I’m Still Welcoming
2015
If I keep welcoming this year maybe it will stay around longer. |
I’ll be at Dianne Salerni’s Blog today, talking about the ideas that knitted together to create Sudden Secrets. Hope you’ll stop by to say hello.
To start off this year, IWSG asked that we introduce ourselves briefly again. I think I’ll do a bullet list for quick reading.
- I’m a native Californian who travels around, but always returns to my state.
- I write young adult contemporary-realistic books because I can’t write picture books.
- I also write middle grade fantasy and even have a sequel to my first one on the way out this year, if the dog doesn’t eat it first.
- When I’m not writing I practice yoga, hike, garden and stare into space for inspiration. . . or because I forgot where I was going.
- When I grow up I want to be tall. At the moment I’m 5′ 1″ and weigh in at 101. However, the upside of that is I can wear kids clothes when they outgrow them.
- Before I stop writing, I want to write something really good and powerful, something I can call the “perfect” story (laughter is not appreciated).
- My philosophy includes never saying I’m too old to do something, along with a bunch of other very deep stuff.
Here’s to another year of writing, nailing biting and jolly good fun. Let’s toss all of that with a nice dollop of INSECURITY just for the heck of it. I you need to DE-Stress, here are some tips from THE ODD PARTICLE. It has some perfect tips. And if you’re in need of a wee bit of support, visit these other folks. There are 255 of them, and they’ll have some super help to share.
Thanks Alex J. Cavanaugh |
Deanie Humphrys-Dunne says
Hi C. Lee,
I nominated you for a blogging award Congratulations! Please visit dhdunne.blogspot.com to find out more.
Rachna Chhabria says
I am nearly 5' 3 and I always wanted to be taller. I write Middle Grade Fantasy and this year I plan to write YA as well as a novel.
klahanie says
Hey superstar author n'stuff, Lee,
Yes and yay, I'm backtracking to this post. I have a very slow computer that shall soon be gone. The computer is so slow that it takes me a whole year to get from one site to another. Happy New Year, 2016, I reckon.
Next time I'm in California, would you be so kind as to organise the parade in my honour aka "honor". Sorry, spell check.
Stay forever young and giggle loads.
Your starstruckest fan and I thank you for being part of IWSG aka "I Was Seeking Gary."
Um, Gary….
Cherie Reich says
Best wishes for the new year, Lee!
M. L. Swift says
Hey you.
Always good to know more. I love California. Miss it. Lived in SD for ten years and would love to return one day. Don't know if it'll ever happen, but…
Wishes for great success with Sudden Secrets!
Empty Nest Insider says
I also love your philosophy about never being too old to do something. I've never tried yoga, though a Pilates instructor had trouble keeping a straight face when she saw me in class!
Julie
Cathrina Constantine says
I like your philosophy!!! Wishing you much success in 2015!!!
Joylene Nowell Butler says
Lee, I've heard good things come in small packages. Happy happy new year!!!
Catherine Stine says
Haha, yes, I do a lot of "staring into space" too, in which I am ensconced in thinking up plot ideas for my WIPs.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It's the only way!
Arlee Bird says
I didn't realize you were so short. You look much taller in your head shot.
I'm not laughing about that "perfect story" at all. That's one of my goals too.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Caryn Caldwell says
Adorable picture! Happy New Year to you, too!
And I love your philosophy about never claiming you're too old to do something. That's a great way to think about tackling challenges.
Happy writing!
Patricia Lynne says
I would have never guessed your height! I tend to stare into space when I forget things too. Aren't I too young for that though? 😉 Happy 2015!
Birgit says
Great list and I often stare into space:) I will think of you doing Yoga while I eat chocolate
Michelle Wallace says
No matter what you write, no matter where you're looking, whether you write 'deep' or 'not-so-deep' stuff – I'll always love you, Lee!
(My hubby always says I'm a shortie… I must check my height.)
debi o'neille says
I didn't know there was a blog hop going on–good luck. and please chain that dog or put it in a pen so you can finish your MG fantasy, because I need to read it. 🙂
Best,
Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com
Karen Jones Gowen says
Love the cover of Sudden Secrets! Wishing you a great 2015 Lee with all your projects.
Emily R. King says
I'm sure you can reach all those goals, Lee! The best part is you're already writing, so you're on your way!
Joss says
great list, hope you have a great 2015 🙂
DMS says
Love your list, Lee! I can't wait for the sequel to your MG fantasy to come out. Awesome! Wishing you the best of luck in the new year. 🙂
~Jess
Yvonne Ventresca says
Ha to the kids' clothes! I am the shortest one in the family these days…
Suzanne Furness says
Your bio made me smile, I am on the shorter side (5'2") my kids tower over me but I always say good things come in small packages!
Hope you have a great year.
