Aspiring Author Nightmare

So, I dreamt the other day that I got an offer of representation for my manuscript.  But after the agent offered, I realized I had plagiarized the whole thing from a fellow aspiring author!  I got so scared that that aspiring author would find out and then everyone would know it wasn't my work.  And you know how you get towards the end of the dream, on the verge of waking up, where you tell yourself it's just a dream?  Well I was there- teetering back and forth for a bit- thinking, oh it's okay, it's just a dream...whew. But then, What if it's NOT??  Omg, I just copied someone else's work!  Oh wait...just a dream...whew.  But wait...until I woke up.  And thankfully...yep, just a dream.

In other news...I have a new baby!  Mini Monster is already a month old!  Wow, how time flies..So during my sleep deprived nightly feedings, I've discovered something that keeps me occupied...twitter!  Oh man, I'm already hooked.  I've got my iphone, with my sweet breastfeeding app counting the minutes, MM eating away, and I'm scrolling through twitter, totally mesmerized.  Makes the time go by faster.  But now it's starting to get a little ridiculous- I've got it up on my computer, which is with me on the couch while I recover from my c-section.  Which by-the-way, is taking a little longer than I thought.  And I can't.stop.refreshing.the.page.  But seriously, twitter is very beneficial to aspiring authors- there is some great stuff on there from authors and agents!  Plus I can stalk keep track of the agents that have my ms...just in case they want to tweet something awesome about it *crossing fingers*.

Ooh, and I totally signed up for Sara Megibow's 10 Queries in 10 Tweets webinar on July 17.  My first agent-run webinar and I'm really excited.  Okay, totally terrified.  But whatevs.  I'll get my query critiqued by an awesome agent- how can you go wrong there?  Totally worth the money.

Not much else going on here...just you know...baby stuff.  Little Monster is over the moon in love with her baby sister, which makes me very happy.

And I'll humor you with a picture- my rule is not to show faces of my kids, but I'll make an exception this one time.  Besides, I don't really have a rule against butts...

Alright, looks like it's time for Mini Monster to eat (again) so I'll catch ya over on twitter!

Baby = Time Suck

So I know it's been like, forever, since I last posted.  I decided to take April off since I wasn't doing A-Z, and good thing too because I have been going crazy out of my mind with all this baby business.

Mini Monster will be gracing us with her presence in just one short, panic-inducing week!

And seriously guys, I totally forgot how much you have to do to get ready for a new human being to take over your house.  I have barely have time to write, let alone blog.

I have no idea where the past 9 months went- honestly I think my belly swallowed them up.  But here we are, and there is no turning back.  Little Monster is uber excited and is so hyper it's exhausting.  I thank my lucky stars every day that she's 6, almost 7, and can do her own thing while I take a nap or curl up on my bed and cry from one of the many excruciating preggo pains I've been cursed blessed with.  She is so sweet, she even rubs my back when I'm not feeling well.

Anywho, I miss you guys and hopefully I can hop around today and see how you all are doing!  Obvs my posting will be sporadic at best in the coming months.  I really won't have much to talk about anyway except poop, baby vomit, and my lack of sleep.

So cross your fingers, wish me luck and send some good vibes my way!  I'll be seeing you around!

P.S. Dude, I'm gone for a month or two and all of a sudden blogger is like, totally changed!  What do you think of the *new* blogger?

May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor

Well this is it folks!  The night we've been waiting what seems like YEARS for!  Tonight is the premier of The Hunger Games!

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So who's all going to the midnight showing??  Sadly, not this mama.  But for a good reason- I'm seeing it next weekend with my mom and sis!  (and several friends who will be in town as well!)

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But you guys, I'm SO excited!  I haven't been this excited for a movie since Harry Potter.  And you know one of the reasons I KNOW I am excited about a movie?  I get a bit verklempt when I see the trailer (okay so I'm tearing up just thinking of it) (sniff...tawlk amongst yourselves...).  My sis and I went to see Breaking Dawn and they had a Hunger Games trailer and we both totally teared up after.  Okay so sobbed just a bit...whatever.  So yeah...excited just a tad.

