New Year, New Me!

So, it's been a few months. How ya been? I'd like to give you some amazing tale of why I've neglected this blog, but the truth is, I'm just sorta lazy. I've neglected a lot of things though, if it makes you feel any better. Like doing any kind of book promotion whatsoever.

But this new year has brought back my desire. Desire to write, to edit, to create, to be a part of something. It's kinda nice.

First off, what I've been up to. In my last post I spoke of a book I was writing that is in no way, shape or form related to Akasha at all. That project tapered off. But by November I was ready to get it done. And I did! Even though I did not participate officially in Nanowrimo since I'd already started the project, it did motivate me to finish my latest book I have unofficially-for the time being-named SERENITY.

It has been a good project for me to work on I think. The story is very different from anything I've ever written before, and yes I am including all those silly romances I wrote in high school. I have begun editing it and hope I have a rather decent version of it by the time I go to a writers conference at the end of February. If I do, I'll have a chance to pitch the book to an editor. I am, of course, writing this publicly so I am committed to it now.

So I have been busy. Really busy in fact. And I'll get into what Serenity is about and all that later. This post is long enough, don't you think?

Music

Music is a pretty big part of my life. I love listening to it and I love singing it (as long as it's just my kids around). But I can't listen to music while I write. Not-physically typing away at my keyboard-write. But we authors all know the writing happens in our heads long before we sit down. Most of my story writing happens while I'm doing those menial chores like dishes or laundry. I put on my head phones and listen to whatever music is going to help me work out plot ideas or emotions my characters should be feeling. You know, mood music.

So with this new book I'm having a little trouble with the music aspect. It's taken me quite a while to figure out what kind of music my MC would listen to. And I'm not all that happy with what I came up with. Because she listens to Rock.

Me? I like Dashboard Confessional, Matt Nathanson (acoustic stuff), Ingrid Michaelson, and Regina Spektor. All very mellow stuff. In my early days, you know before kids and husband days, I was known to enjoy a bit of alternative here and there. When I get a wild hair I'll still listen to Eve 6. Mind you I bought the edited, no bad words versions.

This Rock stuff is all new to me. I can only handle a few songs at a time. So my question is, how far do you go to get into your character's head? How can you make your reader connect to someone you haven't even connected with? And am I totally crazy for worrying so much about this?

If you have thoughts or suggestions I'd love to hear them. Especially if you want to give me any advice on good Rock songs that aren't too crazy. ;)

P.S. Thanks to all those who entered the giveaway and congrats to zeezee22!

Book Review: Clarity

While on vacation I had a day where I didn't feel so great. So, while everyone was enjoying swimming, Lego Land, or the beach, I was cuddled under a blanket reading. Which isn't a bad way spend vacation as far as I'm concerned. And Kim Harrington's Clarity was a great vacation read.

It's fast paced so I read it one day. I like those kinds of books.

However, I only gave it three stars on goodreads. And here's why. It started out good enough. It was almost like Medium and Veronica Mars wrapped into one book. I love both those shows, so I'm thinking it's gonna be great. Unfortunately, it didn't work out as well as either of those shows. For some reason the author felt the need to describe exactly what every person was wearing every time they entered the scene. Except Gabriel. First it was, holy cow he has a hot body, and then enter description of what he's wearing. It was very distracting. I wish she would have focused more on the mystery.

This may sound like a little thing to most of you, but it sure bugged the heck out of me. I wanted more emotion and less attire.

That alone would have earned it four stars, but I took another one off for cheesy dialogue.

I really wanted to like it, and if you're looking for a quick read and like to know exactly what everyone is wearing, then give it a shot. The plot moved nicely and I didn't want to put it down. She left it open for a sequel, and I'm tempted to read it. I guess that says something.

Back to life, Back to reality

I am back from vacation and excited to get back to writing again. I purposely left my junk drive at home so I woulnd't even think about writing. Which was good. It left me to day dream and work out a lot of details. Unfortunately, those details weren't about book two.

Lets face it people, book two is being forced. I mean, I haven't even thought of a name for it. How good can it be? I'm taking a break and worki

ng on something I'm actually excited about.

