Aloha friends---

And let me tell you, I FEEL like aloha today, because it's a blistering 97 degrees in the Pacific Northwest. Now, we Washingtonians are not good with heat. Let me say that right now. We are a bunch of whiners...we compain ten months a year because the sun is hidden behind the clouds and the rain, and then, when summer finally deigns to show her bright face, we moan that it's too hot. I'm not kidding. Last week it hit 90 degrees and the news stations started putting up weather warnings and telling us to 'watch the elderly." My friends in Florida and Texas laugh uproariously at this. All I know is that it's h.o.t.

So I have now spent a week on facebook, and here's what I have to say: who knew I had so many friends? I don't even know a lot of the people who are my friends. But I have reconnected with a couple of really good friends from college, and really, that's worth the price of admission. And several of my good writer friends are on facebook, and I love the funny, sharp, snarky messages they send out. So, all in all, I guess I'd say it's yet another addictive time-suck in the internet age, but like all the innovations, it has enough to recommend it. What it isn't, however, is as real or intimate as this blog. Those of you who worried that I would be swayed by the cute new boy who walked into the room can breathe easier. I'm one of those who dance with the one who brought me, as my grandpa used to say. This blog is my first and best foray into cyberspace and I feel like I really know you guys. Facebook is like the line to get into the hot club; this blog is the club itself.

Okay, I know I'm the only one watching the show, but I am completely torn between Jeffrey and Melissa on The Next Food Network Star. Well...I'm probably leaning slightly toward Melissa. Anyone who can teach herself to cook and always find a smile under stress is a woman to root for.

And speaking of movies, aren't you just dying to see Julie and Julia? A movie about two women who go after their personal destinies against impossible odds? How can you not love that?

I mentioned a real job in my headline, and I bet you're thinking: What does she know about a real job? And most of the time, I agree with you, but this has been a crazy week. One of those weeks where writing actually feels like a job. Here's what's happening: I'm knee deep into the book for 2011 and LOVING it. (I always love it in the first draft, before Megan has read it and told me how tragically misguided my affection for the words are). I am working on the backlist trade reissues of The Things We Do For Love, which means talking about covers, copy, and answering questions for the reader's guide. I am in talks with my publisher about the cover for Winter Garden, and now I'm reading the page proofs for that novel. Page proofs are the typset version of the book--its my last chance to proofread and/or change anything. Really. How does Nora Roberts do it? I am literally overwhelmed by these various tasks. Clearly i am not a girl who can keep a lot of plates in the air.

Just mentioning it makes me nervous. I have so much to do, and I guess I'd better get back to it. But here are a few more ideas for comfort movies: The cutting Edge, The Matrix, LOTR ( I know, I know, I'm a geek girl), Four Weddings and a Funeral, Pretty Woman, Steel Magnolias, and Crimes of the Heart.

Aloha! Enjoy the summer heat...
Kristin

Hello everyone--

Well, it's hard to believe, I know, and those of you who regularly follow these posts will really not believe it, but I have finally...finally decided to take a small step into the new millenium. Drumroll please: I have a facebook page that's just for my readers. :) My publishers has been putting a fair amount of pressure on me to do this, and as you can imagine, I was more than reluctant. I mean, I just figured out how to load photos on this blog and links are just flat beyond me. (All of your excellent guidance notwithstanding). But, here I am, launching into cyberspace. Feels something like hurtling actually. I did a bunch of research on all the hows and whys and why nots, but in the end, like all jumps into the unknown, sooner or later, you just have to close your eyes and leap.

You're probably laughing right now, or at least smiling. But I hope you'll check it out and let me know what you think. You can find it on facebook.com. Just run a search for Kristin Hannah and look for my publicity photo. One quick keystroke and you can join in the conversation. I don't really know what will be happening on the page or how it will unfold, but I think it'll be the place to find out the facts and events about my books. We all know that I get so caught up in just yakking on the blog that I sometimes forget to tell you all that I have books coming out.

I know I forget because Kim keeps telling me. So she will be very happy that I've alerted you all to the presence of the facebook readers site. I guess technically its called a fan site, but I'm really uncomfortable with that word. I much prefer readers because that's what we all are. Also, Kim would want me to tell you to watch out for this month's reissue of On Mystic Lake in trade paperback. I think it's a lovely cover...what do you all think?

