TIFFANY NEAL

Annnd Done

2010-11-29T08:11:00.000-06:00

So after my plot epiphany, I mapped out the characters, finished outlining the major plot points, and then sat down and well, you know, WROTE.

The story was all down on paper and embedded in my mind, and after writing it almost all the way through one time and being unsuccessful, I knew what I didn't want to happen.

I turned off my inner editor - something I've NEVER done before and just wrote. I'm talking hardcore writing. My loverlies (Tina Lynn and Kristen) and I bribed each other with pics of Jared Leto amongst other things I shall keep a sekrit.

My fingers nearly bled, I typed so fast and furious.

I didn't even go back and reread what I had already written to gauge how it was sounding because from previous experience I knew that it either a.) would read like a NY Times best seller that might as well be already on a shelf (in my glory moments) or b.) was made of suckage and needed to be rewritten immediately (does See Spot run count?). And either way, I knew it was a skewed way of looking at things, so I decided to write with abandon.

I put a song on repeat (I swear I listened to a song 27 times in a row) and glued my rear to the seat (with the occasional potty and mint chocolate chip breaks. Not simultaneously, you freaks.

And I wrote. I wrote the whole thing. It's a middle grade, so it's totally doable to write a book in a week, especially when it's well plotted (the thought!). But the amazing part to me is that I started writing this book last year.

When I told my daughter that I was going to finish the book last night, her response was: "You shoulda been done a long time ago. You've been workin' on that stinkin' story since I was in kindergarten!" (She's only in the first grade this year...)

Wow. Thanks for the support. LOL. But she was right. One day this past week I wrote 12K in one sitting, when the most I had ever written was 2K at time. The writing with abandon was freeing.

My first draft was finished at midnight last night and clocked in at 38K.

And now I'm here twiddling my thumbs. I so bad want to jump right in and reread what I've written. To see if I wrote 38K of junk or if it makes sense or if it is all a bunch of gibberish.

I know I should wait. I want to wait. But I don't.

Would it be so bad to do a quick once over and read it all the way through and THEN let it sit for a month before editing and revising?

You guys tell me. When you finish a rough draft, what do you do? And how long do you wait before you delve back into it?

Someone might have to tie my hands behind my back, because I'm guessing it'd be hard to revise a book with my nose.

Tiffany Has An Epiphany

2010-11-19T07:00:00.002-06:00

Disclaimer: What is about to be said by Tiffany is ~~borderline~~ without a doubt embarrassing. But the thing about it is, there has to be other schmucks like me out there that have been in this same boat, and I hope that maybe by my raw honesty about this topic, it could help at least one other person who stumbles across this blog.

Bottom line- Tiffany's epiphany is this: An idea does not = a plot.

There, I said it. It seems like a DUH-no-brainer kind of thing, but it wasn't until a couple of days ago that I was able to realize what was wrong with the books that I've written or been in the process of writing. Up until then, the definition of a plot was: a small piece or area of ground: a burial plot. Which is where I dug myself and my book into every time I wrote like that.

And get this my epiphany occurred while I was in the middle of teaching 4th graders a lesson on plot - of all things.

So, when the other teachers on my team and I discussed how we were going to teach plot, I thought about how it would make sense for me to teach plot through writing. Because DUH! You have to have a plot to write. Right? (Of course I didn't stop to think about my lack of such an important thing in my stories at that moment). It made perfect sense for me to teach my students plot by telling them how real-live authors plot out their own books. So, I turned to the most genius and kid-friendly plot visual I knew of courtesy of the One and Only: Jamie Harrington. She created what she calls the storysaurus to plot out her stories. It's basically brilliant. And who doesn't like dinosaurs?

Between the storysaurus and Shannon Messenger's outlining pattern, along with a couple of other online resources, my students and I reverse-map plotted The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (An AH-May-zing book, I might add). I drew a giant dinosaur on the board, and then wrote the main focus of each chapter on a sticky note and placed it on the dinosaur's back (you know, like the plates on a dinosaur's back). We then figured out what the starting point was, the inciting incident, the conflicts/crisis that contribute to the rising action, the moment of hopelessness, the actual climax, and then the falling action and resolution. It went amazingly well.

I even went as far as to show them how they could use a storysaurus to plot out their own narrative stories that they have to write, pointing out that each paragraph contributes to the climax and then leads to the resolution.

It's so simple.

Yet, as I stared at that storysaurus after school, I realized, OhmygoshIamatotalandcompleteidiot! It's right there! My huge and most ridiculous problem: I DON'T HAVE A PLOT! Nor did I have a plot for the first book that is collecting dust on a shelf, that will never see the light of day again. That's where I went wrong.

I was missing some of the major elements of a plot because I was a total pantser. I didn't plan it out. I let the ideas write themselves. The words would flow from my mind and my fingers would type and I would just go along. But then, I would find myself in a corner or in the middle of a burial plot. And I wouldn't know how to get out of it, and I'd go into panic mode, and then put the book away and declare myself a Professional Reader who will never ever become a professional writer. A very vicious cycle that guarantees a lot more panicking than actual writing. I don't like that panicky feeling.

Then, I had a huge brain storm session with my loverlies Tina and Kristen, which helped me so much. I now have a plot. I know my plot. I can write my book. It's so simple, it's stupid. Well, not really. The plotting almost made me lose my mind all day yesterday, and I basically walked around like a zombie without a single coherent thought until I worked it all out in my mind. Considering that yesterday was a school day, I can tell you another honest truth: my classroom did not get much accomplished during my Brain Spasms (AKA WHAT IS MY PLOT?) but when it finally came, the feeling was one of sweet satisfaction. And when I was given the thumbs up by my critters, I was in Plot Heaven.

I also got a great tip from my critters to watch The Plot Whisperer which solidified everything I had in my mind.

So there you have it.

I was a pantser.

I am no longer.

I am now a plotter.

And maybe, just maybe, I will have a complete book that is worthy of being shown to someone soon.

Got Nothing...But Jared

2010-11-17T07:00:00.001-06:00

I'm actually quite pathetic right now and have nothing of value to offer anyone. However, 30STM has been busy and they have a snippet of their upcoming music video.

And since I've watched it 30 plus times and ~~looking at Jared~~ listening to their music is all sorts of inspirational, I thought I'd share.

Enjoy.

Dear James Dashner,

2010-11-15T07:00:00.073-06:00

(Yes, there is an enormous possibility that he might just stumble across my blog, so back off all you realists)

Dear James Dashner,

Let me first begin by saying: You are genius. I'm totally not sucking up, because as per my recent I Will Not Let An Author Make Me Feel Like I'm Not Good Enough Epiphany, it would seem totally like I was reverting back to my former self. I am not. And I will not.

Anywhoo, I bought your book over the summer, not having a clue what the book was about, due to my slight issue of feeling the need to buy every and all YA books so that I can read them and then possibly build a house out of them. (That'd be a pretty cool idea, huh?)

Your book wasn't the first on my list of To-Read, I will be honest, but for some reason, when I started to dig through the hundreds of books, it sort of called to me. It said: Tiffany! Read me!

And so I did.

And I tore through the book in a way I've never done before. I found that you put me so far into Thomas' character, to the point that it was scary. I felt like I was in his shoes the entire time. I was thinking the same things he was thinking, I was questioning the same things he was questioning, I was feeling the same way you described him to be feeling. It was crazy! I can honestly say that I have never read another book that had me so one with the main character. Really.

I don't want to spoil the book for anyone who hasn't read it, but I'll just say, I felt as if I had a memory wipe like Thomas did, and so I tore through the book, following Thomas on his journey to figure out what in the world was going.

And the new language was all sorts of amazing, good that? I mean, for you to create a new language and then to make it totally believable and not forced was so great that I now speak in that language. Even though no one seems to understand what it means when I call them slintheads and klunks. Oh well. Maybe they should read the book...

Then the ending. The ending...if you want to call it that. As if it wasn't enough to have me so immersed in your crazy Maze world, where I had no clue what was going on, you go and leave me TOTALLY hanging at the end and make me run out and buy The Scorch Trials THE NEXT DAY, in which I tore through that book only to find out that I STILL have hardly any of my questions answered. Not to mention the fact that you yet again left me hanging.

I would normally have a deep hatred for you and your cruel ways. To leave an obsessive girl like me waiting around for another year just to find out what in the world is going on in that crazy mind of yours...it's just plain wrong. But, instead, I feel this need to take what you taught me through your books and use it to make my writing better.

So even though I contemplated, at one point, stalking you, kidnapping you, and then forcing you to tell me WHAT IS GOING ON, I've decided to take the high road. Probably, mostly because I am not in the mood for being arrested. I realized after reading your book that the ability to put a reader into the main character's head is the most invaluable thing an author can do. I mean, I already knew that, but I don't think I had ever read a book that had done that so well.

So, thank you Mr. Dashner, for your amazing books, and inspiring me to find a way to connect my readers to my main character in a way that makes them feel like they are truly going on a journey with them. So, how 'bout an ARC of The Death Cure? Pretty please?? I'm not so sure I can keep my promise of not hunting you down for a whole year...

Love,

Me (Your #1 Fan)

Insanity Has No Boundaries

2010-11-12T07:00:00.021-06:00

Most of you don't know me in real life.

Some of you do.

The few who really know me, though, know that I'm a tad on the strange side. But I like the word eccentric better. And at times, I can be obssessive. Okay, so maybe not at times. More like all the time.

I used to be able to keep my insane Tiffany away from mingling with the sane Tiffany's life, but lately, those two have merged together in a very disturbing way.

So much so that at school, a student surprised me with a LIFE SIZE Edward poster. You may ask: Why would a 4th grader know about your obsession to the point that they would bring you a life size Edward poster? Well, I really can't justify myself to you. My students know me all too well!
Evidence from Exhibit A:

Evidence from Exhibit B:

Evidence from Exhibit C: (Edward's new brooding place on the side of my filing cabinet, next to my round table where I work with small groups)

Some may argue that my insanity is a little too much and they may not want me teaching their young children's impressionable minds. And I may agree. But, hey I'm honest and I'll never pretend not to be me.

However, if ever a student brings in a poster of this:

Edward will have to be replaced. Damon is the vampire of my choice. Oh, and by the way, I love my new hairdo. Shoutout to Kristen's hair chick, Erin. She rocked my hair, and now I'm going to have to travel to Buffalo everytime I want my hair did. Who woulda ever thunk that this girl would have such short hair!!

What the What...Newly Reformed Tiffany

2010-11-10T06:00:00.010-06:00

Have you ever read a book that has made you doubt your abiltity to be a writer. That feeling that creeps up inside your chest and settles there telling you that you will never make it. Ever. Like, the fact that their writing is: Just. That. Good. That you feel like you should throw in the pen and give up while you're ahead?

I've had quite a few of those books, but some of those top authors that manage to evoke that feeling of inadequacy out of me are Suzanne Collins, Ellen Hopkins, and Laurie Halse Anderson.

They are amazing writers. And with each of their books that I've read, I've torn through the pages, fallen in love with their characters, and felt like I lost a family member when the series or book was finished.

But instead of using their books as inspiration, I used their books as a way to punish myself and tell myself that I wasn't good enough, nor would I ever be good enough to write a book made of that much awesome.

And I've finally realized that my mentality is just plain stupid. I don't know what their journeys were like into their writing career. How many books were turned down before "the right" one hit, how many times they felt at the bottom of the barrel and "not good enough." (And if they had the I-Wrote-And-Sold-My-Very-First-Book-Within-A-Month Syndrome, then I'm covering my ears, and I don't want to hear it. La la la la la...)

My mentatlity was putting such a strain on my creativity and the ability to write for fun, so I decided to end that. I will continue to read those amazing authors, but instead of allowing it to bring me down, I am going to use what makes their books so riveting to my advantage, and put that same passion in my books. And when it's my time (if it's my time -- oh wait, do you have to have a complete book to have that time ready for you?) then great. No more writing to find an agent. No more following all "The Rules". No more beating myself up constantly.

Let me introduce you to the new and improved Tiffany Neal.

*waves*

Nice to see you.

*deep breath*

I feel good. Or maybe it's the black and plum hair dye seeping into my pores and damaging my brain. Either way, I'll take it.

Don't Fall Over

2010-11-05T09:23:00.000-05:00

I'm posting a blog post.

Yup.

Don't be too shocked.

School's going smoothly, and I'm hoping to be back around more often. Probably a couple times a week-ish, er, something like that.

Anyway, the exciting news is that I'm in New York with my crit partner/best friend turned writing partner and we are seriously buckling down on our book. It feels so good to be writing again or at least in the process of writing again.

Kristen introduced me to character chat last night, which when she first brought it up sounded a tad bit crazy, but WHOA it was awesome. Basically TinaLynn chatted with Kristen and I who played the main characters.

I know, I know, sounds bizarre and maybe even a little crazy, but it SO helped. Tinalynn asked some great questions and our plot seriously thickened and we worked out some amazing things as we stepped in our characters' shoes and pretended to be them. And, just so you know, a few times I was nervous that character Kristen kinda scared me a bit. And I wasn't so sure sleeping in the same house with her was a good idea. (You know I love you Kristen)

I'd so suggest you doing this to get to know your characters better. I feel I know the character I'm writing so well right now and the chapter that I'm working on shows it.

It's good to be back. Hope to start seeing everyone around again.

Boo, You Stink!

2010-09-15T16:20:00.000-05:00

Yup, basically, I do.

I haven't been:

tweeting
blogging
commenting
writing
MYSELF!!!

I've been drowning in the start of school, which has, quite literally, kicked my rear-end. I'm sure you all loved how I went on bragging over the summer about how I woke up late, read, wrote, and laid out by the pool at all/any hour of the day and it didn't matter what time I woke up.

Yeah, well, the start of the school year has been ROUGH to say the least. I forget that when my students leave me, they've done so much growing throughout the year. When I get my new students it takes so much work to get them to where I need them to be.

It's totally worth it in the end, but it is HARD work!! Not only that, but trying to keep my brain focused, my desk organized, papers graded, the family to all of their extra curricular activities, getting everyone fed, bathed, and keeping the house cleaned is WEARING me out.

Anyway, I went to visit Kristen (SQUEE!) in Buffalo for a much needed vacay (wink, wink) and we had a BLAST! I so miss her right now. But, we of course made sure that our meeting went down in history. If you want to see some of the craziness called us AKA Krisiffany, then you should check out our co-author blog: Shade and Sunshine. We even VLOGGED again!

Hopefully you'll all start to see me around more once things start to get settled down in this crazy chaos called my life! :)

Short Story Contest

2010-08-07T11:18:00.000-05:00

So, in an attempt to get out of my writing funk, I submitted a short story to a contest. I'd love it if you guys would go check it out.

In order to win, I have to have more than 15 comments and 30 ratings (you actually have to give it a thumbs up, not just give it a star rating).

So, if you have a spare moment, I'd love for you to read it and let me know what you think. It's actually an adult short story (gasp!) and it's only 500 words, so it won't take long to read through it!

Thanks in advance guys! Here's the link. :)

Writing Funk Of Epic Proportions

2010-08-03T13:25:00.000-05:00

I'm in a funk. A bad one. I can't write. The words aren't coming to me naturally and my creativity has been squashed.

This is my last week of summer and I didn't get near as much writing as I hoped to get done, but as I recall, I promised not to make any writing goals.

The Writing Slime has returned. And I am suffocating. Someone, please pull me out of it.

The Best Blog You'll Ever Come Across

2010-07-26T05:00:00.015-05:00

Kristen and I have begun a new epic journey. We made a blog. We made vlog. And we have a contest. An epic one. Watch us make fools of ourselves in our first vlog ever and then enter the contest over at our new co-authoring blog, Shade and Sunshine.

Writer Must-Have Numero Tres

2010-07-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I decided to mix it up and throw in a little Spanglish with this post. Mostly because it's 1:20 AM as I type this. I must have pulled a DitzyTiff and forgot all about BrilliantTiff''s idea to blog all week long about the writer must-haves.

So this post will be short. Like, epic short for me. While you're picking up your stone paper, you MUST pick up Paper Mate Profile Pens in multiple colors.

Writing with one of these pens on my stone paper, is better than...well, I'll let you fill in the blank once you get that paper and pen heavenly combo going. And don't forget to turn on The Sixty One. You will almost be in my writing bliss. Just you wait for tomorrow's post. By the end of this week, you will be a fantastic writer all because of me. You can send any royalties my way. Thanks.

Writer Must-Have #2

2010-07-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

I was sitting, staring at my computer screen wondering what in the world I could possibly write about when it hit me! (This doesn't happen often, so stand back, it could be the sign of the apocalypse, a zombie one at that).

So getting back to the scenario, this is basically how it went. I toned it down a bit. And yes, I do realize this is a conversation between me and me. Do you not talk to yourself? Okay, that's what I thought...

DitzyTiff: *taps finger on chin* What could we blog about...hmmm...

BrilliantTiff: *raises pointed finger in air* I know, we could turn this week's blog into daily posts about we can't live without when it comes to writing.

DitzyTiff: *scratches head* I don't get it.

