Mentally prepping

You that time when you are about to embark on something that scares the crap out of you. You mentally prepare yourself to take the next step. Some of you may just jump in and that's awesome. I sometimes do, but if it involves my stomach to churn and my mind has time to think about it, I mentally prepare for the worst. I know what a negative way to think, but if something good happens then it's a pleasant surprise. I do have a better mindset then I did a month ago. Instead of dwelling on things, I'm accepting. If I can't change it, then don't worry about it.

Here's my deal. I'm getting to the point that I'm learning to accept that this manuscript may not the one that will get me an agent. Why? I don't know. I feel it. I see all these horror stories and am told your first manuscript never gets it. You need to learn, grow, strengthen, and write more novels (that's what I've read). I'm not giving up. I'm accepting reality. Am I going to query this? Absolutely, I'm going to query it. I've been working on it for 3 years. After this last go around to the betas, it's going out. I have to give it closure. It's dying and I have to bury it, let it go. I can't write anything else until this one is at rest and I can't just put it away in a drawer, I have to literally let it go.

I love this story and these characters and part of me thinks I'm the only one who does. That I keep holding on to some delusion that it's awesome. So there it is. I'll wipe my hands free of it the end of January. Let it go and let the big "R's" roll in. Okay, I know what some of you are saying, "Wait, you never know what can happen." I know, anything is possible, but I'm being realistic. I'm happy where I am. I can't begin to tell you how much I've learned on this manuscript. It's definitely improved a lot. I mean A LOT. I know what to apply to my future manuscripts. The next one is written it needs tweaking so maybe that one will be the one. I know I'm jumping the gun in my thoughts and I'm not sad or depressed, in fact, happy to know there will be closure. I will continue to grow and learn with another story.

I'm not giving up that would be crazy. I'm not giving in. I'm prepping my mind to move on. Get through this and keep going. I have so many other stories to tell, and until this one is gone, I can't continue. Now, if I can just stop worrying about what the betas will say. :)

Do you mentally prep for big leaps in your life?

Have a great day!

Thanksgiving vacation.

I'm back. I took last week off to accomplish some revising, which didn't happen. Here are few things I learned while on vacation.

1. Nothing gets done when the kids are home (including writing). This does frustrate me, but I got to spend quality time. That means this week I will be using every minute of me time to write.

2. I need to lose 10 pounds. I have the weirdest desire to run. It's strange because I never liked to run before, but it's calling to me. Strange.

3. I saw Breaking Dawn Part 1. I liked some parts, the vamp make up was better and it did follow the book, but I wanted to red pen some parts. Some of it just dragged on and on. I wanted to punch something so something happened. Needless to say, I was a little frustrated with it.

I did enjoy seeing Jasper. :) Actually, I wanted more Jasper.

4. I went to my high school reunion. I'm not saying how many years. It's funny how some people change and some don't. It was fun though.

5. Every year at this time I wonder where I will be next year. So I wonder. . . . 

How was your Thanksgiving?

How was your week last week?

Have a great day!

Fun Facts Friday

Whew. What a week. I did finish my major revisions and have decided, after some tightening, I will send it to the betas, then query. I have to get this out of my hair. I'm following my gut. So thanks for your support and encouragement. On with the facts.

1. I'm ready to see Breaking Dawn Part 1, but will probably wait till the crowds die down. If you've seen it, let me know what your thoughts are. I really wish they would get the makeup right on the vampires. Just sayin'.

2. I can't wait to see The Hunger Games. I think I want that to be showing right now. Holy cow, that trailer is awesome. Total goose bumps.

3. Getting into Grimm and Once Upon a Time. I think I see a trend starting. I wonder how many YA fairy tale books will be coming out?Although, Once Upon a Time is sort of frustrating. I don't know why. I'm actually just frustrated when I watch it, but I want to keep watching. Strange.

4. After watching Once Upon a Time (on DVR), I actually started thinking of a story I started a while back. The funny thing is it's not a fairy tale, it takes place in space, but the interaction of the characters on the show is what triggered my brain to revisit this idea. Oh boy, SNI is at work.

5. Go to K.M. Walton's blog for a super huge contest. If you know a film maker, or dabble in film making, you won't want to miss this. HUGE.

I'm taking next week off from blogging. I may be around to comment, but with Thanksgiving and going through my MS one last time, I need the time. Plus, let's face it, my posts have been less than stellar.

How was your week?

Have a great weekend and Happy Thanksgiving!

