Friday 13 December 2013

Book Blog Tour Sign Ups


It's begun...

Thanks to the help of Brooke Berry with Brooklyn Berry Designs, we are now starting sign ups for a blog tour to help promote my book, Deviations, which is scheduled for release January 2014. If you're interested go to either of the links below and fill out the form! Thank you so much for your time and support!

http://brooklynberrydesigns.com/2013/12/deviations-book-tour/

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1iywL_D5FTYJX3OdJbl7ufJhL7dOrs2jPxuKcApiZDYY/viewform

Monday 9 December 2013

Happy Holidays

Happy (late) Thanksgiving!! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! I love the food, the fam, and the appreciation it reminds me to have. Just love it!

Sorry it's been a while. I've been in and out of editing, off visiting family, and most importantly I've been a mom/wife. But here's some quick updates. My cover is getting worked on, and it will be finished soon! Deviations will come out January 2014. I temporarily took down the first hundred pages to do some final work, and will have it up and running again shortly. So excited for the new year!!

Bumps, bruises, scrapes and gashes....


Henly, and Aurora


Training time in the dome. This was a fun part to write. I loved creating Aurora, and experimenting with what went where. My absolute favorite part was creating the training room. When I wrote it down I pictured the cover of Stephen Kings novel, Under the Dome, and went from there.
So a little background to Henly, and the excerpt. Henly's a runner, but after spending months in quarantine it's hard for her to learn all of these new survival tricks that are supposed to save her life. This is where Henly learns how to become a Militaris, but through it all she still gets beat up pretty good. Here's a small excerpt and some great photos... 


Everything here is so fast paced that my days go by in a blur of bruises, scrapes, gashes, and several trips to Ellie. She is starting to think I have a death wish, which after everything I’ve been through, would be absurd. My body is still adjusting from the months I spent deteriorating in quarantine. I thought it would be easier for me to adjust to all of this training, but it’s taken weeks for me to get back to what I used to be, and still I'm not even close. The air around the dome is getting warmer, I close my eyes for a moment and try to picture it, but with no luck I fall in line with the others. Some look to be in their mid to late forties while others look as young as thirteen, fourteen. At the table there are several different kinds of guns, knives, grenades, bows, and arrows. I hear the trainer explain how to use the smaller weapons in hand-to-hand combat against the Deviations. That’s what they call them, Deviations. The televisions around the dome show both what the Deviations look like, and the proper ways to attack one.



Friday 15 November 2013

Revamped and ready!

Updates:

Deviations will be released January 2014. Specific dates will be announced soon.

As you can tell I've also updated my blog, and will be posting more excerpts and snippets along with a few pretty amazing visuals.

I have so much more to say, but not enough time--editing has consumed my nights...So I'll be back soon, and let you know about the big stuff!!

See ya!

Friday 1 November 2013

Writing = Editing

I've realized one thing, writing is editing. I may spend 20% of my time writing and dreaming up plot line, but the other 80% I spend editing, correcting, highlighting and reorganizing. It's funny, I remember telling myself, I just want to write. That's it. But now that I'm going through the process I've realized that a writer does more than just write, they edit. I hate it how editing makes you doubt yourself and your capabilities of presenting an excellent story. And even though it's not my favorite part it's still a necessary evil. One that I'd suffer through any day!

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Henly and Renner (SNEAK PEEK)


So as a way to stir up some 'hype' for my book my girl, Abby Stanford, helped me recreate one of mine, and a few others favorite scenes (Anna and Lindsey). It was a fun day! I had a blast being able to portray Henly, but Abby made sure to take the pictures so that my face was blurred, and hidden because I wanted to make sure that you, the reader, will still have your own idea of what she looks like because that's how it should be (And I in NO way look like her, or vice versa). Anyways, thanks to her sweet skills I got some photo's that could match up to this amazing scene between Henly and Renner!

I'll post more as the weeks count down with more excerpts...

Enjoy!



We watch as the convoy drives off the compound, weaving through the empty streets. Almost instantly images of what could happen to him flash before my eyes and I have to force myself to stay planted. Behind us the group has started a new game, and I suddenly feel drained as if I haven’t slept in years. I decide that it’d be best if I went inside to rest.