BrilliantTiff: *slaps DitzyTiff across the face* What do you not get, idiot? Yesterday we posted about the awesomeness of thesixtyone.com. Today we post about another Writer Must-Have, and then we continue for the rest of the week. Gah.

DitzyTiff: OMG! That's like, super genius! I totally get it now. Like how you always need your blanket from when you were a baby wrapped around your...

BrilliantTiff: *clamps DitzyTiff's mouth* What? What are you talking about? Shut up. *turns to the waiting audience apologetically* I'm sorry for her. She's a compulsive liar. She's been going to therapy for that.

DitzyTiff: *trying to pry BrilliantTiff's hand off mouth* mbmlblmblbmblalmbm...

BrilliantTiff: Don't mind her. She's also got a few screws loose up there. Anyway, today's EPIC Writer Must Have is STONE PAPER!

Yes, you read that correctly. There is such thing as paper out there, made from stone. And the paper is so freaking crazy/awesome because it's soft and sort of feels like it's damp in a way, and when you write on it, it is so stinkin' smooth, it's unreal.

Basically I can't explain it to you, but if I could marry my stone paper, I just might. You must run out and get you some stone paper TODAY. (Neither of the Tiffany's are receiving any royalties for shamelessly promoting this product, but if you do choose to go out and buy it today, you should go to Walgreen's. That's where I got mine.)

See? Isn't it pretty!! Okay,so it may not be visually appealing, but holy mother of bats it has a kinesthetic appeal. Because. It. Writes. So. Dang. Smooth.

What do you use to take your writing notes in? I guaranty you might change that answer once you try out the-rock-paper-of-awesome. :)

News Bulletin

2010-07-19T05:00:00.001-05:00

I interrupt the regularly scheduled blog post to direct your attention to the most important thing ever. If you haven't heard of or checked out http://www.thesixtyone.com/, then you should leave this blog post (after commenting of course) and lose yourself in some of the most ah-may-zing music ever. You can create play lists, download the music (some of it is free!), and support these undiscovered artists. I don't know about you, but I have to have music to write, and since writing, the diversity of my music has spread like no other. This website is seriously just about all I listen to now.

The best part about it, is that under the section Popular, you can click on Moods, and then click on what mood you (or if you're like me the voices in your head) are in, and it will play a non-stop collection of it.

Gah! I know, so exciting, right?

Are you like me? Do you need constant music reflecting the mood you're book is in at that moment?

DFW Writer's Workshop

2010-07-15T05:00:00.001-05:00

So, I've been on a crit kick this week. Heehee. That sounds funny. I went all soft yesterday talking about my awesome crit partner Kristen (who by the way is going Critler on me to get my book done).

Today I want to talk about the awesomeness that is critique groups that meet in person. Weird, huh? More like completely terrifying. Honestly, I didn't really get the whole point of Workshop at first. I was thinking, you could get the same thing accomplished with your online critters as you would in person, so these people must just need to interact with other real, live, humans in person.I reasoned with that. It makes sense.

But, oh no. That is not what it is. There of course are positives and negatives to every side of anything you do. And there are a few negatives to the Workshop, however, I truly believe that the positives outweigh the negatives by a million degrees. And even though at times I look at Workshop as an AA meeting for writers, hey let's face it, we need that, it is so much more.

Basically here's a run-down of how it works:
There's a meeting with the whole group sharing news, highs/lows of the week, introducing new members, and any announcements.

If you've signed up to read, then you are assigned to a group/room/moderator and told what order you'll be reading.

Quick break.

Readings begin. Last week I was the first to read which was seriously terrifying. I can't explain to you what comes over me when I read my stuff out loud. I get all weird and my voice tenses up, and my heart practically pounds out of my chest. No, seriously. I can hear my voice shaking when I read and I always read WAY too fast.

You may be asking right now, why in the world would you put yourself through that terrible torture. Here's why:
After reading, you give up the stage (not literally) and hand it over to the critiquers. People can crit for up to five minutes, and have seconds if there is time left over. The crits can sting and feel brutal sometimes, but they are always beyond helpful. And the crazy thing is that I can read a chapter a bajillion times out loud in the privacy of my own home and think I'm freaking brilliant, and then read it out loud to the group of critiquers and realize as I'm reading it, "Oh my God. This is horrible." And already know what they're going to say is wrong with it before they even open their mouths.

It's CRAZY. But ridiculously helpful. And in my opinion, a writer shouldn't do it all by themselves. They should rely on critique partners to help them out. We are too close to our own stories to have good judgement on what really matters. And yes, even though it does take longer to finish a ms while being in crit groups, I can guarantee you, that my ms is going to be much more polished and ready for an agent than if I had done it all on my own.

Plus, going to a Workshop where you can meet other writers in real life is pretty awesome in and of itself. I'm really lucky to have amazing people that attend Workshop with me to learn from. Some agented, some published, but all writers wanting to grow and become better at what they do. Not that I'm name dropping or anything, but you may have heard of Jamie Harrington, Jenny Martin, Rosemary Clement-Moore, Candace Havens, and A. Lee Martinez. All fellow Workshop attendees. And of course there are many, many more fab writers there as well... :)

If you live in the DFW area, you should check out Workshop. It is worth it. Not to mention the amazing conference they offer as well. So, do any of you guys have a Workshop type deal that meets in your area? Are you a member? Tell me about your meeting in real life with crit partners!

Online Critter Groups

2010-07-14T06:00:00.002-05:00

First of all, I have to start out by saying that if you feel jealous of me and my crit situation after you read this, then you should. ;) I met my other half and most amazing crit partner ever, Kristen, in February. If you've ever seen us talk/tweet/blog each other, you would've thought that we had known each other since we were in diapers.

It actually seems this way to us as well. She can seriously finish my thoughts and sentences at times which has led us to try and figure out how our parents pulled a real, live Parent Trap stunt on us. We had to have been separated at birth. It's the only thing that makes sense. Sadly, she lives in NY and I in TX. Such a far, far distance apart.

When I say she's my other half what I mean is, on any given day, I talk to her more often than I do my husband. That's intense. We have something wonderfully unique. We don't just crit each other's stuff, but we talk each other off the edge of the cliff, think of other entrepreneurial types of things to do with our lives if we don't make it as writers (like sidewalk chalk artists and tight-rope walkers), work out plot problems, talk about the millions of book ideas that swirl in our brains, we trust one another, we are tough and harsh when we need to be, personal cheerleaders, and most importantly we are best friends.

I know our crittership is a rare thing and I feel so blessed to have her. More recently, her and I have joined two other writers, who have amazing stories and are a brilliant asset to the group. Now that I've gone on and on about how much I love my crit group, let me wash out most writer's issues with "problems" with crit groups. Obviously this is all based on finding the right group that you can trust and wear thick skin around.

Be honest and upfront - Tell what you are looking for in the group. If you know that you aren't thick skinned, then, well, maybe you don't belong in this business, but beyond that you're more looking for a personal cheerleader. That isn't what everyone is looking for. It would be a huge waste of time for me, personally, to be in a group where my critters didn't point out the minor and major issues my writing has. So make sure that you know what you are getting into and make sure everyone is on board and is wanting what you want.
Tell what your thoughts are as you're reading - Meaning, if you find something HI-larious, then say it. If something doesn't make sense or doesn't fit right, say it. But ALWAYS explain why something doesn't work.
Point out the plot issues - If something is not believable, then say it. If there are inconsistencies or things that just don't make any kind of sense to anyone other than the one who wrote it, say it. If you can't take this type of criticism, then how are you going to make it with an agent/editor/publisher's notes to change things?
Take some, leave some - If you don't take any of the critiques given, you are making a huge mistake and wasting valuable time of the people critting your stuff. If you are taking all of the critiques, you are most likely making a huge mistake. Everyone has different opinions on things and if you have 4 people looking at your ms, then obviously, there will be differing opinions. Take a look at the majority, leave the crits that don't settle well with you, and find a happy medium.

Do you guys have any other biggies when it comes to your crit groups? Anything that you find to be extremely valuable from your critters? Or is there anything that is extremely NOT helpful from crit partners you may have had in the past? Tomorrow I'll talk about the membership with DFW Writer's Workshop. Happy Humpday.

Critter Groups

2010-07-13T08:31:00.000-05:00

I've seen a lot of posts about this recently. It's one of those hot topics that everyone has such a solid opinion on. It's one of those that is also hard to change a person's opinion on. Not that I'm going to try to do that, of course.

Most people's arguments as to why finding a good critique group is a waste of time is because it takes a lot of time and in most circumstances, it turns out to not be worth it. I know everyone finds a thing that suits them well and to each man their own, but without my critique groups I would not be the writer that I am today.

I not only have several online critique buddies, some of the greatest friends in the world by the way, but then I also go to a local writer's workshop. Both of those avenues have worked for me as a writer and in an attempt to not go long winded on anyone today, I'm going to do 2 separate posts. One tomorrow about my critiquing experience through online avenues and then one on Thursday about my experience with DFW Writer's Workshop.

For today, tell me what types of experiences you've had with critiquing groups and if you feel that they've had an overall positive or negative experience on you. What made it work/not work?

To Read or To Write?

2010-07-12T06:00:00.002-05:00

This conversation has come up a million times since I started really trying to write for a living. I talk to all sorts of people all the way from those who never read while in the midst of a writing project, to those who make reading a part of their daily routine even in the thick of writing their ms.

I find myself somewhere in between. I am a voracious reader. You put a good book in my hands, I will tear through it in no time at all. Sometimes in a few hours. That's how I've always been. I remember reading until midnight (GASP!) underneath my covers with a flashlight when I was in elementary school. All of the classics of course, RL Stine's Fear Street, Sweet Valley High, Babysitter's Club, and all of Roald Dahl's masterpieces.

I've always loved reading, which only makes sense as to why I want to be a writer. But lately I've noticed that the one thing that inspired me to want to be a writer is the one thing that I put on the backburner. I don't have time to read. I have to blog, and procrastinate on Twitter, critique and oh, yeah, write. All of those writerly things that are going to make me a real, live writer one day.

But ironically enough, I've noticed that when I'm not doing much reading, my own words dry up and POOF! they're gone. I mean, it's not rocket science we're talking about here. Besides the fact that you can learn so much from reading a story that you find yourself completely immersed in, as writers, we can see first hand the techniques the author uses that work, what doesn't work well, ways to add more depth to our writing, and so much more.

Funny thing is, I tell my 4th graders all the time, "Good writers read more than they write." Shouldn't this be true. In order to know how to make a YA book have that edge that's going to grab an agent/publisher's attention, we should be constantly reading the latest YA books. In order for me to write a believable MG book, I've got to read first hand what those 9-12 year olds love to read.

There's a hundred reasons why writers don't read as much as we should. There's never enough time. We're constantly worried that we might steal a plot idea, character name, beautiful sentence or idea. We get so caught up in these things that we forget that in order to become a better writer, we should be reading just as much if not more. So, I've decided that even in the thick of trying to get my ms finished, I will make time every day to read a wide range of books.

When I decided to write about this topic I googled: Best advice for writers. This is the first link that popped up.

Leave me a comment and tell me about your reading habits. And just for fun, what's the last book you read? I just finished Linger by Maggie Stiefvater. Brilliant of course.

Bree Despain's Epic Contest

2010-07-07T04:00:00.009-05:00

Bree Despain wrote the amazing book, The Dark Divine.

I know you've seen this beautiful cover in the bookstores. It is a great cover, isn't it? I read this book in a heartbeat and loved the characters and the plot. She is an wonderful author and does such an inspiring job keeping in touch with her fan base. If you haven't read The Dark Divine, what are you waiting for? Go and get it. Now!

Besides the fact that she has this fantastic book, she now has her book trailer up. It's a teaser, so go ahead and watch it before you buy the book (yes, I give you permission) because it will make you want to read it even that much more.

If this all wasn't enough, then her ridiculously enormous contest she is running right now might get your attention. You could win up to 11 books (yes, you heard that right, 11) and even an iPad. What? I know you are going to want to check it out. All you have to do to enter is spread the word about her contest.

Go forth, spread the word, and let's win some books!! :)

Barry Lyga Rocks!!!

2010-07-06T04:00:00.019-05:00

Carolina Valdez at Carol's Prints has been holding this fabulous contest Barry Lyga Rocks!!! Part of the contest is to write a letter to the awesomely awesome author himself, Barry Lyga. Make sure to check out the other letters-to-the-author here.

::I'm starting to feel nervous:: *sweaty palms* Okay, here goes nothing.*deep breath*

Dear Mr. Barry Lyga, (It feels so informal, but since I'm not on Barr-man status with you, I shall call you by your full name)

I first heard of you at the DFW Writer's conference and was super excited to read a book of yours. Well, between work. writing, 3 maniac kids, and life I hadn't gotten a chance to get around to it (Goth Girl Rising had been sitting on my shelf for months). Anyway, when I heard about Carolina's contest, I figured that it would be a good time to read it.

I put down a couple of other books that I was trudging through to finish and picked up Goth Girl Rising and finished it in less than 24 hours. That is saying something huge about your book! You grabbed my attention with amazing writing, true, real-life characters, and a realistic plot.

And I do have to say you stepped into a mentally unstable 16 year old girl's role quite easily. Should I be worried about you? I think I should. Just a little. Kyra's history and life story leave her in an extremely vulnerable state during some of the most most impressionable times of a teenage girl's life. You do such an honest representation of her that I truly felt as if I knew Kyra. I felt for her and wanted to be there for her.

Kyra has a depth to her that I loved. She is a typical teenage girl in the fact that she thinks she knows what she wants, feels, cares about only to be utterly confused in certain times and start having reverse thinking on those topics. Even though she comes across as one who could care less about what others think, we get so close to her to see that even a person who appears that way truly does care on the inside.

Beyond the on-the-spot character portrayal, the writing craft and creativeness kept the story moving at an unreal fast pace. I loved how you switched between present, to past, to chat sessions, to poetry, to playing out scenes in comic book panels. I have one word for that: genius.

Out of all the ways that you wrote, I have to say that the piece of poetry that threads itself throughout the book, revealing itself in entirety only near the end was amazing. It kept me wanting to know what was going to happen. What she was going to do. What she was going to say. And then when the poem does end, it is nothing like what I expected. As a reader, there couldn't have been a better way to have done it. I applaud that well thought out idea.

Now that I've finished one of your books, I have all of the rest of your books on my TBR pile. I love discovering new authors that are able to keep my interest and keep the book in my hands until it is finished. I can't wait to start another book of yours. Actually, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I win the contest that Carolina is holding, so that then I can have 2 more books of yours! :)

Sincerely,
Tiffany Neal AKA Your #1 Fan (Um, I had to do that-it's what my 4th graders do)

Phew. *wipes sweat from brow* Why do I get sweaty palms when I'm writing to an author? It's not like I'm meeting them face to face. Maybe writing is more stressful because that's what I want to be when I grow up and the author may look at my writing and say: NO! You will never be a published author! You can't write worth a damn.
Whatever the case is, I'm glad I got to share a great book by an amazing author. Check out his website which features his other books and blog here!

I Got Nothin'...

2010-07-02T08:18:00.000-05:00

So since Eclipse released this week I thought I'd share one of the most hi-larious vids I've found covering Twilight. My favorite part: What I like to call The Kristen Stewart "No" Hospital Scene. Very spot on. Enjoy and Happy Friday.

The Twilight Before Christmas from Electric Spoofaloo on Take180.com

Sah-Weeet

2010-07-01T05:00:00.000-05:00

This whole No-Goal-Setting thing is all sorts of awesomesauce. That is, if you noticed (or even care) this is blog post #3, three days in a row. Whoa. Epic.

Aaaaand, I've been on a Super-Critting streak (record breaking - just ask Tina, Kristen, and Melissa) AND most importantly, I've been writing. Like, writing real words that are worth keeping around.
No more goals for me, NOPE, never again. So, please remind me of this when I get a wild hair up my rear end that tells me to make goals and I'm stupid enough to post them for the whole world to see and laugh at! :)

On to the real reason I'm posting. I was thinking earlier today (I know...that's a big one) about how close I am to the query stage of my MG ms, Post-It Bandits. Woot! I love the story, the characters, well, everything about it.

My concern: If I (by some crazy sort of luck) get this sucker an agent, will I then be an MG writer? Do I need to stick to that genre, that age? Because honestly, I love YA just as much, if not more than MG. Don't get me wrong, I love middle grade because I feel like that is the age to hook a reader and make them life long readers. It's also the age that I teach, and I love the idea of my students one day getting to read my very own book.

But my first ms was a Paranormal YA and I'm also in the process of writing a YA Dystopian and mapping out a co-authored YA Realistic Thriller with my oh-so-awesome critter, Kristen.

Can I be a MG writer and a YA one? What are your thoughts on this? And are any of you writers/lovers of more than one genre?

(Wow. It's good to be back!)

And, for those of you interested in the animal also known as a monkey-pig from my Bickering Blogfest post yesterday, I will leave you today with two equally disturbing pictures of one:

Bickering Blogfest

2010-06-30T06:00:00.002-05:00

Kristen over at Take It As It Comes is holding a Blog Fest...a BICKERING one, yesssssssss. :) Let's get to it, and make sure you check out the other blogfesters here!

