Tough Girls

As far as I know, Vincent didn't paint any tough girls, so I decided to go with Manet this morning. I've always loved this piece because even though the barmaid looks like she can throw a good punch, if you study the painting closely, you can sense her vulnerability.

Actually, Tough Girls is the name of the panel I will be on this Sunday at the Texas Book Festival. I'm a little nervous because in real life I'm sort of a wimp. I hope I do all right. I'm also on a panel Saturday evening at the Alamo Drafthouse called Not for Required Reading. I'm a little nervous about that too, but also excited because I get to meet Sherman Alexie. I recently read his new YA novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, and it was fabulous. That's one very cool thing about being a writer - occasionally you get to meet your literary idols.

Well, I got a call from my lovely editor last week, and she really likes the pages I sent her of my WIP, The Less-Dead. Very happy about that. The novel is not about zombies, but about a boy, Noah, who tracks down a serial killer who has been preying upon marginal teens in the Austin area - foster kids with no family or friends. When they are dead, they are less-dead. The book also explores the dynamics of Noah's family, and so the challenge is blending the two. It's an important story for me personally, so I hope I can do it. Better get back to work.