Truth Thursdays

I missed last week so I have to make up.

This will be the last Truth Thursday until the A-Z Challenge is over. Unless my creative juices are flowing and I find someway to make it happen. We shall see. For now, here you are:

1. I love food shows. Kitchen Nightmares, Hells Kitchen, The Next American Restaurant, Top Chef. What's funny is I'd never be found eating their food. I'm a picky eater.
2. I'm excited for the A-Z Challenge to start. 26 days of making those creative juices flow. Over 600 entrants. It's nice to be co-hosting something so brilliant.
3. My husband and I use our computers too much. He's in school and I of course am writing. Having the full work week leaves us staring our eyes into the computer for hours in the evening.
4. I loved being apart of LiLa's blog tour on my birthday. It was a ton of fun and I feel special.
5. I tried True Blood. I hated it. I don't know if it wasn't what I had anticipated at all which lead to disaster or what. So for all you True Blood Fans out there I'm sorry, just not my cup of tea.

Badass Besties

Michael over at In Time is having another Harry Potter Blogfest... Hart is also apart of the fun as well, and you all know that I'm not one to turn down Harry Potter stuff. He was sweet enough to switch the date so I could fit in (sweet right?). So let's not waste time... after all my besties are waiting.

Let me set this up for you, we were to choose two characters who would be are BFF's at Hogwarts and share why they were... Umm, I did one better. They wrote me letters, though I can't attend Hogwarts we've become pen pals, they tell me what it's like to be wizards and in turn I give them the definition of the rubber duck (or any other silly muggle things).

So, here, I leave you to my besites.

Jen,

It appears last week in transfiguration did not go nearly as expected. Professor McGonagall had told Ronald Weasley he was reciting the spell wrong, and well, another Seamus Finnegan incident occured. Don't worry yourself, Professor was more than happy to scold them and deal with herself. It feels like it's been ages since we've spoken but I understand that our owl system has to stop midway through Houston to drop it into the appropriate bucket. Next time I will not use Ronald's silly bird. Seeing as they can't properly see I should have forseen this coming. If you'd like I'm sure my farther knows of another animal, quite possibly a Crumple-Horned Snorkack.

Speak to you soon,

Luna Lovegood

Jay-D,

I got it! I knew you would be dying to get this piece of valuable information you requested just weeks earlier. It seems that not everyone is as willing to have their photo taken, especially Harry Potter. After our last meeting he's still be really kind but has asked me to take less photos. I have no idea what he is so against them, especially for the muggle world. That being said I was lucky enough to get him, Ron, and Hermione all posing together with space enough to fit your body in time for your scrapbooking assignment. I think your teachers will find it wild that you were able to visit Hogwarts without having any magic. Ginny Weasley borrowed my camera and took a picture of the bedroom you would have stayed in. She thought I was crazy, what's new.

Let me know how you faired.

Colin Creevey

See? They're fabulous aren't they? Luna worries too much about mailing my letters but other than that she's a doll. Colin, oh Colin, he really does help me perfect my scrapbook. I'm already better than Michael because I've 'visited' the real Hogwarts. Watch your back peeps, you can't be this awesome.

Shall you want to check out the other entrants do stop by In Time.

The Liar Society Blog Tour of Awesome!

Guest Post from the lovely Lisa & Laura Roecker. This is their stop on the one-way ticket to Liar Society Love.



Once upon a time, there was an incredibly awkward teenager named Lisa Roecker. She told all sorts of stupid lies that more often than not blew up in her face. She also loved wearing clogs. Without socks. This is important.

One fateful day, Lisa skipped downstairs in the dead of winter, sporting a light brown leather bomber jacket, some fantastically tapered jeans and a snazzy pair of matching clogs.

