Looking back . . . looking forward

This year has been one of both endings and new beginnings.

Looking Back

At the beginning of the year, I ended my job. This was bitter sweet. I loved my job (archivist), but I missed having time to write.

After I quit my job, I had plenty of time to write, but felt like I should be doing something more. After much thought and discussion with hubby and kids, it was decided I should go back to school and work toward Elementary Education. This was a new beginning for the entire family. It has gone well so far and 2010 will see me back in school.

While this has taken up some of my writing time (homework), I'm happy with how it is going. Also, my mind seems to work better. LOL

In 2009, I attended the SCBWI AZ Welcome to Our House conference. I learned so much from the critique I received (thank you, Bradford Hees from Blooming Tree Press!) and also from the workshops and talks from the faculty. What a wonderful experience!

I became the ANWA newsletter editor and what a fun experience that is!

I volunteered in my kids' school on a regular basis (Fridays).

2009 also saw the release of some fabulous books, and I enjoyed reading many of them. Unfortunately, I didn't get to all of them and I still have a huge pile waiting for me.

Many other wonderful things happened in 2009. I made new friends and got to know old friends a bit better. I embarked on a journey into Twitterland (it's almost as strange and bizarre as Wonderland).

Looking Forward

And now it's time to look forward. What will 2010 bring? I suppose it depends on what I want it to bring. I must seek what I wish to find. No treasure was ever found without first searching for it. I mean to find me some darn good treasure in 2010, and 2009 helped get me started along the path.

Every year is an adventure and I'm completely looking forward to the experiences I'll enjoy as I follow the paths of 2010. Hopefully I won't make a wrong turn. =D

I look forward to some awesome releases in 2010 (you can see my list over on the right and I'm sure it will grow).

Dreaming Big

As inevitably happens, a new year is a time for new goals. These are some of mine (because if I don't share them, I won't be accountable).

Some Writing Goals:

Write at least one new novel

Send out queries on my other works

Attend at least one writing conference

Write at least one day a week (giving myself some leeway with school and all that)

Get a Macbook Pro (I won't be getting it in January as I hoped) and learn to use it

Enter at least one writing contest

Update my blog at least once a month (yeah, I was bad with that in 2009)

Keep up with my critique groups

Do at least one full MS exchange with someone new (meaning someone outside my critique groups)

Some Personal Goals:

Read all the 2010 books on my list (on the right)

Add at least one more book to my list

Pass my classes with a C or better (which requires a few smaller goals to reach . . . like do my homework on time, not miss class, etc.)

Reach level 44 on Farmtown (stupid Facebook games)

Not spend so much time on Facebook games (I know this seems to contradict the previous goal, but really it doesn't. I'll just have to cut down on all the other games I play and concentrate on Farmtown hee hee hee)

Go on a date with hubby at least once a month (2009 was light on the date front)

Learn to use my new camera

What are some of your 2010 goals?

Write on.

Merry Christmas to me

Okay, I know it's a bit early, but I've already received my Christmas present . . . Sort of. A link on Twitter led me to Jennifer Cruise's blog to read the structure  post. While I was there, I read more of her blog and was thrilled with the post about revision and discovery in the new year. Within that post was a link to StoryWonk.com where I could sign up for a revision class taught by Lani Diane Rich.

It sounded fabulous and I thought it would be perfect for me. I begged hubby to let me have the class as a Christmas present. I didn't really think he'd let me, but he said, "Okay. If that's what you really want, but you won't have anything to open on Christmas morning." I said I didn't care about having something to open (but the kids might so we decided to make up a coupon or something to put in a box). Anyway, I've signed up for the class (it starts in January) and I'm looking forward to seeing what wonderful things I'll learn about revision.

YAY!

My only concern is that I also go to school full time next semester so I'm wondering how insane I am to have added one more thing to my already overflowing plate. I really hope I can eat everything on the plate without getting an upset stomach. ;-)

Now I'm off to finish up some submissions and get them in the mail today (Merry Christmas to the editors hee hee hee).

