I just found out about an awesome contest for authors. Submit the first 500 words of your novel to Mary Kole, who is an agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and have a chance to win a critique of up to 15 pages of your manuscript. Every one of my author friends better be entering this one! No excuses, people.
Click here for more information.
Back to edits!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Cool Book to Watch For and Fun Signing News
Okay, I've blogged every day this week. Not always here, mind you, but we're talking serious bloggage going on. And I had no intention of blogging again today, because, you know, I have writing to do. Plus, I'd hate to make you sick of me.
But...I have cool news I want to share. Cindy and I are officially scheduled to sign copies of Mormon Mishaps and Mischief at the BYU bookstore during the sci-fi / fantasy conference, Life, the Universe, and Everything. Our signing date is Thursday, Feb. 11th, from 11:45-1:30. Yes, during lunch.
I realize that the time seems a bit odd, and that it will cut into the conference classes, including both lectures by my favorite artist, James Christensen. BUT this is a good thing because I can catch a little of both lectures, and still sign for the lunch crowd. So come by and say hi, and if you haven't already, pick up your copy of Mormon Mishaps and Mischief. If you already have one, it makes a great gift for your Valentine, and also Mother's and Father's Days. Just sayin.
And since I'm sharing anyway, my friend Rachelle just released a trailer for her book, Wrong Number. It's being released in a few weeks, and I'm totally excited for it. I've read this book, and it's so, so good. So, here it is. Enjoy!
That's it for this week, kids. Have a great weekend!
Nichole
But...I have cool news I want to share. Cindy and I are officially scheduled to sign copies of Mormon Mishaps and Mischief at the BYU bookstore during the sci-fi / fantasy conference, Life, the Universe, and Everything. Our signing date is Thursday, Feb. 11th, from 11:45-1:30. Yes, during lunch.
I realize that the time seems a bit odd, and that it will cut into the conference classes, including both lectures by my favorite artist, James Christensen. BUT this is a good thing because I can catch a little of both lectures, and still sign for the lunch crowd. So come by and say hi, and if you haven't already, pick up your copy of Mormon Mishaps and Mischief. If you already have one, it makes a great gift for your Valentine, and also Mother's and Father's Days. Just sayin.
And since I'm sharing anyway, my friend Rachelle just released a trailer for her book, Wrong Number. It's being released in a few weeks, and I'm totally excited for it. I've read this book, and it's so, so good. So, here it is. Enjoy!
That's it for this week, kids. Have a great weekend!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Dreams, Motivations, and a Spotlight
Here it is Thursday, and already I'm lagging behind on a plan I made only last week. Don't worry, though, I have an author to spotlight and will get to her and her work short order.
I've been thinking a lot about dreams. Not the kind that come to us as we're asleep, (or while other people are asleep if you're Janie in the book, Wake by Lisa McMann. Great book, by the way) but rather, the kind that float into our minds during waking hours. The dreams we have for life and love, and that some of us set aside for other things once we get married and start having children. Or we set them aside for a job, or other obligations, thinking we'll get to them later.
Why do we do this to ourselves? What are we waiting for? There will always be lots of reasons why we should put off the things we want most in life. The trick, I think, is looking past those reasons to find the other list. The list that reminds us why we should get started right now. Now I'm probably sounding melancholy. I actually wrote a whole blog about this topic over at LDS Writer's Blogck. Click here to read it. Don't worry, I'll wait...
*hums a tune*
On to other topics. I've noticed a trend in the YA market lately, and it's one I love. I'm becoming addicted to books written in present tense. First person, third person--it doesn't really matter which. I like them both, depending on the author. I've decided that the reason I love it so much is because everything that's happening in the book feels so much more immediate, more pressing. And the immediacy makes me loathe the idea of putting the book down. So I end up reading present tense books super-fast. I get nothing else done. But I've read a lot lately. Hey, it's part of my job to keep up with the market. So, technically, reading = working. I also wrote a post about this topic at Writer's Fortress. Click here to read that post. Again, I'm willing to wait...
