What's Happening?

On my bookshelf (my current reads)-   
























In my DVD player- Reruns of House and Moonlight 

 

On my TV-  

Bachelorette- This season is extremely boring yet I still turn it on every Monday night. Seems to me they already told us who Des chooses...??? Hmmm...I wonder where the drama is?

 
Under The Dome- I've enjoyed the first couple of episodes, but I'm not sure I'm hooked yet. 

 








Siberia- I've been catching this one at nbc.com. Love the premise of a reality show gone wrong. I am left wondering what will happen next.








America's Got Talent- I am amazed at all the talented (and not so talented) people in this world!

On my MP3- Train and a little country.

On my ring tone-  Call Me Maybe

On my computer-   

A rough draft of my latest story. I was really hoping to be much farther along by now but life and plotting issues have gotten in the way. I've been spending a lot of time re-drafting some plot points, so hopefully the story is heading in the right direction now. I was about to give up on it and start something new...but for now, I'm pushing forward. Cross your fingers. I will keep you posted.

Drafting presentations for some upcoming speeches.

Doing some photo shoots and working with photoshop.
 
On my calendar-  Keeping up with life, some writing time, and maybe a little play time. I can't believe how fast summer has gone. Time has definitely gotten away from me. I hope that I can spend a little time in the near future enjoying family, relaxing, and maybe  write something creative.

So...What's happening with you?
 

Cliches

Cliche- an expression, idea, or element that has been overused to a point of losing meaning.

We all know that using cliches are bad. They're boring. They're...here goes...wait for it...overused.

Cut all cliches. Edit them out. Get rid of them.

Here are some cliches:
- sands of time
- selling like hotcakes
- in the same boat
- paying the piper
- jump-start
- lap of luxury
- over the top
- cut to the chase
- chomping at the bit
- work in progress
- only one thing is certain
- whirlwind tour
- fell on deaf ears


Once a month I meet up with a bunch of published and aspiring authors for a writer's circle at our local library. We come together to share ideas, read each others writing samples, express thoughts, and sometimes we even do a writing prompt or two.

Tonight was our monthly meeting. It was a much needed break from all the crazy summer swim team stuff I've been involved with this last month. It was great to spend a few hours with fellow writers and be creative.

After gathering and catching up, we did an activity where we picked a couple of pieces of paper out of a bowl. Written on the paper were cliches. We were instructed to write them into a short story/flash fiction piece. After writing for about ten minutes, we shared our stories...and a lot of laughs!

I chose three from the bowl at random. Here is my short story/flash fiction:

It was a whirlwind tour. The tickets were selling like hotcakes, and I couldn't pass them up. I bought two, one for me and one for him. We left early, and I loved every moment of it. We saw everything in all the cities we visited. I wanted to do it all: the museums, the art galleries, the parks. The trip was everything I needed to jump-start my new life. -RGG

Bet you can't find the cliches I used...??  Haha!

Here is what one of my critique partners, Patrick Dawson, wrote after drawing three cliches at random:

One thing is certain in today's economy, the sands of time will never place us in the lap of luxury. -Patrick Dawson



Everyone's story brought smiles and lots of laughs. We had a great time. If you get a chance, pick a few of the cliches from above and write your own. Add your story piece to the comments. I can't wait to hear what you come up with!



Patrick Dawson is the author of Lessons in the Journey. You can find him at his website http://www.patrickkdawson.com/ or on goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4805249.Patrick_K_Dawson

Editing, Editing, Editing...

I have been deep in final edits and finishing up the cover art for my novel Break From You.  I am getting closer and closer...and hopefully I will have a release date soon!

But...until then I'd thought I'd give you a little teaser...


"I love you, too," I parroted, and as I said the words, my heart sank. I wanted to mean them. At one time I had, or at least I thought I had, but something was wrong, something didn't feel right. I could sense an ache deep inside me. Maybe it was anger, maybe frustration, maybe the need to forgive, but it felt more like loss. More like a sadness, as though something was missing, and I couldn't figure out what was causing it.

