It’s true. There are many things I love in life–my dogs, that first Diet Dr. Pepper of the day, brand new socks–and one of those is the writing world. Reading other writers’ blogs and buildings friendships, going to writing events and listening to published authors, attending the residency at my school and all of the writerly fun that goes with it. Writing is a solitary thing, but we still manage to find ways to connect!
But first! Because I’m a little cracked out on DDP right now, this is what I woke up to!
A veritable winter wonderland. In October.
And I love it! The first real snow of the season (we got a dusting a few weeks ago, but it was melted by midday).
Mr. Atkins went into work a few hours late (to avoid the rush hour mess that accompanies all snow fall, even though we live in Denver and you’d think the residents of this city would know how to drive in snow!), the pups played all morning in the snow (and are now curled happily at my feet), and I’ve cocooned myself in sweats. Happy day.
But shortly after taking the above picture, this happened:
Silly, heavy snow. Actually, it did us a favor because I think that limb was going to get the axe (well, the chainsaw) in a few weeks when we trim the tree.
Anyhow! Back to writers. I love the writing community more than snow, believeitornot.
A couple things recently that have made me ruminate over writing friendships and their awesomeness:
1) The Tattered Cover, Denver’s beloved indie book store, held two YA author events a few weeks ago. The first was with Laini Taylor. I found out about that day. Unfortunately, Mr. Atkins and I already had plans. Fortunately, they were in the same area as the TC. And fortunately again, we finished up a little early, around 8:30 (the event started at 7). We raced over to the store, and got there just in time to buy two copies of Laini’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone and stop her on her way out. Laini was super nice and signed both books for me, even though the event was technically over.
The second event was a YA tour with authors Amy Garvey, Jocelyn Davies, Claudia Gray, and Kiersten White. I knew about this one in advance and emailed Kiersten asking how many books I could have her sign. They all took a moment to discuss their newest books, then there was a very funny Q&A sessions (seriously, every one of those ladies is hilarious) and then a signing. I’d already bought Kiersten’s Paranormalcy and Supernaturally, but now I wanted ALL of their books. But couldn’t afford all of theirs, so I bought Jocelyn’s A Beautiful Dark to support her as a debut author (and I’m so stoked to read it AND it’s set in Colorado, what!). I chatted with Jocelyn and Amy about zombies, and then with Kiersten and Amy about ghost stories. Funny story, I was towards the back of the line, so I kinda zoned out, staring at the book titles around me (the event was in the historical section of the store). Jocelyn was the first author at the table, and she asked me how I was. I’d been thinking how I would tell her good luck, and because I was still kinda in the zone, when she asked how I was, I replied, in a loud, awkward voice, “Good luck.” Dur! I like books! I think they’re fun! I felt like the inbred cousin from down the street, but she laughed with me.
Which just shows that writers are the nicest people.
Look! Signed title pages!
Oh man, I love me some signed books. I’ve started a shelf of all of my signed books. I’d take a picture of it, but it’s currently located under the dogs’ leashes. I’m going to move it to the piano in a few weeks.
I love meeting with writers in person, both those I already know and those I don’t. But I also love this online community of writers. That’s why I started this blog. I knew there were delightful people out there that I could connect with, and I was right! Which leads me to the other thing that happened that prompted this blog post:
2) A blog award! Yippy!
This one’s from Colin Smith, whose recent post on adventures in Victorian-era research couldn’t help but make me chuckle. The rules of this are simple: pass it on! To 15 people! Wowsers, that’s a lot. Luckily, y’all are a delightful bunch. :)
- Heidi at …then she writes
- Julie at :: :: rosewood pencil box :: ::
- Kristin at Aspiring: Notes From an Unqualified Amateur
- Christine Murray
- J at Concrete Pieces of Soul
- Crystal Schubert
- Kirsten Lopresti
- Kitty-nonymous
- Alison at Left Brained by Day; Write Brained – All the Time
- Cole at Miss Cole Seeks Publisher
- Stephanie at My Personal Fairytale
- S. L. at Pensuasion
- Alicia at Slice of the Blog Pie
- Leigh Ann at The Naptime Novelist
- Ladonna at the writer in me
- Tracey at Words On Paper
- Chessie at Zap’s Lobster Tank
Kristina Atkins 
I’m glad you enjoyed the Victorian research experiment. And you are more than welcome for the award. Oops, gotta run… I hear the Award Police coming. It seems someone posted too many links… ;)
Oh no! *Hides*
Snow! See, snow is unique for me. It’s 70 degrees here, which is nearing southern California’s definition of “cold”. And I love writing events, too! Even most of my Comic-Con adventures have turned into writing panels and author events, and it’s wonderful. I do still buy print books that I plan to get signed, but most of my purchasing is on my Kindle these days, and it makes me a bit sad sometimes that I can’t get those signed if impromptu events come up. Someday there will be a way!