And in case I don't get back here before Friday, I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! (sorry I didn't get cards sent out this year . . . bad Joan, bad!)

May your day be fabulous, and may your children (if you have them) not fight/argue/whine/complain/annoy each other/etc. for an entire day (now THAT would be the best Christmas present ever)!

Write on.

Hooray!! A celebration.

No, I didn't get an agent or a book deal, but I DID finish my semester of school yesterday. That's definitely cause for celebration!

I even managed to pass all my classes . . . I think I may have even passed all of them with an "A."

I now have two weeks of break before I go back for the spring semester. Unfortunately, I'm taking four classes (full time) next semester and I'm worried about how I'll manage to do it with everything else I have going on. *sigh*

I even managed to get some Christmas shopping done today . . . yeah, nothing like waiting until the last minute. We still haven't decorated, but that will happen on Saturday.

Seriously, this Christmas really snuck up on me! Now I'm scrambling to get everything done in time. CRAZY!

One more thing before I go. There is still time to enter the contest for a chance to read an ARC of THE TIMEKEEPER'S MOON by Joni Sensel (the sequel to THE FARWALKER'S QUEST).

Celebrate on!

Sharing TIME . . . a contest

It's here, the moment you've all been waiting for (you have been waiting, right?)!

THE TIME KEEPER'S MOON ARC contest!

In my last post, I reviewed this sequel to THE FARWALKER's QUEST. If you missed the review, go ahead and check it out. When you're done, come on back.

Doesn't that sound like an awesome book? My mere words don't do justice to the world and characters Joni has created. I'm in awe.

Because I love these books so much, I'm honored Joni allowed me to run this contest to help promote THE TIMEKEEPER'S MOON.

Go here to my LJ blog to read about the contest and enter.

Write on.

Novel Novel Review

It's that time again!

Here's a quick reminder of my rating system

A+--I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this book. In most cases, I passed it on to my child/teen.

A--I enjoyed this book and I might pass it on to my child/teen.

B--I liked this book, but probably won't pass it on to my child/teen.

C--I thought it was okay, but I won't pass it on to my child/teen.

D--I didn't like this book, and won't allow my child/teen to read it.

F--I hope I never have to go here. =D

I will give reasons for my rating in my review, but if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. If you find your book here, don't panic if I rate it below an A. These are my personal preferences and I'm only one small person in a large market. =D

I was thrilled when Joni Sensel asked if I'd review the sequel to THE FARWALKER'S QUEST for TeensReadToo.com. I love the characters and world Sensel has created and couldn't wait to dive into THE TIMEKEEPER'S MOON.

Here is my review:

The Timekeeper's Moon by Joni Sensel

Rating: A + (and more)

Category:  Fantasy

The moon calls to Ariel Farwalker and urges her to embark on a quest. Leaving her best friend Zeke behind, Ariel and her guardian journey to new friends and distant lands. Ariel hopes to find the sender of the telling darts, if she lives long enough.

I fell in love with this world and characters in THE FARWALKER'S QUEST. I thrilled at the prospect of reading the sequel, but I did have some nagging concerns. Because the first one blew me away, I feared nothing could compare.

THE TIMEKEEPER'S MOON not only compared, but managed to thrill me even more than FARWALKER. Adventure, excitement, and wonderful new characters greeted me with each page turn.

THE TIMEKEEPER'S MOON pulled me in and kept me moonstruck through the entire novel. When I had to put the book down, I felt the story tugging at my mind and urging me to return. I couldn't get back to it fast enough!

Like THE FARWALKER'S QUEST before it, Sensel has a way of bringing her characters and world to brilliant life, making me wish I could stay immersed in Ariel's story forever. The only disappointment I had was the ending, but only because the book was over.

Whenever I look at the moon, I'll think of Ariel Farwalker and wonder where her feet will lead her next.

