Tracy Deebs's Blog, page 8

Where do you get your ideas?

By and largethis is number one on the list of authors' frequently asked questions. Andthere are, of course, as many different answers as there are authors. Citedoften is music lyrics, overheard conversations, other movies, other books. Almostanything, anything, can get a writer'sfertile imagination going—especially if said author is currently deep in thebowels of writing a another story.
When I'm inthe sagging middle of a manuscript and every word is another drop of O-negativeon the page, each minute at the keyboard akin to a month of Saturday afteroonsat Chuck E. Cheese, that's when it strikes. Staring at the computer screen,  wondering why I'm even bothering to write thisstupid, conflict-less story that I'm pretty sure sucks and which no one intheir right mind would ever pay actual money for, I—wait, what's that? That glintover there. Oooh, it's so pretty. No, don'tlook, you have to finish this story,warns my inner voice. But, it's so bright, sooo shiny, sooooo perfect…Damn.
Bright Shiny.That's what Emily, Tracy and I call them, these new ideas that call to us whenwe're writing. They're exciting, seductive and so, so dangerous, kind of likethat guy--you know that guy: the hot one with the motorcycle and the sexy tatooon his shoulder who drinks and smokes Reds and your mama would absolutely dieif she knew you're were dating him, but you just can't say no to his soft babyblues.
Except inthis case your mama is your editor. And you have a mind-crushing deadline withno room for a one-night stand, much less the torrid affair you're actuallycontemplating. Not to tell tales out of school, but Tracy's notorious for findingBright Shinys the second after she's sold a new book and has a firm deadline. Emilylost four writing days and gave forty pages to one before we were able to stopher (and that's just the days/pages we know about). Me? Well, we'll get tothat.
The realproblem with a Bright Shiny, see, is there's absolutely no way to protectoneself from them. They can come from anywhere, anything, anytime (all real-life examples): Two linesfrom a random song as I'm flipping through radio stations.An overheardcell phone conversation while I'm waiting in line at Chipotle.Spying Observing a blind date at Starbucks.Myhoroscope.A fortunecookie.A blog post.A tweet.Amisdirected text…
That's howit happened to me. March 12th. Saturday. Up till then I'd beencompletely immersed in the world-building/researching/procrastinating on a complicatedreincarnation story that I've been wanting to write for a while, but on which Icouldn't gain any real momentum. My phone buzzed me awake at the ungodlyweekend hour of 6:40 AM. A text. Then another. From a number I didn'trecognize.
The demons are fierce.I hope u r having a safe day. I needyour help.
Seriously? Icouldn't just let something like that get away. I saw a boy. I saw a girl. Isaw a demon straight out of the inferno. Reincarnation story back on the shelf…BrightShiny here I come.  It's nowmy current work-in-progress. Yeah, it's lost some of it's initial luster—they alldo. But, I'm plowing ahead, staying the course, word by word, scene by scene,day after—hey, what's that over there?

Smells Like Teen Spirit: Vampire Diaries Recap Epi 6

The Least You Need to Know: Klaus has blown town, fearing that Vampire Hunter Michael is on his way to clean house.The Senior Class of Mystic Falls High can now lay claim to more than just the highest teen body count in Virginia--they've got the first bonafied hybrid soldier in Klaus's dreamt of army, Tyler. Oh, and Stefan's lost his humanity. Let the new school year begin!!

Elena's waking (Aside: this is a common scene beginning, and the sheets are always the same). She's sad. She dabs coverup on the healing fang marks on her neck, courtesy of Rebekah, before joining Alaric outside for a rousing staking practice. E tries her hardest, but she's no Buffy. And Stefan's playing for keeps now, Alaric reminds her.

Parking lot of Mystic Falls High, 1st day of Senior Year. Go Timberwolves!! Caroline's stoked, Bonnie and Elena not so much. Man troubles got'em down: Jeremy's talking to his Dead Girlfriends, Tyler's a vampwolf, and Stefan's gone ripper. Oh, and to really drive home how much her life has gone to hell, today is the anniversary of Stelena's first meeting. Ah, memories. But, it's a new year, new life, E declares.

Salvatore's: Loud music, dead co-eds. This is familiar, Damon thinks. Except this time round, it's Stefan snacking on Tri Delts and he's worried about blood on the carpet. Ding dong. Rebekah bustles in with shopping bags (Hey, how can she just waltz in uninvited? Isn't this still technically Elena's house?). She needs a place to crash since Klaus left her behind.

At school, Bonnie and Hot Jeremy are arguing about his Dead Girlfriend problem. She says it's his fault they're hanging around. Matt pulls up in his truck. Why so sad, Matty? Dead Vicki pops in to ask. He's lonely. Well, you wouldn't be if I came back...but Tyler interrupts before she can tell him how.

At the mausoleum, Katherine is unsuccessfully trying to get decrepit Vampire Hunter Michael to feed. Damon calls and wants an update. Get a move on so they can kill Klaus and save compelled Stefan. Then Damon rings up Elena, telling her to keep away from the house cause of their new houseguest. He's deliberately mum about Stefan's collegiate activities, when she asks about her love.

Caro's hanging up posters for the annual Back-To-School Bonfire (How many traditions does this town have???). Elena will be there. Ty swoops in for a smooch--and is that blood on your shirt, buddy? Hey, Bekah hooked him up with a blood bag. Caro gives him the dress down in the restroom about keeping his vamp activities on the DL and to watch the cocky 'tude.