Well, that's the big news for today, I guess. Other than that, I'm not doing a whole lot besides writing...again. Yep, that's right, I've started the book for 2011. I know that sounds like a long time away, but I have to tell you, when you count your progress a word at a time, that deadline can come up with amazing speed.

When I finally decide I'm done for the night, I think I'm going to stay up late watching one of my comfort films. You know the kind I mean, one of those movies that you just watch over and over and love every time. Lately, for me, that's been the Keira Knightly Pride and Prejudice. I know that there are probably a lot of BBC purists out there who can't imagine loving the shorter version, but I just adore it. Tomorrow maybe I'll watch The English Patient. Anyone have any other comfort movie recommendations?

Enjoy the rest of the beautiful summer week--

aloha,
Kristin

Hello friends---

I've just finished reading the comments from my last blog and they have really touched me and gotten me to thinking. Now, granted, it's summer and the last thing I want to do is think, but even on these beautiful hot days, real life lurks just beyond our everyday view. Several of the women who are regulars on this blog have friends who are facing difficulties right now. This in a time when so many of us are facing job cutbacks and layoffs and financial woes. And I have a very dear friend who was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer only a few weeks ago. It reminds us all that as much as we sometimes want things to just stop for a second, or slow down, life has a way of going on. Sometimes it can all feel so overwhelming, and we don't know how to help ourselves or our friends. Prayers and good thoughts can feel so small in the face of all of that.

But they're not, are they? They're something. There's power in prayer and good thoughts. Please, don't be afraid to ask our blog community to join hearts and minds in a time like that. I'll bet I speak for a lot of us when i say I look forward to praying for your friends' health and recovery, Leen. And too the rest of our blog friends, who have suffered through similar difficulties in the last few months, our hearts go out to all of you, along with our prayers.

Since I'm kind of on my soapbox right now, let me say something else. As my friend and I have been dealing with her recent cancer diagnosis, I have been amazed to discover that the standard of care varies widely by doctor and hospital and state. If you, or anyone you know or love, has been diagnosed with cancer, please, please become proactive. Fight for your own health like you would for your child's. Find the BEST doctor and the BEST hospital. If you have to travel to do so, jump in the car. Many of us are lucky enough to live by first rate facilities; many of us are not. If you don't have a state of the art hospital near you, by all means, go in search of one. As I'm sure you all know, a cancer diagnosis is a call to war. Arm yourself and your loved ones.

Okay, that's what I have to say about that. And now back to our regularly scheduled blogging and my observations/opinions about ordinary life.

Below is a photograph of me and my good friend, Whitney, as we got ready to tackled our the wildly inappropriately named "Fun Run" for the Fourth of July. Three and half miles doesn't sound like much until your figure out that--impossibly--it's all uphill. And I was crazy enough to invite a beautiful eighteen year old girl (who happens to have a college track scholarship under her belt) to join me. Honestly, we had a great time. I'm sure she slowed down to keep up with
me, but she did it with such grace I pretended not to notice. :)

And what else is there to report this week? Hmmm....actually all kinds of things are popping. As I think I've told you, my publisher is closing in on a cover for my new book, called Winter Garden. I haven't seen a final yet, but what they're working on is lovely. Many of you have written to ask what the book is about, and here's what I can reveal. It's the story of two estranged sisters who get together on their father's deathbed. As he's dying, he begs them to try to get to know their mother--a cold, disapproving woman who has rarely shown either woman any love. Thus begins a surprising journey of discovery, where these two sisters uncover the truth of their mother's secret past. That's probably enough for now, but I will say this: it's a totally different kind of novel for me and one that I honestly believe you'll love.

Movies. HARRY POTTER SIX!!!! Woo hoo!! Okay, I have to admit that I saw it a few weeks ago, and it is a beautifully shot, elegantly done movie. The story is just getting so, so good. I already want to see it again. Also, I really enjoyed The Proposal. What about you guys? Anything good to report?

Am I the only one hooked on Deadliest Catch? How about the Next Food Network Star???

As for books, I can tell you that Rebecca Wells' The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder is at the top of my reading list. Rebecca is a magical storyteller, and if you haven't read her since Ya Ya's, it's about time to pick her up again.

Well, that's all the news that's fit to print for now. I think I'll go pour myself a glass of lemonade and walk down through the field and see how my apples are doing...

Aloha and enjoy the sun!

Kristin

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