            I turn around when I hear Renner, “What are you doing tonight?” He shifts his weight as he uncrosses his arms.

          “What?” I ask, wondering if he’s testing to see if I am going to go after them. “Sleep mostly.”
            He exhales and rubs his palms together nervously, “Will you—” His exhale is deep, “Will you go on a date with me? Tonight?”
            I follow his gaze to my boots. I look up, and around to whom he’s talking to. I mean sure, we kissed a few times, but back in school it was a common occurrence to kiss and it not mean anything. Plus, I kind of ended it with him earlier so I doubt he’d be talking about me. So of course I don’t think it through when I respond.
           “Who me?” I say pointing at myself.
            “Who else?” The corners of his lips twitch into a smile.
             “You want to take me on a date?” I ask, looking around confused.
            His confidence wavers with his shaky laugh, “Yes.”
            I raise an eyebrow in curiosity by his unusual bashfulness and decide to have a little fun with it, “Why?”
            His exhale is shaky when he answers, “Because in any other world this is how I’d do it, how it’d all start. We’d go to dinner, then bowling, a movie, drive around or play a game,” he laughs in between, “I don’t know, anything. We’d talk about things that didn’t revolve around the virus, Deviations, or death.” He licks his lips as his nerves take control, “Then I’d drop you off late, worried about your dad killing me because we lost track of time.” He pauses as if regaining his credence, “And even if the world’s gone to Hell, I don’t want to lose that.”
            I stand completely still, overwhelmed by this version of him that I hadn’t seen before. And it enters my mind—maybe chivalry isn’t dead.
            “Okay,” I respond calmly. “I’ll see you at eight.”
            He smiles, “See you at eight.”

The knock is a few minutes early and I feel my stomach twitch, tumbling into itself. I open the door and see him standing awkwardly clean. His faded unbuttoned shirt is opened to a plain white tee. He’s dressed down in dark denim and his outdated Vans pull his California-casual look together. I laugh at the weeds gathered in his hands.
“This is all I could find.” He laughs presenting them to me.
“Thanks.” I smile and set them on the small side table by the door.
“You look nice.”
Thanks to Alba, who loaned me one of her dresses—a burnt orange color covered with white lace. My hair falls in loose waves down my shoulders. I feel goose bumps under the thick straps as the breeze seeps in through the doorThe tan flats aren’t something I’d wear, but Alba insisted that it pulled the outfit together. She also insisted that she help get me ready. Earlier, I caught a glimpse of what Alba did with my face. I was amazed at how she made small specks of gold appear around the irises of my eyes, making my green eyes more vibrant—more appealing. I pat at the dress to keep it from swaying in the breeze and instantly wish I had worn jeans because standing in front of Renner I suddenly feel overdressed.
“Thanks. You too.” I say eyeing his opulent hair.
“Ready?” He extends his hand out.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“It’s a surprise.” He smiles.



Sunday 20 October 2013

INDIE Publishing.

So I'm pretty excited to announce that I am going to self-publish.

This was a hard decision because I had dreamed about traditional publishing, but after several hours of research and looking into the pro's and con's I have decided that this is the path that I want to take!

So that means my book will be published in about 6-8 weeks. No set date yet, but it'll be a lot sooner this way then going through traditional publishing, and I can honestly say that I am over the moon about it because I want to get my book out to as many readers as possible!

This is exciting, and I can say that I am so glad that I have so many people on my side that are willing to help me out!

SO... As soon as I set a release date I'll let everyone know!

Here I go!