Elena literally runs into Stefan in the hallway. He's just following Klaus's orders to keep an eye on her, but when he grabs her, Alaric breaks it up. Ripper Stefan pushes the history teacher against the locker. Don't mess with the rippah.

Alaric and Elena need a plan to deal with the Stefan situation at school. Stefan is a dick in history class, and then to top it off, there's a new girl--that's right, Rebekah. Caroline is not happy.

Matt's cruising the Stoner Pit (the Peace Sign VW van cracked me up) looking for Vicki to pop up. She does. She tells him again that she can come back to this side of the living with the help of a dead witch, but he has to help her. Hot Jeremy stops by, pretends he doesn't see Vick. But reports to Anna what he overheard. Is it true? Anna says if Vicki has a strong enough foothold in this world she can, but it would be bad news. Cause you can't upset the balance of nature. Consequences. Too bad nobody tells this to Matt.

Football practice. Tyler is a total hybrid badass on the field. Rebekah shows up at cheer practice--she's totally pulling a single-white-female sitch on Caroline. Then Ty compels coach to let them go early. Caro again gives him the talk, but he's too interested in watching Rebekah flip around the field in her itty, bitty shorts.

Elena's running track. Stefan joins her. 'Cept he's soooo not her Stefan. But when he calls her the human blood bag, she's draws the line and leaves. What I say? Damon walks in on her pumping iron--Buffy and Warrior Princess quips are made. E tells him she wants to lock up Stefan, like they did before when he fell off the blood wagon. D thinks it's a lost cause, but she won't give up. They end up having a touchy-feely moment as Damon promises he won't let anyone, especially his l'il bro, hurt her.

Nighttime. Before the bonfire, Damon, Elena and Alaric go over their plan to trap Stefan. Elena will bait Stefan, Alaric will vervaine him. Damon takes care of Bekah. Caro and Ty enter, but Ty's not down with locking up Stefan. Why? Cause Klaus wouldn't like it. Uh, oh. Damon knocks Ty out with vervaine and tells everyone that because Klaus sired him, Ty's completely loyal to him.

Bonfire. Bekah and Stefan are at the keg. Elena walks up and taunts him by downing a cup o' beer. Hey, watch out, lightweight, he reminds her...almost like he cares.

Cut to Matt working some candles and juju, cutting his palm. Dead Vicki's directing this little session. Candles flare. Vicki touches him, he can feel it. It worked. She's now un-dead again.

Hot Jeremy's telling Bonnie what Anna said about Vicki, but all she can hear is that he keeps talking to his dead girlfriend.

Matt's happy Vicki's back. Till Vick tells him about the deal she made: she can stay, but only if the hybrids can't survive. You can't kill Tyler! Pshaw, I don't care about Tyler, it's Elena who's the key to hybrid survival. She must die (Again?!?) No, Matt steps in.Un-dead Vicki clocks him with a wrench. Ah, sibling bonds.

At the bonfire, Elena's watching keg stands, Stefan's watching her. She down's another cup of brew. Damon's working his baby blues on Bekah, making smores. Elena watches, obviously jealous. Stefan calls her on it. She is not, she argues. Stefan shrugs. (Commentary: Elena totally reminded me of my college boyfriend in this scene - she doesn't totally want Damon, but she definitely doesn't want him getting cozy with anyone else, either. Let him go, E.)

Matt confesses to a worried Bonnie what he did. Un-dead Vicki's at the bonfire, she finds a joint someone left and picks it up. Just like old times already.

Damon's feeding Bekah a sticky s'more from his fingertips, but she's not buying what he's selling. Something's up. So, she drives her s'more stick into his stomach (and I totally love her! she's smart.)

Tyler wakes up on his couch at home and Caroline reads him the riot act. When she starts to storm out, he's contrite and promises to tone down the d-baggery. And then he says something totally sweet, and Caroline forgives him (so do I!), they kiss, and then it's bom chicka wah wah time.

Elena's drunk, draped on the bleachers. Told you you're a lightweight, Stefan says. I'll drive you home. Elena recklessly crawls over the side railing, pretends to let go, and you can see Stefan's blood pressure rising and then she actually falls...he catches her in his arms in the nick. I knew you'd save me, she says. They have a long, gazing moment...lips are close...vervaine darts fly, couresty of Ric. Stefan drops.

Alaric loads Stefan into the back of his car, while Elena gets in the passenger side. Damn kids, Ric says as he stumbles over an empty gas...and oh my god, there's un-dead Vicki with her lit joint. She tosses it. Flames race, engulfing the car in seconds. Elena's trapped inside. Ric tries to get her out, but can't. The smoke, Elena's coughing. Stefan wake up, wake up! He rouses, kicks out the back door. Vicki appears and tries to hold Elena back from escaping. But Bonnie's working a spell, and it pulls Vicki back into a candlelit classroom. Matt tells her a tearful goodbye, Bonnie chants, candles flare. Poof. Bye, bye, Vicki. Elena crawls out of the car, then she and Ric grab Stefan before it blows up.

Salvatore's house. Damon is patching up Elena's scratches. She's all jealous girlfriend over him and Bekah, they get close, but Ric breaks it up and takes her home.

