My Year In Writing, 2012

This was a great exercise. It helped define my goals for this coming year, and made me realize that even though I didn't get a book deal in 2012, my writing has come a long way.

January

I finished my latest revisions of NIGHT SHIFT. My agent and I nailed down a date to officially launch it into the world of submission.

I also started a running club at my kids elementary school—every Friday at noon hour. Nothing better than running on ice with little kids.

February

My agent and I polished the pitch, and NIGHT SHIFT was sent into the world. Candles were lit and turkey wishbones were snapped.

I started working on Winterfest, a huge benefit/party fundraiser at my kids school. I was in charge of decoration. It looked fantastic.

March

I started talking with my agent about JUST JESSE, my contemporary YA, coming of age novel. We came up with a plan for some revisions and I started researching for comp titles.

Joined Pinterest and lost track of A LOT of time.

April

I discovered how to use dashboard on my twitter account (life changing). I also discovered waiting through submission and revision notes was excruciating. Thankfully, I had good writer friends who were going through the same thing.

May

I turned 41! I love birthdays, especially my own.

A few rejections for NIGHT SHIFT rolled in. My agent and I discussed how to use their comments to strengthen the story, ie: more revising.

June

Finished revisions on JUST JESSE. Started working on a one page synopsis.

One of my beta readers went on submission with her totally fantastic MG magical realism adventure.

July

JUST JESSE goes on submission to a few select editors.

Vacationed in Cavendish, PEI with hubs and kiddos! (Land of Anne of Green Gables).

An editor requested R&R for NIGHT SHIFT.

Joined wattpad and started posting short stories.

August

Worked on MAJOR revisions for NIGHT SHIFT.

Enjoyed comments and meeting other authors on wattpad.

September

I broke my foot on labor day weekend. I was non-weightbearing for the next two weeks. I couldn't work, but holy sweet fancy molasses I WROTE like a madman!

Oldest kiddo started junior high. She got braces, but was also made assistant captain of her ringette team, so that balanced out the metal mouth thing.

I entered CURSED in a wattpad, short story contest.

Then I received an R&R for JUST JESSE. Talked with my agent about tweaking/revising.

Discovered I could post blog entrees on Pinterest. O_O. Like...wow.

October

Finished revisions for JUST JESSE. Very happy with how it had developed into a genuine story of first love and loss.

My awesome beta reader got a two book deal for her MG adventure!!!! You'll meet her and her fabulous characters in the near future. Plus, she promised to give me an interview on this blog. Stayed tuned.

Sadly, this month also brought terrible news for my family. My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and was told she had to undergo surgery. Helping her manage became my priority.

 November

My sister had surgery and we all waited to hear what the pathology report found.

Slowly revised NIGHT SHIFT. 

CURSED failed to make it to the next round of the competition on wattpad.

December

My sister received the best Christmas present. The oncologist confirmed her surgery was successful in getting rid of all the cancer. She didn't require chemotherapy or radiation, but will be on tamoxifen for five years.

Wattpad contacted me, complimenting CURSED. They asked if I had longer stories to post, and if I would be interested in being one of their 'featured authors' in the new year. I worked on an outline, then gave them a query for my contemporary YA novella, BUSGIRL BLUES.

I finished revisions on NIGHT SHIFT, and I STILL totally love it.


So there you have it. No book deal, but I'm proud of the work I've done, and all the new stories I've written since last year.

And don't forget, BUSGIRL BLUES will be 'released' on wattpad in late February!!!

 

What are some of your goals for this year? 

The Bachelor Season 17, Episode 1 "Fifty Shades of Crazy"

So....The Bachelor started tonight. Sean Lowe, Emily Maynard's third choice for last season, is now in the spotlight and ready to fall in love with a stranger...again.

Emily, not exactly as shown.

ABC searched high and low for twenty-five contestants—yes, they're contestants.

I'm not sure if the producers emphasized that each hopeful bachelorette do something special to stand out, but holy awkwardness, each girl had a gimmick. No one seemed to know how to get out of the car, walk over to Sean and introduce themselves.

One girl did back flips. Another sang. Someone asked him to make a wish. Most took the unoriginal route of pulling different objects out of their cleavage.

