Well, it’s happened. The WGA strikes Hollywood. Wow. I’m really shocked and am going to be following all of the coverage. Leno, Letterman and late-night TV will probably be in reruns tonight (already!) and more shows will soon follow. I listened to a sound bite from Marc Cherry (creator of Desperate Housewives) and he thought this was definitely needed. He said writers were hurt by the boom of DVD sales from years ago and didn’t get proper compensation. The news also reports that other writer organizations may soon join and back WGA. Anyone a member of WGA? I’m not, but I hope to be some day.

Back to NaNo- it’s day 5! I’m around 10,500 words and going strong. The forums are working sooo much better over at NaNo and the site is much faster.

Share your word counts, if you dare. 🙂

Day four is here! After a lackluster 200 words added yesterday, I’m ready to get going today. How’s it going for everyone else?

And, has anyone else been keeping tabs on the Hollywood strike? If this happens, we’ll be watching reality TV for months. Soaps, primetime and late-night shows will all be impacted by this very possible strike. Here’s an updated article below:

Writer strike looms in Hollywood after talks break off

All right! It’s day three! How’s it going, everyone? I got up at 7am (yuck!) on a chilly Saturday to finish edits and start typing. I’ve been posting over on the forums and people are doing great! Did you know there’s a club for extreme NaNo where people write 50k in one day! One day! Now, that’s not for me but for those who can…go for it. Amazing. 🙂

Anyone have a favorite NaNo soundtrack? Share ’em! I use Disney soundtracks, like Fantastia, and Harry Potter soundtracks. Ooh, and Pirates. (Thinking of Captain Jack keeps me typing…ahem…)

Check in today, even though it’s Saturday, and let’s keep going! I sit at…7587. I’ll check in tonight.

PS- The handy word meter has been disabled (!) on the creator’s site. Apparently, the NaNoers crash the server so you have to manually update the percentage and WC yourself. And no, the little bar doesn’t slide. 😦

All right! We’re here at day two! The first day of pain (kidding!) is behind us and now we’re moving on. Were your word counts what you thought they’d be for yesterday? If not, don’t despair! There’s plenty of time to make it up.

Anyone going to a local write in? My area is having one tomorrow at my favorite branch of the library, so I may go. I’ve always wanted to try one.

So, I’ll share my word count first. As I mentioned, I’m writing the second book in my Canterwood Crest series (you all like the new title?!) and I sit at: 7000 words. Today, I may not get any typing done since I have edits, so that’s why I did such a big WC yesterday.

Share your totals, if you like, and if not push ahead on day two. 🙂

Hear ye! Hear ye! Today begins day one of National Novel Writing Month! So, get out your computers, pens, notecards and let’s get started! We can cross the finish line at the end of November with 50,000 words. Yes, we can!

If you’re doing NaNo, check in here and let’s get the support started. I’m opening my blank document right… now.

The lovely Steph tagged me for 8 random facts for today. So, here they are:

1. I don’t have cable. Nope, if I did, I’d watch waaaay too much TV. 🙂

2. So, based on #1, I’ve never seen an episode of The Hills or any of those crazy MTV reality shows.

3. Every December, I walk around my neighborhood almost every night just to look at the Christmas lights. I love how pretty, sparkly and warm the neighborhood feels.

4. I switched college minors three times and majors never. My minors went from film, to women’s studies to humanities.

5. I can’ t cook. Well…can’t or won’t? Difference? 🙂

6. I HATE scary movies. I can’t handle anything even remotely scary or I won’t sleep for days.

7. I despise the taste of milk–except for in cereal.

8. I own (and love) all of Britney’s CDs. And, have you read this? Yes, Blackout is a hit with critics!

PS- I found this cool article! Check out the sidebar on the right…http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Entertainment/Headlines/entBOOK01102507.htm

I blogged about my brush with a natural disaster at Teen Fiction Cafe today. Come on over and chat with us! 🙂

PS- On Wednesday, check for a super-spooky Halloween photo!

Today, I’m working on outlets for book promotion next year. In addition to conferences, I thought attending a few horse shows and Pony Club gatherings would put me in touch with my audience who will likely be horse loving tweens.

Did you know that there are over 600 United States Pony Clubs in the US? These clubs have over 12,000 riders up to the age of 21. I did a search and found a complete list of all of the Pony Clubs in the Deep South and will definitely start contacting them next year. I only thought about this when I read that Bonnie Bryant, the Saddle Club author, does signings at these events.

An interesting event to attend would be the USPC Championships on July 24-27 in Lexington, VA. I used to live in VA and it would be fun to go back. 🙂

Anyone ever been part of a Pony Club? I didn’t when I rode horses, but I wish there had been one in my area. I rode at a nice-sized stable, Triple Springs, in Greenbrier, TN. Most of the riders there were adults and there was a great mix of riders. Some had wild Mustangs, some had Arabians for breeding and a few barrel raced Quarter Horses. I was the girl who rode bareback (not even a bridle) and made everyone nervous when I zoomed over creeks and fences. 🙂

TGIF!

Today’s post is of high importance. The Star Jones Show on Court TV is doing an upcoming segment on Envy. The show is looking for teens who would like to be on the show and speak about how gossip has affected their lives. This is NOT an exploitative type of segment. Instead, it’s a new/entertainment/lifestyle piece and the focus is on how gossip destroys lives, ruins friendships and impacts girls into adulthood. The show is wondering why gossip is important to us as a culture.

If you would like to be a part of the show, please call Mia Davis at 212.973.7940 or e-mail her at mia.davis@turner.com. If you’re under 18, please get your parents’ permission before you call or e-mail.

I’m going to be part of the show, so I hope you call or e-mail and weigh in on the topic of teen gossip! If you have questions, either e-mail Mia or post them here. We need responses ASAP. 🙂