Interview - Elle Strauss!!

I am so excited to have the wonderful Elle Strauss on my blog today for an interview! She's a wonderful writer, blogger and friend, so lets not waste time!!!

Elle Strauss Interview - Elle Strauss I'm the author of CLOCKWISE, a YA chicklit about a teenage time traveler who accidentally takes the cutest boy in the school back in time, and of PLAYING WITH MATCHES, a YA historical about a boy who grows up in Hitler Youth. I am represented by the fabulous Natalie Fischer of the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. Find me on Facebook, Twitter and on my blog.

1. What made you think of the idea of Clockwise? Playing with Matches?

I started Playing with Matches in 2005 after a friend of mine brought his father over for supper. He started telling us his story about having to walk 200km from one city to another after the war—no money, no transport, no food and only sixteen. The muse started talking. Clockwise came out of the need for a break from such a serious subject. Writing a book based on history and a very well known even at that, takes loads of research. I just needed a break from the war. I had written a time travel story many years ago and decided I like to do a better job of that, and started a new one.

2. Are these currently out on submissions are is there a publishing date in sight?

I’m fortunate to have both of these books out on submission. Clockwise went first, then Playing with Matches. Interestingly enough, it was Clockwise, my take a break book, that got me my agent.

3. How did it feel when an agent emailed/called you to let you know they were interested? Laugh, scream, cry, dance with a bear?

Actually, the first thing I felt was relief. After spending years looking and enduring a ton of rejections, I was just relieved to finally have climbed over that hurdle. That was quickly followed by joy and a happy dance.

4. How does you writing process work? Are you a panster or an outliner? Does the first draft or the revisions take longer? How long did it take you to write both YA novels?

I’m a blend. I usually have a general idea where I want to go, a beginning, middle, end, but then all bets are off and usually all those point turn out completely different than what I first imagined. The first draft takes longer, but revisions can happen over and over again, and ultimately take more time. Playing with Matches took five years to get agent ready and Clockwise took a year and a half.

5. How long have you wanted to be a writer? Do you work as a writer or do you have another profession on the side?

I’m a late bloomer and didn’t discover my passion to write until I was in my early thirties. Right now I’m working in administration part-time, but my plan is to write full-time in the future. (Hoping!)

6. What was it like during the querying process? How did you properly decide who to send your queries too? How many did you send out?

Anyone who has entered the query process knows it’s agonizing. I researched all the agents I submitted to, making sure they were looking for the type of book I was pitching to them, and followed their submission guidelines. I don’t have my records, they died with my laptop, but I would say thirty plus agent submission for each of them is not far off.

7. Do you have a critique group you are a part of?

I have a couple on-line crit partners and a couple writer friends who read for me.

8. What does a day in the life of Elle look like?

This is a really hard question to answer. Every day is different.

9. Do you have any other projects currently in the works?

I just completed another chik-lit project called SEAWEED about a teen swim athlete who falls for a merboy, only to find out they have more in common and more to fear, than they thought.

Fun and Random Questions
Favorite burger joint? I don’t eat fast food, but if pressed I’d say A & W (teen burger).
Favorite bookshop? We only have two in our city and I like them both.
Favorite book? Pride and Prejudice
Favorite author? Too many great ones to choose.
Favorite series? They’re only two books and more companion than series, but I liked Ballad and Lament by Maggie Stiefvater.
Rain or snow? Rain
Bear or Lion? Bear
Writing snack of choice? I don’t eat an write but afterwards I’m all about dark chocolate
Sweet or Salty? Sweet
Book you are currently reading? Just finished Not Suitable for Family Viewing by Vicki Grant — loved it.

Thank you so much Elle for stopping by my blog!! Be sure to check out her blog and join her on the journey to publication! I wish her the best of luck and know that with these books we will be seeing her in stores soon enough!!!

Prada and Prejudice love...

First up a little blog love for Kristi over at Daily Random Thoughts, her contest ends July 5th and up for grabs are some fabulous gift cards... I could be mean and not to tell you about it (better chance for me to win) but you can't pass up something that awesome so be sure to stop by and enter after you enter mine! Go here!

If you haven't checked out yesterdays book giveaway for The Truth Tellers Tale be sure to go here after you are done with this giveaway!

Today's giveaway - Prada & Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard



I am giving away Prada and Prejudice and The Truth Tellers tale for a reason, they are two books I thoroughly enjoyed but they are two books that represent what I'm writing. One of them the ultimate guide to fantasy (TTT) and the other that takes place in 1815 (P&P) I'm writing a fantasy novel (Travelers) and my latest WIP (Stella's Story - 20,000 words in since friday!) is a story of a Duchess!

THE RULES

FOllOW ME :)
ADD ME ON YOUR SIDEBAR OR BLOG (for extra points)
ADD YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS - If you could live in 1815 who would you want to be?? King, Queen, commoner? Why?

500 follower contest!!!!

I seem to have confused quite a few people this morning... I have to admit that I was rushing when setting up the contest yesterday!

Here are the rules:

follow me
Give me a nice shout-out (sidebar or blog love)
Leave your email address
Do the following writing exercise (it can just be a few sentences): I couldn’t believe that my mother volunteered me for that job.


I'm giving away a copy of The Truth Tellers Tale by Sharon Shinn, and I've also done the writing exercise myself so that you can see how it works! Be creative and on Friday I will showcase the winner and grab your address!! Check out the real post here!

Writing lovin contest!!!!

Here's some 500 follower love!!! A contest! I would never let you down and I figured rather than a friday to start the contest we'd do Monday!!!

Todays book... The Truth Tellers Tale by Sharon Shinn!!!



So without further ado... The Write Source has some super cute writing exercises and I will give you the sentence and you create a fun story... it doesn't have to be long, just creative! I'll have a few judges behind the scenes to pick the favorites and I'll notify you of the win via email (so be sure to leave your email as well!!)

TODAY'S EXERCISE:

I couldn’t believe that my mother volunteered me for that job.

(I'll join in for fun! So here is mine!)

"You want me to what?" I asked

"Go around and pick off the gum from underneath the tables"

She smiled and handed me a white bucket, she didn't wait for me to reply, instead shot off to the kitchen to prepare lunch for all the middle schoolers. What a nightmare, my mother set me up again. She was still upset at the last job I quit, but I couldn't help that the jobs all sucked. Nothing compared to this. She had told me it was either this or worse, I was beginning to regret my decision, her just saying worse terrified me but now knowing I had to pick gum from underneath all these tables, what could possibly be worse?

So there is mine!!! I decided that it was pretty gross and kind of funny too so I hope to have sparked some fun ideas for all of you!!! I really hope you enter!!! The winner will be chosen on Friday! So to enter you want to do the writing exercise, give a little blog shout out or sidebar and leave your email!!!

500 follower love!!!

I want to let everyone know that next week (hint, hint MONDAY & TUESDAY) I'll be holding a contest for my wonderful 500 followers! Be sure to get the word out... I have some awesome books that are up for grabs!!!

