Attitude is Altitude: Write Higher in 2012

As the remaining hours of 2011 tick by and I look forward to a bright and shiny new year, I can’t help but remember that I didn’t reach my goal for 2011. 

Did I set my sights too high?

Or is it just the name of the game?

My one teensy-tiny goal…was to find an agent. Not just any agent either, but a rock star agent that LOVES me. With all my flaws, with all my blunders and bloopers, that’s all – nothing major right?

Well, I didn’t…but that’s okay! I had so many other positive achievements in 2011, I know I’m still reaching upward and I am nowhere near throwing in the towel. 

I say it’s time to celebrate the baby-steps! If you’re like me and didn’t quite reach your goals, but you tried like hell and gave it your best shot…then give yourself a big “WOO HOO!” from me and make yourself a list of accomplishments to reflect and remember just how far you’ve come baby!

Here are mine:

1.      One year ago I was afraid to let anyone read my work, I cowered away from criticism. Today, I can’t get my stuff into enough hands and I can’t wait to hear if they have any advice. What changed? Me. Once I was open to it and willing to rip my heart open, my writing took off and now I’ve heard so many wonderful compliments I can’t wait for the criticism, knowing the results are improvement.

2.      One year ago I was scared I’d fail if I tried. Scared I’d be laughed out of a writers group if I joined. Today, I’m brave and confident. What changed? Me. I sucked it up – sweaty palms and all – and marched into a public place, sat in front of perfect strangers and read my words, my babies out loud…and waited. Waited for laughter, waited for rejection, but it never came. Those fears were all in my head, an excuse to fail I’d invented to keep from succeeding. 

3.      One year ago I couldn’t set aside my first novel and work on anything else, I’d rewritten it a dozen times – third person narration to first person – and it still wasn’t working – not really (I still stubbornly think it has potential though) – I had refused to give up. Today, I have more than a dozen projects in the works. What changed? Me. I learned that it’s okay to move on when stuck. I learned it didn’t mean I was giving up or that I’d somehow failed. I learned it was just smart to take a break when the muse wasn’t hanging around that project anymore and go where the inspiration was leading, not cling to a deflated manuscript trying to breathe life back into it when clearly it no longer had a pulse.

4.      One year ago I didn’t have a blog, I didn’t have a twitter, and I didn’t have more than a handful of writer-type friends. Today, I have hundreds. What changed? Me. I came out of my cocoon-of-fear and spread my wings. Now I have amazing authors and writers who inspire me and encourage me every day. I couldn’t do it without you Fab-Five, Augusta Region Writers Group, SCBWI Augusta, Georgia Writer’s Association and of course… YOU! My wonderfully uplifting followers, you keep me going!

So, I did not fail in 2011, I just didn’t know enough to set the “write” goal.

This year, my aim for 2012 is still to find an awesome agent, but it’s not the only thing I’m reaching for. This year I’m going to strive to keep improving and give back the courage, the inspiration and the momentum all of you have given me.

I wish for all of you, growth, courage, strength, and the freedom to let go.

Once you’ve decided you’re perfect, there’s nowhere to go but down. If you’re dented or lumpy, scarred or stained but trying to improve…then you’re always in an upward motion, even when you feel stuck. Keep reaching for better altitude.    ~ Share the Vibe ~

Did you make your goal last year and what are you reaching for in 2012?

Shattered Dreams Release Party & Give Away!

Look what is sitting beside me, waiting for a new home...

Leave your email in the comments and SHATTERED DREAMS could be yours!

Let the countdown begin!

 Introducing

SHATTERED DREAMS by Ellie James

Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Trinity Monsour wants nothing more than to live a normal life. But that isn’t as easy as it seems. Trinity is different. She is special. She sees visions, and for those she’s seen, it’s already too late.

Trinity arrives on her aunt's doorstep in New Orleans with virtually no knowledge of her mysterious heritage. She begins settling into life at a new school and even starts making friends. But all too quickly her dreams accelerate; twisted, terrifying visions of a girl locked in a dark room. And when the head cheerleader, Jessica, goes missing, Trinity knows she has no choice but to step forward with what she's seen. 

But people believe that Trinity has information about Jessica's disappearance not because of a dream, but because she is involved. She is kind-of dating Jessica's ex-boyfriend, Chase, and Jessica did pull a nasty prank on Trinity. Revenge seems like the likeliest scenario.

Nothing prepares Trinity for the dark odyssey that ensues while searching for Jessica, including the surprising romance she finds with Chase, or the shocking truths she learns, not just about the girl who has gone missing, but the past that has been hidden from her.

SHATTERED DREAMS releases in just a few days! December 6th, 2011, from St. Martin's Griffin and you can win a copy right here!

To find out more about Ellie James...

Author Site

Twitter

Shattered Dreams Facebook page

To win:

Contest open to US residents only, sorry.

Leave your email address in the comments below.  

Contest ends December 15th at midnight.

Winner chosen at random.

Good Luck!

