Versatile Blogger

I just wanted to finally thank Lindy at Lindy Legends for the fabulous award. And I apologize for taking so long to thank you. A little four letter word called life has gotten in the way of my blogging lately.

Random things about me:

1) My thoughts are very random, so if my blog sounds random, that’s why.

2) I have a bajillion pens and pencils. Why can’t I stop myself from buying them? Who knows.

3) I crave writing with said pens and pencils on real paper.

4) I like embroidery. I am actually making a quilt with embroidered blocks.

5) Last, but not least, I have to go finish ironing. I hate ironing. Yes, poor me.

Also, I cheated. It was supposed to be ten things, but I'm sure you'll agree that five was plenty.

Thanks so much Lindy. She is awesome! If you haven’t met her, go to her blog.

Have a great day! What’s a random thing about you?

Winner and CLEAVE Trailer!

First, the winner of my MONARCH arc is . . . (drum roll please)

Michelle Merrill

Congratulations Michelle! E-mail me your address and I'll send it off to you!

Now, for the CLEAVE trailer. My amazing and awesomely talented friend, Angela Felsted has published her book of poems. Here's the trailer.

Isn't that beautiful!? You can order her book here (just keep scrolling down until you find it) and find her blog here.

This is what her book looks like.

Congratulations Michelle and Angela! Have a great day everyone!

MONARCH—The Book of Choice

Monarch butterflies are exciting and unique and so is the book by Michelle Davidson Argyle. You can find her here.

You don’t always know whether you’ll like a book you pick up, but I was happy to find that I kept thinking about the characters and the plot. I enjoyed reading it, from first page to last. It was well written and she weaved the intrigue and the story so well. Not to mention, she’s a really nice person. It’s definitely worth it!

MONARCH is a thriller about Nick, a CIA agent on his last mission. Before he can retire, he’s framed for murder and running from drug lords and the CIA. He seeks out Lilian, a beautiful woman from his past, for refuge. What ensues is a thrilling ride as he tries to protect those he cares about and attempts to clear his name. The story is woven well with the past and the present. I enjoyed reading it and I hope you do too. I’m giving away my ARC to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment before midnight on Sunday, October 2, and I’ll announce the winner Monday, October 3.

Good luck!

Bloodborne

I recently read BLOODBORNE by Gregg Luke.

From the back cover:

One ordinary afternoon, research specialist Dr. Erin Cross steps into a local deli to get some lunch and nearly takes a bullet instead. Thanks to timely intervention from a former Marine, she walks away from the seemingly freak incident. But when she returns to find her lab under security lockdown and her apartment ransacked, she realizes the attack was anything but random. Erin can't make sense of the threat, given her low profile after a disastrous H1N1 vaccine trial. She doesn't know that her former colleague has used the virus to develop a potent bioweapon or that her recent research holds a key to his success. And she doesn't know that his collaborators want her dead before she blows the whistle.

She flees for her life with the help of Sean Flannery, the former Marine, who is the only person she dares trust. But, can she really trust him? And what will happen when those searching for her actually find her?

I was definitely hooked from the first page. I mean, when you get a text message during lunch telling you that you are about to die, that's pretty gripping. The book continued to deliver action and suspense. There was intrigue and questions of who to trust. I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to others. If you want to know who she can really trust, you'll just have to go get the book and read it yourself.

You can purchase BLOODBORNE here. Also, you should go check him out here.

Insecure Writers Support Group

Alex J. Cavanaugh, who you can find here, started this amazing support group. There are so many of us out there. Alex had to have been inspired. To find out more, go find his blog. He's pretty darn awesome.

My insecurity--I have felt at times like I'd never get anywhere with my writing, never finish anything, never get to where I'd like to be with my writing . . . and the list goes on.

But, I also feel like as long as I continue to press forward, it's okay. Maybe I haven't been writing the two to three hours a day I had once planned--so what? If I do some researching one day, some brainstorming the next, some free writing, and then some outlining, I'm still working on my story, right? So, why should I beat myself up if I haven't written 10,000 words today, or even 2,000? I shouldn't. And neither should you.

Do you have insecurities? What do you do?

Interviews

The fabulous Michelle at Perfecting the Craft asked to interview me on her blog. I know. I was shocked too. But it was fun and I hope you will all go to her blog and check it out. My answers are short. It won't take long.

Okay. Okay. If you don't want to read about me, at least go check out Michelle's blog. It's beautimous and so is she. You can do it HERE.

Truth or Dare

So, I'm reading DASH AND LILY'S BOOK OF DARES by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan.

It's adorable (with the exception of a few F-bombs, which I admittedly dislike).

