Robin Benway

What I Did the Day My Book Came Out

Hello friends!

So. It's happened. THE EXTRAORDINARY SECRETS OF APRIL, MAY & JUNE has hit the shelves! Hopefully you've been able to find yourself a copy and have enjoyed it immensely! Have you seen its snazzy webpage yet?  www.extraordinarysecrets.com I just love it. 

I've thought about writing this blog for awhile. What's it like the day your book comes out? This is only the second time this has happened to me, but for some reason, I was crazy nervous this time around. As you can see, there was absolutely no reason to be nervous...BUT STILL. It's crazymaking to have a book come out, which is why I was so happy that August 3rd finally arrived.

Also, I have a very fun weekend coming up involving a booksigning for "AMJ" right here in Los Angeles, so please don't think that I didn't have any fun on my big release day or that none of my friends remembered. Boy howdy, did they remember! And if you'd like to join us on Sunday, please do! The more the merrier! Oh, God, what am I going to wear?!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 8 AT 3PM
DIESEL BOOKSTORE
The Brentwood Country Mart
225 26th Street, Suite 33
Santa Monica, CA 90402
310.576.9960

So now here's my little log of AMJ's release day. I hope you'll still respect me after reading it.

(PS You're all still following April, May & June on Twitter, right? Riiiight.)

WHAT I DID THE DAY MY BOOK CAME OUT - AN ERRATIC & NOT ENTIRELY RELIABLE TIMELINE OF EVENTS BY ROBIN BENWAY

6:55am - Wake up to the sound of sputtering coffeemaker. Decide that if coffeemaker breaks the day of my book release, I'll cry.

6:57am - Coffeemaker is not broken! HAPPY RELEASE DAY FOR "AMJ"! Bounce (well, crawl) out of bed and stumble into kitchen while still wearing sleepmask over one eye. Give coffeemaker its morning hug.

7:00am - Put on NPR and start doing French homework for that morning's class. Listen to a story about Roger Korman while conjugating -er verbs. Rely on Google Translate heavily. Practice saying useful phrases such as, J'aime une tasse de café and Voulez-vous lire mon livre? Note that I have been out of high school for 15 years and I'm still doing homework the morning that it's due. Pat self on the back for being so reliable.

7:23am - Receive congratulatory email from the awesome team at Razorbill that reads in part, "We are singing you our Happy Pub Day song, a song we will be singing to you all day long! It's a kind of Alvin & the Chipmunks thing and we do it in harmonic electronic falsetto--I'm sure you'll appreciate this." They know me so well.

8:00am - Read so many nice emails, texts, and Twitter comments about "AMJ" that I maybe or maybe not get a little misty and have to find a tissue. And more coffee.

9:28am - Drive like a bat out of hell while balancing a mug of coffee (cannot find travel mug in cupboard) and singing along with Florence + the Machine. Pass woman who is hula-hooping and singing into a microphone in her front yard. Admire her free-spiritedness while being very grateful that I am not her. Turn up Florence a little louder and start to do hand motions while singing along. Recognize the irony and recall Little Brother's recent text: "Remember, your car windows aren't tinted anymore." Noted.

9:30am - Find perfect metered parking spot and race into class. 

11:45am - Learn how to say, "And that's why I drink," in French while roleplaying a scene between a drunk, an instructor, and a sad person who are all taking aquatic dancing classes at the local pool. French class has just paid for itself.

12:31pm - PARKING TICKET. $45 for being in the space too long, even though there's still money in the meter. Perfect metered parking spot is no longer so perfect. Start referring to meter maid as "Captain No-Fun".

1:16pm - Open kitchen cupboard and nearly get beaned by travel coffee mug. Found it!

2:20pm - Start doing interview for "How I Travel" over at bootsnall.com. Feel extremely unadventurous and apologetic for liking hotels over camping tents and for never ever EVER OH MY GOD NEVER EVER wanting to swim with sharks.

3:15pm - Receive first book stalker email photo from Mom. 

  

"Just happened to see this at Barnes & Noble in Palm Desert," the email says. Note that Mom lives 20 miles away from said bookstore. Suspect that everyone in B&N now knows that her daughter's book is out today and that she is my mother and wouldn't they like to buy a copy? Or maybe they'd like a knuckle sandwich instead? Watch local news to make sure Mom does not appear on it.

