Today I'm keeping it simple. There is so much happening in the blogging world, I want to know what you're all up too!
What are you writing?
Have you recently switched genres?
What are you reading?
Should I be adding anything delicious to my TBR pile?
I love to hear what everyone has going on. I think it pulls us closer together as a community! For me, personally, I'm working on a new short story for Still Moments Publishing, working on adoption (can you save a cupcake? Look at the sidebar), and house buying.
Trying to mix both worlds can be so TOUGH! Are you one that's struggling?
Write on the wall and tell me what's happening!
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Friday, January 27, 2012
Monday, June 27, 2011
Treatment Plan
So for those of you who don’t know I’m going will be undergoing jaw surgery within the next year or two. I found out last week but I’m working out my treatment plan for now to see what it all entails. I’m both terrified and excited. Terrified because it’s my jaw we’re talking about. Excited because the headaches and jaw pain I’ve had for years could be eliminated.
But I’m not here to talk about my jaw. This pertains to writing… as does most of what I post does.
When writing we all follow our own personal treatment plan. What works best for us, the path we choose, and when to take a break from all the chaos.
I’ll outline. It’s a slim outline but nonetheless a guide to help me when I get stuck.
I’ll write my first draft. For me this is simple. I can knock out words in days. Fast novel written – 7 days (60K), longest written – 20 days (118K).
Here is where it gets tricky. This is where my treatment plan comes into play. Revisionland. I second guess myself constantly. There is no winning for me. I must take a deep breath and continue to push myself. I give myself goals.
2 weeks to read through novel. This gives me a chance to elaborate on anything I might have missed or completely reword and reconstruct sentences.
2 weeks to check grammar and run-ons. I know what I’m bad at so running through my novel once more before sending it off to beta readers is a must.
4 weeks with two beta readers. Only two. These are the two who know there stuff. They can correct my grammar. Show me the telling vs showing I missed. Things of that nature.
2 weeks to correct and revise from beta readers.
4 weeks for chick lit lovers. They are those who don’t write chick lit but adore reading it. For them I allow 4 weeks to devour my book and give me any last minute things to consider.
2 weeks to make changes if necessary.
So there you have it. My treatment plan when writing a novel. Now of course most of these don’t last that long. Even though it’s my personal goal I still strive for excellence before the due date.
What’s your treatment plan?
But I’m not here to talk about my jaw. This pertains to writing… as does most of what I post does.
When writing we all follow our own personal treatment plan. What works best for us, the path we choose, and when to take a break from all the chaos.
I’ll outline. It’s a slim outline but nonetheless a guide to help me when I get stuck.
I’ll write my first draft. For me this is simple. I can knock out words in days. Fast novel written – 7 days (60K), longest written – 20 days (118K).
Here is where it gets tricky. This is where my treatment plan comes into play. Revisionland. I second guess myself constantly. There is no winning for me. I must take a deep breath and continue to push myself. I give myself goals.
2 weeks to read through novel. This gives me a chance to elaborate on anything I might have missed or completely reword and reconstruct sentences.
2 weeks to check grammar and run-ons. I know what I’m bad at so running through my novel once more before sending it off to beta readers is a must.
4 weeks with two beta readers. Only two. These are the two who know there stuff. They can correct my grammar. Show me the telling vs showing I missed. Things of that nature.
2 weeks to correct and revise from beta readers.
4 weeks for chick lit lovers. They are those who don’t write chick lit but adore reading it. For them I allow 4 weeks to devour my book and give me any last minute things to consider.
2 weeks to make changes if necessary.
So there you have it. My treatment plan when writing a novel. Now of course most of these don’t last that long. Even though it’s my personal goal I still strive for excellence before the due date.
What’s your treatment plan?
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
What's in it for you.
I get emails all the time (and I love them). My peeps who noticed I’ve been distant (thanks the writing bug) and those who are new and either want a friend or want blogging advice. All emails are welcome in fact they’re encouraged.
However sometimes I get weird ones.
You all know I love to promote some awesome people on this here blog. Elana Johnson, Lisa & Laura Roecker, Candyland, Rose Cooper… Umm I think you get the point. Some published others aren’t but the joy is in the smiles I put on their faces and the smiles they put on mine.
Most people send emails telling me how sweet they think I am (and secretly I want to ship off several dozens of cupcakes in thanks). Just the other day I got the opposite email.
What’s in it for you?
It was a valid question. I suppose it could have been viewed as several different ways but it had me wondering how I’d answer it. So I figured I might as well share it here!
Here’s the answer: I blog what I want. Much like I write what I want to read.
I choose all the fabulous people on my blog very carefully. I have been known to say no. It isn’t because I don’t like someone it’s because it takes a lot of time to prepare a post and sometimes I’m too busy. However every time I have someone on my blog it’s because I love them and want to support then just like I hope one day everyone will want to support me when I’m looking to do some shameless promotion. If they don’t that’s okay too. I do it because I want to. It’s that simple.
How do you feel about sharing the love of bloggers and authors you adore?
However sometimes I get weird ones.
You all know I love to promote some awesome people on this here blog. Elana Johnson, Lisa & Laura Roecker, Candyland, Rose Cooper… Umm I think you get the point. Some published others aren’t but the joy is in the smiles I put on their faces and the smiles they put on mine.
Most people send emails telling me how sweet they think I am (and secretly I want to ship off several dozens of cupcakes in thanks). Just the other day I got the opposite email.
What’s in it for you?
It was a valid question. I suppose it could have been viewed as several different ways but it had me wondering how I’d answer it. So I figured I might as well share it here!
Here’s the answer: I blog what I want. Much like I write what I want to read.
I choose all the fabulous people on my blog very carefully. I have been known to say no. It isn’t because I don’t like someone it’s because it takes a lot of time to prepare a post and sometimes I’m too busy. However every time I have someone on my blog it’s because I love them and want to support then just like I hope one day everyone will want to support me when I’m looking to do some shameless promotion. If they don’t that’s okay too. I do it because I want to. It’s that simple.
How do you feel about sharing the love of bloggers and authors you adore?
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Writing and it's progression
When I first started writing it was all about getting the words on the blank page. Feeling each moment even if the two scenes didn't go together.
Now I realize a year and a half into calling myself a writer that it takes more than a bunch of words jumbled on a sheet of paper. You really are a story teller and you want to write a book that's never been written. You have spent hours in the sacks devouring books and yet something was still missing. The heroine wasn't experiencing what you were and there was no hero sweeping her off her feet.
So you changed it.
You made the story fit your feelings. Fit the mold that you created. The situations that you've thought about. The interesting dilemma's the teenagers face when they're given a gift but they view it as a curse. Everything in writing matters. From the color of one's shoes to where they eat lunch. Each action has a meaning. Every moment has a purpose. It also never hurts to have two people falling in love either!
So where are you at in the writing world? Are you still figuring out what a plot is? Sending your beautiful words out on submission?
Now I realize a year and a half into calling myself a writer that it takes more than a bunch of words jumbled on a sheet of paper. You really are a story teller and you want to write a book that's never been written. You have spent hours in the sacks devouring books and yet something was still missing. The heroine wasn't experiencing what you were and there was no hero sweeping her off her feet.
So you changed it.
You made the story fit your feelings. Fit the mold that you created. The situations that you've thought about. The interesting dilemma's the teenagers face when they're given a gift but they view it as a curse. Everything in writing matters. From the color of one's shoes to where they eat lunch. Each action has a meaning. Every moment has a purpose. It also never hurts to have two people falling in love either!
So where are you at in the writing world? Are you still figuring out what a plot is? Sending your beautiful words out on submission?
Friday, June 3, 2011
Did it start at Childhood?
Before I start reading a good book, I love to turn to the author’s bio and acknowledgements. It allows me to see what drove them to write a fabulous book and who all they thanked – which is never easy since we all know how much help we use along the way.
Some people find their passion at an early age, their imaginations carrying them to bring a notepad and write everything down.
Others soak up the information for years. Never knowing that’s where they’ll end up but when asked the inevitable question ‘When did you start writing’ they’ll reply with ‘a year’ but secretly they’ll know it was since childhood.
We are also driven to write different things. Some of travel, life, animals, others simply make believe. Some also write just because they ran out of books to read.
So what category do you fall under? Why did you start writing?
