tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-210994492024-03-14T04:58:15.601-04:00Caroline Richmond, YA Authorthe musings and mumblings of caroline tung richmondCaroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.comBlogger592125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-62202287224334762332016-02-12T13:59:00.002-05:002016-02-12T14:11:25.145-05:00Hi there, 2016!Oh, hello! *<i>Blows dust off blog</i>*<br />
<br />
Caroline, here. You may have forgotten about me, but I'm still alive! My blogging has been pretty spotty as of late--and I might vanish again, like <i>poof</i>--but now that the Toddler Overlord goes to a sitter three times a week I hope I can post more often!<br />
<br />
To herald my great return to blogging (ha!), I decided to spiff up its design! For nostalgia's sake here's what it used to look like below. I still love that color scheme and the polka dots, but my blog hadn't had a new look since early 2016. (<i>So</i> unfashionable.) Thus for the past couple weeks I've been brainstorming a redesign and spending too much time on Pinterest. I wanted something with a clean layout, fun colors, and an emphasis on typography and geometric shapes. I think I ticked those boxes! What do you all think?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0Jhbmgmkt41aja1swBq7Uw57j9-DykcQ_KoEFZPgRoL9bRdEHyyZx38pmdSZNlZIIAgbQEFyxBEu5wWhz5W55IAPRkHK22z51A9uJ5ndmmBvSx56rCD3DvKz0WOeEMSlo4LYRQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-02-11+at+9.33.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0Jhbmgmkt41aja1swBq7Uw57j9-DykcQ_KoEFZPgRoL9bRdEHyyZx38pmdSZNlZIIAgbQEFyxBEu5wWhz5W55IAPRkHK22z51A9uJ5ndmmBvSx56rCD3DvKz0WOeEMSlo4LYRQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-02-11+at+9.33.33+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And in other news, here's what I've been up to in the last eight months:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
* I finished all revisions for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Darkest-Hour-Caroline-Tung-Richmond/dp/0545801273/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455213066&sr=8-1&keywords=the+darkest+hour+caroline+richmond" target="_blank">The Darkest Hour</a>! Whew! The book is now in ARC form, and will be published on 7/26/2016. Holy smokes!<br />
* The Overlord turned two yesterday! I'm not sure how this is possible, and I fear I may have fallen into some Star Trek-style time loop. How am I the parent of a two-year-old? A toddler?!<br />
* We moved into our very first house! We still have a lot of furniture to buy and decorating to do, but we feel so lucky to have our own place. *<i>pets soapstone countertops</i>*<br />
* Justin started <a href="http://implproject.org/" target="_blank">his own NGO</a>! So very proud of him.<br />
* A lot of other things have happened but I can't think of them now because I have an awful, no good, terrible cold. I'm going to hug some DayQuil now. </blockquote>
Tell me what you've been up to, long-lost friends!Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-51300303660634115522015-06-25T16:54:00.000-04:002016-02-12T11:04:41.847-05:00We're Back! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3X3ZcPocRo9vCYjzZkjXdezjuxprV99Gj6lqxc3Dm192tJoUBCTs-ssR6fxtvF08NowsVrBTvZrUemrsdrQChSSBQiwn0Bx39kXa-bcqVlm2V6k5WpUH-cz_6DJzmHnIpTSqUA/s1600/Bean1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3X3ZcPocRo9vCYjzZkjXdezjuxprV99Gj6lqxc3Dm192tJoUBCTs-ssR6fxtvF08NowsVrBTvZrUemrsdrQChSSBQiwn0Bx39kXa-bcqVlm2V6k5WpUH-cz_6DJzmHnIpTSqUA/s1600/Bean1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Oops! Well, that was an unintended blog hiatus!<br />
<br />
But here I am with proof that I'm still alive---and the Baby Overlord is doing well too! In fact, I should probably address her as the Toddler Overlord from now on because she's growing like a tumbleweed, crawling up a storm, and getting ready for world takeover because she's *<i>thisclose</i>* to walking. Save yourselves!<br />
<br />
Also, I need to trim her bangs but the thought of taking her to the little kid salon and listening to her scream bloody murder while a poor stylist tries to cut her semi-mullet sounds about as fun as barbecuing my feet. So we'll just let her hair grow!<br />
<br />
Anyway, the last few months have kept me quite busy with revisions, baby wrangling, more revisions, sneaking some hang out time with Justin, and hugging my dog. But now I have some down time while I await additional edits for my 2016 book (spies in Occupied France!) and I'm not really sure what to do with myself. Ha! So I've been watching lots of "Inside Amy Schumer" and reading up a storm. I recently finished <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Station-Eleven-Emily-John-Mandel-ebook/dp/B00J1IQUYM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1435265439&sr=1-1&keywords=station+eleven&pebp=1435265445862&perid=13MDNM174XZB85SVVBG8" target="_blank">Station Eleven</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crossover-Kwame-Alexander-ebook/dp/B00E78IBAC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1435265413&sr=1-1&keywords=crossover&pebp=1435265421873&perid=195CMYNZ31KQZHBQXFY8" target="_blank">Crossover,</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bomb-Build---Steal---Dangerous-Newbery-ebook/dp/B00842H6AI/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1435265370&sr=1-1&keywords=bomb" target="_blank">Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon</a>--all of which I'd heartily recommend! Like, seriously. If you decide to pick one up I promise that it won't disappoint, and I say that as a rather picky reader myself.<br />
<br />
Sigh, it's almost time for me to pick up the Overlord from the sitter's! Here's to hoping I'll be back again soon!Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-84306483532694754802015-02-13T14:24:00.000-05:002015-02-13T14:24:22.667-05:00Oh Hello 2015!Whoops! I certainly didn't intend to take such a long blog break but here we are in 2015 and I have yet to write a post. I blame this hiatus upon: the deadline on my new Scholastic book, a dreadful cold that the baby caught, throwing ball for Otto, something called Christmas, and going to bed at 9PM.<br />
<br />
In other words, my life is soooo glamorous! Jealous much, Taylor Swift?<br />
<br />
So let's play some catch up in photograph form! Alas, I haven't dusted off my DSLR in awhile so these iPhone pics will have to do (but I did manage to gussy them up a little in Pixlr so I'm not completely hopeless...yet). And here we go!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzA5fCE1Ksd0MOeGq-PLmF4o_BvIjicKlqBuuCea1vn5-8SM71FyhXoWHU7-o6SRfZnRw5wuEdXU8oE-JdFbZGn9Oxdy8FqVujuRPH-LM2XZi9yYF7yUgivpU19To-kVLXQ0qNXA/s1600/February+-+Aimee+Rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzA5fCE1Ksd0MOeGq-PLmF4o_BvIjicKlqBuuCea1vn5-8SM71FyhXoWHU7-o6SRfZnRw5wuEdXU8oE-JdFbZGn9Oxdy8FqVujuRPH-LM2XZi9yYF7yUgivpU19To-kVLXQ0qNXA/s1600/February+-+Aimee+Rose.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Aimee Rose celebrated her first birthday! Whoa nelly, where did this first year go?! We just got back from her first-year check-up and the doctor gave us two thumbs up. 20 lbs! Freshly vaccinated! And he gave us some parting advice: your baby will act like a teenager this year so get ready! Oh boy oh boy ... </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzL7CTp0eBTfk6kAGxzkm2UozTeAsDjaQlT9jDDRSXciHpXT2Etz1nl1sw-M6ThED5FUlcAR5r7r4_ehrIeDzxWGqLwkHp_PQF0E5pYLPHzV4EP4jBrsQgvJW2rckEsv4D0S6aqQ/s1600/Bean+and+Friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzL7CTp0eBTfk6kAGxzkm2UozTeAsDjaQlT9jDDRSXciHpXT2Etz1nl1sw-M6ThED5FUlcAR5r7r4_ehrIeDzxWGqLwkHp_PQF0E5pYLPHzV4EP4jBrsQgvJW2rckEsv4D0S6aqQ/s1600/Bean+and+Friends.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Back in November, we headed up to New York for our first family trip! I had a signing at Books of Wonder, which is simply a lovely store with even lovelier staff; and we also hung out with my best friend Amanda and her daughter Lilah. These girls are going to be BFFs. I shall force them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2OD2-bibv0bwo0pLWsa69-XFO-8fO8d2xVUcXTleRZ1dR3SrD4XBLTzhk7DnX6CVx9tMTFAe7OkNK3MHAU58T4HiOtu41KPRN5G000ahA51CnadJuyKPVRDJJkpAOJZi3LbOYA/s1600/Bean+and+Papa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2OD2-bibv0bwo0pLWsa69-XFO-8fO8d2xVUcXTleRZ1dR3SrD4XBLTzhk7DnX6CVx9tMTFAe7OkNK3MHAU58T4HiOtu41KPRN5G000ahA51CnadJuyKPVRDJJkpAOJZi3LbOYA/s1600/Bean+and+Papa.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The three of us spent one gray morning just cuddling in bed. And why is Aimee Rose holding measuring spoons, you might ask? BECAUSE SHE LOVES THEM, I say! We're not toy snobs in the Richmond household. You want cheap kitchen utensils to play with? Mama gives you said cheap utensils. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1-rCProB7aVjWpcADBz-pJOVjpacbDaZizLZHqxA9-OZMyeXjo1zM4hGuBY2bVtdrQDQj8c_F2mSD0Bj_4YEE9YfW1c2EDTV7ChPGyS2dFvdwJ_zWBzlhq6ToRe2Ey1QDotCow/s1600/NCTE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1-rCProB7aVjWpcADBz-pJOVjpacbDaZizLZHqxA9-OZMyeXjo1zM4hGuBY2bVtdrQDQj8c_F2mSD0Bj_4YEE9YfW1c2EDTV7ChPGyS2dFvdwJ_zWBzlhq6ToRe2Ey1QDotCow/s1600/NCTE.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of the highlights of my fall---along with eating delicious ramen in New York and surviving the baby's first train ride---was attending NCTE, an annual conference for English teachers. Scholastic was kind enough to set up a couple signings for me, and in between them I wandered around the conference floor in a daze, feeling very lucky to just be there and feeling quite verklempt at seeing the word "Author" on my name tag. (Also, I snagged a few ARCs. No shame!) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAb8PiFSRvNCGpwusuzl4SIUzcPNuoyE5DQVN_sYDoShknOGgIUWmfVi4fIUM9PTSqFvn8T1WasrB8Jc3d6ud82C8hEL4YAaUr2xYHSNxrPB6iHc7U4Z5_-6ETvzbGx3ixb4hBA/s1600/February+-+Aimee+Rose+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAb8PiFSRvNCGpwusuzl4SIUzcPNuoyE5DQVN_sYDoShknOGgIUWmfVi4fIUM9PTSqFvn8T1WasrB8Jc3d6ud82C8hEL4YAaUr2xYHSNxrPB6iHc7U4Z5_-6ETvzbGx3ixb4hBA/s1600/February+-+Aimee+Rose+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Mostly though, my days have revolved around this little girl (and looking forward to when her papa comes home at night!). She's now talking ("Hiiiii!" she says) and crawling and growing new teeth. She's happy one second, then crying in the next, and then she's back to, "Oh hi! I love you!" She keeps me on my toes, this girl, but I love her very much and feel so very grateful to be her mama.<br />
<br />
Except for when she barfs on me. Then she's Justin's daughter. :)<br />
<br />
How are you guys doing?! Long time, no chat! Let me know what you're reading and what you're writing and what you've been up to!<br />
