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C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

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Happy New Year Again and Again and Insecure Writer’s Support Group 2015

By

I’m Still Welcoming 

2015 

If I keep welcoming this  year maybe it will stay around longer.

I’ll be at Dianne Salerni’s Blog today, talking about the ideas that knitted together to create Sudden Secrets. Hope you’ll stop by to say hello.

To start off this year, IWSG asked that we introduce ourselves briefly again. I think I’ll do a bullet list for quick reading.

  • I’m a native Californian who travels around, but always returns to my state.
  • I write young adult contemporary-realistic books because I can’t write picture books. 
  • I also write middle grade fantasy and even have a sequel to my first one on the way out this year, if the dog doesn’t eat it first.
  • When I’m not writing I practice yoga, hike, garden and stare into space for inspiration. . . or because I forgot where I was going.
  • When I grow up I want to be tall. At the moment I’m 5′ 1″ and weigh in at 101. However, the upside of that is I can wear kids clothes when they outgrow them.
  • Before I stop writing, I want to write something really good and powerful, something I can call the “perfect” story (laughter is not appreciated).
  • My philosophy includes never saying I’m too old to do something, along with a bunch of other very deep stuff.
Here’s to another year of writing, nailing biting and jolly good fun. Let’s toss all of that with a nice dollop of INSECURITY just for the heck of it. I you need to DE-Stress, here are some tips from THE ODD PARTICLE. It has some perfect tips. And if you’re in need of a wee bit of support, visit these other folks. There are 255 of them, and they’ll have some super help to share.
Thanks Alex J. Cavanaugh

Comments

  3. Hey superstar author n'stuff, Lee,

    Yes and yay, I'm backtracking to this post. I have a very slow computer that shall soon be gone. The computer is so slow that it takes me a whole year to get from one site to another. Happy New Year, 2016, I reckon.

    Next time I'm in California, would you be so kind as to organise the parade in my honour aka "honor". Sorry, spell check.

    Stay forever young and giggle loads.

    Your starstruckest fan and I thank you for being part of IWSG aka "I Was Seeking Gary."

    Um, Gary….

  5. Hey you.

    Always good to know more. I love California. Miss it. Lived in SD for ten years and would love to return one day. Don't know if it'll ever happen, but…

    Wishes for great success with Sudden Secrets!

  6. I also love your philosophy about never being too old to do something. I've never tried yoga, though a Pilates instructor had trouble keeping a straight face when she saw me in class!

    Julie

  11. Adorable picture! Happy New Year to you, too!

    And I love your philosophy about never claiming you're too old to do something. That's a great way to think about tackling challenges.

    Happy writing!

  14. No matter what you write, no matter where you're looking, whether you write 'deep' or 'not-so-deep' stuff – I'll always love you, Lee!
    (My hubby always says I'm a shortie… I must check my height.)

  19. Love your list, Lee! I can't wait for the sequel to your MG fantasy to come out. Awesome! Wishing you the best of luck in the new year. 🙂
    ~Jess

  21. Your bio made me smile, I am on the shorter side (5'2") my kids tower over me but I always say good things come in small packages!

    Hope you have a great year.

  22. I wrote two picture books, so I tried. I wouldn't mind trying again. My critique group has amazing pb writers and I've learned so much from them.

    I didn't know we had to introduce ourselves, so I did so on FB.

  23. I'm 5'1. It's good to have tall kids so they can reach things for me. Congrats on your success with your books. I wrote a picture book when I was younger – with pictures and everything – it is hilarious (and wasn't meant to be).

  26. I loved this!!!! You're just too awesome 😉
    And 5'1"? I'm about half an inch taller than you . . . with shoes probably, but I always say I'm 5'2" because who's gonna stop me? And hey, we're not short, we're fun sized 😛

  27. Hi, Lee,

    What a great intro to YOU! I never realized you were so petite….And you are outdoorsy and love to hike.. Me too! Hiking is the best. You are so lucky to be in California where the weather is perfect for hiking….. It is five degrees here. BRrrrrrrr…..

    All the best with your new book!

  28. Fun post and glad to know you better. Best wishes on your new release. What an exciting time. I want to write something profound too, not necessarily judged by how much royalties I make on it, but on how much it can help the reader. Re the destressor tips– Seriously there really is a video of "rain on a tent." What a discovery for me.

  32. I would love to hear the other 'deep stuff' that makes up your philosophy. You are always so bright and cheery, it's hard to imagine that you have any insecurities. And the ability to wear kids clothes when they have outgrown them – AWESOME!

  33. Doctors in California always measured me at 5'2". Then I moved to Oregon and doctors told me I was 5'4". I was in my 30's. So…IDK. All I know is I'm taller than you! Congrats on SS.

  34. I'm 5' 4" and always wish to be taller. Can never reach things on the top shelf of the supermarket. I get creative with other products in the aisle. This ride is fun if we let it be. 🙂 Here's to a grand 2015.

  35. Hi Lee .. I'm not quite that small … but shortly will grow a little – I guess I should riddle that. Excellent self-description though .. and writing that picture book … some clever dick will do it! Your books are just fine as they be .. so here's to an excellent 2015 .. .but another 255 folk .. that's beyond the Insecure me!! Cheers and Happy New Year – Hilary

  37. I am an Amazon compared to you, but I slouch because when I was in junior high I was taller than the boys! And created a terrible slouching habit that continues to today!! Happy New Year, Lee! Best of luck to you on Sudden Secrets!!

  39. I want to be tall when I grow up, too!
    I love your long term writing goal – that's mine too, so I'm not laughing. I want, somewhere in all the crazy bits of writing I do, to have one story/book/poem that means something and is so wonderful that it sticks with the reader for a long time afterwards.
    Loved your intro!
    Best wishes for 2015!

  40. I like that idea, keep welcoming the New Year so it will stick around a bit longer! I love a new beginning!

    So wonderful to know more about you, congrats on the book!
    Wishing you a jolly New Year too!

  41. I did more giggling than expected, though not about you writing that perfect story. That one I see you accomplishing. Awesome to know more about you.

  42. LOL! Lee, you're awesome. I had no idea you were that short, but back in the day when I played basketball, I thought being short was an advantage. You could sneak right under another player's arm and snag the ball. =)

    Congrats on the release! I was off-line when it happened, but it looks like a beautiful story. Way to go!

  43. LOL! I'd like to be tall when I grow up, too. I'm 5'3" – barely. But I can wear kids clothes, which is a plus. My husband says I should design a line of clothes and call it "Elfin."

  44. Loved learning more about you. I'd love to weigh 101. I'm even shorter than you-4'11".

    I really enjoyed your post on Dianne's blog. I tried twice to leave a comment but it wouldn't post.