Lost in the View

"Pins" of the week

2012-01-27T05:00:00.000-05:00

This week's apparent theme on my Pinterest boards was "all things kitchen".
How to paint kitchen cabinets....

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Heather on Pinterest

How to paint laminate counter tops to resemble granite...Click here to read more!

YA Reads Giveaway Hop - 5 winners!

2012-01-26T20:40:00.000-05:00

Young Adult Giveaway Hop
January 27th to 31st
Hosted by
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
and Down the Rabbit Hole

I'll never forget it. It was June of 2007: the first night of my master's elementary education class "Teaching Reading and Writing". The professor asked us to stand up and introduce ourselves one by one and while doing so, tell our favorite book or author. After half of the class had already had their turn, having mentioned books and authors I didn't recognize, I stood up, said my name, and then decided to be bluntly honest...I said that I didn't really like reading and just preferred to see the movie.
Click here to read more!

Squee/fangirling moment re: 2012 upcoming movies

2012-01-19T19:16:00.000-05:00

Okay guys...so I got this week's Entertainment Weekly in the mail and while at home on my lunch break, started flipping through it. First thing I come to? This...

UM...HELLO!! Channing and Alex shirtless in the same picture? Go ahead and call this my triple-stare-down-sigh.....aaaahhhhhh..... This picture (but not the article because who actually needs to read it after that nice surprise?) got me flipping through the rest of the magazine. That's when I realized that this EW was the 2012 movie preview issue and let me tell you...that's when I did some major fangirling. The last several years have been horrible movie years...but this year looks incredible! Here's a few of the films I'm anticipating the most:

Click here to read more!

YA Faeries & Fantasy Hop ~ Ends 1/12/12 midnight

2012-01-05T19:58:00.001-05:00

Young Adult Faeries & Fantasy
Giveaway Hop runs from
Friday, January 6th to Thursday, January 12th
Hosted by:
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & vvb32reads

Welcome and thanks for stopping by! My favorite genre to read and write is young adult fantasy...therefore, I just had to participate in this giveaway hop! Keeping with the faerie theme, one winner will win not just one, but two books! Here's what I'm giving away!

Click here to read more!

Hump Day Quote

2012-01-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

Resolute...shuns

2012-01-03T06:50:00.000-05:00

So, it's day three of 2012 and I haven't set my yearly resolutions yet. I'm not sure why I've been so reluctant/slow/lazy at setting them...all I know is that I'm okay so far that I haven't officially done it...yet. That's the key word...YET. Because I have to set them. I always have and I probably always will (well sort of...last year was a weird year). So, I guess there's no better time than the present, eh? Here's a few of my "goals" for the next year:

Read 30 books.
Finish MM and start querying it for agents.
Do not tell myself that I suck at writing. Just shut up the internal put-downs and get busy.
Get back to my crafty roots and complete 52 craft/decor projects during 2012 (average of one per week)
Get my dog under control/trained.

I think that'll keep me busy enough. What's your goals for this year?

Support Four Debut Authors and Snag $125!

2011-11-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

Four books. Two Days. Great Prizes. With this contest, there is something for everyone and it’s SO simple to be in on the winning! What do you have to do?

On November 28 and/or 29, purchase 1 or all 4 of the debut author’s books listed below.
Then forward proof of purchase (the receipt Amazon sends you will do just fine) to : motionsrider@yahoo.ca.
Each purchase earns you an entry. Examples: purchasing 2 of the books gets you 2 entries; all 4 book purchases, gets you 4 entries.
At the end, all of the entries will be put in a hat for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card!

It’s that easy, no reviews, no hoops to jump through. Just a great .99 book or two. Or three or four.

Click here to read more!

Why the Vampires are winning

2011-11-27T07:30:00.000-05:00

The winter mental funk is a ghastly thing to have during Nanowrimo month. Needless to say...this year will not be a win, just as my vampires predicted. I started out fairly strong, always a little behind in total word count, but nothing impossible to catch up to. And then day job work happened (a lot of it). And then kids' birthday party prepping and shopping came on the weekend. Then my dog got unexpectedly sick and had to have stomach and intestine surgery, not to mention constant watching/attention afterwards (which equals his pawing my keyboard every second if I'm not petting him). Then came the holidays and the Christmas shopping and the Christmas decorating and the cleaning out the old to make room for the new and etc, etc, etc.

It's always something.

And now, on top of all that, the dreaded winter funk is returning. The stuff that makes you tired, and listless, and utterly worthless. The stuff that makes you want to curl up in front of the TV, in your oversize pajama pants (and, *whispers*, a snuggie), with a bag of popcorn, and a really bad movie to fall asleep to.
Click here to read more!

Gratitude Giveaways Blog Hop

2011-11-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

In order to say thanks to all of the followers at my blog of randomness, I'm participating in the Gratitude Giveaways Blog Hop hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and All-Consuming Books.

To go back to my women's fiction roots, I'm giving away a gem of a story:
Click here to read more!

Behind the scenes of my NaNoWriMo

2011-11-13T10:03:00.000-05:00

Writing sessions this Nano-month appear most likely like this one, but the actual sit-down-and-hash-it-out writing isn't what drives me in November. It's the dedication to the project, the ability to focus solely on that one plot, the drive to delve in as far as I can.

So while I can't rely on a quiet house to help me get through November, here are three things that are helping me along the way:

Click here to read more!

My "Writing Morning": 11/8/11

2011-11-08T11:30:00.000-05:00

Today is a big election day for KY. As a result, I only work half a day and the kids are out of school all day. Thought it'd be a good morning to get some much needed (and really behind) Nano-writing completed. So here's how it went...

Write a sentence... Coop: "Mom! he hit me!" Me: *goes to break up fight*

Write a sentence.... Cal: "Mom, can I take a shower?" Me: *goes to start shower*
Click here to read more!

Eternal Starling by Angela Corbett - Blog Tour

2011-11-04T12:21:00.002-04:00

The Eternal Starling blog tour is here!!! I'm not a blog tour participator, but I couldn't wait to share the details of it with you. Yara, from OnceUponaTwilight.com is hosting the tour, and it runs from November 1st-18th, and includes 16 stops with reviews, interviews, excerpts, and more! Plus, each blogger will be holding a contest every day of the tour! Angela is even giving away a signed Eternal Starling ARC herself! All you have to do is link to this blog post on Twitter, Facebook, your blog, or anywhere else you can think of. In the comments section, leave the link to where you shared the post. The contest lasts until November 7th and is open internationally.

Here's the tour schedule. Stop by each day of the tour for a chance to win prizes and learn more about Eternal Starling! And don't forget to stop by the live chat hosted by Once Upon a Twilight December 6th, the Eternal Starling release date!

November:

1st: OUaT Kicks-Off tour - Review + giveaway
2nd: My Life with Books - Interview + giveaway
3rd: SupaGurl Books Review + giveaway
4th: Mundie Moms - First Chapter + giveaway
5th An Avid Reader's Musings - Review + giveaway
7th: Fire and Ice - Review + giveaway
8th: Books with Bite - Excerpt + giveaway
9th: Whats Your Story - Review + giveaway
10th: Book Portrait - Interview + giveaway
11th: Good Choice Reading - Guest post + giveaway
12th: Ivy Reads - Review + giveaway
14th: Author Lani Woodland - Review + giveaway
15th: Most Important Letter - Playlist + giveaway
16th: Late Bloomers Online - Review + giveaway
17th: Read My Mind - Cover Interview + giveaway
18th:Author Jamie from Writers write, right? - review + giveaway

YAY! Congrats Angela!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

2011-11-03T19:35:00.000-04:00

Wow! What a week! Between an all-day soccer tournament, two end-of-the-year soccer parties, a night of trick-or-treating, and having a tooth pulled, my family and I have been all over the place. And on top of all that, this blog had a great turnout for the SPOOKTACULAR Blog Hop Giveaway with a whopping 185 entries! Amazing!

And now...for the winner... First I counted up the multiple entries, assigned a random number to each person's entry and put the entries through Random.org for a winner. And the winner was....

#144 - Jennifer Lane!

Congrats Jennifer! I have sent you an email and you have 48 hours to respond. At that time, if I don't hear back from you, I'll have to choose another winner.

Thank you to everyone who entered this month's Giveaway and I hope you all have a great November!

Avoiding the Vampires who want you to fail - NaNoWriMo style

2011-10-29T15:01:00.002-04:00

It's almost upon us...the days when I crawl up in my hole of a room each and every night, ignore my friends and family, pretend the laundry isn't piling up, and stock up on enough pizza to feed an army. If you're a writer, you know what I'm talking about....the NaNoWriMo days!

Only two days from now, I'll be diving into a whole new story for one full month. It's full of darkness and grief and crazy escape situations (think Resident Evil meets I Am Legend). With those elements and the cold weather and early evenings approaching, I'm sure to get lost in the rewrite of my story that is code name: EOD.

To date, I have a full 4000 word outline ready to follow, half of a playlist compiled that will keep me the mindset of the story, and a poster size map of the city the story takes place in. And I'm trying my best to not listen to all those people out there who are asking me, "Are you sure you want to try it again?"...."Why? Didn't you quit last time?" ... "That's just insane. Why don't you take your time?", and my favorite... "It'll be crap if you write it that fast. I wouldn't bother."

Oh, vampires....just shut the hell up. Don't throw your unsuccessfulness with Nano in my face and tell me that I'll do the same thing. I'm different than you, and yes, I did fail last year, but this is a different year, and I have a different goal in mind. This year, I may fail again...or if I stay focused, maybe I can succeed for the first time....but I can't do a damn thing if I don't at least try to do something. I want to see EOD on paper. I want to give Skylar's story the completeness it should have had in the beginning. I don't care what you, vampires, think I can do...I only care what I think I can do.

So...if you have the same Can-Do attitude towards NaNoWriMo month that I do, please be my writing buddy! Hop on over to my NaNoWriMo page and add me to your buddy list! I'd love the positive company :)

Couponing adventure - Week #1

2011-10-26T02:23:00.000-04:00

I may have overworked my brain cells, but I saved some money! Best deals of the week:

Transformers toy for 1.99. Retail was 6.99 at Walmart less $5.00 coupon found on facebook. Christmas toy for my nephew...check!
Carmex jar for 29 cents. Retail at Kroger was 99 cents. Less 35 cent coupon from facebook, doubled.
Prevacid 24 ct for FREE. Retail was 18.99 less 4.00 online coupon less mail-in rebate up to 18.00 of the balance. Rebate takes 6-8 weeks, but so what. I have to buy that stuff anyway :)
Walgreens - buy one get one free Purex and 2 for $4 Clorox wipes less coupons - all for $8.00. I liked that trip.
Total actual savings from coupons, and savings cards this week: about $39.00
Total leftover from budget: $0

In addition to my new couponing tactics, I have reopened my eBay store. Actually not the store; I'm just listing items for sell again, but it's close enough, right? Let's hope all these items sell quick and for top price! :)

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop: Stop #345

2011-10-24T00:01:00.000-04:00

Welcome to stop number 345 of the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop!

There are over 400 stops in this week's hop and you can find the full list of blogs participating at: I'm a Reader, Not a Writer. Blog hop runs October 24-31st.

So what am I giving away?

Your choice of one of the following new and popular YA releases:

Crossed (Matched #2) by Ally Condie
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
The Death Cure (Maze Runner #3) by James Dashner
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Shiefvater
The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

This giveaway is open to blog followers only. Fill out the form below and leave a comment below of which of those new releases you can't wait to read. I also ask that you share this giveaway with others on twitter and/or facebook as well. Thanks and good luck!

This Giveaway has ended.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

Winner: Fat Vampire ARC Giveaway

2011-10-23T09:04:00.000-04:00

Only 8 more days until Halloween! Are you in the spirit yet?

There were 18 entries for the Fat Vampire: A Never Coming of Age Story ARC and if you didn't win this time, please stay tuned. I'll be participating in the SPOOKTACULAR Blog Hop Giveaway that's starting TOMORROW through Oct 31st.

And now...for the winner... First I counted up the multiple entries, assigned a random number to each person's entry and put the entries through Random.org for a winner. And the winner was....

#16 - Melissa P!

Congrats Melissa! I'll get your book to you in the mail in a few days.

Five Sentence Story Friday #2

2011-10-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

It's Five Sentence Story Friday! The task? Using a random-generated prompt, create a story with only 5 sentences. Not the most difficult task, but not the easiest either. It'll test your long winded-ness tendencies and thinking on the fly abilities. (Want to see some examples? See previous 5 sentence story posts)

Best part is that I love when people play along...so please participate! Use the prompt below. Then post your story below in the comments OR, if you want to be super snazzy, post the story to your own blog and grab the below button to put on your post. Later this afternoon, I'll come back and post my own 5 sentence story.
Click here to read more!

Couponing for Christmas

2011-10-19T05:00:00.000-04:00

Once again, Christmas is just around the corner and I'm facing the same issues I have every year: not enough $$ funds. As the kids get older (and their wish lists more extravagant), I find this holiday harder and harder to afford. Plus I love all the cute decorations and crafts and festivals and baking; it's my own favorite time of the year. So, the question I keep coming across isn't how do I reign it in, but I how do I make myself be able to afford to do what I want to do??

One, I can sell on eBay again....and two, I can try this whole couponing craze...

This past weekend, I spent an unusual amount of time researching on the internet on how this couponing thing works. I have to tell you...some of these people with their "stock piles" scare me a bit. Why on earth would you need 200 sticks of deodorant or 400 bottles of Suave shampoo stock-piled in your garage? That type of practice is a whole new type of hoarding sickness. That certainly won't be my goal; I just want to save up enough money to have a good holiday.

So, what do I have to do to become a "couponer"?

Step One: Admit that you have a problem. I've always been a savvy shopper - usually buying the grocery store brand versus the name brands or only buying an outfit when it's on sale, but I will confess that I do not clip grocery coupons on a regular basis, and when I do clip them, I usually forget to take them with me to the store. I also do not look at grocery store ads to find out where the best price is (I prefer the Macy's and Target ads more).

Step Two: Learn the Lingo. Doubling and Stacking. I've been doubling coupons for years at Kroger, but I had no idea you can stack them. Stacking basically means using two coupons on the same item - one manufacturer and one store coupon.