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  I will be dying a slow death every day until I get to see it for myself.  That whole week after it opens it will be SO hard to hear everything about the movie!  Maybe I'll just lock myself in the bathroom the whole week so I don't have to be mocked by all the people who've seen it...

And....while I'm in there, I can just play THIS on my iphone:



So when are YOU going to see it?  ARE you going to see it?  Or dare I say it...do you even KNOW what I'm talking about?  Have you not even *gasp* read the books??

Parting Ways With Your Favorite Book

You know when you give away a book, sometimes it's like having to give away a piece of yourself?  But you know its new owner will love it just as much as you, so it doesn't hurt so much....

Little Monster and I organized her bookshelves this weekend, and I mentioned to her that she could give any of her books to Mini Monster if she wanted, but she didn't have to.  I wanted to make it clear I wasn't making her give anything away to her little sister.  I honestly didn't think she'd really pick any to give to her because she loves all her books- even her old baby ones she still makes me read to her at night before bed.

But guess what?  She picked out some of her favorite books for Mini Monster!  How sweet was that?  She did it without hesitation.  I was so proud of her especially since it would be super hard for ME to give up my favorite books!  When I loan out a book I always hesitate for a second, wondering if I'll ever see my precious friend back in my hands.  But Little Monster was happy to give them to her sister, hopeful that she'll love them just as much as she did.

Do you loan out or give away your books?  If so, is it hard to give up that part of you, or do you do it without hesitation?

Rachel Morgan is Taking Over My Blog!

Please help me in welcoming my good friend Rachel Morgan to my blog today. She's doing a guest post to help promote her Creepy Hollow series!  Check out the other tour stops in the next few weeks as well!

Creepy Hollow: Meet The Characters



Guardian is a paranormal fantasy that revolves around two main characters: Violet, the faerie guardian-in-training whose routine assignment goes wrong when it turns out the human boy she's trying to protect can see through her faerie glamour, and Nate, the human boy who can see Violet and ends up following her into the fae realm. To get to know these two characters a little better, I got them to answer a few questions...

Before I go, here is an excerpt from the scene in which Nate and Vi first meet each other:

   I raise my eyes. The boy is looking at me.

   At me!

   My heart stutters. I mentally feel for my glamour, the magic that should be making me invisible right now. It’s still in place, I’m sure it is. So how can he possibly see me?

   This is bad. This is very bad.

   A few feet away from me, the boy pushes himself up onto his knees. “What just happened?”

   “Um ...” Crap, I am going to lose so many points for this.

   “And what the hell is that?”

   I follow his gaze to the arrow in my hand. It sparkles with its own light, as though made of hundreds of tiny red-hot stars. I can see how that would look weird to a human. I let go of the arrow. It vanishes, causing the boy’s eyes to grow even wider. 

   “Well, I should really be going.” I stand up, hoping my stylus is still in my boot.

   “Wait.” He gets to his feet. “Who are you? What are you doing here? What was that ... thing?”

   “That thing?” I casually reach behind me for the wall. “Oh, you know, just a product of your subconscious. And all that ice cream you ate earlier. Indigestion can make for some interesting dreams.” I cringe internally. Dreams? What idiot would buy that explanation?

   His eyebrows draw together. “I guess that could make sense. You are way more attractive than any real-life girl who’s managed to find her way into my bedroom.”

   This is not happening.

Thank you, Abby, for hosting me on your blog today!

~  ~  ~

Rachel Morgan is the author of Guardian, the first novelette in the Creepy Hollow series. She was born in South Africa and spent a large portion of her childhood living in
a fantasy land of her own making. These days, in between teaching mathematics to high school children, she writes fiction for young adults.

Buy Guardian from

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Smashwords

The Creepy Hollow Series

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Book Trailer

Author Info

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Google+

Come Get Lost in CREEPY HOLLOW With Me This Week!

