9 Things That Made 2009 Awesome

As 2009 draws to a close, I'm feeling a little nostalgic...after all, it was the year I published my first novel!

So, in honor of today...December 31st, 2009, on the cusp of a new decade that will bring who knows what, I give you, 9 Things That Made 2009 Awesome.

1. January 20, 2009 - History is made. And this happens.

2. March 1, 2009 - THE SEASON is released into the world. PW references its "clever conversation in the spirit of Jane Austen." I fall off my chair.

3. This rug from CB2 - Yes. It looks like grass. Yes. We have a dog. Never say we are not risk-takers.

4. I finish my second book - Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake clocks in at nearly twice the length of The Season. My editor does not break up with me when she reads it. Sue Grimshaw at Borders True Romance compares it to Eloisa James. I fall off my chair.

5. The 2009 Debutantes - a few scores of writers all launching their writing careers in 2009. We keep each other sane. And honest. And we survive our debut year with relatively few scars.

6. The Jane Austen Society of North America, Connecticut Chapter Annual Tea - The ladies of JASNA/CT invited me to spend a day with them in early December to celebrate Jane. They ply with me with tea and cakes. I have a splendid time.

7. Cate Blanchett as Blanche Dubois - A Streetcar Named Desire at the Brooklyn Academy of Music blows my mind. I realize that a female director can make a play I've read 30 times seem like something I've never heard of.

8. RWA 2009 - I get to hang out with Diana Peterfreund, Anne Mallory, Sabrina Darby and Julianne MacLean. I sit next to Stephanie Laurens at an event. Manage, barely, not to fall off my chair.

9. Sherlock Holmes - Robert Downey Jr. + Guy Ritchie + Victorian London = Epic Win.

So...farewell '09.  Here's to you.  May 2010 be even awesomer.

Happy New Year, y'all.

Merry Merry Muppets

If this doesn't make you smile, you aren't human.

Merry merry, y'all.

9 Rules to Live By - Jane Austen Style

234 years ago, today...Jane Austen was born. It's no secret that my world would be vastly different were it not for Aunt Jane...and so, in honor of her birthday, I give you, 9 Rules to Live By...Jane Austen-Style:

1. A watch is always too fast or too slow. I cannot be dictated to by a watch. - Mansfield Park

2. Give a girl an education and introduce her properly into the world, and ten to one but she has the means of settling well, without further expense to anybody. - Mansfield Park

3. One does not love a place the less for having suffered in it, unless it has been all suffering, nothing but suffering. - Persuasion

4. Selfishness must always be forgiven...because there is no hope of a cure. - Mansfield Park

5. Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. - Pride & Prejudice

6. Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love. - Northanger Abbey

7. Encouragement should be given. - Emma

8. It is such a happiness when good people get together--and they always do. - Emma

9. Know your own happiness. - Sense & Sensibility

Happy birthday, Jane.

30 Rock Gives Me A Christmas Present

Sammy Bojar on Inside the Characters Studio

Here's the thing about being a member of the 2009 Debutantes. There aren't many men on the scene over there (probably because they don't care to be referred to as "debutantes") but those who are, aside from being incredibly secure in their sexuality, are also super DUPER cool. SO...I'm very very happy to host Sammy Bohar, the star of the ineffable Jon Skovron's Struts & Frets, on Inside the Characters Studio!

More than anything, Sammy wants to play guitar in a famous indie rock band. The problem is that his front man is a jerk who can't sing, his bassist is a burn-out who can't remember the songs, and his drummer is just out to lunch. But Sammy needs this band because it's the only good thing he's got going. His father skipped out before he was born, his mother is an overworked therapist with a drinking problem, his grandfather is slowly losing his mind to Alzheimer's, and the girl of his dreams is dating his jerk lead singer.

Now that jerk lead singer has entered them in a Battle of the Bands contest to win free studio time and guaranteed radio play. Sammy has two weeks to get them to sound like a real band, or face public humiliation in front of the entire local indie music scene.

Welcome, Sammy!

What is your favorite word?
Music. it's what I love.

What is your least favorite word?
Hobby. It's what you call music if you aren't good enough to be a real musician.

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
When other people express passion for something.

What turns you off?
Posers

What is your favorite curse word?
Fuck. Can I say that? I don't want you to get in trouble or anything...go ahead and put something else in if you have to.

What sound or noise do you love?
My guitar

What sound or noise do you hate?
The sound of Eddie Vedder's voice. Talk about a mega poser.

What profession would you like to attempt?
Rock star.

What profession would you not like to do?
Anything that has to do with math.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

Do you know what would be really awesome? If he said something like, "Dude, I have all your albums! You rock!" How cool would that be?

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Check out other interviews from Inside the Characters' Studio here.