Q&A

Lynn over at Place to Create tagged me for this fun little question game! Since I didn't have anything really planned for today (still trying to come up with a fun contest idea!) I decided this would be best to fill the gap! Along with some wonderful awards at the end!

1) What's your favorite genre to read? Why?
I love to read chick-lit novels, fantasy and then anything that tickles my fancy. I have recently fallen in love with Young Adult novels and it's after I found that it's what I was meant to write! Thanks to all my blog buddies for sharing the best YA novels around!

2) If you couldn't write in the genre you do, what genre would you write in?
I suppose I would write in the Horror genre, I really enjoy YA fantasy but my husband would really like me to finish The Collector and try and get it published, it even scares the pants off him and trust me that's not easy to do!

3) Pepsi or Coke?
Depends on the state, if I'm in Iowa I love Pepsi, if I'm in Houston Coke is better. It doesn't make sense but there really is a different taste.

4) How do you spend Sundays?
Make a yummy breakfast - pancakes, monkey bread or cinnamon rolls - followed by blog posts, I do all of the weeks blogposts on Sunday, even when they don't come to my mind, any ideas are written down so that during the week it doesn't require thinking. Then the hubs and I cuddle in front of the TV and watch some mindless shows, read, or spend time writing. Boring I know, but I love it!

5) Penguin or Giraffe?
This one is tough, I would love to be a penguin because everyone comments all day how cute you are, you also have one mate for life which is the best, since I'm not a slut. However Giraffe's are so cool with how tall they are, there spots rock, and they have the best view... Hmmm which to choose, I'm going with Penraffe yup, why not be both!

6) What type of vehicle do you drive?
Mazda 3, gray, and adorable! I love Maddy... Yup Maddy the Mazda, you better love it!

7) Would you lick a battery if your life depended on it?
If you knew me you would know how much strength it would take to lick a battery when I can't even stand someone licking their own fingers, but to answer your question yes. I mean wouldn't you do pretty much anything if your life depended on it?

8) When do you write -- morning, afternoon, evening?
I work full-time, soon to be going to school part-time and try and blog in between that so pretty much any chance I get I try and write. Ideally I'd love the hours of 6am-10am, I seem to have the best ideas around that time, but work doesn't allow me to get it all out, instead I have to have my notepad around to document it so I hopefully have the same feeling later... which never happens. Around the hours of 4pm-6pm is when it gets done, and it's forced.

9) Which do you like more -- FaceBook or Twitter?
Facebook, I can navigate so easily through facebook, I know how everything operates and it's much easier to track on my phone. Twitter is a confusing little devil child. I don't even know how to properly link anyone, tweet about contests or send messages to anyone, I have one, but it's never used, to difficult! Talking about it stresses me out!

10) If you get hurt, (like a scraped knee or arm) do you ask for a band-aid?
Nah, I let it go... if it's on a finger most definitely but an arm or a knee I go with the policy "Walk it off!"

Now I didn't have time to add a link for anyone to join in, so if you're feeling creative, dive on in and join in on the fun!

Truth Thursday!

Lets get to the point... THE TRUTH

1. I'd like to walk on clouds. Yes I know it's insane considering the fluffy white clouds are really fluffy once you reach them, but I picture they'd be like jumping on a trampoline, except this trampoline would take you all the way to New York, Hawaii, Paris... all the places I'd love to visit with no air fare... you tell me what you'd rather do?!

2. Certain people annoy me... a lot.

3. I would love a day away from myself. Do you ever have one of those moments? Where your mind won't stop bothering you but you can't get out of it? Last Friday I took a Sanity day to get away from myself. I went to the bookstore, ate pizza and watched movies, trying to pretend I was someone else. Weird I know.

4. Thinking about what's for dinner stresses me out.

5. There are trees outside my apartment that lead to an abandoned building. We would be trespassing if we go past a certain mark, and though we've done it before with friends I'm still fascinated by this building and late at night makes it even more inticing. What's stupid is that I'm afraid of the dark but I'm most intrigued around the one o'clock hour. Pitch black...silence...abandoned building, no wonder I have nightmares.

Any fun truths on your end? I had quite a few more in mind but I'll refrain til next round, after all I don't want to bore you!

PS thanks to the help of Kimberly Franklin I now have tabs at the top of my blog that leads you to my current WiP, About Me, Contacting Me and more!!! So feel free to look around and see what you think!

Demon Dialogue

So my wonderful critique partners know that I don't like dialogue. I should be good at it since I talk a lot... wait a minute... maybe that's why I'm not good at it?? Do I talk so much that no one else can't get a word in edge wise? Crap! That might be it *blushes*, well now that everyone knows I'm a chatty cathy we might as well learn something else thats new!

Demon Dialogue, Dialogue Dilemmas, whatever you'd like to call it I'm bad at it. I figured what better of a way to get over this slump then to give myself some tips, along the way I might help my fellow friends along too!

1. Listen to how people talk (Don't be a stalker. That would be creepy.)
-- listening to the natural flow of speech should help the process along, watch expressions and actions it will help you understand how people interact.

2. Not exactly like real speech (yeah like that really makes sense.)
-- Here's where crap gets real confusing, not like real speech but it should be real speech. No wonder I can't write dialogue. Alfred Hitcock said that a good story was "life, with the dull parts taken out." So edit out filler words and words that don't help along the plot.

3. Don't give away too much crap at Once.
-- If you give all the good stuff away up front whose going to want to read the rest of the story? Let it unfold naturally, you don't have to discuss everything right at the beginning.

4. Action Rocks.
-- You don't want everyone to think that your MC is a total bore so make sure to give them a little attention by showing the world who they are. Break up the dialogue with physical details to help move the words along the paper.

5. Don't Go Crazy 'cuz you think you're good at it. You might suck.
--Trying to come up with different synonyms for "said" will take away from the awesomeness of your dialogue so don't get carried away with different forms of tagging.

6. Don't get all up in the biznass of today's slang.
--Don't be stupid. Don't use crap that you think is hot right now because later in life you'll realize along with the rest of the world exactly what it was to begin with... C-R-A-P.

For tips in more detail feel free to visit the following link.

Any fun tips you'd like to add? PS I'll be trying to make it over to all the blogs today but if you don't see me the writing bug has caught me so I'll be sure to get back to you!!

Secrets or Truths? Special Interview!!

If you have a choice between two gifts which would would you choose?

Keeping secrets at any cost or telling the truth under all circumstances?

Would you consider these gifts or curses?

Today I have the wonderful Sharon Shinn on my blog today! I asked her a few weeks ago if she'd do an interview and she agreed! I'm honored to have her here, especially since she is one of my favorite authors and her books just so happens to be part of my 500 follower frenzy contest that I'll share later this week!!! She answered the questions beautifully! Be sure to soak it all in!

Author Interview - Sharon Shinn

1. I know you’ve written quite a few wonderful stories throughout the years but my personal favorite was The Truth Tellers Tale. What made you think to write about sisters (mirror twins) who have two unique powers nothing like each others gifts? What was your inspiration? (for a synopsis click here!)

