Secret Project, Thankful, & Wimpy Kid

 Hi Everyone,



Last night I went to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid event at Powell's bookstore. If you've never attended a book signing geared towards kids like that you should go sometime. It was amazing! Not only was there a wimpy kid bus that all the kids could take photos with but there were contests, games, and a DJ. It was a party like no other. There was one of those money tanks the kids could step into and as the fake dollars swirled they'd reach out to grab as much as they could to win prizes. There was a wheel of fortune game with even more prizes. Then Jeff Kinney is an awesome writer for kids. He talked with each one, took pictures, and was just an all around great guy. He had a whole wimpy kid team of assistants all wearing their wimpy kid shirts that helped keep all the lines and kids orderly. What a great event!






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TOP SECRET PROJECT


So here's a blurb from the recent chapter I wrote for my top secret project.



We sped across towards the first of three arched gateways, each named for the carved marble guardians that stood on either side at the base of each arch. The first was the Vanar Pol with two large monkey statues, and then came the Bagh Pol, or The Gate of the Twin Tigers. I shivered when I saw the terrifying set of tiger guardians with teeth and claws bared.



Last was the Hathi Pol, or the Elephant Gate, with a life sized elephant standing at each end, trunks raised, and large tusks jutting forward. Though there were no signs of it, I knew that the wide lot on the other size of the Elephant Gate was used for elephant fights—a new and horrific practice recently instigated. They claimed that the fighting was used to assess which elephants were the strongest and most powerful and the winners were the ones used in  war campaigns.








 
Have you guys figured it out yet?




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TOP TEN THINGS

I AM THANKFUL FOR


My sister inspired me to make a top ten list of the things I am grateful for this year. This is not a comprehensive list of course but it's a good representation of the things I'm thinking about the most this year.



#10 MY TEACHERS


I've visited many schools this past year and I'm always impressed by the enthusiasm of the teachers I meet. They remind me of my own time in school and how those special people shaped my life in ways they probably don't even know.



#9 MY STATE/COUNTRY


I talk about Oregon everywhere I go. I love the Northwest. I actually love everywhere I've gone. Traveling is something I always wanted to do and as an author I get to see many places but I always feel like I've come home when I land at the Portland airport. From Hawaii to New York, this is a beautiful country, especially in the fall-my favorite season.






#8 MY OPPORTUNITIES


I feel so grateful for all the book conferences and events I've been able to do these last few years. I've been able to see and do so many things that I never imagined I'd be able to and I've been able to share a lot of those experiences with my friends and family. 



#7 MY FELLOW AUTHORS


I've been making a lot of new author friends these past few years. They are special people who offer very specific support and guidance and they are all amazing and incredibly talented. I am grateful for these new friends.



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#6 MY HOME


I've already said I love the Northwest and I especially love my home which feels even more homey now that my mom is living with us. It's a wonderful thing to look at my incredible view of Salem on one side of the house and an evergreen forest on the other. Since my home is also my work environment, I'm lucky to have such a great place to craft my stories.



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#5 MY FANS


These past few years I've met so many fans and even some from far away places. You are all incredible, lovely people and I wish I could invite you all over for dinner. You guys are awesome!



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#4 MY DOGS


Even though I just found my little puppy, Bitsy, getting into trouble, I love my dogs. When my poodle, Prissy, passed away three years ago, I didn't think I would ever be able to have dogs again. My heart was broken when we lost her, but when my mom moved in I knew she needed a companion so we found Murphy and Bitsy and they are sweet additions to our home and a part of our family now. I really missed having Prissy sleeping at my feet as I wrote books and now I have two dogs warming my feet instead of just one.



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#3 MY FRIENDS


I have a great group of friends who cheer me on at every turn and yet also keep me grounded. Every time I see them I'm no longer Colleen the author, I'm just Colleen and it's always fun to chat and swap stories. 



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#2 MY FAMILY


I could write pages about each member of my family and how special they are. They are all unique, wonderful, and amazing and I count my blessings every day to have them in my life. I am a better person just for knowing them. My husband is a wonderful man and I wish you all could have a great guy like him in your life.






#1 MY DAD


I had to write something special about my dad this year. He passed away several months ago and I miss him every day. It's his birthday tomorrow so I've been thinking about him a lot this month. I am so grateful to have had him in my life. He was always a steady, guiding force. He was my anchor and I'll admit that sometimes I feel adrift without him, but how wonderful a blessing it was to have a father like him. We all miss you Dad!



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