A Squirrel Amongst Lions

Duh, You Don't Have to Be Gay to Attend LGBTQ Talks

2012-02-03T09:07:00.000-08:00

Or have a gay character in your book.
Or plan to have a gay character in your book.
And come to think of it, it's not required that you read books with gay characters before you attend the LGBTQ mixer.
(Though, I highly recommend one, if not all the above, just for personal growth.)

With a little urging from Ara and the chance to hear agent Jennifer Laughran speak again (Love her!), I went to my first LGBTQ mixer. I don't have a gay character in my book. Nor was I planning to write about a gay character. (That is prior to this meeting.) And come to think of it, I don't know if I've ever read a book with a gay character (maybe sidekick but can't say 100% certain.) It's not out of protest or avoidance or [insert whatever reason here] that I have not read a book with a gay character. It's just that I am drawn to "girl meets boy" (preferably over the summer at a beach) type of stories. I'm heterosexual. What do you expect? And the unfortunate part, there aren't a ton out of LGBTQ YA book options out there.

Imagine my fear when Lee Wind (El Moderator) asked everyone to put their favorite book with a gay character on their name tag. O-O Needless to say my name tag stayed blank. The sheer awkwardness of being the only one who didn't fit in struck me hard. Haha! Nice isnt' it? How life has a way of turning itself around on you. I was sure a giant lighted arrow would drop from the ceiling and point its blinking finger at me and scream STRAIGHT WHITE GIRL IN THE ROOM!

Well, none of that happened. (Thank god.) But let me share with you what did. After the editors and agent and Ellen Hopkins--did I mention she was there? She's the author of the CRANK series. (Haven't read her work. On my to read list now.) She's one hell of a woman. Ballsy, bold and absolutely fantastic! Anyway, after they chatted the floor opened up for questions/discussion. Eventually a young woman made a comment that...well...how do I say this delicately...she ticked me off. (Dear young woman, I am not made at you. Your statement was generalized and I only felt the need to point that out to you. In no way do I wish to offend you. As to your statement, it actual stirred something wonderful inside me. So essentially, though you pissed me off, you gave life to something greater. Thank you.)

I know, what the heck did she say already?!? She made the comment (and I'm paraphrasing) that why is it people say, "I'm not gay. So I can't write about a gay character. You're not a vampire either and you wrote about vampires." Collective chuckles and grumbling agreements rumbled around the room. And this is where my southern roots/my mother tone kicked in and I said "Let me stop you right there."

I'm cringing now, because that is my classic you're-about-to-get-a-mouthful-whether-you-like-it-or-not phrase. Thankfully, I got my point across without coming off offensive or angry (or though, I think I did.) I simply stated that I'm a heterosexual who grew up in the south, a close-minded bible belt where negative opinions on blacks and gays abound. It took moving to California before I opened my mind. I don't write about gay characters or people of race because I'm scared of writing them in classic stereotypical way and offending an already overly offended group(s) of people. And what if something I wrote made it worse.

That's when Jennifer Laughran pointed her finger at me and said, "Now that's the story I want to read." She went on to to say, most gay or racial stories are set on the east and west coasts and hardly ever from the south. Writing from that perspective, using what I experienced growing up there would be they "unique perspective" the market just doesn't have right now. The Ellen Hopkins jumped in and said, And as far as offending, that's where CP's can help you. Write what you know, from true experiences...from the heart. If you do that, you won't offend them [Gays and blacks. Others? Who knows.]

And then a seed was planted. Inside me this seed grew from my excitement....and fear. What if I did right that book? What if I shared my experiences growing up and how they affected the gay people I knew and even the blacks? I'd probably piss off a lot of people back home. I might even shame my mother with my candid approach. But I could also enlighten a few people. Show them that there is more to life than the bubble they were raised in. And what if...what if my story could open the mind of one teen. Holy cow, that actually brings tears to my eyes thinking I could have the power to do that.

Currently I have an urban fantasy that I want to see published. So I plan to query that puppy. But while it's out in the world, waiting for the right agent, I will need to be working on something else. May this, this other side of the rainbow perspective will be what I work on next.

Do you have a LGBTQ character? What LGBTQ book do you love and think I should read?

Editors and Why You Should Stalk Them

2012-02-01T14:13:00.000-08:00

Sure, they know the business, trends and market but what doyou really want? Them. Because gettingan editor means you’ve sold your book.

At a lot of these conferences I’ve attended, I seem to runinto more editors than agents. I guessit’s mainly because they’re not hiding. Writers usually don’t see them as adirect line to publication, therefore may or may not talk to them. If they do, they are most likely not tosuffocate the editor with their presence, like they do agents. Having the scales tip heavy with editorsinstead of agents at these events used to bum me out. But now I realize the error of my ways.

Now let me stop you. I know what you’re thinking, some editors take on unagentedwriters. Yes, but that’s not the normnor is it an easy window to get in. Think of the skinny rectangle window in your shower. Sure, you could probably squeeze your lumpybutt through, but it’ll be tight. Like wearingyour old prom dress, it’s not going to be pretty.

Jordon Brown, an editor at Balzer and Bray (imprint ofHarper Collins) talked about building your team. He said, as a writer you are a team ofone. Then you find an agent, you becomea team of two. Then an editor, team of three and so on. (Kind of like a one man wolf pack, “and itgrew by one. So where we were two…so there was two of us in the pack. I…I wasalone first in the pack, and then Doug joined in later.” 20 bonus points if youguess the movie.)

Sorry for the detour. But that movie cracks me up.

Anyway...your agent will help you find an editor but wouldn’t it behoove youto do a little recon prior to needing an editor? If you could share with youragent some personal connections you’ve made with editors, you might speed upthe process of finding one. Severalagents mentioned during the conference that they usually asked their clients ifthere’s anyone in particular they’d like to work with. “Why yes, my dear agent, there is.” And also,getting to know these editors will give you a good idea if you could work well together.

Does all this mean if you’ve met an editor, think you’d workwell together that they will join your wolf pack? No. But everything you do to help yourself, will get you to your goal faster.PUB-LI-CATION. So stalk away! (Hope thatdoesn’t get me banned from the pub world. :D) Don’t go stalking all willy-nilly. Be smart and stalk the editors who rep your type/genre of book.

Girl In NY

2012-01-30T12:57:00.000-08:00

My steamy hot cup of NY :)

How was NY? Exhilarating. Exhausting. Kinetic. Satisfying. Overwhelming. Invigorating. Short. Fast. Insightful. Fruitful. And the single best thing I could have ever done for my writing career.

The burning question, did I snag an agent? No. But that's not to say I didn't meet my future agent at this conference. I had some very fruitful chats with agents and editors, not to mention made personal connections.
So, if you didn't get an agent, why was it the "best thing" you did for your career? With each conference, I gain more confidence, become reassured and brave the shark infested waters. I no longer lurk around editors and agents, I inject myself in their conversation. Why didn't I do that before? Because I thought to be around them, I had to talk about my book and my writing and the industry and blah blah blah. But the truth is, the second a writer does that, these agents and editors clam up and start looking for a way out. The next thing you know, another hyena sees their lack of interest in said writer and pounces for the kill. Another opportunity is gobbled up by the competition. By lurking, I've witnessed a lot of feeding frenzies. I made a different approach.

Me and Times Square

Each editor or agent I approached differently. Some, I complimented their speech, session or panel they participated in, noting the specific thing that intrigued me. Or maybe I loved their broach and asked them about it. Sometimes it was as simple as talking about their next project they were excited about. The whole point, I did not make it about me, stalking them, picking their brain and leeching onto them like a blood sucking writer. Coming off desperate, looks just like that. Things that do not come off naturally or genuine will seem forced or fake. Take the your writing out of it and just make it conversation. I did exactly that, and had an agent joking with me instead of running for the hills.

What did I learn? The material presented as SCBWI is copyrighted, so I will only be able to speak in generalities. The editor panel was very interesting (which was presented on the Writing Intensive days that cost extra.) They talked about how they sold projects. How they only took on projects they loved because if you don't love it, you won't work or fight for it. And that's the type of editor you want. They talked about their editorial letters to the author. Some were a three pages, others were 18 to 20 pages. Every editor had their own process and it was interesting to hear their logic behind the methods to their madness. Which actually made them appear a little less shark-like.

Ara Burlund and Me
(BTW...hate this pic of me. Gag!)

Who did I meet? For professional reasons, I'm not going to give you the skinny on the agents or editors I talked with. But fellow writer wise, my CP and wingman, Ara Burklund. Stuck to her like glue and she helped me wade the shark infested waters. Ara is a great friend and awesome fellow writer. I couldn't have asked for a better NY cohort. I also got to finally met in person Karen Akins, her blog is Novels During Naptime. Let me just say, my fellow southern gal had me twanging by the end of the night. We shared a kindred spirit. I also met the fabulous Lee Wind. He's the regional advisor for SCBWI's LA. He is fun, encouraging, and a wealth of publishing knowledge. I can't wait to see him at future events.

That's all for now. Stay tuned this week for more SCBWI inspired posts:
Editors and Why You Need to Stalk Them Too
Duh, You Don't Have to Be Gay to Attend LGBT Talks
Who Said What At SCBWI NY and Why It Stuck

BTW...if you have not checked out my Sunday Download from yesterday, get over there. It's good love making music.

Sunday Downloads - "Lay It Down" by The Rubens

2012-01-29T19:50:00.000-08:00

Apparently I have an affinity for Aussie bands. More than half the tunes I've downloaded lately are from Australia. (The other half, UK.) If you like The Black Keys, you'll love The Rubens. They have a swanky, bluesy feel. That makes you feel like you in a heavy layer of smoke, in the back of UK dive bar in the middle of now where. Where you can bump and grind with a hood like Johnny Castle (Twenty bonus points if you know who that is. No internet cheating.)

To download it for free on soundcloud, go here:
lay it down // the rubens

To download more of their tunes for free, go to:
http://www.triplejunearthed.com/Default.aspx

(Be sure if you download, you move the file from your TEMP files and put it in an iTunes file. Because if you ever delete your temp files, you will loose the downloads.)

Lyrics for "Lay It Down" by The Rubens

And I don’t mind
Cause I speak my mind sometimes
And I think it’s time for me to try
To lay the blame where blame lies

I’ve been searching for whoever made me feel this way
I’m not liking where it’s leading or who it’s leading too
‘Cause it’s you
‘Cause it’s you
‘Cause it’s you
‘Cause it’s you

And so I said I would speak the truth
But I didn’t think it would be to you
I guess I’m sorry I have to lay you down
But no one gets to push me around.

I’ve been searching for whoever made me feel this way
I’m not liking where it’s leading or who it’s leading too
‘Cause it’s you
‘Cause it’s you
‘Cause it’s you
‘Cause it’s you

‘Cause it’s you (repeat)

Sunday Downloads - "Sail' by Awolnation

2012-01-22T19:09:00.000-08:00

Let me just start off by warning you, I've picked another obscure song. I love the heaviness in this song. Him screaming. The buzz of the guitar. The grit and grime. But the video lags for me. This is the official video and its...meh. It doesn't really tell me what the song is about. Unless the song is about getting abducted?!? So maybe don't watch but just listen.

Lyrics "Sail" by Awolnation

SAIL!

This is how I show my love.

Made it in my mind because

Blame it on my ADD baby

This is how an angel cries

Blame it on my own sick pride

Blame it on my ADD baby

SAIL!

Maybe I should cry for help

Maybe I should kill myself

Blame it on my ADD baby

Maybe I’m a different breed

Maybe I’m not listening

Blame it on my ADD baby

SAIL!

Lalalalala

SAIL!

Ready for NY?

2012-01-19T08:02:00.000-08:00

Ready? It's all relative, right? I mean, are we ever fully ready for anything we do in life? For those who may not know, I'm going to NY at the end of this month for the SCBWI conference. I paid extra for the "First 500" manuscript critique. Those first 500 have been looked at by several peepers. I've gotten solid feedback that has helped me tweak and perfect my first 500 words. I have the final polish to make from my last feed back but this is it. What they see is what they get. At this point, I'm ready to dawn on my ceremonial robes as have a bonfire with the pages if I have to look at them again. Which tells me I need distance from this intro.

Besides the first 500, what else do I need to do to be ready?

Wardrobe. California girl needs to buy some close-toed shoes, because I don't think flip-flops will cut it big city. Plus it doesn't scream professional. Warm clothing would be nice. Girl needs to go shopping. And why girl has decided to speak about herself in third person is beyond me.

Elevator pitch...my stomach just did a loopty-loo. At past conferences. I have purposely never written an elevator pitch because my MS wasn't ready. What's my excuse now? I have none. I've tried to come up with a solid pitch, but they all sound stupid. For the most part, I think its because of what I say when the normal "Joe Friend" finds out I'm a writer. You know what I'm talking about. Friend, who is not a writer (and does not have a clue about the industry) finds out you are a writer.

"What's your book about?" (cue Elevator pitch)
Then you tell them it's an urban fantasy about blah, blah, blah.
Their response "You always did like that weird stuff." Judgement dripping form their words. But then they ask, "Can I read it?"
Then you have to explain you're not published and hurriedly rush into the whoas of how one gets published and by the time you get to the how many years before it would see the shelf, their eyes glass over.
"Why don't you just make into one of those e-books?"
You try not to reach out and choke them, screaming Really?!? Brilliant idea! I'll just email Amazon a copy and it will be up for sale by the afternoon! Instead you simply say, "Well, it's a little more complicated than that. How's your family been?" Smile, as you change the subject.

What else? Getting my expectations in check. I would be lying if I said I hadn't fantasized about finding my agent at conference. Conference in NY, capital of the publishing industry, of all places! And you know what, it's okay to dream. Realistically, I'm going to learn and make connections, everything else will be icing. It's all exciting and scary but I'm ready....I hope.

Sunday Downloads - A Joy Formidable

2012-01-18T07:19:00.000-08:00

I know....Sunday Downloads on Wednesyday? What's the world coming too? It's the best I can do.

"A Heavy Abacus" by A Joy Formidable

There is so much passion and soul into the music and vocals of this song. It's one of those songs that reaches and touches you in a way you can vocalize, but after you hear it, you want to live, really live. It screams wake up, before it's too late. The lyrics are ridiculously poetic. (Which I love.) It took several listens to grasp the looming regret but it took someone else's interpretation before the song hit me like a ton of bricks.

In short, I believe she is trying to say that we can spend our days in our "plastic lives," being something we are not and our nights partying for that brief high. But in the end, the abacus of life keeps ticking off the wasted days. And the chances we could have taken, will be just memories.

Here's the video:

(Below is a line by line well done interpretation of the lyrics. Pretty cool.)

Lyrics for "A Heavy Abacus"

Here we are bending feet
In the dark before dreamless sleep
Cloaks that spot, that shiver, that breeze
Throws you in the dark

Happiness, it won't last long
And this child behind stores it all
The failed man's curse
And the cost of nonchalance

I thank you sly, watchful gene
A plastic life up my sleeve
If you've followed this far
You've realized nothing

Now your world is here
Watch it disappear

Abacus haunting me
Abacus watching me
Abacus haunting me
Abacus watching me

And it all plays out
And it always comes around
The message fades but the mess prevails
You reckless thing leaving you in our hands

Abacus haunting me
Abacus watching me
Abacus haunting me
Abacus watching me

All we have is this chance called memory
(Haunting me)
All we have is this chance called memory
(Watching me)
All we have is this chance called memory
(Haunting me)
All we have is this chance called memory

Here are the lyrics interpreted by two people. Both seem pretty accurate.

Sunday Downloads - My Body Is a Cage

2012-01-08T09:37:00.000-08:00

There's a new movie with Disney coming out called "John Carter." This film is about cowboys and aliens. A juxtaposition I love. (Though the rest of the country does not, with the flop of "Cowboys vs. Aliens.") The preview for the movie features a Peter Gabriel song "My Body Is a Cage." As most of you already know, Peter Gabriel has a very imaginative sound blended with an orchestra. This song is so poetic, full of longing and pain. I love it!

