Funny that today's the day I feel like I've finally gotten over the hump with this book. Thanks the gods for Mac Freedom. If you haven't heard of it, it's a program that blocks access tot he internet for specified periods of time. Yes, my friends, my self control is so bad I have to make it impossible to get online. Today, I set it for 2 hours and got more than 1500 words written. Yay Mac Freedom!

Also, the weather is helping me stay motivated to work. It freaking snowed in...

Passionate readers who tell their friends "You've got to read this."

Patient editors who ply me with martinis and remind me to get out of my own way

Patient agents who ply me with sangria and tell me it's okay to be neurotic

Author friends who help debut authors not make asses of themselves-or who encourage them to as the case warrants.

My good humored spouse who endures marriage to me with the patience of Job

My adorable Spawn who makes his mom laugh daily at...

So the other day, we were having a talk with Spawn. It wasn't a lecture per se, but a pep talk about school. I was in the middle of a very profound discourse on something of importance when my precious little boy flipped me the bird.

Now, I should say this was not an angry, rebellious gesture, so much as an experimental one. In his lap, he curled his little fingers down and extended the middle one with an...

Item the first: I can finally announce that I've sold Polish rights to Red-Headed Stepchild and The Mage in Black. Not sure when it'll come out there, but I'm intrigued to see what kind of cover and title the book will get over there.

Item the second: My Artist's Way class is still really awesome. The homework is my favorite part. This week I'm supposed to take a walk, write down ten worries and place them in a box so we're not ...

1. Interested in finding out what my typical day is like? Check out the post I did at Orbit's blog. Hint: It involves coffee, weremonkeys and a minor addiction. You've been warned

2. Tomorrow is my Shreveport Smackdown with Nicole Peeler. There will be cookies. There might be a cage match. Plus you never know what kind of prizes your attendance will win you. 7pm at the Barnes & Noble on Youree Dr. If you can't make it, be sure and follow me (@jayewells) and Nicole...

Wow, that sounds like a lot doesn't it? 50,000 words? Wowza! But not really.

Here's the thing: 50,000 words divided by 30 = 1666ish words a day. Now, assuming each manuscript formatted page is about 250 words, you're only...

Tonight we're carving up a pumpkin and roasting seeds. And tomorrow, Spawn will unleash his intimidating ninja skills on unsuspecting neighbors while I play the role of body guard. I'll be the one wearing a witch hat and drinking wine out of a plastic cup.

Don't forget, if you happen to dress up as a character from my books, be sure to send me pictures. There could be prizes involved. If...

As many of your are aware, our own Dr. Peeler's Tempest Rising is hitting stands on November 1. This is exciting because Nicole's one of the League's debutantes, and we're always excited when one of our own pops their cherry has a big debut book launch.

To help Nicole celebrate this auspicious occasion, I'll be heading to Shreveport on November 7 for a joint signing at the Barnes & Noble. Yes, apparently there's only one in Shreveport. Anyway...

I spoke for probably an hour. I tried to tell them things I ...