Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Thank you.

I am ready for 2010.

2009 was a great year but not the best for me. I am ready for it to be over and ready to start new. Its almost refreshing, knowing that the new year is so close, that I beat every obstacle 2009 threw at me.

Enough with the new year, the point of this post is that I want to say thank you. Thank you to all of you who have cared enough to read my blog, to comment on my questions and ideas, it means more than you know. I was skeptic about starting a blog at first, not knowing really what would come out of it but I am glad I did. I have met some promising writers who's words have touched me and inspired the heck out of me.

I can honestly say that every writer I have met on here has promise, has a future in the publishing world. I believe in all of you, I really do, and I wish you all the best in 2010.


I know we will all make it. You know why?

Because we love to write. It is so wonderful to be surrounded by people who have the same passion for writing as I do.

For the first time I feel like someone understands my dream, so thank you again, for caring and understanding.



Everything is possible. Nothing is out of our reach, if we just believe.

Title.

In this post I shall tackle the subject of choosing a title for your book.

I find it to be very, very difficult. My current title was Amber but I decided to change the title to Blood Stone--which stands for protecting against all evil, which fits the theme of my book perfectly.

I wonder, are authors ever permanently happy with their title? Or are they always second guessing it, even after it is published. I want to be more than content with my title and right now I am. I wanted a title that resembled my MC's purpose and Bloodstone gives me that satisfaction.

Some questions to think about...

What inspires a title? A character? A place in the story? A song? A line? A scene? Maybe all of these things?

So tell me, what inspired your title? Are you happy with it? Are you still indecisive about it?

Also, what do you guys think, which is a catchier title, Amber or Bloodstone?




The night was strange, almost alien. I felt them watching me; their whispers were carved into the center of my thoughts, haunting me in my wake and sleep. I felt the urge to flee but something kept me here, made me stay where danger lived. I knew that something was her.
- Drake

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Award. Dilemma.



The lovely Mireyah Wolfe passed along the Circle of Friends Award to me (thank you Mireyah!) The rules for this award are to list five things about myself and to past it along to other bloggers. I am not sure how many but I chose five gals who's comments have seriously touched me and kept me going in this crazy writing world.

1. Mary over at Writers Butt Does Not Apply To Me
2. Tina over at Sweet Niblets
3. Isuet over at Little Pieces Of me
4. Kate Ganshert
5. Tricia J. O'brien over at Talespinning


As for listing five things about myself, I decided to list five things that I look forward to in 2010.

1. Creative Writing II class
2. Editing the heck out of my WIP.
3. Completing my debut author and 100 books challenge
4. Quit smoking
5. conquering my fear of the ocean.

Yes, I am definitely looking forward to 2010!

Now, for the not so exciting part of this post...

I came across a dilemma while editing the second chapter of my current WIP. Not a huge dilemma, but here is the problem...I am stuck.

Stuck. Stuck. Stuck. I love chapter one but chapter two is making me go a tad nuts. It is probably my slowest chapter, not much happens. I know I need to make the pace move faster but I am coming up blank. I was thinking of maybe moving on to another chapter and letting this one sit for awhile.

Sigh.

What about you bloggers? If your stuck do you move on or stay and tackle that pesky chapter?



This picture lifted my spirits, reminding me that even in the deepest, darkest corners of the world, light can shine.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Guess what?

Guess what I received for Christmas? A laptop! My very first laptop!!! It is shiny, sleek, and a midnight blue shade!!! Please, understand my use for so many exclamation points, I am super excited!!!!

My Christmas was fabulous and I hope yours was just as wonderful--filled with gifts and family moments that are irreplaceable. Since I received my new laptop I have been editing like a mad woman on way too much caffeine. It has been pure bliss, spending so much time with Drake and my other characters in a world so fascinating, so haunting I never want to leave.

I was up way past midnight last night, writing, cutting, reading, just completely enveloped in his life. I have been lost in another Universe not known to others. It has been pure bliss around here.

I have been thinking of which scene to choose for the No Kiss Blogfest. I have a few in mind and I am extremely excited to share with all of you my chosen scene, not to mention I can't wait to read yours!

I am anticipating the New Year and what it will bring. It is an exciting time isn't it? Putting away the old and starting with the new, closing certain doors and opening new ones. It is a time I relish and take in with arms wide open.

I will go back to my editing now, Drake is whispering times that I must create.

Have a lovely night.




Beneath it all I was hooked, helplessly tied into a million knots. Part of me wanted to break free, but a stronger part, a more dominate part told me to stay hooked on her
- Drake


How was your Christmas? What exciting gifts did you receive? Are you anticipating the new year?