I first heard this song on an episode of "House" last year, but for the life me I could not find who sang it. And since it doesn't sound like the classic Peter Gabriel voice we grew up with, I did not recognize his voice. But now I have discovered it and want to share it with you.

Here is the Peter Gabriel version during the "House" episode. It will not let me embed the video so click here to watch.

Well, you know how I love multiple versions of the same song...Here is Arcade Fire's version. Edited with one of my childhood favorite movies "Once Upon a Time in the West" (Charles Bronson was da bomb!) One of the best Saturday Matinee movies on television, with the coolest twist ending. (Movie spoiler if you've never seen it.)

Lyrics to "My Body Is a Cage" by Peter Gabriel

My body is a cage that keeps me

From dancing with the one I love

But my mind holds the key

My body is a cage that keeps me

From dancing with the one I love

But my mind holds the key

I'm standing on a stage

Of fear and self-doubt

It's a hollow play

But they'll clap anyway

My body is a cage that keeps me

From dancing with the one I love

But my mind holds the key

You're standing next to me

My mind holds the key

I'm living in an age

That calls darkness light

Though my language is dead

Still the shapes fill my head

I'm living in an age

Whose name I don't know

Though the fear keeps me moving

Still my heart beats so slow

My body is a cage that keeps me

From dancing with the one I love

But my mind holds the key

You're standing next to me

My mind holds the key

My body is a

My body is a cage

We take what we're given

Just because you've forgotten

That don't mean you're forgiven

I'm living in an age

That screams my name at night

But when I get to the doorway

There's no one in sight

I'm living in an age

That laughs

When I'm dancing

With the one I love

But my mind holds the key

You're standing next to me

My mind holds the key

Set my spirit free

Set my body free

Set my spirit free

Set my body free

Eyes Are Good!

2012-01-08T08:21:00.000-08:00

My eye surgery went well. First night home was rough, but after that has been really fine. This surgery was to strengthen my corneas so I might get the corrective laser surgery next year. I'll still be in glasses/contacts until then but one day I will have freedom from lenses.

Hopefully this week, starting today with my Sunday Downloads, I want to get back on a regular blogging schedule. (Regular as in, not abandoning my followers, kind of regular.)

Thanks for all your well wishes.

Before I lose my sight, I better post.

2012-01-04T20:02:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted since just before Christmas. Sorry, been busy. Holidays. Kids at home. PREPARING MY MS BEFORE I GO TO NY SCBWI CONFERENCE THIS MONTH! *breathes*

For the the next three weeks, I have two agendas. Get a fab wardrobe for NY and get my MS spit-shine clean. So, posting has been put to the side.

And will be put to the side a little longer.

Tomorrow, I'm having eye surgery. I have a cornea issues. Without laying out my entire medical history, I will keep it at that. Outpatient, low risk but scary. Long story short, I won't be able to see for a few days. My focus will be in and out, I may or may not be able to see to get on the computer. So, I won't be posting for a few more days.

Thanks to everybody for understanding. I promise to be back soon and with beefier posts than I have been lately. (And no more torture about editing.) And I promise when I start querying, I won't neglect y'all. Too much. (Which the fear of querying is scaring me into doing things like scrub the grout around the toilets, pick the crud off my bbq with a toothpick, and other non-important menial jobs. All to avoid getting this MS done. Eick!)

See you guys next week! Haha. Literally.

I Have No Klout.

2011-12-20T08:01:00.000-08:00

This really perturbs me. Or what really perturbs me, it thatI let this perturb me. For those of youwho are “techtarded” (official term stolen from Ara Burklund), like I am, youprobably have not heard of Klout.com. (Or recently you’ve heard of it.) I officially discovered this from Ara’sblog this morning. The website soundedvaguely familiar but I have never checked it out.

Apparently, Klout measures your social influence. It takes all the social media networks youare associated with and rates your “Klout” on various levels. It gives you an overall score, labels you asan “influencer” or a “conversationalist,” indicates what topics you are an authorityon, and various other rankings.

The competitor in me needed to see how I rated among mypeers. I signed in and added all my social networks and found out…I have no Klout. I HAVE NO KLOUT!

I ranked a 31 but I am only a conversationalist, with notopics to be an authority on. Klout has slappedme in the face. Those who barely know me, (via Twitter, FB or Blogger) know I breathemusic and writing. I mean, music andbooks ARE my life. To have Klout tell me those don’t even register on theirscale, well, that’s like telling me I am nothing. Delete delete delete. Sure, I could improve my “Klout” rankings if Iworked really hard…LIKE I NEED SOMEONE ELSE RIDING MY ASS ABOUT BEING MORE,BETTER, GREATER! I do a fine job of thaton my own.

After I gave Klout.com the proverbial middle finger, I gotmad at myself.

I’ve never been a conformist or a follower. I try to besometimes, but it just doesn’t look well on me. I was never Miss Popular in school. I don’t have a huge blog or twitter following. The comments and page views on my blog areminimal. My friends list on FB is notthat big. And for some reason, in theback of my mind, I let this define me.

This is why I am perturbed at myself. Shame on me. I am an intelligent and affable person. My social network status does not define me. Even in real life, I have a handful of dearfriends and everyone else I consider acquaintances. I have always been of the belief that qualitysupersedes quantity. So why do I care orlet this affect me? Maybe it’s my 16 year-old self still searching for atitle. Maybe it’s my competitive sidepeeking out. Or maybe it’s just humannature to want to be accepted and matter. Who the heck knows. In thesemoments of social depravity, I remind myself what matters is usually within arm’sreach: my children, husband, and my health. Everything else, gravy.

So how about you, do you give a Klout what your Klout scoreis?

(They can’t even spell the word right and I’m going tolisten to them? Geesh.)

When the Universe Speaks...You Listen

2011-12-15T07:54:00.000-08:00

I’m sure we could all find signs in the universe to point tothe things we want. But sometimes theuniverse seems to speak a little louder.

Yesterday I got a phone call from my husband. He called to let me know that he’d beenrear-ended. He was unharmed. His precious truck showed no visibledamage. Her car though, didn’t fair well againsthis big GMC bumper. The youngwoman was very apologetic and shaken up over the ordeal. My husband made a joke about how this couldbe a great way to pick up people if you were single. (Irolled my eyes.) They exchanged information. She apologized again. As theyparted she said, almost half jokingly, “Well, if you ever have a need for a literaryagent.” O_o

Cue the dropped jaw.

Um, yeah. I wasfloored by this, too.

He told her, well, actually my wife is an aspiringwriter.

After he told me what happened, the first words out of my mouth were, “Oh my god, what was hername? What agency is she with? You didn’t offend her, did you, honey?”

He laughed.

Of course, my mind went down the same path as you guys. Wouldn’t that be an awesome “How I Got MyAgent” story. But the bigger messagecame in loud and clear. It was like theuniverse whispered in my ear You’re ready. As I wrap up the last of the editing for my book, I hope to be querying nextmonth. There are a lot of times as awriter I’m filled with self doubt. Lately,none of that. I am ready. I’ve been ready. I know I’m ready to take this writingthing to the next level. And the universe knows it too.

As for the agent, will I be querying her? Wouldn’t that be a great “personalconnection” to add in my query letter. I told myself, unless sheis already on my list, I will not query her until after I’ve queried the otheragents. I want someone to give me achance because they love my work, and not because they feel obligated for rear-endingmy hubby. Silly, I know, but I need mywriting to be accepted on merit. I needthe validation.

Unfortunately, there will never be this cute tale of “How IGot My Agent in a Fender Bender.” Ilooked her up, and her agency represents literary fiction, not YA.

Disappointed? No. What the universe told me was more powerful. It confirmed I am in the place I should beand I’m heading in the right direction. Forme, the situation represented a giant flashing arrow, lighting my path.

Sunday Downloads - Glad You Came

2011-12-11T08:05:00.001-08:00

And this is where I digress. And probably loose my audience (of one) from my Sunday Downloads.

I first want to apologize for subjecting you to...what I'm about to subject you too. When I heard the song, I just thought, "This is good booty shaking music." Downloaded it. Loved it. Then looked up the band on internet only to find...wait for it....they are a boy band from the UK. A BOY BAND FOR GOD SAKES!

Um, yeah.

I know.

I'm inflicting all kinds of pain on myself for the omission. And for the gaul to subject you kind followers to this.

I am SO sorry.

But hey, you will want to shake your booty, for sure. And you know me and lyrics. My favorite line is "I decided you look well on me." Imagine ~~boy~~ man of holy hotness, and you, draped on him. And his delicious abs.

Here goes "Glad You Came" by The Wanted

Lyrics:

The sun goes down

The stars come out

And all that counts

Is here and now

My universe will never be the same

I'm glad you came

You cast a spell on me, spell on me

You hit me like the sky fell on me, fell on me

And I decided you look well on me, well on me

So let's go somewhere no-one else can see, you and me

Turn the lights out now

Now I'll take you by the hand

Hand you another drink

Drink it if you can

Can you spend a little time,

Time is slipping away from us so stay,

Stay with me I can make,

Make you glad you came

The sun goes down

The stars come out

And all that counts

Is here and now

My universe will never be the same

I'm glad you came

You cast a spell on me, spell on me

You hit me like the sky fell on me, fell on me

And I decided you look well on me, well on me

So let's go somewhere no-one else can see, you and me

Turn the lights out now

Now I'll take you by the hand

Hand you another drink

Drink it if you can

Can you spend a little time,

Time is slipping away from us so stay,

Stay with me I can make,

Make you glad you came

The sun goes down

The stars come out

And all that counts

Is here and now

My universe will never be the same

I'm glad you came

So glad you came

I'm glad you came

The sun goes down

The stars come out

And all that counts

Is here and now

My universe will never be the same

I'm glad you came

Don't Be Shocked When...

2011-12-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

Don’t be shocked when…

You publicly tweet and a random person jumps into yourconversation. (Even I get a little thrown off by this.)

Don’t be shocked when…

You blog about your life, your family, your trials andtribulations and a follower makes a personal connection with you and treats youlike a friend, even though they have never met you. (When I get over the oddity of it, I'm flattered.)

Don’t be shocked when…

You publicly bash the industry and find all the doors topublication have slammed shut in your face. (Really? Really.)

Don’t be shocked when…

You rip apart an author’s book in a public review and thenlater, they decline (and their close author friends) your solicitation to helpyou market your book. (Really. Well known artists have blogged about this. Negative criticism leaves a scar.)

Don’t be shocked when…

Your MS is continually rejected but all your non-writerfriends (i.e. your husband, best friend, neighbor’s niece) have all raved atyour brilliance. (Would you have a florist repair your car?)

Don’t be shocked when…

Your critique partner informs you that your first draft isCRAP.

Don’t be shocked when…

You realize your critique partner is right.

Don’t be shocked when…

You shelf your first book and know it will NEVER bepublished. (Deny it for as long as you need to. I did. Then let it go and go write that best seller.)

Don’t be shocked when…

Everyone else around is rising in their career while you areactively doing nothing to grow yours.

Don’t be shocked when…

You eat like crap, never exercise and are no longer tone andathletic. (Okay, that was not about writing but I had someone complain to meabout how unfair it was we were the same weight yet I am half her size. Muscle is more dense than fat.)

Don’t be shocked when…

People do all of the above and treat their opinions as fact. Some people live blissfully in their closedminded worlds. It doesn’t mean we all havetoo. Educate yourself, and you’ll expandyour world.

In the words of Seth Meyers; Really?
Some of the posts, comments and tweets people publicly rant about shock me. This list reminds me not to be shocked.

My Workspace

2011-12-07T08:22:00.001-08:00

Months and months back writers posted on their blog pictures of their workspace. At the time, I didn't have a particular space. My workspace was wherever I could sit with my laptop. On the couch. In the bed. At the kitchen table. I got plenty of work done being a nomad writer but I wanted a space of my own. A space I could call...my office. Calling it an office and going "to work" every day has made my writing career more tangible? Realistic? Plausible?

Well, I've carved out my own little space in the third car garage and here it is:

Like how I've covertly stashed the "junk" behind the curtain wall to your left. Ugh.

But my chair is really pretty:

I have a reading chair too:

With a little spot for Sookie to curl up.

Also have a workstation, for crafting stuff. I hate the word "crafting." It either says "Hi, I'm old." or reminds me of the kitsch crap you see at street fairs.

Here is my view from my desk into my courtyard.

Sookie likes to spend her time under my desk...in front of the space heater.

(Did you notice her in the first picture?)

It's California for god sakes. Dog would never survive in less than 40 degrees.

So that's my space. Where all the magic happens. Not like, the "magic" magic, but magic of the digital pen. I wish I have a fancy camera and could make the shots look like magazine photo spreads. But alas, you must settle for my digital cannon.

Sunday Downloads - Rootless Tree

2011-12-04T10:04:00.000-08:00

Damien Rice is...well, I'm not sure how to describe him. He's earthy, passionate, artistic, intense, and sometimes just plain weird. And I love him. Quite a few years back (2003) he came out with his album O. I was listening to commercial music at the time and didn't quite...appreciate his style. (Apparently I'm quite fond of quite.) Last year, I discovered 9 Crimes off his 2006 album 9. I fell hard for this song. The video is where I form my weird opinion but I do see the art in his video but man, it's creepy. (See here.)

I didn't download any of the other songs because sometimes I love love love his music and the lyrics and other times I'm just not feeling it. Well this next song I want to introduce to you, I feel too much. Or felt, because my 16yo inner self relates.

Have you ever been in a one sided relationship? Where you were so in love and infatuated with someone but they didn't reciprocate back?
You realized it. So did he.
Fought about it.
And by god, you tried to break up with him. You did.
But then a few days later, he'd call. Flirt at that party with you. Stop by after school. The next thing you knew, you were sucked back in. Believing this time he really does love you. He really will try.
But he doesn't love you.
You know it.
He just doesn't want to be lonely.
And you are really good for his ego.

And you LET him do this to you...again.

For every person this has happened to, there is a breaking point. The point were you can't do it anymore. And it weighs on you, like a Rootless Tree. You don't have the strength to leave, so you beg the person to let you go.

***WARNING: Explicit Language***

Lyrics Rootless Tree by Damien Rice:

what i want from you

is empty your head

they say be true,

don't stain your bed

we do what we need to be free

and it leans on me

like a rootless tree

what i want from us

is empty our minds

we fake a fuss

and fracture the times

we go blind

when we've needed to see

and this leans on me

like a rootless...

so fuck you

and all we've been through

i said leave it

it's nothing to you

and if you hate me

then hate me so good that you can let me out

let me out of this hell when you're around

what i want from this

is learn to let go

no not of you

of all that's been told

killers reinvent and believe

and this leans on me

like a rootless...

so fuck you

and all we've been through

i said leave it

it's nothing to you

and if you hate me

then hate me so good that you can let me out

let me out of this hell when you're around

let me out...

and fuck you, fuck you, i love you

and all we've been through

i said leave it

it's nothing to you

and if you hate me

then hate me so good that you can let me out

let me out...

it's hell when you're around

The Night the Squirrel Attacked

2011-12-01T07:33:00.000-08:00

It’s kind of likewhen the “Nights Went Out in Georgia” but a lot worse. After reading my blog buddy, Anne Riley’s blog, another commentersaid something that brought back a very traumatizing event. (Read that blog here.) For those of you who might laugh or poke funor joke at my expense…this is a serious public service announcement.

***DO NOT LET SQUIRRELS LIVE IN YOUR ATTIC!***

I know what youare thinking, “Dana, how can you make those sweet innocent souls homeless whenyour blog is titled as such?” Well I cansay, “You’ve never walked a mile in my squirrel attacked shoes or you’d evictthose beasts too.” (Evict read “poison and kill.” Again, mile in my shoes, mile in my shoes.)