4:30pm - STILL WRITING TRAVEL INTERVIEW. Guesstimate that I could have flown to Italy & back in the time it takes me to do interviews. 

4:55pm - Receive second book stalker photo from Mom, along with accompanying email that reads, "Ditto Borders! YAY!!!!"

 

Borders has my book on the shelves, which means she is no longer boycotting Borders. They are no doubt thrilled to hear this news. Also, become convinced that she is the one who faced out "AMJ" on the shelf, since she has a tendency to reshuffle YA sections in favor of me. Decide that my mom is the bestest.

5:10pm - Get ready to post today's Song of the Day from the "April, May & June" soundtrack: "Glosoli" by Sigur Rós. Try to decipher lyrics before deciding that Icelandic looks like the Rorschach test of languages.

7:00pm - Celebratory dinner with Little Brother! Taco Tuesday at the Reel Inn in Malibu! Brother listens to country music on the radio. I use subpar telepathy skills to try & change the channel. We agree that we both dislike Brad Paisley intensely. "His head is too small!" I say. Brother replies, "Um, what?" This is how most of our conversations go.

8:45pm - Realize that I have still not seen a finished copy of "AMJ" yet. 

9:00pm - Get a "Yay you!" phone call from best friend Adri, who lives on the east coast, where it's past midnight. Says she'll be up for "awhile". Start to suspect that best friend Adri is really just a very nice vampire since she never seems to sleep...

9:30pm - ...unlike me. Crash in bed with sleep mask, earplugs, coffeemaker locked & loaded for tomorrow morning, and two homeless men arguing outside.

What a fun day! Seriously, having "AMJ" published is a long-realized hope that finally happened on Tuesday. I love my book, I love my characters, and I love that people have embraced it so warmly. Thank you so much for all the lovely notes and messages and good thoughts. May they all come tenfold back to you.

Not a whisper nor word, then all at once...

Happy New Year! New decade! And not a minute too soon, if you ask me.

This was only the third decade I've ever lived through, but it was hands-down the craziest one I ever had. I basically went through my 20s in the past ten years. If you've already survived your 20s, then you know what I'm talking about. If you're currently going through them, good luck & Godspeed. And if you haven't hit that magical 2-0 yet, well, buckle up and bring a toothbrush, because it's a pretty interesting trip.

The funny thing about the last decade is that so many things happened to me that it's hard to quantify, but I'll give it a shot anyway. Here we go.

I had an awesome job, got laid off, learned how to edit radio programs, got humiliated at a temp agency, became a PR director at Book Soup in West Hollywood, and once gave George Plimpton a ride in my 1997 Saturn after his car got towed during a book signing. (Ask me about that some time, it's a pretty great story.)

I became so anemic that my doctors wanted to give me a blood transfusion (my reaction: "You're funny."), got diagnosed with celiac disease and Type 1 diabetes, and quickly got over my fear of needles. I then got super healthy, once ran 7 miles in just over an hour, and still never mastered a headstand in yoga. (I don't like when all the blood rushes to my head.) 

I lost three grandparents and my father.

I quit a great job on a whim and wrote a book called "Audrey, Wait!", then watched as it sold in the United States and 13 other countries. I got emails from some of the funniest readers and authors I could ever hope to meet. I learned that writing a second book is way more difficult than writing a first book. (Waaaaay more difficult. Good Lord.)

I went to Italy for two weeks with my mom, became a vegetarian, went to my grandmother's 90th birthday party, and spent two days haggling at a car dealership for a new car. I got a great deal. They hated me. ("You treated us a like a bakery!" one salesman told me after I signed on the dotted line. I took it as a compliment.)

And I still never got a dog.

If there's one thing I've learned over the past ten years, it's that it's a crazy ride and it's fun and horrific and scary and wonderful. There were times that I thought I'd never feel better, and then there were times when I though I could never feel happier. I can't wait to see what happens in the next decade. I hope it's as amazing as its predecessor.

But enough about the last ten years. Let's get nitpicky and focus on 2009. It was pretty awesome.