Here is a scene from Post-It Bandits. Hope you enjoy.

***

“Come on Cam, you’re not still worried about Bree and the Brainless Apes, are you?” Jordan rolled her eyes and gave him a look that said: pathetic.

Cam relaxed his shoulders that had been creeping up to his ears and tried to look nonchalant, but his acting skills were pitiful. It didn’t even take her a minute to bust out her nonsense meter and figure out that he was more worried today than he was yesterday. Thinking about something disturbing nonstop could do crazy weird things to a person — it could make them even more paranoid than normal.

“Are you for real? I mean, seriously, who cares about what Bree Meyers thinks anyway?”

Everyone in the world except for you. “I don’t really care — it’s just embarrassing. Is it possible for you to even try to understand? Even if I don’t think it’s that big of a deal, the rest of Jackson Middle School seems to think so — besides you and Bryan. And you don’t really count, Jordan, because number one, you’re my friend and number two, you’re a glitch in the system.”

Bryan chimed in, “Well, I for one am glad that you don’t care what they think. Let’s get real here. You’d never be allowed into their group even if the aliens come down from Planet Zorcon today and declared you their king.” He laughed, complete with a snort at the end.

“Huh?”

“You know, the aliens that are about to take over the world.”

Cam and Jordan both rolled their eyes.

Bryan, unaffected by their total disregard, gathered his face together and made googly eyes and kissing noises. “Plus, I’d hate for you to change, because I wuv you just the way you are.” His voice raised a couple octaves – not that it had to go up much because he sounded like a girl half the time as it was.

Jordan snickered.

Cam glared at him. “You look like a monkey pig when you do that. It’s fitting. You should do it more often.”

“What the heck’s a monkey pig? Is that even an actual animal?”

“Yeah. Mr. Baker showed us a slideshow of the weirdest looking animals the other day.”

“Ah. Cool.”

“Wait. Why am I making small talk? I’m irritated with you. And you.” Cam moved his glare over to Jordan.

Bryan lifted up his nose to look like a demented pig. “It must be because this monkey pig face is irresistible.”

When Cam didn’t laugh or break his stride, Bryan continued, “Whatever. Be angry all you want. Like I care.”

Easy There, Girl.

2010-06-29T07:00:00.002-05:00

Hi. My name is Tiffany and I'm a compulsive over-achiever and goal setter.

Hi Tiffany.

*insert nervous smile*

You see, all of my lofty goals were just that. Lofty. And so much was on my plate...and...and...
*breaks down in sobs*

It's okay. Let it all out. We are here to support you. Tell us how you really feel.

*quiet sniffles; wipes tears from eyes* It's just that when I make huge goals and don't succeed, I feel worse off than if I hadn't set goals in the first place.

