I’ve noticed a few new faces around the dorm – welcome!

I think you’re going to like our common room. No matter what time you’re up, you can always find someone here. And I love the fact that I can rant or ramble at length - wearing boxer shorts and a tank top, no makeup, hair in a ponytail – and no one bats an eye. No one even tells me to shut up! The kitchen is on the other side of the room, and when you’re feeling solitary, no one minds if you escape to the quiet of your own room to get some work done. Well, some people might Nudge you, but you can ignore them.

If you’re new to the dorm, let me introduce you to some of the other inmates dorm-mates. If I don’t mention someone by name, it’s because I don’t really know that person very well, or because I think they might not appreciate being singled out, or because I’ve run out of inspiration. *



kellyrfineman has taken over a corner of the table with a stack of poetry books. She hosts regular Friday poetry discussions, but be warned: they’re so interesting you may be seduced into writing a poem! susanwrites is across from her, working on some marketing stuff for her new book, Hugging the Rock. I can’t wait to read it. jbknowles is over that at the desk by the window, working intently on her revisions, a pile of chocolate offerings from the rest of us near her elbow, and a pair of kitties sleeping in the sunny windowsill.

literaticat is studying Ozma’s owner’s manual. She looks puzzled. I repeat, “People of San Francisco: ware! She has a car and she’s not afraid to use it!”

Let’s head this way … oops! We almost bumped into ___sascha___. Yes, she’s in her bikini. No, she’s not just showing off her bod … she always runs around like that, regardless of the season. You get used to it.

lori_ann_v is hiding in her room – maybe she’ll join us in the common room one of these days. She’s finished with her revisions for the Avril Lavigne bio, so maybe she’ll decide to take up blogging. Then again, she’s started a new WIP, so maybe she won’t.

amanda_marrone and cocoskeeper are on the couch, poring over a book of tattoos. “You won’t believe where they put some of these,” says cocoskeeper with a naughty wink. I love those two girlies. Each one of them has done me a kindness. I’m going to keep them around.

Speaking of girlies, thatgirlygirl is doing something on the other side of the room that has attracted a circle of people. I’m not sure what it is, but it seems to involve a camera and the game Twister. Whatever she’s doing, you can be sure it will be crack you up.

ammichaels is mixing some delicious-looking lime-green drinks at the counter while she brainstorms six exciting ideas at once. My brain can’t keep up with hers, but I do like to watch her go. Her dog, Maude, and my two dogs, are out cavorting in the yard. castellucci joins AM, wearing some cute sandals that show off her pink Queen of Cool nail decals. Did she tell you her Super Sekerit project yet? No? Me, neither.

There are a bunch of Asian chicks hanging out over at that other table. I’m not sure who they are – they all look alike to me. I’m kidding!!! If you haven’t been reading the blogs of d_michiko_f, jo_no_anne, or cynthea, then that will sound highly un-funny. So please know: that was a joke. Really. Not kidding now. *frets* *considers deleting joke*

fabulousfrock appears in the doorway, wearing a … well, a fabulous frock. She makes her Dagoba chocolate offering to Jo, and asks if anyone has seen rusalkatrix. I suggest the boybooks room – that’s where I saw her last.

Oh, that’s dotificus over there. The one with the really, really dark hair. ;-) She is omni-curious, a quality I adore about her.

Hi, sarazarr! Welcome back. She looks tired – just back from New Mexico. Let’s give her some time to settle in before we go bugging her. I can’t wait to read her book, too – it comes out in January - Story of a Girl.

lisayee wants to know who’s up for a “Pride and Prejudice” marathon – the Colin Firth version, of course! Most of us here do enjoy varying degrees of fondness for Mr. Firth. (Only Lisa is allowed to call him Colin.) (She’s very popular with several very handsome actors, but is happily married to a secure man.) I’ll get the popcorn, Lis!

artistq and lizjonesbooks are sharing studio space across the hall – I love their work. Two different mediums … two grande-sized talents.

lisa_schroeder and aprilhenry are fellow Oregonians – you can tell by our webbed feet and disdain for umbrellas. Lisa has a picture book published, and April has a BUNCH of books published. They still treat me like a real writer, even though I live in the Unpublished neighborhood. annecy_dit lives nearby – well, relatively – in Washington. (Right?) She’s sprawled on the couch reading, still recovering from her 12-hour days at the SCBWI conference.

cynthialord writes perfect stuff. Believe it.

Oh, see that sunny nook? That’s beachalatte sitting there. The reason that spot is so bright is not just the window nearby … it’s because Meg is always beaming positive rays on all of us. I cannot imagine the common room without her.

*yawns*

Sorry. I guess I’m getting tired. It was a busy day in Real Life. Why don’t you stay up and get to know some of the others? They’re all great. See you tomorrow.


*Really. That’s all it means. It is no reflection on how much I like anyone. susanwrites, remember The Incident of Mentioning People? (I may be sorry, too.) Also? My little silly anecdotes about people should in no way be taken as true expressions of their multi-talented and –faceted fabulousness. Please contact my people for further disclaimers. And also? I’m getting tired, so I’m going to go to bed, so I really can’t mention everyone on my list.