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Kissing day. Award.

I can't get over how much I enjoyed Official Kissing Day Blogfest! It was a fantastic idea, thank you Sherrinda, for hosting the fest. I want to say thank you to everyone who read my scene and for your thoughtful, uplifting comments. You spun my day into bundle of blissful braids and brightened my night. Thank you. It is almost sad that Kissing day is over...

The romantic, dreamy scenes are over...

Actually, they aren't! Frankie, over at Frankie Writes, is hosting the No Kiss Blogfest! It will take place on January, 2, 2010! We shall post our almost kissing scenes. You know, the ones where you hold your breath, wait while clutching the pages of your book, hoping for them to kiss, but then they don't!

I can already feel the sweet tension in these upcoming scenes! I can't wait! Well done, Frankie!

I am prepared to be swooned once again by all of my fellow blogger friends.

The sweet Natalie Bahm has passed along the Kreativ Blogger award to me. Thank you Natalie! The rules for this award are that I pass it along to seven other followers and list at least seven things about myself.


1) I prefer tea over coffee.

2) I feel overwhelmed just by holding Wuthering Heights in my hands.

3) I write better at night than during the day.

4)I have a thing for Hot Pockets.

5) I sometimes talk to my characters, literally.

6) Possums scare me.

7) I admire the brave.

These seven gals really deserve this award, even though most of them already have this award. It was difficult to find bloggers who didn't already have this award, but regardless theses gals rock and I absolutely love their blogs!

1) Stephanie Thornton
2) Julie
3) Julie Dao
4) Jenn Johansson
5) Karen Denise
6) Gael Wynne
7) Bethany

Be sure to stop by their blogs and show them some holiday spirit. I probably won't be blogging for the next few days, due to the holidays, but I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy, happy New Year!



Of course, a picture to wish all of you a swooning, special Christmas.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Official Kissing day Blogfest Scene!

Finally, it is Monday and I am allowed to post my scene. I hope you enjoy it and please bare with me, for it is still in the editing process. Before I post, Drake would like to share something with you...

The event that has occurred made my life take a turn, that I have yet to figure out if it was right or wrong. It was a difficult time and confusion played a big part in my decisions, for they were all based on impulse. Some may question my suddenness but I lack the answers. This is what happened, it was out of my control and beyond my expectations. A part of me does not regret what happened, another speaks otherwise. If my story shall ever come to an end, maybe I will know then, till then, I can only continue on with what I know... and that is that everything I acted upon was based on a love stronger than usual.

- Drake.

The still water appeared like a mirror, reflecting thousands of orange and white strands of light. The heavy set moon bore over our heads, its weight felt present above me, like a protector against all that was wrong lately. Our shoes were tucked half way under the sand by the misshapen rocks, the wind was picking up and I shut my eyes, enjoying the breeze layering over my skin.

"If Melody and you couldn’t make things work, well then, how will I ever make things work with Aaron?” it was more of a statement than a question. She was silent as her fingers played with the sand, gathering portions, allowing them to slip through her fingers; I mimicked her, not wanting to admit that I lacked the answer for her cold statement. The thought of Melody pressed hard onto my shoulders, it was a difficult weight to carry, a weight I was not fit to carry.

Amber stood and walked over to the water, her skin glowed in the bone white light of the moon, and she appeared almost translucent, like a gentle ghost haunting to soothe a wounded human soul. She dipped her toe into the water and pulled it back, shivering from the ice feel of the water.

I smiled and it wasn’t forced. I held that smile, for I had missed feeling the sudden urge to smile. It had not come lately but she brought it back, she made me feel normal.

I walked over to her and we stood only inches away from one another, the distance between us was difficult to ignore and I felt a pull towards her, one that was almost uncontrollable. We were both experiencing a new race of pain and testing the waters of the helpless. It was comforting in a way, to stand here with her, to understand her, to understand one thing at all. She looked up at me from under her full-brown lashes and I caught her gaze. I wanted to tear away but it was the impossible that I was battling against.

Everything in her shy eyes was a reflection. I saw my pain mirrored, my confusion laid out, my sudden urge…

It was a peculiar feeling, especially for me to feel toward Amber.

Then, something changed in her eyes, they twisted into a sort of worry and my face like a mirror shot back the same gaze. I knew why she was afraid, because I had once feared the same thing. I felt her slipping away, coming to her senses, ready to back away, but I felt myself drifting away from common sense and lurking into the light of the shadows that were forbidden.

She was forbidden.