*heads nod in agreement (or support - or for fear that the crazy sobbing over-achiever might hurt them if they don't)*

~~~

Blah. Blah. Blah. Whatever.

So basically, I realized that setting ridiculously high goals for yourself is not a good idea. Because when you fail (miserably, at that) it really, really, really sucks. Did I mention really?

I've made new (obtainable) goals for myself. They aren't able to be posted either, because they aren't daily goals. Some days are rougher than others. Some days my children make me wonder what type of species they are and why God granted them with the highest, screechiest voices in the world. Some days my kids fight from the moment they roll out of bed. Some days I don't feel like writing. (GASP!)

I had to remind myself that this is my summer. I work all school year to get to this point and it is ridiculous that I am stressing myself out even more than I do during the school year.

So, some days I will:

Not get out of my PJs

Spend 5 hours at the pool working on my tan

Play with my kids

Read a book

Which in turn, will let the words flow easier. Anyone else a chronic and compulsive overachiever that punishes themself for not meeting goals? Come on. You're a writer. Admit it. :)

Drumroll Please...

2010-06-07T07:34:00.000-05:00

I have officially survived:

The last week of school
Taking and PASSING my 4-8 certification test
4th Grade Awards Ceremony
Working on a Saturday
Our first dance rehearsal and recital

And today officially begins the first day of summer! Woot! Besides a few maintenance type things around the house (AKA clean-the-house-that-has-been-neglected-for-weeks) and of course playing stay-at-home mommy for the next couple months, I am back to writing full time and with goals.

I figured that since I've been such a slacker in my favorite area of life, I should post goals for you all to hold me accountable to:

Write a minimum of 1,000 words a day toward my WIPs
Go back to DFW Writer's Workshop ASAP
Get critiques back to critter buddies in a timely manner (24-48 hours)
Start working on new WIP with Kristen
Blog 3 times a week
Read AND comment on at least 10 blogs/day
Join the world of Twitter again

Lofty goals, eh? Yeah, well, maybe so, but I am determined. And when I get determined, things get done. Like, maybe a novel or two. Or winning tug-of-war? Because this is me when I'm determined:

WHAT?!? I like to win. There's nothing wrong with a little determination. You know, besides a burst neck vein. Pft. Like you've never looked like that before. Ahem, well, whatever.

I'm glad to be back! I'll leave you with a pic of K1 (who totally rocked all 3 dances) & K2 (who was the cutest dancing poodle EVER) and their epic weekend!

I'll Be Baaaaack.

2010-05-30T10:40:00.001-05:00

I have been a TOTAL blogging loser recently. I'd like to add to that a writing loser as well. I've actually been quite embarrassed at the state of my blog and writing and I have reasons, but the reasons as valid as they are, don't make me feel any better about it.

I hate this feeling of BLAH that I am in right now. The end of the school year is the craziest time of the year. This is a small example of what I've been up to (AKA- my list of excuses as to why I suck so hardcore right now):

2 TAKS tests
Play Day (think field day, but a competition against other 4th graders at different schools)
3 days at camp
Field trip to the local library/eat at CiCi's
Field Day
Meetings galore
Book Count
Clean classrooms and move all furniture to middle of room
Never ending checklist of To-Dos in order to get to leave for the summer

On top of that, I've decided that I wouldn't mind teacher the older kids, say 7th graders in particular. It would seriously be right up my alley. Getting to discuss YA literature with students would be one of the coolest things EVER. Don't get me wrong, I love my 4th graders and I heart my school, but it may be time for a change. So, in order to make that change I have to:

Study for the ELA 4-8 test
Take and PASS that test on Thursday

If that wasn't enough, my personal life has been a bit hectic too! Here's a few more excuses to chew on:

My husband has got a new job that requires CRAZY amounts of hours he has to put in
I have 3 kids (Yeah, I know, I've had them all along, but now as a semi-single mother, I feel all 3 so much more)
The hubs sometimes works from home. This should be helpful, right? Um. No. My dining room table has turned into the most disorganized chaotic horrible mess of a desk. Ugh.
Speaking of my house: It is a disaster. I swear there are goblins that creep up out from under the house and destroy it while I'm not looking. (Oh, wait. Those would be my 3 kids)
My oldest is about to graduate from Kindergarten
We have a dance recital for my two older ones next weekend
And I'm a backstage mom

All of this has EXHAUSTED me. I'm talking, fall-asleep-at 8 kind of tired. This, coming from the girl who used to stay up reading/writing until midnight or later every night and then wake up at 5 for work the next day.

So now that I've filled my blog up with excuses, I am making a vow to be back after next week. It will be summer. I WILL have more writing time. More blogging time. More tweeting time. More reading time. More critiquing time. More writer's workshop time. More ME time. I will demand it.

This whole not writing thing is terribly depressing and I'm in this nasty, killer, sludgy slime of disgustingness that I can't wait to get out of.

SEVEN days and counting and I'll Be Baaaaaaaaaaaack. I know you'll be counting down the days, hours, and minutes to my return.

Linger

2010-05-14T11:26:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I have to be honest. I will most likely throw down for a chance to get an ARC of Linger. I've entered several contests that I haven't won and at my writer's conference in April, I seriously considered meeting the chick out back who had won it to steal it from her.

I know, I know. A bit over dramatic, right?

Maggie Stiefvater is holding another contest in which I could win an ARC of Linger, therefore allowing me to not have to trample the little teenie-boppers to get my copy on the release date.

I usually don't do posts about contests, but I have to say between the fact that I REALLY want this book and the fact that sharing the Linger trailer with those of you who haven't seen it, brings me much pleasure.

Maggie Stiefvater is seriously one of the most talented people. Beyond being an amazing writer, she is an artist with mad skills, AND a musician. Ridiculous. I know. On one hand, I am beyond jealous of the fact that she is so multi-faceted, but more so I am just in awe of her abilities.

That being said, here is the trailer for Linger. You MUST go back to her blog to read the posts of how she made this. It is insane. So much time, dedication, and perseverance was put into this project and only goes to show the crazy talent this woman has!

Because I Have Nothing Better To Do...

2010-05-07T23:34:00.000-05:00

I've been extremely busy tonight doing some oh-so important writerly things. I felt that it would be in my best interest to search for fun and different blog backgrounds, get lost on the internet for an undetermined length of time, and lastly find more music to add to my playlist. As you can see, all of the above HAD to be done so that I would be more inspired to write.

Pft.

I've been doing what I do best: procrastinating.

Soooooo. Now that I'm doing my writerly duties for inspiration, I am going to go write.

Right now.

Stepping away from the internet.

Opening MS...

and out.

Oh. But before I go, I have to share this video with you. :)

Spread the Awesome: Books That Deserve 10 Stars

2010-05-03T08:00:00.009-05:00

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Goodreads description:
In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them.

Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away.
In Unwind, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award winner Neal Shusterman challenges readers' ideas about life -- not just where life begins, and where it ends, but what it truly means to be alive.

***

I'm not a huge fan of giving away too much about a book. I'm the type that enjoys picking up a book, having no clue what it's about, and devouring it in one sitting.
That would be what Unwind was for me.

I have a soft spot in my heart for dystopian novels, and this one was the definition of what one should look like. Complete with twists and turns and unpredictable on every level, I read this book in record time, trying to figure out what was happening.

The idea of being unwound is fascinating and keeps the plot moving quickly. And a part I will only touch on, but is one of my favorite things so much so that I wish Neal Shusterman would write a book entirely about it, is the Clappers. Brilliant, I'm telling you.

Two of my favorite quotes from Unwind:

"Stupid dreams. Even the good ones are bad, because they remind you how poorly reality measures up."

"Statistically speaking, there's a better chance that some part of me will go on to greatness somewhere in the world. I'd rather be partly great than entirely useless."

This book has also been optioned for film rights, so stay tuned for new developments along those lines.

I want to personally thank Neal Shusterman for inspiring me to write my own dystopian, which is one of my current WIPs. And I want to thank all of you for stopping by to see what an amazing book this is. I'll be holding a contest very soon, giving away a copy of Unwind, so check back soon for those details. (I'm working on trying to get a signed copy for the giveaway, which is why I'm not holding the contest during this post).
Unwind is not the only genius book that Neal Shusterman has written. His website has more information about his other books, three of which I've read and loved, so you should check those out as well.

And kudos to Elana Johnson who set this all up and constantly amazes me with her fabulous ideas at supporting fellow writers/authors. Thanks Elana!
Go check out all the other Awesome Books That Deserve 10 Stars here.

It also appears that I've forgotten to send you over to the next author to find out what book they chose. You can do that on Suzette Saxton's blog! (Sorry Suzette - I promise I try to follow directions, most of the time anyway!)

Epic Post Tomorrow

2010-05-02T17:36:00.002-05:00

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post.

Yeah, yeah, I know I've been MIA, but you see, I have a perfectly reasonable excuse. The thing is, if I told you, I'd have to kill you. And I honestly don't want to go down as a murderer, so where I've been will remain a secret.

Elana Johnson recruited a slew of YA authors to post about their favorite book tomorrow. It's called Spread the Awesome: Books That Deserve 10 Stars.

Tomorrow I will reveal the book I chose to Spread the Awesome with and let me tell you, it is one of my all time FAVE YA books. Plus I will also be announcing an upcoming contest! So even though, I've been on the run and not around recently, you should totally stop by and check out tomorrow's post.

Epic I tell you.

Brain hurts. Must Write.

2010-04-14T15:32:00.002-05:00

This junk in the Texas air is making my brain hurt. Like crazy. It hurts to read. It hurts to look at the computer screen. Heck. It hurts to think.

I want to write. BAD. Instead I'm contemplating drilling a hole in the middle of my head to relieve the pressure.

Done complaining. Promise.

My main reason for this post is because I am trying to find my inner 13 year old boy so that I can bottle him up and use his lingo to get me through writing the rest of Post-It Bandits. I want my writing to be true to a 13 year old boy, but don't want it to be stereo typical or total tween-talk. I hang out with 9-10 every day, so I have first hand access to their langauge, but it's not every day that I hang out with a 13 year old.

That would be oogie if I did. Unless I was their teacher. Then it'd be a different story. Point being, if you are one of those oogie people that hang out with 13 year old boys, or if you teach them or are a parent to them, I need your help. Maybe you used to be a 13 year old boy. Ladies, please refrain from using this as an opportunity to come forth with your past as a man. I don't want to know.

Tell me some of those ticks that they have, how they treat adults, phrases they use all the time, how they spend their spare time (that's not so stereo-typical), and anything else that you can help me out with.

I'm scheduled to go hang out in a 7th grade classroom in the upcoming weeks AND. Cannot. Wait. It is going to be the best thing ever. I Hated middle school. Quite possibly more than high school, which I hated with a passion. I almost feel like giving the students an obligatory messages of:

Middle School Does Not Last Forever.
Sitting At the Cool Table is Not Going to Mean ANYTHING in Ten Years.
Just Because You're An Ugly Duckling Now, Does Not Mean You Will Be Later In Life.
(and the opposite) To Mr. Hotshot: You Will Be Bald and Fat At Your Ten Year HS Reunion.

Anyway, if you have any brilliant nuances of a teenage boy, please enlighten me. I found out the other day that a 13 yo wouldn't say: No biggie.

So any help would be greatly appreciated! Happy Hump Day!

Best. Post. Ever.

2010-04-07T19:26:00.002-05:00

Kristen, my other half, has interviewed me. Yes, you read that correctly. I have been interviewed. My very first interview.

*hushes screaming fans*

You all are going to have to calm down.

*taps foot and sighs*

Okay, okay, people. This is getting ridiculous. Your excitement for this awesomely amazing interview is absurd and I demand you all to get a grip on yourselves.

Thank you.

Basically, I want you to know up front that I heart Kristen, but you also need to be aware that she likes to make stuff up. She's a compulsive liar who eats at least 10 cupcakes a day, so my answers may or may not be entirely true.

There's also the slight possibility that I suck at being interviewed. But not likely. I'm not usually the one with the problem. Everyone else is the problem. Not me.

If you've made it through this ridiculously long and drawn out, pointless post, then I applaud you and reward you with...

Drumroll please...

My Very First Interview.

First Page Blogfest

2010-04-02T07:31:00.003-05:00

Kelly Lyman is hosting the First Page Blogfest! If you haven't signed up already, go...NOW! :)

This is my new first page from the after picture of the reconstructive surgery that my MS is in the process of getting. The MS even has a new name! The lovely ChristaCarol came up with it and I liked it a lot, plus I was needing a more creative title. The new title is Chance and here is the first page from the chapter titled Dead On:

***

The chimes of a door trilled in warning, but it was too late. By the time I looked up I’d already crashed into her. The last thing I saw before getting sucked in was the plastic sack tumbling out of her arms. My heart jumped and the world turned black as the image hit. There was no way to escape the unwanted vision from assaulting my mind.

She was tied up and gagged in a filthy room with grime caked on the walls. A man, wearing all black and a creepy rubber mask, stepped out from the shadows. The girl squirmed and squealed, with her black mascara streaking down her cheeks. Each boot made a loud distinct click on the concrete as he advanced on her. She thrashed around, frantically trying to get out of the rope shackles that clung to her.

Behind his back, gloved hands revealed a wire, taut and ready to be used. She panicked and flailed on the bed. The man moved closer with a low disturbing laugh. With one fluid movement he closed the gap between them, removed the gag, and twisted the rope around her neck. In no time at all, her screaming became gargled and her eyes bulged as she gasped for air. In her last futile attempt to stay alive, she jerked her body back and forth before turning limp; bloodshot eyes – wide, lips – blue.

The vision fizzled and I sucked in my breath, and tried to open my eyes, but couldn’t. The whole world was black and I couldn’t pull myself out and back to reality. My throat was tight, and I couldn’t get enough air to save my life. In the background, I could hear the distant wails of sirens and voices containing the urgency of the situation.

***

That's all folks! And come to think of it, this is the scene that I planned on posting for Anne Riley's Murder Scene Blogfest. Hmmm. Would that be cheating? Hope you enjoyed! :)

CC Was Feeling Neglected

2010-04-01T17:46:00.003-05:00

Since I've been taking my blog-cation, I've been neglecting dear blog. I hope to be back soon, but writing is my focus right now.

Anyway, I just stopped by to say that ChristaCarol is having The Greatest Blog Contest EVAR! She is giving away lots of fantabulous books, so stop by and become a follower if you aren't already. Because she's awesome and she's the first person I blog stalked and even followed to writer's workshop.

Basically, I owe her this. And last night, we were sitting at IHOP after a very succesful read at workshop and she looked rejected that I hadn't stopped by her blog. So, I promised her I'd do this instead of teach today.

As you can see, that didn't happen, but better late than never, right?

Also TinaLynn at Sweet Niblets is holding A Novel In Six Months. It started today...but no fear, you still have time to join. I wrote 1,715 words today. Because I'm an over achiever and the 500 words came so easily. But in a way I think I might be screwing myself because what if my muse does not show up tomorrow? Then what??

And Kelly Lyman is hosting a Blogfest tomorrow, post your first page. A looooooooong time ago I posted my first chapter. Well that along with 5,000 other words have been cut from the original novel, because, well, it sucked. So stop by to see the sparkling, new version of page 1. :)

Build Your Own Book Boyfriend

2010-03-29T18:58:00.012-05:00

THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED POST OF THE MONTH - EPIC! (More so because I FINALLY did it!

Jen at Unedited passed this on to me - uh - a while ago. And I've been researching that entire time. Yes! That's why it has taken me so long. Mmmhmmm...

From the Gutter Girls: We all have our favourite book boyfriends and now you have the chance to create one just for yourself and your fantasies! How do you play? Fill out the quiz bellow, post a picture of sexy man and tag five (5) other book addicts to do the same. Don't forget to pop to their blogs as let them know they have been tagged! Once tagged... you have do do the same, grab the button, answer the questions, and keep it rolling! But don't forget the picture of the sexy man! It doesn't have to match your fantasy man, just a little eye candy for the rest of us... heheheee!

1- Hair color and style – Dark hair of any kind. There can be minimal hair – or the bouffant. Whatever works…I have no major preferences.

2 - Eye color and facial features – Green/Blue anything light colored. I have a fascination with those light eyes I can fall into... Love strong jaw lines and chiseled face. Look at these *wipes drool*

3 - Height and body type – Tall and built – not too muscular – not too lean. Hmmm…how about one of these:

4 - Visible age – Okay, so it kind of freaks me out when they look to young, so I’m going with the 5 year rule, plus or minus: 25-33ish would work. But in the case of certain individuals that do not fit in that age range, I will not discrimate…Just sayin’

5 - Human or other – Human. I don’t know why but other makes me think of aliens. Well, he has to be at least partially human. That’d be preferable. For sure…
6 - Paranormal skills – Ya know, I’m thinking it would be great for him to have that crazy paranormal skill of picking up after himself. Nah- that’s probably too far fetched. So, how about he just reads my mind – but only when I want him to…
7 - Interests – I’m thinking he needs to have some Twilight Edward interests. You know, like be well versed in literature, music, art. And of course I should be his number one interest.

8 - Habitat – I’m pretty fond of Earth. But I’m pretty flexible with things like this. If he wants to live somewhere un-earthly, then I’m sure I could manage.

9 - Special skills – Hmmm…the ability to keep me happy at all times. That would be great. Always say the right thing. Look good at all times (wouldn’t be hard to do for these gents…) and OH! He should cook for me! Yes!!! That’s it!

Wow. That was great fun. I should do this more often.

Now to the five blogs to pass it on to. Since I've been Blogger Neglectful recently, I don't know who has and hasn't already done this, and there's probably been tons of you! So, I will pass it on to the 2 that I know haven't done it and then anyone else who wants to hotty search, then take this and run with it. :)

Kristen - Take It As It Comes

ChristaCarol- Shine On

Impromptu Hiatus

2010-03-26T23:29:00.003-05:00

Guys! My muse is back!!

*does a little dance*

Hence the blog hiatus. I opened up my GoogleReader and saw there were 342 new blog posts. *Gulp* I think I'll peruse. Do a little stalking. Not a whole lot of commenting. I apologize in advance, but I can't deny the muse. She was missing for so long.

I've been writing like a mad woman, trying to prepare for the DFW Writer's Conference in 2 weeks.I have done total body liposuction and reconstructive surgery on my baby with a ridiculous amount of help from the most awesome critter ever: Kristen Yard. She's a genius. And her writing is amazing. You must check her out if you haven't already.

The changes are hard to swallow at first. And I still struggle with the fixing the scenes that are affected, but it is worth it in the end. I want my MS to be as sparkly as Edward in the sunlight. :)

Speaking of Edward. I still have not posted my Build-Your-Own Book Boyfriend. This will be the most epic post considering I've been searching for a week for the hottest men on this planet.

Bring a napkin to wipe the drool from your mouth.

Even though I've been MIA from the blog scene, I can't seem to stay away from Twitter. I'm officially Twitterdicted. Thankyouverymuch ChristaCarol. So, if you don't see me hanging around here, I'm definitely allowing my ADD to take over on that.

Don't forget: Epic Boook Boyfriend post. This weekend. For real. Here's a teaser for you to prepare yourself:

Useless

2010-03-19T10:24:00.003-05:00

I've been a fairly useless blogger recently. Sorry bout that. It is for good reasons! I'm no longer whining and crying over the fact that the Word document is blank. There are words again!! So, I've been focusing on that and I have to say I am pretty pleased with the transformation taking place in both of my WIPs.

Kristen, my awesome-I-think-we-were-separated-at-birth critter, sent me this GREAT video. I love me some Twilight, but I died from terrible fits of laughter watching this video. You should enjoy it! (Buffy meets Edward!)

Also, keeps your eyes peeled for my perfect book boyfriend. Jen at Unedited tagged me to play along, and well, I have never been so excited about building my perfect guy!! :)

Happy Friday!

PG Love Scene Blogfest

2010-03-14T11:46:00.002-05:00

So basically, I'm an idiot. I'll just fess up to that right now. I didn't read the directions for this blogfest correctly. I definitely wouldn't have signed up for it had I know what I was supposed to do (sorry guys). When I saw that it had to be MG, I didn't read much further and just assumed that we were talking MG. I know my MG. And I can guarantee you that there is no way that there'd be a llluuuurrrvvveee scene for ages 9-14 to read. *shrugs* I even talked my fabulous crit partner into writing one, of course giving her the wrong impression. Sorry Kristen!! Forgive me!!