Write on.

School days, school daze and sharing TIME

Whew! One more week and I'm finished . . . well, until January.

Sorry I've been absent. But I'm back now. Unfortunately, I'm too exhausted to do a post of any relevance what-so-ever. My brain is so full of information I'll need for final exams next week that I can't think of much else.

However, I do have some good news . . . ready?

THE TIMEKEEPER'S MOON contest will be launching on or before Sunday!

It's true. I had a few minutes between classes to check the mail yesterday and was thrilled to see a package from Joni Sensel among the bills (wasn't so thrilled to see the bills though). Inside this wonderful package was an ARC of THE TIME KEEPER'S MOON as well as some other fun items (to be revealed later).

I'll launch the contest before Sunday if possible, but I have one more project for school that needs finishing . . . and I'll be at the kids' school for the Holiday Store all day today, tomorrow, and Saturday. If I get time in the evening, I'll do it.

Joni tells me the other two ARCs are on their way, so we'll have three copies going out. I'm thrilled to death to be able to do this contest for her, and I really hope it goes well. That means I'll need lots of help to spread the word. You guys will help me spread the word, right?

Now I must dash to get the kids to school and get my stuff together so I can go back to the kids' school and set up my little store. I hope a lot of the online store stuff sells so I'll have room in my shed for other things. I also hope the jewelry and bookmarks I made sell . . . I'd hate to think I spent so much time making them for nothing.

 

Sell on. ;-)

It's time . . .

for a contest. But I'm not quite ready to launch THE TIMEKEEPER'S MOON contest so here's a link to another great contest for you to check out in the meantime.

Cheryl Herbsman is having a contest with some truly cool prizes for the winning. Be sure to check it out and also check out her Q&A video session to learn more about what inspired her to write BREATHING as well as some insight to the characters.

Go on, check it out and then head on back if you want to keep reading. Or maybe you want to read on now and then go to the contest later. That's okay too.

Another thing it may be time for is reconsidering my educational goals. I spent today in my daughter's second grade classroom. I wasn't volunteering, but observing the classroom management for my Intro to Education course. My eyes have been opened and I have a newfound respect for all the teachers out there.

D2's teacher did tell me that this class is much more rambunctious than any class she's ever had and not all of them are like this.

THANK GOODNESS! Because I was seriously considering changing my field of study.

D2 had informed me that it was often hard for her to concentrate on her work in class, but I thought she was only making excuses. I apologized to her after school today.

Tomorrow I'm observing a kindergarten classroom so we'll see how it goes.

Study on.

2010 Debut Author Challenge

I've decided to participate in the Debut Author Challenge. I'm sure I'll be adding more to the list as I go, but you can see the ones I've got in the sidebar. Did you find it? Over there on the right. Go on, take a look, I'll wait for you.

Ah, you're back now. Great! Aren't those some awesome books? If you'd like to participate, click on over to The Story Siren and sign yourself up!

 

Go on.

Read on!

Write on.

Book Trailer

Have you seen the awesome book trailer for Magic Under Glass?

You've got to see it!

Want to win a hardcover of MAGIC UNDER GLASS by Jaclyn Dolamore plus more prizes? See http://fabulousfrock.livejournal.com for details!

 

Write on!

Where HAVE you been?

Say it like Molly Weasley and I'll be properly chastised. ;-)

You all know I have a crazy busy life, and it keeps getting busier and crazier. I tried to do Nano but didn't even reach the 10,000 word mark. Am I ashamed?

NO!

And I'll tell you why. Every year my kids' school has a Holiday Store in December. This is a safe environment where the kids can come purchase inexpensive (though there are some more expensive things as well) gifts for their families and friends. I had a booth last year and will again this year. Only this year, I decided to sell some handmade things as well as things from our online store.

As a result of this decision, I've been spending my time using this stuff:

To make this jewelry:

And these bookmarks:

 

Now while this endeavor may not be more fun than posting on LJ, it was certainly more fun than my Nano novel.