It got me thinking about dares. And truths. In the story, they share honest truths with each other and they also hand over some dares. I wouldn't dare do something like kiss a frog or stick my hand down a badger hole (my own dares--not those from the book--if you want to know what their dares are you'll have to read the book). Danger is not my middle name. But, would I dare to be honest with myself about what I would dare to do. With my writing, that is.

Would I dare to treat my writing seriously enough to write regularly?

Would I dare to give my characters the flaws they need so they can grow?

Would I dare to rewrite one of my manuscripts to make it stronger?

Would I dare to finish this blasted query?

Maybe. It's something I'm having to work on, that's for sure. And I don't use the term work lightly here.

How about you? Truth or dare?

Platform Building Campaign

Rachael Harrie is starting up her third Platform Building Campaign. I did her second and met lots of wonderful people. If you are interested in building your platform and meeting new fabulous writers, go here.

Write a Query Now? Are you Sure?

I have heard, in several different places, about writing a query before you actually start writing your first draft. It's supposed to help make sure you have all the right elements to your story. It can also give some ideas to help strengthen your manuscript. Then you don't have to rewrite.

So, I'm trying it.

And let me just say, it's not any easier to do before the ms is written than after.

But . . .

It has been a good experience and helped me define things that I hadn't before. I have been procrastinating actually writing this story because I want to be totally prepared before I write it. But I guess you are never completely prepared, are you?

Even though the query I wrote is definitely not something I would send out, it needs a LOT more work, but it helped ground me. I feel better prepared.

I would definitely recommend it and will most certainly do it again.

Now to open the blank document and start writing.

Monday’s Random Thoughts

1. I've been blogless the past couple of weeks. It's good to be back. I've missed everyone.
   
2. The outline is finally finished on my WIP and I'm scared spitless to start typing.
   
3. Just one word – WRITEONCON!! It's this week!
   
4. I have a very unwanted rash on my arms. It's driving me crazy. Note: When trying new lotion, only put some on a small area first.
   
5. I'm taking my oldest daughter to college today. It is so bittersweet. Good for her, sad for me.
   
6. We ate corn from our garden last night. Holy YUM!
   
7. I FINALLY got bookshelves for the huge stack of books piled in my office. HURRAY!!!
   

 

What's your random thought for today?

Hang 'em High

Author Tristi Pinkston is excited to announce the release of the third novel in her Secret Sisters Mysteries series.

Titled Hang ‘em High, this novel takes place on a dude ranch in Montana. When Ida Mae’s son invites her to come for a visit, of course she brings Arlette and Tansy along with her. They are expecting to spend the week looking at horses, avoiding the cows, and making amends in Ida Mae’s relationship with her son. What they don’t expect is to be stuck on the ranch in the middle of a blizzard and to be thrust headlong into the middle of a mystery.

***

Help Tristi celebrate her new novel in two ways. First, come participate in the two-week-long blog contest, where you can win a book nearly every single day! All the details are up on Tristi’s blog.

Second, come to the book launch!

You are invited to an

August Authorama!

Saturday, August 13th

Pioneer Book, 858 S. State, Orem

12 – 4 pm

Games, prizes, balloons, face painting,

and Dutch oven cobbler

prepared by world champion cook

Keith Fisher.

Authors Tristi Pinkston, J. Lloyd Morgan, Cindy Hogan,

Nichole Giles, and Heather Justesen

will all be there to sign books.

This is one book launch event

you will not want to miss!

Rock meets Rachmaninoff

I so love Jon Schmidt. His music makes me happy. He's also hilarious and a great performer. I've been lucky enough to see him perform about three times. Here's a sneak peek. It might be a little long, but at least catch a glimpse of his talentedness. And don't forget to check out the instructions underneath the tempo.




Here's a couple of others I enjoy. You might want to check these out too.

Love Story Meets Viva la Vida

Waterfall

Enjoy!

It's War

I’ve been reading THE WAR OF ART by Steven Pressfield and I’ve been reminded of a thing or two.

The first part of his book talks about Resistance, which for those of you who haven’t read it, is what keeps you from writing—procrastination, criticism, self-doubt, unhappiness and the big one—fear.

He says that amateurs have problems with the Resistance. If we want to be professionals, we have to overcome whichever one of these symptoms ails us.

I have felt like a true amateur ever since I started writing seriously. So, this book is giving me plenty to think about. Do I want to be a professional? You bet! So, here goes the journey to professionalism.

I’m heading into the second part of the book today. He talks about combatting the Resistance.

It’s been great so far and I’m looking forward to reading more. The plan is to take all this great information and actually put it into practice. I have an idea, but I’ll let you know when I’ve finished the book what changes I’m going to make.

What books have you read that made a difference for you?