Some people find their passion at an early age, their imaginations carrying them to bring a notepad and write everything down.
Others soak up the information for years. Never knowing that’s where they’ll end up but when asked the inevitable question ‘When did you start writing’ they’ll reply with ‘a year’ but secretly they’ll know it was since childhood.
We are also driven to write different things. Some of travel, life, animals, others simply make believe. Some also write just because they ran out of books to read.
So what category do you fall under? Why did you start writing?
Saturday, April 16, 2011
N is for Not a yellow brick road
Ever feel like your traveling through life at the speed of light? You can't catch up on anything?
Writing. Work. Family. Blogging.
How does one balance it all out? Is there an order in which you are to best level each section of your life out? It's so much easier on paper isn't it?
Well I'm not an expert and since every life is different there is no one answer as to how to make your life easier. After all this is not a yellow brick road to your freedom. I separate how I see fit.
This is normally how it works.
Work. Happens every day. As much as I'd love to let go it pays my bills. So 40 hours is dedicated to that. Not changing unless I win the lottery (for right now).
Family. This one is a little easier to maintain. With my husband in school I get extra time to myself and we dedicate the weekends to the fun zone!
Writing. I write every day, even if it's something as simple as fun and thought out email, a poem, or something in my journal. Every day you should write something. You are a writer after all.
Blogging. Posts are scheduled on Sundays. During the week I comment. Sometimes I just lurk. This is the one that so often takes the back burner. Though I hate to do it, my life is far to hectic sometimes and this must be downsized.
So how do you cope? What order is your life in?
Writing. Work. Family. Blogging.
How does one balance it all out? Is there an order in which you are to best level each section of your life out? It's so much easier on paper isn't it?
Well I'm not an expert and since every life is different there is no one answer as to how to make your life easier. After all this is not a yellow brick road to your freedom. I separate how I see fit.
This is normally how it works.
Work. Happens every day. As much as I'd love to let go it pays my bills. So 40 hours is dedicated to that. Not changing unless I win the lottery (for right now).
Family. This one is a little easier to maintain. With my husband in school I get extra time to myself and we dedicate the weekends to the fun zone!
Writing. I write every day, even if it's something as simple as fun and thought out email, a poem, or something in my journal. Every day you should write something. You are a writer after all.
Blogging. Posts are scheduled on Sundays. During the week I comment. Sometimes I just lurk. This is the one that so often takes the back burner. Though I hate to do it, my life is far to hectic sometimes and this must be downsized.
So how do you cope? What order is your life in?
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
K is for Kite
BiG nEwS: I've been querying and last night I got my first full MS request! I'm over the moon!!! Here's hoping they love Jules as much as I do!!!
Back to the post at hand!
How flying a kite pertains to flying through life - sort of.
So I don't claim to be an expert at flying a kite... if you've seen me you'll know I spend more time running and watching it drag on the ground than having it in the air.
It's that embarrassing moment where the child next to you is giggling and had it up in seconds and you swear they're giggling because YOU can't fly a kite.
I'm on a tangent.
Flying a kite, writing, and life in general all have steps to follow.
1. Kite - Make it.
2. Writing - Write it.
3. Life - Live it.
Basic concept right? Seems easy enough. Then comes the obstacles.
1. Kite - Where in the hell is the wind?
2. Writing - Where has my character gone?
3. Life - Why isn't there any hot water?
So you're back to feeling somewhat defeated until the positive comes rolling in.
1. Kite - WIND!
2. Writing - WORDS!
3. Life - WATER!
So you can have good days and bad days it's all just part of flying the kite.
Is it a good day or a bad day for you?
Back to the post at hand!
How flying a kite pertains to flying through life - sort of.
So I don't claim to be an expert at flying a kite... if you've seen me you'll know I spend more time running and watching it drag on the ground than having it in the air.
It's that embarrassing moment where the child next to you is giggling and had it up in seconds and you swear they're giggling because YOU can't fly a kite.
I'm on a tangent.
Flying a kite, writing, and life in general all have steps to follow.
1. Kite - Make it.
2. Writing - Write it.
3. Life - Live it.
Basic concept right? Seems easy enough. Then comes the obstacles.
1. Kite - Where in the hell is the wind?
2. Writing - Where has my character gone?
3. Life - Why isn't there any hot water?
So you're back to feeling somewhat defeated until the positive comes rolling in.
1. Kite - WIND!
2. Writing - WORDS!
3. Life - WATER!
So you can have good days and bad days it's all just part of flying the kite.
Is it a good day or a bad day for you?
Friday, July 30, 2010
Kick Ass Quotes
So I figured If CrAzY please apply was so successful we should continue with some awesome inspiration and motivational crap that makes us feel more together as a whole writing community. I mean if we don't stick together everyone will think we're crazy so here are some fun things I've recently come by!!!
1. Make eavesdropping a way of life. {I mean how else are you going to come up with some good shizz?}
2. Writing fiction is a matter of sitting down to tell yourself a good story. {It aint gonna write itself}
3. If you don't return calls from your muse, there's a chance they'll stop calling. {so listen up people because if you don't they'll find someone else who will}
4. It is better to write poorly than to not write at all. {Go ahead... suck it up!}
5. Every good writer is a sponge: soak it up, wring it out. {You might wanna change it sometimes too... no one wants to be known as the smelly sponge of the bunch}
Feel free to add any extras if you have them!!!
BTW - Sorry I've been a bad blog commentor this week, I've been working hard on my revisions and had to put something aside, but fear not because next week I am to be on my best behavior!! Hooray for finishing post-it revisions!!
1. Make eavesdropping a way of life. {I mean how else are you going to come up with some good shizz?}
2. Writing fiction is a matter of sitting down to tell yourself a good story. {It aint gonna write itself}
3. If you don't return calls from your muse, there's a chance they'll stop calling. {so listen up people because if you don't they'll find someone else who will}
4. It is better to write poorly than to not write at all. {Go ahead... suck it up!}
5. Every good writer is a sponge: soak it up, wring it out. {You might wanna change it sometimes too... no one wants to be known as the smelly sponge of the bunch}
Feel free to add any extras if you have them!!!
BTW - Sorry I've been a bad blog commentor this week, I've been working hard on my revisions and had to put something aside, but fear not because next week I am to be on my best behavior!! Hooray for finishing post-it revisions!!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
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?
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?
Monday, May 17, 2010
Mondays tales from the notebook
The path that lead into town looked like it had been made directly from the rainbow, colors poured over the cobblestones and every step Tommy and I took seemed to brighten them, it made me giggle as Tommy ran ahead and under his feet lit up like christmas tree.
The trees had crystals hanging off them and they sparkled as bright as the stars, this place radiated beauty.
"Come meet Elsa!" Tommy yelled with excitement.
I ran to catch up, it hadn't been fair, he had visited so many times before that I didn't get an ounce of what I'm sure he experienced. I ran up along side him and told myself I'd look at more later. He led me to a small shop that read - INN - It was cute with two little windows and a bright blue door. Tommy entered first and I followed closely behind.
"Tommy dear how are you?" said a sweet voice from behind the counter.
I couldn't see her so I was surprised that she knew that Tommy had shown up. As she stood up I saw the prettiest girl I has ever laid eyes on, beautiful long black locks, lightly curled all the way to the small of her back, her eyes looked like blue ice so elegant and lively. Her voice was a sweet as her appearance.
"A guest I see" she said as she welcomed me "You must be Emily," I nodded "Tommy speaks of nothing else"
Tommy blushed as she spilled his secret.
--This one is a little short, I wrote it on the spur of a moment. I don't think it has enough umph, excitiing enough, but it's what I had written so naturally I post what was original!--
The trees had crystals hanging off them and they sparkled as bright as the stars, this place radiated beauty.
"Come meet Elsa!" Tommy yelled with excitement.
I ran to catch up, it hadn't been fair, he had visited so many times before that I didn't get an ounce of what I'm sure he experienced. I ran up along side him and told myself I'd look at more later. He led me to a small shop that read - INN - It was cute with two little windows and a bright blue door. Tommy entered first and I followed closely behind.
"Tommy dear how are you?" said a sweet voice from behind the counter.
I couldn't see her so I was surprised that she knew that Tommy had shown up. As she stood up I saw the prettiest girl I has ever laid eyes on, beautiful long black locks, lightly curled all the way to the small of her back, her eyes looked like blue ice so elegant and lively. Her voice was a sweet as her appearance.