Regulator: Lisa, are you wearing socks?
Lisa (whose fantastically tapered jeans are coincidentally revealing approximately 2 inches of naked ankle): Yes.
Regulator (while staring at Lisa's naked ankles): I'm going to ask you again, are you wearing socks?
Lisa (avoiding eye contact): Yes.
Regulator: I know you're lying. If you lie again, you are not going to the dance tonight.
Lisa: Mooooom, I'm not lying.
Regulator: Go to your room and get a pair of socks. You are not going to the dance tonight.
Lisa: Ugh. I HATE YOU.
Laura (snickering into her Cheerios, all frizzy, pyramid-style hair and caterpillar-browed): If you're not gonna wear your clogs, can I?

While The Liar Society does not feature any naked ankles or clog-wearing characters, it does feature some crazy-powerful lies, threatening to blow up at any moment. And there's also a frizzy haired ginger that isn't quite as socially awkward as young Laura Roecker, but close.

If you want to enter The Liar Society Blog Tour of Awesome contest, and really, who wouldn't want to enter!?! There's a $100 Amazon gift card up for grabs! Just click here and enter the super secret password, ICEQUEEN, for an entry. Remember you can enter one time for each stop on our blog tour, so be sure to click here and see where else we're visiting this month to maximize your chances of winning.

Audi, Vide, Tace,
L&L

Cupcakes don't hurt....

Happy Monday!!! Tomorrow is my birthday!!! WOoHoO- for those who care I'll be 25 years old. Go Me. Last week I had my query critique. It went better than I could ever expected. It has since then been revised and I've tested the waters now. That's right I've dived into the querying world. And I've been cupcaked (also known as rejected but those are hurtful and harsh words and aren't used here. I was given the word my fabulous blogger friend Karen Amanda Hooper). It's not always a negative (it's a cupcake for junk sake, cupcakes rock). When I received my first one I was actually excited. My husband and I celebrated. It's like a rite of passage. Something you have to do to realize you're one step closer to that agent. There is an agent out for you. YOUR work is good enough. Don't give up. Just take each rejection with a grain of salt. Appreciate each company for even bothering to take a look. They don't have too. They look at thousands. So the next time you get a cupcake look at it as a positive. Sprinkles and frosting how's that a bad thing. Even if it's #189 (just don't be eating them... weight will be gained and I don't want to be responsible for that), because they're looking. You two were just not made for each other. What process are you on? Do you need a pick me up?

The Life of an Editor

Today I have Karen Gowen a fellow blogger on Unedited to share with you what it's like to be an editor at a small publishing house.

Jen asked me to tell you what it’s like being an editor for a small publishing company. Three words? IT IS FUN!!!

It’s fun to assist authors in polishing their work and getting it ready for publication. Okay, sometimes it can be rough, like when the editor and the author have different viewpoints about what direction the manuscript should go. In these cases, compromise is king. Although the editor has greater objectivity and also must maintain the marketability of the finished product, the writer often has insights about his work and audience. The editor must respect that, just as the writer must respect the editor’s experience and professionalism.

Recently, WiDo finished work on a regional Southern novel, MISSISSIPPI COTTON by Paul H. Yarbrough. The editors (all Northerners) took issue with some of the references in Paul’s manuscript. Paul (a Southerner) insisted that his Southern audience would “get it.” The editor admitted that he was probably right. He knew his demographic better than anyone and therefore she let him have the kind of creative control that this book needed in order to be a hit with his Southern audience. Judging from the enthusiastic advance reviews for MISSISSIPPI COTTON, this was the right decision.

But sometimes an editor must stand firm or compromise the quality and/or marketability of the finished product. A level of trust must exist on both sides to make this relationship work. When it does, a wonderful book is the end result. When it doesn’t, well, sometimes a contract might be cancelled but we won’t go there because Jen’s blog is a happy place.

As difficult as it is to “let go,” sometimes an author must do just that. Get rid of the favorite parts. Rewrite entire scenes. Take out extra characters. Change names. Change the title. It’s called “the editing process,” and sometimes it hurts. But then so does childbirth.