My good bloggy buddy Rachel Morgan is releasing some super awesome short stories (or as she likes to call them, "novelettes")(See how cool and awesome she is?  She totally calls them novelettes- that's SO European of her)!  Please check out her links- you won't be disappointed!

(Also come back here Thursday March 8th for a guest post from Rachel where you'll be able to get inside her characters' heads!)

Today the Creepy Hollow series kicks off with the release of the first story, GUARDIAN!!

GUARDIAN introduces readers to the magical world of Creepy Hollow, a realm where fae creatures — both safe and definitely-not-so-safe — dwell. Things are cool as long the fae stick to their own realm. It's when they find their way into the human world that things start going wrong...





1. Receive assignment.

2. Save a life.

3. Sleep.

4. Repeat.

Protecting humans from dangerous magical creatures is all in a day’s work for a faerie training to be a guardian. Seventeen-year-old Violet Fairdale knows this better than anyone—she’s about to become the best guardian the Guild has seen in years. That is, until one of her assignments—a human boy who shouldn’t even be able to see her—follows her into the fae realm. Now she’s broken Guild Law, a crime that could lead to her expulsion.

The last thing Vi wants to do is spend any more time with the boy who got her into this mess, but the Guild requires that she return Nate to his home and make him forget everything he’s discovered of the fae realm. Easy, right? But Nate and Vi are about to land themselves in even bigger trouble—and it’ll take all Vi’s training to get them out alive.

Buy from Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007FRJGXI

Buy from Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007FRJGXI

Buy from Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/137697

The Creepy Hollow Series

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Book Trailer

Author Info

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Google+

To find out more about the series, the author, and the characters, check out the blog tour that’s happening over the next two weeks.

Click here for the blog tour schedule

It's Time To Catch Fire!

My good bloggy buddy Alex J. Cavanaugh's sequel to CassaStar comes out today: CassaFire.  He is such a wonderful writer and supporter of all of his blogging friends, that I jumped at the chance to support him today.  Please check out all of the links!

Today is the Catch Fire Blog Party, celebrating the release of CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh! The goal is to help CassaFire “catch fire” on the best seller charts and achieve the success of the first book, CassaStar.  

Alex is doing a blog tour Feb 27-Mar 9 and during that time if you comment on his blog, you can win a special package of prizes (copies of CassaFire, CassaStar, tote bag, mug, and bookmarks) as well as book giveaways during his two-week blog tour. See Alex’s site for details: http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/ 

CassaFire

by Alex J. Cavanaugh

CassaStar was just the beginning…

The Vindicarn War is a distant memory and Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the promise he made to his fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an exploration vessel. Shuttle work is dull, but it’s a free and solitary existence. The senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather.

The detection of alien ruins sends the exploration ship to the distant planet of Tgren. If their scientists can decipher the language, they can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key to the Tgren’s civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan’s technology and strange mental abilities. 

To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers themselves; the strongest of which belongs to a pilot named Athee, a woman whose skills rival Byron’s unique abilities. Forced to train her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…

Available today!

Science fiction - space opera/adventure

Print ISBN 978-0-9827139-4-5, $15.95, 6x9 Trade paperback, 240 pages

EBook ISBN 978-0-9827139-6-9, $4.99, available in all formats

CassaFire is the sequel to Cavanaugh’s first book, CassaStar, an Amazon Top Ten Best Seller:

“…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.” - Library Journal

You can visit the author’s site at http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

Book trailer available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa6VINRGtyE.

Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cassafire-alex-j-cavanaugh/1034742568

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/CassaFire-Alex-J-Cavanaugh/dp/0982713940/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329417150&sr=1-1

Amazon Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/CassaFire-ebook/dp/B007A2TSNG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329663355&sr=1-1

My Writing Dream...

Origins Blogfest

I'm sure as writers, you have all gotten this question: when did you realize you wanted to write?

My answer is simple: I don't remember a time when I didn't like to write.  I mean, I didn't grow up thinking I could actually try it as a profession, but I still loved to make up stories in my head and occasionally write it all down on paper.