Look at thebeast:

Its malice claws,like deadly eagle talons. That hideoustail, like an Amazon python, ready to choke its prey. Or how about those beady eyes, ready to suckthe living soul right out of you!

Evil I say. Evil. Hear my story and you will agree.

When I was inhigh school, Dec. 3, 1989, my senior year (note that I have the date BURNED inmy skull…FOREVER) I was attacked by a squirrel one night. Twice. Thosecute little baby squirrels in the attic ATTACKED ME! The little critter cheweda hole in my closet sheetrock and attacked me in my very bedroom.

I was sleepingand heard their ratty claws scraping at the walls. Rats with tails. I thought they were scraping from the inside,but when I called out to fear them into scattering, the beast was laying on my arm tucked behind my head. I threw the foulcreature with my elbow across the room. It thudded against the wall and scampered into my closet. I shrieked a cry so loud, my parents camedownstairs to aide me. I exclaimed themurderous attempt and begged for safekeeping in their bed. My parents refused to let their 16yo daughtersleep in the bed with them because of “bad dreams,” so I slept in the guestroom just outside their room upstairs.

It took an hourmaybe two before my tense body could succumb to sleep again. That’s when I heard the faint skittering offeet in the closet behind me. I writ itoff to my vivid imagination. Then adistinct depression sunk the covering on my bed. The quick scampering of tiny feet across thecovers and SCREACH! the beast landed onmy legs. My bloody murder screaming (whichmy mother swore to this day she actually thought someone was killing me) calledmy parents to me. They saw the incubusSCAMPERING ACROSS THE GRASSCLOTH WALLS! Mother screamed and slammed the bedroomdoor, isolating me, and my gallant step father, in the room with thecreature. One broomstick later, the tinyinvader had met its end and we were free from the Squirrel Queen’s Tyranny. (And a crapload of rat poison in theattic.)

Thus I must add, that was theone and only night I ever slept with my parents.

From that night,until the 20^th of April, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety, I slept withALL my lights on, the TV on and one towel stuffed under my bedroom door, anothertowel under my closet door. I kid younot. So when you read my blogs and youthink, “That girl ain’t right.” Now youwill know why I'm a little "squirrelly."

Cheating Is Okay, Right?

2011-11-29T17:58:00.001-08:00

So I'm polishing my MS and it is going great. I have a solid MS that needs a few "beef up" here and "slow down" there clean ups. I'm actually enjoying polishing now the heavy editing is complete. But I cheated.

I know, I know. What the heck was I thinking? Well, I was doing just that, thinking. I got an idea and at first it was harmless. Me and Idea had coffee. And then after coffee, Mr. Sexy Abs Idea invited me to lunch and one thing lead to another and before you know it, we had sex. A few hours and 5OOO words later, a baby was born.

Now I know what you are thinking, "Oh Dana, didn't your momma raise you better?"

Girl, Momma didn't raise no fool. I know that if I play too much with Mr. Sexy Abs Idea that I will start to neglect the MS I am so close to querying. I just needed to flirt a little with Mr. Sexy Abs Idea and be reminded I've still got it, even though I'm married to Mr. Hurry Up And Query Me Manuscript. I'm going to query you baby, don't you worry about that. And Mr. Sexy Abs Idea, well sweets, it was a one night stand and the reality is, I may never call you again. But I'll keep your number (read "book idea notes") and maybe later we can hook up again.

*fans self* Is it hot in here or is it just me?

The beauty of our fling, is that it really fueled my editing paralysis and my MS polishing is coming along nicely today.

So, do you feel guilty when you cheat? Don't lie writers, everybody cheats, even if it's just a kiss, it's still cheating. ;)

Sunday Downloads - Angus and Julia Stone

2011-11-27T13:36:00.001-08:00

As promised, November's Sunday Downloads are about what albums I've downloaded. Individual song downloads are more popular now than an entire album. So when I find an artist who's whole album is worth the purchase, I like sharing the discovery.

Angus and Julia Stone are a brother and sister duo from Australia. They have a very quirky indie folk pop sound. (And yes smartie pants, that is the technical genre title.) :P Their album "Down The Way" came out March 2010 and about three months later I discovered it. And I haven't quit listening to it yet. This album is from my more mellow selection but they have a very unique sound. His voice is a little gravely and her is slightly raspy and tiny (like the country music star Alison Krause.)

There are several songs on this album I love. My utmost favorite (and arguably my favorite song ever) is "Draw Your Swords." (It's the conviction in his voice during the third verse that makes me want to rip my clothes off. Is it hot in here or is it just me?) Since I featured this song on my website before, I've picked a tamer, more "mainstream" song from their album, "Big Jet Plane."

Through their uber cool website you can hear several of their songs. A few more can be heard from their video selection. I've heard their music in a Covergirl commercial and they are also featured on the new Breaking Dawn album. (Their "indie" days are numbered.) Here is the track list and I've starred my favorites:

For some reason I can't get the video to embed, so here is the link to "Big Jet Plane":
http://youtu.be/uqSO--lufik

Lyrics to "Big Jet Plane" (click image to enlarge)

Thankful Blessings

2011-11-24T07:48:00.000-08:00

Here's the Short of It

2011-11-17T11:52:00.001-08:00

Gah! I really didn't mean to leave you guys hanging since my last post but a girl gets busy. And you're forgiving followers so there is not need for me to worry...right? :)

I'll be gone next week for Turkey week. Where are you going you ask? (Thought you'd never ask!)

TAHOE BABY!

Gonna catch me some snow waves! Of course my eye doctor just informed me that I have to wear my glasses the next two weeks. [Explicative!]

Randomly I switch topics. Here are the books I've read lately:
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White...all smiles.
Death Cure by James Dashner...sad it's over but nice ending.
Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase (Girl you know I gots to get me some historical romance smut in. Don't judge, you know you a closet romance novel reader! I've seen you try to slip your hardback cover over those ab-ilicious male models covers. You ain't foolin' nobody!)
Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick...no comment.

What am I packing to read?
Covet by JR Ward (I love her vampire series, I hope this fallen angel series is just as delicious!)
Payne by JR Ward (Like book 9 in her vampire series....YAY!)
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Blackbringer by Laini Taylor

Typically I can read 3 books in a good week. I'm feeling ambitious with four. (Will probably only be one.)

Will post pictures of snow and yes, we are taking the Sookie Monster (aka my micro puppy.) I bought her a pink hoodie jacket with pink fur around the hoodie. I know, it's so darn cute you want to throw up. I'm right there with you but with 9degree temperatures, the tiny thing will freeze other wise.

Sunday Downloads - Andrew Belle

2011-11-13T13:19:00.001-08:00

Starting last week, I decided the month of November I'd suggest albums to download. Let's face it, with instant gratification and iTunes, who buys the whole album any more? But when you do come across an entire album you have to have, well then, you want to share it with the world.

This week is Andrew Belle - The Ladder

I have a big crush on Long and Tall (aka Andrew) especially when I watch him sing and play guitar. Oh man, talk about making me all gooey inside. The album The Ladder is a beautiful eclectic arrangement of acoustic indie blended with a Nashville soul. Honestly, I can't just pick one song because I love the whole album. (Love Add It Up, Tower, Don't Blame Yourself, Make it Without You....see, I start naming them all off.)

The beauty, if your not sure go here to download a couple of his songs for free. http://noisetrade.com/andrewbelle

Here is the video for The Ladder from the same titled album:

The Ladder
Andrew Belle

woe is me
faithless you and selfish me
i will leave a key for you outside my doorway
woe is me
one if by the land, or two by sea
so won’t you leave, for me, a light outside your doorway

on a ladder from there to here i’ll climb
all this clatter between my ears i find
does it matter if i cant clear my mind?
there’s a right and a wrong time

woe is me
sentimental you and faithful me
and i will be the one to gaze on you discreetly
slow your speed
turn yourself around and follow me
cause i will be the one who preys upon you sweetly

on a ladder from there to here i’ll climb
all this clatter between my ears i find
does it matter if i can’t clear my mind?
there’s a right and a wrong time

Here's an extra video. Sky is Still Blue by Andrew Belle. (Not sure where to buy but I love this song.)

You Can't Win If You Don't Enter

2011-11-10T11:20:00.001-08:00

Guess what....

Jessica Love

has an agent!

So happy for her! She entered a contest and snagged Jill Corcoran!

You can't win if you don't enter!

Read her story here.

Congrats Ms. Love,

you deserve it!

Quit Whining and Make Your Own Mafia

2011-11-09T11:19:00.001-08:00

Back in March, during the Temecula SCBWI writer’s conference,I had a brief conversation with Shannon Messenger about the “YA Mafia.” It was interesting to speak with her about itbecause, in my opinion, she was included in this so called “YA Mafia.” Though I don’t recall the details of theconversation, nor would I plaster them here, Shannon said something that openedme to a new idea. It was something tothe effect (oh man, am I paraphrasing) that the “YA Mafia” is just a group offellow writers, who joined together during the same path in their career and bondedstrongly and did something with that bond. (ie. Bookanistas)

Cliques happen. Thisis not high school, where the popular girls are ousting the average girls sothey can be crowned prom queen. Even inmy adult life I form various groups of friends, not on purpose but out ofsimilar life paths and preferences. The “YAMafia” just happens to be another grouping of friends, given a hurtful name bya jealous group of “people.” (Not sure who started the mudslinging.) Which brings me to my point, Shannon’s lastwords struck a hopeful positive cord in me. “Why don’t they go make their own group?” (Shannon was referring to theBookanistas, not YA Mafia.)

Yeah, why not? ThoughI think the name “YA Mafia” is ridiculous and I have never ever considered thegroup of alleged woman to be in some cohorts about ousting every last writerthey don’t personally approve of, I do recognize their group, writer friends witha big following. They seem to be alovely, humorous and knowledgeable group of woman I’d love to be a part of. But instead of trying to find a way in theirgroup, why don’t I create one myself? Hence the birth of “The Scribbler’s Fork.”

It was a group of woman I invited over, whom I’ve grown toknow and love and hoped to bond with. And by golly, I think we did. (Shutup, I said “by golly,” get over it.) Are we a fierce “YA Mafia Jr.?” Heck no, never want to be, but we are a groupof like minded writers, who share similar interests, who’s career paths varybut are not far off from the other and maybe, just maybe it’ll be the “Scribbler’sFork Mafia” that takes over the bookshelves next. ;)

Psst, Scribbler Girls, I’m planning ourfuture venture as we speak, one of the virtual kind.

Sunday Downloads – “I’ve got 99 problems but you being Gansterer than me is 1.”

2011-11-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

November is “Albums I’ve Downloaded Month.” Starting with:

Vokab Kompany — QuitSleep

They are a local San Diego band who I have YET! to see inperson. They play at the Belly Up all thetime but I always have something else going on. The album is awesome. Let me preference by saying I have a veryeclectic music taste from folk to alternative to standards to hip-hop to dance. I jar my husband’s perspective of me everytime I play my music. Below is a little playlist from my iTunes. I’ve starred my favorites.

BTW, the quote “I’ve got 99 problems but you being Gansterer than me is 1.” is from Track 5-Gangsterer Than Me

Here's my favorite off the album: Track 4-Take You To Space (I don't know why it says explicit because there isn't a single curse word or vulgar topic. Unless "Take You To Space" is the hip new way of saying let's get naked?)

Lyrics:

I can take you to space,
I can take you to space with me.
I can take you to space.

I I I feel the seratone,
Draining out my spine,
As I stare out the window,
Been slow, so I gotta pick up,
And own my anonymous, rattles in my cup,
Till you can see me at my best,
Definition of oh so fresh,
If I cheat death for just another day,
I can own the impossible, stare it in the face,
Yeah-that's my cool, polar bear shhh,
It was so froze up that it clicked when It hit,
As of right now, got me beaming outta sight now,
Fighting off the lasers from jumping up out my eyes now,
And when it bleed then,
Concede ya place in the world,
Be but a blink then,
Ya feeling fleet, plant it, reach astro,
And if ya star burns out then escape black hole.

Chorus-
These eyes, will take you away with me,
Sometimes, I just need a taste,
It’s no lie I, can’t fly but,
I can take you to space,
I ’ll design, a place to escape that we
Reside, until it’s our pace to flee,
A no fly zone, we still rise though,
I can take you to space.

H-
Hello fascination, how’s my corporation,
Can you see me glow when in space in your spaceship,
Tell me can you tape it, I’d love to see you try,
I like the way your pattern is come lay with me a while,
City life so real,
Illuminating all my citizen appeal,
Wimbledon like swagger when I bagger,
Just playin’ gal I’m flattered but I really dig your laughter,
Let’s you and I catch a ride to the west side,
Truth is I can set aside all the rest I,
Been monogamy type livin’,
Cause my age ain’t shifting and a part of me keeps drifting,
And I’m, sworn too,
Cut from the same just another plain cloth so I search like you do,
Fun driven, finding it’s living,
Always smiling in my fiction but it’s minor in the bigger vision,
My incision, my birth rite mission,
My god given god give me I deserve it intuition,
Until then just a friend with a benny,
She’s a 10 and she’s trendy but it end’s with the envy.

Chorus:
These eyes, will take you away with me,
Sometimes, I just need a taste,
It’s no lie I, can’t fly but,
I can take you to space,
I ’ll design, a place to escape that we
Reside, until it’s our pace to flee,
A no fly zone, we still rise though,
I can take you to space.

CH w H-
If I, could take,
You to,
My space,
We’d roll with out,
No home and we’d ,
Stay gone in the,
Ozone and a.
~I could take you to space with me.

H-
It’s so fun when it last’s and I,
On a run through your past and ask why,
Does it pain when they move so bright,
Do they change in the rain when the moods not right.
B-
And now they always say about me,
That I made the most of my time,
I chose to spend mine carved out a place with my shine.

H-
It’s so fun when it last’s and I,
On a run through your past and ask why,
Does it pain when they move so bright,
Do they change in the rain when the moods not right.
B-
And now they always say about me,
That I made the most of my time,
I chose to spend mine carved out a place with my shine.

Chorus:
These eyes, will take you away with me,
Sometimes, I just need a taste,
It’s no lie I, can’t fly but,
I can take you to space,
I ’ll design, a place to escape that we
Reside, until it’s our pace to flee,
A no fly zone, we still rise though,
I can take you to space.

CH w H-
If I, could take,
You to,
My space,
We’d roll with out,
No home and we’d ,
Stay gone in the,
Ozone and a.
~I could take you to space with me.

CH w H-
If I, could take,
You to,
My space,
We’d roll with out,
No home and we’d ,
Stay gone in the,
Ozone and a.

I could take you to--
I could take you to space with me.

Acorns vs. Nuts: How Do You Find the “Real” Agents?

2011-11-04T15:46:00.000-07:00

My Veteran 1 Day Knowledge

Two years ago when I finished my first novel—the one thatwill NEVER see the light of day—I started to research on Google how to get abook published. BIG MISTAKE! Never,never, never Google anything publishing related. My inner this-sounds-like-a-crock radar wentoff. Can we say SCAMMERS! But luckily, I have street smarts. (If my street smarts equaled book smarts, I’dgraduate from Harvard “Don’t Effing Play with Me” University with Magna CumLaude.)

I joke it's what I’ve learned in one day, but it’s aknowledge that encompasses all the tidbits I’ve picked up over the last fewyears. From blogging, tweeting, chattingand conferencing with everyone in the publishing industry (writers, authors,agents, editors) I’ve learned a little here and there. Now it’s time to piece together the scrapsand find myself an agent. The best way is to get started, is to create aspreadsheet.

Who to start with?

1. Start with whatyou know…and love.

Make a list of your favorite author’s agents. Thisinformation is usually listed in an author’s acknowledgements. (Debut authors usually list on theirblog/twitter profile.) It’s a quick reference spreadsheet of all the authorsyou love with their: agents, publisher, and editor.