I’ve been debating putting all my signed books on one shelf, too, because I have quite a few of them now, but some of them are parts of series and it feels weird for me to separate them…
Aww, shucks! A blog award! *hearts all around*
I grew up on the South Carolina coast, so snow was a rare thing for me too. But I love living with it! I think people who grow up without snow either hate it or love it, no in-between. That’s been my experience at least.
That would be strange to break up a series. I didn’t think about that with Kiersten White’s books (I got the first two in her trilogy signed–the third comes out next year.) Hmmm, that’s a conundrum…
I guess one solution would be to move the entire series to the signed shelf, even if every volume isn’t signed. I don’t know; I’m particular about books. Probably why I’m becoming a librarian. I even split my bookshelves between mass market paperbacks and hardcovers/trade paperbacks. I have the first four books of A Song of Ice and Fire in mass market format, then got the fifth in hardcover, and it was quite a ~dilemma~ to decide whether to split the series or just shelve my hardcover on the mass paperback shelf.
Oh man, you’d hate my shelves then. They’re organized by color! >_<
That’s pretty, at least!
That’s what I was going for. And, strangely, I know what color most of my books are. And the rest, I have a pretty good idea. So it usually doesn’t take me long to find the book I’m looking for.
Get. Out. A blog award?! Thank you! It’s funny – I’m still pretty new to this whole blogging thing and I am enjoying it more than I ever thought possible. It is amazing to discover all these incredible writers who I can actually relate to! Every once in a while, I say to myself “Oh, right, there was that novel I was working on that led me to this whole blogging thing in the first place. I’ll just spend a couple more hours cruising blogs, then it’s right back to work!” :)
I totally know what you mean! Lately, I’ve been trying to really cut back on my blogging time, and give back to my writing time. Blogging is just so much fun!
You’re welcome!
I miss the snow, so I do appreciate the picture. My first Christmas in California I cried. It was about 75 F. That isn’t normal where I come from. Thanks for sharing.
I love the snow. Love love love it.
You’re welcome!
Yes, Kristina, Good Luck and Take It With You!!
Thanks! I will take the luck that I have and care for it.
1. Jealous of all the pretty signatures in the books.
2. Not jealous of the snow.
3. Is that a shout-out to Scrubs in the upper right hand corner? Because if it is, we just might be best friends.
4. Just found your blog – new follower! Can’t wait to see what is in store.
Oooo, thanks for visiting and commenting! >:D
As far as the Scrubs reference, I believe you’re talking about the two thumbs bit? That was actually a nod to The Office, but I do enjoy Scrubs too! So, can we still be best friends??
Thank you so much! :D What a lovely treat to come home to!
SNOW! SO PRETTY!
You’re so welcome! I owed you, after all. :)
Aw, aren’t you super-sweet? Thanks for the award :) And I say that if your husband tries to hold your pie up to his mom’s pies, then you are legally bound to thrust the pie into his face. It’s the law of husbands and pies.
I’m going to dub that the Schubert Pie-Husband Law. ^_^
You’re welcome!
Too awesome. That needs to go on the books. I’m writing to my congressman.
I “like” this!
(Not as fun as the thumbs up in Facebook, but oh well.)
Ah! Thank you! :D Fifteen?! Oh dang, this might take me a while… but it’s for a good cause!
‘Tis indeed! I was intimidated by the amount at first, too, but as you can see I easily found that many. :)
*jaw drops* Alllll that snow!
Alllll those beautiful signatures!
I am totally jealous, on, like, seventeen counts.
ALSO! I am so totally HONORED! *blush* thank you thank you for the award! (HUGS)
I’m so jealous of all those signed books! Especially Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Sigh.
Thanks for the award, Kris! And *good luck* with all that snow. :)
Well, I maaaaay or may not have something extra special for my giveaway when I reach 1500. That’s all I’m saying for now!
And thanks! It (the snow) is almost gone already.
Thanks for the blog award! I have a shelf full of signed books, too.
I would like to say two things. First of all, I’m so honored to receive this award!! And second, I am SOOO sorry it took me so long to comment on this. I was looking back through old comments on my blog, and totally missed your on giving me this amazing blog award! Someone else gave me one in the same post (like two comments above yours) and I guess I read them as the same or something. Man do I suck. I am writing a post about blog awards TODAY and will be sure to NOT overlook this one. Again, THANK YOU!
You don’t suck! I would’ve done the same thing. Plus, it’s, like, the Fall. And life is, like, crazy, and all that, like, you know? :)
You’re very welcome!