A couple months ago I found an old notebook from middle school with this huge science fiction plot written out.  I had character names, city names, names for currency, the year- it looked almost like some sort of sci-fi dystopian/fantasy.  I was pretty impressed, actually.  Nothing was ever written...but whatevs.  We won't focus on that part.

I think when I actually realized I might be able to do this for real was in college during my first creative writing class.  I didn't major in it (because it still didn't cross my mind that I could actually do this as a living) but I still loved taking any type of English class.  (and now I kick myself for not majoring in English.)

My professor had us all write short stories for the last major project.  I knew something was different when mine turned into a mini-novel of sorts.  Most of us read ours out loud in front of the class- but it took like, two or three class periods to get through mine when everyone else's took one.  But the cool thing is my classmates wanted me to read it!  They got so caught up in it, they were excited to come to class and listen to my story.  My professor was impressed with my world-building.  And then he told me I could definitely go somewhere with this.

That's when the lightbulb went off.  That's when I thought I might actually be able to write a whole book.

I didn't start actually writing my first book until quite a few years later after Little Monster was 3 or 4 and the Hubs practically forced me encouraged me to start, but it was always in the back of my mind after that class in college.  So even though I can't remember my professor's name (I know, shameful!) I still owe him a lot for encouraging me (and the Hubs for buying me my laptop so I had no more excuses NOT to write).

Now, whether or not I get published is one thing- it's more about the fun I have when writing. So even if it never happens, it'll still be fun to see what kind of worlds I can come up with and who I can make come to life on paper.  Besides, my mom and sis will always enjoy my books even if they don't get published.

Go check out some of the other participants in DL Hammon's Origins Blogfest! 

Favorite Positions**

So you know how you toss and turn and can't find that perfect position to sleep in?  You want that feeling of "aaahhhh" as you sink into your pillow, your bones settling for a long rest and your mind drifting into neverland.  That doesn't happen very much to me.  Apparently certain members of my family can pretty much sleep anywhere and in any position.

Writing a novel is kinda like finding the perfect position.  Sometimes you have to try a few out until you find the best one.  Or maybe you get it on the first try, and write the perfect novel the way my husband and daughter fall asleep in 5 minutes flat.

It doesn't really matter how you get there.  Whether you write 10 books, or 1, if you keep at it, you'll find that perfect position.

And when you do, you just know.  Everything settles in perfectly, every page feels like egyptian cotton, and your plot is like the perfect blend of memory foam and pillow-top.  

Tell me, have you found your favorite position?  Or are you still tossing and turning?

**Haha, fooled you!  You totally thought I was going to talk about the other kind of *ahem* "positions".  Seriously people, get your heads out of the gutter, Jeesh! 

Damn You Autocorrect!

So I recently acquired the Hubs' old iphone.  My very first smartphone ever- I'm finally up with the times!  Sorta...I mean it's not one of those 4s or g's or h's or whatever the newest one is.  But still...it's pretty exciting.

Whenever I'd see the funny autocorrect websites I always told myself, I would ALWAYS proofread my texts and NEVER send something like that!  How could you not catch that??  I would get a huge laugh at others' expense knowing that would never happen to me.

Well.  It did.

I had my first experience in which the autocorrect got the best of me.

I'll just say, it's not as bad as some of those on the website, thank goodness.  But it's still pretty funny.  I gave Hubs a hard time because that word SOMEHOW made it into the little dictionary bank or whatever the phone uses to correct misspelled words.

So here is our conversation:

Me: Did you get a text about going out to Hinode with Josh and Corey?
Hubs: Yep.
Me: What would you want to eat?  They will order it for us.  It's the kinky way they can sit now and still save seats for us.
Hubs: ?
Me: Only, not kinky!

So yeah...gettin' down with our kinky selves at Hinode.

I've officially been initiated into the Damn You Autocorrect club.

But really it's not as bad as that same friend who had texted Hubs earlier about going out to eat at Homosexuality.

Do you all have any funny autocorrect stories?

Why Do You Read/Write YA?