Short list, huh? Nowwhere to?

2. AgentQuery.com and QueryTracker.net

Two great resources for a thorough database of agents. But the problem is how do you distinguishbetween good agents and mediocre agents? Mediocre is worse than Scammer Agents because you don’t see them coming. It’s not that they are malicious or out totake your money, it’s that they don’t have the proper training and backgroundin the publishing industry to properly help you.

Acorns vs Nuts, how do you find the “real” agents?

3. Through goodadvice.

The best place to go for thorough honest writing advice isthe SFWA.org(Science Fiction Writers of America.) And before you tell me that you don’t write sci-fi, you need to knowthat they have created a huge database of publishing industry related articlesthat are not genre specific. And mostimportantly, they have an awesome article on mediocre agents: How To Find A (Real!)Literary Agent.

I’ve got all the advice I care to hear and my eyeballs areswimming in agent soup, now what?

4. Good old fashionedresearch.

Yep. One by one, takeyour list and weed and sort. From “dreamagent” to “eh, maybe him.” Here are thecategories on my spreadsheet that may help you organize your list a little easier(or not if you’re not a Type A person.):

Agent Name, Agency, Agency Website, Mailing Address, EmailAddress, Personal Connection, Books/Authors Represented by Agency, Twitter, Random Notes, Blog, SubmissionGuidelines (ßjusta web link to their guidelines), Submission Date, Via Email or SASE, ResponseDate

I’m sure there are other vital categories I will add as I moveforward but this is a good start.

Are you ready to query?

5. Nope. One last thing, stalking.

DON’T camp out on the agent’s lawn or bombard their twitteror blog with an in-your-face-I’m-gonna-bug-the-shit-out-of-you-so-when-you-get-my-query-you-know-who-I-amapproach. No. Like SFWA.org says, agents have a long memorywhen it comes to the nuisance writer. The old advertizing adage “bad press is good press” is not so inpublishing. Bad press=bad press. DO read agent tweets, blogs, news feeds,interviews, etc. Find a personalconnection that will tie the agent to your manuscript.

After I wrote my first MS, I told myself I could not researchagents until I was ready to query. Ididn’t want to have the cart before the horse so to speak. That was a mistake. From the get go, I should have been compilinga spreadsheet. Over time my list wouldhave become fat and happy, instead of the anorexic spreadsheet I have now. There are so many conversations with fellowwriters who have mentioned X agent that I should have noted. But it’s nothing a little time and research can’tfix. And in a month or so, when I’mready, my list will be looking like Boss Hog, baby!

How did you find an agent?

[Clever Post Title Here]

2011-11-03T08:31:00.000-07:00

Yep, it's one of those blog posts. That talk about a bunch of random [enter curse word here] I'm doing. I had some great topic to talk about on Sunday and thought; Ooo, I'll save that for later this week. No need to write the clever tittle down, I'll remember. *laughs wildly at naive self*

I have the blog timer going so I have to finish this post in 10 minutes. It has to happen because I have to drive to my son's school and dig through the hoard of lost [enter school name here] uniform hoodies and hope to God I did write his name in his brand new sweatshirt. 8 minutes. 7 munutes. (Starred at computer for a minute thinking and watching as the time ticked on by.)

I'm so sick of talking about editing. Aren't you? I swear, I know you guys are thinking, "Enough already, sometimes you can edit too much." And I agree but there are a few things CP's have suggested that I...agree need fixing. It's almost ready, not quite there but almost. You know? 5 minutes. You know what, I'm not in the mood to edit today. Okay maybe I'll edit a little but I think I'd like to give myself time to research agents and start my spreadsheet. Which with my type A personality will look like a stock market analysis. 3 minutes. Good idea right. And it will boost my enthusiasm for writing again. 2 minutes. Hold on, while I go grab a clever image to insert to go with the theme of this post.

Done. Bye!

Sunday Downloads - The Scribbler's Fork 2011

2011-10-31T13:38:00.000-07:00

As a part of my goodie bag for all my guests, at my writer's get-together, I included my fav's (top favs right now) playlist.

Disclaimer: Just because I "love" a song, does not mean I "love" the band. (Though most time I do.) So if you like a song I post and then realize the band's other songs are from left field, well, hey, I warned ya.

Here is the list. After each song I make a brief comment, justifying my love. Click on the link to explore my suggestion further, with either a video or previous post.

1•color blind-between the buried and me

—originally performed by the Counting Crows, thisversion gives a more acoustic sound simmered with a slower pace, fueling thedrama of YA
2• colours-grouplove
—quirky and full of the indie, slightly off-skew/outthere vibe I love
3• I wanna get u alone-joseph arthur

—buzzed electric guitar filled with funk and grind…and want

4• this is the thing-fink

—acoustic, drugging tunes with a melodic voice

5• big jet plane-angus & julia stone

—folky, smooth duo with a feel-good-happy (weird video, don't let it scare you. song amazing.)

6• draw your swords-angus & julia stone

—wow, this song is like the epitome of my 16yo self;full of angst and feral need. *Warning: F-word Used*

7• hazy (feat. william fitzsimmons)-rosi golan

—beautiful, shared fears expressed from both sexes

8• skinny love-bon iver

—strong indie grunt with a flair for the unusual

9• the ladder-andrew belle

—a tornado of music dancing in a harmonic funnel

10• a maidens last thoughts before bed-molly parden

—a reassuring love between two wedding, tender hearts

11• no ordinary love-the civil wars

—originally performed by Sade’s, this version is live,acoustic with a luring male accompaniment

12• bird song-florence+ the machine

—weird, quirky and all things bizarre mixed withabsolutely beautiful, poetic and artistic

13• somebody that I used to know-gotye

—heartbreakingly beautiful with a side oftwo-sides-of-the-story

14• hang me up to dry-cold war kids

—funky grind and tragic

15• comes and goes (in waves)-greg laswell

—a gruff gritty voice with a rolling deep “wave” of asmooth beat

16• let’s dance-m.ward

—originally performed by David Bowie, this version isthe polar opposite on a slow, smooth pumping of the hips

17• can’t take my eyes off of you-cary brothers

—the hurtful regret of following your heart’sobsession and knowing you’ll get burned

18• heartbeats-jose Gonzalez

—the sharp truth of jagged edges and broken beings

These are my top top favs. I hope you found them as moving as I do.

What Happened to the Girl?

2011-10-26T11:40:00.000-07:00

I'm here. I'm here. I swear. I know you are like:

"Yeah but you've been gone for like, a freaking month. WTF? And like when you get back, you're throwing parties I was SOOO not invited to."

I am so like: "Psha. I've had like...life stuff, dude. Be supportive."

And you're like: "Support this." And wing me a W with your fingers.

Then I'm like: "Whateves yourself. You were so invited but you either couldn't come or didn't hop on a plane. Shut up."

Then you say something like: "What's up with this LAME valley girl voice? Skip off."

And then I kill the person who ever invented "like" and return on point.

So yeah, I hosted this writer's dinner party and it was a blast (check out Monday's post if you missed it.) Which involved hand painting bags and organizing = a lot of time consumed. Also kiddos in multiple sports will eat up gobs of time too. Oh yeah, and I'm also a mother, wife, laundress, cook, chauffer, referee, friend, critique partner, editor, writer....and the list never ends. Not to mention I recently found out I have Celiac disease. Which in short, if I eat foods that contain gluten, it causes an immune reaction that results in damage to the small intestine and does not allow nutrients to be properly absorbed. Gluten is the type of protein found in wheat. EVERYTHING HAS WHEAT! So major diet changes here.

In writing related news, I finally finished editing my novel.

"Ooowhap Oooowhap"

*pumps hands in the air like I just don't care*

"Ooowhap Oooowhap"

Strong 2nd draft here people. Strong, like as in if an agent or editor randomly contacted me and said, "Hey, I heard you were like 9 kinds of brilliant please send me your pages." I would not be humiliated. Because you never know, Josh Adams could so do that. Stranger things have happened, like sparkly vampires. Just sayin'.

Is my MS ready to query, no, but the hardcore editing is done. Now it's time for CP's and beta's two cents, one last overhaul and THEN, oh yeah baby, query time! WHile I'm polishing, I've decided to allow myself to start researching agents, making a list, checking it twice and all that such nonsense. I'll also be drafting a query letter, which terrifies the hell out of me. But according to the women who came to the Scribbler's Fork dinner, they've got my back and will be happy to lend me their 2 cents.

I see the light at the end of the tunnel. And holy man, has it been a hard ride. Some days I wanted to set my MS on fire (which would mean burning my computer and let's face it, no sucky first draft is worth the price of a new pink computer.) (Yes my computer is pink. Jealous?) But now that I am here, the hard work never felt so sweet.

Buzzzzzzzz. The blog timer has gone off (thanks Liz for that idea) and I am back to the MS. I will really, really, really try not to disappear for longer than a week around here, I promise.

Since, I've been gone, what's up with you?

The Scribbler's Fork

2011-10-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday night I hosted an informal dinner at my house for a bunch of local writers I've grown to love. We gathered together for food and wine and fantastic writing conversation. Guests ranged from never queried to agented, with each person's story as unique yet familiar as the other. I have to say that every single woman there is an inspiration to me. Each one has a positive, caring soul with a passion for writing and loves all the things writerly, most especially the neurotic nature of writers.

It was refreshing and exhilarating to chat with so many fellow writers, for hours, about writing, books or the publishing industry. And if it wasn't for SCBWI or twitter, non of us would have ever met.

Here are the people who came, click on their name to check out their blog:

Lisa Gail Green, Leslie Rose, Gretchen Schreiber (her friend Danielle was not a writer but a great sport), LK Gardner-Griffie, Liz Briggs, Rachel Searles, Ara Burkland

Out of the whole night, this is the ONLY picture we ended up taking! Gah! Not because the wine was flowing too heavy (it was flowing just not heavy) but the conversation was so rich, photos didn't seem important.

(Lisa Gail Green, Me, Leslie Rose)

I thanked each guest for coming with a hand painted book bag, each with a YA theme.

Each filled with this:

(Book plates, notebook, pen, inspirational journal cards, book light,

"Possess" book swag and a playlist of my favorite songs right now.)

(BTW guys, if you noticed all your book lights were open,
its because I wanted to make sure they all worked. :)

We all had an awesome time and I can't wait to do it again next October.
Or as one guest suggested, it should be a biannual thing...maybe I'll host one again in the spring.

Love to all the amazing women who came. Thank you for being honest passionate beings. Muah!

Forgot to add, I had a contest for the most uniquely name dishes. Here are a few:

Bye Bye Gold Fish (spicy tuna rolls)
Stinky P (grilled asparagus wrapped in ham and Havarti cheese)
Rotten Cinderella (Pumpkin cheesecake bites)
Ruby Skunk (red wine)
Butt-in-chair Friendly Bites (veggie tray)
Dumb Dogs Tell No Tails (red wine)
Nuts and veins (bread and blue cheese)
Drunken Soldiers (biscotti)
Mint Condition Frankenstein (Mint chocolate cupcakes)
Monkey Brains (mushroom bites)
Pumpkin Pillows of the Gods (Cookie Couture)

And many other fabulous names but I can't remember them all!

We all voted and Leslie won the $10 Barnes and Noble gift card
with her Dumb Dogs Tell No Tails (red wine)!

Sunday Downloads - Let's Dance

2011-09-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just can't muck with a classic. Case in point, American Idol contestants have fubared some of the greatest songs of all time by trying to "make it their own." Not that a remake isn't possible, but you damn better know what you are doing. Some have successfully transformed a great song, into another great song with just with a different flavor.

Umbrella - Rihanna vs. Marrie Digby

I'll Always Love You - Dolly Parton vs. Whitney Houston

Behind Blue Eyes - The Who vs. Limp Biskit

Last Kiss - J. Frank Wilson and The Cavaliers vs. Pearl Jam

One may be your taste over the other but they are both quality, IMO.

Here's my latest find. It's a remake of David Bowie's classic "Let's Dance." It's totally different than the original version but I love it. And of course, it has made it to my book playlist. Since there is no "official" video, I've provided you with this:

You like? Yeah? No? Not even if I threatened to staple your eyes shut? Me likey. Sorry if I just ruined your favorite Bowie song. :D

By the way...I thought I scheduled this for yesterday but in error it was scheduled for today. Sunday Downloads will usually be on Sunday.

Cute Teen Conversation

2011-09-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

Real conversation. Real teens. Fake names. Fake photos.

I hope he wore the socks ©

Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard

2011-09-15T06:12:00.000-07:00

I am not a book reviewer but a writer. If I post a book review, it's because I found a little gem. "Like Mandarin" by Kirsten Hubbard is just that. It's the type of book that gives you wings, and makes you want to soar.

Have you ever met or known that girl, who had such a spirit and carefree soul, she reminded you of the wild Mustangs that roamed free, untamed and untouchable. I read someplace where Kirsten Hubbard had to describe each of her books with one word. Longing is the word she gave "Like Mandarin." And yes, at some point in time, whether they were like Mandarin or not, we've all longed to be that other girl. Even I wanted to be like Mandarin.

But underneath all that haunting mystery of a girl, when the magic of awe is removed, Grace learns her fantasy idol is anything but.

Kirsten writes with a prose flare, appropriately mixing in the right about of "likes" or "comparisons." One of my favorite lines, is when she described how the other Kindergartners reacted to Grace's little sister's kaleidoscope find:

They swarmed around her like ants to a fallen bit of candy.

Or when she described the other teenagers at school:

The wholesome farm kids, like glasses of milk, and the bored bad kids, who made their own fun.

How Kirsten flavors her words is the style of writing I like to write myself (though I am in NO WAY suggesting I write as well as her....but I will, someday.) It's a smooth, simple, quick read (things that may make an author shudder but in no way do I think make for negative qualities.) It's a contemporary novel about an unlikely friendship and how that future shapes each girl. No romance beyond the romantic notion of being someone else for a time.

Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard official synopsis:

It's hard finding beauty in the badlands of Washokey, Wyoming, but 14-year-old Grace Carpenter knows it's not her mother's pageant obsessions, or the cowboy dances adored by her small-town classmates. True beauty is wild-girl Mandarin Ramey: 17, shameless and utterly carefree. Grace would give anything to be like Mandarin. When they're united for a project, they form an unlikely, explosive friendship, packed with nights spent skinny-dipping in the canal, liberating the town's animal-head trophies, and searching for someplace magic. Grace plays along when Mandarin suggests they run away together. Blame it on the crazy-making wildwinds plaguing their Badlands town. Because all too soon, Grace discovers Mandarin's unique beauty hides a girl who's troubled, broken, and even dangerous. And no matter how hard Grace fights to keep the magic, no friendship can withstand betrayal.

Sunday Downloads....uh, on Tuesday

2011-09-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

I've been threatening to start sharing my music tastes with you but haven't followed through. My bestest bud Jessica Love does a Tuesday Tunes on her blog and I love it! Have discovered some great new music because she shared. (See sharing can be good....just not boyfriends....unless you're twins, then that could be fun.)

So now I introduce the ever so creative, totally catchy title "Sunday Downloads". (Yeah, neither catchy or creative, sue me.) I was gonna call it Music Mondays but then they'd have to come up with a new word for lame. And since Tuesday Tunes was already taken, I decided to go with Sunday Downloads because....wait for it...that's when I usually download my music. (You totally didn't see that coming did you?)

Anyway, on to the download.

Seeing as I can't come up with an original idea myself, I decided not to break pattern this blog and post the same awesome song Jessica Love did two Tuesday Tunes ago. I swear, in the future I will not plagiarized Jessica's Tuesday Tunes every week but I might plagiarize the occasional awesomeness.

I love the odd artisticness of the video. The sympathy we have for him after the breakup...until we hear her side. My favorite scenes is when she comes off the wall and then when she is in his face and he flinches from her words. Pretty awesome in my book. Thank you Jessica for sharing.