THE 10 BEST THINGS IN MY 2009

FAVORITE YOUTUBE VIDEO

Surprised Kitty

I'll admit it, I cried when I saw this. Like, actual tears born of extreme cuteness. Its little face! Its tiny paws! I am thisclose to becoming a crazy cat lady now and I don't even own a cat.

FAVORITE IM CONVERSATION

My mom and I discussing cats and hats, which turned into a conversation about Britney and fedoras. You'll see.

Me: Cats with hats. Discuss

Mom: The eyes on that cat are so BIG.

Mom: Like, "What's happening?!"

Me: "Where are my ears?!"

Mom: I don't think that would stay on very long unless it was pinned somehow.

Me: I think you're still scared from having a daughter that never wore hats.

Mom: You still don't.

Me: That's because they make me look stupid.

Mom: You could never look stupid!

Me: I seem to be on a quest to prove you wrong on that point.

Mom: I like fedoras.

Mom: But I don't own a fedora.

Me: The day you show up in a fedora is the day I die of a heart attack.

Mom: Didn't Johanna's sister wear one one when we all went out for Mother's Day a few years ago?

Mom: AND

Mom: Doesn't Britney wear one?

Me: Yes, but Johanna's sister was 17.

Me: And Britney is...Britney.

Mom: Well, I'll just look for a fedora that looks good on a 59 1/2 year old person.

This is my genetic legacy, people.

FAVORITE WEBSITE

FreeRice.com

This is genius if you're a do-gooder/word junkie/procrastinator like me. You just play along and for every word you get right, 10 grains of rice are donated through the World Food Programme. Easy, right? Right!

FAVORITE CONCERT

Regina Spektor at the Greek Theater

Once again, it's nearly impossible to choose. I saw so many great bands this year! Neko! Phoenix! M83! They were all phenomenal, but I think Regina the winner. I first saw her in 2002, way back when she was opening for Kings of Leon & The Strokes, and it was awesome to see her seven years later. She was so brilliant and charming, it was the first fall night of the year so the air was all crisp, and I went with my friend Leslie, who warned me beforehand that she was probably going to sing along. Pretty cool.

FAVORITE SONG

"Have You Got It In You", Imogen Heap

You may have heard that I have a Song of the Day blog, where I basically post songs that I like. I've heard so many songs this year that I loved, but I'm going to change the rules a bit and pick the song that had such an influence on me while I was writing my new book, "The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June". I listened to it whenever I was stuck on a scene or frustrated and wanted to delete the entire manuscript. (Helpful Tip Alert: Don't delete your entire manuscript.)

FAVORITE ALBUM

Neko Case, "Middle Cyclone"

So this year, I got a little overenthusiastic and featured not one but TEN of my favorite albums on my music blog. If you saw that feature, then you'll know this album was my all-time favorite this year. I just think she can sing like a hurricane and she's awesome, that's all. No biggie.

FAVORITE BOOK

"Columbine", Dave Cullen

I didn't want to read this book at all, much less on the 10-year anniversary of the horrific Columbine massacre, but once I started, I couldn't put it down. I read the first 100 pages in one sitting, it's that good. It's about so much more than two deranged kids. It's about parenting and friendship and the state of current journalism in America. It shows all the different ways that a community can be torn apart and put back together, and it examines all the different angles of Columbine with clear eyes and the dignity they deserve. You can't ask for much more than that.

FAVORITE TV SHOW

"Glee"

Like you even had to ask.

FAVORITE MOVIE MOMENT

Jimmy Page, The Edge, & Jack White singing "The Weight" at the end of "It Might Get Loud"

I got goosebumps in the theater. Plus, watch for Jack White's hilarious one-sentence commentary on a Hollywood executive.

FAVORITE PERSON OF THE YEAR

Whoa, how'd you win two years in a row?! Well, whatever you did, it worked because you even managed to beat out Lady Gaga. Once again, if you're reading this blog or sending me wonderful emails, following me on Twitter, or even if you're too shy to say hello, thank you a million times over. The past year would have been much more difficult if it wasn't for all the amazing fans and fellow writers that I've been able to meet. I am so lucky and blessed and happy to know all of you. Let's talk soon in 2010!

You're dancing & laughing & finally living...

Why hello again.