Over the next several days, I will continue to make bookmarks and jewelry, but I'll also be revising WAM. So don't be offended if I'm not updating much.

Oh, and if you like the bookmarks, take a close look at the first picture. See that bookmark on the far right? Yep, the one with the watch. It's special.

Why is it special?

When I wasn't making jewelry or bookmarks, I was reading. One of the books I read was this:

It's the sequel to THE FARWALKER'S QUEST, and the gold bookmark is one of the prizes in an upcoming contest featuring ARC copies (yep, plural) of THE TIMEKEEPER'S MOON.

But that's all I'm saying right now because suspense is good, right?

Be sure to check back soon for more information about the contest and prizes.

 

Write on.

Want to win a Kindle?

Lisa and Laura are having a contest to celebrate the sale of their book, THE HAUNTING OF PEMBERLY BROWN, and are giving away a Kindle as a prize! Be sure to go check it out and read all the comments that have already been posted.

Congrats on the sale, ladies!

Now I must get back to my Nano novel and see if I can catch up!

Write on.

Are you a Mac or a PC?

I might be splurging on a MacBook Pro!

All my life I've been a PC, but I think I'm ready for a change. Hubby's been telling me for years that Mac is a better computer for the money. He says there are less crashing instances and no viruses. He owned a Mac desktop when we first got married, but I couldn't figure it out (it was an OLD Mac) and didn't find it very user friendly.

When I mentioned I wanted a Mac, hubby stared at me and said, "After all these years and all these computers, you finally want a Mac?"

"Yep," I said. "I've heard good things about the Scrivener program and now that Mac has Word, I'm ready to make the change."

He immediately jumped on the Internet and started showing me all the wonderful shiny MacBooks. What a guy! He wanted to get me one right now, but it would take all our savings. If work doesn't go well, we might need our savings for Christmas. So, we are waiting until January to see if we have enough money. =)

Yeah my laptop still works (in fact, I have two working laptops) and I don't "NEED" a Mac, but I really WANT one so we'll see. =D

This got me wondering what all my friends use and how they feel about their computers. Are you a Mac or a PC? Is your computer a desktop or a laptop?

 

Write on.

Contest and Contemplation

Since it's listed first, I'll start with the contest. I learned about this fantastic contest from Lisa's blog. Thanks Lisa!

Artistq is having a contest to win a piece of her handmade jewelry.

I went to her store (www.silverfreckles.com) and couldn't resist purchasing this:

If you can't read it, it says Write.

When it arrives, I can wear it as a constant reminder to get off the Internet and get busy writing! Apparently I need this constant reminder. So, that's the contest! Go check it out.

And now the contemplation . . .

I have realized there is a reason for the naming of the Internet a.k.a. the World Wide Web.

First of all, you have to realize they've warned us by the very naming of the beast. InterNET. Yeah, nets catch things.

None of us would be crazy enough to walk into a net. I mean, you can see them pretty clearly. So they've added bait to draw us in. Facebook (one of the best baits for me), Twitter, email, online gaming, Myspace, Goodreads, Blogging (yeah, I'm wasting writing time right now to bring you this important message), and even Google (or other search engines). Yeah, there are way too many baits to list here, but you get the idea.

You could rationalize if you're using the search engine for research (or blogging/tweeting/facebooking for making connections), and I suppose you could even count it as time well spent if you're researching for your novel/article/story. But the truth is, you're not writing so it's sucking writing time.

This isn't to say we can't EVER stop writing. Of course we can. But taking a break for an hour or so turns in to three or for when I'm drawn in to the Net/Web. Maybe it's just me and the rest of you have learned to better resist the bait.

They tried to warn us further by calling it the Web, but did we listen? No!

What do webs do? They catch unsuspecting prey. That's us, my friends (if you're reading this, you've already been caught). The baited Net draws us in and holds us in the sticky web.