*Drumming fingers*
Are you back yet? Good. Now I have a quick question before I get to the spotlight. What motivates you to write? Or, if you're not a writer, what motivates you to do the things you love--or the things you hate but can't stop doing? (There are days I hate writing. Loathe it. But I still do it.) Does something drive you to continue on, even when you're continually rejected, frustrated and criticized? For me, it's my dreams of the future. Hope. For tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, five years from now and on. Not that I'm patient, mind you, I'm totally not. But I have all these hopes, and I know that none of it will happen if I don't do something about it. So I am driven to continue on. No blog post about this topic, by the way. Just a random stray thought.
Oh, but tomorrow, I'll be a guest blogger on the Daydreamer blog. Drop by and say hi! Maybe I'll blog about hope and drive after all. Or friendship. Something.
Today's author spotlight: Christine Thackeray
Christine currently resides in Newberg, Oregon and is the mother of seven amazing children. The oldest two boys are on missions. She graduated from BYU with a B.A. in English in 1986, thanks to her devoted husband (hah, long story and this is the short answer.)
Daughter of author Jaroldeen Edwards, Christine has always loved writing, but more than writing itself she loves the sharing of ideas. As a young mother she was a frequent contributor to the local newspaper. Later she designed a number of brochures for the town of Fairview, used to welcome new residents. She has participated in a number of technical writing projects including a nation real estate study and several university studies. She has also written numerous Roadshows, Christmas Programs and Young Women's events.
After her youngest went to kindergarten, Christine decided to try writing her first novel. Surprisingly, it was accepted by CFI for publication in the spring of 2008 which has opened an exciting new chapter in her life.
Her novels include:
The Crayon Messages:
A Visiting Teaching Adventure
and
C. S. Lewis: Latter Day Truths in Narnia
and
Her upcoming release:
Lipstick Wars (second installment in The Crayon Messages series.)
To learn more about Christine Thackeray, visit her website or blog.
**The author of this blog has received nothing, nada, ziltch for spotlighting this or any other author. No free books, no money, not even any praise. This program is done solely with my discretion and out of respect for the authors discussed, and sometimes friendship—but not always. Sometimes, it just feels like a good thing to do. Nuff said.
I've been thinking a lot about dreams. Not the kind that come to us as we're asleep, (or while other people are asleep if you're Janie in the book, Wake by Lisa McMann. Great book, by the way) but rather, the kind that float into our minds during waking hours. The dreams we have for life and love, and that some of us set aside for other things once we get married and start having children. Or we set them aside for a job, or other obligations, thinking we'll get to them later.
Why do we do this to ourselves? What are we waiting for? There will always be lots of reasons why we should put off the things we want most in life. The trick, I think, is looking past those reasons to find the other list. The list that reminds us why we should get started right now. Now I'm probably sounding melancholy. I actually wrote a whole blog about this topic over at LDS Writer's Blogck. Click here to read it. Don't worry, I'll wait...
*hums a tune*
On to other topics. I've noticed a trend in the YA market lately, and it's one I love. I'm becoming addicted to books written in present tense. First person, third person--it doesn't really matter which. I like them both, depending on the author. I've decided that the reason I love it so much is because everything that's happening in the book feels so much more immediate, more pressing. And the immediacy makes me loathe the idea of putting the book down. So I end up reading present tense books super-fast. I get nothing else done. But I've read a lot lately. Hey, it's part of my job to keep up with the market. So, technically, reading = working. I also wrote a post about this topic at Writer's Fortress. Click here to read that post. Again, I'm willing to wait...
*Drumming fingers*
Are you back yet? Good. Now I have a quick question before I get to the spotlight. What motivates you to write? Or, if you're not a writer, what motivates you to do the things you love--or the things you hate but can't stop doing? (There are days I hate writing. Loathe it. But I still do it.) Does something drive you to continue on, even when you're continually rejected, frustrated and criticized? For me, it's my dreams of the future. Hope. For tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, five years from now and on. Not that I'm patient, mind you, I'm totally not. But I have all these hopes, and I know that none of it will happen if I don't do something about it. So I am driven to continue on. No blog post about this topic, by the way. Just a random stray thought.
