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4 Jan 10

Happy New Year! MurderSheWrites is back with new blogs and some new faces! Stay tuned to meet our new MSW gals!

I got a bit worn down at the end of last year, but I took some time over Christmas to rest up. My husband and I cooked, went to the movies, did some shopping, just spent time together.

The best movie we saw (in my opinion) was IT’S COMPLICATED. I laughed so hard, I doubled over as tears rolled down my face. Although I’ve never been divorced, I could relate to that movie! But as a writer, I also loved the way the plot kept moving, the characters were well defined, the humor was organic not forced, and so was the emotion.

While there was a great ensemble cast, the story belonged to Meryl Streep’s character. The story stayed focused.

I expected good things from the movie, but it still surprised me. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend you do.

Now for a few other things that surprised me 2009:

–JR Ward’s book LOVER AVENGED. Because I have a short attention span, I thought I had moved on from this series. But that book hooked me and I’m not sure why. It was a good surprise.

–I fell in absolute love with a small dog, Bailey. He’s not mine, but my son’s dog. I’ve always been a big dog person, but this little guy stole my heart.

–Losing the brilliant, fiery, outspoken, with-a-heart-as-big-as-Texas editor Kate Duffy. I still find it hard to believe a woman with her dynamic personality and character can be gone.

–Jaycee Dugard, the woman who was kidnapped and held captive for 18 years, then found and rescued. Once again, proof that the truth is often stranger than fiction, and proof that hope is real.

–That I actually said yes to giving a speech on world-building when I meant no. Then I had to do it. I enjoy chatting and hanging with writers. I love Ask An Author type things. But a structured workshop always end up taking an insane amount of preparation for me. It ended up being fun!

What about you all? What surprised you in 2009? I’m going to randomly draw two names from the comments to win a copy of my book SOUL MAGIC. I’ll announce the two winners over the weekend.

© 2010, Jennifer Lyon. All rights reserved.

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Award winning author, Jennifer Lyon, always wanted to be a witch. Since her witch-powers never materialized, she went onto Plan B and now she creates magic in her books. In her new series, the author of the acclaimed Samantha Shaw Mystery Series (written as Jennifer Apodaca) introduces the Witch Hunters, legendary men who must overcome a curse to team up with witches and fight evil.

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56 comments to “What Surprised You?”

1. 1	The fact that I actually started blogging surprised me in 2009. I’m one of those people who prefers to have some obscurity of identity, a safety net of sorts . . . I ended up working my way around it & am proud of the (ongoing) result. by INCiDeNT January 4th, 2010 at 6:47 am

   • 1.1	INCiDeNT, glad you are enjoying blogging! It’s really fun to connect with so many different people. by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 11:08 am

2. 2

   What a sad year, that I can’t think of any real surprises. I suppose I’m surprised to find hubby has started asking me for book recommendations now that he’s home all day (and I’m surprised that we’re adjusting amid all the house-on-the-market stress). And surprised about what he likes and doesn’t like in the books he’s reading. But me — I’m just plodding along, boring as ever. by Terry Odell January 4th, 2010 at 7:53 am

   • 2.1

     Terry, I never think of you as boring! Adjusting to your husband being home all day is big enough, but having the house on the market makes me shudder. I hope you get a really great offer soon! And I hope the sadness stays in 2009 and 2010 turns out to be full of wonderful surprises. by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 11:10 am

3. 3

   Thanks for the movie rec! I love anything with Meryl Streep. Although I haven’t seen Mama Mia. The idea of Meryl in a musical surprises me, but I guess it shouldn’t because she’s such an amazingly talented woman, there’s probably nothing she can’t do. One of my favorite dramas ever was Kramer v. Kramer. I’m not sure how old Meryl is now, but I love the way she keeps getting more and more fabulous with age and hasn’t made herself look like an alien with too much plasatic surgery. by Laura Griffin January 4th, 2010 at 8:41 am

   • 3.1

     Laura, she did look fabulous in the movie! Very real and engaging. I was watching a news show last night with a male host who really did like like an alien. I wanted to look away but it was horribly fascinating. But that’s a whole other blog! I love Meryl Streep too! She seems to enjoy her work and it shows. by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 11:13 am

4. 4	Hi Jennifer What surprised me in 2009 was my daughter growing two feet taller. Here’s to a magical 2010! RKCharron by RKCharron January 4th, 2010 at 9:45 am

   • 4.1	Hey RKCharron! Wow two feet!! That’s quite a growth spurt. I bet you were very surprised! by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 11:14 am