Post-coital, Caro leaves Ty, just before Bekah shows up.And she's brought some Thai for dinner. They vamp out.

At the tomb, Kate and Michael are talking. Take off these chains, he tells her, and I will kill Klaus. But first, I need a non-living bite to eat. Whoa--he grabs Katherine and feeds on her!

Elena tells Ric that he should forgive Damon already. Ric's having none of it (Commentary: Good for you, Ric. I think everyone forgives Damon a little too easily. I re-watched Season 1 and now I remember what an a-hole Damon really is. He's still got a long way to go for redemption. A long way. I wish Elena would remember that, too.) Stefan reminds Alaric and Elena that they need him because he'll protect Elena from anything. You could have let me burn, but you didn't, he says to Elena. Because I still have hope, she answers. I know you better than anyone and this is not you. Then you're pathetic, he tells her. No, strong, she replies resoundingly and drives a couple of stakes in his chest for good measure (and this is so much like Buffy, Season 2, in the mall where she's fighting Angelus and he taunts her that she can't kill him because she still loves him, so she knees him and says to just give her time...sigh, I loved that show).

Hot Jeremy is talking to Bonnie's voicemail. Dead Anna shows up. You shouldn't be thinking about me while you're talking to your girlfriend, she admonishes. I can't stop and don't know that I ever will, he admits. Then they touch hands and both can feel it. (Y'all, I so love them together!)

Damon's cleaning up the Stefan-trashed house. A vase breaks. Then something else in another room. Stop it, Stefan, he says like an exasperated parent. Except it's not Stefan. Damon is thrown to the floor. OMG! It's supposedly dead-werewolf Mason! I did not see that one coming.

Extended commentary: Okay, so as I've said before, I'm getting pretty bored of this Klaus storyline, but Mason being alive may help to enliven it a bit. I hope. We're six friggin' episodes in and nothing has really happened. Also, when it comes to the Stefan-Elena-Damon love triangle, which I'm also finding a bit fatiguing, I don't think anyone is asking the right question: it's not a matter of who loves who more, or who's better for her. They both love Elena, and she loves each of them . The question is who is she willing to give up?










 

The Reckoning: Vampire Diaries Epi 5 Recap

Sorry this is late, y'all. I missed the original airing on Thursday night and didn't get to watch till yesterday. Forgive?
The Reckoning


The Least You Need To Know: Katherine stole Elena's necklace and has taken Damon on the road. Klaus knows Stefan's hiding something, so he's brought him back to Mystic Falls to find out what. Reunion!!!