Besides working with creative geniuses otherwise called authors, I get to work with other editors and miscellaneous brilliant people who are passionate about publishing books. One of my favorite parts of editing is helping to review new submissions, because it is so EXCITING to find something with that special spark of originality. Then there’s the final edit, when it all comes together, and you can’t wait until the book is released. Maybe not quite as excited as the author but almost!

So if you'd like to submit to WiDo publishing check out their website and don't forget to stop by and say hello to Karen Gowen over at her blog!

Writerly Acronyms

I know... I'm sinning. Today is thursday and there is no truth section. Don't hate. It happens, but I just think that maybe something else was just as fun and my blog is OH SO FULL with other stuff that this is the only open place I had. Sad I know... but, the truth is, taking a break from airing my thoughts or dirty laundry is nice. So... let's get to the real post at hand!

Rachael Harrie gave me a funtastic post (that's right fun-tastic) post today. Last week she wrote seven writing tips one cannot live without. She's a fantastic blogger who has done some amazing things for the blogging community so after this fun-tastic post please do stop by for a visit!

That being said she did a little play on words that had me giggling.

BICHOK. Butt In Chair, Hands On Keyboard

It got me thinking... wouldn't it be fun to have a writer's dictionary where we share different (and super fun to say) words that are really acronyms. So I thought up some of my own and I encourage you to do the same... let's let this dictionary climb!

So here are mine...

STANKY - Sucky time a naming karachters yourself (I didn't say it'd always be spelled right).
BONDTAR - Busy opening new document to access remote (that's right people, no time for multi-tasking).
LUSTOF - love us some twitter over food (seriously cheeseburger or tweets which wins... twitter while already at home).
WUFFO - Writing until fingers fall off (we know the feeling)
BUYD - Blog untill you drop

I never said they were going to be brilliantly witty but these are the one's I'd like to incorporate into the regular streem of writerly acronyms. What are you adding?

If you'd like a list of the regular writer acronymns for the world of writers do stop by Clarissa Draper's place where she's been sweet enough to list them out for us!

The query doctors are in...

Happy Wednesday!

This post is going to be oh.so.sweet. For good reason! Today I'm asking all of you to hop on over to a friendly face's blog cuz I is in need of some help!

Matthew Rush is known for posting queries, both one's to tweak and one's who snagged an agent. Well I am about to start the query trenches and I have asked several friends to help me perfect my query. All of them have offered some amazing advice but I think all of your opinions would be nice as well...

So, to take a peek at what I'm about to send out into the query world, hop over to his blog. I'm looking for advice, thoughts, yup, that's right... you are the query doctors.

Go on! I'm about to push send and just need some last minute feedback!

Contests for Causes

So we all know about the tragedy that hit Japan and I've seen all the wonderful people around the blog offering their assistance, sharing their thoughts, donations, gifts. The works. It's been amazing and I've decided to do my part by helping out a few bloggers that have done something particularly amazing.

Write Hope was created by several wonderful and very talented girls who wanted to help those in Japan. They each possess a love for Japan.

Their main objective is to help those in Japan and I think this blog post will draw some more attention to what's happening in the world.

So let's get to the point so you can stop reading this and hop over and follow their blog.

• A group of badass MG/YA writers (Marieke Nijkamp, Rachael Harrie, Luna, Amanda Milner, and Tessa Quin)supporting a fabulous cause.
• Auction begins March 21st (continues for two weeks).
• Badass prizes, didn't you hear?!

Just to entice you further here are some of the amazing things up for grabs.

• 30 min. Skype chat with the fab Meredith Barnes of FinePrint Literary Management.
• 50 page critique followed by a 20 min. phone call for questions regarding critique by Kathleen Ortiz of Lowenstein Associates, Inc. (must be in the genre she's looking for, look here for more info).
• Critique of full manuscript (YA or Fantasy) up to 100K words by author Jodi Meadows.
• First chapter critique by Tessa Gratton (could increase) and signed copy of Blood Magic.
• First 20 pages critique by the fab Carrie Harris.
• MUCH, MUCH MORE!