I wanted to write another story set in that world, so I just spent a lot of time thinking about the sorts of people who might exist there. All along, I knew I wanted my main characters to be twins, because I liked the idea that they would have opposite kinds of magic, but I was pretty far along in the mental plotting process before I decided they should be mirror twins, opposite in every kind of way. I spent HOURS trying to come up with names that worked forward and backward and sounded kind of mystical but didn’t sound too weird. My favorite discarded ideas were Lilac/Calil and Siana/Anais. I would have gone with Siana/Anais except I thought it might be a bad idea to even remotely introduce the influence of Anais Nin to a YA story. :-)

2. Summers at Castle Auburn was also another one of my favorites! You created a beautiful world, what inspired you to write this piece? (for a synopsis click here!)

My original idea for this story was centered more on Jaxon and Rowena. I planned to narrate their romance from the point of view of Jaxon’s young niece or nephew, who wouldn’t always understand what was happening between the adults. But I gradually grew less interested in Alora and more interested in the court intrigue—and much more interested in the story I could tell about the teenager. As Corie’s personality became clearer to me, I started thinking about her relationship with Elisandra and her relationship with the aliora—and where Bryan and Kent fit into the whole story. It took me a long time to come up with the outlines of the book before I finally sat down to write it.

3. I've always wanted to hunt for aliora (read the book!) ever since the first page! Where does such an imaginative mind come up with something such as this, did you draw a map out to showcase the other world, outline?

It’s always hard to explain where I get story ideas! My best answer, and it sounds very fuzzy, is to say, “I think about the stories until they become clear in my head.” The aliora obviously have a lot in common with fairies, though they don’t have wings and there are other dissimilarities. I like that they possess a sort of kind magic—they heal, they nurture—and yet… They aren’t really safe to love.

I often do draw maps when I’m writing about a made-up world, just so I’m clear in my own mind where the river is and which direction the main roads run. Sometimes (as in the Samaria books and the Twelve Houses series) I include them with the manuscript, so that readers can consult them as well. Other times, I just use them for my own reference. I didn’t draw a map for Auburn, but I sketched out the layout of the castle so I could keep track of where all the rooms were and where the fountain was situated in the courtyard and so on.

I rarely create an outline, and when I do, I usually don’t follow it. :-) On the other hand, if I’ve thought up a good line of dialogue, I often scrawl it down so I don’t forget it by the time I get to the scene where it belongs.

4. How many books have you published total? What was your first?

I’ve published 21 books. My first one was THE SHAPE-CHANGER’S WIFE, which came out in 1995.

5. How did it feel to write your very first draft?

It always feels great to finish a first draft. I’m usually overcome with relief, because for me, that’s the most difficult part of the writing process. However, there’s a lot more work to come. I usually go through and do two or three complete edits before I show the manuscript to anyone. And then I consider all the comments I get from friends, family, and my writing group, and I go through and do another draft.

Once my editor sees a book, she sometimes asks for changes, so there’s often another rewrite to be done. Then I make progressively smaller and smaller revisions during the copyediting and proofreading stages. So it never feels like a book is really DONE until it’s actually in print.

6. Did your first piece of writing get published?

Far from it. I wrote my first short stories when I was in my early teens. Wrote my first (dreadful) novel when I was 20. I’d written ten complete books and uncounted short stories before I sold SHAPE-CHANGER’S WIFE.

7. How long did it take you to become a published author?

Between finishing that first book and selling SCW, it was sixteen years. A very very VERY long time!

8. Was there ever a point in time you felt like giving up?

Yes, especially in those last few years. I could tell I was improving as a writer (those eighth and ninth books, for instance, were a lot better than the first one), but I had started to think I would never get good enough to get published. By this point, I was averaging almost a book a year—which takes up a lot of time! And I was starting to ask myself, “If you’re never going to get published, are there better ways to spend this time?”

But, you know, I’m one of those people who can’t not write. Even during the months I’ve decided to take a break from writing, I feel my mind filling up with stories. The only way I can keep sane is to exorcise them by writing them down.

9. What did you do when you got your rejection? Cry, scream, eat some ice
cream?

Not sure I ever cried, but I’d always be really depressed for a couple of days. (I don’t think there’s any way to NOT be depressed. Being told your book isn’t good enough to be published is like being told your baby is ugly.) I could usually shake it off within a few days, though. And then I’d either send the manuscript out again, or go back to the one I was currently working on and tell myself, “Maybe THIS one will sell.”

10. What advice to you have to give aspiring writers?

First, obviously, don’t give up! Just because one—or two or twenty—editors and agents don’t like your book doesn’t mean that everyone will reject it. Keep sending out your stories until you’ve run out of places to send them.

Two, keep writing. There aren’t many people I know who have sold their first books. Most of them write two or three before they get it right—before they really learn how to pace a story, how to develop a character, how to bring a world to life. You learn something from every book. And you get better with every book. Writing is like any other skill. It improves with practice.

11. Did you have another job while pursuing your dream of writing? Do you still?

Yes to both. For the past thirty years I’ve been an editor at one magazine or another—usually relatively small trade or association magazines with pretty targeted audiences. I have a degree in journalism and I like being around other writers. I’ve learned a lot about copyediting (not to mention parallel sentence structure and noun-verb agreement) from being a magazine editor. And—so far, at any rate—being an editor has been a steadier line of work than being a fiction writer. I always knew I wanted to write, I can't remember a day when I didn't want too.

12. What is happens in the day of the fabulous author Sharon Shinn?

There’s a line from the movie “Lion in Winter” when the Henry character says, “My life, when it is written, will read better than it lived.” I always think that applies to me! My daily routine would be pretty dull to watch, since most of the action is going on inside my head.

I work from home, and I’m generally at my computer by 9 am. I work on the magazine until about 5, though two or three times a week I leave to have long lunches with friends. In the evening, I take a walk to work out all the kinks I get from sitting at a computer all day. Then I work on a fiction project for a couple of hours. It’s usually close to 8 by the time I’m done, and by then I’m starving. So I throw together some kind of meal and catch up on my TV shows and/or my reading and/or the phone calls I’ve missed during the day. Lights out by 11.

On weekends, I do such exciting things as cleaning the house, paying the bills, and folding the laundry. THEN I plunge into writing. My social life usually revolves around going to movies with friends or heading to someone’s house for dinner. I have three friends with in-ground pools, so barbecues and pool parties are frequent summer pastimes.

See? Really boring.

13. Any secret projects in the works? Upcoming books we should know about?
There are three things in the works right now. This fall I’ll be publishing TROUBLED WATERS, a book set in a wholly new world. Everyone in this world identifies with certain elemental traits (air, water, fire, earth, wood), and they all wear charms or carry tokens stamped with the “blessings” associated with some of those traits. (For instance, some of the water blessings include luck, persistence, and surprise.) My webmaster and I are currently working on some really cool designs to represent the blessings, and eventually they’ll be posted on my site.