INT Mystic Falls High. Dark. Eerie. Clink. Clink. It's Matt. Alone, sweaty, pumping iron. Strange noises. WTF? He walks into the hall. A shadow passes by. He follows. Opens a squeaky door, dark room. (Don't do it, Matt!! Have you learned nothing?) Clack, clack, clack, clack. He hits the lights.Hundreds of mouse traps go off. Damnit, Matt, says Caroline along with Ty, Elena and Bonnie. Senior Prank Night, remember? It's all TP tossing and clingwrapping toilets. Hahahahaha, everyone's gonna have fun! (This is code for doom in Mystic Falls, of course.)Immediately, Elena walks down the wall and right into Klaus. Hello, doppelganger. Why aren't you dead? (Told ya.)Katherine and Damon speed down a long, dark highway. She taunts about his Elena complex before shoving her tongue into his mouth. He responds for about 5 seconds, then, eh. She doesn't do it for him anymore. She pouts.Stefan comes to, again, in the back of Klaus's moving truck. It's nighttime. Rebekah's there. Klaus knows his dirty little Elena secret and is hopefully killing the doppelganger right now, she tells him gleefully. Stefan launches and they spar. Where is Elena, he growls. You still love her, she jealously cries.  And underscores the sentiment by driving a crowbar into his stomach.Meanwhile, Klaus is telling Elena why she must die--so he can make his vampwolf army, duh. He drags her into the gym.   Prank Night is over, Klaus declares to the group of Sr's. Skedaddle, 'cept you two. The two students he compelled at the dance last season. He toys with them to demonstrate his powers of compulsion to E.Damon pulls over. Switch drivers, he says. Psych. He tosses the keys away. What are you really up to, Kate? I've got the necklace, she says. Klaus wants the necklace. It's leverage (which is the key word for the night, apparently). I'm gonna stop Klaus no matter the cost. And I want you totally on board, no turning back.  Fine, he nods. What's the angle? Kate opens the trunk. Hot Jeremy's in there, unconscious.Tyler backs Caroline against the wall at school. (Aside: he's not very tall, is he?) It's hot, until Caro starts talking about her ex, Matt. But Ty is supersweet about it, cause he knows Caro justs wants everyone to be happy (and why does she keep saying shite like this cause it's totally the kiss of death?). Ty wants to makeout, though, till they're rudely interrupted by Rebekah.  Caro senses another blonde vamp in the mix. Nu, uh. Fangs.Matt and Bonnie are tp-ing the pool. Hey, where's Jere? Uh, we're having some problems, Bon admits. Cause he's seeing his dead exes. Matt wishes he could see Dead Vicki, too, though. Hey remember how this time last year we were summer lifeguards, and my biggest problem was that you were better at CPR, Bonnie? Yeah, good times. Oh, well, need more TP. Matt goes to the restroom. Stall door opens by itself. Creepy. Then Dead Vicki is there, but Matt can't see or hear her.Bonnie and Matt walk into the gym. There's the witch that screwed up my plan, Klaus says. Now you're gonna fix it. Bekah drags in Tyler, and Klaus forcefeeds him his blood and snaps his neck. If Bonnie doesn't figure out how to fix him soon, Ty's gonna be another failed hybrid gone dead.Stefan's pulls the crowbar from his abs. Klaus tells the gang to get moving or Ty's a goner. But he'll hold onto Elena. Leverage. Bekah drags Tyler's inert body away.Bonnie's got a problem. Her grimoires don't go back far enough to help. And the witches cut her off from their juju after bringing Jere back from the dead. Hey, that's the ticket--Jere can talk to the dead. If only he would answer his phone...Kate tells Damon that her witch-friend Pearl once told her there's a vampire who knows how to kill Klaus. Too bad Pearl's dead. Yeah, except she also revealed the vampire's secret identity to her daughter Dead Anna, which is why Hot Jeremy is suddenly useful.Stefan saunters into the gym, all dark knight to save his damsel. (God, I love a warrior.) Forgive me, Klaus, he says. I pledge thee my eternal loyalty. Yeah, you said that before, Klaus replies. Elena means nothing to me now, lies Stefan. I'll do whatever you want. (How does he not see the trap he just set?) Cool, let's drink on it, Klaus agrees. Kill the compelled seniors, Ripper Stefan. Don't do it, he's not gonna hurt me, E yells. But Klaus backhands her across the room to prove he will. Stefan can't stand it and launches at K. Please let her go, he begs, I'll do whatever you want. Okay, but to make sure this doesn't happen again, Klaus compels Stefan to love, honor and OBEY him. Stefan vamps out and kills the Sr. girl.Kate and Damon want Jere to contact Dead Anna, but Anna doesn't want to help them. So D cracks Jere on the head. Anna gives up the goods but quick on Michael the Vampire Hunter.Caroline wakes up on the floor. Bekah gives her the scoop on un-dead Tyler whilst scrolling the pix on Caro's phone. She zeroes in on a pic of Stelena. Hey, is that my lost necklace round the doppelganger's neck? Stefan's feeding on seniors. E blames Klaus for S's Ripperness. Bekah storms in and shows Klaus the incriminating pic then vamps out on Elena's neck. Klaus stops her.  Where's the necklace? Katherine stole it. Fine, if Bonnie hasn't figured things out in 20 minutes Stefan must feed on Elena, and if she tries to run, break her spine. Oh. Snap.Matt's on the phone with Bon. Where's Jere? He won't answer, she says. Let's find him, Matt says. I'll get my keys...WTH? Someone's rifled his bag and keys are gone. Vicki? He follows the trail of sweaty gym clothes to the pool. Keys are at the bottom, natch. He's fixing to jump in. Vicki's there. Spooks him by tossing his shoe in the water. Bzzz. Text from Unknown Caller: I can help.Matt calls Bonnie again. Hey, I've got a plan. Remember how you were better than me at CPR? WTW? Bon races back to the school. Matt ties a weight to his waist and jumps into the deep end.Bonnie crashes through the doors to see Matt floating at the bottom. She dives in and brings him up.Damon has re-located his tossed keys, and wants his phone back from Kate. Crap, Bonnie's been texting re: Klaus. I'm going back, he growls. To die? The old Damon wasn't that dumb, says Kate. Well, I wouldn't have done it for you, D states matter of fact. Yee-ouch!One, two, three, breathe. Bon's chest compressing. Matt's blue. But on the other side he sees Dead Vicki. She has a message for Bonnie. Blue Matt coughs up water and is revived. Tick, tock. Stefan is freaking cause he won't be able to stop feeding on his love once he starts. No, you will cause you owe me and our undying love, Elena tells him. S agrees, but once a vamp always a vamp.Caro's holding vigil over Ty. Bekah's using the stopwatch feature on the iPhone. Ty wakes. Caro tries to break his terminal diagnosis to him gently, but Bekah needs to work on her bedside manner: it's curtains for you, dude, as long as Elena's alive. And there's the two minute warning for Elena's demise.17, 16, 15 seconds to bloody times. Run, Elena, please!! Stefan begs. Fight it, Stefan! Buzzzzz. Times up. I LOVE YOU, she cries as he tries to resist the compulsion. He launches at her. She screams, but he attaches himself to the bleachers and holds on for her life. RUN!!!!! She gets a headstart, but he comes after her, fighting the urge for all he's worth. She closes a door behind her, turns--Klaus. Shite!!Stefan stumbles into the cafeteria, sees a broom...and, oh crap, we see where this going. Yep, ever the noble warrior, he snaps it and starts to drive it into his chest to save Elena from himself. But wait, Klaus drags Elena in the door and stops him. He's amazed that Stefan's love for E is stronger than his bloodlust. Just turn off your humanity, man, he tells our warrior hero. No! he won't. Klaus gets pissed. Yes. You. Will. He compels Stefan to do so. Stefan twitches, Elena's horrified, Klaus is pleased. Let's see if it worked, he says, and offers E's neck. Stefan vamps out. She screams.Klaus enters the lab with a vial of E's blood. Drink it, he tells Tyler. This will probably save you.  Ty drinks, writhes. It works--he's a vampwolf. Klaus smiles.Somehow Elena's in the hospital, hooked up to machines. The nurse tells her to stay calm, she's lost a lot of blood. Wait? You're taking my blood. Don't fight, the obviously compelled nurse tells her then drugs her.Klaus downloads to Bekah how the Original Witch tried to trick him by making him think Elena's death was integral to breaking the Sun and Moon Curse, when her blood would be needed for him to create his vampwolf army. Now that he's figured it out, all he wants to do is take his girl (E or Bekah, i'm not sure), his truck and get outta town.Damon finally shows up. Where's Elena? He and Klaus throw down, but Damon taunts him that they know about Michael. He's on his way, he bluffs. Scared, K takes off.Damon finds Elena and tenderly cradles her in his arms, carrying her into the darkness. Ty and Caro walk out of school, hand in hand. He's totally stoked about this new side. They kiss. This year's going to be amazing! he declares (Stop saying this!) Bonnie lectures Matty about his suicidal tendencies. Just be the normal guy, okay? Fine. When Bon leaves, Matt finally sees Dead Vicki and they have a sibling moment.At the Salvatore's, Damon pours Elena a whiskey, to help her forget. Or I can compel you to, he offers. No, I need to remember, she says stoically. But when Damon tries to return her necklace, she realizes how much she's lost. Why wasn't he here? she asks, all waifish. Damon, blue eyes trying to emote, promises he'll never, ever leave her again. Well, ain't this cozy? Damon jumps. What are you doing here, Stefan? Uh, I live here. And since Klaus has vamosed, I've been compelled to watch over Elena. But, hey, carry on with snaking my girl, brother--I've no humanity left.Cut to Hot Jeremy and Katherine in cemetery. Jere says Anna told him there's a witch entombed here. K breaks into a mausoleum and opens the crypt. Inside: decrepit body wrapped in chains. Michael, I presume. Decrepit eyes fly open. Dundundun!

