Walk Across Texas

Some co-workers and I are participating in a little exercise competition. It's called Walk Across Texas, and the goal is for the team to walk (or exercise in any way) across Texas.

My employer has given us all a chance to form teams of eight, and the teams will compete against each other. Our team – the SuperSonic Jets – is determined to win! Each team member has to walk about 13 miles each week to make it the 830 miles to El Paso.

The competition began last week. I "walked" by riding our stationary bicycle the equivalent of 3.5 miles almost every day. Last week I made it 22.75 miles. This week I will far surpass that.

Typically, I exercise four days a week by doing either Wii Fit or Wii boxing for about half an hour and then swimming and doing water aerobics for another half hour.

But in order to Walk Across Texas, I have been riding the stationary bike and then swimming for 30 minutes each. That gets me more mileage.

I'm not the only one who's working out. A friend of mine is chronicling her own journey to get in shape. Good luck to her!

Also – go SuperSonic Jets!

Happy New Year

I hope all of you have a wonderful, safe, prosperous and, of course, happy new year. Make the most of the promise that 2010 offers.

At my critique group Monday night, one of the other writers said, "2010 is going to be the year."

I don't if it will the year for her or me or any of the other writers in our group, but I am determined to keep trying!

I just have to keep plugging away and not waste time.

Christmas Message

Good News

Back in early June, I sent a young adult novel I wrote to an editor I met at the Houston SCBWI Editor Day Conference.

Friday afternoon I got an email response from the editor's assistant. While the overall answer was a "no" on publication, the answer was so inspiring that I have to share.

Here are some of the comments the assistant sent.

"Your story has all the elements of drama, mystery, intrigue and danger to make for a very exciting thriller. From the start, I wanted to know what was happening to Anna and what she would do to get out of this horrible situation. Your short chapters add to the paciness of the story, and it’s a very smart choice. Your novel reminded me a bit of Gabriel Lord’s new series, CONSPIRACY 365, which I highly recommend you take a look at."

I need to look up this series since I'm not familiar with it.

She also wrote about the ending of the novel. She liked the ending but thought certain aspects of it take "away the power of the contrast you’ve created with the tension earlier in the novel. I would consider rethinking and reworking this as you revise."

It's good advice, and something I'm mulling over in my head. I've got to let the idea cook a while before I really start to attack the writing.

But I am thrilled that someone enjoyed the book! It made my weekend.