Laurel had a post the other day about there not being much of a market for college-aged kids out there.  I had commented that I had never really thought about it when I was in college, because I always just read YA.  Even at 30, I still read YA exclusively.

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So that got me thinking.  Why did I just read YA?  Why did I never transition into reading adult novels like many college/mid-20's people?  Why do I still read YA?

There is just something about that raw emotion YA novels (especially fantasy- my favorite) exude that (for me) adult novels just come up short on.  The whole coming of age, experiencing love and adult-like dilemmas for the first time, and just the ability to escape to another world just drew me in.  And it still does.  Your teenage years are one of the most important times in your life.  It's real and it matters.  No matter what anyone says.  It's what helps shapes you into the adult you are today.  I think those books had such an impact on me, that's why I wanted to write YA.  To give to someone what I experienced, and still do experience.

I've never been ashamed to admit I read YA.  I know some adults are, and they shouldn't be.  It's interesting how in the past few years it's become less taboo for adults to read YA.  I think Harry Potter and Twilight contributed a lot to that.  I meet so many adults now that actually sound interested when I talk about a certain YA book I'm reading.  And that makes me so incredibly happy.

So, I still don't know why there isn't much of a market out there for college aged kids.  But I do know there's nothing better than sitting down with a good YA and experiencing those teen years again just for a little while.

And then coming back to reality and realizing how glad you are those years are over.

So why do you read/write YA?  Or if you don't, what drew you to start reading adult novels?

Finally Raising the White Flag

Okay.  So I never thought I'd utter the words I'm about to say.  Never.  But I'm giving up.  Raising the white flag.  You win, I lose.  I couldn't hold out forever and the opportunity presented itself so here goes....

Whew...  Okay, I'll just say it....deep breath....

I'm getting a kindle.


Omg, I can't believe I just said that.

You see, when the ereader first came out I vowed never to buy one.  Blasphemy! I cried.  What an abomination!  I need cold, hard books in my hands!  I need to support my fellow authors!  I don't want libraries and books to go away in favor of the ebook!

But as the years passed, I started to think a little more about them.  Maybe they weren't so bad.  I mean, lots of my writer friends started epublishing and it'd be SO nice to support them and buy their ebooks.  Then when they opened up library books to check out, I thought, well, that's cool- I can bring a library book on vacation without worrying about losing it.

So when my friend told me she was getting a Kindle Fire for her birthday and asked if I wanted her 1 year old kindle, I decided to throw in the towel and just take the plunge.

So I'm buying her 3G kindle and I'm very excited about it!  I get to support all my friends who have epublished, check out books from my library, get all those cool old books that are free, AND I will still buy those hard copy books I can touch and smell, so I can support my friends that publish that way too.  Because I will NOT give up my library, no matter how popular ebooks become.  But who says I can't have both?

So how many of you have raised the white flag and finally bought an ereader?  Or were you on board from the beginning?  Or are you still holding off, hoping its just a fad that will pass?

Dear Downton Abbey...

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Oh how I love to hate you, Downton Abbey.

It's your fault I didn't get any blogging done.
It's your fault I didn't get any writing done.
It's your fault I didn't get any cleaning done.

I blame you.

Because I love you so, Downton Abbey.  You are my new obsession and I wish SO badly I could watch all of season 2 right now!  But alas...I have to wait till February when it comes out on DVD (or netflix...*crossing my fingers*) because I've already missed the first 3 episodes on PBS.

It should be a crime there are only 7 episodes in the first season.  I weep at the injustice of it all.

Until February...I bid you adieu.

*Update: OMG, I can watch season 2 on PBS.com!!  They have the 1st and 2nd episode online!  Yayyayayayayayayay!  Thanks to my friend Jennie for pointing that out!

So looks like I don't have to wait until February!

We're sorry, but your account as been disabled...

Imagine my horror as I was merrily reading blogs and commenting Monday evening, when I hit "reply" on a blog, and I was redirected to a google page saying that my account has been disabled due to a violation of the terms of service.  Um.....last I recall, I don't think I put up any porn on my blog...