Biggest reveal for me this episode: Every guy on this show except Hot Jeremy, and maybe Alaric, is about 5'7".  Also, I have feeling this is going to be looooonnnng season for me: I'm finding the reversal of roles for Stefan and Damon ill-fitting on their portrayers. Paul W. is much better as the lovestruck, warrior hero, and I miss Ian S. as the snarky, bad-boy. And as far as the love triangle goes, two questions to ponder:


If everything Stefan has done and been through was to protect Elena, should he be punished by losing his love to his brother?


If Damon completely changes himself to be worthy of Elena's love (boring), does that compensate for everything he's done in the past (like killing her brother)?

Katarina Sokolova

Hi Everyone :)

Because I have covers on the brain (I'm waiting with bated breath for the Tempest Unleashed cover) and because I've recieved so many comments/inquiries about the Tempest Rising cover through the last few months, I thought I'd share a little bit about the artist with you.

Because of the whole mermaid thing, and because my publisher, Walker, is awesome, they went looking for a professional artist/photo manipulator to do the cover for Tempest Rising-- and are using the same woman for Tempest Unleashed as well.  Her name is Katarina Sokolova and she's got an amazing body of work, some of which I've displayed below.  From the first time I clicked on her website, when my editor sent me the link before they'd even hired her, I knew she was who I wanted to do Tempest's cover.  And when she was so awesome about all the details-- giving me input into model selection, sending photos from the cover shoot, going back and forth on Tempest's tattoos until she got them right, and changing things up (like background)  when her vision wasn't exactly what mine or Walker's was-- I knew my publisher had done a perfect job in picking her.


So anyway, as I wait impatiently (very impatiently) for the Tempest Unleashed cover (same artist and same model I thought I'd share some of Katarina's other amazing artwork.  Hope you enjoy!









So, what do you think?  Pretty amazing, right?  And I promise, you'll be the first to get a glimpse of the Tempest Unleashed cover (okay, second, as I want the first peek, LOL)!  Happy Thursday!

Bugs suck

I mean bugs of the virus variety, not the eight legged variety. (Though, to be honest, even though I'm generally an eco girl, I don't particularly like roaches. Or scorpins. Or ... well, you get the point.) But the bugs I hate are flu bugs and cold bugs and ... you get the point. So, here's the real point: I have sick people in my house this week. Sick, male people. With apologizes for making generalizations about so many people at once: men are whimps. And they're so whiny when they're sick.My brain is shot. My patience is shot. Long story short, blogging is a mite beyond me today. So instead of being entertaining, I'm just going to buy your loyalties. I'll be giving away an amazon gift card to one person who responds with a story about the worst time they were sick.

Meet Cassidy: Loyal Friend and All-Around Badass

"For the rest of the time she was here, she decided, she would be a different girl--she would be 'Vacation Cassidy," complete with a new positive attitude. Open to new experiences and emotions.  She would be more like...Piper, only with less theatrics and a better tan." 

Cassidy Michelle Barlow

Age: 16 (going on 32)
Nickname(s): Cass, American Girl (but that's personal)
Sun Sign: Scorpio - Determination is another of your key characteristics. People can see you as insensitive to others' needs, even obsessive, because you push forward so single-mindedly. There are no half-measures in your life--in friendship, love, family life or work.

Who is your celebrity crush? David Beckham, of course

What is your favorite color? teal

What word describes you best? fierce, loyal

What is your favorite food? I'm not picky as long as it's tasty

If you were on an island, who would you want to be with? My mom--the Barlows against the world!

