A Saturday Hello

I do hope you are all enjoying the Critique Party! There have been some really excellent comments for these writers. Thank you all for participating. Next week we have three more critiques: two queries, and one more first page.

After that we'll go back to the regular schedule again. Though, if you guys have enjoyed/learned from this I may do it again.

Have a good weekend, lovelies! I'm off to do some writing.

Critique Party #5

Remember - I'm moderating the comments. This is meant to help one another, so be nice.

Our goal is to help each writer make their page stronger.

Ordinary Life of the Insect Collector, a YA mystery novel by Katharine

It’s only spring, but because it’s a clear day and late afternoon, it’s already hot. The sun casts a shadow in front of me as I crouch on the ground over the creature. My friend Liza sighs, for the second time, and fusses around next to our bikes. She’s getting impatient, but I don’t care. I can only focus on the insect.

“Bea, can you please hurry up?” Liza calls. “Some guys are coming down the street— they look like college kids, and I would rather not come off as a total freak, okay?”

“Nice, Liza,” I answer, “that is really a phenomenal way to treat one of your closest friends. If you don’t stop, I’ll wait until they’re right next to us and make myself look even weirder.”

“Is that even possible?” Liza says. She knows it’s no use: I’ll be ready when I’m ready. “Seriously, though, they’re cute,” Liza adds with a whine, dragging out the “u” in cute.

We were biking home from school when I insisted on stopping at the lot. It’s a sandy area, surrounded by a chain link fence, with a few patches of grass. The lot is completely undeveloped, which is almost unheard of around here. It’s technically private property, but everyone in the neighborhood uses it. There are often people throwing balls to dogs, or a few college kids hanging out and smoking cigarettes. I like it because you can find bugs you wouldn’t see in other places, because of the open spaces and sandy soil.

When we arrive, I put the kickstand down on my bike and walk back and forth across the sandy areas as Liza and I talk. I make my fourth pass, it’s going to be my last, and then I spot it: the cow killer.

Critique Party #4

Remember - I'm moderating the comments. This is meant to help one another, so be nice.

Our goal is to help each writer make their page stronger.

Falling to Normal, a contemporary YA novel by Alicia Gregoire.

For years, I had envisioned my juvie release under various scenarios: fanfare, nonexistent diplomatic immunity, and the detention center’s spontaneous combustion to name a few, but never as part of something so routine as scheduling my annual holiday retreat. I sat in Director Lady’s state-approved office with my uncle, Andy, to discuss my two full days away with the LaSalle clan. My mother’s brother had been my guardian for the last four and a half years. Not that he had an opportunity to flex guardian muscle since for the entire duration I was locked up for one life-altering mistake.

That mistake temporarily escaped my mind while I wrapped my head around the fact that that I was – for lack of a better term –no longer a ward of the State.

I looked at Andy, who nodded once. He sat next to me, both of us across from Director Lady’s way-too-cluttered metal desk. He wore what he called “business casual,” which meant khakis and no tie. His dark auburn hair was combed back, but overdue for a haircut; it made his face look gaunter. The director and I were both in jeans – mine the worse for wear. She also had on sandals with no socks. In December. In New England. During a Nor’easter.

Since departure was in my very near future, I forgave the terrible shoe choice.

“I’m done?” The giddiness in my voice ruined the calm I tried to project. Damn.

“In a week. The paperwork needs to be processed and we want you to ease in,” she said. “This is a probation period, Cheyenne. Your therapist has voiced his concerns regarding this move.”

Critique Party #3

Remember - I'm moderating the comments. This is meant to help one another, so be nice.

Our goal is to help each writer make their page stronger.

Shadow Falls, a commercial YA novel by Anonymous

It all started at the corner of Main and Spring. I’d managed to catch the longest light in town, but even that couldn’t bring me down. I’d just bought the perfect dress and I had it on good authority that Trent Jackson, the cutest boy at Creekside High School, was going to ask me to the school luau tomorrow.

So there I was, sitting in the car, staring at the lavender blue hydrangeas, picturing Trent’s face when BAM!

My hand and knee flew forward, and my torso was jerked back by the seatbelt. My other foot slid off the brake pedal and my vehicle slid violently into the one in front of me before I could find the right rectangle to push again.

I’d never been in a wreck before, so I had no idea what to do. As I finally started getting my bearings again, I figured I should probably exit the vehicle and check for damages. Shadow Falls was so small, I also figured Pete, one of our two local cops, would be here in less than two minutes to start writing up whoever had plowed into the back of me. I unfastened my seatbelt and opened the door.