If you would rather donate something to the auction feel free to contact the girls writehope2011(at)gmail(dot)com.
I think this is a fabulous cause and I hope you all at least drop by and say hello!

Hi, I'm an Underwriter

Announcement: Two of my blog buddies have started up a site called Hidden Truths! They're fantastic bloggers and looking for our support! Run over and learn all about their novel Fantum and the awesome blog they've created!

I'm also elated to announce that I hit the 1200 follower mark! So thank you to all who find me interesting... you are loved!

Back to the program. Hello! I hope your side of the world (wherever that may be) is gorgeous, sunny, and fabulous today!

So I'm curious as to what my fellow writers have to say on the topic of overwriting or underwriting. Consider this Writer's Anonymous (okay so if you're anonymous you can't post so I'll know who you are, but you get the idea).

I've known from the get go that I'm an underwriter (how do you know?) well that's the easy part, I skip. I skip a lot.

You see when I'm writing a novel I'm a panster (who normally is pantless while writing - just a tid bit about me). I write like a maniac, I am weird, I can write 6-10,000 words in one sitting if I'm feeling it.

That being said I also have a tendency to jump scenes. I love to write my story in correct order, chapter by chapter, in line. When a new scene pops into my head I'll add notes like:

Becky drops Edward turns out she hates vampires

And then pick up where the scene that overrode my thought process would sit. It's not ideal but for me it's perfect because I can add that scene later, the movie is just moving far too fast for me to waste time with little scenes.

I received a revise & resubmit from a publishing house and they had said to no longer focus on the word count since I'm a natural underwriter. They didn't know that about me before hand but I was relieved when they had told me to let it all go. This allows me to work at my own pace and fill in my own blanks. After all, I knew what was missing.

So, what are you?

Three Daves by Nicki Elson

Happy Friday Bloggers! I have a very special guest! Nicki Elson who wrote Three Daves and was publishing by Omnific Publishing!

1. What is Three Daves about (Let me guess - You only dated guys with the first name Dave?)?

Haha. The main reason I chose the name Dave was because in the 80s my campus (Eastern Illinois University) was littered with them. And even though I knew a bunch of Daves, I never actually dated one, so that also made it a safe choice, if ya know what I mean.

The story is set on a 1980s college campus and centers on a young co-ed’s relationships with three guys all named---guess what? She struggles with exploring her sexuality while maintaining her “good girl” values and strikes a rather unconventional balance.

And by the way, Jen, I get the feeling you’re going to love my MC’s first name. ;)

YAY! Now I have to read this book since I'm the MC!

2. How was your journey to writing? Had you always known or did it fall in your lap?

It was definitely a slow, roundabout journey for me. I studied finance and worked in investments, where I found writing and editing the quarterly reports was my favorite part of the job. I eventually left that world and became swept up in mommyhood and domestic goddessing. All along I had stories and plot lines in my head, but never took the time to write them down.

Then the final book in the Harry Potter series came out and left my heart breaking for one of the characters. I developed a story in my head, something to make his storyline less pathetic, and this time decided to write it down. Just a few scenes, I figured, but then I was curious about how things got to that point…and what would happen after…and several hundred million hours later, I had a novel-length fanfiction that was exactly the kind of thing I wanted to read.
Along way I fell in love with writing. I knew I couldn’t quit. So I tried my hand at an original—a crazy 80s college love story that had been playing in my head for decades...

3. How is it working with a smaller publishing house? Did you query for agents are just dive right in sending your query to the house itself?

I’ve had a great experience with Omnific Publishing, which is also a very young company. Three Daves was among their original five releases, and it’s been so much fun to have been there from the beginning---there’s a great energy among the staff, like we’re all in this together, and that sort of support is priceless and something I don’t imagine exists at a bigger firm. Meanwhile the company has a complete staff including editing, graphic design, and marketing. One thing a lot of smaller companies don’t have is distribution, so getting into the big bookstore chains is something you have to work your butt off for.

