Hi, y’all! Most of you know I’m a native Texan – but you may not know I’ve lived my whole life right around Austin. (I would say “in Austin,” but I’ve been a resident of Manchaca, Austin, Round Rock, San Marcos, Wimberley, and kinda sorta Dripping Springs. But close enough.) So I know a lot about this town.
Like where to go country dancing: the Broken Spoke and/or Gruene Hall.

Where to eat barbecue: The Salt Lick.

Where to eat sushi: Uchi.

And where, hands down, to shop for books?

That would be Bookpeople, the indie bookstore where I met my husband. The very same bookstore that hosted Cynthia Leitich Smith and Mari Mancusi’s book launches this weekend, that hosts the monthly SCBWI meetings, that has the most amazing staff… I could go on. Indie bookstores rock.

But the trick is, they don’t rock for long, if we don’t support them with our money. So, doing my part to show my indie love, I bought a few nice new titles at Bookpeople* this weekend. (BLESSED by Cyn, naturally, and — I tried but OMG I could not believe  it they didn’t have it so I ordered one! — Allison Pang’s A BRUSH OF DARKNESS which looks oh-so-juicy and good.)

I have a manuscript to finish, however, and another to critique, and children who insist on being fed, etc. So I will resist the temptation to read all these lovelies. I will resist…

What are you reading, Friends? And do you have a lovely indie bookstore that you support? Tell me which one!

*Of course, I’m such a book junkie that I then bought Beth Revis’ ACROSS THE UNIVERSE at Costco. But only because it was the last copy they had. And I JUST could not resist – the cheesecake samples had some sort of mind-control thing in them, I swear.)

Aside from my sweet Writer Friends’ Fabulous Manuscripts, that is…

1. Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass

Um, I think I’m going to have to go with Highly Recommend on this one. What took me so long to get this amazing writer-booty-kicking book? Ah, yes. I had to wait for Xmas. Should have bought it sooner. Like, four manuscripts ago. Maass drew my attention to an aspect of the writing process I needed to consider: risk-taking. My stakes are not usually low in my manuscripts, but he’s got me thinking higher. Much higher.

2. An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor

Wow. Practical, mystical, secular, sacred. This is one of those quietly seductive books that keeps calling you back. Easy to read, and keeps you thinking long after you shut it. Don’t check this one out – buy it. You’re going to want to read it more than once, and over the course of weeks.

3. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Just started this one – I’ll let you know how it goes. I’ve heard such amazing things, I had to buy it! Juicy so far.

Yes, I am reading these books simultaneously. I always do that! But you’ll notice none of them are in the same genre. I’m a serial book polygamist. Or whatever. Do you do that? Or does your brain go on overload when you juggle books?

Update on the WIP: I’m halfway through! And doing something I never, ever do: allowing friends to read parts of the MS before the whole is done. I don’t know why,it just felt like the right thing to do. And it’s working – every comment is making my focus tighter, refining the plot… and Donald Maass’ book came just in time to help me think the right thoughts about raising the stakes that itty bitty bit more.

Update on the retreat: I’m sending in my application for A Room of Her Own Writer’s Retreat at Ghost Ranch, N.M.! Thanks for your input. I think a week of writing with just a smidgen of social writerly time will be perfect.

Today I’d like to talk about resolve. The noun, that is, not the verb – all these people around me “resolving” to lose ten pounds or write every day make me tired.

Also, not Resolve the cleaning solution that gets dog pee out of my carpet, although that is a very, very important kind of resolve to have around here, what with the new puppy and all.

No, I want to discuss the necessity of resolve — defined as “ a firmness of purpose or intent; determination” — in the Writing Life.

I know many, many writers. (Mostly because of the Internetz, but also because writers cluster at book signings, book launches, bookstores, and anywhere that has free food and people willing to hear all about your New Novel Idea.) Some of these writers are published, some are New York Times Bestselling Poobahs, some are brand spankin’ new, and some are like me – somewhere in between.

Some of them actually do write every day, without any need for a New Year’s resolution. I’m getting there.

Although my published Writer Friends have oodles of talent, I have to say that some of my Unpublished WFs have just as much.  Talent aside, the published writers have one thing that not all of the other ones do: resolve. They are determined – probably always have been — to see their words in print, to write enough, to practice enough, to research and sweat and cry and think enough to let their stories, like water behind the dam the publishing world presents, find an outlet.

Craft? Sure. Technique’s important. Practice, practice, practice. But at some point, every Writer has to dig deep and find the resolve – the persistence, perseverance, call it what you will — to keep on going, even when you fall down.

Even when the novel you sign with your agent on goes on life support, like mine did last summer.

Even when the final rejection comes in on it, like mine did a few weeks back.

Even when your agent doesn’t think novel #2 is commercial enough. *cough, cough* Been there, done that.

Even when the revisions of novel #3 threaten to drive you mad.*whimper*

Even when you have three more novels in a drawer that aren’t anywhere near ready to see the light of publishing day. *sigh*

Even then, Writer Friends, you have to have something more than the desire to see your name in print, to be able to tell your doubting circle of non-writer friends that you’re An Author, to sneak into Barnes and Noble and turn all your copies face-out on the shelf.  More than the desire to be legit.

I want you all to be legit. Too legit… to quit, Writer Friends. That’s the resolve I’m talking about. Not this kind, although I kinda like it.

So, sure, make your resolution to write every day. I think that’s awesome. But think about this — maybe you should resolve to foster some resolve, so that when the Writing Life gives you a major smackdown (oh, hello, 2010!) you’ll have the one ingredient you really can’t do without.

I know for darn sure I couldn’t have made it this far without resolve. And you, Dear Writer Friends, let’s never forget You.

Happy New Year! Let’s kick 2011’s booty down the block.