What's for Breakfast?

Being a writer isn't easy. I'm not just talking about all the pressure of making your story right, or the crit where every part of your novel got ripped apart, I'm talking about taking care of you. Yes, you. You have a body that needs to function so you can pump out that wickedly awesome novel. So, after you have been writing, for say, a few hours, and things start to blur a little, take a second and think. Ask yourself these questions.

Am I breathing? If you see spots in front of your eyes or your surroundings are turning white you may try and breathe.

Should I go to bed? Now, this one is up for debate. I need at least 6 hours to partially function so there's a point where I have to shut the lap top down especially when my eyes are shut and last word I typed looks like this: tolllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll. I'm just sayin'

Have I eaten today? This is my biggest problem. I like food. The problem is I will skip meals in the midst of getting kids fed and out the door, helping them with homework, playing with them, cleaning, writing. I will basically just skip a major feeding event. This skippage leads me to snack a lot. I have a hard time selecting snacks that are in my body's best interest. I, of course, make sure my kids are eating a balanced meal, but when it comes to me, it's the first thing I grab.

This is my main topic today--eating. How do you fit in the best foods for you? I know its more of a discipline thing and don't buy junk. I can't help it if there is a bag of M & Ms in my closet, I can't live without chocolate, but I can somehow make the healthy food look appetizing, right? I'm trying to lose weight so I need all the advice I can get. I am trying to fit in some sort of exercise, 'trying' being the key word here.

I guess what my main question is: What are you favorite healthy foods or snacks?

Let's face it when we are on a roll writing, we don't want to fix a four course meal. What's easy to eat and type without putting on extra pounds and fuels your brain?

Have a great weekend!

Awards

Thanks for all your comments on Monday. I'm catching up, slowly. I've also been behind in acknowledging some awards.

I am deeply honored you guys think of me.

Thanks to the talented Les Edgerton for the Versatile Blog award. Check out his new releases The Perfect Crime and Just Like That out now. Thanks Les.

Thanks to the lovely Christine Rains for both awards above. A very talented lady who has an awesome first name. ;) Thanks Christine.

This award is long overdue in acknowledgement. Thank you to Christine Tyler for the Seriously Cute Blog award. Christine, who also has a fabulous first name, gave me this award over the summer, and, well, I have not posted about it till now. Sorry, crazy times here. Check out Christine's blog, you won't be disappointed.

Now, I do things different than the rules. For the awards above you have to post something about yourself. I'm going to post 10 things I heart. 

1. I heart my family and friends.

2. I heart my CPs, betas, and this writing community.

3. I heart music. Need it for ideas and characters to speak to me. 

4. I heart writing. Obviously.

5. I heart chocolate.

6. I heart good times. 

7. I heart the beach.

8. I heart laughter.

9. I heart long walks in a beautiful garden.

10. I heart hope.

Okay, now I must pass these on to others. Today, is your lucky day because you get all three. The names below are in no particular order. You must check these folks out.

1. Steph Sinkhorn 

2. Lynn

3. Chris Kelworth

4. Meredith

5. Paul Joseph

Have a great day!!

Hoping I'm not that person.

Yep, my town, so awesome.

Philly lit night was awesome. Thanks to Frankie and Simon for another successful night. I'm not going to go into some of the discussions. Let's just say we laughed a lot and Simon has a great talent for speaking with multiple accents. Oh and now you know West Chester rocks. :) Also, the amazing Amy Garvey joined us. Her book COLD KISS was just released and is on my TBR list.

Awesome cover too.

So as I sat there with these amazing folks, I thought about querying. I know, weird. I thought for a second about the odds of landing an agent, and how out of all the people there, would I be the one who never gets one. I actually sat there thinking, holy crap, I may be the one. I may be that person who sits there waiting for that one day while everyone else gets it (they all deserve it) and some of them already have agents and book deals (again, well deserved). I might be the one who is only good enough to write daily blog posts and be a super cheerleader (I would do this no matter what, that's just me), but I think you get what I mean.

Now, I'm not getting all --the glass is half empty crap. In fact, the opposite. Yes, this thought pops into my head. It's natural. I get that feeling sometimes, but who doesn't. I'm not going to let it push me backwards. I have too much drive to stop. Of course, being in the company of such wonderful, supportive people helps. A lot. I'm, as you know, a natural born pessimist, but by the end of the night I almost saw the glass full (thanks Kate, most positive person ever, love that. I totally need your voice on a recorder for playback).