Sunday 13 October 2013

Marathon

Alright it's late and here I am. Sick. And unable to sleep. Again. Which leads me to this... So I'm sure this happens to several of you--the midnight brain marathons. The ones where you stare at the clock as it ticks away the minutes that leads into the hours of early morning sleeplessness. 
Yep. 
That's me. Tonight--right now.
Oh I'm replaying every woulda-coulda-shoulda scenario and thus far I've concluded that my midnight brain marathons seem to be a mixture of a Mexican soaps on crack. Now you may be asking how this is possible. I'll tell you. It's no easy task to combine the two, but I make it work. Well I can't come to a clear conclusion to that because everyone I live with is asleep and luckily, can't read my mind. But back to the soap opera on crack. It's every detail from the memories I want to change except the colors are more vibrant the faces more exotic and the locations are full of color and richness. And in these beautiful little moments of drama I shout my feelings, and expect some outlandish return of love. I guess I am a writer...as I crawl back to bed, the sky loses it's night time pigment, and I am reminded why I love to write so much. Because in those sentences I can be free. I can write down some random thought, or feeling and be free of them.  And in so many ways a lot of the stories I write I leave some part of myself behind for others to see. And though they're my stories I hope that someone will read them and think wow I can relate. So much so, that they can't help but feel that what I've written directly includes them. When this moment happens I'll know that I've done my job as a writer. That I've helped someone escape--lose themselves, or even find a sanctuary in the off white pages. 

Wednesday 11 September 2013

Life and it's chaos!

I'm not old enough to think that I know everything that there is to know about life, but I think I've learned the single most important point! Life is crazy, and I just realized that we have to go after any opportunity that presents itself. Be brave--go after it even if it scares the hell out of you. Do it, and don't walk after them run--chase after them until you take hold, and don't ever let go because that bitter feeling in the pit of your stomach that forms when you look back, and realize what you could've had is the worst feeling ever! Don't let that happen--ever!! Just take the chance, and make your decision worth it!!

Monday 9 September 2013

Round Two

After convincing myself that I needed to self-publish because I was so discouraged by all of the no's I received, I have decided to postpone that thought for another round of queries.

I was re-inspired by one of my editors, and close friend, who carefully encouraged me to try again--just try again. Can I just say that I am glad to have people in my life that are always encouraging me to continue and press on like my family and some of my close friends (the list is endless by the way). So after I got back my query letter from one of my editors, I have fixed the errors and format, and am into a new round of edits! Hooray for me!?

I now understand the constant advice, or 'don't be a writer if you can't hack the no's,' it is so important...because it's true, and now that I feel that I have recuperated from my last no, I am ready to put on the brave face and go at it again...

So here goes...

Sunday 8 September 2013

Edits

I love whoever has read my pages and told me that it was good!! After several rounds of edits I feel that I missed a few key things, and I changed as well as added some thing. I know now, that I should have waited until this process was done, but I was just so excited to have people read, and critique it that I posted it on here before it was ready,  (I still feel like it could do better) but without further a do the new version is on there. In the next couple of days I will add some posts about the small details I've changed, or added to the book to make it better...

So, thank you for all the nice compliments because they have kept me working diligently!

Thursday 22 August 2013

Cloud Nine!

For those of you who have not seen Hell On Wheels I think you should go check it out because A. The show is beyond amazing and B. Anson Mount, who plays Bohannon, is beyond amazing to fans of the show!! 

So in doing a little research I decided to try and ask him a question. I didn't think he'd reply so I was jumping for joy when my phone buzzed and I saw that he had commented!

It's not an everyday occurrence that this happens!
 
Here's the question and answer! 


This may not seem like much, but to get to ask a question to the actor who portrays such an amazing man who is so dynamic is the cherry on top. Especially because I use Bohannon as a way to model my protagonist by. Awesome night!

Tuesday 13 August 2013

Editorial Debut.

So a good friend of mine, Anna Houghton, and one of her good friends, Lindsay Pagni, had my book for the last four weeks. They were editing and fixing grammatical errors. This last Sunday I was able to meet with them, and it's easy to say that they are amazing! Their insight was fantastic and their editorial skills were up to par. I am so glad that I decided to let them edit it because I finally felt okay to explain my book to someone without feeling like I was going to have an anxiety attack.

So thus being said some great things are on the horizon. I still have gotten a few no's, but they are actually unbelievable helpful. That being said I am going to keep working as hard as I can until my book is on print! Determination right--is the key.

Well I'll keep you informed as to what is going on, and as soon as my two editorial wizards have their website up and running (they're starting their own editorial company, which is amazing!) I'll get their info on the tabs so that who ever is in need of them can get a hold of them!

Thanks!

Tuesday 30 July 2013

Changes...Changes...Changes...

