A Year Comes to Town, A Year Leaves Town
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Well, I sold a book.
Three books, actually, which is probably not a surprise to you if you're bothering to read this. The three main questions I answer repeatedly: 1) no, it's not a series, they are stand-alone books; 2) It is a book for middle-graders, and I sold it to HarperCollins Children's Books; 3) It will be out in October 2011--yes, that is a long time. Also, it's called The Princess Curse, I write as Merrie Haskell, and the ISBN: 9780062008138
Technically, I sold the book in 2009, but since I couldn't actually make it known until 2010, and the contracts weren't signed until then, either, I am sticking with that.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Repeated ad nauseum: I'm trying to establish lifelong habits, not make resolutions I can't keep. On the other hand, I did travel overseas for the first time in a few years, and while that was less of a resolution and more an aim or a goal, I did it.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My dear Julie had Quentin! Yay! He's quite literally the best baby.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
The Fullers lost a great family friend, and my cousin's wonderful husband passed away.
5. What countries did you visit?
Germany and Romania!
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Less stress, more time, more quiet.
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I've become so bad with dates, I doubt any of them are etched.
8. What are your biggest achievements of the year?
Between books and travel, I have mostly covered it! But there've been some significant changes at my dayjob that I'm proud of, too.
9. What were your biggest failures?
Wish I'd finished more books. Got so stressed out too often.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes, but in many ways, this was the year of recovery. I have my bonespur managed and can actually, you know, walk. Three-mile hikes, ppfft! Europe, ppfft! I'm so glad. My hives are sticking around, but remain managed. There was an incredibly awkward allergic reaction that might or might not have been to cashew nuts, and I have a cold right now, and had a really bad one in Germany, and not a few rilly bad stomach upsets, but otherwise, doing okay.
11. What were the best things you bought?
A furnace! My new camera. A Kindle.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I can't even believe how great my stepdaughter is. I mean, I knew she was a good kid all along, but she's really quite amazing!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Oh, discretion. As usual, you are the better part of valor.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Taxes. Or it will do.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Writing! World Fantasy Convention. Meeting my editor and agent. Seeing my husband after being in Europe for two weeks!
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
"Brick by Boring Brick" by Paramore, or possibly "Grenade" by Bruno Mars
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
Maybe a little sadder.
ii. thinner or fatter?
Same.
iii. richer or poorer?
Can I be both?
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Gardening.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
For the third year in a row, I'm writing "stressing."
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Already spent, with the Fullers and my mom.
21. What was the best holiday for you in 2010?
Christmas was just really, really nice this year.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Without a doubt, the three shows I am eager to watch when I see them pop up on the DVR, are Community, 30 Rock, and Cougar Town. Also, Income Property.
23. What was the best book you read?
Tough tie! The Hunger Games was voraciously devoured, unputdownable. The book that made me cheer for its originality and freshness was One Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemison. The book that lingered with me the longest was probably Fire by Kristin Cashore--or possibly Ice by Sarah Beth Durst. (I KNOW, RIGHT?)
24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
That there's actually music being currently produced that I enjoy? Haha. Bruno Mars, probably.
25. What did you want and get?
A book contract. Maid service, though I ended up not enjoying it as much as it cost. A new office, separate from the guest room.
26. What did you want and not get?
A darkroom. A rilly nice digital SLR. A new desk. Doors on my office.
27. What was your favorite film of this year?
Inception, of course.
28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 35. A group of friends went out to Zingerman's Road House.
29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A trip to someplace warm and sunny in late January.
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
"Old Navy pants are quality, Old Navy shirts are not. Buy your shirts elsewhere."
Is that a fashion concept?
31. What kept you sane?
Dogged determination.
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don't even know how to answer this.
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
It's really time for universal healthcare, okay?
34. Who did you miss?
Everyone I didn't see.
35. Who was the best new person you met?
My agent and my editor are tied for this one!
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010?
Sometimes you just have to work harder, not smarter.
37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
If it's not real
You can't hold it in your hand
You can't feel it with your heart
And I won't believe it
But if it's true
You can see it with your eyes
Oh even in the dark
Well, I sold a book.