I have to follow what is meant for me. What feels right. If it takes me 10 years longer than everyone else then so be it. Okay, it would stink, but I would get there.

My point: Focus on you. Use your drive to get to where you want to be. Sure there will be doubts, it's totally natural, but don't slide down to the pessimist pool. It delays your success. As Rob Dyrdek says, Make your own luck. Yes, I watch Fantasy Factory. I like skateboarders remember. You have to find the positive in everything, he surely does and is super successful.

What are your thoughts?

How was your weekend?

Have a great day! 

Fun Facts Friday

This week was really hectic. I had house guests so you know nothing gets done. I haven't worked on my manuscript (for a lengthy amount of time) in about 2 weeks. My brain is freaking out. So today, I'm sitting and revising like crazy. On with the facts.

1. I will do an awards posts sometime next week. Sorry, things happen.

2. The hubs suggested building an ark due to the amount of rain we've been having. Not to mention it's horrible for my hair.

3. I put my manuscript on my Kindle and it's awesome. I can take it with me and think. Joy.

4. I'm halfway through converting manuscript number 1 to present tense. As you know, I did this to manuscript number 2 already. I now know which tense I should be writing in.

5. I'm happy my betas have been patient with me. I asked them months ago to read my manuscript and they are still up for the task. I hope.

6. I think I may still have a chance to query this year. Maybe. I'm not pressuring myself or anything.

7. I wish I was at Oktoberfest in Munich. :) I miss that city.

8. Philly Lit (organized by the lovely Frankie and awesome and snarky Simon) is meeting in my town tomorrow. Can't wait.

9. I watched a lot of crime drama shows this week. My house guests enjoy them. I actually started to have nightmares that I was kidnapped and the police had to solve my disappearance.

10. Tell me some fun facts, folks. How was your week? 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Though this was funny

So, I don't have much today, but I thought I would share this video. Very funny. Some of you may have seen it before. I hope to have more on Friday.
Okay, so, I'm having issues with embedding. I swear this is like the sixth time I've had issues with this. Anyone else have a problem with embedding you tube codes?

Anyway, here is the link. http://youtu.be/aly7bSv6xUs
I hope that works.

Have a great day!!

Part of the Revolution

Thank you so much for all your birthday wishes. You guys are the best. The weekend was good, and for the most part, we had nice weather. I did get a Kindle. I'm a little intimidated by it. Okay, I guess I'm not really sure what to make of it. I love it so far. I just have that little part of me that feels funny reading a book on a screen. I have a cover on order for my Kindle. A really cute one. You know me, I have to have something eye catching for it. You know, to make it different.

The one part of this thing that excites me is I can put a document on it and take it with me. Of course, I have to figure out how to do that. I think there will be a learning curve. I also love the experimental part, where I can surf the web and put my MP3s on it. Cool.

Artwork by Kaitlyn McCane. You could use your Kindle at the beach.

I'm really excited to use this little thing. I ordered my first book--Divergent by Veronica Roth. I can't wait to read it.

If you have a Kindle, any pointers for a beginner?

How was your weekend?

Any goals this week? My goal is to sit and revise. I've had house guests so I've been a little distracted.

Have a great day!

Fun Facts Friday

So, I did get to my story this week. I'm happy it's going along smoothly, so far. A couple of facts today, not much because my brain has been wrapped up in my manuscript.

1. My birthday is tomorrow. Yeah, I will be a whole year older. Sigh. Another year wiser, right? I'll let you figure out my age.

2. Don't forget there are other folks birthdays who are way cooler than me. Sara McClung, Simon Larter, Jessica Corra, and Kimberly Franklin. It's a birthday weekend. If I'm missing anyone, I'm blaming it on my overworked brain.

3. The season of Fall officially is blanketing my town. I like it so far.

4. I will be doing an awards post next week because I have had some awards given to me. Thanks to all those folks who were so kind.

5. I have a few birthday wishes -- I want my son to be fully potty trained, I want an agent and an awesome book deal. I don't ask for much, do I?

Any weekend plans?

Have a great weekend!

Questions, questions

I'm going to be doing a interview of a very, talented author next month and I'm trying to think of some questions. So, I thought I would ask you what you would ask an author. I've got a few in mind, but I want to see what you would ask. Who is this person? Elliot Grace. His book South of Charm was just released so put your thinking caps on and let me know. Also, go check out his blog. He is an amazing writer.

Have a great day!