One girl produced a tie and oozed about Fifty Shades of Grey. Sean looked at the tie like he was being hypnotized. He was totally clueless, and for that I gave him twenty points.

A lot of the girls mentioned how excited they were when they found out he was The Bachelor, they had signed up to fall in love with.

It sounds like a compliment, but it really isn't.

"I signed a contract to find my true love, like even before they had picked the guy. I was going to pull a tie out of my boobs no matter who showed up, but it's you! So that's like double cool."

Ah, let's move onto the interview portion of this mess.

I'm not sure, but I think the producers made sure the girls were well served. Nothing like a bit of booze to help ease everyone's nerves...and clothing, apparently.

Before you could say, "I would have picked Arie," tears were flowing, dresses were being hiked up, and eyeliner was running down checks.

Someone, *cough* Fifty Shades of Grey *cough* fell down the stairs and landed on her bottom.

Roses were handed out, and I wished Ryan was The Bachelor because he totally would have kept the drunk chick with the grey tie. Man, think of the epic debauchery we have been denied.

But don't cry for me Argentina, ABC gave a little sneak peek at the drama we have to stomach look forward to in the coming weeks.

Someone still has a boyfriend! Sean feels double crossed, but then he feels like he's met his soul mate. Girls are crying and pushing each other down the stairs. And an ambulance gets called!!!

Oh, the humanity.

I totally loved the necklace from last season!

Sadly, there is not one piece of jewelry I admired. *sniff* I miss Emily.

Once Upon A Time, Season 2, Episode 10, "The Cricket Game"

Or better title, "The Crying Game"

This episode was so useless it made my eyes water.

Hook and Cora wait until darkness before entering Storybrooke.

Why does Cora have a black umbrella?

hypable.com

Hook wants to take off after Rumpelstiltskin, but Cora reminds him that she has the dark magic and he doesn't, so there!

Emma and Henry walk in on Mary Margaret and David in bed. How awkward to see your parents and grandparents making out.



Janet Jackson or Evil Queen?
tumblr.com



The Evil Queen disguises herself as Janet Jackson, trying to hide from the rebels. Determined, she hunts down Snow White. It's a trap! The blue fairy comes out from the shadows and puts a binding spell on her.

Why didn't this happen a hundred episodes ago?

There's a party for Mary Margaret and Emma at the...you guessed it, the pub/dinner/laundromat. The Mayor arrives as a guest of Emma's. Mary Margaret and David take Emma aside and say, “This is the woman who tried to kill all of us...like all of us.”

Everyone eats the Mayor's lasagna, but no one wants to chat it up with her. The Mayor thanks Emma for the useless invite and tries to convince her let Henry have a sleepover. When Emma refuses, she gets angry, and then she gets sad, and then she apologizes again.

Emma blabs that Dr. Hopper believes she wants to change and is committed to stop using magic.

Cora and Hook watch from the top of a building, waiting for the perfect moment.

Dr. Hopper and his dalmatian have a run in with the Mayor. She spits out big words like, confidentiality. Ruby jogs by in a sweat shirt, tight jeans and useless high boots.

Jiminy Cricket tells the table of fairy tale characters that the Evil Queen will never change. Charming declares that for the better of every kingdom and land out there, they must kill her.

diamondsandtoads.com

Ruby spies the Mayor visiting Dr. Hopper. She begs him for another session. Hold on, the dalmatian knows something is up.

Gee, I wonder if Cora is pretending to be the Mayor?

 There's a huge plume of purple smoke. We see Dr. Hopper gag his last breath.

The dalmatian waits all night, then the next morning, he goes straight to the pub/dinner/laundromat. He finds Henry and barks a warning that Dr. Hopper has fallen down a well. Ruby uses her wolf/dog powers and follows the dog across the street.

Emma and David question the Mayor about Dr. Hopper's homicide. She's surprised since she has no idea her mother is impersonating her while she murders fairy tale characters.

As the Evil Queen walks the steps to the gallows, Jiminy asks if she has any last words. She says, “Wow, this will really teach me a lesson.”

Actually, she yells out that she regrets not being able to kill Snow White. Three archers aim, but it's useless since Snow White calls off the execution at the last second.

Emma tells David she's convinced the Mayor knew nothing about Dr. Hopper's death. She orders that they let her go, and then find the truth.

