PRINCE POPPYCOCK

And now it’s an undead book!

As you all know, I love TV. But of all the shows I watch, my guilty pleasure is America’s Got Talent. Really. I watch it. Every sappy, scary, embarrassing moment.

I wallow in joy watching people following their dream, whatever it may be, just as I follow mine of being a novelist. I don’t watch American Idol at all. I prefer America’s Got Talent. Yes, it’s cheesier and more bizarre in its range of contestants, but it also has more variety in acts and ages. It’s not just about young people trying to be the next big singing sensation. It’s personifies what I believe and preach: That dreams can be pursued at any age and from any circumstance.

Last night was You Tube night. All twelve acts came from video entries on You Tube rather than through the normal audition process. Four of them will move on to the finals with the other traditionally chosen finalists. For these four acts, it’s like finding the Golden Ticket in a Wonka Bar. Of the twelve acts, one stood out – way out – for me: Jackie Evancho.

WOW! WOW! WOW!

Jackie Evancho is a ten-year-old opera singer. Yes – 10! And she sounds like a thirty-year-old seasoned Met performer. She has to be heard to be believed. At the end of her performance I was a teary mess. She’s THAT good.

Every season I am blown away by several acts and cheer them on, hoping they make it to the end. I loved all of the finalist last season, but my favorites, Barbara Padilla and Lawrence Beeman, didn’t bring home the prize. Some of my favs for this year are Prince Poppycock, Arc Attack, Murray, and Haspop. There are some great pop signers in the finalist line up, too.

But after last night, I’m Jackie Evancho all the way to the end.

Jackie Evancho isn't a star in the making - she's already a star.

What do you see when you look at this picture?


When I look at that picture, this is what I see.



I do not see the blossoming young woman, I see my little girl. And I guess that's why I tend to overreact at times...like last night. Scene Girl's “boyfriend” (the boy makes me gag, just so ya know) was over and the two of them were sitting on the front steps talking...or so I thought. I'm no dummy, so I made sure Video Boy was keeping a keen eye on his big sister. Well, a few minutes later Video boy runs inside giving me the “Oh! Oh! Oh!” dance, with his sister hot on his tail, tears running down her cheeks. At this point I'm freaking out. The “boyfriend” is gone. Video Boy has no idea what happened.

Finally, Scene Girl emerges from her room, still crying and holding her neck. She throws herself into my arms, babbling about how “she thought he was just going to kiss her. And she didn't know what he was doing. Blah. Blah. Blah.” She then proceeds to move her hand away from her neck to reveal a giant hickey.

I always saw myself as a cool mom. A happening mom. An understanding mom. Nope. Last night, I was MY mom. I flipped out all kinds of ways. I yelled. I screamed. I cried. I totally overreacted. I saw myself at her age. I Remembered every stupid mistake I had ever made with a boy. I remembered the pressure that comes from liking a boy so much that your body aches. And I remembered being on the threshold...no longer a little girl, and not yet a woman. It's difficult It can be heartbreaking when you want a boy to like you so much. I've lost my religion many a time over some dumb ass boy.

I never wanted her to make my mistakes. And I handled it wrong.

What happened to the endless talks about sex and self-respect? Did it all fall on deaf ears? Had she not witnessed one of her best friends be labeled because of her behavior? Did she forget about her 14-year-old friend and her new bouncing baby boy? Frustrated does not begin to describe how I felt.

I took her cell phone. I sent her to room for the night. No music. No TV. I wanted her to be alone with her thoughts. To realize what that kind of behavior can lead to. A few hours later she came out of her room and climbed up into my lap and asked me if I thought what had happened made her a slut and my heart crumbled into a million little pieces. So young and so confused. I wouldn't trade places with her for nothing in the world. I know all I can do is reassure her that my love for her is unconditional. And be here to support her and help her to understand what her mind and body is going through.

But, man, this entire thing would be so much easier if she looked like a Troll doll:)

Next weekend I will be speaking at the Julian Library. This is a very exciting and important event for me. You see, Ghost à la Mode, the first Ghost of Granny Apples mystery, takes place in Julian. In fact, Granny herself hails from the small historical town in the mountains north of San Diego.

If you live in Southern California, Julian is a fun place for a relaxing weekend or even a day trip. So why not come on down Saturday, August 21, and visit me at the Julian Library. I'll be on deck at 1:00 pm. And you'll be able to visit all of the sites mentioned in Ghost à la Mode. I might even be talked into giving an impromptu walking tour. Just let me slip on my comfy shoes.

What's more, this will be the very first public outing of MURDER IN VEIN, my new vampire mystery. The library and I have been assured by my publisher that copies of the book will be available for next Saturday's event (sorry - trade paper edition only, hard cover edition isn't out yet).

Ghosts AND vampires - How fun is that gonna be!

For more photos of Julian, check out my Julian photo album on my Facebook page.