Unbroken

I have been reading UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand. Wow. What a story.

The book is about Louis Zamperini, a delinquent as a youth, an Olympic, record-setting runner, WWII B-24 bombadier, drifter in a life raft, shark attack survivor, and POW in four Japanese camps.

I am completely amazed that Louie or any of these WWII POW's survived the inhumane treatment they experienced. Practically starved to death, ill with beriberi, dysentery and other diseases, beaten on an almost daily basis, enslaved . . . the list goes on and on.

The sheer will and spirit of Louie and his comrades lifted me and brought on a level of respect and admiration I haven't yet felt. Louie's story is indeed an amazing one.

I didn't mean to review this book, but it was very moving. It didn't seem possible that any of the events could have actually happened. But they did.

It made me think about my own life's journey, which includes my writing journey, and reminds me to forge ahead through the edits, the critiques, and the rejection. Unbroken.

4th of July Randomness

Happy Fourth of July to all my bloggie friends!

May all my United States friends have a great Independence Day and all my international friends have a great Monday, July 4th!

I got up early and picked a gallon of these. I'm looking forward to fresh strawberry pie. Mmmmm . . .

We'll bbq and set off some fireworks later.

Right now, my boys are shooting at targets and my girls are playing a 'find the hidden pictures' game. I'm simply enjoying a beautiful summer morning with a light breeze and brilliant blue sky.

What are you doing today?

Sundance Retreat

Had an absolute fabulous weekend hanging and writing and wandering around nature. Thanks to the RWA ladies for letting me join their retreat. They were full of awesome.

I finished character bibles and plotted a good share of my WIP, which feels great considering it’s a Nanowrimo that I get to rewrite. (Notice I said get to and not have to.) That’s how refreshing this weekend was for me. I needed it and now I feel energized to keep going, despite the fact that I had a mouse in my room on the first night and we found baby black widows in a corner of the great room. It’s all good. The exterminator came and killed the spiders. Unfortunately, the mouse escaped, but at least I didn’t have to see him again. Right?

Here’s the door we jammed up with pillows which had been chewed on and was covered in mouse droppings the next morning.

Here’s the beautiful scene from my nature writing spot.

And here’s the road in front of the house where we stayed.

What did you do this weekend?

POSSESSION’S Winner!

And the Winner is . . .

 

SHANNON O'DONNELL

 

Congratulations Shannon! E-mail me your address and I'll get your new, signed copy of POSSESSION out to you!

 

Thanks to everyone for entering and, as always, thanks for visiting my humble blog.

POSSESSION Giveaway!

I have finally decided on my 200 follower giveaway. Hallelujah!

And it's a signed copy of Elana Johnson's new book POSSESSION! Squee!

POSSESSION was a riveting read. I didn't want to put it down. It was one of those stories that I wanted to forego meals for, and I don't EVER forget to eat. Trust me. And I'm not just saying that because I like her. It's a REALLY good read.

Since this is for my followers, who I'm very grateful for, simply leave a comment (one per person please) and don't forget to leave your e-mail address in the comment. Tell me what you liked about the book or why you want to read it.

Giveaway closes Friday night at midnight MDT and is open internationally. I'll post the winner the following Monday.

Good luck to everyone and have a tremendous week!

A Day Late and A Dollar Short

I meant to get this posted yesterday. Really, I did. But life happened. So it's getting posted today.
Here's five finally's. (I know that doesn't make sense, but keep reading and you'll get it.)

1. The sun is finally shining!
2. My daughter is finally graduated! It has been hectic, but good. And I'm glad I still get her for the summer before she goes off to college.
3. I'm feeling like summer is finally here.
4. I'm finally almost finished with my revisions.
5. Okay, this isn't a finally, but something that I felt should be shared. Read on . . .

A young mother in my community, Rebecca White, recently found out she had breast cancer. Two days later she had a mastectomy. A friend of hers, Cheri Chesley, who happens to be an author, is donating the sales from her books through August 31 to help cover the cost and show her support.
To show your support you can find Cheri's book The Peasant Queen here or here. Her e-books The Wild Queen and Ghost Bride can be found here.

You can also find more information about Rebecca here.

Thanks all and have a superb day!

RetirementQuest

I was asked to participate in a tour for RetirementQuest. I wasn't sure what to think at first since you never know what kind of things you'll find on the internet. I have to admit, however, that I was pleasantly surprised to find this website very informative and full of resources. I would recommend it to everyone and plan to visit it myself in the future. You can find the website here. The following includes information about the site:

The state of today's economy is insecure, causing concern in many people and fear in many others.  It used to be that we relied on our retirement income to see us through our golden years, but we now have to face the reality that we must take action to ensure our well-being in the future.  How do we go about this?  What steps do we take, where do we go, how do we know we're doing it right?

