New Beginnings

I have been contemplating my New Year's Resolutions. I have a lot of them. They are mostly about becoming better at this or that. A better mother, a better wife, a better writer, ...christian, friend, blogger, person in general. More of an organizer, less of a procrastinator. Blah, blah, blah. *Insert Charlie Brown's teacher's voice here* And of course the obligatory...get in shape and eat right.




Now you might say, why can't you just be happy with yourself? Are any of us? I think most of it is fear of failure or is it fear of success? I can't be sure. So this year, 2012, I am not going to get down on myself because I'm not where 'I think' I should be. I am just going to do the best I can in all of these areas and pray that it makes a difference for myself and the others in my life. Maybe we can learn to trust that we are enough with all our imperfections. May this year bring you all the goodness that you can handle!

I read this blog post 25 things writers should stop doing thanks to newport2newport and loved it! I think he hits home with a lot of my doubts and shortcomings in my writing. Happy New Beginnings.

Oregon Coast

I am very excited that I will be going to a Children's Book Workshop in Oregon in July. I will be flying in a little early to do some sightseeing along the coast. Does anyone have any suggestions of what is a must-see? Any tips are appreciated. :)

Separating Confidence from Self-Doubt

I love this post on author Nathan Bransford's blog. So true! Write on.

From Books to Movies

With the movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows coming out this weekend, and my family watching Avatar: The Last Airbender on DVD last night, I wondered what your favorite movie made from a book was.

Here's the ones I can think of in random order.

-Harry Potter
-The Last Airbender
-Lord of the Rings
-Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
-Pride and Prejudice
-Because of Winn Dixie
-The Princess Bride
-The Lovely Bones
-Memoirs of a Geisha
-The Notebook
-Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
-The Polar Express
-The Jungle Book

I'm sure there are many more that I can't remember right now. What ones do you like?

Thankfulness

With Thanksgiving right around the corner I have been thinking of all the things I'm thankful for.

I'm thankful everyday that I have God in my life.
I'm thankful I am healthy when I see many who aren't.
I'm thankful that I have a beautiful family that loves me (even when I'm grouchy).
I'm thankful for my job which a lot of people don't have.
I'm thankful that I can write words on a page and feel a calmness come over me.
I'm thankful for wonderful, supportive friends.
I'm thankful for great books and good movies.
I'm thankful for the soldiers who have and do protect me and my family (especially my dad and brother-in-law).
I'm thankful for my hardships because they make me stronger.
I'm so thankful for my life...
It gets better and better with every passing year.

How about you?
Happy early Thanksgiving!

7 Quirky things about me


1. I cannot tell jokes! I screw up the punch line every time.

2. When I was in 1st grade, I had to see a counselor because I was sooooo shy I hardly talked. (For those of you who know me, the counseling obviously worked.)

3. If I go to bed with my hair wet I will wake up with an afro in the morning.

4. I love romantic movies and if I really like it I'll watch the same scenes over and over with obsession.


5. I have an extra hole inside my ear from where a cyst burst when I was a baby (yes, I have a hole in my head)


6. When I get excited my voice goes up higher and higher in octave.


7. Gross scientific stuff like watching brain surgery fascinates me. (I'm in the medical field) It doesn't bother me to talk about it while I'm eating either. :)


***If you have any to add, go ahead. Just don't make it too embarrassing. Please?

Writing what you want to know

I've been neglecting my blog terribly. I have lots of excuses, most of them good, as I'm sure most of us do. So I'll try to do better.

The other morning I was thinking in the shower (What? Isn't that where you get your best ideas?) I've been to many, many conferences and the one thing I hear over and over is... write what you know. You hear this from editors. You hear this from agents. You hear this from authors. But what I want to say is--how boring is that? Yes, you do need to add some things in there that you have learned along the way, but wouldn't you like to pursue new things, too? There will always be a bit of yourself in your work. Your morals, emotions, things that have happened to you. It's scary to think about learning something different and beyond your comfort level, but I think it makes your connection even stronger when you've had to do research, interview people, get to know personally what it may have been like for another person even if this certain thing has happened to you.

So instead of writing what you know----Write what you've been curious about, write what you want to know about, write what doesn't come naturally but what comes honestly from the heart. You'll be glad you did and so will your readers.

Hope

Hope is... never giving up on your dreams even if they are many moons away.
Keep stretching and growing and living your life in a way where your children are proud you're their parent.