<br />Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-19578249961216150322014-10-13T21:44:00.000-04:002014-10-13T21:44:36.436-04:00A Quick Recap!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh, hi! I'm afraid this will have to be a quick catch-up post—'cause it's 9:30PM and past my bedtime—but I thought I'd write about my life as an author post-publication. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*<i>Cue Fergie's song "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0SyUgw98tE" target="_blank">Glamorous</a></i>" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This fab new life of mine includes: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* Waking up at 2AM to soothe my crying child!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* Bringing my dog to the dog park! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
* Flossing! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Haha.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In all seriousness though, I'm continually humbled and grateful to have a book out there in the world. On my pub day itself, I took my MIL out to lunch and did a little shopping, and then I hopped over to BN to find my book on the shelf. And find it I did! I was all alone in the Teen Fantasy & Adventures section of the store so I just had to take a selfie. All I could think about in that moment was, <i>whoaaaa</i>. There was my book! With my name on it! Then I scurried away to get back to the fussy Baby Overlord who did not care one whit about this momentous day, only that she had been sitting in her stroller for far too long and can we please leave now? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She's my reality check. :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All in all, I'm a bit bewildered about this dichotomy that consists of fulfilling a lifelong dream and ordinary ho-hum life. One moment I'm like, "My book is out! FLAILS!" And the next moment is all, "Where is the dog's allergy medicine?!" But hey, I'm not complaining! I just wish I had a time-turner that's all. And maybe a night nanny who can let me get a full eight hours of sleep. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But I digress. Onto pictures! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLiwIFd7Okq1LMrq9E-ZLBi9eaDQFvYIY5z9HcbL8UDff-55OhjBYyDLEkWetNm8axE3r4LnMDs01NaAPmmJcOPx2pv_yPIkFuwAWslb_EYkDNkcL1cPfvTY5AmhW6T-q3aGmfg/s1600/image+(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLiwIFd7Okq1LMrq9E-ZLBi9eaDQFvYIY5z9HcbL8UDff-55OhjBYyDLEkWetNm8axE3r4LnMDs01NaAPmmJcOPx2pv_yPIkFuwAWslb_EYkDNkcL1cPfvTY5AmhW6T-q3aGmfg/s1600/image+(1).jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{I'm not wearing a bit of makeup in this picture. So glamorous!}<br /></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQMa479LtJjP0CRp5QXQwN_yLWrpAZSkm9PkxMv5D8Stcv9EmfilBdd_pVWOUIKDiHzwon5_ygh7MQyV-dq1lcnUh3Xgcp0jsadzzClix2LVa7Lx96VLY5IZTRo_2naRYMzA6lg/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQMa479LtJjP0CRp5QXQwN_yLWrpAZSkm9PkxMv5D8Stcv9EmfilBdd_pVWOUIKDiHzwon5_ygh7MQyV-dq1lcnUh3Xgcp0jsadzzClix2LVa7Lx96VLY5IZTRo_2naRYMzA6lg/s1600/photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's my friend Courtney and me at my launch party. She drove all the way from NC to DC!</span></i>}<br /> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oXQmpuNh6ZE7tpJET2onx07nnu4nbXgdjJP2iesfiCfqpTPaB96WWEJ1Rqi0d4DKm__tN68NYRuImVWt7DtFIjh878Iut_hTPrczavPwFe7LUqNokoN6M5A4yZSu57EJA2LXdw/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oXQmpuNh6ZE7tpJET2onx07nnu4nbXgdjJP2iesfiCfqpTPaB96WWEJ1Rqi0d4DKm__tN68NYRuImVWt7DtFIjh878Iut_hTPrczavPwFe7LUqNokoN6M5A4yZSu57EJA2LXdw/s1600/image.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The Overlord is making a funny face in this pic. 'Hey, you talkin' to me?'</i></span>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
How are you guys doing though? What are you up to? What are you reading? I just borrowed Code Name Verity from my library because I heard so many good things about it and because I need to read more historical fiction while I'm drafting my own WWII manuscript. Yipes, drafting is so tough! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-88649912652622696562014-09-30T07:00:00.000-04:002014-09-30T07:00:01.492-04:00Today Is the Day!Holy smokes! THE ONLY THING TO FEAR is now out in the world! Now please excuse me while I breathe into this paper bag and leap off of this cliff. Haha.<br />
<br />
If you're interested in reading the book, it's available in both hardcover and e-book on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Only-Thing-Fear-Caroline-Richmond/dp/0545629888/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1412035120&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-only-thing-to-fear-caroline-tung-richmond/1118736497?ean=9780545629881" target="_blank">BN</a>, and <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780545629881" target="_blank">Indiebound</a>. And I'm available for free hugs, amateur manicures, and a good ol' pat on the back. :)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihP2yUFGgeyQVJQjNu79YfvD1bDw2HcWJPAGBu6BCq5RD1FeCG9LWeh_hf-WTSO-75prlm9Qbw8DSp5hy3RFQF9Y3Df4mFzUtVghjNPvxJWzdAMBenp5SKud-dlJPi_yTgayRTVw/s1600/postcard-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihP2yUFGgeyQVJQjNu79YfvD1bDw2HcWJPAGBu6BCq5RD1FeCG9LWeh_hf-WTSO-75prlm9Qbw8DSp5hy3RFQF9Y3Df4mFzUtVghjNPvxJWzdAMBenp5SKud-dlJPi_yTgayRTVw/s1600/postcard-front.jpg" height="640" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{My postcards that were made by the lovely <a href="http://bookish.nu/" target="_blank">Jenny Perinovic</a>!}</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anyway. <i>Whoa</i>. I'm excited and nervous, and I still can't quite believe that this is all real! Back in February, right after the baby was born, I remember thinking to myself that September 30 seemed so far away. <i>The baby will almost be eight months old at that point</i>, I thought. At the time, I couldn't quite fathom either possibility—of my newborn not being a newborn anymore or my book being an actual book-shaped thing—but now here we are, the baby is indeed 7.5 months old and my book baby is out too!<br />
<br />
I'll say it again: <i>Whoa</i>!<br />
<br />
I have a pretty relaxed day planned: going out to lunch with the baby and my mother-in-law, writing (<i>of course! my deadline is closing in!</i>), and stopping by B&N to hopefully find my book out in the wild. Maybe I'll cry a little. Or maybe I'll run around the store yelling, "Look at me! Look at my book! Here, madam, buy my book!" And then you'll read in the newspaper about some deranged author getting arrested and you'll be able to say, "Hey, I sort of know that deranged author!"<br />
<br />
All joking aside, I'd be remiss to write this post without paying my proper respects. 'Cause this writing-a-book thing is certainly a group project! To my editor Jody Corbett, thank you for taking my manuscript and for helping me turn it into a book. To my agent Jim McCarthy, thank you for never giving up on me. To my writer friends, thank you for putting up with my weirdness. To my blog readers, thank you for simply stopping by! And to my ever-supportive husband, thank you, thank you for loving me and for being my biggest cheerleader, figurative pom-poms and all.<br />
<br />
Well ... whoa. I can't stop saying that! It surprises me how <i>big</i> this day feels—and yet so ordinary too. Just this morning I fed the baby and changed the baby and let out the dog and ate breakfast. All ho-hum, everyday stuff. But my book is out today too! I'm a published author! This crazy dream of mine has come true!<br />
<br />
Thank you for sharing this day with me! To celebrate my book's launch, why here's a fun giveaway!<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8e68d1221/" id="rc-8e68d1221" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-90483560501826454792014-09-27T22:39:00.003-04:002014-09-27T22:39:59.802-04:00Counting My Lucky Stars<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuuMYjBkTT1N9oNZENhcrFOqiwJjnPjPWRzJ3-wu3DpIJpO6PADQIhW2hdTsu4C7ohT4CaNLIMDM-u9l1KlYgrFCPEIYGkFotcZlyN0Mf7PkF5od8iehsN3dMUjJOc8SJasNRfw/s1600/NAIBA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuuMYjBkTT1N9oNZENhcrFOqiwJjnPjPWRzJ3-wu3DpIJpO6PADQIhW2hdTsu4C7ohT4CaNLIMDM-u9l1KlYgrFCPEIYGkFotcZlyN0Mf7PkF5od8iehsN3dMUjJOc8SJasNRfw/s1600/NAIBA.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{At my very first author event, meeting booksellers!}</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yesterday Justin turned to me and asked, "Can you believe that your book is coming out next week?" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Nope! Not at all! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In fact, it's still surreal to me that I'm going to be published at all. Like ... whaaa?! How did this happen? I've spent so many years dreaming about this goal, and nearly as many years collecting rejection letters that made this dream feel so out of reach. And now I'm standing on the edge of the publishing diving board, my toes wiggling over the water. A part of me wants to jump right in while the other part needs to hyperventilate a little. I'm nervous. I'm scared. What if the world hates my book? What if no one except my mom buys it? What if I can't even get my mom to buy it?!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>*Deep breaths, Caroline* </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But I am excited too! And I feel incredibly grateful. The longer I'm in this business, the more I realize how much luck plays into everything. For me, I was lucky enough to find an agent who wouldn't give up on my book; I was lucky enough that he found an editor who wanted to buy my novel; and I was lucky enough that my publisher took a chance on ordinary ol' me. I know that I'm just a tiny minnow in these vast publishing waters but I'm thankful to be swimming here at all. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>*Sniffles* </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lately, I've also been thankful to participate in two author events! (<i>Whoa! Surreal moment again!</i>) The first was the <a href="http://www.naiba.com/?page=ConferenceSchedule" target="_blank">NAIBA</a> booksellers' conference in Arlington, VA where I took part in the #WeNeedDiverseBooks reception. I got to meet three amazing Scholastic staffers along with a host of booksellers who were so enthusiastic about increasing diversity in their stores. Yay! Then this past Friday I was on a diversity panel at the Baltimore Book Festival, which was also super fun and cool. Here are a couple photos below, courtesy of <a href="http://kimberlyshorter.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Kimberly Shorter</a>: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHwtnSGSRGU_YzU3jdf56_mCVyt95mrANm_ZmwN1eqtNsZulPozuYBnI56dZU6Dw1qsrt_OVNgyzGXyDcXG9b1WpV6an0QEAaoVR0Ypn5ajcsf9MoxJami2alCcjzL3F4reQRuA/s1600/BBF1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHwtnSGSRGU_YzU3jdf56_mCVyt95mrANm_ZmwN1eqtNsZulPozuYBnI56dZU6Dw1qsrt_OVNgyzGXyDcXG9b1WpV6an0QEAaoVR0Ypn5ajcsf9MoxJami2alCcjzL3F4reQRuA/s1600/BBF1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{From left to right: Karen Sandler, Me, Justina Ireland. Photo credit: <a href="http://kimberlyshorter.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Kimberly Shorter</a>.}</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjemow_P27qZunLD-gcP-tx6NI2Anpj7bPD0ZmCdlQomD0RKIf3vHAs9KRjJLlWwz1taZZcOpA9r0YpAIE0bH_s0_NRKGcCXvOQnFcIOxzf4xnvJzODs65B202Oa7lp2DAo9Srg/s1600/BBF2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjemow_P27qZunLD-gcP-tx6NI2Anpj7bPD0ZmCdlQomD0RKIf3vHAs9KRjJLlWwz1taZZcOpA9r0YpAIE0bH_s0_NRKGcCXvOQnFcIOxzf4xnvJzODs65B202Oa7lp2DAo9Srg/s1600/BBF2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{Whoa, what am I doing with my hands?!}</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And now here I am, sitting in my bed in my bathrobe, and I'm getting all verklempt because I just feel so darn humbled. There are so many writers out there who are far more talented than I am--and far, far more deserving--and I don't know why I got lucky. Maybe it was a cosmic roll of the dice? I don't know. But thank you, Universe. Thank you, Lady Luck. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thank you, thank you, thank you. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now I'm going to eat some cookies and cry a little, okay? </div>