Snow White tells a very confused Charming that once the Evil Queen was Princess Regina, a horse riding, little girl saving, stable boy loving young lady. Those were a fun few days, right?

Rumpelstiltskin visits Snow White, holding the Evil Queen's execution blindfold. He laughs at the idea of rehabilitating her, but he says there is a test to determine if the Evil Queen can become good again. Snow White, takes the deal.

Dummy.

Back in Dr. Hopper's office, David realizes the Mayor's file is missing! Mary Margaret gasps at this concrete evidence. Emma, however is certain the Mayor was framed by Mr. Gold.

Forced to postpone his inside picnic with Belle, Mr. Gold suggests Emma ask the dalmatian a few questions.

How?

With magic, of course. But here's the big plot hole twist. Emma has to use magic.

ouattv1blogspotgold.com

Mr. Gold pulls out a dream catcher and fills it with the dogs memories. Emma really, really, really concentrates. Suddenly we're seeing the dog's memories. The Mayor enters the office and chokes Dr. Hopper. Emma drops the dream catcher, overwhelmed by the Mayor's guilt.

That was useless.

At this point, I thought you might enjoy some James Spader eye candy.

Emma and her parents decide no usual warrant will suffice. Luckily, fairy dust is being refined as I write this.

Snow White visits the Evil Queen in her holding cell. She talks about the old Regina and urges her to leave all her evil behind in the cell. She breaks open the lock with a dagger. The Evil Queen takes two seconds before she grabs the dagger and stabs Snow White.

But the dagger is USELESS because Rumpelstiltskin made a protective spell against Snow White and Charming with a hair he took from the Evil Queen's blindfold. The Evil Queen is banished to live alone with her evil self.

Useless punishment.

Emma arrives the Mayor's house announcing plans for her arrest, plus she can use magic now, and the Mayor can't, so there!

The Mayor freaks out and a fight erupts. She escapes in a purple haze of smoke.

I'd say she's broken now.

Emma and her parents have a heart to heart about who is the worse parent. On cue, Henry gets off the school bus. Emma takes him aside to drop the bomb about Dr. Hopper's murder. The Mayor watches tearfully from her car as Henry collapses into Emma's arms.

Rumpelstiltskin visits the Evil Queen in her solitary castle. He rubs in the fact Snow White and Charming are getting married. He talks about different lands, and plants the seed for the curse that started this whole mess.

Cora returns to the dock to find Hook sulking about how he hasn't gotten his revenge on Rumpelstiltskin. Cora takes him into the ship and shows him who she's kidnapped. Someone who has all the town's secrets.

It's Dr. Hopper!

That Cora is such a smarty pants.

Stuff I liked about this episode

1. Mary Margaret's plaid skirt and camel colored cropped jacket.

Stuff I didn't like about this episode

1. Grumpy had three lines and the Blue Fairy had none!

2. Dr. Hopper's dog didn't even get a treat when he lead them to the body.

3. David is allowed to talk.

4. Sheriff Graham STILL has not returned.

If you liked this, click on the Google +1 button below!

Top 5 Rejected Titles of NYT Best Sellers

In the heated, competitive world of publishing, a good title is as essential to successful sales as a good cover. It's a common occurrence that publishing houses change the name of a manuscript many times before making a final decision.

But what if...

Here are my guesses at the Top 5 Rejected Titles of NYT Best Sellers.

1. Gone With The Wind Girl, by Gillian Flynn



fanpop.com

A historic psychological thriller about a Southern belle who disappears after her family hosts a BBQ for confederate solders.









2. The Da Vinci Sudoku Puzzle, by Dan Brown



errorstatistic.com

A young professor is hunted down by a secret society after he discovers the Mona Lisa was actually a paint by numbers kit.














3. Harry Potter and the Gall Bladder Stone, by JK Rowling

A boy wizard is shocked to find out he's the long lost son of two successful gastroenterologists.



4. Breaking Wind, by Stephanie Meyer



flickr.com

Young vampires in love toy with the dangerous practice of eating baked beans.









 5. Twenty-Five Shades of Black mix with Twenty-Five Shades of White, by EL James

Things get weird with the rollers and bristle brushes in this paint store tryst between a naive inventory clerk and the guy who runs the mixer-machine thingy.


