Pictures Worth a Thousand

Everyone knows a picture is worth a thousand words.

I used to search on Google for hours for the perfect photo. Finally I decided to take a leap of faith and try a service. Fotolia was a place that had offered a promotion for me to scroll around and check out all the images they offered.

What a selection. From thousands of images to choose from I may  have spent hours searching but I was gaining so many things I wanted vs. the hours of searching and ending up with nothing.

It allowed me to perfect the mock-up book covers that each one of us as writers like to play around with to image ourselves one day published!

So rather than sharing even more on why I love Fotolia with my words why don't I show you with my book covers!

I had so much fun designing my book covers! Now I'm not only an addict to Fotolia but addicted to making book covers!

One lucky commentor will be given a 2 week FREE trial period! If you're interested please let me know! I'll choose the winner by the end of the day!

Friday Fun

Bloggers and Twitterites have too much fun. I love being among the awesome. Today I have a few comics I want to share with you after googling (yes that’s my source) to find some funnies for Friday. I don’t claim to be hilarious… but they’re at least cute. Hopefully you'll find the cuteness in them and they give you a bit of a chuckle!

Got any funness going on?

G is for Gab

Announcement: My friend Jennifer Hillier has written the most fabulous novel titled: CREEP which will be debuting this year. Now the exciting news in that is that she is giving away not one but TWO ARC's away and trust me when I say you want your hands on this PRONTO! So hop on over and share your love, and follow, she wants to make 300followers and she deserves it! CONTEST ENDS APRIL 15th so what are you waiting for?!

So now that we've got that covered lets get down to the real gabby business.

I talk to much.

I consider it a strength most of the time but there are times where it's my weakness.

Girls Night Out - Strength
During a Movie - Weakness
Home Alone - Strength
While husbands doing homework - Weakness

See what I mean? I'm Gabby... Chatty Cathy... Suzie Talks A Lot.

So today I'm not going to talk that much. I'm going to leave it up to you.

Who are you? Talkative, silent, mysterious. Fun.

The sky's the limit! TELL ME WHO YOU ARE!

How would you describe me? Do I seem chatty to you?

Truth Thursday's!

You know. That day where everyone tells the truth no matter how insane it is. Yes. I command you (okay so not really) but I hope that you feel we are in the circle of trust. What you say doesn't leave this blog (unless it's laugh out loud funny... then I tell my husband. But that's it. Okay so maybe my cats too).

Share something about yourself. Something that's only true today, was last week, or always has been.

1. I have a Tuesday outfit. Not a Monday, Wednesday - Sunday outfit schedule. Just a Tuesday. I can't explain it but when it's dirty I'm very upset. (long live Tuesday outfit day!)
2. I laugh in my sleep. You knew I was weird already don't start running and screaming away now (actually do that, makes for a better story). I have woken myself up from a severe case of the giggles.
3. I have trouble choosing what to eat for breakfast. It must drive my husband crazy, though he never says anything (he's sweet like that). One day it might be muffins, the next cinnamon toast. Regardless whatever it is I want we won't have. Guaranteed.
4. I like cheap fruit snacks. Kellogs and Betty Crocker step aside because Wal-mart is top dog in this neck of the woods (really it has to do with humidity... guess the cheap ones are harder to begin with so don't soften as quickly).
5. I wear leopard slippers around the house. I like how cozy they make me feel. (don't judge).

So... I shared... now it's your turn!

Talli Roland's Blogsplash!

Help Talli Roland's debut novel THE HATING GAME hit the Kindle bestseller list at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk by spreading the word today. Even a few sales in a short period of time on Amazon helps push the book up the rankings, making it more visible to other readers.

Amazon.co.uk: Click Here!
Amazon.com: Click Here!
Goodreads: Click Here!

No Kindle? Download a free app at Amazon for Mac, iPhone, PC, Android and more.

Coming soon in paperback. Keep up with the latest at Talli's Blog.

About THE HATING GAME:

When man-eater Mattie Johns agrees to star on a dating game show to save her ailing recruitment business, she's confident she'll sail through to the end without letting down the perma-guard she's perfected from years of her love 'em and leave 'em dating strategy. After all, what can go wrong with dating a few losers and hanging out long enough to pick up a juicy £2000,000 prize? Plenty, Mattie discovers, when it's revealed that the contestants are four of her very unhappy exes. Can Mattie confront her past to get the prize money she so desperately needs, or will her exes finally wreak their long-awaited revenge? And what about the ambitious TV producer whose career depends on stopping her from making it to the end?

My review:

Mattie Johns is crumbling to pieces, a man-eater by nature she has sworn of guy after guy before it gets to serious, burned by her last ex she finds not only her heart falling to the ground but her business.

A solution walks into her office, a proposition that Mattie will not refuse. Go on a dating show and win the prize money to save her company. Nothing is as simple as it seems, she soon finds out she's not dating just anyone, she's dating her exes.

Talli Roland left nothing to chance, her writing keeps you on your toes, surprise after surprise lunged one right after the other, and just when you think you've got it all figured out she turns Mattie's world upside down once more.

