Is It Over Yet?

And by IT, I mean Christmas.

I think I might be getting old, even though I've been 29 for a couple of years now and exude youth and vitality from every pore. Btw, don't ever mention the little lines around my eyes or mouth that somehow magically appeared this year. Seriously, I will punch you square in the face and no jury will convict me.

Anyhoodle...

Everything about the "busy-ness" of Christmas just makes me want to quit before I even get started. Or maybe it's just people in general. I personally think people are weird, despite being one. And I don't really like them all that much either. I make exceptions for my husband (to his eternal gratitude), to my children, and to a select group of friends. But mostly people and the choices they make confound me. As a writer, I spend a great deal of time observing other people in their natural habitats and secretly judging their behavior so I can feel vastly superior. And usually the bustle of the Christmas season (and a Toys R' Us parking lot) gives me enough book fodder to last the rest of the year.

But not this year...

This year I find myself reluctant to leave the house. Maybe it's because people aren't as entertaining as they used to be. Maybe they're just depressing, fighting over the last Zhu Zhu Pet or 8 oz. package of pecans. Who knows? What I do know is that the Interwebs are the best way to keep an annoyed writer sane. That way I only have to see one person doling out Christmas cheer--the UPS man--who happens to look like all UPS men are supposed to look like, if you get my drift. I'll post a picture some day.

There could, very possibly, be a moral to my tale of woe, but I doubt it. Instead I'll ramble incoherently and tell you about the man I saw at Walmart who was wearing a white unitard and cowboy boots while shopping for his produce. The cold was not kind to him. Enough said.

I do have some updates on the personal front.

I signed with a new agent a couple of weeks ago--Kim Whalen at Trident Media. I'm really (REALLY) excited to be working with her. I've never heard her name mentioned that it wasn't followed by a "she's amazing." Can't wait for the New Year to start.

Registration for the Dreamin' in Dallas Conference opens January 1st! If you are even thinking about writing a book or a screenplay then this is the conference for you. Check out the website: www.dallasromanceauthors.com/conferences for more information. We've added Suzie Townsend of Fineprint Literary to our stellar lineup of agents and editors. They will all be taking pitch appointments. Also, make sure you come out to the booksigning Friday night, even if you aren't going to the conference. It's free and open to the public. NYT Bestselling Authors Allison Brennan and Richelle Mead will both be there signing books.

That's all for now. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!