"A guest I see" she said as she welcomed me "You must be Emily," I nodded "Tommy speaks of nothing else"
Tommy blushed as she spilled his secret.
--This one is a little short, I wrote it on the spur of a moment. I don't think it has enough umph, excitiing enough, but it's what I had written so naturally I post what was original!--
Thursday, May 13, 2010
truth thursdays and guest blogging
Happy Thurdsay blog buddies!!!
I am so excited to announce that for the first time ever I am going to do a guest blog over at Justine Dell's blog! So go check it out and be sure to tell me what you think!
A few truths before you hop over!
1. I love going to the coffee shop but only go for the muffins
2. I love to buy books at random, just walking into B&N and picking up the first two that catch my eye (who doesn't!)
3. I love brownies but only warmed up and with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
4. My favorite place to write is in bed with my two kitties Lynx and ellie laying with me.
5. I wish it was friday...
What are your truths??
BTW Justine hasn't had time to post it yet but I unfortunately have to post early due to my work schedule so please make sure come back and check it out!
I am so excited to announce that for the first time ever I am going to do a guest blog over at Justine Dell's blog! So go check it out and be sure to tell me what you think!
A few truths before you hop over!
1. I love going to the coffee shop but only go for the muffins
2. I love to buy books at random, just walking into B&N and picking up the first two that catch my eye (who doesn't!)
3. I love brownies but only warmed up and with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
4. My favorite place to write is in bed with my two kitties Lynx and ellie laying with me.
5. I wish it was friday...
What are your truths??
BTW Justine hasn't had time to post it yet but I unfortunately have to post early due to my work schedule so please make sure come back and check it out!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Internal Conflict Blogfest
Here we go baby!!! May 12th is the day!!! Lets do it! Thanks to the Alliterative Allomorph for throwing this super fun blogfest!!
Here goes nothing!
He told me love was sweet, it was like a flower, you had to allow it time to blossom. I bought all that shit. He seemed so adorable and kind, you know the kind of man every woman waits to find. Everyone woman hopes that man loves her as much as she loves him, though we all know that the woman always loves more. I thought I had found him, that he was the one.
We had become inseparable, married after a year of courting. He was handsome, wonderful, my one and only. We loved one another for six years, I woke up each morning looking at him and remind myself how lucky I was to have him, how lucky I was that he loved me. Until he stopped.
I sit here now thinking about it, allowing my insides to be torn out. He ripped them out and stomped on them, every girl has experienced it, in fact I’m the one to which my friends always come to, they always tell me how lucky I am how wonderful of a man I have. Shouldn’t it have been the other way around? Shouldn’t he have been so lucky to have me? I guess I wasn’t enough.
I’m sorry. I guess you just weren’t the right one. I guess I picked to early. that’s what he said to me, like I was still that fucking flower he so desperately wanted me to be. Picked me to early, what a joke, what a stupid metaphor. Why the hell had I fallen for it? What made him so god damn special? I guess I just wasn’t enough flower for him.
Annabelle was. Oh yes sweet, adorable, thin, blonde Annabelle, she was so his type. She laughed at all his ridiculous jokes, touched his chest when she laughed, she paid attention to him he said. We just fell in love, it wasn’t like I was looking for it. How could I have been so stupid? Why didn’t I see the signs? I always told my girlfriends what to look out for, what to avoid, instead I’m the one sitting on the couch with a glass of wine all alone. I’m the one who invested 6 fucking years to a man who just fell in love with someone much younger than him. You see that shit in the movies you never think it’s going to happen to you, until it does.
I should have never come home. I should have worked late like I said I was going to, something stopped me. I decided that I wanted to have a date night with my husband, I mean what was so wrong with that? I even ran by the lingerie store and even picked up something nice to share with him, make his night worth while. I walked in the house, lights were off but I saw candles on the dining room table, two plates set out, it was beautiful. I was so excited I actually was stupid enough to think that he had done it for me! It wasn’t until I heard the moaning in OUR bedroom that I realized that stupid bastard had skipped the main course and went for the trampy dessert.
How was I so stupid? I was so shocked I just stared when I reached the room. I didn’t even say a word, I was so pissed that the words couldn’t even come out, instead I stood there. The stupid tramp looked at me as if she hadn’t known… I knew she had, I visited the office often enough, she was his fucking assistant for Christ sake! He looked at me in shock you weren’t supposed to be home yet he said, umm duh! I was figuring that out myself. I can’t believe that made it alright. He explained quickly what I had already seen and then left, not another word.
Grabbing the bottle of wine I just continue to relive the awful experience in my head, letting it play like a video, what a fool was I. I could just imagine that they were laughing after they left, God what an idiot is she, didn’t even know we were fooling around. How long had it been going on? How long had they fooled me? One bottle wouldn’t be enough, I was looking at two or three bottle’s of wine to make this pain go away. I wanted to puke, how could he have done this to me? How stupid was I not to notice, I mean even Franklin my orange tabby cat new, he looked at me with those cute sad eyes, rubbing against my leg telling me to cheer up, I hoped he was calling his “dad” and asshole. Oh I was taking the cat alright, I was taking the house, the car, the stocks, it was all mine, that stupid prick. I hoped him an Annabelle have fun together after he is broke.
First things first I better change the locks. Guess love isn’t so sweet is it.
**Well there is my entry! I was able rewrite an additional 4K words last night!!! I can feel the fire**
Here goes nothing!
He told me love was sweet, it was like a flower, you had to allow it time to blossom. I bought all that shit. He seemed so adorable and kind, you know the kind of man every woman waits to find. Everyone woman hopes that man loves her as much as she loves him, though we all know that the woman always loves more. I thought I had found him, that he was the one.
We had become inseparable, married after a year of courting. He was handsome, wonderful, my one and only. We loved one another for six years, I woke up each morning looking at him and remind myself how lucky I was to have him, how lucky I was that he loved me. Until he stopped.
I sit here now thinking about it, allowing my insides to be torn out. He ripped them out and stomped on them, every girl has experienced it, in fact I’m the one to which my friends always come to, they always tell me how lucky I am how wonderful of a man I have. Shouldn’t it have been the other way around? Shouldn’t he have been so lucky to have me? I guess I wasn’t enough.
I’m sorry. I guess you just weren’t the right one. I guess I picked to early. that’s what he said to me, like I was still that fucking flower he so desperately wanted me to be. Picked me to early, what a joke, what a stupid metaphor. Why the hell had I fallen for it? What made him so god damn special? I guess I just wasn’t enough flower for him.
Annabelle was. Oh yes sweet, adorable, thin, blonde Annabelle, she was so his type. She laughed at all his ridiculous jokes, touched his chest when she laughed, she paid attention to him he said. We just fell in love, it wasn’t like I was looking for it. How could I have been so stupid? Why didn’t I see the signs? I always told my girlfriends what to look out for, what to avoid, instead I’m the one sitting on the couch with a glass of wine all alone. I’m the one who invested 6 fucking years to a man who just fell in love with someone much younger than him. You see that shit in the movies you never think it’s going to happen to you, until it does.
I should have never come home. I should have worked late like I said I was going to, something stopped me. I decided that I wanted to have a date night with my husband, I mean what was so wrong with that? I even ran by the lingerie store and even picked up something nice to share with him, make his night worth while. I walked in the house, lights were off but I saw candles on the dining room table, two plates set out, it was beautiful. I was so excited I actually was stupid enough to think that he had done it for me! It wasn’t until I heard the moaning in OUR bedroom that I realized that stupid bastard had skipped the main course and went for the trampy dessert.
How was I so stupid? I was so shocked I just stared when I reached the room. I didn’t even say a word, I was so pissed that the words couldn’t even come out, instead I stood there. The stupid tramp looked at me as if she hadn’t known… I knew she had, I visited the office often enough, she was his fucking assistant for Christ sake! He looked at me in shock you weren’t supposed to be home yet he said, umm duh! I was figuring that out myself. I can’t believe that made it alright. He explained quickly what I had already seen and then left, not another word.
