I Am Currently...

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Loving: The warmer weather. My garden kicks ass.
Reading: THE HYPNOTIST by Lars Kepler. Holy hebbie gebbies! I'm freaked out already and I'm only on page 65.  Next up is JOYLAND by Stephen King. Who needs sleep?
Watching: Kill me now, I'm watching The Bachelorette. And to counteract any neuron damage, I've decided to start watching Game Of Thrones...that is as soon as I finish THE HYPNOTIST. 

Thinking about: Alex Pettyfer, and how I should really learn to play the ukulele this summer. This is how I imagine Alex would react if I played the ukulele for him.

 

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Anticipating: Finishing my YA mystery novella, THE ASP. It's Veronica Mars meets Indiana Jones. Check it out for free! Plus there's a Pinterest board that your eyeballs may enjoy as well.

Wishing: For more wishes ;)
Making me happy: Knowing that summer and all its glorious 'french fries and ice cream eating at the beach' days are on the way. Plus there's writing and watching my tomato plants inch along each day. 

 

How about you?

Top 5 Movies Jennifer Lawrence Should Have Starred In

We all loved Jennifer Lawrence's refreshingly goofy self on Oscar night, but let's not forget that she's also the kick butt Katniss Everdeen who stood up to an evil empire and won.

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I shudder to think of what The Hunger Games movie would have been like with another actress as it's lead. And that got me thinking...what other past movies would JL have made better.

1. Twilight. Instead of Kristen's lip biting and frowning feast that lasted for two hours, JL's Bella would have been burping and snorting her whole way through the script, endearing us to Bella in a way the book never could. Plus Robert Pattison would have smiled more.

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2. Beastly. Maybe it's because I'll always see her as Gabriella from High School Musical, but Vanesa Hudgens was unconvincing as a drug dealer's daughter who gets saved by Alex Pettyfer (or as I like to refer to him, my movie boyfriend). JL would have stolen a few scenes with her snark and been more convincing as a girl with street cred.

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3. Life of Pi. Okay, I know I'm messing with the script, but who wouldn't want to watch JL take on a Tiger?

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4. The Amazing Spider Man. Don't get me wrong, Emma Stone is great, but JL would have totally ripped the scene where she figures out Spidey's true identity. Can you imagine the 'OMG' moment her eyes bug out of her head? Perfect.

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5. Star Wars. Seriously, JL's Princess Leia would NEVER kiss Luke to make Han jealous (especially since they find out later they're twins).

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What other movies do you think Jennifer Lawrence would make better?

Make Your Own Writer's Survival Kit

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Every writer should have a proper work area just for them, with everything they need only an arms length away. I prefer my big comfy couch in the living room with lots of pillows. By the time I've surrounded myself with a few essentials, I have a nest that would make Big Bird green with envy.

Here's my list of essentials:

1. Java. And lots of it, sister. Whether it be latte, espresso or americano, everyone knows a cut writer bleeds coffee.

2. Dish full of CHOCOLATES. Goes well with above mentioned java. Even a bag of baking chips will do.

3. Woolly socks. When the butt is in the chair, the blood flow can be compromised to the lower extremities. And everyone knows cold feet inhibit imagination.

4. Picture of Alex Pettyfer. We all imagine him as our MC...right?

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5. iPod and ear buds. Soundtracks are great inspiration for specific scenes. Here are a few of my favorites.

Mysterious scene.

Chase scene.

Scary scene.

Smooching scene.


6. Hand wipes. See #2.

7. Lucky Troll Doll Necklace. Don't judge me. It works for BINGO.  

8. Pizza Delivery on speed dial. You've hit your word count for the day, hooray! But now it's supper time and the kids are starving.

BONUS! Elastic band. Wear it around your wrist. When self doubt creeps in, SNAP it, then keep writing.


What's in your writer's survival kit?

Top Five Ways To Pretend You're At Book Expo America

Okay, first of all BEA should stand for Books, Editors and Agents. Everyone at BEA is either one of those things, or wants to be one of those things. Yes, some people want to be their favorite book *stares back* you know who you are.

Dude, where's the bathroom?
photo credit, publishingtrendsetter.com

And if you're like me, this week on twitter has been a total jealousy-fest. Seriously, it's free books, shmoozing, and Alex Pettyfer—sorry I was checking to see if you're still reading. Even without Alex BEA is pretty amazing...or at least I imagine.

I'm not one to dwell on the negative uglies that invade my otherwise content day to day philosophy, so I've developed some coping strategies to help me get through the rest of the week. And it's been so successful I'd like to share them with you. Here are the top five ways to pretend you're at BEA.

1. Use your drivers license to make your own lanyard with shoelaces and scotch tape. This must be worn ALL week, even in the shower.

2. Take a big tote bag to the library, fill it up with hardcovers, then invite all the librarians out for martinis.

3. Go to the biggest bookstore, make a fort with all the pretty new releases, and then take pictures with your iPhone.

Awesome!
photo credit, vi.sualize.us

4. With one of your favorite books under your arm, wait in line at the DMV, then ask the teller to sign Veronica Roth's name on the inside cover.

5. Stand all day in really cute but really uncomfortable shoes, discussing the pros and cons of e-books while complaining how dehydrated you are. (too many martinis)

And because I'm so bad at math, here's a bonus...

Repeat phrases like, "OMG, I met you on twitter!"  "I totally love your cover." "Can I borrow a pen?" "Her sweater set rocks!"

Do you have any other ideas for surviving BEA week as an outsider?

Confessions Of An Unpublished Writer

Every time I hear someone say author, it sounds like they're saying the name Arthur, but with an English accent. I would love to be an author (see? now you hear it too!) but I am still a writer without readers—aka an unpublished person.

When people learn I have a literary agent, they usually ask two things. "What's your book about and when will it be published?"

The first one is easy. "YA paranormal romance," I reply. Then I explain that getting published is hard work, lots of luck and good timing. "It would be nice," I shrug, "but it's been really interesting seeing this side of the industry."

Here's the truth. I want to get published so bad I can taste it. I would sell my mother to a band of camel traders to get a contract. And that's just the beginning of my confessions. Scroll down for the rest of the dirt...

1.  I day dream about my characters at my job.  
2. Sometimes I practise my signature to make it look pretty and interesting so I'll be ready for book signings.



Alex Pettyfer in 'Beastly'.

3. I've already cast the movie they'll base on my novel. Alex *cough* Pettyfer.
4. I stalk the YA section of the bookstore and stare at the spot where my novel would be shelved alphabetically. After I randomly pick a book and flip through a few pages, I always get depressed because I'll never write that well. Last week a clerk at the Chapters noticed me. "Can I help you?" she asked. "You look disappointed." In so many ways, I thought, in so many ways.
5. Publishers Markertplace is code for awesome stuff that happens to other people who aren't me. 
6. I'm convinced my agent is part of an elaborate ruse backed up by my family as revenge for all the practical jokes I've played on them. 

 So, if you see me slouched in the YA section, just give me a sympathetic nod, pat me on the shoulder and say, "Don't worry deary, someday you'll be an Arthur."

Do you have any confessions?

Next Monday I'll be blogging the latest episode of Once Upon A Time.

Cheers!