Apparently, I like bulleted lists

A few things today and they all involve lists:

One...I can't believe that half of the year is officially over!  Looking at my five goals for the year, here is where I stand:

1.  "I will purchase my first pair of high heel pumps and I will learn to walk in them."  DONE!  I actually have 2 pairs of the pointy toe style, one pair of espadrilles, and one pair traditional summer dress sandal style. I don't wear them everyday, but I'd say 3 out of 5 days of the work week I do.
2. "I will sell my house"  NO. My house was on the market for 6 months and I didn't get a single offer. Boo. For now, its off the market, but I may sign again in August.
3. "I will lose weight."  Negative plus 10. I've actually gained weight this year. I suck. Sitting all day at work plus sitting all night writing or reading does have its disadvantages. I need that program where you talk into a recorder and the recorder transfers it into your word program for you. That would rock.
4. "I will read 52 books."  My current count is 17 and I'm halfway through number 18.  Writing has taken up a lot of my reading time.  We'll see if I catch up before year end. 
5. "I will write 15,000 words each month during the months of January through June."   DONE! I'll actually write a whole new blog on that some other time. 

Okay...now for # TWO...

I just found out about this band and I'm not sure why I've never paid attention to them before...








Third...Natasha at Book Mark Your Thoughts gave moi an award. Kick a$$!  And this one is pretty much me for sure!  A Versatile Blogger is exactly what I am...I blog about it all :)

So here's the rules with the award:
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason! (In no particular order...)
4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

 Alright bloggers! Seven things about me (and I'm trying not to repeat myself from others I've done, so I'll try not to be completely boring):

1. I am four years behind on my scrapbooking and I fear I will never catchup.
2. I buy my children obnoxious t shirts that say stuff like "Yes, I'm spoiled, so what's your point?"
3. I'm way too hard on myself, know that I am, but can't nor won't change it. 
4. I HATE people who are know-it-all's. I simply want to punch them in the face, but I'm a completely non-violent kind of person.
5. I claim to be a neat freak, but my house is almost always dirty.
6. Exactly one month ago, I turned off our cable. We have nothing and its freeing! My kids watch DVDs or play video games and I don't really watch TV anyway, so it works for us.
7. Ideally, I'd like to decorate my house in punk-like pink and black, guitars, or crazed skulls and such, but the "desperate housewife" stigma that plagues me won't let up!Therefore my walls are maple, my couch is brown, the pillows are deep red and my artwork are flowers. Someone please help me!

Now for 15 bloggers...you know I think I'll divide that in 3 and pick 5 of my favorites  :)

1. Marisa at Elegant Bloggery: Living the Creative Life - She is delightful and oh so talented!
2. Shana at Mankind's Fascination with Self-Expression - My sister, so I have to love her :) Besides, she is also uber talented and my biggest cheerleader.
3. Stacey Jay, the author - her personal blog. She never fails to make me smile.
4. Jenn at Book Crazy - She's built up quite a following in short amount of time. A master blogger! When/if I'm ready for that, she'll be the first person I call.
5. Hope at Lilliputian's Journey to Publication - "Recently met via Twitter" local who writes and reads and is basically awesome. 

Hope the first half of your year has treated you well!

Guest Blog: Summer Book Swap For Children

Kristl is here to day to share a budget friendly, fun way to kick-off a summer of reading for your kids!

Here’s how…

• Invite friends (in the same grade) to bring 3 used paperback books that are at their current reading level. After the children arrive, display the books on a large table or two. 
• Draw numbers for the order in which the children will choose a book. For example, if there are 10 children at the party, put numbers 1 – 10 into the drawing & each child picks a number.
• Round 1 begins! The child that drew #1 picks a book, then the child that drew #2 picks a book, and so on.
• Before beginning round 2 & round 3, draw numbers again. This turns the swap into a game, adds to the fun and prevents the same child from always having first pick or always having last pick!
• So…each child arrived at the party with 3 books, and they’ll leave with 3 books!
• After the final round, make bookmarks (using scrap paper, markers & assorted stickers).
• Have information to give the children on summer reading clubs at your local library or bookstore. Most clubs offer incentives or prizes for reading!
• Refreshments…let the children make their own ice cream sundaes!

 

HAPPY SUMMER READING!

P.S. – When my children were in elementary school, I loved hosting a seeing each other after school was out, they loved getting new books and making bookmarks was a huge hit! If you host a summer book swap…please let me know how it goes!

About the Author: Krystl @ http://www.TheBudgetDiet.com

The Budget Diet is a diet for your wallet…not your waistline! You'll discover new money saving tips everyday to help you slim down your daily spending! The Budget Diet girl Is not a financial planner or an accountant…just a mom that knows how to live the good life on a budget!