 

Financial advisor John Hauserman, CFP^®, has created a no-cost website as a tool for you to use on your financial journey.  This site features the amazing Planning Map, designed to help you think like a financial planner.  You can begin by setting up an account at no charge, complete with your zip code which will enable you to save your progress, but your information will never be sold or given away to any outside party. Or, if you prefer, simply skip registration with a single click. As you chart out your financial situation, you will never be asked for account numbers or personal information.

 

As you go through and create your personal profile, you'll feel in control of your future—a sense of freedom and independence that perhaps has been missing since the economy went downhill. You will get the tools you need to help:

1.       View the financial planning process from the eyes of a CFP^®   professional in a user-friendly format that most find easy to understand

2.       Get the whole story on various investment products, not just "the good stuff" that financial (snake oil?) sales folks talk about

3.       Find useful links to government and other helpful websites

4.       Identify if a financial advisor has been thorough in their duties

5.       Identify and avoid fraudulent advisors

6.       Make better financial decisions

You're invited to stop by the RetirementQuest® website and see for yourself if this is a tool you can use.  Again, it's no cost, and all you have to lose is your financial stress. Those who take action now will find themselves in a much better place later—why delay your future security? Plan ahead and be prepared.

  

Securities and advisory services are offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, member FINRA/SIPC. A Registered Investment Advisor.

Thanks for the Tag

Angela at My Poetry and Prose Place tagged me. Angela is awesome. If you haven't visited her blog, you should.

I have to answer the following questions. You may all find this quite boring, so before I begin I'll remind you that I am going to have a 200 follower giveaway. I just haven't figured out what I'm doing yet. Once I figure it out, I'll let you know.

Do you think you're hot?
Um, no.

Upload a picture or wall paper you are using at the moment

It's my wallpaper at the moment.

When was the last time you ate chicken meat?
Sometime last week, I think.


The Song(s) you listened to recently?
The soundtrack to "Wicked"


What were you thinking as you were doing this?Is this the last question?


Do you have nicknames?Yes, and it's called Mom.


Tag eight Blogger friends
(You are it!)

Sara B. Larson
Emily Wing Smith
Jill at Musings by Me
Elena Jube at storyfires
Karen at A Writer's Ramblings
Christine at Day Dreamer

Who's listed as number one?
Sara. She's an amazing writer and sweet friend.


Say something about number 5.
She is a poetic writer. Everything she puts on paper comes out so beautifully. And . . . she is the reason I started writing seriously. Her support has been vital.


How did you get to know number 3?
We grew up in the same house. She's my sister.


How about number 4?
I met her at WIFYR a few years ago. She totally stole my agent, but I really liked her anyway.


Leave a message for number 6.
Hi Christine, love your face. (I would have said guts, but that's kind of gross.)


Leave a lovey-dovey message for number 2.
Lovey-dovey? Um, I don't know Emily that well. I think she's an amazingly awesome person, though.


Do number 7 and number 8 have any similarities?
Yes. Neither one of them exist. (I only picked six.)

Death by Delete Key

Yes. I'm ripping my baby to shreds. It's not pretty right now, but perhaps someday it will.

I've struggled with this manuscript, had all kinds of different feedback on it, and now, once again, I'm tackling another set of revisions. Sometimes I wonder if I'm killing it or molding it. Is it getting better--or worse?

What are your thoughts on revisions?

Hooray for Conferences

I had the opportunity to attend a really great conference this weekend. And it's not just because I won third place in a contest (although that was very cool). I learned about character bibles, writing great queries, and how to have a great blog (thanks Elana!)

I also got to brainstorm with the wise and uber-talented, not to mention really nice, Sydney Salter Husseman. It means a ton of work for me, but it was still full of awesomeness. I met two new writing friends there, too. Hi Sally and Janice!

I pitched FREE BREAD GIRL to Sara Crowe. I liked her and not just because she was interested in looking at my ms.

The best part of it all was hanging out with fabulous writing friends who I adore.

Conferences are full of awesomeness.

What are some of your favorite conference memories/experiences?

The Last of the Letters

 

M = Music

N = Nothing – the word wives say to husbands that really means something

O = Opulence – I just love this word.

P = Two words – Prison Break – How could I have not found this sooner?

Q = Quiet – My favorite sound

R = Running – Yes, I like to

S = Spinning – Yeah, this one too

T = Time – Why does it seem like there's never enough?

U = Undivided – Not able to divide which can also mean united, another good "U" word

V = Vanquish, as in master or overcome

W = Writing stories!

X = Xanthous (or yellow) We should all try to use this to describe yellow in our next novel. Doesn't that sound fun? No? Okay, fine.

