February 28, 2007
-
Square or Oval or Maybe Squoval?
As many of you might have noticed, I have a new bio picture. I have curly hair by nature, but it’s not super curly. If I wear it up in a bun, it usually goes frizzy straight. Yesterday, when I woke up, my hair was straightish. “Hmmm,” thought I, “I wonder what will happen if I take a straightening iron to it?” You can see what happened. I doubt it will look like that any time in the future, so I thought I’d post for all to see. Since I was out in public yesterday (baby shower), I had a lot of people who commented. “You look so different!” most crowed. My favorite comment was from Ruthi who told me, “You look five years younger!” If I didn’t love her already, I would now.
Today is sore throat day. I’m quite temped to put jammies on and try out this laptop in bed. Anna and Christopher play a siren song…”Write me! Write me!” I do spend an awful lot of mental energy swirling plots around in my head. How can I make this or that believable? Have I dropped enough hints to foreshadow such and such?”" Is writing fiction always like this? I appeal to my knowledgeable readers.
Two words I cannot seem to spell: knowledge and privilege. Am I the only one thus mentally impaired?
Last night, I finished the third Lauren Willig book and discovered a fashion trend I did not know existed at any time of history. The hero observed the heroine’s hand and thought, “Even though she had square palms and oval palms were fashionable…” Huh? Square palms? Oval palms? I’d never even though to look. Mine are more of a rectangle than square, but no one would accuse me of having the early 1800′s fashionable palms. How about you. Are you in style?
Comments (39)
Your hair does look fabulous…. and you do look younger
I think mine are definately squarish….. not fashionable I suppose!
Hey, if a lot of people like the new photo, let me know. Maybe with all my *spare time* I could do photography on the side!!
And, yes, I agree with everyone else, you certainly do look different!
yay! watch us own the house!
Nice pic! Stylish? Me? Never! I’m not sure what I think about my palms though…maybe squoval.
Your hair not only looks pretty, but healthy! Thank you for the wonderful comment! Blessings to you! I hope your throat clears up and your feeling spunky again!
5 years younger? But that would make you what, sixteen? I think my palms are probably square – as wearing a pocket protector.
I love your hair! I have square palms. I never really noticed before. LOL!
Palms? And here I thought they just got all excited about a shapely ankle. Hmm. Palms.
Yes, your hair is quite fetching. Thought I’d use that word since we’re in historical mode here.
HA….I’m definately square. You do look much younger with straight hair….or maybe it’s because your without a hat?
I just noticed (today) your C.S. Lewis quote that you have posted about theres not a large enough cup of tea…..and thought it was odd, because I had never heard that quote until this afternoon!
Then- lo, and behold, Ms. Teacherperson already has it in her profile. 
Shoulda known.
Hope your plots thicken and your characters come to life! Break a leg……no I mean a pencil lead! (he-he)
-Cass
A year already…yup, it has gone by so quickly! I can’t believe it. Time has been flying, when we’ve been having fun, and even when we haven’t.
Feel better soon! Lots of tea sounds like a good recipe for health to me!
I like your new profile picture, by the way. Is is just me, or is your hair longer since the last time I saw you (July)?
Being able to spell is overrated. That’s what spell checkers and editors are for.
RYC: No, I do not have an agent yet. I made some editorial contacts through my membership in the Christian Writers Guild, and that’s how I ended up submitting one of my manuscripts to them. I don’t think I write actively enough to have an agent. That’s something I might consider in a few years; then again, I don’t really know. If you want to submit your work to a “real” publisher, as you say, I would suggest either attending a writing conference or two and making personal contact there (plus they are always highly educational and inspirational… I could recommend a few if you decide you are interested) or doing some research in the Christian Writers Market Guide (if you’re wanting to go into the Christian market, otherwise, just the Writers Market) and finding some publishers who publish the type of book you are writing. Some of them will specify that they do not accept manuscripts unless requested; however, there will be some who will. The one thing — most “real” publishers will not even consider a book unless it is fully written. They usually want to see a full synopsis (that sums up the story and gives away the ending) and the first three to five chapters. After reviewing that, they may or may not ask to see the full manuscript. If they do, you’re much closer to getting a “we want to publish you”. If not, the good editors will offer constructive criticism and you can move on.
As far as publicity, they will do some, but you will have to do all that you can. Especially locally. It would depend on the publisher, but I’m guessing you’ll need to book your own book signings and radio interviews, etc. A publisher will also be more likely to invest their money in you if it seems as if you will be able to support your book by being capable of advertising it. (Or so I have been told by some experts in the industry.)
