There are some new books out there that I'm excited to read. Some have come out recently, some are coming out later. But it doesn't hurt to keep your eyes open for them right? Here's a list of some of the books I either have my nose currently buried in or will be turning my phone off to savor:

I managed it. It was very hard, but I managed it. I cheated (a LOT) but I did it. I managed to only finish one book this week and that was only when I had absolutely no other option but to read or go insane.

My friend Nikki and I are doing The Artist's Way to help recover our sense of creativity. She just finished the week of no reading. I'm supposed to do that week starting now. I'm going to say it right now and deal with the consequences immediately: I will not be participating in the no reading part of this whole deal.

Tomorrow is the official beginning of my sabbatical. Honestly, I'm not sure that I want to take my sabbatical now, but it couldn't come at a better time. Coco just had her puppies and I won't feel pressured to write while I'm being a dog grandma. I also have a novel coming out in November and I can spend this time getting ready for that so it's done before Nano starts. Sabbatical would be great.

So why am I taking sabbatical when I'm not sure I want to?

It's all about mental health. I've not really had a break of longer than a week in over a year. That's a lot of writing. If my computer hadn't been fried a few months ago, I would have more to show for it, but that's beside the point. I've been pushing myself and my creativity to the breaking point and I need to get away for a little while to get some perspective on my life.

Here's the plan for my sabbatical:
-Get Forbidden ready for publication. Yes, this does constitute working. However, the edits won't take much longer to finish and then it's all about the cover.
-Take care of Coco and my new grandpuppies.
-Read something other than vampire novels. (Breaking Dawn notwithstanding because I'm almost done with it)
-Finish my plot mapping and character mapping for Nano
-Go out with my husband to see some movies, drink coffee at Fireworks, and add to my winter wardrobe.

I think I can get that done in about two weeks. Then it's back to work on the complete rewrite of Legacy. Argh.

When I found myself falling into the career that I now love more than anything else I've ever done, I didn't realize how much stuff I'd be dragging along with me. That was before the laptop came along.

Now I carry around a messenger bag with the laptop, my external hard drive, two large notebooks, one mini notebook, a novel, four blue pens, two red sharpies, my tiny mouse, the ever present set of pink earphones, my power cord, and my wallet. It's like carrying around a diaper bag without any kids. You just can't be too prepared.

Granted, the novel changes from day to day (yes that's correct. I can finish an 800 page novel in about two days if I'm determined. But I love to savor) and some days I don't even bring it with me. Today I don't have the novel with me because I'm at Fireworks. It's an official work day, no time for pleasure reading until later.

Yesterday, the novel was my favorite, Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon. No matter how many times I read that book, I find something new every single time. A few days ago it was Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris because I have a thing for Eric Northman. If he actually existed, I might have problems. Next month, I'll be carrying the Twilight series around again in preparation for the New Moon movie in November.

Don't forget to bring what you need with you. That's all the time if you can help it. Inspiration is a funny thing and you might find yourself sitting alone in the food court of the mall and suddenly a scene for your own novel strikes you. I carry my mini notebook around and collect funny quotes I hear or read (where did you think the quote of the week came from?). It is also a scientific fact that you'll need a pen the one time you don't have one. It happens to me all the time.

Now do I truck the laptop out with me everywhere? No. That's not reality. But I take it most places with me. You just never know.

So, what's in your bag?