Gotye - "Somebody That I Used To Know"

Somebody That I Used To Know - Gotye

Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
Told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
But that was love and it's an ache I still remember

You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness
Like resignation to the end
Always the end
So when we found that we could not make sense
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad that it was over

But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened
And that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger
And that feels so rough
You didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records
And then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
But had me believing it was always something that I'd done
And I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
You said that you could let it go
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know...

But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened
And that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger
And that feels so rough
You didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records
And then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

I used to know
That I used to know

Somebody...

Addictions Can Cause an Avalanche

2011-09-07T09:17:00.000-07:00

Book Avalanche!

(Click image for source.)

Now that's a serious problem! And I thought I had it bad. :)

Things We Used To Do...That I Miss

2011-09-06T08:48:00.000-07:00

And it makes me sad.

Watching the Miss America Pageant was important.
Waiting for Wizard of Oz to come on television that ONE time for the year.
Watching the space shuttle take off.
Having all television programs cease because the president had something to say.
Cartoons were on one hour after school and Saturday mornings.
After school specials.

I’m no longer a kid but these things don’t seem importantanymore. Heck, most of the time they go by unnoticed. Does that mean Americanshave lost their sense of value? Or haveour priorities changed? Too many channels? Too many options in life in general?

You know what’s killing us?

Instant Gratification. It’s worse than drugs and it’s taking over our society and our children.

What happened to thrill of anticipation? What do you think?

Eni Mini Mini Mo

2011-09-04T13:58:00.000-07:00

I have 10 books in my "to be read" stack and I am not sure what I should read next. From my list I have three I am DYING to read but feel like I should hold back on. Then I have a few "these will be nice to read when..." and the others are "I thought I wanted to read them, but now I'm wondering if I should have checked the library's status before buying."

Now slightly off subject, I feel the need to justify my book purchasing. Since the death of Borders (and my ability to buy used books for $1 and have them shipped to me for free) I have ONLY bought books that I MUST HAVE OR I WILL DYE FROM THE LACK THERE OF. (Or new releases that I doubt my library will carry anytime soon, much less ever.....considering I have not gone to my local library yet, I am basing this off of guesstimations.)

Beyond the "what I want to read," I wonder what I "should" read. (And at this point if you want to choke me to death for abusing quotation marks, then I concur.) But hear out my logic. Whatever I am reading can influence my writing. So if I read a present tense (that I enjoy) while writing a past tense book, I struggle with my tense. I love Laini Taylor and I wish I could write like her. Should I read her book while finishing my second edits or when I rewrite my 3rd? Or to I read Kiersten White's "Supernaturally" because her MC's snarky lines inspired me? Or should I read a story that is a 180* from mine?

Yeah, I'm that kind of gal. The one who likes to overcomplicate crap by over thinking everything.

So let me share with you what I have in my drawer (because all the books I buy but have not read, stay in a drawer. Only the books I've read get to claim trophy status on my book shelf.) (Unless they are romance smut, then I keep those suckers in the drawer because I don't want a soul to know I read that naughty stuff or god forbid, my kiddos pick it up and ask me what cunnilingus is.) ;)

When Val Kilmer was hot…

2011-09-02T07:51:00.000-07:00

Batman was blond.

Things like “I’m your Huckleberry” sounded like a bedroominvitation, even if they came from a pale-sickly-sharp-shooting-cowboys-addicted-to-laudanum.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eesNA_W44SU

Scary movies actually scared me.

Life consisted of what was I going to do Friday night.

Iceman made returning a volley…erotic. (:26 seconds, ifyou’re wondering.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GLeMwSwFUw

My friends in high school were social icons, not the lifers I expected them to be.

I was NOT a cheerleader (bitches.)

Anything was possible.

Muscle cars were HOT!

Madmartigan was a medieval pimp!

Turning a college professor’s home into giant tin of Jiffy Pop was possible.

My mother did not have a clue what was cool.

"History" was the guy you were into last week.

Batman was blond.

Where were you when Val Kilmer was hot?
1985 Real Genius
1986 Top Gun
1988 Willow
1993 Tombstone – Doc Holiday
1995 Batman
(my top five)

P.S. Did you know Val wrote his own music? http://www.valkilmer.com/music/Yeah, it’s…sketchy?

P.S.S. SequelAlert! In 2007, Val Kilmer expressedan interest in making a sequel to Real Genius, but no shooting dates have beenset. A remake of the film is rumored to be in consideration for a 2013 release.

My favorite Tombstone Scene: Doc Holiday can sling a mean tin cup.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUPaigOxAi8

Why Go To Writer's Conferences?

2011-08-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

Some debate if it is worth their time or money. I'd venture to guess if you are asking that, you've probably never been. Once you do go, you get it. The "why" for going to conference may be different for everyone but the basic reasons are the same. Here are a few reasons why you should go:

1. Pajama parties with your fellow writers:

(Rachel Searles, Me, Elizabeth Briggs)

(Heather Trese, oh look, there I am again, Jessica Love)

Other fabulous people I met but did not get a photo of: Barry Wolverton, Shana Silver, Ara Burkland and many many more. Gobs more actually.

So Dana, you meet these people and then what? With each connection you make, you learn one knew thing. Whether it be in the publishing industry, your writing or the process all together. The conversations you have give you a little more education about what you are doing, which spawns a little more confidence. With each connection, another door is open. Each person, whether it be writer, author, agent, editor, etc, you are furthering your career by opening up these opportunities you might not have ever had. But most importantly, these people "get you" or rather the writer side of you, more than your husband, your mother or your BFF. It's like one big writer brain converging into one.

2. You meet authors. Real live published people. Successful people even. Like:

Libba Bray...The photo kept coming up fuzzy (because a fingerprint was plastered all over my iphone's camera lens.) So Libba said to tell people "It turned out fuzzy because we were so hot, we melted the lens.)

Cindy Pon and Me :)

3. Go to learn about the publishing industry. I can not emphasize how important this is. There are so many terms, processes, and standards in the industry, that educating yourself is a must. You wouldn't get a job on a bomb squad without knowing your explosives. Or if you did, it would be a short career. Same applies to being a writer. SCBWI offers breakout sessions on the inner workings of publishing houses, hurdles editors go through, what agencies expect, etc. Knowing how to write a book is only a the beginning. Understanding how this industry works can take your manuscript from dream to publication.

4. Perfecting your craft. There are many workshops on refining your characters voice, how to write a plot driven MS, art of revisions, manuscript success and so on. These particular classes can be very helpful to a beginner. I've found most of this information from researching online but sometimes a basic writing workshop can be the reminder that conks you on the head or the reassurance you need to say "Yes, I'm on the right path."

5. Learn about the in-between stuff. How social media can help your writing career. The digital age of books and what it means to a writer. How to organize your writing time. Pretty much all the secondary aspects of writing you might not have taken the time to learn but realize how import it really can be for your writing.

Though the large conferences are fun (and expensive), the smaller ones can be just as beneficial, and more intimate. Which means make more meaningful connections. I hope you take the time to research what is offered in your area and decide what conference might benefit you. You never know, you may stumble on your dream agent at the next conference you attend. It's happened before.

Where'd She Go?

2011-08-26T05:58:00.000-07:00

I'm here, I'm here, I promise! Don't file a missing persons report. I'm just heeding Laurie Halse Anderson's advice from SCBWI conference, "no farting around on the internet." She didn't mean NEVER but when there are crunch times, know when to fold 'em. You know what I mean?

For me, family first. This summer with kiddos being home was a whirlwind, to say the least. They started school about two weeks ago and with school, homework, and sports everyday (sometimes two sports, no joke...I hear ya, it's ridiculous.), it's all I can do to keep my family above water. So I've been stingy with my time.

Once my families needs are meet I focus on me. First my mind and body, I HAVE to exercise, about as much as I need air. Then, I write. Or in my current status, edit. Which is going VERY well. Thank you very much for asking. Thirdly, I try get in a little reading time. Slow going lately because I was reading a very heavy book (The Windup Girl...will tell you more about that in another post.) And lastly, I critique. Sorry my lovely CP partners. *muah muah* I love you guys but I'd expect you to put me last as well.

Oh, and did I mention, I also have this as a distraction:

Seriously folks, how am I supposed to get any work done with this thing staring at me all day? Meet Sookie, my 3 month old Imperial Shih-Tzu (which is fancy for saying "miniature.") She's the cutest sweetest thing and my family really loves her.

So am I back for a while? Yes...I hope. Unless my book needs me solo again. Because let's face it peeps, this book ain't gonna publish itself. I hope to blog at least three times a week.

What about you ask? (Or maybe you didn't but I'm gonna tell you anyway.)

My SCBWI conference experience

How you can't let fame got to you head.

Why pubbing a book you hate is a sin.

When Val Kilmer was hot...

And other great posts coming your way!

Thanks for letting me hid out for a bit to work on my MS. And thanks for not protesting with pitch forks, or boycotting my blog, or unfollowing me. (Well if you did unfollow me, I didn't notice. And obviously you are not over me because you are here, reading this. It's okay sweetie, I forgive you.)

SCBWI LA Conference...loving it!

2011-08-06T07:58:00.000-07:00

Quick check in with you this morning. Yesterday was my first day at conference and it went by so fast. I've met so many new people and reconnected with people I knew. Didn't get a single picture yesterday but I'll remedy that today.

Libba Bray's key notes was hilarious and down right honest. She talks about how"getting it wrong is the necessary part of getting it write." Good news she says, "Your manuscript sucks!" Then she goes into how to find the right tools to fix it. More on her later.

Laura Halse Anderson (author of Speak) gave a very honest/tough love workshop on how you can carve out more writing/creative time so "stop farting around on the internet." *guilty*

Emma Dryden discussed the "Traversing the Digital Landscape" where she discusses the "digital book age" and are you ready for it? Also a big question in ebooks: "Do they have quality?" This is something I'd like to talk on my blog further about.

All this and more will elaborated on next week. If you are here today, track me down via my comments. If not, wish you were! Have a great day!

I Almost Forgot I Was a Writer

2011-07-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

It's been three weeks since I've touched my MS or read something for my critique partners. I haven't even thought about my MS. Haven't read any writing blogs. Barely have I solcialized with my twitter writer peeps. I've barely even read a book! Between kids being home for summer and vacations, writing times are tough. Now that I am home, I will try to resume to normal. ("Try" being the operative word. Until kids are out of my hair, that may be near impossible.)

Being away from my craft for so long, I almost forgot I was a writer. It's a silly notion to think one could forget. It's like leaving house without your shoes. Not likely but possible. How do you forget? It's this thing called life and it can get carried away and keep preoccupied.

Now that I am home and I have three seconds to ponder my story a bit, this warm fuzzy feeling stirs in my gut. I get a little tingly thinking about what I need to sit down a work on next. This tiny realization rushes over me as I remember... I'm a writer. It feels like home, to settle myself firmly into a writing frame of mind. Like burrowing your feet deeply into the warm sandy beach and knowing this is the place you really want to be.

How about you, do you ever forget you are writer?

Checking In From Tennessee

2011-07-18T14:43:00.000-07:00

Still visiting my family in Tennessee. It's hot but I love being home. Didn't quite post every day like I had idealized. That's life. Have not touched WIP or critiqued for my critique partners at all (sorry guys). I hope to get to it when I get back home.
(The flower to the left is a weed. My favorite.)

What am I doing?

Picking wild blackberries. So juicy and delicious. I hope I find enough to make a cobbler.
Swimming and laying out by the pool.
Riding four wheelers
Feeding the fish at my father's pond and when they come for the free meal, we catch them. That's lazy man's fishing. So mean. We throw them back. Less dangerous than shooting them with a pistol.
Eating chicken livers because they are the best ever!

Here are the critters we have seen since we have been home (and I'm not talking road kill):

Momma skunk and her three babies teetering across the road.
Possum and six babies scattered on the highway at night.
Young raccoon.
Six vultures (pecking at a squashed armadillo.)
Three wild turkeys and their chicks.
Giant bull frog, size of my palm.
Donkeys, goats, Shetland ponies, buffalo, lemurs, llamas, horses, and cattle. (all owned by various family members.)
Bats, bats and bats.

Does any of this matter? No, but I love nature and revel in the chance to see it up close and personal. Something my California boys never get the opportunity.

Why I Love Going Home

2011-07-14T10:26:00.000-07:00

Fried green tomatoes just a backyard away.

Homemade Muscadine Wine.

Tiger lilies on steroids.

Hibiscus on crack.

Cicada shells to creep the kids out.

Butterflies the size of your thumbnail.

Butterflies.

Gah! Packing!

2011-07-06T07:12:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I'm heading out! I'm going to go visit the folks for a few weeks. Gonna get my twang on. Hope to get some reading done. ~The duds I've picked up recently have made me skittish. I just don't know if I can take another boring/poorly written/self-absorbed book. Hope to get some critiquing done...but probably not much. And editing my MS, Ha! Not. Gonna. Happen. There will not be enough of a time block to sit down an focus while I'm in Tennessee. I do think I'm finally at that stage I need to print off a hard copy an see it in full. You know? Even though parts of it are broken, I need to see it in paper form to smother it in post-it notes and make a good set of notes in the margins. By the time I red ink it to death, it will truly make the pen mightier than the sword.

But never fear, I plan to blog every day. Key word "plan." Plan to and what actually happens are two different things. There are few days I will be without internet so plan or not, it won't happen. Also, my posts will mostly be about me and my life in Tennessee. Whether it be about now, childhood, etc. So you'll get to see a little more about me. Hopefully (dude, enough with the adverbs already) you find it interesting.

What are your summer plans? Do they cramp your writing too?

Profanity Incognito Really Isn’t

2011-07-03T07:38:00.001-07:00

WARNING: Profanity will run rampant in this post. Easily offended is fair warned.

On Twitter, Facebook and in blogs I see swear words disguised as: a$$, effing, f**k, Shiz, mofo, beeotch, mugger fugger, sh**, or WTF. Just to name a few. I understand that the purpose of disguising a swear word is to try to come off less offensive and/or to keep your tweets, blogs, status rated PG. I’ve done it myself. And I have no problem with people disguising their words for whatever reason they see fit.

But I have to tell ya, when I read a$$, I still read “ass” not “a money money.” Or if you write WTF, I read “what the fuck” and not “double-u tee eff.”

Who are we really fooling? Do dollar signs really censor the word or more importantly the meaning? Even using darn instead of damn, is still considered cursing, according to dictionary.com (verb 2. to curse; damn/ idiom 3. give a darn. damn.)

I’ve never had a problem with cursing, among adults. To me, it’s the meaning/emotion behind the words I put value on. For instance, which do you find more to be more hateful?

“This is the best fucking writing ever!”

“Your fucking writing sucks like a vacuum!”

(For the record, I appreciate some censorship, especially in music. I always buy the clean version when available or I can’t listen to it around my children.)

I know a lot of people find profanity offensive, so I will continue to disguise my words, occasionally. But I have to ask, does sprinkling colored sugar on a pile shit make it a chocolate cupcake?

Taking Blog Break This Week

2011-06-27T12:36:00.000-07:00

It's summer, which means kids home from school. This week, momma's got them in a camp. So I need every second I can to work on my MS.
I shall return next week.

Later Peeps!

Who I'd Kill and Other Stuff.

2011-06-23T15:14:00.000-07:00

Gahhhh, I'm it. My OLBFF, Nicole, --who is about to get her status revoked-- tagged me on a meme. I love reading and participating but hate tagging people. So if I tag you and it's just not your thing, don't sweat it.

If you could go back in time and relive one moment, what would it be?
When we were kids, there was a huge set of woods we used to play in, for hours. There were trees that canopied to the ground and created hidden rooms. Others so tall, when you climbed to the top you felt like the only person in the world. Blackberries abound. Any day in those woods would be fine by me. (BTW...They're gone now. Replaced by planned community.)

If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would it be?