So, this was pretty much a huge comment. Don’t know if I answered your questions or not, but if you have further questions or want more detailed answers, feel free to email me. (Let me know, and I can send you my email address in a private message.)
And, about your hair, I think it looks quite lovely.
I love your straight hair! As I have no patience with those appliances, I make do by getting my hair thinned every 5 weeks and then use a straightening/de-frizzing gel with a blow dryer. More than you wanted to know probably <G>.
Did you know it is a privILEGe to have 1 LEG? (Just a spelling hint there for you.) We all have our spelling monsters: mine are independence and terrific.
Do you use a mouse w/ your laptop? I don’t think I could get used to not using one. How does that work?
Hey, Beautiful!! You really are gorgeous, you know! I love the straight hair look, but it’s a pain to upkeep when your hair keeps recoiling! HA!! Like the pun? Or you could think of it with a Boston accent for the word “recurling”! Very youthful, though, I agree. Your new picture reminds me of what I keep thinking, but, forgetting to mention…… you have the most beautiful smile!
I would love to help you with your book writing, but I don’t know how! I don’t have to do that with my writing….. poetry doesn’t require much plot or character development …… I just write what sounds good to me or what I think expresses my feelings best. (much easier!!) However, I did begin a “Once Upon A Time” story for my girls, but never finished it. And I did try to write a children’s story in Spanish years ago when I went to Guatemala about a little clay pot that was sad because he wasn’t fancier like the rest of his friends, but that’s all I can remember writing. Neither would be in the same class as a novel, however.
Yes, there are certain words that I just don’t stick in my mind with spelling: “occasion” is one (did I spell it right this time?), and I can’t remember the others, but it’s odd because I LOVE spelling things….. and spelling them correctly!! And, for some reason, I automatically mistype the word strength EVERY TIME as “stringth” & have to backspace to correct it! Woop! Did it, again!
ryc: No, I didn’t know Spazzymommy or ElizabethDNB before Xanga. Why do you ask?
That’s funny, though, about your site being right under mine with Google! I wonder why! I’m sorry you’re feeling sick. I’ve been having computer problems all afternoon and now I have a little headache. I have a bunch of little projects to do before I hit the hay, though, so I should go! Bye!
Wow! Cute picture! But your pic was cute before too.
Straightening irons are magical tools of transformation, aren’t they? I have used one so often that sometimes when I let my hair air-dry and go curly, everyone thinks I curled it, when it’s really more natural curly than straight!
Thanks so much for your encouraging comments. They are so nice to hear.
I’m just trying to get all my other projects finished so I can get back to writing!
<3Libby
I like it better now that I can put a face with the Blogger:) Hmmmm that is interesting….square, oval palms! If that is weird, how weird would they think of our fashion today!
All I can tell you writing wise is to write what you like to read, and you already wrote that you did that. I think it’s wonderful to focus on a woman’s palms for a change. Palms and ankles are great equalizers.
Write, write write!
I like your hair both ways. The hat was cool too.
I finished a childrens book, very small, K level, but haven’t sent it out for fear of rejection and lack of knowing who to send it to and if I should try agents first.
RYC- it might have gotten down in the 40′s.
And I think moms should get a sick day. You get in your jammies and have some tea. My sinuses are so backed up my eyes are swollen and I have not had one second off or one morning to try and rest to get better, I suspect this is how women died young. My husband does not believe in sickness and always suspects it is laziness so I just keep going. Plus who would do everything? I think if I died they would just throw the cat box and the dirty clothes and dishes on top of me and go on with their lives. Thank god for that sinus medication that acts like speed. It keeps me going, even if I’m not exactly sure what I am doing.
How are your kids? Are they all better?
Good picture of you and your hair
My palms are oval.
God bless you.
Cynthia
Your hair looks beautiful, daaahling
My hair is perfectly straight and only stays curly for about 5 minutes…I always thought curly-haired peeps had it made, b/c you could have it both ways!
My palms are kinda square with rounded corners
what does that make me? fashionable? that’s so funny…fashionable palms…how do you change them if you’re not fashionable? hehe.
about writing fiction…I’ve been in touch with a fiction writer recently, Sharon Hincke, who has a great website with lots of tips for writers and links to great sites where other authors are putting good tips for fiction writers. anyway, you could probably spend a lot of time going to different links and getting lots of encouragement in your endeavor. I know I have. I’m not really writing a book, yet, but I think it may be in the future for me. From what I’ve read, you’re pretty normal in how you’re constantly thinking about it. Sharon writes about that a lot in her blogs.
bless you today! Tonja
I always thought my palms were rectangular, but upon closer examination, they do appear to be oval. My hands are hairy and moley and scarred and hangnailed and perpetually chapped – but – so long as I have oval palms, all shall be well.