So I've been busy and not busy lately. The "not busy" part stems from the fact that I have officially finished the new book "The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May & June", so that's been lovely. (I've decided that from now on, I'm gonna call it "AMJ" for short. Consider this the official announcement of that decision.) This means that instead of waking up and either running to or away from my computer, I can stay in bed and not stress out.

People. STAYING IN BED IS AMAZING! And none of you told me?! I think I'm part sloth now, and the only thing that keeps from staying in bed all day is the fact that I drink too much coffee and the caffeine jitters finally force me to move. Anyway, I love my bed. And wireless internet. Now if someone can just invent a remote-controlled coffeemaker.

When I'm not being a lazybones in bed, though, I've been socializing. In fact, I drove to San Luis Obispo this weekend for a signing with Jay Asher (13 Reasons Why) & Jordanna Fraiberg Levine (In Your Room). Maybe you've met them so you already know this, but those are two awesome authors and I was privileged to get to hang out with them. 

In fact, Jay is so awesome that he went home afterwards and immediately posted a blog about our signing. He even gave it a funny title! I, on the other hand, went back to my hotel, watched the last fifteen minutes of "Marley & Me" and proceded to sob hysterically. (That movie is brutal.)

But I've had a little something else up my sleeve, too. I decided to start a music blog. It's not a big fancy music blog, and it's also not the kind of music blog that will intimidate you and make you feel uncool for blasting "Islands in the Stream" or "I Want It That Way" in the car. (I know I'm not the only one who's done that. Uh, right?) 

Instead, I'm just posting one song a day, usually a song that I'm currently in love with. I'll send updates via Twitter & Facebook, so hopefully it won't get too annoying. Tell me if it does. For now, you can ignore it completely or bookmark it and refresh it obsessively, whatever floats your boat, but at least check it out a couple of times. 

THE SONGS THAT SAVED YOUR LIFE

And yes, the title comes from a Smiths song, which is the first song posted on the site. Go. Listen. Enjoy.

"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..."

I can see where I am going to be...

Hi! Hi! Oh my gosh it's been so long HOW ARE YOU?

I myself have been manic and busy. It's spring, and you know what that means. Yep, I'm racing to finish another book! My deadline is less than a month away and the date is circled in bright red ink on the calendar in my brain. It's funny how myopic I get when I'm working on something. Here's a hint of what it looks like in my head:

writewritewriteCOFFEEwritewritewritewriteIHAVENOIDEAWHATI'MDOING

writewritewriteOHWAITIFIGUREDITOUTwritewritewritePANICwritewrite

writeOOHSHINYTHING!writewritewriteMORECOFFEEwritewritewrite

You can see why I'm a little manic right now. I wish I was one of those writers who could come up with an awesome outline and then sit down for three hours every day and calmly work their way through their amazing new book. I am so not that writer that it's ridiculous. Oh well, it's what makes the world turn.

Also, maybe you've already seen this, but the paperback version of "Audrey, Wait!" is about to be released next week! Can you believe it's been a year since my little book was published? Crazycakes. Anyway, here's the paperback cover, which should be gracing your bookshelves pretty soon.

I have to tell you, I really really love it. Audrey (who is actually a very nice model girl from New York) looks amazing and--pop-up trivia time--she's wearing my editor's skirt. Yeah, I don't know how that happened, but apparently it did. Oh, publishing, never change.

Forgive me if my posting is sporadic for the next few weeks, I'm doing my best to corral a bunch of imaginary people and tell their stories. In the meantime, if you'd like to be Twitter friends with me, I would love it! I tend to Twitter mostly about espresso and music and all my embarrassing life events, so, you know, you've been warned.

Okay, I'm going back to my big Word document o' doom, but before I do, here are some songs for you. One for morning and one for evening. (Did you really think I wasn't going to give you some music? Please. You know me better than that.)

Arcade Fire, "Wake Up" (from the "Where the Wild Things Are" trailer)

"Children wake up, hold your mistake up / Before they turn the summer into dust..."

Iron & Wine, "Lion's Mane"

"Love is a tired symphony you hum when you're awake..."

Have a lovely, lovely day.

The bang & the clatter as an angel hits the ground...

