Some fandangulous peeps are having contests on their blogs and I wanna share the love!
Check out the marvy Kathy Bradey's blog. She is having her first ever contest - and you can win an Amazon gift card! Kathy's manuscript - Ice Carousel is UH-mazing!
The GotYA blog has another fun contest up for ya - this time from Annie after the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention! Check it out!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Happy Birthday to ME!
So... tomorrow is my birthday.
Cue the singing. Oh look there is a beautiful cake. Balloons? Presents? Oh - you shouldn't have.
I love my birthday. A LOT.
I've had some wonderful birthdays - and some not so wonderful birthdays.
I used to cry every time someone sang the Happy Birthday song. (I may or may not still do this.. SHUT UP!)
These are birthdays I remember... in no particular order (I told you I like to make lists!):
The one where my grandparents were there and I went to Show Biz Pizza
The one where we played the game Telephone in the backyard.
The one where the boy I liked gave me a kiss as my present.
The one where I had a hot tub party and none of the girls would put on a bathing suit to get in - but me. And I got to hang out in the hot tub with 8 good looking guys - all by myself. The very next day one of those guys showed up on my doorstep and told me how amazing I was because I was okay enough to do it (even though I didn't look particularly great in one!)
The one where I cried all day because someone broke my heart.
The one where I was at prom and my birthday started at midnight.
The one where I cried all night because my parents showed up late to my birthday party and everyone had to leave by the time they got finally arrived with the cake and pizza.
The one where I just found out I was pregnant with my oldest daughter.
The one where Jim Henson (one of my favorite people on Earth) died. The same birthday that one of my other favorite people brought me a dozen roses because every girl should get beautiful flowers on her birthday (Miss you tons Mrs. C!).
The one where I got fired from a job and my boss brought me a dozen roses and a dozen daisies to apologize.
The one where I was 40 weeks pregnant with my middle daughter.
The one where my work friends decorated my cubicle and gave me amazingly touching gifts.
The one where I watched my daughters dance recital.
The other one where I watched my daughters dance recital.
The one at Chi Chis where I donned the giant sombrero and had yummy fried ice cream.
The one where I had my birthday cake in a bathtub - with two little girls tubbing with me!
The one where I was surprised when an amazing friend showed up with a cake, flowers and balloons for me.
I've had many good birthdays. So many - I can't remember them all. I'm sure tomorrow will be another one!
Cue the singing. Oh look there is a beautiful cake. Balloons? Presents? Oh - you shouldn't have.
I love my birthday. A LOT.
I've had some wonderful birthdays - and some not so wonderful birthdays.
I used to cry every time someone sang the Happy Birthday song. (I may or may not still do this.. SHUT UP!)
These are birthdays I remember... in no particular order (I told you I like to make lists!):
The one where my grandparents were there and I went to Show Biz Pizza
The one where we played the game Telephone in the backyard.
The one where the boy I liked gave me a kiss as my present.
The one where I had a hot tub party and none of the girls would put on a bathing suit to get in - but me. And I got to hang out in the hot tub with 8 good looking guys - all by myself. The very next day one of those guys showed up on my doorstep and told me how amazing I was because I was okay enough to do it (even though I didn't look particularly great in one!)
The one where I cried all day because someone broke my heart.
The one where I was at prom and my birthday started at midnight.
The one where I cried all night because my parents showed up late to my birthday party and everyone had to leave by the time they got finally arrived with the cake and pizza.
The one where I just found out I was pregnant with my oldest daughter.
The one where Jim Henson (one of my favorite people on Earth) died. The same birthday that one of my other favorite people brought me a dozen roses because every girl should get beautiful flowers on her birthday (Miss you tons Mrs. C!).
The one where I got fired from a job and my boss brought me a dozen roses and a dozen daisies to apologize.
The one where I was 40 weeks pregnant with my middle daughter.
The one where my work friends decorated my cubicle and gave me amazingly touching gifts.
The one where I watched my daughters dance recital.
The other one where I watched my daughters dance recital.
The one at Chi Chis where I donned the giant sombrero and had yummy fried ice cream.
The one where I had my birthday cake in a bathtub - with two little girls tubbing with me!
The one where I was surprised when an amazing friend showed up with a cake, flowers and balloons for me.
I've had many good birthdays. So many - I can't remember them all. I'm sure tomorrow will be another one!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
"Sunny Days, everythings A-OK!"
*Becca Rogers blog is terrific - she had beautiful teasers - and a daisy!!
*Deb's blog - besides the fact her graphics make me smile, her posts make me literally laugh out loud most of the time.
*Amanda Plavich's blog is adorable and beautiful - plus if you dig hard enough you get to her photography site which is as wonderful as her writing.
* Amy Bai - just read it - worth every second!
*OK - I also want to throw two of my favorite writer's of all time on here... Barbara Kingsolver because her books saved me a long time ago and her site is full of her. And that is lovely. "The writing of fiction is a dance between truth and invention."