Brooke, from Break From You, a YA contemporary novel on dating abuse.


Coming soon.

How Do I Make Tiime to Write?

I ask myself that question everyday. There are never enough hours in the day...not to get everything done that needs to be done and still have time to write.

I fill up my day as a mom, a wife, a volunteer, a leader, a teacher, and of course a writer. But finding time to write can be a challenge, especially when you are pulled in what seems like other more urgent directions. But somehow I always find the time...and I tend to find it in the most unexpected places.


Here are my top 5 times and places to write:

1. Poolside at swim practices. It is a perfect place to open up my computer and tap away. (or edit my book, or work on cover art, or plot my next story, etc.)

2. Driving from place to place. (Don't worry, I don't actually write while driving, but I plot and brainstorm ideas. I have solved many story problems behind the wheel.)

3. Carpool lanes.

4. During breakfast. Most days, I set an hour aside in the morning while I eat breakfast to network and write.

5. Between 10PM and Midnight when everyone else is asleep. The house, phone, email, and neighborhood is quiet and still. I also use this time to wash dishes and catch up on my favorite TV programs.


Time never stops (or even slows) to give us a break, so how do you keep up with everything and still find time the other stuff?

Lucky 7 Meme Challenge

I was tagged by Amanda Fanger for the Lucky 7 Meme Challenge. (How exciting! Thanks Amanda!)



Here are the rules: (although I have noticed they vary- as long as it has to do with 7's-it looks like anything is game.)

1. Go to page 77 of your current WIP MS
2. Go to line 7
3. Copy down the next 7 lines – sentences or paragraphs – and post them as they’re written. No cheating!
4. Tag 7 authors
5. Let each and every one of them know


Right now I am working on final edits, cover art, and formatting for Break From You, a young adult novel on dating abuse. 

Break From You- After being rescued from a burning restaurant the night of homecoming, seventeen year old Brooke Myers' falls for the boy who saves her life and is forced to re-evaluate her relationship with her abusive boyfriend and face the things she once thought were perfect.

So here goes...7 lines from pg 77 in the manuscript of Break From You

  

“What?” he said with actual shock in his tone. “You think I’m going to hit you?”

“No,” I lied. 

He leaned down and kissed my neck close to my ear. “I love you,” he whispered. His face softened as he brushed a strand of hair out of my face.

I stared at him, stunned. I had to quickly close my mouth as I was sure it was gaping open. He had just said he loved me. I couldn’t believe it. He said the three most amazing words ever. All else was easily forgotten.

With his hand at the base of my neck, he pulled me close and kissed me on the forehead. Moving his hand to my jaw line, he raised my chin. I met his eyes.

“I love you,” he repeated. “I would never hurt you.”He stepped back and smiled.

When he walked away, I was left standing there, wondering why I believed him when my arm was throbbing in pain.

Look out for my tweet for the next lucky 7!

 

The Not-So-Easy Art of Cover Art

When I made the decision to independently publish my books, I knew that I would have to do everything. And that excited me!

I am thrilled to learn the business of publishing, navigate the world of marketing, build a much needed platform, learn to format my books, find a good editor, do the cover art, and the list goes on...

My journey  has been fun, interesting, and at times hard, but always an adventure!

These last few weeks, my journey through the world of self-pub has taken me into the depths of cover art.

And what fun!

I love being creative. I love to take pictures and work with photo layering programs. I love to cut, paste, enhance, fade, feather, invert images, use layers, blend, (And when I don't know how to do something- I love to learn and figure it out.) I also enjoy drawing, painting, crafting, oh I could go on and on...

The thing is? I have to sum up my entire story in one picture. Sounds easy, doesn't it?

Well, it feels a lot like writing the hook. One chance to say it all, and the first thing a reader will see.

So I have found myself re-working, re-drafting, re-layering cover sample after cover sample. I have done more photo shoots than I can count. (My last photo shoot consisted of over 250 photos and only 10 of them are usable...maybe...I guess that's what happens when you shoot action.) I have file after file of photos, sample covers, converted jpegs. My computer desktop looks like it exploded.