<br />Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-72764941116581494592014-09-09T21:22:00.000-04:002014-09-09T21:22:50.170-04:00Playing Catch UpZoinks!<br />
<br />
I've been meaning to update my blog for weeks but it seems like all of my free time lately has been funneled toward working on my new manuscript or watching the FIBA World Cup or eating stone ground wheat crackers (my meal of choice as a mom! glamorous!). Oh, I've also been going to bed at 9:30PM every night. Although sometimes I go a little wild and stay up until ten!<br />
<br />
Basically, you're thinking to yourself: <i>OMG, Caroline, how do I become as cool as you are?! </i><br />
<br />
To which I reply: This level of coolness requires a certain amount of flip flops, bathrobes, and let's-eat-cookies-for-all-meals-what-the-hell attitude.<br />
<br />
I think Cookie Monster would approve of such a philosophy, eh?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn82Cx5c036MWthacvNvyudjdYNLIVPmdlBCxnlCcuzBW6Kj2BThma43QK5YZbMDAWFLJ1GLm7GFUMM3DXIXdiC0BkL_Nj3mE3rmm7d98xx9IESzVR2yzDZ0en1WVPUm2RdOJd8Q/s1600/Aimee+Rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn82Cx5c036MWthacvNvyudjdYNLIVPmdlBCxnlCcuzBW6Kj2BThma43QK5YZbMDAWFLJ1GLm7GFUMM3DXIXdiC0BkL_Nj3mE3rmm7d98xx9IESzVR2yzDZ0en1WVPUm2RdOJd8Q/s1600/Aimee+Rose.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">{Bow down to her cuteness!}</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anyway! Here's a quick recap of what I did in August:<br />
<br />
1. Hung out with my sister—which involved a lot of eating and blueberry picking and giggling at silly GIFS—before she drove out to Utah to start her senior year of college.<br />
<br />
2. Hung out with the Baby Overlord because I am her mother and it is my parental duty to hang out with her all the time. Plus, she's rather cute.<br />
<br />
3. Stalk the sale section at Gap Baby because who can afford to pay full price for this incredibly adorable sh*t?!<br />
<br />
3a. I generally don't swear on this blog but it's 9:10PM and thus almost my bedtime so I've lost my filter. Apologies!<br />
<br />
4. My braggity brag of the summer: GEORGE RR MARTIN FAVORITED ONE OF MY TWEETS! George Freaking RR Martin! I can now die happy!<br />
<br />
5. Work on my WIP. Work on my WIP. Brush my teeth. Work on my WIP. Maybe sleep. Feed baby. Rinse, repeat.<br />
<br />
6. Occasionally, shower.<br />
<br />
And there you have it, folks! I know you missed me and that you've yearned for my glamorous posts on my very glamorous life. Now that I've recapped my August for you, you're totally gnashing your teeth in envy, aren't you? Aren't you?!<br />
<br />
I mean, did you know that George RR Martin favorited one of my tweets? :)<br />
<br />
Haha. So how are YOU doing? How was your August and how is the first week and a half of your September? Update me!Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-44593599277830757422014-08-03T09:55:00.001-04:002014-08-03T09:55:11.943-04:00Life, Lately<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEhMJC1qKQiSF4Men_SkW2XKcXRgUW51q5214XPinh9d0QHnsSeXA4plAnkKetfnzXuyC-A749f6yAWNG-jn-6yRsKwdeBgk7DhoNNXFebFYYCgKWXs3oCiSoG9LnSpHBMZVgdg/s1600/butter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEhMJC1qKQiSF4Men_SkW2XKcXRgUW51q5214XPinh9d0QHnsSeXA4plAnkKetfnzXuyC-A749f6yAWNG-jn-6yRsKwdeBgk7DhoNNXFebFYYCgKWXs3oCiSoG9LnSpHBMZVgdg/s1600/butter.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{I found this quite hilarious. And true.}</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lately, my life has felt ... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, stretched. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You know how sometimes you eat a gigantic plate of pasta drenched in alfredo sauce, and it is so delicious and creamy that you can't stop eating it—and oh, what's that? garlic bread? why, yes please!—and basically you keep devouring everything by the plate full ... until the carb coma sets in and you face-plant on your couch, worried that your stomach might burst from pasta-itis. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That's sort of how my brain feels right now. <i>Stretched</i>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ever since the baby's arrival, I've felt like I'm juggling three big bowling balls: mothering, writing, and everything else in between-ing. But this last week it seems like a wrecking ball was added into the mix between Justin's overseas work trips and a nasty pox that befell our house. Okay, it wasn't a pox. It was a terrible, no-good cold. But it felt like a pox so I shall call it that! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was venting (ie, crying) about all of this to Justin yesterday, and he tried to be very supportive and as always. And after my cry fest, I was reminded that all of these stressors in my life are indeed <i>good </i>things at the end of the day. Writing deadlines? I'm grateful to even have a deadline! Baby fussiness? But she's so cute too! Messy house? Eh, we'll live. (In squalor maybe.) The only bad thing, really, is the nasty pox but we're all on the mend now. Begone, vile pox!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All in all, I'm okay. We'll all be okay. And Justin and I have weathered much, much worse in our marriage. But I still sort of wish that I could escape to Hawaii for two weeks where I can order fancy drinks with pineapple wedges perched on the rim of each glass. Sounds heavenly, right? There'd be a full-time babysitter too, of course, and lots and lots of books. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ah, if only ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So now I'm wondering: how do all of you balance everything? How do you juggle your life duties and responsibilities <i>and</i> shower at some point? Would love to hear your stories and advice!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now if you'll excuse me, the Baby Overlord is VERY unhappy! Better get her some butter...</div>
Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-47979797116497330632014-07-11T16:28:00.005-04:002014-07-11T16:28:59.878-04:00I Am an Awful, Terrible, No Good Blogger!Blergh. Poor neglected blog! Here, let mama give you a big hug. *Hugs blog*<br />
<br />
Um, I've totally dropped the ball on blogging as of late! My life for the past few weeks has been a blur of relative visits, friend visits, baby wrangling, dog wrangling, ant killing (die, kitchen ants!), and writing until my fingers hurt. I've also been thinking a lot about blogging but feeling too tired at the end of the day to do anything except for eating Rocky Road ice cream and watching reruns of 30 Rock and ... zzzzz.<br />
<br />
I'll say it once and I'll say it again: BLERGH!<br />
<br />
In fun news, however, my little sister has come home after spending 18 months in Taiwan! So much fun! She's older and wiser and speaks Chinese amazingly well, but she's still the same ol' Kristy in so many ways and I'm super excited to have a few giggle fests with her before she heads back to college. Until then I plan on taking her out to eat at delicious American establishments (Taco Bell! Don't hate!) and hanging out with our 91-year-old grandma. We had lunch with her yesterday and I snapped this picture of my Nainai with the Baby Overlord!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaWOf-MNwut2l0QVApZD2vvEpXnPBo1yQ1J2iH9R9GaeUIJF8D8CupPlJzpiI-6lH_uEQ2bk3awMOfXI6C69sGyLykj07pzwIlO9ZsHynZvM-o4fM4KFiGwLKwxEs5vZfql_v3w/s1600/photo+(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaWOf-MNwut2l0QVApZD2vvEpXnPBo1yQ1J2iH9R9GaeUIJF8D8CupPlJzpiI-6lH_uEQ2bk3awMOfXI6C69sGyLykj07pzwIlO9ZsHynZvM-o4fM4KFiGwLKwxEs5vZfql_v3w/s1600/photo+(8).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hopefully I'll get more time to blog next week! </div>
<br />Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-4337627945585147072014-06-16T08:57:00.003-04:002014-06-16T08:57:57.497-04:00Ready, Set, Write: Update #1It's time for my first update in the Ready, Set, Write challenge! <br /><br />In short, RSW is a summer writing intensive that encourages writers to set goals, account for those goals, and to cheer each other on as we strive to meet those goals. The RSW hosts this year are <a href="http://alisonmiller20.blogspot.ca/">Alison Miller</a>, <a href="http://www.jaime-morrow.com/">Jaime Morrow</a>, <a href="http://erinlfunk.blogspot.ca/">Erin Funk</a>, and <a href="http://katyupperman.com/">Katy Upperman</a>; and details about the intensive can be found <a href="http://katyupperman.com/2014/06/02/ready-set-write-2014/">HERE</a>.<br /><br />Gulp. Here we go then ...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>... How did I on last week’s goals? ...</b></div>
<br />Le sigh. I wanted to write two chapters of my WIP but I only got 1.25 done. The Baby Overlord had a slight fever all weekend so I had my hands full with a rather grumpy and cranky babe who embraced the philosophy of "<i>Never put me down, Mama! Never ever."</i> Haha. Fortunately, my poor girl seems to be in better spirits today! <div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LLA2DEP2Ie2zFp9wgafYWZIq4C9rQTNbLFxF8vZqMdauvjN_0EENDVe9SLouBg8diEwLC92dbyvsNOTHnLrS00yionMc5JlzFSmX3BRXtFHxfIPFlWYaqOAkEPV0c18DcXPsvQ/s1600/photo+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LLA2DEP2Ie2zFp9wgafYWZIq4C9rQTNbLFxF8vZqMdauvjN_0EENDVe9SLouBg8diEwLC92dbyvsNOTHnLrS00yionMc5JlzFSmX3BRXtFHxfIPFlWYaqOAkEPV0c18DcXPsvQ/s1600/photo+6.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>... What are my goal(s) for this week? ...</b></div>
<br />Same as last week! I need to crank out two chapters per week to (hopefully) have a first draft finished by the end of the summer.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>... A favorite line from my project? ...</b></div>
<br />I'll cheat a little and post the first two lines from this book, which I wrote before the baby was born. But I think it captures my protagonist Lucie's voice quite well! Here they are: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>My good Catholic mother taught me to never lie, cheat, or steal. <br />I hope she can forgive me then for what I’ve agreed to do—for it will be far, far worse.
