How Do You Do?

It’s a funny saying, isn’t it? “How do you do?” Not the most obvious choice for a first meeting greeting.

Most of you will have seen the Evil for Crestline auction happening over here. If not, please go look now. See how I said please? The event, among other things, has brought to my mind again just how many amazing people I’ve encountered on my odd little writerly journey.

I’ve met the best people. The best. And the odd thing is, some of them are brand new, never published a thing people, and some of them are massively prolific professional authors. Some of them are “Indies” and some are Traditionally published. Some of them “know people” and some of them don’t even know who they should know. Many of them believe very strongly about how this process should go, and many of those are on exactly opposite sides of the fence. Any fence.

And they all rock.

Because it turns out none of that matters. It doesn’t. What matters is a busy editor giving a chance to a clueless author who doesn’t even know what a passive verb is. What matters is a pro at a convention seeing someone at her very first panel who is absolutely petrified and flashing a purse filled with chocolate, a smile and an “I’ve got us covered.” What matters is a hopeful author with her eyes full of stars taking a hard crit on the chin, reeling, and then shaking it off, standing up with even more determination and saying, “Yeah, I can do this. Give me another shot.”

What matters is a bunch of people hearing about a tragedy and not even questioning for a second that they are going to do something to help. Not for a second. Of course they will. Great people.

How do you do?

Maybe that makes sense after all. Maybe, life is less about looking in the mirror and liking what you see, and more about lying down at night before bed and liking what you did that day. Not liking what your sales were, or what you wrote even, not liking your Amazon ranking, not liking who you know or who knows you, but liking what you did. Maybe, “How do you do?” is the most important thing we can know about anyone, and that’s why it’s the first thing we ask.

It’s probably the last thing we ask too. When the dust settles and the smoke clears, we’ll stand up, brush off the crud and give a little shake. Maybe we’ll laugh and say, “How did I do?”

Can't Buy Me Love

Actually, you totally can buy my love. Go bid on something at our auction to help fundraise to rebuild an elementary school. You'll earn my undying appreciation.

This blog isn't the place to promote ourselves, but this isn't about us. It's about helping out a community that lost something precious. Oh yes, and supporting our Bad Horse, Lilith Saintcrow.

There are more and more amazing things appearing in the auction, including signed books from amazing writers, fun crafty things, and plenty of amazing critique opportunities from a bunch of published authors.

So get your butts over there and start bidding!

Skye out. *microphone drop*

The Evil Writers Will Fix It

On Monday I warned that eviltry was afoot.

On Tuesday the evil began in earnest behind the scenes.

On Wednesday we were ready but for a few details.

And today, I bring you:

Step 1: Bid

Step 2: Raise Monday

Step 3: Help Kids

It's evil.

There is currently a listing of items ending February 15. You'll find signed books, critiques, mentorships, guest posts, knitted and crafty goods, character naming rights, treats and goodies. There are even signed author copies of Lili St. Crow's upcoming YA novel Nameless. The ELEW itself is offering two three month mentorship slots, as well as guest posts.

And more is coming: we have a handful of items going up tomorrow (bringing the first round to over fifty items) and a second round of items coming February 22.

You know, I'm not going to woo you here. I'm going to guilt you. Because every member of the ELEW has thrown in major support for this, Dina has been shaking trees and chasing people down, and I've worked for two and a half days straight, letting out my inner Virgo to organize like a mofo and drive everyone crazy by being an obsessive control freak.

We've even tapped our respective deities for help with this auction (Dear World: It turns out when Christians, pagans, and atheists get together, THEY CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS--maybe give it a try). The least you can do is bid. Bid high, bid often, boost the signal, and get these kids the help they deserve.

And besides the kids, do it for Bad Horse. For she entertains and delights and inspires with effortless ease. Her books have made me cry on many occasions and now it's only fair to make her weep with our overwhelming support (look, I am NOT picky about where tears come from, okay?).

Visit the auction site, look at the shinies, and tell your friends!