Looking forward to LOST

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Hello again...

I am absolutely stunned to report that this blogging thing is kind of fun. Thanks so much to my many friends--old and new--who took the time to post. I find myself actually looking forward to reading my own blog. How odd is that?

I know I should be talking up Firefly Lane, but truth be told, at the moment I'm totally wrapped up in the next novel. (No title yet). I just finished the first draft, and honestly, there's no better feeling in the world for a writer. Turning in a manuscript--and hearing a positive response from your editor--is like taking a ten pound boulder off your chest. For the first time in months, you can take a substantial breath. You can sleep without dreaming of imaginary people and their problems, you can listen to people talking around you...and not just to the dialogue playing around in your head (oh, yes, we writers are fun to be around in the final weeks of a project).

For me, once the pages are printed and sitting on my desk in a pretty white pile, I look up, glance around, and remember all the things I put off doing. And...sigh...I have to start doing them--cleaning, shopping, fixing stuff, etc. You know the drill.

But my evenings are free. Instead of editing and writing and planning, I can read. What a complete joy that is. I reach over to my substantial TBR pile and pull up the one I've been waiting for. A few of my choices lately: the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer (great YA romance if you like the vampire mythology, which I do), Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill (fabulous debut horror novel), The Overlook by Michael Connelly (I'm a big fan of Harry Bosch) , and Middlemarch (classic for a reason). Next on the pile is Duma Key by my boy, Stephen King. I've been reading and loving his books forever. I'm proud to say that my son is following in my footsteps. He's a Dark Tower follower through and through.

And then there's tv. With the writer's strike (which I am completely in support of btw), the black box is kind of a desert at the moment. Although, American Idol and Project Runway are doing their best, and Lost is coming back next week. That's something to be thankful for. :)

What about you? What are you all reading out there? I'd love some recommendations...favorite authors? Favorite books? What are you looking forward to?

bye for now,

Kristin

8 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

I have to say I am such a fan of yours! I was so excited to see that you have a new novel coming out. I have already pre-paid for it, so I can't wait for it to arrive..
I started reading your novels about 3 or 4 years ago, and I got hooked..I even got my mom hooked.. She gives me a lot of Christian books to read. My favorite christian writer is Karen Kingsbury. She is fantastic..Your writing reminds me of her books. You talk about true feelings and real situations that occur in life, but still give us an imagination.. "Sisters" was one of my favs of yours. I have a sister and we have a close relationship, so it would be so hard to see us not getting along.

Anyways, thank you for all your wonderful writing and fantastic characters. Too bad you're not coming to San Diego for any book signing, but hopefully some day!

Sincerely yours,
Tiffany

January 20, 2008 at 11:03 PM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Thanks for stopping by, Tiffany. It's great to hear from you, and thanks for the book recommendation. Is there a Kingsbury book you like best? If you liked Between Sisters, I think you'll really love Firefly Lane. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

And I'll be in Los Angeles (Brentwood, actually) on Feb. 20. Is that close enough? If so, I'll hope to meet you.

Thanks again--
k

January 21, 2008 at 7:44 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Kristin,
All of Karen Kingbury's books are great, but here are a few titles:

This Side of Heaven
Between Sundays
Divine
Like Dandelion Dust
Oceans Apart
Where Yesterday Lives
When Joy Came to Stay
On Every Side

I don't know how you feel about Christian writing, I know I wasn't a long time ago, but the way Karen writes you kind of forget about that. Her stories are one of a kind. I have to admit that I have cried while reading her books.. That's how good she is.. I call my mom up, just crying and laughing because I feel so ridiculous.. But I still keep on reading them.
About your book signing. I could drive all the way to LA from here, but I think Brentwood may be a little out of my way. I will look up to see how long it will take to drive. I just know how the LA traffic is..Not fun! My hometown is Long Beach, CA, so I drive up there all the time from here..

I know your new book will do great. There are many fans out there waiting to read it..I've been waitng and waiting for a new one, so I can't wait to start!
Thanks for responding so quickly to my other blog.It's great to talk with you.
-Tiffany

January 21, 2008 at 9:59 AM  
Blogger princessapr said...

I have Heart Shaped Box on my list. I may put some of my Christmas gift cards towards the book. I love genre fiction mostly horror and romance. I always think that says something about me, but I never wanted to explore.

The secret baby category is one of my biggest guilty pleasures so I've been reading a few of those books lately. I have a nice TBR pile that accumulated while we took care of the newborn. Now that she's a little more steady with the new neck, I can read while holding her which is much more convenient to my hobby.

As for tv, I still have a bunch of episodes of Friday Night Lights left until my tv runs out. We also watch a few cable shows that just begun. I definitely support the Strike and I fear the Writers will be hurt again, but I hope they get at least an adequate compromise.

January 21, 2008 at 2:32 PM  
Blogger Chasing Inspriation said...

For me, I'm all over Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. LOL! I'm a huge fan of the first two movies and the TV series is doing a great job so far. We don't watch a lot of TV so we're okay catching up on old episodes of some of the sit coms and such.

As for reading, I have a 200+ book TBR that I have whittle down. Right now I'm reading some romance, but I have The Hindi-Bindi Club by Monica Pradhan that I'm looking forward to reading (started but didn't finish) and several Robin McKinley novels I want to revisit. I read almost anything so if Heart Shaped Box is good, and April recommends it, I'll likely read it. *g*

January 21, 2008 at 10:23 PM  
Blogger Kristin said...

Well, April and Naomi--I can see that we are women of a similar mind. I'm a huge fan of horror--some of my favorites are listed on the website--and sci fi/fantasy is also at the top of my list. My girlfriends all know that I'm a Matrix/Lord of the Rings geek girl. I'd love any recommendations from both of you. Thanks for checking in!

January 24, 2008 at 1:00 AM  
Blogger princessapr said...

I can't say I've read any in recent years. I'm catching up with Stephen King's backlist actually.

I really like John Saul and Christopher Pike. I wouldn't say Tess Gerritsen is horror, but I really like hers as well. The Bone Garden was excellent - a good mix of historical and contemporary. I can read about almost anything but bugs which is why Kathy Reichs books didn't work for me. The description of the maggots ick me out.

I think it's because William Faulkner's A Rose for Emily is one of my favorite short stories which is kind of romantic and icky at the same time.

January 28, 2008 at 3:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Greetings,

If you want to read something quite unique you should try the graphic narrative Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi.

I look forward reading Firefly Lane. I love your books; the stories and characters are so real, very easy to relate to. And since I live in the Northwest I can visualize the settings which makes them even better reads.

Sharon

February 6, 2008 at 11:51 PM  

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