"Biting Back takes a compelling look at self-care, setting boundaries, and protecting ourselves from friends, loved ones, enemies, and sometimes even ourselves. Written in a page-turning and warm style, Claudia’s refreshing addition to the self-help shelves offers empowering solutions to effectively remind us to stop inviting troubleinto our homes and souls." -- MELODY BEATTIE, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF CODEPENDENT NO MORE































Saturday

Claud The Obscure



Whew. It felt like I was going to disappear entirely there for a while - but I didn't - and little by very little, each hour and day, I've been coming back a little stronger and a bit more distinct.

I've been working on getting well and on writing whenever I've been well enough to - on my book, obviously: not the blog. And as a result I am now approaching my first real rewrite of The Practical Vampire Slayer and have a date with my editor to discuss the revisions on Monday. I'm so glad - this is exactly what I'd hoped for: the guidance and expertise of my publishing team to help me make it the best it can be. Who could ask for more?


Thank God for brave and innovative publishers (Llewellyn)! Thank God for patient, hardworking, and brilliant agents who know exactly what to say and when to say it (Jacky Sach) and for creative-as-hell, understanding-as-Gandhi and sharp-as-tacks editors (Carrie Obry)!

Oh, and thank God for friends who bring books on editing, packages of fortifying tea and treats, their impossibly-invaluable experience and love, and most of all themselves (Jennifer Graf Groneberg) to save me when I've become convinced that I'm not a writer, never have been, and never will be.


So things are good: my health is improving by teeny-tiny tenths of points (if you're a reader of blood work, that is), and with the help of an incredible family, unbelievable friends and support everywhere I turn, I now have a manuscript worth editing - which is exactly what I was shooting for.

So now, it's time to get back to blogging, too. See ya around the web.

Oh, and by the way: hello! How's that for an ending?

Claudia
xoxoxox

13 comments:

jjdebenedictis said...

*GLOMP-huggle-squeal!*

I'm so glad you're back! (And even more glad you're better!)

Keep up the good work and keep up the good writing; I will buy your book when it hits the market. :)

Claud/PVS said...

Oh my gosh, Jen! I didn't even know I'd posted this yet...I'm trying to change a few things and didn't realize I'd put that one up yet.

You're fast! And thank you so much. I should have a good old fashioned vampire post up here any hour now!

I've been so out of it: I'll check in and drop a note at your blog soon! love c

Sherri Cornelius said...

I was very happy to see this pop up in my reader, Claudia. Here's to your health and your book.

Claud said...

Sherri, I'm very happy to see you too! Every time I see your name I dream of a trip to NY and our stay at great hotel there with Angela. It's going to happen. That's all there is to it.

I owe you a letter - I want to know what's happening with your books, and everything else, too.

love c

claud/pvs said...

Oh, and I wanted to mention about this new feature on blogger, "REACTIONS": I was trying to be funny, but they don't give you near enough room to write the kind of reactions I'd really like to have there...so I'll have to rethink those. Darn it.

Unknown said...

Claud-You RULE!

claud/pvs said...

Thanks Balone. xoxo

Carrie said...

You're so creative those juices must keep flowing. Yes, it's very good that you are back at it.

mindy crandall (pacific madrone) said...

so happy to see a new post in my reader. thanks claude, and keep them coming! can't wait for the book.

claud/pvs said...

Ahh, thank you Carrie! How great to see you here!!!

And as for Pacific Madrone: I'll be getting to your posts today. I had to click on your name to know who you were! Let me know if you want me to change your name on my blogroll, and - for anyone who doesn't know about my pal Pacific - I urge you to go to her blog, "Americans and Other Half-Wild Animals" - because she's, well... just amazin' smart and cool.

Angela said...

What an absolutely wonderful morning treat to visit PVS and see this incredible post! Actually, two incredible posts! You teach me so much, C and I am so grateful you're in my life! I'm happy for you and for all the other folks in the world who will finally have access to your writing and teaching.

Angela said...

What an absolutely wonderful morning treat to visit PVS and see this incredible post! Actually, two incredible posts! You teach me so much, C and I am so grateful you're in my life! I'm happy for you and for all the other folks in the world who will finally have access to your writing and teaching.

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to read more of your blogs..hurry back, your fans await you!

one of your biggest fans,
christina pittenger