Cheers to Bad Ass Writers: Blog Hop and Give Away

Every writer has a reason to write what they write. When someone asks me what I write and I tell them I write Young Adult books, I get a strange reaction. The same sort of look I get when people find out I’m a grandmother. It’s a look of astonishment, curiosity and confusion. They don’t say they think it’s silly that I write for teens, but it shows. Some even cough-chuckle under their breath. Rude.

And that is why I’ve decided to take it to the blog, to share why I write. Also, I would love to know why you write in your genre or why you read what you read. 

What I write:

I write older YA Romance, Science Fiction, Paranormal, Dystopian and I just started my first ever attempt at mild Horror (Not the gruesome kind, the GOTCHA kind *insert evil laugh*).

Why I write YA.

Without subjecting you to the ghastly details of my youth, I’ll simply say, “I’ve been through some stuff.” 

So much so, that when I was in LA last August with some other literary-type-junkies at the SCBWI conference (see here for that story) and I was opening up to Lindsay Cummings (amazing writer! Be sure to check her out) about just a few of the things I’ve had to overcome/survive – being the incredible young author with more wisdom than her years would suggest – she [Lindsay] told me I should write a book about my life.

YIKES!

I’m not sure I’m ready to be so… exposed …to the world yet.

But by the same token, that is essentially why I write what I do. The characters might have different names and personalities. The hurtles might be different, but every bit of pain, love, heartache, paranoia or “aha” awakening that I write into my characters, is part of me. Part of my past, pieces of my path that have built up my life and landed me where I am. Some are parts I keep locked up tightly, the ones I choose not to dwell on or let them hurt me anymore. And from that dark and lonesome place are born my heroines. The girls I wish I’d been or even tried to be when I was young and facing more things than any one person should. The girls who could save the day and kick some serious ass while doing it, girls who are smart, brave, tough and stand up for others too. Girls with bad attitudes but good intentions who grow with each mistake and never, never, stop trying. 

I’m rewriting my youth the way I think it should have gone. I’m writing for the girls who are living that same hell right now. I want them to know they are strong and that there is a hero in them too. So they know, someday, life will get better and they won’t always live in pain or fear. 

With every word, comes love. 

Romance is a huge part of my books too. Love is healing; even dreaming of love can lessen the inner wounds and scars we carry. It is my hope that by inspiring this feeling, that all girls – whether an adult with a hurt girl still struggling inside, or the young girl who is trying to find her voice right now – will find their strength to believe and fight. 

I sneak these bits of me onto the pages wherever I can. Because I am living proof that girls are tough, that we’re survivors and even though today we may not look like much, someday we will fight back and in a big way.

This month’s Give Away is about – Inspiration.

Holiday Blog Hop and Give Away

Here’s the Hop…

 

Click Here 

A big thanks to Reviews by Molly and Romancing the Book for hosting the Blog Hop!

 …Or stick around for the Give Away.

I’m giving away (up to, 1 set per person) 5 sets of four Twilight Journals in matching tins.

Yep, you read that right. 5 sets of these!

Winners are chosen at random.

To enter:

1. You must be a blog follower (new or old, I love you all).
2. Leave your email address.
3. Tweet, Facebook or Blog this Give Away AND post the link here.

Contest runs until Midnight December 25^th Happy Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanza all rolled into the same fraction of a second – YES! – I planned it like that.

Happy Blog Hopping and don’t forget to enter…

I reciprocate blog love.

The 21 and Over Holiday Sanity Survival Guide

Feeling overwhelmed with the pressure cooker of all the holiday fun resting on your shoulders, threatening to pop your brain cells one by one…?  Chill out. It’s only Thanksgiving. The real fun hasn’t even begun, after all, the holiday's are not just about this day or that. They are a collection of gatherings, shopping, house cleaning, cooking, family, friends, panicking and…

I’m not helping?

Well maybe this will…

In the spirit of fun, I thought I would share some useful secrets on how I breeze through the holidays unscathed and even manage to enjoy myself.

Scenario #1. Your husband has invited co-workers over for some holiday cheer. Translation: there’s going to be a house full of loud men yelling at a TV because some other loud man is rooting for the other team and they stand to lose [Lose: a four letter word capable of destroying a man’s ego in two seconds flat. Warning: man does not recover well from loss and may sulk or pout for days following].

Solution #1.  Hot Totty. Offer to fix the fragile men something to eat and take a moment alone to regain your focus of all that is truly important…

Ingredients:

Servings: 1

• 1 ounce brandy
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 lemon, juice of
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 tea bag, of choice

Directions:

Coat the bottom of your favorite mug with honey.

Add brandy and lemon juice.

On the side, boil water add tea bag,

Pour the tea into honey/lemon/brandy goodness.

And viola ~ stress…gone. Repeat as needed.

[http://www.food.com/recipe/hot-totty-272914]

Scenario #2. The families are coming. His. Yours. The whole damn lot, together under one roof, yours.  Do I really need to explain the neurosis that comes with this one? I didn’t think so.