Grabbing the bottle of wine I just continue to relive the awful experience in my head, letting it play like a video, what a fool was I. I could just imagine that they were laughing after they left, God what an idiot is she, didn’t even know we were fooling around. How long had it been going on? How long had they fooled me? One bottle wouldn’t be enough, I was looking at two or three bottle’s of wine to make this pain go away. I wanted to puke, how could he have done this to me? How stupid was I not to notice, I mean even Franklin my orange tabby cat new, he looked at me with those cute sad eyes, rubbing against my leg telling me to cheer up, I hoped he was calling his “dad” and asshole. Oh I was taking the cat alright, I was taking the house, the car, the stocks, it was all mine, that stupid prick. I hoped him an Annabelle have fun together after he is broke.
First things first I better change the locks. Guess love isn’t so sweet is it.
**Well there is my entry! I was able rewrite an additional 4K words last night!!! I can feel the fire**
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Tuesday Twist
Here is another edition of Tuesday's Twists! Below I have three novels that I've read, would love to read, or would love you to read! Of course as always share your thoughts about each synposis!!!
First Synopsis: Chick Lit
Perpetually discombobulated but adorable Annabelle Granger inherits her grandmother's matchmaking business, renames it Perfect for You and targets Chicago's super-rich, super-aggressive sports agent Heath Champion, better known as the Python, as her first client. Intrigued by this spunky, determined upstart, Heath—who is dead set on finding the ultimate trophy wife by age 35—agrees to give Annabelle a chance despite his contract with Portia Powers of Power Match. Soon Annabelle is introducing him to the Windy City's most extraordinary women, none of whom seem to meet Heath's discriminating standards. Could it be because chemistry has sparked between the matchmaker and her client? From trading barbs the two progress to exchanging kisses—and more. But when Heath finally meets his should-be dream girl and Annabelle's business threatens to go bellyup, they each must face their deepest feelings and make some difficult decisions in the name of love. Phillips has once again created a delightful page-turner.
Second Synopsis: Suspense
From a top secret government laboratory come two genetically altered life forms. One is a magnificent dog of astonishing intelligence. The other, a hybrid monster of a brutally violent nature. And both are on the loose...
Bestselling author Dean Koontz presents his most terrifying, dramatic and moving novel: The explosive story of a man and a woman, caught in a relentless storm of mankind’s darkest creation...
Third Synopsis: Young Adult
Before Carrie Bradshaw hit the big time in the City, she was a regular girl growing up in the suburbs of Connecticut. How did she turn into one of the most-read social observers of our generation?
The Carrie Diaries opens up in Carrie's senior year of high school. She and her best friends -- Walt, Lali, Maggie, and the Mouse -- are inseparable, amid the sea of Jens, Jocks and Jets. And then Sebastian Kydd comes into the picture. Sebastian is a bad boy-older, intriguing, and unpredictable. Carrie falls into the relationship that she was always supposed to have in high school-until a friend's betrayal makes her question everything. With her high school days coming to a close, Carrie will realize it's finally time to go after everything she ever wanted.
Rabid fans of Sex and the City will love seeing Carrie Bradshaw evolve from a regular girl into a sharp, insightful writer. They'll learn about her family background -- how she found her writing voice, and the indelible impression her early friendships and relationships left on her. We'll see what brings Carrie to her beloved New York City, where the next Carrie Diaries book will take place.
What's your order??
Here are the titles:
Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Watchers by Dean Koontz
The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell
Tomorrow is the Internal Conflict Blogfest! Be sure to check mine out!!! Also last night I was able to revise 6100 words! I'm so elated, I've adjusted the chapter format and getting rid of too much information! I thiink I finally have it down! Hows your writing going?
First Synopsis: Chick Lit
Perpetually discombobulated but adorable Annabelle Granger inherits her grandmother's matchmaking business, renames it Perfect for You and targets Chicago's super-rich, super-aggressive sports agent Heath Champion, better known as the Python, as her first client. Intrigued by this spunky, determined upstart, Heath—who is dead set on finding the ultimate trophy wife by age 35—agrees to give Annabelle a chance despite his contract with Portia Powers of Power Match. Soon Annabelle is introducing him to the Windy City's most extraordinary women, none of whom seem to meet Heath's discriminating standards. Could it be because chemistry has sparked between the matchmaker and her client? From trading barbs the two progress to exchanging kisses—and more. But when Heath finally meets his should-be dream girl and Annabelle's business threatens to go bellyup, they each must face their deepest feelings and make some difficult decisions in the name of love. Phillips has once again created a delightful page-turner.
Second Synopsis: Suspense
From a top secret government laboratory come two genetically altered life forms. One is a magnificent dog of astonishing intelligence. The other, a hybrid monster of a brutally violent nature. And both are on the loose...
Bestselling author Dean Koontz presents his most terrifying, dramatic and moving novel: The explosive story of a man and a woman, caught in a relentless storm of mankind’s darkest creation...
Third Synopsis: Young Adult
Before Carrie Bradshaw hit the big time in the City, she was a regular girl growing up in the suburbs of Connecticut. How did she turn into one of the most-read social observers of our generation?
The Carrie Diaries opens up in Carrie's senior year of high school. She and her best friends -- Walt, Lali, Maggie, and the Mouse -- are inseparable, amid the sea of Jens, Jocks and Jets. And then Sebastian Kydd comes into the picture. Sebastian is a bad boy-older, intriguing, and unpredictable. Carrie falls into the relationship that she was always supposed to have in high school-until a friend's betrayal makes her question everything. With her high school days coming to a close, Carrie will realize it's finally time to go after everything she ever wanted.
Rabid fans of Sex and the City will love seeing Carrie Bradshaw evolve from a regular girl into a sharp, insightful writer. They'll learn about her family background -- how she found her writing voice, and the indelible impression her early friendships and relationships left on her. We'll see what brings Carrie to her beloved New York City, where the next Carrie Diaries book will take place.
What's your order??
Here are the titles:
Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Watchers by Dean Koontz
The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell
Tomorrow is the Internal Conflict Blogfest! Be sure to check mine out!!! Also last night I was able to revise 6100 words! I'm so elated, I've adjusted the chapter format and getting rid of too much information! I thiink I finally have it down! Hows your writing going?
Monday, May 10, 2010
Mondays tales from the notebook
Here's another snippet from Emily & Tommy's adventure catching falling stars.
I helped my mom with the dishes and ran upstairs to grab a bag, I didn’t have much time the darker it got the less likely my parents would let me play with Tommy.
“The sun is almost down, maybe you should go another time” my mother said as I rounded back around the corner with my bag in hand. This couldn’t be happening, Tommy had promised me we could catch the falling stars and whether this was a trick or not I needed to find out for myself.
“Mom Tommy and I were going to lay out underneath the stars!” we’d done it over a dozen times, and since it was summer school couldn’t have been her excuse “Please.” I asked nicely, hoping that she’d give in.
“Fine but don’t fall asleep out there, and stay close” she said. I wanted to run and hug her but I figured that would be a little obvious so I stopped myself.
“Thanks” I said and bolted out the front door.
Seconds later I saw Tommy standing in between our houses. He looked impatient but I didn’t mind, he wasn’t going without me and now that I was here he could stop his pouting.
“I’m sorry, I had to convince my mom” I told him, not like he cared.
“We don’t want to miss catching them!” he said rudely, “I’ve been waiting all day for this and Elsa wouldn’t be pleased if I was late through the doors” he started walking, and fast, he was definitely in a hurry.
I wondered who Elsa was, I had never heard of her, and in a town where everybody knew everybody that was something to wonder. I followed closely behind him trying not to trip on my own feet, though I was always more clumsy than I had hoped, especially when hanging around Tommy. Everywhere he went he traveled fast, he didn’t wait for lazy bums he always said. I wasn’t lazy but just hurried along side him to avoid getting yelled at.
“Whose Elsa?” I asked once we had reached the outline of the forest.
“The girl who showed me the stars” he asked, as if I should have put it all together. “She lives in Mystic” he said confidently.
“Mystic?” I asked. We lived in Auburn, a small town in Iowa. Nothing ever happened there, and there was certainly no town named Mystic nearby. It sounded like a wonderful name, a place where stars could be caught but I was beginning to think that Tommy had fallen off his rocker.
“Yes silly, the town we are going to!” he looked at me “Did you think we were going to catch stars here?” he chuckled “Gosh Emily I thought you were smarter than that, we have to travel through the tunnel” he took off walking again. “Let’s not waste time” he said.
