Ice Day:In Which I Did not meet Lauren Oliver

So the snow didn't happen. But the ice did.

Here are the things I did not get to do today: I did not get to meet one of my writing idols, Lauren Oliver, because she did not make it to Houston yesterday for Blue Willow and The Woodlands B&N today. (She was slated to visit the school where I teach, which was totally wonderful) Lauren - Before I Fall is one of my favorite books of 2010. I've started Delirium and it's equally as fabulous.

I did not have to go teach. (okay, I'm not mourning that one)

Here's what I'm worried about: That the damn ice melts so that everyone can make it to The Woodlands B&N tomorrow at 2 for the HAUNTED launch party. (cake! t shirts! Me!)

That the apocalyptic weather conditions do not muck up book sales - for the lovely Lauren whom I have yet to meet, and for me!

That the husband - trapped at my side right now because the toll road is closed - does not decide to do a noisy, banging man cave project while I'm writing.

Here's what I'm going to do: Write, write, write. Drink coffee. Take pictures of the icicles. Keep an eye out for the elusive snow. (better chance of that eye being poked out by a falling icicle.) Ponder whether the Packers are responsible by bringing their frozen tundra weather to Texas with them.

So hi Lauren Oliver! It would have been lovely to meet you. My signing poster at B&N shares a stand with yours. Hope you come back in the spring!

And the rest of you! Get your butts to The Woodlands Mall B&N tomorrow from 2-4. I'm thrilled to meet you! Or hug you if I already know you! Buy a copy of HAUNTED. Buy a copy of Lauren Oliver's Delirium while you're at it.

Til next time...

(and don't forget - Sourcebooks - my poor little team still stuck in a drift in Chicago - is still offering free downloads of Dreaming Anastasia on the ereader of your choice til 2/7, in honor of Haunted's release. Just do what you'd normally do to buy an e book. Except it will be free!)

In Which I Should be Writing not Praising Raspberry Preserves

Brief post while I eat my English muffin with Bonne Maman raspberry preserves. Got this love affair going with this little glass jar of French jam. Good God almighty that is some fine tasting stuff. Bought the fig preserves too - good, but not quite as yummy.

It's almost Tuesday. Almost Haunted. I am truly excited. Will post more about that on Tuesday.

Had my first Skype visit with the delightful students at Avalon Middle School and their teachers. Me in Texas. Them in Florida. Thank you all for being so amazingly cool and having such fabulous questions to ask me.

And in the category of fan girl excitement - Lauren Oliver (author of the amazing Before I Fall and whose new book Delirium, shares 2/1 as its release day with Haunted) is coming to my school on Friday! I will try not to scare her away with my gushing about how much I love Before I Fall.

Must write now.

See ya.