So now that I've confessed what an idiot I am, I'm going to break the rules, cause I'm a rebel like that, and post what I thought I was supposed to do. This is a PG MG Kiss Scene from The Post-It Bandits. There is no llluuuurrrvvveee going on here...

***

Cam was hamming it up with the guys when he noticed Jordan leaning up against the lockers, motioning for him to come over. One lone finger beckoned him. He decided it’d be best to ignore her. He was finally in good with the guys; he had no desire for her to ruin that.

However, Jordan wasn’t willing to back down, so she stalked over to the group and stood firm in her demand.

“We need to talk,” Jordan hissed.

Her voice was the exact opposite of calm and quiet. The guys started laughing, slapping Cam on the back.

“Cam’s the man!” someone shouted from behind him.

Jordan rolled her eyes.

“I’m a little busy here. Maybe we can meet up later.” Right as the words escaped Cam’s mouth; he wished he could take them back. She’d never hurt a fly and there he was acting like a complete jerk all in the name of coolness.

So when she grabbed Cam by the collar and dragged him outside, he didn’t protest much.

They stood facing each other, in a standoff. Cam became defensive immediately. He’d been jumpy and on guard since the first break in. Even so, this confrontation was long past due.

“What’s the big deal?” Cam asked, even though he knew exactly what she had yanked him out here for.

“I know that being a part of the brainless Apes over there is a dream come true for you. So congratulations.”

Cam folded his arms across his chest. What was that supposed to mean?

Jordan continued, “Blowing me off is one thing, but it’s a whole different story when I start hearing rumors of what you’ve been doing with the Apes. Or for them, is more like it.” She arched an eyebrow.

Cam’s heart sped up, but he quickly retorted. “You’re just jealous.”

“Oh. That’s bull and you know it.”

Cam unfolded his arms and picked at the skin around his fingernails, but Jordan didn’t change her stance. Her hands were on her hips, determined to get an answer out of him.

She squinted her eyes at him and heaved a deep sigh. Her shoulders dropped and she softened when he was unable to meet her eyes. “You’re better than that, Cam. They’re just using you.”

Her words stung, because he knew deep down that they were true.

Cam met her eyes and the weirdest thing happened. Suddenly he wasn’t looking at ex best friend Jordan, the tomboy he’d grown up with. She was a girl – a pretty one at that, who was standing before him with all the genuine concern in the world.

The Karate Kid practiced a slew of martial arts kicks inside his stomach and his palms began to sweat. Never in a million years did he expect to look at her in any form other than the kid he made mud pies with on rainy days. And yet, there he was struck dumb by the strange new feelings stirring inside of him.

Jordan must have recognized the wordless transition, because she narrowed her eyebrows at him. It was her turn to play dumb. “What?”

Before he could think through what he was about to do, he leaned over and kissed her. Jordan’s face turned bright red as she stumbled back. “Whoa.”

No words could process correctly in his brain and so he just repeated her. “Whoa.”
They stood in an awkward I-can’t-believe-we-just-kissed silence.

PG Love Scene Blogfest

2010-03-14T11:39:00.002-05:00

This is K3 with a boy she attacked at a wedding over the summer. They did kiss, but somehow we missed snapping that priceless moment.

Anyway, Simon Larter is hosting the first ever PG Love Scene Blogfest!! I can feel a whole lot of awkward moments coming on. I cannot, I repeat, cannot, wait to read these! So get cracking and go sign up on his blog. Channel middle school hormones and whip out a scene. Stop by tomorrow to see my scene from later on in my current WIP, The Post-It Bandits.

Self Doubt

2010-03-12T21:19:00.003-06:00

Damn the dreaded self doubt. It has crept its way into my inner being putting a MAJOR block on all creativeness. I look back on the way my first MS got under way, when I had no clue as to what I was doing, yet the words flowed from the deep recesses of my brain and heart, and my muse had no concept of appropriate times to bombard me with ideas, words, and conversations.

When I started writing VISIONS, it was a pipe dream. It was my first attempt to writing a book. A real book. My husband thought I was crazy (which is partly true), friends and family were like, "Oh, that's so nice - a hobby...", and even though I was DEAD serious about it, I was clueless about the process. About the agents and the proper way to write a hook and how you shouldn't have a prologue. Don't even get me started on how blind I was to queries. I wrote because the story spoke to me. It came effortless. And even though I felt like a zombie pushing through 8 hour workdays and 3 hours sleep, living on nothing but words, I loved the feeling.

Finishing it was bittersweet. And up to that point, I had only had my two personal cheerleaders urging me to keep going and filling me with a sense of accomplishment to have gotten as far as I had. I revised and edited countless times, all on my own, because I was ignorant to the publishing world. I had no idea how to find a critique partner. Where to go for help.

Now, that I am fully immersed into the blogging world and I have found an amazing support system, I've written my query, have devoted critique partners, and I'm a part of a tight knit writing community with DFW Writer's Workshop, I am strangely in a dark place. It makes no sense. But the only way that I can describe it is as Rebecca Stead puts it in the book When You Reach Me. She writes on the topic of lifting, for a moment, the "veil" that generally hides from us "the world as it really is," in all its "beauty, and cruelty, and sadness, and love" (p. 71).

I love this. Because it's so true. The veil was thick on my face, covering my eyes, when I was clueless to the "real" writing world. I wasn't concerned about anything but getting the words down. And they came so naturally and easily.

The blogging world, in all it's fabulous, has lifted a corner of my veil. The agents blogs, the harsh reality of what it is truly like to be a writer, and the holes/major problems in my story are all a part of what it looks like to have my veil lifted.

And while I'm glad to not be naive about the publishing world, I yearn for that deep desire and urgency to write the words that used to be so freely available in my mind -that are now caged by the dos and don'ts that are apparent every where I turn.

The self doubt is taking over, creating a sickening black hole inside me. As excited as I was about making it through the first round of ABNA, I have resolved with myself that I need to be happy with just that because there is A LOT of work that needs to be done on my MS. And it's not just day surgery. It looks like it might need some major reconstructive surgery.

In order to do that, though, I might need to put a thin veil back over my eyes, tune out all of the advice swarming in my brain, and JUST WRITE.

Thankfully, Tina Lynn at Sweet Niblets is crackin' the whip and has offered up a challenge. I am a competetive person by nature, and so when someone says challenge, I'm there. Five hundred words a day. I am doing it. With my veil on - opaque, maybe, instead of my heavy, velvet one I wore before. If you're needing someone to light a fire under your ars, then she might be the person to keep you lit. :)

2010-03-11T20:56:00.005-06:00

I got some sad news that my PapPap (Grandpa)passed away yesterday and I've been trying to process through it. You know when you feel like someone is always going to be there and then the one day when they're not anymore, it's a bit of a blow. And then everything you never said or didn't do is stuck on replay in your mind. I'm not able to go to the funeral either, which I'm struggling with. My dad told me that he would tell us to be smart and save our money and not worry over him, but still, I really wanted to be there.

Tough times like these remind me that you only have one family and you never know when your last moment will be spent with them. Cherish every minute you have with the ones you love.

"When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure." - Author Unknown

In other news T minus 1 day until Spring Break officially starts. I actually got an extra day off today after K3 had a fever and was sent home from school on Wednesday afternoon. So today was spent cleaning and disinfecting the house. No germs are allowed to invade my spring break. Or my muse. K3 wasn't completely sick-free, but she had a happy day being an only child for the day! I've decided that I need to do that with each of my kiddos once a month: take them on a one on one date somewhere and spend some more quality time with them. I think they'd really benefit from it, not to mention how good it would be for me.

I've gotten some fabulous awards (in which we all know I like to hoard) from some fabulous fellow writers/bloggers. It's crazy to think that I started blogging only a month ago and how I find all of you to be such close friends on this wild, beautiful, and at times frustrating journey in writing. Thanks for that! (Okay, I'm going to stop being sentimental now, and get on with this!)

Jade at Chasing Empty Pavements gave me this award! Thanks and YOU and your blog are beautiful too! :)

There are some rules that go along with this - post 7 things about me-, but I'm going to cheat, because I never did enough of that in school and I feel that it's good to cheat and change the rules every once in a while. (Disclaimer: If you are or were a previous student of mine and you happen to stumble across this blog, please disregard the previous statement.)
I'm just going to pass it on to some beautiful bloggers!

Anissa Off the Record because I love her blog!
Kristen at Take It As It Comes for being my twin separated at birth and found only a month ago (really?!?)
ChristaCarol for being so welcoming and helpful in this world of writing.
and
Gavin at Insanity's Musings for his beyond beautiful writing that leaves me speechless most times.

I also received this wonderful award from none other than The DL Hammons over at Cruising Altitude. I love reading his posts, and if you haven't checked his blog out, you must!

I will pass this one on to:

Justine Dell
Sarahjayne Smythe at Writing in the Wilderness
See Merissa Write
Crystal Cook at write because you must

Muse is MIA - If Found, Please Return

2010-03-09T20:32:00.004-06:00

My mind is blank. So is my blogger post. And my Word Document. BLECH!

On a brighter note, Spring Break is only THREE days away. I. Can. Make. It.

Hopefully my muse will return to me from the Muse Gone Wild side and allow me to WRITE! :)

Contests...

2010-03-06T10:54:00.006-06:00

It's Monday. It's raining. And, I don't have much to offer you on my front. So instead I will direct you where you SHOULD go! :)

1. Dear Lucky Agent Contest
If you have a completed YA or adult paranormal or urban fantasy, you can submit your first 250 words of your ms! Joanna Stampfel-Volpe is the judge! You have until March 14 to enter! Good luck!

2. Elana Johnson has 700 followers. Dude? Really? How? Probably cuz she's the greatest thing since sliced bread! And she's doing a contest, giving away 7 books!! Yay! Go check it out!

3. Suzette Saxton and Bethany Wiggins over at Shooting Stars are having a contest because they've reached 500 (wow!) followers, where Suzie Townsend, literary agent extraordinaire with FinePrintLit, has consented to give to the grand prize winner a 40-page partial submission PLUS a critique of those pages! On top of that they have other great prizes!! We all know how invaluable that one is! Contest ends on March 14th!

4. Matt over at Pensive Sarcasm is hosting a 99 followers contest! It ends today! Go and become a follower!

5. Guinevere at This Is Not My Day Job is having a followers contest as well!! Hers ends on March 13th! Hurry over!

6. Victoria Schwab is having a contest to win the newly released Hex Hall! Check out her video from YA Rebel:

I Work In the Ghetto??

2010-03-04T20:41:00.005-06:00

The crazy people of Texas have some strange rules when it comes to the state testing better known as TAKS. It starts with covering every wall with butcher paper, covering bookshelves, turning textbooks to face pages out in the cubbies, and removing the globe from the classroom (just in case they put on their binoculars and decide to write about Turkmenistan on their personal narrative). *rolls eyes*

On the actual day of The Test I am stuck "actively monitoring" the students which consists of walking around the room the entire day. No eating, no computer, no Iphone (which is normally attached to me at all times), NO NOTHING. Why bother breathing?

Anyway, a good way to describe this test is this picture, that I stole of off my friend's blog. (One of her students drew this.)

HeeHee! Torture All Keller Students!! Kids are so darn creative!

Oddly enough, after the test was over, three police cars, and ambulance, and a fire truck show up at our school parking lot. What now? Oh, no biggie, just a stabbing out in the playground. Oh. What's that? The stabber's on the loose? Fantastic! Cue helicopter.

Okay really? Walking into my classroom with a shattered window and my cute red and black containter with Post-It Notes inside stolen sucks, but not classified as working in the hood. Second break-in with LOTS stolen: I must work in a thuggish area. Stabbing? When did my school become a part of the ghetto?

It's no joke that I put my life on the line going to work every day to teach the future of America. I should get an award or something. Or at least a bullet proof vest. Because who knows what might happen next...

Confession

2010-03-04T19:34:00.012-06:00

Dear Fellow Bloggers/Followers (followers-hehehe - maybe bloggollowers?),

I have a confession. I am cheating on you. You may (or may not) have noticed that I've not been around as often as I was last month. It's because I found a new obsession. Four words: Blue Cherry Frozen Yogurt. I've been known to follow cycles of obsessive behaviors which include but is not limited to reading, writing, blogging, and twittering (?) obsessively and now I must add to the list: eating at the frozen yogurt joint that just opened up and that I can see from my house. Its pink and blue neon lights seem to be flashing, "Tiffany! Come eat me!" every single day.

This new obsession has a wall of scrumptious frozen yogurt flavors complete with pull handle levers that I've thought about sticking my head under numerous times, but have refrained from doing so for fear of being escorted and blacklisted, never being allowed to enter the establishment again.

After filling your bowl to your heart's desire full of scrumptious frozen yogurts, there is a bar overflowing with fresh fruits (which I would never dare include on this "healthy" indulgence) and candies galore.

When I say that this is The Best Place Ever. I'm not kidding. At all.

Um. I do not know this guy. I googled person eating frozen yogurt and this picture along with many other interesting ones came up. Most of which appeared to have NOTHING to do with eating frozen yogurt. But I felt this guy did a great job of portraying how yummy the stuff really is. He just looks so happy about eating his fro-yo. Is it weird that I have a random guy on my blog? Probably so. It would be even weirder if he came across it by accident. (Oh no, I just started rambling...)

Well, I'm glad I had the chance to share. Thank you for allowing me to get that off my chest. Excuse me while I go peer out the window to the frozen yogurt sign luring me over.

Blog Bum

2010-03-01T14:06:00.003-06:00

I've been a bit of a Blog Bum. I wish I had an excuse. But I don't.

Last week, I talked to one of the teacher's at K3's school. (K3 just turned 2 for your reference)They told me about how one of her friends in class got in trouble and had to go to time out.

K3 being the motherly figure that she is, walked over to him with her eyebrows furrowed, pointed in his face, and proceeded to say (waggling finger and all),"How sad Mark Jones. How sad, FOR YOU!"

Now, the teachers thought it was quite funny. But I left the daycare wondering why she would say that. I mean, she must have heard it from somewhere. Don't get me wrong. It was hysterical that she was saying such sophisticated things at the age of two, but who did she hear it from?

I told a few of the teachers at work, which they of course laughed as well, and I finished the conversation up with, "But I don't know where she gets that from. I don't say that..."

Famous last words. Over the course of the next three days, either I caught myself or one of my fabulous teacher friends would point out for me that I was saying THOSE. EXACT. SAME. WORDS.

Hmmmm...

Now, I hear myself saying it before it ever leaves my mouth.

Which brings me to my point. Yes. There is a point.

Even after editing my work a trillion times over, my CP's still find overuse of certain words or phrases, using passive voice instead of active, or *GASP* those pesky adverbs. (Does anyone else find those adverbs to be some form of leech? Or like the old witch trying to feed you the poisonous apple? It just happens. I don't know how.)

It's like I'm blind to my own work. I sure am quick, however, to find them in someone else's work. I pull off my writer's vest and underneath is my Superhuman Grammar Woman onsie, complete with spandex and a cape. I don't why know this is so interesting to me. Am I blind when I am being creative, maybe?

Do you guys have the same problem? Are you an open adverb user, or a closet adverb user?? Do your CPs find all of your blantant stupid mistakes that make you want to slam your fist up against your forehead and say, "I really do sort of know what I'm doing. I promise...)

YAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!

2010-02-25T18:19:00.004-06:00

So, I have to scream for a minute!!!!!! I made it to the top 1,000 for the Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award! They cut 4,000 entries to get to this first round...

The crazy thing is that I totally forgot about the contest. Totally! I've been so wrapped up in work and a bazillion other things that I didn't even ONCE think about it today, or the past few days to be honest.

And then ChristaCarol emailed me saying, "Congrats," and I was like, "What, Huh??" and then I was like WWWWHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOO HHHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Okay, I'm gonna stop now. Because this post makes no sense! Did anyone else make it!! Let's celebrate together!!

Next round will announce the top 250 on March 23rd. I can only hope to forget about it and be surprised again that day!! :))

Defining Success

2010-02-25T11:34:00.003-06:00

Writing is not just what I do in my spare time. It's what I do for a living. My job is to teach my 4th graders how to write, which at times can be an extremely difficult thing to do. Next week my students will be taking a standardized test in which they will have to write a personal narrative to a specific prompt that they are given. The week before the test is ALWAYS a disheartening one. The students suddenly turn into zombies and look at me like I am Charlie Brown's teacher speaking to them. "Wah. Wah. Wah." My heart drops and I am ready to raise the white flag, grab a shovel, and dig my grave. I've taught them everything they need to know, yet this week's stress level is too immense for some of them.

We practiced a prompt this week that was: "Write a composition about a time you found something." The responses I recieved were painful.

I do have to say though, that there are times that I feel on top of the world and like the most successful teacher in the world. This is when I receive paragraphs like this on my desk:

Letting my face fall into my pillow, I sighed deeply. My sister gave me a look and then suggested that we go for a walk. We stepped out the front door and watched sprinklers spin as they spat out water. We listened to the birds chirp their songs, their feet clenched around the branches. As the sunshine and cool breeze hit me, I found a happiness inside of me.

See how this is brilliant? A nine year old wrote this! I am proud to be this student's writing teacher in this moment.

However, my success isn't just defined by the gold mine paragraphs that I receive only every so often. They are also defined by the moments where I wonder if I've spoken a different language all year long. Yesterday was one of those days that my students forgot capitalization, punctuation, sentence structure...basically everything. And not just a handful of students. ALL of them!

I had a long "speech" with them about how I was dissapointed in them and how I expected so much more from them. They left my class quiet and I secretly hoped that they were disappointed in themselves as well. Of course, I couldn't know how my speech affected them, even though I would have given anything to jump inside their thoughts for a few minutes. Undoubtedly, they were probably hearing another language, Charlie Brown's teacher, or most likely even thinking about what they were going to be doing after school. Certainly they wouldn't have given much thought to what I said, because most days, they dont. At least I felt better about getting it off of my chest.

That is, until I recieved this on my desk today.

Dear Mrs. Neal,
The story I am going to write on the test day is the Rollercoaster story, and I also apologize for being so dumb that I can't figure out what story I'm supposed to right. Every school morning, I take brain pills, but it looks like there not doing it. So what I'll do is talk to my mom about it so we can work this out.
Sincerely,
Name redacted

And this, my friends, is why I love my job. Aside from the misspelled words here and there (write, ironically misspelled only once), this student's opening, closing, correct comma usage, and word choice had me in tears.

Short and Sweet

2010-02-23T19:18:00.004-06:00

I'm still laughing over this coversation I had with K1 the other day on the way to school.

K1: Quit driving like a maniac. I can't draw when you drive too fast.
Me: Zip it. We're late. What're ya drawing?
K1: Mrs. Mickey
Me: You mean Minnie Mouse?
K1: Uh. Nooo. Mickey's mom. Duh.
Me: Are you drawing Mr. Mickey too? You know - Mickey's dad??
K1: No. He's dead.
Me: Oh?
K1: Yeah. It was a bloody death.
Me: Um. That's a little morbid.
K1: He was in a circus performance when a lion got angry with him and ate him. All in one bite.
Me: Hmmm...
K1: But, it's all good cause the other lions loved Mr. Mickey, so they ate the horrible lion who ate Mr. Mickey.

Right. I'm left speechless still. Kids say the darndest things...uh...yeah.

WHOOPS Blogfest!!

2010-02-22T13:34:00.003-06:00

Okay, so I'm a little late. But that's totally my style. Better late than never though right? Laurel hosted this great blogfest and I had planned on this scene from my new WIP, but it's not completely polished. Hope you enjoy...

By the time lunch rolled around, hearing his nickname didn’t seem like the worst thing ever. A zero in Language Arts class was much worse. The wrath of his mom would out-do Bree Meyers any day.

