Hey guys!
How’s your day goin? I’m having a really good day today, mainly because (drum roll please…….) I SIGNED MY BOOK CONTRACT TODAY! Yep, that’s right. As of now, I’m officially an “author” and my manuscript is due on April 1, 2010.
(pause)
Okay, I’m scared out of my mind. I’m going to have to be pretty (okay REALLY) dedicated from now on and set apart a certain number of hours daily just for writing. I write every day as is but….it’s gotta be more. Way more. And I need a new laptop because mine is about to croak.
But I’m still so excited!!!!!!!!!!
Other positive things today included a two hour tea gab-fest with Tracy—
And hanging from trees while picking oranges and lemons in Hardy’s yard. Thanks Diiiirty! 
I don’t pass up opportunities to be in trees. Clearly.
Lunch was a big salad with a Trader Joe’s chicken burger, hummus and hot sauce, and a pear and Dr. Kracker flatbread.
I also went to the gym for some cardio and core action….30 minutes on the arc-trainer + 60 sit-ups on the bosu ball. I’m on a roll!
Bout to hop in the shower, write my Health.com article and make a snack. Be back in a bit!
{ 78 comments… read them below or add one }
SOOOO EXCITING! I can’t wait to read your book!
BOL! My DH just finished his 1st book this fall. He is an artist & doing some last minute sketches for it, but manuscript is done. It is very exciting. Hope you have wonderful distribution – with your online community, its promotion will be organic. Congrats to you!
Very exciting! You girls and your book deals… so cool! I’m sure once you get yourself into a routine, you’ll be able to dedicate focused time to writing. The deadline sounds short but it seems like you’re good at putting your mind to something and just getting it DONE. You’ll sail through this!
Congratulations! I was so so excited for you when I read that you had been offered a book contract! I am sure that it will turn out brilliantly!
CONGRATULATIONS Jenna! You will get through the next few months and have such a rewarding product to show for it! I can’t wait to get my copy hot of the presses!
Congrats on signing your contract! That is so exciting
I am buying a new Mac in the next few weeks. Gulp, $$. I’ve had my old one for about 5 1/2 years. It has been a good run, but time for a new one.
Congrats! And I hope Santa brings a new laptop, and anything else you need to work on this book–you deserve it.
Maybe Santa will surprise you with a laptop! Congratulations on the deal!
The 2nd pic is really adorable!
WOW! How cool is that!!!! I’m assuming it’s all food related, the book that is??? Can’t wait to hear more about it!!!
That is so exciting — you must be feeling the nerves but just remember that you got this book contract for a reason and they believe in you. Believe in yourself and it will be a breeze.
Are those Meyer lemons? I got some from a friend today and plan on cooking them up tonight! mmmmm
congratulations! i’m going to buy anyone’s book who swings like trees like you do… and looks good doing it!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Congrats! That is sooo exciting
Congrats!!! Can’t wait to read your book
I love that teapot!
Congratulations! Does that mean you got a big fat check too? That would be strong motivation to keep writing!!!
Congrats on the contract! Big step!
That is so exciting!
Congrats Jenna. I can’t wait to read it. You’re going to be one busy, wine drinkin’ girl
So exciting! Can’t wait to read your book
Congrats! So exciting!!
woohooo!! If you get a new laptop, I highly recommend the MacBook Pro. I’m a former pc user and recent macbook convert. Will never go back!!
Yay, congrats!
Two hours worth of tea and gabbing? That sounds so perfect.
Congrats on being an official “author!” How exciting is that?
So exciting!!! I’ll totally buy your book
You look fantastic Jenna, annnd tree climbing is fun lol
Sounds like a wonderful day. Congrats on the contract! …and what cute pics of you : )
How did you score a job writing for Health???
That is so exciting!!! What is your book about? Congrats! I will definitely line up to buy it!
Congrats big time to ya…way to go girl!
Enjoy!
Congrats, Jenna! You deserve that new laptop.
Thats SO exciting!! I am really looking forward to reading your book!
How exciting! YA for you!!
Congrats! I can’t wait to check out your book
Congatulations! How exciting for you!
Congratulations on your book! I wish you the best of luck with it.
Love citrus and hanging from trees. 
Go, Jenna! Major Congratulations are in order
sooo exciting jenna! that is april fools day
jenna
Congrats, Jenna!
I can totally relate to the laptop issues… I hope yours holds out until you can get a new one (maybe for Christmas!).
Congrats Jenna! That’s awesome!!
CONGRATS!!!
So excited for you Jenna!
Congratulations! How exciting!
Wow, congrats again on the book deal.
I can’t wait to read it, I know it will be amazing!
That ROCKS!! Congratulations:)
Congrats!!! You can do it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhlPAj38rHc&feature=fvw
That’s 4-months, but with lots of photos, probably only need 40K or less words, i.e. 2K a week. Very happy for you, and can’t wait to read it!!
Does this means you’ll buy a desk, too? (LOL) Maybe write HGTV and ask them to do a quick remodel of your Working-Girl-Blogger-Author digs! That would be so cool.
Yay, that is super exciting! A new laptop is the perfect way to celebrate.