I’m also finishing the drafts of two pieces that will come out in 2011. One is a modern-day urban fantasy about a woman in love with a shape-shifter. The other one is a novella set in Samaria, which will appear in an angel anthology. My co-authors for that are Nalini Singh, Meljean Brook, and Ilona Andrews. Not sure of exact dates for either of those!

FUN & RANDOM THINGS:

Favorite Book - JANE EYRE
Favorite Author - Georgette Heyer
-- These two have been pretty constant since I was 15--
Favorite Song - More like favoite soundtrack (GLEE)
Current Read - Just finished Kay Kenyon’s PRINCE OF STORMS and just started Martha Wells’ THE ELEMENT OF FIRE. In their very different ways, they’re both so good at world-building that I think I shouldn’t even try to write in the same genre.
Favorite Subject - Literature courses, from Shakespeare to Southern gothic.
Favorite Season – Autumn.
Sweet or Salty – Both. Chocolate-covered pretzels are perfect foods.
Chocolate or Gummy Bears – CHOCOLATE. Hate gummy bears and jelly beans and similar chewy things.
Flying or driving – Hate both. Am waiting for someone to invent teleporting.

Detective Work

This week I bring you Character building. It seems I don't know my character well enough so all this week I'm going to dive in to what I think could give me the breakthrough needed to write!

My MC for The Traveler's is Eryn Parker, she is on the hunt to find her attacker to save others and hopefully herself, with the guidance of the team of Traveler's she must find her attacker. I've made a list of what she might do when turning into detective mode:

1. Imagine herself in his next location
2. Scope the place out
3. Research the footprints left behind. His would be red
4. Research victims he's attacked
5. Talk with the team of Traveler's
6. Drink tea
7. Research at the library
8. Talk to Blake & Brianna
9. Visit the garden
10. Pass messages to Hunter

Now as you can see many of these you won't understand, you aren't fully aware of my characters or my world, so visiting a garden and drinking tea wouldn't make any sense, but in the world she is destined to be in it means everything.

What would your characters do if they were faced with finding their attacker? Would they run, forget about it, or attack it straight on?

Matched & More

Happy Friday!

Book News:

I finished Matched by Ally Condie last night!!! It was brilliant! I was intrigued from beginning to end, I took extra long lunch breaks to sneak another chapter or two. A world unlike any other sweeps you off of your feet and you begin to wonder what a world would be like when all the decisions were made for you. The time and detail that went into this story made it absolutely delectable. November 30th you better be at those bookstore doors ready to buy your copy. Trust me you will not be disappointed, the only thing you'll want after your done is the second installment!

Thank you Blue Willow Bookshop for allowing me to borrow the book!!!

Real World News:
I applied to college last night. Yup I took the plunge, I should start in the fall, I'll be a part-time student while I still work full-time. This will mean that once school starts I will have to ration my time more wisely making sure to leave blogging and writing time in the mix of all the other chaos. I know you'll all be there to support me!


Wonderful World of Bloggers:
DL Hammons has been busting his butt to have followers from every state and I'd love to help!!! He's done very well gathering as many as he has but he still needs a few more! I know those of you who can help will do so!!! So if you are any of the following states (listed below) please make your way over and say hello!! Make sure to tell him I sent you!

Alaska, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee & West Virginia

If you want to check out photos of the Tera Lynn Childs book signing make your way over to my sister Kim's blog (Under the Umbrella) she's working her way towards becoming a photographer! She rocks... trust me I would know... it's in the DNA!! Also Kristin Rae the blog buddy you met us there took pictures so be sure to check her out as well!! PS we saw Sophie Jordan there, whose book Firelight will be published soon!!

For all those who gave me awards, you have not been forgotten they will be added sometime this weekend or next weekend! I need to compile them and make sure I give some good shout-outs!

So how are you this friday? Any good links I should know about? Can't wait to read Matched?

Writing is hard...

No Truth Thursday today.

Official business.

Seriously.

Did anyone tell you? Well I will!

Writing is hard.

There you have it.

My current novel (Finding Me/The Traveler) is driving me crazy. Yes literaly driving me crazy. I mean my MC isn't getting any easier, in all honesty she's a pain in my ass. I've tried to revise for awhile now and everything I right is quickly followed by the delete button. The ideas are there I just need them to flow off the tongue, and write now they're stuck in a little box that's been glued shut and refuses to open. Hopefully I can break the seal... soon.


OTHER NEWS

Wow! You guys are awesome bloggers! 500+ followers?! Seriously? I can't believe I have so many amazing blog buddies that take the time to read my posts every day! Be sure to stick around because sometime next week I'll announce the 500 follower frenzy contest! There will be more fabulous interviews followed by great books! I just want to have a creative contest... this requires thinking!

Some of the selections - Prada & Prejudice, The Truth Tellers Tale and more!!

Any ideas for contests? Any truths for the week?

Interview - Mandy Hubbard

500 follower contest will be announced next week!!! Mandy Hubbards book Prada & Prejudice will just be one of the books given away!!!

This week I bring you the lovely Mandy Hubbard! I am honored that she took the time out of her very busy schedule to answer a few questions for us!!! So there are more than a few, but I can never seem to help myself!



Thanks again for visiting my blog and answering a few questions for us!

1. So for those who are unaware of what Prada and Prejudice is, could we have the run-down?

The elevator pitch: It’s about a 15 year old girl who buys a pair of heels to impress the popular girls, but she ends up tripping, hitting her head, and waking up in 1815.

2. Who was your favorite character to write in the story?

Probably Alex. I love hot British aristocrats.


3. Who was the most difficult to write?

Callie. She completely changed in terms of character/personality through the 9 drafts it took to sell this book. I had such a hard time figure out who she was and what she wanted and how she would change throughout the novel.

4. Do you remember what you were doing when the idea first popped into your head?

Not really—I had always wanted to write a time travel to regency England.

5. At any point in time were you discouraged? Did you want to give up?

Yes and yes! As I said above, it took 9 drafts to create a story worthy of a book deal. I wanted to pitch it out the window a few times!

6. How long did it take you to write your first draft?

2-3 months, partly because I had to stop in the middle in order to revise a different project for my agent.

7. Are you a panster or an outliner?

Naturally, a pantster, but I’ve learned to outline so that I can sell books on proposal.
8. Do the ideas just flow or is there a place you like to go to get centered and wait for the ideas to visit?

I’m pretty methodical about it—I’m on a 2 book per year schedule so I don’t have time for them to just… come to me. I go after them by actively brainstorming.

9. Do your main characters talk to you?

No, although we just talked about this in a writer’s group I’m in and apparently I’m the odd one out. *shrug*.

10. Did you have a critique group? Do you have a critique group?

No, I’ve always just done “critique partners” where I send the full manuscript to an author friend or two when its ready for a fresh set of eyes. I’m not a fan of the group set up because I’m more concerned with larger issues that require reading the full manuscript all at once, rather than chapter-by-chapter like most groups do.