Oh, but tomorrow, I'll be a guest blogger on the Daydreamer blog. Drop by and say hi! Maybe I'll blog about hope and drive after all. Or friendship. Something.
Today's author spotlight: Christine Thackeray
Who is Christine Thackeray?
The Short Answer
Christine currently resides in Newberg, Oregon and is the mother of seven amazing children. The oldest two boys are on missions. She graduated from BYU with a B.A. in English in 1986, thanks to her devoted husband (hah, long story and this is the short answer.)
Daughter of author Jaroldeen Edwards, Christine has always loved writing, but more than writing itself she loves the sharing of ideas. As a young mother she was a frequent contributor to the local newspaper. Later she designed a number of brochures for the town of Fairview, used to welcome new residents. She has participated in a number of technical writing projects including a nation real estate study and several university studies. She has also written numerous Roadshows, Christmas Programs and Young Women's events.
After her youngest went to kindergarten, Christine decided to try writing her first novel. Surprisingly, it was accepted by CFI for publication in the spring of 2008 which has opened an exciting new chapter in her life.
Her novels include:
The Crayon Messages:
A Visiting Teaching Adventure
and
C. S. Lewis: Latter Day Truths in Narnia
and
Her upcoming release:
Lipstick Wars (second installment in The Crayon Messages series.)
To learn more about Christine Thackeray, visit her website or blog.
**The author of this blog has received nothing, nada, ziltch for spotlighting this or any other author. No free books, no money, not even any praise. This program is done solely with my discretion and out of respect for the authors discussed, and sometimes friendship—but not always. Sometimes, it just feels like a good thing to do. Nuff said.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Cool Conferences and a Contest Winner
I think I'm on a roll! I've blogged so much this week, it's almost like I'm not getting any writing done. Shoot. I'm not. But I have a good excuse, and blogging isn't it.
Remember? I sent my book to press last week. So. There. Got something big and important done. Oh, and I also ordered more bookmarks for Mishaps since we'll be appearing to sign at some bookstores and conferences in upcoming weeks.
Speaking of conferences, February is a good month for them. I will be attending two, and am totally psyched for both of them. I could tell you all about both of them, but instead I've decided to paste the information below. With links in case you have questions. Come. Learn. Visit with me. It'll be so fun!
Except before I forget, I had a contest last week. Actually, it was two weeks ago and no one won, so I ran it again. Do you remember? Yep, my first name to which I will never answer, sign, or otherwise use except as an initial.
Contrary to popular belief, the reason for this is not because I hate my first name, but rather because I've never in my life actually used it. Ever. Except on my wedding invitations. Which was a mistake. The proof of this is burned into the cover of our family hymnbook. A gift from the groom's extended family, obviously. I digress. And the winner is...
Chelsea! *clapclapclapclapcheerjump-up-and-down-clapclapclapcheer* Chelsea doesn't know me in person, but she guessed the name Debra. Which, according to my birth certificate, is correct.
Chelsea has won this really awesome wooden bookmark from Hawaii. Cute, huh? Chelsea, please email your mailing information to me at nickigiles at gmail dot com, and I'll get this sent this week.
Now, back to the conferences. The first conference is called Life, The Universe and Everything and is held at BYU in the Wilkenson Center. Here are the important dets:
Shoot. It won't paste in. Let me try this again.
Okay, I'll type it. Feb 11-13 at BYU.
Attendance is FREE! (yes, I said free, so you have no excuse not to come.)
Click here to find out more, since it won't paste in. But here are the guests of honor:
Remember? I sent my book to press last week. So. There. Got something big and important done. Oh, and I also ordered more bookmarks for Mishaps since we'll be appearing to sign at some bookstores and conferences in upcoming weeks.
