Getting back to normal

So, I'm rusty. Yeah. It's been a while and even though I can't wait to get back on track (let's face it, I missed my schedule), my brain needs about a quart of oil to get going again. It's like riding a bike (I know, super cliche). Once I get going, I'm golden.

What have I been doing? Lots of stuff with my kids. Who knew they needed entertainment every second of the day. I really thought as they got older, they didn't need as much of it. Basically, I planned things for them every week and it was fun, but exhausting.

One of the most awesome cities ever.

 

I did travel, which was fun as well. The beach and Florida. My last trip was to one of my favorite cities, and one that inspires a lot of my writing. Munich. Love, love, love it, and there are some new ideas popping up in my brain. That big beast in my head is not only going to explode with the words I haven't written, but now is forming new ideas--with more words.

My writer brain is about to spill over with words. If you see that some one's brain exploded and words fell out, yeah, that would be me. I get anxious when I don't write. It makes me cranky and has me pacing. I miss it. I wrote a little over the summer and thought a lot about my characters, but not enough to satisfy the creative portion of my soul.

So, yes, I'm ready for a routine and I can't wait to write.

How about you? Does it feel like your head is about to pop if you haven't written in a while?

Have  a great day!!

Sheri's big news and huge giveaway

Yep, I'm back. What a summer! Really, it just was really busy. I'll talk more about that in another post. Today, I have someone special. Can you guess who it is?

The lovely and talented Sheri Larsen is on my blog today. She has some wonderful news and a special giveaway to announce. Take it away Sheri!! Congrats again!!!

Today, I invite you to celebrate with me!! I've signed with Literary Agent Paula Munier of Talcott Notch Literary! And because our literary community is so freaking fabulous and generous, I'm having a Bigger-Than-A-Shopping-Mall GIVEAWAY!!


The giveaway consists of:


two separate Rafflecopters with multiple giveaways and one grand prize Rafflecopter giveaway - to enter for the grand prize, you must enter either giveaway #1, #2, or both.


There's only one mandatory entry. Everything else is up to you!! I know Rafflecopters can be a pain, but it was the only way to organize such a huge giveaway. The giveaway is open until September 27th. WINNERS will be announced on September 28th. (Entrants may win more than one prize!)


Thank you so much for entering, spreading the word, and celebrating with me!!


List of Rocking Participants: Lenny Lee, Colene Murphy, LM Preston, Darby Karchut, Joanne Brothwell, Patti Larsen, Christine Fonseca, Catherine Stine, Jessica Bell, Kelly Hashway, Leigh Moore, Christine Danek, Alex Cavanaugh, Katie Mills, Matthew MacNish, Beverly McClure, Marcy Hatch, Jennifer Million, Nicole Zoltack, Christina Lee, Kris Yankee, JL Spelbring, Sharon Mayhew, Candice Granger, Dianne Salerni, Lisa & Laura Roecker, Elana Johnson, Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi, Susan Kaye Quinn, Lydia Kang, Julie Musil, Natalie Agurrie, Talli Roland, Medeia Sharif, Kelly Polark, Angela Brown, Sarah Fine, Stina Lindenblatt, Lynda Young, Susan Fields, PK Hrezo, Shannon O'Donnell, Shelli Johannes-Wells, Theresa Brown Milstein.


Giveaway #1:



a Rafflecopter giveaway





Giveaway #2:



a Rafflecopter giveaway





Grand Giveaway:



a Rafflecopter giveaway





Congrats Sheri! And if none of those links work (because blogger gives me trouble like that), please go to Sheri's blog http://writersally.blogspot.com


So, what are you waiting for. Go and enter!!


Have a great day!!

I'm there.

So today is sort of a mixed bag of stuff.

On Saturday, I attended PAYA and PLN. Both were so much fun. I got to meet some new authors and catch up with others I haven't seen in a while. These events are great to get out and socialize. I have to say, I've been caught up with life and sort of isolated myself for various reasons. I had some thinking to do and am really trying to find my writerly self again. It feels good and I think I'm there. What do I mean? I'm at that place where I'm comfortable. I'm comfortable with my progress and how I do things. I write slow and I'm okay with it. It's my way. I'm okay with my process of writing. Really, it's not normal, but then again, what is.

I also have few links you need to check out.
1.Overtelling, Overshowing, Overselling by Jane Lebak

2. What Hollywood Will Tell You  (by the lovely Stina Lindenblatt)

3. When Life gives you Lemons by Danyelle Leafty

Some good things will be coming up. So stay tuned.

Any news? How's your progress?

What's your favorite summertime treat? I know that's random, but it's Monday and it's raining here, so yes, I'm random.

Have a great day!!

Closing Summer

I'm back. Right now, I'm going to post at least once a week. When school starts, I'll be back in full swing.