This novel was light, fun and perfect for any girl who has ever guarded their heart until they've found the one. Break up, make up, whatever stage you're at in the dating world you're sure to love this tale!

(See... told you it was awesome... now go get your copy and wish Talli a Happy E-Book Birthday!)

Life As A Princess

Happy Wednesday!

So last week I told you I was giving away a signed copy of Sophie Jordan's Firelight! Well today I chose the winner!!! That lucky person is...

Laura Marcella

Congrats! You can thank my husband, he was my random number guy! I'll be emailing you to snag your information!

So onto something super special! I decided to email Lindsey Leavitt to tell her how fabulous I thought her novel Princess for Hire was, she was so excited that she said she'd love to give away a SIGNED COPY! Isn't that sweet?!



So I decided to ask her a few interview questions in lieu of the celebration!



1.If you could sub for a princess anywhere in the world where would it be?

Bora Bora. My goal in life is to live in a screen saver. And let's not get into the lack of Bora Bora princesses. I'd be fine as apuppet monarch. A puppet monarch who lives in one of those cool huts on the lagoon and wears a tiara just for show.

2.Ever crushed on a boy that didn't like you but you never bothered to accept it?

Remember his name?MOST of my crushes in my younger years did not recipricate my feelings. Unrequited love was a theme for most of junior high. So were The Bangs of Big, which might have had something to do with my one-sided adorations. But I was happy with these crushes. They were safe... ideas. Good practice before I got into the dating/kissing drama (and okay, so there was this one boy John. I nicknamed him Bob so I could write about him on my notebook so he wouldn't know. Then I tried to make John jealous with Bob, but the real boyfriend and the imaginary inevitably didn't like me)

3.What's the worst job you had growing up?

I worked for five weeks as a physical therapy tech for a practice run by my now-father-in-law. He was a great boss, yes, but I had to massage hairy backs and some of the patients had hygiene issues and... suffice it to say, health care was not my field.

4.Any interesting experiences at book signings, yours or someone else's you've gone to?

I had a pretty poorly attended book signing that began with three little old ladies sitting in front row for my reader. Other customers came and went, but these three stuck it out all night. We talked for a good hour, and in the end one asked, "So wait, this is a CHILDREN'S book?" They admitted that they came because the cover was pink, and asked if it was still okay if they read the book (um, yes please?). They ended up buying one for each of their granddaughters, but I'll always have that experience to reflect upon should I start to Diva Out.

Fun & Random Questions
Cloud Princess or Mermaid Princess: Mermaid. Sashimi is yum. What substance do cloud princesses have, anyway?
Lip gloss or Lipstick: Lip gloss! I'm an addict.
Beach or Mountains: Mountain beaches? Like in Hawaii.
Pizza Outfit Girl or Pet Shop Girl: Um, wow. You ask the hard questions. Pizza. I love smelling like garlic.
Favorite Food: Whatever I am eating. Presently: carrot cake.
Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird or East of Eden.
Favorite TV Show: Modern Family is my most recent favorite, but I love me some Bravo reality TV
Favorite Writing Snack: Diet Coke and lindt dark chocolate.

So now, for the giveaway! If you'd like to win a signed copy from Lindsey leave me a nice little comment below and you'll be entered! Brownie points are always welcome for tweeting, sidebar love, facebook love, you know the deal. Winner will be chosen next Wednesday!

Character Chaos

Before I start this awesome post, something huge is happening this friday that YOU need to be a part of. The Great Blogging Experiement! If you don't know about, hop over now! If you want to be apart of it, hop over now! We are all getting together to blog about the same topic, to show everyone on the blog, our personalities is what makes the post different. Prove us right! Join Elana, Alex and I in all of the fun! GO NOW!

Last week was one fabulous mess! The in-laws were awesome, book signings galore, time with the hubs, but I missed all of you! I'm working my way around the blog this week to make up for lost time! Thanks for still sticking around!

I'm back to writing!!! And my characters are out for blood, they are battling each other. Battling for attention that is. I love and hate when this happens. So many stories ot be told and not enough hands for me to type them all at, so they must be patient!

Miss Violet Sheppard won this battle, and I look forward to sharing the news when I've completed the first draft. Already at the 10k mark! Thanks to a morning at The Daily Brew.

This one requires a little more attention, and with that comes research. I know nothing about fashion but by the time I'm done I'll be able to name several different designers, where all the fashion weeks happen, and what happens when Violet Sheppard is taken away from all that she knows and love and is forced to face public school (nightmare!) and teach a less popular girl it's not all about popularity, when even Violet doesn't believe it.

Lots of chaos this week. Any character chaos in your neck of the woods?

Signed w/Love

Woohoo!!! Today is a very special giveaway!!! I had the pleasure of going to the signing at Blue Willow Bookshop for the fabulous Sophie Jordan!!!! (BTW - For those looking for the Gossip Winner I will select the winner on Friday! I haven't forgotten, having guests just put blogging on the back burner!)