Step Three: Learn how to shop all over again: This is the part that will take some time. I'm not into the whole coupons-in-a-binder thing, but this will take some planning and organization. Learning to plan the weeks meals based on what we have in the fridge and what's on sale will be a huge challenge for my two picky-eating-kids. Good thing is that there are a ton of websites out there that do the deal research for you. So far, my favorite sites are: Krazy Coupon Lady and Couponing for Disney. That should make this process much easier.

Step Four: Sign up for the deals. There are a ton of websites out there and they all want you sign up before they'll give you anything. I created a new email address for couponing only. That way, it never gets mixed up with my other emails. Coupons and deals, as well as feed updates on those 2 blogs above, are sent to that email thus virtually taking away half of my the research work. I also finally registered my Kroger card online so I can add online coupons to it directly, and I'm also going to stop saying no to the "rewards" cards in the other stores. Over time, the points all add up and I have to look at it that way.

Step Five: Set a budget. This will be the difficult part for me. I don't budget my current expenses. If I have the money, I go to the grocery; if I don't have the money, I make what we have stretch until the next paycheck. We eat out WAY too often and I'm a frequent visitor to the coke fountain machine at my work. Those little purchases all add up and that's cutting in my Christmas fund. I'm not sure what my weekly budget for me and two kids should be, but I'm going to set it at $100 in the beginning and see how that goes.

Step Six: Make the budget SAVE YOU BIG! When the budgeted amount is gone, it's gone. If money is left over, it gets deposited into the Christmas savings account. If you pay with cash, never give exact change; put the coins directly in the saving jar to go to the savings account (coins are rarely missed anyhow). Before each pay-period, move the excess money left over in the checking account to the savings account. Don't touch it until it's time to Christmas shop.

Step Seven: Be consistent, despite outside pressures. This process is going to be the hardest on my kids. But I'm planning to get them involved. I hope to give them the job of organizing the coupons and helping me create shopping lists. Cooper is 5 and just learning to read and write; he'll be my list maker. Caleb is almost 10; he'll be my list keeper. Together, we'll gang up on that grocery bill and hopefully, save money like we've never saved before.

Step Eight: Use Couponing for Christmas gifts. And when I say "Couponing", I mean the process of research and watching for the best deals. Groupon, Living Social, Power Hours, Department Store coupons, entering giveaways for stuff my family might love...they all count. What's a three dollar savings if you go out at 5am instead of 9am? Well, if you're buying ten gifts and save $3 each, that's $30 bucks total and the equivalent of a DS game that my kids want. I have to stop being selfish on my sleep and get up early to get the deals.

I'm sure there are many more aspects of this, but this is my game plan for now. Christmas is only two months away and I'll start shopping one month from now. Between this and eBay sales, hopefully I can make some money save up soon!

Anyone else into the couponing craze and have a suggestion or comment?

The dreaded "E" word

2011-10-17T05:00:00.000-04:00

I'll just say it.... EDITING. I used to love it and now it's a thorn in my side. It whispers to me all hours of the day. *you need to edit MM, not watch TV, not read, not play games on your iPhone. Edit meeee* See how annoying that is?

I'm been working on 3rd draft edits of MM since the beginning of August. And when I say "working", I mean mostly just staring at the computer screen and/or thinking about them. I've actually got through half of them, but there's just no motivation to open the document. I want to see the story finished as much my writing partners, but I think I'm burned out a bit. When staring at the wall for 10 minutes seems like more fun, the project I'm trying to work on could be the problem...

Or...it could just be a case of the Nanos...
Click here to read more!

Five Sentence Story Friday #1

2011-10-14T10:55:00.002-04:00

Today marks the first official Five Sentence Story Friday. The task? Using a random-generated prompt, create a story with only 5 sentences. Not the most difficult task, but not the easiest either. It'll test your long winded-ness tendencies and thinking on the fly abilities. (Want to see some examples? See previous 5 sentence story posts)

Best part is that I love when people play along...so please participate! Use the prompt below. Then post your story below in the comments OR, if you want to be super snazzy, post the story to your own blog and grab the below button to put on your post. Later this afternoon, I'll come back and post my own 5 sentence story.

Today's prompt is: A pile of hay, the new guy, a bottle of wine, and stormy weather. Good luck!

6:30pm update - here's my story!

        Weddings in the country aren't so bad after all, thought Susan as she stumbled through the pitch dark of her estranged cousin's farm with a mostly empty bottle of wine in her left hand. Out here, she couldn't see the world spinning as violently as it did on the dance floor, but the shape of the groomsman she met earlier this evening, waiting for her beside the hay stack, was as clear as...well...he was clear enough to make out with, at least.
       "I thought you'd never make it," he slurred, pulling her towards him until she plopped down on his lap with great abandon.
        She lowered her head to give him what she hoped was her most sexy-eye-come-on-look and then started when a crack of thunder shot through the north sky.
   "No worries; with me, you'll never feel the rain," he said, before his lips crashed upon her neck.

Fat Vampire: Review and ARC Giveaway

2011-10-13T10:38:00.000-04:00

Fat Vampire: A Never Coming of Age Story
by Adam Rex

Doug Lee is undead quite by accident—attacked by a desperate vampire, he finds himself cursed with being fat and fifteen forever. When he has no luck finding some goth chick with a vampire fetish, he resorts to sucking the blood of cows under cover of the night. But it's just not the same.Then he meets the new Indian exchange student and falls for her—hard. Yeah, he wants to bite her, but he also wants to prove himself to her. But like the laws of life, love, and high school, the laws of vampire existence are complicated—it's not as easy as studying Dracula. Especially when the star of Vampire Hunters is hot on your trail in an attempt to boost ratings. . . .

I've been sitting on this ARC for a while and what better time to read it than near Halloween? Not that it's scary or anything...it's actually a corny kind of funny. I caught myself laughing out loud several times and other times completely immersed in a tense scene. It's also one of the most bizarre books I've ever read. Adam Rex has managed to create a story with so many different scene locations, that it keeps you hopping from one page to the next. I can't say that it flowed in the best manner, but it kept the story interesting. From the panda bear zoo scene to the Rocky Horror Picture Show chapter to the blood mobile bag nappery....this story takes you on a ride that lets you sit back, relax, and enjoy a little fat-boy-vampire fun...that is until you read the last chapter and get so confused you're not sure what to think anymore.

Just in time for Halloween, I'm giving away my ARC. Are you a blog follower (current or new) and want a chance to win and read it? Fill out the form below and good luck!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This giveaway has ended. Thanks to everyone who entered!

The Earth, My Butt and other BIG Round Things

2011-10-12T02:00:00.000-04:00

Seriously...that has to be the best title ever. EVER! At least to a big girl like me, it is.

This book by Carolyn Mackler released in 2005 and I've only recently had the pleasure of reading it. It was banned for sexual content and other stupid reasons and all I can say is that the reasoning is stupid. I WISH I had this book when I was a teenager. I read it while I was laying my big fat white butt on the beach (trying to tan it, of course), while my sister sat beside me (hidden under an umbrella), and I just kept saying to her, "Oh my gawd. This is so me. I feel like I'm reading about myself." Mackler hits the nail on the head. Here's what I mean.

Virginia Shreves is 15 years old and has about as much self-confidence as a rotten banana. She hates her body, her best friend moved a thousand miles away, her mother is obsessed with image, her dad just doesn't get it, her brother is an ass (but she still thinks the world of him), and her sister is completely absent. Oh, and she lets a guy feel her up once a week but believes in the "Fat Girl Code of Conduct" and insists that she must keep quiet about their affair to save his reputation. I mean...gosh! While she was trying to deal with all of that by first starving herself, then compulsive binging and constant emotional eating episodes, I swear I thought I was reading my own high school days. Not that I had the same issues, but I dealt with them in the same way. Binge, vomit, starve for 3 weeks, repeat. Anything to keep you from thinking about all those other things going on. And I love how Virginia comes to terms with it all, how she listens to others who deal with the same issues and figures out a solution to her insecurities. I never had that and I wish I had.

The Earth, my Butt and Other BIG Round Things is an absolute must for every mother of a teenage daughter. Even your baby girl is only a few years old, go ahead and put it on your shelf in preparation. You'll thank yourself in a few years.

Must-haves: October Edition

2011-10-11T02:00:00.000-04:00

October begins our "busy" season. Sports and family get-togethers and festivals and hikes through the multi-colored hills....it's my favorite time of year. It also happens to be the time of year when all these great books and movies release in preparation for the crazy-buying season.

Books on the top of my WANT-IT-NOW list..

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush Hush 3) - I'm not a fan of Patch and Nora's treacherous relationship, and yet, I can't stop reading these books with the gorgeous covers.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor - Somehow this book missed my radar and I just heard of it last week. The premise is intriguing.
Beautiful Chaos by Garcia & Stohl (Beautiful Creatures 3) - I still haven't read book 2 of this trilogy, but that's only because I hated the wait after I finished the first book. Once i get my hands on this one, I can finally read book 2 :)
Crossed by Ally Condie (Matched 2) - I didn't love the ending of the first book, but I can't wait to see what's on the outside of the society.
The Death Cure by James Dashner (Maze Runner 3) - I'm foaming at the mouth for the ending of this trilogy. What does the Wicked have up their sleeve next?

Movies that I never got the see in the theaters and so wish I had...

Horrible Bosses - releases today! (wonder if I can be the first in line at the Red Box?)
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - What can I say? It's Johnny Depp :)
Bad Teacher - The teacher in me is curious...was I that bad?

Also...please check out my twitter friends' self-published releases, already out now!

PEOPLE LIKE ME and other short stories by Danielle Tauscher - perfect for the scary season!
The Light of Asteria by Elisabeth Issacs
The Willows: Haven by Hope Collier

I got your crazy~

2011-10-10T20:13:00.002-04:00

In the last week, I've started five blog posts and have yet to post any of them to the active feed. That's the kind of week I've had. To give you a better idea, I haven't opened my WIP in 8 days (not due to choice), I haven't cooked on the actual stove since two Saturday's ago, and I've only kept up with laundry enough so that my kids have clean underwear and socks. ~awesome mothering, huh?~~ So what have I accomplished in the last week? Well...

Day job work and lots of it
Gave my blog a new font
Both of my children have officially learned to tie their shoes! (Finally!!)
I fixed my printer, after it being broken for over 2 years (although I can't remember how I did it)
Spent approximately 7 hours on the soccer field, and watched my youngest score his first goal of the season :)
Picked up about a thousand feathers, not only once, but twice! The 50 pound puppy likes my couch pillows a little too much.
Hosted a boys sleepover night
Gave away two banned books that I absolutely love (seriously - go read them if you haven't already )
Realized that I'm officially hooked into six fall TV series shows (so inconvenient since I don't have DVR and therefore am chained to the TV when it comes on)
Daydreamed about living near the beach again
and learned every word to the song, Crazy Possessive. I love this chick's attitude - she will be awesome inspiration for MM's sequel...that is when I finally finish MM :)

Blog plans for the rest of this week?

Tuesday: Must-haves, October edition
Wednesday: Book review(s)
Thursday: ARC giveaway announcement
Friday: 5 sentence story day - that's right...I'm bringing it back as a weekly Friday wrap-up! Be ready to play along - the more the merrier!

STAY TUNED!

Winners of the Banned Books Giveaway Week

2011-10-02T14:25:00.001-04:00

Yay! It's time to give stuff away. Thank you to everyone who entered my blog stop for Banned Books Week and welcome to all the new followers. I'm super excited to have you here and while I'm not an everyday blogger, I try not to blog about boring things at least.

There were over a hundred entries this week and if you didn't win this time, please stay tuned. I'll be participating in the SPOOKTACULAR Blog Hop Giveaway Oct 24-31 and possibly be giving away a few ARC's this month.

If you like arts and crafts, check out my sister's blog. She's having a 31 days of Halloween month with 5 different giveaways. FIVE! The first one is already up today.

And now...for the winners... First I counted up the multiple entries, assigned a random number to each person's entry and put the entries through Random.org for a winner.

There were 83 total entries for
The Earth, My Butt and Other BIG Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
and the winner is....