Solution #2. Christmas Wassail. This is a warm fruity drink that makes your whole house smell delicious and the alcohol burns off (mostly, so be sure to add a shot to your mug). Great to offer particularly difficult family members (like the kids or grandma).  

2 qt. cider
1 pt. cranberry juice
3/4 c. sugar
2 sticks cinnamon
1 tsp. whole allspice
1 orange
Whole cloves
1 c. rum [The rest of the bottle is for you] (Sailor Jerry’s Spiced Rum is best) http://sailorjerry.com/

Side note:  I make mine with pineapple added to the mixture, it should equal 1/3 of other juices combined, but I'll let you do math - you know me. 

Stud orange with whole cloves. Put all ingredients into crock pot. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour and then on low for 4-8 hours. Serve warm from crock pot. Makes 12 cups.

[http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1922,153182-241204,00.html]

 Scenario #3. Shopping (self explanatory). 

 

Solution #3. Homemade Irish Cream Liqueur [Irish Coffee] This one is a little trickier, but don’t worry I’ve got you covered. You’ll need a designated driver. If your husband is the only one available, plan to distract him once in the store with tools or electronics, works every time. Grab your snowflake covered to-go coffee mug and let’s get started.

1 3/4 c. your favorite liquor (Irish Whiskey, brandy, rum, bourbon, scotch,
or rye whiskey)
1 (14 oz.) can Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)
1 c. (1/2 pt.) whipping or light cream
4 eggs
2 tbsp. chocolate flavored syrup
2 tsp. instant coffee
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract

In 6-cup blender, at low speed, combine all ingredients; blend until smooth. Serve over ice if desired. Store tightly covered in refrigerator up to one month. Stir before serving.

[http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,163,144187-254199,00.html]

Note: Public intoxication is not legal, so I recommend sticking to the recipe on this one. 

  

Scenario #4. You’re hosting the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party (I’m not even going to ask why; we all do dumb things sometimes). 

Solution #4. Gluehwein (German Hot Wine Punch) This is where you're allowed to let loose! Hell, look at what you're wearing, how much worse can it get? Go ahead, drink, live a little!

• 1 (24 ounce) bottle red German wine
• 1 cup water
• 1 whole cinnamon stick
• 2 whole cloves
• 1/2 lemon, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup sugar

Directions:

Mix everything together in a large saucepan and heat until hot, but NOT boiling. Boiling it will ruin the Gluehwein, so be careful to not set your heat too high. You can pour this into a Crockpot on LOW heat and serve warm. [http://www.food.com/recipe/gluehwein-german-hot-wine-punch-48713]

And, there you have you it, my survival kit for just about any occasion that may arise during this holiday season.

Do you have a family recipe handed down from past generations that you would be willing to share with me? I’d love to hear how you de-stress during this chaotic – yet oh-so-wonderful – time of year.

Cheers if you’re crazy like me and heading out to Black Friday this evening. I hope you find everything on your list, safely. 

Note: This blog is only intended for fun and NOT to be taken seriously, unless you really want to…it’s your life.

Thanks and Giving and Believing in the Magic…

Thanks and Giving and Believing in the Magic…

… Even when those voices tell you not to.

I believe in humanity.

It’s about reaching for that inner child, the one the world is choking. It’s about having the courage to believe, even when it seems there is nothing left to believe in.

I believe in compassion.

It’s about keeping the magic real for one more generation, and then for another, and another. It’s digging into ones soul for that most painful fear and replacing it with one simple word that sparks all other words into being…

I believe in peace.

It’s the basis of religion, it’s the basis of science, it’s behind every child that grows up to be successful, and it’s the fundamental building block of freedom and equality. 

I believe in believing.

It is the one word that if taken from our vocabulary, the world would stop existing. It’s the one word that made man discover the world is round, or that man could fly like the birds, the word that moves all things into action, from dream… to reality…

…It is imagination. And I believe.

This Thanksgiving, I’m giving and I’m saying thanks. And I’m going to pay you to say thanks too… 

…well sort of.

Thank YOU for reading this blog and for coming back again. Thank you for taking the time to read my words before I’m even published and thank you, for paying it forward.

Here’s the deal, I’m going to donate $1.00 (Up to $200 total) for each comment below to the Golden Harvest Food Bank. For every dollar donated, Golden Harvest can provide $7.00 worth of food.

On December 1st 2011, I will take a picture of the donation, as it happens, and post it  here. 

But that’s not all, in honor of the release of Breaking Dawn Part 1, you also have the chance to win Stephanie Meyer’s The Host AND a $20 Visa gift card.

So what the heck are waiting for?

 Here are the rules:

1.)    Be a follower of this blog.

2.)    Leave a comment with 3 things (minimum) you are thankful for.

3.)    Tell everyone about this blog and brag about it here.

4.)     Leave your email address before you go.

 Contest ends November 30th, 2011.

If you should be inspired to join this effort and have a similar give away on your blog, please remember to post your link here, so we can keep this momentum moving forward.

Have a wonderful November and Happy Thanksgiving!