IT'S ALIVE!!!

That's right, folks. THIS BLOG IS NOT DEAD! I know it's been a while since my little blog here has had anything new to say, but do not despair! I plan on bringing this baby back! In fact, there are a lot of things I want to fix in the coming year.

Yes, this is one of those end-of-the-year, reflection, resolutions posts. I know a lot of people do these and you'll probably get tired of them quickly, but I feel like if I say out loud, to the public, what I want to do in the coming year, I might actually feel obligated to DO those things. So here we go.

1. Writing: I need to be more disciplined with my writing. I will stick to a schedule. I will push through the tough times and get those words down because:

I also want to try some different things this coming year. A big goal for me is to write a comic book script. Because, ya know:

*insert gif of Jay yelling, "COMIIIICS!!!" from Mallrats.

I couldn't find one and it makes me sad all day.

Get on that, internet!*

2. Reading: I have been really lazy about reading for a while. Like the last time I finished reading a novel was over the summer, I think. I did go on a comics binge the other day, though. House of Mystery is phenomenal, btw. But King is right. I'm officially setting a goal for myself. I shall read at least 50 books in 2014! It has been said and so it shall be! 

3. Blogging: December 22nd is this blog's THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Holy crap! I'm not sure if 2013 really counts since I barely posted anything at all, but I'm counting it, so there. Three years ago, I set out to blog very consistently about my adventures in writing. And it went well for the first year. Then I got busy and kind of let this blog go unchecked. But this coming year will be different! 

I will blog at least once a week! You heard me, ONCE A WEEK! 

I'm not promising that it will always be about books or writing because I have to save all my good literary talk for The Secret Life of Writers blog (which you should totally check out). But there will be something here at least once a week. 

There are tons of other things I want to accomplish or improve upon in the coming year, but they're the boring ones like losing weight, eating healthier, changing out of my pajamas before 3pm at least twice a week, etc. So, I won't bother you with those, BUT I do want to hear your resolutions for the new year! Tell meeeeeeee because I'm a great listener!

Just keep swimming.

So, it's been about 11 weeks since TSIBaN was released. *cues the happy dance*

And it's been going well, I think. Of course, I have no idea really what is good, passable, or not good at all, but I like to think readers like the book. So, that's awesome! I'm super thankful for all the readers, all the comments, and all the new friends I've made throughout this whole thing! Seriously, I never expected all this awesomeness!

Now that I've gotten that off my chest, I want to be kind of candid for a moment. I watched this video from Kelsey Macke, one of those new friends that I met in the Adult Nerdfighter Facebook group:

You should watch it because a lot, alotalotalot, of what she says is how I feel. Especially the part about what her agent mentions about how we constantly compare our personal self to everyone else's public self. This is something I'd never heard before but it has totally struck a cord with me. I try really hard to remind myself that I am me, I am who I am and there's no escaping that, I wouldn't want to escape it! But it's easy, for me at least, to fall into this idea that others are doing things better than I am. And I'll admit that my jealous side does come out every once in a while. Or daily... But I see these prolific writers pumping out 2, 3, 4!!! books a year and I'm still wondering if I'll ever be able to finish another book. Not to mention trying to keep up with all the other stuff that's involved with being a published author, a mother of 2, a wife, etc. Don't get me wrong, I love authors who can write that much awesome stuff, but, damn it, why can't that be meeee?!

(Side note: I realize I might be sounding like the crying prom queen here, but sometimes I just need a venue that's not going to judge me. Somewhere I can be honest and voice my problems.)

There are days when I'm inspired and I want to do ALL THE THINGS! But there seem to be more days where I'd rather just wallow in my incompetency and eat chips and dip and spend hours on Tumblr looking at Sherlock gifs. I guess before I was published I thought, "If can just conquer this hurdle, it'll be smooth sailing." How I got this in my head, I have no idea! Because the sailing is not smooth, my friends. It's freaking choppy. It's tsunamic (not a word but it is now).