And just like a regular spider web, there's a spider waiting for you. In this case it doesn't suck your blood, but it most certainly sucks your time.

Oh, you can struggle and maybe you'll get free from the web, but not before the spider has fed on some of your time (even if it's just a few minutes).

I do manage to break free (we all do, I hope) now and then, but precious writing time has already been sucked away.

Anyway, now you know what I've been contemplating. Beware of the Net/Web, my friends. Don't let it trap you for hours and suck your time like it has mine.

Write on (really, stop reading this and go write . . . well, after you enter the contest)! =D

Nano progress

Yes, there has been some. ;-) This is all I've managed for today.

I was hoping I'd get more done, and I still might have time for more later.

 

Write on.

Novel Novel Review

It's that time again. Here's a quick reminder of my rating system

A+--I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this book. In most cases, I passed it on to my child/teen.

A--I enjoyed this book and I might pass it on to my child/teen.

B--I liked this book, but probably won't pass it on to my child/teen.

C--I thought it was okay, but I won't pass it on to my child/teen.

D--I didn't like this book, and won't allow my child/teen to read it.

F--I hope I never have to go here. =D

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. If you find your book here, don't panic if I rate it below an A. These are my personal preferences and I'm only one small person in a large market.

Okay, here we go.

THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. by Kate Messner

Rating: A+++ (I'll pass this one on to my daughter, my mother, my sisters, my teachers, and anyone else I can corner long enough)

If Gianna Zales doesn’t finish her seventh-grade leaf collection project in time, her spot in the cross country sectionals will be filled by her nemesis. Though she had plenty of time to do the project, Gianna left it until the last minute. It doesn't help her state of mind that her father drives her to school in a hearse, her grandmother keeps forgetting things, and her mother pretends like nothing is wrong.

This fall will be a disaster if Gianna can't pull it together and take her project all the way to the finish line.

The warm up stretched just the right muscles so I was ready to take on the smooth cross country pacing of the novel. I trotted happily along through Gianna's story and enjoyed the scenery along the way. The emotional hills and valleys gave me a satisfying workout, and the cool down in the end made for a perfect run.

Messner not only reached the finish line with THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z., she won the gold and the crowd went wild.

 

Write on, Kate Messner!

Counting . . .

50 (or so) pages of research printed and highlighted

1 Site Counsel meeting attended

3 children picked up from school

1 dinner eaten (hubby cooked, bless him)

3 children's homework checked

11 dogs brought in for the night

1 son picked up from dress rehearsal

1,435 words written on my Nano novel

15 tweets read

1 tweet written

3 (or was it more?) tweets replied to

3 hours past bedtime

1 end of day blog post

1 tired woman

 

And all this adds up to

1 busy day

 

Yeah, so my math is slightly off, but work with me here. ;-)  My pillow is calling to me so I must go--it's never a good idea to keep a pillow waiting too long.

 

Write on.

Nano Time

Yeah, it's kind of like Hammer Time, but without all the cool dance moves 'cause I'm too lazy to get up. ;-)

If you read yesterday's post, you know I spent most of my day fleshing out the idea for the Nano novel and amassing huge piles of printed pages for research purposes. I didn't get any writing on the novel done, but I did write out (by hand so I could refer to it more easily) a synopsis of the story.

And today? Ah, this is the day I begin writing. I'm not going to worry about finding that perfect beginning. Instead, I'm going to dive in and start typing whatever comes to mind (as the character, of course . . . otherwise it'd be a list of things I should be doing instead of Nano).

Scary? Yes. Exciting? Yes. So why am I blogging right now instead of writing? I'm warming up, of course. ;-)

May your word count be tremendous (even if you aren't doing Nano), and may those words be worth keeping during revisions.

Write on.