And with all those pesky details worked out in this l

ittle brain of mine, I really am VERY excited about this one. But all I can tell you about it for now is that my inspiration will come from watching Buffy again. Could this be why I'm so excited? Perhaps. I really miss her.

One more thing. There are no demons.

Enough about that! California was a lot of fun. We

went to Legoland but we only have two girls. Very easily scared girls, so we didn't ride a lot of the rides that didn't involve sitting in a boat and looking at stuff. But they had fun all the same.

The beach was their favorite. And I think it was

mine too. I know it was my hubby's. He's like a fish. Isn't he hot?

p.s. Don't forget to enter for your chance to win the protector's eye charm! (if you want to)

Get used to disappointment

I feel like I've set this really great New Years resolution and kept it for 11 months then gave in to that stupid chocolate bar in the 12th month. Ya, I know, I suck.

I didn't reach my goal. Book two is not finished. Not even close. But really, it wasn't all my fault. I mean, I had a sick kid, and family to converse with and friends to meet. Not to mention Nichole and Bryshen have stopped talking to me. What's up with that? Don't they know I'm trying to finish their story?

I know, I know, it's nothing but excuses. Honestly I have no idea

when I'll get this book finished. It seems that time is being sucked from me a little more everyday.

However, as a way to make it up to you, I've decided to do another giveaway. Two actually. One for books. I've decided to giveaway two books on goodreads so if you haven't had a chance to pick it up yet, you can enter there. I'll have a widget on my blog as soon as it's approved by goodreads.

But! What about my loving and adoring fans who have already received a copy of

my book? Well, in honor of my birthday next month I'll be hosting a giveaway on my blog. One lucky winner will receive the same kind of charm the protector's wear. Closer to what Bryshen gives Nichole. I've lucked out and they already make them. Cuz, you know, I didn't invent the eye.

Since I blog so sporadically, I think my followers only follow sporadically, so I'll be mentioning this a lot between now and when I pick the winner, which will be August 14th. YAY!

See sometimes I'm cool.

Miles to go before I sleep

Well, if you all are expecting an apology from me for not posting in such a long time–too bad. I think I said in an earlier post I have no idea what I'm doing here. Networking I guess. You know what I've discovered? I don't know how to network. I've signed up for all these blogs, which I read gladly everyday, but I never leave comments. Could it be that I–a writer-don't have anything to say? Hmmm...

I'd love to tell you all that I'm wrapping up book two of Akasha (which still has no name. Any suggestions out there?), but I'm not. There's still a lot of story left to tell and I'm closing in on my deadline. Which is July 15th BTW.

I did an outline of the rest of the story the other day. I thought that would help me move it along. But by the time I finished the first chapter I had outlined I had already gotten so far off, the rest of it was useless. I just don't think me and outlining works. Does it with anyone?

The good news is that I'm going away for like a week and a half to a house with no cable, and more important for me, no netflix. This equals no distractions. Or at least fewer distractions.

Still have kids. They still have to eat and want me to play with them when we go on vacation. Weird huh?

Mission: Impossible

Last week was one of those weeks you survive rather than live through for me. Nothing really major happened, just a lot of little things I won't bore you with. But lots of little things build up, and add sick kids, then getting sick yourself, and well, you have one heck of a lousy week.

I didn't hardly write at all. I didn't hardly think about my book at all. Needless to say I'm a bit behind.

So, I'm feeling pretty down about myself, how I'm behind and all, and then I read an interview with Elana Johnson about her book being released this month, POSSESSION. I discover that Elana wrote her 90,000 word ms in 17 days. No, you didn't read that wrong, 17 days! Is that even possible? Obviously she spent the next SEVERAL months revising, but seriously, I don't know how that's done!

I guess I could sit around and mope about how I'm so behind and I'll never get that much work done in such a short amount of time, or I could use it to challenge myself. I'm not going to go all crazy and say I'll finish my current ms in 17 days. With two kids who need my attention that's just not possible. But I can finish it by next month. Ehem...the end of next month. We leave on vacation next month and I'd really like to have this done by then. To be able to go on vacation and not bring Nichole or Bryshen's issues with me. That means a lot of work on my part, but I think I can really do it if I try. And give up t.v.

Guess I better put watching Buffy for the eleventh time on hold...