Y = You – thanks all of you for coming by to visit!

Z = Zupa's – the best restaurant for soup and salad

 

Have a wonderful week!

Crazy Daze and Other Things

The Crazy Daze of Motherhood

Product Description
A mother's day is filled with all kinds of emergencies, from bumps and bruises to hospital stays. Find the perfect way to recover from your own family's little emergencies with Jane Isfeld Still's latest book on the hilarious daily challenges of a mother in the fray. You're sure to laugh and cry as you celebrate the joys of motherhood.

From the Back Cover

Jane is married to Rick Still, who she believes has the distinction of being the only man in history brave enough to give her earwax candles for her birthday. They had six children in eight years, and while her children were growing up, she discovered she had a great sense of humor. At least that was her take. Rick once said to her, "Honey, you know all those real corny things you say all the time? Who ever thought you could make money at it?" Her son Adam once told her, "Mom could you please stop telling jokes to my friends? It's really embarrassing." One of Jane's philosophies is, "You're not doing your job unless your children are worried about being seen in public with you."

I found this book refreshing and full of fun. I read it on a short trip we made as a family, so it's a fast, easy read. It made me giggle as I related with some of the adventures she shared about her children. I don't think I stopped smiling the entire read. The illustrations added just the right touch to the anecdotes. It's the perfect Mother's Day gift.

To read more about Jane and her exploits visit her website at janeisfeldstill.com or her blog at janeisfeldstill.blogspot.com

To purchase THE CRAZY DAZE OF MOTHERHOOD go here.


On to other things—
G Through L
G is for Genuine—I like those kind of people
H is for Honey, not the sticky kind, the one I married
I is for Italian Food . . . Mmmmm
J is for Johnny Depp—So talented and not bad to look at either
K is for Kids, not the goats the people
L is for Laughter


And . . .
I have 200 followers!!!! Woo Hoo!!! Thanks, my favorite peeps! In honor of you, I'm going to host another giveaway—not as cool as the last one, but what's not to love about free stuff, huh? So keep watching!

My very own A-Z Challenge

Okay, I didn't join the A-Z Challenge that so many of you are doing. I didn't think I could post something every day, so I'm doing my own. I'm posting once a week.

Here's A-F –

1. Attitude – it's important to have a good one.
   
2. Books – I think I'd die without them.
   
3. Contemporary fiction – love it! That's what I write, too.
   
4. Dipped chocolates – Mmmm . . . Need I say more?
   
5. Entertainment – more books and movies
   
6. Frost-covered trees – gorg-wah!
   

   
    

Well, there you have it. My first week's installment.

Have a good one, all!

It’s Lovely? Really?

Thanks to Ciara I have won the One Lovely Blog Award. Thanks Ciara!! I am humbled that she thinks my blog is lovely. Well, she's lovely, too. You should go over to her blog and see her.

I think I'm supposed to pass this on, but I'm not sure to how many so here are two blogging friends who I think are lovely. And so are their blogs.

Lindsay at Tiptoe Kisses
Rachel at Rachel Morgan Writes

Have a great week!

Art and Book Giveaway!

You can win gorgeous art here and the book MISS DELACOURT HAS HER DAY here.

 Aren't these both gorgeous! What are you waiting for? Go. Now!

I’m Very Dizzy and Not the Blond Kind

My life is spinning, spinning, spinning.

I kind of want to climb in a hole and hibernate for six months.

Except I can't, 'cause I have too much to do.

Do you ever feel like there is so much going on that you can't possibly keep up and the ends of your nerves are splitting and if one more thing gets added to the mix you'll explode?

Me too!

Okay. Now that I got that off my chest, I'm off to the gym. As long as I don't fall over from all the spinning.

 

Breathless Reads Winners

Congratulations to the Breathless Reads Winners!

 

And they are:

Michael Di Gesu (ACROSS THE UNIVERSE)

Elizabeth Mueller (MATCHED)

Becky Wallace (THE REPLACEMENT)

Jewel Allen (THE ETERNAL ONES)

L. Diane Wolfe (NIGHTSHADE)

 

They have been notified and their books will be mailed to them this week.

Thanks to everyone who entered. I can't say enough how much I appreciate all my bloggie friends for stopping by. You have made a definite difference. So, thank you all!

 

Breathless Books Giveaway!

It's Here! It's Finally Here! The Breathless Reads Giveaway is here!

I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Breathless Reads Tour. It was AWESOME! These ladies are amazing.

I decided, as a thank you to all of my followers, especially all my new Crusader friends, I would host this giveaway. Thank you, my favorite peeps!