First post of 2009 and it feels...well, just like any old post from 2008, to be honest.  The only difference is that I'm sick today and hopped up on NyQuil, which means that I could fall asleep on my keyboard at any moment. If this blog entry becomes a keymash of letters and numbers, you'll know the meds have kicked in. I guess I should get to the point here.

So last October, my friend Sasha Watson had her book come out, and I have been completely remiss in mentioning it! It's called "Vidalia in Paris" and it's awesome, just like Sasha herself. Vidalia is an art student who goes to study in Paris for the summer, and she meets a mysterious art dealer named Marco. I can't say anymore because it'll ruin the plot, but definitely check it out.

I've also done a few interviews over the past several months. Little Willow asked me questions at her book blog, which I happily answered. If you love YA, or you want to learn more about it, check out her site. It's a veritable YA smorgasboard and features dozens of fantastic authors.

Also, over at Hipster Book Club, they asked me for my 5 favorites of 2008. Let me tell you something: it's STRESSFUL coming up with 5 favorites of anything! In fact, I was going to put together a list of my top 5 "Top 5" lists, but then I saw that Jay Asher did that last year. In the wise words of Homer Simpson, "D'oh!"

And I'm off to crawl back into bed. One of the few good things about being ill is that I have a lot of time to lie in bed and read and organize my music. In fact, I spent most of yesterday digitizing my mix tapes from high school. (Yeah, it's a 24/7 party around here.) Here's a song that my friend Anna-Lynne gave me while in junior year. The gift that keeps on giving.

U2, "Stay (Faraway, So Close!)" (live in Dublin 1993)

"A vampire or a victim / It depends on who's around..."

No distance that can hold us back...

Hooooly Toledo, where does the time go?

It's the last day of 2008, peeps! Normally, I'm not a big "Yay, New Year's Eve!" person. I like some champagne, a noisemaker, and then my comfy bed, but since this year has been so ridiculously stellar, I figured I would make a top 10 list of my favorite things. Brace yourselves for some opinions.

THE 10 BEST THINGS IN MY 2008

FAVORITE YOUTUBE VIDEO

"Where the Hell is Matt?"

It's probably sort of cheesy, but I freaking LOVE this video. I watch it whenever I'm stressed or depressed or angry at the fact that my kitchen has no hot running water (a problem since resolved, but that was not a fun 3 months). Anyway, yes. This video. Good times.

FAVORITE IM CONVERSATION

Johanna's and my discussion about Prince & his mother.

Easily, hands down, the best. A close second was the one where Johanna went off on Gwyneth Paltrow for reasons that I still don't understand, but I'm saving that one for 2009. It's a doozy.

FAVORITE WEBSITE

The Sartorialist

Basically, it's a website run by a photographer, who takes pictures of people who look cool. I don't mean like manufactured cool. I mean the people who wear turquoise sweaters with orange scarves just to ride the F train into Manhattan, and they manage to look so awesome that it makes me want to go shopping. The best thing about this website, though, is that it makes me braver in how I dress. At least on the inside.

FAVORITE CONCERT

Sigur Rós at the Greek Theater, Hollywood

I saw a LOT of concerts and some of them were freaking amazing (Trent Reznor, I'm looking in your direction), but the Icelanders win the award this year. I've always been a fan, but as soon as they fired off the confetti cannons during "Gobbledigook" and made the whole audience clap along, I was officially a fanatic.

FAVORITE SONG

"Carolina Drama", The Raconteurs

I saw the Raconteurs at the Greek the week before Sigur Rós, and while they didn't play this song, it was still amazing. But this song. This song makes me want to track down Jack White and ask him, "How do you DO it?" Jack also gets bonus points because, during a show in Kansas City, he interrupted "Carolina Drama" to pull a fainting girl out of the audience. You see what this song can do to people?

FAVORITE ALBUM

Kings of Leon, "Only By the Night"

You can imagine what I went through trying to pick just one. I gnashed my teeth, pulled my hair, drank a lot of espresso, and finally came up with "Only By the Night". I've been a fan of the band ever since an ill-fated business trip to Phoenix (please, don't ask), and this album confirmed everything that I loved about their music. Best songs: "Sex on Fire", "Notion", and my second place choice for song of the year, "Use Somebody". Plus, check out some of band member Jared Followill's albums of the year in the NY Times. (This kid should write more music reviews.)

