Friday Feast #1

Blogging while on deadline is a head-banger. Either you don't write like you should, or you don't blog like you should. Since I write for a living, blogging instead of writing just isn't an option, but I'm always a little embarrassed when I skip past my blog (yet again) and see how long it's been since I posted something. Since I have a September 1 deadline (yes, folks, that's tomorrow!) a November 1 deadline (gulp!) and an April 1 deadline, along with a whole slew of presidential responsibilities for RWA that will be hitting at the same time, I've decided to slip in the occasional meme to help out! So here's my newest one -- Friday Feast! Appetizer Who is the easiest person for you to talk to? The easiest person in the world? I'd have to say there are two -- my daughters. They know who I am, and I know who they are and, more importantly, we all accept the truth about one another. From the time they were little, the one thing I wanted most was to create an atmosphere where they felt emotionally safe in our home. Home, I always thought, should be a person's safe place to fall. It should be the place where, when you go there, you're okay exactly the way you are. I have to say that whether I succeeded completely in my quest or not, my daughters are my best friends in the world. Soup If you could live in any ancient city during the height of the quality of its society and culture, which one would you choose?

Ancient cities? Wow. I never think about ancient cities. Babylon, maybe? Or Rome. But don't ask me why.

Salad What is the most exciting event you’ve ever witnessed?

The births of my daughters and my granddaughter. Okay, so I wasn't actually in the room the moment my incredible little granddaughter entered the world at 27 weeks gestation, but I was there right up until that moment. Right up there with those events was the moment when, after having sung to, talked to, and read stories to that grandbaby through the walls of an incubator, I held her for the first time and when I spoke, she opened her eyes and looked up at me -- and I could see that she recognized me. That one can still make me tear up.

Main Course If you were a celebrity, what would you do for a publicity stunt?

Probably nothing. I'm old enough to know that all that stupid stuff usually comes back around to bite you. I'm into living my life honestly.

Dessert What do you consider the ideal age to have a first child?

24. No, 23. No, wait, 25. Somewhere between 20 and 40, I guess. It depends on the person, their partner, their body.