First off, I’d like to wish everyone a warm and wonderful holiday!

It’s a total winter wonderland here in Illinois, and the snow is still coming down. Here’s the view from my mom’s home office…

It’s like I’m in a snow globe! Awesome!

Lemme just say, I have loved being at home. This pre-Xmas part of the trip has been mostly family and rest and work time. I’ve been sleeping like a cat, and when I’m not sleeping I’m revising Eye and going out with the fam.

Eye of the Tempest is shaping up a treat. and I’m really digging the direction it’s going. I had a Major Treadmill Epiphany (the other thing I’ve been doing, while home, is working out like a crazy woman) in which I realized what was at the heart of my revisions issues. Basically, I’d missed the mark on who Jane is, in this book, after her adventures in Legacy.

So the work is going great, and I hope to have Jane shipped back to the Editrix before New Year’s.  As for the fam, they’re fabulous. And I’ve made tons of ridiculous plans with my Chicago friends for after the holidays, and I’m so looking forward to letting the hair down. And speaking of hair…

Here’s a Before Korean Ladies shot and an After Korean Ladies shot:

 

I love them so much. Why can’t I take them to Pittsburgh? That said, I love my PA stylist, too, and I’ve taken a picture of the dye Chloe uses on me, so that hopefully we can source it back in PA. Then I can be RED all the time! Yay!

As for the Post Holiday Shenanigans, I can’t WAIT.  My friends in Chicago are some of the smartest, funniest, most loyal people I know, and I can’t wait to soak up their vibe. I feel like I’ve gone a bit dull, and they all agree (that’s the beauty of real friends–they tell you when you’re being stupid). But they’re also on hand for an intervention, and they’ll have me whetted to a razor’s edge in no time. ;-) That said, it can’t be all play, as I still have a lot of stuff to do before our January MFA residency. But I’ll get it all done, and enjoy some playtime as well.

And speaking of playtime, nearly all my plans are made for my Cheeky European Trip 2011. I’ve got all my train tix booked, and rental flat, etc. I cannot WAIT to go. We’re hitting Paris for an International Ladies Night. Dr. Ruth is going, of course, as well as my friends from Ireland, Denmark, Holland, and Norway. It’s going to be a blast. Then it’s back to England and a bit more travel on my own, this time to visit another friend, whom I’m stupidly excited to see. We’re planning some outrageously naughty shenanigans, and that’s exactly what I need right now. My life has been naughty-free for a while, so no wonder I feel like a pair of kindergarten shears.

I will also be doing some business in London, of course. I’ll be visiting the Orbit UK offices. They’ve got loads afoot there, and we’ll be going over their ideas. I’m also very much hoping to get together with the delightful Philip Palmer, and maybe do some fun promo with him. I also want to convince him that we should write a BBC radio play together, because that would make me the happiest bunny that ever bunnied. Did ya hear that, Philip? 😉

PS: I’ll be sending you a “Rabbit Heart” blog post shortly, just to sweeten the pot.

So that’s what I’m doing! OH, and Legacy is being spotted ALL over the wild. Because of the holidays, I’m not going to do loads of pre-release stuff. BUT I will be back home in January, doing oodles of contests and stuff, and hoping to take advantage of all the giftcards you’ve received from Santa. 😉

But I’m not the only one who’s been busy this January, and the ever lovely and fabulous Jackie Kessler has done a fantastic League roundup, of all the stuff we Leaguers have coming out now or very soon.

Another busy person has been Laurel Dinnage, who made these very sweet pictures of Jane! Thanks, Laurel!

 

I’ve also got an interview up at Savvy Authors, and more to come, shortly. You can also see Jane’s Holiday Wishlist, here, at the Vampire Book Club.

In the meantime, enjoy your holidays, everyone! Y’all have been such a treat for me to get to know, and your support and your love of Jane has meant the world to me. With the class I’m teaching at my new job, I thought a lot about the author/reader relationship this semester, and I’ve realized just how lucky I am to have you. I love knowing you’re out there, and hearing what you have to say about Jane and her adventures. So thank you all, a million times over! I’d send you each and everyone a t-shirt from London, but I’m broke. So go buy Legacy!  😉

Merry merry, and all that jazz. *huge hugs*