Cam grabbed his lunch tray and walked toward his table. A tap on his shoulder stopped him in his tracks and he turned around.

“Oh. Um. Hey.” Cam stuttered, desperately trying not to look directly into her face.

Bree flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder and raised her eyebrows while an amused smile played on her lips.“Listen, Cam. So, I guess I kind of overreacted yesterday. I just wanted to call a truce. Listening to everyone call you Broccoli Spewer is painful enough for your ego.”

She reached out her hand as Cam fumbled with his lunch tray and tried to not freak out over the fact that he was touching Bree Meyers. The Bree Meyers.

Cam couldn’t believe his ears. She had called him by his first name. She remembered his name! She was touching him! He was touching her. Oh, and most importantly she was calling a truce. Things couldn’t get much better.

“Whatever. Don’t look too pleased with yourself, or I might just take it back.”

Turning around, Cam felt like a prize rooster, as he strut his stuff over to the lunch table, when Bree called his name again. The moment was in slow motion, like straight from a movie. Cam turned his torso around to see the smug look on Bree’s face right before an entire tray of spaghetti with red meat sauce slammed into his face.

And then a flash. A camera flash. Shocked and confused, his mouth fell open as the heat of embarrassment rushed his face. Cam felt like crawling into a hole and dying. The only reason he was thankful for the red sauce was for the fact that it was hiding the color of his cheeks, which probably matched the sauce perfectly.

Laughter erupted. Every eyeball was on Cam, basking in his mortification.

“Oh. You didn’t think you were going to get off that easily, did you?” Bree asked as a lone noodle slipped down Cam’s face, falling into his shirt.

In two days he had managed to be attacked by two different types of cafeteria food.

He couldn’t decide which was worse. This one was documented and would be forever remembered in history with a photo to back it up. Spaghetti in face was definitely worse.

Cam stood motionless, unsure of the best way to rectify this situation as Bree sauntered off to her table. Jordan and Bryan jumped up from the table and ran over to help. It was surprising to Cam that they would even claim him in a moment like this.

Deciding to dodge the stares of the onlookers all around him, he took a small step toward the exit of the cafeteria. Bad idea. The sauce was as slippery as baby oil. One step into the mess was all it took to send his foot flying up into the air and his body to eat cafeteria floor. The sting of slamming into concrete was painful, but the sting of the uproarious laughter was worse.

As he lay on the floor staring up at the ceiling, he wondered if he could revert back to his toddler days when closing his eyes tightly would mean he was invisible. He closed his eyes tightly. Hoping. Wishing. Dreaming. Praying.

He slowly opened one eye to peek out, but no such luck. Jordan and Bryan were standing over top of him and the laughing still had not stopped. Insta-mortification. Bree style.

Might as well forget those high hopes of ever becoming Mr. Popular.

TRUTHS

2010-02-21T21:37:00.004-06:00

So, my house is clean. Like, clean clean. I thought it would be funny to share some interesting things I found in the playroom that I almost got lost in today.

1 piece of chewed bubble gum (bubble gum machine in playroom = not a good idea)
2 right shoes (Hmmm...)
7 socks (none were matching)
1 sippy cup (Gross - thrown away now)
12 oh-my-goodness-that's-my-most-favorite-toy-and-where-have-you-beens
1 favorite bracelet of mine
2 dead spiders (that I proceeded threaten my children with, "If you don't keep your playroom clean, look who comes to visit!!")
9 capless markers (WHY CAN'T YOU PUT THE DANG CAPS BACK ON??)
AND K3 was found in the rubble.

So, my muse, my beautiful and inspiring muse should be back, right? WRONG! She's off gallivanting around with another lover on an island sipping on pina coladas, while I'm stuck here smashing my head against the keyboard. Not cool.

While I wait for her, I guess I should reveal the true answers from my post yesterday. I really enjoyed getting to see what people thought were truths from my bald faced liar, ahem, creative award. Here they are again along with the story behind each. Even the lies have stories!!

1. I have sidonglobophobia. Look it up.
Not true. I was actually trying to find a phobia related to toilets, well, because who doesn't like toilet humor. But, no, I am not afraid of cotton balls. That's just weird. Now, if you came at me with a q-tip, that'd be a different story...
I also have to say that it's so great that DL pointed out that if you google sidonglobophobia my blog shows up. :)

2. I threatened to take K1 to live with another family, packed her bags, and even drove her to her new family's house.
Um. Yeah. So, I did. Call child protective services on me. But, in my defense, she told me that she didn't like her family and she wished she had a different one. It was hard not smiling as we all packed up in the car and I drove to a not-so-nice neighborhood down the road, all the while telling her how her "new" family had rats and spiders all over their house. It was classic when I saw a man mowing his front yard with a HUGE mask covering his face, and I knew IT was the house. K1 begged to come home. :) EVIL mommy.

3. I've been hit by a car while running.
Not true. But, plenty of my cross country friends in high school were. Who knew cross country runners put their lives in danger every time they'd go for a run?

4. I showed up late to a final exam and ended up falling down an entire flight of stairs in a lecture hall.
TRUTH. Yeah, well without going into back story (since everyone hates back story) I woke up on my bathroom floor with the ink from the back of my hand stained onto my cheek at the time that my final exam was starting. Without brushing my teeth, washing the stamp of my face, or even trying to look among the living, I drove straight to campus. Of course it was my only class in a lecture hall. I burst through the doors 20 minutes after the test started, and if that didn't get me enough attention, I proceeded to fall down the entire flight of stairs. Tumbling, twisting, and bumping down each and every step, the mangled mess of myself lay at the bottom of the stairs. All 300 eyeballs stared. And then two more eyeballs, belonging to my professor, came over to the edge of the stage and decided to mortify me that much more. "Nice of you to show up today." If I could have slithered into a nearby seat, I would have, but I couldn't move. Not out of sheer embarrassment, but because I swore my leg was broken. Some way-to-nice guy picked me up off the floor (probably gagging from the stench emitting from my pores and mouth) and placed me in a chair. I took the test, but by the time I was finished, my leg was throbbing so bad, I couldn't even walk out to my car. Needless to say, I had sprained my ankle. Embarrassing moment #216.

5. I once forgot that I had K2 with me and didn't drop her off at daycare and didn't realize it until I pulled up to work.
This almost happened. I realized it after I had just passed her daycare a minute before and she sneezed. Thank God she sneezed. And at least I didn't make it all the way to work.

6. One time, I accidentally put my car in reverse at a toll booth and ran into the car behind me. It was my husband.
HA! I didn't do this, but a friend of mine did. She even took off afterwards, leaving the toll booth attendant in shock!

7. I skipped a grade and graduated a year early from high school.
I'm no Doogie Howser peeps.

Hope you enjoyed my creativity... :)
Tomorrow, I'll be posting my WHOOPS! blogfest entry that Laurel has set up. Join in the fun times!!

Linger Giveaway Ends Tonight!!

2010-02-21T16:59:00.000-06:00

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.

Comes out in stores everywhere July 20th. Pre-order here.

Enter to win an advanced review copies of LINGER, Sisters Red, The Dead-Tossed Waves, and The Replacement on Maggie's blog.

Muse? Where are You? Come Back to ME!!!

2010-02-20T10:00:00.003-06:00

Temporary hiatus is due to the fact that my muse has been taken captive by the chaos, clutter, and disorganization in my home. My house is demanding the painful ransom of...dreaded cleaning. It's a mess. The playroom could totally swallow a small child and it would take rescue teams days to find that child. Wait. Where's K3? Damn. I've lost her in the rubble.

Have you ever just wanted to take a giant vacuum and get rid of EVERYTHING and start over new? Um, not so much? Well, that's where I am right now. Since I don't have a house-sized vacuum, I'm thinking of the evil pleasure I will receive when I take a huge black trash bag and start chucking things that aren't put away where they belong. *Rubs hands together* Diabolical. Before I go digging through the aftermath of some hard core playing in the playroom to find my youngest child, I MUST post these awards.

Let me preface with this: I suck at awards. Now that I got that off my chest, I will bore you with the awards that I have once again stashed up. I'm beginning to think I might have a problem and I may need to appear on Oprah's couch and confess my hoarding tendencies. Maybe while I'm there I can ask her if I can have my book that isn't even published yet on her Oprah's Book Club List. That ought to get things jump started for me...

*WARNING: I have been known to ramble about things that are not true nor will ever happen. You've entered this blog at you're own risk; consider yourselves warned.*

Okay, so, I got this award from Christi at A Torch in the Tempest because she feels like since there is some sort of award conspiracy set up against her, she should continue the conspiracy by sending them my way. You should send any more awards you'd like to give away, straight to her. ;)

I don't know what I'm supposed to do with award. So I'll pass it along to these great blogs because I love to read their blogs and so should you:
1. Elana Johnson
2. Melissa at Chasing the Dream
3. Jen at Unedited
4. Courtney Reese

I got this next fantabulous award from Kristen over at Take It As It Comes. She is so brave as to take me on as a critter partner and I have to say that her writing is AMAZING. Plus she told a very interesting tidbit about herself that involved her being pregnant, a fire, and a burned baby on her blog post the other day. HI-larious. Go check out her blog! NOW!

10 things that make me happy (in no apparent order):
1. Coffee
2. Chocolate
3. Sleeping in (HA!)
4. My children, when they're not fighting
5. My husband, when he picks up his crap
6. A whole day to write -Or-
7. A whole day to read (HA! again)
8. A clean and organized house
9. Food. I am always hungry.
10. Tin Roof ice cream. See?
(I'm beginning to feel like this award is making me aware of why I'm not as happy as I should be...)
And I'm passing this award on to:
1. Rebecca Lynn at New Kid on Writer's Block
2. Summer at ...And This Time, Concentrate!
3. Nicole Ducleroir at One Significant Moment at a Time

I was also awarded this ~~bald faced liar~~ creative award by Courtney Reese because of how brilliantly imaginative I am, I'm assuming. It would have nothing to do with the fact that I pride myself on my ability to make stuff up. Nope. Not at all. Her blog is greatness AND she was even the creator of the last HUGE blog fest that went down on V-day. Go check her out if you haven't already!

This award requires some of my mad creative skills.
Here are the rules:
1. Thank the person who gave this to you.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you.
4. Tell up to six outrageous lies about yourself, and at least one outrageous truth.
5. Nominate seven “Creative Writers” who might have fun coming up with outrageous lies.
6. Post links to the seven blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know you nominated them.

Courtney's twist that I decided to steal: Rather than go easy on you and only have 1 truth, I’ve changed the rules a bit. So, here are your 5 lies and 2 truths. Which is which? You’ll find out on my next post. Hopefully by then, my house will be an organizational heaven again and my muse will be back and ready to write.

1. I have sidonglobophobia. Look it up.
2. I threatened to take K1 to live with another family, packed her bags, and even drove her to her new family's house.
3. I've been hit by a car while running.
4. I showed up late to a final exam and ended up falling down an entire flight of stairs in a lecture hall.
5. I once forgot that I had K2 with me and didn't drop her off at daycare and didn't realize it until I pulled up to work.
6. One time, I accidentally put my car in reverse at a toll booth and ran into the car behind me. It was my husband.
7. I skipped a grade and graduated a year early from high school.

This award is now being passed on to:
1. Christi at A Torch in the Tempest
2. Kristen at Take it As it Comes
3. ChristaCarol Jones
4. The Life We Love
5. Tina Lynn at Sweet Niblets
6. Kimberly Franklin
7. Gavin at Insanity's Musings

To all of you award getters, sorry if you've already gotten the award - my eyes are bleeding trying to look through all the blogs to figure out who to give these to. Not to mention my fingers are cramping from not only typing this but linking everything. I need to go take a break. Oh wait. Gotta clean. Peace out.

Things

2010-02-17T21:00:00.005-06:00

1. Got my first rejection. Wah. Wah. Wahhh... Oh well. At least my first rejection is over.

2. Contests: Two very huge and spectacular contests are taking place. (Wait. Now that I did this by numbers, my outline needs to move to letters. Hmmm. Should rethink this. But no.)

A. Elana Johnson is having a Pay It Forward Query Critique Contest. If you are writing your query, or you are like me and you have re-written it from scratch 19 times, then this is for you! Go check it out!!

B. Maggie Stiefvater's Linger Giveaway Contest - CANNOT wait for this book to come out!! Could possibly die before I get to read it. (Well, maybe not, but...)

3. I'm on Twitter. I don't know what that means. So much so that when I first started to post this the original sentence said and I quote, "I'm on Tweeter."
I do know that my little doohickey is #tiffanyaneal
And bear with me peeps. I am not technology stupid, but my blog is only a few weeks old, and moving to Twitter is a monumental leap.

*I interrupt this very important blog message with an update. ChristaCarol Jones is the one who MADE me join this, err, I mean suggested it would be a great networking tool. And as she just pointed out to me, it is not a number sign it is the at sign. See how much I know?? @tiffanyaneal (GEEZ)*

4. I've written the first chapter of my new MS...it is a middle grade written in 3rd person POV and my MC is a thirteen year old boy. *Channeling my inner 13 year old boy* Um. Wait. That's not possible. So, if any of you have inner 13 year old boys in you please send those vibes my way. Thanks in advance.

So, yeah, that's about all I got. I shall leave you with a teaser from the masterpiece better known as The Post-It Bandits (read here if you want to know how I got the story idea), the (semi) finished Chapter 1: Stupid Killer Broccoli. This is VERY new, so I am open to any suggestions, revisions, edits, and what-have-yous...just leave me a comment. Enjoy! :)

***

Cam exhaled deeply and pushed around the mystery meat plopped haphazardly on the plastic tray. He wasn’t hungry, but even if he was, he wouldn’t dare stick a piece of that ham…turkey…beef…whatever it was, into his mouth. He’d probably die a slow and painful death if he did.

Jabbing his fork into the soggy broccoli, he brought it up for closer inspection and let the quasi-vegetable hang down lifelessly. Before it could plunge down and hit the deadly meat, he threw it into his mouth. At that same moment, he was elbowed, causing the broccoli to tumble down his throat way faster than he had wanted it to. He started choking uncontrollably. Everyone in the cafeteria stopped, turned, and stared. This was definitely not the kind of attention he wanted.

“Dude. Sorry. That was totally an accident,” Bryan said as he threw his leg over the bench and sat down next to him. Jordan, who had just sat down across from Cam, tilted her head to the side and scrunched up her forehead.

“You gonna live?” she joked.

In between coughs and gasps for air, Cam was able to let a, “No big deal,” escape his mouth. Another fit of coughing went by before he said, “It just went down wrong.”

But the dang thing was lodged in the back of his throat and he seriously thought he was going to die. And there he’d been concerned about eating the meat. Stupid killer broccoli. Bryan slapped Cam hard on the back, dislodging the miniature tree from the back of his throat as he coughed as hard as he could.

The mighty green vegetable came sailing out of his mouth, flying at a ridiculous speed and splatted against Bree Meyers, the most popular girl in the 8th grade class. Crap.

Cam’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, and the sweat that had beaded up on his forehead from the near death experience slowly trickled down his face.

“Oh. Em. Gee!” Bree squealed as she peeled the half chewed, slobber-covered vegetable off of her cheek. “Who threw this at me?”

The whole entire cafeteria sat in the dead most silence it had ever been in the entire three years he had attended Jackson Middle School. Mouths were dropped open. Food remained half chewed. Eyes couldn’t decide whether to look at Bree or to look at Cam.

Cam’s mouth hung open in a stupor. Not good. Not good at all. His mind spun with a million words he could say to diffuse the situation, but the best he could come up with was, “Sorry.”

“YOU? Cal?”

“It’s Cam.”

“Cal. Cam. Whatever your name is. I don’t care. You have just ruined my life! You are going to pay for this. Do you understand me?” she screamed.

At this point, Bree was standing shaking her fist at him acting like he had just thrown a chocolate pie in her face instead of an innocent, small piece of broccoli. Disgusting? Yes. Screaming that he’d ruined her life? Hardly. More like she’d just ruined his. And did anyone seem to care that he could have died on that piece of broccoli? Not at all.

She stormed out of the cafeteria, still silent in the wake of the monumental disaster that had just taken place. Slowly, people began to let their held breaths out and chatter started filling the open space again.

“Dude.”

“Don’t dude me, Bryan,” Cam muttered.

“That sucked.”

“Ya think?”

“I mean, if you want to get technical, it’s really your fault. You were the one who not only bought that strange deformity of a vegetable, but then you actually put it in your mouth.” Bryan said.

Cam shot him an I’m-gonna-kill-you-if-you-say-one-more-word look to Bryan. In return, Bryan threw up his arms in defense.

“Alright. Fine. It was partially my fault. But who cares, anyway? We’re talking Bree Meyers. She doesn’t even know your name. Did you hear she called you Cal?”
Another death glare was shot at Bryan. Cam glanced over at Jordan, who raised her eyebrows and half-smiled at him.

“You have to admit it was kind of funny. The look on her face was priceless,” Jordan laughed.

Cam was beginning to wonder why he considered these two sorry excuses for human beings in front of him his friends. He knew he was just irritated at the whole situation, but these supposed friends had been around his entire life. They should know him better and know that this was not the right time to try to make him laugh. He needed some time to let the sting wear off before he could joke about it.

“Just relax, Cam. It’ll all blow over by the end of the day. Bree’s precious face isn’t mangled and her glamour posse probably already has her looking as fake as ever again.”

Cam pushed his tray away from him, less hungry than he was before. It wasn’t the fact that Bree said she was going to get him for what he did that was bothering him the most. What bothered him the most was the fact that his chances of making it into the popular crowd before the end of his 8th grade year had just moved from slim to non-existent. It didn’t seem likely, no matter how many times Jordan and Bryan said it, that this would be easily forgotten. By anybody. Especially them.

Hoarding Awards...Cause That's How I Roll

2010-02-15T20:59:00.007-06:00

Yeah. So. I have been totally holding this award captive that Christi from at A Torch in the Tempest, and I can tell you that it's because I have been giving it WAY too much thought. That's because it's the Honest award, and honestly...well, never mind, I'll save that for the post. If you haven't checked out her blog, you must. She is fan-friggin-tastic. And she is a Texan. Not to mention she told me I could shoot her. Not that I ever would...You catch my drift. Check her out!

To win this beautiful award means that I must list 10 things about myself that are unusual or odd and to do so honestly.

1. I make stuff up. It's true. You never know when I'm telling the truth. Unless you are reading this post, which as you know is all completely HONEST factoids about me.

2. My husband and I named our new puppy after our favorite serial killer Dexter. See the resemblance?

Ummm. Yes. Dexter is inside a glass container.

3. I used to be the one and only Chuck E. Cheese. Until the kids tore off my arms and beat me with them.

4. I talk to myself. And I talk to my characters. Out loud. They respond.

5. When I found out that K3 was a girl, I laid on the table crying. No, I bawled. I mourned the loss of the baby boy I'd never have for like a week.

6. On the topic of babies...when K2 was born I pretty much denied she was mine. Not only was she fair skinned with blonde/reddish hair, but she was uuuugley. For reals. I'm not lying. Because this is the honest award.

7. I used to be a promotional model. For Copenhagen. I live in Texas people.

8. I own a Walmart shirt. A Miley Cyrus one.

9. I won a bake-off competition for my Better Than Sex cake. I know, right?

10. Okay. This one is embarrassing. I used to run cross country. Wait...there's more. :) I managed to pee my pants and throw up all over myself in one such race.

And the awards must go to six of you and you are:

Kristen at Take It As It Comes My newly found critter...AKA critique partner. Yay me!
Lindsey at Dangerous With a Pen
Merissa at See Merissa Write
Anissa at Anissa Off the Record
Courtney Reese
You Live And Learn. At Any Rate, You Live.

Love At First Sight Blogfest

2010-02-14T10:34:00.005-06:00

Courtney Reese is hosting the Love at First Sight Blogfest, and I thought, what the hey, why not? It's not too late for you to post yours. Stop by her blog and sign your name up and post your awesomely wonderful lurve scene.

I had such a hard time picking out which scene to use for this...but ultimately I decided to share this one. Okay, so it's a bit long. Does that surprise you? Yeah. Didn't think so.

***

“I am beyond curious about you, Channing. It seems like one minute you’re an open book for me to read and you’re inviting me in to do just that. And then the next you’re distant and unsure of whether or not you want to be around me at all. I don’t understand.”

I drew in a deep breath, uncertain of how to respond to his beyond insightful observation of my totally erratic behaviors.