So naturally, I freaked out.  It said if I don't believe I violated the terms of service, to fill out this form and I MAY get my account back.  And they MAY or MAY NOT contact me.  (This was my email and blog, btw).  Holy F%@! I could totally get my email account and my blog deleted!  What did I do??  I am just a little 'ol wholesome pregnant lady trying to chronicle my life as a struggling aspiring novelist! (Which, if you didn't know already, DO NOT piss off a pregnant lady.)

So naturally, I freaked out even more.  After much crying, hair pulling, and gnashing of teeth, I clicked around google (desperately searching for a phone number so I can talk to an actual PERSON, to no avail) until I came back to the email login page and there was a link to click if you have trouble logging in.  So I clicked on that.  Then, it brought me to a couple more steps in which I had to fill out some more forms and get a code texted to my phone, change my password, promise my 2nd born child, and FINALLY I was able to get back on.  It said my account had been compromised.

So, after that near-death experience, I'm back and everything seems to be fine.  Still a bit nervous so I upped as much security and account recovery stuff as possible.  But whew, that was close. 

Anyone ever experience this with their blog or gmail account?  Did you almost DIE? How did you get your account back?

We Have a Winner!

So last night as I was agonizing over what to blog about today, I realized I had totally forgotten about our Comeback contest and needed to pick a winner!  And then I remembered I also needed to switch the laundry over that had been sitting in the washer all day.  And then I also remembered I'm off work tomorrow and Little Monster is off school.  Ah, preggo brain.

If you don't remember (which means you are probably pregnant), Colene and I held a contest celebrating our comeback to blogging.  We promised you the book of your choice if you win.

And my winner is......

Lola Sharp!

It's funny because the book she wants is Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore.  I had emailed her back and told her if she wins, I'll order her the book but I might have to read it first before I send it to her, teehee.  So, Lola, I'm going to pre-order it on Amazon for you and will be sending it to you in May (after I read it) (Just kidding...I'll probably just get it from the library- I don't want to mess Lola's pretty book up)!

Head on over to Colene's blog to see if you won over there!  Thanks to all of you for entering and showing us your support!  We truly are happy to be back to blogging!

Oh, and happy MLK day!!

Oh Baby!

I have some exciting news I finally get to share!

No, it's not an agent or book deal. (I know I know, sorry to get your hopes up!)

It's even better! (well, for me, anyway)

My tummy, which will very quickly
get in the way of my typing I'm sure

Little Monster is going to have a little sister come May!  Mini Monster (whom I have fondly dubbed her) is kicking away as I type, taking after her big sister.  I'm sure I'll be nice and bruised up under my ribs by the time she graces us with her presence.

This decision took a long time for us- Little Monster will be 7 years older than Mini Monster, but we're confident it will be a perfect match for our family.  One thing (among many others) I did think about was my writing career.  I worried that it would be delayed and would I be willing to make that sacrifice?  The answer was a big yes.  Family comes first, and I have all the time in the world to get published.  My biological clock is ticking away and I don't want to be all old and rickety chasing after a toddler just because I decided to try and get published first.

So I totally accept the fact that my writing will probably significantly slow in the next few years, but I'm happy about it.  I'll still write and blog and all that, but it may just take a bit longer than normal.  I'm definitely not giving it up- it's my passion.

We're all super excited and it makes me happy that Little Monster is so excited.  She came with us to the ultrasound and got her own picture to take to school and show everyone.  We even took her to pick out Mini Monster's going home outfit.

Okay, off to try to bang out this WIP before our lives change forever in May!

(P.S. Don't forget to enter my contest if you haven't yet!  You get a chance to win the book of your choice!  It closes on Sunday!)

Total Epic Crit Partner Fail

So....I'm a horrible crit partner.  

Friday I'm all getting ready to go out of town for Little Monster's gymnastics meet. You know, packing last minute, cleaning the kitchen, running around like a chicken with my head cut off...the usual...and I email Colene to let her know we're leaving in a bit and I probably won't have internet all weekend (we're addicted to emailing each other- if we don't hear from each other within like, 4 or 5 hours we're convinced one of us is dead).