Here goes nothing. Because once I say it, I can't take it back but maybe some teen will read this and it will impact their life. I would have given my virginity to someone I loved, and had loved for a LONG time.

What movie/tv character do you most resemble in personality?
Sam off iCarly. She speaks her mind, even if it's not what Carly wants to hear or even if it comes out of left field. And she'll beat a boy down with a stick of butter in a sock if he breaks her BFF's heart.

If you could push one person off a cliff and get away with it, who would it be?
I only get to push one person off? Because several people popped into my mind and I'm having a hard time choosing just one. There was a mom at my son's last school who was really nasty to me for no effing reason, I'd push her. And she's chained to six other people at that school I won't mention by name. That felt good. Hypothetical killing is quite therapeutic.

Name one habit you want to change in yourself.

I want to let go of my anxiety, it knots my shoulders like crazy.

Describe yourself in one word.

Animated. After a presentation I did in college, a girl complimented with that description. It labels me to a T. (Of course I'm stubborn, opinionated...but we won't go there.)
Describe the person who named you in this meme in one word.

Twin. Everything that comes out of this girl's mouth (read: blog) is something I've thought, felt or said myself. She's like a carbon copy and I completely adore her. Why not, she's me. :)
Why do you blog? Answer in one sentence.
To connect with writers, because there are the only ones who "get it."

Who am I tagging?
Hate this stuff, so I'm gonna cheat and put the same thing Nicole did....The last three commenters!

Gretchen @ http://scribblingonthepage.blogspot.com/

Riley @ http://themightyjungle.blogspot.com/

Jessica @ http://jessicalovewrites.blogspot.com/

If you guys don't want to participate, I will not hold it against you.

I need to be editing but all I can think about is this...

2011-06-22T13:38:00.000-07:00

Oh man, and this....

And a little bit of this....

And this...

Oh baby, what about this...

Six pack much?

Some people just aren't meant to wear clothes.

Skinny Love. My, my, my...

2011-06-21T06:33:00.000-07:00

Love this artist. Love this song.

The Colbert Report
Tags: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

This is why I love indie musicians. They take their art and elevate it to a whole new level.

Lyrics:

Come on skinny love just last the year
Pour a little salt we were never here
My, my, my.. my, my, my... my, my
Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer

I tell my love to wreck it all
Cut out all the ropes and let me fall
My, my, my... my, my, my... my, my
Right in the moment this order's tall

I told you to be patient
I told you to be fine
I told you to be balanced
I told you to be kind
In the morning I'll be with you
But it will be a different "kind"
I'll be holding all the tickets
And you'll be owning all the fines

Come on skinny love what happened here
Suckle on the hope in lite brassiere
My, my, my... my, my, my... my, my
Sullen load is full; so slow on the split

I told you to be patient
I told you to be fine
I told you to be balanced
I told you to be kind
Now all your love is wasted?
Then who the hell was I?
Now I'm breaking at the britches
And at the end of all your lines

Who will love you?
Who will fight?
Who will fall far behind

There's This Thing Called a Library

2011-06-20T06:38:00.000-07:00

It's a magical place where they let you borrow books...FOR FREE! (Duh Dana, hence the word "borrow.")

I've never been. *cue collaborative gasp*

Yes, I'm a huge reader, thirty books this year so far. And yes, I. Purchase. Every. Single. Book. No, I am not made of money but I shop for bargains, use coupons, get free shipping and buy used (Sometimes that only means $1 per book.)

I'm sure a lot of you already use your library but for me, it just felt like a hassle, for several reasons. It's a little out of my way. Don't want to wrangle kids while trying to pick a book. There is usually a wait list for new releases (which for a while was all I read.) Biggest reason, I didn't know what to read. Prior to two years ago, I wasn't a big reader. Honestly, I've just never given the idea a chance.

So why the big change now? If you have been reading my blog lately, you've read my complaints about the disappointing books I've tried to read. EPIC FAILS. It happened again and I'm sick of complaining, along with being sick of my negativity. (Negativity is disgusting and it just doesn't look good on me.) So to combat my complaining, I've started a library book wish list, emphasis in the YA genre. Obviously it won't be the latest releases but there are plenty of books out there that I haven't read. Half my list comprises of books I feel I should read because I'm a YA writer or they are highly respected in the YA genre. The other half of the list are possible FAILS, books whose reviews came back mixed. But this time, I won't feel bitter or complain or feel guilty for not finishing them because I didn't actually pay money for them. Yay!

I have about six books in my to-be-read pile that I want to read before I venture into the great wild beyond call the Library. When I do eventually go, I will have a well prepared list and positive attitude in hand.

Love Me Some Free Music

2011-06-15T07:08:00.000-07:00

As a lover of indie music it's hard to find quality artists who move me by their music. Then I stumbled across a little website called noisetrade.com (read "stumbled" as "my critique partner introduced me") There are tons of good artists on this website that you can download for free...legally:
Cary Brothers
The Civil Wars

My latest download is a guy who knows the way into my heart, acoustic guitar. He has a folky bluesy summertime vibe (sometimes Paul Simon-esk.) Thus the appropriate titled "Summertime" sampler. (Only free this week!) Even the album cover calls you to the lakeside for a cool summer dip. I LOVE the vintage grit that tints this photo. I'm picky so I don't love them all but there are quite a few I can't resist. Enjoy!

I'm a Tweaker. She's a Tweaker. Wouldn't you like to be a Tweaker too. Be a Tweaker. Drink Dr. Tweaker.

2011-06-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

No, not as in drug addict.

And no, that is not some cool new slang for a Twitter addict. (Denial is bliss.)

I’m referring to the constant tinkering I do to my MS. Creating a solid second draft has become…impossible? Or rather subjective, because I can’t seem to leave well enough alone. You see I am working on my MS, from beginning to end. Doing a strong once-over for basic grammar clean-up and crap-cut. (Crap Cut is an official term used by most editors.) I’m refining what I have while highlighting the problem areas. Occasionally I must go back and clean up a plot thread and...here lies the problem. That's when I get twitchy and I find myself tweaking the surrounding area.

Just a little nip here, tuck there and the next thing you know, I’ve redrafted X chapter....again. Sure it’s better but I got off task and I still haven't edited to the end.

Technically 2nd draft is drafted in stages. First chapter is on its forty-eleventh draft. The next few chapters on a 4^th draft and the end few chapters still in first draft form because I HAVEN’T FINISHED YET!

I want to carve out time. I have the best intentions to ignore my children to get it done but I find tiny excuses to read blogs or twitter jump and the next thing you know that twenty seconds of piece I had, has been eaten by the Time Suck Monster.

Yes, I know I digressed from tweaking to edit stalling but it’s all relevant.

Okay, today I am going to get serious. I’m going to un-plug…starting tomorrow. Don’t read me the riot act, I have to take said ignored offspring to the fair today. Gotta ease the guilt somehow. Geesh people, you're relentless.

Tonight…if I’m not too tired, I’ll tweak the end chapters that I am avoiding because I hacked two chapters and have to rebuild the bridge to the end of my book. *gasps for breath* Wish me luck.

I'm All About...

2011-06-11T15:59:00.000-07:00

Auburn's "All About Him." The cutest lyrics and the perfect YA pop song for my playlist (my next book.)

My favorite part is when she says:

He asked for a kiss (Muah)

So I gave him two

He said, "Well, thank you, baby,"

I said, "You're welcome, boo"

Lyrics:

Cause I'm all about him, him, him, him, him

And he's all about me, me, me, me, me

And we don't give a dang, dang, dang, dang, dang

About nobody-e-e-e

'Cause I'm all about him, him, him, him, him

And he's all about me, me, me, me, me

And we don't give a dang, dang, dang, dang, dang

About nobody-e-e-e

Well, had him shooting for me like a ball team

Every guy was a knock out, Don King

But none of 'em had smarts, that's my thing

It's not enough to have balls, Spalding, ha

One day by Starbucks

I bumped into a guy rocking black Chucks

He said "Excuse me, beautiful," I said, "Aww, shucks"

And then he asked, "Well, ay, wanna grab lunch?"

Never ever met a guy so fly

Got me hooked like apple pie, I

Think I'm falling and I don't know why

But I won't fight these butterflies

'Cause I'm all about him, him, him, him, him

And he's all about me, me, me, me, me

And we don't give a dang, dang, dang, dang, dang

About nobody-e-e-e

'Cause I'm all about him, him, him, him, him

And he's all about me, me, me, me, me

And we don't give a dang, dang, dang, dang, dang

About nobody-e-e-e

And I swear what we have is just super cool

The way he's always in my head like a Bluetooth

I got a text from him, he said come through

Told me that he wants to kick it, Kung Fu

Don't do nothing much at all

Just we and his boys watching football

He asked for a kiss (Muah) So I gave him two

He said, "Well, thank you, baby," I said, "You're welcome, boo"

Never ever met a guy so fly

Got me hooked like apple pie, I

Think I'm falling and I don't know why

But I won't fight these butterflies

'Cause I'm all about him, him, him, him, him

And he's all about me, me, me, me, me

And we don't give a dang, dang, dang, dang, dang

About nobody-e-e-e

'Cause I'm all about him, him, him, him, him

And he's all about me, me, me, me, me

And we don't give a dang, dang, dang, dang, dang

About nobody-e-e-e

No, I don't need no fancy cars

And I don't need no diamond rings

My baby is all I need and more

'Cause I don't need those extra things

It's not about you (Oh-oh-oh-oh) (It's not about you)

It's not about them (Oh-oh-oh-oh) (It's not about them)

It's all about me (Oh-oh-oh-oh) (It's all about me)

And it's all about him (Oh-oh-oh-oh) (It's all about him)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Said it's all about him, yeah

'Cause I'm all about him, him, him, him, him

And he's all about me, me, me, me, me

And we don't give a dang, dang, dang, dang, dang

About nobody-e-e-e

'Cause I'm all about him, him, him, him, him

And he's all about me, me, me, me, me

And we don't give a dang, dang, dang, dang, dang

About nobody-e-e-e

(Oh-oh-oh-oh) 'Cause I'm all about him

(Oh-oh-oh-oh) I'm all about him

(Oh-oh-oh-oh) And we don't give a dang, dang, dang

(Oh-oh-oh-oh) It's all about you

(Oh-oh-oh-oh) It's all about you, boy

(Oh-oh-oh-oh) It's all about you

(Oh-oh-oh-oh)

It's FRIDAY! Shake your money maker with me!

2011-06-10T15:59:00.000-07:00

Beats are thumpin' and the lights are jumpin'. Splash a drink in your hand and hit the floor runnin'. Because this is how I get my Friday bump on!

Eni Mini Mini Mo

2011-06-08T07:55:00.000-07:00

These are four of the umpteenmillion books I have ordered recently for my to-be-read stack. I can't decide. I think I'm leaning toward the Dreamdark series Blackbringer by Laini Taylor. She has some mean writing skillz and her style really influences mine to improve and helps me refine my own style, which could help with the revisions in my current WIP. BUT the Infinity series is an urban fantasy, which is more of what my book is, so that could help my writing process now too. Then again, should I be reading something opposite of my MS? Decisions, decisions. I have some romance novels in that to be read stack but I'm trying to ground my head back in the YA genre to help me get this MS complete.

What do you think I should read next?

And Yet I Complain Again

2011-06-07T09:49:00.000-07:00

Barely twenty five pages into a book and, I’VE HAD ENOUGH. Short of chucking the book across the room and denting my wall, I have to stop reading this book or I’m going to kill someone. I’m all for snarky characters. I think snarky can actually make a book. But when snarky turns into a self-monologue and the story is the background, I get thoroughly annoyed.

Don’t get me wrong, I love me some good standup comedy but not in a book, so get to the story already! Or worse, I start to get into the story and BAM! two pages of banter that has NOTHING to do with the story. Just the author’s look-at-me-I-can-be-funny glory pages. I can’t stomach that.

Examples, in my opinion, of the appropriate amount of wit and/or banter would be Kiersten White’s Paranormalcy. Evie has witty little sprinklings of salt, giving it just the right flavor without ruining it. (You’ve over salted your food before right? It leaves a bad taste in your mouth, literally) Or Jace from The Immortal Instruments series, punchy lines at just the right moment. Sure there a more examples, but those are the two that pop into my brain right off the bat.

But this book I WAS reading (before I set it on fire and did a burn-baby-burn tribal dance around the flames) had so much wit/snark/banter to the point I found myself asking, what the heck is this story about? One line the author actually repeated two pages later and the Antagonist pointed it out to the MC and the character actually said “Well it was even funnier the second time.” O_o I was like “Seriously? Oh no he didn’t. Did the author just pat himself on the back?” And honestly, the first time the line was delivered, it was…okay.

As a writer, who actually desires to be published, I must refrain from doing bad book reviews. Sure the censorship sucks but my career is more important than expressing, or in this case venting, my opinion. Plus I didn’t, nor will I ever, finish reading this book so I couldn’t give more than a “The first 25 pages sucked” book review.

So what is your snarky tolerance level? Or what [fill in the blank] aspect of a book drives you to the point of murder when it is overplayed?

Is the Wall Street Journal Genre Profiling?

2011-06-05T16:36:00.000-07:00

It's kind of an exaggerated question but it does make me grimace. In case you didn’t hear the big explosion in YA this weekend, Wall Street Journal pissed a lot of YA writers and readers off: Darkness Too Visible. In short, the article complains there is nothing on the shelf that isn’t “dark” and depressing in the YA section. I have to say I wasn't angry at the woman in the article's intro who wanted a wholesome book for her child. I was annoyed how the article generalized the YA industry "dark" as a whole.

I like what Natalie Whipple said on twitter: “The @wsj in a grocery store: *walks past produce section with eyes closed* "What the? THIS STORE ONLY SELLS MEAT! Heathens!" #YAsaves”

Bookstores face front the books that sell the most, these books happen to be "dark" content because that is what is popular right now. But that doesn't mean those are the only books out there. With a little more research, or maybe inquiring with one of the clerks at the store, the woman would have been able to find a slue of quality of content and age appropriate books. (I find the bookstore clerks put my reading habits to shame.) More importantly, I think some of these dark books offer more insight than the 250 back page synopsis offers.

Take Suzanne Collin’s Hunger Games, it is filled with murder but I think the bigger picture she is painting is overlooked. War, politics but I also feel she is exaggerating what reality TV shows could become and is screaming to the general population that “Wake up world, this crap is sucking the morality out of our future generations!” I’m not talking about the American Idols or Dancing with the Stars reality shows, I’m talking about the devouring brain cell shows, you know which ones I'm talking about without naming them. I was guilty of it too, though they can be absolutely astounding/interesting that people really act that stupid in real life in front of a camera no less, the reality is, I will never get back those wasted hours of TV, or wasted brain cells.

Yes I digress off the path a bit but my point is whether crappy reality TV or dark books or the satanic rock bands of the 80s (such a joke) teens are smart enough to see the crap for what it is and ultimately make the right choices. I did. And I attribute that to parents who did not censor or shelter me growing up. They showed me the right path and let me take the wrong one so I could figure life out for myself. They trusted me (though as fearful as it may have been) to screw up just enough that I’d learn from my own mistakes. For that, I am think I turned out great, if I say so myself.

Veronica Roth wrote an excellent post about the This WSJ Thing. She gives us a look on the other side of the coin. She talks about being a sensitive teen and is grateful her parent's censorship. The thing she hit with is the generalization the article makes. Here is her quote:

My major problem with the WSJ article is that it makes general something that should be specific. You want to say, I want to protect my children from this kind of content? Then I say, I am happy for your kids, that they have a parent who is that worried about them. But when you say, these books are garbage and they're damaging the minds of children? I say, the world is damaging the minds of children. Be more shocked by the world than by the books.

I agree with her statement, wholeheartedly.

