Gone moving...

Yesterday was my birthday *throws confetti for self* *provides beautifully frosted cupcakes for the class*, and it was also the first day in my new home.

I AM BEYOND EXCITED TO BE A FIRST TIME HOMEOWNER. NEXT UP: ADOPTION.

If any of you are interested in the adoption story and seeing photos of the home just let me know. I'd be more than happy to blog about them! Anything to be able to share some of the struggles are inspiring people I've met alone the way.

That being said... I'm not really here (unless you count in spirit, then of course, I'm here). I'm unpacking, sitting on the brand new bed I got, and watching movies. However, for those of you who need something to do now that you can't spend all day here, I've got a special treat!!

Michele Gorman's new book Misfortune Cooke was released last Thursday! If it's anything like Single in the City you're going to love this new story!!! So stop in and check out her novel on Amazon. Grab it for your kindle and go find that beach hottie who can rub lotion on your back while you read by the ocean. I'll be back Monday!

Here's the adorable cover art:

About Misfortune Cookie:

"Following your heart will pay off in the near future"

The fortune cookie had spoken, affirming Hannah’s decision to move to Hong Kong to be with her boyfriend. She’s no stranger to rash decisions – after all she moved from the US to London on a dare, and that worked out, didn’t it? Ever the optimist, she’s determined to make a success of her move, no matter what anybody says.

Unfortunately, anybody seems to be everybody and her life isn’t going exactly to plan. Sure, she’s found a career in fashion that she loves, her best friend Stacy moved to be with her, and they’re exploring all that’s weird and wonderful about Hong Kong. It’s her love life that’s not quite living up to expectations. It isn’t easy having a relationship with a boyfriend who’s been posted to a job in another country. Particularly one who seems a bit too cosy with his new boss.

When things also start going wrong at work, Hannah begins to think her friends and family were right. Has she made the worst mistake of her life?

Where you suck the least...

Your path as a writer has a beginning, middle, and end. It isn't want defines you. It's simply a set of rules you've put upon yourself to be met.

Write your first novel.
Get rejected.
Attempt not to humiliate yourself.
Write another novel.

Without those beginning, middle, and ends, there gives you no goals and no hope. If you have an open slate chances are you'll be that procrastinator we all love to hate that creeps in and takes over your writing life.

Part of a writers life is to be dedicated. JK Rowling didn't become a success because she half-assed the Harry Potter Series and only wrote four novels. No, she finished all seven, no matter how many blood, sweat, and tears went into it she knew she had to complete it. It was her goal, the end of one project so she could start the beginning of another.

Are we better at one stage? I'd say in the game of writer life I'm better at the beginning. It's that energy you get when you feel that the whole world has your back, you're going to be successful, and the end is going to zip by so fast you'll be waving all the way from project three. It's tough to pull yourself out of the beginning because it's so damn fun. There are no responsibilities. Just you and your pen taking on the world.

The same applies to the writing itself. A beginning, middle, and end. After all, if you never set the goal you'll just be the so-called-writer who lives in their grandparents basement still working on the comic book story you started when you were seven.

Don't be the so-called-writer. Set some goals. Decide where you're better at and strive to push through the one your the worst at.

In your writer life or writing in general, where do you stand? What's the most difficult stage for you?

Cryptic Writer Messages

Writerhood - A place where writers ideas come in ghetto form until they're dissected from the pile of crap into something beautiful.
I find when an idea starts to weave it's way into my head it comes in these little cryptic messages.

- See's dead people

See what I mean? Now I have to iron out if they LITERALLY see dead people, as in, they work in a morgue or a funeral home. Or is there going to be some paranormal aspect to it? Instead of questioning too much I write the fact down and wait for more to come.

- Raven

Now I've got a first name. It also means I'm even more confused than I was to begin with. Will the name Raven have special meaning later? Or is it just dark because her family has a sense of humor.

- Unravel

Great, a title that doesn't go with anything in the two cryptic messages I received.

My novels come in pieces. Each getting me one step closer to a story, though I'm just not sure it's all going to be in the same 300+ pages. It's all a process and I believe that Stephen King was right when he said 'opening the flood gates to ideas means they'll never go away'. Even when I'm on a 'writers block' stint the ideas are still coming. Granted, I'm frustrated because I can't do anything with them, but they're there. Waiting to be read, written, and said aloud. Wanting me to breathe in their idea and take it on. I wait for them to drive the wheel and hope I don't get burned.

How do you receive your ideas? Are they coded?

The Games Have Begun

I'm out. Be back later. May the odds be ever in your favor.

Are you joining in on the trilogy that sweeping the nation?

Query Lovin

It's not every day one dives into the query pool. In fact, as writers we spend months perfecting our lists, knowing what to shoot for, when to send it out, and when the fear will subside just long enough to hit send.

When does one know the timing is right?

I get asked this a lot and the answer I'd like to give is, you just know. The same question arises when one asks "How did you know he was the one," and the answer remains the same "you just know."

Each round you're taking that leap of faith. There's hope, reluctance, and fear all combined. You want them to love your work as much as you do. You want them to notice how much work you put into the characters.

Sometimes agents/publishers don't get your story.

It's part of the world you're walking into. Going with your gut has been the best piece of advice I've ever been given. Your gut only holds you back when it's supposed to.

Tips to help get you ready:

1. Write the story.
2. Like it.
3. Send it to friends.
4. Re-write the story (edit).
5. Send it to crit/beta readers.
6. Re-write again.
7. Write your query.
8. Send it to friends.
9. Write your synopsis.
10. Send BOTH to crit/beta readers.
11. Create query list.
12. Dive in.

Rejections and Aceeptance will happen. I told myself when I first started that I wasn't in the writing game until I received my first rejection. Trust me... it hurt, a lot, however a lot less than if I would have gone in thinking I was going to be the next Suzanne Collins.

Any in depth tips you'd add? How did you know you were ready?