5. 5

   Lots of surprises last year! There were some unlovely ones that I’d just as soon forget, for sure. But there were also the many wonderful surprises that come along with being a first-time author, like the first time I got to hold the book in my hand, the first nice review, the first fan letter, the bottle of scotch my tour partner snuck into her suitcase – wait, maybe I better stop right there! Happy ’10, everyone! by Sophie Littlefield January 4th, 2010 at 9:53 am

   • 5.1	Sophie, don’t stop!!! LOLOL! The first time author is a priceless experience! You’re going to have many more wonderful experiences in your career. I’m happy to forget the unlovely moments too by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 11:17 am

6. 6

   I was surprised to see that my laptop addicted hubby also became addicted to his iPod Touch. Gotta love those gadgets. At Christmas this year I was also kind of surprised to realize that my kids had pretty much outgrown toys. Video games and gift cards were the favorites this year. Happy 2010 to everybody at MSW! by Janel January 4th, 2010 at 10:10 am

   • 6.1	Janel, LOL on your hubby! My husband resisted cell phones forever, then when he got one, he took to it (cliche warning here) like a duck to water. That’s one of the joys of kids–they will surprise you! by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 11:20 am

7. 7	I can’t wait to see that movie, Jen! In 2009 I surprised myself by recognizing and accepting certain realities about the business. AND!!!! (drum roll please) by smoking my LAST cigarette! by Debra Webb January 4th, 2010 at 10:57 am

   • 7.1	Deb, I so hear you on accepting certain realities of the business! I’m trying to do the same and save the emotional energy to invest in what I can actually control I think you’ll enjoy the movie! by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 11:19 am

   • 7.2	Deb, I am so proud of you! I stopped 15 years ago. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, yet I also had a much easier time than most as I could barely breathe anyway. Hang in there! by Silver James January 4th, 2010 at 11:29 am

   • 7.3	Deb, I missed the stop smoking part the first time! Like Silver, I’m proud of you too! I never smoked, but I watched many loved ones quit and it’s tough. But you can do this! by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 12:15 pm

     • 7.3.1

       Congrats on quitting. I quit in 2005 and it’s never easy. I still have friends who smoke and find myself occasionally wanting, but not very often. Congrats again. That is AWESOME! by Erika January 4th, 2010 at 12:50 pm

   • 7.4	Deb!! You rock. Stay fierce. I’m so proud of you! by S. J. Day January 4th, 2010 at 1:32 pm

     • 7.4.1

       Thanks, yall! My family may not survive though! by Debra Webb January 4th, 2010 at 4:19 pm

   • 7.5	Yay, Deb!!! by Karin Tabke January 4th, 2010 at 5:06 pm

8. 8

   Surprises? Going to RWA for the first time and discovering how truly awesome romance writers are in person (including more than a few of the MSW dames!) Getting a Kindle and loving it. Srsly loving it like WHOAH! Discovering a classical violinist by the name of Laurent Korcia and falling in love with his music (and him! He’s hot enough to be a romance hero!) I have Rocki St. Claire to thank for the intro via his Cinema CD. GET THIS CD! I’m also surprised at how much traveling I did last year, how much I’m going to do in 2010, and the fact that I actually enjoyed it. A lot! Welcome to the new MSW members. I’m looking forward to getting to know you. by Silver James January 4th, 2010 at 11:36 am

   • 8.1	Silver, I somehow missed you in the comments…I have Monday Brain! So cool about your Kindle! I’m jealous! Didn’t you sell last year? And this year your book, FAERIE FATE is coming out???? by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 5:49 pm

9. 9	What surprised me was observing how my two grandchildren–born five weeks apart in 2008–developed so differently. I remember watching their parents grow, but years apart. Watching two so close in age really makes the differences (and similarities) stand out. by GSM January 4th, 2010 at 11:40 am

   • 9.1	GSM, some days I wondered if my twins were even related. They were doing their own thing in utero, I think. by Terry Odell January 4th, 2010 at 11:47 am

   • 9.2	GSM, how fun for you to have grandkids five weeks apart! I sure noticed the difference in my three boys. by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 12:17 pm

10. 10

    What surprised me most was after 10 years, my husband finally said ‘yes’ to me getting a dog. Although I wanted a small young lap dog I ended up with 2 Lab pups!!! They are my baby girls now, but not much room for 1 in my lap much less 2. ) Another is the Jaycee Dugard story, can you imagine how she felt all those years, when she was finally rescued? How her mother and step father felt all those years and then to finally have her back in their lives. It’s just so unbelievable, but we watched it. We saw her and her daughters come home. by Sharon Knight January 4th, 2010 at 11:48 am