To win one of these five amazing books, make sure you are a follower (old followers get an extra entry) and fill out the form below. The giveaway goes from Monday, March 14 to Friday, March 18 at midnight. I will post the winners on Monday, March 21. Five of you will win one of these books. Make sure to list your preferences in order on the form.

Thanks and have a great week!

Keep going. It's way down at the bottom of the page.

Journey of Honor

I recently participated in a blog tour for the novel JOURNEY OF HONOR by Jaclyn Hawkes. (Please note—there are some brief spoilers.)

The jacket copy reads, in part:

"Thoroughly disillusioned with the ugliness and cruelty of slavery in the South, Trace Grayson leaves his young medical career to go west, hoping to leave bigotry and hatred behind. He begins taking goods by teamster train to sell in the territories. However, this fourth time across, in July of 1848, he's stuck in St. Joseph, Missouri, waiting for enough wagons to join the train so that they can leave."

Giselle is a seventeen-year old young woman who joined the LDS church in Holland, was disowned by her family and came to America with her grandparents. She is attacked by a mob of Mormon haters and finds herself pregnant. Her abuser accuses her of stealing from him just as they are preparing to leave Missouri for the West.

Trace and Giselle are thrown together and must push westward before winter strands them in the Rocky Mountains. They experience several different challenges along the way to their destination, one of which takes her grandparents in death. They are both likeable characters. Trace is a caring, hard-working man and Giselle is a feisty, beautiful young woman. I enjoy historical fiction and the premise of this story interested me.

I was disappointed to find I didn't care enough about the characters to really feel for them. When her grandparents died, I should have been devastated by her loss, but I found myself not caring about them as much as I had hoped. I think part of the reason for this is that the characters didn't have any flaws and I didn't really have a chance to get to know the grandparents. Trace and Giselle were challenged by events surrounding them, but not by their imperfections.

Their journey and wondering how the author would handle their relationship kept me reading.

If you are interested in reading this book, you can find it here.

Awards and Contests!

Thanks to the awesome Trisha for the wonderful Stylish Blogger Award!

I'm supposed to list seven things about myself, but I've been doing that a lot lately, and I'm sure you would all be quite ill at hearing more, so I'll skip that and move on to those lucky people to which I've given the award.

 Jess at Falling Leaflets
Jill at Musings By Me
Trisha Leaver
Michelle Davidson Argyle at The Innocent Flower
Michelle Merrill at Perfecting the Craft
Michelle McLean

Congratulations!

Also, I'm having a Giveaway. So, you really will want to stay tuned for that. Here's a hint: Five Breathless Books

The Great Reveal

I know you have all been waiting with baited breath to hear the big lie in my challenge post. Okay, maybe you haven't, but here it is, anyway.

I have never wanted to study culinary arts in any way shape or form. As a matter of fact, I avoid the kitchen at all costs, unless I want something to eat that is already made, and also to scrub it first thing in the morning, because I truly am unfunctionable until it's clean.

The rest is all true, even the wench part.

Have a wonderful day all!

The Crusader Challenge

What I wanted to be when I grew up (after I grew up) —

At first I wanted to study culinary arts so I could brandish sharp blades and serve creamed rabbit and stuffed fuligulines, but I can't function until my kitchen is clean, and the kitchen was always a mess, so I pretty much couldn't function at all. That blew the whole chef idea.

Then I wanted to perform on Broadway, but I'm a horrible liar and couldn't even pull off acting in the community musical. What a flop. They still avert their eyes when they see me.

After that, I figured I'd like to paint and sell my wares at craft shows. I don't mean to bloviate, but I paint a darn good Santa ornament. The crafting went well. Unfortunately, the income didn't. That career choice turned out not to be for me.

I wondered what else I could possibly do since what I'd really like is to be Captain Jack Sparrow's wench, and not just because of the corset to hold in all the flab. But alas, he is only fictional, so I couldn't do that either.

Finally, a friend of mine got me excited about playing around with words. And I started writing. And I couldn't stop. And I never got paid. But I didn't care. Bingo! The correct profession, at last. Best of all, I can read all the books I want and it's considered research.

And now that I've finished my "what I wish I could be list", there is something included in it that isn't altogether true. Can you guess what it is?

Pinterest

I had never heard of this site before until my sister introduced me to it. Thanks Jill!

I have to say, it's AWESOME! It has boards that you can pin pictures to from the web. So, if I were going to renovate my kitchen and I wanted ideas, I would search the web and pin the pictures I liked to my kitchen board. You can also do a search on the Pinterest site.

The reason I have fallen in love with this is because I decided to use the boards for my stories and pin pictures of my characters (and other related story items) on them. I have been having too much fun! It's awesome to look in one place and see everything there about my story—from where they live and what they do, what they like, what they look like. It's so great. One of my characters has a special ring and I can totally post that to my story's board.