Speaking of conferences, February is a good month for them. I will be attending two, and am totally psyched for both of them. I could tell you all about both of them, but instead I've decided to paste the information below. With links in case you have questions. Come. Learn. Visit with me. It'll be so fun!
Except before I forget, I had a contest last week. Actually, it was two weeks ago and no one won, so I ran it again. Do you remember? Yep, my first name to which I will never answer, sign, or otherwise use except as an initial.
Contrary to popular belief, the reason for this is not because I hate my first name, but rather because I've never in my life actually used it. Ever. Except on my wedding invitations. Which was a mistake. The proof of this is burned into the cover of our family hymnbook. A gift from the groom's extended family, obviously. I digress. And the winner is...
Chelsea has won this really awesome wooden bookmark from Hawaii. Cute, huh? Chelsea, please email your mailing information to me at nickigiles at gmail dot com, and I'll get this sent this week.
Now, back to the conferences. The first conference is called Life, The Universe and Everything and is held at BYU in the Wilkenson Center. Here are the important dets:
Shoot. It won't paste in. Let me try this again.
Okay, I'll type it. Feb 11-13 at BYU.
Attendance is FREE! (yes, I said free, so you have no excuse not to come.)
Click here to find out more, since it won't paste in. But here are the guests of honor:
Guests
of Honor:
(author of the Mistborn Trilogy, the Alcatraz books
and the new Wheel of Time books)
(Special Effects Wizard)
Formerly with ILM, now with Kerner Studios.
(Thursday Only)
(Yes. we jave pme, but we’re finalizng a few details)
Did you catch that? James C. Christensen. The artist whose work I LOVE. I wonder if he'll draw me a fairy? If he does, maybe I'll get it tatooed somewhere. But don't tell him that. =)
Okay, the next totally awesome and way fun conference is in Arizona. But inexpensive enough to warrant me buying a plane ticket to get there. Yahoo!
This one will paste so here it is:
All local writers are invited to this year's ANWA Writer's Conference. It’s one of the best in the west, with some very big names in the business. The cost is about a third of most other writer's conferences.
The 2010 ANWA Writer’s Conference
“Start Write Now”
Saturday, February 27, 2010
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Dobson Ranch Inn,
1666 South Dobson Road
Mesa, Arizona 85202-5699
Open to all writers on this or any other planet
Register at
Discounted Hotel reservations available on the above registration site or by calling Dobson Ranch Inn directly at 480-831-7000 or 1-800-528-1356 http://www.dobsonranchinn.com/
Keynote Speaker
J. Scott Savage
Author of the "Farworld" Series
Aprilynne Pike
New York Times best-selling Author of “Wings”
Doug Johnston
Publicist Extraordinaire
Nancy E. Turner
Author of “These is My Words”
Dr. Pamela Goodfellow
Writing Coach, Editor
and Owner of Goodfellow Publishing Services
Sara Fujimura
Author and Magazine Writer
Helen Bair
Counselor and Author of
“Finding the Healer in Me”
Marsha Ward
Author of the “Owen Family” Series
Book signings at end of conference
Early Registration
General Public: $75 before February 7, 2010
ANWA Members $60
After Feb. 7 add $5
Cost includes Catered Lunch
For questions contact, the ANWA 2010 Conference Chair Person, Cindy R. Williams at cindywilliams@q.com or Conference Registrar, Krista Darrach at kristadarrach@yah
I hope to see you there! I have a signing table, so come buy my books or just introduce yourself and let's be friends.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
What Happy Taught Me
By Nichole Giles
One of the things you learn when you become a parent is how to cheer for your children in their chosen art or sport. In our family, the boys are the artists and the girls the sportswomen. This took some discovering, but over the years, my husband and I have done our best to help nurture them all in whichever way is necessary. We want to encourage them to move forward with whatever sport or art in which they have passion.
Unfortunately, whenever large groups of girls play sports together, it has the potential to become a popularity contest more than a sports competition. Sometimes, it’s a lot of both, and that’s where things get very difficult. Something like this happened this year to my eleven-year-old daughter. I’ll call her Happy in this post. (As in the dwarf, not the emotion.)