#54 -Lisa Jochelson!

~~~~~~~~

There were 24 total entries for
The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman
and the winner is....

#21 - Alison Tolar!

Congrats to both of you. I'll get your books in the mail in the next few days.

Happy October everyone!

PEOPLE LIKE ME - released!

2011-09-30T21:14:00.000-04:00

I think I've mentioned this on the blog once or twenty times, but just in case you forgot...I have a super-duper-awesome-fantabulous critique author. And she's published a short story collection just in time for Halloween!

PEOPLE LIKE ME & Other Stories by DT is a collection of eight supernatural and paranormal short stories featuring zombies, reapers, ghosts and vampires. I've read them all. I've critiqued them all. I heart them all. And I'm telling you now...not only is Danielle a master of the shin-kick, she also knows how to chill you to the bone with her writing.

Be completely and totally awesome and check out her work. The e-book is only 99 cents and she even has paperbacks on sale for less than ten bucks. It's a bargain, people! And then, because you loved it so much, tell your friends to read it too. :)

The e-book is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
The paperback is available on Amazon.

And the waves crashed upon the shore...

2011-09-28T21:05:00.002-04:00

This past weekend, I got this nifty, original thing called a vacation WITHOUT kids! I've had a week without them before, but this was the first week when I wasn't at home while they were gone and let me tell you moms/dads...I missed those boys, but it was so worth it! Pure and utter relaxation for the first time in forever. I knew my boys were in good hands and all I had to do was relax, sunbathe, and drink cocktails. Completely Fabulous.

Course, the drive in to Myrtle Beach was a bit wet.

But the moment we got within 15 miles of the shore, things started to clear up...

Then, once we got on the main strip, I pointed out the hotel to my sister. "There, that's it....Crown Reef". She parks, we go inside, I try to check in, and the lady can't find my reservation. I give her my name, my reservation number, and nothing comes up. I look back down at my confirmation...and it turns out I'm at the wrong freakin' hotel! Typical me. So we get back in the car, drive 4 blocks to the right hotel and finally get up to our room. I loved our view...

First thing we had to visit...Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville for what else?? MARGARITAS!!

We also visited a few other (drinking) establishments, including our hotel lobby bar, where my brave sister sang karaoke twice and even pulled me up with her (after many many drinks) to sing for a third time. She's a singing machine, folks.

One major reason we took the trip was to see my best friend from college get married. It was a beautiful ceremony...and the cupcakes were divine :)

And while we didn't get to lay out and tan too much, I reveled in the beauty of the waves as they crashed up on the shore, took comfort in their gentle nudges of calmness, and delved into their healing powers of non-kid sanity. I came away with one conclusion: the beach is my prozac. Now I only need a doctor to prescribe a permanent move.

And on a side note...writing in the dark, with nothing but the light of your laptop screen and the sand between your toes, to the sound of waves crashing is the most WONDERFUL way to write. If you ever get a chance to do that...DO IT!

Banned Books Week Giveaway & Blog Hop

2011-09-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

It's Banned Books Week!

September 24 through October 1

It's the week when we formally recognize and speak out against banned and challenged books. Why do I think we shouldn't ban books? Because it's hard enough to get kids to read at all...why would we start taking their choice of what to read away? There are TV shows, movies, video games that I would never let my children watch/play, but I would never try to start a movement to ban them from other kids. The authorities simply put a rating on them and let the parents have the final choice. Books should be no different. When I was teaching, I had a difficult student. He had a hard life at home and always seemed to have a chip on his shoulder. Books about chocolate fever and bubblegum capers weren't going to draw his attention. He needed a book that applied to him, showed him that his life wasn't that unimaginable, and even more important, showed him that even what he was going through was something he could overcome. Books like the Hunger Games can show kids that even though they are young, they do have a voice and they can be strong and stand up for what they believe in. How dare our "authorities" tell our children they can't read a book about tough times and drugs and real life, but then support their very near and possible future involvement, at the tender age of 18, in a deadly and violent war fighting overseas. If we can send kids to war, and let them play video games that are far more graphic than any thing I ever played as a kid, then by goodness, let them choose what they want to read. It's words, not the end of the world.

In order to show my support of Banned Books Week, I'm having not just 1, but 2 giveaways! And I'm not the only one having a giveaway this week...there is a whole slew of bloggers supporting Banned Books Week. Go to I'm a Reader, Not a Writer for quick, easy links to all of the other 200+ bloggers participating.

This week I'm giving away two paperbacks that are often challenged in the schools:

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler- WINNER OF A MICHAEL L. PRINTZ HONOR! Fifteen-year-old Virginia Shreves has a larger-than-average body and a plus-size inferiority complex. She lives on the Web, snarfs junk food, and follows the "Fat Girl Code of Conduct." Her stuttering best friend has just moved to Walla Walla (of all places). Her new companion, Froggy Welsh the Fourth (real name), has just succeeded in getting his hand up her shirt, and she lives in fear that he’ll look underneath. Then there are the other Shreves: Mom, the successful psychologist and exercise fiend; Dad, a top executive who ogles thin women on TV; and older siblings Anaïs and rugby god Byron, both of them slim and brilliant. Delete Virginia, and the Shreves would be a picture-perfect family. Or so she’s convinced. And then a shocking phone call changes everything. With irreverent humor, insight, and surprising gravity, Carolyn Mackler creates an endearingly blunt heroine whose story will speak to every teen who struggles with family expectations - and serve as a welcome reminder that the most impressive achievement is to be true to yourself.

and...

The first book in one of my favorite series reads of all time....The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman-In a landmark epic of fantasy and storytelling, Philip Pullman invites readers into a world as convincing and thoroughly realized as Narnia, Earthsea, or Redwall. Here lives an orphaned ward named Lyra Belacqua, whose carefree life among the scholars at Oxford's Jordan College is shattered by the arrival of two powerful visitors. First, her fearsome uncle, Lord Asriel, appears with evidence of mystery and danger in the far North, including photographs of a mysterious celestial phenomenon called Dust and the dim outline of a city suspended in the Aurora Borealis that he suspects is part of an alternate universe. He leaves Lyra in the care of Mrs. Coulter, an enigmatic scholar and explorer who offers to give Lyra the attention her uncle has long refused her. In this multi-layered narrative, however, nothing is as it seems. Lyra sets out for the top of the world in search of her kidnapped playmate, Roger, bearing a rare truth-telling instrument, the golden compass. All around her, children are disappearing as victims of the so-called "Gobblers" and being used as subjects in terrible experiments that separate humans from their daemons, creatures that reflect each person's inner being. And somehow, both Lord Asriel and Mrs. Coulter are involved.

To enter this giveaway, fill out the form below and leave a comment below of your opinion of banned books. I also ask that you share this giveaway with others on twitter and/or facebook as well. Thanks and good luck!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This giveaway has ended. Thanks to everyone who entered! I'll announce the winner soon.

Scientific Adventures

2011-09-22T05:55:00.000-04:00

Science was never my forte. I liked Biology (actually I just liked animals), but chemistry, anatomy and physics were a huge challenge for my simple brain. I should have liked Science because the questions had definite answers; there was a right and there was a wrong. My brain just couldn't process the reasoning. And it still can't.

Hence my current problem. In Kentucky, fourth graders are tested in Science. Because of the low reading and writing statistics for Kentucky students, kids get basically no science background before their fourth grade year. It's at that time that teachers proceed to cram 23 units of science studies into the kids' brains in a matter of 8 months. In 5 weeks (1 hour a day), they have already covered scientific theories, fossils and earth formations, and weather. What I've realized is that my fourth grader has about as much scientific processing ability as I have. Poor kid. Each night we have to spend 45 minutes to an hour revisiting all of his science lesson for the day and yet, he's still failing his tests. So, when he came home with a science project assignment, I was bound and determined he was going to do well.

The assignment? Build a weather measuring device and write a one page paper describing what it is and how it measures weather. A creative project and a writing assignment?? SCORE!

First thing we did was decide a project. Caleb went with a Barometer ( like above). We obviously can't make it that way, so I did the next best thing... googled it! Turns out that all we needed was a jar, a balloon, rubber bands, straw, tape, cardboard, and a marker or pen. Easy enough. Now, I could go into detail and tell you how to make one (which I strongly recommend you do because it was easy and fun and really educational), but I think I'll just let this video do it. It was super easy to follow...

Another great resource (which is how I found the video) is at Wikihow.

And when all was said and done...here is what we came up with.

Now we can track where the straw points each day, keep it on a chart and then use the data to start making predictions. And it actually works! Genius!

Now, go make your own Barometer and learn about air pressure with your kiddo.

A toast to social media reality

2011-09-06T19:23:00.000-04:00

(all in good humor)

Substitute "Facebook" with "Twitter", "Tumblr", "Link-in", "Google+", "Blog", etc and so on....and you have just about everyone on your social media network covered. Cheers!

Aliens and Editing

2011-09-02T22:42:00.000-04:00

Netflix is evil.

It's the one place you can watch an entire series start to finish via instant streaming through your Wii and it be non-commercial, non-sticking, and constantly queued-up. Current TV series obsession of choice? Roswell circa 1999-2002

It's like an overemotional "Party of Five" TV show, but with supernatural aliens and such. Makes for excellent writing/editing inspiration. At least that's what I tell myself. Mainly because I'm supposed to actually be editing right now.

I'm on draft 3 of project code name MM with an current-draft-editing-goal-date of September 20th. I'm trying some different stuff with this draft, adding more dialogue exchanges and even playing with major plot points, including a major antagonist change. It's almost like a rewrite, and that's scary, but I want the strongest story I can make and sometimes that takes time (and tons of patience and guts and insanity).

So with that, I'm setting a huge goal for this three-day weekend. I'm currently 50 pages in, editing-wise, and my goal is to edit an additional 100 pages before the end of Labor Day. That'll put me halfway through my editing goal and give me a huge jump start on my deadline. It'll be a twitter #amediting weekend for sure! Well, in between my Roswell breaks, that is...

Do you plan to make this a working weekend too?

The 5 sentence story - Prompt #5

2011-08-19T08:50:00.001-04:00

8:50am: It's day five (and the last day) of my 5 sentence story week! Got 15 spare minutes? Please participate with me! It's a great exercise for your brain, even if you aren't a writer.

Today's random prompt is below. Feel free to post your story in the comments or on your blog (just be sure to post the link) because I'd love to read it.

Later this afternoon, I'll update my post with my own 5 sentence story. Be sure to come back and check it out...

Task--
Write a 5 sentence story with the following:

Place: a sidewalk
Character: a bank robber
Object: three rubber bands
Weather: hot and muggy

Good luck!

7:00 update! I'm super late on adding my story today! and it's not my best, but it's better to write bad than to never write. Right?

Silver looks over her shoulder for the tenth time, checking to make sure the security guards aren't following her. Sweat drips down her back and covers her face and neck, but that doesn't stop her from clutching the purse tighter to her chest. It had been a risk taking the three wrapped piles of hundred dollar bills from the vault table with her boss just on the other side of door. But she hadn't had a choice - there never is one when a child's life is on the line. And now, reaching the end of the block and knowing she's almost in the clear, she can almost smell his freedom.

The 5 sentence story - Prompt #4

2011-08-18T08:51:00.001-04:00

9:00am: It's day four of my 5 sentence story week! Got 15 spare minutes? Please participate with me! It's a great exercise for your brain, even if you aren't a writer.

Today's random prompt is below. Feel free to post your story in the comments or on your blog (just be sure to post the link) because I'd love to read it.

Later this afternoon, I'll update my post with my own 5 sentence story. Be sure to come back and check it out...

Task-- (today's is futuristic!)
Write a 5 sentence story with the following:

Place: in a motel room
Character: a hospital nurse
Object: two wedding rings
Time: spring, year 2025

Good luck!

UPDATE 4:30 - I went with a dystopian feel! (imagine that) And this time I followed the character name rules :)

“It’s highly unlikely anyone’s discovered this yet,” the balding archeologist, Zia, said, kicking up sheets of dust while stepping over the recently demolished wooden planks on the old motel room floor.

“Well, we’ve never come across a room so barred,” Xandria replied, poking her head around the door and watching Zia as he approached the two figures on the bed, both reduced to bones except for a few scraps of dingy white fabric. In her best medic voice yet, she added, “It’s as if they knew the destruction was coming and planned the best way they knew how."

Zia allowed his fingertips to graze over the two wedding rings on the deceaseds’ still-enjoined hands. “Or it’s as if they knew it was the only way they could live together forever.”

The 5 sentence story - Prompt #3

2011-08-17T10:14:00.001-04:00

10:15am: It's day three of my 5 sentence story week! Want to participate? I've put the prompt below and I'll come back and add my story later this afternoon. If you write one too, leave me a comment to link to your blog post...I'd love to read it!

Task--
Write a 5 sentence story with the following:

Place: a hockey game
Character: a baker
Object: a yellow raincoat
Time: autumn

Good luck!

4:30 update - I got to admit...this one was tough! And I admit I had to take some liberty (and creativeness) to remain at only 5 sentences but here's what I ended up with...

A glimpse of bright yellow darting through the cloudy autumn mist – that’s all she was. She could have been anyone leaving the Anaheim Ducks game; luckily it rained just before the faceoff otherwise Daniel may have never seen her. His friend, Chip, won’t stop yammering about the last minutes of Ducks’ miraculous win over the Sharks, and frankly he’d agree it was amazing, but Chip’s words are nothing compared to the eyes that belong to the girl in the yellow jacket.

“I’ll be right back,” Daniel says, cutting Chip off mid-sentence before pushing through the throng of fans. Weaving in and out, almost stepping on the foot of a little old lady, he finally reaches her, can see alarm set in her brow as she searches through the window of a local bakery, until the moment she sees him – not Daniel, but the brawny man with the flour-covered apron – and her smile powers through the mist and crushes Daniel’s heart.

Need Writing Advice?

2011-08-16T12:26:00.001-04:00

...Well then, I am NOT the one to give it. But here are a few funny posts you might enjoy by the lovely Kiersten White, author of the Paranormalcy series, on the Rules of Genre and the Basic Plots of YA stories.

By these rules, I tend to stick with either:

Horrific/Urban Fantasy Road Trips where the end is near and we will probably die, but first we must make out! ... OR
the Best Friend Romance where the person isn't actually a best friend but they have to go to the Big Dance anyway and of course there is kissing and stuff! ... OR
I delve into Dystopian weirdness, completely foregoing all set rules of character names and kissing and family plays a big role, not a boy. (Wait...does that mean I'm not writing YA?)

Check out her post - it'll make you giggle.

The 5 Sentence Story prompt #2

2011-08-16T08:53:00.002-04:00

8:30am: It's day two of my 5 sentence story week! Want to participate? I've put the prompt below and I'll come back and add my story later this afternoon. If you write one too, leave me a comment to link to your blog post...I'd love to read it!