The result--focus

On Friday, I went to a first pages session for my SCBWI chapter. I was scared. Why? You know how it is. It was anonymous so I'm not sure why I was so worried. I've been to SCBWI conferences before and even had a one on one with an editor so this should've been cake. But I was scared. I think because it would determine which manuscript I was going to focus on. I sent in the first page of my first manuscript that I've been working on for 2 1/2 years and it has been through tons of re-writes and revisions.

So here's how it went down. On the panel, four agents and two editors. They have a reader who reads each first page a loud. After each piece is read, each person on the panel comments on it. Easy, right? Let me just tell you, when my piece was read my heart pounded in my throat. It was weird because no one knew it was mine. Anyway, the comments started and some were what I expected and some were nice. I knew some areas needed to be fixed. What surprised me is how subjective this whole thing can be. Okay, I know it's subjective, like totally, crazy subjective, but when it's done right in front of you, it's weird. Once, they started going down the line my page went from bleak to I really like it. And the agent who said they really liked it is one of the agents' I plan to query. Yes, I'm a happy camper. I even introduced myself to her in the end so maybe she will remember me. Hopefully, I will stay out of her slush pile.

What's my point? The main lesson is the whole business is subjective so for the most part you need to follow your gut. There are some things that were consistent, but the most important-- make sure your writing is strong.

Other points.

1.Make sure your grammar and spelling is correct. This is one lesson that all of the panel agreed on. Take time to develop and strengthen your writing. Along with voice. Make sure you have voice.

2. Have an unusual hook and strong plot.

3.Research the agent you are looking for. Know what they want.

4.Create a strong query, but don't kill yourself. The panel admitted it must be written well and catch their eye, but they don't always read the whole thing. Some only read the first line, some read only part of it then skip to read the pages you attach. Most agents ask for the first few pages of your mauscript, and I've been told to send them anyway, whether they ask or not.

I'm really excited to now have focus. I can't wait to get started.

Have you gone to any conferences?

What have you learned?

Have a great day!

Fun Facts Friday

I'm making this short today.

1. Thanks to everyone who has been commenting on my blog. I will be responding to your comments soon. Things are a little out of whack this week. I really appreciate all your comments and feedback.

2. Yesterday, I accidently shut my cat in my shower. She was there all day so you know what I came home to. Let's just say, I still smell like bleach. I did find a waterless shampoo to clean her that worked great.

3. I'm attending a SCBWI First pages session today.
        a) I'm scared
        b) I'm preparing myself for the worst
         c) There is a chance (according to the information) that my page might not be read. I'm thinking mine is one of them. In which case, I will think it's not being read because it was horrible.
        d) There is a little part of me that's dreaming the agent will love it and want more. I have such a conflicted brain, which we all know will not happen. I just jinxed myself.

4. I'm sad Entourage (on HBO) is almost done. Love that show.

5. I'm thinking the northeast will become a waterworld and I will have to purchase a jet ski to get around. I do have to buy my kids raincoats and get my son an umbrella. Once I do that, it will stop raining. I know it.

6. I'm sad I have not been successful to get decent seats at the Foo Fighters show.

7. Finished PLEASE IGNORE VERA DIETZ by A.S. King and loved it. Too many good things about this book.

What are your weekend plans?

Any fun facts to share?

Have a great weekend!

Insecure Writer's Support Group

So, I'm also part of the Insecure Writer's Support Group started by the awesome Alex J. Cavanaugh. I'm sure you've figured out that I'm pretty insecure with writing at times. What a great way to get some support by posting about your fears and struggles along with your victories and breakthroughs. I will be posting this the first Wednesday of each month.

Let's see. I've been struggling a little with focus. I have two manuscripts that are finished, but need revision work. The problem-- I can't focus on one. I'm torn on which one I want to query. Add a ton of new ideas developing and you have a total brain hurricane. I really want to query this year, but it's looking slim. So what do I do? How do I pick? How do I focus?

On the other end of this, I have to say, I have found the best people on earth to support me. So, I know I'm being guided by the best.

Are you facing any struggles?

How about victories?

Have a great day!

When you have a cold

I'm finally coming down from the massive attack on my sinuses. I've learned that rest is the best thing, but with rest, my mind wanders. This is a good thing. Why? I'm getting over my 'stuck' moment in my revisions. Daydreaming can spark many things to happen. So, I'm excited to get started.
I also started reading this:

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King. So far I've read half the book in one day. That's a lot for me. This book is fantastic. One of those books that make me want to strengthen my craft, and makes me feel a little intimidated. Like, holy cow, I have a long way to go. I needed this book now. Simply awesome.

Any weekend plans?

Read any good books lately?

Have a great weekend!