It's way cool. If you are interested, go to pinterest.com. You need an invitation to join, but you can get one from their site or if I have your name and e-mail, I can send you one, too. I would be happy to do that, if any of you are interested. Just let me know.

Happy Pinterest-ing!

Beautiful Blogger

Thanks to the wonderful Elizabeth Mueller for this fabulous award. She rocks. You should go check out her blog.

Now, seven things about myself and seven awardees.

1. I have always lived in the windiest cities in the world. Why? Maybe fate dislikes me. I don't know.

2. I love being a mom, even when three of them are teenagers.

3. I miss teaching, but love being at home so I can write!

4. Horses petrify me, yet they're one of my favorite animals. My life is full of oxymorons.

5. I have the best bloggie friends, EVER!

6. My stack of books to read literally touches the ceiling. (If I stacked all of them.)

7. I never leave the house without a book and a notebook with pen.

The seven beautiful bloggers I chose because I really enjoy reading their blogs and they are all really cool people are:

Book Dreaming
Writer's Ally
Checkerboard Squares
Dreams of Quill and Ink
My Life in a Laptop
Pink Ink
My Poetry and Prose Place

Congratulations all and have a wonderful day!

Holy Cow I Want One of These!

Show Your Love Contest

This is an amazing contest. So, this being the day of love, go show it and enter to win a 30-page manuscript review by an amazing agent, Sara Megibow, or a spot at the dinner table with some incredible agents, editors and authors, including Sarah Crowe, James Dashner, Larry Brooks, Marcia Markland and more!

Later this week, Breathless Reads Tour giveaway. You won't want to miss this post, so check back!

Join the Crusade!

Get linked to the writing community and join the platform building Crusade. Check it out here!

A Writer's Conference To Go, Please

Don't you wish you could drive through a fast food writer's conference, pay $5.83, scarf it all up and be on your way?

I kinda do 'cause the three plus days of feeding my brain turns it to mushy soup, yet I feel so motivated to get home and put to work all of the wonderful things I have learned. This way you only have ten minutes of mush before you can go home and get busy.

Alas, it is not possible and it's not that cheap, either. Yet conferences are so worth your time. You learn more about the craft of writing, querying and publishing; you get to hobnob with authors, agents and editors and one of the best parts, hanging out with writing friends.

If you are interested, there is a conference called LDS Storymakers taking place in May. They have great classes, both beginning and advanced. They have special classes where you can workshop with authors. They have pitch sessions with agents and editors, and a contest that gives authorial feedback. And lots of wonderful writers to hang with. Follow the link and check it out!

I Need an Author Photo?

I have been reading Anne Mini's blog recently. She has tons of information about writing and publishing. It's excellent and you should go check it out here. Her posts are really long, but definitely worth it.

She posted about book beginnings and endings, but before she got to that, she wrote about author photos. Something I haven't given much thought about as I don't have an agent or a contract. Yet, she lays out a couple of thoughts that I found interesting and decided to share.

Get your author photo early. You never know when you'll land a contract or an agent and they want a photo of you pronto. Also, who has a photo that they actually want anyone to see? Her advice, get one now.

Choose a shot that matches your book. Is it funny YA? The photo should be light and fun. Is it dark and mysterious? Your photo should reflect that as well. You may also need a photo for an author bio. It should reflect your personality and be book appropriate.

This is her advice. Interesting, huh? So, come on all, get out there and get your photos taken. If you live in the Salt Lake area, I know a good one. Check out Black Pearl Photography. But wait for me to call her first. I am NOT photogenic and I may need an additional session.

Have you got your author photo?

The Lipstick Laws

You do not want to miss this great giveaway!

You get a $25 Amazon Gift Card. a $10 iTunes Gift Card, a signed ARC of The Lipstick Laws (which sounds like a really fun, awesome book), + lots more. Check out the link on my sidebar and go here to enter.

Life Lessons

1 – Don't disobey your mother or she'll chase you down the street with a tree branch.

2 – Don't take off a baby's diaper unless you have a clean one underneath it.

3 – Writing is an oxymoron. It's one of the hardest things to do, but is the most fun at the same time.

4 – If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

5 – Bloom where you are planted, whether you want to or not.

There's lots more . . . like

Don't spend more money than you make.

And

Don't procrastinate . . . it'll bite you in the hiney later.

Or

Don't share your opinion unless you're asked for it.

But that's probably all I should share. For now, anyway.

What are some of yours?

Where are you?

Have you ever wondered that? You know, wondered where you are? Not physically, of course, (hopefully not physically, anyway) but maybe mentally or spiritually? With your writing? With your career?