“If I say it has nothing to do with you, will that be enough?” I asked squinting my eyes and pleading with him to just agree with what I said so we could enjoy the time we had together, before it all fell apart like the rest of my life.

“Probably won’t be enough. If you haven’t taken the hint yet, I don’t give up easily. Why are you so intent on denying this? I know that we’ve only known each other for a little over a month, and I may be going out on a limb here, but I think you can see what’s going on here just as well as I can.”

His persistence was charming and painful at the same time, making it hard for me to know what to do.

“If you mean, do I enjoy spending time with you, then yes, I do. I just have a lot going on that makes life kind of strange and difficult and unlivable all at the same time. Being friends with you is one thing…” my voice trailed off undecided on how to end the sentence. How am I supposed to be convincing when I don’t even know what I want? I looked down, unknowingly tugging on my necklace and tried my best to avoid his eyes.

He tilted his head to the side and turned to face me. A gust of wind whipped by causing a few strands of my hair to get caught in front of my face and a chill ran down my spine. He reached down and softly pushed the hair from my face and tucked it behind my ear. I looked up and got lost in his eyes, almost forgetting how to breathe. How in the world did he manage to do these things to me? Quickly, I broke his gaze, knowing that if I didn’t do it then, I might just drop all my carefully built defenses and give in to him.

“Channing? Why can’t you look at me? It’s like it’s painful for you for some reason.” His strained voice came out in a fog in the crisp, cold air.

“No, it’s not painful the way you’re thinking.”

I wanted to say, it’s actually worse than painful. Excruciating.

But instead, I struggled to spurt out, “It’s just the opposite.”

He moved closer to me on the bench and before I knew it, he had both of his hands holding mine. I wanted to pull away, worried I might get sucked into a vision that might ruin the moment, but even more honestly concerned about getting sucked into him. I swallowed my fear and refused the temptation to pull away, letting him hold my hands. He made my heart flutter, against my will. It wasn’t fair what he was doing; making my mind and heart go to battle against each other like that.

I had never felt so thrilled and cursed at the same time.

“Reed…I…I’ve never dated anyone. I’m a really awful friend and I just don’t know if I can do this. Earlier when I said that it wasn’t you, I meant it. I have a really difficult time letting people come into my world. I know you don’t know this, but I’ve made a lot of progress with you and for some reason you’re the first person in a long time that I’ve been almost convinced to let in. I think about it all the time. But it’s just so complicated.”

I looked down, biting my bottom lip, afraid to hear what would come next. I wasn’t going to be able to keep up with this façade much longer. Fighting him off was much harder than I had anticipated.

My eyes were unable to follow my brain’s directions and no matter how hard I tried to keep them glued to the ground, they forced their way up to look at Reed’s face. All of the sudden, I wasn’t afraid that I was going to see a vision. I was seeing one unfold in real time. It was the same one that I had seen only a couple of weeks ago, on the day that I had first met Reed.

Knowing what was coming made it increasingly difficult to breathe. Every square inch of my being wanted to be there and experience this with him, but my mind was screaming to get up and run. The kiss seemed inevitable unless I freaked out in the last possible minute and left him hanging. It wasn’t likely that it would happen that way considering how much a piece of me wanted it and couldn’t wait for it. Not to mention the fact that my body was stuck to the spot I was sitting in.

Any time I had ever had a vision that included myself, the moment would seem to move into slow motion as everything around me stopped. This time, however, that was even intensified. There was not another person or care in this universe that existed and the only sound I could hear was the rough breathing escaping my mouth and the pounding of my heart in my ears. Get control of yourself Channing.

“Let me in,” he breathed, his face mere centimeters from mine.

Damn. I was like putty in his hands. There was no denying that.

Before I could make a mad dash and never look back, he made his move. It was so unlike me to even be in a situation like this, but I felt frozen, completely unable to break away from the unexplainable magnetic pull our bodies seemed to radiate when we were around each other. It was all over now. I had no fight left in me.

Everything in me melted, and I became his to do whatever he pleased. He took both of my hands with one, and placed his other gently under my chin so that he could put me into another one of his trances with his eyes. Sliding his hand up to my cheek, he held my face so affectionately; it evoked an array of emotions throughout my whole body. Emotions I had never experienced but felt so desperate to continue to feel. He stared into my eyes as he leaned down, letting his cold nose brush up against mine and then parted my lips with his and kissed me.

Oh. My. God. Was this really happening? The chill in the air was quickly replaced by a sudden warmth that ignited within me, seeping through my pores and covering my skin. It was definitely not cold anymore. At all. My cheeks flushed and I felt the need to dump a bottle of water over my head to cool myself down. But that would mean that I would have to pull away from him and there was no way I was about to do that. I never wanted it to end. It was the most amazing kiss, and I'm talking the heart-stopping, head-spinning kind. The vision did not prepare me for this. It was so much better.

And so much worse. Because it was real. Breaking the spell, I jumped up off of the bench, knocking over the hot chocolate.

“I…I have to go,” I stammered as I took one last look at his face, hurt and baffled, over my sudden disinterest. I didn’t have time to worry about his feelings. I would only end up hurting him more in the long run, so it was better for me to just get it over with. The chocolaty liquid formed a pool around my boots.

And if it wasn’t enough that I had already pulled his heart out of his chest and stomped on it, I added, “This was a mistake. I don’t want this, so just do me a favor and stay away.”

I forced myself to turn away from him and took off running, with tears streaming from my face as soon as he was no longer able to see me.

Things That Make You Go Hmmm...

2010-02-13T10:49:00.003-06:00

I found myself in some very interesting conversations this week and thought I'd share.

Convo #1: 12:17 am Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Back story: Car had just been broken into and I was driving home with a window COMPLETELY open and freezing cold air blasting me the entire way. Now if you know me, then you'd know that I have a slight tendency to be lead footed. I have gone to Anonym groups to help with my problem, none have seemed to help. Not even the time that I received speeding tickets within 23 minutes of each other in the same jurisdiction. But, you gotta understand. It was frickin' cold. And I wanted to be home, like 3 hours ago. Cue police sirens and lights.

PO: M'am, did you know you were speeding?
Me: Yes. Yes I did.
PO: (Dumbfounded expression) I'll need your driver's licence and insurance. (Looks into backseat, still oblivious to the shattered glass and OPEN window) Where are your kids, m'am.
Me: (In my head: Bed, idiot. It's in the middle of the night.) *Calm and sweet voice* At home with my husband.
PO: Hmmm. Where have you been tonight?
Me: At a Writer's Workshop.
(Pause and my longing for my warm bed growing stronger by the second)
PO: (Hands me back my DL and insurance)
Me: Look. I just walked out to my car to find my window shattered, my school-issued laptop stolen, along with my laptop bag and my pin drives with a completed manuscript and 32 versions of the query that go along with it, not that you know what a query is, but if you did, you'd totally understand my pain. It's after midnight. I'm a school teacher, and by the time I get home, I'll get a total of 4 hours of sleep. Then, I'm going to have to go to school and inform my principal that my laptop is gone and deal with the repercussions of that. Then, after that I am going to have to be coherent enough to deal with 44 crazy 4th graders. I'm tired. I'm grumpy. And I just want to go home. If there's any way you could speed up the process of writing my ticket, that'd be dandy.
PO: Um. You don't have a window, do you?
Me: (DUH!)
PO: Did you report it to the police?
Me: (DUH!) Yes sir.
PO: Well, hon (hon????) I won't kick you while you're down. You be on your way. And don't speed.
Me: (Exasperated breath) Yes sir. Thank you. Very much.

And that's how you do it ladies and gentleman. My new idea: Anytime I get pulled over, I'll just roll down my passenger window and say it's been broken in. Genius.

Convo #2: 7:18 am Saturday, February 13

Back story: I'm sleeping and Middle Child (K2) comes wandering in with blood pouring down her face. Trailing behind is First Born (K1).

K2: Momma! My nose is bleeding again!
Me: Quit pickin' your nose and you won't have that problem.
K1: Mom! It's bleeding bad. You gotta see.
Me: (Opening my eyes slightly) Yes. I see. Get a tissue. And go wash your hands. And quit picking your nose.
K1: Yeah. From the looks of it, I'm the only one in this family that can get away with picking my nose without making it bleed.
K2: I can pick my nose sometimes without making it bleed.
K1: Maybe it's how you're picking it that's making it bleed.
K2: I just stick it up here like this. (Proceeds to shove her finger up the same nose that is still bleeding)
K1: OH! That's your problem. You're not picking your nose right. You need to stick it up there and to the left. (Now demonstrating as K2 follows suit) YEAH! Now you got it. See? And it's not bleeding!!
Me: Oh. My. God. Please. We don't pick our noses. It's nasty. So STOP!

Hmmmm...yeah. Interesting, eh?
And with that, I hope you PICK a fabulous place to celebrate Valentine's Day. :)

And, Here's What Happens When It Snows And I Have To Be At School

2010-02-11T14:01:00.008-06:00

And this year's teacher of the year award goes to...ME! This is about the extent of what the day held yesterday.

Don't you wish I was your 4th grade teacher??

So, I have been working on the evolution of my query letter. I honestly thought it was done, but much to my regret, the one I thought was great, actually sucked. Now, I've scrapped it and restarted. To add to the confusion of my mind that feels like it's spinning and my eyes that are bleeding from looking at the dang thing for so long, I'd love if you'd stop by either forum and give any suggestions. :)

It's posted on Nathan Bransford's forum site, here and on Absolute Write's Query Hell, here.

If you're working on your query letter, I'd suggest, if you haven't already, to go to Elana Johnson. She's posted some excellent resources about your first sentence and last, first paragraph and last, and what to put in the middle. I also bought her book online, and am perusing that to get some ideas.

If the query letter isn't my death, I don't know what will be!! It's hysterical to look back at my original one (that I will not show ANYONE) and see where it has come, but it still has a ton of work.

What resources have you used to write your query? How many times have you re-written it? Will I survive query hell???

Top Ten Reasons Why I Shouldn't Be At Work Today

2010-02-11T08:00:00.003-06:00

10. I have a cold, the kind where your head pounds from the amount of snot and pressure inside your head and you'd actually consider someone drilling a hole through your skull to allow a leakage and a little relief. Hopefully that's not TMI.

9. I have a creative spark from being at DFW's Writer Workshop (it was my first time going and it was great and I will be returning). Must write. Now. Can't keep thoughts contained...

8. It's snowing. In Texas. How am I supposed to be the main focus of my students' attention when there a little fluffy flakes falling from the sky whispering their names to come out and play? Scrap that. How am I supposed to focus when there are little flakes floating from the sky?

7. I was pulled over last night for speeding, on my way home from the workshop.

6. I am tired. I didn't get home from the workshop until 1:00. AM. Yes. You are reading this right. And, yes. I wake up at 5:00. AM. The police officer interrupting my speeding is a part of why I was home so late.

5. ...I don't feel like being here...

4. *Wasting time, because I really don't have 10 reasons*

3. After the workshop the group goes to IHOP, so I joined them. At 11:00, I stepped out to my car to see my front right window smashed in and broken.

2. I peered inside my car and my school issued laptop was...you guessed it, GONE.

And, drumroll please.

1. I am grieving the loss of two, beautiful, precious, wonderful, pindrives that were in my laptop bag. They contained my life. My manuscript. My ideas. My queries. The good. The bad. The ugly. My heart. *Dabs at eyes* Today, I am mourning their loss.

Someone, please, remind me why I didn't call in a sub last night??

Okay, so before I go all off on how life-sucks-and-then-you-die on you. I will give you some reasons as to why I can only laugh at what happened. If you haven't read from the beginning of the blog (And why haven't you? I just started blogging last week you lazy people), my first blog described how crazy things happen in my life. Much like last night. This is the third week in a row that a window of some sort has been broken in to, by some no-good-dirty scoundrel, in order to obtain something. Post-It Notes?? If I'd just stop storing such things as diamonds and gold bars on me at all times, these things probably come to an end, but I refuse to leave home without my gold bars. Ever. Read here, if you want to know more.

So to walk out to my car and see glass shattered everywhere was shocking, but not so much considering that this had been happening to me often. Plus, it will really be a great addition to my book, The Post-It Bandits. The whole writing group stood around in the dark, cold parking lot, as we joked about how there was nothing I could do, and how there was no use in being upset, someone chimed in and said, "It's not like they're going to call out CSI." We all laughed, until who rolls up? None other than the Crime Scene Investigator, himself. We all watched on, mouths dropped open, enthralled to see a real CSI dude at work. It was like watching the TV show, but better and in real life HD. And no. I am not giving you the details. You can read about it when you buy my book. That hasn't been published yet. Or written yet. But, it will be damn good when it's done.

I guess I'll go back to staring out the window with my students, interjecting every few minutes, screaming, "Holy Cow! Did you see the size of that snowflake??"

Oh. Wait!!! Breaking News!!! Here's why I came today...It was just announced that school is closing early today and there is NOOOO SCHOOL TOMORROW!!!!

Is It Just Me?

2010-02-09T08:27:00.011-06:00

Because it is highly unlikely I will ever keep a blog short, quick, and to the point, I am going to start off with a comic I received from a friend today.
How Dinosaurs Became Extinct:

The reason this is so significant is because yesterday I woke up late for work (not 15 minutes late, but 2 hours and 15 minutes late) and rushed around like a crazy lady with her head cut off screaming at the kids to do what they're told and get in the car and buckle themselves up and quit whining and why are you hitting each other? all the while unsure if I remembered to even put deodorant on or God forbid, brush my teeth.

I flew through the doors of the daycare, ran into my youngest's class only to see them standing there with grins on their faces. What now? Out of nowhere, they burst into song and start singing "Happy Birthday." HOLY !@#*^%#! Did I forget my child's birthday? Forget middle child syndrome. How about third child syndrome where your mom forgets you even exist??? I'm on the verge of bursting into tears when they see the look on my face and stop.

Me: "Are you sure it's Karter's birthday today?"
Them: "Umm. Yes. Look, I even made a crown for her to wear today."
Me (holding back tears that are ready to explode and flood the room): Is today really the 15th?
Them: "Oh. No. It's the 8th."

Needless to say, it would have made a great April Fools' Joke had it been April Fools. The whole incident, however, did make me look at and evaluate my life recently. I've been so wrapped up in ME that I actually thought it was possible that I had missed my own child's birthday. Coupled with the fact that my IPhone has a mind of its own and rebooted in the middle of the night, causing my alarm to be erased, thus me being woken up by my oldest saying, "Mommy, You're boss is going to be mad at you because you're late," made for an interesting start to the day. Note to Self #348: Slow Down. Breathe. And, don't forget Karter's birthday is next Monday.

Last night, I stared at the new YA MS I started, knowing what I wanted to write, but caught up in the post from yesterday about beginnings. And what to name my character. And if I should write in 1st person or 3rd. Let's just say, I was caught up on everything. I think after only one night of working on it, we are already heading into "non-speaking" terms and I've told it that we needed a little time apart. To figure things out.

To keep my mind off of that, I plan on going to buy a book tonight. Lisa McMann's 3rd book, Gone, is being released today. I loved Wake and Fade, so I plan on going out and finding it today. If you haven't read her books, they are a must! They are really quick reads and actually, I randomly found her query letter online for Wake and it said it was only 33,000 words! (Can't find it now after searching for way too long...)Her style of writing is different. But, different in a good way. And I have a crush on one of her characters, which never hurts.

Speaking of which. Is it wrong to have a crush on fictional characters? I mean, I think after reading the Twilight series, I had grown to believe that a sparkly, vampire, Edward was going to come to my front door and bite me, taking me to the dark side. Seriously. I spent a good month in Edward fantasy land and then I tried to snap out of it when my middle child saw Robert Patterson on TV and said, "Mommy! Look it's your boyfriend, Eggward!!" The dreamy look that came over my face led her to say, "Do you wish Daddy was a vampire like Eggward??" Hmmmm...maybe I should put away my Edward bookmark, life size poster, t-shirt I wear to bed, and quit mumbling his name in my sleep, so that my kids don't have a complex when they get older.

Close to how I feel about Edward and his glorious, sparkly goodness and cold-to-the-touch rock hard body, I fell in love with bad boy, Patch, from Hush, Hush. Gah! What is it about the dark, stalker-like, creepy boys that I love?

A close runner up from Patch is Cabe from the Wake series. But Edward is the one I'm still holding out for. Errr...I mean, my favorite fictional, not from real-life, book character.

Why do I fall in love with fictional characters so easily??? I don't know. But, I hope that someday many will fall in love with my new obsession, Reed, from the MS I just finished. He's not so much a bad boy, and he certainly doesn't sparkle or have any out of this world, supernatural abilities, but I love him just the same.

Questions ponder...
What fictional character(s) have you fallen in love with?
What makes you connect to the character (and believe that they might just show up in real life, even though they're a vampire and they don't exist)?
Can I fall in love with your hunk in your WIP? Please??

Sheesh

2010-02-08T21:05:00.002-06:00

Last night after finally realizing that there was nothing more I could do but sit back and relax (yeah, right), I prepared my email for Miss Snark's February Secret Agent. I read the rules and requirements 32 times, because if you don't know me, I am a major rule follower. I could go off on a tangent about that, but I'll spare you and save it for another post. I saved the draft into my mailbox and even went to the extent of setting my Outlook calendar to remind me when I was supposed to hit send. I've never done one of her contests before, but knowing how many aspiring authors are out there, I knew I wanted to be ready. The contest was going to be open for 24 hours or until the first 50 submissions were received.

I had my students in the computer lab, working on goodreads when my timer on my laptop went off to remind me to send off the email. I hovered over the send button, not wanting to look extremely desperate, or more likely because I was worried that my clock could be off by a few minutes and I didn't want to be disqualified for sending it a minute early, and finally pressed send at 11:02.

The little circular wheel of sending hell, spun repeatedly and displayed a disturbing message that said something to the effect of, "Sending is taking longer than expected." I watched the clock as time ticked on. 11:03, 11:04...Finally at 11:05 my email was posted as sent. I was so consumed with the frustration of the how long it took and still having my mind unnaturally wrapped up with the Amazon contest, that I didn't even take time to think about how I would feel if, ahem, I mean, when I would come face to face with rejection.

Now, I am not a stranger to rejection. I've faced it plenty of times. It always stings at first, but I am a pretty determined person. Once my mind is set on something, I, in some way, shape, or form make it happen. I prepared myself for the possibility of a no, because in this world of writing it is inevitable to recieve a no. The crazy thing is that I was sort of hoping for a no. Weird. I know. But here's my logic. The first time you get the no has to hurt the hardest, right? So, I was just ready to get the first no over with. Logical, right?

Well, I'm sure you can imagine my shock and astonishment when I opened up my confirmation email saying, "I'm sorry, but the 50 submissions have already been reached." GAH!!! That's worse than rejection!! Ugghhh. But, I'm over it. It wasn't meant to be. (This is how I have to reason with myself.) No use dwelling over it. You pick up and keep going.

Keep going right into the next contest. To the Dear Lucky Agent Contest, to be exact. You should check it out! The short sting of disappointment was quickly replaced with the reminder that we authors are given so many great oppurtunities to shine and show our stuff! I'm glad to be a writer right now.

Also other inspiring news is that I'm starting YA MS number 2. The idea has been eating away at my mind for almost a month and I am very excited to get it started. It kind of reminds me of the beginning stages of a relationship. So fresh and new and euphoric. We haven't had our first fight yet and we still love eachother. Best. Feeling. Ever. Mary at Kidlit had a great post today talking about beginnings. It's definitely food for thought. *Note to self: Don't start with, "One stormy night..."

Questions to all of you writers for tonight:
How have you prepared yourself for rejection?
