Five for Friday

1. I wrote three days in row! It was surprisingly refreshing. I felt energized, maybe because I put more than two coherent sentences together. Mainly because I've been putting off changing a scene at the end of my manuscript, and I finally got it together the way I want...for now...actually, until tomorrow when I realize it all sucks and redo the whole thing.

2. I read an awesome book last week and I plan on doing a review next week. The subject matter is sensitive, but I think the author handled things brilliantly.

3. Look out for an interview here of Little Red Writing Hood herself, Sabrina Llave, and she'll also be interviewing me on hers. I'll keep you posted on when things actually take place.

4. Dr. Pepper is my new best friend. I'm sorry, chocolate, you've been replaced, but only until the morning sickness goes away, then we can get things back on track. Yeah, I know soda is horrible for you, especially when you're pregnant, but it seems to be the only thing keeping me going at the moment.

5. I'm about to go make some book purchases, and that is always wonderful and exciting! I'll keep reviewing books here, maybe I'll make my Wednesday posts reserved for those. I'm going to go back and review some books I enjoyed in the past. Be forewarned, there are a lot.

Have an awesome weekend full of joyful reading, possibly some writing, and quality time with your loved ones. I think I might just continue to spend it with dear old Dr. Pepper.

Superstitions

A black cat just ran across my yard. It was cute. Now I'm not a cat person by nature, dogs are more my type (not that I want to take care of one at the moment, I've tried it and things did not work out in the end), but I'm not one of those people that thinks black cats are a sign of a bad omen. In fact, I think black cats might be good luck. Instead of having a sense of dread take over when I saw this animal scurrying about, I took it as a good sign, that even though things seem difficult right now and my dream may seem impossible, good things are around the corner. Yeah, that's a lot of interpreting on my part,maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I don't think so. I'm not a superstitious person by nature, but sometimes I find myself doing things that may tell people otherwise. Like how I try to avoid walking on cracks, or opening umbrellas indoors, but I don't live by these beliefs. Who even decided black cats were bad luck? Ancient Egyptians and other cultures around the world believe that cats protect us from evil spirits. Then there are those that believe they will suck the life out of you while you sleep. I don't know where these superstitions were born, but I know that cats aren't evil by nature, they just like to do their own thing. I won't ever own one because 1. My husband is very allergic to them and 2. So is my mother-in-law, and contrary to popular belief, I actually really like her and enjoy having her around. If I ever did get a cat it would be jet black and I would name him Binx. What about all of you out there, are there certain superstitions that you live by? Or maybe you made your own superstitions? Or do you think that the whole thing is a bunch of hoopla?

Contests!!!

If you haven't already heard about the contest taking place over on YA confidential then click here
It's freaking awesome. I mean, you could win a critique from actual agents! Sarah LaPolla (she's on my list to query!!!) and Vickie Motter. You can also win a bunch of arcs as well. I think it sounds pretty sweet, so go and follow the instructions to enter! It closes on October 7, so you still have time.

MIA

Sorry I didn't do the usual Five for Friday last week, but I severely lacked energy. I spent most of this weekend curled up on the couch thinking about writing. Not.Fun. And the sad part is last Thursday was my hubby's birthday. In case you're wondering, we didn't do much celebrating. We're postponing any kind of celebration until I feel better. All I have to say is I better be normal by Thanksgiving, or I might just lose it. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, mainly because of the food, but I'm especially excited this year because we might be in LA celebrating! Actually, I hope I'm better by Halloween, I don't want to be miserable while my kids are out trick-or-treating with their cute little selves (and I want to be able to sneak some of their candy). What else happened this weekend? Our college football team is ranked in the top five of the nation and so my husband went to the home game on Saturday (as part of his birthday present), he has season tickets. Now I know some of you may be thinking, who leaves a poor pregnant woman suffering from morning sickness with three kids for the better part of the night? Well, my husband more than made up for leaving me. Our refrigerator was lacking some important components (like food) because I can't stand to go the store, what with all those different smells melding together, it's a recipe for disaster. So, my hubby went shopping for me. And then yesterday he even made dinner! I was pleasantly surprised. I honestly can't remember the last time his version of dinner wasn't going to a drive through. Confession: when my husband and I were dating and first married, he did ALL the cooking. I knew that if I gave it a try I would succeed, how could I not with two parents who are gifted in the culinary department, but it was nice having him take care of it. Then when I got pregnant and was so sick I could no longer work, I took over the kitchen reins. I am no gourmet chef, but I think over the years I have really bloomed as a cook.

Okay, enough of my rambling that has nothing to do with writing, which is the point of this blog. I'll be back on Wednesday (or maybe even tomorrow...the suspense is going to kill you!) to share a contest I recently discovered. I'm also going to attempt the new Campaign Challenge, but with my lack of brain function, that might be the equivalent of me trying to climb Mount Everest. We'll see. Thanks for sticking with me you guys, I promise I'll try to write far more interesting things than my pregnancy turmoil from here on out. Hope all of you had a wonderful, productive weekend!

