Live from St. Mary's High School!

Tonight I'm returning to my roots, my old stomping ground if you will. I am the official chaperone of not one, not two but three different Sports Night practices!
I'm not sure how I feel about being the responsible adult that chaperones things, but it's fun to be included in something again that I once found to be so much fun. I still do find it fun, I'm living vicariously through my sister I guess as an honorary member, maybe captain, of the Blue Team.
St. Mary's Sports Night is a 50+ year legacy, one that's in jeopardy and that's unfortunate. This is a legacy, a tradition that alumni women bond over, it's something you remember years later and tell you daughters about. Being a part of Blue Team, even White Team, is something that made my high school experience that much more memorable.
My senior year I was lucky enough to be part of the 50th anniversary of Sports Night, a three night event that not only included but involved the returning alumni. These women who graduated five, ten, fifteen, even twenty years ago were so excited and over joyed about being a part of the event again. We involved these ladies as more than just spectators, they were participants.
We broke tradition that year with a third night of performances, a tradition of a two night performance. Two chances to show off all your handwork and rock that gym like you're on Dancing With The Stars. That tradition is no more unfortunately.
The current principle decided to change it from two night to one night! Taking away a night of Sports Night is taking away a chance for the girls to show off how hard they worked over the last few months. Friends and family must now fight for tickets in order to see their daughters, sisters, cousins, friends perform. As an alumni of not only Sports Night but St. Mary's I find this to be completely ridiculous and unfair. The girls put their blood, sweat and tears into Sports Night and now they deserve their two nights.
I myself looked forward to returning to St. Mary's for the high anniversaries, 75, 100, and however many others I could. But now I worry that they may not happen at all. If this tradition is being cut off at the knees there's a chance it may not last to see 75 years, let alone 100! This is an event that turns girls in leaders and being robbed of that opportunity it truly sad.
So to all you alumni out there continue to support Sports Night, because it would be a tragedy for future generations to lose such an amazing tradition.

TSM

I've officially cemented my status as a walking TSM (Total Sorority Move). How you may ask?
Well let's just say there was an unfortunate mishap with some spray glue, some extra fine glitter and a pair of shoes. A pair of incredibly awesome shoes now that I'm finished with them! Nude heels completely transformed into a pair of silver, sparkly works of art and are completely perfect!
I have to say sometimes finding shoes that fit at so difficult, especially with a wide foot. The selection just isn't there for someone with a wide foot but I'm a girl and I still want to wear cute shoes. Black pumps, while they made be a staple in every girl's closet get old after a while wearing them to event after event.
But a pair of glittery heels with a kickass dress will never go out of style. So what's a girl with a wide foot to do? Well I have years of sorority crafting experience under my belt so I make my own pair. A can of spray glue and some extra fine silver glitter all I needed in order to craft my own pair of heels.
It just goes to say that when life hands you lemons make lemonade. I refuse to believe that I can't have a great pair of heels, or great dresses, or anything of the like because of something I can't help! No body is perfect but there are ways to make things perfect for yourself. A a great tailor can make an article of clothing fit like a glove and some ingenuity can make a bland pair of shoes … grand!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow ...

So the weather threw a bit of a monkey wrench in my plans today, a whole "To Do" list of things I needed to get done. I can't actually remember the last time I made one of these lists so not being able to cross any of it off makes me a little sad.
On the flip side of that coin I found productive things to do in my house, a purge of my closet and dresser. So I didn't get to cross anything off my list except for things that I didm't know should be on it. With all that cones I guess it's only time to catch up my shows!
And hope and pray that my street gets plowed out at some point … I mean really's six o'clock and not a single plow has come down my block yet. Not even a salt truck! So keep your fingers crossed or I might be stuck here until … well until I've got a clear route to get out.
Stay safe in the snow everyone!

What Should I Read Next??

What should I read next??
Aahh the age old question of any and every bookworm out there. Sure I have a reading list that's always at least 50 books long. Of course there are books on my bookshelves that have come into my possession one way or another that I have yet to crack the cover on. My friends are always offering up suggestions to me on whatever they are currently engrossed in.
But really … what should I read next?
This comes up more times than I care to admit. Unless and author or a series in which I follow religiously has a release in the immediate future I never know what my next adventure should be. But then again I guess the real quick isn't what, it's which? Which book should I read next?
Because they've all sparked my interest in one way or another, but what is my mood? Do I want to descend into a magical world similar to that of Harry Potter? Do I want to be the face or even part of a rebellion like Katniss Everdeen? Maybe I want to spend some time with a few fallen angels, Patch is still a regular at Bo's Arcade right? Then again hanging from a zip line and stopping international terrorists with Cammie Morgan & Co. is always a great place to be!
I mean my tastes are all across the board and that's really the way it should be. But how do I pick just one? I want to read them all and I'm one of many bookworms born with a 'To Read' list that I will never finish. Okay maybe I'd be able to finish it if I read a book a day, but somehow I think my boss would find issue with me sitting at my desk and reading all day. Though I would love a job that would allow me to do that.
I have learned this about myself though I am a series girl! I love being in what can only be described as a long term relationship with a book. Harry Potter got ten years, between the 7 books and 8 movies, Ally Carter's Gallagher Girl series I followed since I was a sophomore in high school! The Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz , Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, The Heist Society Ally Carter, Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunters, even Meg Cabot and Mia Thermopolis have kept me entertained for years and years.
But here's my problem! Kenyon excluded from that list, because she's still going strong, all good things must come to an end eventually. There hasn't been a new Harry Potter book since 2007, the Gallagher Girls have graduated and moved on as of 2013. Patch & Nora are doing their own thing as of 2012. My series are coming to an end, time marches on.
So here I am in that usual rut. I'm stuck and I don't know where to move on from here. Sure I could jump on the bandwagon of Divergent and get into that series. But I'm still uncertain about that series, in theory it looks good and I definitely want to see the movie when it's released but I'm not sure if the books are for me.
So the search continues and suggestions are always welcome!

