Si, Se Puede--Yes, you can!

1. So just broke down and went to another optometrist to check vision as I've been having issues.  I can't see the computer screen with my present progressive glasses which means I take them off.  Not good.  So just found out the vision is changing in my right eye which is throwing everything off.  Optometrist told me that my progressives 'don't work' for the times I work on the computer.  Since I'm an author?  That means I work in front of the computer ALL THE TIME. Le sigh. Getting older sucks. At least I was able to choose a really cute pair of glasses that totally look great!  I wasn't liking my current ones.  When I told them this?  And said I couldn't figure out why?  "Because they make you look washed out."  Nailed it. 2. Damon is now 9 weeks old! I swear he's photogenic! 3. Finished reading: My YA Books Central review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/19594-the-way-i-used-to-be Teaser:  Powe...

1. I don't know about anyone else but Daylight Savings Time totally did a number on me this time around.  We 'overslept' on Monday, meaning his ride to early morning Bible study class didn't pick him up.  Then on Wednesday, his ride overslept. Ugh. I know that Daylight Savings Time had a purpose back in the 19th century and all but don't think we need it now.  Even my parrot overslept! 2. Just sent in proposal for sequel to CROSSED OUT! 3. Still working hard on this revision.  Omg, will it ever frickin' end? 4. Finished reading: Diverse twist on the whole meteor-hits-earth premise. Author nails the emotions of autistic teen who survives and is thrust into a life or death situation involving those close to her. 5. Also this one:  My YA Books Central review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/19128-save-me-kurt-cobain Teaser:   This novel is much more than a coming of age story about an obsessed fan but rath...

1. Been in a funk with writing.  It's more than a writer's block but more of a disillusion right now.  Hate when life happens.  The whole being the mom of a teen is hard. **Learning there is a 'secret' language with the eye roll. Omg, how sad is it when you now can relate somewhat with the parent in a YA book? I agree with this post on the whole control thing: 2. Really admire writer friend Melodye Shore.  She went to a recent KKK rally in Anaheim, California.  She asked if I would be going, but I couldn't.  She posted her take of the rally and why it was so important to be there. Photo courtesy of Melodye Shore I agree.  By being silent in the face of evil, we condone that act. Here's a link to her article: http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-kkk-anaheim-protest-blowback-20160309-story.html Another link to her blog post: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/wyatt-706061-counter-flag.html **Melod...

1. I'm on Tumblr!  Check out my posts at: http://ixtumea1.tumblr.com/ 2. Been attacking this on-going revision: Also using Natural Reader to help me 'hear' my manuscript.  Using this app has helped me find some typos and awkward sentence structure that I wouldn't have found otherwise. Link: http://www.naturalreaders.com/index.html 3. Went to Omar's Bird store to see Damon!  Here he is at week six.  Don't you think he's getting bigger?  And omg, he's so photogenic too! 4. There's some awesome books coming out! My YA Books Central review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/19499-the-executioner-s-daughter Teaser:  Mesmerizing tale where the world of King Henry VIII meets an urban river legend. Readers will be caught up with not only the plight of Moss but court intrigues as well. 5.  YA Books Central review:  http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/19510-we-were-never-here Teaser:  Hear...

1. Can't believe it's almost March!!! The weather's been really warm and it feels almost like Spring. Northern Ca and Washington state are getting TONS of rain.  So are the Sierra Madre mountains. It does look like we will get some rain in March.  Our office was flooded two years ago during March rain storms.  Hoping for rain but not tons of it. 2. Reading lots this week! Here's some of what I've been reading: My YA Books Central review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/19452-summer-days-and-summer-nights Teaser:  This is a great collection of tales that brings back memories of hot days and summer love. 3.  .YA Books Central review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/19475-even-if-the-sky-falls Teaser:   Whirlwind romance in the heart of New Orleans with characters that decide to take a chance on each other with very satisfying results. 4.   Right now reading this anthology: This is a must read for any fans...

1. It's raining! This means of course that I have to be extra careful driving on the I-5 freeway as people out here don't know how to drive in the rain.  I'm from Northern Ca-Sacramento-so it never fails to amaze me how Southern Californians react in the rain. 2. Total DUH moment: On TV last night a nurse reported that this is the worse flu season she's seen. Son was out for a whole week due to this virus and husband's been sick for over 2 fricking weeks. 3. Been attacking this revision.  Following feedback from YA author on how to polish this baby.  Also going to enter the Rosemary Awards...again. 4. Look what I got yesterday: My reaction whenever I get a box of books! **I've been going through a dry spell with reading YA.  Totally HATE when that happens.  So I picked up this book: 5. Amazing read of two sisters and how they deal with the invasion of France during World War 2.  Very powerful and bittersweet, this story had...

1. Well, the plague has hit our household.  Son's been out all week.  Husband had it for OVER  a week.  Both went to the doctor.  Both were told it's NOT the flu but has very similar symptoms--fever, sore throat, aches, headache, fatigue, and no voice. Sounds like the flu to me. 2. I was able to go to coffee house to get some more editing done.  Plus, need to get out of house! Almost at midpoint in this latest round of revising.  Whew.  Cut out almost 10K of this novel.  Going over feedback from critique buddy and another YA author that I had read it over. 3. Signed up to go to RWA16!  It's in San Diego this year which is like an hour drive away.  Need to push my fears of driving to a different place by myself aside and do it!  But the cost of the hotel is very $$$.  This means I can only go for 2 days.  Still, it'll be a nice get away and I can mingle with other romance writers! 4. Didn't read as much t...

**Also check out my Tumblr: http://ixtumea1.tumblr.com/ 1.  This is start of Spring semester.  My last semester homeschooling. It'll be nice to have a break.  Son is almost 15 years old and wants to be with his friends.  The charter school's student center has hardly any teens attending.  I think this will be nice for both of us.  I just worry about how he'll do but he does need to experience the whole high school thing. 2. I'm really liking THE SHADOWHUNTERS but rumor has it the stats aren't there. Bummer. The chemistry between the characters is so much better than the movie version.  Hope more people give it a chance! 3. Working on this revision.  Cutting LOTS and adding more details that need to be in it.  Hopefully with son going back to public school this will free me up to write more and get this baby done by the end of this year! Also enjoying SHANNARA which is on MTV.  It's based on the fantasy series by ...