Task--
Write a 5 sentence story with the following:

Place: a beach in Mexico
Character: a calico cat
Object: a wool blanket
Smell: Peppermint

Good luck!

2:00pm Here's my story! A little boring, but it'll have to do for today! Come back tomorrow for Prompt #3.

Did my owner seriously just drop me off in this feline-forsaken sandy wasteland? After I took such care to fertilize her potted plants and de-fluff her overstuffed couch cushions, she just up and deserted me. What a desagradecido *****! And why the hell did she give me a bath first? Now I smell like a furry peppermint, have nothing to eat, no where to sleep except maybe on that blanket over there…oh wait, is that a human I see?

The 5 sentence story - #1

2011-08-15T21:07:00.001-04:00

FACT: I am a single, full-time working, mom of 2 rambunctious boys.

FACT: I'll be living at the soccer fields 4 nights a week for the next 3 months. (!!)

FACT: I have about 1 hour a day to myself during the work week, that only comes after I've cooked, done the dishes, cleaned up the junk, and put the kids to bed.

FACT: One hour a day is not enough to de-stress, watch TV, talk on the phone, keep up a blog, read a book, get immersed in my writing, or you know, in general...relax.

FACT: Despite these things, I have to get back in the groove. The writing groove that is. A few weeks ago, I got the BEST PACKAGE EVER! My first critique notes on Project MM from the super duper fantabulous DT! And she was so flippin helpful (and I might add, quite nice to me considering the bi-polar-ness of my characters).

FACT: I've been sitting on those notes since then, having read through them twice, but unsure of how to start editing. The problem is called..."I'm out of practice." I've been lazy, folks. I'm not doing what a good writer should do...and that is WRITE!

So with all that in mind, considering my time crunch issues and need to move forward instead of staying stagnant, I will attempt to write a 5 sentence story every day for the rest of this week. The prompt comes from an App on my iPhone that I adore, called (amazingly) "Writing Prompts". And if it goes well, I may just make it a weekly thing. Let me know what you think!

FIVE SENTENCE STORY #1

Prompt: a rickety old shed, a news reporter, and a manilla envelope.

RJ Corman jumped into his beat up car with the envelope in hand. He tried to ignore the pounding rain on the front windshield; it only reminded him of how the old shed fell just as he passed through its doorway. After taking three deep breaths, he lifted the closed flap and peeked inside. His shivering ceased at what he saw. Reliable lead, my ass.

50 Books to Read before Kindergarten

2011-08-03T19:41:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe but my baby starts Kindergarten

in only five days!

I've been trying to prep him as best I can and the first place I started was reading. I picked up the below list from my local library's children services. We haven't read them all yet, but we made a good dent and added many of our own favorites. What additional books do you think should be added? I personally love The Ravenous Beast by Niamh Sharkey!

Anno's Counting Book by Mitsumasa Anno
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
The Mitten by Jan Brett
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow
Freight Train by Donald Crews
Llama, Llama, Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
Bark, George by Jules Feiffer
In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming
Corduroy by Don Freeman
Is Your Mamma a Llama? by Deborah Guarino
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins
Peter's Chair by Ezra Jack Keats
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Swimmy by Leo Lionni
The Arnold Lobel Book of Mother Goose by Arnold Lobel
Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See? by Bill Martin, Jr.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr and John Archambault
Anansi the Spider by Gerald McDermott
Goin' Someplace Special by Patricia mcKissack
I Stink! by Kate and Jim McMullan
Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
Uncle Nacho's hat by Harriett Rohmer
The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Suess
A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon
It Look like Split Milk by Charles Shaw
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
Too many Tamales by Gary Soto
Joseph had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback
Whose Chick Are You? by Nancy Tafuri
Alexander and the Terrible, horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Vlorst
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
Mouse Paint by Ellen Stohl Walsh
Noisy Nora by Rosemary Wells
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
Knuffle Bunny by Mo Wilson
Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood
A Chair for my Mother by Vera Williams
Bear Snores On by Audrey Wood
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don & Audrey Wood
A Number of Animals by Christopher Wormell
How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? by Jane Yolen

What books do you think should be on the list?

Don't get your knickers in a pinch

2011-07-18T19:57:00.002-04:00

I've discovered a couple of TV series (both cancelled after 2 seasons) on Netflix recently - Survivors and Hex. Both were (I believe) productions of BBC. I've always loved the British accent (I think it's all referred to as a British accent?) and ever since watching those two shows, have caught myself saying things like "bloody", "barking", "knickers", and "mental". But I decided that isn't enough...and now I'm dedicating the rest of this week to using British slang (well except when I'm working in the big boss's office). (have you noticed I have a lot of parentheses in his post?)

I found a few fun websites to help me:

60 British sayings - I've seen some of these, and I question the validity of the others.
Best of British - this site has all kinds of fun stuff!
Quiz - here's a place to test your "Brit" slang knowledge. (by the way, I'll only got 5/10 and I guessed on every one).

Now, I post these so that my more cultured friends will give me some input. Melissa @ Just One Opinion is a native, and Danielle is practically an expert due to her love all things not American :) So do you girls agree with these? Do you have any suggestions? Or does anyone else have a fun one to add?

Oh...and what post of mine is complete without a handsome Brit to go with it? Yes, your welcome.

Christian Bale

June Reads

2011-07-10T10:36:00.000-04:00

June was an awesome reading month! It's amazing what you have time for when you get through edits and stop watching netflix compulsively! :)

PARANORMALCY - So glad I finally got to read this one! Just like the other reviewers have said, it was a funny, delightful read. I didn't love the ending (thought it was a little rushed), but Evie is a great character. I'm actually kind of glad I waited to read it since SUPERNATURALLY comes out in a few weeks. Now I won't have to wait as long :)

DIVERGENT - OMG. If you haven't picked this book up...GO. GET. IT. NOW. Absolutely fantastic. It hit everything I was looking for in a story. Great characters, mystery, heart break, action, suspense, love, devotion, supportive parents, and nail-biting instances. And what's so great is that it makes you think about yourself and your own motivations in life. I might actually have a fit waiting for the sequel. That, or read it over and over again.

DELIRIUM - Beautiful cover, not so beautiful story. This one was slow to me. Nothing stuck out. I didn't love the main character, Lena, nor her crush interest, Alex. And something about the plot wasn't believable to me. Guess I don't believe in the amor deliria nervosa disease :) I think if it had moved a little faster I probably would have liked it more.

MATCHED - This one started out fantastic. Immediately drawn into the plot, immediately in love with Cassia and Xander. Even the match banquet seemed perfect to me. Then she gets home and it all slows down. Boom. My interest starts to flail. I guess I just don't understand how you have this other guy, Ky, around half of your life, but only start taking an interest in them after the banquet. The story was filled with cliched thoughts and jumped from place to place. I didn't love Cassia's choices based on her options and felt they were not played right based on circumstances. But then again, given all that, the ending was interesting and enough to make me want to read the sequel.

CRYER'S CROSS - It always takes me a while to get into Lisa McMann's writing style. But then once I do, I love it. Once again, this story started out slow, but picked up nicely. It was spooky in a middle grade sense and the ending about killed me. I'd be a terrible person if I revealed the secret, but let me just say (type) that it gave me goosebumps and my stomach twist in disgust and anger. Good job, McMann.

Letter to my blog

2011-07-09T11:13:00.000-04:00

Hi Blog,

Yes, it's me. Your horrible maker who ignores you for weeks on end. Yes, I did finish my first edits (and 4 days before my self-imposed deadline), but no, I didn't come back to you. Why? Well...I don't have a good excuse. I read some books, watched some TV and discovered the joy of that stupid Sims game...but I haven't written a thing. NOT a thing.

But I'll give you a little something, blog. It's a fun lil something to look at. Enjoy :) (and sorry I can't remember where I found him at)

Cleaning House

2011-06-25T08:42:00.000-04:00

I have this bad habit of taking on too many projects at one time. It's like, I know I have nothing planned for the next week, so I automatically start filling it up with plans. Then those plans somehow develop plans of their own and in the end, I'm left scrambling trying to find my brain. This month has been one of those.

So, I resort to the best therapy I know: cleaning. Seriously, folks. Cleaning is my version of spiritual cleansing. Something weighing heavy on your mind? Go scrub a toilet. By the time the toilet is clean, the problem doesn't seem so big anymore (especially if you clean a toilet used exclusively by two boys). When I have moments with my kids that make me want to scream, I weed. And I hate weeding. There's something about pulling out the junk from my flower beds that makes my frustrations with my kids more manageable.

This morning, I cleaned out my blog. I follow a lot of blogs. I don't necessarily read them all and I comment on even less (due to all the plans I unnecessarily make). I checked my status and as of this morning, I was following over eighty. Eighty! That number just smells stressful. So, it's been cut. In half. And I can't tell you how much better it feels. Seriously. It even gave me inspiration to write a blog post for the first time in 2+ weeks (one I'm sure has been crazy boring. I mean, who wants to read about cleaning? we get enough of that already).

And by cleaning out my blog subscriptions, I have a prepared my brain for more "cleaning" on my first draft. These last several weeks that I've been quiet on the blog or twitter or facebook, I've been working diligently (sometimes) on project code name "MM" edits. To my dismay, I've cut just as many words as I've added. This round has been a content-focused round. It's long winded and full of passive writing, and I'm dying to get to that part. It's not time though. I have to fix obvious plot holes and confusions first. I'm halfway through the edits and have only six more days to complete them for my self-imposed deadline. What does that mean for you? It means, Heather is disappearing again. But I promise, I'll come back soon. :)

The joy of first drafts

2011-06-09T21:55:00.000-04:00

Oh editing. How I love (and hate) thee.

I love the moments when I tell myself, " That was brilliant!" only to be followed a few minutes later by, "Now what the hell does that mean?" And it's safe to say that my characters are straight up bi-polar - a side effect of writing a first draft over a 6 month period. So much editing to do. I'm also cutting one minor character and one major character out and I have already marked 2 chapters that have be rewritten entirely because of those cuts. Several other scenes will have to be written as well. But its for the good of the story, right? I'll let you you know at the end of the month....

This post brought to you by a five minute editing break, courtesy of the "Underdog Radio" Pandora station.

Recent Reads for 2011

2011-06-03T02:08:00.000-04:00

Want to know a secret? *whispers* Formal book reviews are not my favorite thing to blog about. Yes, I love to talk about my favorite books, but writing up a review for every single one, whether I liked it or not, seems a like a time waster and that goes against my "new blogging attitude" :)

But at the same time, if I've read a GREAT book, I will definitely share it with its own post. All others will get a short combined update...like this one....

Candor by Pam Banchorz - If you like Dystopian, pick this one up. It's a quick read, one in which you won't want to put down. I read this one, start to finish, on one Sunday afternoon. I think I even recall telling my kids they couldn't have dinner until I finished it, so this one is a definite read.

Witch and Wizard by James Patterson - I was really disappointed by WW. The main characters are 15 and 17 but talk and act like 12-year-olds. The plot was okay, and had the characters been aged appropriately, it would have worked. As is, it seemed like Patterson was trying to plug into the YA market and missed the mark completely.

The Scorch Trials (Maze Runner #2) - Wasn't as good as the first book, The Maze Runner, but I still enjoyed it. I can't wait for book three to release in October.

The Immortals Series - books 4 and 5 titled Dark Flame; and Night Star. - I have issues with this series. I did a review of book three, Shadowland a year and half ago. I put off reading the next two in the series because I was disappointed by book three, but I have to say that by the end of Night Star, I'm finally starting to like Ever again. I think there is one more left in the series and it comes out in June.

"It Girl" series - books 8 through 10 titled: Adored; Devious; and Classic - Oh how I love my trashy YA. It Girl is a spin-off series from Gossip Girl. I read books 1 through 7 a few years ago and found 8-10 at Half Priced books not too long ago. All 10 books take place over September through March at a boarding school and it's nothing but girl and relationship drama. So great when you need a mindless or mean girl read.

The Cinderella Society - I'm not into girl power, but this was a different kind of book. I can see why it got the hype it did and can't wait to give this one to my niece in a few years.

Abandon by Meg Cabot - I didn't love the method in which this story was told, but it is typical for Meg Cabot. I love the tale of Persephone and Hades and thought this was a decent read in relation to it. Ending was abrupt and I really didn't think it would get left off where it did (another Cabot trick).

Well....that'll do for now. Next up on my TBR shelf:

City of Fallen Angels
The Dark and Hollow Places
Paranormalcy
Divergent
Delirium
Matched
.......and so so many more! Why can't I get paid to read all day???

The good part of NOT blogging

2011-06-01T00:05:00.002-04:00

Blogs are fun. They're like an open ended email, full of the knowledge, opinions, pictures, jokes, and just plain utter nonsense that go through one's head. Blogging on a regular schedule teaches discipline and provides a forum for your daily writing, no matter the form. I've never been a wonderful blogger - I go in spurts depending on what's going on in my life - and as of recent, life didn't quite cooperate with my blogging long-term plans.

But a great thing happened when I stopped worrying about my blog...I was able to focus on my craft instead. I used to spend an hour a night reading and/or writing blogs. When you're a full-time-working-single-mom, never mind the other stuff going on in life, that hour a day is precious. For the last two months, I've used that hour to read more, to write more, to research more. I changed my priority for a short time period and I have to say that I'm really pleased with that decision. The first draft of my WIP, code name "MM", is finally complete! (Insert happy dance!) and I've had the pleasure of catching up on some of my TBR pile. In addition, I've discovered VERONICA MARS, GLEE, my favorite 90's drama, SLIDERS, and seen some other great old movies on Netflix streaming - all of which have been excellent for dialogue, setting and pacing research.

I also went to an art museum, where I came upon this 1860 impressionist beauty by Narcisse Virgile Diaz de la Pena, titled A Wood Clearing. I have a scene in "MM" that occurs in a place just like it. I saw this oil painting on the wall and felt immediately transported into my story, but at the same time, I realize now that I didn't catch every detail as I should have. As a result, I know what additional description it needs to truly shine.

It's amazing how relaxing on one thing can help you focus on another.

So, with all that extra work and inspiration, I can now use June to begin the first round of self-editing on "MM". Then it's off to my super-duper-fabulous critique partner, so she can tear it apart.Will I go back to trying to blog everyday? Probably not. I love my blog, but I love expanding my horizons elsewhere more. Here's to a new start and a new focus!

Dog Days are Over

2011-05-29T11:01:00.000-04:00

A fun song for a writing kind of morning.

TAPTAPTAP Is this thing on?

2011-05-25T09:46:00.000-04:00