I was officially confused. A town called Mystic where Elsa lived, falling stars were caught and the only way to get there was through a tunnel? This seemed unlikely since we didn’t have any tunnels, at least not that I know of and I knew just as much of the town as Tommy did. I decided to hush for a bit and just follow alongside him. We couldn’t walk forever, I know Tommy wasn’t allowed to far away from the house, especially at night.
“Here we are!” Tommy exclaimed, his eyes lit up.
A small shack stood in front of us, there had to be over a dozen cobwebs outlining the building. I was nervous, I didn’t sign up for anything scary, and I sure wouldn’t be the first to enter.
“Are you sure it’s safe?” I asked.
“Yes, I’ve been here 4 times already” he laughed. “Come on Emily take a chance”
He grabbed my hand, and I felt more comfortable as he opened the rickety old door, he was confident and I knew he wouldn’t take me some place dangerous, at least not a place he would have though to be dangerous. We walked silently into the dark, I saw a beam of light coming from farther down the shack, I could see why Tommy called it a tunnel, from the outside it seemed more like an outhouse, but from the inside it was elongated, cold and dark, a few lights lead you down a path. At this point only Tommy knew where we were going, I was still nervous.
“Don’t panic” he whispered “You’ll love it here”
After a few minutes of traveling we came to another door, Tommy pushed it open and there was the town of Mystic. It was like nothing I had ever seen before.
**Hope your Monday Rocks** I'm also trying out a new background... still working on it all but right now I'm liking it!! Either blogger is slow today or my blogspot is!! I hope it's not just me!
I helped my mom with the dishes and ran upstairs to grab a bag, I didn’t have much time the darker it got the less likely my parents would let me play with Tommy.
“The sun is almost down, maybe you should go another time” my mother said as I rounded back around the corner with my bag in hand. This couldn’t be happening, Tommy had promised me we could catch the falling stars and whether this was a trick or not I needed to find out for myself.
“Mom Tommy and I were going to lay out underneath the stars!” we’d done it over a dozen times, and since it was summer school couldn’t have been her excuse “Please.” I asked nicely, hoping that she’d give in.
“Fine but don’t fall asleep out there, and stay close” she said. I wanted to run and hug her but I figured that would be a little obvious so I stopped myself.
“Thanks” I said and bolted out the front door.
Seconds later I saw Tommy standing in between our houses. He looked impatient but I didn’t mind, he wasn’t going without me and now that I was here he could stop his pouting.
“I’m sorry, I had to convince my mom” I told him, not like he cared.
“We don’t want to miss catching them!” he said rudely, “I’ve been waiting all day for this and Elsa wouldn’t be pleased if I was late through the doors” he started walking, and fast, he was definitely in a hurry.
I wondered who Elsa was, I had never heard of her, and in a town where everybody knew everybody that was something to wonder. I followed closely behind him trying not to trip on my own feet, though I was always more clumsy than I had hoped, especially when hanging around Tommy. Everywhere he went he traveled fast, he didn’t wait for lazy bums he always said. I wasn’t lazy but just hurried along side him to avoid getting yelled at.
“Whose Elsa?” I asked once we had reached the outline of the forest.
“The girl who showed me the stars” he asked, as if I should have put it all together. “She lives in Mystic” he said confidently.
“Mystic?” I asked. We lived in Auburn, a small town in Iowa. Nothing ever happened there, and there was certainly no town named Mystic nearby. It sounded like a wonderful name, a place where stars could be caught but I was beginning to think that Tommy had fallen off his rocker.
“Yes silly, the town we are going to!” he looked at me “Did you think we were going to catch stars here?” he chuckled “Gosh Emily I thought you were smarter than that, we have to travel through the tunnel” he took off walking again. “Let’s not waste time” he said.
I was officially confused. A town called Mystic where Elsa lived, falling stars were caught and the only way to get there was through a tunnel? This seemed unlikely since we didn’t have any tunnels, at least not that I know of and I knew just as much of the town as Tommy did. I decided to hush for a bit and just follow alongside him. We couldn’t walk forever, I know Tommy wasn’t allowed to far away from the house, especially at night.
“Here we are!” Tommy exclaimed, his eyes lit up.
A small shack stood in front of us, there had to be over a dozen cobwebs outlining the building. I was nervous, I didn’t sign up for anything scary, and I sure wouldn’t be the first to enter.
“Are you sure it’s safe?” I asked.
“Yes, I’ve been here 4 times already” he laughed. “Come on Emily take a chance”
He grabbed my hand, and I felt more comfortable as he opened the rickety old door, he was confident and I knew he wouldn’t take me some place dangerous, at least not a place he would have though to be dangerous. We walked silently into the dark, I saw a beam of light coming from farther down the shack, I could see why Tommy called it a tunnel, from the outside it seemed more like an outhouse, but from the inside it was elongated, cold and dark, a few lights lead you down a path. At this point only Tommy knew where we were going, I was still nervous.
“Don’t panic” he whispered “You’ll love it here”
After a few minutes of traveling we came to another door, Tommy pushed it open and there was the town of Mystic. It was like nothing I had ever seen before.
**Hope your Monday Rocks** I'm also trying out a new background... still working on it all but right now I'm liking it!! Either blogger is slow today or my blogspot is!! I hope it's not just me!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Explanation and Tag
Good Morning Bloggers!
I wanted to explain more in detail about yesterdays video. First off I'm glad you all enjoyed them but it seems I didn't explain it very well, not an uncommon problem, I call it Jen talk, my husband understands me along with my family but that's pretty much it. So here are the details...
1. If you chose to participate I'll email you and reveal the something vs. something (example: dragons vs. dinosaurs), I'll make sure to provide all the blog links who are participating so you can link it to your blog so everyone can see who's participating!
2. This is a battle between characters in the video, not between fellow bloggers. That was an idea but it was too complicated to figure out. So you create your own script with characters choosing sides, as always be creative and have fun with it.
3. The battle is between two characters you chose from xtranormal.com, I will link us all together
3. Sign up to xtranormal.com, if you've never signed up it's easy to just fill in the info an start making your video, you choose your own background, characters, everything. Now if you need help figuring it out as always email me and I'll help you!!
I hope I explained it a little better, if you're still confused let me know and I can go into more detail!!
Now onto the Tagging!
So I have been hoarding this Tag that TJ Carson gave me at the beginning of the week and since I haven't done it I thought today would be a great day to complete it!!!
So here is how the game is played. There are 5 questions and you must answer each question 5 times and then TAG 5 people to play. So here goes my 5...
Question 1: Where were you five years ago?
1) Watching Project Runway
2) Living in Des Moines, Iowa
3) Watching the snow disappear and the spring flowers bloom!
4) Looking into college.
5) Getting excited for the state fair!
Question 2: Where would you like to be five years from now?
1) Published.
2) Adopting children.
3) Owning a nice house.
4) Attending a few writing conferences.
5) Eating ice cream
Question 3: What is (was) your to-do list today?
1) Taking a shower and getting dressed.
2) Laundry.
3) Catching up on some blogs.
4) Going swimming.
5) Make some lunch and dinner (Oh it's still morning so some blueberry muffins as well!)
Question 4: What five snacks do you enjoy?
1) Chocolate chip cookies
2) Kazoozles
3) Sopapillas
4) Ice cream
5) apple turnovers
Question 5: What five things would you do if you were a billionaire?
1) Give an amazing christmas to local orphanages.
2) Having a house with a pool.
3) Traveling the world.
4) Owning a house in Montana (my husbands dream and I'd like to make sure it happens!)
5) Making time to visit all my family!
There you have it!!! I'll tag five of you later when I have time! Until then Happy Saturday!
I wanted to explain more in detail about yesterdays video. First off I'm glad you all enjoyed them but it seems I didn't explain it very well, not an uncommon problem, I call it Jen talk, my husband understands me along with my family but that's pretty much it. So here are the details...
1. If you chose to participate I'll email you and reveal the something vs. something (example: dragons vs. dinosaurs), I'll make sure to provide all the blog links who are participating so you can link it to your blog so everyone can see who's participating!
2. This is a battle between characters in the video, not between fellow bloggers. That was an idea but it was too complicated to figure out. So you create your own script with characters choosing sides, as always be creative and have fun with it.