*And then there is SARK. Because I am a succulent, wild woman - and because her site is fun and informative and bright and colorful. Just like her. And a little bit like me.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
"You stole my heart but I love you anyway..."
So, I'm learning I maybe a major fail at blogging. I want to be witty and fun, or serious and interesting or something. So much so that the words just don't come to me. So I'm going to cheat. I'm making a list. I love lists. Back in my old diaries I used to make lists upon lists... who I liked, who the cutest boy was, movies I wanted to see, presents for my birthday, favorite singers.... if I could categorize something and stuff it into a top 10/20/30... I would.
It's May. I love May. It's the month I was born, it's when I found out I was pregnant with my oldest daughter, it's when I had my middle daughter, it's when I am celebrated as a mother. It's also a time where the weather turns warm and my toes dig in the sand at the beach for the first time every year, the leaves explode onto their branches, the smell of cut grass catches the air, the garden is planted... oh how I love May.
So, honor of my list making and my love of May, I will present for you a list of things I love. I'm leaving off the obvious/most important (my husband, my children, my family, my friends) and trying to dig into some of the other things that thrill my soul.
This is in no specific order...
- kids giggling
- citrus scented soap
- teaberry ice cream
- showers without short people (my children in particular) barging in the bathroom
- old favorite songs on the radio
- smell of salt in the air
- the middle of an amazing book
- fountain coke that is "just right"
- dandelions clutched proudly in little fists
- tequila
- putting away winter coats/hats/gloves
- fires in the hearth on a cold rainy day
- homemade ice cream
- adirondack chairs
It's May. I love May. It's the month I was born, it's when I found out I was pregnant with my oldest daughter, it's when I had my middle daughter, it's when I am celebrated as a mother. It's also a time where the weather turns warm and my toes dig in the sand at the beach for the first time every year, the leaves explode onto their branches, the smell of cut grass catches the air, the garden is planted... oh how I love May.
So, honor of my list making and my love of May, I will present for you a list of things I love. I'm leaving off the obvious/most important (my husband, my children, my family, my friends) and trying to dig into some of the other things that thrill my soul.
This is in no specific order...
- kids giggling
- citrus scented soap
- teaberry ice cream
- showers without short people (my children in particular) barging in the bathroom
- old favorite songs on the radio
- smell of salt in the air
- the middle of an amazing book
- fountain coke that is "just right"
- dandelions clutched proudly in little fists
- tequila
- putting away winter coats/hats/gloves
- fires in the hearth on a cold rainy day
- homemade ice cream
- adirondack chairs
Friday, April 30, 2010
Lovin' my library
I've had a couple of people ask how the reading has been going - and what I think about the books I mentioned earlier. I'm not much at writing book reviews but I love to chat about books...
So - Wintergirls - Laurie Halse Anderson, this was crazy good. It was hard to read at times because you are entwined in the MCs head that you feel as out of control as she does (which is the point - and is done VERY well). The pacing is super fast and toward the end I HAD to finish it because I needed to not only find out what happened, but also to get out of her head! Great read.
Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr, also very good. I liked that the fairies in this book were not the little happy, twirly fairies of our youth but dark, dirty and at times cruel. Main character Aislinn is tough, brave and saves her own day. I can't wait to read Ink Exchange ... which is waiting at the library for me!
Graceling - Kristen Cashore, I ran through this book. If you want to read a book about a hard-core tough chick - this is that book. Katsa is a fun character, because she has tremendous growth throughout, but still retains the core of her person at the end. The concept behind the book is fun - and the world that Cashore creates is beautiful and fascinating.
Wish You Were Dead - Todd Strasser, This was another dark book, and I flew through it - anxious to find out how it ended. I was expecting something a little more humorous (I don't know - maybe the title should have clued me in??) - dark - but funny. It wasn't that - but a captivating suspense thriller instead.
My favorite of this group which I admit I may be a bit biased about since the author is a fellow AWer - was Handcuffs by Bethany Griffin. I expected this to be some kind of hostage situation type of book (I'm apparently not very good at guessing these things!!) but found an intriguing glimpse into the main characters life. I love the main character Parker - and adore her he-who-shall-not-be-named- love interest. The story lightly touches base on many relevant topics without feeling like she's skimming over them - or preaching. This was another race to the end to find out what happens type of book. I admit I'm a little sad it ended.
Up next: I'm almost done with Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen, and have hush, hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, City of Bones by Cassandra Clare and Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins in queue. Oooooooooh and I won Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl from a contest on the terrific new OPWFT website - called GotYA. Check it out if you get a chance!
So - Wintergirls - Laurie Halse Anderson, this was crazy good. It was hard to read at times because you are entwined in the MCs head that you feel as out of control as she does (which is the point - and is done VERY well). The pacing is super fast and toward the end I HAD to finish it because I needed to not only find out what happened, but also to get out of her head! Great read.
Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr, also very good. I liked that the fairies in this book were not the little happy, twirly fairies of our youth but dark, dirty and at times cruel. Main character Aislinn is tough, brave and saves her own day. I can't wait to read Ink Exchange ... which is waiting at the library for me!
