Fun Facts Friday.

Another week, another Friday. On with the facts.

1. I'm excited for my new project and am in the "I love you" phase. Yeah, I know it's only a matter of time till it's the "I need a break from you" phase.

2. I got to meet Beth Kephart (YOU ARE MY ONLY), E.C. Myers (FAIR COIN), and Elisa Ludwig (PRETTY CROOKED) this week. They were signing at an Educators Appreciation event at the Barnes and Noble in Exton. They were there with K. M. Walton (CRACKED), Dianne Salerni (WE HEAR THE DEAD), and Amy Garvey (COLD KISS). Wonderful folks. Now go check out their sites and their books. Let me give you a hint--all of them are awesome. Oh, I can't forget the two lovely authors with adorable picture books--Monica Carnesi (LITTLE DOG LOST) and Ame Dyckman (BOY + BOT). Yes, full of awesome!

3. The Simon Larter has a story published in the Space Battles: Full Throttle Space Tales #6. Go check it out.

3. Trying to figure out your style--go check out this post from QueryTracker.net.

4. Need inspiration--Check out this post from Writes by Moonlight.

5. A couple of more posts I need to share. I don't usually find this many, but hey, it's been that kind of week.

A post by the lovely Stina Lindenblatt on Subtext.

How to deal with patience on the road to publication from Novel Rocket.

What to look for in your final edits from Nail Your Novel.

6. I've also added to my book collection, Edgar Allen Poe--Complete Tales and Poems. I have hearts dancing all around when I look at it, and they're not in the floorboards.

Do you have any fun facts to share?

Have a great weekend!

Go easy on yourself

Artwork by Kaitlyn McCane

With fast paced lifestyles, we can beat ourselves up. I know I do. I'm my hardest critic. Yep, I'm super hard on myself. I push myself to limits that I probably shouldn't. I find it unexceptable that I can't juggle a client, writing, my kids, reading, my house, etc. I cringe when something is dirty. To me there is no excuse. When I get tired at night, I get frustrated because I need to get stuff done.

What I need to learn is that it's okay. I can't do everything. I am one person. I have to accept that when I fully focus on one thing, other things will suffer.

So, how can you change it?

1. Try to give yourself credit. I have a real hard time with this. I do beat myself up over little things that don't get done or not done right. It's okay. We're not perfect and we can't do everything. One solution--write down everything you do and want to do. Take a few items and do them. Finish them if you can--one at a time. A sense of accomplishment is the best, but be realistic about what you can finish in the time that you have.

2. Say no to things. As hard as it is--you have to. Mainly to keep your sanity.

3. Take breaks. This is difficult for me. I like to keep going. Sitting and doing nothing makes me antsy, but forcing yourself to take a break might be a mind saver.

4. When you get sick--rest. This goes along with #3.

5.  Don't feel guilty. This one is tough. I feel bad if something doesn't get done or I'm not spending every waking moment with my kids or my husband. It's okay.  Doing something for you is the best medicine.

Oh and the biggest one--eat chocolate. Okay, that's my calming potion. Yours may be different.

Do you have any pointers to add?

A big thanks to Frankie Diane Mallis and Simon Larter for another fun Philly Lit. You guys are the best. I'm sure Frankie will be posting photos.

Have a great day!

CRACKED launch party!!

I've got a few (maybe a little more) photos from the CRACKED launch party. Of course it was awesome. Kate is the most down to earth and optimistic gal I know. She's an inspiration and an amazing author (if you don't have the book already, go get it).

First, I stink at photos of people. I really do. I'm better with photos of inanimate objects (think buildings). So sorry. I'm also a blabber mouth so I wind up talking over taking photos.
Second, this was so much fun. Chester County Books and Music was packed (I think 300 folks showed up) to see Kate speak and sign. It was great to see so many familiar faces.

Some local authors that attended: A.S. King, Beth Kephart, Amy Garvey, Amy Holder, Dianne Salerni.