She began to turn, so I acted on impulse, grabbing her face in between my hands, my veins pulsated and my grip was strong but gentle against her white skin. She looked up at me with such wanting but terror at the same time.

My lips pressed against hers; parting in such sync it was rhythmical. My body shot into a welcoming heat, like sitting next to a blazing fire. She didn’t fight my touch; she surrendered into what we had both been denying for such a long time. We had both been fighting the inevitable of our being together, the forbidden love everyone around us has set.

Her fingers pulled at the tips of my hair and our hips pressed together. My head grew dizzy and my breathing was as rapid as hers. We were finally on the same page with one another, and I begged for it not to turn, or for it to end. My chest rubbed against hers and the heat inside of me rose, skyrocketed, making the back of my neck hot and my face a bright red. No matter how hard I held her, pressed against her, it wasn’t satisfying enough. I was a camel in the dessert, continuously thirsting for her.

Her hands loosened around my boiling neck and she pulled away, I could tell it hurt her to part from the way she stared at me. Her lower lip trembled and just like that, her eyes broke away from mine and she ran… leaving her shoes still tucked under the sand and breaking free from my presence in total.

I wanted to scream her name, wanted to run, but I just stood there. I could still feel her body close to mine. Her vanilla ginger scent lingered on my shirt and the pain swelled within me, suffocating my mind. Everything lately came pouring down on me like a possessed rainfall. Between Melody and I ending our four year relationship, the suddenness of my best friend’s lies, the strange, unexplainable disappearances, I felt my sanity drifting. Everything was creeping into the center of my mind.

I couldn’t put into sense what had just happened. I couldn’t explain anything that was suddenly occurring. I didn’t understand my sudden love for Amber. I had no answers but only questions.

Nothing made any sense. Love didn’t make sense. Maybe this isn’t love, but I’m certain it is. I am not an expert at love, but I can tell the difference between this overwhelming feeling, this over the top battle between sensibility and reasoning, from other numb controllable feelings. Love is irrational, unstable, and without reason or argument, the best thing I have ever invested my time on.

I know it is a bit long, but a thank you in advance to whoever reads it. I can't wait to read all of yours!

Allow yourself to explore the forbidden grounds of love.



Official Kissing Day Blogfest link.

If you're participating in the Official Kissing Day Blogfest (which you really should), head over to Sherrinda's blog and post your Official Kissing Day Blogfest link! So we could all read your sure to swoon scene.

I already have my scene picked out! It is one of my favorite scenes from my current WIP. And of course, I can't wait to read all of yours. This is so very exciting!

I wish this post were longer or filled with a million inspiring and pretty things but Christmas is in five days and I am rather busy with holiday things and writing, but tomorrow I will be back with my scene :)




I found this picture, it reminded me of my dream and I had to share it with you. I hope it inspires you and may you find something that will bring your scene to life.





Friday, December 18, 2009

Win these.

Books! Books! Books!


Oh, ah, those look tempting...


So do these!


A mystery ARC also sounds rather tempting.


Want them? Got to have them? Head over to Cindy's blog and enter for a chance to win!

Also, I am seriously excited for Mondays Official Kissing Day Blogfest! I get to share with all of you a steamy kissing scene from my current WIP! Not to mention I can't wait to read other scenes from other bloggers!

Are you participating in Mondays fanciful blogfest?


Good night.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Award.

Tina Lynn over at Sweet Niblets ( go over to her blog, listen to her magical musical player, seriously, you know you want to!) granted me the One Lovely Blog Award! I smiled like a child for about a minute and did my little happy dance, then I decided to spend time with my older brother, George, who had just arrived from California for the holidays.

We planted ourselves on the dinner table and stayed up talking, laughing, and catching up till 6am (something I rarely, rarely do). I spilled all of the details on how my writing was going and he filled me in about his most artwork and how he scored a gallery show! I couldn't be more proud of him!

If you would like to see some of his artwork, go on over to his place.

It felt so nice just to have him back. I have a feeling this Christmas is going to be extra special :)

Okay, on to the award...What a beauty! Time to pass it on...

1) Mireyahwolfe- her blog Crimson ink has spunk and entertaining posts that I tend to read often. I mean just her name, Mireyah Wolfe, pretty much rocks.

2) Kelly- her blog, Kelly's Compositions, definitely deserves the One Lovely Blog award. Go see for yourself!

3) Angie Kate- her blog title, Always write, is the definition of a writers job. Her posts always make me smile and I love her fun apple story. Check her out!


I tend to keep my promise on posting pictures of the very special (well, at least to me) lake that plays a huge part in my MC's life very, very soon!