Summer is coming to a close. I love summer, but I also like a more structured schedule so with September coming . . . yes, I'm wearing a happy face. It's funny because this is the time I reflect. Most people (including me sometimes) think that January is the time to make goals and resolutions. For some reason, it also happens in September for me. I guess it's like a new school year for me. New schedule, new outlook, I'm excited and I'm ready to work. I can see clearly. In January, I'm in a fog of Christmas lights and bloated full of sweets so usually my resolution is to lose weight.

Maybe it's the change of season too. Who knows. All I know is I'm back and ready. So what have I been doing--traveling, writing, spending time with family, and querying. Not necessarily in that order. I also attended WriteOnCon. Simply awesome. I was able to post some stuff in the forums and got great feedback from other writers.

I'm writing something new and feels awesome. I plan to learn lots more by attending a conference and maybe a few classes. I guess the thing is--I'm feeling more prepared and less scared. I know I can get there if I just keep learning and doing.

So, with that said, what are your goals?

How was your summer?

If you are in the West Chester area this weekend, go to PAYA--simply awesome. Lots of great authors to meet. And if you stay in West Chester for dinner, Philly Lit is meeting at Iron Hill Brewery (great brewery--I'm  not biased or anything). Fun things happen at Philly Lit so don't miss it.

Have a great day!!!

WriteOnCon

I'm back, well, sort of. I can't guarantee a blog schedule yet. September, my friends, September. You can feel my giddy happiness. Yes, I love my kids, but when school is in session it's . . .dare I say it, blissful.

Anywho, I popped in to remind you that WriteOnCon is next week. The writing forums are open now if you want to get some feedback on your pieces before the Ninja Agents wander through. You can polish up your babies with some great feedback. You can also check out the schedule of events. There are lots of good ones.

So what are you waiting for. Go on over. WriteOnCon.

Like I said, I will have more of a schedule in September. I'm trying to write my first draft of my new novel (I hit 21K!!), polish up my current query, and while I'm at it, write another query for another novel I have to revise. Crazy? Maybe. But it's flowing and when I'm in that mode, there's no stopping me.

How's your summer?

Have a great day!!

Insecure Writer's Support Group

Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for organizing and hosting this event every month. Go to Alex's blog to see the other participants.

So, I've been away, taking a hiatus if you will. I've been doing a lot of thinking and trying to write. I'm trying. When I get a moment, I open the doc I've been working on and read it, then try to add. I just don't have that feeling I had when I started it. I like what I wrote, but that giddy feeling you get in your chest when you write something new is not there. I know it will be back. I'm focusing on strengthening my craft and soaking up my actual strengths. I've also been looking back.

Yep, looking back. Not dwelling on the the past, ya know, whoa-is-me stuff. I'm talking about how far you've come. Go ahead bring up your very first draft. Seriously. Yes, scary, but read the first page. I'll wait a sec. Now, bring up your latest draft. Go on.

I see your mouth drop, and your eyes turn into huge saucers. That is called growth. Focus on it. Yes, there is a billion pages of internet that throw info at you--showing successes and failures, and to be honest, it can overwhelm you. It can make you feel small and inadequate. Throw in rejection after rejection and you're beat up like you've taken 10 rounds with Mike Tyson.

Looking back and reading your success can give you power. It can make you love what you do. It's why you do it. Hold on to your strengths. Use them as your light through the dark tunnel of your journey. They can guide you through the hard times and help you power up your weaknesses.

Have you taken a moment to see how far you've come?

I hoping to be back in a couple of weeks. I still need a little time to sort some things. I'm working hard and hopefully will be back to full speed. I'm hoping to finish a first draft by the end of September and start revising another novel to prep it for querying.

How is everyone?

Have a great day!

A brief note about WRiTE CLUB

How's every one's summer going? I can't believe how fast it's flying by and I sort of can't wait to get back onto a solid schedule. So far, summer has been good, but my writing has been just going. I'm not sure I'll meet my goal, but I'm working on it.

The thing about summer is your brain may go on a little vacation. It's fine. The brain needs a break now and again, but I see September approaching and I'm ready to dig into some hard core writing. So how about a warm up. Ya know, get those gears turning. There's a little competition going on and it sounds awesome.

Some of you may have participated last year and for some of you this may be new. DL Hammons is hosting (Thanks DL, this is amazing), and wait till you see the final judges.

That's right--WRiTE CLUB. I love the whole idea. Write 500 words and submit. And it's anonymous. See . . . it's a win/win. Each week two submissions go head to head until there are two, then the final judges pick a winner. Like I said, the final judges are amazing.

So, why are you still reading this? Go and check it out!!! You have nothing to lose.

Go here to sign up and read the official rules.

Good luck!!

I'll be back on a regular schedule soon!!

Have fun and happy writing!!