Get ready

Things are about to get busy, don't you just love that?

Seems like time for an update.

First and foremost, I've turned a year older.  I'm officially...38 now.  Although I keep forgetting the actual number, it's definitely felt like a full, interesting, long year since I last said that.  I had no idea that this is what 38 would look like.  This year, I asked to spend my birthday in Joshua Tree, so that's exactly what we, that is, my girlfriend Heather Gold** and I, did.

This is me...

this is one of many stunning views of Joshua Tree, at sunset.

Second, edits I'm still plugging away on edits to the next YA novel, which is finally starting to feel more like a novel and less like some sort of editorial vortex.  Editing novels is such a unique experience.  Really I'm much better at rewriting than I am at editing.  This time around, though, I found all these amazing new pieces to my characters and it was kind of lovely.  As a side project, I made a little character inspired needlepoint to go with.

So here it is.

Upcoming I've got a few shows and stops in various spots so please stay tuned.  First stop, next week, I'll be in Kelowna BC.

I'm especially psyched for this one because a) who doesn't love some BC action and b) I'll get to see the incredibly talented author/performer Michael V. Smith, as well as Ivan Coyote and Rae Spoon's show Gender Failure, which I somehow have not seen yet.  I'm a huge fan of both performers and I know it will be a great show.  I will be bringing snacks.

See you there.

xo

mariko

**To read more about some of Heather and my's magical dates, you can go to her website or stay tuned for our Magic Date Day website.