I have now passed my manuscript on to Jay and Eve so they can work their magic and make my somewhat decent story into an awesome story. They’re the best, I’m tellin’ ya!
I started on this manuscript almost two years ago when I attended a humor workshop put on by the lovely Mary Hershey. During that workshop, we did a writing exercise and I came up with a character, Carly, who is from The South and has an obsession with hair products. (Hmmm…wonder who's eerily similar to that description…)
Anyway, I wrote about me...I mean, Carly...and got a few chapters in when I realized that she had absolutely no story to go along with her. And for many months, I couldn’t come up with anything. But then, I had one of those flashes, the kind that hit you quickly and you stop what you’re doing and just stare for a while. It happened to me at 7 a.m. when I was in the middle of putting a load of whites into the dryer. I just stared at the dial and thought…Wow, I might be on to something here!
And now, 18 months later, I’ve finally put the finishing touches on that little idea I had while cleaning socks and underwear. What’s it about? Well...um…let’s see. It’s about a girl who discovers this thing that does this stuff and her mom tells her all this other stuff and she can’t figure out what to do with the stuff and the thing that her mom told her about...and stuff.
Yeah, I’m bad at summaries. In fact, when I first pitched this idea to my agent, it took me about half an hour to describe what I wanted to do. She was so wonderful and patient and didn’t even take a bathroom break during my long rambling attempt at a summary. Love her!
So that’s what Jay and Eve are for. Their job is to not only make the book rock, but to help me figure out how to summarize 175 pages of stuff into about 3 sentences. Until then, what I can tell you is the title: THE HAPPINESS PROJECT.
And when I handed copies over to Jay and Eve, I even gave them a girl and a boy version.
Can you guess which Mermaid’s which?
- Robin
17 comments:
I like how Jay has a mohawk. And, why is he wearing Mardi Gras beads? Just asking.
Eve
Oh, and CONGRATS Robin for completing this work of art!
Eve (again)
Robin,
Do you illustrate too? tee hee
And I was thinking the same thing, "Huh...I didn't know Jay sported blue plastic beads around town sometimes?"
giggles :-)
Hooray for you!
If your son is anything like my kids, I bet he's urging you to start on something else so he won't have to eat fresh vegetables.
Don't you love serving the "I'm working on revisions meal?"
My standard menu happens to include string cheese, 3 stale oreos, a handful of raw almonds and a grape Koolaid juice pack.
Why is Jay wearing beads? Is he turning into a Grandma?
Oh! Now I remember.
Jay had just been shopping downtown prior to coming to my house and he flashed some college kids. That's right. Just lifted up his shirt right there in public! A NYT bestselling author! So wrong.
Hence, the beads...
Eve
HA! It's funny how the truth often manages to sneak in sideways. See, those beads were at Eve's house when I got there and I just threw them on cuz it made Robin's son laugh.
But now we know how Eve got 'em!!!
- Jay
P.S. Robin...lovin' the book so far. :-)
Oooh! I love your stuff idea and I'm so happy you finished it! I can't wait to read it sometime soon.
Glad to hear you have a new novel in the works!
Would love for you to visit a review of your novel Thirteen Reasons Why. This review is written by a brand new blogger...and a school board member!
His address is http://polliwog.edublogs.org.
Based on his recommendation...I've ordered your book!
Oh, Jay, I totally loved your book, Th1rteen R3asons Why! It's one of my favorites. I want to be an author someday, too... :]
I'll definately read The Happiness Project when it comes out!
Yay, Tessa! I'm glad to hear a fan of Jay's may someday become a fan of mine.
And I have to admit...last night...even though I don't have any revisions to work on...we ordered pizza. I KNOW! What kind of mother am I!? I was having one of those "I'm gonna clean this house tonight, and that's all I'm doing!"
But the boys didn't complain one bit.
-Robin
Ooops...I just re-read the last two comments. It sounds like you thought Jay wrote THE HAPPINESS PROJECT. But actually it was me.
Robin!
I am not Jay. Sometimes I wish I was Jay, but...I am not.
...aaahh...welcome to the life of the other Disco Mermaids...
;-)
Robin
Robin - I love the title! ...and once it's published if you could personalize every copy - think of the marketing potential (with a sponsorship by Uniball pens!)
good luck!
Yay, Robin! Congrats! I love the title too, and hope it gets published lickity split so the non-disco-mermaids of the world get to read it too! Best wishes for a Disco Mermaid trifecta very very soon!
I can't wait till you are totally famous and I can say I knew you when....plus you will be fabulously rich and I can blackmail you with all my stories from Stonebridge.
Brandy
Brandy! You stopped by my blog! Awesome!!! (Brandy has been my friend since we were a year old, ya'll. Literally!)
And there are plenty of Stonebridge Drive stories you could blackmail me with. Most involve your car or your pool or your lack of a curfew! I'm sure some of that stuff will end up in a book of mine someday. (Then I'll blackmail you right back!)
:-)
Hugs!
Robin
Hey,
I've never blogged before, so please bear with me. I'm a member of SCBWI. I just finished the audio of Thirteen Reasons Why. I choose it in preparation for the upcoming SCBWI conference. I choose to blog about it because... I'm from a small town. In the past few years we have had an unprecedented number of teen suicides. Your book moved me from anger, to tears, to disbelief, to heartache and to joy. It was brilliant, thought provoking, insightful, tender--the list goes on. Anyway, I am recommending it to the guidance department at our high school. If I knew you, I would tell you I am proud of you-for daring to be so brave and honest. Kids need that.
Oh, as far as movies go, Robin, see both,Mama Mia for the music, Batman for the Drama. Reward yourself!
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