Graceling - Kristen Cashore, I ran through this book. If you want to read a book about a hard-core tough chick - this is that book. Katsa is a fun character, because she has tremendous growth throughout, but still retains the core of her person at the end. The concept behind the book is fun - and the world that Cashore creates is beautiful and fascinating.
Wish You Were Dead - Todd Strasser, This was another dark book, and I flew through it - anxious to find out how it ended. I was expecting something a little more humorous (I don't know - maybe the title should have clued me in??) - dark - but funny. It wasn't that - but a captivating suspense thriller instead.
My favorite of this group which I admit I may be a bit biased about since the author is a fellow AWer - was Handcuffs by Bethany Griffin. I expected this to be some kind of hostage situation type of book (I'm apparently not very good at guessing these things!!) but found an intriguing glimpse into the main characters life. I love the main character Parker - and adore her he-who-shall-not-be-named- love interest. The story lightly touches base on many relevant topics without feeling like she's skimming over them - or preaching. This was another race to the end to find out what happens type of book. I admit I'm a little sad it ended.
Up next: I'm almost done with Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen, and have hush, hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, City of Bones by Cassandra Clare and Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins in queue. Oooooooooh and I won Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl from a contest on the terrific new OPWFT website - called GotYA. Check it out if you get a chance!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Write on...
There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein. ~Walter Wellesley "Red" Smith
The urge to write just up and went. Away. I have no idea where it went, but wherever, it is far away from me.
You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you. ~Ray Bradbury
I'm pretty sure that Bradbury is on to something. I paused for just a moment, turned my back and reality sure enough did grab me and fill my soul with.. well...reality.
Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead. ~Gene Fowler
I love to write. Sometimes though there is such muck to wade through to reach anything of interest that nothing flows on the paper.
If I'm trying to sleep, the ideas won't stop. If I'm trying to write, there appears a barren nothingness. ~Carrie Latet
It's been a month since the urge last struck me.
Today I feel a small twinge. It's there. It's thinking about coming out. A couple of nights without sleep always help that along.
I will set myself up with all the necessities... caffeine (Tim Horton's Iced Capp)... food (a veggie wrap sounds tasty... music (cues NORMAL playlist on itunes)... turn off internet...
The urge to write just up and went. Away. I have no idea where it went, but wherever, it is far away from me.
You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you. ~Ray Bradbury
I'm pretty sure that Bradbury is on to something. I paused for just a moment, turned my back and reality sure enough did grab me and fill my soul with.. well...reality.
Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead. ~Gene Fowler
I love to write. Sometimes though there is such muck to wade through to reach anything of interest that nothing flows on the paper.
If I'm trying to sleep, the ideas won't stop. If I'm trying to write, there appears a barren nothingness. ~Carrie Latet
It's been a month since the urge last struck me.
Today I feel a small twinge. It's there. It's thinking about coming out. A couple of nights without sleep always help that along.
I will set myself up with all the necessities... caffeine (Tim Horton's Iced Capp)... food (a veggie wrap sounds tasty... music (cues NORMAL playlist on itunes)... turn off internet...
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
It's Tuesday! No Teaser!
I'm knee deep in revisions. I have been getting responses from my beta readers and so far so good. I love their honesty and comments, so far I'm in agreement with the suggestions and that is always a good thing - even if they are some tough recommendations. I love editing after getting comments from a beta. It feels good to be polishing - catching things that I missed earlier and making my MS as clean and shiny as it can be. It also brings me one step closer to querying.
I did something crazy.
I let my best friend read my MS. I find this isn't always a good idea because it can be awkward if they don't love it, and criticism stings differently coming from a friend than it does from an impartial beta reader. Good news - she stayed up until 1am to finish reading it! We talked about it all day yesterday and it was so much fun to chat about the characters and issues I'm having. I'm pretty sure I won't be writing her review of it on any agent queries, "My mom and my best friend really think it's cool..." but it's good to have someone to bore on end with questions.
I have another good friend who has been reading along with me from the beginning and her initial help is the only reason Normal is where it is now. She held my hand through those self-conscious, overly dramatic writer moments.
My point here... through this journey I'm growing braver with each step. I'm sharing my dreams with others and accepting their help. I think this makes all the difference.
I did something crazy.
I let my best friend read my MS. I find this isn't always a good idea because it can be awkward if they don't love it, and criticism stings differently coming from a friend than it does from an impartial beta reader. Good news - she stayed up until 1am to finish reading it! We talked about it all day yesterday and it was so much fun to chat about the characters and issues I'm having. I'm pretty sure I won't be writing her review of it on any agent queries, "My mom and my best friend really think it's cool..." but it's good to have someone to bore on end with questions.
I have another good friend who has been reading along with me from the beginning and her initial help is the only reason Normal is where it is now. She held my hand through those self-conscious, overly dramatic writer moments.
My point here... through this journey I'm growing braver with each step. I'm sharing my dreams with others and accepting their help. I think this makes all the difference.
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