Have idea, will Nano

Whew! After days of agonizing about what to write for Nano, I've made a final decision. I decided not to use any of my previous ideas and go in a new direction. My sister and I had recently been discussing the option of co-authoring a novel. She had this great idea so the original plan was for her to write it and then I'd work off her initial writing and we'd go from there. Unfortunately, she's not really into the whole writing aspect of things and has been unable for the last month or so to get much more than a basic outline for the main idea.

After speaking with her today, we decided I'd write the first draft for Nano and then we'll consult and conspire from there. She sent me her basic outline which she freely admitted was lacking in anything other than that main idea. From there I started researching and came up with some amazing plotlines that would connect well with the main idea. I'm extremely excited about this.

I kept telling sis that her main idea was great and would make an amazing book, but she didn't see how . . . until I called her with my plot suggestions. The book is going in a different direction than she originally planned, but we both love it and spent a couple of hours phoning back and forth to bounce ideas and add to the thing.

So I've got my research printed out, I've got most of the character names, and now I'm ready to write up a chapter outline. I should be able to dive in to the actual writing of the novel tomorrow.

Yeah, I'm starting the actual writing a couple of days late, but I have faith that I'll still make it to the end in time.

 

Write on!

Trick or Treat?

It's a quarter to nine and we are back from a rigorous night of trick or treating with the little ghouls. WHEW

We forgot to take pictures before we left (hey, we were in a hurry) so we got some after we got home . . . and I almost forgot to take any. Oldest son is still doing the haunted house with the Drama department so he's not home yet and isn't in any of the pictures. If he comes home in costume, I'll snap some of him in his zombie costume.

Anyway, here we are in our bedraggled state of after trick or treating.

Me and my main Vamp:

 

My hair used to be all curled and pretty, but after a night of wind, it sort of fell flat. Oh well.

Here are the little ghouls:

It's hard to tell from these pictures, but the girls and I have the same dresses (they took off their neck pieces) and Hubby's costume matches ours.

Anyway, I hope you all had a great night!

Scare on . . . or sleep on if you're tired like me.

Halloween insanity

Tonight the little monsters will be getting bags full of sugary candy to appease the less angelic side in the hopes no pranks will be carried out. Ah, the joys of Halloween. =D

Each year our church holds a little fall carnival in the parking lot along with a chili contest/dinner, pumpkin carving contest, and costume contest (though no masks are allowed). After the carnival fun and contests, there is a trunk or treat (the kids go around to the cars in the parking lot).

In the past, I have entered (and placed) in the chili and pumpkin contests, but I have never dressed up in a costume. I've just never been that into it. However, this year I shall join the ranks of the costumed adults.

I'm not sure what has gotten into me. Sure, I wear a costume for my sister's annual Halloween bash (last weekend), but only my sisters and mother attend so it's not a huge deal. This time I shall don a costume and venture out into public places. I get chills just thinking about it.

My husband has never dressed up either, but this year, I bought him a costume. He's going as a vampire and I'm his matching vampress. Yee-aah, that's what I said . . . we match . . .  I swore I'd never be part of one of those couples who dress up in coordinating costumes. Something is definitely wrong with me . . . a midlife crisis perhaps?

But I have more proof of my insanity. My daughters decided they wanted to be vampire/witch/princesses so their dresses actually match mine. I even tried to convince my sons to switch from their chosen costumes to matching daddy/vampire costumes . . . luckily they refused so my shame is slightly more bearable.

I'm not sure what I was thinking! I'm half tempted NOT to dress up, but I know hubby won't let me get away with spending all the money on the costuming for it to not be used.

Oh well, I still have several hours of carving pumpkins, chili cooking (maybe . . . I haven't decided if I'm going there this year), and a birthday costume party (K's friend) to prepare for before I must fret more about my moment of insanity.

Hmmm . . . now that I think about it, I've been reaching back into my childhood as I write. Perhaps I've gained access to the child part of me who LOVED to dress up . . . yeah, that must be it! See, it's not insanity or midlife crisis . . . it's a side effect of the job. WHEW!

May you all have a great day and night full of hauntingly good fun.

Spook on.