Thing One. Contracts have been sent to my agent for the two books I’m writing, which means (I think) I should be able to tell y’all what books they are very, very soon. They won’t be under my name, but I promise you the series is so cute. I love it and I can’t wait to start working! I will be writing books 9 & 10 of the series.

Thing Two. This week in revisions resulted in some serious character building. Remember I am set to turn my manuscript into Agent Dan next week. Tensions are high, hair has been pulled. Well, I spent three days writing 2 brand new chapters for the opening and sent them off to my lovely critique partner, hoping I had solved all the world’s problems by being so industrious as to write the new chapters. Ummmm, not so much. My critique partner wisely pointed out that these chapters were not good. Okay, so she would never put it like that, but that was the gist of it. In conclusion, the chapters were completely scrapped. I deleted about 13k in one swipe. But good news: A new opening has been created and vetted by critique partners and I think things just might be coming together.

Thing Three. I really enjoyed this article by Patton Oswalt called “Wake Up, Geek Culture. Time to Die.” (Although, I respectfully disagree, Mr. Oswalt.) Turns out he’s coming to speak at BookPeople this weekend, too, so I might have to go hear him if I have time.

Thing Four. A couple of my writing buddies have had good news this week. I found this in Publishers Lunch today:

Debra Driza’s debut, a three-book sci-fi thriller series, to Claudia Gabel at Katherine Tegen Books, in a very nice deal, by Taylor Martindale at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency.

Congratulations, Debra! I’m really excited for your series.

Also, Lisa and Laura Roecker unveiled their final cover art for Liar Society. Love the pink hair!

Thing the fifth. I just got a ton of advanced copies that I’m dying to read:

Delirium (HarperCollins)
Here Lies Bridget (Harlequin)
One Hundred Candles (Harlequin)
Okay For Now (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
The Vespertine (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
Shine (Abrams)
Angelfire (HarperCollins)
Rage (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

Any suggestions on which one I should tackle first?

Finally, stop by Monday when Shana and I will start our contest for a copy of Matched and some other goodies.