I want to end this rambling blog post with some poetic answer as to how to fix this, but the truth is there is no magic, pretty answer. Life is hard, shit happens, there are road blocks, and the only thing we can do is keep on swimming. I know this. And there are good things, too. So many good, wonderful, amazing things! I guess I just need to focus more on those good things rather than allowing doubt, jealousy, and Sherlock gifs get in the way.

If you read this entire, whiny post, thank you. And if you just skimmed over it, that's cool, too. If you want to commiserate, please do! Like Kelsey said in her vlog, there's a ton of support for querying authors (as it should be), but once you get the agent/editor, things can become super lonely.

Pre-Release Jitters

4 days, guys... 4 FREAKING DAYS UNTIL THE SUMMER I BECAME A NERD IS RELEASED FOR REAL INTO THE WORLD! ASDFJKL;!!!!!!!!!

FREAK OUT!!!

Deep breath... I'm calm, really...

Now that the freak out is over, I have a question. So, I'm a total noob at this whole thing and I have no idea what to expect. I'm sure there'll be lots of mixed emotions, heck there has already been an infinity of emotions like:

Scared-out-of-my-mind, dear-God-what-have-I-done fear

It'll-be-okay-cuz-I'm-full-of-magic self confidence boost

Which is usually followed by:

The drunken whatevers

And after going through all the craziness up until this point, I'd like to at least try to prepare myself for what's ahead. So here are my questions:

Authors, is there something you wish you would have known before/during your first book release?

And readers, what do you or don't you like to see from debut authors around release time?

Any comments are welcome because I'd rather this not be me in a few days.

Test

Game of Secrets with The S.L.O.W. Ladies!

Maybe you knew this, maybe you didn't, but I'm a contributor to the Secret Life of Writers blog along with the awesome Stefanie Gaither, the adorable Andrea Hannah, the sweet Heather Marie, and the talented Kelsey Sutton. And today begins an event we're doing over on The Mod Podge Bookshelf called Game of Secrets!

My post will happen on 3/15, but I'd like to go ahead and give a little info on my character: Simon Roberts! (I'll probably be adding to this page as I delve deeper into this character and who he is, so maybe pop back later when my post goes up?)

Simon is smart, shy, and can be seen as creepy sometimes due to his awkwardness around people. He's the kind of guy who doesn't say anything unless it's absolutely necessary. He tends to favor black clothing and his eyesight is so bad that without his glasses, everything is a blur. Friendless in every way, Simon is seriously confused as to why he was invited to this masquerade party.

That's a great question, Jennifer Lawrence, thanks for asking!  This will be a murder mystery like Clue, and also kinda like Clue, once we've given you all of our characters' sides of the story, YOU get to write the ending! Sounds fun, right?! So, why do you want to participate in this event? Well, 1. It's going to be fun and awesome and 2. PRIZES!!! All us Lifers will be giving away fun stuff and gift cards!

THIS COULD BE YOU!

Here's the kind of hub for the Game of Secrets stuff so you can check out the other characters and their posts when they're up. Also, we'll be using #GoS on Twitter, so check it!

Buckle up, it's going to be a mysterious ride!

COVER REVEAL: A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris

YAY! It's a cover reveal! Today I get to help the super sweet Rachel Harris (Entangled Pub. sister and all-around awesome person) with the cover reveal for her second novel, A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES!

Let's check out the blurb, shall we?

Alessandra D’Angeli is in need of an adventure. Tired of her sixteenth-century life in Italy and homesick for her time-traveling cousin, Cat, who visited her for a magical week and dazzled her with tales of the future, Alessandra is lost. Until the stars hear her plea.

One mystical spell later, Alessandra appears on Cat’s Beverly Hills doorstep five hundred years in the future. Surrounded by confusing gadgets, scary transportation, and scandalous clothing, Less is hesitant to live the life of a twenty-first century teen…until she meets the infuriating—and infuriatingly handsome—surfer Austin Michaels. Austin challenges everything she believes in…and introduces her to a world filled with possibility.

With the clock ticking, Less knows she must live every moment of her modern life while she still can. But how will she return to the drab life of her past when the future is what holds everything she’s come to love?

