Friday, January 27, 2012

Appreciating The Special People In Our Lives

For today's post instead of doing my weekly #BNFF, I've decided to change the tone up a bit and simply share with all of you a little about myself.

My life has been pretty topsy turvy lately...well, at least more so than usual.  Ailing family members, family crisis, bouts of depression, uncertainty, fear, and just a general sense of feeling lost and adrift.  Things that I've over course faced in the past, just not all at once. I've found myself seeking solace anywhere that would help distract my mind...watching movies, reading & writing.

But even still I found that my spurts of inspiration were often followed by an extended time of reflection. Where I would find myself asking the old cliched questions, "what am I doing?" "am I good enough?" "what makes me think I'm so special?" "am I living up to my true potential?" "am I chasing an unobtainable dream?"...basically the typical spell of self-doubt.

But unlike previous times when these funky downer moods have struck and I find myself feeling doubtful about my writing and whether I've chosen the right path for my life, I quickly throw myself back into the one thing that always reminds me why I love what I love so much.

Reading.

I LOVE to read!! And if I'm honest, I could say just as much as I enjoy writing, maybe more so. Let me repeat. I LOOOOOOVE TO READ! Ever since I was a little girl when all those weird funky looking symbols on the page suddenly started to make sense and a whole world seemed to open up to me. I was hooked.  I honestly can't explain how completely necessary books and literature have become to my life.

And if it weren't for one very special person in my life I'm not sure I would even be here writing this post for you today today, let alone writing books of my own. And that special person is my MOM.
 
Yes. I know it's not Mother's Day yet but I just felt the most powerful urge to send a HUGE thank you to my "mama" for planting the seed that has ultimately influenced and shaped me into becoming the person I am today. 

You're the best & I love you very much!!

I have a friend who sadly lost his mother last year and I know that he still feels the loss of her presence.  So if you're one of the lucky ones who can still run up and give your mom a BIG smackin' kiss and hug, I firmly suggest you do so ASAP!!  Don't take the time you have with those that you care about and love for granted. Call, text, drive/fly for a visit, I don't care how you do it...JUST DO IT!!

*dialing mom now* =)

Happy Writing & Happy Reading!


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

AUTHOR ALERT: Melanie Marks

I'm finding my groove people!!! And boy does it feel good to be blogging again. Still a little slow with the posts, but don't worry I'm getting back into the swing of things.

That being said...

For my first AUTHOR ALERT of 2012 I am REALLY excited and thrilled to introduce a writer that I, for the most part, accidentally stumbled across.  Haha! Now please don't let my random reading lifestyle detour you from reading further because I am pleased to introduce you to YA writer...Melanie Marks!!

*stands & claps*

Melanie was born and raised in California. She is married to a naval nuclear submarine officer with three "terrific" kids. With over sixty short stories published in various magazines Melanie has definitely created a nice cozy spot for herself in the literary world. 



I fell into serious like with Melanie after reading her long novella, HIS KISS (which I LOVED!)...it's a short but sweet YA romance.


"His Kiss"
"Ally’s world was totally on track: the right boyfriend, the right school activities, the right plans. But then she is bribed into kissing the school “bad boy.” And now nothing is right. Nothing! Because all she can think about is … His Kiss."
HIS KISS is available now on Amazon! GET YOUR COPY TODAY!!

Now unlike most of the writers I've met in the last year on twitter, I actually came across Melanie while perusing Amazon for something to read one quiet afternoon and let's just say I wasn't disappointed. Melanie has a fun, light, and witty style of writing that I find suits the reader in me perfectly, especially on a nice quiet afternoon.

For more information about Melanie and her work please visit her website. You can also follow her on twitter (@ByMelanieMarks).

Happy Writing & Happy Reading!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

"The Woman In Black" Movie Trailer

So as most of you know I am a HUGE movie addict. Seriously, the stuff is like crack to me, and to add to it I also really enjoy dark films. I know...I don't really fit the mold but there you have it.  I am really looking forward to this film.

Plus, I'm interested to see Daniel Radcliffe as someone other than Harry Potter.  Enjoy!

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe

"The Woman In Black"


Eeeeek eeeeek eeeeek! BAHAHAHA! So wicked. Gotta see this!

Happy Writing & Happy Reading!


Well...


Before I say ANYTHING else I want to first say...IM SO DEEPLY SORRY for the way I sort of faded out on you guys.  There's really no valid excuse. Life just sort of overwhelmed me and I just became consumed with other things that were happening around me. But the storm has passed and I'm ready to jump back into things. Let's do this!!!

My tune of the day:

Flyleaf - "Missing"



So yeah, I am back and am anxious to dive head first into what has always brought me joy. WRITING. I really have missed you all, and I hope I haven't loss too many of you while my life sort of took some unexpected turns over the last month. I feel like I've let so many of you down, but I intend to make it up to you not with words but with BOOKS! Hahahaha! So prepare yourself, because my MOJO is back!

So now for UPDATES...

Due to all the overwhelming nature of holidays, unexpected personal/family issues and distractions I've dealt with the last month or so, the release date of I LOVE YOU, SARAH LOGAN will be pushed back to March 1st. I know, I know...I'm thoroughly disappointed as well. But sometimes life has other plans and I need time to get back into the swing of things and do what I plan to do right.

But some good news is...I will be posting the cover, a summary, and an excerpt of my debut novel in the next few weeks in the "Writing" section of my blog. Woot woot!

Am beginning the cover art work for Book 1 of my THE CREED series.


Writing a screenplay! HURRAY! For which I must confess I enjoy writing almost as much as I do novels.

So there you have it folks! My back-on-the-bandwagon writer life in nutshell. Now let's get this train moving!!!

Happy Writing & Happy Reading!!



Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year! 2012 is HERE!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, ALL!!!

Wow! Can you believe this?! *dances on sofa* A new year, with a new start to make it whatever you want to make it.  No excuses but the ones YOU make.  A whole new year and I feel almost like a new person. I can't really explain how completely scared out of my mind I am about what this year promises to bring.  LOTS of big steps and firsts that's for sure...

1. I intend to self-publish my first book, I LOVE YOU, SARAH LOGAN

2. I will be releasing Book 1 of my series, THE CREED, this Spring.

3. Lastly, I will be submitting a movie script for consideration to agents this year as well.  Yes, I'm a hopeful screenwriter. I know...I'm CUH-RAZY!!!

Now obviously, there are no guarantees on how any of this will turn out for me but nothing worth going after (in my opinion) isn't without risk. So I hope you all will stick with me for the EPIC ride I intend to take in 2012.  Again, Happy New Year.

Happy Writing & Happy Reading!