Of course, the PLN folks were there. Frankie Diane Mallis, Simon Larter, Jessica Corra, Donna Gamble, Sara De Sabato, Paul Joseph, Kelly Lyman, Ilene Wong, Kevin Sheridan, Lillie, Jenna, Shveta Thakrar, K. A. Magrowski, Joanne Fritz. I hope I didn't forget anyone. (If I don't have your link, please let me know and I'll add it.)

On with the photos:

How cool is that cake?

Kelly Lyman and Paul Joseph 

The crowd.

The scene: Joanne Fritz starting off the night. Kate even had favors. See the bags on the table.

Joanne Fritz

Big smiles from K. M. Walton.

Frankie, Jenna, Simon (partially hidden) and Kelly

Frankie taking a picture of me, taking a picture of her, and Jenna.

Frankie Diane Mallis, Simon Larter and Donna Gamble

Kelly taking a picture of me and Amy Garvey

Frankie has way more pictures and an interesting vlog, so go check it out. Also check out the other folks' links (above) for more photos and interesting posts.

Don't forget, I'm giving away a signed copy of CRACKED. Go here to enter.

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! 

Phew!

Okay, so blogger being down last week totally messed me up with my posts. That means today's post-- not what I was planning.

This weekend I was a busy gal. Between a bridal shower and my goddaughters birthday party, I managed to go to Philly lit night. It was a blast as usual. Yes, we talked about writing, but of course, the conversation can sway with hypothetical stories and descriptions of wine vacuums. *coughs* No, I'm not going there. Thanks Simon and Frankie! Can't wait till the next meeting. We did get a group shot of all the cool folks, but I haven't seen it yet.

I also managed to get out of my slump. I think. I'm visualizing what I have to do to fill in some parts, and just to be clear with my CP, Kelly, I have not written them. I only put the ideas in my journal. :) I also figured out how I want to proceed. That means I need to get my butt in gear and write.

I even managed to set up a gmail account for my writing stuff. Ahh yes, in preparation for the ton of rejections I will be receiving, I set up a seperate email for my writing. I tried several versions of my name, but they were all taken, which is a little scary.

Where does that lead this post--my goals for the week-- to fit in writing between cleaning. Yeah, that's it.

How was your weekend?

What are your goals?

OMG, I totally forgot--see blogger being down totally screwed me up. The amazing and lovely Stina Lindenblatt is having a contest for reaching 500 followers! Totally amazing, and since she is so awesome, you must go over and congratulate her. You know you love her cool links Fridays. Now go, people! Ends May 29th.

Have a great day!

Fun Facts Friday

Another edition of fun facts. I hope you had a wonderful week.

1. I'm being interviewed at Michelle Merrill's blog today. It feels a little crazy, getting interviewed, I'm no one important, but it was fun. Check it out.

2. Thanks to Alison Miller for the Stylish Blogger award, Michele Gregory for Friends of the Journey Blog Encouragement, and Beth  for 7 Facts Award. I'm so honored. I hope to give each award attention soon. Sorry if it takes me a while. I just wanted to thank you for them.

3. If you read my facebook page, you would've seen my rant about a car parking so close to me that I had to contort my body to get my son in his car seat. Seriously, is there a reason to park so close? Did the person see the car seats? Obviously not.

4. It was a slow week for revisions, but that's okay. I'm storing up my energy for the next roll I have.

5. Thanks for all your advice on writing a war scene. I think this is why I need to store up my energy.

6. Check out this contest from Erinn. The Life is Awesome contest ends March 18th.

7. You must. I repeat, MUST, go and check out this:

Lots of wonderful authors in here and all proceeds go to the American Society of Journalists and Authors Writers Emergency Assistance Fund. Plus, Simon Larter is in there. So you know it's good. Click on Simon's name for info on getting the book.

8. To all of you with a laptop and a cat: Please make sure you close your laptop when you leave the house. I came home one day, and my cat re-named my document this :() and I had 10 pages of ((((()))))lllll;;;;    yeah ,not fun. Plus, my "L" key was stuck down. I guess my cat's trying to be a writer as well.

9. Go check out the new title of her book and Dear Teen letter from KM Walton. So cute and the title is awesome. Go Kate.

10. Any weekend plans? Have a great weekend!