Start Falling...
Saturday, October 4, 2008
My beloved summer has ended and fall has officially begun. Not that I need a calendar to tell me this. As you know, I live in the Pacific Northwest, so I can pinpoint the start of Autumn by the rainfall. It started yesterday and hasn't stopped yet. In fact, I don't expect it will stop until just after the first week of July. Okay, I know I'm being a bit sarcastic, but only a bit.
I love this time of year, actually. Don't you? It's the season of colored leaves, carved pumpkins, football games, and family. Family most of all. After all, from here on out, it's pretty much one Hallmark moment after another. Halloween...Thanksgiving...Christmas and Hanukkah, New Year's Eve, and then the start of a new year. And October is perhaps the best month of all, because you have all that to look forward to, but none of the shopping or cooking or cleaning has begun. I hope that wherever you are, you enjoy this beautiful month.
And now, on to my latest obsession. As you know, I'm a tv girl. There's a long list of shows that are on my tivo must-record list, but right now (LOST hasn't started) my number one show is Prison Break. I'm definitely a fan as a viewer, but that's only the very start of it. the truth is, I'm even more of a fan as a writer. For those of you out there who are writing fiction--especially genre fiction of any kind--I heartily recommend watching this show. I have never seen a show that better exemplifies the idea of escalating conflict. For four seasons (I think it's four), these writers/producers have managed to change and deepen the conflict every fifteen minutes or so. That's truly astounding. I mean, here's a show about guys breaking out of prison; it should have lasted a season or two at most. Originally I laughed about the idea of guys breaking out...and out..and out...of high security prisons. It seemed like a one trick idea, but in these writers' capable hands, this has evolved into a story about love, loyalty, forgiveness, redemption, betrayal, life or death decisions, and high stakes action. More than that, it's just a lot of fun. Check it out, but I warn you, you'd better start from the beginning if you want the full impact.
Thanks to all of you who gave me suggestions for the website update for the release of True Colors. I tried to use as many of them as possible. Check out the new look and let me know what you think.
And now...drumroll, please...the day for the start of my once in a lifetime vacation has begun. Everything is planned, housesitters and animal sitters are in place, and I'm off to Africa! Just saying it seems impossible. Weird, wonderful, frightening, exhilirating, life-changing. I appreciate all of your many suggestions. As usual, my fireflies really came through for me. Because of you, I'm bringing all kinds of things I would never have thought of. Most importantly, I bought a killer camera and I'm learning to use it so that I can come home and share my journey with you. I don't know what I'll find in the way of communications down there--not much on safari, I expect :)--and I'm not bringing a laptop, so obviously my blogging is going to slow down for a while, but Kim is stepping in to help out. And I promise to look for internet cafes wherever I can and let you all know how it's going. So check in regularly. I hope you'll all be here when I get back. I'll be looking forward to you inspirational, entertaining stories and can't wait to hear what you read/watched while I was gone.
FYI, here are the books I'm taking with me. Angels of Destruction, Michael Connelly's The Brass Verdict, Gildead, The Gathering, Susan Phillips' What I did for love (not really, that's just wishful thinking), and Heartsick by Chelsea Cain. Any other recommendations? I'm itching for a big, juicy, emotionally powerful love story/family drama.
So, thanks again for being a part of the firefly blog. I'll honestly miss you all while I'm gone and look forward to sharing this incredibly journey with you all...
Aloha and wish me luck!
Kristin
I love this time of year, actually. Don't you? It's the season of colored leaves, carved pumpkins, football games, and family. Family most of all. After all, from here on out, it's pretty much one Hallmark moment after another. Halloween...Thanksgiving...Christmas and Hanukkah, New Year's Eve, and then the start of a new year. And October is perhaps the best month of all, because you have all that to look forward to, but none of the shopping or cooking or cleaning has begun. I hope that wherever you are, you enjoy this beautiful month.