Guess what I brought back?

A signed copy!!!!

Wanna see?



It says "To An Awesome Blogger!" Super sweet right?!

Here is my signed copy!



She made mine extra special "With much love, to one of my first fans!" isn't she amazing! Just for me!

There are so many things I loved about Firelight, and it is a AWESOME to give away a signed copy!

Here are a few pictures from Blue Willow!

Sophie and I! Isn't she awesome!?


Sophie and my sister-in-law Shelby!!! So cute!


Blog Buddy Meredith and I!!!! Love her!!!


Sophie and Kim!


Here's how you enter:
Follow Me
Sidebar Me
Blog About Me
Tweet Me
Comment Love (Make it special)

I'll select the winner on next Wednesday September 22nd!!! Woohoo! Good Luck to ALL!! Also for those who are in Houston tonight is going to be HUGE!!!

Extra Author News: Blue Willow is hosting 7 amazing authors at 7PM TONIGHT! Click here for more details for the Smart Chicks Kick it Tour!! Here's who stopping by Kelley Armstrong, Holly Black, Sarah Rees Brennan, Cassandra Clare, Melissa Marr, Alyson Noel, and Margie Stohl!

This Friday Lisi Harrison is stopping by to share all about Monster High! For details visit Blue Willow!

Gossip Giveaway

Happy Freakin' Wednesday Folks!

Few things!
Crystal Cook is doing an amazing art giveaway! Her own work, you must see it!!!
Melissa is having a very fun Harry Potter Giveaway!
Talli Roland is having a spectacular blogsplash! Be sure to join!
Kim (my sister) took some fun "engagement" photos of me and my husband! Check them out and give her some blog love and support!!!

OKAY WE'RE BACK!

We've taken a break from the teaching's of things to know in the blogging world for a super awesome review & giveaway! Don't worry Elana, Alex will be back tomorrow & friday for more blogging advice!

It's going to be a Sunshiny Day... wanna know why?

Cause I'm sharing about Rose Cooper's debut novel Gossip From The Girl's Room!!!

Here's a synopsis:
Gossip from the Girls’ Room fills readers in on all there is to learn about middle school life at Middlebrooke, where Sofia has her very own blog and discusses all the juicy gossip that comes out of the Girls’ room; read along to find out just what happens when class is not in session.


In Sofia's words . . .
Mia St. Claire is only the most popular girl in all of Middlebrooke Middle School. For three very obvious reasons:
1. She's very rich.
2. She has tons of money.
3. She can buy anything and everything she wants. And she does.
I'm sure people like her for other reasons too, but none of those reasons are obvious enough for me to really know. Or care about, for that matter.

Here's my thoughts:
Sofia Becker is looking to be super popular with the best.blog.ever! To get there she must find out things that other people don't know, and there is only one place to find that... the girls room.

She learns things uber-popular Mia, who she secretly despises, and later tries to befriend. Along with a few other secrets she finds she begins posting them to make her way to the top of the food chain.

Of course we all know that where you are at in Middle School and High School is where you'll stay, but Sofia's climb to the top is funny and sweet. Your typical Middle Schooler misplacing notebooks, losing & making up with friends, and working her hardest to be popular, you can't help but love this read!!!

In the end sometimes gossip will get you in trouble. Must read to see!

With fun words like Sunturday and awesome illustrations you'll be swept of your feet in awesomeness as this book takes you on one wild ride in Sofia's Middle School days.

So what better way then to have a giveaway! Up for grabs a Pre-ordered copy of Gossip From The Girls Room!

Here is how you enter:
Follow Me & Rose
Sidebar Us
Blog About Us
Comment - Now these are super special comments. You must leave one for both Rose and I. They must be SUPER creative and about the opposite person you post on. For Rose's blog the rumor must be more about me, and for My blog the rumor must be about Rose.

Example:
Rose's blog: Jen won Prom Queen after saving a cat from a burning building, but her boyfriend Billy broke up with her and decided to date Rose instead because he hated cats.

Jen's blog: Rose was invited to a pool party at Jimmy Parker's place but Jen stole all her clothes & bathing suit from the bathroom and Rose had to wear an ugly brown one piece instead.

Make sense?! So hop to it, comment on my blog and run over to Rose's and comment there. THIS IS MANDATORY, if you don't GOSSIP you won't be ENTERED.

How awful is that? I'm giving you permission to gossip about Rose and I... why wouldn't that be fun?

Winner!!!

Happy Saturday!!!

This is a super quick post! I just wanted to announce the winner of the CSN Stores giveaway!!!

THE WINNER IS...

Teenage Bride aka Jillian!!!

Thanks again for everyone who entered!!! Keep in mind that next week and the following week I'll be giving awesome book prizes so keep a look out for the two upcoming Wednesdays!!!

Also, I apologize for not getting to anyone's comments on Friday! Just know that I will make my rounds, I've been very busy in reality and haven't had time to catch up. I will though! I promise!!!

What are you all up to this weekend?

Who needs sleep?