A few years ago, right after I finished the manuscript, I queried a dozen agents. I hated it. The whole thing. I reworked that stupid one-page query letter so many times, and I’m sure each and every version was crap. After getting about two rejections, I was done with it. The process was killing the joy I’d found in writing, so I stopped querying and turned to on-line writing websites, where I got to share my stories immediately and get feedback directly from readers.

I had some success there, winning an original short story contest and having one of my novels nominated for an award. I’d also done editing for other writers, so when Omnific was lining up its staff, they initially contacted me to be an editor (which I currently am). Then the owner, Elizabeth Harper, told me she’d love to see any original work I had, and voila—Three Daves was resurrected.

So I guess the moral of my story is: Go ahead and quit, and you’ll succeed anyway…? Nah, I think it’s that when something is meant to be, it will be. If one pathway doesn’t feel right, try another.

4. Are you a genre hopper or do you prefer to stay in one? What genre do you choose?

Eighty percent of what I write falls in the romantic chick-lit category. But I can feel myself moving toward women’s fiction, and I like to dabble in comedy, horror, and middle grade.

5. What made you come up with the pen name? How did you decide?

I found that I quite enjoyed having an alias in the on-line community, so I figured, Why not? My real last name is Nickelson, so Nicki Elson is a play on that. Cute, eh?

That is adorable and creative! LOVE IT!


Fun & Random Questions!
Celebration spot: My mom’s and dad’s house
Favorite book: Gone With the Wind
Pizza Joint: Can I say a burger joint? Yes? Well then, Portillos.
Cat or Dog: cat, Cat, CAT!!!
Lion or Panda: Lion. Pandas belong to my sister.
Soda or Coffee: coffee, Coffee, COFFEE!!!
Panster or Plotter: I’m not exactly sure, but I think I’m a lazy plotter. I generally have a skeleton of the entire story in my head before I begin, and I always know exactly where it’s going, even if the getting there has some wiggle room. But I’m not much for writing outlines or character sketches. I keep that in my head. Although, I did just type out a timeline for a story I’m working on, so that mean’s I’m either getting a less lazy…or more easily confused.

Thanks so much, Jen! I’m honored to have been interviewed on one of the most happenin’ spots in the blogosphere. :)

Isn't she an absolute doll and blast!!! Do check out her book trailer it is probably one of the cutest I have ever seen!!!! And make sure you stop in and say hello to her!

Truth Thursdays

I love the blogging world. It is amazing, heart warming, and kind place to be. The support of all the people on the blog continue to amaze me, so today my truths are all about the bloggers.

1. Yesterday's post rocked. Being apart of something that EPIC is why I love blogger and all my besties. Did you answer yesterday's question? (Yes, I'm cryptic for a reason, go check it out).
2. Stalking bloggers keeps me from stalking my neighbors. Thank you peeps for keeping it interesting, without you I think my husband would have already had me institutionalized.
3. Those who talk about food make me hungry. No, I am not complaining just make sure when you do talk about food you include pictures (because I like the torture).
4. Fun titles make me skip everyone else. Yup, I'll skip you for the girl who talks about balls... you know who you are.
5. Vlogs don't scare me and neither do mad libs... this girl keeps me on my blogging toes with her awesome.

There you have it... what I like and love about blogging. Share your truths... come on, you know you wanna.

I would have given anything to be like...

Several bloggers wanted to appreciate someone very special in the blogging world and I was excited to be apart of this experience. So let's not waste time. Today we are talking about...

Kirsten Hubbard and her novel Like Mandarin.