Regardless, I am still moving forward. I am excited to created this piece of my book and add to my story. It has allowed me to step away from the obvious and look at what will really represent the story. Do I have it yet? No, but I'm close and I will soon share them with you. (I'll share all the mistakes along with the choices for the Break From You cover.)

Here's to an exciting time in the not-so-easy art of cover art!

Keep an eye out for upcoming cover samples!

Thanks to My Mom on Mother's Day

Clearly, I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for my mother. But beyond the obvious- I know I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for my mom. She's my biggest fan and always will be.

She accepts every dandelion ever picked, even though they always make her sneeze.

She helps me up when I fall down, make me smile when I feel sad. She has never ridiculed me for my mistakes, nor has she ever judged me for the decisions I've made.
 
 
I know most people can not say this- but I have never yelled at my mom and we have never fought. I know it is far fetched, but it is true. It is just the way we are.


We talk every day, more than just once. I share everything with her.

My  mom encourages me to write. She always has.

She is who I bounce my story ideas off of- knowing most of them will never make it to paper. She reads all my drafts and many of them multiple times without complaining. She provides critiques, which are always helpful (and never sugar-coated.) If my stories are not making sense, she will be honest and tell me so. For that, I am grateful.

She believes in me. I believe in her.

I am me because of her.

Thank you Mom, for all you do for me!

Never Give Up!

Anything is possible!

At least that's what I want to believe.  But as I continue to muddle through all the information on the internet, I find myself even more lost.

I love to write. I have a book that I'd love to publish. And most of all, I want to raise awareness.

But right now? I need to build that ever-needed platform. I've been told it's one the most important tools for any writer in today's online media world.

I missed the challenge that Robert Brewer (http://robertleebrewer.blogspot.com) had throughout the month of April- so I'm starting to do it on my own...(which is very challenging in itself by the way!) He started it on April 1st and posted a task for writer's to accomplish each day of the month. By the end of April, writers following his challenge should now have a stronger platform. (Did it work? Since I didn't find out about it until the last week of April, I have no idea, but my guess is it helped and thus why I am trying on my own by reading his back logs.)

I've set up all those needed social networking accounts- but then what? Who to follow? How to get followers? What to comment on? What to even say? And why in the world would anyone want to follow me?

So, that brings me to this moment- lost...confused...ready to just give up...

I know at one point or another we have all been here. It doesn't matter who we are or what we're trying to achieve, we've all been to a place where we're ready to just give up. But when we are in that moment, it feels like we are the only ones, that we are all alone...am I right? "No one has ever been here before- I am surely the only one who has ever gone through this before!"

I know I need to step back and take a break- things aren't always as bad as they seem...really! I need to continue to do my research and consult an expert on the things I'm struggling with...who are the experts though? Once I figure out what needs to happen, I need to re-evaluate and change my course of action, or just keep pushing forward with the things I'm doing correctly...what those things are, now that's a good question. Finally, I must push through the toughness...and we all know that's the tough part.

I don't have the answers- when I figure them out, I'll let you know!!!  I will blog about it! (Maybe even write a book! :) ) Until then, I will keep pushing forward...and forward...and take a few steps back before I push forward again!

Believe in dreams, inspire others, and never, never, never give up!

I know- sometimes that's easier said than done!

I'm Taking a Walk

The worst part about writing is staring at an empty page with the cursor blinking back at you. The words swimming around in your head, making little sense at all. Nothing stringing together to make even one coherent sentence. 

Nothing but blankness...empty...void of words.

So, what to do?

 

I say- go for a walk!

A walk- not a run, not a bike ride- a walk! 

Walking is known to increase circulation and provide more oxygen and glucose to our brains. Running, biking, and other aerobic exercise tends to take all that oxygen and glucose to the other muscles.  