I am still waiting to hear back from a few literary agents, and as I've learned through this whole process is that this business is all about playing the waiting game. It's like playing chicken, and I say this because all you really hope for is that the other caves and brags about how amazing your work is. Well, it's not like that. Most replies are informal and kind, and by the end of most I want to reply a thank you and sorry for wasting your time. I think they have done a very well reverse psychology because I never thought I'd smile at a rejection letter. But getting a literary agent is to play the worst game.

Any who because I am so impatient (pause for gasps) I am looking into self publishing... Not because I don't think I can't hack it in the "BIG" business, but because I want to get it out there so that people can read it. I also think I have romanticized the idea of creating a cover, and actually having a say on my book title and all that jazz. It is exciting and I have so many people that are willing to help me, and that's what makes going down this road so much less scary. Oddly, everything is falling into place...slowly, but surely...

So yes...I'll definitely keep you posted as to which direction I choose to go in!


Thursday 18 July 2013

Music

One of my favorite questions is how did you do it...I mean how did you write 314 pages?

I'm not the first person to brag about my abilities because I don't think I'm any better than any other writer out there. So I thought about it, and the only thing I could come up for the longest time was a shrug of the shoulder, and an embarrassed smile.

Since the last time someone asked me that question I actually sat down and seriously thought about it. How did I do it, and it wasn't until recently that I realized how...

I realized that music has helped me a lot. I just looked through my 'deviation' playlist in itunes and realized that I have over a hundred songs that helped me piece the story together. I don't know if this helps anyone reading this, but I am the kind of person who waits for something to affect me deep. Something that resonates so deep within my being that I have to share it with the world. I love that the music I chose to have playing in the background somehow makes it's way to the characters emotion or voice. I think that's what I love most about writing--that a piece of me stays with each character.

I love it!

Music has helped me to do more than writing...and I guess I realized that today when I listened to The Lumineers, Imagine Dragons, Mumford and Sons, or (My all time favorite) The Fray (And so many more). They save me every time I need some safe place to hide. I laugh because as I write this 'Stubborn Love' plays in the background, and it makes me hope that after we die we get to look back on our lives and listen to the soundtrack that accompanies our everyday life that we lived. I hope it's like that, and I hope that I fall in love with my story all over again. And I hope that it's because of the music.

Friday 5 July 2013

While You're Waiting.

So since I understand how brutally painful it can be to wait for a book to be published I decided to give you some GREAT recommendations of books that I love, so that it will keep you entertained until my book gets picked up and published...




Dust Lands is book one of three, and they are an amazing read! If you like a book with awesome adventure with a crazy southern drawl, you will love it! It's where True Grit intertwines with dystopia. The main characters are rich, and everything is explained so well. I love that it can be both for boys and girls because there is a little romance, but nothing that is over emphasized or too think. Truly an amazing read!


Monday 1 July 2013

They Want a Sample!!!

So after two kind rejections, I have received a request for sample pages!! Which is awesome because that means they liked my query and it was interesting enough for them to ask for more!!! 

So if any other agents ask for sample work I have to notify the agency!! 

So lets cross our fingers that I keep hearing good news!!!'

Thursday 27 June 2013

The Hardest Part.

The hardest part is waiting. I have NO patience...and when I say NO patience, I mean that I pick at my nails anxiously. Refresh my inbox every few minutes, even though I know that it'll take weeks before I hear back. I want to apply the practice of no news is good news, but man it's hard. Because in the literary agency field, no news may mean, eh we didn't like it you should keep looking.

I do appreciate how kind they are with their rejections, but sometimes honesty would be preferred.


Queries!!

So this morning I have been on twitter following #MSWL (Manuscript Wish List). Basically literary agents tweet their wish lists of manuscripts to represent. So it's amazing and if anyone is looking for a literary agent twitter is an amazing outlet to find a great one!

So, needless to say that I have been sending query after query off! Lets hope that this amazing opportunity triggers something for me!!

Tuesday 25 June 2013

Thank You!



When I first finished my book I emailed it to my sister because I knew that she would tell me an unbiased, honest opinion. When she finished, she immediately called me to tell me that she loved it! I of course, thought that she was being nice, so when I got a few emails and comments that were all positive I emailed her and said, "People actually like it!!!
Her response was, "I told you so!!! I worry about you sometimes..."