It has changed lives, moved people, and today we are wanting to move and change the lives of many others. Here is they synopsis of the awesome:

In Like Mandarin, 14-year-old Grace Carpenter would give anything to be like 17-year-old Mandarin Ramey -- the bold, carefree wild girl of their small Wyoming town. Amazingly, almost everyone I've spoken to experienced that sort of longing as a teen -- a longing to be like someone else. A friend, a sister, a celebrity, an acquaintance, a cousin, a teacher or, as in Grace's case, a girl you thought had no idea you existed.

So here is my ode to Kirsten and her fabulous novel...

Alyssa Dowd. Long beautiful blonde locks, gorgeous complexion. Wonderful at everything. I was a senior in High School and was nominated for Homecoming Queen, a huge honor considering I had never thought to compare myself to the four others I stood next to. There stood Alyssa Dowd. She wasn't your typical snobby high school princess. She was beautiful, athletic, and kind (rare to have all three). I wanted to be her. I wanted to wear the crown, to have the looks, to have the boy of my choice. I doubt she ever knew. But it's true, I would have given anything to be like Alyssa Dowd when I was 17.

What about you?! Please check out Kirsten's blog and say hello. Also be sure to order a copy NOW you will not regret it... talk about changing your life.

Blogging wrecked...

Blogging wrecked my home life. I kid. I kid.

I don't want anyone saying those words. If you don't love blogging, don't do it. Those around you will notice that you only blog to promote something and that isn't always helpful. Being entertaining is key or being informative is another route that is beneficial. This week I'll be both (I promise).

When I started blogging last January (2010) I spent SO MANY hours blogging, commenting, following, it was insane. I was addicted. I was also home alone while my husband worked overnights.

It was feasible then. That is no longer the case.

Now I have line edits. New ideas. More followers. A husband at night. Reading to catch up on. And the usual day job.

Those of you writing as your day job. I am both jealous and happy for you. I know many of us dream of that day. The same goes for you though, blogging is still hard to maintain because the writing is the key at that point.

Balance is hard. Some of us may never obtain the balance we need, but we will certainly give it one hell of a fight. So... here's a day in the life of Jen.

5 am - Out of bed.
6 am - Showered, eaten breakfast, off to work.
6:30 am - Blogging.
7 am to 4 pm - Day job. (I have two breaks to which I answer emails and blog)
4:30 pm - Dinner.
5-7 pm - Eat, blog, read, write (I have to take my pick for the evening).
7-9 pm - Snuggle with hubby.

Being the life of a writer isn't easy but would you change it for anything? I know blogging isn't required to be a successful writer but without I wouldn't have any of the connections I've made over the past year and my life truly wouldn't be the same.

How do you cope with blogging? What do you give up? What does your day look like?

Secrets to Blogging

Happy Monday! Hello to all the newbies and all the fun peeps that stick with me!

So the A-Z Blogging challenge is around the corner. For those of you who don't know about it click the button on the sidebar for more details. The simplified version: 26 days (excluding Sundays) - 26 letters in the alphabet - a new letter every day.

Some people have been nervous about joining in. The commitment being too much. The pressure of coming up with a topic starting with the letter X (or any others you might fear). Visiting all the blogs.

So let's discuss some tips. These will be useful for the A-Z Challenge as well as regular blogging.

1. To Blog. I set my posts up on Sundays. Think of 5, write up down, schedule them. Allows for more writing/reading/commenting time throughout the week. If this isn't for you just be sure to keep a bucket of ideas for when you run dry.
2. Creative. Leave the whining at the door, or if you choose to incorporate your bad day or troublesome mind on the blog turn it into a story or a lesson. Those who whine get less attention. Make your posts interesting and full of flare. Just like your writing, don't forget your voice.
3. Bore Me. Long posts, yawn. Fewer words, more attention. If you want people to CONTINUE to stop by keep your posts short for the most part. You can get carried away at times but keep those days to a minimum.
3. Comment. People want to know you heard them, you liked their posts. Saying 'great post' isn't going to gain you followers. The blogger needs to know you're listening, make sure your comment means something when you visit. Compliments are key.
4. Comments on YOUR blog. People need a reason to comment talking only about yourself won't get you comments. Ask a question to help get the follower involved. Give them tips, advice, whatever it is your passionate about leave it on the blog.
5. To Follow. If you are only following in hopes they'll return the favor, stop. Think about what you get out of blogging. I love the relationships, the conversation, and the freedom to write what I want and have people listen. Those who follow just in hopes to have me follow I find disrespectful. I want relationships. Know the meaning behind the follow.

