Nothing is ever perfect

In the beginning of my writing career I created a six book series. Most of you know it, some of you have read it. It was my first love when it came to writing. It also was my first dive into self publishing.

I love Wingless. But in all honesty, I have grown as a writer. I have learned a lot, I know more now than I did back in 2009. Therefore, I wanted to take what I know now and polish up Wingless, because it deserves it.

Since 2009, I have learned how to dive into sex scenes, I have learned to show more and not tell so much. I have learned what words are just useless, not to repeat the same thing over and over in different ways. I really could go on and on about what I have learned.

I am not perfect. I still have flaws just like anybody in this universe. But I believe I have what it takes now to improve on this story.

I remember the first time it went out, I remember the very first comments,the good, the bad, the first raving reader (I still speak to this lovely lady to this day). I have discovered a lot of readers who enjoyed my Wingless series. I have enjoyed them all.

So therefore I am working on bettering something that I believe in. And there is nothing funner than taking something and revamping it. It's like a dilapidated house that you give a lot of tlc and end up with a beautiful castle.

I designed a new cover. And so far the rewrite is going great.

So my question for writers, looking back on your first book, do you think its what it should be? Would you rewrite it? Or do you choose to live and learn.

Enjoy the weekend.

The lessons I have learned as a writer.

The lessons I have learned as a writer....

Write what you believe in.

Even if you want to write a popular genre write it the way you want to write it. Don't conform to fit a mold. There are already many stories out there doing that, be different. Open yourself up to risk in your work and most of all believe in every word that you put down, because they all meant something at one time.

Enjoy it.

What is writing if you don't enjoy it? It's nothing. If you can't enjoy your writing you shouldnt be writing. Yeah, there are always going to be times in your work where you want to skip over a scene or chapter and move on, but finding a way to enjoy what you do will make it so much easier. You can't take life so seriously all the time. There is room to be fun, to be silly with your words. Try it some time.

Always learn more.

Always, always always learn something new about writing. Find new ways to describe scenes, people, feelings. Sometimes all it takes is stepping back and watching a movie to pick up something new you can use in writing, or listening to music. Watch how people move, speak, act in different situations. Watch soap operas to understand drama. Read another author's book. Read a genre you wouldn't normally read. Just do something to gain a new skill toward writing. It makes the world of a difference.

Be you

Nobody writes like you. Sure we all have our favorite authors, but that doesn't mean we have to be them.

Close your eyes to the negative.

There is nothing you can do if somebody doesn't like your book. Remember, you don't always like everything you read either. Don't take it personal, move on. And if you have to dwell on it, at least try to pull something positive from it, or learn from it. Or better yet, don't worry about it. It is the way of the world, some people will try and pull you down, this happens some times as a writer, all you can do is deal with it the best way you know how. And remember all negatives are NOT someone attacking you viciously. Sometimes it's the cold hard truth, sometimes it's just simply not their cup of tea. Whatever the case may be you have to learn to grow a thick skin or you will never get anywhere. You can't live your life as a writer with pent up rage every time things don't go your way. Enjoy the times that they do, and brush off the times that they don't. You will feel a whole lot better for it. And remember your not the only one feeling this way, take a moment to remind yourself when you start to feel down.

Grow a thick skin

I wear my thick skin proudly. I have weathered the storm and made it out on the other side. We all go through that time in our writing life where we feel like we have been kicked in the teeth one way or another. But eventually you grow that thick skin and you feel invincible. You'll know it when it happens.

Always find new avenues

Do your research. As an indie you can never stop finding new ways to dive into writing, promoting and networking. Keep at it everyday if you need to. Hoard it all like those people on the show and use every tool you find, the more you reach out the better things will be for you in all ways.

Don't be stingy

I think all of us know someone else in the same boat as we are. Share what you learn with them, don't be a stingy jerk! Your not going to make it to the finish line because you hold all the tips and tricks, your going to feel a lot better sharing what you know with people just like you. Try it, you'll like it.

Offer up yourself, but also stay closed.

No matter how big or small your success is with writing, be human. Don't become to good to talk with readers and authors. We are all people. Just don't stretch yourself so thin that you end up not doing what you came to the party for, and that's writing books.

Feel for others.

There is going to be controversy. And some people want to jump on the bandwagon. Don't do this please. Take the time to put your self in that author's shoes before you decide to judge them. You might find out they are not as bad as the world wants to make them out to be. Or you might simply understand them and relate to them. Feel for others because one day you might find yourself in their shoes.

We are all the same.

It doesn't matter what we write, or how good we do it. We all have the desire to write. We all love it. Remember we are all the same, mingle with all types of writers because they all have something to teach you one way or another. Don't be a snob, it's tacky.

Try new things

Wander away from paranormal. Try something new, if you write mystery, maybe mix it up somehow, do something different one way or another, sometimes it helps. It's like a breath of fresh air. If you never wrote a steamy sex scene but enjoy reading them, try it. You might discover your really good at it. If your writing is more serious, try some humor. If you write in first person, try third. Just try something new. Do it already!