Last movie you watched? The Princess Bride (for the bazillionth time, thanks, Piper)

What book are you reading now? Oh, crap. Do we have a paper due for English?

What is your favorite subject in school? Basketball

How many pairs of shoes do you currently own? three (kicks, Vans, flips. Why would I need more?)

Vampire Diaries: Disturbing Behavior Recap (Episode 3:4)

The Least You Need To Know: This is not the first time around for the Klaus/Stefanbromance—they first met in the roaring 20s. And Klaus's li'l sis, Daisy Buchanan,er, Rebecca was there, too--crushing hard on Stefan (Hey, Damon may have his baby blues, but seems baby bro was the reallady killer, figuratively and literally.) Elena's Stefan-gifted necklacewas Rebecca's first. Klaus needs it so his witch Gloria can contact theoriginal witch (the O.W.) who cast the Sun And The Moon curse. So he can make hisvampwolf army, damnit! To save Elena's neck (heehee, so punny--I could do this all day), Stefan cannot let himfind it.
EXT. The Windy City skyline. Klausand Stefan are boozing and watching Rebecca try on a new 21stcentury wardrobe. She is not impressed with these modern Kardashian-styles.Stefan says she wears it well. He's a liar, she says. She can always tell.Whatever, Klaus moans, just find me the necklace. Ugh, nervous Stefan needssome air. Oh, shite, is that Katherine he spies? He gives chase.
In the Gilbert kitchen, Elena andDamon are cooking with gas for the Founder's Day (Is it that timeof year again already?) potluck at the Lockwoods. It's all very flirty. And itseems that E has gotten over Stefan very quickly. Alaric cuts them theside-eye. Hey, no worries. Damon points out that Elena's still wearing herStefan necklace, the symbol of their forever-bond.Right?
What are you doing here, Katherine?Stefan demands to know. She knows about Klaus's quest for the necklace. So,what's his plan? Fughetaboutit. He's got everything under control. Don't getcocky, she warns. The sister wants him. Take care, or she'll be his downfall.
Hot Jeremy is waking and Dead Anna'sthere. Hey, he can hear her? Yeah, cause he was dreaming about her. Really?This makes her so happy.They have a moment. (Damn, I really love themtogether!) Doorbell. Elena answers. It's Caroline and Bonnie! Jere is psychedto see his witchy woman—Dead Anna is not.
Cop Mom and Damon catch up about Caroline'sDear Ol' Dad Bill. Gay jokes ensue. Bill is now occupying the dungeon where hetortured his daughter. Cop Mom wants Damon to compel him to forget and leavetown, which D does after first tasting him for vervaine.
Cut back to Chi-town. Gloria's bar.The witch needs the necklace to aid Klaus and she's gonna work some juju to locateit. Stefan's brow furrows deeper.
In Mystic Falls, Bonnie and Carolineare giving Elena shite about getting her flirt on with Damon since Stefan split. Ouch. The necklace burns her like ascarlet letter. Let me take a look, says Bonnie. Elena holds it out to her andwhen she touches it, sparks fly. WTF?
Gloria announces she's located thenecklace! Dundundun.
Stefan is freaking out. Gloria tellsKlaus she's got a clue, but she needs more to be sure. Hey, maybe later…anyonehungry? Stefan deflects.
At the Lockwood's Founders Daypotluck, Bonnie wants to works a spell to figure out the necklace weirdness.Caroline is still grilling Elena about Damon. Just tell us the dealio, she saysto Elena. It's nothing, E demurs. The necklace begins to levitate, but Bonnie'snot doing anything.
Ric warns Damon to stepoff when itcomes to Elena. Damon tells him to mind his own beeswax. Ric won't. Cop Momcalls Damon to the Council meeting.
Stefan, Klaus and Becca are suckingdinner. More sibling bickering ensues, Stefan uses it as an excuse to bail fora while.
Jere, at the Lockwood Manor, seeksout Anna in private. She knows about Bonnie, she tells him. Why haven't youtold her about me? He doesn't want Bon to know that he can see her. Well, theonly reason you can see me is because you want to. She's always around, he onlyhas to let her in to see and hear her. But, don't let Vicki in, cause she's waydark. Dead Anna tells him she's so alone on the other side, and then they touchfingers. He can feel her, and it's all very Patrick Swayze/Demi Moore minusWhoopi Goldberg in Ghost. Ooooh, my love,my darling, I've hungered for your touch, a long, lonely time…
Stefan is at the bar to shakedownGloria. Oh, she knows his little secret now. The girls that have the necklace,they were talking about him. And unless he wants Klaus to know what she knows,Stef better help her get that necklace. But, not for Klaus, screw him. Shewants it for her very own. Stefan goes for her throat, but she drops him withthe aneurysm mojo. Next thing he knows, she's got him splayed on a table,shirtless and paralyzed, candles everywhere. She's gonna put the voodoo on himto get the info she wants. And it's gonna hurt.
The council meeting is boring becauseall is quiet on the vampire front, Damon declares. Adjourn. Damon is helpinghimself to a finger of Mayor Mom's booze when in walks an obviouslynon-compelled D o'D Bill. Damn! thinks Cop Mom, Mayor Mom and Damon together.