Favorite piece of...

Happy Friday!!!

Today I'm keeping it simple... a few quotes...

1. Your favorite piece of writing will always be your next one.
2. Stand in the rain with your face turned upward every chance you get.
3. Every writer spends a lifetime as a writer-in-training.
4. Every good writer is a sponge: soak it up, wring it out.
5. A fair number of fiction writers have been avid liars since childhood.

So if the snow is falling or the rain is coming stand in the middle of it all and enjoy the moment. If the sun is shinning spend a day outside to soak it up.

Write a little, read a little, love a lot.

Have a fab weekend!

Truth Thursdays

Short and sweet.

1. I don't like the smell of vanilla, it gives me headaches.
2. If I had a reason to wear heels I'd own a room full of them. Working in a warehouse just doesn't allow that.
3. I'm dying to know what comes after Demonglass... Rachel isn't speaking (I'll be stalking her until she does).
4. Wishing for a day that I could live in a castle and experience the life of the wealthy (only to write a book about it later).
5. The best moments are when I'm at home sitting next to my husband on the couch talking... he's just that special.

What are your truths?

Book Drunk

Book Drunk:the feeling one gets after reading a boat load of amazing books.

Yeah, I'm there.

Between the kindle and my bookshelves I've become book drunk. I love the amount of books I run across and have the ability to read. The love and care that went into each and every book.

Today I'm celebrating.

All the books I've been able to read over the past year and a half. The authors that got me back into reading. All the signings I've been blessed to go to, the authors I've gotten to hear stories from. How everyone got their start. The bloggers who work their hearts out in all their posts and WiP's.

What are you celebrating today?

Tuesday Twist - Kindle Edition

I GOT A KINDLE OVER THE WEEKEND!!

I'm still checking out all the features, enjoying how it all works... oh and when I can't understand something having my husband help me figure it out (a heck of a lot faster than I ever could).

So what better way to celebrate the Kindle than to share three novels that I've added to the list!!

Sentences
1. Marco and Aja burst into the house yelling for Nona.
2. I wondered if he knew what I hoped would happen.
3. The cruise ship gently rose and fell as it sailed out of the bay towards open water.

The Reveal
1. Kindle #1
2. Kindle #2
3. Kindle #3

What are you reading?

Red Rover, Red Rover

Red rover, red rover, bring an agent right over.

Is it the right time for you? Are you searching for the one?

In this writing world there are several options when going looking to become a published author. It's all about what's right for you...

You could go with a small publishing house such as Lucky Press, WiDo, or Omnific who are great fits for several authors. With fabulous reads and a wonderful team to help them do their best it's just one of the many options we have as writers.

However there is the other option, the agent option. The one where you'll have to send query after query out and hope that they pick you. An option that ensures someone else on your team. Someone to help you decide what's best. A person who knows more about the publishing world than most writers.

So if an agent is for you, how do you start?

1. Finish your novel (trust me, no one wants to waste their time). Make sure to send it out to others, have it critiqued, learn to perfect.
2. Establish credibility (if it's in the cards). Short stories, poems, magazine articles, the works. Anything you're apart of to make an agent have a stronger interest in you. I consider my blog a great tool to use.
3. Research. Now it's time to find the right one for you (no, I'm talking marriage) but I am taking the perfect agent. You want them to love your characters as much as you love them. Research, research, research.
4. Write a query letter. If you're looking for some advice Elana Johnson knows what's up with her ebook Query to the call. Check it out, you won't regret it. Have it critiqued as well, work through it. This is where it counts. One page to make them love you.
5. Send queries to the agents. Best of luck to tag one. Some are lucky and snag one in 2 weeks, others have to send out well over 100 before they get a bite. Either way the story holds true when they say, it only takes one.

