Lesa Boutin

crazy week!

Been one wild week--literally. Spent a day with a wonderful group of people at a library expo is East Texas, and sold every book I had with me. Then my first day at the zoo was Saturday. Already learned some amazing things and had a great time.

But by far, the best part of the week was taking the photos for the next book cover. Olivia--like with the alligator--was a trooper and handled the 8 foot Burmese python like a pro. We got some awesome photos, several that are perfect for the cover. Now we'll just have to choose a particular one. Thinking of having a contest to make the choice....???

Since it's sort of an ongoing joke at work, I decided to do an author photo. The reason it's an ongoing joke is they tease me about doing an author photo--didn't wanta do one--and I like to make fun of a particular author who is literally standing in front of a 10 foot self portrait!! in one of the back covers. So I decided to yuck it up and do a few photos myself. (See below) I swear the entire time we were working with the snake, Joe, it never stopped moving, but when I sat down with it and opened my book he stared at the pages as though reading it!! Honestly, it was bizarre! And the turtle, Toby, was on the move constantly. Definitely could have won a tortoise and hare race!

        

volunteering at the Houston Zoo

When I wrote Amanda Noble, Zookeeper Extraordinaire, I hadn't thought about a sequel. Then when the kids started asking for one, I decided to do Amanda Noble, Special Agent, because I had an adventure in mind for Amanda. But about half way through Special Agent I knew how I wanted to end it, and the ending would be a cliffhanger, sooo here I am trying to come up with #3.

Finding myself needing inspiration, I came up with an idea, the Houston Zoo. Living close by we have visited many times, but I went on their site and signed up to volunteer, committing to 50 (or more) hours over the course of the year. After an initial 20 hours a volunteer can apply to be a keeper-helper.

Cool! At least I thought so until the ride home. It dawned on me that I must be crazy! I don't even have time to clean my own house, much less clean animal cages. My poor husband eats cereal for supper because I don't have time to cook! And my bathrooms are starting to be of the outhouse quality.

Oh well, guess I'll just have to hire someone for the house, and buy hubby a mega box of Peanut Butter Captain Crunch, I'm goin' to the zoo!

About the video clip below

In 2001 Christopher Paolini came to our small town for a school visit. Unfortunately, I didn't get to go--somebody had to stay behind with the kids who didn't qualify for the visit. But, it didn't take long for the buzz to get around the school. The kids loved! the book. Over time I learned some of the young man's story and I was inspired. Here I was,at 40 something (exact age and weight go to the grave with me) and a coward who was still afraid to even let my friends and family know I was writing a book, and this young man had written and self published one! I believe it was a real boost for me to get over some of my jitters and get busy.

I salute you, Christopher Paolini and hope you not only do book 4 in the Eragon series, but go on to do all that your heart desires.

risk prison for research??

I found myself in a bit of a pickle while doing some research for Amanda Noble, Special Agent. I was looking at setting a situation at a port, and I had a couple in mind. Naturally, I checked out their website, Googled a few things, then I thought maybe I could find a phone number and call to ask specific questions. I started going over the questions in my head. As I did, I realized I could end up sounding like a crook--the crook I want to portray. I was afraid it would sound like I was scoping out a place to run my illegal business!! I decided to write my scenario the best I could, skip the phone call, and skip possibly going to jail!  

certifiable

Amanda Noble, Special Agent, sequel to Zookeeper Extraordinaire, has a new character in it. I've been gradually introducing him, and then this week all of sudden , BAM! he's so cool that he throws even me for a loop. He pops up with some lines that has left me with a grin on my face all week long. I honestly could not stop thinking about it. But it was like he came up with it on his own, like it wasn't me. Even at the company Christmas dinner this week, everyone there was eagerly waiting to hear if their name would be called to win a door prize. Everyone but me. I was totally into what this guy might say or do next, so in a room filled with a couple hundred people it was just me, Amanda, and--you'll have to read the book to find out his name--in my head having a blast.

I believe this pretty much makes me certifiably insane, and all that's left now is to pick out the straight jacket color that best matches my red hair.

                                                                                                                  

Breakfast of champions

I was sitting here, hammering away on the next Amanda Noble book, and realized what a perfect picture of a loser I am! It's barely 9:00 in the morning, and I've already been at the computer for hours. Got hungry, but didn't want to take the time to prepare a proper meal, so I nuked leftover pizza from last night. Then sitting here at the computer, I saw myself in the mirror. Agh! My hair (although I did actually brush it and my teeth this morning) is mushed in a million directions, because I tend to run my hands trhough it, and mush it around when I can't find the next sentence I want. I have a, now cold, slice of pizza that looks like a rat gnawed on it, and a Coke that's beginning to lose it's fizz, sitting between my keyboard and monitor, and I couldn't help think what a glamorus life an author leads!!