And now, on to my latest obsession. As you know, I'm a tv girl. There's a long list of shows that are on my tivo must-record list, but right now (LOST hasn't started) my number one show is Prison Break. I'm definitely a fan as a viewer, but that's only the very start of it. the truth is, I'm even more of a fan as a writer. For those of you out there who are writing fiction--especially genre fiction of any kind--I heartily recommend watching this show. I have never seen a show that better exemplifies the idea of escalating conflict. For four seasons (I think it's four), these writers/producers have managed to change and deepen the conflict every fifteen minutes or so. That's truly astounding. I mean, here's a show about guys breaking out of prison; it should have lasted a season or two at most. Originally I laughed about the idea of guys breaking out...and out..and out...of high security prisons. It seemed like a one trick idea, but in these writers' capable hands, this has evolved into a story about love, loyalty, forgiveness, redemption, betrayal, life or death decisions, and high stakes action. More than that, it's just a lot of fun. Check it out, but I warn you, you'd better start from the beginning if you want the full impact.
Thanks to all of you who gave me suggestions for the website update for the release of True Colors. I tried to use as many of them as possible. Check out the new look and let me know what you think.
And now...drumroll, please...the day for the start of my once in a lifetime vacation has begun. Everything is planned, housesitters and animal sitters are in place, and I'm off to Africa! Just saying it seems impossible. Weird, wonderful, frightening, exhilirating, life-changing. I appreciate all of your many suggestions. As usual, my fireflies really came through for me. Because of you, I'm bringing all kinds of things I would never have thought of. Most importantly, I bought a killer camera and I'm learning to use it so that I can come home and share my journey with you. I don't know what I'll find in the way of communications down there--not much on safari, I expect :)--and I'm not bringing a laptop, so obviously my blogging is going to slow down for a while, but Kim is stepping in to help out. And I promise to look for internet cafes wherever I can and let you all know how it's going. So check in regularly. I hope you'll all be here when I get back. I'll be looking forward to you inspirational, entertaining stories and can't wait to hear what you read/watched while I was gone.
FYI, here are the books I'm taking with me. Angels of Destruction, Michael Connelly's The Brass Verdict, Gildead, The Gathering, Susan Phillips' What I did for love (not really, that's just wishful thinking), and Heartsick by Chelsea Cain. Any other recommendations? I'm itching for a big, juicy, emotionally powerful love story/family drama.
So, thanks again for being a part of the firefly blog. I'll honestly miss you all while I'm gone and look forward to sharing this incredibly journey with you all...
Aloha and wish me luck!
Kristin
ps: the photo is of a gardenia blooming in my yard in Hawaii...
15 Comments:
The picture of the gardenia brought a smile to my face before I even read the rest of your blog entry. My three year old knows that they are my favorite flower and she gets so excited when they bloom here in Louisiana twice a year - fall and spring. Their smell is so fragrant and I love to gather her pickings and put them in my kitchen window. How neat to know that they bloom in Hawaii, too! Have fun on your trip, Kristin and happy reading!
Enjoy your vacation! I'm thrilled for you and can't wait to see photos and hear about your journey.
The new twist on the website looks great, well done to all involved!
Right now I'm reading The Lucky One (Nicholas Sparks). In my favorite bed-side basket waiting their turn are:
Gods In Alabama (Joshilyn Jackson)
Hope's Boy (Andrew Bridge)
Pieces of My Heart (Robert Wagner)
Breakthrough (Suzanne Somers)
A friend who I share books with gave me God In Alabama and said I am sure to LOVE it, so I imagine it will be next.
Again, have a wonderful trip and I will pray for a safe trip, and return, for you and yours.
Lisa
Oh, I do love seeing what others are reading. This site always has a varied list, too. I'm reading Tess Gerritsen's Keepsake. After stalling at the Prologue for a month, I read half of it last night.
I'm definitely jealous of the travel though I don't know about Africa. I think it's the bugs and the wildlife. I get a little creeped out at the zoo sometimes.
I look forward to Kim's posts though. I'm sure they'll be great! I was actually just thinking of Kim this morning and wondering if the manuscript was finished. I thought it was due last month.