11. How was the querying process for you? Scary, nerve-wrecking?

I loved it. Certainly, its nerve-wracking, but I have this weird obsession about pitch letters and matchmaking projects with agents/editors. That’s why I became an agent.
12. Any advice to aspiring writers?

Read, Read, read. And spend a lot of time learning what makes a good book and be okay with ripping apart your work so that you can put it back together again.

13. What did you do when you received your first rejection letter?

Ate some ice cream and sent out some more queries.

14. What did you do when you received a letter of someone wanting your story?

The news came via an email from my agent. I actually struggled to breathe for a second there! It was amazing and exciting.

15. I know you are about to release You Wish coming out August 5th, so could you tell everyone what it’s about?! I know I’m excited for it!

It’s about a teen girl who gets every one of her childhood birthday wishes, one every day, for 2 weeks. She’s desperate to stop them because last year she wished that Ben, the hottie she’s been in love with for years, would kiss her. Just one problem: now he’s her best friend’s boyfriend.

16. Are there any other books in the works?

Yep! A full list is at mandyhubbard.com In a nutshell: a dark book about an abusive relationship, and a paranormal fantasy about a teen who is normal all day, and a siren at night, and she accidently killed the only boy she’s ever loved.

17. Do you have a favorite book series?

I’m super excited about the last HUNGER GAMES book! It comes out in August.

18. Do you watch television? If so what are some of your favorite shows?

Glee, The Deadliest Catch, and House are my favorites.


19. What is a day in the life of Mandy Hubbard like?

I get up pretty early—about 6, and I spend most of my day reading, writing, answering emails, editing client manuscripts, etc.

20. What’s your favorite treat while writing?

Gummy bears, if I’m not being good. And Diet Coke.


21. Where’s your favorite place to write?

In my home office. I blew up the cover of Prada & Prejudice and had it framed. I love the space!

22. What is your favorite book?

There is NO WAY I could choose! I love Hate List, The Chosen One, The Season, True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Hunger Games… I could go on and on.

23. What are you reading right now?

DIRTY LITTLE SECRET, a YA about hoarding.

And for more quick random questions:

Rollerblades or bicycles: bikes

Dragons or Dinosaurs: dinosaurs

Chocolate or Gummy bears: ha! See above. Defintely gummy bears.

Chick flick or horror: Chick flick. Can’t stand horror—unless it’s a book.

Favorite author: I plead the fifth. Too many favorites!

Snow or rain: Snow!

Favorite song: The Change by Garth Brooks.

So there you have it for the wonderful Mandy Hubbard! The books in the works sound amazing so I am looking forward to all of her new releases!!!

Teaser Tuesday

So I'm switching it up this week, instead of Tuesday Twist I am going to share a snippet from The Collector again. I would have done it yesterday but the collages are new and I was dying to share them!!! So without further ado... the next installment of The Collector.

I loved them all. Each and everyone one of them. Some gave me more trouble than others, but I was strong enough to take them on. It wasn't easy keeping it a secret, I prefered the life I lived that no one knew about, but I also know if I wanted to enjoy it then I would have to keep quiet.

I had been watching her for weeks, and just like every Monday at 10PM she was walking her dog and setting her trash out for morning pick up. I had learned that night was the best time to watch them. No one around to nose around in your business. I would grab her garbage and sift through the until I found something worth reading. I needed to know what their lives were like, what they enjoyed doing, how many people would know if they were missing.

That was the key. Kidnapping... not killing. No one knew they died, no one knew I would keep them, hold them, torture them, until I was done. They remained on the Missing Persons Report, and always in a county I did not reside in. I always watched these mediocre people at work, seeing on the news that they left evidence behind. I remained clean, almost a bit neurotic, but it is what needed if you don't want to get caught.

And I don't want to get caught.

--Hope you enjoyed!--

Just incase you haven't noticed I'm at 499 followers! Thank you to all of you who support this blog! I couldn't have continued this far without you!! Contest soon to come!!! Just waiting for that one! Also I've been pre-occupied the last week and it's because of all the book reading I have going on!!! I just got my copy of Matched and hope to finish it soon!!

Character Collages

So this is still along the lines of writings on the wall or tales from the notebook, only difference is the story is told in photos! Everything represents something about the character I'm working with.

The following people you'll be shown are from the Traveler's Series I'm working on! When I'm saying I'm working on it, I really mean it. There have been a ton of changes that no one has seen it, a lot of work in progress with this story and I figured after meeting the wonderful Miss Tera Lynn Childs at the book signing on Friday night (WAS A BLAST!!!) that it was time I try character collages since I too am a visual person!! I couldn't have been more happy with the way they've turned out!So here below I've have them! I hope you enjoy!

Eryn - MC - Recruit


Tully - Head of House


Bri - Gal Pal of Eryn's


Love Life - Blake & Eryn


So that is a sneak peak of what I'm currently working on! Several pieces will be added later on as I move through the story. I'll also be creating a collage for the world itself, but that will be slow because I need to find the right magazines! Ask questions if you have any!

So what do you do when writing your story? How is your writing going?

The Attempt

Sandy Shin tagged me for the Penmanship Meme. The rule is to do the meme on paper and scan it (or take a picture if you don't have a sanner). Here are the items:

1. Name/Blog Name.
2. Right handed, left handed or both?
3. Favorite letters to write?
4. Least favorite letters to write?
5. Write: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
6. Write in caps:
CRAB
HUMOR
KALEIDOSCOPE
PAJAMAS
GAZILLION
7. Favorite song lyrics?
8. Tag 7 people.
9. Any special note or drawing?

Okay so I've decided to join in on the fun... and at first it was! Then after re-writing the damn thing over a dozen times just to get a picture that would show up for my computer to like it wasn't so much fun anymore. So here is the sixth copy of what I've done. It's 11:00AM and I already feel defeated, lol.



So I don't have time to add links since I put so much time into uploading but just incase you can't read my not so pretty handwriting I've selected:

Kim Franklin, Kristin Rae, TJ Carson, Laura Marcella, Vicki Rocho, Shannon McMahon, and anyone else who wants to give this a go!

MONDAY NEWS: I have something different coming up for Monday that I'm really excited about! I wanted to share it today but I will refrain from doing so! It is collage's of my characters and I love them tons! Keep a look out for them!

Project Jen #1 More Happiness

Thank you for all the comments on yesterdays post! I'm glad to see all of you interesting in Project Jen so I've decided to share my progress!

Project (insert your name here)

Make a List of things you want out of life. More than what you have now. This is your time to be greedy!

My #1 - More Happiness

I love my husband, my cats, and my life. However I do believe at times I let the stresses of work and family get in the way and forget to enjoy the little things in life. I allow all of the hate and anger of the world to weigh heavily on my shoulders and I've decided to let it go.

The doors to peace, tranquility, meditation and love are opened. Stress can get the hell out of here!

I'll share random Journal entries with you so you can see the little things in life that have brought me happiness. Here is one from this week.