So what option are you choosing?

At a loss for words

We're at Friday. I'm supposed to say something witty, intelligent, snarky. Yet I have nothing. No words. I've sat at the computer for several minutes, and before that I had thought for several hours but still have nothing.

So for this Friday, forgive me.

Instead I want to ask what you're post was about. What are your plans for the weekend? Share your thoughts, frustrations, and triumphs below.

Again, sorry for the lack of post.

Kix, Red, and The Vampire Diaries

Truth Thursday. I worried I'd run empty on truths about myself. My goal is to not bore you, let's hope that I haven't failed.

So, let's begin.

Truths

1. I love Kix. Kid tested. Mother approved. Twenty-four year old iN lOvE. They have a new berry flavor out. I'm afraid to try it.
2. The color red looks amazing with a zebra rug (trust me I know). I was at Ikea and found the perfect chair for my reading room!! It's adorable, and it is like a rocker (ultra-awesome)!
3. I love to re-read and I'm also a re-watcher. I know a lot of people disagree and thing it's wrong to re-read and re-watch things with all the amazing books and movies out there, but I love classics and I just love good books/movies. Nothings going to change that.
4. I just ordered the first season of The Vampire Diaries. I've heard such great things about it that even though I'm behind I figured I'd start at the beginning and catch up.
5. I dislike my mailman. He takes 2 1/2 hours to distribute mail at our apartment complex and it annoys me. He takes breaks midway through! Who does that?! I really wish I could distribute it myself (slow poke).

So what are your truths this week?!

Hex Hall meet Demonglass

I love Houston.

Why? Three Words...

Blue Willow Bookshop.

They are not only the cutest and kindest bookshop in town, they also house some of the best author signings around!

This time is no different. This Friday is the Rachel Hawkins and Sarwat Chadda signing and several bloggers are looking forward to it! In fact, we're looking to make a whole evening of it!

Meredith, Kristin Rae, Heather, and my sister Kim and I are all meeting for dinner at a Cafe & Bistro near the bookshop and then heading over! If anyone in Houston is interested in meeting up with us we'd love to have you!! Just shoot me an email!
I loved Hex Hall! One of my favorite books of last year so it only makes sense that I drove to Blue Willow last night to pick up Demonglass to get ahead on reading before the signing!

Here is my review of Hex Hall:

Sophie Mercer isn't your typical teen. With magic on her side and an attitude she finds herself stuck in Hex Hall a place where those who weren't behaving well end up. She is someone you understand and can relate to. Being the outcast even in the school of outcasts she finds that her roommate who happens to be a vampire is the only person she can truly confide in. Mixed with a group of witches who wants Sophie on their side they will try and entice anyway they can!

The end will surely not disappoint anyone who loves a little magic and a lot of fun! Rachel Hawkins makes the adult feel like a teen again with the roller coaster of emotions and the wild rides around the corner. This book is sure to make you smile and unable to break before finishing!

Tuesday Twist

Welcome to all my new followers!!! I look forward to visiting your blog, so you can look forward to future stalking (my speciality)!

Tuesday Twist happens on Tuesday's (duh) and just so happen to me my favorite day of the week and my favorite post of the week (I wish I could say I planned that).

So without further ado, I give you, Tuesday Twist.

First Sentence
1. "Pepperoni, pepperoni, Cheese, cheese, cheese."
2. Chelsea leaned down to Violet like she had a secret to tell, something she didn't want anyone else to hear.
3. "You've got be kidding me," the bouncer said, folding his arms across his massive chest.

Titles
1. Fun read #1!
2. Fun read #2!
3. Fun read #3

So which one caught your eye?!