FAVORITE BOOK

"Crossing California", Adam Langer

Okay, so this wasn't released in 2008, but I read it in 2008, so that's why it counts. I was in a bookstore in Palm Desert, desperate for something addictive to read, so I texted my bookwormy friend Maret for suggestions. 3 seconds later, she texted me this title, thusly winning the prize for best recommendation of the year. The way the plots intertwine are amazing and I wish I could do what Adam Langer does, and Michelle Wasserstrom is one of those characters that you want to be your friend, if you weren't so afraid that she would kick your ass and make you look stupid. I heart both her and this book. 

FAVORITE TV SHOW

"30 Rock" & "Never Mind the Buzzcocks"

Why I love "30 Rock" in five words: "Graduate students are the worst."

As for "NMTB", UKers, you know what I'm talking about, but for those of you who haven't seen it, pop over to YouTube immediately. I lost a whole day to watching this show online, and I don't know how to explain it other than it made me laugh so hard that I cried. I realize, of course, that humor doesn't always translate, but if you're up for it, check out two of the best episodes here and here.

FAVORITE MOVIE MOMENT

Tunde Adebimpe, "Unknown Legend" (Neil Young cover)

I didn't expect to cry as much as I did in "Rachel Getting Married", but my two friends and I were all messes by the time it was over. I wouldn't say it's my favorite movie, but it has one of my favorite scenes of the year: the groom (played by Tunde Adebimpe, who's also in the band TV on the Radio) forgoes traditional vows and instead sings Neil Young's "Unknown Legend" to his bride. Please hand me a tissue.

FAVORITE PERSON OF THE YEAR

You. Hands down, you. If you read this website at all, if you read "Audrey, Wait!", if you loaned "Audrey" or borrowed it from a friend, then you are my favorite person. Thank you a million times over to everyone that supported me this year, especially those of you who sent me emails, who showed up to events just to say hello, who asked me how I became a writer or for writing advice. Your notes, comments, Facebook & Twitter hellos, and online and in-person friendships have meant the world to me, and there's no list that can ever show you my gratitude. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year's Eve and Happy New Year!

Best,

Robin

All night long, I dream of the day

Oh joy, it's one of my favorite days.

VOTING DAY!

I just got back from waiting in line for an hour. An hour! In Santa Monica! The last time I waited in an actual line to vote was when Schwarzenegger ran for governor, which pretty much tells you everything you need to know about voting in LA County. And I love my polling place because they had doughnuts and coffee from Peet's! PEEEEEETS I love you.

I'm also glad I got voting out of the way early because I have many errands to run. Like, say, going to the Apple store to buy a new iPhone because last night, I accidentally dropped mine in the toilet at Whole Foods. Please. Just. Do. Not. Ask.

Anyhoo. Not sure where to vote today? Don't worry, Google's here to help you out. 

And after you vote, exercise your other right as an American citizen, which is basically to get as much free stuff as you can. Ben & Jerry's has free scoops from 5-8, Krispy Kreme is giving away star-shaped doughnuts (like I care about the shape of my doughnut, just give me the doughnut), and Starbucks has free tall coffees for ALL customers who request it. Didn't vote? You still get your coffee, you lucky bastard.

I'm hosting a little shindig tonight at my place to watch the polling results, which is nice because no matter how this election turns out, at least there will be champagne. And music, of course, always music.

Happy voting day!

Foo Fighters, "All My Life"

"Done, done, onto the next one!"

It's getting hard to be someone, but it all works out...

So. Did you all enjoy your September? Did you miss me? I hope so, because I missed you!

What have I been doing, anyway, rather than blogging for you lovely peeps? Well, Twittering of course, only because I have a sick love for mundane details, especially when they're my mundane details. I flirted with & then committed to being a vegetarian, which means I've been spending a lot of time staring at tofu and thinking, "What the hell am I supposed to do with this?" (Please send recipes, fellow vegetarians!) I went to a wedding in Wyoming, too, and proved I was a tourist by getting really excited about a deer sighting. (Apparently deers are the squirrels of Wyoming.)

Oh yeah. I've also been writing a new book.

It's funny to say it like that, only because to say I'm writing implies that I'm, y'know, writing, rather than procrastinating on writing. My awesome friend Dallas once asked me about my creative process and I listed it out in five easy steps:

1) Get a venti light espresso frappuccino at Starbucks.

