« Introducing Beth Kendrick!! | Main | Michelle, My Belle »
January 5, 2006
It is soooo great to be here . . .
Sittin’ at the cool girls’ table at last!
When Alesia, Lani and Michelle asked me to be part of the Literary Chicks, I pretty much thought I’d died and gone to heaven. It’s a little embarrassing, but I have kind of a crush on these three. Not in a girl-on-girl way. More in a “wow, I wanna be like you when I grow up” way (which will be a little tricky since I think I’m older than all three of them, but you know what I mean).
All three of them are tremendously talented writers, but they are also fabulous people: funny, charming, seriously generous with their time and expertise and absolutely taking no prisoners as they go for what they want. It’s girl power all growed up in all the right ways.
Here are my questions for Lani, whom I’ve always admired for her sharp wit, her darling smile and her willingness to tell someone to bite her when they deserve it.
1. What is your favorite snack food (preferably the one that is so disgusting that you won't let yourself have it very often) and why?
My favorite snack food is soooooo bad for me (high cholesterol, damn genetics) but it's a total foodgasm, so if it shaves a few minutes off the lifespan, it just might be worth it. It's Dubliner cheese on Wheat Thins with chardonnay. I know - it sounds really snooty. I should say Cheez Doodles or Cherry Garcia (neither of which would I turn down should they be offered, hint hint) but if I had to pick an absolute favorite, it's the Dubliner. It's an Irish variation on the stinky cheese thing, and I wouldn't have touched with a ten-foot-pole in my younger years, but it's sooooo very yummy on Wheat Thins. Mmmm... think I'm gonna have to make a run to the
store...
2. What phrase are you most likely to mutter under your breath when you've dropped something heavy on your toe?
Oh, thanks a load, Rendahl. If there was any chance of concealing my total lack of class, it's blown now. ;) Which is okay, because anyone who hangs out with me long enough eventually finds out that the only person on the planet who is less couth than me is probably Tom Arnold. Even then, it's a close race. So, Dear Readers, if any of you have sensitivities to bad language, you may want to skim on down to the next question, because this ain't gonna be purty.
Godamn fucking piece of shit fuck.
And typically, it's not under my breath. I'm actually shocked that my children have never repeated it. Which is funny, because people who never swear, their kids are the ones who wait for a quiet moment in mass to yell out, "SHIT! I DROPPED MY FUCKING DOLL!" and my kids? Speak with the voices - and vocabularies - of angels. Life just isn't fair sometimes, but I'm not complaining, because in this instance it's working for me.
3. Where are you in the birth order of your family? Do you like it there?
I've got a weird thing going on. Technically, I'm second. I have an older brother. But he and I despised each other to such a degree that we didn't really interact, so I also really identify with only children as well. And I kinda liked it. I had my own space growing up. Now, though, I'm married into a family with ten children - my youngest sibling-in-law will be turning 10 in February - and I love having all the grown up siblings. So I'd say I got the best of both worlds, really.
4. Is there a book that you read or a movie that you saw at the exact right time in your life than inspired you to make a decision or a big change? What was the book or movie? Did the decision/change work out well?
There have been quite a few, but I the one with the biggest direct impact on my life was Jennifer Crusie's FAKING IT. This was back way before I'd ever met her, I just happened to pick up the book right after finishing the rough draft of TIME OFF FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR. It was Christmastime, and I sat by my tree with the fire blazing and read it from cover to cover and thought, "Man, I have to try this." So I took my completed rough draft, and made a resolution to dedicate 2003 to getting published. It worked out pretty well for me - I have a total of eight books either published or on contract, and so far, so good. I've since become friendly with Jenny, and she signed my copy of FAKING IT for me in 2004. It's one of my most treasured possessions.
5. What CD is in the player in your car right now?
It's a Christmas CD I made out of my favorite Christmas songs when I was getting started on THE COMEBACK KISS, which was originally going to be set at Christmastime until I realized that unless the Christmas thing is your hook, it's really best to leave alone. The CD starts off with Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong singing "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and ends with Joni Mitchell singing "River" and I freakin' love it.
See! That's my Lani! Isn't she fabulous? She's got everything. Stinky cheese, great music and a potty mouth beyond compare. No wonder I want to grow up to be her. Or grow down. Or whatever.
Posted by Eileen at 11:00 AM | Comments (21)
Comments
We're so happy to have you here, darling girl!!!
hugs,
Alesia
Posted by: Alesia Holliday ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.literarychicks.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at January 5, 2006 12:45 PM
WTH is Dubliner cheese?
And where can I get some?
I wanna jump on the foodgasm bandwagon!
Posted by: Beth at January 5, 2006 1:00 PM
You are like the fifth person in the last month to gush about how much they love "River". Since I idolize all things literary chicks, I might have to give that song a listen.
Posted by: Hope at January 5, 2006 1:22 PM
It's hard to go wrong with Joni Mitchell. She could probably sing my grocery list and make me want to weep a little.
Posted by: Eileen at January 5, 2006 1:51 PM
Yay! Eileen's first post! I'm all weepy!
Beth - Dubliner cheese is a very strong flavored, Irish stinky cheese. But it makes me happy inside. You should be able to find it at your local grocery store, and if they don't have it, they can order it for you. And to truly enjoy it - Wheat Thins and Chardonnay. I'll bring some to RWA in Atlanta. Yummm.
