This is a blog to friendship.
And books.
Before I left for DC, I downloaded Wendy Wax‘s book, THE ACCIDENTAL BESTSELLER, to my Kindle. Now, I may have mentioned last week that with the Kindle app for my iPhone, I can read my books without having to take my Kindle out–which is what I did! It was so convenient and with the backlit screen, I could read a bit after Leslie and I had turned the lights out. I read on the plane, in the hotel, downstairs in the lobby while I waited for my agent.
The book was spectacular and any of you that wonder about how the publishing business works should take a look. There were a lot of truths in this book…all the way down to the “Masque” editor (think of Harlequin’s logo) who takes her authors on various adventures like horseback riding or white water rafting. Ahem.
(Please note there are no Plotmonkeys in this picture, but two Soapbox Queens. Heh.)
But one thing about the book didn’t quite ring true for me–though this is NOT a criticism of the book in the least. It TOTALLY worked within the context of the story. It’s just not my reality.
The book centers around a critique group of four women at different stages in their careers. The main character, Kendall, is a midlist single title women’s fiction author who has been orphaned by her original editor, is loathed by her current editor and on the same weekend she loses the Zelda (think Rita), her publisher dumps her with one book left in her contract–a book the editor has every intention of burying. While her agent stands beside her, she returns home to Atlanta to learn that not only is her husband having an affair, he’s leaving her.
She’s paralyzed by depression. She can barely get off the couch, hasn’t showered, hasn’t talked to her friends–and what happens? Her husband gives his new girlfriend the key to the house so she, a real estate agent, can prepare for imminent sale.
In the meanwhile, we get glimpses of the other three women in the critique group. Mallory, an uber-bestseller with secrets she keeps even from her doting husband, Faye, the wife of a televangelist and Inspirational writer with refreshing views on romance novels and Tanya, a single mother of two who works shifts in a diner and a laudromat while she writes sexy category books at night.
All of these women have secrets (except maybe Tanya, who has major trust issues) but the one thing I couldn’t believe was how they kept those secrets from each other!
I don’t think I’m risking anything to say that after all these years, the Plotmonkeys have very few secrets from one another. Definitely nothing big. Baring our souls late at night while we’ve been working all day is probably a hallmark of why we’re such great friends. We don’t even think about it anymore…if anything big happens in my life, or something small, the plotmonkeys are going to be the first people I tell. Okay, so I forgot to tell Carly and Janelle that I’ve been invited to train as a Jazzercise instructor in the fall. (I haven’t decided yet…my stamina isn’t quite up there yet) and I might have neglected to mention something else (my memory is so bad!) that got them riled when I finally ‘fessed up, but the point is, get us together for five minutes and everything starts to spill. It’s like therapy!
I miss them like mad the first week after we go our separate ways. Email and phone calls are great, but hanging out is SO MUCH better! I can’t wait until we get together again!!
In the meantime, if your To Be Read pile is getting a little light, pick up a copy of Wendy Wax’s book. It was a super enjoyable read…funny, emotional, contemporary, sexy. I think the relationship between Faye and her husband, Pastor Steve, was the most unique and refreshing I’d read in a very long time.
So…do you have friends who know all your secrets? Or a relative? Maybe your pet? :-)
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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I’ve always been a “keep it to myself” kind of person, so while I have good friends, I haven’t really shared everything with just one person. My friends must think I’m the most boring person ever LOL. I think they are so used to me not talking about myself that when I do have something to say, usually I’m interrupted by something they have to say, so secrets are rarely revealed. This doesn’t really bother me because I tend to do my own thing anyway, and I know I can count on them if I ever need to, I just happen to be big on talking about myself. I’m a pretty good listener if I do say so myself
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That should say I just “don’t” happen to be big on talking about myself. Geesh!
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Stacy, I’m like that too. It is very hard for me to talk about myself, so the secrets are locked up pretty tight. I am one of the best listeners in the world because of it though…a lot of times that is what others need, so I am happy to fill that role.
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You really made me want tor read this book !!
Like Stacy I share part of myself with a few friends but I can’t say that I have one who knows all my secrets… Maybe DH is the one who know me the most, sounds logical after all !!
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I’m very lucky that all of my best friends live within 20 miles of me. We call ourselves the Yayas and get together at least once a month. We met 20 years ago and are always there for one another. The husbands in the group have always joked that the Yayas come first, but they also know we drop anything if one of us needs something.
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My mom probably knows more about me than she would like. I don’t tell EVERYTHING, but she knows a lot.
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My husband and our dog, Spike–mini dachshund–knows all my secrets. I have friends but they are all writers. They don’t call me to go to lunch or hang out or anything like that. I think they like me….I’m just not that exciting.
Maybe if I were really funny, they might…who knows. When I go to National I could stay in my room the entire time and no one would miss me. 
I’m not feeling sorry for myself at all it’s just the way it is. So, I communicate on-line through loops and such. And of course swing through the Jungle every day on my way thither and yon.
Have a great day all,
Cher
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Yep, Cher said it perfectly, except I would change the dog to a cat named Mr. Jingles. It’s just the way it is
Talina
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Cher, I like your picture. I would have missed you if you stayed in your room last year.