Yes I know, two posts in one day!!!

For those looking for the AwEsOmE Cyn Balog, check out her interview HERE!

This post is just a little something special, just for me, which I think is well deserved!!!

So let's get to it... Who needs sleep? Seriously, with all the awesome novels, character collages, revisions and first drafts you're working on, who the hell needs to sleep, let alone has TIME to sleep.

So what are my plans tonight??

Character Collages!!!


Deciding what book to read!!!!



So many decisions!!! Woohoo!!! My favorite thing!!!

So what are your plans this evening?!

Fairy Tale Blogfest

FAIRYTALE BLOGFEST!!! This is a long post... but for a purpose and I really, really want you to read it!!! Emily had a super awesome idea over at Stepping into Fantasy. You were suppose to re-tell the story of a loveable fairy tale and make it a different genre. I think I did well. Check out the other entries (AFTER YOU READ MINE)

The REAL story of Beauty and the Beast.

Word Count: 960 words (Woohoo under 1,000)

START

All I’d wanted was a rose. We weren’t rich, but he still asked us what we wanted when he returned from his journey, I chose something we could afford, my sisters were the ones who wanted the jewelry and fine dresses, and now I’m being punished. The rose doesn't seem worth it anymore. With each gust of wind tree branches tap against the window. The scraping against the glass could be anything and I try to reassure myself that I’m alone in this room, but it’s dark and my nerves are shot.

It was my father’s plan, well more of a settling of the grounds between him and the beast, and I agreed to visit because I knew this agreement would benefit our family. At first everything had been nice, he’d bought me diamonds, gorgeous gowns and gave me my own room which was practically the size of our cottage. But then it all stopped because I’d asked to go home and see my family. Affection wasn’t his strong suit and he spent little time with me. I was desperate to give my father a hug, and ached for any type of human interaction. I had seen his anger and irritability but he had never been violent towards me. The day we fought I’d never seen the Beast so angry. His last words to me were, “You’ll never return.”


I should have left when I had the chance. I didn't always want to leave, however in the last few weeks things changed and he kept getting angrier by the day. He never slept and on occasion would venture away from the castle. When I tried to run he caught me and drug me to the corner tower where he chained me to the brick wall. He gave me such a look of anger it caused the hair's on my neck to electrify. Slapping me on the face, he said something underneath his breath before walking out and slamming the door. I jerked at the chains wanting to cool the sting on my cheek.

A small window allowed a sliver of light to fill an otherwise empty room, when the footsteps came the echo bounced off the once quiet walls. My hands are freezing but I’m unable to warm them. My legs tremble beneath my tattered dress. The last time I ate was two days ago and if he ever comes for me, or unlocks these chains, I don’t think I'll have the strength to escape.

There was a pause in the relentless wind and I heard a shuffling in the room but it was too dark to see.

“Hello?” I said. “Hello, is anyone there?” I tried to inch my body as far as I could for a better view but still saw nothing.

“Belle?” a shaky voice emerged from the darkness. “Belle is that you?”

One of my sisters called out, and heart break came over me. I didn’t understand why this happened. Why were we all being punished, none of us had done anything wrong. Was he really lonely and unhappy?

“Are you okay? Are you all here?” I cried out.

“Me and Melissa are here, he-” she whimpered, “he killed dad.” My heart sank deeper into my chest.

“What? How did this happen?” I wanted to see her. “It’s going to be okay, we’ll get out of here.” None of this was okay but still I wanted to comfort my sisters.

"We were so worried about you," Kat said. "We were on our way to find you when the Beast came. He was so angry. He said you wanted to come home but that wasn't part of the deal and he caught you trying to escape." Kat said with panic, "He brought an axe with him and-," she cried before she could finish.

“Kat I’m so sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say; from her voice I knew I didn’t want the details. I was helpless. He had destroyed my father and we’d soon be next. “How is Melissa?” I hadn’t even heard a whimper out of her.

“She's barely breathing, Belle, she isn't well. He stabbed her after she leapt to save dad. I stayed back like a coward.” I could hear her wheeping. I wanted to make it better I wanted to take the pain away but I knew I couldn’t. I was bound against a force larger than my own.

Before I could say anything to comfort them the door flung open. He’d returned and by the look on his face he’d brought vengeance with him. He ripped the chains off as if they were just taped to the wall then dragged me across the floor.

“No!” I screamed “Kat!” I heard Kat shriek watching her shadow turn towards me, I caught a glimpse of Melissa lying motionless on the floor. I should be scared but my only concern is how to save my family. “Please don’t hurt them!” I screamed.

I didn’t look away, if this was the last moment I wanted to look at them until I was forced not to. There had to be away to help us all. His grip tightened around my waist; I kicked as hard as I could, trying to knock him off balance. Nothing phased him. Thrasing my body trying to escape from his hold, if I could break my hands away, I could claw my way to freedom. “Please don’t hurt them.” I roared.

It was then I knew I would die. He was done with me. I refused to love him and there was no way he would allow me to love anyone else. He threw me to the ground and that is where I saw the rose. The whole reason this started.