6/9/2010 (9:30PM) - I haven't read in bed since I can remember. Tonight I did. I enjoyed a great book and dreamt of cream puffs and Italian men. Yes I was reading Eat Pray Love.

Note: Liz learned Italian but I've always wanted to learn French. I'm going to buy a book in French and have a dictionary near by to read every word. Even if it takes hours to read one page!

An added bonus to all my posts is that I'll be adding a little French in the mix. If you speak or write french and would love to comment in French feel free to do so! I'd love to grab my dictionary and let the translating begin!

Donc, avez-vous une liste? Quelles sont les heureux petit dans votre vie?
Translation - So do you have a list? What are the little happy's in your life?

Truth Thursdays!

Happy Thursday!!

AWESOME GIVEAWAY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Shannon Whitney Messenger is having a giveaway of The Body Finder and awesome swag to go with it! It is super awesome, she even got a picture for her blog, which is frickin brilliant! You must check out her blog, she's rock, and of course does the giveaway! It ends June 12th so be sure to drop by!

Sharon Shinn is having a giveaway on a copy of Ally Condie's Matched in lieu of her 100+ followers! Since it's not out until 11/30 she'll be pre-ordering it so that it's shipped to you in December! Isn't that awesome?!

Sarah B. Larson is having a giveaway that ends on Sunday for a new book by Stephanie Meyer on a story about Bree!! Be sure to check it out, she's a sweet blogger!

TRUTHS FOR THE WEEK!!!!!

1. I've decided to start something I'm calling Project Jen. A project that allows me to be a little be more - fly by the seat my pants - type of self. I am normally very structured and by the book but I want to live a little more, like the days when I was 19. Since moving to Houston I lost some of my awesomeness, and now I'm fighting to get some of it back!! You'll be hearing a lot more of this when I'm finished reading Eat Pray Love which is giving me inspiration to start this journey! Wish me luck!

2. I've always wanted to learn french. So I've decided I'm going to start. I've bought CD's about a year ago and I'm going to bring them out and start listening to them and studying, then I'm going to take a class and then join a meetup where people get together on Wednesday evenings and speak French so they don't lose their language! Great idea on paper right? Well part of Project Jen is to do something outside of the box... and this my friends is it!

3. So Harry Potter World will soon be opening up and as much as I'd like to go to the grand opening that just won't be happening. Fear not though, I'll be going next year and you bet your butt I'm going to have the time of my life! My new blog buddies Ramona and Melissa love Harry Potter as much as I do. In fact they are wonderful artists and writers who draw and write their own stories about getting to Hogwarts, along with other awesome things! You must check out these two sweet girls!

4. I'm exhausted this week, and the exhaustion is worse than most days because I told my husband the other day "Honey, I think our cats should be us for a day, I mean they live here rent free and lounge around, doesn't it only make sense that every once in awhile they take care of us?"... he agreed, because he's just as imaginative as I am, and because when a crazy person is that tired they shouldn't be messed with!

5. I'm looking forward to tomorrow nights author signing and hope to meet a couple of my blog buddies over there!!! Author Tera Lynn Childs will be talking about her latest book Forgive My Fins and my sister Kim and possibly Kristin Rae will be meeting us there! Pictures to come!

So what are your truths??? Feeling like you need a change in your life, are you going to do something like Project Jen? Want to learn a new language? Have a love of Harry Potter? Exhausted to the point of insanity? Books that you are dying to read? Share anything here!

Interview - Elana Johnson

I'm so excited to have Elana Johnson on my blog!!! She's super awesome and I feel honored to be interviewing her today! She's super famous in the blogging world and if you don't follow her you should start! She's fantastic!

So as well all know by now Control Issues is due out in Summer 2011, could you give us a little insight on what the book is about?

CI is about a girl who wants to make her own choices, living in a society where that simply isn’t done. Oh, and a hawt guy. There’s always a cute guy, right? I mean, it is YA.

I love a great story with a hot guy, don't you?!

Which character did you have the most fun writing?

CI is written in first person, so I only wrote one character—Vi—and she’s frawesome. At least I think so, but it’s not like I’m biased or anything. No…

Anyone who can have a cool nickname like Vi would be super awesome... or frawesome!

What were you doing when you first came up with the idea… if you remember; Were you washing dishes, eating dinner, modeling?

Yes, modeling. ROTFL! Since I do that in my spare time. I’m not entirely sure I remember where I was, but I do know I’d been thinking a lot about choices and what life would be like if my ability to make my own decisions was taken away.

What a thought! I am excited to see how you imagined the world would turn out!

Are you a panster or an outliner?

Pantser in the extreme.

Just like myself!

How long did it take you to finish your first draft?

17 days.

Holy Toledo Batman! Here I thought 5 weeks was good, but 17 days that's insane! You really are a panster! I think you've earned yourself a badge!

How many sets of revisions did you go through?

So many I want to cry (and I have no idea, because I’ve lost count). That’s the life of a pantser – at least one like me. I wrote 90K in 17 days, and proceeded to spend the next 17 MONTHS trying to get it right. Sometimes I really really wish I could outline. It would make cleaning up the word vomit so much easier. Good thing there’s a process for each of us!

At least I know I'm not alone in the crazy world of revisions!

What were the emotions you felt after finishing that first draft? Or any draft that you’ve ever finished? Cry, Laugh, Scream, Hug a rhino?

There’s always a huge high when you finish a draft. For me, it’s short-lived, because I know I have to go all rhino and go back in there to salvage the book.

I think we have all experienced this feeling!

Are you part of a critique group? Online or in your area?

Both. I have a live group I’ve been in for over 2 years, and I have an online group that operates on and off based on when we have material to crit. I have betas who read for me on whims, so that’s nice too.

Definitely have a team to back you up! That's fantastic!

Do you have any other published pieces, or any other pieces you are currently working on?

Nothing else published, and multiple things I’m working on. I’ve sent in my second book to my agent and am currently writing another novel. I wish I knew what it was about, so stay tuned for that!

I know we'll be excited to hear about your second book!

How was the querying process for an expert like yourself? Did you send out several?

Several? *rolls with laughter* Several? *laughter turns maniacal*

Ahem, yeah. I sent out “several.” Over the course of 8 months. So let’s face it, I sent out more than several. About 180 more than several.

The querying process was the longest, horriblest (yes, it’s a word), most ledge-worthy activity I’ve ever done in my life. Basically, it was hell.

But I survived. (That seventh rung down there is d-i-r-t-y.) And you will too.

So basically you're saying it's going to be tough. Got it.

Were you ever discouraged at any point in the writing process?

Um, yeah. See above. I feel like quitting on a near-daily basis, even now.

How did you decide what agencies to send your work to?

Interviews, agent blogs, websites, agent query profiles, information on Publisher’s Marketplace, etc. I researched my brains out on each and every agent.

I sent my query to anyone I thought would be a good match. After I had about 20 submissions out there, I did sort of go crazy and query the planet… Yeah, sometimes desperation took me over.

Desperation and craziness paid off it seems!!