Follow The Budget Diet on facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Budget-Diet/114014985289270
or twitter
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Trailer: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Can November PLEASE come a bit quicker!?!?!

The Second Short Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephanie Meyer

I really don't like the synopsis provided on websites, so I'm writing my own (although if you've gotten this far, you already know what this one is about). This is the story of Bree Tanner, the 14ish vampire youngin who is pulled apart by the Volturi at the end of Eclipse. It covers the week before and ends at her ultimate demise. We are told that it will give us a glimpse into the darker side of the newborn vampire and her devastating story as they prepare to close in on Bella and the Cullens. Given that...here are my thoughts.

When I read Eclipse, I was under the impression that Victoria put her army of newborns together within a few months, making them all virtually brand new and blood crazed. I assumed that Bree was even younger at a month or less. She was wild and blood crazed and the epitome of what Bella was afraid of becoming. I looked forward to seeing that Bree. I attributed this belief on her behavior in the field at the end of Eclipse; that is what made sense to me.

What I found out was that Bree was actually three months old while her newborn army vamp friends were pushing a year old and she was actually a very calm, rational thinking vampire while the others were a little wilder.

So, first off - how did Victoria know in a year's advance that she would need to build the army?  This seems awfully quick given the time circumstance.  Two, why did Bree have to be calm just like Bella?  I wanted something more from her, some insatiable desire to kill Bella; that's what I believed her to be in Eclipse.  Instead, she fought against the urge just as bad as Bella does (but without the super power) and behaved as a Cullen almost. Only in the end, just she seem crazed. What this book lacked was the intensity of a fight scene. If you are looking for action, you won't find it here. Twilight books are love stories. It's my opinion, however, that a good fight scene would have stepped it up a notch.

Even with my confusion and slight disappointment, I did like this story. It was a nice short read, but started and ended as needed. Nothing was left hanging; closure was met.  It made me laugh in a few places, sad in others, and put me in the same mindset as the other Twilight novels. And I definitely think you should read it if you read the others. It's a 4 for me.

Burned: House of Night by PC Cast

Book Seven of the House of Night Series. 

Obviously there will be spoilers regarding the first six. Go read 'em first.

When friends stop trusting each other, Darkness is there to fan the flames…. Things have turned black at the House of Night. Zoey Redbird’s soul has shattered. With everything she’s ever stood for falling apart, and a broken heart making her want to stay in the Otherworld forever, Zoey’s fading fast. It’s seeming more and more doubtful that she will be able pull herself back together in time to rejoin her friends and set the world to rights. As the only living person who can reach her, Stark must find a way to get to her. But how? He will have to die to do so, the Vampyre High Council stipulates. And then Zoey will give up for sure. There are only 7 days left… Enter BFF Stevie Rae. She wants to help Z but she has massive problems of her own. The rogue Red Fledglings are acting up, and this time not even Stevie Rae can protect them from the consequences. Her kinda boyfriend, Dallas, is sweet but too nosy for his own good. The truth is, Stevie Rae’s hiding a secret that might be the key to getting Zoey home but also threatens to explode her whole world. In the middle of the whole mess is Aphrodite: ex-Fledgling, trust-fund baby, total hag from Hell (and proud of it). She’s always been blessed (if you could call it that) with visions that can reveal the future, but now it seems Nyx has decided to speak through her with the goddess’s own voice, whether she wants it or not. Aphrodite’s loyalty can swing a lot of different ways, but right now Zoey’s fate hangs in the balance. Three girls… playing with fire… if they don’t watch out, everyone will get Burned.

I guess I could go into detail about this book, but I really have no desire to do so. It's the 7th installment of what I have now heard is a 12 book series and it makes complete sense why the books never seem to end...because it's a never ending story! Burned takes place over a two day period (that's it!) and is told in 6 points of view, one of which is in first person. It's exhausting. I wanted their days to end; it seemed they needed a break.

Story wise, I felt it was much stronger than the last. I was pleased with the outcome and I believe Cast has made a strong basis to finish up the series. (I only wish that were sooner rather than later.) Her characters are right on target and I almost feel bad for Kalona! His chapter in the beginning is super strong - it was a fantastic way to begin.

Overall, I really liked it despite the switching around in POV. Its still a 3 star for me mainly because its nothing I would buy for my shelves - just a borrow kind of book for me.

Confession: I'm bipolar when it comes to writing

First I love it. Then I love it some more. Then I hate it. I put it away for a week. I pull it out, re-read it. Not so bad. Tweak some. Write more. Now its awesome. Best idea ever.

