Pep Talk Fail & Other Things

1. Yes, I laughed myself stupid over that pic.

2. Yes, I've been a sucky blogger. Some days/weeks/months I have to make the choice between sucky blogger or sucky writer, though, and writing pays the bills.

3. I am going to try hard to do better.

4. I've even given myself a pep talk. It sounded a lot like YOU ARE GOING TO DO THIS THING, REDWINE. THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL. WITH GREAT GIFTS COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY. HE'S ONLY MOSTLY DEAD. ONE RING TO RULE THEM ALL. AVADA KADAVRA. FOR NARNIA!!!!

5. Clearly, I got a little distracted by the various EPIC movies I love ... so yeah, I am also sucky at pep talks.

6. At any rate, I'm here! Blogging! And also writing under another fast-approaching deadline, so we'll see just how well I can juggle the two.

7. As most of you know, Defiance hit the shelves on 8/28 and it was lovely and crazy and exhausting and fun. The local launch party was a blast, and I was so amazed at how many people showed up!

8. Of course, I did advertise the fact that my hubby would be making one of his infamously yummy cakes, so that helped. :) Defiance and cake! Destined to go together.

9. The online launch party was also tons of fun, and I really enjoyed the question and answer portion. Some great questions were asked! If you missed that chat, I have two more coming up in the next two months. Check my Appearances tab to see when you can talk to me either online or in person.

10. The weekend after launch, I traveled south to be on a panel at Dragon*Con and one at the Decatur Book Festival.

11. Both events were fun in different ways (very different atmosphere and audience but same intelligent, interesting questions!) and thankfully, I didn't eat anything while having to also be "on" because we all know how well that turned out for me last time.

12. When I returned home, I came into my local bookstore to sign some stock, and a man noticed me standing at a counter scrawling my signature across the title page to a stack of books. He got WELL into my personal space and the conversation went as follows:

Him: What are you doing?
Me: Um ... signing books.
Him: Why?
Me: Because the manager asked me to.
Him: Did you write this book?
Me: Yes.
Him: All of these books?
Me: *kindly does not point out that all of the books in the stack have the exact same title* Yes.
Him: So, you get to sign your name in books if you write them?
Me: Sometimes
Him: I mean, I guess if you're an author you could just sign any book, really, because your signature is what's worth money.
Me: No. No, that's not right at all.
Him: Think about it! You could sign this book *grabs Rick Riordan's latest* and someone would be excited because it's like getting two authors for the price of one!
Me: I just ... that's not exactly ... I don't think Rick Riordan would appreciate that. I'll just stick with signing my own books.
Him: Well, is your book any good?
Me: I'm done signing now. See you later.

And yes, I think maybe I do have a "crazies welcome" sign blinking over my head.

13. Coming this week:

Tues: Ask C.J. - in which I answer a variety of questions sent to me via Twitter and Facebook.
Wed: Author Interview and giveaway. (You're going to love this one!)
Thurs: Fast Five questions with a 2012 debut author
Fri: Weekend Reading Recommendations (I'll tell you what book I just read that I absolutely loved, and you share your latest book crushes with me as well!)