Hello fellow Fireflies. Well, I had this rather witty, thought-provoking post all written, hit the "Publish" button and POOF! lost in cyber space. (Okay, it wasn't all that witty or insightful but since it has disappeared, I thought I could get away with a small fib). And April, you were right: my deadline was September 30th (my daughter’s b-day). Sorry, that’s the reason I’ve been absent lately. As I’m sure you can all imagine, September was a rather stressful month. Start of school, finishing off book, two boys in football, etc. etc. I’m sure it sounds a lot like all of your lives. Now I’ve been given strict orders to relax, read, get over cold and not start on any revisions until I’ve given myself some time to recover. :)
I spoke with Kristin yesterday just before she boarded a flight to Amsterdam. She sounded great and very excited. Their total flight time is something like 27 hours. I can barely handle being stuck in an airplane for three. I have never been more amazed at Kristin than when I saw how efficiently she packed. ONE tiny little carry-on for A MONTH of travel. I did warn her again that handing over the blogging reins could be a very bad thing, but she still insisted, so, Fireflies, we have this month to have fun and discuss whatever you want. I’m all for ideas—so fire away. Please.
And for those of you who are blog savvy—I’m hoping you can help. In my blogger profile, there’s a section where you can add “Blogs I’m Following.” But I can’t figure out how to do it. Help anyone???
Kim
Oh, I've never added to the Blogs I'm Following. I can play around with it. I just use the links on my blog to remind myself where to go.
If you go to your Dashboard, down below, it says Blogs I'm Following. All the way at the bottom, there's a blue box that says "ADD". You enter the URL and it should add it, but it won't add this blog. I'm not sure why. Maybe because it doesn't actually have a blogger address? Sorry that didn't help much.
Hi Kim! Good luck with the book and balancing a busy fall!
I just started adding blogs to the Blogs I follow section in blogger (since I have a blogger blog) and ran into the same situation April has with Kristin's blog. It's odd, but Blogger doesn't seem to pick up the feed for it. Odd.
I imported all the blogs I have in Google Reader to Blogger and love this much better than the layout in Google Reader. Much better! Plus, I'm in blogger almost every day so it's nice to have my blogs/feeds all in one place. :)
Thanks April & Naomi. Glad to hear it wasn't just me. :) If I do figure this out, I'll pass it along.
Kim
Hi all,
I have just become the newest Kristin Hannah fan! I read The Things We Do For Love and was instantly hooked! I'm on my third book in 2 weeks and can't wait for the new one to come out!
So when is the ice cream social for the newbies? hehehe.....
Cindy
Hey everybody,
Just found Kristin's blog! I got an email because I'm part of her email newsletter I think. I like this blog thing so much better. How fun that she's going on a new adventure.... and to Africa! Wow! I can't wait for the new book in February! And of course I LOVED Firefly Lane. I read it first than gave it to my mom, then sister. They LOVED it too. My favorite of Kristin's has to be Magic Hour! NEVER have I been so in love with a book and couldn't put it down. Im with Lisa, Im also just starting to read Magic Hour by Nicholas Sparks! Hope your having a blast in Africa!
Hi Kristin!
Congratulations on your trip to Africa! How exciting! The most exciting trip I've ever been on was to Australia for a month, and I would go back in a heartbeat! My husband and I have pondered going to Africa, but I'm a little leary about it, like April as far as the bugs are concerned. However, I am all for seeing the wildlife!
Because it's been a while since I've visited your site, I'm off to read your other blogs. They are great, and I'm really looking foreword to reading about your adventures when you return!
Andrea
Welcome Cindy and the Heiner's. So glad you found Kristin's blog. Even though Kristin is away for a bit longer, we are still here to have fun and discuss whatever you all want. I'm still waiting for ideas Fireflies........ :)
And Andrea, a month is Australia sounds wonderful!!
Kim
Maybe an introduction post - like a meet and greet. Obviously no like social security and mother's maiden name info, but I have trouble differentiating the Fireflies. I think it's because I'm visual with people. I'm good with faces, not good with names. This is only funny because I'm not a visual reader. So, I was thinking if we had a post where we could just introduce ourselves, then I would have something with which to identify people. Just a thought.
April, what a great idea. This week I'll get a new "introduction" blog going so all of us Fireflies can get to know one another better. :)
Kim
I like the idea of an introduction blog as well! I love meeting new people!
Andrea
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