Bonnie reveals to Jeremy that thewitches told her there would be consequences for bringing him back from the dead.Yeah, he got the memo, he just hasn't told her. They're looking through someold books for deets on the magic necklace. Dead Anna materializes. Watch out,Jere! The darkness is here. And then all the books suddenly combust.
Gloria continues to feel uptorture Stefan cause he won't give up the goods. But then she sees the sweet,intimate images of him and Elena flitting through his mind. Ah, so that's it!The doppelganger is alive and he loves her. Wait till Klaus finds this out—oof. Knife to the witches neck. Yay, Katherine!
Ric, Elena and Caroline are leavingthe party. Where's Damon? Oh, shite, it's D o'D Bill. Caroline runs to hide. Y'allwe have a real problem, Damon declares. Bill is impervious to Damon's charmcompulsion and wants to take over the council and put vervaine in the watersystem. Would that be so bad, Elena responds. You know, to help Damon tow theline since Stefan's not here to do it. Yeah, Ric agrees. Screw you, bro. Damonacts out and snaps his bestie's neck! But, hey, at least he made sure Ric waswearing his necromancing ring first. What is wrong with you? Elena screams. Damon'sa bad, bad boy, E, that's what.
Stefan and Katherine are cleaning upthe witch's body. She tells him that he should use Rebecca's love for him tofurther his plan. Which is…? He tells her that the siblings are running scaredfrom someone. A hunter, perhaps. She wants to help. No way, he's a solo act.
Ty comes home (why wasn't he at the party, at his own house?). Caro's waiting onhis bed. Still hiding from Dear Ol' Dad. Apparently she's dealing with herdaddy issues in the age old manner of seducing a boy for dirty, sweaty se—oh,wait, phone call. Seriously? Ty asks. Hey, chicks before you-know-what, buddy. Elenatells Caro they've got a sitch, as she stands over Ric's dead body.
D o' D Bill is tossing back abourbon. Damon enters, and tells him he's impressed by his mind strength.Thanks, but really your compulsion skills are lacking, Bill intones. Are yougoing to expose us, Damon wants to know. Nope. Damon threatens him anyway. Meh,Bill's not worried. He should be—Damon's tired of being on a leash. He goes forthe throat, but doesn't kill Bill (heehee),just wants to hurt him a little. Caro swoops in and knocks D on his ass. Theyspar. Then she speeds away with Daddy.
Elena enters. She's pissed. Why does Damon insist on acting like such a monster. Newsflash, Elena, he likes being amonster. He's a vampire afterall, and furthermore, He.Is.Not.Stefan!
Dead Anna corners Jere in thebathroom. Stop doing that when Bonnie's around, he tells her. Hey, dude, I onlyshow up cause you're thinking about me, she reminds. This can't go on. He tellsher goodbye and she vanishes into the ether. Then he reveals to Bonnie about theghostly visits of girlfriends past. Anna is still there, though, like she told him, but her pleading fallson his now-deaf ears.
Stefan's back at the warehouse. So isBecca. They talk and he oh so casually mentions that he knows they're runningfrom someone. Who? She won't tell. But she wants to know about his deadgirlfriend, the one her brother "killed". It gets intimate. She lays one onhim. Do you think you'll ever love another girl like you loved her? Maybe, heanswers. No way, liar, she accuses. It's in his kiss. Rejected, she tells Klausthat Stefan was asking about Michael, the hunter. Furious, Klaus attacks.
At the Salvatore abode, Damon'sdouble-fisting drinks. One's for still-dead Ric. Wake up, already! Ric: Bro,you killed me! Damon: Well, you pissed me off! Bygones?Ric: You're a dick! See ya.   And Damon's down another friend.
Look E, here's what's up, statesCaroline. You've got the hots for Damon, just admit it, for the love of Buffy! Noway, Elena says, cause that would make me a slut since I've been going on andon that Stefan's my one and only for the last two seasons. (Has Caroline completely forgotten that sheused to sleep with Damon? Actually, who hasn't Caroline slept with?)
Dear Ol' Dad Bill's on his way out oftown. Gettin' while the gettin's good, he tells Caro. Also, thanks for therescue. Hey, Daddy, I'm going to be okay, you'll see. Um, you're still a vamp,darling, so probably not. Hasta.
Ric is taking a meeting with MayorMom and Cop Mom. He's the Gilberts' quasi-guardian now so he wants their spot on the Council. No way, they say. Yes, way, because you two parents-of-monstersaren't impartial anymore, and someone's got to look after the actual humans inthis town, damnit!
Elena sits down with Bonnie at asidewalk bistro. Here's your necklace back. Oh, and your brother is seeing his deadgirlfriends. Whoosh, Elena jets…to see Damon. Except it's not E, it'sKatherine with straight hair. Gotcha! Hey, I'm gonna go start some troublesomewhere, wanna come with? she asks D. Sure, I'm dead in this town anyway, hesays. (I'm sorry, I cannot resist thepuns tonight) Katerina reveals she's got the necklace.
Stefan awakes, in a locked room with coffinsand Klaus. Let me explain, Stefan begs. No worries, mate—I'm not mad, I justwant to know what you're hiding, Klaus tells him. He opens the room'sgarage-like door, sunlight floods in to reveal they're in the back of a movingtruck parked on Main Street, Mystic Falls, Virginia.Yay!Reunion!