My legs were shaking as I stood up, and I actually felt a little dizzy. The noise had been so loud and unexpected. I could still hear it.

“Sh-t!” a tenor voice came from behind me. “Hey, I’m really sorry. Sh-t!”
I turned around to see a guy in faded blue jeans and a white t-shirt walking up.

Critique Party #2

Remember - I'm moderating the comments. This is meant to help one another, so be nice.

Our goal is to help each writer make their page stronger.

The Devil's Utopia, a YA dystopian novel by Amanda Plavich

Whispers have been flying between the mouths and ears of the Forsaken all day, but I’ve done well to stay away from the talk. I’m as intrigued about the outsider as anyone, but don’t see much point in generating hushed theories behind cupped hands. It’s a waste of time considering I’ll be able to see the truth with my own eyes in a matter of minutes.

I’m the first one assigned to serve the outsider in his cell, which is typical. I’m beginning to think Frau Griselda wants me to die of a heart attack, but then she’ll be short a kitchen hand. She probably just wants a good, hard laugh at my expense.

I hate her.

“What do you think it’s like?” Felix asks as I stare into the darkness of the stairwell.

“I don’t want to think about it.”

I twist to face him and watch while he slaps mayonnaise onto a thick slice of bread. It strikes me how odd it is to have the entrance to the dungeon in the middle of the kitchen. But why not, I guess?

A couple of younger Forsaken take a few steps into the kitchen, but as soon as they spot Felix, they gasp and scurry off. He chuckles, but I can’t help feeling sorry for them. Felix is kind, especially for a Cherished, but we’re taught to stay invisible when his type are near.

“I’ve heard outsiders have five arms and are so dumb they’re practically drooling.” His words jar my thoughts away from the young ones. I stare as he brings his sandwich to his lips and takes a large bite. My mouth waters a bit as I haven’t eaten anything that looked that good in a while.

Critique Party #1

Remember - I'm moderating the comments. This is meant to help one another, so be nice.

Our goal is to help each writer make their page stronger.


Reliance, a contemporary YA novel by Sarah Enni.

I jerk forward when Dad cranks the U-Haul’s emergency break to keep the piece of junk from rolling back down the street. I don’t have the energy to rag on the broke-down old truck. I’m too distracted by the one-story rambler outside my window. It’s brown, just like the patches in the lawn, just like the dusty ground at the end of the street, just like the 360-degree view from any given place in this God-forsaken West Texas town.

“It’s not too late,” I say, not looking at Dad.

“Not too late for what?” He sounds tired. It took 23 hours to get here from Santa Cruz and he didn’t let me drive for a half second of it.

“To get a place of our own. In California. Oregon, even. Someplace where there’s a body of water closer than a state or a country away.”

Dad sighs. He’s been doing that a lot lately. I know my nagging gets to him but all this stuff has been hard on me too. And I’m only saying it’s our last chance because, well, it is.

“Poppy, we’ve been over this.” Now it’s my turn to sigh. Dad rubs my shoulder. I don’t look around. “You’re not a kid anymore. You need to have a woman in your life to teach you things.”

I look at him. Dad’s scraggly beard is a lot more salt than pepper these days. His face looks like an ill-fitting mask that has started sagging in all the important places.

“You did fine with the period stuff,” I say to get a smile out of him. It works, but turns to a grimace.

Friday Fun

Wow, Friday again already!


Make sure you get your page in for the Community Critique Party by 5pm EST today! I've gotten some really great submissions, so come with your critical eye, ready to help your fellow authors out!

How it's going to work:

I've got posts scheduled to show up at 8am each day. Read through it and post anything you feel could be improved on, questions you feel need to be addressed, etc in the comments. Keep it nice! I will be moderating the comments, and I will not allow any snark! We want to be positive and helpful.

Don't forget -- along with the things that need improvement, comment on the things you really like about the page. It is just as important to point out the things that are working as the things that aren't.

Let's do this thang! hehe

*Just a note: For the sake of continuity I'm rounding everyone's one page subs to about 250 words. It won't be exact, but then at least all the posts will be relatively the same length.*

Book Recommendation - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
By J.K. Rowling

Blurb from Goodreads: "Harry Potter has never been the star of a Quidditch team, scoring points while riding a broom far above the ground. He knows no spells, has never helped to hatch a dragon, and has never worn a cloak of invisibility. All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley--a great big swollen spoiled bully. Harry's room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in eleven years. But all of that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to an incredible place that Harry--and anyone who reads about him--will find unforgettable. For it's there that he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic in everything from classes to meals, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him...if Harry can survive the encounter."



