panic about dark, grey days, temperatures that I believe would convince sane people that this area of the country is not inhabitable, and the wonder that is lake effect snow. I felt the weight of impending cabin fever so heavily, that we broke down and bought a treadmill. It was the best damn purchase ever. We trained the dogs how to use the treadmill, and when it's too cold out, or the roads are too messy, they get their morning walk indoors (while I happily read and drink … [Read more...]
Why Can’t You Pee Like A Normal Dog?
The Stella Urinary Saga continues. She's gotten a little better, but still, it's a struggle to get her to pee. It's like she needs the right combination of mood lighting and shrubs, and the earth has to be rotating exactly right before she can squat. But I learned last night that all of this can be ignored if Stella has a pee buddy. After dinner, I took her out. She immediately ran over to a stick, started chewing on it and plopped down in the grass. I crouched down to call her over to me to distract her from the stick and hopefully get her back to business. She came over, squatted right … [Read more...]
Back to Work
I didn't mean to drop my big news and then disappear from this blog for a week. Honestly, I've just been overwhelmed (in a very very very good way) with all of this and haven't been able to think of anything to say (aside from thank you - your kind comments mean so much to me!). So, all of a sudden, my entire life has changed, except it hasn't. When it all boils down, it's still about the work. It's still about crafting the best story I can, staying true to my characters, and putting the time in. I'm putting aside my folk singer project for a few weeks while I take a stab at my editor's … [Read more...]
Guess what!?!
From Publishers Marketplace: February 9, 2009 Fiction: General/Other Allie Larkin's STAY, pitched as in the tradition of Emily Giffin and Claire Cook, the story of a woman whose relationship with a loveable Slovakian German Shepherd helps her recover from heartbreak after the love of her life marries her best friend, to Erika Imranyi at Dutton, in a pre-empt, for publication in 2010, by Rebecca Strauss at McIntosh & Otis. Yeah, that's me. That's my book. And I feel like the luckiest girl in the whole wide world right now, for getting to work with my awesome agent and amazing editor on … [Read more...]
An Ode to My Long-Suffering Writing Group
Maybe some writers sit in solitude and easily, brilliantly turn out incredible, award-winning pages on the first draft without ever getting even the slightest bit of feedback. Maybe pigs fly, but I just don't look up enough to see them. It's not like I'm claiming I know everything there is to know. But I do know that my writing group is a vital part of my writing process. It's easy, when you figure out something in your head, to leave out major, vital bits of information. It's easy to leave out words, write choppy dialogue, or think something's working when it isn't. I meet with my … [Read more...]
Honestly!
One of my favorite bloggers, The Modern Gal, awarded me the Honesty Award, and I am honored. The honorees are to: A) first list 10 honest things about yourself - and make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep! B) pass the award on to 4 bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap. So here goes: I get teary when I talk about how amazing my friends are and how much they mean to me. It's hard not to. They are really freaking amazing, and several live way too far away. I had an imaginary friend as a child, but he left me and I was devastated. I worry about … [Read more...]