the happy rule

It's the freakin' weekend baby, I'm about to have me some fun!!

I figured it's Saturday, there isn't any reason to have a serious post... a writing post... real hard questions. Well that and I really don't have much to say on the subject. I've writing 15,000 words for Finding Me and still going strong, I have a lot to write down before I hit the wall of "can't look at it anymore even if I tried" my husband read it for the first time last night, just to see how it was. He admitted after that he was really nervous, unsure of what he would get but that he loved it! He is impartial yes, but it was still a huge confidence booster and I couldn't have thanked him enough. Though there were many choppy parts he said he would have continued reading it. Luckily I hadn't written anymore or my nerves would have been shot! My goal is to have 20,000 words by the end of the week!

Tonight is movie night with the girls. It's part of my friends 30 things to do before she is 30. She is currently blogging about it over at Thirty on the Horizon. We are going to be watching 16 Candles and Breakfast at Tiffany's. She hasn't seen them and since they are must-sees we thought it was time! I haven't seen Breakfast at Tiffany's so it should be fun!

The Happy Rule - To be happy all weekend, no matter what it takes. Don't waste precious days off over things that are minuscule.

So Happy Saturday!!! What will you be doing to put a smile on your face?

Oh just a note, I'll be unplugged for the rest of the day and tomorrow so have a great weekend!

is it too soon?

So Finding Me has officially started. I have been toying around with different ideas for the book I want to focus on, not solely but at least give it a good go. Get my writing focused into one piece and in the end each piece will flow a little easier. Now since I am trying to soak up as much information in the wonderful world of writing I figured it is only right to ask some of my fellow blogger friends! You are very knowledgeable and since I am not, I guess you could say I'm being schooled.

Editing as been on the mind, not because I am in the process of beginning, I have only just begun the novel itself, piecing together the best parts that I have written. It normally starts as a cluster and works itself out. I was wondering however what part of your novel do you begin editing? I know everyone is different, but I would love a feel of what everyone does. Do you stop your book before hand, let it rest a day or two and then begin, or do you start that evening after you've finished your draft... a chapter... two chapters?

I know that once I get closer editing will be something that I do need to focus on, so I figured why not have the information stored up in my brain, something to work towards. I have also read that crit groups are great, and I think it will be nice to break out of my shell and show people (caring people) my work. I took the plunge to start this blog and it has turned out to be a fabulous experience, yes this is via the worldwide web, but this is also a step by step process!

Side note - since I have several trips this year I have cut costs for extras however my husband told me that when I reach 300 followers(because he's so sweet and think I will) I will be giving away a giftcard, or possibly a book, depends what is currently coming out!!! Just thought I'd give you exciting news!

Also Guinevere from This is Not My Day Job is hosting a fantastic contest for her 101followers so check it out here!!!!

I've joined twitter as well, so please add me since I am still a bit technically challenged (jenunedited is my tweet thingy....)

where the music takes us

As writers we all have our own unique ways of learning more about our characters. We also use very basic tools to make us feel the emotions we want for our characters. One thing I do is scope out where I think my character might go, if she is an avid musician I'll go see live music play some place nearby to learn what an event would be like. If she loves coffee shops I'll visit a coffee shop and pretend I am her to get a feel of how I would act. It is nice to live in the life of your character, it only makes them more real.

I have recently found my playlist for my character Lauren in Finding Me... here it is

Cut by Plumb
The Moment I said it by Imogen Heap
Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap
Bird of the Summer by A Fine Frenzy
Swan Song by A Fine Frenzy
Walking on Air by Kerli
The Creationist by Kerli
Droplets (feat. Jason Reeves) by Colbie Caillat
Imaginary by Evanescene

Music can take you almost anywhere, make you feel sadness, happiness, betrayal... that is the true beauty. Some of these songs may mean something entirely different for you than they do for me. Lauren's song is Cut by Plumb, the feel of the song and lyrics define her. I wasn't even thinking of giving her a song, but thanks to pandora.com they put it on my playlist and I immediately loved it. As for Bird of the Summer and the Swan Song I love a Fine Frenzy and they give me the feel of Laurens personality.

Do you have your playlist created? What works best for you when creating your character? What kind of feelings are you striving for the reader to feel?

comfort books

We often read new books without thinking about all the old books we once read, there are those that didn't change us or our lives in any way, and then there are those few that never get old, you'd read a hundred times and still cry at the same parts, you could read the book frontwards and backwards and still want more. Those are called Comfort books, (Yes I'm stealing Caroline's post... check out her blog here, she is fantastic!!!)

So here is a list of my favorites those near and dear to my heart!


Rohl Dahl Books - They are brilliant, I read them as a child and they've never gotten old, I can't read them to my children, the silly fun tales. The BFG, The Twits, Matilda and many more.


Judy Blume - Another childrens writer that I truly enjoyed reading growing up!


Beverly Clearys - Ramona's books are fantastic! Another set that I can't wait to read to my children!


Harry Potter Series - I love the adventure and excitement, the magic and the struggles Harry endures, it's an amazing story for any age!


The Truth Tellers Tale by Sharon Shinn - THIS IS A MUST READ! By far one of my favorite books, out of all of these books you really must check this one out, I can not rave enough about Sharon Shinn, she is a fantastic writer!


Ella Enchanted - I know this is a movie, but I read the book long before the movie ever made it's debut. I remember reading it in the little cubes in our school library where there were so many pillows to snuggle with!

The two books that inspired me most to write was To Kill a Mockingbird and The Catcher in the Rye, those books I would recommend anyone and everyone to read!

So there you have it, my comfort books!! What are yours? Do you have a certain book you read each year?

teaser tuesday

This isn't a long teaser, which I think is nice since some of us have several blogs to look at, but you can still enjoy it!!

I sat hidden behind the trees, still adjusting to where I ended up, confused and disorientated from what felt like I'd been sucked through a tight space. I find myself standing near two boys by the river, they jumped into the river, I wanted to join them but was nervous. I sat still for a few more minutes until I had gotten the courage to walk closer, the acreage was large, I saw a house a few miles away, I assumed the boys lived there since no other houses were around, I finally approached them "hi" I said... No one answered. "Hi" I said louder. Still no one answered. I suddenly felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, something wasn't right, I turn and see him walking towards them... Terrified I stand frozen. I want to warn them but they don't hear me. he doesn't even seem to notice me. He walks... The boys laughing and playing in the river. Why don't they hear him?Don't they feel the something is off. I shiver... Though it isn't cold. He continues to walk, and approaches one boy, they notice him. Fear captivates them, then I see a boy fall. He's been stabbed, the other boy stands over him... motionless