How have you started your novels? What techniques have worked for you? Which haven't? I am constantly telling my students during writing class that I can grade their papers from the first line they write. And, "Hi, my name is..." and "Once upon a time..." aren't gonna cut it. How are you going to get that agent to keep wanting to read past your first sentence?
Oooh and should I write in first person or third person??

Other VERY cool news! I'm over the top and a good friend, and by golly, people like me. HeeHee. I got two awards today from some other awesome writers. First, I recieved the Over the Top Award, which suits me fabulously. Thanks Kimberly! :) Now I must answer these questions with one word answers. Since this isn't the honesty award, my answers may or may not be true...

Your Cell Phone? IPhone
Your Hair? thick
Your Mother? Supportive
Your Father? Kind
Your Favorite Food? Everything
Your Dream Last Night? Aliens
Your Favorite Drink? Coffee
Your Dream/Goal? Published
What Room Are You In? Living Room
Your Hobby? Duh..
Your Fear? Heights
Where Do You See Yourself In Six Years? Older
Where Were You Last Night? Mars
Something That You Aren't? Ordinary
Muffin? Top
Wish List Item? Success
Where Did You Grow Up? Jersey
Last Thing You Did? Ramble
What Are You Wearing? Socks
Your TV? Big
Your Pets? Dexter
Friends? Fabulous
Your Life? Chaotic
Your Mood? Optimistic
Missing Someone? Always
Vehicle? Pathfinder
Something You Aren't Wearing? Glasses
Your Favorite Store? B&N
Your Favorite Color? Purple
When Was The Last Time You Laughed? Today
Last Time You Cried? Today
One Place You Go To Over And Over Again? Work
Facebook? Yup
Favorite Place To Eat? PF Changs

I pass the Over The Top Award to:
Andrea at You Live and Learn. At Any Rate, You Live.
Shannon at Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe
Jade at Jade Hears Voices

I also received The Circle of Friends award from Nicole at One Significant Moment at a Time. Thanks Nicole!! I was totally flattered that you said I inspired you because that is something that I find to be the most important thing about being a writer. To inspire. Thank you!

I shall pass this award over to:
ChristaCarol Jones for helping me way more than she should!
Chelsea who has read my MS too many times to count
and Anissa at Anissa off the Record a new writer friend!

Aaaaiigggghhhh....

2010-02-07T22:37:00.007-06:00

In exactly 21 minutes and 33 seconds, my entry for the Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award Contest will be locked and vaulted away. No more editing. No more fixing. No more worrying. Well, maybe not the last.

And then. I. Have. To. Wait. For. Four Hundred and Thirty Two excruciating hours. To. Find. Out. If. I. Make. It. Past. Round. One.

On the bright side, I was awarded this fantabulous award from Michele. Check out her blog if you haven't already!

Also, a fellow friend/author/I-don't-really-know-her-personally-but-we-met-online-and-found-out-we-practically-live-next-door-to-eachother...(Okay, that was ridiculous) ChristaCarol found out that her novel is a finalist in a contest. Stop by and tell her CONGRATS! :) Her Teaser Tuesdays are awesome!

Oh, and by the time I post this, the 21 minutes and 33 seconds will have dwindled down to 11 minutes and 41 seconds...

Nervous energy. Go away.

For those of you with a finished MS, what do you do to keep the insane thoughts and nervous energy from taking over your life while you wait? I am not a patient person. I must be doing something at all times. Hurry up and wait is totally not my style. Should I send out a few queries? Maybe I'll start writing a new book. Or maybe I'll read a few books. Or better yet, I can continue to blogstalk. Yes, that's what I'll do...

Procrastinationitis, Oreo Balls, and Zombies

2010-02-06T16:22:00.009-06:00

What a fabulous concoction of greatness. Don't you think? You might be thinking to yourself, "What in the world do these three things have to do with one another?" Sit back and relax as I intertwine these three seemingly unrelated items.

I shall begin with procrastinationitis, which is the new disease that I've recently been diagnosed with. There is no cure. Except for smashing my laptop into ten million pieces. I can't get over the world of writers out there. I mean, I knew there were tons of aspiring authors. Agent's query stats showed me that, but who knew there were so many of you with all of your awesome-ness supporting one another on your endeavors. You are all ridiculously remarkable. Although, I do have to say that I am glad that I just found this world of blogging because if I had been a part of this while trying to write my MS, I'd still be on page 5.

Onto Oreo Balls. Procrastination Tactic #45: Make dessert. My dear friend, Chelsea, forced an Oreo Ball down my throat. It was God-awful. No, not really. It was just the opposite. She told me about how stupid-easy it was to make them. So, I decided, why not? I don't have anything better to be doing. First of all, buying the Almond Bark, was an all day adventure. I couldn't find the stuff anywhere. Finally after traveling to 600 (slight exaggeration) grocery stores, I found some. I came home ready to make me some yummy balls. Gross. Get mind out of gutter. Okay, to make a long story less long since I have a tendency to write novels instead of blogs, my cake balls sucked. They were horrible. I didn't follow the directions. My melted Almond Bark turned into a chunky mess. All around disaster.

So, I made some more the other night. I used the leftover batch from the first disastrous attempt and used white chocolate to coat them since I didn't have any Almond Bark handy. Better. But not great.

Today, I attempted this impossible feat yet again. In the process, my husband who is always wary of my cooking ventures, says, "Is it just me or is that flame in that candle behind you a little tall?" Um. Yeah. That was an understatement. The flame was practically licking the cabinets in our kitchen, potentially setting our whole house on fire. Since I didn't have time to take a picture of the fire, I took a picture of the candle gone psycho, after I made sure the fire was out.

Meanwhile, two other great things were happening. Karter ate an entire bottle of sprinkles.

And Kennedy was watching some quality TV show with the hubs about aliens taking over the world. She proceeds to tell us that she knows exactly what an alien looks like. She's seen one before. So she draws us a picture. Um. Scary.

Kambry has absolutely nothing to do with this, but I decided to post her picture as to not add to her middle child syndrome.

Back to the balls. So, even in the midst of all this chaos, they actually turned out good. Impressive, I know. Third times a charm. I am an Oreo Ball Pro. Take a lookie:

This is the recipe I used, substituting the Baker's chocolate for the Almond Bark. (I used white and chocolate Almond Bark to spice things up this time and yes, I know, it is stupid-easy to make. I never said I was a baker or a cook. I am a writer, people.)

I don't see a future in Oreo Ball making, about as much as I don't see a future in acting for me. Cue zombies. I was asked by a fan to blog about a movie called Zombie Campout. Once upon a time, I was going to be an actress. During my short-lived stint in acting, I was cast for a music video for a band called Dolly Braid and produced this award winning masterpiece. It is very fuzzy, but it was done long before the days of digital video.

I then moved on to bigger and better things. Zombie Campout. Best. Movie. Ever.

Don't get me wrong. I had a blast (most of the time) filming this and I still keep in semi-touch with the main people from the film. We even had a premier for the movie at a theater in Dallas. Let's just say, the movie was a turning point in my acting career and leave it at that. I will leave you today with the trailer for the Emmy Award Winning movie, Zombie Campout.

Wasn't the sound and quality awesome? Thank God my acting days are over. I do much better behind the scenes.

HALLELUJAH!

2010-02-05T10:34:00.005-06:00

Hallelujah because it's Friday. Hallelujah because it's an early release day. Hallelujah because I have a window in my classroom and no longer a flimsy wooden board that practically flashed with large neon letters, "WELCOME. ENTER ME!" Hallelujah because they fenced off the roof where the little suckers climbed up in the first place. (I suggested putting some sort of electrical current through the fence, just in case. They did not follow my advice.) Hallelujah because I say so. Oh, yeah and hallelujah because I AM FINISHED WITH MY MANUSCRIPT!! Which is relative, because is it ever finished? I mean, I have written, edited, revised, added, deleted, rinsed, and repeated a trillion times and I'm sure before it's all said and done, it'll be through that process another trillion times.

The great news about being "done" is that I will be hitting the submit button on Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award Competition tomorrow. (Because, let's face it, I plan on spending every spare second reviewing it again, just to make sure it's for sure, 100% ready to go. And even then, it won't be.)

This is the first year that the competition has been opened up to YA novels, so I am super stoked. If I make it through the first round, which would mean that I would have to WOW the judges with my pitch, which I am not sure if I will be successful or not considering it's the first pitch I've ever written, then I will be notified on February 25. I'm already having heart palpitations and sweating bullets as the sharks swim in my stomach gnawing at my intestines. But, I'm only a little nervous. A little nervous energy never hurt anyone, right? Right? Right. Thanks for the support! (As I bite off my bottom lip)

This also means that I am "ready" to start sending out query letters. While I've been on a one track mind of writing, I've also been doing tons of research on who I will send a query to. Also, so that it wouldn't seem so horrible once I was done with the manuscript, I began writing my query letter a while back. I think it's done. I hope it's done. I mean, it IS done. So, this also marks the moment in time, where I will be embarking on the journey to find an awesome agent to represent my work. It is not an easy process and it's one that is full of rejection and heart break. But, I'm up for it. I'm ready to see where it leads me.

So, since I am entering this in, I figured I would post an excerpt from the beginning of my novel. It is titled VISIONS and is completed at 65,219 words. Not that I'm counting. Enjoy and I'd love to hear your thoughts! (Please, I'm begging you.)

Prologue

The first memory of it happening to me was when I was eleven years old. I will never forget the date. It was December 4, 2001. My family all relaxed in the living room watching a bizarre movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas. The fireplace was blazing in the background and the Christmas tree lights twinkled. It was during the good ole’ days, back when my family was complete and everything made sense. My brother, Barret, watched eagerly to see what was going to happen next and Emerson kept burying her face in Dad’s shirt any time a scary part (to a six year old) came on. I leaned up against my mother and laid my head down on her shoulder as she began carefully stroking my hair. Unexpectedly, I fell into a strong and vivid dream.

All of the sudden it was Christmas Day. Red and green wrapping paper flew all over the room, littering the wood floors as Winter Wonderland played softly in the background.

There was Barret, smiling a big goofy grin, clutching Combat Mission: Beyond, a video game he had been holding out for. Dork.

Emerson was jumping up and down after receiving Holiday Barbie which she’d thrown countless temper tantrums over all year long.

Then, I saw myself carefully unwrapping a small box wrapped in red shiny paper flecked with gold speckles. Lifting the lid to the box slowly, I peered inside and pulled out a sterling silver James Avery necklace with a small cross hanging from the end of the chain. I watched myself as I looked up to my mom and dad beaming, knowing they had given me the perfect gift. I looked back over to myself and noticed my eyes beginning to water as my mouth formed a small smile. The smile was a sincere one, showing that there was nothing I wanted more in the world.

Without warning, my eyes opened and I was back on the couch in the living room. The dream had been so clear, like it had really happened. It was the weirdest sensation. Honestly, I believed that it was a half dream, half will of power, trying to imagine myself opening up the exact present I had so badly wanted that year.

But then, when Christmas day came, and the exact moment happened again, almost in slow motion, the scene unfolding exactly as it had in my mind weeks before, it was a little harder to ignore. It was eerie knowing what was about to happen; like an out of body experience.

Still, I tried to disregard it and didn’t tell anyone about it, thinking that if I did, they might think I was crazy or just making it up. That’s what was so hard about being a middle child. Everything I did or said was constantly being scrutinized and blamed on the fact that I was the deprived middle child, begging for attention. So instead, I wrote it off as déjà vu. It seemed to be a pretty close match anyway.

As the years passed, it seemed that the visions, or whatever they were, grew more and more frequent. And now, in high school, it seemed like they were impossible to escape. Not that any of the visions were anything life changing. Most of them included things like who was going to win the football game on Friday or who would become homecoming queen, or the best ones for me, what the questions were going to be on a history test. But most of the time, they are completely useless pieces of information that for some reason I manage to get a pre-recording of. Never do I ask for these visions to come to me. Most of the time now, it happens when I am not paying attention and I accidentally bump into someone in the line at lunch or brush shoulders with a friend in the hallway. They always come into my mind and play like a murky movie in my head, usually only for a few moments, until I can shake it off. And with nearly 1,400 students attending my school, it is practically unavoidable to not run into someone at least once a day and get a glimpse of their future.

I guess when I am trying to keep a positive attitude on my annoying secret, I look at a couple of positives. Number one: It only happens when I make physical contact with someone. Number two: It doesn’t happen every time I touch someone, just when the vision decides to show itself to me. The thing that’s the worst for me though, is that depending on the strength of the vision, I end up with a head splitting migraine afterwards.

After my first vision, I started keeping track of them in a journal. I took comfort in storing the information and tracking how long it took from having the vision, to it actually happening. It was a way for me to express myself without ever having to tell a soul. I would write the date and the vision and then leave a couple of blank pages behind it in order to find out when the visions actually happened. Usually, I'd find a lesson of some sort and jot that down as well. The paper listened and absorbed my words without ever judging or criticizing me. The journal was my confidant which allowed me to feel like I wasn’t completely holding secrets from all of the people who loved me.

But like I said, none of my visions are monumental and most of the time they are just bothersome, especially since I made the decision to neither alter or fix the future. And usually the pettiness of the visions I receive only land me with a mild headache that can generally be warded off with a couple Ibuprofen and butt-load of caffeine. There’s only been one time that the vision was so strong, it caused me to go back to bed, in my dark cave of a room, allowing no sound, smells, or lights to intrude. That same vision is also the one and only time I tried to change things, in which I was utterly unsuccessful.

It was the one time that it had been life changing and I was unable to stop the outcome from happening. And now, my whole family suffers because of it. To say I feel guilty is an understatement. And carrying the burden with me is completely unbearable.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

The Voices In My Head Tell Me What To Write

2010-02-02T21:00:00.000-06:00

Seriously. I risk putting myself into the category of the certifiably insane by admitting to this publicly. The first step to getting help is to admit that I am powerless over the voices in my head and that my life has become unmanageable because of it. But like many Twelve-Steppers, I am 100% not in denial because I am fully aware of my problem, I just choose not to change it. So there.

I wake up at 4am most mornings to my characters talking to me and telling me what to write. They have full blown conversations in my head. While I'm trying to sleep. If the stuff they had to tell me wasn't the core of my writing, then I'd be perturbed to have to wake up to made-up, fictional characters screaming at me at the top of their lungs to get it written down. And that's not the half of it. Recently, I've been bombarded in my sleep with several more book ideas. Four to be exact. So between the manuscript I'm working on right now and those four other ideas, my sleep has been minimal to say the least.

One of my dear friends and future travel companions (for when I go on tour, of course) mentioned to me that it looks like I'm not getting enough sleep or food. This is somewhat true. The food part is never a problem for me. I eat like no other. (Someone, please vouch for me) Although I do eat, I have been sleeping, eating, dreaming, walking, breathing, whatever-ing words since I started writing this manuscript, especially since I found out about a contest that recently opened that I want to enter my book into that requires a finished, edited, and well polished final copy by February 7. Much like my OCD tendencies with things being in order and in their place, I steer towards becoming strangely obsessed with things. Right now writing is my addiction. And reading. The bad thing is that I have neglected many things in the process. Like laundry, dishes, cleaning, and *winces* my kids. I can't help it though. There is so much to be written and there is a constant feed into my brain, not unlike Facebook status updates, that just pop up into my brain out of nowhere. It's crazy.

If the writing wasn't enough, I have a mountain of books that have taken over my bedside table. And for some unknown reason I am reading five books right now that I am completely engrossed in. My currently reading list includes: The Schwa Was Here (Neal Shusterman is a freakin' rockstar writer), The House on Mango Street, Same Kind of Different as Me, Where the Red Fern Grows (this is my fifth time reading this and if you've never read this, YOU are certifiably insane, no questions asked), and Handle With Care. I can usually keep up with three books at a time, but this, this pile of ridiculous-ness, is out of control.

Once again, I admit, I have a problem. One day, I hope the chaos of my life at this particular moment pays off. Until then, I will work on moving on to Step 2: To come to a belief that a Power greater than myself can restore my sanity. (Highly unlikely I'd ever be considered sane, but if you say so, Step 2)

2010 Brings Some New-Fangled Technology Along With It

2010-02-01T11:26:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the 21st century. Oh wait. We've been here. For ten years already. And, yes, I am just now making a blog. It took me years to do the Myspace thing and then by the time I set it up along with my pretty background and glittery letters and all, everyone moved on to Facebook. I refused to set up a Facebook. All the hard work and time that it took me to set up Myspace was wasted and it, well, irritated me. Months of friends' peer pressure finally forced me to set up a Facebook. And now that I'm on there, I recieve constant notifications about people's farms being harvested, how their fish need fed, and how someone's mob boss needs to borrow a gun from me. (Sorry to all my Mafia peeps)

So, now here I am, setting up a blog. No one is forcing me to set up a blog, but I guessed it was due time. If I want to be in the business of writing for a living and every author, agent, editor, publisher, and wanna-be have blogs, I figured that I should join the ranks. I do have to say, though, that it makes me a little nervous. See, I know that if I intend to be a world famous author one day, I need to have a blog and a website, and I'm sure many other things that I'm completely unaware of. But...putting up the blog before becoming the world famous author that I aspire to be has striking similarities to those who pack their suitcases a month before their due date when they're pregnant, in hopes that a packed bag would make the baby come that much faster. It never happens that way. Which is precisely why I almost had my babies on the car trip to the hospital - since I was packing my bags when I was in labor. Anyway, my point is that I hope I'm not jumping the gun here.

Also, I can't promise that I will be able to keep up with this as well as some of you do. Some of you are like rock-star bloggers that I could only hope and dream to be one day. Not mentioning any names, ahem, *Salomone*. What I do hope to do is keep you updated on my writing woes (and hopefully one day some really fabulous news that I've been picked up by an awesome agent and my book has been published and on the shelves at Barnes and Nobles), the books I'm reading, and any other interesting events that pop up. If you don't know me well, totally-unbelievable-it-has-to-be-made-up things are FOREVER happening to me and my family.

For instance, The Post-It Bandits. (I'm hoping to use this for a future MG title, by the way) I branded the thieves, who smashed my classroom window open last weekend, with this name because the only thing they stole from my room was, quite obviously, Post-It Notes. How, you might ask, did I know that they were stolen? Some, may or may not have said a time or two that I display OCD tendencies. I'll leave you to be the judge of that. My sticky notes were color-coded and neatly placed into a super cute red and black container that matches the magazine holder on that same table. I'm actually quite miffed that they decided to take the container with them because now the magazine holder is quite lonely on the table without its matching partner. I could care less about the sticky notes. I have a bazillion of them. However, if they really needed them that badly, I would have been more than happy to supply them with some.

Well, they came back. This time they weren't so innocent. They were like professionals this time and stole some pretty important things. I believe in karma though. Or maybe I believe in the police officers that will find the little thugs and teach them a thing or two. I'll be happy with either, as long as they quit using my window as a portal to commit illegal activities.

Wow. So this blogging this isn't so difficult after all. I've already managed to ramble on for a ridiculous amount of time. And. I'm. Done.
Give the newbie some love! A shout out, a comment, a pat on the back. I set up a blog for goodness sakes!