I have been thinking a lot about this lately. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I have been feeling really alone in my writing. (This could possibly be because I live in the Tooelies.) But still, look at the cyber world today. I shouldn't feel alone at all, so why do I?

Well, I think I've rambled enough. What do you do when you wonder where you are?

I’m Phat

Yes, I could stand to lose ten to twenty pounds. But that's not the kind of fat I'm talking about.

I overheard my oldest daughter talking to her siblings in the kitchen as they were all getting a snack. And she said, "I'm fat." At least that's what I heard. If any of you have seen my oldest daughter you would think she must have some kind of eating disorder or something because she's stick thin. She's about five foot five and weighs just under a hundred pounds. Yeah. Skinny Minny.

Anyway, I came into the kitchen and said, "What?!"

She said, "Not F – A – T, Mom, P – H – A – T. Phat means awesome."

"Oh," was my incredibly intelligent reply.

Apparently, phat is the new cool.

Now all of my children are saying how phat they are. I tell them they are phat, too, 'cause they are. But they don't tell me I'm phat. That's probably because they're afraid I'll think they mean F – A – T and I'll cry and give them cruel punishments. Either that, or they think I'm just an old fuddy duddy mom who's not really very cool. I'm not sure which. Possibly both.

I haven't felt very phat lately, but that doesn't change the fact that we all have good things about us—good things we do, good things we say and talents we have been given so we can give back.

Still, I have to keep reminding myself that I'm phat.

Whereas, I think you all are WAY phat. Thanks to those of you who share your phatness with me!

For Me?! Really?!

The oh so fabulous Angela Felsted gave me this awesome award.

She is one of my new and wonderful bloggie friends. Go check out her blog here.

Thanks, Angela!

These are the things I must do to accept this award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

Here are the seven things:

1. I like to run, although I didn't today.
2. My first OB's name was Dr. Breeden. (I kid you not.)
3. I believe laughter is the best medicine.
4. And also good books.
5. Italian food is the bomb. (That's still a cool think to say, right?)
6. It's harder than it looks to think of seven things about yourself.
7. I spend a lot of time thinking about people who aren't real.


Okay, now for the fifteen lucky people I'm giving this award to:

Tara at Feel of Something New

Charrette at Divergent Pathways

Lotus Girl at Lotus Rising

Carolina Valdez Miller

Writing in a Nutshell

Jen Daiker at unedited
 
Jaded Love Junkie
 
Amber Argyle
 
Krista Lynne Jensen
 
Charmaine Clancy at The Write Words
 
Shannon O'Donnell at Book Dreaming
 
Emma Michaels
 
roxy at a woman's write
 
Kaylee Baldwin
 
Suzette Saxton and Bethany Wiggins at Shooting Stars
 
Congratulations!

Character Name Giveaway

You've always wanted a character in a book named after you, right?! Well, now you can! Go here and enter.

I Needed Smacked

It's true. I did. I've been having one of those discouraging days, er, weeks, um, actually months, well, . . . anyway, you know what I mean.

So, I whined and cried to my husband and my friend and my sister. My friend empathized, my non-writing sister tried to understand, and my husband told me how to fix my discouraged feelings. Although they tried, I still felt crummy.

Then I read this amazing article that smacked me. I knew I needed it, but in the back of the head? Really?

It woke me up and didn't hurt nearly as bad as I would have thought. It actually made me feel alive again.

The words that spoke to me simply said Choose Faith. Instead of floundering in the face of doubt, fear, the unknown and unseen, and pessimism, Choose Faith.

Believe.

It seemed to say, "You know what you are supposed to do, so stop wallowing and do it."

So I did. And I feel so much better.

I RESOLVE

This is the time of year to make resolutions. Say goodbye to the old and in with the new. At least that's what they say, and I suppose they're right.

Except I prefer to call them goals, instead of resolutions, and I have a tendency to set goals all year long ('cause I need lots of improvement, I suppose).

Even though this is the way I do it, there are some things that I have resolved to do at the beginning of 2011.

I RESOLVE to continue my goal of listening to my children better.

I RESOLVE to save more money this year.

I RESOLVE to continue my workouts.

I RESOLVE to make four quilts this year. (Eek!)

I RESOLVE to focus on my spiritual goals.

I RESOLVE to have four manuscripts ready for submission.

I RESOLVE to keep up with my blog.

In my younger days, probably a hundred years ago or so, I worked as a legal assistant. So, I am familiar with the legal document called a RESOLUTION. It's a motion full of a bunch of these I RESOLVE's and often made in the corporate world. It is a legal and binding contract. Thus, I have created a binding contract for myself. (Skeery!) Let's see how I do.

Have you resolved to do anything this year?