Please bear with me as I recover from an unexpected blog break. Life's been a little crazy since my birthday. Between the car wreck, 14 physical therapy appointments, day job, kids' swimming lessons, my grandmothers funeral, and the new puppies, any free time I've been gracious enough to have was used on writing my WIP, code name "MM" and reading a few books.

More blog posts to come. Here's to hoping June is a little less stressful!

Want some tears from laughter?

2011-05-14T08:52:00.001-04:00

I received this email on Thursday and I literally convulsed from laughter in my chair at work. If you haven't seen these already (and/or have an iPhone and suffer from autocorrect), enjoy!

Mommies, Mommies everywhere

2011-05-08T15:34:00.000-04:00

A sweet poem for all the mothers, both alive and passed, the women who want to be mothers, and those who were lucky enough to not only be mothers, but grandmothers too. Enjoy your day, ladies.

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.

Sex in YA

2011-04-02T08:27:00.023-04:00

I've been mulling over whether to post this or not. I know it's probably going to ruffle a few feathers, but as a responsible reader/writer/mom, I feel obligated to put my thoughts out there.

I love young adult novels. I love the teenage angst and turmoil, the first loves and fights, the wild ways in which authors twist the simplest of ideas into something bigger and brighter in a young person's life. I read and write paranormal/fantasy young adult novels because it's a change from the normal, boring, day to day life. I get enough "real-life" by living it and love to escape into the not-so-real-life; it's like a little vacation. But within these stories, both contemporary and paranormal, are real-life issues and concerns. In young adult novels (as there is in teaching children in a classroom), there is a fine line of what is acceptable to discuss and what is not acceptable. One of these particular issues - the one that has bothered me lately - is sex in YA.

Sex is a part of life. It creates life and gives us joy, as well as pain. Children (as in under 18) are having sex younger each year that passes. This is not new - I've been there, done that - and it's not my place to judge what each child/parent's situation is. But what has been difficult for me to decide is where that fits in young adult novels. I'm a firm believer that you can't skip the subject - a reader would see through that - but I don't believe that authors should dramatize it either. And don't get me wrong...as of today, I've not read a young adult book that I felt took sex to a concerned level. The books, from what I've read so far, are okay, and truthfully, that's not what I'm concerned with nor why I write this post.

The young adult genre is growing, and growing fast. Not only to teenagers, but their moms and twenty-somethings, and (thankfully) males. It's also growing down, to the fourth and fifth graders who are at a higher reading level. Teachers don't usually provide YA books in their classrooms, and parents ultimately make the the decision of what they let their child read. Personally, it scares me when I see ten and eleven-year-olds reading Breaking Dawn, as I believe they are way too young for that sort of thing. And yes, choice of what my sons read is an issue that I can control, but what happens when the marketing efforts of the book cross the line? What about when the marketing efforts cross over to cater more to the 20+ somethings and older, rather than the "young adults" the books were originally written for. Case in point? ...http://www.youtube.com/user/VLCPhotoProductions#p/u/2/bD0rTs0nF2Y

Now I'm a huge fan of Cassandra Clare and the TMI series and I hate to call that video out specifically, but I have to ask...which age group was targeted in that marketing ad called "Unedited DSAS (Dirty Sexy Alley Scene)" as part of the promotion for the CoFA release? The adult readers or the teenager readers? If it was made for the teenagers, then I think we have a serious issue on our hands. I don't want to sound like a prude, but I was absolutely STUNNED when I saw that released and promoted by VLC Productions and consequently, placed on numerous book blogging websites. High Schoolers, middle schoolers, ten and eleven-year-olds were presented with that as one of several previews for the 4th book. Am I the only one who sees the problem with this?

Now, as a adult, sure it's hot and sexy and what not, but when I think of what the young adult genre represents, I do NOT think of that. And I don't want to. If a sexy alley scene is in the book, fine, but let's not dramatize in video and feed it to our kids in a "cookie" teaser. There's no need to put it on a platter and hand-feed it to them. If I had a daughter who was 15, would I want to show her that video and say, "Look honey, this is what you should want a boy to do to you."...??...absolutely NOT! So why would we put that out there for other womens' daughters (and sons) to see? Now, please don't get me wrong..I can't wait for the release of the book on Tuesday. I've had it pre-ordered for months and the moment it arrives, I probably won't emerge from my room until it's completely read. This concern of mine has nothing to do with CoFA or the TMI series - it's simply the risky marketing perspective.

I don't know. Maybe I'm looking at it all wrong and maybe I should consider this as "just" one instance, but something tells me that this is only the beginning of a slow change in what the market considers acceptable for YA. All I know is, my writing of YA won't go in that direction and I'm glad I have that choice to keep it age appropriate.

It's not easy being GREEN

2011-03-23T05:00:00.003-04:00

For those of you who don't know (which would be all of you because I've never admitted this out loud, or by blog/text/email/twitter/facebook, before): I'm a closet Government-article-reader-addict. Yep...me. The pure natural blond who doesn't get the simplest of jokes, the one who can't remember to put her mascara on most days when she's worn makeup for 20 years, the mom who NEVER remembers to sign her son's planner until the few minutes before we leave for school...me. I love reading government news magazines and the best part is that I pretend to know what the heckles they're talking about! But in this month's article, I read one that really pleased me and the reason was because it dealt with a possible change in Education.

I graduated with my elementary education degree in December of 2008. Although I'm not currently teaching, I spent two years in the classroom as a short and long term substitute teacher. And in those sorts of situations, once you get beyond the "let's see what we can get away with while our 'real' teacher is gone", what you notice is that the students have no idea what it means to learn in an active, on-site, and energetic classroom. In most cases, teachers would leave lesson plans with worksheets after questions after worksheets, and I'd turn them around, add a level or two of in-depth-ness, and make the lesson as engaging as possible. That was my mission as a teacher while getting my Masters Degree, and there are many days I'm sad that I still don't get to share it. Now with this article, it truly excites me that things are on the road to changing, even with me not being a part of it.

States Pushing Green Education in the Classroom:

Forty-seven states are in the stages of developing "environmental literacy plans," which could help student engagement and achievement.

Not only is this amazing for our children, it's amazing for our environment. Our planet is dying a little bit every day. It's about time we put some emphasis on it's sustainability in our classrooms! We're doing what we can, but when it's all over and done with, our children will be the ones who decide whether our efforts are worth continuing. In addition, if done correctly, these measures will open the possibility to MORE active learning, and ideally, in an outdoor classroom. Let's get our kids out of the same four walls they see day-in and day-out, and in the middle of nature itself, even if it is on the barren front landscape of the school yard. Let them plant, let them dig. let them play with dirt and learn each elements' properties through self experimentation and learning. Let them sit and simply write about what they see or whatever they are currently thinking about, in the wide open air.

Think this can't work? It CAN! Children have no idea how to discipline themselves to teach themselves...so teachers, LET'S TEACH THAT FIRST! Make them learn how to teach themselves self-working-discipline. If we want our middle and high schoolers to be self-respecting and self-responsible when it comes to their learning (and thus increase test scores and statistics and college admissions results), we MUST teach them self-discipline while they are still young, before it's too late. We have to teach them how to teach themselves. Teachers are meant to guide, parents are meant to encourage - neither of us can force the knowledge to permanently implant in the kids' brains. That kind of technology just isn't available (and in my opinion, hopefully never will be).

In the article, I don't think Rep. John Sarbanes could have said it any better:

"Getting their hands dirty has the greatest impact,” Sarbanes says. “It just gets them excited and engaged.” Sarbanes and other advocates say that student excitement spills over into other areas of academics and helps kids perform better across the board."

I couldn't agree more. One of the best lessons I ever taught was an on-the-spot first grade math lesson in which we went to the playground and identified each and every 3-D shape we could find. We walked around the entire school building while the kids drew, and then described in written words, what made the object a sphere or cube or whichever shape it was. Then they put the "scientific documentation" in a project journal. And I'm proud to say that each and every child mastered the skill on their test.

So, yes..I'm extremely passionate about this. Is this new piece of legislation the ultimate answer? Of course not! But it seems like a step in the right direction. And once we can get the transition made to not only teach "green", hopefully the actual classroom will shift. I would love nothing more than to hear that my son spent half of his school day outside, where he learned science, and participated in reading groups on the hill side, and wrote using his notepad on the side of the playground - knowing that was what was needed of him at that moment, and knowing that once he put forth that necessary effort, then he could run and skip and scream to his heart's content.

Oh and have I mentioned how beneficial this shift could be to the growing epidemic of overweight and obese children? Am I crazy, or am I on to something here?

Short goals are made of AWESOME!

2011-03-20T22:04:00.001-04:00

I'm an instant gratification girl. When I want something, I want it right then. Or as quickly as right then can be. This is why weight loss is such an impossible thing for me. It takes too stinking long. Even NaNoWriMo month is too large in my head, and thus, impossibly hard to achieve. But short goals just don't seem as bad.

And in hindsight, with this issue of mine it's a wonder I made it through two college degrees...as well as have the patience to write a novel. huh...quite the thing to ponder...

Anyhow...this weekend - to kick start my writing back - I set of goal to add five thousand words to my current work in progress and look over my first chapter for "major whoopsies". I can officially say that I....

...sort of achieved that goal!

Hooray! Jumps up and down! Celebrates with crazy dancing and glasses of wine!

I even pushed past the 5K mark finally stopping with a whopping 7.3K words! Floored is me! What I didn't do was look at my first chapter. I realized I wasn't ready for that. Contest or not. So I dis-entered myself for a contest I wasn't ready for and decided to focus on what I should be focusing on to begin with - the finish line!

So, what's a girl to do after all that? Well, write some more...duh! and also look over part two of my CP's short story collection. Writing/critiquing/editing during the work week isn't quite as easy as during the weekend, but I do like this short-term goal thing. So, my short goal for the week of Monday through Friday is:

Critique half of part two of CP's collection
Plot out the next two chapters and write 2K new words toward one of those.

Good luck with your week's and enjoy the lovely spring weather!

So I go through these phases...

2011-03-17T19:55:00.000-04:00

...when I write, write, write, write, write. Then...something happens and I have to take a break. Sometimes it's not a have-to but a need-to (in my current case, it was a mixture of both). And it'll last a week or two or, *gasp*, four. And instead of actually getting back into the writing like I should, I start entering contests. Free editing contests, query contests, beginning page contest, voice contests, etc...you get the picture. And what a wrong picture it is. I don't know if it's supposed to be an unconscious motivational builder or I'm destined to just give myself a stressed induced coronary, BUT signed up I have, and write I will!

So, looks like this weekend will be a writing one! In between the furniture building and family cookout times at least. And next week, should my writing go well and I feel like my story and first page, in particular, is more shiny than it currently is, I'll be posting the first 250 words my current WIP. Makes me nervous though. I'm a believer that the first page will never truly shine until you write the last one. Guess I'll give it my best though!

So...anyone interested in making a writing goal for the weekend with me? Something to push towards between the kids and cleaning and errands and soccer games and shopping and working out and sleeping and laundry and hopefully after all that, the glasses of wine? And I'll even start first: I'm thinking my goal should be a minimum of 5K for the weekend plus revisiting my first chapter for "stand-out" issues. Now it's your turn...what will you do this weekend?

Free Edit Contest!

2011-03-16T20:16:00.001-04:00

Cassandra Marshall is having a Spring Edit Contest. With my current project close to the finish line, I know I'd love to have the opportunity to have another set of eyes on it!

This is for a FREE substantial edit! (That's plot, pacing, character development, etc, up to 100k words) to one lucky reader! Fill out the form here and you can enter once per day until the contest closing date of Monday, March 21st.

The Dreaded 32

2011-03-06T20:37:00.000-05:00

Today is my baby's 5th birthday and while I'm so excited to see him grow up, I can't help but also acknowledge that as he grows up, so do I. As of today, I turn 32 in a short 17 days. The age of 32 has always bothered me...not sure exactly why, but it has. It feels middle age and where I'm divorced, uninvolved, (but at least gainfully employed), life doesn't feel as complete as it should.

So with that - I'm going to make one goal to fulfill before my 32rd birthday. Though I'm not sure what it should be. And this is where I ask you...do you have any fun suggestions?

Read Across America Day

2011-03-02T12:30:00.000-05:00

Today is Read Across America Day! Here is a link to the NEA with details. And this link is to Seussville with lots of fun kids activities and printouts. And last, here a link to my college sorority, Pi Beta Phi, who's national platform is Literacy and First Book. Please check out First Book for how you can help get books in the hands of children.

Now for the big question...what are you reading today?

Boycott V-Day Challenge 2011

2011-02-28T10:28:00.000-05:00

Click here for the general idea behind the Boycott V-Day Challenge

Those who participated with me:
Mel @ Just One Opinion
Shana @ Mankind's Fascination w/Self Expression

---------------------------

Day 01 - A picture of your cartoon likeness and your favorite song

Day 02 - A picture of a project you are working on and your least favorite song

Day 03 - A picture that makes you laugh and a song that makes you happy

Day 04 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without and a song from your childhood

Day 05 - A beach picture that you have taken (or if you haven’t been, one you wish to visit) and the first song that comes up on your MP3 player (shuffle first)

Day 06 - Post a picture from your commute and a song that you know all the words to

Day 07 - A picture taken with your cell phone and a song from your favorite concert you attended

Day 08 - A picture of you and a best friend and a song that you dance to when no one is looking

Day 09 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day and a song that reminds you of your high school best friend

Day 10 - A picture of something you want to do in the next ten years and a song that motivates you.

Day 11 - A picture of you when you were little and a song you discovered in the last week.

Day 12 - A picture of your biggest insecurity and a song from a band you hate

Day 13 - A picture of something you wish you could forget and a song that is a guilty pleasure

Day 14 - A picture from last summer and a song that no one would expect you to love

Day 15 - A black and white photo and a song that describes you

Day 16 - A picture that inspires you and a song that you used to love but now hate

Day 17 - A picture from your morning and a song that you hear WAY too often on the radio

Day 18 - A picture of your favorite band or artist and a song that you love but your best friend/sibling/spouse hates

Day 19 - A picture of your favorite book and a song from your favorite soundtrack.

Day 20 - A picture of something you wish you were better at and the first commercial jingle you can think of, right this minute.

Day 21 - A picture of someone who inspires you and a song that is your phone ringtone