A long walk and increased circulation to the cerebral hemisphere can improve concentration, creativity, the list goes on…

Walking is also known to decrease depression and anxiety. According to the Mayo Clinic, walking releases “feel-good” chemicals, reduces the immune system chemicals that worsen how one feels, and increases temperature. 

Walking gives you a sense of self-worth, power, and control and promotes feeling of happiness.

Overall- walking is just plain good for everything! 

A walk typically helps me solve my latest plot hole, increases ideas for the story and all my characters. I think if I just keep on walking, I might be able to finish the whole novel- problem is? I can’t walk and type at the same time. At some point, I have to return home and write all the thoughts that are filling up my brain.

So if you’re stuck, feeling down, angry, confused- whatever- get up and go for a walk! I'll join you!!!

 

Colorado Teen Literature Conference

This weekend was the Colorado Teen Literature Conference.

The conference was held in the historic Tivoli building in downtown Denver. What a setting! The Tivoli was built in 1866 as a brewery. It changed many hands over the years, brewing its last beer in 1966- one hundred years after it first opened. In 1994 it was renovated and made into one of the most premier student unions in the nation. The old brick walls and peeling paint, the second story balconies and large white pillars, the beautiful architecture, all set the mood for an amazing time.

The conference was great! Over four hundred authors, writers, educators, librarians, and teens attended the event. I was thrilled at how teens and adults were able to interact, sharing a common interest of reading. Keynote speakers included Maggie Stiefvater, author of the "Shiver" series, and Todd Mitchell, author of "The Secret to Lying". They reminded us to follow our dreams, be our crazy normal selves, and put ourselves out there. The conference was inspirational as well as motivational.

The author panel was made up of local young adult fiction authors, Amy Kathleen Ryan, Brenna Yovanoff, Denis Vaga, Dom Testa, and Terri Clark. They sat down during an author panel and let teen fans ask questions and give comments.

I had the chance to meet and talk to authors, writers, up and coming new voices in literature, publishing houses, educators, librarians, blog writers, and many energetic and inspiring teens.One of the exhibitors was the teen girls behind yaromace.com. When you have the time, check out their webpage. It's a great site on everything YA (young adult). They did a wonderful job capturing their energy, and their site is well written.

I went to different sessions that focused on things like: online book clubs, debut novels, the latest and greatest in teen literature. Some other sessions that were offered included: getting boys to read, beating the block, fan fiction, poetry slams and workshops.

I had a wonderful time, and I look forward to attending again next year. Next years authors include: Lauren Oliver, author of "Before I Fall" and the "Delirium" series, and Jay Asher, author of "13 Reasons Why", and co-author of "Future of Us".

The Feelings of Snow

The storm came without warning. They predicted only an inch or two.

But can we really predict what the day will bring?

As the snow covers the dormant ground, I look around. Everyone is indoors, under warm wool blankets. The animals are hunkered down in their winter homes. The birds haven't left their spots deep in the trees since last night. There aren't any children out playing, not a single dog out rummaging.

The world has stopped.

 

I entered the church and silence remains. The loss is evident. How can someone explain the death of someone so young. Her children hover near her, one last time. Her husband speaks words of love, grief, fear. Tears flow freely.

The snow stops falling...the sun comes out, if only for a little bit. As the light streams through the stain glass windows, the family says their final farewells. Everyone says goodbye.

Today's weather went with the loss of a community member. The snow provided solitude, even while gathering with others. It was a chance to let go, alone.

I feel as though the world stands still when the snow is falling, that life is put on hold for a little while. Nothing moves as every being waits out the storm.That feeling overcame me today as I sat, listening to words of love and loss.

I often use weather like this snow storm to provide additional feelings in my stories or to increase the ones I've already created. The weather around us adds to our emotions and sometimes we don't even realize it. A storm can signify so much. Today it brought peace and solitude, a pause in busy life so that we had the opportunity to stop and remember.

As the snow falls on and off today, I ponder the feelings the snow has created...and wonder what tomorrow may bring.Tomorrow's a new day; the sun is supposed to shine, but today it's snowing; the world has stopped, and I need to say goodbye.