Stalled, but not out. ;)

It's that time of year.

I'm at a standstill.

Stalled.

Okay, fine, drowning in freaking quicksand. 

I think it's partly just the time of year. The high of the New Year -- the energetic attack of the list of resolutions -- wanes, and you're left with time constraints, a chest cold, and a certain winter lethargy that keeps you from moving as fast as you should.

Or maybe that's just me.

But it's also a run of parenting bumps ("You're only as happy as your most unhappy child") and, I think, even more than that,

this endless, damned, out-on-submission thing.


*breathes*

It is hard to keep answering the questions about when my next book is coming out.

The answer is, I don't know.

Much to my dismay, Frankie Sky has not been picked up yet, and (whine alert ----> ) for the life of me, I just don't get it.

First of all, I've had two separate agents LOVE the manuscript, and my few test readers liked it more than The Pull of Gravity, including some teens and a trusted blogger (who I barely knew before her read who was (and still is) a huge champion of TPoG. As she wrote in one of several emails to me, "I think I love Frankie Sky. Please don't tell the Scoot.")

And yet.

And yet.

AND YET!!!!!! >:(

*sigh*

Have I mentioned this book business is hard?

So, now that I'm done whining, I thought I'd take a moment to focus on some more important things.

First of all, The Pull of Gravity continues to get picked up by schools, and I am grateful. It is really more than I could ever have asked for. I'm skyping with an 8th grade class in Indiana in February, where the teacher has used it as a read aloud. I'm visiting two Long Island schools in February and March who are both using the book in and around the classroom. And a New Jersey school in April where the visit will be televised as part of a public television program called Classroom Close-up.

If you had told me three years ago, I'd have a book read in schools, it would have floored me. It would have been totally surreal. And, trust me, I promise you, it still is.

Ah, my old friends, Nick and Jaycee :)

And, I continue to get reviews like this one from teachers and educators, which surpass my wildest dreams:

http://sharpread.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/reading-along-i-94-the-pull-of-gravity/.

And, btw, 4th grade teacher Colby Sharp, who wrote that review (and doesn't usually even read YA) is one of my new favorite people (not just because he liked my book, but because his blog/review site is awesome and funny and good). So, while you're there (you're going there, right?) you should totally look around.

But, second of all, more than my own successes (or failures -- glass, are you half full or half empty??? *takes sip, shakes glass upside down hoping liquid rushes out*), other people have sh*t going on that is way harder and more important than anything going on in my life. . .

Whether you like dragons or not (I am neutral), an awesomist is a totally awesome thing to be.

Take my friend Max, who is a terrific writer, and also just a good person. His son was just diagnosed with an agressive form of leukemia. Having just been through the most minor of health scares with my own kid, I can't even begin to imagine.

And, yet, there they are. Everywhere, people are suffering.

Our mutual friend Eden has put together this fabulously generous campaign to try to help Max and his son Josh out with his exorbitant medical costs through Indiegogo and I hope, especially if you are an aspiring writer or avid reader, you might check out some of the items up for bid (including, of course, a signed hardcover of TPoG and some other writerly services I have offered). Max needs you. And, more than that, Josh does.  

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE CAMPAIGN!!!!

So, there you have it. I'm stalled a bit, but not out. In fact, today is the day I get my ass back in gear.

Life is short. Go get it.

*grabs yoga mat, swim suit, and opens newest manuscript on screen.*

- gae