2) Search for [insert current favorite band]'s concert clips on YouTube in the name of "research".

3) Realize that you're late for your manicure appointment.

4) Hate yourself for avoiding writing & doing steps 1-3 instead.

5) Grudgingly open Word document and force yourself to write 1000 words so you're not filled with self-loathing for the rest of the day. 

I'm joking (sort of)! The truth is that when I'm writing, I also have a lot of time to think, which led to some interesting thoughts after my brother & I discussed the question, "Can a song really change your life?"

I say yes. YES YES YES! My answer probably isn't a surprise for anyone who's talked to me/read my blog/seen me dancing while driving, but my brother wasn't convinced. He said that books have changed his life, but never a song. (My brother: giving me monthly heart attacks since 1980).

Of course my brain started spinning and I wondered, why do these things change our lives? Why can a melody comfort you during your worst times, or why can two paragraphs in a book make you quit your job and start an entirely different one? Maybe it was too much caffeine, or perhaps I'm just an overly weepy & sentimental person, but it made me think about the Red String of Fate, the idea that soulmates are tied together by a red string that leads them to one another.

Now that's all lovely and amazing and yay for soulmates, but what if there are other strings that tie us to music and art and words? What if every time we hear that song, or read that chapter, or see that film scene, it's like another string that ties us to the things we love? And the more books we read and music we hear, we keep connecting to a greater world, weaving a tapestry with the people around us?

I wasn't a philosophy major or anything, but I have to say, I kind of like my theory. (And yes, I'm totally & completely sober, so don't even ask. And no, my parents weren't hippies.)

So in honor of my idea, here are some things that are making me feel better about our crazy world. In a day where my panic level is directly related to the font size on CNN.com, it's nice to have something else to watch. I'm not saying we shouldn't pay attention to current events, but if we're going to make room for all the bad stuff, we should probably put some good things on the pile, as well.

I've watched the Sigur Ros DVD "Heima" about 7 or 8 times this past week alone and it somehow manages to be both soothing and massively inspiring, which is just what I need. I know Sigur Ros isn't everyone's cup of tea, but give it a try.

Sigur Ros, "Von" (live from the "Heima" DVD)

Sigur Ros, "Vaka (aka "Untitled #1)" (live from "Heima" DVD)

(If you must know, this was the life-changing song for me.)

And now I'm curious: what are the things that changed your life? Leave it in the comments--you know I love reading them!

Off to wrestle with some tofu...

But gravity always wins...

Okay, I caved. I caved like a sandcastle at high tide.

I'm Twittering now.

So if you have any interest in the minute details of my life, or if you just enjoy supporting my e-narcissistic tendencies, feel free to follow me! Highlights so far include singing Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" in the desert at 1am with my brother and trying to watch Obama's speech in a roomful of Republicans. See? Fun times all around. Don't miss out.

Oh. Speaking of politics, I just want to say something: this will be a politics-free blog through November. If you want to know my personal opinions, ask away, but this is not a forum for me to tell you how to vote. I firmly believe that all eligible citizens should vote, and that when (not if) you vote for your candidate, you educate yourself on his/her beliefs, voting record, and previous political actions. If you can't vote yet, get involved in your community, listen to what people say, and pay attention.

Getting down off this soapbox now. Heights make me dizzy, after all.

Anyway, just in case you've been wringing your hands in anticipation, I'm here to tell you that the Radiohead concert was amazing! In fact, it can be summed up in 5 simple words: FAKE PLASTIC TREES. KARMA POLICE. Hearing 20,000 people singing "This is what you get when you mess with us!" was extraordinary. And of course, an extra-special thanks to the girl 10 rows behind us, who kept it rock & roll by projectile vomiting about halfway through the show. (My friend and I were like, "Why is everyone suddenly putting on their hoodies?") Radiohead. It's not for the timid.

And finally on this Friday before the holiday weekend, someone recently asked me what books I've been reading lately. I said, "These ones." The whole website is fascinating, like raiding a bunch of bookshelves. I suddenly have 20 new titles to read. Story of my life. (Author humor!)

Enjoy your 3-day weekend, kittens!