This past week was a difficult one for me and my husband. Our son was in the hospital for 4 days with a severe case of pyelonephritis (kidney infection). He is doing much better now, but we still have check-ups and follow-up tests. But I am thankful! Sometimes you lose sight of what is really important. On the way to the ER he told me that he was going to die. I said, "You are absolutely not going to die. If you died, then I would have to die." He responded, "You can't die, what about S (his sister)." He, of course, was right. But still...

Last night, my daughter then told me she felt like we didn't love her anymore (she wasn't in the car when my son and I had the conversation). Which made me feel horrible! I had to reassure her that we loved her with everything we had and that would never, ever change. She was very worried about her brother but tried not to show it.

I honestly don't know who I would be without my children. They are the most honest people I know. They teach me humility. They show me bravery. They give me strength when I don't feel it and I thank God for them every day.

Book Reviews

I'm catching up on my book reviews. These are just a few of the ones I loved.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight-- she's a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king's thug.

She never expects to fall in love with beautiful Prince Po.

She never expects to learn the truth behind her Grace--or the terrible secret that lies hidden far away... a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

I don't know what I expected from this book but it outweighed my expectations. I'm always a sucker for a good romance and for a strong character who clearly knows who she is and what she wants. Don't get me wrong, she did change throughout and was even stronger at the end. This is a great read. Now, Santa can you bring me her next book...Fire?


Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.

They just know they can't trust each other.

I picked this book up at the library having never heard of it. From the very beginning it intrigued me and pulled me in. It had secrets all throughout that kept me guessing. The ending was quite the cliffhanger which always makes me want to pull my hair out! But in a good way. There are 2 more books forthcoming to make this a trilogy set. I can't wait to read them.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

In a single moment everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...

This book is written so beautifully. The way Gayle Forman intertwined back story throughout is absolutely amazing. I don't know if it's because I'm in the medical field, but this book made me boo-hoo through most of it and spoke to my heart. The characters were jumping out of the pages. This has been one of my favorite books...okay, yes I'll say it....Ever. Praise to Ms. Forman for writing this book. Loved this book!!!



Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

This is the second book in the Hunger Games triology and it did not disappoint. It was a page turner which kept me up all night reading. It made me talk out loud to the book as I read. "Gale. No wait, Peeta. Umm..okay, choose Gale." I was as confused as Katniss on who to love more. Sorry if that was a little spoiler. These books are so different and compelling. Of course I wished I'd thought of something like this. Can't wait for the last book to come out 2010!

Happy reading and writing.

A little goes a long way

Last weekend a friend of mine and I went to Quartz Mountain to do some much needed writing.




See all that I got done!!! (Yeah, okay 2 scenes are blank but still... at least it's colorful)



We had a wonderful time and did some sightseeing as well. It was nice to get away from the noise of the city (and of my children) ~smile...but mostly just to get better acquainted with my characters and their story.


It is quite beautiful there.














You didn't know we had such diversity of landscape in Oklahoma, did you?

This little guy posed and everything.

And she did, too.

This sunset was absolutely breathtaking.

Now back to writing! Cheers.

Something amazing, I guess

I love the movie, The Incredibles. Especially the little neighbor boy who rides his tricycle around blowing bubblegum bubbles.



It seems I have been waiting around for something amazing to happen with my writing without putting the effort in. I don't put BIC like I should. I write in spurts and always give myself big goals that are often unrealistic. Then I get downhearted when I can't live up to those goals and want to give up. And I have this little problem of wanting everything to be perfect --well at least in my writing.

Yet, with all of that, I do believe in myself--that someday I will be published. And maybe, just maybe, something amazing will happen if I lay out my heart and piece together all the ordinaries and make them extraordinary.

So...I have tucked away some time for this passion I have called writing. Booked in a place that will empty the cobwebs and wash away my worries. Yay!

And hopefully I'll come home with something amazing (or the start of something amazing after 12 revisions, of course). Or even better, when I get that phone call from an agent they will yell.....




What? A girl can dream, can't she? :)

Interviews

I am preparing to do an interview (as research) for a novel I started forever ago and finally dusted off. It's been one that is near to my heart, and I don't know why I strayed away from it. I'm a little nervous about doing an interview since I have never really done one for my writing life. I talk to people all day at my full-time job, but it's a little different talking about emotions and life-changing experiences with someone you hardly know.

So...do any of you have any advice for me on what to do or what not to do? I don't want her to feel like I'm grilling her. How do you do your interviews? How long do they last? Do you do them over the phone or in person? Just asking.

31 days of Halloween

My friend and author, Susan Meyers, is blogging about the 31 days of Halloween. She is going to have fun puzzles, spooky haikus and ghostabulous illustrations to get you in the Halloweeny mood. Go check it out here http://susanameyers.blogspot.com/2009/10/31-days-of-halloween.html

Happy Halloween!!