New Cover, New Look ... Same Awesome Tale

Available at Amazon & CreateSpace now!

     I'm super excited to announce the new cover art available for my novella Silver Moon! This new cover comes complete with an excerpt on the back from the story inside. 

     To my readers and buyers already I can not tell you how much I appreciate your support! Having sold more than a dozen copies already it's an extremely satisfying feeling. I'm glad to know that the hard work I put into the story, the characters and the world they live in is being enjoyed by others. The writing process was so frustrating, long, confusing and at times difficult. But most of all the entire process was fun and rewarding. I created a world all my own, characters that I feel as if I know as well as I know my friends and family.

     Soon I will start working on my next novel, hopefully a little longer but I'm quite satisfied with the length of my novella. I'm going to quality rather than quantity here folks. I can't wait to get into my next novel so I can share it with you all.

     But for right now I hope you all enjoy Silver Moon! 

Happy Reading! <3

New Year, New Beginnings

Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014

As a writer this quote really hits home for me. Having published my first novella this year I really can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for me. I can't wait to see how my career will be shaped and molded and I hope to discover new things to help me succeed and thrive.

This past year has been the most eventful and probably one of the most fulfilling year of my life. I have a job I love with people I enjoy working with. I have new opportunities on the horizon and the possibility of working in a field I truly desire to make a career out of. I've grown immensely and have made many great memories with my friends and my family. 

I sit here thankful for all the great people I have in my life, all the negative influences I've shed and all the accomplishments I've made. This year has been a great one and I can only hope that 2014 far succeeds 2013.

Happy New Year all! 

Happy New Year

Happy New Year ... Here's to a better & brighter 2014!

Let the good times roll ...

Let's Get the Ball Rolling Shall We?

So now I really want to make my blog a regular thing. My plan is to post every Tuesday night, however in honor of Christmas Eve tomorrow I'll be making this post a little early. So from now on expect regular posts every Tuesday night and every other Sunday evening, that is for anyone that reads my blog. And to those that do I really appreciate it, I love my readers and gaining readers is the goal here! I do want to be an author, even the few that have purchased and read my book already I love you guys a lot.

Now let's really get the ball rolling, because this post is really about an article I read on Yahoo when I was at work a few days ago. A new series that has the ability to overthrow both "Twilight" and "The Hunger Games." And I think many of you know which Young Adult series is being made into a movie that is big enough to earn this title; enter "Divergent" starring Shailene Woodley & Theo James.

Before I make any enemies, no I have not read the "Divergent" series, from what I've seen in the promos and trailed the concept seems interesting however I was sternly warned by a friend that it simply is not a book I'd enjoy. My forthcoming litany has nothing to do with the series itself, Young Adult is my preference both to read and to write. Hooray for Veronica Roth having her trilogy published and made into a major motion picture within three years, that's amazing!

All that being said do I see "Divergent" overthrowing two very popular & very high-grossing series, one of which has not even released its final two installments yet! "Twilight" yeah go ahead, I can see that being overthrown. "Twilight" I am still firmly in the belief rode very heavily on the coat tails of the the very popular, very successful institution that is "Harry Potter."

It also goes without saying that the leading lady of "Twilight" runs not only hot and cold with her critics but with fans as well. Kristen Stewart. It's no secret that she's not held in the highest esteem of many movie goers or critics; her lack of emotion and just general appearance of indifference is extremely off putting. Not only that but every movie after the first went from awkward to uncomfortable to creepy really quickly.

Go ahead and overthrow the vampires that glitter and the werewolves that aren't bound by the full moon. However I do not foresee "Divergent" overthrowing "The Hunger Games" for one reason and one reason only. Miss Jennifer Lawrence.

THG's leading lady is not only relatable she is both a joy to watch both in character and as her vivacious self. The entire cast of THG seems like they're a joy and a nightmare to be around. They must always keep their Director on his toes but as a whole they make one hell of a movie. The first installment of "The Hunger Games" was amazing. However "Catching Fire" was simply amazing! The sequel was not only an equal to the first but it far exceeded it, the second upped the ante and the countdown for "Mockingjay" Part 1 has begun!

So go ahead "Divergent" and do your worst, but just remember JLaw might whip out her Oscar and pull a Katniss Everdeen to keep her throne if need be.

NaNoWriMo

My first ever NaNoWriMo and of course I'm going to track my daily progress. Now I'm sure there's a technological way to do it, but sometimes you just need a pen and paper. I wrote a little over 1,000 words yesterday on November 1st, the official kick off of NaNoWriMo. Today I added a few thousand more words to the storyline. I'm still not sure if I'll be able to hit 50K in 30 days, but I'm sure as hell going to try. November 2nd is over in 9 more minutes and I'll tally my total at midnight.
Happy Writing ya'll!!

I am a writer.

I am a writer.

I am a writer who often doesn’t write, often doesn’t like what I’ve written, who often loves it but won’t admit it.

I am a writer who will always become distracted; music, people, noises, my thoughts, my aches, my pains, all seizing me.

I am a writer who often doesn’t believe in writing, believes there are better hobbies, jobs, wastes of time, because money so obviously rules the world.

I am a writer who is often ashamed of my writing, of those aches and pains and miseries, because we are told happiness is beautiful and how could something so ugly in truth be beautiful in words?

I am a writer who finds joy and anguish in words, feels understood and excluded, both loves them and hates them.

I am a writer who wants to write the words all above my body, my room, the world, but hides them in my head, protecting them from a world so flawed and angry and hostile.

I am a writer who just wants to write.