</i><!--EndFragment--><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>... The biggest challenge I faced this week ...</b></div>
<br />Sick Baby = No writing for mama!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>... Something I love about my WiP ...</b></div>
<br />As weird as it sounds, I love weaving in little historical tidbits throughout this book. Since this novel is set in Occupied France, I've been doing a lot of research on what was life back then: the tight rations, the bombers overhead, the murmurs of resistance. It has been a fun challenge to weave in these details without sounding too much like a history book.<br /><br /><b>So how did RSW go for you this last week?</b></div>
Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-54491824795223323702014-06-10T06:59:00.006-04:002014-06-10T06:59:54.133-04:00Ready. Set. Write! I'm super excited to participate in "Ready. Set. Write!" this summer! I desperately need to draft my WWII spy thriller by early September and so RSW couldn't have come at a better time. Wanna join me?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyA22Vz3WsMixK01Id7ibCejl4QaWS7S3H57JzrhgO1ip89xXlzmrHQal2ac9F1g05uO8a6WCfdmyKXpT3HJnsanvw6vhys9gzYCENGOtrkRvczxBIC49sKTfb9dxgKbOQrwfyQ/s1600/RSW.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyA22Vz3WsMixK01Id7ibCejl4QaWS7S3H57JzrhgO1ip89xXlzmrHQal2ac9F1g05uO8a6WCfdmyKXpT3HJnsanvw6vhys9gzYCENGOtrkRvczxBIC49sKTfb9dxgKbOQrwfyQ/s1600/RSW.png" height="587" width="640" /></a>In short, RSW is a summer writing intensive that encourages writers to set goals, account for those goals, and to cheer each other on as we strive to meet those goals. The RSW hosts this year are<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.799999237060547px; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://alisonmiller20.blogspot.ca/">Alison Miller</a>, <a href="http://www.jaime-morrow.com/">Jaime Morrow</a>, <a href="http://erinlfunk.blogspot.ca/">Erin Funk</a>, and <a href="http://katyupperman.com/" target="_blank">Katy Upperman</a>; and details about the intensive can be found <a href="http://katyupperman.com/2014/06/02/ready-set-write-2014/">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>This week we're setting our goals! Here are mine: </b><br />
<br />
1. Complete a first draft of my WIP, a spy thriller set in Occupied France. Think <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grave-Mercy-Book-Assassin-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B005LVQZLQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1402397715&sr=1-1&keywords=grave+mercy" target="_blank">Grave Mercy</a> but set in WWII.<br />
<br />
2. Do not crumple in failure at this goal. For serious, Caroline. I am a slow-as-a-sloth drafter but I can do it! I think! Maybe!<br />
<br />
3. To accomplish said goal (*<i>whimpers</i>*), strive to write two chapters a week. I can do it! I think! Maybe!<br />
<br />
Haha. So basically I have One Big Goal. A <i>really</i> big one because, like I mentioned above, I'm terribly slow and I sort of hate drafting. Now, I love revising! I could do it forever. In fact, if given the chance, I'd probably re-write <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Only-Thing-Fear-Caroline-Richmond-ebook/dp/B00JEHEWQS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1402397844&sr=1-1&keywords=the+only+thing+to+fear" target="_blank">The Only Thing to Fear</a> all over again—just because I can't seem to stop tinkering with a project if you let me. But my editor has already pried TOTtF from my cold, gnarled fingers so I need to start tinkering with a <i>new</i> project ... but I can't do that until I actually have a draft to work with.<br />
<br />
So ... *<i>Grumbles</i>*<br />
<br />
There you have it! My goal. Let's see if I can do it! I shall reward myself with mint chocolate ice cream and brownies!Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-22561893679940936712014-06-06T14:02:00.000-04:002014-06-06T14:10:44.320-04:00Friday Five<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinc2AtKbAaxCKio5iiL_DjgrHFxwNowMXTyNqCKex8xqxWEI91vox_cznNSC4vkG2cmUorED4drIy4J81RlAcq8vPUfvyKmXq9NgtT7QAOtNaUbxZcV8aTQEUd1lky6RjMGOu45A/s1600/Papa+and+Bean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinc2AtKbAaxCKio5iiL_DjgrHFxwNowMXTyNqCKex8xqxWEI91vox_cznNSC4vkG2cmUorED4drIy4J81RlAcq8vPUfvyKmXq9NgtT7QAOtNaUbxZcV8aTQEUd1lky6RjMGOu45A/s1600/Papa+and+Bean.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>One</b></span><br />
The picture above is one of my favorite photos of the Baby Overlord. *<i>Sniffle</i>* It melts my face to watch her smile whenever she sees Justin, how she'll giggle and talk and grab at his beard. Now, please excuse me for a moment while I turn into a puddle of goo.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Two</b></span><br />
Alas, one of these days I'll start using my DSLR again but until that fated day my iPhone will have to do. Speaking of iPhones, I finally upgraded to a 5S! *<i>Pets new phone</i>* *<i>My preciousssss</i>* Funny story: when I brought my old one to the AT&T store, the guy behind the counter balked and actually said, "What kind of phone is<i> that</i>?" Um, an iPhone 4? Haha. I didn't think those were that old ...<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Three</span></b><br />
Switching gears, who has been watching this season of Game of Thrones? *<i>Raises hand</i>* And who now has a crush on Pedro Pascal AKA Oberyn Martell? *<i>Raises all the hands</i>* I mean, how can you not love him? Look at <a href="http://nikolajfangirlteam.tumblr.com/image/69511036881" target="_blank">this picture</a> of him with a baby!<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Four</span></b><br />
On a completely random note, if you happen to head to your farmer's market this weekend, keep an eye out for gold rush apples! They're not the prettiest of apples but they sure are tasty—sweet with that nice bite of tartness. And deliciously crisp! Justin and I are sort of obsessed with them.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Five</span></b><br />
On the writing front, I'm trying really hard to draft my new project, a WWII spy thriller. *<i>Cue whiny voice</i>* But why is rough drafting so hard? Wahhhhh! Call me crazy, but I absolutely love the revision process. At least I have something to work with! A blank page on the other hand? Shudders.<br />
<br />
<b>Well, I'm signing off to work on my draft! Shudders again. What are you guys up to this weekend? </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHmUd6E5DXnkxZXENha1C2ze38JWJZ1xmzyCRhGCKRMoSFF7jH2bJHChMTMsEm8L5OMQwOdtgDWf6h_LBSLDA5EizgVGW3i4paVYjCN-wmT-Ava1tzXqp2Um1pjwPQbFx0RoQew/s1600/Montage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHmUd6E5DXnkxZXENha1C2ze38JWJZ1xmzyCRhGCKRMoSFF7jH2bJHChMTMsEm8L5OMQwOdtgDWf6h_LBSLDA5EizgVGW3i4paVYjCN-wmT-Ava1tzXqp2Um1pjwPQbFx0RoQew/s1600/Montage2.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-31915344637649955362014-05-28T09:24:00.002-04:002014-05-28T09:30:20.078-04:00After The Call: The Edit Letter ... Dun dun dun!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyngsPGGudvpWSCskRisFqadKyXEJfdZVT6DP_q1EwvtYEzgHw2Ae_R8ddVqt9jv_VfxmahH48YXaxqZA1PWs-hiiHCp3eFmJlxUk9Yj_kwkYYayvrZ23qkbWPdb8ucKnAwyWMg/s1600/After+the+Call.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyngsPGGudvpWSCskRisFqadKyXEJfdZVT6DP_q1EwvtYEzgHw2Ae_R8ddVqt9jv_VfxmahH48YXaxqZA1PWs-hiiHCp3eFmJlxUk9Yj_kwkYYayvrZ23qkbWPdb8ucKnAwyWMg/s1600/After+the+Call.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>"After the Call" is a semi-regular feature on my blog. It chronicles what happens after an agent offers you representation: how to choose the right agent, what the submission process is like, working with your editor, etc. For previous posts, please click on the "After The Call" button at the top of the page.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
After a super long hiatus, I thought it'd be fun to resurrect this series! Truth be told, I never meant to put a halt to "After The Call" but I sort of ran out of things to talk about since I hadn't yet pushed past the agented stage and then I got pregnant and could only thing about cookies. But now that the baby is born and I've eaten most of the world's supply of cookies, I decided that I needed to resurrect After The Call. So here we are! <br />
<br />
<b>Today's topic: THE EDIT LETTER! Dun dun dun! </b><br />
<br />
First up, what exactly is the edit letter? Basically, it's a list—often quite a long list—of revisions that your editor suggests for your book. I only have experience with one edit letter, compiled by my lovely and wicked smart editor Jody Corbett, and it consisted of:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
1. An email with both macro editorial suggestions, like character arcs and overall pacing, as well as smaller micro edits, like reworking a specific scene. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
2. In-line edits within my manuscripts, which hashed out world-building details, finessing dialogue, etc. </blockquote>
<div>
In short, my book underwent a MAJOR overhaul! Even though I had rewritten it three times based on my beta readers' and agent's notes, Jody's revision letter forced me to dig really deep into this story, pulling it apart and putting it back together again until ANOMALY (the original title) turned into THE ONLY THING TO FEAR (the new and fresh title that Jody came up with. I owe her my second-born child basically!). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A good editor can take a decent book and make it great, sort of like how a good house flipper can turn a tear-me-down into the neighborhood crown jewel. In my case, Jody took a manuscript that required <i>a lot </i>of work and helped me to make it stronger, more concise, more actionable. Simply put, she made it <i>more</i>. Any failings in the final product are mine and mine alone. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But here's the thing, do all editorial letters look the same? Not really! Edit letters are a strange beast, and they come in all shapes and sizes. A friend of mine had an editor who gave only small notes, like a few line edits here and there before the manuscript was sent to copy edits. On the other end of the spectrum, another friend worked with an editor who liked to be very involved in the entire writing process. They would even brainstorm plot points over the phone before my friend tackled her rough draft. (They were contracted for multiple books.) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So your own edit letter will be just that: <i>yours</i>. Every letter is different because every editor is different and every book is different. Some projects will require a lot of overhauling—I've heard of letters spanning over 30 pages!—while others will need only a polish, although this is usually rare from what I understand. And here's another thing: oftentimes you will receive more than one edit letter. Your manuscript might undergo two, three, or even more revisions under your editor's watch before you're green-lit to pass into the copyediting phase, which is a beast in it of itself. That's one thing I didn't quite grasp until I worked with Jody. I thought I'd tackle one revision letter and that would be that. Fin! But no ... we worked on my manuscript for four or five months—it's all a blur now! I was revising while pregnant!—until I graduated to copyedits. And that was quite the happy day for me, full of many, many cookies. What else?!<br />
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Well, the Baby Overlord is squawking so I need to run, but feel free to ask any questions in the comments and I'll answer them as soon as I can! </b>Also, I'd love to hear about your own experiences with revision letters. How long do yours typically run? How do you and your editor work? And how did you survive?</div>
Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-69965782030355244762014-05-11T12:55:00.000-04:002014-05-11T12:55:27.901-04:00All Hail Mother's Day! Today is Mother's Day! It's the first Mother's Day in which I'm actually a mom (<i>aside from last year when I first became a dog mama but I suppose that doesn't count unless you ask my dog and he may beg to differ</i>). We're spending today relaxing and eating first-of-the-season strawberries, and the Baby Overlord was kind enough to grace me with a 2.5 hour nap. Which is why I get to blog! And watch HGTV! And stare off into space a little! All in all, the most wondrous gift.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ya1HgFMD5wqDSPIdV8A_aKVkdScNK_rIYxWtxxigUStJhuNc-7kGhxZShp-jvYomtFYSOrVsTukwQ4xLdOCU1y8PGud97LD_bJldwMID6Vr1u1EByfSUzvTqW0jZiB8Gwz3Yxg/s1600/Mama+and+Bean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ya1HgFMD5wqDSPIdV8A_aKVkdScNK_rIYxWtxxigUStJhuNc-7kGhxZShp-jvYomtFYSOrVsTukwQ4xLdOCU1y8PGud97LD_bJldwMID6Vr1u1EByfSUzvTqW0jZiB8Gwz3Yxg/s1600/Mama+and+Bean.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I don't think there will be much structure to this post. Maybe more of a stream-of-consciousness thing since I'm not sure when the baby will wake up. But early this morning when I was playing with my little Aimee Rose and watching her smile, I just tried to soak all of it in---her little feet, her sweet coos, her plump fist wrapped around my finger---instead of focusing on the dirty dishes in the sink and the enormous word count I must tackle for my new book.<br />
<br />
Live in the here and now. Breathe it all in. 'Cause it's all going to go so fast, isn't it?<br />
<br />
