Tuesday, July 16, 2013

updates and such.

Listening to: Mountain Sound by Of Monsters and Men
Line Obsession: "And here" -- Early pointed to the number one, in the middle -- "this is Pi. His mother named him Polaris, but she said he would have to earn his name." - from Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool


Hey friends! How goes your summer? Have you read any good books? Seen any good movies? Been road-tripping with your best friends?

Here's what's new in my neck of the woodlands:

This is probably not exciting to anyone else, but never the less: Update #1: I got new glasses! 

This is my first pair of Warby Parkers. And I like them a lot.


Truthfuly, I was hesitant about trying Warby Parker.

I love what they're about, of course, but I thought ordering perscription glasses online would be a fiasco. My glasses need lots of invisible bells and whistles - the lenses have to be thinned; there's ye olde astigmatism to consider. I need no glare, no scratch, and so on. It's not as easy as picking a cute pair, adding it to the virtual cart, and being done with it. Know what I mean?

However, I can now confirm that ordering from Warby Parker is just as easy (and way more fun) than ordering glasses from my eye doctor. They have a much better selection, the price is fan-flipping-tastic, and when I called with a question, the guy I spoke with was very kind and helpful. Their Home Try-On Kit is just about the smartest idea ever, and so much nicer than dealing with a hovering salesperson. And their frames are so pretty and well made. I especially like that the frames are on-trend and still classic, which is not always easy to find at such an affordable price. I'll definitely order from them in the future. Probably the near future, because I tried on another pair that I really, really liked as well. Those sneaky Warbies ... reeling me back in already ... :)

Seriously though, if you've been considering trying them out, I highly recommend them! 

(My frames are called Crane, and the color is Whiskey Tortoise.) (And if you have questions about the process, holler in the comments. I had lots of questions before I ordered, too.)

Slight tangent: I know you can't see much of the yellow dress in the selfie I posted above, but I should confess here that I wore it with black tights and cowboy boots. IN JULY.


This always happens around mid-summer. I start to get desperate for Fall. Feisty for fall.

Last week, I bought a sweater. This week, I busted out the tights. The temperature is still volcanic, but I couldn't help myself. I need to remember fall is there. Somewhere. (Summer clothes are so boring, but I digress.)


Update #2: My book is ... nearly book-shaped!

I have a few fun updates on the book: 

- First, A Snicker of Magic got a little nod in Publishers Weekly's 2014 Spring Previews!! It's so crazy to see Snicker nestled in with so many amazing titles. I can't wait to read them. I am especially excited for Rebecca Behrens's When Audrey Met Alice and Nikki Loftin's Nightingale's Nest (LOOK AT THAT BEAUTIFUL COVER!). And I didn't know Tess Hilmo had a new book coming out until I read it in PW. Tess Hilmo is, basically, a story-magician. I would read anything she writes, but apparently Butch Cassidy has something to do with her new story. So I'm already smitten.

- I read my first pass pages! 

While first pass pages can still be edited, they're typeset and designed exactly the way they'll appear when the book is ... a book. So I got to see the whimsical fonts, the ridiculously adorable chapter headers, the scene breaks ... and a very special little illustration I can't show off just yet, but gosh I love it.

Next time I see the pages, theyll probably be in a galley! A GALLEY!! *muppet arms*

- I'm not allowed to reveal anything about the cover yet. But I think it's okay to tell you that I've seen early sketches. And I think I can tell you that it's whimsical and lovely and so, so FUN. Basically, I want to live in the cover. I think you will, too. I can't wait for you to see it. We'll do a fun reveal later this year. It's too bad we can't have a real reveal party. I would give you lots of cupcakes. Cowboy boots would be optional. :)

I sent my copy edits for A Snicker of Magic so, in most ways, I've let it go. I'm trying to let it go, anyway. It's crazy to think it all started a few years ago when I staggered out of this concert - all breathless and excited - and ran smack into a crazy new story idea ...



Thanks for putting up with my updates! What have you been into this summer? Also, help a girl out: I hear The Lone Ranger ... isn't so good. Is it worth seeing in the theater or should I just wait and Redbox it? 

23 comments:

  1. It's so exciting to hear more news about your book! :) I can't wait to read it.

    I know what you mean about fall. I'm desperate to wear cardigans and tights and my hand knit items. Summer is one of my least favorite things.

    And thanks for the feedback about the glasses. I just ordered more contacts, but my glasses are old and the prescription is outdated, so I've been thinking about getting a new pair. And if I do get a new pair, I want to try to order them online, because trying on glasses at a store is just so awkward. :)

    ~Kristin

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    1. Yes! Cardigans and tights! Fall is so much more fun. I love layered outfits. Truly, I think I have reverse seasonal affective (sp?) disorder. Summer in the south makes me sad and tired. And the lights gives me headaches. It's absolutely my least favorite time of the year.

      You would LOVE Warby Parker! The Home try on kit is a breeze. And the price is crazy-good. Another one I've seen lots of people recommend is Bon Look.

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  2. I love that you're "feisty" for fall. I'm like that way for Christmas. Usually around July/August, I'll randomly declare "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!" just so everyone's aware that it's coming, even if they aren't ready for it yet.
    And so exciting about your book—can't wait to see the cover!!

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    1. Christmas!! I count down the days, too! :) I love that you warn people when you're about to get your Christmas crazy on ;)

      I can't wait to show off the cover! I hope you like it! :)

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  3. Your glasses are so cute--of course, so is the chick wearing them :) So crazy excited about your book!! Please keep writing forever and ever! And if you are ever in K town let me know...we just bought a house and would love to have you stay at hotel Ungleich sometime!