Three books, actually, which is probably not a surprise to you if you're bothering to read this. The three main questions I answer repeatedly: 1) no, it's not a series, they are stand-alone books; 2) It is a book for middle-graders, and I sold it to HarperCollins Children's Books; 3) It will be out in October 2011--yes, that is a long time. Also, it's called The Princess Curse, I write as Merrie Haskell, and the ISBN: 9780062008138
Technically, I sold the book in 2009, but since I couldn't actually make it known until 2010, and the contracts weren't signed until then, either, I am sticking with that.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Repeated ad nauseum: I'm trying to establish lifelong habits, not make resolutions I can't keep. On the other hand, I did travel overseas for the first time in a few years, and while that was less of a resolution and more an aim or a goal, I did it.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My dear Julie had Quentin! Yay! He's quite literally the best baby.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
The Fullers lost a great family friend, and my cousin's wonderful husband passed away.
5. What countries did you visit?
Germany and Romania!
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Less stress, more time, more quiet.
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I've become so bad with dates, I doubt any of them are etched.
8. What are your biggest achievements of the year?
Between books and travel, I have mostly covered it! But there've been some significant changes at my dayjob that I'm proud of, too.
9. What were your biggest failures?
Wish I'd finished more books. Got so stressed out too often.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes, but in many ways, this was the year of recovery. I have my bonespur managed and can actually, you know, walk. Three-mile hikes, ppfft! Europe, ppfft! I'm so glad. My hives are sticking around, but remain managed. There was an incredibly awkward allergic reaction that might or might not have been to cashew nuts, and I have a cold right now, and had a really bad one in Germany, and not a few rilly bad stomach upsets, but otherwise, doing okay.
11. What were the best things you bought?
A furnace! My new camera. A Kindle.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I can't even believe how great my stepdaughter is. I mean, I knew she was a good kid all along, but she's really quite amazing!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Oh, discretion. As usual, you are the better part of valor.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Taxes. Or it will do.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Writing! World Fantasy Convention. Meeting my editor and agent. Seeing my husband after being in Europe for two weeks!
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
"Brick by Boring Brick" by Paramore, or possibly "Grenade" by Bruno Mars
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
Maybe a little sadder.
ii. thinner or fatter?
Same.
iii. richer or poorer?
Can I be both?
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Gardening.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
For the third year in a row, I'm writing "stressing."
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Already spent, with the Fullers and my mom.
21. What was the best holiday for you in 2010?
Christmas was just really, really nice this year.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Without a doubt, the three shows I am eager to watch when I see them pop up on the DVR, are Community, 30 Rock, and Cougar Town. Also, Income Property.
23. What was the best book you read?
Tough tie! The Hunger Games was voraciously devoured, unputdownable. The book that made me cheer for its originality and freshness was One Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemison. The book that lingered with me the longest was probably Fire by Kristin Cashore--or possibly Ice by Sarah Beth Durst. (I KNOW, RIGHT?)
24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
That there's actually music being currently produced that I enjoy? Haha. Bruno Mars, probably.
25. What did you want and get?
A book contract. Maid service, though I ended up not enjoying it as much as it cost. A new office, separate from the guest room.
26. What did you want and not get?
A darkroom. A rilly nice digital SLR. A new desk. Doors on my office.
27. What was your favorite film of this year?
Inception, of course.
28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 35. A group of friends went out to Zingerman's Road House.
29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A trip to someplace warm and sunny in late January.
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
"Old Navy pants are quality, Old Navy shirts are not. Buy your shirts elsewhere."
Is that a fashion concept?
31. What kept you sane?
Dogged determination.
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don't even know how to answer this.
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
It's really time for universal healthcare, okay?
34. Who did you miss?
Everyone I didn't see.
35. Who was the best new person you met?
My agent and my editor are tied for this one!
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010?
Sometimes you just have to work harder, not smarter.
37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
If it's not real
You can't hold it in your hand
You can't feel it with your heart
And I won't believe it
But if it's true
You can see it with your eyes
Oh even in the dark