I get this text from her:  Um, so aren't we meeting today?
Me: Uh....
Colene: We're supposed to meet today to go over my section? (we "hang out" on google+ -  pretty sweet gig, actually)
Me: Uh....wait...what?
Colene: Yeah, I sent you my ms last week and we're starting back up with meetings, right?
Me: HOLY CRAP!!  I mean..yeah, totally.... (I'm silently kicking myself because I TOTALLY forgot).
Me: Oh man, we're leaving in a bit...I'm SO sorry.  How about you and Jennie just meet and then I'll send you what I have Monday and then we can go over the next 25 next Friday.
Colene:  Well, you guys aren't sending me your notes, remember?  We're waiting till the end.
Me: Uh...wait...what??  CRAP...what the heck is wrong with me?? (okay so I may have used more explicit words in that text but I gotta keep this post PG...for my mom, you know)
Colene: Um, yeah, we talked about it last week...
Me: Okay I'm stupid...apparently I slipped into a black hole or other dimension when we were emailing about this.  But now I remember.  I'm SO Sorry.  And tell Jennie sorry I totally failed you guys as a crit partner.
Colene: It's okay, don't worry about it.  We'll meet next week.
Me: *love*  (Big sigh of relief.)

Anyway, so that was me crashing and burning as a crit partner.  But it's all good.  I've got our meetings back on the calendar now and I'm good to go!  I'm very lucky my crit ladies love me so much.  I mean, seriously, who wouldn't?  Teehee.

Have you ever "failed" as a crit partner?  Did they ever forgive you?

The Dreaded Synopsis

So one of the things I worked on during my break was my synopsis.  I pounded the thing out in an evening and sent it on to my crit partners.  Apparently they died of boredom so bad one even forgot to send it back to me with notes.  Sigh....

So, back to the drawing board.  Thankfully my wonderful crit partners were able to explain to me a little more about what it's all about and give me some great notes as well as give me this great link from Elana Johnson's blog :  How To Write a Synopsis

I'm still a little clueless as to how we are supposed to make an essentially dry and boring book report into something so juicy you want to immediately sink your teeth into it.  It's one of the most frustrating things I've dealt with in my writing "career" so far.  But I'm working on it...(as you can see by the self portrait)

So tell me, how did you overcome the dreadfully boring synopsis and make it shine?

(also, don't forget to enter mine and Colene's contest HERE!)

Watch out 2012, I'm Back!

Hello my lovely Bloggy Buddies!  I'm very pleased to announce that I am officially back to blogging!  I miss you all so much, I just couldn't stay away too long.

And to show how much I love and adore you, and have missed the pants off you (okay not literally...because that would be weird) Colene Murphy and I have decide to hold a little contest!  Yep, she's back too!  We're comin' back in style, my peeps!

It's SO super easy and I would feel oh-so-loved if you'd just leave a comment here and tell me which book you've been DYING to read but just haven't gotten around to it.  If you win, I'll buy it for you! (or if you have a favorite book that you'd like to own, put that down!)  Plus, you have TWO chances to win- leave a comment here, and jump on over to Colene's blog and leave a comment there!  We'll be picking 2 winners on Monday January 16.

Anyway, so now that that is out of the way, I'll just do a quick little list of what I've been up to while I've been gone.
1. Finish revising WIP to make it shine.
2. Write the dreaded synopsis and subsequently kill my crit partners with boredom.
3. Drive Little Monster back and forth to school, activities, parties, and gymnastics.
4. Catch up on reading- I almost forgot how to do that.
5. Keep my house above sanitation codes.
6. Start NEW WIP, yay!

Welp, that about sums up my break!

Now I want to hear what YOU'VE been up to!  Please please let me know because I really have thought about you a lot during my break.

So remember to let me know what book you'd love for me to get you (don't forget an email if its not attached to your account), tell me how you've been doing, and go see Colene!  Contest closes Sunday January 15th!

I'm so glad to be back and see your shining faces!  Tootles and mwah!