Hidden Enemy

You know when they say that the only thing standing in the way of your success is yourself? Well, there's a reason for it, because it's true. Going through my work, rebuilding scenes, creating new ones, I came to the realization that I am my own worst enemy. There's no one out there wishing for my failure (well, maybe there is, but I just don't know it), but even so, it's not like they have any control over whether or not I succeed. That, my friend, is entirely up to me. Laziness can be a big factor keeping me from my dream, along with morning sickness, but the power is in my hands. I can make the choice to get up every day and either put in the hard work and push myself, or sit on the couch and moan and complain about the unfairness of it all. In this industry luck can be a big factor in if you get that six figure deal, or a more reasonable pay day, or yet another rejection. But what's wrong with making our own luck? When things fall apart people like to say, 'everything happens for a reason' but here's the thing, NOTHING is going to happen unless you make it happen. You're not going to get that dream job unless you apply for it, you aren't going to win the lottery without a ticket, and you sure aren't going to be published if you don't sit your behind down on the chair and type your little heart out. YOU are in control of your fate, take it in your hands and make something happen. Disclaimer: results may vary. It might take you over a hundred queries before you land an agent, or only fifteen (if only I were THAT lucky) but it'll happen. Sooner or later, if you put in the work, practiced your craft daily and got better, read a lot of books, immersed yourself in writing, it will happen. I'm not sure where my journey is leading me, I have no clue if I'll ever get to the point where my work is published, but I have faith that no matter what, I'm doing what makes me happy. I won't give up. I'm going to make my own luck.

Writing and Television

So last night were the Emmys and Modern Family was the big winner of the night and I have to say that that made me happy, especially Ty Burrell's win as Phil Dunphy, who just happens to be my husband's hero, everything that man does on the show is like gold to my husband. And I was beyond ecstatic that Kyle Chandler won an Emmy for his role on Friday Night Lights, a favorite of mine. I may have mentioned this before but I totes crushed on Coach Taylor when I watched that show, he is perfect. The only thing I was disappointed in was that Steve Carell was snubbed, I love Michael Scott and cried on his final episode on the Office, he deserved the win. Okay, I watch way too much TV, I think I've established that fact by now, but it was fun watching Jane Lynch host and laugh out loud at some of the antics, especially when Andy Samburg and his crew took over the stage (anyone else get a kick out of the William H. Macy scene?).

Okay, moving on...I could probably continue by breaking down all the fashion hits and misses (Nina Doberav killed it...Amy Poehlar not so much), but I'll spare you.

I did get some work done on the writing front. No, I did not spend all weekend watching celebrities get ready for award season, as much as my post points to the contrary. I did some outlining along with working out some of the other minor details ( minor meaning trying to name my characters...the witch has a name, so does the leading lady's love interest, but I'm still struggling to find the perfect name match for the protagonist). I am not the most organized of writer, I kind of jump in head first and work out the details later on, which is probably why it took me so (embarrassingly) long to finish the first draft of The Circle of Elements. I'm not going to make that mistake again. I'm excited about this project, and isn't that always nice? What about all of you, what kind of writers are you? Organizers that would give Martha Stewart a run for her money, or do you just jump right into the story? I don't think there's a right or wrong way to write a story, as long as you get it done in a reasonable amount of time and are proud of what you created, that's all that matters.

Five for Friday

1. I took a trip down memory lane yesterday, the one filled with pink glitter, sparkly flowers, shoes so thick that they make a whole foot taller, and bold curly writing that says 'girl power' everywhere you turn. That's right, I watched Spice World. I think the last time I watched that movie was when I was 12, but I still remembered all the lyrics to the songs and felt surges of pride whenever they shouted 'girl power' or wore t-shirts baring the mantra. My daughter even snuggled up next to me and watched the fun-filled absurdity unfold. A couple of times she even got up and danced around the coffee table. Yes, I am a Spice Girls fan, and I hope that they decide to do another tour because I would so buy tickets!

2. I've noticed a trend in my emotions as of late,the trend being tears. I'll watch a preview for that new dolphin movie (you know the one, they've been advertising it like crazy) and find tears silently trickling down my cheeks. I don't burst into tears mind you, but it comes pretty close to that line of hysterical crying. Hormones are wack! I mean it, I probably cry more while I'm pregnant than I do my whole life combined. I even got emotional over the Spice Girls!

3. You can imagine with such high strung emotions that this would be the perfect time to work on some of those more emotional scenes in my new story, but I'mascared...mainly of bursting into tears and feeling absolutely ridiculous, but I'm going to give it a try anyway- this weekend. Yes, I am making a promise to myself (not to anyone else because it's easier to let myself down rather than someone else) to get some writing done, no matter how many excuses I can come up with- trust me there are a lot- I will be productive darn it!

4. The story I'm currently working on has witches, and I'm very excited to delve deeper into all that mythology, it fascinates me. I've loved witches ever since I watched Hocus Pocus back when I was six- it was the first movie I ever saw in the US theaters. I'm having fun coming up with spells and things like that. The story takes place in a fictional Massachusetts town haunted by the local witch. Most of my stories are set back east because that's where I grew up. I love all the lush forests there, the greenness of the setting, the humidity, the rain- man do I miss all those thunderstorms.

5. I know I'm late for this, but I just wanted to wish everyone that lost anyone during the 9-11 attacks well. My dad was working in DC during the time of the attacks and I remember being so scared that something might have happened to him. I can't even begin to imagine the fear that shook the residents of New York City. I'm so grateful to live where I do, to be able to enjoy the freedoms that many cannot in nations across the world. It's nice to be able to choose my own beliefs, whether they be religious or political.

Okay everyone, have a safe and happy weekend, I hope you all get some writing done!