THE END

If she likes it (which I hope she does) she will put it on her blog for voting to win the grand prize... if that's the case, you BeT your TuShY I'll be asking for your help!!! I hope you enjoyed the story! Now go visit the other entries!!!

You're Easy

Hi peeps!!!

Today's Saturday (which you already knew) and I've been asked if I'd like to do a giveaway for my bloggers, of course I would never say no!!!

CSN Stores has amazing online stores where you can find anything from lights and furniture to cookware and baking products, I have purchased quite a few things for the home office as well, binders for those rough drafts and essentials to make the best character collages.

So here's what's up for grabs!!!

US Winner:
$60 gift certificate for 200 CSN online stores!

UK Winner:
£60 gift certificate for 6 CSN online stores!

Germany Winner:
€60 gift certificate for 4 CSN online stores!!

I was so excited to see that they were open to the UK and Germany!!! I love all my international buddies!! So there you have it, the chance to win some money to buy some great stuff online!!!

To enter: Give me some comment love & add your email! I'll select the winner next week!

feeling insane

Hi my party bloggers!!!!

Have you missed me? You know, my real voice? The one that normally graces this lovely blog (it's my blog, I'll call it like it is).

I've missed myself recently, it seems these SpEcTaCuLaR interviews have taken over my blog and though I wouldn't change it for the world, I wanted to make sure that all my besties still knew I was out there.

Jess this is for you!!!

I think it's important as bloggers to keep your voice, your style, and still support causes. Writing contests, Joy 2 World contests, and interviews are fantastic to share, however we also don't want to forget about ourselves. Which I have recently done... for that I'm sorry.

Next week you'll see a little more ME time :)

I have not disappeared, I'm still alive and want you all to know that even though I'm feeling a bit insane at the moment, I'll have it underwraps when my blogging personality comes back...

wait a minute...

that's not right, I'll actually be more insane by then.

Then again, you love my insanity don't you?

SO I leave you with this... love me and all my craziness, and while you're at it, to get the old me back I want some CRAZY QUESTIONS from my crazy favorite bloggers. If you don't understand check my best pal Vicki's post today and you'll know what I'm looking for!

Don't forget SOPHIE JORDAN is on my blog today!!! She's fabulous!!! Please stop by!

Light My Fire

BLOG UPDATE: Next Week - Blogfest Participation and Interviews! Following Week - My bad-ass self back in business! Let the awesomeness begin.

For those who are in Houston, Texas this Featured Writer will be gracing us with her presence on September 11th at Blue Willow Bookshop! So you must stop by and say hello! This book is fantastic and she is awesome as well!! Be sure to purchase the book from Blue Willow so you can get it signed! If you have questions just shoot me an email!

Featured Writer: Sophie Jordan

Debuting her novel Firelight in Sept 7th 2010

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

1. First off for those who don’t know you are already a published author and have a few adult novels out. Care to share a little bit about them?

I’ve been writing historical romance and paranormal romance for a several years now. Clearly, romance is what I do. What I read, what I write, what I love.
It’s really no surprise that there is a romance at the center of my first YA.

2. I love that Jacinda can breathe fire, what a cool power to have! Where did this idea come from? Have you always wanted to breathe fire? (PS there are more than just fire breathers in this book!)

I guess the idea followed immediately on the heels of deciding that my heroine is a descendant from dragons. The ability to breathe fire just flashed into my head as a natural connection to dragons. And once it hit me, I knew I was on to something good. So good I decided to make her even more special by making her the last fire-breather of her kind.

3. How did you come up with the names for your characters?

Well, the human names were fairly ordinary picks, but the draki names I gave a little more thought. They needed to be a tad exotic … since they didn’t belong to humans. I wanted draki names to sound a little “old”, too. And of course they have to “fit” the character. Sometimes you just know when a name works for the character in your mind. I knew Jacinda’s name immediately. It had been lurking in the back of my mind for a few years waiting for the right character.

4. When do you realize you wanted to be a writer?

Probably in the seventh grade when I tried to write my own version of a Sweet Valley High book!

5. How long did it take you to write you first novel? Was it accepted by an agent?

I probably spent a few months writing it, then I revised off and how over the course of the following year … all the while actively submitting it to agents and working on a new project. I signed with an agent probably two years after I wrote that first book. And yes, miraculously, it was that first book I wrote that she sold.

PS - Firelight has been optioned for film! And the film company has asked for my input/involvement regarding the adaption of the book. That’s been somewhat hush-hush news I’ve been sitting on. Really excited!

6. What is a day in the life of Sophie Jordan like?

Oh, wow. Not all that glamorous. Here’s an average day:

I have two young kids to deal with on top of writing 5-10 pages a day, possibly revising or working on copyedits, running an online presence, checking emails, FB, twitter, taking calls from agents or editors, trying to hit the gym, cooking dinner, bathing kids, homework, picking up the house the 2yr old destroyed, and then after all that, I sit on the couch (hopefully!) and watch some TV with the hubby.