Eeee!!! Can’t wait to add you book to my bookshelf
Congrats– that is really exciting! Here’s a quote that I share with my creative writing students at the beginning of the fiction section of the class; it’s from an interview fiction writer Ron Carlson:
“When you’re a writer, you spend days in the room without knowing what you’ve got, but you’re still willing to keep reeling it in and following it. You’re willing to be true to it. It may mean you have to write thirty pages to get fifteen. The big secret to such writing is the ability to stay in the room. The writer is the person who stays in the room…all the good writing I’ve done in the last ten years has been done in the first twenty minutes after the first time I wanted to leave the room. I’ve learned to stay there and keep writing.”
Sorry– I know it’s long!! But I’ve always found it really helpful in my own writing!
Congrats again!
Climbing trees for oranges? Awesome!
Signing a contract definitely makes it feel real. I remember dang near 10 years ago when I signed my National Letter of Intent to play D-1 basketball how weighty and scary it felt. You are going to do great! Look forward to reading the book.
hmmm why don’t you rub it in that you gain ten lbs and still have a stomach that looks that good
Congrats on the book deal of course
Congrats Jenna!! Sounds like an incredible day!
Very cool!! congrats on that book contract!!!
Congratulations girl!!!
Wow – amazing! Did you have to have a certain amount of the Manuscript already written prior to even inking the deal?! I assume it’s a mixture of writing and recipes?? …I’m sure there will be sequels to come as your life and journey continues to evolve
…and way to keep going to the gym girl during this time away from running – I BOW down to you 
GOOD LUCK WITH THE WRITING!! And get a Macbook Pro for your new computer – you’ll love it
I am super excited to read your book!!! I also don’t pass up many opportunities to be in trees : ) They rock!
Hooray!!! Go Jenna!!
Also, you’re lunch looks amazing . . . .
Congrats on signing the book contract!
Congrats Jenna!! You’ll do a fantastic job writing the manuscript! Maybe you should use the last tree picture as the author picture. It’s so cute!
EEEEEEE! How exciting! Congrats!
Hi Jenna, I started a new blog yesterday, and sent out a big congratulations to you in my post today. I am making a resolution to do or say positive things for the christmas countdown. I admit envy: your ability to hike/walk, much less go to a gym
Your amazing friends and family. Your locale. Your book. Your success at life at such a young age when some of us are trapped in careers with no financially feasible way out, or unable to be the physical people we need to be. What success you are. You should be a sound-sleeper, someone who can rest at night with peace because you really are a good person.
Hi Jenna, I started a new blog yesterday, and sent out a big congratulations to you in my post today. I am making a resolution to do or say positive things for the christmas countdown. I admit envy: your ability to hike/walk, much less go to a gym
Your amazing friends and family. Your locale. Your book. Your success at life at such a young age when some of us are trapped in careers with no financially feasible way out, or unable to be the physical people we need to be. What success you are. You should be a sound-sleeper, someone who can rest at night with peace because you really are a good person.
congrats!! i am so excited for you and to read your book!!
Jenna, I have total faith that you’re going to churn out a great book. Your talent and determination has gotten you this far, I can’t wait to see how high up it’ll take you.
Oh, and tree-hanging and tea gab fests are two of life’s greatest pleasures.
I just love your blog…you are too cute! Colorado is fresh out of lemon trees
Congrats + Good luck w/the book writing!! I’m reading a book right now called “bird by bird – some instructions on writing and life” Anne Lamott. It is DEFinitely worth reading if you are about to start writing! It gets awesome reviews online and is a national bestseller. If I was about to start writing my first book, so far what I’ve read in this one would have helped! Just thought I would pass it along 
Take care!
I tweeted this to you earlier, but I have to say again that I think you’re going to rock it. Manuscript deadlines are crazy pressure, but you can handle it. Go get ‘em!
Congratulations again but HOLY CR*P – that’s all the time they give you??? I’d be freaking, but I’m assuming you have material to work from.
I know you can do it – just shocked their turnaround time is that short. You go girl!
How exciting! Congratulations~
and please don’t forget to back-up your work on an external drive as you go along! I can’t imagine computer failure mid-chapter : (
CONGRATS on signing your book contract. I am so excited for you and can’t wait until it comes out!
Fabulous news, dear! Now with your new desk, you are SET UP!
Congrats~~
Great news!! Congratulations! I am currently in the middle of writing my Master’s thesis and have struggled with keeping a schedule (my deadline is 3 days after yours!). I try to do some work on it everyday and take 2 or 3 days a week to work for a few hours on it. You can do it!
CONGRATS!!!
I recommend the new 13 inch Macbook Pro! I recently purchased it and LOVE it (I’ve had a Macbook for years). =)
Woo hoo! It’s official! I am so excited about your book, I can’t wait to read it
What kind of sit ups are you doing on the bosu ball??? Just normal crunches? is your butt on the floor or on the ball top? Thanks!
Allie,
My butt is right next to the floor, barely on the ball, and I lean backwards over the ball so I’m laying right on it…then just sit-up!
So very exciting!! Congratulations!!!
So exciting, Jenna! I can’t wait to read about the process…