I've gotten some amazing feedback, and honestly every email or comment helps me stay focused when I have doubt!!! Seriously it's amazing!! I wish that I could post the rest of my book on here for you all to read! But because of copyright issues I am unable to, but like I said before I will keep you posted as to what is happening!

Thank you again!!!


Thursday 20 June 2013

It's UP!!

For all of those stopping in I just want to say thank you! It means a lot that you'd drop by and support my work!

Alright the first hundred pages are up. I just want to warn you that it's not perfect there are still grammar errors and punctuation mistakes, and I will take care of those as I re-edit over and over again! But thank you for your patience and time to read it.

I figured I would give you all a sneak peak into what I love doing! Because I really do love writing, and it's weird sometimes I don't even know how I feel until it's written down. Anyways thank you! And if you like what you read share the link or pass it on to a friend! If you have any constructive feedback please feel free to email or message me!

Thank you!


Tuesday 18 June 2013

Midnight Rant....


I woke up last night randomly and had this crazy story wavering in my head. Needless to say it was relentless and needed to wake me up. So I wrote what I could into my phone and fell back asleep. This morning when I woke up I remembered that I wrote something down, but couldn't remember what I had written about...

But here's the note....
I love writing down my character conversations. Now I don't go around thinking and acting like my characters because lets face it, I'm far too cautious to be like Henly (though it's fun to dream about) But I have this constant nagging story in my minds that's chipping away at what appears to be my sanity in an attempt to break free!! 
I think I've always been like this. My mom said I use to talk to myself as a kid. I'm just glad I incorporated that unique attribute, (and I say unique because weird sounds a little too harsh) well instead of becoming a creeper...
I'd like to blame my imagination to living out in the middle of nowhere and to two amazing parents who forced me to play outside instead of watching tv as a kid. And like several kids from my generation I learned the lava game, dirt clod wars, mud puddle diving, dressing up for music videos, from their older siblings. [Sorry I needed that brief moment to feel old and rant about the good ole days, but don't worry it's out of my system and now I can move on.]
But I am glad for these small blurbs of my life. I am glad that I had thoroughly worked my way through life and still kept my imagination because it's important.
I have no idea where I was going with that little rant, but I am sure that I had some purpose to it. I shared this because if you're anything like me I feel most awake and inspired to write at night. I feel like I can gather everything up and just lay it out on paper. That being said sometimes I wake up with a great idea and let myself believe that I'll remember it later, then when I sit to write the idea is gone and I am frustrated because I no longer remember it...So ALWAYS! ALWAYS keep something around to jot down notes or paragraphs, or like me well documented paragraphs...

The other blurb I found was about book two, which I can't post at this time, but will do so when it becomes more appropriate!  


Friday 14 June 2013

SEND!

The scariest button of my life...we'll thus far. This morning I sent out a query letter along with the first chapter of my book to Writers House. I'm psyched to see what they think, but mostly my nail beds have taken a hit since I've been chewing away at them ever since I opened the email draft.

I guess it's exciting for all of those who read my blog because you get to experience the whole adventure with me. So here goes, the process has officially begun and I'm super excited! I've been preparing myself for the rejection letters. Well, whichever letter I send out gets accepted I'll post it here so all those who are interested in the publishing buzz can look through it and use it as a reference...until then I'll just be playing the waiting game!!

Thursday 13 June 2013

Book One. Of Many. Hopefully.

Here goes....


Deviation.
Book One.
(crossing my fingers, please cross yours too!)
Of hopefully many...

Over the last ten months I have found myself glued to my computer writing. At first it didn't make sense. I couldn't stop. I just kept writing relentlessly. I began to create a world, people, situations, and places. Then I felt schizophrenic because throughout my day I would create conversations about people who no one else knew. People who only lived in my mind. Needless to say, I might have gone a little crazy! But, I've made it through and my husband no longer walks in to me ranting and raving about how one of my characters is annoying and frustrating, and should probably die. After being continually reminded by my husband, that sleep is and was a necessity, I finished!


I am in the process of looking for a literary agent. Until then, I wanted to share a part of what I wrote with you, and thanks to social media I'm able to!

Thank you! I hope you enjoy!

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