I've figured out that in order to get a book deal these days, you've got to have a blog in which you promise to do something for a whole year and write about it every day. It's like a paper version of a reality show, and I've got to admit that I'm hooked.

In the past couple of years, I've noticed--and read-- quite a few of these books.  There's the very famous Julie and Julia, which snowballed into a movie deal as well:  the author cooked her way through an entire Julia Child cookbook.

Continuing the "cook and blog" theme was Stephanie O'Dea, who decided to cook something in her slow cooker every single day for a whole year.  She published two cookbooks--and I've cooked from both of them.  There are some great recipes in those books.

Moving on to the stranger concepts, I came across a book called Living Oprah in which the author decided to follow every single piece of advice Oprah Winfrey dished out--for a full year.  This became almost a full-time job for her.  She watched the show every day, taking notes.  She visited the website.  She pored over the magazine.  She drove her husband crazy.

And last week I read a newspaper article about a local couple who has cashed in on this trend by carrying a wedding dress on hiking trips all over the world so the husband can photograph his wife wearing this dress in various exotic places.  Then they published a coffee table book showcasing the photos.  I had no idea that guidance counselors and college professors had that kind of travel budget.

My daughter says I'm fascinated by this because I'm jealous--and there's some truth to that.  Apparently the only thing stopping me from getting an awesome book deal is my own lack of crazy ideas for things I'm willing to do daily for a whole year.

COUPON TIME

$3 off orders of $30 or more at Alibris
Enter coupon code MILESTONES.
Valid through: March 5, 2011
See other Alibris coupons!

5% off your order at Barnes & Noble
Enter coupon code W9D3B7F.
Valid through: May 29, 2011
See other Barnes & Noble coupon codes!