3. The battle is between two characters you chose from xtranormal.com, I will link us all together
3. Sign up to xtranormal.com, if you've never signed up it's easy to just fill in the info an start making your video, you choose your own background, characters, everything. Now if you need help figuring it out as always email me and I'll help you!!
I hope I explained it a little better, if you're still confused let me know and I can go into more detail!!
Now onto the Tagging!
So I have been hoarding this Tag that TJ Carson gave me at the beginning of the week and since I haven't done it I thought today would be a great day to complete it!!!
So here is how the game is played. There are 5 questions and you must answer each question 5 times and then TAG 5 people to play. So here goes my 5...
Question 1: Where were you five years ago?
1) Watching Project Runway
2) Living in Des Moines, Iowa
3) Watching the snow disappear and the spring flowers bloom!
4) Looking into college.
5) Getting excited for the state fair!
Question 2: Where would you like to be five years from now?
1) Published.
2) Adopting children.
3) Owning a nice house.
4) Attending a few writing conferences.
5) Eating ice cream
Question 3: What is (was) your to-do list today?
1) Taking a shower and getting dressed.
2) Laundry.
3) Catching up on some blogs.
4) Going swimming.
5) Make some lunch and dinner (Oh it's still morning so some blueberry muffins as well!)
Question 4: What five snacks do you enjoy?
1) Chocolate chip cookies
2) Kazoozles
3) Sopapillas
4) Ice cream
5) apple turnovers
Question 5: What five things would you do if you were a billionaire?
1) Give an amazing christmas to local orphanages.
2) Having a house with a pool.
3) Traveling the world.
4) Owning a house in Montana (my husbands dream and I'd like to make sure it happens!)
5) Making time to visit all my family!
There you have it!!! I'll tag five of you later when I have time! Until then Happy Saturday!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
truth thursdays!
Happy Thursday awesome blog buddies! Hope the week is flying by!! Today is another installment of Truth Thursdays, one of my favorite days of the week, I know some of you haven't seen this post since the A to Z Blogging Challenge was a rather long one! However this will be a weekly bit where I showcase my oddness and honesty! Enjoy!
(I wanted to give a shout out to my girl Amber Tidd Murphy, if you haven't visited her blog you must, she has the most awesome Thursday posts called TMI Thursday, she is much braver than I am with her truths, but they will make you laugh hysterically!)
1. Lately ice cream has been on the menu for dinner. With the hubs not being home in the evenings it's easy to forget about eating and just go with something easy!
2. I've never liked the name Jennifer, I wanted my mom and dad to name me Brooke Lindsay, I know realize how silly that would have been.
3. I don't drink coffee but I do drink wine!
4. I'm making a quilt for one of my sister's for her new baby girl. It will be my first,I am taking photos and putting them onto a blanket, like a memory blanket! (idea from Step Mom with Julia Roberts) We'll see how it goes!
5. I get scared very easily, if I'm working on one of my WIP's and it's about a killer I can't work on it when the sun starts to go down, otherwise I'll have nightmares!
--Thank you for all of those who commented on the interview with Talli Roland yesterday! It was a ton of fun and I look forward to showcasing another aspiring/published author! If you are interested please email me at jenniferdaiker@gmail.com! I'd love to showcase your work! Now here are the extra questions some fellow bloggers had for Talli, she was sweet enough to take the time to answer them!--
The Alliterative Allomorph asked - How many years of writing and querying, and how many more novels did you write until you found a publisher?
Talli answered: I only started writing seriously about three years ago, but I trained and worked as a journalist for awhile. In the past three years, I’ve written six novels and send out loads and loads of queries to both US and UK agents (I figured if the UK wasn’t interested, maybe the US would be – plus you can email US agents! UK agents usually ask for hard copies). The Hating Game is the latest novel I’ve written, and the one that will finally make it into print!
Laurel asked - How has the discipline of non-fiction writing helped Talli write fiction? I'd love to hear about "non-fic skills every fiction writer needs".
Talli answered: I really had to think about this one! My non-fiction writing demands that I keep it short, snappy and readable, while trying to get in quite a bit of detail. I do lots of research then condense it all down to three or four sentences. It’s definitely taught me not to overwrite on the fiction side, although I might not write enough sometimes. Also, writing to deadlines has taught me how to organize and set targets for both my fiction and non-fiction work.
How did Talli go about choosing her pen name? I bet it is a great story and I'm dying to hear it! :-)
Talli answered: Sadly there’s no great story! Roland is my mum’s maiden name and I wanted to have some emotional connection to my pen-name name, so I decided to go with that. Then my editor and I threw around a lot of first names to try to find the right one. We wanted something different so people would remember, and something that would work well within the chick lit genre. We were firing emails back and forth when she sent me one suggesting Talli. I loved it! And Talli Roland was born!
Creepy Query Girl asked - why do you think your first books didn't get picked up? When you go back and read them now, do you still think they have potential? And in that case, would you consider resubmitting them to publishers once your first fiction comes out??
Talli answered: I don’t think they got picked up because they sucked! My first novel I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t know anything about plot structure, characterization, the publishing industry… I just went for it and surprise, surprise, no-one wanted it! I got some fairly brutal rejections from UK agents – one simply returned my cover letter with a slash through it and a big ‘NO’ scrawled across it in red (I must see if I can find that letter! I’ll put a scan up if I can find it. I might have chucked it in a fit of anger!) I got better the more I wrote, but there was nothing really unique about my plots or characters. Agents told me my writing was ‘competent’ but my stories just didn’t stand out. I think I was too quick to latch onto ideas that I couldn’t make interesting enough. Choosing the right concept and knowing what you’re going to do with it to make your story stand out is really important in commercial fiction.
Will I go back to them? There’s one novel that won’t leave me alone, so yes, I might go back and have another crack at it.
notesfromnadir asks: What is your favorite brand of chocolate?
Talli answered: Great question! I love Lindt dark orange chocolate with almonds. My husband travels to Geneva quite a bit and he always picks up no fewer than five massive bars for me. I knew there was a reason I love him so!
BTW - T.J. I have not forgotten that you tagged me I just have yet to add it in! I don't want people to leave when they see how ridiculously long my posts have been lately! I hate to drive people away!!
CHECK OUT TOMORROW'S POST!! IT'S GOING TO BE THE EPICNESS OF AWESOMENESS!! An announcement for the upcoming battle of Dragons vs. ?!!!
One More thing and then I'll leave you, if you would like to be showcased on my blog (another sort of interview!) I would love to help you get the word out on your upcoming book! Just send me an email at jenniferdaiker(at)gmail(dot)com!!!
(I wanted to give a shout out to my girl Amber Tidd Murphy, if you haven't visited her blog you must, she has the most awesome Thursday posts called TMI Thursday, she is much braver than I am with her truths, but they will make you laugh hysterically!)
1. Lately ice cream has been on the menu for dinner. With the hubs not being home in the evenings it's easy to forget about eating and just go with something easy!
2. I've never liked the name Jennifer, I wanted my mom and dad to name me Brooke Lindsay, I know realize how silly that would have been.
3. I don't drink coffee but I do drink wine!
4. I'm making a quilt for one of my sister's for her new baby girl. It will be my first,I am taking photos and putting them onto a blanket, like a memory blanket! (idea from Step Mom with Julia Roberts) We'll see how it goes!
5. I get scared very easily, if I'm working on one of my WIP's and it's about a killer I can't work on it when the sun starts to go down, otherwise I'll have nightmares!
--Thank you for all of those who commented on the interview with Talli Roland yesterday! It was a ton of fun and I look forward to showcasing another aspiring/published author! If you are interested please email me at jenniferdaiker@gmail.com! I'd love to showcase your work! Now here are the extra questions some fellow bloggers had for Talli, she was sweet enough to take the time to answer them!--
The Alliterative Allomorph asked - How many years of writing and querying, and how many more novels did you write until you found a publisher?
Talli answered: I only started writing seriously about three years ago, but I trained and worked as a journalist for awhile. In the past three years, I’ve written six novels and send out loads and loads of queries to both US and UK agents (I figured if the UK wasn’t interested, maybe the US would be – plus you can email US agents! UK agents usually ask for hard copies). The Hating Game is the latest novel I’ve written, and the one that will finally make it into print!
Laurel asked - How has the discipline of non-fiction writing helped Talli write fiction? I'd love to hear about "non-fic skills every fiction writer needs".