Your hair does indeed look lovely. It’s amazing what a simple straightening iron can do, and I will miss Alyssa’s dreadfully when/if I leave home again.
I love the straight hair, I too have curly hair and always straightened it. However, now with a baby there just isn’t any time. I’ll have to try your bun trick!!!
Can’t wait to buy your book someday at B&N…I’ll probally buy several copies, as long as you promise to autograph them!!!
Squoval, for sure!
I have spelling blocks with 2 or 3 different words. I bet that is common. You’re fine!
Oh my goodness, you look so different from the other 2 bio pictures I’ve seen of you! (especially the last one!
I love your hair! I agree with the others that it looks beautiful and healthy. Now, regarding my palms. I guess they are more oval, lol.
Wow! You have a lot of comments…Who would have thought palms would inspire so much thought. I am always amazed when I learn something new in a book. Sometimes my daughter says she is tired of learning…I always tell her she’ll be learning her entire life. In fact, I look forward to the stuff we’re going to be able to learn in Heaven. Can you imagine how exciting that will be!
Saw you are from PA. We have friends in the Somerset and Confluence area and have traveled there a few times over the years. I love the mountains there and the rushing rivers. Very different from my GA experiences. I was very intrigued by the Amish communities. I would love to be able to observe a day in the life of an Amish family. Of course, I wouldn’t want them to know I was watching, but I would love to really know what that life is like. See ya later!
Nice hair.
I think my hands are kinda rounded rectangular– maybe a fat oval??? lol I read a book once where the heroine had “teacup ears.” Thought that was weird!
Just wondering. Do any of you budding writers ever visit http://www.iuniverse.com ?
Interesting…. I thought I posted a comment earlier today, but it must not have taken.
I believe I typed something like this: Nice hair. I have no idea what mine would like now if I straightened it. I think my hands are kinda rectangular, maybe fat oval? lol
I once read a book where the heroine had “teacup ears.” Never heard of those before!
Never mind, now I see it. And you now have 3 comments from me instead of 1!!!!! I must be blind today.
No-no! No jealousy allowed here, Girlfriend! Hey! Did I know you joined my goofy blogring?? Way back in January! How honored I am!! I must say, I think it’s a perfect match!
Oh, btw, I think I have oval palms. When I close my fingers & thumb, it definitely takes on an oval shape. I think the rectangle you speak of is actually an oval. Bring your thumb into the side, then I think you’ll see the more oval shape.
Sheesh! What will we find to discuss next? Our knees? ;P lol!
Maybe you’ve already heard… but Joy Jefferies died in her sleep last night. Thought you would want to know.
I like the picture. I have square palms as does my youngest daughter. I don’t know why, but I always noticed her square palms. I never noticed anyone else’s palms so I suppose I will go around for days looking though. lol.
Can’t wait to read the book.
You do look much different!! I think my palms are square…I am not sure though…Oh, Kim’s contest ends the 4th just in case you didn’t know that already.
Libby
I really like the straight hair. How long did it take you to straighten it?
I have severe spelling issues! I’ve gotten into the habit of spelling thier wrong – or is it their? Not even sure anymore – spell check fixes it on Word attomatically. (hmm, that doesn’t look right either) And, like everyone else, I too like your hair.
You have always looked good in all of your pictures! I think I have oval palms which I could have guessed without looking since I have all the preferred characteristics of the past like “white skin” and a “full figure”.
RYC: If you do get to read “Nickel and Dimed” just consider yourself warned. It’s not just the bad language but (in my opinion) the author has a major political slant toward the liberal side. I would like to know what you think about it. The book has some discussion questions in the back which I may put on my blog. Take care!
Mary
I thought you looked young with you new hairstyle, too! Though strainghtening hair is a total amazement to me–mine is straight as a stick. Square palms? You do come up with the oddest tidbits! I think mine are kind of square, though…sort of, anyway. Certainly not oval.
I don’t have much trouble with spelling, but there are some words that I simply canNOT type. Especially comes out expecially if I’m in a hurry, and there are several others that I know perfectly well how to spell, but can’t type them. Irritating. Also irritating that I have misspelled about twenty words typing this. Must be bedtime!