Sigh. I love this book.

So, I decided to pick up Harry Potter with a different purpose this time. I didn't read it to escape (though how can you not). I read it for the writing. Rowling is a master. She breaks the rules with such grace you can't help but adore it.
First thing- She doesn't open with her main character. Harry Potter opens with the Dursleys and doesn't even mention Harry until the end of the first chapter.
Second- She uses dialogue tags -- a lot. Everybody "said" something, but it is done so well you don't even notice.

Third- Descriptions -- they're everywhere! Now this is where Rowling really shows her mastery. Her descriptions pull you right in the midst of this magical world, but in a way that you don't even realize it.

It took me years to decide to read this book. I actually read from Goblet of Fire through the end and then went back and read the first ones.  

It is one of my all time favorite books and I read it about once a month.

If for some crazy reason you have never read this book, do yourself a favor. Sit down and savor it. Let it inspire you like it inspires me.

Road Trip Wednesday

Today YAHighway is asking for the best post you've ever written to be linked in their comments! Decisions, decisions.

It seemed like my review of If I Stay was rather popular. And the post with the most comments is an old Road Trip Wednesday post on when you know an idea isn't working.

What's your best post ever? Link it in the comments!

Don't forget about the Community Critique Party! Send your one page submissions to Holly (at) hddodson (dot) com with Community Critique Party in the subject line! You have until Friday at 5pm EST to get them in.

Tipsy Tuesday- Exhaustion

You know that saying, “She can squeeze a penny so hard a dime pops out.”

I wish I could do that to minutes. Squeeze a minute so hard an hour pops out.

Ha, that sounds kinda funny.

I’ll confess to not having read a new book this week for the book review on Thursday. What I’m planning to do is review a book I’ve read in the past. I fell back on an old friend for reading this week…I guess I needed the comfort. Hogwarts is great for that. It feels as familiar as my own home.

So on Thursday you'll get an in-depth review of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I just needed a break from the new reading. Next week will be critiques, so that should give me long enough to get a couple new ones read for future reviews.

This week was all about the tipsy and not so much about the tips, sorry. Haha. I had THE BEST margarita over the weekend. It was made with Cabo Wabo. I'd never had it before, but OMG it was so good! You should try one for sure.


Don't forget about the Community Critique Party! Send your one page submissions to Holly (at) hddodson (dot) com with Community Critique Party in the subject line! You have until Friday at 5pm EST to get them in.

Mommy Monday- When I Grow Up

When I was a kid I used to tell people I wanted to be a mommy when I grew up. Then in about middle school I decided I wanted to be a Pediatric Oncologist. Then an Explorer in the rain forests in Bangladesh, an Oceanographer, and a Marine Biologist.


In High School I thought maybe I wanted to be a teacher. In college I had NO IDEA. I majored in Philosophy and minored in English. As if I would EVER find use for a Philosophy degree.

Now, at twenty five years old, I have finally figured out what I *really* want to do with my life. I want to write.

So, what's the point? You know this, right?

I'm just being sentimental and imagining all the things Super Spawn is going to want to be when he grows up. I hope that I can inspire him to follow his deepest dreams and never give up.

The dream I held to my whole life was fulfilled just over three years ago when he came into my life. Now I have another dream to work towards, along with the dreams my own dream-come-true creates.

Isn't life amazing sometimes?

Don't forget about the Community Critique Party! Send your one page submissions to Holly (at) hddodson (dot) com with Community Critique Party in the subject line! You have until Friday at 5pm EST to get them in.

Community Critique Party

Alright, peeps, here's what we're going to do.

Starting today I'm going to open up the floor for submissions for a community critique party. (Party makes it sound way more fun.) You may submit a maximum of 1 page -- ONE PAGE -- for critiquing. It can be your query letter, your first page, your short synopsis, anything. It can be a random scene from the middle of the book that you're struggling with. Although, if that is the case include a few lines to lead us into it. Also include your genre, and let's keep it to YA, MG stuff. I think that is what most all of us write anyway, right?

I'm putting on my serious face here.

See? That's me serious.