Talli answered: I really had to think about this one! My non-fiction writing demands that I keep it short, snappy and readable, while trying to get in quite a bit of detail. I do lots of research then condense it all down to three or four sentences. It’s definitely taught me not to overwrite on the fiction side, although I might not write enough sometimes. Also, writing to deadlines has taught me how to organize and set targets for both my fiction and non-fiction work.
How did Talli go about choosing her pen name? I bet it is a great story and I'm dying to hear it! :-)
Talli answered: Sadly there’s no great story! Roland is my mum’s maiden name and I wanted to have some emotional connection to my pen-name name, so I decided to go with that. Then my editor and I threw around a lot of first names to try to find the right one. We wanted something different so people would remember, and something that would work well within the chick lit genre. We were firing emails back and forth when she sent me one suggesting Talli. I loved it! And Talli Roland was born!
Creepy Query Girl asked - why do you think your first books didn't get picked up? When you go back and read them now, do you still think they have potential? And in that case, would you consider resubmitting them to publishers once your first fiction comes out??
Talli answered: I don’t think they got picked up because they sucked! My first novel I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t know anything about plot structure, characterization, the publishing industry… I just went for it and surprise, surprise, no-one wanted it! I got some fairly brutal rejections from UK agents – one simply returned my cover letter with a slash through it and a big ‘NO’ scrawled across it in red (I must see if I can find that letter! I’ll put a scan up if I can find it. I might have chucked it in a fit of anger!) I got better the more I wrote, but there was nothing really unique about my plots or characters. Agents told me my writing was ‘competent’ but my stories just didn’t stand out. I think I was too quick to latch onto ideas that I couldn’t make interesting enough. Choosing the right concept and knowing what you’re going to do with it to make your story stand out is really important in commercial fiction.
Will I go back to them? There’s one novel that won’t leave me alone, so yes, I might go back and have another crack at it.
notesfromnadir asks: What is your favorite brand of chocolate?
Talli answered: Great question! I love Lindt dark orange chocolate with almonds. My husband travels to Geneva quite a bit and he always picks up no fewer than five massive bars for me. I knew there was a reason I love him so!
BTW - T.J. I have not forgotten that you tagged me I just have yet to add it in! I don't want people to leave when they see how ridiculously long my posts have been lately! I hate to drive people away!!
CHECK OUT TOMORROW'S POST!! IT'S GOING TO BE THE EPICNESS OF AWESOMENESS!! An announcement for the upcoming battle of Dragons vs. ?!!!
One More thing and then I'll leave you, if you would like to be showcased on my blog (another sort of interview!) I would love to help you get the word out on your upcoming book! Just send me an email at jenniferdaiker(at)gmail(dot)com!!!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Y is for Yum
Yup you are seeing it first hand, I'm taking the easy way out. I tried to think of something really creative and clever. Bish always has such insightful posts, definitions included, but I'm beginning to think that my brain power is coming to an end. Afterall tomorrow is the last letter of the alphabet... Hmm what will I choose?
Focusing on today though I have decided to chose the word YUM. Life should be fun and today, being as we are so close to the weekend I thought it best to discuss food. Now normally I try and think of something writing related, but today I'm not feeling it, so we're going with the fun and useless brain power approach.
I'm going to create a list of yummy things... so feel free to follow along!
Snack foods
1. Pizza
2. Ice Cream
3. Apple Pie
4. Popcorn
5. Gummy bears
Hunks
1. Channing Tatum
2. Johnny Depp
3. Ryan Reynolds
4. Mark Wahlberg
5. Heath Ledger
Books
1. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
2. The Truth Tellers Tale by Sharon Shinn
3. A bump in the road by Maureen Lipinski
4. Match Me if you can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
5. Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard
TV Shows
1. Criminal Minds (Dr. Reed!!!)
2. Cougar Town
3. Glee
4. Medium
5. The Real Housewives
Movies
1. Sex and The City (THE SEASONS TOO!)
2. The Wedding Date
3. 27 Dresses
4. Last Holiday
5. Monster in Law
Okay there you have it... my yummy's for today! I know it was kind of a cheat day but I hope you enjoy it, and by all means make your own list! I'd love to hear what you'd add!!!
Focusing on today though I have decided to chose the word YUM. Life should be fun and today, being as we are so close to the weekend I thought it best to discuss food. Now normally I try and think of something writing related, but today I'm not feeling it, so we're going with the fun and useless brain power approach.
I'm going to create a list of yummy things... so feel free to follow along!
Snack foods
1. Pizza
2. Ice Cream
3. Apple Pie
4. Popcorn
5. Gummy bears
Hunks
1. Channing Tatum
2. Johnny Depp
3. Ryan Reynolds
4. Mark Wahlberg
5. Heath Ledger
Books
1. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
2. The Truth Tellers Tale by Sharon Shinn
3. A bump in the road by Maureen Lipinski
4. Match Me if you can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
5. Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard
TV Shows
1. Criminal Minds (Dr. Reed!!!)
2. Cougar Town
3. Glee
4. Medium
5. The Real Housewives
Movies
1. Sex and The City (THE SEASONS TOO!)
2. The Wedding Date
3. 27 Dresses
4. Last Holiday
5. Monster in Law
Okay there you have it... my yummy's for today! I know it was kind of a cheat day but I hope you enjoy it, and by all means make your own list! I'd love to hear what you'd add!!!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
X is for Xenophilius Lovegood
I was going to choose something like X-ray or x-ray vision but I was afraid everyone else would chose it and that wouldn't be any fun! So why not really rack my brain and think of something a little more creative, and what did I come up with?
Xenophilius Lovegood... do you know him? I doubt the first name would give it away, but the last name should be familiar to one Looney (Luna) Lovegood!
If you didn't already know, and if you couldn't tell from this post I love Harry Potter! I've read the books over a dozen times and I own the films and I've watched them several times in a row. I'm excited for the next to installments to come out in theaters so I can see how they will portray the books. They never are able to put 600+ pages into one film so I know there will be plenty of information missing, but regardless I'm excited and sad to see the end.
So I can't make this post all about Harry Potter, I do need to focus on the letter X so here is a little bit about Xenophilius Lovegood:
Nickname: Xeno
Occupation: Editor of the Quibbler (a magazine that is as quirky as he is!)
Wife: Died when Luna was 9 years old
Children: Luna Lovegood, one of Harry Potter's friends. Has strange beliefs just like her father.
House: Shaped like a rook, they live near Ottery St. Catchpole, very close to the Weasley's.
Encounters: Though strange and normally by himself he did have a run-in with the death eaters when his daughter was kidnapped. He tried to betray Harry Potter to save her but failed and was imprisoned in Azkaban for awhile.
So there you have it, there is a little bit about Xeno Lovegood!!!
Whose your favorite character from Harry Potter? What are your X words?
Xenophilius Lovegood... do you know him? I doubt the first name would give it away, but the last name should be familiar to one Looney (Luna) Lovegood!
If you didn't already know, and if you couldn't tell from this post I love Harry Potter! I've read the books over a dozen times and I own the films and I've watched them several times in a row. I'm excited for the next to installments to come out in theaters so I can see how they will portray the books. They never are able to put 600+ pages into one film so I know there will be plenty of information missing, but regardless I'm excited and sad to see the end.
So I can't make this post all about Harry Potter, I do need to focus on the letter X so here is a little bit about Xenophilius Lovegood:
Nickname: Xeno
Occupation: Editor of the Quibbler (a magazine that is as quirky as he is!)
Wife: Died when Luna was 9 years old
Children: Luna Lovegood, one of Harry Potter's friends. Has strange beliefs just like her father.
House: Shaped like a rook, they live near Ottery St. Catchpole, very close to the Weasley's.
Encounters: Though strange and normally by himself he did have a run-in with the death eaters when his daughter was kidnapped. He tried to betray Harry Potter to save her but failed and was imprisoned in Azkaban for awhile.
So there you have it, there is a little bit about Xeno Lovegood!!!
Whose your favorite character from Harry Potter? What are your X words?
Saturday, April 24, 2010
U is for Unpredictable
Life, So Unpredictable. We all have good days and bad days; don’t they say it’s what you make them?
I believe this statement is true. Life is what you make it. Janna had a fun post yesterday; it said “Life is” The first thing that had popped into my brain was, Life is what you make it, however the person in front of me had put Unpredictable. It got me thinking, what did I really think of Life?