Sunday Funday Director's note's: Perfectly Hopeless

I stumbled upon a cool blog idea. Letting the reader into my ideas behind chapters or the stories I write. So enjoy this little peek into the world of Maven from Perfectly Hopeless.

Maven is a young girl, heading back to her family's summer home after her very public breakup with her boyfriend, Jake Summit. Like anyone in life she is hurt, still dealing with her old wounds and debating whether or not it's the right thing to be doing.

When I wrote the beginning of Perfectly Hopeless, I imagined Maven, I could feel the dread in her stomach as she got close to her summer home. How vulnerable she felt. 

I wanted to give the reader a quick hello when it came to her family, I like to introduce main characters early on most times that I write.

In Perfectly Hopeless I saw Maven as a sweet, young girl with that simple naive way about her. She knows life isn't perfect, but she wishes it was. She's not much different than any of us in life. Though she may come off a bit prudish and innocent she can handle a lot when she has to.

And what's in store for her ends up being so beautiful, an experience like none she ever had before when she meets Henri. 

I'm not sure, nor have I asked how Henri and Maven come across to readers. But as for me, I wanted the connection to be innocent, simple and sweet. I wanted to take all the complication and paranormal out of most books that I write and just write a story about love.

I was touched emotionally while watching a youtube video, and this is what sparked the idea further for my book. I feel I found that video at the right time, because it took my story idea and painted it beautifully. I won't say what video it is because I feel it gives away the story.

But I will share with you the celebs I had in my mind for the two main characters in my story. If you get a chance to read it, let me know if you feel the same about them.

             

              Maven                                                                                       Henri

Summer time

This would be her summer. She swore it. The summer life would go from devastating to incredible. Maven stared out of the window as her parents gossiped in the front seat about Claudia, their too confident neighbor with more money than the entire town.

She closed her eyes dropping her head back against the leather seat, her golden blonde hair cascading around her shoulders. Maven,  a young woman full of hope. She never went to bed without reflecting on all she wished would happen for her.

Portwood , the setting of their summer home. Every home carefully nestled between giant willow trees. A small town right outside the lake. Maven’s family went every year during the summer. A home full of memories for all of them, a place you sat back and smiled about when you thought about all the good times you experienced. It would always be magical.

 “I wonder if Jake is going to be there,” Nick, her older brother said. Doing his best to tease Maven from her spot in the family car, Nick knew Maven prayed for the opposite. After their messy breakup she didn’t ever want to lay eyes on him again. Jake was a jerk. And the entire family knew it.

“I don’t know and I don’t care.” After the tears she cried over a guy like Jake she meant what she said. And now the family’s annual vacation was sounding less exciting and more torturous to her. She shrank down in her seat as the Portwood welcome sign whizzed by the window.

Mom shot her a sympathetic smile.

“Everyone who is anyone is at Portwood for Summer vaca,” Maggie her younger sister said, tearing off her sunglasses to gain better view of all the younger guys as they carried beach towels and coolers on their way to the lake.

“I don’t think the Maves considers Jake Summit anyone anymore,” Nick smirked. He leaned forward, clamping down on Maven’s shoulder. “If he gives you any trouble you just let me know. I’ll rough him up for you.”

Their mother shot a concerned look in both of their directions. She knew just how Nick’s temper could get sometimes. It wasn’t funny. “Nicky, you remember what we said.”

Nick sighed, letting out the loudest grumble he could muster. “I know, I know. No more money for college if I lay a finger on Summit. That’s what family is for though, Mom.” He ran a hand through his shaggy brown mop of hair giving Maven a secret smirk.

Maven unfastened her seat belt, staring up at the family summer home. A modern two story brick home with white shutters and a huge wraparound porch, lush green grass with the perfect amount of shade and sun.

She refused to let Jake Summit ruin her summer.

Buy Perfectly Hopeless on Amazon

Finally Friday: Back story of Ink

Many people ask, Why did you decide to write Ink? How did you come up with the idea? Where did the characters come from.

Well here is my chance to shine a little light on that.

First of all, I love music. I had been stuck on a certain song.  I don't know, it fit. It was totally the theme song for my book.

I wanted to create a bad boy, I scoured the web for a bad boy name and that was how Slade was born.

I had an addiction to listening to Avenged Sevenfold at the time as well, and M. Shadows made the perfect Slade to emulate for my book. He could sing, he had tattoos and that lip piercing that drives the world wild in Cherry, it just worked.

Of course with every paranormal romance you need that innocent girl, and that is how Hope was born.
She has come a long way. She might not be my favorite character most days, but she keeps me interested enough to have written three books now about her.
Every story I write there will always be a sarcastic jerk or two. Along with some nut job that just makes you scratch your head and wonder what the hell is going on?
I didn't plan on witches, or magic or anything like that to be involved it just happened, but it developed into something wonderful.
Might I add it was my first time writing steamier sex scenes, I have to admit its kind of fun, and I am still learning how to perfect them.

I am not sure how long the Ink series will last, it's like any other thing I write, when it ends it ends. But I don't think it will anytime soon.

Buy Ink on Amazon

Singing Saturday

Pretty self explanatory.

Music I enjoy, singing Saturday.

