Friday Feedback: Unruly & Ten Rules

Boo hiss: All my dread in the world couldn't keep it away: the unofficial last weekend of summer is here.

And, next Wednesday, my kids go back to school.

The days are getting shorter, the morning's, colder, and all my wishing and hoping won't keep fall at bay.

The only good part is that I have a lot of fun book stuff coming up: my first Canadian Book Club, a school visit in PA, a Kids Read stint at the esteemed Center for Fiction in NYC, and an evening at Pen Parentis, to name a few.

Also, my "Frankie" revisions are due to my editor, after a big thumbs up from my agent, so I'm hopeful they'll go over well. If only the publication date weren't so very faaaaaar away.

As for my Frankie revisions, I'm feeling a bit lovey dovey with my hubby these days* (that's him ranking a blog appearance up there) because, unbeknowst to me, he took it upon himself to read the revised draft. Now, let's just say he's not always my best, most attentive reader. *coughs* And let's just say that, if he doesn't love something, he's not particularly great at hiding that fact. *weeps a little*

And let's just say he hasn't stopped gushing about this book!

Seriously, that's like getting rave reviews from Kirkus. Plus, he's kinda looking at me all starry-eyed. ;)

Anyway, I have some fun guest authors and writing and revision tips coming up in the next several weeks, but this week, and especially for those readers who are regulars, I do want to parade out my very short bible of writing for you once again... Got 10 Rules?

Come on, Elmore makes it easy:

Yeah, okay, maybe those last two rules are tricky. . .  ;)

Anyway, it is Friday Feedback. . . so, without further ado, you know my rules. Here's another bit from my Work In Progress I posted from last week -- an upper YA called In Sight of Stars. The MC is a 17-year-old boy named Klee (pronounced Clay). He's in a bit of a (very) bad way:

At 5:15 pm, I walk out to the nurses’ station to call Mom, which is bad timing to begin with, because the smell of puked-up chicken noodle soup or some other shit wafts from the cafeteria down the halls. I’ve avoided a meal there since Monday, but I’m not sure how much longer they’ll let me.

            The nurse at the desk’s name is Shelly. She’s the blond one who sometimes brings me my meds.

            “I need to call my mom,” I say. She nods and moves away, to give me some privacy, I think.

It still feels weird to dial our home number, like it’s somebody else’s, not ours. The sound of the ringing makes my heart race. I don’t know whether I want her to answer, or not. Not means she’s out gallivanting.

Then again, what does it matter?

Another ring, a third, then voicemail.

“You’ve reached Klee and Marielle, please leave a message. We’ll get back to you as soon as we’re able.”

Nice. Creative. Original. The machine beeps in my ear, gratefully cutting off my thoughts.  

“Hey, Mom, it’s me. I’m doing better. So, yeah, when you get this, you can call. Or, I guess you don’t have to call, you can just come by tomorrow if you want to. Oh yeah, if you do, could you bring me some clean clothes and, I guess maybe my school books, since I really don’t know how long I’m in for. They’re in my backpack, well, you know. Okay, thanks. See you then.”

I hang up. My stomach roils. I can’t even wrap my head around school.

Then again, I can’t wrap my head around having to see my mother either.
***

Looking forward to reading you!
- gae

*I'm almost always feeling lovey dovey with my hubby.