So Excited!!

I've been so busy with portraits and weddings, I forgot to post my exciting news from the past month.

I am a finalist in the Mid America Romance Writers: Fiction from the Heartland Contest. YAY!!

This year there were 11 finalists, three of which were Young Adult, (one was me!!). I have no clue how many people entered. Not that it matters, but of course I'm curious. I got two really great and helpful critique sheets, and used them to do a spit and polish before I sent it off for the final round. That round (squee) consists of a reading of your first 33 pages plus synopsis by an editor and agent. I'm so excited, if nothing else I'm excited to—hopefully—get a little helpful feedback, especially from an editor.

Still querying and waiting of course. Being busy the past couple of months has really helped take my mind off of things......NOPE, I'm a liar, it hasn't helped at all, ;) but no matter what, my ms will end up better off for the process. Not quitting!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving Week!!!!!!!!!!!

Duetuesday- The Civil Wars *weep*

Have you heard the news? The heartbreaking, soul-shattering news, that The Civil Wars has canceled their upcoming tour due to "Internal Discord"? It was devastating to me. I LOVE THEM! One of them put a tweet out that day that said they hope to have new music out in 2013.

What does that mean???? It's already recorded, so it will be easy to release? OR they hope to actually make the music in 2013?? I hope it's the latter. OR both.

80% of my novel HEALING GRAVEL  was created or written, while listening to their music. It's only approriate to honor them with today's DueTuesday spot.

Mourn with me.

DueTuesday ~ 80's Pop Duet

Duets from the 80's are the best, and you can't get more 80's than Prince and Sheena E!!!



Prince Sheena Easton U Got the Look by docfromcpt

Sip Swap!!

How completely awesome is this idea? (Thank you Jessica Love and Kelsey Macke) Do you drink coffee or tea? Are you a writer? Then join Sip Swap. Go to the link, fill out the form, and then buy the cutest mug you can find to send another writer!! Then you will get one in the mail. Who doesn't love to receive a present in the mail!? I can't wait!

(Can I use anymore exclamation marks??)


@kelsnotchels      @_JessicaLove

The Intro of the Duetuesday

I have a confession. I've always had an obsession with duets. Especially duets from the 80's and 90's. I think we tend to forget some of these classics. I got to revisit some older music while writing my ms due to a characters past. It was really fun, and reminded me of so many old songs that I used to love.

So many good duets were hugely popular, and often tied to movies. Not sure why I've always loved them, the harmony, the romantic element. But I DO love them. So here is the first in the installment, and it's an oldie. It's one of the first duets I remember loving as a kid. :) (If you don't love Dolly, you. are. nuts.)

September/October Reads

Once again, I'm in the thick of it. Crazy Fall Portrait Season. This year it's also Crazy Fall Wedding Season. A wedding every Saturday until the second weekend of November.

In a way, it's been good. This fall I'm querying, and as anyone who has queried knows...it's good to have something to take your mind off of waiting. Waiting is hard.

Just thought I'd check in and offer up some reading recommendations. I'm not going to give a lot of info, just know that if the book is in the post, I think it's worth reading! ;)


TIGER LILY, by Jodi Lynn Anderson

This took me a couple of chapters to get into it, but once I did, I was in LOVE!!! A beautiful, beautiful read.

JELLICOE ROAD (Or On the Jellicoe Road) by Melina Marchetta

Don't give up in the beginning, it's worth it. It will all come together. There were many things about this book that reminded me of the novel I'm currently querying. Of course, that meant I love it, because I write things I love.

OUTPOST by Ann Aguirre

I LOVE THIS SERIES, and if possible I might have loved this one a little more than the first. Hmm. I don't know, just read this one and the first one, ENCLAVE.

GRAVE MERCY by Robin LaFevers

I really enjoyed this, and it was an auto pick because we love Robin in our house. (little boys love the Nathaniel Fludd series.) I will definitely be reading book two.

Needing some inspiration??

This morning I stumbled upon a new blog. Don't you love finding a new blog? I mean, a good blog, where you can get lost for a couple of hours reading the archives?? Well, my laundry pile doesn't like it...but I do!

I found this one. Tiffany Moore | Life Coach

It's so inspirational and feel good. I really needed it this morning...and maybe you do too.

For a taste, I refer you to these posts. *and yes, there is some curse words in some of her blog. It doesn't bother me, but some of you may find it offensive. Fair warning.

the "be brave" fallacy

I've been wanting to tell you...

why sharing is bull-shit and you should stop being nice.

 

Happy Thursday!