Grounded From Books
I’ll admit: I have a problem. It’s not one of those fashionable ones you can talk about at parties either, or that goes away with diet, exercise, or Botox. I have a book problem.
When I was a little girl, my parents tried just about every punishment in the world (because I was a very naughty little girl, of course), but their fallback was grounding me from books. You see, I didn’t really care all that much about losing TV or telephone. Oh yeah, and this was way before computers, because I’m dinosaur-old. I always swore I would never ground my kids from books, because I think it’s inherently evil, and far too effective. I have a kid who has a bit of a reading problem, too, so I know how tempting it can be.
But I may have to ground MYSELF from books this week. I have so many good books… and the one I need to concentrate on is the one that’s half-delivered, its head on my computer screen, the rest of its little self still lodged in my mind.
Ah, birth analogies. Did I ever tell you about my 23 hours of back labor? Hey, where are you going?
Okay, I’ll stop. I have one piece of very good news today, though, so hang around until you read this: I sold three short stories to a new enterprise. Remember those books your aunts and uncles gave you at Christmastime that had your name typed in them as one of the characters? I had Snow White, the Seven Dwarves, and Nikki Loftin. It was totally one of my favorites ever, and my kids still think it’s awesome. Well, a new business called storysomething is going to do this online — with personalized books you can download to your phone or computer. I can’t wait. But I’ll have to; they’re still in Beta testing.
Still, very cool. Of course, I used my own kid’s name in the drafts I sent them!
Now, I’m off to sign that work-for-hire contract… and then to finish giving birth to another snarky, very naughty MC. If I can stay away from my TBR pile…
11/12/2009 at 10:02 pm
Congratulations! I’m so excited to hear about the short stories 🙂
And your book problem? I *might* have the same one.
11/13/2009 at 2:21 am
Ha! So I’ve heard, Miss TBR ROOM.
11/13/2009 at 5:24 am
I helped Kolby read your Snow White Book the last time he spent the night. He thought it was really something that “Drew’s mom” was in the story. The book isn’t in very good condition, but let me know if you want it.
11/13/2009 at 1:09 pm
Are you kidding? Of course I want it! I’ll sneak it in my mondo-purse the next time I’m over. And thanks — but to read those stories I’ll probably have to email you the files. The place that bought them won’t have them out for a long while, I would think. They’ll have to do some illustrations and all that kind of stuff…
11/13/2009 at 5:29 am
Oh yes, Congratulations on selling the short stories and we hope to read them soon. Proud of you, Nikki!
11/13/2009 at 3:43 pm
Haha. Congrats on the sell. I got grounded from reading, too! I wonder if this is a pattern with writers/authors?
23 hours of back labor? Please tell me you had an epidural.
11/13/2009 at 5:47 pm
Ha! Yes, after 23 hours of back labor. So I didn’t win the coveted “Drug-Free Birth” award. I think you’re the only other person I’ve heard of who got grounded from books! Weird…
11/16/2009 at 6:02 pm
Congrats. on selling the short stories! I have a huge TBR pile, too. I remember your horror that I hadn’t read certain amazing Texas YA authors, but I just haven’t gotten to them yet. So much good stuff out there.