I went to the dermatologist today to get my first full body check. I have frequented tanning beds in the past, and do occasionally go outside without slathering on the SPF, and read in my Shape magazine that annual derm checks are a smart idea. I had also found a spot under my right eyelid that was causing me concern. Again while reading Shape, I came across a story a young woman had wrote in about her experience with skin cancer. She had a found a spot on her eyelid that looked like a pimple, but couldn’t pop it and it never went away. Months later when she finally had it checked out, it ended up being skin cancer. The spot under my eyelid looks like a pimple but I can’t pop it, and has been there for about six months now. After reading that article, I called my dermatologist the very next to schedule my appointment. The first thing my doctor did was check out that spot. Luckily, I had good news- no skin cancer. He said it was simply a small cyst that could come from a clogged pore. Popped it with a needle, and it was done. Relief. Next came the full body check. I wasn’t even really sure what this was, or what I was going to have to do, but it was really simple. The nurse gave me a gown that I put on, and the doctor checked out my whole body- my feet, scalp, armpits, etc. He asked if I had any moles or freckles that I had noticed that were changing, to which I answered no. I actually don’t have a whole lot of moles or freckles, probably only five that I can see on my body, so I really wasn’t too worried about the check. But, with the UV tanning I have done in the past, I would much rather be safe than sorry. The body check took less than three minutes and the doc gave me the all clear. Good for another year, unless I should notice any spots changing. It’s important for everyone to keep tabs on their skin, that way you can tell if a mole is changing in size or color. Thanks to Shape for consistently bringing up the topic of skin cancer and the importance of getting body checks!
I was pressed for time this morning, rushing to get off to a doctor’s appointment after letting myself sleep in for a few minutes, so I wasn’t able to make myself a nice blended drink at home like I had anticipated the night before. When I left my doctors office, the first place I saw was, of course, McDonalds. They are everywhere. I had recently seen their commercials for their new fruit smoothies, and I thought that would be perfect for breakfast. So I swung through and grabbed a small, 12 oz. cup for $2.79 of the strawberry/banana smoothie. My first impression on the taste: YUM! I thought it was delicious, so good in fact I had to immediately check out if this drink truly was healthy. My taste buds enjoy foods that are not good for me: junk food, fast food, etc. so I thought there could be no way I was actually drinking something healthy. Turns out, I was sort of right. The McDonalds fruit smoothies are not quite as healthy as the ones I can make for myself at home, mainly because of the sugar content. The smoothie consists of a banana/strawberry puree blend, low-fat yogurt, and ice. Both the fruit blend and yogurt contain sugar, 44 grams total. The total calories for the drink were 210, but you do get about 70% of your daily value of Vitamin C from the drink. So it may be better to stick with the real fruit smoothies I make home, with my fresh strawberries, banana, and yogurt, without all that added sugar to it. The McDonalds version could be a good choice on some occasions, but probably best to stick to my at home blend!
http://susanmcbride.com/index.shtml
Christina Applegate is pregnant! Applegate, one of my favorite actresses, announced today that she and fiancée, Martyn Lenoble, are expecting. The couple, who got engaged on Valentine’s Day after two years of dating, have yet to set a wedding date. Applegate, 38, underwent a double mastectomy and credited Lenoble for helping her recover and giving her strength after the procedure. Congrats to the couple!