Fun & Random Questions

Favorite bookshop – KATY BUDGET BOOKS
Favorite place to eat – HUNGRY’s
Salty or Sweet – Both combined.
Favorite ice cream – Any peanut butterish flavor
Favorite book series – Hunger Games
Dragons or Dinosaurs – Ha! Dragons.
Chick flick or horror – Horror
Person who most inspires you – My father
Snow or rain – Rain
Favorite place to write – My patio
Favorite treat while writing – Chips and guac!

Be sure to visit Sophie's website!! Check out her novel too! I've read Firelight and it was a very magical and romantic world! You will NOT be disappointed!

Gossip? Mos Def

Happy Wednesday!

Featured Writer: Rose Cooper

Debuting her novel Gossip from the Girl's Room in January 2011

She just received her ARC's!!! Be sure to stop by after the interview to check it out!!!
Thank you so much for having me here!

6th grader Sofia “accidentally” overhears gossip in the girls’ room, but she has to overhear very carefully so that she doesn’t miss a word of what’s being said. She uses her super-secret notebook (the book) to jot down all the juiciness so her brain doesn’t forget any single important detail. Sofia juggles all the gossipy goodness and bathroom stakeouts along with her BFF Nona Bows, getting the attention of her forever crush and battling the super snooties and popular pretties of the school. But, there are twists involved too. There are illustrations on every page that add a “punch line” to the text. I cracked myself up just writing it!

1. So in school were you the one gossiping in the girl’s room, or the one who heard the gossiping? Care to dish on the dirt?

I was the one who heard the gossip—and it was usually about me! My mom worked at the school for most of my school years so that was hard because a lot of the girls gossiped about me when they got in trouble. They always thought I put my mom up to it, or told lies because of course they weren’t bad or anything *rolls eyes*. Then when we moved to a small town, I was the new girl so the gossip was all about me, all the time. And most of it was made up stuff like I slept in a coffin or talked to ghosts. Which you can understand why by reading the next question!

2. A little bird told me (okay I was blog stalking you…) that you are a step daughter to morticians, corpses and all. Have you ever used your experience or stories to create a novel surrounding it? Or are you terrified of corpses like me?

I love blog stalkers! Confession-I was freaked out when my mom married a mortician. I thought my life was over (this happened in the beginning of my teen years). I had so many embarrassing moments that led to all that gossip I mentioned (picked up from school in a hearse (with a dead body) to start with. At that time, it was traumatic and I was horrified by it all. But after awhile, I just got used to it. And yes, I wrote a book about it! It’s an MG novel called DEADIES DON’T GOSSIP (notice a theme here?) which is based on my experiences but I turned it from total drama into a humor story. Fingers crossed that it will be published someday. You know Jen, the best way to get over your fear of corpses is to be around them. Want to hang out in my old town?

3. Author and Illustrator… tough question but which do you love more? Do you create your own illustrations for your novel or does someone else?

Writing is my first love. I just recently got back into illustrating. Back in my teen years I loved drawing and writing, but I seemed to give up the drawing because I didn’t think it was good enough. I could never give up the writing though, it was something I always felt compelled to do. I absolutely love doing both right now. With my book series, Gossip from the Girls room (2011) and Rumors from the Boys Room (2012) I do all of the illustrations myself. I’m hoping to do illustrations with other books in the future outside of this series as well.

4. What do you find to be the hardest part of the writing process?

I would have to say the deadlines. And it’s not making the deadlines that are difficult, but it’s knowing you have a deadline. Before, I could write anytime I wanted about anything I wanted, whenever creativity struck. With deadlines, you have to make the creativity work by a certain date and that can be very difficult. I sometimes will hit a brick wall with my story and instead of taking a few days to figure it out, I have to really work that much harder every day because I know my deadline is right around the corner. Sometimes it feels like a deadline even stops my creativity flow, but I think it’s just a matter of remembering to keep that date pushed to the back of my mind and enjoy the writing or else it’s too stressful. It’s just one of the things you learn and try get used to during the process of publication.

5. If you were forced to live in a house with one of your characters who would you choose and why?

Oooh, that’s a tough one! It definitely wouldn’t be the character that lives with the corpses, been there done that! I would have to say Sofia from my debut book, Gossip from the Girls’ Room. Even though she’s a cartoon, I’ve spent more time with her than any character and I feel like I actually know her. And she is so hilarious. There would never be a dull moment living with her, and really, who wouldn’t want to live with someone who likes Zombie Cows and doesn’t mind getting into a little bit of trouble every now and then?

Fun and Random Questions

Pizza: All cheese with white garlic sauce topped with feta. Yum!
Ice Cream: chocolate with brownie chunks
Pirate or Spy: Spy!
Mountains or Beach: Definitely the beach.
Book: The Hunger Games
Book Series: Twilight (just finishing Break of Dawn) Love it! And yes, I know I’m behind.
TV Show: I’m a reality show junkie. Bring on the drama!

Be sure to check out Rose at her website/blog! She's awesome!

