State of the Writer:  Got on the scale this morning to discover I'm 17 lbs. lighter than I was ten days ago.  Quite a jolt; I haven't been this skinny since before I got pregnant with Kath.  I tacked a post-it note to the computer that reads EAT SOMETHING STUPID and promptly got a story idea from it: What if there was some monster running around devouring reviewers...and could you make a pet out of it?

I know I'm terribly behind on e-mail, and I apologize to all who are waiting for answers.  It's been a tough week and next week is shaping up to be just as much fun.

Thanks to all of you who checked on me, too.  Depression is a funny thing; it affects me a little differently than the standard sufferer.  I stop eating and sleeping, and I write a lot of bad poetry and paint terrible pictures and re-clean the house a few dozen times.  By the time I emerge from the pit, I'm as wired as cross-country trucker popping No-Doz.  Nevertheless I am emerging, a little slower this time but hey, I'm old, and it takes a lot of artistic energy to write sucky sonnets and paint landscapes from hell. :)  ¶ 9:18 AM

  Decisions, Decisions:  The hardest thing about working for multiple publishers in multiple genres is trying to keep books and deadlines from colliding; this week I've felt like a traffic cop in Little Havana during Cinco de Mayo.  I'm also trying to project my schedule into 2005 which, given the fickle nature of this business, is a lot like trying to catch cows with a butterfly net.  Or butterflies with a lasso.  You get the picture.  Decisions based on what you think publishers will do are not fun to make.

On the up side of things, I have a wonderful new book to add to this summer's schedule, my proposal for the new romance contract seems to be a hit, and I am starting to see some significant return for the hard work and sacrifices of 2002.  I'm actively employed and being given more creative space with each new contract.  My agent is doing great things to pair me with fantastic editors while assuring that I don't have to deal with people I don't want to deal with anymore.  I'd say my odds of staying in the game full time have improved 100% over last year's six months "Why the hell am I doing this to myself?" futility-o-rama.

I'm still tired and a little depressed, but there's a light up there.  It's getting brighter and stronger.  All I have to do is keep moving in that direction.  ¶ 7:56 PM

  Sold:  Christmas-themed adult Christian fiction novel, Grace Chapel Inn series, to be released in December 2003.  That means I'll have seven books hitting the shelves this year (tossing confetti around.)

Also, first word on the tentative release date for my next Jessica Hall novel -- "Into the Fire" will be out in April 2004.  This novel finishes out my contract obligations to Onyx, so we're moving on to new contract talks.

**Update**: Title change for "Antiques in the Attic"; the novel will now be titled "Portraits of the Past."  ¶ 9:30 AM

  Scarce:  I've got a very heavy work week starting in about four hours; contract negotiations, galleys, proposals and outlines colliding all over the place, and to be honest, I'm a little depressed and tired after getting through last week.  So: I'm going to simplify my life as much as possible for the immediate future, and if I don't post here for a few days don't worry -- I'll be back.  ¶ 3:36 AM

  Link-o-Rama:  Someone (you know who you are, I can't remember) asked me if I had a link to an acronym site -- found this acronym search engine in my bookmarks.  Also found links to Latin words and phrases; SF, Fantasy & Horror writing resources; Barbara Fister's Resources for Mystery Writers; and free software for writers (have not downloaded any of this, probably trial versions.)  ¶ 2:35 PM

  May Stuff:  The latest story and update are up on the web site, thanks to Willa, and I've got a book giveaway this month as well.  ¶ 10:53 AM