And I couldn't help but think about my sister-in-law Aimee, my own baby's namesake. Aimee only had three and a half years with her daughter Rowan before she was killed in December 2011. The time the two of them had was so short ... so fleeting ... although Aimee made every second of it count. She was the very best mom I knew, patient and loving and oh so fun. I hope I can be half as good as a mom as she was. If I could manage just that, I'd consider myself a successful parent.<br />
<br />
Well, the Baby Overlord is awake and demanding attention! I know today is Mother's Day, and I'm supposed to be off drinking mimosas and brunching or something; but I think I'll save all of that for another day. Right now I'm going to snuggle my little Overlord and hug her close even if she fusses and cries.<br />
<br />
Losing my sister-in-law taught me that every day is indeed precious. So today, on my very first Mother's Day, I'm going to make each minute count.<br />
<br />
<br />Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-83575339106706636652014-05-01T15:53:00.004-04:002014-05-01T16:01:39.429-04:00How to Balance Writing and Mothering (Hahaha!)Friends and countrymen, I have discovered the secret to writing novels and mothering Baby Overlords! Lean in closer now. The secret is ...<br />
<br />
<b>Cloning yourself! </b><br />
<br />
Or if you don't want to clone yourself, then clone Ernest Hemingway!<br />
<br />
What? Stop looking at me like that. Are you telling me that you don't have an Ernest Hemingway clone chained inside your basement who writes books on your behalf in exchange for cigars and six-toed cats? Well, you better get on it 'cause you can't have mine!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AhjLXWd3qxmt_e2-CEC0G-eZAilXFYcVvBf66CE6y6_bX4zNHWm71MXEpXKAupNRjbKBKpDuGN7l0GOnI18jlKwW5w2ji1vXyT02LFc2cKAmJAuO9RPCe_CoaTwSwLjbJs0SfQ/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AhjLXWd3qxmt_e2-CEC0G-eZAilXFYcVvBf66CE6y6_bX4zNHWm71MXEpXKAupNRjbKBKpDuGN7l0GOnI18jlKwW5w2ji1vXyT02LFc2cKAmJAuO9RPCe_CoaTwSwLjbJs0SfQ/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>{The Baby Overlord gave me permission to post this picture of her.}</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All joking aside ... Yeah, this writing thing and this parenting thing can be tough. That's basically why I got very little done during the first ten weeks of Aimee Rose's short-yet-pampered life, but that's okay because I just wanted to cuddle with her and let her sleep on me and obey all of her overlording commands. This time is precious, after all! And I'm gonna savor it because these chubby baby cheeks aren't going to last forever.<br />
<br />
*<i>Pinch, pinch</i>*<br />
<br />
Okay, enough pinching for now. Let's talk about how I balance my work life with my mothering one! Or, to be more accurate, how I'm trying very, <i>very</i> hard to do just that but sort of stumbling along the way. But hey, I get an A for effort! That's what I tell myself anyway!<br />
<br />
Since I'm operating on four hours of sleep (<i>not the baby's fault! it's my insomnia, boo</i>) I'm going to break this down into three main points.<br />
<br />
<b>1. Hire help if you can. Preferably Mary Poppins! But Nanny Ernest will do too. </b><br />
<br />
Currently I take the Baby Overlord to my babysitter's apartment every MWF from 1 to 5PM. That's only 12 hours a week, but I try my damnedest to make those hours count--no social media, no puttering around, no staring at pretty Anthropologie dresses. Just write, write, write! I probably will have to increase these hours when I have a deadline looming, but until then I try to squeeze as much work that I can within this time frame. Everything else, even showering, can wait.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Brainstorm whenever you can!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
If you're like me, you spend a lot of your writing time not writing at all but brainstorming instead. <i>So who exactly is my protagonist? What is the right tone for this novel? Why is Ernest Hemingway slacking on the job?</i> And so on and so forth. I used to do my brainstorming with my laptop in my lap, whilst staring at the ceiling and eating bonbons. (<i>Not really. More like Oreos.</i>) But those staring days are over! The Baby Overlord simply does not allow for that, which is why I now do my brainstorming throughout the day. Like when I'm bouncing a baby around the house or cleaning out the crockpot or pushing the stroller around my neighborhood in an effort to lose the baby weight I gained.<br />
<br />
Damn you, cookies!<br />
<br />
So yeah, brainstorming may take up a good chunk of this I'm-writing-a-book thing, but the good news is that you can do it pretty much anywhere! I basically plotted out my new MG novel this way--and so can you!<br />
<br />
<b>3. Make every second count!</b><br />
<br />
Oh gosh, this is tough for me to do because I like reading EW and watching 30 Rock reruns whenever I can catch some down time. But Liz Lemon is going to have to wait! Instead, whenever the baby naps or is happily hanging out on her play mat, I throw open my laptop and write as much as I can. Sure, sometimes I only get a fifteen-minute spurt before the Overlord starts overlording but at least I hammered out 100 words. That's 100 more than I started with!<br />
<br />
Baby steps, folks. Baby steps. Also, I could probably write faster but--let's face it--I draft at the speed of an elderly sloth. That's just the way I am, I'm afraid!<br />
<br />
<b>4. Don't forget about you.</b><br />
Okay, I'm going to give four points instead of three. 'Cause that's how I roll. Sometimes when I get a few minutes to myself I know I should pick up my laptop and write, but I sit down and read the newspaper instead. Or I check out those cute dresses on Anthro. Or I treat myself to a big bowl of cookies. And I tell my guilt complex to beat it because--you know what?--I need to take some time out for myself too! I'm a better mom when I do this, and a better writer too.<br />
<br />
<b>All righty then, it is about time for the baby to rouse from her nap and so I better run. But please let me know in the comments if you have any advice for me! Or if you have any questions!</b> I will try to answer them as coherently as possible, or I may have Ernest Hemingway Clone do it for me. :)Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-52237637920083688222014-04-18T15:30:00.000-04:002014-04-18T15:36:12.125-04:00Friday Five: Baby Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxjPaonJxm6vvdOGIqrXaHjn9x_a4HApNHidJTB2lKe3LvNNmC5s7H4DmEG331Z-mymEWZp8VcmrHeupUIBTLiK5IW0nW2vF_iMgGPLy-GH0VWA-0SxeDiAdbTO4evwjozwD-6g/s1600/Picture2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxjPaonJxm6vvdOGIqrXaHjn9x_a4HApNHidJTB2lKe3LvNNmC5s7H4DmEG331Z-mymEWZp8VcmrHeupUIBTLiK5IW0nW2vF_iMgGPLy-GH0VWA-0SxeDiAdbTO4evwjozwD-6g/s1600/Picture2.png" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">One</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm sorry that this blog has turned into a OMG-I-had-a-baby blog but...I can't help it! My days and nights are currently consumed by this cute and cuddly Baby Overlord who loves being held and who loves being demanding. <i>Hold me and never let me go, mama!</i> Thus the 'Baby Overlord' nickname. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Two</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Overlording aside, I'm happy to report that Aimee Rose has started smiling! And making adorable little baby sounds! It's in those moments, despite all of the crying and spitting-up and waking up at 4AM, that I think to myself: <i>I love being this little girl's mom</i>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And after those sweet moments, the Baby Overlord undoubtedly says, "WAAHHHHH! I've pooped myself!" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Three</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Have I mentioned that Justin has been in the Philippines for two weeks on business? Indeed he has! Leaving me all alone with above Overlord! Fortunately, I've found a really wonderful babysitter who watches Aimee Rose for about 12 hours a week so I can write. Okay, okay, so maybe I haven't done a lot of writing this past week but I have been catching up on chores (<i>um, I may have forgotten to water the plants for 2+ months</i>), showering, and watching an incredible amount of 30 Rock reruns. Cheesy blasters! What the what! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Four </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As for writing, I may not have gotten much done on the word count front but I have been doing a lot of brainstorming for my middle grade fantasy. This is an idea that has been brewing in my jumbled mind for a few years (!) but now I'm finally trying to write the whole manuscript rather than a few scattered chapters or passages here and there. Blergh. I'm so bad at rough-drafting. Wish me luck? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Five</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lastly, I've updated y'all on my human baby but here is some news on the book baby front. Look, look! ARCs! My editor mailed them to me last week, and I now have 10 copies sitting on my kitchen counter. I'm not quite sure what to do with them to maximize my marketing efforts ... Mail them to local librarians? Send them to bloggers? Hug them and tell them they're loved? Questions, questions! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4EiK8DQGSyCXec-OW7NhPwyrfQ6Nz2zVMEAEc6N010UKGqg8QW6boGILGmbekgSJD-gjJqsaJc1ph_nBVE2ryhQa1MQQ7jWfw63Mw5A_3dKBXziQPr9dbRc9YzFXw8tyKZ0thJw/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4EiK8DQGSyCXec-OW7NhPwyrfQ6Nz2zVMEAEc6N010UKGqg8QW6boGILGmbekgSJD-gjJqsaJc1ph_nBVE2ryhQa1MQQ7jWfw63Mw5A_3dKBXziQPr9dbRc9YzFXw8tyKZ0thJw/s1600/Picture1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
So there you have it! My Friday five! How are you guys doing? Any fun weekend plans? I'm hoping to spend lots of time outside because spring is finally here and I need to savor these humid-less weeks before the evil DC summer approaches with its terrible no-good Saharan-like heat. Also, I'm counting down the hours till Justin gets home. It's his turn to change the Baby Overlord's diapers! :)Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-3991165911577870432014-04-06T10:11:00.001-04:002014-04-06T11:04:28.113-04:00We're Still Alive! And I've even brushed my hair!Don't worry! We haven't been eaten by crocodiles or kidnapped by a band of merry-making pirates. Nope, I've been here all along but with a cute-but-demanding newborn who insists on being held all the time. Mama, hold me! Never put me down! In short, she is the boss of me.<br />
<br />
But who can say no to this?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJohS68wrEecz_4hlW22ykszyb0tvOTyMbIHQUiIV_UYbMjsQPf-YVIGE7TVRnPCAVA3jxFjQYvnxHEK5cLyt9Byk4WurcbbO8qXTsJoeX9cSPuwVYxb2xdUdON-03aSUBw2CsA/s1600/photo+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJohS68wrEecz_4hlW22ykszyb0tvOTyMbIHQUiIV_UYbMjsQPf-YVIGE7TVRnPCAVA3jxFjQYvnxHEK5cLyt9Byk4WurcbbO8qXTsJoeX9cSPuwVYxb2xdUdON-03aSUBw2CsA/s1600/photo+(5).JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Quick update on the Bean and me:<br />
<br />
* She has already outgrown her newborn onesies and diapers! This makes me sob a little inside.<br />
* She has colic at night! Ah, joy of joys. I need some ear plugs.<br />
* I've found part-time help! True, joy of joys! I shall use this precious time to do important things like mail bills, feed myself, and wash my hair.<br />
* This week I also plan on starting a MG project! I'm rather excited about getting back into the writing seat!<br />
<br />
Speaking of books, I don't think I ever revealed my cover on this ye olde blog! My novel now has a new title, and it's up on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Only-Thing-Fear-Caroline-Richmond/dp/0545629888/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1396793580&sr=8-2&keywords=the+only+thing+to+fear" target="_blank">Amazon</a> too! Holy moly, I can't believe that it'll be out in six months!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOYc1x0JumDnl4MEj_9tc76J4eOiTsGTcCPqnMK2NEYHEo_13btpMWtTy9RkAkcMZhxUFQqFEj66zQkQ2jb2JWV2pJ7p_aYORHAzmslC7EdiowcqEi3kPs4krXXDHfKvTHX75_A/s1600/o2798_onlythingtof_4cc_z.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOYc1x0JumDnl4MEj_9tc76J4eOiTsGTcCPqnMK2NEYHEo_13btpMWtTy9RkAkcMZhxUFQqFEj66zQkQ2jb2JWV2pJ7p_aYORHAzmslC7EdiowcqEi3kPs4krXXDHfKvTHX75_A/s1600/o2798_onlythingtof_4cc_z.JPG" height="640" width="420" /></a></div>
<br />
Well, there you have it! My human baby and my book baby all in one post! And now if you'll excuse me I need to stuff my face with a bowl of Cranberry Almond Crunch before the Little Slavemaster starts calling for me again.<br />
<br />