BONUS!!!!!

The Casual Friday Vacancy, by JK Rowling

A voyeuristic journey into the back stabbing politics of dress down days at the office.

Can you think of any others?

If you liked this, click on the Google +1 button below.

Christmas Comes To Storybrooke

It was a great idea NOT to invite Regina to the party.
onceuponatimepodcast.com

The last time we saw the good fairy tale folk of Storybrooke, Emma and Mary Margaret had returned from the enchanted forest and all was well.

But wait! What is that on the horizon? A tsunami? A pod of Orcas?

Ew! Storybrooke is full of plot holes.
dinnerandamovie.com

No! It's a pirate ship and the two occupants are promising to make things a whole lot more interesting in the land of no magic...except, well, when there is magic.

So, before Emma and her royal parents start making Christmas cookies at Granny's pub/diner/laundromat, here's a warning that their New Year's Eve may not ring in smoothly.

"Captain Hook Is Coming To Town" Sung to the tune of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"




onceuponatimesqpn.com

You better watch out,

You better not spy.

You better not gloat,

I'm telling you why.

Captain Hook is coming to town.

He's making a list,

Of people to curse.

Cora's there too,

With a heart in her purse.

Captain Hook is coming to town.

justagirlgeek.com

He sees you with his sexy eyes,

He uses guy-liner, too.

His leather pants squeak when he sighs,

But, don't you be his fool.

O! You better watch out,

You better not spy.

You better make sure,

You pick the right side.

Captain Hook is coming to town.

He's looking for that crocodile, 

Who chopped off his left hand,

He's not afraid of Mr. Gold,

'Cause Cora's gonna rule the land.



tumblr.com

O! You better watch out,

There's gonna be mayhem.

Hook might be cute,

But ain't no Sheriff Graham.

(Big Finish!)
Captain Hook is coming to town.


If you liked this click on the Google +1 button below!

The True Meaning of Crumbfest

This will be my last post until after Christmas. I wanted to share one of my favorite audio books with you as a thank you for stopping by my blog: The True Meaning of Crumbfest by David Weale. It would be a fantastic gift for anyone on your list from ages three to one hundred.

barnesandnoble.com

From Rattling Press...

David Weale's Christmas classic charmingly rendered by a five year old narrator.

Eckhart, the hero of our story, is a tiny young mouse. He and his family have just moved inside for the winter. It's dark and cold in the walls of their farmhouse. But all of a sudden every year in late December their tummies are filled by a mysterious abundance of delicious crumbs. The mice celebrate with feasting and call it Crumbfest. No one knows why it happens until Eckhart solves the mystery.

In 2001 a five year old Antonia Francis performed Crumbfest for her Mom's community radio show. The irrepressible energy and charm of Antonia's narration made it a perennial favourite. This is the original radio broadcast, recording flaws and all. The roughness of the recording sets off brilliantly the perfection of Antonia's performance. Here is The True Meaning of Crumbfest, told as only a five year old Antonia Francis could tell it. An underground classic.

Click here for a sample. Keep in mind this is an old recording, once you get through the first ten seconds it clears up nicely.

Happy Holidays!

Night Shift

In the heart of Manhattan, a historic building hides a century old secret...

I've been writing and talking about NIGHT SHIFT for so long, I felt it was time to give it a face.

At Willard's department store, none of the security guards survive long on night shift, and sixteen-year-old Daniel Gale is about to find out why. Tired of endless hotels and living out of his backpack, he ignores the clerk's gossip about the old building being haunted and takes the job as the newest night guard.

On his first shift, Daniel narrowly escapes a fatal drop down the elevator shaft, and is rescued by Mary, a bossy and intriguing girl who is far too beautiful for after hours inventory.

Anticipating every night shift as a chance to be with her, Daniel thinks his traveling days are over hoping that New York City is the place to call home. But as his life becomes more entwined with Willard's, Daniel senses unnatural changes and bizarre coincidences, both with Mary and the store itself. Soon he suspects Willard's is hiding something more sinister than gossip about ghosts—something that could make him the next casualty of the NIGHT SHIFT.


NIGHT SHIFT is currently looking for a publishing house to fall head over heels in sloppy love with.

If you liked this, click on the Google +1 button. Good luck with your own writing!