Year Six

Today marks the beginning of the sixth year of the US operation in Iraq.

No matter what your politics, I hope you'll consider doing something today for those who've been harmed by the war. There are several charities that aid both soldiers and civilians caught in this conflict, and several groups that offer assistance to veterans. If you live near a military installation, inquire about volunteer opportunities. Consider sending a service member abroad a care package via AnySoldier.com. Investigate charities that help civilians who've been affected. I made a donation yesterday to the Vietnam Veterans of America, which offers assistance to all vets (not just those who served in Vietnam.)

Let's hope year six is the final year.

Pulse Blogfest is ON!

Pulse Blogfest is on NOW! Dozens of authors, including moi, answer all your burning questions about writing, upcoming books, and more. Check it out right here!

I Love Libraries

I'm an Army brat, which meant that packing up and moving to a new home every 2 - 3 years seemed normal to me. While most non-military types are aware of how often soldiers (and their families) move, what they don't realize is that all this moving means you can't accumulate too much stuff. Soldiers are given a certain weight allowance, and that's all the Army will put on the truck. Go over it, and you pay a hefty price tag. Per pound. As a result, I didn't have much furniture--only the bare necessities (and if we were living in military housing, which we often did, the Army can supply some of it for you.) I also didn't have that many books. I'll admit, "many" books is a relative term; most of my friends thought I had a ton! However, I read several books a week, and my parents are big readers, too. Owning that many was out of the question. Therefore, when we moved to a new post, one of the first places we'd visit was the post library. It was simply the thing to do.

Here's what leaves me gobsmacked now: libraries have incredible programs for teens. If you're looking for a great place to hang out, meet with friends, and (shocker!) find some fantastic books, check out your local library. Many have active teen groups, an area specifically for teens to hang out, and programs that are actually (gasp!) FUN.

For instance, the Shrewsbury Public Library in Massachusetts has a loft area with comfy chairs, a TV, and video games. There's space to study or just chat with your friends. At the library in Glendale, Arizona, you can participate in a Guitar Hero contest (yes, there are prizes!), take a babysitting course, or even take glass art workshops.

You don't have to live in a big city to find these kind of library programs, either. In tiny Waterville, New York (with a population around 1700), the library hosts teen lock-ins, where you can spend the night in the library with your friends, eat pizza, watch movies and talk books. And yep, authors come to visit--I was there just last year.

If they'd had programs like this when I was in high school, I'd have lived in the library. (I was there often enough as it was!)

What about you? Have you looked at what's going on in your local library? Have you ever attended an event there, such as an author visit, a movie night, or a book discussion? If so, what's been your favorite event?

(This is me with some of the Canastota Librateens in Canastota, New York!)

Cover Gown Auction

Those of you who've read my romance novels probably remember the cover of The Knight's Kiss, which won the 2004 RITA Award for Best Short Contemporary romance:



At one point in the story, the main character, Princess Isabella, hosts a black tie charity event at the palace. She needed serious glamour, so I modeled her gown after the one actress Mena Suvari wore to the 2000 Academy Awards, and sent photos off to the cover artist so he could replicate the look.

Well, that gown is now up for auction!

Clothes Off Our Back, a charity organization founded by actress Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm In The Middle") and her husband, actor Bradley Whitford (“The West Wing,” “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”), is auctioning the gown to raise money for children's charities. Bidding ends on March 17, so if you know someone who's got the $$ and is dying to wear an elegant, size 36 Euro Escada gown to their own charity event, send 'em right here.

I think it's fabulous that a dress that was (fictionally!) worn to a charity ball can now do some good for kids in the real world.

For Guys Who Want The Girl

Today, a public service announcement:

My flight back from the Caribbean last week happened to have a TON of teens on board. This included one very cute guy--I'd guess he was about fifteen or sixteen--who sat directly behind me. Every single teen girl on the flight took note of this guy. They were whispering about him before boarding, but didn't approach. A few of them walked by him veeeerrry slowly on the way to the lav or to talk to a friend. By the time we all hit baggage claim, several angled to stand beside him to wait for suitcases.

Even though he was smiling and being friendly, one by one, they moved away.

I elbowed my husband and said, "Told you!" as the last girl wandered off to stand near her friends. (Being the smart man he is, he replied with an, "Uh huh." He learned long ago to ignore me when, in a crowd, I say, "Watch what happens with that person. I bet that...")

I knew exactly what'd happen because Mr. Cute was sitting all of four feet behind me on the plane for three hours.

My tip to ANY guy reading this between the ages of 12 and 20: If you want a shot with the girl of your dreams, you MUST take a shower. DAILY. Then be sure to wear clothes that are relatively clean. It won't guarantee you that you'll get a girl, but it will keep them from running away and give you a huge advantage over the non-showered.

I know you're sure that you don't stink after a day of hanging out and doing nothing more strenuous than homework or a few rounds with the Wii. Ditto when you are behind on laundry and throw on clothes that have been fermenting at the bottom of your laundry basket for few days and pass your personal sniff test. But trust me, you reek to others. Even if you're the most gorgeous guy on the plane, even if YOU cannot smell it, the girls will walk away when they smell you.

Take this year's Oscars as a Guide To What Girls Want:

Exhibit A:  George Clooney.  Do a search online, and pick any photo you see of the guy.  You know he showered.

Exhibit B:  Colin Farrell at the Academy Awards.  If you saw him, you know his hair was hanging in his face and looked as greasy as if he'd spent a solid month living as Robinson Crusoe.  Fine if you're prepping for a role, not fine for the awards show.  Women will run.


Now, I'm not saying you have to dress or wear your hair like Clooney. You can keep that rebel edge and still look great. Case in point, Exhibit C:  Johnny Depp.  Yep, his hair is often hanging in his face, or otherwise mussed, but it's CLEAN.  You always know it's seen a comb in the last 24 hours, even if there's a little devil-may-care going on.  Depp's is the way to do fun, laid-back, and edgy without skipping the shower. Girls go nuts for this.

A final tip: Do not, I repeat, do NOT, wear a ton of cologne. (More than a dab = a ton.) It can be just as suffocating to girls as a Survivor-inspired shower strike.

So go forth, SHOWERED, and hopefully the girls will flock to you at baggage claim this spring break. (And, of course, you may feel free to sit near me anytime.)

And a P.S.: Turns out, I tied for second in my Oscar pool. Woot-woot! Next year, I plan to win the whole shebang!