Hope - I have a theory that when you hear of something new multiple times in a short period, it's the universe telling you to pay attention. So, yes, go for it. And while you're checking out Joni Mitchell? You gotta find the song "Nuts." At least I think that's what it's called. GREAT song!
Yay! Eileen is here, Eileen is here, doing a little dance! Isn't she pretty?
L.
Posted by: Lani at January 5, 2006 3:12 PM
Is NUTS the one that ends with "two heads are better than one"? I love that song. It's on the Court and Spark album (see how old I am? I still call them albums).
Love,
Eileen
(who is not pretty because she is a giant post-holiday Macy's Day blown-up balloon version of herself and is on her second day of Weight Watchers and realizing she may never be able to eat cheese again)
Posted by: Eileen at January 5, 2006 3:34 PM
Eileen! Yay, here she is! Here she is!
And as for Joni, I have one thing to say to you. Ladies of the Canyon. Love all her music to bits, but Ladies of the Canyon...
(Although Oh Patient One is yelling over my shoulder, Blue, The Blue Album, Blue, goddamnit!)
Michelle, of the at least 400+ vinyl collection who also still says "albums."
PS. In the old days when I sang and played acoustic guitar, I wanted to be Joni Mitchell...but ya really don't want to hear my rendition of Chelsea Morning or Woodstock, these days :-)
Posted by: Michelle at January 5, 2006 4:42 PM
Well my personal Joni favorite has got to be Coyote... especially the version on "The Last Waltz".
Cowboy, who ought to hook up the turntable and play some albums, but is really entranced with his new iPod....
Posted by: Cowboy at January 5, 2006 7:06 PM
Blogging at last! Yeah!
Posted by: Allison Brennan at January 5, 2006 7:52 PM
Eileen - yes, that's the one I'm talking about. It's SUCH a great song, so funky and jazzy. I really love so much of her stuff. I need to go get a hold of "The Last Waltz," I think.
L.
Posted by: Lani at January 5, 2006 10:06 PM
The three reasons Eileen gave for loving Lani and wanting to be her when she grows up? Let me just say "ditto." As in the Ghost-type ditto.
"whom I’ve always admired for her sharp wit, her darling smile and her willingness to tell someone to bite her when they deserve it."
I love peeking in at the cool kids table. Thanks to all the Literary Chicks, new and old....
Posted by: Linda Sherwood at January 6, 2006 8:22 AM
Joni Mitchell - I love River. It's so honest. I feel that way so often. Of course, I live life on overwhelm. That could be why I like the song so much.
Okay - so I'm still here watching the cool kids table - just like high school. Is that depressing or what?
Eileen, you on weight watchers? Say it isn't so.
Mo
Posted by: Maureen at January 6, 2006 11:25 AM
No, Mo, you're not just watching. You've joined the party and welcome! And, yes, me on Weight Watchers. Yikes.
Posted by: Eileen at January 6, 2006 7:49 PM
Oh my gosh, now that I finally figured out how to get here I forgot what I wanted to say! I love Eileen's books and Eileen. They, the books and she have given me insight into what Eileen is about and what is involved in writing. In addition to enjoying her books I want you to know I know why she loves coffee. I have had coffee at her house and it is by far the greatest! I too would put it as my top three favorites!
Posted by: Becky Wallace at January 6, 2006 9:43 PM
You were cool long before you were asked to join the table!
Posted by: Becky Wallace at January 6, 2006 9:45 PM
Becky,
Thank you, but I definitely have not been seated at the cool kids' table before. This is a total treat.
Posted by: Eileen at January 8, 2006 12:02 AM
Wait a minute. *We're* the cool kids? I had no idea. I thought we were the disaffected goth chicks. Jeez. No one sends me the memos anymore! ;)
Posted by: Lani at January 8, 2006 10:35 AM
Lani,
Not knowing that you're one of the cool kids is one of the things that makes you so darn cool. :-)
Posted by: Eileen at January 9, 2006 10:51 AM
I am having dinner with Katherine Flanigan. I just finished reading her new novel, A Christmas Star. I have a questions for all thw authors. Do you think she enjoys talking about her books, or am I too pedestrian for that conversation?
Posted by: beckywallace at January 10, 2006 4:36 AM
Hey, Becky! I think it depends on the circumstance of the dinner. If you're gathering informally with a group of mutual friends, then I'd say probably stick mostly to just regular conversation. Not that you can't discuss the book, but keep it to the level that you'd ask about anybody's work - not letting it monopolize all the conversation. If it's a dinner you've won, or some kind of official promotional event, then by all means - that's why she's there! And please don't worry that you're "too pedestrian." Most writers are not silly enough as to look down on readers; it's you guys that we're indebted to! Without you, we'd all be assembling TPS reports in some cubicle somewhere - we HEART you big time. And at a dinner, there's a lot of conversation to fill; remember that you're just as interesting to the author as she is to you! Share, chat, relax and have fun. Have a great time, and let us know how it went!
Posted by: Lani at January 10, 2006 6:07 AM
It's definitely okay to talk to an author about his/her books in a social situation. Well, assuming you're not going to be asking things like, "why the #$*& did you do that?"
I think there are certain questions that authors feel uncomfortable with. Stuff like:
* So how much do you get paid for one of these things?
* Do much research for that book? (if it's a book with a lot of hot love scenes -- this is the worst when said with a wink)
Hmmm. That's all I can think of right now. There must be more though.
Posted by: Eileen at January 10, 2006 10:57 AM