The tunnel

First, Tomorrow go over to K.M. Walton's blog. Something big will be happening. I don't know what it is, but it's big. That's all I know because Kate won't tell anyone just that it's big. Sometimes she such a tease. She's killing me with this. :)

So, I feel like this tunnel I've been in forever is lasting forever. I do see a small light at the end, but it keeps getting farther and farther away. The tunnel keeps growing and the light is getting dimmer. I'm almost done a major overhaul and now I'm scared that there will be more. It's a big fear. I've been consumed in this manuscript for 2 years. Yes, it's my first, but I can't let it go until I'm satisfied. I've tried working on other stuff (even writing another novel), but I can't get my mind off of this one until it's complete. I don't know why.

I know the odds for this one are slim, especially because it's my first one. Everyone tells me your first novel is always the one that's practice. It seems like everyone tucks it away in a drawer for no one to ever see. Then why am I so determined? Why am I pushing this so hard? I should just chalk it up to this was my first.

I guess, I'm so close to being satisfied (until my betas read it and tell me no), that I can taste the red velvet cupcake with cream cheese icing sitting on a table at the end of this tunnel (I know that made no sense, but I love red velvet cupcakes). I have the query (needs to be tweaked), the synopsis, and this manuscript (need to finish tweaking), so why do I keep questioning?

I know I won't stop, but that feeling of this-will-be-a-long-road keeps poking my brain. That's my crazy story today. I'm pushing through, getting to that cupcake even if it takes me a while. I just hope it's not stale when I get there.

How's your progress?

How do you know when to give up on a project?

Have a great day!

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (total book love)

Title: Daugher of Smoke and Bone

Author: Laini Taylor

Pages: 432 pages

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

The blurb:

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

My take:

Really, there isn't much to say. I have so much love for this book, I'm giddy, and I have writer envy--yep, totally. I'm so not worthy to be a writer. This book made me speechless. I'm sure my face looked like a deer in headlights that ate the best chocolate ever. I know, weird right? Yeah, it was that good. Parts of me didn't know what to feel but it felt so good at the same time. I can't even begin to tell you about this book. So, I'm not going into detail here. It's YA (but could cross genres to me) and dark and lovely and sexy and...

You have to read it for yourself. Yeah. Basically, what I'm telling you is to get out and get this, now, or if you have an e-reader turn it on and order it, clear your calender, and read this. You won't regret it.  I highly recommend this and hope to meet Laini Taylor one day (I'm not a stalker).

Have you read this book? Please share your thoughts?

Have a great day!

Fun Facts Friday and some Linkage

This week is another blur. My personal deadline is coming quick and I've learned I can't sit on the couch and try and work. Comfy couch= sleep not productivity.

1. I can't believe Thanksgiving is 2 weeks away.

2. My lunch yesterday didn't look as good as it did on the box.

3. I actually made my brain mushy with my revisions. It pretty much went on strike yesterday. I guess that means I needed to give it a rest. The rest of me is trying so hard to settle my brain's demands so it will start working again. Please brain work, we're almost there.

4. Celebrate the launch of BECOME by Ali Cross, BOUND by Christine Bryant and EXILED by RaShelle Workman. A virtual launch party takes place to day at 11:00 on Twitter #darkcarma and Facebook and on all their blogs.

5. Another great celebration for Jessica Bell-- STRING BRIDGE chart rush. Linkage below.

eBook:Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/String-Bridge-ebook/dp/B005Y48DF6
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/String-Bridge-ebook/dp/B005Y48DF6

Paperback:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/String-Bridge-Jessica-Bell/dp/0984631747 

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/String-Bridge-Jessica-Bell/dp/0984631747/

How was your week?

Have a great weekend!

String Bridge by Jessica Bell

Title: String Bridge

Author: Jessica Bell

Pages: 279

Publisher: Lucky Press

Blurb:

"Greek cuisine, smog and domestic drudgery was not the life Australian musician, Melody, was expecting when she married a Greek music promoter and settled in Athens, Greece. Keen to play in her new shoes, though, Melody trades her guitar for a 'proper' career and her music for motherhood. That is, until she can bear it no longer and plots a return to the stage—and the person she used to be. However, the obstacles she faces along the way are nothing compared to the tragedy that awaits, and she realizes she's been seeking fulfilment in the wrong place."

My take:

I really enjoyed this book. It is adult, which I dabble in from time to time. Jessica's writing is beautiful. She paints vivid pictures with her words, and let me say, my emotional strings were pulled in every direction. I can relate to Melody. No, I'm not a musician, but it's her conflicted life that had me teary eyed and smiling. She gives up her one passion to live a 'proper' life. Something I think many of us can relate to. Many of us balance lots of things, and our paths are not always what we imagine, but our passion keeps calling us and sometimes we long for it (which hurts). This is one of those books that keeps you thinking about choices and how we are not alone with these challenges. I'm still thinking about this book and how Melody felt through each decision (I know I've felt them in real life). I would recommend checking out STRING BRIDGE, you'll keep this one in your heart.  