The Near Witch

Day Two of Featured Writers Week!!!

Today's Featured Writer: Victoria Schwab

Debuting her novel The Near Witch in August 2011

The PM listing makes me smile, simply for using the phrase “darkly romantic fairy tale”, but here’s the slightly longer pitch:

There’s an old ghost story in the town of Near. It tells of a Witch that lived on the edge of the village, and gobbled up all the darkness, and sang the hills to sleep, and loved the children almost as much as the garden she kept beside her house.

Sixteen-year-old Lexi Harris has heard the stories her entire life, first from her father, and then from old Magda and Dreska Thorne, the two Witches who live on the edge of Near. Everyone loves to tell the story, but everyone knows a different ending. Some say that the Near Witch blew away on a gust of wind. Others tell of darker things.

To Lexi, they’ve always been stories, nothing more. But when a strange and silent boy walks into the village of Near, and then the wind begins to lure children from their beds at night, she starts to wonder if there’s any truth in the tales. Why are the children vanishing? Who is the newcomer? And could the Near Witch be more than a ghost story?

1. So have you always written in the YA ghost story genre or did this story just kind of fall in your lap?

All my stories fall into my lap, I think, but the thing they have in common is a desire to reinvent. I like to create a new mythology rather than relying on existing ones. I also have a thing for doors/boundaries. In-between spaces, lines between worlds, these things show up a LOT in my stories.

2. Are you a fan of ghost stories, or do they scare the pants off you? Or both!? I know I love a good ghost story but they can sometimes terrify me!

I actually have NO tolerance. I can’t watch scary movies or read super creepy books, because I have a VERY vivid imagination and will scare my own pants off. But for some reason I can write them (mind you, mine are more in the Grimm’s fairy tale vein than the Stephen King one, but those original stories are messed up! :p) perhaps because I know the ins and outs, so it doesn’t scare me.

3. So how do you find your characters, do they speak to you, do you create Character Collages, research baby names?

Characters almost always come with names. I can’t start writing a character unless I know that name, or find it. I have chats with them to the point of outside concern :p I learn most of their details by writing them in situations that perhaps don’t have anything to do with the book, just to see how they respond to stress, change, etc.

4. Do you have any other works up your sleeve?

I do, I do ;) I’m not supposed to say anything about it yet! But I ALWAYS have something up my sleeve. In addition to cookies.

5. I’m sure everyone wants to know, as do I, how long did it take you to snag the perfect agent, feel free to share the story!!! Squee! We love fabulous stories!

I was in college. I wrote a book called THE SHADOW MILE. It needed work. I shelved it. Six months later. I saw a contest (on Nathan Bransford’s blog) and pulled TSM out, dusted it off, entered. It was in the top 3! I thought, “Hey, I should do something with this! I began revising, and querying, and a week and a half later, I signed with my amazing agent, Amy Tipton. (TSM went on sub, had a sickening number of close calls, and then I wrote THE NEAR WITCH because I needed an escape from submission stress. The rest is history).

6. What do you do when you aren’t writing?

I’m almost ALWAYS writing something, either drafting or editing, but when I’m not, I try to read as much as possible (I can only read certain things while I’m actually writing. I’m also prepping for grad school, so I take classes and study. I love to travel, and I’m part of the vlogging group the YA Rebels, so I’m always prepping/filming for that.


Fun & Random Questions

Mountains or Beach: Mountains.
Pizza or Fried Chicken: Pizza.
Favorite Weekday: Is there such a thing? I’ll say Friday!
Pets: I have FIVE. Three dogs and two cats. It’s a jungle and I love them.
Dinosaur or Dragon: Dragon, duh!
Currently Reading: MATCHED by Ally Condie and THE AENEID by Virgil :p …and my CP Myra’s awesome book HOURGLASS, and…this could take awhile.
Favorite Author: Tie between Neil Gaiman and Cassandra Clare
Favorite Book & Book Series: The Mortal Instruments
Favorite TV Shows: The Mentalist, Castle, and Lie to Me
Favorite Writing spot: Coffee shop. I actually love the ambient noise. I’ve written entire books in one location, I get a little obsessive about it, as if I start to associate a level of creativity and focus and story with one place. I get sad when I don’t have a good writing haunt.
Added: FAVORITE BAKED GOOD! CUPCAKES!

You should visit my website. I did it myself! I supposedly have a degree in design! From a university! And it might be the worst degree to have as an author because you almost never have creative control, or even input, but there you go :p

And thank you so, so much for having me, and for putting up with my emoticon addiction. I promise THE NEAR WITCH is emoticon-free.

Isn't she AWESOME!!! So for more of Victoria be sure to visit her website and blog!

Guess that Character - The Big Reveal!

PaRt TwO of this spectacular fun fest!!!

Again a huge thanks to all those who participated and for all those who took the time to blog hope and give your guesses! 61 of you joined in on the fun... Did you hear me??? 61!!! Without you this would not have been a success!! So make sure to visit the others!!

