A Frog By Any Other Name...

Wow, I have a so many creative friends! I've gotten a ton of great, fun suggestions for naming my book. Thanks to everyone who gave me something. I've had a blast this week seeing what's going to pop up next.

The big challenge now is narrowing it down. The top contenders right now are frog-themed titles. I don't know why that never occurred to me, but I love it. It's fun, silly, and really pretty descriptive of the story. Some of the titles cleverly incorporate the self-help theme too, which is perfect since Sam ends up in the self-help aisle of Barnes and Noble.

Here are the top contenders. Vote for your favorite or add to the list...

• Confessions of a recovering frog-kisser
• Frogs no more
• Tadpoles and guppies; a lust story
• Will Pucker for Princes! (after Feasting on Frogs)
• The Trouble with Kissing Frogs
• 10 Ways to Kiss a Frog
• Fear of Frogs

The book is back in proofreading again. Hopefully I'll be able to submit it for production in the next few weeks. I'm still aiming to have it ready for the holiday season. Stay tuned!

Name That Book

Things are moving along with my first book. My eagle-eyed brother-in-law is proofreading it at this very moment. As soon as he is done and I fix the mistakes (hopefully without introducing others), I'll be ready to submit it the self publisher. Yes, I've decided to self publish, at least for now. Why? Because Maya and Jake have now asked me 5,437 times when the book will be out. So, I'm going to make sure they get it this fall. Hopefully in time for the holiday gift buying season. The book will make great presents...

So...next steps. I need some help! What should I call this book? The jury is divided, so I'm putting it out to the world. If you come up with the winning title, I'll give you credit and send you a signed copy of the book the moment it comes off the presses.

I want something fun, playful, and descriptive of Sam's journey. In one year, she goes from letting societal pressure dictate her choices (or at least how she feels about her choices) to figuring out what she really needs and wants for herself.

Here's the title history. For a long time, it was My 37th Year because it takes place in, well, Sam's 37th year. Then it became 'Burban Babe, tying into the suburban angle. Unfortunately, people confused 'Burban with Bourbon. Now it's How to Get a Life, which my jury tells me is guilty of not being funny or punchy enough.

So...what do you think the name should be?

It's Raining Characters

There are many great things about my day job. One of them is I have to attend a lot of professional meetings, galas, and networking events.

Why on Earth would a certifiable introvert think that's a job perk? Honestly, I didn't, until I started writing fiction.

My change of attitude came a few months ago when I was at a work-related function and met a character for some future book. It was so cool to be in the moment and know this person would show up somewhere later. I don't know how I'll use her, but I'm sure I will. I'm not sure why she struck me in particular. We had a ten minute conversation, most of which was spent with her giving me unsolicited advice on how to meet a man—without her ever bothering to ascertain whether I was, indeed, single. This was our conversation at a professional business meeting. I'm sure she is a nice person, but I was so amazed at her presumption and audacity, that I didn't really notice. Maybe that's why she struck me. I not only wouldn't just assume that a woman standing alone at a work function was single, I would not then march over and tell her how to fix the problem. Amazing.

Since that evening, I've met several more good characters at work events. Really, I'm not sure I could make these people up. They just behave in ways that are so counterintuitive to me. Like revealing a spouse's porn preferences over a business breakfast. Ummm. Why do I need or want to know that? Or people who show up to board meetings in ratty old overalls (oh wait, that was me. Hee, hee.).

People always amaze me. That's why writing is so much fun. I get the chance to collect all of those odd daily encounters, the good and the bad, and do something with them. Perhaps advice woman will be my protagonist and I'll get inside her head to learn why she would feel compelled to butt into a stranger's love life. Maybe her reasons will come from a generosity of spirit, maybe she'll be a control freak. Who knows? It will be fun finding out.

Chick Lit is Where the Fun Is

Over the last several months, I've read countless blog posts, articles, and chat room discussion loops about chick lit versus literary fiction—the most recent appearing in this month's Writer's Digest. I haven't contributed to any of the conversations because I think every compelling argument and observation has already been made. Given what I write, I think it's obvious which side of the debate I'm on.

My family is quick to point out that just because it's all been said before isn't usually a good enough argument for me keeping my mouth shut. They think I have a lot of opinions. Some of them are even based in fact and reason. So, here goes. I'm weighing in on the chick lit debate, putting my own stake in the ground.

As I talk to people about my writing, I've noticed I tend to mumble the phrase "I write chick lit." And that makes me mad. I'm proud of what I write, and enjoy this genre immensely. So why do I feel a need to defend myself when I talk about it? I suppose for the same reason I tell strangers the last book I read was Middlesex. I've read at least 15 chick lit books since I finished Middlesex. But I want these strangers to think I'm smart and intellectual, a seriousl woman, not a silly girl. (I said I'm opinionated, I never claimed my opionons are consistent. I've also never claimed to be brave.)

I think this need to impress, at least in this country, comes from our Puritan work ethic that dictates we never really enjoy anything. Look around at the messages we receive everyday. They all subtly tell us life is hard work. We must work hard, play hard, and expand our minds at every opportunity. Entertainment for entertainment's sake isn't hard, and therefore not allowed. Nobody wants to stand up and say, "I'm a grown up and I don't want to work hard. I just want to enjoy myself."

Well, I'm saying it now.

Chick lit represents fun to me. To me, that's the difference between it and literary women's fiction. That doesn't mean the story is insubstantial and nothing deep or life altering happens to the characters. It just means the writer has a sense of humor and the book makes me laugh. I think in this world where we are constantly threatened with terrorist attacks, war, and a host of serious social problems, we need a good laugh. Chick lit makes me laugh, so I will proudly keep reading it, and writing it.

The CreateAThon

Wow. It's all over. I've caught up on my sleep and am capable of coherent thought once again (well, as capable as I ever am).

An enormous thanks goes out to MediaStudio--the D.C. affiliate for CreateAThon--for organizing this amazing community service. They received hundreds of applications from non-profits, and narrowed it down to eight organizations. They pulled together a group of nine incredibly talented creatives (designers, web designers, writers) and a support staff of a barrista and a massage therapist, and orchestrated the entire event. Trust me...this was not a small task. Catherine, Matt, Tony, and Harris are wonderful. The designers I met--Anita, Christine, Ann, Eve, Josef, Brian, and Jake--were terrific too. Sherri and Lauren kept us going all night with the coffee and the massages. It was great to spend 24 hours in the company of such a warm, generous, and creative group of professionals. See the fruits of our labor on the MediaStudio CreateAThon website.

I worked on projects for five incredible organizations...WAVE, The Women's Collective, DRVP, Fairfax Pets on Wheels, and Bright Beginnings. These groups are doing amazing work to improve the quality of life for people living in the D.C. area. Check them out, and support the work they're doing. They are absolutley wonderful people. And, yes, they stayed up all night too, although they got to stay at home. We just kept calling them at 3:00 a.m.

I'm glad I got to be a part of this experience, and I'm looking forward to doing it again next year!