What does a day in the life of Elana look like?

Depends on the day/season. It’s summer right now, so I pretty much do whatever I want all the time. But really, I get up, go to work, take care of my family, watch copious amounts of reality TV and then end my day with writing. Blogs all get written on the weekend. Books read from 3 – 4 PM or in bed from 11 – midnight.

Oh, and soda. There is always soda.

A girl after my own heart! Reality TV, Blog post written on weekends... and soda, always soda!

What is your favorite weather to write in? Sunshine, snow falling, raining?

Rain. I absolutely hate the feel of rain on my skin, but I love the way it smells and hears. And it’s a sad sound, and I sort of have to be in that frame of mind to write in a brainwashing setting. So I love writing in the rain.

Rain and writing is the best mix to a wonderful day!

Do you have a favorite book, or favorites?

Every book I read becomes my new favorite. Just ask my husband. I do the same thing with foods and songs.

I suppose you'd be every authors favorite customer!

Who is your all time favorite character in what I’m sure is a substantial amount of reading you do?

Harry Potter. (Cop-out? Whatev.)

Harry Potter rocks! Cop-out? I think not.

Any advice to aspiring writers?

Work Hard.

Don’t Give Up.

Finish Strong.

Pay It Forward.

Best advice a writer/author could give!

Now for random questions... Ready... Set... Go!
Favorite song: (right now) Whattya Want From Me by Adam Lambert
Favorite writing spot: In my blue chair
computer or notepad: Both – paper when the words won’t flow, computer when they will
sweet or salty: Both – at the same time. Can you say, “Pretzel M&M’s?”
snow or rain: Rain. My car slides off the road in snow.
bicycle or rollerblades: Bicycle. I am balance-challenged.
chick flick or horror: Chick flicks. I cannot stomach horror – I have nightmares. True that.
favorite ice cream: Anything with peanut-butter cups and caramel
What book are you currently reading: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

What's your favorite treat while writing?

It varies (see the whole favorite thing up there *grins*). Sometimes it’s Red Vines – the superior Twizzler. Sometimes Sour Patch Kids. Right now, it’s Pretzel M&M’s, but I’ve been known to chow down those French fried onion things that are supposed to be a garnish…but you know.

Yum I love your list and garnish or not those rock!

What's your favorite writing book?

Uh…I don’t really read non-fiction or anything with real substance. Yeah, I’m that shallow. I’ve tried reading writing books before, but I just don’t find them that interesting. *ducks* The one that helped me the most, and I only read a couple of chapters, is “Stein on Writing” by Sol Stein, so let’s go with that one.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that hasn't found them interesting. I think I'll give Stein on Writing a chance though!

Do you have a favorite series?

Okay, I’m not a huge series fan. (Don’t throw Coke cans!) I’m usually burnt out after two books, but I will finish a trilogy if I’m really into it. But I have read and will read again, the Harry Potter books.

Woohoo!!! 10+ for Harry Potter!

Do you have another job outside writing?

Yes, I teach elementary school computers (K-6). I’m basically a glorified typing instructor – but it gives me a lot of time to check email and read blogs!

So there you have it! Isn't she great?! So again if you are not following her you must! She is great and always has the best posts!! Have a wonderful Wednesday!!

Tuesday Twist - with a special twist!

This weeks installment is extra special! The first is a fun young adult story, but what makes this one so much fun is the fact that the author will be in Houston to talk about her book! I'm very excited to share her latest novel with you! The other two stories are from the wonderful Lindsay over at Adventures in Writing! I won them on her blog last week and she's shipped them off so I can have my very own copies!

This weeks books will be linked to my favorite local shop, the Blue Willow Bookshop! They are the one's who are hosting the author in Houston this week so I thought it appropriate to share all the books to their wonderful site!

So let's get started!

FIRST SYNOPSIS - Young Adult (Author in Houston this week!)
Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it's not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you're a normal teenage girl, but when you're half human, half mermaid, like Lily, there's no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily's mermaid identity is a secret that can't get out, since she's not just any mermaid—she's a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn't feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she's been living on land and going to Seaview High School ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems—like her obnoxious biker-boy neighbor, Quince Fletcher—but it has that one major perk: Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren't really the casual dating type—the instant they "bond," it's for life.

When Lily's attempt to win Brody's love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily ever after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.

Second Synopsis - Young Adult
In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

Third Synopsis - Young Adult
Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves.


These wonderful books:
Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

I hope you enjoyed this weeks book choices! I'm very excited about each one of them and hope you are too! I did not receive any compensation for linking this to Blue Willow Bookshop but I do believe that local bookstores should be recognized for their awesomness!!

So this week Tera Lynn Childs will be in Houston, those of you who live in the surrounding areas should really stop by the bookshop to see this amazing author! You will not be disappointed! The staff is kind and they always showcase the best people!

INFORMATION:
Author: Tera Lynn Childs

Date: Friday 6/11/2010
Time: 7:00PM
Location:

Blue Willow Bookshop
14532 Memorial Drive
Houston, TX 77079

Monday's writing on the wall

Yup the words have come back, slowly but surely. As I told you all on Friday one my WiP's titled - The Collector - has been bothering me, and just the other day I wrote a little for him. I don't plan on telling the story in first person but I think he wanted me to get to know him a little better, so this is what he had to say.

Killing isn't easy. It's a form of an art, the act of passion. Some would disagree with me, then again they'd be wrong. If you have a passion for art, writing, knitting it is all the same as killing, mine is just the illegal approach. When you are handed a gift you aren't meant to throw it away. My shop is organized to the smallest little details. It needs to be I need to know if something is missing, if something is moved. It isn't easy to keep someone hostage, especially the one's who have much strength. I'm tall, average height, there is nothing special about me. I make regular trips into town, kick the ball with the local soccer team, talk to the women in the bakery, talk sports when appropriate, my life is no different then anyone else's, my job is just my passion, a lot of people can't say that, but I can. It doesn't pay the bills, then again that's what Melody is for. She works for me, and she's my wife.

Does she know you ask? She does. It's how we met. I couldn't kill her, she would have been my first but when I met her and she spoke I was smitten. Yes even killers can love, it's not beyond them.

He's quite the piece of work, and trust me when I say I've been learning several new things about him - thanks to several episodes of Criminal Minds - he's given me the dreams I both love and hate. They are both terrifying and insightful into the mind of a killer. I just hope I tell the story well. I hope you enjoyed it.

VIDEO BATTLE: Edward vs. Jacob and more!

Hello fellow peeps!

Real World:
Last night the hubs and I walked in the rain to the local ice cream shop. It was a ton of fun, something we haven't done in awhile. Tomorrow we are going to the annual Sandcastle even in Galveston and it should be a ton of fun!!

Thanks to living in Houston the weather has been hot and perfect for swimming, so the sun rays and beachwear await us! What are your plans this weekend?(How is it in your neck of the woods?)