Now, you may email your submission to me at Holly (at) hddodson (dot) com. In the subject line you MUST put Community Critique Party. Absolutely no attachments will be opened. If you can't follow my directions, well, you don't get to participate. Paste the page you'd like to have critiqued in the body of your email.

There's a catch -- and I know, it's mean of me, but it's my game so I get to make the rules. If you submit a page, you are required to also critique the other submissions. Not all of them, but at least a couple. Also, no snark. I will not hesitate to pull any rude comments down. This is to be a helpful critique session, not a snarkfest.

I'm opening the window for submissions beginning 8:00 am EST Saturday July 17, 2010 and the window will close at 5:00 pm EST on Friday July 23, 2010. I reserve the right to close the window early if my inbox explodes.

Then starting on the 26th I will post one page per day for everyone to comment on. This is where you guys can really help by promoting the page that is up to be critiqued each day. The more eyes, the more we all benefit.

I have no idea how many entries this will garner, but we'll see how it goes. Who knows, if it's something we all enjoy, maybe it can be a regular thing. Let's just see how it turns out.

What would you guys think about doing a critique clinic? First pages or query letters, and I could post one a day for feedback. Thoughts? Would it be helpful?

Friday Inspiration

I had this post all planned out, written, and ready to go. Then life happened.

I was chatting with the illustrious Susan (my crit partner) the other day about where we find inspiration for our stories. She mentioned that music gave her inspiration, and for me...it doesn't. At all. Which seems strange because most writers I know have playlists for their novels and everything.

So, I was thinking about where my inspiration comes from. Various places and blah blah blah. Then Wednesday...and...all I can do is tell you what happened.




My phone rang at 4:55, just before I left the office. I didn't answer it. So when I got in my car and saw it was my mom, I called her right back.

I could tell something was wrong by the way her voice shook. She started with, "Super Spawn is fine, I just talked to the sitter."

At that moment I nearly made the turn to head toward the Hospital. I knew something horrible had happened.

My mom was struck by lightening while standing in her kitchen. It came in through the french doors and struck her in the shoulder and shot out her fingertips.

October 5, 2009 my 19 year old brother died by being accidentally electrocuted on the job. So, naturally, all I could think was, "It happened again. I've lost my mom." My mind wouldn't process the fact that Mom was fine and on the phone with me. It only saw Robby and the horror of what we went through just a few months ago.

I freaked out.

But that wasn't all.

The neighbor had been struck by lightening at exactly the same time, in exactly the same way as my mom.

But that wasn't all.

The neighbor 2 doors down -- her 16 year old son was struck, and their house was burning down.

All of this happened at exactly the same time, to three houses that sit side by side. There were only minor injuries. Luckily the mom of the kids in the burning house had just gotten home, and was able to get them all to safety before the flames engulfed them. I hate to think how different the story could have ended.

But you know, it just made me shake my head in wonder. I don't need to look any farther than the day-to-day happenings in my life to find inspiration for even the most unbelievable stories. Because my life is full of the unbelievable.

I'm just so thankful this time we get a happy ending. As sad as it is to lose a house -- it could have been so, so much worse.

Book Recommendation - Perfect Chemistry

Perfect Chemistry
By Simone Elkeles

Blurb from Goodreads: "A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers. When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more."

I loved this book. Let's just go ahead and establish that. I read it in one night -- could not put it down.

Behind Brittany's perfect exterior, life isn't so perfect. And bad boy Alex, well, he's not so bad after all.

This is a Romeo and Juliet for modern times, but also much more. I loved the development of the characters through the story. You go from these closed off stereotype kids and watch them morph through the book, proving that you can't always judge a book by it's cover.

But this book's cover? Love. It completely captures the essence of this story.

Every chapter switches back and forth between Alex and Brit, and it was very clear who was speaking when.  I really enjoyed seeing it through both of their eyes.

There is a fair amount of swearing, and a lot of Spanish that I, admittedly, didn't take the time to figure out what it meant. Hey, I took French in school. But it didn't bother me.

All in all, I loved it!

Road Trip Wednesday

This week's topic: What's your favorite reading memory?

Mine is definitely sitting in our front yard, on a blanket, under a huge oak tree with an umbrella and my book. The gentle patter of rain that made it's way through the branches on my umbrella as a story transported me to another time and place. It was magical.

I still find myself longing for those moments again. I'd also sit out in the winter (I did it all the time) bundled in a blanket under the same tree.

My mom sold that house and land about five years ago, and it broke my heart. I will drive by it sometimes just to stare at that tree and remember myself as a little girl sitting at its base.