You have the right and should inact that right to protect your teen, if you so see fit. But I have to caution parents, being one myself, sometimes over filtering can backfire. The bigger the filter, the larger censorship label or the more we institute the don’t-talk-about-it-and-it-won’t-exist mentality you might as well be highlighting the path with giant neon arrows for teens. They know what lies beyond (or at the very least know where OR WHO to go to to find out) and rest assured, most will venture into that beyond, whether parents like it or not. To what degree is hard to say. We’ve all screwed up here and there but those moments were the strongest lessons learned, more than my parent’s warnings.

The advice I'd give, research and READ the books you buy for your child, so there are no surprises. And please don't impose your beliefs and practices onto others or generalize in blanket statements, no matter which side of the coin you are on. There is no one way to parent, contrary to some opinions.

Other good articles on the subject:
Kristin Rae's "Great Posts about the WSJ Thing..."

P.S. Here’s another WSJ article from March, along the same lines that irked me. Sex? Violence? An Author Tests the Boundaries of YA Fiction Does anyone else see the irony of the author saying I wrote a dark book without actually writing about the dark stuff? I was like, “Huh? Then you didn’t write a dark book….?"

Green-Eyed Monsters and more...Friday Highlights

2011-06-03T09:38:00.000-07:00

Beating the Green-eyed Bastard!
We've all been there. Call it jealousy or if you want to make yourself look less petty call it envy, either way, you want what you don't have. My favorite part is the "Jealous Much?" points of jealousy he makes in the beginning. Oh man, I've coveted a thing or two on that list. We all take our own path, someday people might look at me with that same envious desire. Check out a few other posts by Skinny Artist. I like how his head thinks.

Reading Bad Books can be good...
I've blogged about this before. It's what has pushed me to finish that book that has me ranting and raving to my husband like a mad lunatic (Since I don't publicly bash. I'm a writer, not a book reviewer.)

Ambition, Risk and Consequence
Where do you swim? Big fish little pond or with the sharks in the ocean? Even though Bane reminds us of "Dream big, fall hard." I counter with "Risk big, win big."

Taking Stock
We you think the road ahead it too far to reach, turn back and look at how far you have come. Taking stock of your writing journey is the best way to do that. Amy Nichols reminds us.

A Poem of Novels

2011-06-02T06:54:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Tahereh Mafi.

Harlot vs. Virgin

2011-06-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

I spend half my time reading YA and the other Romance novels. Thanks to my OLBFF Nicole, my reading habits have split. And I have to say, I love the romance smut! Now with that said, I feel like a total cheater. Or maybe a hypocrite.

It feels like such a double standard to love the Romance genres (equally as YA I might add) but write YA. Can you really love the innocence and strained sexual abstinence of YA and also appreciate/crave the raw pleasure of Romance?

I’m here to say yes, you can be a harlot and a virgin at the same time! (Literarily speaking of course.) All while remaining true the genre you write. But never fear, I do not desire to be a romance writer…yet. Maybe someday my course may change but for now, I’m Team YA.

So how about you, do you feel you are cheating on the genre you are writing for?

Oh, and by the way, if you are not reading any Romance Novels, I fully recommend you get your inner smut on!

Me and a Perm plus Other Daily Life

2011-05-31T14:35:00.000-07:00

Old friend from high school posted this on FB the other day.
I almost peed my pants laughing.

Yes, that is me with my tongue hanging out. That's a lot of aqua net right there baby. Just thought I'd share.

In other news, during my editing struggle (and thus slashing two chapters) I decided I could not possibly move forward with editing until I did an outline. It's not as detailed as the outlines I have done in the past but more of a 4 step Craptastic Rough Draft, which consists of :

Chapter # - What the heck is the overall objective?
How many freaking locations do I jump through this time?
Any plot threads worth mentioning?
What on god's green earth is the cliffhanger?

It's my specialized copyrighted formula but feel free to use it if helps you too. Doing this though, I've spotted two problems I didn't see before and hopefully by the time I am done, I will fix the pre-ending of my story that I just hacked. (pre-ending = right before the big show down/climax) I'm back on track with my MS for sure.

As long as the young'ens don't pester me too much.

And to deal with those pesky ~~varmets~~ ~~varmits~~ (Freaking A! I can't spell!) varmints (or varments according to dictionary.com) I created daily to do's, chores and homework chart....yes I make my kids to light homework every day over the summer. Day 1, today, was a complete success. They did twice as much as they were required, (which is a lot for my older boy.) I also implemented a "No Electronics" for majority of the day but together we created a monster list of games to play or fun things to do. I hope they don't burn through them all in the first week. I work from home (work=writing) so they have to be happy hanging here.

Beep, beep, beep goes the dryer. Gotta go!

Plants vs. Angels?

2011-05-26T07:05:00.000-07:00

Yeah so in my world plants are winning out. I neglected my life/yard/family to the point of desolation (not really) for the glory of the MS (which kind of involves angels, more like she's the daughter of a human race, divined by God with angelic powers, so angelish? It's a long story. I digress.) so I must re-inject myself in my MS or full collapse/implosion will occur.

(Cue diversion) To my right is a sweet succulent arrangement I created out by our pool. Nice huh? It's beauteous and low maintenance-ous. Which feeds to my i-can-ignore-it-and-it-will-probably-survive appeal. Thus the beauty of Southern California.

Annnnnnd on that note, or not, summer is coming. Which means kids are out of school on Friday? FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, FRIDAY!?! (For the record, I wrote "FOR THE LOVE OF GOE" instead of "GOD" I think my writer brain just invented a new god for my next book. Not. But you know how our brains tangent.)

What the hey? How am I going to entertain these height deprived folk? Oh geesh, shall I sit by the fire and read them Alexander Pope poems? Heck no, not unless I want a revolt on my hands. Whatever summer shenanigans I in tell, there will be a minuscule amount of editing time. Shall I remind myself of my SCBWI LA 2011 summer goal? The self-prescribed goal to have a solid 3rd draft ready to share by the conference.

Why on God's green earth would I subject myself to that kind of "agent" pressure?

No, I plan to pretend there is no such enforced deadline for the MS...did I say "the MS?" That was a Freudian disassociation slip. I meant "my MS." Either way, I will ignore the fact that it has taken me A GAZILLION TIMES longer to edit the darn thing than write it............oh hell, I digress....like apples to rutabaga digress.

So now is the time I inhale and become one with and accept my predecessor published author's words of wisdom: "Enjoy the pre-published, no deadline stage while you can."

Yeah, I'm rolling it.

Cover Wars

2011-05-24T07:54:00.000-07:00

Flipping through One Page At a Time YA Book Reviews, I found a fun series of posts called Cover Wars. KM does a great job posting cover wars of popular YA books. For instance:

Hardcover vs. Paperback

US vs. Germany

Or if you rock the planet like Kristin Cashore...

(Go here to see her entire book gallery.)

And many more (just type in "cover wars" on KM's blog search and you will see an entire list.)

I find the hardcover vs. paperback changes to be the least desirable. Why the drastic change? I assume publishers think the different cover art will appeal to a whole new audience. For some reason I have an affinity towards the cover of the book I read. Like The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, I prefer the hardcover because that's the physical copy I read. I'm even picky as to which addition I share on my Shelfari or Goodreads bookshelves.

To Write Love On Her Arms

2011-05-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

The whole story here.

How do you avoid "boring" once you're an established author?

2011-05-20T08:04:00.000-07:00

This is not the first time I have read a popular author's sequel book and found it, well....boring.

For the record, and for the salvation of my future as a published author, I will not divulge as to what book I am referring too. And no, it is not the book I have listed to the right in my "Currently Reading" sidebar.

What I wonder is, how does this happen? How does one go from great to eh, okay. Could it be that their popularity and fame has deluded editors judgement? Or could it be that I read the author's other books a long while back but now find the writing subpar? Maybe but beyond my opinion, others, a majority others praise this author.

So I ask, how can we avoid this as future authors? I'd like to think we would not get so full of ourselves. That we won't let book sales go to our head and we will still strive to write a better book than last time. That beating a dead horse is simply that, beating a dead horse. I hope than when I'm published and WHEN I get my three book deal (You like that putting-it-out-in-the-universe mentality?) that I preform like Susan Collins and write the greatest Mockingjay of my life. That's how you do it!

How will you crack the "Sequels Suck" myth?

What's your gravity?

2011-05-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

Right now I need a little heavy.

I'd love to say I had this amazing post written last week but blogger deleted it. Well there is a half truth there....blogger deleted my "What's your gravity?" post. The "amazing"...not so much.

But what I said in a nutshell is hey, I haven't been blogging lately but my blog hiatuses usually go in waves. What I'm more concerned about, is my editing. It has coasted to a halt as well.

Usually the idea of "someday I want to be published" pushes me when I can't otherwise move forward but now, it's not enough. DON'T misread that, I still want, need, crave to be published but I feel like I have neglected my yard, my honey=do list, my LIFE and I'm playing catch up on the other side (other side read reality.)

I'm still enjoying my MS and characters but I am forty pages out from finishing my editing and then OFF to betas. You'd think the "light at the end of the tunnel" joy would fuel my last laps here but no, I find myself unmotivated. Maybe it has to do with the book I am reading now (which I will post about tomorrow.) I am slightly panicked because I did want a completed, solid 3rd draft MS to take with me to SCBWI LA 2011. Do you think that is possible?

Whatever the case may be, I need a little gravity to see me through to the end. So I ask again, what is your gravity?

Hiatus Comes With a Price

2011-05-18T19:32:00.000-07:00

So the last two months my posting has slowed down because of life and editing. But hiatus comes with a price. The traffic through my blog is, well...nil. I wish I could be one of the popular people who blog daily, twitter often and write novels in their spare time. I can't. I have family, children, priorities but with those commitments comes a price.

Yesterday Kristen Creative talked about how "Twitter is like a club" and I totally agree but not like YAMafia kind of way. Those people who have the time to commit to Twitter, blogging or whatever social network are rewarded with popularity. Because they are committed to consistency which brings an audience. In my opinion, if you are that committed, you deserve the popularity.

So I flounder between, guilt and envy and pouting (I want to be cool!) Guilt - because I want to build a social network for my future publications and hiatus is not building that. Envy - for the peeps who have the time and blogwell from which they can pull from. Pouting - because I don't have the first two.

Then it dawned on me (through Kristen's blog comments), I am not socially dependent upon my computer. AND so we are clear, I am NOT saying those who are popular are dependent, I'm just trying to relieve some of my own guilt-envy-pouting and remind myself it's okay if I'm not popular ALL the time (or ever) in the virtual world.

So I hereby decree a State of DowhateverIwanteth until said contract is struck with publisher for a book deal. At said (I like using "said" like that, yes I'm a dork) point in time I will hit the blog ground running and be a formidable face on Twitter, Blogger and Whatever-er.

That relieves some of the pressure I unnecessarily put on myself. How about you, do you yield to the popular/cool gods?

Plus, summer is coming and kids will need my 24hr/day attention. I'm gearing up for the summer vacay. (Not to mention I will be in Tennessee visiting my peeps for three weeks.)

Lips Touch Three Times Give-a-way

2011-05-16T05:51:00.000-07:00

When a publishing company makes statements like “unparalleled imagination,” my status bar for the content is immediately raised and my disappointment meter is on high alert.

“Lips Touch Three Times” by Laini Taylor is the exception to that rule. I loved this book so much, I bought a second copy to give-a-way.

You might remember a couple of weeks ago I mentioned Taylor had a book coming out “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” (Bitchin’ title and hot cover) praised by author Kiersten White on Twitter. I decided to buy Taylor’s “Lips Touch Three Times” book to check out her writing.

“Unparalleled Imagination” is an understatement. This book consists of three stories, all which involve the power of a kiss. Here’s the book synopsis so I don’t botch it:

Everyone dreams of getting the kiss of a lifetime - but what if that kiss carried some unexpected consequences? A girl who's always been in the shadows finds herself pursued by the unbelievably attractive new boy at school, who may or may not be the death of her. Another girl grows up mute because of a curse placed on her by a vindictive spirit, and later must decide whether to utter her first words to the boy she loves and risk killing everyone who hears her if the curse is real. And a third girl discovers that the real reason for her transient life with her mother has to do with belonging literally belonging to another world entirely, full of dreaded creatures who can transform into animals, and whose queen keeps little girls as personal pets until they grow to childbearing age. From a writer of unparalleled imagination and emotional insight, three stories about the deliciousness of wanting and waiting for that moment when lips touch.

The main character in the first story has a freakishly obscure family life and yet Taylor paints with her words in such a way you believe those families truly live among us. The second story gives you a twisted but plausible India-ish version of heaven and hell. I say “India-ish” because it’s based on the Hindu’s concept of heaven and hell but with an artful spin that Taylor puts on all her work.

The third story blew my mind away. This is the type of writing I hope to achieve someday. She spins half-truths with folklore mixed in wolf’s blood for an amazing tale. I don’t want to say any more because I might sprinkle in spoilers and not mean to but you have to read it with virgin knowledge to receive the full mind blow.

At the end of her book, Taylor inserts an Author’s Note about the where her half-truths were derived. It’s those half-truths that make the stories believable and that is the quality in her work that I love and strive for in my own writing. She sums herself up as follows:

Like a magpie, I am a scavenger of shiny things: fairy tales, dead languages, weird folk beliefs, fascinating religious, and more.

I couldn’t have described her writing any better.

Now the Give-a-way. Simply tell me in the comments you want this hardcover book and I’ll use random.org to select a winner. Contest ends Monday, May 23, 2011 where I’ll announce a winner.

If you are feeling at all generous you can, blog, tweet, FB or whatever about this post but you don't have too. I want to spread the word about this amazing author. By doing so, you will be feeding the word of mouth karma in hopes that someday, when you become published, someone will pay it forward and spread the word about your book. (No she is not a debut author but she is totally spread the word worthy.)

BTW…did I mention the illustrations are gorgeous? You have to have this book.

A little Inadequacy, Searching and Process

2011-05-13T17:51:00.000-07:00

On Feeling Inadequate
On some level we all feel inadequate sometimes (or if you are in the middle of editing it's pretty much a 24/7 state of perpetualness.) Taherah Mafi does a great job pointing out the normalcy of it and how to deal, especially if others think you are inadequate. Her last line is the best.

5 Key Research Sites You May Have Missed (Plus Cool Tricks)
Are you guilty of researching everything via Google? Yeah, me too. Here are a few other sights that can help you narrow your search. But the best part of her post, the "cool tricks" at the bottom when searching.

My Ten Steps to Novel Completion
Pantser? Outliner? Roni Loren nails it when she says "The only right way is what works for you." She writes down her steps to how she writes a novel. Her second paragraph is so on the money. Her ten steps are totally cool and not at all like I would write but, reading about her process, gives me an idea on how to streamline mine a little better.

My New Dining Furniture

2011-05-11T11:02:00.000-07:00

Yeah, this is a writing blog and I'm showing you pictures of my new dining furniture....it's my blog I can do what I want, right? At least I didn't trick you with some fancy title only to have you click and see a post about my new furniture and not writing.

Here's the table:

Four side chairs:

Two end chairs:

Gorgeous huh? I freaking LOVE it! The table is made from reclaimed Elm and the raw finish is beautiful. It should be here in two weeks and I can't wait.

These are the gorgeous, hand wrought iron napkin rings I want to order by Jan Barboglio. Sooo pretty.

That's all. I just wanted to share in my excitement.

Have a great day!

Living In the Now

2011-05-05T12:17:00.000-07:00

When I started writing my first MS I wrote in past tense, mostly. I applied the past tense to my blog, even though it should have been present tense (in my opinion), unless I was actually talking about the past then...oh man, you get my point.

It wasn't until a critique partner of mine pointed out my random present tense slippages and my mild past participle abuse that I realized I even had a problem with tense. Even though she pointed it out, it was very difficult to see and correct. Well I immediately started to focus on my tense and eventually, I mastered it. Sure, in my manuscript I sometimes slip but that's mostly because I'm working through how the manuscript should go. (Too much slippage and I realize I need to change the MS's overall tense. Done that before, what a pain.) Now my blogs, emails, whatevers are in present tense and it makes me feel like I am living in the now.