Purchase links:

eBook

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/String-Bridge-ebook/dp/B005Y48DF6/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319369262&sr=1-1

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/String-Bridge-ebook/dp/B005Y48DF6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319370801&sr=8-1

Paperback:

Amazon.com: (Coming soon) 

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/String-Bridge-Jessica-Bell/dp/0984631747/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/string-bridge-jessica-bell/1030101696

Soundtrack:

iTunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=465313522

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Melody-Hill-Other-Side/dp/B005P7ARNS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317118328&sr=8-1

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Melody-Hill-Other-Side/dp/B005P7G02A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317118484&sr=8-1

Linkage:

String Bridge Website: http://www.stringbridge.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11502954-string-bridge

String Bridge Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv-hRMA0kqQ
String Bridge Merchandise: http://www.cafepress.com/janicephelps/8155170
website: http://www.jessicacbell.com/
blog: http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/author.jessica.bell
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MsBessieBell
retreat & workshop site: http://hwrw.blogspot.com/

Bio:

Jessica Bell is a literary women's fiction author, poet and singer/songwriter who grew up in Melbourne, Australia, to two gothic rock musicians who had successful independent careers during the '80s and early '90s.

She spent much of her childhood travelling to and from Australia to Europe, experiencing two entirely different worlds, yet feeling equally at home in both environments. She currently lives in Athens, Greece and works as a freelance writer/editor for English Language Teaching publishers worldwide, such as HarperCollins, Pearson Education and Macmillan Education.

In addition to String Bridge, Jessica has published a book of poetry called Twisted Velvet Chains. A full list of poems and short stories published in various anthologies and literary magazines can be found under Published Works & Awards, on her website.

From September 2012 Jessica will be hosting the Homeric Writers' Retreat & Workshop on the Greek island of Ithaca, home of Odysseus.

 

Laughing at challenges

I know, weird, right? Laughing at a challenge, me. I used to run or hide in a corner, complain and whine. Not anymore. I realize challenge is learning. I obviously learn slowly because many of you are probably saying, duh, we do this already. Hey, give me some credit here sometimes my brain is thick and stubborn. It's been a long road to this point, and as I look down the road ahead, it's longer, but I know (how, I don't know) that one day it can will happen. I just have to take the good with the bad and tackle those challenges head on with a smile. Oh and lots of chocolate helps.

Faces any challenges?

How do you tackle them?

Keepin' it short today. Go check out Joanne Fritz's giveaway's. A.S. King's EVERYBODY SEES THE ANTS and Richard Peck's SECRETS AT SEA. Both are hardback and signed. Ends November 9th.

Have a great day!

Fun Facts Friday

So I'm making this another quick one. Why? Many of you are doing NaNo so who wants to hear me, and that whole revision thing that I can't seem to finish.

1. Go and congratulate Kate Walton. She has sold her second book. Go give her hugs, hearts, maybe a happy dance. You go Kate!

2. I've eaten a ton of chocolate this week and still want more. Problem? maybe.

3. Go give Lydia Kang congrats. Her YA Sci-fi, THE FOUNTAIN, will be released in 2013. Go Lydia!

4. Watched GRIMM last week. I have to say I'm interested. Of course, David Greenwalt has something to with that (remember ANGEL?). I do think some things have to be worked out, but I'll keep watching. For now.

5. Totally in love with the new Blink-182 album (cd? I don't think they are called albums anymore). I so heart this band (okay, been in love with them for a long time--years). I just can't listen to it when the kids are around. :)

That's it. Any news? Any new shows you like? Any new music you are hearting?

Have a great weekend!

Insecure Writers Support Group and a Cold Kiss

So today is insecure day. Well, a lot of days are insecure days for me. Anyway, go on over to Alex's blog to see the participants. Thanks Alex for hosting this.

I'll make this short because you know my story and I need to get back to the dreaded "R" word. Revision. I feel like I've been doing that for over 2 years, but right now I'm feeling good. I've cut some scenes (I'm a little sad) and added more (that are awesome). I guess you could say I'm feeling pretty good about them until I get it beta read again and my readers tell me to do more. I have a direction and *fingers crossed* everything falls into place to query by the new year. See I have a happy face.

Isn't that a pretty cover? It shimmers too.

On a different note, I met Amy Garvey last night. Her book, COLD KISS, was released in September. It was loads of fun and she's quite the awesome. Check out Frankie's blog for photos. I always forget my camera. Another reason to get an iPhone.

Good luck to everyone doing NaNo. How's everyone's progress?

Have a great day!