Things I couldn’t write without
As many of you know, I’m currently doing a very fast, very intense, very daunting, and very complete rewrite of the fourth Velva Jean novel, American Blonde (due out next year).
In this last stretch of the Book from Hell, as I’ve taken to calling it– otherwise known as That Damn Book– I’m making a list of the things that are helping me get to the end of the Worst Deadline I’ve Ever Known.
(Not including my computer and my imagination, of course. And my loved ones, who, I hope, will still love me once the book is completed.)
Thank you to:
My readers, who write me the most wonderful notes and emails, reminding me why I’m doing this in the first place
Robeks, which gives my weary brain sustenance
Scrivener, the greatest software for writers ever
My early morning walk/workout/girltime in the park with my friend Lisa Brucker (please watch her show, Ex-Wives of Rock !)
John Green, Melvin Burgess, and Raymond Chandler
My fab intern, Laura Burdine, who, at lightning speed, can research everything from wire tapping in the 1940s to the Los Angeles streetcar system circa 1946 to the U.S. postal system in postwar America (not to mention her ability to help one brainstorm love triangles and ways in which to solve a murder)
The CW, Switched at Birth , and Adam-12 , for good, fluffy fun
Newspaperarchive.com
My literary cats (a special shout out to Miss Lulu for being at my side throughout each long work day)
My copy of MGM: Hollywood’s Greatest Backlot , which I’ve practically worn to dust
My team of experts– private investigator, medical examiner, and toxicologist– who are patiently answering my endless questions
Daryl Dixon, the most inspiring badass I know (or wish I knew), and my hero (as well as pretend boyfriend)
Lululemon, maker of the most comfortable writing clothes on the planet
Briana Harley, who not only helps me with Velva Jean’s music, but is the very best resource for Velva Jean idea bouncing– after all, she knows Velva Jean almost as well as I do
My bosu ball and elliptical machine, which are productive places to have a good book think
Netflix, which, without complaining, delivers 1940s-era movies to my door or directly to my TV
The Los Angeles Public Library
And Ryan Bingham, who is Butch Dawkins
I couldn’t do it without them.
Speaking of Ryan Bingham, here’s a video that I use for inspiration. It really could be Velva Jean’s friend Butch sitting on her granddaddy’s porch.
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