Medeia Sharif says
I wrote two picture books, so I tried. I wouldn't mind trying again. My critique group has amazing pb writers and I've learned so much from them.
I didn't know we had to introduce ourselves, so I did so on FB.
Tonja says
I'm 5'1. It's good to have tall kids so they can reach things for me. Congrats on your success with your books. I wrote a picture book when I was younger – with pictures and everything – it is hilarious (and wasn't meant to be).
Lynda R Young says
I'm 5'3 and, reading the comments, I think this is the first time I felt tallish…which is really odd…
Stephanie Faris says
I'm 5'2" but I DON'T weigh 101. I wish I could say that. Jealous! But I've learned to embrace my shortness.
S.K. Anthony says
I loved this!!!! You're just too awesome 😉
And 5'1"? I'm about half an inch taller than you . . . with shoes probably, but I always say I'm 5'2" because who's gonna stop me? And hey, we're not short, we're fun sized 😛
Michael Di Gesu says
Hi, Lee,
What a great intro to YOU! I never realized you were so petite….And you are outdoorsy and love to hike.. Me too! Hiking is the best. You are so lucky to be in California where the weather is perfect for hiking….. It is five degrees here. BRrrrrrrr…..
All the best with your new book!
J Q Rose says
Fun post and glad to know you better. Best wishes on your new release. What an exciting time. I want to write something profound too, not necessarily judged by how much royalties I make on it, but on how much it can help the reader. Re the destressor tips– Seriously there really is a video of "rain on a tent." What a discovery for me.
Christine Rains says
It was great learning a bit more about you. Here's to a year to celebrate all year long!
Gwen Gardner says
I loved Alligators Overhead! I'll definitely be picking up the sequel. I can't handle the realistic stuff, LOL. Loved learning about you, Lee!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks Gwen. Those are fun to write.
Carrie Butler says
There's nothing wrong with wearing kids clothes! That's how I got my Blue Jackets (hockey) jersey for cheap. 😀
farawayeyes says
I would love to hear the other 'deep stuff' that makes up your philosophy. You are always so bright and cheery, it's hard to imagine that you have any insecurities. And the ability to wear kids clothes when they have outgrown them – AWESOME!
Kai Strand says
Doctors in California always measured me at 5'2". Then I moved to Oregon and doctors told me I was 5'4". I was in my 30's. So…IDK. All I know is I'm taller than you! Congrats on SS.
M Pax says
I'm 5' 4" and always wish to be taller. Can never reach things on the top shelf of the supermarket. I get creative with other products in the aisle. This ride is fun if we let it be. 🙂 Here's to a grand 2015.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee .. I'm not quite that small … but shortly will grow a little – I guess I should riddle that. Excellent self-description though .. and writing that picture book … some clever dick will do it! Your books are just fine as they be .. so here's to an excellent 2015 .. .but another 255 folk .. that's beyond the Insecure me!! Cheers and Happy New Year – Hilary
Karen Walker says
I so love your list. I've always wanted to be taller (I'm 5'3). And have my friend, Wendy's, legs. Ah.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Oh yes. Legs. Everone has long legs by comparison to me.
Kelly Polark says
I am an Amazon compared to you, but I slouch because when I was in junior high I was taller than the boys! And created a terrible slouching habit that continues to today!! Happy New Year, Lee! Best of luck to you on Sudden Secrets!!
Julie Flanders says
Love your philosophy. Amen to that!
Happy New Year again. 😀
Tyrean Martinson says
I want to be tall when I grow up, too!
I love your long term writing goal – that's mine too, so I'm not laughing. I want, somewhere in all the crazy bits of writing I do, to have one story/book/poem that means something and is so wonderful that it sticks with the reader for a long time afterwards.
Loved your intro!
Best wishes for 2015!
Yolanda Renee says
I like that idea, keep welcoming the New Year so it will stick around a bit longer! I love a new beginning!
So wonderful to know more about you, congrats on the book!
Wishing you a jolly New Year too!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks so much for the comment and congratulations.
Angela Brown says
I did more giggling than expected, though not about you writing that perfect story. That one I see you accomplishing. Awesome to know more about you.
Crystal Collier says
LOL! Lee, you're awesome. I had no idea you were that short, but back in the day when I played basketball, I thought being short was an advantage. You could sneak right under another player's arm and snag the ball. =)
Congrats on the release! I was off-line when it happened, but it looks like a beautiful story. Way to go!
L. Diane Wolfe says
LOL! I'd like to be tall when I grow up, too. I'm 5'3" – barely. But I can wear kids clothes, which is a plus. My husband says I should design a line of clothes and call it "Elfin."
Natalie Aguirre says
Loved learning more about you. I'd love to weigh 101. I'm even shorter than you-4'11".
I really enjoyed your post on Dianne's blog. I tried twice to leave a comment but it wouldn't post.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
I can't write picture books – that's funny!