Research

I'm in the middle of digging up research for a YA novel. It just got me wondering how everyone else goes about this process and what resources you use. Any suggestions or recommendations?

A Tribute to Niki

My beautiful friend, Niki, passed away this week from a three year battle with hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer). She was the most gracious, joyous, loving person I have ever met and she always had a smile on her face, even in the end.

I feel very blessed to have been able to call her a friend. If I could only have a quarter of her gracefulness and dignity I would be so much closer to what God has intended for us. Niki touched every life she met with her quiet kindness, and I will miss her very much. I love you, Niki. Here's for you as you become a gorgeous butterfly. Enjoy your flight.

(She loved butterflies)

A few pics from vacation

I know it's been too long since I blogged. I promise I'll try to keep up.

My family went to the Riviera Maya in Mexico the end of June and had a nice, relaxing (okay, maybe not so relaxing with 2 kids arguing all the time) trip. It was very beautiful.

It was raining pretty hard this morning so we took the time to go
shopping that day.

They are acting like they like me or something??

And here, they are acting like they like each other. Don't
be fooled. :)

My husband and son at one of the many restaurants we went to.

My kids went snorkeling in the ocean for the first time and loved it.

This was at Xcaret, a zoo/water park. Lots of walking, but tons of things to see.

Although it was nice, we were ready to get home. Too much togetherness or something?????

We also got a new puppy when we got home, so I'll post a few pics of him next time.

So... 10 years ago today I was at the hospital giving birth to my beautiful daughter. I never could have imagined time would fly so fast. I have tried to enjoy every moment- even the arguments- and especially the one on one time I get with her.


Pretty soon she won't need me so much and will probably be embarrassed to be seen with me. I have to remember back to that time in my life and think of all the problems that felt catastrophic to my ten-year-old-self.


It's hard to watch your children have struggles and not be able to do anything to help. Especially for girls. They have so many worries to contend with.

All I know is...she is my heart.

Books that make you go hmmm...

This is a little late, but I blogged at http://www.kidlitcentralnews.com/ today about reasons that make me fall in love with a book. Go check it out or see below.



Many times I read a book and a week later think-- now what was that one about? Not that I didn’t enjoy it, but the characters just didn’t have that extra oomph that makes them stay with me. Could it be the plot is like every other one or the voice didn’t draw on my emotions? Maybe the setting is not unique or the story didn’t have enough layers? Perhaps the beginning didn’t pull me in or the ending left me unsatisfied? Hmmm…
This made me stop and really think about what makes me fall in love with a novel and why. Of course I want all the above in a story--I’m selfish that way-- but truly the characters have it hands down for me. I need to feel torn for them, know them like my best friend, and cheer for their successes. So what makes them memorable? Hmmm…
It’s different for everyone, but my thoughts are: they have to be a good person with some rotten luck, something I can empathize with. They have to change throughout the story and learn a bit about themselves. The main character has to believe in herself (who wants to listen to a whiney character). And mostly, they have to have honest relationships with the secondary characters.
The ending is the icing on the cake. I always wait for that fantastic ending that gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling even after I close the cover. The ones that make me whisper wow. Those characters and their story I know I won’t forget.
“With a good beginning, people will read your story. With a good ending, they’ll remember it!”-- Janet Evanovich.
Some of my favorites are:
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
A Great and Terrible Beauty series by Libba Bray
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden (Not a YA, but still great)
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (I know, I know)
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
What makes a book stand out for you? I’d love to hear your comments. If you don’t know… maybe you should go grab one and start reading. Like you need a reason!

Book Review

Meet Holling Hoodhood, a seventh-grader at Camillo Junior High, who must spend Wednesday afternoons with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, while the rest of the class has religious instruction. Mrs. Baker doesn’t like Holling—he’s sure of it. Why else would she make him read the plays of William Shakespeare outside class? But everyone has bigger things to worry about, like Vietnam. His father wants Holling and his sister to be on their best behavior: the success of his business depends on it. But how can Holling stay out of trouble when he has so much to contend with? A bully demanding cream puffs; angry rats; and a baseball hero signing autographs the very same night Holling has to appear in a play in yellow tights! As fate sneaks up on him again and again, Holling finds Motivation—the Big M—in the most unexpected places and musters up the courage to embrace his destiny, in spite of himself.

I loved this book. It had great voice, characterization and humor with so many layers woven throughout. It had me laughing out loud one moment and crying the next. Definitely one of my top choices from my reading list so far. Happy reading!