My Day Requires A Latte, A Well-written Scene and Some Cat Love

hat's on your list of must haves for a great day? Editor in Chief of Real Simple (the only life magazine worth subscribing to), and author of Just Let Me Lie Down (a hilarious and touching book about working moms), Kristin van Ogtrop shared her list in her latest editorial. Her day requires at least one cup of coffee as well...

My other items include:

At least one free coffee refill (either a colleague who offers to get me some, or my friend down the hall, who usually has a full pot brewing before I even come in)

Progress on my novel, of any kind, whether a scene written, a few pages edited, some square brackets conquered or a research book not only read but reskimmed and notes taken. I'll also accept a new story idea (got another one this morning! still trying to decide if it's YA or adult romance).

Work-related tasks that involve mostly editing, where I can sit in the sun by the window with some tea or coffee and slash away at others' words.

Twenty minutes or so of walking outdoors. Any birds chirping, geese returning, or other animal sightings are a bonus.

Sleep is nice but time to read for pleasure is even more important. I've been spreading myself rather thin with volunteer editing tasks, book reviews and translation jobs. Sitting down for an hour or two and reading for pure joy makes a refreshing break. I've got a couple of YAs and classics lined up for the next session. Speaking of which, Beverly Cleary turned 95 on Sunday. Happy Birthday! And thank you for Ramona, who shared my pain in many ways when I was her age.

An egg sandwich with cheese, tomato and HP sauce.

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Carol's done a page critique for Out of the Water! Thank you, Carol.

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ROW80 - I've been doing well! Eight pages edited since Sunday. I've got lots of new scenes to type up tonight. And one scene to make more manly.

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Jenny's author mentor for March and April is P. G. Wodehouse and she's got some amazing posts on music, poetry, short stories, World War II and more.