How have you been? Tell me what I've missed!Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-82904370408348841072014-03-01T12:07:00.003-05:002014-03-01T12:07:30.583-05:00Introducing Aimee Rose! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pardon my absence! I have been busy with a certain 8 lb. bundle of cuteness...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yes, indeed, Le Bebe is finally here! She was one week overdue before I was induced, and she came roaring into this world on February 11th at 7.76 pounds! Funnily enough, my OB was worried a couple months ago that she would be too small. Nope! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So here she is, Aimee Rose Richmond--milk drunkard, thumb sucker, diaper wetter champion, and all around serving of awesomeness. She's named after my sister-in-law Aimee, but we've been calling her all sorts of nicknames like Miss Bean, Baby Sloth, and Benjamin Button. 'Cause sometimes she looks like an old man. Just sayin'! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKa48jEId_TczP8W5rqDNv6FMfrJTfm83noc6P3QhSK-We48gwJP6uB3wyE4fMtvB1I-MyxJYLDklxTMuqpeffT3k5uwzxRVHK8prqVOl_Z_wWx9nH4GRNMUXRRnDOUgUyjynaOg/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKa48jEId_TczP8W5rqDNv6FMfrJTfm83noc6P3QhSK-We48gwJP6uB3wyE4fMtvB1I-MyxJYLDklxTMuqpeffT3k5uwzxRVHK8prqVOl_Z_wWx9nH4GRNMUXRRnDOUgUyjynaOg/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" height="640" width="590" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{I love those eyes! They're usually closed though.}</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The last two and a half weeks have been exhilarating and emotional and exhausting. There have been a few lows (<i>Will I ever be able to shower again</i>?!) but mainly highs--and the highs have been so very sweet. There are times when I am so overwhelmed by love for this little girl and with gratitude for her papa Justin (who has diaper-changing down to a science!). <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Of course, I still have those moments where I'm like, "<i>Whoa, I'm a mom</i>? <i>Egads!</i>" And then I look at my little Bean and I think: I <i>am</i> a mom. I'm <i>her</i> mom. And because of that, I am so very lucky. </div>
<div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NnPiJ_owxYaEqHeYatlhOKMUtAqvlVdevkmgAEvZzgrepIgGccUAdx1t7QJffokz4v-CXxqt4vZjtZkd6ys8JZhC7NInDRBz8eQ5JdxfHr8-zZi2OrkRQ7u6hGBfagvwOo-mtQ/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NnPiJ_owxYaEqHeYatlhOKMUtAqvlVdevkmgAEvZzgrepIgGccUAdx1t7QJffokz4v-CXxqt4vZjtZkd6ys8JZhC7NInDRBz8eQ5JdxfHr8-zZi2OrkRQ7u6hGBfagvwOo-mtQ/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>{She doesn't like having her arms swaddled so I've had to make do.}</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZALROFS0eoMbyqcAlp2wEWx9weFcgZoQnaLdDB94H5SQFPv3QGYYdBjw97pumPNOVOfz1slzySdBOdgR9OrOyPFbrvBel2KDZd3VGT7t4UVMU4TOxYaTEu_5-RPlvKf2lX_-vw/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZALROFS0eoMbyqcAlp2wEWx9weFcgZoQnaLdDB94H5SQFPv3QGYYdBjw97pumPNOVOfz1slzySdBOdgR9OrOyPFbrvBel2KDZd3VGT7t4UVMU4TOxYaTEu_5-RPlvKf2lX_-vw/s1600/photo.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>{Otto has been a great older canine brother!}</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSC3ZQkyaT5I19xcb5Yb80b0yBH_I7V4pK56XmyU2PsFkcyfGAC1oXiBZXiJLbEVQ933uq4tZqFOBKrGwxe1W_llITl1JtkAo-orUe7b-YY6cdeMQGKCMVOukN_ZAU4gt-EpIYg/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSC3ZQkyaT5I19xcb5Yb80b0yBH_I7V4pK56XmyU2PsFkcyfGAC1oXiBZXiJLbEVQ933uq4tZqFOBKrGwxe1W_llITl1JtkAo-orUe7b-YY6cdeMQGKCMVOukN_ZAU4gt-EpIYg/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>{At the hospital, right after she was born. So sweet!}</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-28585449063395510692014-02-07T06:43:00.003-05:002014-02-07T06:43:44.343-05:00Surviving Pregnancy!<div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 600px;">
<div style="position: relative;">
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/pregnancy_survival_kit/set?.embedder=2070001&.svc=copypaste&id=112703313" target="_blank"><img alt="Pregnancy Survival Kit" border="0" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/qnW79iuEB6W5veKe1OeOw/cid/112703313/id/HHYZDeaP4xGA4GiVmu7EJQ/size/c600x450.jpg" height="450" title="Pregnancy Survival Kit" width="600" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Alas, my due date has come and gone with no sign of the baby! I believe Le Bebe may have inherited my proclivity for procrastination. And I had such high hopes that she would be a punctual little thing! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have a feeling she will have many surprises for me. :) </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Well, now that my pregnancy will (hopefully) soon be over, I thought I'd brush off my Polyvore account to bring all of you future mamas out there ... Caroline's Pregnancy Survival Kit! Basically, my pregnancy would've been much more grumpy-making without these items, and I've pretty much clung to them for the last eight-ish months. And I'll probably keep clinging to them long after Le Bebe is born because I am, if nothing else, a creature of habit. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>1. A Pregnancy Pillow</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
ZOMG, life changer! Late into my second trimester, it got a lot harder for me to fall asleep with my ever-increasing belly. Thanks, baby. Fortunately, my saint of a husband bought me a pregnancy pillow that I now can't sleep without. It's like the embodiment of a hug, in pillow form. It is the perfect cuddle buddy. In short, I want to be buried with it. I own the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Leachco-Snoogle-Total-Body-Pillow/dp/B0000635WI" target="_blank">Snoogle</a> (<i>haha! so fun to say!</i>) but there are a lot of options out there. Wonderful, blessed, heavenly options. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>2. Gap Maternity Leggings</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My best friend told me to buy a pair of these, and once I put them on I realized why she is indeed my best friend. <a href="http://www.gap.com/products/maternity-leggings.jsp" target="_blank">Gap Maternity Leggings</a> = The Best. Basically, you will never take them off, especially when you reach the third trimester and your fashion sense gets thrown to the curb in favor of All Things Comfortable. I'm not ashamed to admit that I've lived in my leggings for the last three months<span style="text-align: center;">—I wear them out, I wear them to bed, I shower in them ... No wait. Not that last part. But aside from showering, it's a sure bet that I have these on! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>3. Statement Jewelry</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Okay, okay, this isn't a survival necessity but it sure is pretty! And when you're waddling around like a bull walrus, it's nice to feel pretty again. Anyway, as mentioned above, I reached a point in my pregnancy where I just wore leggings + long comfy sweaters all day (<i>because, hello awesomeness</i>!). But when I needed to venture out of the house, I wanted to feel a wee less polar bear-ish so I'd throw on a statement necklace to remind myself that yes, I am a girl, and yes, I used to care about what I looked like. Be sure to check out <a href="http://factory.jcrew.com/womens-clothing/jewelry.jsp" target="_blank">J. Crew Factory</a> for pretty yet affordable pieces! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>4. Almond Oil</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm not really sure if there is any surefire way to fend off stretch marks (<i>I think it's more of a genetics thing and how-big-does-your-belly-get thing</i>) but I slathered on a handful of almond oil before bed each night anyway. I'm mostly stretch-mark free, and my tummy is very soft! I use the <a href="http://www.soap.com/p/now-foods-almond-oil-pure-liquid-46932?site=CA&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc_S&utm_term=ANO-241&utm_campaign=GoogleAW&CAWELAID=1323229072&utm_content=pla&adtype=pla&cagpspn=pla&noappbanner=true" target="_blank">NOW brand</a>, and it has lasted for months. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>5. Super Comfy Shoes (or Socks!)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mmm, comfy-ness. Enough said. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>6. Nursing Tanks</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Maternity clothing is expensive, yo. So whenever possible, try to stretch out your dollar by opting for nursing clothes<span style="text-align: center;">—they're roomy, stretchy, and pull double duty! There is a great variety at <a href="http://www.destinationmaternity.com/maternity/nursing-tops-and-tanks.asp" target="_blank">Destination Maternity</a> and less so at <a href="http://www.target.com/c/maternity-women/-/N-5ouvi" target="_blank">Target</a> (<i>Target tends to be more affordable but be sure to try on the tanks! Some of them have weird sizing</i>). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;">There you have it! Go forth and enjoy your future pregnancy! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;">So what are your plans for the weekend? Watching the Olympics? As for me, I plan on going sky-diving, riding on roller coasters, eating questionable sushi ... you know, usual pregnancy stuff. Haha, not really. I'll just be twiddling my thumbs, inhaling chocolate, and waiting for this darn baby to arrive. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-33072117219743774712014-01-31T09:21:00.003-05:002014-01-31T09:24:08.872-05:00The Baby's Room, Part II!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, folks, we are now five days away from Le Bebe's due date! We shall see if she decides to make an early entrance into this great big world or if she decides to procrastinate, as her mama would do. (<i>Incidentally, I was born two weeks early! That's the extent of my promptness, alas.</i>) Every day is sort of like a game now—baby or no baby? Hospital trip or no hospital trip? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Le Bebe, it would be nice if you gave your parents a heads-up! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few of my friends have asked me if I'm feeling ready. Truthfully? Yes and no! Yes, I can't wait to meet her. No, I'm not terribly excited about the whole labor thing. <i>*La la la, let's not talk about it!*</i> And a small slice of me is still freaking out about the prospect of becoming a parent. Me! A mom! Holy goodness! What if I mess her up somehow with my neuroses and quirks and penchant for eating cookies for breakfast?!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But that's just me. I freak out whenever a Big Change comes into my life. When I arrived in Utah for my freshman year in college, I remember staring out of the rental car window and thinking, <i>I'm an idiot. I made a huge mistake. Must. Transfer. Immediately!</i> Then literally two days later, I was skipping and smiling across campus, so excited about college and my new friends and FREEDOM! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyway, I really can't wait to meet our little one, and I'm just putting some final touches on her room! Ugh, we still have to assemble the crib but we don't have enough screws since ours is a hand-me-down. It's a good thing that babies don't really sleep in cribs until they're a few months older! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhQMQ4y5B4FB_GXTlT6g8jMdg6OXhhScJ4XLlRf68elwKm6y-waI3zc9Ab1sQ2snC_0Ea3yS53u4C3IdBK4a9lTGJYn8id0olXlOVE1aSbD3EbSsvL-qKZH2m8GN_PvrGetYjtg/s1600/Altered5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhQMQ4y5B4FB_GXTlT6g8jMdg6OXhhScJ4XLlRf68elwKm6y-waI3zc9Ab1sQ2snC_0Ea3yS53u4C3IdBK4a9lTGJYn8id0olXlOVE1aSbD3EbSsvL-qKZH2m8GN_PvrGetYjtg/s1600/Altered5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">{I scored this polka-dot chambray onesie at GapKids for $8!}</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhKq5b3LAf7a0ZIfSWDm_5wokeyPdEXQ_QGCStYFOF9mrBnMX8RQ8T3AmTImWwqeFqUgW4eB4q4xgCnMQl1Ufl18HAWmQV0ikzpNy54LJva8yxBF-LPMCouE0xD_dAaEDNMM0_w/s1600/Altered1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhKq5b3LAf7a0ZIfSWDm_5wokeyPdEXQ_QGCStYFOF9mrBnMX8RQ8T3AmTImWwqeFqUgW4eB4q4xgCnMQl1Ufl18HAWmQV0ikzpNy54LJva8yxBF-LPMCouE0xD_dAaEDNMM0_w/s1600/Altered1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{Here's a peek at my wall decor. Gold polka dot decals and my poor attempt at a Mark Rothko!}</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6VoIeS2v1bZoThQntyaUVFY0pLn2y9UruuZZsL8AjckEAl2pckCW-Cmm-AS02-2eQGCCZixTZnzP5ySy5yT9EJvJ3P03-06_Ip7GpPFhUmy5DzgRucy7umRf2Loei4CwCDgy0A/s1600/Altered6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6VoIeS2v1bZoThQntyaUVFY0pLn2y9UruuZZsL8AjckEAl2pckCW-Cmm-AS02-2eQGCCZixTZnzP5ySy5yT9EJvJ3P03-06_Ip7GpPFhUmy5DzgRucy7umRf2Loei4CwCDgy0A/s1600/Altered6.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{I installed a picture ledge above the baby's dresser. Books and more books!}</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGavb1oT8FEiWuInhYmxlzcNSacT3oIBW8r47QDy_QOqSWoENg5ynknSb3gfiRiODbG1GBmK_aMkqLKUbdY37W2Tz4LmjB6JSoxWbyC-IRY5fej37muA7n-e7iww1p_v7YO8KtA/s1600/Altered2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGavb1oT8FEiWuInhYmxlzcNSacT3oIBW8r47QDy_QOqSWoENg5ynknSb3gfiRiODbG1GBmK_aMkqLKUbdY37W2Tz4LmjB6JSoxWbyC-IRY5fej37muA7n-e7iww1p_v7YO8KtA/s1600/Altered2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{This is a photo of my grandma, my mom, and me as a baby. Le Bebe will be the 4th generation!}</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">There you have it! Now the room just needs, you know, a <i>baby</i>. :)<br /><br />Anyway, what your plans for this weekend? I'm hoping to attend a book signing, meeting an old college roommate for dinner, and the Super Bowl, of course! What are you guys up to? </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-37349248169203793702014-01-24T13:53:00.002-05:002014-01-24T13:55:06.664-05:00Friday Five<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8i5YJOpz8SlroOhU2n2hc5Qa0TihJYCxzQRvPzBTwVtgdYB_NsALdshihmfrI0bSqW-jbzuYNvGlyY1jbSKhbFYf5SXrgOcRT2q0C8V0cLb3cJsSwvrJ_u3AYHupiartzfERHg/s1600/Shower4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8i5YJOpz8SlroOhU2n2hc5Qa0TihJYCxzQRvPzBTwVtgdYB_NsALdshihmfrI0bSqW-jbzuYNvGlyY1jbSKhbFYf5SXrgOcRT2q0C8V0cLb3cJsSwvrJ_u3AYHupiartzfERHg/s1600/Shower4.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{Delicious drinks from my recent baby shower!}<br /></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>... One ...</b></span></div>
