I'm a Rockin' Girl Blogger!

Cindy Swanson over at Notes in the Key of Life has named me as a Rockin' Girl Blogger. Let me say, I am touched. Seriously. I was tagged as a "thinking blogger" the other day and I meant to mention it, but I think I was in the middle of a BOM or something, so I never got around to it. (Shows you how well I think!)

As part of this award, I'm supposed to nominate five other rockin' girl bloggers, and I will. In a minute.

First, I want to talk a moment about my WIP, tentatively titled THE FACE. Have I mentioned lately that I REALLY dislike writing first drafts? They are like pushing out a baby that doesn't want to be born, and trust me, once it's out and on the table, it's a mess. Things definitely get better once the first draft is done, but it's no fun when you're in labor. And it does NOT get easier.

What is this book about? The easiest way for me to explain is to lead you back to the source of the idea. Visit this web site-- then come back here and I'll continue.

Did you visit? Okay--I saw a special on this little girl on the Discovery channel, and that's when the idea began to germinate. My book isn't about that particular little girl, but let's say another child was born with that same condition about 20 years ago. Let's say her parents worked for the CIA. Let's say her parents died right after her birth. Let's say her grief-stricken grandmother didn't/couldn't handle the thought of coping with such a tragedy, so the little girl remained in the secret CIA hospital where she was first cared for. Let's say she grew up there, and only had whatever surgeries were necessary for her to breathe, eat, and talk.

Let's say she's 21 years old, and still doesn't have a real face . . . and her aunt, who has always thought she died at birth, discovers that she's still alive.

And there you have the beginning of this book. It's set within the CIA (thanks to my Alias fixation, though I am taking the time to get the CIA right) and involves spying, the legal and illegal production of opium, and, of course, two women who will learn a lot from each other. It's another parable story, where the real meaning lies beneath the surface.

Believe it or not, it's been helpful for me to lay all that out. :-)

And now, for my five rockin' girl blogger nominees (and this is certainly not an exhaustive list because I know so many):

Julianna's Mom. Tami and her husband have to be two of the most courageous people I've ever heard of. I think--I know--God had a special reason for sending this child to them.

Links to all these gals are on the right. Read 'em and you'll know why I love 'em!
Roxy Henke
BJ Hoff
Lisa Samson
Robin Lee Hatcher
Brandilyn "the Babe" Collins and
Charlene Baumbich (Traveling Laughs)

Well, that's seven, but I'm feeling generous. And of course, kudos to Cindy Swanson, who never fails to have something intriguing on her blog. Thanks, Cindy, for putting me on your list!

~~Angie