How were you able to get published? About five years ago, I decided I wanted to write a book that I would like to read. Without too much thought, I decided on the topic of stock stealing. I still don’t know why I thought of it, particularly at a time when I was completely sleep deprived with two littlies, but I thought I could develop intrigue and mystery around this subject. I set about writing. Once I had written five chapters, I asked a friend to read it to see if it was any good. I also sent it to my writing mentor for his opinion. The responses were brilliant and overwhelmed me. I decided I needed to keep writing. Patience has never been my strong point! When I had written about a third of the story, I thought I’d try Allen and Unwin publisher’s ‘Friday Pitch’. This offers first-time authors a chance to have their first chapter and a synopsis read and considered by its publisher Louise Thurtell. I wanted to know what she thought about it—never mind finishing the manuscript! Her response was just as encouraging as others I had received, although it wasn’t what she was looking for at that time and she encouraged me to try another publisher. I didn’t want to now I had established contact with Louise. So I waited about a year, tweaked it a bit more, and resent it—but I did little work on finishing the manuscript. Suddenly, not only was there was a phone call saying ‘Yes! We want your manuscript!’, there was a contract and … an unfinished manuscript! I got to work quick smart and finished the rest of the story in about six-months. My journey to get to this point has been amazing. It blows me away whenever I think about it. I don’t have any writing qualifications or experience in writing for publishers. I just wrote the book I wanted to read. From that, I was picked up from the ‘slush pile’, handed a contract, now have two books published with another two book deal and have also sold the rights for both Red Dust and Blue Skies to Germany. (Red Dust has already been released there with Blue Skies due out next year.) Has anything in general surprised you since becoming an author? Hm, not sure. I didn't really know enough about the industry when I first started, to be surprised by anything. I just went with the flow and did what ever I was told to do! I guess the response to my books has been surprising and very overwhelming. Red Dust flew off the shelves as did Blue Skies, but that may be more because there is a hunger for Australian stories than anything else. I also love the way that Allen and Unwin are as passionate about my books as I am - I'm not sure if I'm surprised by that or just grateful! How many times were you rejected before finding your agent? I haven't actually ever been rejected by an agent, when I was submitting my fiction novels. I got my first two books published without an agent, but Gaby Naher, from the Naher Agency is now my wonderful, patient and calming agent and negotiated my two book deal. I was rejected by plenty when I was pitching my children picture books. One thing I will point out here - it's harder to get an agent once you are published. Most people think it wouldn't be the case, but it is. My publisher introduced me to both Curtis and Brown and Gaby Naher. Curtis and Brown wouldn't take me on, because they had a similar client and because I had already negotiated two books. Just something to be aware of. How long does it take you to finish writing a novel? About a year - I diddle around for the first part - don't do much, just think a lot, write lots of notes and then when I realise I've only got about six months before it's due, get really stuck in and write. I usually have enough ideas and thoughts to be able to do that. What gave you the drive and motivation to write a book and push to get it published? Well, I never really started out with the thought that I would try and get published. I started to write a book that I would like to read and then, it was one of my friends who thought I should try. I started researching the industry and submitted for the ASA Mentorship program, but didn't get anywhere there. I don't like failing so that was probably my turning point!
Andy Dunne is feeling the drought. The San Diego weatherman has been reporting no rain for the past two years, and been feeling increasingly irrelevant in his personal life. His wife left him, the death of his twin brother still haunts him, and he is in love with a married woman. Hillary Hsing, the object of Andy’s affection, urges Andy to try out for a job working on a children entertainment TV show, and before Andy can blink he is upgraded to the host and entering the realm of a media darling. As Andy’s life changes from being a nobody to a somebody, he is faced with many difficult decisions on his life, his family, and his relationships. Two Years, No Rain by Shawn Klomparens is a refreshing change from my usual chick lit books. It was interesting to get a males perspective about so many issues I normally read about women: love, relationships, careers, and families. The humor was there in patches, but it wasn’t so much laugh out loud funny but more of a dark humor. The supporting cast really added to the story, especially the relationship between Andy and his young niece. Klomparens writing is stylish and fresh, and I would recommend Two Years, No Rain to chick lit fans that enjoy the males take on common adult issues.
www.DearReader.com
I once again stumbled upon a book whose main character mirrored closely to Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic. Isabel Bookbinder has decided that she wants to be a fashion designer. The only trouble is, she has absolutely no talent for designing and creating clothes. Not letting that little fact keep her from her goals, Isabel gives her all to the fashion world. After lying her way into a job interview, Isabel manages to dupe her future boss into hiring her as a PA. Fabulously Fashionable by Holly McQueen was a funny story, but at times a bit too farfetched for me. Fans of the Shopaholic series will appreciate the humorous situations the heroine constantly finds herself in, but it just wasn’t enough to pull me along. I thought the story between Isabel and her possibly cheating boyfriend and then the following relationship with an odd character that I couldn’t quite figure out until the end interested me more than Isabel trying to be a fashion designer. I thought this was a mediocre novel at best.