Finally friday

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It's friday, so I thought for Finally Friday's blog I would share fifteen facts about myself

1.I have a sick obsession with blu rays. I love them, I have to buy them and the funniest part, most times when I do I don't even watch them. I get pleasure out of just looking at them on my shelf....I even have them in alphabetical order.

2. I have four wonderful children. My most recent baby is 4 1/2 months old. Two girls and two boys. And I must say they are incredible.

3. I love boybands. Not the new ones. I am talking the old school NKOTB and Backstreet boys. There is just something about hearing a good song from the 90's that makes my insides tingle and puts me in this mood to dance like nobody is watching.

4. My favorite food may be tuna casserole. I have yet to decide.

5. I have a horrible attention span. I get sidetracked so easily that I have to repeat what I am going to do or I will forget. Adding my fourth child to the mix intensified this even more.

6. I read my own books sometimes and get super weepy and act as if I am reading them for the first time. Sometimes I even look over at my husband and tell him how amazing the story is. (He of course laughs and shakes his head when he finds out its my book. But he never fails to agree and tell me I am the best. Love you, babe :)

7.Maybe deep down there is a little tiny part of me that wants to hear my name come out of Nicholas Spark's mouth. Be it for whatever reason. It could be because I cut in front of him at the grocery store, or how my book inspired him to quit writing. ( I kid, I kid) I love the man and respect everything he does. But seriously, I think if that happened...it would just be that moment where the earth stood still then exploded. A girl can dream.

8.Sometimes I think someone is behind me on the steps and is out to get me. Like an axe murderer. Or maybe one of those asian creepy ghost like in the grudge. I always feel like the one day that I am brave enough to be a badass and not run up the stairs will be the day she gets me. Kind of like that guy with the snacks, he tells his wife how big foot will get them and she doesn't believe him......

9. I hate hugging people goodbye. Its not my inner family (husband and kids) its just everyone else. Hugs are awkward. I'd rather not, it's not that I hate you or don't like you its just not my thing. If I insult you on the way out the door you know I love you. Hugs turn me into a bumbling stumbling weirdo. Maybe blame my mom, I'm not sure.

10. If I became a star, I just want to show up on the Today Show and Ellen. Then I'll be fine to sit at home and let the rest of the world talk about my books on their own. Me and people= Shy Ronnie. If you don't know who that is well......

11. I am impulsive and obsessive. When I get an idea I have to do it, and then two days and 55 pots of coffee later I regret trying to learn how to do a double handed backspring and settle on painting my toenails. Go big or go home, right?

12. I have recently started breastfeeding (go me!) and  I must say now I feel like I have a cure to everything in the world. I feel like I should go around and heal wounds and battle skin conditions on my days off from writing. Just not sure if the old lady down the street would appreciate me squirting her with my breast milk. *shrugs*

13. My mother is the best cook in the world. And I am not joking, she can make anything and it taste good. And I am not afraid to say it to anyone's face. I've yet to meet anyone who can blow my mom's wig off in the kitchen.

14. I have a sister, her name is Tressa. She is pretty amazing. One of the most independent woman I know. She never ever ever gives up, she is so strong and she always finds a way to do everything. The thing that gets on my nerves about her, she doesn't realize just how amazing she is most days!! She is single, but not ready or allowed to mingle (because I said so) so back off people!!

15. Last but not least. I have the best husband, hands down. He is the most amazingly supportive man. He tells it like it is. He isn't afraid to hurt anyone's feelings and he really knows how to support me and make me feel like the greatest girl in the world each and everyday. I don't know how I got so lucky, but if I could just maybe have that same luck on the lotto...wow it would be awesome.

That's all for now. If your new and you enjoyed my blog let me know, we all need a pat on the back some times. Don't be afraid to say hello. If you enjoy my blog and our a fan of reading check out my books, blog, fb, anything you want. I'l even leave the links for you! Thanks!!

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Oh boy!

Tuesday Teaser

The book is almost finished. And because of this I am giving all of you a wonderful teaser for this Tuesday's teaser. Try saying that three times fast.

Ink 3 is going to be a wild ride for all you Ink fans. I can't wait for all of you to read what chaos Hope has to deal with this time. I have enjoyed writing this book, and I can not wait until it's for sale for all the fans.

“But, Dad, what if this isn’t a fad?” I couldn’t believe he was so quick to brush it all under the rug.

“This is real life, Hope,” Dad said. “Witches don’t exist. Girls don’t fall in love with vampires. Everything is going to be fine.”

“If she really knows magic she needs to do a spell to adjust that shitty attitude she has all of a sudden,” Nona said. “I may not be a witch, but I will knock her right off that broomstick if she keeps this up.”

“Everything is falling apart.” I pulled at my hair in misery. “My life is just disintegrating right in front of me and I don’t know what to do about it.”

“Look tinkerbell, this isn’t the place for you.” The guy said. “So why don’t you and gidget get the hell out of here.”

Karsen stepped back appalled. “Tinkerbell?” She balled her fist as if she was actually thinking about hitting him. 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win the Ink bundle or Black moon!

Boonville Cover

Here is the cover for Boonville, coming out this summer! A YA paranormal romance.