Day 22 - A picture of your most treasured item and a song that makes you tear up

Day 23 - A picture of you more than 10 years ago and a song that you want to play at your wedding (or did play at your wedding)

Day 24 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show and a song that’s good to work out to

Day 25 – Edit a picture (picnik.com is free) and post it and a song that makes you think of your last vacation.

Day 26 - A picture of someone you miss and an instrumental song

Day 27 - A picture you took that showcases motion and your favorite song this time last year

Day 28 - A picture that can always make you smile and a song that makes you happy that you made it through a whole month of blog posts!

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 28 - LAST DAY! WAHOO!

2011-02-28T00:01:00.002-05:00

This is it! The final day of the Boycott V-Day February Challenge has arrived! It hasn't been easy and at times, it's been down right frustrating because I know I'm annoying the heck out of the few blog readers I do have. I'm sure they were sick of it by Day 5, but I made a commitment and I was determined to see it through. So here we go...

Day 28

A picture that can always make you smile and
a song that makes you happy that you made it through a whole month of blog posts!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today is dedicated to my beloved furry kids - Abby and Foster. Foster died two years ago (top right picture) and we lost Abby on Saturday (left). I got Foster when I was in college and working for Petsmart. He was a humane society dog and we brought him home to "foster" for a night. Needless to say, Foster never went back to the store. He quickly became a part of our little family. Abby came about 9 months later. She was one of four puppies that my brother found in the woods near his house. I didn't want to bring her home since I was pregnant with my, now, oldest son and I thought that another puppy would be too much. She was an amazing puppy though - never chewed on anything and was house trained within a few days. They've both been the type of dogs that freaked out when the babies cried, slept by their sides for protection, and as they got older, let them roll and hang all over them, no growls asked. It was very hard on me to lose Foster - he was my baby - but now with Abby gone too, the house feels empty. We now find ourselves dog-less and pet-less for the first time, ever. No puppy could ever replace them, and I'm not even sure I want another dog yet, but my kids do and I guess when the time is right, we'll bring another furry friend home. Until then, these pictures will have to keep the smiles on our faces and their memories in our hearts.

And that's it, folks! Blog break begins now (cue the cheers)!

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 27

2011-02-27T00:01:00.009-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 27
A picture you took that showcases motion and your favorite song this time last year

I think I may have posted this one on the blog before??

Taking a break from the words today - too busy writing a new subplot into my MM project. Way exciting!

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 26

2011-02-26T00:01:00.022-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 26
A picture of someone you miss and an instrumental song

I don't have any pictures of my grandparents scanned in - if I did, they would be at the top of my list. (part of an ongoing scanning project I need to complete). These girls are next on my list - heck this life is something that I miss some days too. College = good times.

I love this one.

Something written from the other day - Project "MM"
           When I open my eyes, the sun has crossed the threshold of the sky and an angel faery stands before me with silvery hair and the brilliant glow of warmth surrounding her. Her face is in shadow; I hold my hand over my eyes and blink until I see it. Round nose, full lips, and hundred freckles in the perfect places.
          Claire’s smile is soft and genuine, like it was the day I met her. She has this thing about her, a lot like my dad’s, where she naturally carries the weight of patience and understanding in her very being, only she internalizes it instead of expelling it upon others. I’ve known her so long that it’s hard to keep her calming sense from rubbing off.
          But now, her words are anything but calming. She kneels closer, places her hand on my shoulder and says, “Britt, it’s time.”

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 25 (Disney theme day)

2011-02-25T00:01:00.002-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 25
Edit a picture and post it and a song that makes you think of your last vacation.

This video is forever long - but when you hear the song for 17 minutes straight, ear right next to the speaker and in person, its hard not to think of it first thing. Besides, we love the Electric Parade!

A little story
We went to Disney in November. We took a late flight into Orlando - one that my oldest got sick on and once we got off, ended up throwing up on the floor and in a trashcan in the middle of the airport (poor thing). Then because of our delay in getting him to feel better, they almost closed up the luggage pickup so we could get the stroller. Then we got turned around trying to found the spot where the shuttles were to take us to our Disney hotel, but we finally found it and it was a really long ride. By the time we got checked in and to our hotel room it was after 10pm and both of my boys were zonked. Heck, we adults were zonked! My youngest dragged himself off his stroller, crawled into the bed, sat up, looked at me and said so tiredly that his mouth barely opened to get the words out, "Can I see Mickey now?" I couldn't help but laugh. That's dedication, folks.

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 24

2011-02-24T00:01:00.003-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 24
A picture of the cast from your favorite show and a song that’s good to work out to

And if you are a teen of the late 80's/early 90's, you'll love this one....

Quote of the Day
"I don't know where my ideas come from, but I know....they come to my desk, and if I'm not there, they go away again."-Philip Pullman

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 23

2011-02-23T00:01:00.012-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 23
A picture of you more than 10 years ago and a song that
you want to play at your wedding (or did play at your wedding)

College days! (aka skinny, before kids, days)

Awesome Movie Quote of the Day
Ferris Bueller: Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 22

2011-02-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 22
A picture of your most treasured item and a song that makes you tear up

I don't treasure items, only memories. I learned many years back that things can always be replaced, and even if it can't be replaced, it still lives within our heart. Corny I know, but it's helped me get by some tough times.

This song had me BALLING in the movie Beaches and now I can't think of it every time I hear this song.

Awesome Movie Quote of the Day
Ted "Theodore" Logan: Let's go talk to ourselves.
Bill S. Preston, Esq.: Excellent.
Ted "Theodore" Logan: What'd we say, anyways?
Bill S. Preston, Esq.: I don't know. Let's go find out.

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 21

2011-02-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 21
A picture of someone who inspires you and a song that is your phone ringtone.

JK Rowling wrote the Sorcerer's Stone when ever odd was against her. Perseverance and an unending passion drove her success - there's nothing more pure than that.

Awesome Movie Quote of the Day
King Roland: The combination is: one . . .
Dark Helmet: One.
Col. Sandurz: One.
King Roland: Two . . .
Dark Helmet: Two.
Col. Sandurz: Two.
King Roland: Three . . .
Dark Helmet: Three.
Col. Sandurz: Three.
King Roland: Four . . .
Dark Helmet: Four.
Col. Sandurz: Four.
King Roland: Five . . .
Dark Helmet: Five.
Col. Sandurz: Five.
Dark Helmet: So, the combination is: one, two, three, four, five. That's the stupidest combination I ever heard in my life! That's the kind of thing an idiot would have on his luggage!
(Spaceballs, 1987)

I promise...

2011-02-20T00:26:00.001-05:00

....to take a blog break after my Boycott Challenge is over. Only 8 more days to go *wipes brow*

Until then...keep staring at the buns...
(click to enbiggin...trust me, its worth it)

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 20

2011-02-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 20
A picture of something you wish you were better at and
the first commercial jingle you can think of, right this minute.

My sis is the artistic one - I'd love to have some of her talent.

Quote of the Day:
Do I seem familiar, I've crossed you in hallways
a thousand times, no more camouflage
I want to be exposed, and not be afraid to fall.
~Teddy Geiger, For You I will

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 19

2011-02-19T00:01:00.029-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 19
A picture of your favorite book and a song from your favorite soundtrack

My favorite books total in the double digits, but I'll choose The Host for today's challenge...mainly because I read all 600 pages at once, ending around 4:30 in the morning knowing full well I had to be up at 8am for something. It was that can't-put-down-able. I read it twice more after that and it's been year since then...now I'm itch-in to read it a 4th time. So yeah, I guess I like aliens that fall for cute boys in dirty caves.

From the "Disturbing Behavior" soundtrack:

Quote of the Day:
When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
(from a fortune cookie I got a few weeks ago)

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 18

2011-02-18T00:01:00.001-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 18
A picture of your favorite band or artist and a song that you love but your best friend/sibling/spouse hates

Quote of the Day:
"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift.
That's why we call it 'The Present'." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 17

2011-02-17T00:01:00.002-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 17
A picture from your morning and a song that you hear WAY too often on the radio

My youngest is NOT a morning person.

Quote of the Day:
"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because
reality is finally better than your dreams." ~ Dr. Seuss

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 16

2011-02-16T00:01:00.002-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 16
A picture that inspires you and a song that you used to love but now hate

Who wouldn't be inspired by that? Ha!

Quote of the Day:
The average woman would rather have beauty than brains,
because the average man can see better than he can think.

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 15

2011-02-15T00:01:00.001-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 15
A black and white photo and a song that describes you

(no one said it had to be of me...hehe)

And did you expect any different, song wise?? haha!
Besides...this video kicks some 80's special effects butt.
Hey! I wonder if Jenson Ackles can be my hero?

Quote of the Day:
I am not interested in money. I just want to be wonderful.
~Marilyn Monroe~

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 14 (& bonus)!

2011-02-14T00:13:00.004-05:00

It's the FOURTEENTH day of the SECOND month of the year which means its.....

dun, dun, dun....

VALENTINE'S DAY

The big day has arrived, the "Official" day allotted to tell the person(s) in your life that you love them, buy them pretty things, spend more money in corporate America to justify why they mean something to you. To me, this day shouldn't be about flowers or jewelry, or anything material. Simply recognize the people in your life and appreciate and love yourself more. And for those who can't get past that "I'm alone and no one loves me" bit, go read this post by Kristin Cashore. She's a smart, smart woman.

Now...on with the show...

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 14
A picture from last summer and a song that no one would expect you to love

This is from the Creation Museum grounds. Gorgeous place!
(the "museum" part is a little strange)
((I made it extra-biggened for your viewing pleasure))

I'm fairly open when it comes to music...but let's go with VNV Nation.

And finally, something all lovey-dovey from my current project, code name: MM

“What about you? What do you want to do tonight?” Bradley leans close to nuzzle against the side of my face. He smells of fresh soap and deodorant. I breathe deep, losing a bit of myself in him, remembering the long cool nights we cuddled in the open fields of his family’s farm and the warm days we hung out by the creek off Ridgeview Road. We’d grown closer than I had planned; it was going to be hard to give that part up.

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 13

2011-02-13T00:01:00.013-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 13
A picture of something you wish you could forget and a song that is a guilty pleasure

You think if I wanted to forget it, that I'd keep a picture of it? Let's just keep it simple and say it involved a night out celebrating my divorce with the best friends a girl could have AND having WAY too much of this...

And what can I say?? I'm a Britney fan :)

And finally, something new from my current project, code name: MM

I opened the lone window of my room earlier and now a cool breeze blows the white sheer curtains inward like ghosts fluttering amongst the living. It’s quiet outside, even for midnight; I can’t hear the usual squirrels skitter across the limbs of the oak trees or a single dog bark in our suburban community. Perhaps it’s the waxing moon, perhaps it’s only this particular night. Maybe the wildlife know what I’m about to do.

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 12

2011-02-12T00:01:00.002-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 12
A picture of your biggest insecurity and a song from a band you wish you could forget.

That's obviously NOT my stomach, but you get the idea....

And please tell that someone else hates this kid too...

And finally, something new from my current project, code name: MM

“Britt, you broke the magical law. The inner spirit knew not to give you what you asked for; instead she gave you a lesson. You need to learn from it.”

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 11

2011-02-11T00:32:00.003-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 11
A picture of you when you were little and a song you discovered in the last week

This is the awesomeness that was me at age 9. Not only am I in the Bahamas waiting for a cab to pick us up to take us to the airport, I'm wearing a cowboy hat, sailing tank top, and saving a horse by riding a suitcase. See that bag? Street peddler original! I was so cool. O_o

How about a quote today?
One that sums up my "first drafting" reminder list:

Substitute "damn" every time you're inclined to write "very;" your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be. ~Mark Twain

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 10

2011-02-10T00:21:00.014-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 10
A picture of something you want to do in the next ten years and a song that motivates you.

If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. ~ Toni Morrison

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 9

2011-02-09T00:20:00.036-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 09
A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day
and a song that reminds you of your high school best friend.

Drew Barrymore is a beautiful, healthy, and confident woman and has been one of my favorite actresses every since ET and Firestarter.

For today's song - I'm choosing two...

1. For my female BF in high school: Alanis Morissette - Ironic. The video wouldn't embed, but my BF and I would sing this in my car and she would hang out of the window like they do in the video (time 1:37-1:50). Lots of fun laughs on that one.

2. For my male BF in high school for all the cruising we did around town on Friday and Saturday nights...good times.

Don't try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It's the one and only thing you have to offer. ~ Barbara Kingsolver

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 8

2011-02-08T00:18:00.017-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 08
A picture of you and a best friend and a song that you dance to when no one is looking.

I have many wonderful friends in my life, but none closer than my sister.
We fight, we laugh, we fight some more...but what else are sisters for? :)

Manuscripting
(or something like it)
a quote that I love...

When in doubt, make a fool of yourself. There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. So what the hell, leap.
~Cynthia Heimel, "Lower Manhattan Survival Tactics"

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 7

2011-02-07T00:01:00.001-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 07
A picture taken with your cell phone and a song from your favorite concert you attended.

This guy was oblivious to the amount of crack he was showing. Unfortunately, the rest of us weren't.

And now for a bit of an older project...

This is from the first story I ever wrote, still Untitled. I've never gone back to revise it yet, but there are parts that I really loved. I think I may spend a few days and post the beginning of it, a little each day.

Chapter 1 (cont' from previous 2 days and end of scene)

