Right about now I’m wishing I had some legitimate writers’ training other than the single creative writing course I took my first year of college—my only year at Ohio State. Quite literally, I remember absolutely nothing about that class except one seemingly innocent assignment. We were supposed to pick a subject (assuming I remember this correctly) and play up all the sensory details of a little moment in time or a memorable vignette. I wasn’t living on campus, and on my way back home, I’d sometimes stop at McDonalds to pick up lunch. No one knows why (least of all me), but for some reason, I settled on the idea of writing my paper on the simple enjoyment of a McDonald’s cheeseburger. The very idea sounds foreign to me now—it’s been forever since I’ve had a Mickey D’s burger. But, whatever happened to be going through my co-ed mind…I wrote the paper. And I was rather proud of it too. Even more so when my professor decided to read it aloud for the class—she only read two or three. Imagine my surprise when I started seeing the smiles…then the snickers. Evidently my classmates thought there was something slightly (or overtly) pornographic about my ode to the cheeseburger. I have to admit—I never got it, but I showed the paper to my then-boyfriend, now-husband, and he agreed that indeed it was. I still have the paper. But I really don’t think it should be posted here—otherwise I might be slotted as a writer of erotica…

So you see…absolutely nothing came out of my creative writing endeavors—unless something is left up in my subconscious. So I’m really eating up all the tips I get on blogs, in conferences, and even in craft manuals. But I think I need to stop. I need to get on with my writing and just see how I do. My summer excuses are beginning to look quite lame…

We went to see The Lion King in the theater today, and I must say, it was wonderful! It was my in-laws’ treat (they’d already seen it), and what a treat it was! I’d seen the pictures of Julie Taymor’s costume design and heard the comments about how you don’t even notice the people for the costumes, and I have to admit, if you trick your eyes a little and really focus on the animals’ faces, it really is true. The costumes really portray the elegance of movement of the animals.

I won’t deny that some of the costume details befuddled me (particularly the choices made for the lions and lionesses), and there was this part where leotarded couples were suspended from the ceiling doing a ballet number where I probably would have gone another way, but hey…I’m not complaining.

If you get a chance to go, I highly recommend it. It is a totally exciting and wonderful experience. And my kids (boys, 4 and 6) both really liked the characters, many of whom were funny, as well as the music.

The coffee table book is also totally cool…if you can’t make the show.

My guests won’t leave till Tuesday, so I’m still doodling around. However, I did manage to see Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man’s Chest today–from the second row back. I thought I was going to get nauseous during the previews, but it all worked out okay, and I really enjoyed the movie. A couple of twenty-somethings a few seats down were giggling at everything Johnny Depp had to say, so I’m guessing they had a little bit of a crush on him, and I have to admit, he stole the show. Also saw some cool-looking previews. I’m really looking forward to A Night in the Museum with Ben Stiller (whom I love!) Oddly, I can’t find a link to the official movie site yet, but it is supposed to come out at Christmas (this year, I think).

In other exciting news, I just discovered that there’s to be a sequel to the delightful book The Little Lady Agency that I blogged on a while back. It’s to be called Little Lady, Big Apple and will be released in the UK in July (that’s the UK cover). I will eagerly anticipate its release here.

Also, I’ve finally picked up one of Carrie Bebris’ series about the husband and wife sleuthing team of Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy–from Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice fame. I’m reading North by Northanger and really loving it. Ms. Bebris’ writing is enchanting!

I’m also working in bits and pieces on my website design, trying to meld the Regency side of my writing with the contemporary romantic comedy side. We’ll see how it goes…