That is my favorite memory. What's yours? Hop over to YAHighway to see what everyone else has to say.

--
Thanks for baring with me as I adjust to my new job and schedule. It has been incredibly hard to make all my blog rounds, but hopefully I'll fall into a routine soon.

Tipsy Tuesday- Keeping it Fun

Ways to keep enjoying the sometimes arduous process of writing and revising.

1. Reward yourself- Any achievement deserves a celebration of some sort, whether it be a candy bar or a glass of your favorite wine. Did you meet your deadline? Celebrate! Did you finish a particularly difficult chapter? Celebrate!
2. Share the experience- Talk to people! Tell your mom, sister, co-worker, the cashier at the store -- whoever! They'll be excited for you, and in turn will increase your excitement.
3. Blog surf- Visit other writer blogs! You'll realize that all of us go through the same range of emotions and frustrations, and it really does help to commiserate together.
4. Remember why you started writing -- because you enjoy it. Not to get published or to make millions, just because it's something you love to do.
5. Don't forget to write for YOU. I know for me anyway sometimes I get blocked and can't write a darn thing on my novels and it's simply because I have too much "real life" on my mind. If I can write out my thoughts and worries, I can write my stories again. This ties right back to number four -- so don't forget to include YOU on that to-do list.

To aid in your celebrations:

Melon Ball

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Midori melon liqueur
• 1/2 oz Peachtree schnapps
• 5 oz Sprite or 7-Up

Mixing instructions:

Pack glass with ice. Pour the Midori in first, then add the Peach Schnapps. Fill the rest of the glass with Sprite or 7-up.

Mommy Monday

Life is all a balancing act. We all have our obligations and desires. This week I thought we'd talk about keeping a balance between writing and family and work.



I know there are probably no two of us in the same situation, but knowing how others handle that precarious balance may help someone even out their life. A friend and I were talking the other day about the workaholic type people we know who don't seem to know how to "turn it off" even if they go on vacation. Everything is about work to them.

The conversation got me thinking (I know, it's dangerous when I think) about all the things I balance in life without letting one run over the other.

1. Super-Spawn
2. Work
3. Writing
4. Other family
5. Social Life
6. Housework

You get the picture. The point is, what can we do to make sure we aren't cheating ourselves, or the ones we love, out of a fair share of US? Which we know is what they all most want.

My life is divided into sections:

The work week- Days, work. (Lunch, writing, and a weekly lunch with my cousin) Evenings, Super Spawn. Nights, writing related things.

Saturdays- If it's my weekend with SS, I take him somewhere fun (the movies, a museum, a play place in town, etc) and invite our friends. If it's not- I get some quality me-time where I do whatever I want. May be that I write, go out with friends, whatever.

Sundays- Almost always devoted to housework.

And you better believe we live on a schedule within that schedule. Otherwise I'd never keep it all up. I manage to work, be a mom, write, have a social life (if a limited one), and get the house clean every single week.

Tell me, how do you keep the balance?

Friday Fun

I won a prize over at That's Write this week! (Thanks, Leigh!) So a review of Perfect Chemistry will be coming soon.

Also, have you checked out Adventures In Children's Publishing's line-by-line contest? I made it to the top 25 finalists! You can help the people who didn't make the cut by critiquing their first five lines. Hop on over and see if you have any helpful advice.

And did you see THIS?! The LOL Cat version of Eclipse!! Epic.



Well, my end-of-book sudden revisions are nearly done! Woot! Bonus? They're awesome!! lol Seriously though, the ending is MUCH stronger now. Yay me!

Have a great weekend everyone, see you Monday!!

Okay, GotYA killed me this morning with this, so it MUST be added. Hysterical!!!!! Go check out their post today.

Book Recommendation - Dracula In Love

Dracula in Love
By Karen Essex

Blurb from Goodreads: "From the shadowy banks of the River Thames to the wild and windswept coast of Yorkshire, the quintessential Victorian virgin Mina Murray vividly recounts in the pages of her private diary the intimate details of what transpired between her and Count Dracula—the joys and terrors of a pas­sionate affair and her rebellion against a force of evil that has pursued her through time."


I was so excited to score this super-fantastic ARC (Thanks to Doubleday!!). The novel is set to debut August 10, 2010, and let me tell you -- you want it.

First of all -- the cover! *gushes* I absolutely adore the cover. Then I started reading, and I got that shivery feeling of awe from the very first sentence. I was hooked.