Le Bebe is now due in twelve days! Twelve! I had a little bit of a freak out yesterday, feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of being a mom, but today I'm just excited to meet my little girl. I look forward to those long sleepless nights with you, my child!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">... Two ...</span></b></div>
For the last couple months, my to-do list has been rather burly between holiday stuff, pre-baby stuff, and writing-like-a-maniac stuff (<i>final revisions, copyedits, first pass pages, option book proposal, oh my!</i>). But today is the first day where I glanced at my to-do list and realized... I got a lot of crap done! The nursery is almost ready; I sent off my proposal to Agent Jim last night. And now, I have no idea what to do myself. Should I (<i>GASP!</i>) read a book?!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">... Three ...</span></b></div>
Speaking of books, do you have any recommendations for me? I plan on filling my Kindle with ebooks so I have something to read while I bounce a newborn in one arm. In particular, I'd love to add some funny books! Fiction, memoir, I'm totally open. Like Tina Fey's Bossypants or the new memoir from the Hyperbole and a Half blogger.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">... Four ...</span></b></div>
In utterly random news, I've been listening to a lot of country music lately. Blame it on Justin and his rural Indiana roots, I suppose. Right now, I'm loving "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpC3Zh0_JVM" target="_blank">This Is How We Roll</a>" by Florida Georgia Line. I'll admit it—I crank this baby up whenever it comes on the radio. :)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">... Five ...</span></b></div>
Last Saturday, my good friend Courtney hosted the very awesomest baby shower for me! Seriously, Courtney should be an event planner with her exquisite taste, superb craftiness, and all around amazing-ness. I felt so lucky and pampered! Thank you, CJ!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRePkYdLG8PGV-ks-iGI2fjfhRToW5JL-xXx2C_Vdf0LlZw4XaiOVvn43h7DlJpaxMJAR1RSWClEz4DQyhVaC09zaAtT9qk3NcolZ9kfeWepPMovaFotfMNzTSciRM8JSeBoYUw/s1600/Shower1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRePkYdLG8PGV-ks-iGI2fjfhRToW5JL-xXx2C_Vdf0LlZw4XaiOVvn43h7DlJpaxMJAR1RSWClEz4DQyhVaC09zaAtT9qk3NcolZ9kfeWepPMovaFotfMNzTSciRM8JSeBoYUw/s1600/Shower1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{Courtney ordered me a Nutella cake! It was divine.}</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipciKUQbMcSHMp6wWW7ZcYKSM_kUNV9f2CyoZO880gifgzIkcprU_hYX5GJzWJA6_kQIWTKgb-4ko5plzc55nk_lVXj5mZxmbxpY_cS9GCyE9RdLvDaiD4mb81FoPvGB6IaGZIIw/s1600/Shower2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipciKUQbMcSHMp6wWW7ZcYKSM_kUNV9f2CyoZO880gifgzIkcprU_hYX5GJzWJA6_kQIWTKgb-4ko5plzc55nk_lVXj5mZxmbxpY_cS9GCyE9RdLvDaiD4mb81FoPvGB6IaGZIIw/s1600/Shower2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{Courtney asked everyone to bring the baby a picture book! So clever, right?}</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCn3nCL3N6QmbxvPcPb8jUg1d4ffAAEx-0Vs2qaKW6zzcYJt-EAI2GEFKXT7FkZ3wJX9MMzVFDh8BXlduSP1ydyX2i966nOMv0I1qPtvj1hD3pKEyfSdNpD0Bz_3qOnFh7F4wcQ/s1600/Shower3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCn3nCL3N6QmbxvPcPb8jUg1d4ffAAEx-0Vs2qaKW6zzcYJt-EAI2GEFKXT7FkZ3wJX9MMzVFDh8BXlduSP1ydyX2i966nOMv0I1qPtvj1hD3pKEyfSdNpD0Bz_3qOnFh7F4wcQ/s1600/Shower3.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{The shower was held at the Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria, VA. It was lovely!}</span></i> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoewVmaYjDV-WwvM2opSpjYla1Hp4XcU8ur811qLCDS1uih_cQsLK-h-pbQlbEzJ9PsoZhvNiSKlwwwwXWXdq2Tgx43ZVh5cmAKwaqCOaYV46xhEuvVMZUeATy1JW-9vGTqpOxA/s1600/Altered1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoewVmaYjDV-WwvM2opSpjYla1Hp4XcU8ur811qLCDS1uih_cQsLK-h-pbQlbEzJ9PsoZhvNiSKlwwwwXWXdq2Tgx43ZVh5cmAKwaqCOaYV46xhEuvVMZUeATy1JW-9vGTqpOxA/s1600/Altered1.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>{Did I mention that Courtney is pregnant too? She's due in April with her third!}</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-55096542205127516882014-01-17T15:15:00.001-05:002014-01-17T15:48:57.716-05:00A Peek at the Baby's Room!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTXLwLvNQgZtdixk-WceNsT4-pR0IfKGfwXbEvQFmEjeWCz0_VjQYkgXq_ycUkIKJBYXdGXyyOAuBoF9xoc4ETgoX55dcnOM1PiYx9STW8MlVMi_xz_GfR-ZtNRz2t7jnDkOziw/s1600/Altered6+675px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTXLwLvNQgZtdixk-WceNsT4-pR0IfKGfwXbEvQFmEjeWCz0_VjQYkgXq_ycUkIKJBYXdGXyyOAuBoF9xoc4ETgoX55dcnOM1PiYx9STW8MlVMi_xz_GfR-ZtNRz2t7jnDkOziw/s1600/Altered6+675px.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{Paper poms! So girly and fun.}</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are down to 2.5 weeks until Le Bebe makes her world debut! Of course, she could come much sooner than that (or later) so I've spent the last few weeks bustling around like a neurotic crazy person, trying to cross off as many things on my mega to-do list as I can. Including prepping the nursery.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm <i>almost</i> finished. There are still a few details I need to tackle, like putting up a few picture ledges to display Le Bebe's books and assembling the crib (Justin's job) but overall I'm quite happy with how it's all coming together! Hopefully it'll be done by this weekend and I can focus on wrapping up my first pass pages and my proposal. Egads! I need a time turner, stat! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7Xs5xMiXFTawjQMrXUllXlPmqrehCC0cUdVK4C4gf12iqQFalrFYL70gbxlkRBxABpte8RHhPTFhWgzMN6fPH-ZTtvbcyCYDoOssKUCZ4NkDTjrglkdxLjrlP9jNLADEidoVFg/s1600/Altered9+675px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7Xs5xMiXFTawjQMrXUllXlPmqrehCC0cUdVK4C4gf12iqQFalrFYL70gbxlkRBxABpte8RHhPTFhWgzMN6fPH-ZTtvbcyCYDoOssKUCZ4NkDTjrglkdxLjrlP9jNLADEidoVFg/s1600/Altered9+675px.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{The baby's dresser includes an owl candle and a photograph of my sister-in-law Aimee.}</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NpakcExUUVUBKSrRZ-IEEKTkj-oMPCD1mAQA0ft2vtgI0Ym3ntD7KuWGbQVgjMB4u1ZFF6OAgvVXKEj5hNKXSPW6HiSfsNB0r0588vmKWXJwoID1i4CN4jKtidAq1midM1mlUQ/s1600/Altered7+675px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NpakcExUUVUBKSrRZ-IEEKTkj-oMPCD1mAQA0ft2vtgI0Ym3ntD7KuWGbQVgjMB4u1ZFF6OAgvVXKEj5hNKXSPW6HiSfsNB0r0588vmKWXJwoID1i4CN4jKtidAq1midM1mlUQ/s1600/Altered7+675px.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{Otto has watched me put the whole room together. He's good company.}</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1oVfL9Wjye5zU7ITNR-F3glxAOfu3ZM6zh1HQd1xIyuLeuP8BU7pXVd1eYcLI23TcZGUh8VB8dGU73BOvdhHk2qoIYbWTpMvSj7YMreX_XSyNLqF2J7Ogc6YT90-Fvwg6nQkSg/s1600/Altered8+675px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1oVfL9Wjye5zU7ITNR-F3glxAOfu3ZM6zh1HQd1xIyuLeuP8BU7pXVd1eYcLI23TcZGUh8VB8dGU73BOvdhHk2qoIYbWTpMvSj7YMreX_XSyNLqF2J7Ogc6YT90-Fvwg6nQkSg/s1600/Altered8+675px.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{An old nightstand I painted white and spruced up!}</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br /><br />Once the nursery is finished, I'll put up more pictures, especially of the accent wall I covered in gold polka dots! That's my pride and joy. *Hugs polka dots*<br /><br />So what are your plans for the weekend? I need to finish my proposal, complete my first pass pages, and stuff myself silly at the baby shower my friend is throwing me tomorrow! She bought a Nutella cake from a local bakery to serve for dessert, and I am ridiculously and freakishly excited about it. I'll take pictures! Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-20276445303028162972014-01-03T12:55:00.002-05:002014-01-03T12:56:37.728-05:00My Goals for 2014<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZY7k4yBu-FQKM2mjT9Gmrt5tnjK1S8KvKSKzwwqlvHBZ_xhlLvRcsB8VVn81NQkRt14FPUUsESB4GAAmCWPdjqBMpx9EUGWMnx7X7doz5BB8vuXNhVjZFhveSSO2NM1YGKcyJ0w/s1600/New+Year+Goals.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZY7k4yBu-FQKM2mjT9Gmrt5tnjK1S8KvKSKzwwqlvHBZ_xhlLvRcsB8VVn81NQkRt14FPUUsESB4GAAmCWPdjqBMpx9EUGWMnx7X7doz5BB8vuXNhVjZFhveSSO2NM1YGKcyJ0w/s1600/New+Year+Goals.png" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In true procrastinator fashion, I'm only now posting about my resolutions for 2014. How about some cookies to make up for my lateness? Peanut butter or oatmeal chocolate chip? :)<br />
<br />
So...2014! Holy goodness, I can't believe it's already here. I look toward this shiny new year with both wide-eyed excitement and nail-biting trepidation. The baby is due in four weeks! My book will be out this fall! Justin and I want to build a house—and we may collapse from sleep deprivation!<br />
<br />
Hmm. Maybe I should scrap all of my goals and focus instead on getting enough Zzz's. That is a worthy resolution in it of itself, methinks!<br />
<br />
Anyway, I'm usually horrendous about setting goals and then working toward said goals, but maybe 2014 will be my chance to turn over a new leaf. If anything, I've tried to choose resolutions that are within my control and more ethereal in nature in that they're not things I can tick off a checklist (<i>ie, exercise everyday, drink a green smoothie in the morning, etc.</i>) but more like general life philosophies. Am I making sense at all? Has my baby usurped all control of my brain? Well, we better get to my goals before she overtakes more of my mind matter!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Goal #1</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Be gentle with myself. </b></div>
<br />
2014 will be a year of great changes for me, namely becoming a mom and reconfiguring my life to this new role. I know that I will inevitably cry and wail and whine when the going gets tough but within these moments I want to be gentle with myself. More patient. More forgiving of my mistakes. And I don't want my guilt complex to grow out of control—because I know I'll be hard on myself for not writing everyday or for consuming mass quantities of pastries and Coke. You know what? It'll be okay if I get behind on things because HELLO NEWBORN! Plus, pastries and Coke are perfectly wonderful ways of coping.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Goal #2</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Have radical self-respect. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
'Radical Self-Respect' is a slogan that is frequently mentioned on a feminist Facebook group that I'm a part of. Basically, it means standing up for yourself and your beliefs instead of staying silent and regretting it later—something that I've struggled with my entire life. Case in point: I have a really hard time saying no to things. More often than not, I say yes to stuff even though I don't really have the time, the bandwidth, or on rare occasion the interest in what I'm agreeing to. And then I feel overloaded and guilty and I drown myself in cookies (<i>see Goal #3</i>). So enough of that! In 2014, I aim to listen more to my gut instead of saying and doing things because I want so badly to be liked. Will this be hard? Yes! But will it make my life more sane? Yes to that too!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Goal #3</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Eat fewer cookies.</b></div>
<br />
I'll be honest: I've eaten my weight in cookies since getting pregnant. I swear this baby will come out screaming for thin mints and do-si-dos. And so, I must resist the siren call of the cookie. I banish you, Chocolate Chip! I banish you too, Delicious Brownie, close cousin of the evil cookie! Don't give me those sad eyes of yours!<br />
<br />
<i>(I seriously doubt I'll be able to reach this last goal. Alas.) </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
And there you have it. Three goals for the new year. I'm rather intrigued to see how well I do with them... Anyway, what are some of your resolutions for 2014? Do share, please!Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-33199009610309020552013-12-28T21:25:00.000-05:002013-12-29T10:10:46.354-05:00The Writing Lessons I Learned in 2013, Part I2013! We hardly knew you!<br />
<br />
In the next few days, I thought I'd chronicle a few of the lessons I learned over the course of good ol' 2013. Initially I had intended to write only one blog post but you know how longwinded I can get. Ramble, ramble.<br />
<br />
So behold! Part I of my lessons learned this year!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswD2TUeWJevefgjSrBoeHvhibMtyD4D2eN940T48C728__fl_vqUEURv5BwJuLyII9qIrgqp8RrGk5_JI7ygo7roHrdOioiHBtStVYTYU_buvP0y_0Rd7Ms4Ms6NMjWzVCw-hsw/s1600/Lessons+2013+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswD2TUeWJevefgjSrBoeHvhibMtyD4D2eN940T48C728__fl_vqUEURv5BwJuLyII9qIrgqp8RrGk5_JI7ygo7roHrdOioiHBtStVYTYU_buvP0y_0Rd7Ms4Ms6NMjWzVCw-hsw/s1600/Lessons+2013+1.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Can I tell you a secret? </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Earlier this year, I was lost in the Pit of Despair. </b>I had spent six years working toward my dream of getting published but that dream only seemed to taunt me, always slipping out of my fingertips. In February, I hit my lowest of lows when I attended a signing at a local indie bookstore. I went to the event to support a writer whom I had met at a conference in the summer of '09. She was so sweet and supportive and so very deserving of her success, but I couldn't stop comparing her rocketing career to my own struggling one. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