Talk to someone about it. Get weird look. Worst idea ever. Why do I bother?

Two days later. Who cares what they think. It's practice. I'm writing it for me. Do double word counts for a week.

Get burned out. Take 3 days off. Gain perspective...come to conclusion that I suck.

See blog post. Says writers never quit even in the bad patches of insecurity. Take out WIP, keep going. Write 2 chapters. Feel really good about it now. Start to outline more details. Pay attention to word usage. Run into hurdles trying not to repeat myself but also referencing back as needed.

Get frustrated. Realize I'm a hack. Stop. Obsess over previous chapters and what needs to be edited out. Almost at the halfway point of WIP. Scared I'll never get finished. Determined to forge ahead. Start writing.  Share little pieces, get compliments and requests for more. Confidence surges. Write 2 more chapters - conclude they are best chapters EVER!

Stuck. Need help. Can't let people read the hacked beginning. Must fix beginning. Want to throw up on hacked beginning because I really don't want to revise until "The End" can technically be put on the last page. But I still need help.

Close draft. Open draft. Close draft. Open draft. Revise. Write.

Stop. Wait 5 days. Write blog post instead of working on the draft.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat. 

BTW - Take a wild guess at where I sit right now...

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Just in case you didn't know...Mundie Moms is the place to be!  Not only do they give you the best of the best in book recommendations, author interviews, and upcoming releases, they are the first to tell you when exciting news comes out.  Especially news that involves...

And by the news on their site today...it made me realize how close we are to seeing Mr. Barnes this way again...

YAY!!

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader trailer has officially released! It looks A-MA-ZING!

Head on over to the Mundie Moms site for information on the Harper Collins promotion and click below to see the phenomenal trailer. I can't wait!

Twitter is Hazardous to your Writing Health

And here's why....

First, it magically sucks away time.  Yes you can follow agents, editors, writers, hashtags, blogs, and network out the wazoo - but when its all said and done, you'll find that an hour went by...an hour that could have been spent writing and making progress on the skill you're trying to develop.

Second, it's a way to get the "real truth" in blog form.  I follow a several writers and a few of them use twitter to filter out the best of the best blog posts on writing.  Many of them are very helpful whether it be plot development, showing not telling, characterizations, how to query, how to synopsize, etc etc.  Others, however, give you other ideas such as how poorly writers are paid, how complicated it is to get in the business, how bleak the market is looking, or how trends are dying and if you are writing within that trend that you are basically screwed before you even start.  It is these posts that mess with your head, tell you to stop trying and that you are wasting your time even making an attempt.

Third, those agents and editors that you follow are way too honest. Yes, they are wonderful for quick networking or asking questions, learning about the biz and I know of one person who got her agent strictly through these 140 character twitter conversations.  But there are the others who poke fun at Queries that are submitted, that complain that they see the same thing all day long. I totally understand that. It's their job. but for writers trying to learn, it sends yet another message that unless we come up with the most original idea ever, we don't have a shot. And I hate to say it, but there are no original ideas anymore.

So...that being said, would I shut my Twitter/social network down...absolutely not.  Because here's the thing.  You can overcome the time-sucking/hour-wasting moments by setting parameters. You can choose to ignore those blog posts that are disheartening and blatantly obvious.  You can unfollow those agents that give the hard truth.  Or you can continue to do all three and say "Screw it" because in the end, if you're writing for a market, then you will NEVER sell a book.  A story has to come from your heart, not your business plan. If you don't believe in your story 110%, then no one else will either.

My choice is clear. I'll keep reading those posts, keep following those pessimistic agents and their #queries hashtags and then I'll say what my Daddy always says to me when I hit a rough spot..."Keep plugging along, kid"...  because in the end, my story is mine and even if an agent doesn't love it, I can still share it with whomever I choose.

...that is, once I get my tail off twitter and finish writing it!   :)

Building up

It's a nice morning for writing!  I'm working on Chapter 13 (about mid way through) and I'm about to write the scene that started this whole shiny new idea in the first place!  I've been building the scene before it all morning and this is the last bit before it begins. Thought I might share. **Please keep in mind, this is completely unedited and unfinished.

 ----------------

Emilie positioned herself between Abby and Caden as they abandoned the truck. He took the left side and she took the right. They stuck to the middle of the street but even though they knew they had to run fast, a jog was all they could muster. The dark was as thick as the air and the smell of rotten eggs became more prominent as the night settled around them.