And of course, I must leave you with a picture which I hope will take you away into a world where anything is possible, where imagination is honored and awed, where flying is an everyday kind of thing, and where dreams spiral into reality.


Tell me, what is going to make your holidays special this year?

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

I have been tagged.

Tricia J. O'Brien tagged me, so now I shall surrender to these questions with my hands raised in the air, and then tag five other bloggers!

1) What's the last thing you wrote? What's the first thing you wrote that you still have?

I am currently working on my novel, titled Amber. To read more about Amber, scroll down, shift your eyes to the right of my blog, and read the rather long description under a Tiny Glimpse of Amber.

The first thing I ever wrote was a story titled, Miss Lady Bug. Miss Lady bug traveled through many magical lands in search of her Mr. Lady Bug. She found him in the end. I was around six when I wrote it and I still have it stashed away in my room.

2) Write poetry?


I have... I love poetry and wish that I was better at it.

3) Angsty poetry?

Definitely. However, that stays inside the pages of my personal journal, safe and sound.

4) Favorite genre of writing?

I am addicted to Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy.

5) Most annoying character you've ever created?

I love all of my characters, but to be fair, I must say my MC's father will rack your brain and continue on till you pull your hair out. Just don't get the wrong idea, there is more to him than meets the eye.

6) Best plot you've ever created?

I am currently working on it.

7) Coolest plot twist you've ever created?

I recently created a pretty sick (not deranged sick) plot twist that had me up till the darkest hours of the night, constantly heading back to the kitchen to refill my coffee mug. I take my coffee straight with only a tiny bit of soy milk, oh, and whip cream. How could I forget the whip cream, yum.

8) How often do you get writer's block?

Not often, rarely actually. My MC is a tough man to hush up.

9) Write fan fiction?

Never have and most probably never will. I am way to caught up in my own world.

10) Do you type or write by hand?

I prefer to type. However, in class when I should be taking notes or paying close attention to whatever the professor is going on about, I write by hand in whatever notebook I have with me that day. Then, when I get home, I am groaning the fact that I have to review whatever I missed.

11) Do you save everything you write?

Yes, I have different files for everything I write.

12) Do you ever go back to an idea after you've abandoned it?

Oh, this has happened many times.

13) What's your favorite thing you've ever written?

When I reached the age of eight or nine, everything I wrote was about my MC, so it's all pretty much a tie.

14) What's everyone else's favorite story you've written?

I once wrote this short story for my lovely best friend, Isuet. A lot of people seemed to like that one.

15) Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?

I write plenty of romance and teen drama. There is something about romance mixed with a teens first dilemmas in life that pull me in.

16) What's your favorite setting for your characters?

His comfort place, which is a lake close to his home.

17) How many writing projects are you working on right now?

My novel and a short story for my college's magazine, Cafe Cultura.

18) Have you ever won an award for your writing?

I have never won an award, but one of my poems, Sunny Girl, was published in a collection of poems by American league of poets. Another poem, Kathy, was published in my College's magazine.

19) What are your five favorite words?

I don't have a favorite word, but if I had to choose five...
Irrevocable. Possible. Whisper. Night. Strange.

They are simple, but there is a story behind each one of these words.

20) What character have you created that is most like yourself?

My MC's love interest, Amber.

21) Where do you get your ideas for your characters?

They come from many different places and people in my life, especially my home.

22) Do you ever write based on your dreams?

Sometimes, or I will take pieces from my dreams and play with them in my writing.

23) Do you favor happy endings?

I enjoy unexpected endings with a twist.

24) Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?

If I come across a mistake, I fix it. I think every writer is somewhat concerned with their spelling or grammar.

25) Does music help you write?

I cannot write without listening to music, even when I blog. I am currently listening to Paramore, When It Rains.

26) Quote something you've written. Whatever pops in your head.

I think I will let Drake take it from here...

I suddenly understood Hamlet as if I was him, battling a never ending string of choices that hung way above my head, completely out of my reach.


Julie, over at The Climb.
Kelly, over at Kelly Compositions.
Vero, over at Vero's Writing Journey
Bethany, over at Aspirations
Ellie, over at Matter of the Heart

Guess what? You're it! Be sure to check out these ladies blogs and their insanely great posts!

Thank you Tricia J. O'brien for tagging me! It has been fun! Be sure to take a visit to her blog!


My brother should be arriving from California soon for the holidays ( I am very excited), so I will leave you all with a picture that will hopefully brighten up your night and send a flutter of light dancing through you.

Remember, nothing is impossible.