    • 10.1

      Oh Sharon, you’re an inspiration to me! I’m working on getting my husband to say yes to a dog. I won’t get one until he wants one too. Two lab puppies? What a joy! The Jaycee Dugard story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I’m so glad to see she’s keeping a low profile too. by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 12:19 pm

      • 10.1.1

        Good luck Jennifer! We lost our last dog 15 years ago at the age of 16. It really got to my husband and it’s taken him this long to cave in and give his heart to another. I love my girls and I couldn’t chose one over the other, but I will never get 2 pups at the same time again! They play off each other, you call them to you, they look at each other and then run the other way!!! They are smart and so spoiled! Just keep asking and your wish will come true! by Sharon Knight January 4th, 2010 at 8:41 pm

        • 10.1.1.1

          Sharon, thank you for the good luck wishes! Keep them coming! Your puppies sound pretty darn smart and cute! by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 9:06 pm

11. 11

    What surprised me most was that my company was put on the auction block and then the fear of not knowing whether we had a job at the end of the year. I had gotten use to the idea of taking a cruise because I knew my department was going to be laid off. The surprise was that we were kept and our jobs were safe, although it will be revisited in May. by Dru January 4th, 2010 at 12:09 pm

    • 11.1	Dru, I remember when you learned you got to keep your job. I hope the same thing happens again in May! But a cruise sounds nice too by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 12:20 pm

12. 12

    So many things surprise me I don’t think I can list them all here. Michael Jackson’s death was a surprise, along with Heath Ledger and Brittney Murphy….the list seems to be endless. Joining Facebook was a surprise for me. I never did the My Space thing, but even more surprising I’m having a good time. I’ve reconnected with a lot of old friends. There are plenty more, but I don’t want to bore you with all of them. Happy New Year my friends. by Erika January 4th, 2010 at 12:54 pm

    • 12.1	Erika, you never bore me! Facebook is fun, but I just wish I had more time. I never did MySpace either, although I probably should. Celeb deaths always feel a bit surreal, how can these larger than life people die? by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 5:51 pm

13. 13

    Well I guess the good surprise of 2009 for me was learning not just to tolerate my niece’s father but we’ve actually become friends the bad surprise for me was my half sister decided she couldn’t handle having a child with epilepsy and abandoned my niece and moved back to Colorado But at least I moved back to MN to be here and a part of my niece’s life and now for the first time get along with my ex brother in law. I am glad 2009 is over although it means in less than 2 months I will be 26 bleh I hate getting older I wanna go back to being 21 lol. by Cassandra Myers January 4th, 2010 at 1:31 pm

    • 13.1	Cassandra, your niece is very lucky to have you in her life! by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 5:52 pm

14. 14

    Great blog, Jen! I want to see It’s Complicated so bad my teeth hurt. But I’ll probably wait for On Demand because I have grown to loathe the theatre experience. However, I wisely did go to see Avatar on the big screen and totally LOVED it. A fabulous romance, no matter that the heroine is blue and has a tail. What surprised me about the year: probably that I started with one publisher and ended with another. Big changes for me this year. Also I’m surprised by how much I LOVE TWITTER. I get so much information, fast and clean and funny, and just love having that new social outlet in what can be a very lonely job. Also surprised that having a teenager is so much fun – I really thought I’d dread the year he turned 16, but am loving it. Happy New Year, all! xo by Roxanne St. Claire January 4th, 2010 at 2:04 pm

    • 14.1

      Rocki, I want to see Avatar too. Changing publishers is huge! And very stressful. I’m so glad it worked out for you. I loved my boys as teenagers and it only got better. Teens can be difficult, but they are also smart, curious, funny and they keep us sooooo humble! I’m a Twitter Failure… by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 5:55 pm

15. 15	I can’t say I had a lot of suprises in 2009! It was just a bad year. I did manage to read the Twilight series and was suprised that I enjoyed it so much! Also read your book Blood Magic and really enjoyed it too! by Quilt Lady January 4th, 2010 at 2:25 pm

    • 15.1	Quilt Lady, I have 2010 is a better year for you! Thanks on BLOOD MAGIC! I enjoyed the Twilight Series as well. by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 5:56 pm