The first chapter was a bit disturbing, as it is an attempted rape scene. Really, the whole book is very sexual, so if that's not your taste then stay far away. I'm not a romance reader, and in my YA I usually like it kept pretty clean, but this isn't YA.

I'm not sure what I'd call this to be honest. Paranormal romance? A romantic historical fiction? Is that even a genre?

Who cares, I loved it. For me, reading this book was like eating a box of delicate dark chocolates. The writing is superb, the prose enchanted me from the start.

This is her own rendition of Dracula. She took the same characters, twisted it around, put the story in Mina's perspective, and gave a fresh look to a classic tale.

I loved it.

Road Trip Wednesday

It's road trip time on the YAHighway! Today's topic:

What would your ideal writing desk look like? Right down to the perfect pen or laptop.

This is fun...I love to dream of what kind of writing space I'd have if money weren't an object. Here it goes.


The pens? Uniball Signo 207 in every color they come in. *contented sigh*


I would have notepads of recycled paper for brainstorming, handmade paper note cards for sending thank you's, and a nice set of highlighters.

Also, post-its. Preferably in bright colors like pink and green.



As far as the computer goes...while I love my little netbook for on-the-go writing adventures, I think I'd like a MacBook Pro. The big one. It would be for desktop use, but I don't like desktop computers, so I'd want the 17" screen.





The desk...well, that's easy. I love this one with all the drawers and cubby holes. I heart cubby holes for random office supplies. Look at it -- isn't it beautiful? lol There'd be plenty of room on top of the little shelf for a few reference books, a picture, and a lamp. Then I'd have room for my MacBook and notepads on the main desk. Everything else could be hidden away. Love it.



And what desk is complete without a chair? I love these ergonomic chairs. They are really comfortable for being stationed in front of a computer for long periods of time.


Well, that's my ideal desk, so what's yours?

Tipsy Tuesday- How Low Can You Go

Writing "rules" I could never follow.

1. Write every day - Sure, I do writing related things every day, but even before there was revising and blogging to be done I didn't write every day. Sometimes you need time to think, too.
2. Write what you know- Yawn. I'm a researchaholic and I like to write things I don't know just so I can research them. I'm also easily distracted, so if what I'm writing feels too familiar, I can't do it.
3. Don't read what you write- Um, but I'm supposed to write what I want to read. And keep reading while I'm writing. They aren't mutually exclusive! I'm sorry, but every chance I get I'm reading Harry Potter and you can't stop me. I think my book is better for it -- it reminds me to stay fresh and original.
4. Lower your expectations- No. No freaking way. My expectations are what fuel my drive.
5. Pay for an editor- Psh, please. That's what crit partners are for. They're amazing people that evaluate your novel for no monetary fee, they just want you to evaluate their own. Now, I'd pay someone if I were going to self publish, but I'm not.

Those are just my own that I purposefully ignore. What about you all? Do you have any writing "rules" you like to break?

Speaking of rule breakers...one of these would do the trick. I'll take one!
Neon Smurf

• Blueberry Schnapps
• Blue Curacao Liqueur
• 7-Up® Soda
• Sweet
• Sour Mix

Fill glass with ice. Pour blue Curacao and Blueberry Schnapps, splash of sour mix and fill with 7-up

Happy 4th of July

Hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend! I'm home with Super Spawn today, hiding from the rain and decided to take the day off from the blog routine. Will be back to normal tomorrow.

Happy 4th!

Friday Fun

Well, my lovelies, I'm almost to 50 followers now! I've got some really great ARCs (and chocolate!) for a giveaway once I hit the magical number. They're not YA, but they're full of awesome.



Speaking of awesomeness -- I got a new job this week! It's a step forward for me career-wise, but I'm so nervous! My point is, I don't know if it will effect my posting habits or not. I have set up mobile blogging (yay!) so I can post on the run, but it will be without images until I can get to a computer.

Fair warning.

The new job starts July 12, so wish me luck!

I've also delved into some deep revisions of the ending of my novel. *sigh* Decided to change the whole thing, which means the word count is about to sky-rocket. Maybe not since I'll be taking a bunch out. But my goal is to have it finished before I start the new job. *cringe* That's an overly ambitious goal, but I'll do my best to stick to it.

Hope everyone has a great 4th of July weekend. Try not to get sunburned. It's supposed to rain here, but it always rains in Florida during the summer. Seriously. Every day. Maybe Super Spawn and I will finally make it to see Toy Story 3.