Shuffles moved at their right, followed by slashing breathes. Somehow his ears perked enough to distinguish the ragged grunts between the wanted sighs of desire. Slaps led to shoves and the roar of the damned came next, their feet falling in fast.

“GO!”

Their legs pumped harder and Caden grabbed Emilie’s sleeve, pulling so she wouldn’t fall behind. Feet slapped behind them, hard and fast. Caden fought the urge to look back, hearing Abby’s warning in the back of his head, but knowing he wouldn’t be able to see them anyway sealed his decision.

They ran to the end of the block and were about to turn right when he noticed the sea of Consumed filtering toward them. Their shadows were thick, but covered their skin now instead of hovering over head. Skin that had been ashy was turning darker now and the dim hint of light on their faces showed widely disproportionate features. 

He realized how much the Consumption had changed them. These people weren’t human anymore.

Emilie screamed. Caden followed her gaze behind them. Consumed swarmed like bees to the hive. They encircled them, coming from both sides and from behind. There were fifty, maybe more. They were clearly outnumbered.

No Consumed were in front of them and he fought the urge to add a yet to that thought. Entering the next block, he pulled on her sleeve and took Cass from her arms. “Emilie! You have to keep moving!” Cass’s bellowed cries heaved against his chest and he covered her head against it with the hand that held the gun.

Abby continued to guard the right side, the knife glimmering in the moonlight. She was almost calm in that job and he wandered how much worse it would get if this didn’t alarm her. She looked across at Emilie, seeing her frantic cheeks and wide eyes. She saw baby Cass in his arms and her mouth closed, lips straightening in a flat line. Finally she sought him and didn’t hesitate once, almost yelling to him but not quite. “Caden! Keep going. I’ll take the rear.”

He stumbled over a pothole. “Abby! You can’t!”

She slowed. “Just go.” And she whirled, slowing to a backwards jog.

Whatcha say?

One of my favorite authors is Kristin Cashore, who wrote Graceling and Fire. That woman knows how to weave one hell of a story. Anxiously awaiting her third book, Bitterblue, I signed up to receive emails on her latest blog posts.  She has been traveling in Europe lately and is currently taking trapeze lessons. I find her to be real and honest and true to her character - so basically I really enjoy her posts.

Anyhow, on Monday her post was called, A Writer is always Writing, Except When She's on the Trapeze. In it she said this (and I'm quoting):

"Writers, of course, are not just working when we're physically writing. We're working when we're wandering around the house trying to remember where we put our pen (answer: in our hair). We're working when we're reading. (Oooo! How did this writer just make me feel that way? Can I do that to my readers?) We're working when we're out for a walk. (Ooooo! How can I describe that sky?) We try to watch some TV, and then Sophie on Leverage describes a con that gives us an idea for the scene we're trying to write. (Ooooo! The way Parker, Hardison, and Eliot interact is so damn funny. Can I learn something from that?) Point is: it's really hard to turn off the writer brain, ....It's kind of like I'm swimming through it, all the time."

Reason I'm quoting?  Because she took the words straight from my thoughts. I literally thought I was crazy...but this is exactly how it is!  I can't drive without thinking about a scene. I can't read without recognizing mechanics. I can't shop without recognizing brand names that I might be able to alter for references. I can't sit without my laptop in my lap or a notebook nearby to jot down a few thoughts. Writing is an obsessive being. And I can't even call myself a writer just yet. I just know that I want a story told and until I get it told in its entirety, its literally going to nag me and every part of my life until its done.

So, if I look lost or dozed off into space, let it be known...I'm probably writing, even if the computer isn't in front of my face.

Should I stay or should I go now

Ever feel like you just want to start over?  Press a reset button and be back at square one, but with the knowledge to do it right the second time?

I'm in that place right now. Ready for new digs,a  new town, and new friends. This place has nothing left to offer me.  There isn't even a decent man to date around here.  So, I've concentrated on the things that do matter - my children, my family, my writing, and my career. Some days those are enough. Some days I still feel something lacking.

But when you have kids, picking up and moving on isn't the easiest thing in the world.  I did it 5 years ago before 4yo came along and 8yo was only 3.  I moved 4 states away on a whim and ended up back here 3 months later with a great tan and seriously empty bank account.

So how do you do it right?  Because it's not just about having a job lined up. You need a support system and plan.  It's about knowing what to expect and how to plan for it.

So, if you have made a major move, what is some advice you might give?  Or on the other end of the spectrum, how do you make the best of a situation you can't stand?

Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell

Iris is ready for another hot, routine summer in her small Louisiana town, hanging around the Red Stripe grocery with her best friend, Collette, and traipsing through the cemetery telling each other spooky stories and pretending to cast spells. Except this summer, Iris doesn’t have to make up a story. This summer, one falls right in her lap.