16. 16

    I wanted to see IT’S COMPLICATED but opted for HOLMES, and wasn’t disappointed . . . maybe next weekend! What surprised me? Hmm . . . that I finished a book early. Ha ha. I had an early book AND a late book in 2009. What else . . . that I took two weeks off from writing this Christmas. What didn’t surprise me was that I really missed it. I don’t think I could do it again, but I was so behind on family things that I had to just put it all aside to focus on Christmas, which was of course more important, but I didn’t realize how much of me is part of my writing, that I feel almost incomplete and lost when I’m not working on a story (it was a good time for a break, though–between finishing a book and beginning editor revisions, so I’m looking at the story again with fresh eyes.) I am so, so excited about our new bloggers! Can’t wait until Wednesday by Allison Brennan January 4th, 2010 at 2:33 pm

    • 16.1

      Allison, so proud of you for finishing a book early! But you usually work so well when you’re down to the wire. You always get it done! Even though you missed the writing, I’m glad you took some time off. I know how hard you work! I’m excited about our new bloggers too by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 5:58 pm

17. 17	My brother getting divorced surprised me. by CrystalGB January 4th, 2010 at 4:20 pm

    • 17.1	CrystalGB, that’s a sad surprise. Hope your brother is doing ok. by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 5:59 pm

18. 18

    Great post, Jen! Jaycee Dugard was the big surprise of 09 I think and I hope she’s happy and stays that way! Also, very surprising watching an airplane land on the Hudson–I’ll never forget seeing all of the passengers standing on the wings in the middle of the river. I surprised myself, too, by taking time off at Christmas. Been a few years since I have and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Happy New Year! by Maureen Child January 4th, 2010 at 4:32 pm

    • 18.1	Maureen, That landing on the Hudson was a life saving surprise! Thanks for mentioning it, I’d forgotten! Glad you enjoyed your Christmas time off, but this getting back to work is hard, isn’t it? by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 6:03 pm

19. 19

    my biggest surprise this year was finding out I was going to be a first time grandmother but the really big surprise was how incredibly awesome my daughter was giving birth to my granddaughter. I’m still amazed by it all. I think, Jen I’m going to sneak hubby out to the movies later tonight to see It’s Complicated. by Karin Tabke January 4th, 2010 at 5:13 pm

    • 19.1	Karin, you had one of the best surprises ever in your beautiful granddaugther! I think you’ll enjoy the movie! by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 6:03 pm

20. 20

    I’m surprised I was asked to join the fab fab fab ladies here at MSW I’ve been a lurker for a long time and I’m friends with a few of the bloggers — so I’m definitely looking forward to getting to know them better and the regular posters. Biggest surprise? Professionally, 2009 was the best year of my life. Personally? Not so much. Hoping 2010 is better on that front! by Lori Armstrong January 4th, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    • 20.1	Lori, we’re excited to have you with us at MSW! I don’t think your fans are a bit surprised at your success in 2009 I really do hope that 2010 is a great year on both the personal and profession fronts! by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 6:05 pm

    • 20.2	ditto what jen said!! so happy to have you here! by Karin Tabke January 4th, 2010 at 6:27 pm

      • 20.2.1

        Yeah Lori! You rock, girl, and I’m so honored to have you here with all of us. by Kelly Brennan January 4th, 2010 at 8:29 pm

21. 21

    I was surprised by taking a Disneyland vacation with my whole family – me, husband, son, grandson, MIL, SIL, BIL, my brother, his fiancee, and niece and everyone got along and agreed on what to do next. I was surprised by my son’s wish to join the army. and I was super, duper surprised by my daughter and grandson moving out of my house after four years here. by Jill James January 4th, 2010 at 7:38 pm

    • 21.1

      Jill, wow that’s a difficult surprise about your son joining the army. My son considered going into the marines, and I would have supported him 100%, but my mother’s heart is relieved that he chose not to. But I’m behind your son 100% Isn’t it nice when family gets along? I bet you miss your grandson! And daughter too, of course. by Jennifer Lyon January 4th, 2010 at 9:04 pm

      • 21.1.1

        Jen, thanks. I am behind my son 110%. My daughter still calls 3 times a day and visits at least twice a week, I don’t get o miss them too much. LOL by Jill James January 4th, 2010 at 10:41 pm

22. 22

    The wonderful books I have discovered were a surprise. Lots and lots of amazing authors I never knew were out there. The wonderful people I have met were a great surprise as well. I met lots and lots of people this last year. Had some sad, shocking family surprises (my aunt took her own life) and I never want anything like that again. May 2010 be the best year so far for everyone here! by Barbie January 4th, 2010 at 10:15 pm

23. 23	I think I can safely say that all the celebrity deaths took me by surprise… I still double-take sometimes, when there are follow-up headlines. In 2009, I was surprised that I found a job, haha, considering the economy and all. Thanks for the chance to win! by Julie January 5th, 2010 at 12:38 am