She was on a book tour, promoting her highly anticipated debut. <br />
She had multiple books contracted with her awesome Big Five publisher. <br />
Her dream had really come true, hadn't it?<br />
<div>
<br />
<div>
I went home that night with my heart sinking. I was elated for my friend—I really can't say enough about how kind she is!—but I felt exhausted by the publishing process and the seemingly endless rejection. As I lay in bed, I decided it might be best for me to take a step back from my writing endeavors. <b>I would channel my creative energy into photography and graphic design</b> <i>(I even created a website for a potential blog design venture)</i> <b>until I felt that spark for writing again</b>.<br />
<br />
Much to my shock though, a few weeks later, Agent Jim called me with the news that Scholastic had made an offer on my book! I honestly couldn't believe it. I sort of stood there, cell phone in hand, completely surprised and speechless. Completely frozen. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj10YHUmfozUq2EEVhaWCqyJe54Gxsu5I96w_zhWkeC1tYBfpMz4fDWKATQzqrIWSPsuI1aoVxk6TS7bjuH5h3MGwPYf6Ehfaxw7n_51eAhTRBqFaLhGbrypIU10lY38_fVRJrzA/s1600/Altered+3+675px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj10YHUmfozUq2EEVhaWCqyJe54Gxsu5I96w_zhWkeC1tYBfpMz4fDWKATQzqrIWSPsuI1aoVxk6TS7bjuH5h3MGwPYf6Ehfaxw7n_51eAhTRBqFaLhGbrypIU10lY38_fVRJrzA/s1600/Altered+3+675px.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">{The northern Californian coast, taken in June 2013. The same day I found out I was pregnant!}<br /></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So yes! <b>My writing journey definitely surprised me this year, especially because I had hit so many road bumps in 2011 and 2012. </b>After running the gamut of disappointment and dejection—so fun!—it felt incredibly humbling to have this book deal land into my lap. It was like I had been chasing a rainbow until my legs couldn't move anymore and then...BOOM!...I finally get to that pot of gold.<br />
<br />
To be honest, I still can't quite believe it.<br />
<br />
That's the funny thing about this business, I think. Most of the time, we're just trying to stay afloat in these murky writing waters—with our word counts, with our deadlines, with the inevitable frustration and loneliness. <b>But then once in awhile, the clouds part and the Publishing Gods smile upon you, usually at the most unsuspecting times. </b><br />
<br />
Those are the times we live for. That make everything worth it.<br />
<br />
At least that's what my experience has been like. For instance, back in 2010, I had been querying for nearly a year and almost ready to give up on my little middle grade novel. I told myself that I'd finish contacting the list of agents I had compiled and move on. But then, you know what? Boom! An agent offer came my way and then two more. That's the book that nabbed me Agent Jim and while it didn't end up selling (<i>weeping all of the silent tears</i>), I still remember how shocked I was when I got that first call. Hadn't I planned on giving up only a couple weeks before?<br />
<br />
Yep, it was definitely a huge surprise. A <i>great</i> surprise! But the 'surprises' after landing an agent weren't as happy-making: shelving that MG book, re-writing a new manuscript, and facing another heap of editorial rejection when I was so sure that success was around the corner. Writing can be so hard! But that's another lesson, I suppose....<br />
<br />
<b>Looking ahead to the new year, I'm sure my writing journey holds more surprises for me, some good and some bad and some simply unexpected. </b>This is something that I've had to adjust to because I'm the sort of person who likes to lay out five-year plans and who balks at any sort of change (<i>what do you mean I can't buy my favorite Skittles anymore?!</i>). But being an author has forced me to sit back and loosen my grip on the reins. Because the only things I can control in this business are writing books and revising said books. The rest? It's kind of a big surprise.<br />
<br />
Still, I'm hoping that another good surprise lies ahead of me in 2014. I'll hope for it anyway.<br />
<br />
But if that isn't in the cards for me, who needs a new blog redesign?!</div>
</div>
Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21099449.post-89225510736492592992013-12-20T09:40:00.002-05:002013-12-20T13:11:49.756-05:00My Top 10 Reads of 2013!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Ahoy mateys! </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been meaning to blog about this little bit of news for ages but proposal-writing and holiday-things have caused me to neglect this ye olde blog—but<b> I am now a member of the <a href="http://www.yabuccaneers.com/blog/" target="_blank">YA Buccaneers</a> group blog</b>! Yay! I'm so excited to be a part of this group and to get to know these talented ladies better. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And now for my inaugural YA Bucs post (aside from my <a href="http://www.yabuccaneers.com/blog/2013/12/9/meet-shiver-me-timbers" target="_blank">interview</a>), <b>I bring you my Top 10 Reads of 2013! </b>Also, be sure to check out the <a href="http://www.yabuccaneers.com/blog" target="_blank">YA Bucs blog</a> to find out what the other Buccaneers have chosen for their own lists! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1364250803l/16071764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1364250803l/16071764.jpg" width="121" /></a><a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1342487370l/12401556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1342487370l/12401556.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1358190204l/16115612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1358190204l/16115612.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>1. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16071764-lean-in" target="_blank">LEAN IN</a> by Sheryl Sandberg</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In one word: <i>brilliant</i>. As I read Sandberg's book about women in the workforce, I found myself nodding and nodding and--oh look, my head just fell off because I nodded so much! I especially liked how she encouraged women to take more ownership of their accomplishments because we tend to sell ourselves short. A must-read for women who would like to have a career and a family! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>2. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12401556-the-age-of-miracles" target="_blank">THE AGE OF MIRACLES</a> by Karen Thompson Walker</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At first glance, this book sounds like the next big YA dystopian: a young girl lives in a world where the rotation of the Earth starts to slow, causing the days and nights to stretch longer and longer. But this adult literary novel takes this big premise and spins it into a quiet and haunting coming-of-age story. Lovely prose. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>3. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16115612-and-the-mountains-echoed" target="_blank">AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED</a> by Khaled Hosseini</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you liked The Kite Runner, read this book. Hosseini has truly grown as a writer and that bleeds into every page of this read. One thing that I didn't expect? The book is told in continual shift of POVs but everything ties together in surprising ways. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1343855583l/12551082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1343855583l/12551082.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1369759057l/17985509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1369759057l/17985509.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1345685973l/15795357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1345685973l/15795357.jpg" width="133" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>4. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12551082-things-i-can-t-forget" target="_blank">THINGS I CAN'T FORGET</a> by Miranda Kenneally</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh, Miranda! When it comes to Ms. Kenneally's novels, she has never ever disappointed me. I read an early copy while I was doing volunteer work in Costa Rica and where I had to wake up everyday around 5:30AM. Every night before bed, I knew I should put away my Kindle and get some sleep but I just couldn't put this book down! So heartfelt and honest. I think Kate might be my favorite protagonist that Miranda has written!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>5. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17985509-bringing-up-bebe" target="_blank">BRINGING UP BEBE </a>by Pamela Druckerman</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think this might be the first parenting book I've read? Although "parenting book" isn't quite the right term here because Bringing Up Bebe is more of a memoir with some parenting advice thrown in. But whatever you want to call it, this is an entertaining and insightful read that compares American parenting versus French parenting. AND IT IS SET IN PARIS! Enough said. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>6. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15795357-eleanor-park" target="_blank">ELEANOR & PARK</a> by Rainbow Rowell</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm not sure what I can say about this book that hasn't already been said! An amazing voice, so-real-you-can-touch-them characters, and just about the sweetest romance. I inhaled this novel. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1383447892l/17408132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1383447892l/17408132.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1326506063l/11594337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1326506063l/11594337.jpg" width="141" /></a><a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1372782569l/15673520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1372782569l/15673520.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>7. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17408132-the-swift-boys-me" target="_blank">THE SWIFT BOYS & ME</a> by Kody Keplinger</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Kody and I share the same editor at Scholastic, and she was kind enough to send me an early copy of this awesome middle grade novel! Oh my goodness, this is one of those books that makes your heart break one minute and then sends it soaring in the next. Such beautiful prose and characters. Kody is truly the real deal. And she's only, like, twenty! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>8. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11594337-the-one-and-only-ivan" target="_blank">THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN</a> by Katherine Applegate</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I read this Newbery award winner on the plane to San Francisco, and I wept quietly throughout it. (<i>Sorry, fellow passengers!</i>) I'm actually at a loss for words at how to describe this novel—narrated by a gorilla of all things!—except to say...this is middle grade at its absolute finest. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>9. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15673520-sekret" target="_blank">SEKRET </a>by Lindsay Smith</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm lucky enough to know Lindsay in real life, and she graciously sent me a copy of her debut SEKRET even though it comes out in 2014. Basically, I lost an entire day utterly absorbed in this novel, which is set in postwar Russia and centers on a girl who can read minds through touch. The prose in the book is absolutely <i>delicious!</i> Months later, I still think about some of its gorgeous passages.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1346852168l/9943270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1346852168l/9943270.jpg" width="434" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>And finally...what's my toppity-top book pic for 2013? </b><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9943270-dark-triumph" target="_blank">DARK TRIUMPH</a> by Robin LaFevers!!!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book because I absolutely loved GRAVE MERCY, the first novel in the His Fair Assassins trilogy. I mean, assassin nuns in medieval France? Heck yes! </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="p1">
DARK TRIUMPH is indeed darker than its predecessor, but I loved following Sybella's story and discovering the painful secrets in her past. And once I picked up this novel I couldn't put it down---murder and intrigue coupled with Sybella's power-hungry family and her sweet romance with Beast. Can't wait for Book 3!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>So how about you? What's your top book pick for 2013?</b></div>
Caroline Tung Richmondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10668185436035686911noreply@blogger.com9