WiP World:
WIP:Finding Me - Revisions: Yup still there, still trying to work through it all! One step at time, working on not getting discouraged. Since it's the first set of revisions I'm focusing strictly on flow, it hasn't gone well but I'm hoping that inspiration is around the corner.

WIP: Mystic - Writing First Draft: Still working on Mystic, still going rather slow. I hope to have a snippet to share with you on Monday so that we can get back to writings on the wall and tales from the notebook. The plan is still in place, but only when I have something to showcase!

WIP: Collector - He's been bothering me. I told the MC that I couldn't write him while the hubs was working overnights, he scared me too much. He's stopped being so patient and now has become quite the demanding little demon, which I appreciate since he's supposed to be evil, but the weird and terrifying dreams need to stop, so now that the hubs is home in the evenings I've spent time writing down his thoughts. Trust me he's a bossy man, but that's okay he needs to be, after all he is a serial killer.

Blogging World:
Still working well on the schedule I have set in place. As you know Monday's is still a little week but I've done my best to stay on course otherwise, and it's been really nice! Life has gotten busier and not near as structured as it used to be so I haven't had time to comment on as many blogs, but I'm glad to see you're all staying with me through the process.

Followers - I want to let everyone know that I'm close to 500 followers and I do have a big big contest plan for when I reach the BIG 500!! I hope you'll all stick around for the fun! So if you'd like to see the contest let all your buddies know to see if I can make it to 500 faster! I love the love and hope that it continues!!!

Video Battle:
This week's battle is the Twilight discussion, whose better Edward or Jacob? I know who I'd choose but I'm not sure who the others will see... but for now here's my video!!!



So what are you waiting for?? Go check out the other contestants to see who they've chosen!!!

Jessica - The Alliterative Allomorph
Candace - The Misadventures in Candyland
Sarah - T.J. Carson's Writing Endeavors
Katie - Creepy Query Girl
Shannon - Shannon McMahon
Rachel - Open a Window
Susan - Susan Fields
Clara - Pinches of Madness
Angela - Slushpile Slut
Jennie - Garden Full of Lily

Truth Thursdays!

Gosh Thursday already?? One of the best days of the week if you ask me, we are almost to Friday and the week is already half way over! Also it's my fabulous truth thursdays where I share a few things and hope that you'll share your truths as well!!!

Last week was all about food so this week I am going to try really hard to not make any of my truths food related, we all know how tough this can be!

Here we go!!!

1. My favorite month is October, it is the month of my husbands birthday, our engagement, our wedding anniversary, the Rennaissance Festival here in Houston, awesome Haunted Houses and Halloween. The hubs was married on Halloween so it is a big thing in our house!

2. I love baking (no food listed so I'm not cheating!!!) I have tons of recipe cards filled with my favorites and the hubs favorites from his mom.

3. I love to fly but always get motion sickness. It's ridiculous too, I'll be so excited then when on the plane I feel awful but the minute I walk off I feel 100% and ready to get back on the plane!

4. Pier 1 Imports is like heaven for me, though if you looked at my house you'd never guess, you would say Ikea is. That's what is most affordable but if I had my wish I would buy everything from Pier 1!!

5. I have different colored marbles/gems for every holiday, it is a center piece on my island. I have little bats and ghosts for Halloween, hearts for Valentines Day, leaves for fall, you name it I have it (thanks to Pier 1... they aren't as expensive as everything else!!)

So what are your truths?? Do you have a knack for interior design, love to bake, hate traffic? Share it all here! I love to know your thoughts for the day!

Extras: I will have a surprise interview, hopefully next week on my blog!!! So stay tuned! Also if you live in Houston or the surrounding area Kimberly Derting author of The Body Finder will be at the Barnes & Noble at the Woodlands this Friday at 7PM for more information check out the Supernatural Summer website!

Stuck in a writing rut?

Don't lie... it happens to everyone. We get stuck in a rut when it comes to writing at times. You know that feeling where you desperately want to produce genius work but you can't even write one sentence down? I figured why don't we combat it before it even pops up!!!

So here are some ideas to prevent writers block, or if you are currently stuck in a writing rut here are some ideas to snap out of it!

1. Take a bubble bath (my personal fav)

2. Read blogs (though at times this becomes an addiction so be careful!)

3. Meetup with friends or find a new meetup group of writers (meetup.com)

4. Visit your local library!

5. Visit a park or a museum.

6. Take a dip in your pool (if the weather permits)

7. Create a map of fantasy world you'd love to live in!

8. Braindump all of your “to dos” onto a piece of paper to clear your mind.

9. Dance

10. Or everyon'e favorite: You Tube

I only gave you 10 ideas but we all know there are a ton of ideas to get you out of your awful case of writer's block, so if you have any ideas please feel free to share, or by all means share which one of these works for you!

BTW - I'm sure you've noticed my newest layout... I was trying to be creative and super fancy with 3 columns but when I realized I wasn't gifted enough to be fancy I gave up and ended up with this! Hope you like it!

I'm reaching to 500 followers and when I do be ready for the awesomeness! I'm planning on holding one heck of a contest, so if you want it to happen sooner be sure to tell your friends to get me to 500!!

Oh and I just signed up at goodreads.com so if you are already on goodreads please add me as your friend!!!! My books are listed on my sidebar!

Tuesday Twist

Happy Tuesday!!!! Another addition of some books that I would love to read!!!


FIRST SYNOPSIS - Adult
By the time she turned thirty, Elizabeth Gilbert had everything a modern, educated, ambitious American woman was supposed to want—a husband, a house in the country, a successful career. But instead of feeling happy and fulfilled, she was consumed with panic, grief and confusion. She went through a divorce, a crushing depression, another failed love and the complete eradication of everything she ever thought she was supposed to be.

To recover from all of this, Gilbert took a radical step. In order to give herself the time and space to find out who she really was and what she really wanted, she got rid of her belongings, quit her job, left her loved ones behind and undertook a year-long journey around the world, all alone.

SECOND SYNOPSIS - Young Adult, fantasy
Nya is an orphan struggling for survival in a city crippled by war. She is also a Taker—with her touch, she can heal injuries, pulling pain from another person into her own body. But unlike her sister, Tali, and the other Takers who become Healers' League apprentices, Nya's skill is flawed: She can't push that pain into pynvium, the enchanted metal used to store it. All she can do is shift it into another person, a dangerous skill that she must keep hidden from forces occupying her city. If discovered, she'd be used as a human weapon against her own people.

Rumors of another war make Nya's life harder, forcing her to take desperate risks just to find work and food. She pushes her luck too far and exposes her secret to a pain merchant eager to use her shifting ability for his own sinister purposes. At first Nya refuses, but when Tali and other League Healers mysteriously disappear, she's faced with some difficult choices. As her father used to say, principles are a bargain at any price; but how many will Nya have to sell to get Tali back alive?

THIRD SYNOPSIS - Young Adult
In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeenyear- old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she fi nds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck... A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

The Fabulous Titles:
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (Just ordered my copy!!)
The Shifter by Janice Hardy
If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Which one of you read? What are you reading right now?