*drool* Sounds awesome, right?! Oh and, Austin, HEY BOY HEY!

Now for the COVER!!!

Go on, pet the pretty... You know you want to!

PLUS, there's an excerpt! Squee!

Austin pushes the red and black Jet Ski into the water, past the first few crashing waves, then throws a leg over the side. He turns to me, extending an upturned palm, but as I watch the water pound against his legs, I slowly shake my head and inch away. Forget the confusion of the past few minutes or my concern if riding wrapped around Austin is appropriate…are jet skis even safe? So far, my experience with modern machines has taught me that they travel at terrifying speeds. What if I were to accidently let go and fly off? I don’t know how to swim!

Austin’s face gentles and he curls his fingers, coaxing me closer to the watery death trap. “I’ve got you, Alessandra,” he says. “I promise nothing’s gonna hurt you. You can trust me.”

The sardonic guise he hides behind drops for just a moment, but it is enough.

I say a quick prayer and place my hand in his.

With my legs straddling the seat, my arms wrapped tightly around Austin’s firm stomach, and my chest and face pressed against his back, I do not need the extra layer my wetsuit provides. I am quite warm without it. Under me, the engine rumbles. Austin grabs my clasped hands, ensuring my death grip. And then we are flying.

Fear is left behind me on the beach. My laughter is swallowed by the wind. And I hold onto Austin. The rest of the world falls away as he powers the machine forward. Whistling sound envelops us yet there’s also silence in the midst of the roar. Out here, there’s no room for worrisome thoughts about the future or about the past. No time for concerns over when I will return or how much I miss my family. In this bubble of Austin, wind, and water, all I can do is live and breathe and smile.

Austin spins us in circles and then we fly straight ahead, free as the winged creatures overhead. He bounces us over a swell and a spray of water splashes my face, tickling the skin left exposed from my wetsuit. I squeal, and under my clasped hands, I feel his taut stomach muscles shake with laughter. Then he takes off again in another sharp turn, racing in the opposite direction of which we came. Excitement has me screaming, asking him to go faster. I close my eyes against the sting of the salty air and the lash of my hair and tilt my head back, feeling more uninhibited than I ever have before.

More free, more alive…just more.

As a teen, Rachel Harris threw raging parties that shook her parents’ walls and created embarrassing fodder for future YA novels. As an adult, she reads and writes obsessively, rehashes said embarrassing fodder, and dreams up characters who become her own grown up version of imaginary friends.

When she's not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, you can find her homeschooling her two beautiful princesses, hanging out with her amazing husband, or taking a hot bubble bath…next to a pile of chocolate. A Tale of Two Centuries is her second novel. 

Follower her (cuz she's amaze-balls):  

Twitter 

Facebook

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There's one more thing. That's right, A GIVEAWAY!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats on the gorgeous cover, Rachel!!! Can't wait to read about Less and Austin! 

OMG! Look at the PRETTY! and a GIVEAWAY!

Notice anything different?? Huh? *waggles eyebrows* That's right, I now have an official website! It was done by the awesome Rachel Silberman. Please, check her out! She did an amazing job!

Now in honor of my shiny, new site I'm giving away ANOTHER Wonder Woman t-shirt AND a promise of an eARC of THE SUMMER I BECAME A NERD! As soon as eARCs are ready, the winner will get it in their inbox :)

So, clicky-clicky around on my new site, use the contact form to send me a message, look at the cute animation on the home page, and don't forget to enter to win!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Once again, this is for US only. I know a few who won't be happy about this, but you guys' turn is coming! 

Wonder Woman T-Shirt Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY TIME!

THE SUMMER I BECAME A NERD will be releasing on May 7, 2013, which is only *counts fingers* 80 days away!!! So I figured it's time to start doing some awesome giveaways because I'm so freaking excited and I like you guys and I like these shirts and yeah... 

Isn't it pretty?! *pets pretty shirt*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest ends Friday, February 22!!! Enter Away!

P.S. This is a US only giveaway :( Sorry everyone else, but fear not, this is the first of many giveaways to come!