It feels good being here, present, in the present.

Just another way my writing has changed me.

One Story Told Two Ways

2011-05-04T12:22:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys, been sick. My head's not in the game this week (or last) so here's a post about writing and music. BTW...my two points are pathetically unrelated and the second more apropos to the title of this post.

So many of us writers freak when have to capsulize our 75K word story in a 250 word synopsis. But when you think about it, its done all the time in songs, so we shouldn't freak--in theory. Most songs average 250 words. Some artists, especially country artists, can summarize a lifetime in one song. (Tim McGraw's "Don't Take the Girl")

Along the same lines, writers also tend to worry if their story is original (hence my current status.) Seriously, how many ways can you spin the whole vampire angle? From The Lost Boys, to Blade, to Twilight, to Trueblood...everybody's got their own vision of how the story plays out. Despite the Twilight haters (Stop drinking the Hatorade already, people!) vampires are still popular.

You know what will separate your story from the rest....your voice. (Cue pathetic tie of points.) Here is the same song performed two different ways and my indie/eclectic music loving heart loves them both for their individuality...for their voice.

(Don't let the freaky video detract from the song. :)

(This Jose Gonzalez version for Sony is cool too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-qJu20do0o)

Operating System Not Found

2011-04-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Yep, that's what my computer is telling me right now. (Creating this post from hubby's iPad.) A part of me is totally freaked out and panicked because the latest version of my manuscript has not been saved,to a separate file, for about three weeks. the other part reminds me that my computer has become mysteriously disconnected from the mother board before and there had been no damage. I'm praying for that outcome again.

In the meantime, I have this view to look at for the next four days.

Darn it! IPad doesn't have a memory card slot ... I know, go here:
http://asquirrelamongstlions.blogspot.com/2010/03/room-with-view.html

We are at the same place we stayed last time but a different golf course view. We love this place. So in the mean time, until my computer gets fixed next week, you won't be hearing from me that much.

PS. Can't preview via iPad so I hope this post looks okay.

Rock The Drop. Support Teen Lit Day.

2011-04-14T12:08:00.000-07:00

Rock the Drop (or on twitter #rockthedrop) is dropping off teen books, preferably banned but any teen book will do, in covert locations: coffee shops, park benches, public libraries, etc. in honor of Teen Lit Day 4-12-11. Read more about it here: Rock the Drop. Support Teen Lit Day

Here's my Rock the Drop stash:

You are supposed to insert this awesome book plate:

But if your stupid printer is out of ink...again, you can do something like this:

*UPDATE: Thank you to the super observant Nicole for noticing I wrote the wrong date. Luckily I have not left the house yet (running late as usual) so I corrected my error.

Where am I dropping my books off:

Local Mexican deli down the street from our local high school where teens hang
Our public library
a coffee shop where teens hang after school
And any other place I can find

I hope you join in the cause and donate some of your YA books to an unsuspecting teen.

Suspended in Notes

2011-04-08T11:01:00.000-07:00

Very rarely do I download and entire album. With the ease of iTunes I can pick the songs I love and skip the rest.

Andrew Belle's "The Ladder", there's no skipping songs.

His music--brace yourself for the Dana cheese-- is a crescendo of layers, wrapped in a swirling funnel around you. Each song has its own flavor but the essence of his style is threaded through them all. I love the varied instruments, the indie feel but not so far gone it couldn't be on mainstream radio, the slight rasp of his voice, and how he hits that sweet spot of the acoustic guitar.

I tried to narrow down my favorites from the album, like the "The Ladder" or "Tower" but they are all so good it's hard to pick just one. I will say, the song that best describes the layered tornado of his style "Don't Blame Yourself." From the first notes you jump off the edge into the eye of the hurricane. But I also love the slow rich build in "Reach."

Just buy the whole darn album. You will NOT be disappointed.

For your viewing pleasure, here is the video "Static Waves" featuring Katie Herzig. Her voice is beautiful.

The Dark and Hollow Places

2011-04-05T09:19:00.000-07:00

Every writer has an author they adore. Sure I love a lot of authors but Carrie Ryan in particular has a special place in my book loving heart. What I love most about her work, is how she develops her main characters. We spend most of the book inside the characters head, consuming the world through their emotions and inner turmoil. That is the challenging aspect of my writing. Something I hope to fix. Her first book, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, spun me into a world of desolation, love and fear two years ago. Who knew the Zombie Apocalypse could be so amazing? It was one of the first books I read that ignited my desire to read. For the record, no, I wasn't one of those brilliant people who've read since birth and new at the age of five they wanted to be a writer. (It just smacked me in the head a few years ago and I went with it.)

You say Zombie Apocalypse and everyone, says, "Meh. Not a zombie fan." I didn't know it was about zombies when I first read it but it's not the "I want to eat your brains" cheesy Hollywood horror film kind of zombie story. I mean, yes, they want to eat your flesh but Carrie Ryan builds this unbelievable world of desperation and romance that will leave you wanting more. Now that I've finished the third book, I'm sad. The only consolation to the end are her anthologies. From her blog she lists her short stories (some published, others for free) and quite a few relate The Forest of Hands and Teeth world. Either via a side character's story, or how it all began or ten years after the Return, etc. Little candy gems to sweeten the pain of the series ending.

The exciting thing, I got to meet her yesterday at a book signing.

(Dude, what up with my hair? It's in a cute ponytail with wispys hanging down but here it looks like fly-a-way scraps of a botched haircut. I digress.) Carrie Ryan is full of wit, humility and Zombology. She loves what she does and infects us all with her story telling. Author signings are so inspiring. If you haven't been to one, you should, writer or reader, it's just so gratifying.

What Conferences Are Really About

2011-04-04T17:44:00.000-07:00

Making connections. Let me introduce to you the warm hearted, encouraging, industry savvy women/writers I met at the SCBWI Winery Conference two weekends ago.

(left to right)
Shannon Messenger, Me, Leslie Rose, & Lisa Gail Green

Me and The Fabulous Jessica Love. And few more people that I didn't get pictures with but were gems: Melissa Buell, Elizabeth Fais and Heather ???. Heather! I didn't get your contact information but you got mine. Please email or tweet me and let's keep in touch.

This is my second conference, first time to the winery. Compared to the 1000+ people at the LA SCBWI conference, this was way more intimate...like 40 attendees intimate. Friday evening was wine and cheese meet and greet. Each attendee got to spend two ten minute sessions with an editor (shared by one other person.) I was a good girl and researched my peeps so I had lots to chat with them about. When you weren't chatting with the big wigs, we mingled with other writers, where I met these great peeps. Afterwards, Jessica Love and I hung out at the Yard House where we sounded like a couple of book nerds talking YA all evening. She rocks! Love this girl. She's real and tells it like it is (like me.)

The second day different editors and authors spoke about the business, how to beef up your novel, what not to do, etc. It was a long day for everyone but for me, torturously long, because I got food poisoning from my scuzzy hotel's eggs. One hour into the day, vomit city. It came on so suddenly, I thought I might die. I stuck it out, vomit and all, because at the end of the day was our round table critiques with peers and one editor. Let me tell you people, it was worth the wait. I got such positive feedback from the editor and my peers, for the first time in this writing career, I actually felt like I might succeed at this.

The coordinators at the conference asked us not to tweet or blog about the specific topics discussed due to copy rights. But I have to say, I didn't learn anything earth shattering. But that's not why I went. For me, and most writers, I suspect you have done your homework. You know what to do and not to do as a writer. Sure, things come up in your writing or the business that you are unsure about but that's what the internet is for. There are a plethora (A plethora El Guapo?) of blogs, how to, etc on whatever writer need you have. FREE knowledge at your disposal, so there's really no excuse NOT to know what you are doing.

Learning something earth shattering it not what conferences are about for me, it's about making connections. Whether that be with other writers, published authors, editors, agents, etc. Know the business. All aspects of the business and put yourself out there. That is what conferences are about.

The beauty of meeting other writers, no matter what stage they are in their career, they love to encourage. That alone is more valuable than any class you will ever take. If you haven't gone to a conference yet, I really encourage you to go. You'll be surprised at how inspired you feel afterwards.

Not here because I'm somewhere else....

2011-03-24T09:50:00.000-07:00

Well technically I'm not there yet but I'm not here either. I'm not blogging because my mind is elsewhere. This weekend I have a writer's conference to go to...AT A WINERY! Yeah baby! That's how the CA SCWBI roll. But I can't be here blogging because my mind is on editing because it's a small conference and I might chat with an editor.

I'm not ready to chat.

I'm not ready to share.

I'm going to learn. But opportunities can happen. I'm nervous. I need to get some sort of pitch ready...but I'm not ready. Can you feel my panic? I'm totally in WTF-am-I-doing mode.

When all else fails, throw on the country accent. (Sad but true nervous habit.)
Wish me luck this weekend. See you next week peeps. Muah!

Blurring Into Focus

2011-03-18T17:02:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be nice if you could start your story with your main character description:

Blond girl with gangly arms and a long slinder legs kicks this vampires butt and then...

But no, you have to sprinkle in the description without the reader noticing you did. If you wait too long to give the reader a description bone, they'll create their own image and snarl at yours when you try to slip it in.

The process should unfold slowly, like blurring into focus. At first you know the basics, it's a girl. As you ease on, an age attaches to her, next hair color and few more description sprinkles then viola...you have yourself one hot cupcake.

Er...or one exhausted vampire kicking bad ass, who's happy the daylight finally saved her scrawny butt. (This photo would be a great flash fiction piece.)

The Evil Time Suck(s)

2011-03-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, full on my high to get this darn MS edited, I did not allow myself to indulge in any time sucks expect 2 minutes at lunch...

That meant:
1. No twitter.
2. No Facebook. (Easy to ignore. I mean seriously, who does Facebook anymore.)
2. No blog comments replied to. (Wrote Monday's blog last week.)
3. No blog comments written to other blogs.
4. No checking of email. (Which in the past was hard because my iPod touch dinged every time I got a new mail. Figured out how to turn that nifty little feature off.)
5. No phone calls.
6. No idle research on parts of my story.

And guess what, no one died unable to get a hold of me and I edited five chapters. Yeah, I don't want to hear how diciplined you other people are with that crap. Some days I'm pretty good about it but lately, when the editing gets tough, I get distracted.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

2011-03-14T10:46:00.000-07:00

Does this look cool or what?

Check out the back.

This book sounds awesome and totally different from all the other YA paranormal stuff out there. I've marked it on my pre-order list. Here is the author's blog for more info.

Writer Validation, Reality and the Mob

2011-03-11T08:37:00.000-08:00

My writer self esteem is pretty pathetic, most of the time. Every once in a while we all need a little writer validation. It's just enough to keep me going and dream of publication.

Writers Like Us

You guys know me, I'm a sucker for the "Hey, isn't this just like writers." And I think "Yes, and maybe that means I'll actually succeed at this writing thing." Here is Natalie Balm just Being Honest as she talks about the emotional writer roller coaster we all love to ride.

I'm barely NOT an amateur...I think.

In my search for the technical correctness of how to do something grammatical, I came across this old article. It talks about the common Marks of the Amateur writer. Alicia over at Editorrent asked her editor friends, "What tips you off about a submission that this isn't an experienced writer? What are the marks of the amateur?" I'm happy to say, I don't abuse a majority of the mistakes listed. I said majority. Homophones on the other hand, will be the death of me. Ugh.

More Author Reality Please
I love it when authors and writers keep it real and remind us all of the reality of writing. Here, Elle Strauss talks about The Submission Quandary, and just like Natalie up above, she writes out the highs and lows of waiting for publication.

I control my future not the YAMafia.

And in other news...though I didn't know the term "YAMafia" existed, it does kind of feel like one is out there. The concept "writers/authors/bloggers/reviewers, who have the power to choose who gets to be publishd, who gets to be reviewed/who gets to review, and basically rule the publishing world" Like all groups, there does seem to be a clique of people here in the writing blog world that are all "in" with each other, the "cool" group if you will. (A brutal reminder of high school, when I wanted to be apart of the "cool" crowd and I tried so hard. Finally after high school I decided to be me. Then and only then, did anyone notice me.) Anyway, I digress. Here is Gretchen's thoughts on the #YAMafia craze. I think the idea is crap. People are just trying to come up with another excuse WHY their not published. Here is another good article from the YA Highway Field Trip Friday Special Edition: The YA Mafia. (Lots of good links to click on there.) Here's a thought, when all else fails, write a good book.

Well, if the truth be told...

2011-03-10T08:03:00.000-08:00

1. I started a fake and bake yesterday. (To get ready for our spring break trip in Palm Springs.) My lily white @$s, now a little pinked after 5 minutes, thinks maybe I should have gone with the spray tan. Yikes.

2. Today, I don't want to do this writing gig anymore. I'm in a rut of "going nowhere" and I think it's because I haven't had a decent book to read in like two weeks. Also, my music supply has been subpar at best.

3. In high school I was in a don't-give-a-crap mood and decided on my ACT's to circle all "C". I made a 16 out of 32. I took it again later. Studied, tried and made....not much higher. (Finger and thumb to the forehead.)

4. I'm like to go on Facebook and look up my high school sweetheart who broke my heart, ripped it out of my chest and stomped on it. I like to smile at his now very fat face and manly looking wife and think, Thank God that loser cheated on me. He did me a favor.

5. Speaking of Facebook, I had the privilege, twice now, of DENYING a very popular girl in high school's befriendment (not a word). Karma sucks! Thank you for letting me be petty.

And those are the truths I have to share with you today.

What do you do...

2011-03-08T12:14:00.000-08:00

...when you've bought a book and five pages into it you realize YOU HATE IT? Don't ask me what book it is because I'm not going to tell. (And no, it is not the one I have listed in the sidebar as currently reading.) The style is...well, odd and the writing is telling. I don't know the publishing company but I do plan to look it up to see if this is a self published book publisher. (Not telling you the publisher either.) Now that I've spent the money and I don't like it, what should I do with it? What do you do with dud books you can't return?

It’s Time for the Naked

2011-03-03T09:43:00.000-08:00

The naked truth that is. Did I disappoint your dirty minds? Well maybe these five truths about me will be redemption. In honor of Unedited’s Truth Thursdays, here goes:

1. I changed the main clock in the living room to thirty minutes later so my five year old, who can tell time now, won’t whine when he goes to bed earlier than he used to. Don’t judge. He recently stopped taking naps making evenings a living hell. It saves lives, I promise.

2. I read smutty romance novels at red lights.

3. The other day a semi-acquaintance of mine got on her high horse and bragged about the brilliance of her children, having to one up mine with her child’s accomplishments. When the conversation finally changed to her need for new hair dresser, I generously offered her the number of my old stylist...the one I fired for doing a hack job on my hair and fried my ends with over processing. *Smiles*

4. Talking on the phone is a time suck. (I’d rather be writing.) When I have to call someone back, I wait until I think they are out of the house and leave a message.

5. When I make brownies or cupcakes, I lick the bowl clean. When my kids come in the kitchen, sniffing around for bowls, beaters or spoons to lick, I feign regret and tell them I already washed everything.

And that’s the God's honest truth.

No matter what, it should say “Buy Me.”

2011-03-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

Readers do judge a book by its cover. Most authors don’t have any say in the design, so they have to trust their publisher to hire the right people for the job.

The best book covers speak for the book in a single image.

Some depict a scene from the book, make you ask “What the eff is going on?”

Others simply say “Beautiful.”

Or even the occasional “Huh?”

(I had to look up the meaning to her cover. I’m still scratching my head.)

At times they, whisper sweet nothings in your ear…

Or make you “Purrrr.”

But the ones you least expect, say “Surprise!”

I have no idea what my book cover will say one day. I can't even imagine what it will look like. But no matter what, I hope it says "buy me."