      Flash! The pencil swooped in an arch, right to left. Crack! My hand moved up and diagonally, much like the bishop overtaking the queen in a game of chess. Thunder. The rumbling inspiring a slight shading to the angle the two previous moves created. And like a spell conjured by mother nature herself, the answers I sought started to appear even though I had no idea what they meant: spikes and irregular peaks, sharp triangulars that pierced the page like the lightning pierced the sky.
     It continued for twenty minutes, my quest for answers, until the first drop of rain hit the window. With each flash, crack, and rumble, I let out every thought and feeling on that old book, hoping and pleading for a clue as to what would come next. Life shouldn’t be this hard for a seventeen year old. Life shouldn’t give you a lemon seed and demand lemonade in ten minutes flat. Life should prepare you, instead of you having to prepare it.
    But now the rain began. A drip to silence the pencil’s work for greatness. A drop to crush the healing needed from having to grow up so fast. More burst free from the heavy clouds and I was left empty of mind, with a half finished drawing and a half hopeful heart.

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 6

2011-02-06T00:08:00.001-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 06
Post a picture from your commute and a song that you know all the words to.

Not a country fan, but this one I listened to over and over when it first came out.

And now for a bit of an older project...

Chapter 1 - (cont' from yesterday)

For twenty minutes, lightning bolts streaked across the night sky, without a drop to follow. Long, jagged cracks followed by thunderous applause fueled the energy in my fingers, the zap of each stroke. The rain had held back so far, but loomed closer now. With each flash, the houses down the street came into view, otherwise disturbing the total blackness of the night and while the residents of those houses either hid in their basements or tried to sleep through it, I continued to sit up on my bed, using the storm for inspiration. My view wasn’t obstructed by any trees and looking out, it was impossible to not reel in its glorious effects, as if the light show had been programmed like fireworks, only for me, to calm my unease and my fears.

I Am Number Four

2011-02-05T09:05:00.000-05:00

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
(pseudonym for the writing duo James Frey and Jobie Hughes)

In the beginning they were a group of nine. Nine aliens who left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorian. Nine aliens who scattered on Earth. Nine aliens who look like ordinary teenagers living ordinary lives, but who have extraordinary, paranormal skills. Nine aliens who might be sitting next to you now. The Nine had to separate and go into hiding. The Mogadorian caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. All of them were killed. John Smith, of Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next.

I won't say much except that I really enjoyed this book! It was fast paced and although I could predict several things as they were happening, there was something extra given to the scene that I didn't expect. I love the nerdy friend and even the bully. I'm not sure I really get the love interest of "John" but I suppose it needed one to make the story progress. And I love his guardian/dad/life long friend - what a great role model for teens. I will say that I teared up at the end, which I really try not to do when I'm reading, but it happens. And now I can't wait for the movie. I mean...with Alex Pettyfer starring...can anyone? :)

Need I say anymore??

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 5

2011-02-05T00:04:00.000-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 05
A beach picture that you have taken (or if you haven’t been, one you wish to visit)
and the first song that comes up on your MP3 player (shuffle first).

This is from 2005 when we lived in Myrtle Beach. We haven't been to the beach since (and I've never taken the Coopster), but it's on the vacation wish list this summer.

I LOVE this. From my favorite zombie series, Resident Evil...and it's also one of my favorite songs to listen to while writing my witch book, code name: MM.

And now for a bit of an older project...

Chapter 1

          Three things plagued my mind this restless night and they all began with the letter “M”. I was looking for answers long before the storm began. It seemed now, I may finally find them.
           Sitting up at the window, I swiped the exhilaration from my brow, taking a break from the clarity. As I lowered my knees from my chest, the tools of my healing plopped down onto my lap – an old notebook and a chewed up pencil – the only tools that had been useful since I was child. Words did not grace the page when I was troubled, only lines and shading to show my thoughtful progress.
           Sketching had always comforted me in a way that couldn’t be accomplished by writing. My sketches weren’t well done or artist quality; the act of completing them was enough to give me answers, particularly when I didn’t know I had any to find. Even when I was young, I had never kept a diary, held by lock and key, hiding all my thoughts and fears beneath the surface. Simple sketching formed my thinking ground, my zealous release. With a pencil in my hand, I could transform my thoughts into a sketch, and within that sketch, the answers to my problems would appear.
           And answers were exactly what I needed tonight.

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 4

2011-02-04T00:01:00.005-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 04
A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without and a song from your childhood.

That one was fairly obvious, huh.

And now for some drafted "manuscripting"...
(remember, it's just a work-in-progress, no judging)

           I stare at the black leather seats and narrow floor area; something moves in the darkest corner near the door. I start to back away and Officer Thomas’ hand stops me. “Whoa. Easy, now. It’s just a back seat. I won’t even shut the door. Rest. Eat.” He holds out an apple from his truck. It’s an orange-red color, like the kind my Dad used to pick out at the farmers market. My mouth waters with anticipation at the juicy fruit inside; I actually contemplate eating the core.
          Besides, Officer Thomas has been nothing but nice to me. He wouldn't put me in danger.
         Taking the apple from him, I comply and scoot into the ominous back seat. A cool breeze whooshes in the car as I bite into the best thing I've tasted in weeks. The fresh air makes the fruit taste forbidden, as if I'm not supposed to be enjoying it.
   Something feels wrong. Nothing about this is right.
         I look up just as Officer Thomas' partner slams the car door shut and then I see them - the Shadows flitting between the chaos on the other side.

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 3

2011-02-03T00:01:00.004-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 03
A picture that makes you laugh and a song that makes you happy

Okay... I sort of cheated and picked four (but I photo-shopped them into one, so that counts, right?) These are from a series of pictures taken 3 years ago on the day I broke my foot. My sweet, sweet son made a bunch of faces to make me laugh while I was stuck in bed and unable to move. I still laugh thinking about it - he knew exactly what I needed that day.

And this song can always take me from gloomy to happy in 10 seconds flat.

And now for some drafted "manuscripting"...
(remember, it's just a work-in-progress, no judging)

How about a silly-ish exchange between a mom and son to go with the "happy" theme for today?

        Mom parks in the lot behind the club. Stepping out of the car, she asks, “Are you sure you don’t want to take the keys? Just in case?”
         I shake my head. “You need them more than I do. There’s no way I’ll let you walk home.”
         "It’s only a mile,” Mom says, meeting me at the trunk.
        “A mile and a half. And at four o’clock in the morning. I’m not letting you walk back that late at night.”
         She rolls her eyes and shifts her feet unsteadily in her three-inch heels. Her dark jeans fit her legs as if they were made to her exact specifications and her low-cut black sleeveless top has rhinestone lettering across the chest that says ‘Blaze’. It’s so inappropriate for her age. Not that she looks her age necessarily, but it’s weird to see your mom dressed like a twenty year old.
         She slings her purse over her shoulder and crosses her arms, creating cleavage I could have lived a lifetime without seeing. She says, “In case you forgot, I am the adult. But if you insist…”
         I turn away from the uneasy sight. “I do. I’ll be fine without the car. Like I said, we have a ride already.”
        She nods and wobbles in her heels across the gravel of the parking lot toward the club. “I’ll get you a car soon. Don’t worry. I think this new uniform will help. I’m getting much better tips now.”

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 2

2011-02-02T00:01:00.040-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 02
A picture of a project you are working on and your least favorite song

This hung on my wall for 4 months while I mapped out locations for my WIP, code name EOD.

Least favorite song was easy. CHER! Anything she sings, I can't stand. Especially this one...

And lastly...a few words...

Another bit from the beginning of my dark urban fantasy work in progress, code name EOD...

(Please note: it is called a work in progress for a reason).

        I hear feet skid to a stop. A man’s raspy voice pants out, “Keep running! It’s around this corner. We’ll be safe there.” He’s short of breath. How long he’s been running? I know the place he’s talking about – it’s the place I just came from. Breached, like the rest.
       He’s been told wrong; there is nowhere left to hide.
       I peek out from my cocooned shell and lean my head out to see them. I know I should warn them, but if I do, my own hiding place will be revealed and there isn’t enough room for all of them should they try to join me here.
      Swift movements, infused with the essence of the wind, sweep in fast. The Consumed are close. The man kicks off and leaves the others. A girl my age with dark brown hair straggles behind, out of breath. She’s bent over slightly with a hand held to her side. I know how tired she is and how much she simply wants to rest.
We all do.

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 1

2011-02-01T00:01:00.011-05:00

This is the Boycott V-Day February Challenge!

For details and how you participate, click here!

Day 01
A picture of your cartoon likeness and your favorite song

Favorite Song is hard for me because the song I love changes depending on my mood...but here's one that's on repeat in my car quite often these days.

And lastly...a few words...

This is the opening paragraph to my dark urban fantasy work in progress, code name EOD...

(Please note, it is called a work in progress for a reason).

My heart pounds in my chest as I cut into the alley and duck between a large dumpster and the ominous brick exterior of the bank. Scooting further back into the corner, I press as close to the wall as I can get, force my face down, and hope my hair blends with the darkness. Even though my knees are tucked under my neck and arms wrapped around them, I still don’t feel small enough to disappear. Not tonight. Not anymore.

Sharing Words...

2011-01-31T20:55:00.000-05:00

...aka writing, is extremely nail-biting scary. It's so much easier to write what I want and keep it to myself, locked away where no one can judge me for it. But how will that ever help me? How will I ever gain confidence to share what comes out of my brain so that I can grow and learn from it if I never let anyone read it?

This is an issue I have and something I'm told many other writers have as well. And it's for the reason that I'm making myself step out of my comfort zone and commit part of my February 'M' series to share a snippet of writing everyday. None of it is final wording or even final for the scene - it's all a work in progress - just like the stage of writing that I'm in. I'm at the point where I'm starting to settle in and find comfort within the words. I'm seeing more than just the scene, learning how to foresee future plot developments and using characterizations to set the pace. What I'm still not great at is grammar and syntax - but that will come. For now, it's about the process and learning to trust that not everything written has to be absolutely perfect to share on a blog.

So while I'm cringing at posting a snippet from one of my works-in-progress every day (along with the other two 'M' aspects) for the next 28 days, I'm still going to do it. Whether or not I have any nails left by March is another story...

A month of Self Love (not the dirty kind)

2011-01-30T14:00:00.002-05:00

I'm not a fan of Valentine's Day. Not even when I was married. I mean, yes, I love all the red and pink around, but V-Day should simply be a day to tell the people in your life that you love them (as you would every other day). Instead, it has turned into a "you must buy overpriced roses and sparkling jewelry and extravagant gifts" kind of day. Even my children have asked me what I'm giving them for Valentine's Day, of which I reply, "I'll give you the biggest hug ever!", and they proceed to give me the death glare.

For this reason, I put in my 101 things to do in 1001 days resolution plan...#76 -boycott Valentines Day

But why stop at just "boycotting"? Why not also celebrate the things that make us happy and/or mean something to us? I've seen on other blogs and facebook, the 30 pictures in 30 days and 30 songs in 30 days and I thought I'd incorporate those ideas, mesh them around a bit, and use them for a February Blog series:

Memories, Music, and Manuscripting

(Yes, I know manuscripting isn't a real word, but it sounded better to have 3 'm' words).

Each day of February using the prompts given, I will feature a special photo memory and a song (and hopefully a playable link). To round out my obsession with 'threes', I'll also post a short something from one of my current works-in-progress or a quote or lyric that has helped me draft a scene. When combined, all three of these aspects celebrate the person I was, the person I am, and the person that I want to become. What better kind of self-love is there? (no, the dirty kind doesn't count...get your mind out of the gutter, people!)

And feel free to participate with me! Either in your own blog post or in the comments section. If you do your own blog post, link it so I can see :) (side note: I was doing this as a giveaway opportunity, but that contradicted my entire point of the corporate takeover of Valentine's Day...ha! So this is now a fun-thing only. Sorry for any confusion)

Now, let the "boycotting" begin!

Conversation in the Car - Take 1

2011-01-29T10:12:00.000-05:00

Setting - Friday afternoon, after the daycare pick-up of 4 yr old, Coop-man, and and on the way to pick up 9 yr old...

Coop: Mom! Mom! Look! Look! It's a shooting star!

Me: Really? (because what else are you going to say, it's still daylight)

Coop: Yeah, yeah! Look!

Me: (me driving) Can't Coop. We'll have a wreck.

Coop: PUHWEEZ!! It'll be real qwick.

Me: *sigh* Okay. real quick. (looks left and up) Coop, that's an airplane.

Coop: NUH-UH! It's a star and I'm gonna make a wish.

Me: What are you going to wish for?

Coop: That more snow clouds come and it snows for 3 days, no 5 days, and the snow turns into berries, red ones, and then and then, it'll get even colder and the berries will freeze into nutrigrain bars and then I'm gonna go outside and eat 'em all. Yep. That'll be good.

Me: I think I should probably start cooking real food more.

Coop: Noooo! I likes the nutrigrain bars. All colors. The berries will have to be red and blue and green and purple and when they fall down, it'll be all smushy and slimey (insert evil Coop laugh). And then and then....oh look, momma! It's police truck and he's got big guns in that truck.

Me: That's actually a car, baby.

Coop: (exasperated) I knoooowwww...but I want to call it a truck. duh.

Me: Don't say duh to your mom.

Coop: ...but policeman don't shoot good people, just the bad people like the ones who steal things like TVs and money and my nutrigrain bars.

Me: Yep, definitely going to the grocery tonight.

Setting Priorities (and a 101 things in 1001 days update)

2011-01-28T05:53:00.000-05:00

Making and sticking to priorities (aka productive activities) has been an issue for me as of late. It's like a holiday hangover that never ends. Between social activities, TV and movie watching, and reading book after book, I haven't been doing the things I dedicated my efforts to long ago. Stuff like:

Blogging: As you can tell, my blog hasn't been a priority. I have so many things I want to post, comment on, express in grand detail... and one of these days, I'll get to it, but at the moment, they are saved as drafts with a few notes here and there. The drafts are starting to pile up and I fear I'll never catch up.
Writing. Some days I'm more productive than others, but I've become very slow and I'm not too in love with that. It shouldn't take 2 days to process and write down a four page scene. What does that say about my story? Am I making it too complicated? Or is it my inability to put what I see in my head into words on paper? Either way, it's frustrating the shittles out of me.
Health. I did really well the first couple of weeks of January, but when my dog got sick and I thought she would have to be put down (good news...she healed!), my stress eating took back over. Now, those short term habits that I developed are proving hard to bring back.

