Leaps and Bounds

Hey everyone,

This has been a busy week. Thank gawd it's a leap year. I totally need the extra day.

1. I had my first meeting with the jewelry design team.

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That's Mary Beth, Gorjana, and Jason. We spent a lot of time talking about what I represent as a writer because I want this piece to do more than dangle off a wrist or scrape along a collar bone. I want it to mean something, not only to the charity it will benefit, but to you.

After last weeks post about accepting my crazy arms, I realized that an ongoing theme for me is finding the courage to accept ourselves, flaws and all. It doesn't mean we should love our flaws. That's not realistic. It means finding a way to live with them. So they don't bum you out and make you self concision. Because really, what choice do we have?

That said, I want my piece to inspire. I want it to give me strength to deal with whatever is freaking me out. It can be a new thing every day (I will not get stage fright, I will not eat fries) or it can be one thing that takes years to accept (I will smile and pretend I love my braces). Regardless, I want the freedom to be able to change that thing as my insecurities change.

Soooo, I'm thinking a bracelet that has a secret hatch. You can write your confidence mission on a piece of paper that goes inside and then close it up. Only you will know what's inside (unless you tell your BFF). Everyone else will just see the sparkly exterior. And if you keep smiling through your insecurities, the same will apply to you.

I'll post sketches as soon as I have them.

2. I am moving offices today. One floor up. It's bigger and it has a window. I am going for a bright girly vibe this time. I went with the birds wallpaper and will show you the finished product when it's done.

3. I will be in NYC next week meeting with my editors. I will be discussing The Dirty Book club with Karen, my new editor. And then I will be meeting with Erin, my YA editor. Erin and I will be going over the outline for my new teen series. I am hoping she loves it so I can finally tell you what it is.

That means no Blah-g next week.