Fitness ... er, for my skin?

I'm not an athletic person. You'll just have to trust me on this. In school, I was voted the person most likely to accidentally wound her own teammates -- or rather, I would have been if I'd been on any teams. I wasn't. Not a one. Even as an adult, I don't like to excersize. I only run when something is chasing me (thankfully, no one ever does). For me, a fantastic day at the gym is sitting on the stationary bike with my kindle for twenty minutes. I think the gym staff is embarrassed when I walk in.Despite all that, I do occasionally fantasize about getting into shape. I'd love to be thin and svelte, and frankly love food too much to get thin and svelte any other way. At some point over the summer, I bought a subscription for Fitness magazine. (I can only imagine I was delusional or drunk at the time.) Last week, my first issue arrived. It promised it could fix my metabolism, "Slim Down Fast" and could "Get a Gym Body at Home... starting at $4!" Ha! I don't need that. I already have a gym membership I don't use. I certainly don't need gym equipment to not use at home.Nevertheless, I immediately sat down and flipped through the magazine. Good stuff. In fact, I think I'm getting my money's worth. So far, I've made detailed notes (and purchases) on the "60 Best Beauty Buys of the Year." I've even made two different One-Pot Healthy Dinners (hmmm ... food). I have not down any of the exercises that promise to give me a "wow-body now." Not a one. It's that not liking to exercise thing. Today I had coffee with some friends, all of whom are fitness freaks. (And they seemed so normal!) At some point, they started comparing stories about the times they've exercised so strenuously they actually threw up. That's right. Normal people, people I know, who would willing push their bodies to that extreme. I just ... don't have that in me. I can't even imagine. If my yoga workout is too strenuous, I worry I've been stricken with polio. I promise you now, I will never push myself that hard.I have laughed so hard at lunch with Tracy and Shellee that I nearly peed my pants. I've cried so much in movies I thought I was going to get a sinus infection. I have never worked out so hard I threw up. Here's the kicker, these kind and generous women actually offered to get me a free, "try it" class to the Cross Fit class they go to. Thanks, but no thanks. No puking for me! Instead of thin and svelte, I'll just have to settle for tubby and lumpy. I think I'm okay with that.Oh, and in case you're wondering, I'm loving the Burt's Bees Sugar Scrub they recommended. My skin feels very fit.

Meet Piper -- Ringleader of The International Kissing Club

"Before this, I was only an online joke, but now I'm an after-school special.  My only hope is that they don't hire Lindsay Lohan to play me in the movie." Full name: Piper Douglas

Written by: Tracy Deebs

Age: Almost Seventeen 

Sign: Leo
International Destination: Paris, France
Favorite Color: Bright, electric blue (the same color as the streaks in my hair, of course)
Favorite Food: Chocolate croissants straight from the patisserie around the corner

Favorite Sport: Shopping, of course.  Oh, and girl's basketball, because that's what my BFF Cass plays
Last Movie You Watched: The Princess Bride, because it's the best!
Favorite Lip Gloss: MAC's Lipglass because it keeps your lips soft and shiny, even after a kiss or three ;)
What book are you reading now? The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Favorite Kind of Kiss: French of course!
Favorite Tourist Attraction:  I Lourve the Lourve … Sorry.  Inside joke ;)
Favorite Facebook Page: Besides ours?  The Black Keys.  I saw them live in Paris and they were amazing!

Meet the Girls of IKC!

Hi Everyone!  We've been talking about International Kissing Club around here forever, and today marks ninety days from when it hits the shelves-- yay!  For those of you knew to the blog, here's a quick overview of the book Shellee, Emily and I wrote together:

Four Best Friends …Piper, Cassidy, Mei and Izzy are the misfits of Paris, Texas. Too artsy, too determined, too smart and too hip to fit in with the rest of their classmates, they've spent most of their sixteen years determined to escape the stifling fishbowl of life in their small Texas town.
One Mean Girl…Enter Germaine Stewart, mean girl extraordinaire and undisputed queen of Paris High School.  Head cheerleader and girlfriend of the coolest guy in school, she's made it her life's mission to torture Piper and her friends … a mission that leads, among other things, to Piper kissing a pig in front of the entire school—in her underwear.
Ten Million You Tube Hits…When the Kiss the Pig video hits YouTube and Facebook there's nowhere in the entire state of Texas—or America—that Piper can hide.  Desperate to escape the pig noises that follow her every waking moment, she becomes an exchange student to the real Paris.  Only her friends can't let her go alone and soon Piper, Mei and Cassidy are heading to different countries for the adventures of their lives, while Izzy is stuck at home. 
The International Kissing Club Facebook Page …To make their time abroad more interesting—the girls form the International Kissing Club, a Facebook fan page where they record each boy they kiss while abroad—or at home, in Izzy's case (one point for a regular kiss, three for a "transcendent" one).
Too Many Kisses to Count …But while each girl meets a guy who curls her toes, their twelve weeks on their own teach them a lot more about themselves and their friendship than they ever expected.

And, just because we're so incredibly excited about this book (seriously, I can't remember the last time I had this much fun writing a book), we've decided to do something a little different with our Tuesdays-- namely, introduce the girls (and guys) of the International Kissing Club.  And since my girl, Piper, starts off the book, we're beginning with her bio.  So check back tomorrow for a glimpse into Piper's world!