Good news is that I can officially cross off 12 new items since my last update from my 101 things in 1001 days goal! Successes in the last four months include:

#6 - Get 4 year old to sleep in his own bed - preferably before he gets to Kindergarten (by NYE 2010 - He sleeps in his own bed!! - DONE!)
#13 - Buy a plasma screen TV (got one for Christmas. That counts right?)
#22 - Take the kids to Disneyworld (November 2010)
#24 - Participate in Nanowrimo ( participated, yes...succeeded, no)
#26 - Host a blog contest (October 2010 and it was so much fun!)
#30 - Get a more professional camera (November 2010 and I love it!)
#33 - Dye my hair (or a portion) a random color - maybe red or blue or purple (colored the underside pink in November 2010 -it didn't take very well. Calling this a completed, but I'll probably try it again.)
#34 - Try not to get fired from my job by dying my hair one of those random colors (Success! I did it right before vacation and by the time I went back to work, it was gone. Score one for the smart gal!)
#42 - Buy a larger bookshelf for my ever growing book piles (October 2010 - and it's getting full already...eeks!)
#48 - Go to a rollerderby bout (I'm going this weekend! so excited!)
#50 - Watch Buffy the TV show on DVD - figure out why everyone loves it so much (From October through December 2010, I was addicted to this show and Angel!)
#81 - Buy a new coat (November 2010 - It's purple)

So, I guess I have to look at it this way...I'm sucking in some areas and succeeding in others. Balance can be achievable...at least, one of these days. Anyone else having trouble finding their groove this year?

What the Hell

2011-01-26T19:16:00.000-05:00

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Avril?

Well I do and now she's back!

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

2011-01-17T03:12:00.000-05:00

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers. Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him. Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

The Body Finder was an interesting read. I didn't love it and I didn't hate it, but I felt it had a different sort of quality that kept me reading. The main character, Violet, is sixteen and while this story is considered young adult for that reason, I felt that it crossed over into crime adult fiction in many ways. Early in the book, we are introduced to the killer. We never know who he is, but we are put in his shoes directly, experiencing his thoughts as he chooses his victims. This approach is quite commanding and disturbing at some levels. In addition, the intensity with which the sexual descriptions are written through me off the YA level completely. It made me think I was cheating on my genre. At the same time, these elements are what make this book something entirely different from what I'm used to reading in the YA category and that was what kept me going.

Violet and Jay's relationship is a tricky one to comment on. I understand the complexity of it, but it felt forced in places and ultimately confusing in others. They obviously have a connection - that I don't deny - but I'm not crazy about how it progresses. The big brother thing turn crush thing turn ultimate-I-must-have-him-or-I'll-die-but-I'll-pretend-it's-nothing thing was exhausting. I wanted to jump through the pages and smack Violet across the face and tell her wake up. But then again, that was probably me wanting to smack my teenage face across the face because I behaved the exact same way in high school. Le Sigh.

But even with those elements, I found the story quite enjoyable. It kept me reading late into the night and I'm really glad that I finished it. I'll tell you one thing - the ending is jolting and unexpected and sad at the same time. And no I won't give you details - you'll just have to find out on your own. 3.5 stars out of 5.

Stir Crazy?

2011-01-16T16:23:00.000-05:00

What do you do for fun when snow has covered the ground for five days straight??

Explore the world (and beyond), of course!

If I'm ever cool enough to start a band...

2011-01-12T20:30:00.001-05:00

...I'm using this cover!

Want to create your own random band cover?

Go to wikipedia and hit random. The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.
Go to quotationspage.com and hit random. The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.
Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days” Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.
Use photoshop or similar (picnik.com is a free online photo editor) to put it all together!

If you create your own, link it in the comments section - I'd love to see it!

"Incarceron" and "Sapphique" by Catherine Fisher

2011-01-05T21:01:00.000-05:00

Incarceron is a prison unlike any other: Its inmates live not only in cells, but also in metal forests, dilapidated cities, and unbounded wilderness. The prison has been sealed for centuries, and only one man, legend says, has ever escaped.

Finn, a seventeen-year-old prisoner, can’t remember his childhood and believes he came from Outside Incarceron. He’s going to escape, even though most inmates don’t believe that Outside even exists. And then Finn finds a crystal key and through it, a girl named Claudia.

Claudia claims to live Outside—her father is the Warden of Incarceron and she’s doomed to an arranged marriage. If she helps Finn escape, she will need his help in return. But they don’t realize that there is more to Incarceron than meets the eye. Escape will take their greatest courage and cost far more than they know.

Because Incarceron is alive.

Incarceron (the first book) is amazing. The world that Fisher builds has a life of it own, her words only present it. Never for a moment did I feel like I wasn't a part of it and at times, I became so drawn in that life around me seemed to stop. Claudia is a pretentious character who lives up to the woman she was raised to be, but she has a caring side to her and the question the reader has to continually ask is why. Why is she making things so hard on herself. Is it because that's what she thinks is right? Is it because she'll do anything to upset her absent father? Is it for selfish reasons of a side love affair or her own desires? And while you, as a reader are trying to figure that out, then you have to factor in Finn and his wild, lying ways as well as his mysterious past and loyal side. The prison is a character as well and the way it tries to keep the two of them apart, with its players and secrets and quiet, watchful eye, is what separates them, as well as unites them, to make the story work.

I have to admit, I was able to guess many of the early plot points in this story, but the rest kept me guessing right down to the final pages. Just when I thought I had Incarceron figured out, Fisher devised a metal storm to hurt our lost prisoners, a side game for the privileged Outsiders, and factored in Greek mythology to build a whole other element that brings both groups together.

This book has had mixed reviews, but I adored it. I think it's great for those who love dystopian fantasies. It's not a light read either; Fisher's writing style is bold, one I find impressive and strive to attain. If you loved the speed and intensity of The Maze Runner as well as the world of Kristin Cashore's "Graceling" and "Fire", then you will love this story as well.

Sapphique is the sequel to Incarceron, and as far as I know, it is the final book as well. It picks up right where Incarceron left off and does not leave you disappointed. Both earned a sold 5 out of 5 stars from me.

Realistic Goals

2011-01-02T19:17:00.000-05:00

I read an excellent post today by KM Weiland: 10 Writing Resolutions You Can Fulfill. Mentioned in it are writing every day, no matter the length, finishing that first draft, finding a critique partner, and stretching your comfort zones. While I vowed to not set any year-long 2011 resolutions, I do have short term goals that I can put on paper and a few can be found within the list Weiland provided:

I'm going to finish my rewrite. In late April I started writing a dark urban fantasy called Edge of Darkness. In late-August when it was completely finished (except the last 3 chapters), I realized that I went about it all wrong and began the rewrite. Because it's a dark story, it took a lot of emotional energy to keep at on a regular basis and finally in October, I had to put it down for a while. I've finally picked it back up and it's been hard to get back in the mindset of the story, but I'm determined to get the rewrite complete. It's currently about half complete and I'd like to finish it up during January and February.
With this, I am going to write everyday. Even if I only get 30 minutes after my kids go to bed or take the last 20 minutes of my lunch break. I have to remain productive, have to redevelop my writing habit.
I'm going to stretch my comfort zone. I would like to write two flash fiction type pieces during the month of January. Hopefully my critique partner will do it with me :) If anyone else wants to participate, let me know.

And I think that's enough writing goals to keep me busy for now! Do you have any specific writing goals for January?

Crappy endings

2011-01-01T07:35:00.000-05:00

There is nothing worse than investing time in a story, both read and watched, and being disappointed by the ending. Some of the best love stories ever written don't come with the ending you dreamed of (ahem, Titanic). But when done, you can still enjoy the ride the story gave, even when your favorite character dies at the end (ahem, Spike on Buffy).

But what happens when there is no real ending after investing all that time? What if the author or producer/screenwriter leaves it hanging without an ending except one you have to make up in you own head or come to your own conclusion for? Those I despise and it's not the story I despise, it's the person who thought it was a good idea to leave the tortured viewers hanging.

Erg!

I haven't been reading much, and goodness knows that writing has been thrown to the wayside and why you ask? Vampire slaying...the Buffy and Angel type to be exact. After all the buzz of the Buffy and Angel TV series, I finally decided to watch them on Netflix. (SPOILERS ALERT!) Took me three months but I finally finished. After 7 long season, Buffy finally ended and although I was bit disturbed by its ending (aka Anya and Spike dying and the whole of Sunnydale as a crater), at least it ended. Angel on the other hand did not. What the hell, Whedon and Greenwalt? How can you build up the big apocalypse and Angel profecey for 5 years (not to mention the three years of Angel in Sunnydale too) and then not show us how it all ended up? You cut off the series with them about to have the fight of their lives in the back of an alley, finishing what what they worked up to the whole bloody series existence?? Are we supposed to assume they just died? Are we supposed to assume that they defeated the evil? What the heck are we supposed to understand from that last scene? And don't tell me that it doesn't matter, because it does. I like to know, not guess. And it's not like you didn't know it was the series finale...at least do a double episode if you thought you ran out of time. Or an after movie.

The ending (or non-ending I suppose) reminds me of the series ending of LOST. (SPOILERS ALERT HERE TOO) At least it was more laid out, but still severely disappointing. With LOST, we invested 6 years only to find out that they were all dead, or at some point died and used the island to cope with that death and that it was all fake. Well, hello?!?! Can we say "Easy Way Out?" That kind of non-ending can be just as bad as leaving it with a cliffhanger ending like Angel's. I can only assume that Whedon didn't want to end the series and took an easy-way-out by giving us the "choice" of whether they survived or not.

Well, I'm not buying it.

and why? Because as a reader/viewer/investor, I need an ending. Just like I need an ending to the story I'm writing. I have to know the ending before I write the beginning. How else will I know how to build the story? How else will I know what lessons my characters need to learn on the way from Point A to Point B? I can't buy into a story that doesn't have an ending and when a author/producer/screenwriter doesn't provide that tie-all ending, I can only assume they didn't plan it out in its entirety. It's a non-ending and they don't work.

Books read in 2010

2010-12-31T15:30:00.000-05:00

I read 33 books in 2010. List exported from Goodreads.

Not quite my goal of 50, but 2/3 of the way there at least. :)

Title	Author	My Rating	Average Goodreads Rating	Date Read
Graceling (The Seven Kingdoms, #1)	Kristin Cashore	5	4.15	1/2/2010
Fire (The Seven Kingdoms, #2)	Kristin Cashore	5	4.09	1/6/2010
Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush, #1)	Becca Fitzpatrick	5	4.04	1/30/2010
The Iron King (Iron Fey, #1)	Julie Kagawa	5	4.1	2/27/2010
The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1)	James Dashner	5	3.94	5/9/2010
The Dead-Tossed Waves (The Forest of Hands and Teeth, #2)	Carrie Ryan	5	3.96	5/25/2010
Winter's Passage (Iron Fey, #1.5)	Julie Kagawa	5	4.1	7/6/2010
Hex Hall (Hex Hall, #1)	Rachel Hawkins	5	4.06	7/7/2010
Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3)	Suzanne Collins	5	4.05	8/25/2010
The Vicious Dead: a zombie compendium	Key Publications	5	5	10/9/2010
Incarceron (Incarceron, #1)	Catherine Fisher	5	3.85	12/21/2010
Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1)	Kami Garcia	4	3.8	1/14/2010
The Dark Divine (The Dark Divine, #1)	Bree Despain	4	3.92	1/19/2010
Thirst No. 1: The Last Vampire, Black Blood, Red Dice (Thirst, #1)	Christopher Pike	4	3.7	3/22/2010
Hourglass (Evernight, #3)	Claudia Gray	4	3.98	4/9/2010
Vacations from Hell	Libba Bray	4	3.52	4/24/2010
Shadowed Summer	Saundra Mitchell	4	3.55	6/1/2010
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella	Stephenie Meyer	4	3.53	6/22/2010
The Line (Line #1)	Teri Hall	4	3.38	6/30/2010
Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #2)	Maggie Stiefvater	4	4.03	8/5/2010
Uglies (Uglies, #1)	Scott Westerfeld	4	3.9	8/15/2010
Pretties (Uglies, #2)	Scott Westerfeld	4	3.83	8/17/2010
Specials (Uglies, #3)	Scott Westerfeld	4	3.75	8/18/2010
Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1)	Cassandra Clare	4	4.29	10/21/2010
Crescendo (Hush, Hush, #2)	Becca Fitzpatrick	4	4.25	12/8/2010
Fallen (Fallen, #1)	Lauren Kate	3	3.81	2/20/2010
Gone (Dream Catcher, #3)	Lisa McMann	3	3.61	4/30/2010
Burned (House of Night, #7)	P.C. Cast	3	4.04	6/16/2010
Extras (Uglies, #4)	Scott Westerfeld	3	3.6	9/11/2010
Runaway (Airhead, #3)	Meg Cabot	3	3.93	9/26/2010
The Golden Spiral (Hourglass Door Trilogy, #2)	Lisa Mangum	3	3.78	11/29/2010
Sabotaged (The Missing, #3)	Margaret Peterson Haddix	3	3.82	12/16/2010
Captivate (Need, #2)	Carrie Jones	2	3.94	3/11/2010

Lost in the View

"Pins" of the week

YA Reads Giveaway Hop - 5 winners!

Squee/fangirling moment re: 2012 upcoming movies

YA Faeries & Fantasy Hop ~ Ends 1/12/12 midnight

Hump Day Quote

Resolute...shuns

Support Four Debut Authors and Snag $125!

Why the Vampires are winning

Gratitude Giveaways Blog Hop

Behind the scenes of my NaNoWriMo

My "Writing Morning": 11/8/11

Eternal Starling by Angela Corbett - Blog Tour

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Avoiding the Vampires who want you to fail - NaNoWriMo style

Couponing adventure - Week #1

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop: Stop #345

Winner: Fat Vampire ARC Giveaway

Five Sentence Story Friday #2

Couponing for Christmas

The dreaded "E" word

Five Sentence Story Friday #1

Fat Vampire: Review and ARC Giveaway

The Earth, My Butt and other BIG Round Things

Must-haves: October Edition

I got your crazy~

Winners of the Banned Books Giveaway Week

PEOPLE LIKE ME - released!

And the waves crashed upon the shore...

Banned Books Week Giveaway & Blog Hop

Scientific Adventures

A toast to social media reality

Aliens and Editing

The 5 sentence story - Prompt #5

The 5 sentence story - Prompt #4

The 5 sentence story - Prompt #3

Need Writing Advice?

The 5 Sentence Story prompt #2

The 5 sentence story - #1

50 Books to Read before Kindergarten

Don't get your knickers in a pinch

June Reads

Letter to my blog

Cleaning House

The joy of first drafts

Recent Reads for 2011

The good part of NOT blogging

Dog Days are Over

*TAPTAPTAP* Is this thing on?

Want some tears from laughter?

Mommies, Mommies everywhere

Sex in YA

It's not easy being GREEN

Short goals are made of AWESOME!

So I go through these phases...

Free Edit Contest!

The Dreaded 32

Read Across America Day

Boycott V-Day Challenge 2011

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 28 - LAST DAY! WAHOO!

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 27

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 26

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 25 (Disney theme day)

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 24

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 23

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 22

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 21

I promise...

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 20

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 19

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 18

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 17

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 16

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 15

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 14 (& bonus)!

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 13

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 12

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 11

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 10

Boycott V-Day Challenge: Day 9

TAPTAPTAP Is this thing on?