Take care,
Donna M
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You’re too sweet, Donna.
Cher
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Hey Cher, I would totally miss you…and I think you happen to be a very funny person…so don’t hideout. At least sit in the coffee bar, that’s what I do…lol…I hope you are able to go to Nashville next year…It would be great to finally meet you in person…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Oh, Paula I would love to meet you too. I am planning to go to Nashville next year. Hopefully the space I’m making in the budget will hold until then. The coffee bar sounds like a plan!
See you there! 
Cher
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It’s a date…lol…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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My secert keeper would be my sister-in-law.
I haven’t got to chat with her much recently since she is going through a nasty seperation with her husband and I just can’t bring myself to unload on her. In better times, you couldn’t pull us apart.
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OMG! I bought this book for a $1 at work last Friday. When author’s send in books to be critiqued by our reporters, the one’s that don’t get chosen for an article are put into a sale for charity. I knew this would be a great read, so I bought it. Now I can’t wait to start reading it.
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My next youngest sister knows quite a few of my secrets, but the main
recipient of my secrets continues to be my husband of forty-eight years.
What I know, he knows, and keeps close!
Pat Cochran
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Yes, us Plotmonkeys share so much — though I think out of all of them I’m the toughest (and quietest) nut to crack. Which is why I had a “break-down” on Tuesday when all my angst of the past year came pouring out, LOL!
Then they were like “where the heck did all this come from”? Once they got over the shock of my emotional drama, they immediately rallied behind me to kick my but into gear. 
But the one thing I know for certain, without a doubt, is that I can trust my Plotmonkey Pals with anything. They are my rock in so many ways and my life would not be the same without them in it! I love you guys!
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Oh, bless your heart, Janelle
I’m so glad they were there for you.
Cher
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Friendship is a awesome wonderful gift. I’m lucky to have friends of long standing, but we are not a group. One of my friends I have known for close to 50 years which means she knows a lot about me. We could not see or talk to each other in months and then talk like it was yesterday. Her husband died several years ago and we have become even closer. I saw her in June when I was on my trip. I wish we lived a bit closer to each other but we are as close as a phone call. As she says “she gets me”.
Julie, a great topic for today or any day. That book sounds interesting, thanks for telling us about it.
Janelle, sorry to hear that last year was a rough year for you.
Don’t hide things away from your Plotmonkey pals when you need them. I love the friendship the four of you have. 
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Hey Donna, missed seeing you this year…
I love the friendship these four wonderful women have with each other too…I live that kind of relationship through them, vicariously…
I hope that all is well with you…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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I also have an old friend or two that l can easily catch up with – unfortunately, they live far away and we don’t talk often enough so I don’t share my secrets with them … that and they’re not so interested in reading/writing, which makes a little difficult.
I had a writer friend a year or so ago, someone who really understood me; it was soooo nice having someone I could talk about my stories with, discuss plots, character developement etc. but she took something I told her in confidence and (sorry for the melodrama) stabbed me in the back.
It’s only recently that I’ve re-entered this writer’s world looking for that kind of friendship again. It heartens me to know there are groups out there like yours; groups of women who share common interests, encourage each other and understand the true meaning of trust.
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My secret keeper is my BFF of 30 years.
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Hey Jules, last night I was wondering what the title of Wednesday’s blog would be…I love the way you started it…lol
Now, I don’t really have friends as close as you describe. I wish I did, and I think that is a big part of why I hang out in the jungle so much. I missed the best friend boat, but you guys help me out a lot.
Janelle, I wouldn’t have pegged you as the toughest of the bunch…lol…I am glad that the other
were there to hear you and shore you up though…I am usually the rock for others, and I don’t allow myself to break with them…that takes alot of guts and courage that I don’t have, and I am too much of a weenie to open up like that…I fear the flood that will happen, if a rock in my wall gets loose…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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I have two secret keepers… My BFF Jen and my darling kitty cat, Abby. Abby knows everything about me. I hope she doesn’t learn English. lol.
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I chatter way too much to keep secrets. I could never join the CIA. I’m also easily distracted by shiny objects.
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To Julie…I read your Tuesday blog and the comment about being approached to become a Jazzercise instructor. How exciting! I have been an instructor for almost 6 years and I have been doing jazzercise for over 10. I truly love it! My advice would be to take classes with all of the different instructors at your location. It will give you the chance to see different teaching techniques and intensity. Jazzercise Inc. is really pushing all instructors (lite or not) to teach at an “overwhelming intensity”. If you wait too long for workshop you develop bad habits; if you go too soon- you don’t get enough time to “build the intensity” as you mentioned, and really hone good technique. Take in all the advice and tips from you instuctor/mentor. She will have a movement checklist that will help you know if you are ready to proceed plus a workshop dvd so you could get a sneak peek of what they are expecting you to be capable of. Good luck! And I also love this website…I started reading Carly’s books and found this through her site. That lead me to read books from all of the plot monkey authors. You guys are awesome and I can’t wait to teach class tomorrow and share with all of my students that one of my favorite authors is a fellow jazzercise junkie:)