Si, Se Puede--Yes, you can!

1. Started week off with hosting a YA Books Central chat with NYT Bestselling author Rachel Caine--author of the Morganville Vamp series and a brand new series.  It was fast-paced and very fun! YA Books Central review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18550-ink-and-bone-the-great-library Teaser:  There's suspense, adventure, the grittiness of war and loss, betrayal, secrets, and more! The build up to the final reveal has Jess confront the very thing he fears.   Fascinating new series with an alternative history where the Library of Alexandria still exists and the few brave enough to stand up to the controlling power that means to silence them. Highly recommended! 2. Right now reading THE FIXER by Jennifer Barnes Think YA meets SCANDAL with a dash of VERONICA MARS.  Really enjoying! 3. Younger brother went to a Frida Kahlo exhibit in Tijuana, Mexico and brought me back stuff!  His fiancee, who is a Mexican n...

1. So I've been in a mega funk with my writing.  Need to motivate self to get up earlier, say 'no' more(during summer this seems harder to do), and just: Tell self this: Exactly?  What am I afraid of?  It's not as if I haven't had three books published so far( and one was a reissue).  Getting rejections is scary but one thing I've learned from being a Staff reviewer at YA Books Central is it's all subjective.  Someone might HATE my work, while another person might actually like it. But it's very daunting to get out there.  I just need to: And get through this: 2. Saying that, I am working on edits for my sequel right now.  I'm finding that I tend to overuse certain words and phrases.  Sigh.  But I'm trying to look at this in a more positive way by using this experience to help me hone the craft so my latest books will shine more! 3. I'm eighty percent done reading GO SET A WATCHMAN SPOILER ALERT: Or don...

1. Now with scoring over till a promised Fall project, it's back to writing. Only it's been slow as it's hard to get back into the swing of things and it's summer break! I should be doing this: Only it's been more like this: This is totally me: Need to gain more confidence in my writing ability and just finish this DANG REVISION! 2. Been listening to GO SET A WATCHMAN by Harper Lee. Right before the release, there were a lot of naysayers saying basically, "Don't read as Lee was taken advantage of."  To, "Atticus is a racist in this book."  None of these naysayers have even read the book.  Uh, isn't it censorship if you tell others not to read a book just because you 'heard' things about it? Right now I'm enjoying this novel that's more a reflection of Jean Louise's past and her coming to grips with her future along with her relationship with Atticus.  TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD(whic...

1. Finished scoring.  Yay! 2. Been working on edits for sequel to GODDESSES.  Liz does a fab job of bring the best out of my work.  Whenever I think of those who tell me that they don't need editors?  I cringe.  Maybe that's fine with them but I just know without a good edit job?  It's like night and day. 3. Finished reading this fab YA book.  Colleen Lindsay over on Twitter highly recommended. Her comments on Twitter:  Yes! Nova is a fantastic debut novel! Tell everyone about it! And then tell the author @ mara_fortune if you like it! 9:00am · 4 Jul 2015  ·  Twitter Web Client Let's just say, she was so right!  Loved this novel something fierce! YA Books Central review link:  http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18060-nova Teaser:  Author does a great job of taking an otherwise unsympathetic heroine(in this case readers aren't sure if she's a suicide bomber or not) and digs deep to re...

1. Son's been gone all week at Yosemite with his scout troop.  He was able to go on a white water rapids excursion and hike the Half Dome while there. With son gone that meant husband and I were able to go out to the movies, dinner, and breakfast.  Plus, I was able to get some writing done! 2. Teaser on a secret project I've been working on: 3. Still scoring.  Should be done with project by this next Friday! 4. Read THE RULES by Nancy Holder YA Books Central review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18388-the-rules Teaser:  A bloody twist on the game CLUE with a huge helping of I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER. Tons of twists and turns that leave readers second guessing on who the killer might be. THE RULES is sure to appeal to horror fans. 5.  Finishing THE STARS NEVER RISE by Rachel Vincent Really loving this twist on the whole dystopian demon hunter series. **Guilty Pleasure: Finally going to ...

1. Been driving all over town getting stuff for son's upcoming Yosemite and Half Dome hike trip.  He's now 5'8!  And of course all the camping clothing stuff from last year's trip don't fit so I had to get more clothing, hiking boots, and other gear. This all equals $$$ He'll be going with his scout troop from church so he'll be taken care of. 2. Scoring some more.  Was put on a new project that is really ... HARD This is me after a hour of analyzing essays. 3. Just finished reading an amazing YA contemporary that deals with a girl in a cult.  I thought at first, yeah, another cult survivor story. Uh, WRONG. This is a raw, intense account of Minnow, a teen who was raised in a hidden cult  and the horrific trials she goes through by just questioning.  An insightful look into Minnow's journey from victim to survivor. Total must read! 4. Listening to TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and totally loving.  Son needs to read in 9t...

1. Been busy scoring essays.  This is me after 4 hours of scoring essays: Looks like there's a couple more weeks of this project and after that, I'll finish that so-called 'quick' read of my latest project.  **Really need to get this done so I can make my Fall deadline of querying! 2. Speaking of projects, I've been featured over on my Lachesis publisher's site. Tuesday there's a Q&A post: http://lachesispublishing.com/?page_id=169 Wednesday I share some of my Top 5 Horror books: http://lachesispublishing.com/?p=5439 Thursday comment on your own favorite children/YA book! http://lachesispublishing.com/?p=5452 Comment and have a chance at winning a free e-book!  Better yet, let me know you commented on Friday's post and I'll send you some swag. And with all that I should be having some news to share on the writing front! 3. Doing some research for a possible romance set in the 1920s. This series was suggested: I...

1. First off, the last day of school was Wednesday.  Son is done with middle school and will be a freshman in high school this next school year. On how I feel about school being over: One more year of homeschooling and then going to transition son to public high school.  Hoping this will mean I will be able to write full-time again as it looks like I might have more on my plate! Speaking of: 2. I might have some more news to share next week!  Writing news.   3. Right now finishing up a quick read of my revision before doing yet another quicker round of edits on it and then I will be sending to critique buddy so I can get ready to query again! 4. Just finished reading THE EDGE OF FOREVER My YA Books Central review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18258-the-edge-of-forever Teaser:  Fast-paced time travel tale with twists and turns throughout and with a mystery that keeps readers turning the pages. 5. Agent...

1. Doing a quick read through on my project.  Making notes, comments throughout.  Hope to finish the read-through by next week.  Then put aside for a few, work  new feedback in and then let critique buddy read. This project has been going on and off since 2011.  Hope to finally get it into shape to start querying in the Fall. 2. Need to start work on a new project...soon.  Hopefully that will help me get excited on writing again.  I think the combo of end of the year drama, family issues, and other things have me stuck in a funk. Hoping to find that light at the end of the tunnel. 3. Right now reading DAUGHTER OF DEEP SILENCE: This book is filled with awesomeness.  Think REVENGE meets YA.  Totally loving! YA Books Central review coming real soon! 4.  Also reading RUN TO YOU. Really enjoying this paranormal romance! 5. Went and saw the remark of POLTERGEIST the other day with son....