Current book – writing: Sword & Illusion
Number of chapters declared DONE – Thirteen
Number of chapters waiting for Beloved’s final read – Two (Fifteen and Seventeen)
Chapter that is done but not “declared” finished – Fourteen
Chapter working on – Sixteen
Current book – reading – Welcome Home: Our Family’s Journey to Extreme Joy – almost finished and will have a review when I am
Next book to read – Poison Study

As you saw with my last entry, my daughter and I have become big library addicts. I spent this morning putting some books on hold. I love that I can do that from my home computer!!

When my husband got back from ArmadilloCon, he told me that the editors, agents and authors there said that Young Adult (YA) is expected to be the next big trend in books, something that I’ve been suspecting for some time.

To that end, I’ve been plotting out an idea I have for a YA fantasy novel. This may be a book that Honor Cummings writes with my husband. (Honor is the name I write fantasy under, so don’t be confused!)

Anyway, I’ve decided to try reading some YA fantasy novels for research. I looked up a list on Amazon and found a bunch of books.

Since moderation is not my best quality, I forced myself to limit my list to one page, so here it is. I don’t claim that these are the best or anything. Just a page of teen fantasies I plan to read:

1 Aurelia by Anne Osterlund – on hold at the library
2 .Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, Book 1) by Tamora Pierce –- on hold at the library
In the Hand of the Goddess (The Song of the Lioness) by Tamora Pierce – on hold at the library
The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (The Song of the Lioness) by Tamora Pierce – on hold at the library
Lioness Rampant (The Song of the Lioness) by Tamora Pierce – on hold at the library
Cast in Shadow (The Chronicles of Elantra, Book 1) by Michelle Sagara
Cast in Courtlight (Chronicles of Elantra, Book 2) by Michelle Sagara – on hold at the library
Cast in Secret (Chronicles of Elantra, Book 3) by Michelle Sagara
Cast in Fury (Chronicles of Elantra, Book 4) by Michelle Sagara
Cast in Silence (The Chronicles of Elantra) by Michelle Sagara
A Great and Terrible Beauty (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy) by Libba Bray
Rebel Angels (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy Book #2) by Libba Bray
The Sweet Far Thing (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy) by Libba Bray
Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beastt by Robin Mckinley – on hold at the library
Sunshine by Robin Mckinley (although I don’t know if this is YA) – on hold at the library
The Door in the Hedge by Robin Mckinley
The Blue Sword by Robin Mckinley – on hold at the library
The Hero and the Crown by Robin Mckinley – on hold at the library
The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin Mckinley – on hold at the library
Deerskin by Robin Mckinley
Rose Daughter by Robin Mckinley –- on hold at the library
Spindle’s End by Robin Mckinley -– on hold at the library
Dragonhaven by Robin Mckinley – on hold at the library
Chalice by Robin Mckinley – on hold at the library

If you know anything about these books or have any other suggestions, leave a comment and let me know! Thanks!

Current book – writing: Sword & Illusion
Number of chapters declared DONE – Thirteen
Number of chapters waiting for Beloved’s final read – Two (Fourteen and Fifteen)
Chapter working on – Sixteen
Current book – reading – Holly’s Inbox

LIFE UPDATE
Well, the Boy started first grade this morning. Yesterday we went to the school to drop off his supplies so he could see his classroom and meet his teacher. She seems like a nice lady and he’s pretty excited about it.

I feel better about him in first grade than I did last year. I think having him repeat kindergarten was a good idea. He’s matured a lot in a year and his therapy has helped him so much. He’s not shy anymore and on Wednesday, at therapy, he stayed completely on task for the whole half hour! This is a big deal for us!

He’ll be doing therapy twice a week at the private office and once with the public school therapist. His private therapist suggested that he join a new group of first graders with similar language issues, and I think that would be great for him, so he’ll be doing that Saturday afternoons.

Tomorrow is the first basketball game of the summer. He’s really enjoyed it but at least right now, he shows no signs of being a great player.

The grandparents are here now. Well, not here here, but in their own home here in Baton Rouge. It’s been nice to have them nearby, especially for the kids. They are actually managing the stress of the move better than I expected. They lived in their house in NJ for over 30 years but I haven’t seen any anxiety about leaving all their friends and all.

WRITING UPDATE

As you can see from the status above, I’m still plodding through Sword & Illusion. I really want this done before Thanksgiving, so now that school has started again and I have more free time, I’m going to work hard on this.

I still have a few other stories I want to write and I’m going to update this website so you can see what I want to work on.

Please go to www.textnovel.com and check out the submissions by Honor Cummings. I’m posting some of Sword & Illusion there, which is written under that name.

I also have another book called Married for the Money that I’m writing under my own name because it’s a contemporary. Vote for either of these or both. See the other submissions, too. I’m entered in a Dorchester contest. If I win, I’ll win a contract with that publisher.

Beloved and I are still waiting to hear about The Lady and the Necromancer which is still at Baen. He also has his science fiction book, Battle for the Sphere there, too, and is waiting to hear something about that.

Well, gang, it’s time for me to make my breakfast and get started on my writing. When I get some batteries for my camera, I’ll post some pictures to let you see some of what we’ve been doing!

Have a great day!