Years ago, before Iris was born, a local boy named Elijah Landry disappeared. All that remained of him were whispers and hushed gossip in the church pews. Until this summer. A ghost begins to haunt Iris, and she’s certain it’s the ghost of Elijah. What really happened to him? And why, of all people, has he chosen Iris to come back to?

I was pretty darn lucky when I bought this book a few weeks ago. It started out with a late Friday night tweet from Saundra Mitchell that said something like: Come out to our signing tomorrow in Louisville at 2pm with Julie Kagawa and Kay Cassidy. I was stunned I hadn't heard anything about it, but also dead set on not missing a signing with three authors so close to where I lived! One problem: 8yo had soccer tournament that day and only way we got to go was if he lost the first round. And luckily for me (not so lucky for him), they did lose and we all (meaning me and the boys) hopped in the car and drove up to meet the author gals.

Those three ladies were all kinds of nice. I had met Julie once before in February (already had her book and devoured it screaming for more) and I was able to pick up Shadowed Summer and The Cinderella Society - both signed :)  And I got this fun picture of them with my kiddos. 4 was not in a picture kind of mood...lol.

A week later, I finally sat down to read Shadowed Summer and from the first few pages, I found myself completely immersed into Louisiana culture and the life of a young teenage girl. Saundra's descriptions leave nothing to ponder - you can feel the heat waft off your skin and the sweat bead up and trickle away. The creek is my favorite local of the entire novel and I picture it a lot like the creek by the home I grew up in skipping rocks across the top of the water and hooking fish no bigger than the size of my palm (Text to self connections are the best). The dialogue is authentic for the area (and I cringe at it hating my own southern drawl) and the story plot is interesting. As the story moves along, Elijah, the ghost, gains more presence until you finally find out what happened to him. Thankfully, the story does have a nice clean ending and doesn't leave you hanging. I was slightly confused on the ghosts intentions at times, but a few quick email chats with a fellow twitter peeps and I think it all makes sense now.

A really great read for middle schoolers to adults and not too long at 180 pages. 4 stars

On a side note, if you like this book, I suggest you pick up a book by Sid Hite called, Hole in the World.  It's one of my favorite middle school books out there.

I'm baaaacccckkkkk!

Its only been three days, but this blog-cation has been fab!  After posting for 31 days straight, these last three days have felt like a week - but now, it's time to get back to work!

May was a writing frenzy month. I wrote on my blog, I wrote essays for teaching apps, I wrote documents for work, and I managed to squeeze in some writing on my WIP. At the end of April, I had just begun it with only a chapter and a half finished. By the end of May, I added an additional 19,014 words!  Over 4000 more than my goal and here's the thing...I feel like I didn't work on it enough!  There were so many times I kept telling myself....quit sloshing off and go write...and of course I didn't listen to myself and kept on reading a book, browsing on twitter, or watching TV (or doing all at the same time).  But this month will be different. It already is different.

• On June 1st, I turned off my cable. Gone. Bye-bye. No more TV, no more HBO. I think I may have some regrets when True Blood premieres, but for now, I haven't missed it one bit. 
• On June 1st, I made a concious effort to be on twitter no longer than 15 minutes at a time. I can easily get sucked into the constant updates and conversations that take place. I turn off the tab when I write now, and don't let myself get back on until I hit 500 more words. So far, so good.
• And on June 1st, I enacted my new writing goal. Before, my goal was 15K a month and as of this month, I have decided to shoot for 1,000 words a day or 30K for the month of June.  If it goes well, then I will shoot for the same in July.  End result...I may have my first finished novel to print out and edit before the end of summer!  

I also joined Kaz's Summer Camp where I am one of some hundred or so other writers with one goal for the summer: to WRITE! Here is where I professed my writing goal of 1K a day for June and July and to finish my WIP by end of the August.  Having someone and something to "check-in" with is a good thing - ask any weight watcher success story :)   If you want to join in, you have to do so by June 7th and then the fun can begin!  I'm looking forward to the community of it as much as anything; I don't have any local writers around here or heck, I could just use people to bounce ideas off of. My family and friends just look at me weird when I tell them that my story is about demons and death and love and strength at the same time...but that's for a whole other blog post, my friends!

May Stats:
Goal: 15,000 words
Actual: 19,014 words!

June Goal: 30,000 words (eek!)

Oh and a little something to spice up of the picture-less-ness of this post...want to know where the setting of my WIP is?  See below, take a guess and I'll let you know if you're right. Cheers!