Isn't this the perfect way to end the week? Revealing the characters!! Were you close? Did you get anything right?

I've provided two pictures and I will tell you a little bit about my character and help with descriptions, since let's face it, my character isn't as good looking as the actress I'm about to show you!

Sadie Jones is played by the lovely and talented Selena Gomez. Yes my character was indeed a girl.

Real Description of Sadie:

Long black hair, unlike her mother's adorable blonde locks. Blue eyes, the only trait her mother happened to pass down. Short in height and an oval face that didn't help her fit in either. As far as clothing goes earth friendly is an understatment, it's almost earth friendly meet hobo style... but that's all about to change when she moves to Cascade.

A little more info on Sadie:

Sadie isn't your typical teenager, She's a witch. (Ironic I know. I hadn't realized Selena was the oh so fabulous actress who played on the Wizards of Waverly, but hey guess it was just meant to be! *focus jen focus*) What makes matters worse is that she's also the girl that nobody likes, the one the Queen Bee (Stacy Finnegan & Veronica - who you've yet to meet) can't help but pick on her (PS they've already made this judgement before they even knew she was a witch! I know, I know! I can't believe it either!). Which is why she wants to murder Stacy Finnegan.



When Sadie is kicked out of school her mother decides it's time to move on and start a new life. She takes Sadie to a small town in Iowa where they must start over. This time Sadie has a plan, to take down the Queen Bee before she takes down Sadie. Problem is the new Queen Bee is Veronica, and she's got a secret of her own. Nothing in Sadie's world is ever easy.

Below I decided Sadie should give her best impression of the prissy Queen Bee pose, I think she rocked it don't you?



So were you close? Way off? I had a lot of fun reading your responses and my absolutely favorite was Nicole Ducleroir's answer! She guessed it spot on... Selena Gomez was her entry! Way to pick my character Nicole!

Guess that Character!

It's Here!!! It's Here!!! My first ever blog fest! I want to thank everyone who decided to join in on the fun! To those who have done a blog fest before and those who are new, you are all welcome and loved!

I promise that I will visit each and every one of you!!! So who has all decided to join on the fun?? All these awesome participants!

This is a two day fun fest!

Day one (yes, that would be today) everyone will share a piece of their story and your job is to guess what you think their main character looks like!!!

Day two (yes, that would be tomorrow) everyone will do the big reveal and that's where the reactions take place!

This is the perfect time to learn what people really think your character looks like!!! So enough chit chat... LeT's GeT sTaRtEd!!!!

sNiPpEt Of SaDiE

I wanted to murder Stacy Finnegan. I gave her the biggest death glare I could muster, it didn't make a difference, that ice princess wasn’t phased. Of course, it didn’t help that I was the freak in the school. Being the “new” kid and having a mom who bought only earth friendly clothing, aka rugged jeans and ugly colored t-shirts, didn’t make fitting in easy. My mom hadn’t listened to my feelings, not that she ever had she preferred torturing me. I begged her to move and it's not like we hadn't done it before. She was notorious for having our bags packed without any kind of warning always telling me that the "earth" told her it was time. Yeah, that's my mom, the biggest hippie on the planet. Trust me, it’s a nightmare. Why couldn’t the earth look out for me this time?

When I was younger I would cry, beg her to stay but she said it would only happen when she’d been told. Yeah if a tree started talking to me I would want to run too, no wonder my dad left. He never understood her, or me. The day he left she gave up her gift; the magic she once loved and shared disappeared. She’d spend hours outside working on the latest mosaic piece that we could have sold for money, but she said the earth had bigger plans for it. I don’t know if I would call bigger plans making it a pathway to her work space, but whatev’s I'm not the expert.

EnD oF SnIpPeT

Give me your best guess!!! What does she look like? Come back tomorrow for the big reveal!!! Check out all the other awesome entries as well!!

Blog Addict

Blog Addict? I know I am and I'm finding that with less time I'm looking for the perfect blogging style!!!

Several of you have been emailing me on what it takes to be a better blogger. How I've gained so many bloggers and how I always have something to talk about, so I've decided that a post is in order.

Tips for the making's of a better blogger:

Super long posts suck!

Keep it fun!

Stalk until you drop!

Commenting is a must!

Stay Organized!

Whining is for babies!

Just a quick elaboration on all of what I wrote. No one has time to read a super long post, especially those with a huge following! The shorter the posts the more time to read and actually comment. If you want comments YOU MUST comment, nothing is free! Make sure they are heartfelt, you want to show the blog author you actually read their stuff. Keep a good schedule, if you're sporadic with posting your bloggers will be sporadic in visiting. Keep your blog positive! If you whine to much no one will want to listen.

So there you have it! This is what it takes to be a better blogger! I hope I helped inspire your journey to continue to make the blogging world a happier place :)

Feel free to add extra thoughts!

Tomorrow is the blogfest!!!! Hooray! If you've yet to sign up you still can!! Just visit HERE! Next week is Featured Writer's Week and the following week will be the continuation of In Their Own Words!!!