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    1. Um, OF COURSE I want to stay at Chateau Ungleich. I cannot wait to visit! :)

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  4. I met the boy of my dreams a few weeks ago and my first interaction with him he was dressed like someone about to go skiing in 1992. And that's about all to the nonexistent relationship that hasn't formed. I should email you more about that though...

    In other news you must see both Monsters University and Despicable Me 2.

    I'm dying to read some good fiction this summer - any recommendations?

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    1. I hear so much good stuff about Despicable Me 2! I haven't seen the first. Is that a necessity?

      Good books:
      For grown-ups, one of my favorite FAVORITE!!! books to recommend is One Day by David Nicholls. It's fabulous. Don't watch the movie until you read the book. The movie was just okay but the book is incredible. I'm jealous of people who get to read it for the first time. If you're looking for something beautiful in a sad/dark/depressing way, I love The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman. I'm currently reading a book called Sunflowers by Sheramy Bundrick and it's fab so far. My sister just read a book by Erin Healy called Mercy. She's raving about it, if you're in the mood for some good CBA.

      My favorite recent younger reads are Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool (it's magical) and Rump by Liesl Shurtliff (a retelling of Rumplestiltskin that plays out like a DreamWorks movie - it's so, so fun and well written).

      If you are in the mood for non-fic that reads like fiction (great pace, lovable characters), you cannot go wrong with "Does this Church Make Me Look Fat?" One of the best books I've read in a really, really long time.


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  5. Love your new glasses! They are so cute on you. Can't wait to hear more about your new book :)

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    1. Thank you! I'm excited to share more about it! I'm trying to pace myself and not overwhelm you, but I'm very excited! :)

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  6. Hooray for sneak previews!
    And I love those glasses. I've been shopping online for a new pair myself, and fretting about my high-maintenance lens needs. I'll have to give Warby a shot!

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    1. *hugs* Yay!! :)

      I think you'll be happy with Warby. Like I said, I need all kinds of crazy things and they were up for it. I've also heard good things about Bon Look. But I loved the Home Try-On kit WP sends out. That's such a good idea. (And so fun. I made everybody who came by try on every pair of glasses in the box ... :)

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  7. That is so exciting about the book!! Can't wait to read it :) And the glasses, the dress: adorable. I'm having the same fall withdrawals as you. Seriously wore a sweater yesterday. :D

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    1. High five for sweater love!! :) I could live in Fall and Winter all year long. Summer is my least favorite season. Fall clothes are so cozy and pretty. OH how I miss them. Sigh.

      I can't wait for you to read the book! I hope you like it! :)

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  8. SO glad you had such a great experience with Warby, too. They are just a phenomenal company, all around. My mom was so skeptical when I told her how much it was even with all of my crazy weird lens needs. Anyway. Love them on you!

    Also, your book. I might be almost as excited as you! :]

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  9. Yay for book love! I can't wait for you to see it! It's a squeal-worthy cover, for sure :)

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  10. NATALIE! I was just thinking about you this morning :) Last night, I got back from my youth group's annual mission trip to Detroit, which is my last mission trip with the group of people who were among the first to show me Jesus. It was a great, bittersweet week that ended with a cry fest and then a dance party, but this morning it was kinda hitting me for real that this is effectively goodbye. I still have a month left with these people and this group, but this is an end, and it didn't really hit me until this morning. But...I also remembered reading one of your articles a really long time ago about moving to a new place, new people, and just for something to do to assuage the post-mission-trip feeling, I started looking for it... and I actually found it in the October 08 issue, back in the era of Brio. And then...I read it and it was so much better and hit my heart in the best way possible, and it was most definitely a God moment :) So thank you for your words...from four years ago :0) Definitely what I needed today. And it's so good to hear from you again today as well. Still waiting with bated breath for A Snicker of Magic to come out already!!!

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    1. Well, Alyssa, you just went and made my weekend with this comment. For starters, I'm floored you remembered something I wrote a few years ago. I'm so happy to know those words encouraged you again. And I'm happy to know your goodbye is more sweet than bitter. How sweet that you have a core group of people who invested their heart and their energy into helping you become the fantabulous person you are. I hope that old Brio article felt like a big hug :)

      And SNICKER's not too far off! The due date (ha :) is next march so ... we're less than a year away! :)

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  11. Yay so excited to see the cover and everything for the book! Your glasses look super cute!

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    1. Thanks so much Leanne! I can't wait to show y'all the cover! If ONLY I could figure out how to gift cupcakes and party hats through a computer screen ... :)

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  12. EEP! I'm so excited to see your cover. And how did I miss SNICKER in PW's Spring Preview??

    I'm with you on seasonal dressing. I pretty much always dress like it's fall/winter, even in the summer. I get a lot of odd looks, but I just can't bring myself to care. Haters to the left. ;)

    P.S. Your glasses are totally cute.

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  13. I am so ridiculously excited for your book! And so thrilled for you! I have never heard of the glasses company, but I want new glasses and I'm also broke, so that might be a thing that happens...
    LF (yes, I go by my actual name now, so this is Little Fairy, but also me, Susannah:)

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  14. Hello old friend! Good to see you are well. You're pretty cute without them, but those glasses are the cherry on top. :)
    Excited to hear the progress on your book. Also, I sometimes consider trading my left arm for Autumn. Turn down the A/C and jump into some big blankets. From experience, I can tell you it helps with summertime coping.

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