Thursday, June 4, 2009

High School's Out for Summer



Yesterday was my 15 year old's last day of school before summer vacation.

On the way home, we stopped at our local convenience store to pick up a cold drink. This place has, hands down, the best fountain diet coke in San Diego County. But I digress.

So, I'm standing in line, sipping the best diet coke around and thinking about that summer-vacation feeling.

The cashier says, "What's new?"

"It's the last day of high school," I reply.

"Oh no," says the postman standing next to me. He slumps.

"What's the matter?" I ask.

"Now, they'll all go home and let their dogs out."

How very very interesting. I would never have equated high-schoolers-home-for-the-summer with increased danger for mailmen.

It's all in your perspective.

And I'll all about characters and their perspectives at the moment. I got I So Don't Do Makeup back from Editor Wendy. And, while I'm taking care of the suggested revisions, I'm also checking to make sure the dialog and actions and metaphors fit the character. Such as, does the character who loves snacks and junk food uncover the hot sauce clue?

Oh, and, by the way, the revisions aren't too bad at all. Yay!!

And, now about something totally different (sorry, I couldn't think of a smooth segue!)...



A contest where you can win a $75 gift card to spend on books!

Eileen Cook is celebrating the six-month release anniversary of her book, What Would Emma Do? Click over to Eileen Cook's blog for details.

SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS! Yowzer!

24 comments:

  1. Barrie, that is hilarious about the postman! Who knew? It's like every profession is its own world!

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  2. I guess I can be glad I'm not a postman!! Congratulations on not too many revisions needed in the book, Barrie.

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  3. Yowzer is right! Thanks for the heads-up. I'm going to write something about this fun book on my blog and enter the contest for sure.
    Also like your anecdote on perspective, very useful writing tip. Cheers.

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  4. The books I could buy with 75 bucks. I'm checking it out.

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  5. Here at my post office mailmen love summer. Less wind and crappy weather.

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  6. Thanks for making me feel that "school's OUT!" joy!
    Aloha

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  7. and congrats on your book. Whew!

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  8. I always thought that whole dog and mailmen thing was really just for sitcoms.. ermm.. guess not. ;)

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  9. Thanks for giving the contest a call out. Just think how many copies of I Don't Do Mysteries one could buy with $75

    Enjoy the summer break

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  10. We’re experiencing the end of high school hurrahs! around here via prom parties – two (so far) on this street. LOUD! (Were we ever that loud and crazy??)

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  11. Beth, we were never that loud and crazy. We were perfect teens. :)

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  12. 75 for books = heaven.

    Thanks.:)

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  13. o, the, does the postman ring.....

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  14. I dreaded the last day of school. So much more time to get into trouble--including let the dog out.

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  15. Speaking of summer perspectives...all the parents are groaning now that school's over, but me--a teacher--I'm thrilled!!!

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  16. Sorry I've been out of the loop so long!
    Very exciting about your books.......wow.
    do you ever come to New York?

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  17. Postmen and dogs have been enemies since postal delivery began. Now you have a tidbit for your book, Barrie.

    Please do a post on what activities you have planned for your children this summer.

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  18. Wednesday was the last day of school for mine. They flew the coop with their dad for Germany. I'm brooding over an empty nest. Sniff. Sniff. Getting a lot of writing done, though. Sigh.

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  19. Enjoy your summer! We still have two more weeks of school. The girls are counting down...

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  20. That is funny stuff--it IS about perspective.
    Glad the revisions went well!

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  21. Heh, yeah, our last day was a few weeks ago. It wasn't really that crazy. It just meant I'd have more help around the house with chores -- my brother was home for the summer. :D

    That's really interesting about the postman. I haven't thought about mailmen and dogs in years -- since I stopped reading Garfield. I'll have to keep my character's perspectives in mind when writing. Thanks.

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Comments are always welcome!