"I made a map and knew that somehow I could find my way back..."

Well, let's all be thankful that this blog is a just a blog and not a houseplant or goldfish or something.

So can I just tell you what I did over my summer vacation? Good, because it's a great story.

First: I finished the next book! I mean, it is FINISHED. The final draft have been sent in, the chapters have honest-to-goodness chapter TITLES (I have the hardest time coming up with chapter titles, I swear), and I've even seem a glimpse of the book's cover! It's so exciting! It's also exhausting! I need about 236 naps before I'm officially caught up with sleep.

So here's the next exciting part. This new book? It has a title! And a release date! Are you ready?...You don't look ready yet. Sit down, grab a snack or some water. Are you ready now? Okay.

The book is titled "THE EXTRAORDINARY SECRETS OF APRIL, MAY AND JUNE" and it'll be out August 2010. 

I know, right? AUGUST. NEXT YEAR. I'm so crazy anxious to have you guys read it that I don't know how I'm going to make it another 11 months! I guess we're all just gonna have to be patient, but I really really really hope you think the wait is worth it. I love this book, I'm absolutely crazy about it, and I'm looking forward to talking about it with all of you.

That's also why I haven't blogged much over the past several months. I knew one of you curious types would ask about "AMJ" and then I'd tell you something and then my publisher would probably (and quite justifiably) hunt me down & hurt me. So really, my blogging hiatus was in everyone's best interest. Especially mine.

Of course, now that I've finished the book, I've been on a little vacation by the beach. My family's here, too, which makes it even better and more chaotic and hilarious. (Please note that I didn't say "more relaxing".) We've been by the beach, so all I've been doing is taking cheesy pictures of the ocean and downloading a lot of iPhone apps to make them look nifty. Like this:

I call this one the "I almost dropped the iPhone out the car window" shot. Not an arty title, but an accurate one.

This one is called "The Neighbors Really Need to Trim Their Hedges Already".

I got a little obsessed with Lomo-style special effects. I swear that's a sunset, not an atom bomb.

Aren't those lovely? Anyhoodle, moving on.

I also did some interviews with some amazing blogs. (You official bloggers, I don't know you do it.) Here's some links and some preview questions. Ooooh, aaah.

Interview with the Curious George Book & Toy Store Blog

Q: What would you confess (or rant about) on MTV? 
"I would confess absolutely nothing on camera and instead I would demand to know why the show Parental Control exists."

Interview with Royal Reads

Q: What's Audrey's favorite song?
"When I was writing "Audrey", I listened to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' "Cheated Hearts" a lot, just because I could totally picture Audrey listening to it every morning while getting ready for school. Also, I loved the line, "Sometimes I think that I'm bigger than the sound." I think that might be her favorite song."

Okay, that's enough for today. I don't wanna overdue it and hurt myself, but don't forget that you can always find me on Twitter or email. And seriously, no need to be shy. I love hearing from you. Yes, even you. 

Oops, I almost forgot. Here's a song from Florence & the Machine. I'm obsessed with them right now. Enjoy.

Florence + the Machine, "Cosmic Love"

"A falling star fell from your heart and landed in my eyes..."

Comments

[RKCharron]

Hi Robin :)
Congratulations on finishing THE EXTRAORDINARY SECRETS OF APRIL, MAY, AND JUNE. Just 11 months for me to wait. :)
Love & Best Wishes to you & yours,
RKCharron
xoxo

[suzanne young]

Yay!!! I can't wait to read the new book!!!!! And with those picture titles, I find it hard to believe that you don't ROCK at chapter titles. I lol'd.

:-)

[Lisa]

Hi! I just finished Audrey, Wait! and came looking to see what else you'd written. I'm happy to see that you have another books coming out.

[Justine]

Oh my gosh! You finished the book :O *SQUEAL* I absolutely definitely 100% CANNOT wait for it! But I know I'd have to. Sigh.

BUT YAY! HAPPINESS! HOORAY! Congrats! :D

Coming up with chapter titles are the best, dude! I love it! It's my fave part of writing stories, haha. Not really. My fave part is actually coming up with awesome ideas.

Sick pictures, by the way! I love the sky, they're just so magnificent.

[RevaSnyder21]

Every body remembers that modern life is very expensive, nevertheless people need cash for different things and not every one earns enough money. So to receive some loans or just short term loan should be a right way out.