So Life is what you make it. If you want to make it fun, and then make sure that during the negative moments you have something positive to help work yourself out of the funk. Play some Aqua and dance like you did when you were a teenager. Call a friend and go bowling, make sure you add the gutters… this is supposed to be fun! Oh and make sure you do the glow & the dark bowling filled with beer and pizza, the point is too have fun.
If your stuck in a rut with writing or life in general pick yourself up with a fun flirty chick flick, or a fun magical read to take you into a different world. Think about it, the world is your playground so what are you do moping around waiting for the teeter totter to lift you up, sometimes you have to be the one to push yourself to have fun.
So life is unpredictable, but doesn’t that make it for one wild & exciting ride? How do you plan on being unpredictable or breaking out of your shell today?
I believe this statement is true. Life is what you make it. Janna had a fun post yesterday; it said “Life is” The first thing that had popped into my brain was, Life is what you make it, however the person in front of me had put Unpredictable. It got me thinking, what did I really think of Life?
So Life is what you make it. If you want to make it fun, and then make sure that during the negative moments you have something positive to help work yourself out of the funk. Play some Aqua and dance like you did when you were a teenager. Call a friend and go bowling, make sure you add the gutters… this is supposed to be fun! Oh and make sure you do the glow & the dark bowling filled with beer and pizza, the point is too have fun.
If your stuck in a rut with writing or life in general pick yourself up with a fun flirty chick flick, or a fun magical read to take you into a different world. Think about it, the world is your playground so what are you do moping around waiting for the teeter totter to lift you up, sometimes you have to be the one to push yourself to have fun.
So life is unpredictable, but doesn’t that make it for one wild & exciting ride? How do you plan on being unpredictable or breaking out of your shell today?
Friday, April 23, 2010
T is for Time
Tuesday I asked all of you if there were any questions you wanted answered, and thankfully a few of you stepped up to the plate and asked me!!! I'm excited to take a bit of a break from this little A to Z Blogging Challenge... don't worry I've still applied it for today...
ACTUAL PHRASE: Time for Answers
See told you I'd make it work! So on to the questions!
The Alliterative Allomorph asked - How often do you actually read and comment on your followers blogs? Are you able to get to each and every one of them at least once a week? And if so, HOW?????
My rule of thumb is anyone who comments on my blog will get a visit from me that week! Normally it's a daily thing, I love comments and know how much they mean to me so I can only imagine they feel the same to everyone else! Now I can't visit 400 blogs every day, but those 40+ who comment... they for sure get my blog love!!
Justine Dell asked - Why did you start writing?
I'm sure everyone is curious about this. I had racked my brain for years on what I wanted to be when I grew up, I didn't have an answer, I wanted to be EVERYTHING! One day I sat down and asked myself "How could I do it all?" and writing popped into my head, now I've always written stories just never taken it seriously, until one day I picked up a piece of paper and a pen and viola!! I now call myself a writer!
Christina Lee asked - Are you in the query stage now or still editing?
For those of you who don't know I am indeed finished with my first draft, this happened just recently. I am now in the editing stage and working hard to improve what I had at the beginning. I know that won't be hard since my first draft is currently a war zone! So as much as I'd like to be in the querying stage I'm not quite there!!
Saumya asked - How far along are you with your project??
I answered this above, however just to recap I'm finished with the first draft and have approx. 15K words revised.
Crystal Cook asked two questions: First question - How did you write your MS so fast without getting stuck?
For all of you who don't know I finished my MS in 5 weeks, I think I had only one moment when I was truly stuck and it wasn't for lack of ideas. I had to bounce some ideas off of my husband to iron it all out to fit on the pages, however my muse bothered me so much that not writing wasn't an option. I worked 7-4pm came home, ate dinner and then began writing. I made sure to go to bed at a decent hour and when frustrated I would shut the laptop down and go to bed. I think that my getting stuck phase has hit when I started to revise. So I guess for every writer there is a brick wall to crush, mine just happens to be a different stage!!
Second question - What's your favorite band?
Hmm I can't say that I'm that in to music, I don't even know a whole lot of bands, however I do enjoy Paramore and A Fine Frenzy. Imogen Heap is also someone who truly moves me, and is great inspiration for my writing!
Amy Saia asked - Have you ever taken dance classes?
No, and if you saw me dance you would know this to be true! I'd love to take dance classes and do the salsa, and a little hip hop, but I'm your average white girl dancer, it's just not there!!!
AND FOR THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION:
MT
Amber Tidd Murphy
Alexandra Crocodile
Mary
What's your secret, How did you manage, and how the hell is it possible that you reached 400+ followers in two months?
I'm a witch who spends her time collecting followers rather than saving the Wizarding World from Lord Voldemort (Yes I've watched a little too much Harry Potter).
I'm not sure how I've received all of the love, but I'm not taking it granted for even a second! I still notice when someone stops following, it makes me sad (Yes I'm talking to the three of you who left me yesterday) but if my blog doesn't suit you then I don't want you to feel that you have to stay! If I new the secret I would give it to you...
I suppose it could be the little secret sparkles I send to everyone over the blogosphere... here take some and see if it works!!!
ACTUAL PHRASE: Time for Answers
See told you I'd make it work! So on to the questions!
The Alliterative Allomorph asked - How often do you actually read and comment on your followers blogs? Are you able to get to each and every one of them at least once a week? And if so, HOW?????
My rule of thumb is anyone who comments on my blog will get a visit from me that week! Normally it's a daily thing, I love comments and know how much they mean to me so I can only imagine they feel the same to everyone else! Now I can't visit 400 blogs every day, but those 40+ who comment... they for sure get my blog love!!
Justine Dell asked - Why did you start writing?
I'm sure everyone is curious about this. I had racked my brain for years on what I wanted to be when I grew up, I didn't have an answer, I wanted to be EVERYTHING! One day I sat down and asked myself "How could I do it all?" and writing popped into my head, now I've always written stories just never taken it seriously, until one day I picked up a piece of paper and a pen and viola!! I now call myself a writer!
Christina Lee asked - Are you in the query stage now or still editing?
For those of you who don't know I am indeed finished with my first draft, this happened just recently. I am now in the editing stage and working hard to improve what I had at the beginning. I know that won't be hard since my first draft is currently a war zone! So as much as I'd like to be in the querying stage I'm not quite there!!
Saumya asked - How far along are you with your project??
I answered this above, however just to recap I'm finished with the first draft and have approx. 15K words revised.
Crystal Cook asked two questions: First question - How did you write your MS so fast without getting stuck?
For all of you who don't know I finished my MS in 5 weeks, I think I had only one moment when I was truly stuck and it wasn't for lack of ideas. I had to bounce some ideas off of my husband to iron it all out to fit on the pages, however my muse bothered me so much that not writing wasn't an option. I worked 7-4pm came home, ate dinner and then began writing. I made sure to go to bed at a decent hour and when frustrated I would shut the laptop down and go to bed. I think that my getting stuck phase has hit when I started to revise. So I guess for every writer there is a brick wall to crush, mine just happens to be a different stage!!
Second question - What's your favorite band?
Hmm I can't say that I'm that in to music, I don't even know a whole lot of bands, however I do enjoy Paramore and A Fine Frenzy. Imogen Heap is also someone who truly moves me, and is great inspiration for my writing!
Amy Saia asked - Have you ever taken dance classes?
No, and if you saw me dance you would know this to be true! I'd love to take dance classes and do the salsa, and a little hip hop, but I'm your average white girl dancer, it's just not there!!!
AND FOR THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION:
MT
Amber Tidd Murphy
Alexandra Crocodile
Mary
What's your secret, How did you manage, and how the hell is it possible that you reached 400+ followers in two months?
I'm a witch who spends her time collecting followers rather than saving the Wizarding World from Lord Voldemort (Yes I've watched a little too much Harry Potter).
I'm not sure how I've received all of the love, but I'm not taking it granted for even a second! I still notice when someone stops following, it makes me sad (Yes I'm talking to the three of you who left me yesterday) but if my blog doesn't suit you then I don't want you to feel that you have to stay! If I new the secret I would give it to you...
I suppose it could be the little secret sparkles I send to everyone over the blogosphere... here take some and see if it works!!!
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