It all started with an adult. The woman is the wife of one of our church leaders, and someone Happy has looked up to in the past with a bit of awe and respect. This woman decided to put together a basketball team, using all the girls in our neighborhood and ward. After coaching girls’ basketball (city league) for several years, she’s learned how to circumvent the city’s way of dividing the teams up so they are evenly matched. This woman picked her favorite and best players, leaving out only one girl in a very large area. In fact, she went to lengths to recruit girls from other areas to fill her team, deliberately leaving that girl out—for reasons unbeknownst to anyone other than the wicked coach herself. That poor lone girl is my Happy.
There’s more to explain here, but that would make for a long story. Suffice it to say, all of Happy’s friends got on the team. Except Happy. Who is a very good basketball player and has no idea why she was ousted. Neither do her parents.
Even more unfortunate, none of Happy’s friends understood why she wasn’t on the team. They asked her about it. Repeatedly. Telling her how they were recruited and wondering why they don’t get to play together. The friends didn’t understand that they were making Happy feel even worse. Happy was heartbroken.
She cried herself to sleep for two weeks. So did her mother.
Happy was hurt. But I was angry. So angry at this wicked, awful woman (I’m trying to be G rated here) who had the nerve to hurt my child so deeply. And guilty. My DH and I became certain that it was somehow our fault—that we’ve somehow done something to make this happen. Offended someone or said the wrong thing. But it didn’t matter at this point. No degree of arguing with the city people would get her on that team. Even if she wanted it anymore. Which she didn’t. (Side note, wicked, awful coach-lady wouldn’t return our calls either. She knew what she’d done.)
I could think of no solution to help my daughter feel better other than to offer for her to not play basketball this year.
That was the wrong thing to say. How dare I even suggest it? Happy loves basketball. Always has. And she’s good at it. Very good. Why wouldn’t she play just because some stupid crazy-lady wants to create a ringer team and not invite her? Happy tells me she’ll play anyway. In whichever team the city places her. And she’ll practice hard. Very hard so that when Happy’s new team plays against the ringers, she can wipe the floor with them. All by herself if necessary.
Fast forward a few weeks. The holidays came and went, and when the season started, Happy went to her first practice and realized that her new team of strangers has a good coach and some pretty decent players. All was not lost. They won a few games. Happy felt confident. And smiled because she was happy again.
Then the day came when the two teams played each other. Happy had been preparing herself mentally, physically, and emotionally for a long time.
*Switching to commentary mode*
They tip the basketball. Happy is off. She has the ball. She’s fast. She plays hard. She is aggressive. She runs, she shoots, she scores, she rebounds. She’s…amazing. Incredible. Fantastic.
The other parents stop watching their own children because they can’t stop watching Happy. The husband of the evil-coach is heard exclaiming in amazement about Happy’s abilities. Other parents know she is my daughter and ask where she learned to play. (I have no answer. Not from me. My guess is that she’s channeling her emotions much like I do when I write.)
Happy doesn’t miss. Happy’s coach is ecstatic. Doesn’t want to take her out. She wouldn’t come out anyway.
**End commentator mode. **
In the end, Happy’s team missed a few too many baskets and lost by one point. But Happy felt good. She played hard. She showed them what she’s made of, what they missed out on. She kicked their butts to China and then brought them back on a wooden platter. She shined the floor with them. Even though the other team won.
Everyone who mattered saw. And she knew it.
This time, for her, it wasn’t about winning or losing or about who likes who more than someone else or who doesn’t like someone else or who was popular. It was about proving to herself that she has value. That she is as good as them. Better even. And that she doesn’t need her friends (even if she loves them) to make her into a good player. She is already good. And the rest doesn’t matter. She has won. And the tears were worth it.
Epilogue: Mom and dad are now thinking we have a star on our hands and wondering about putting her in a more competitive league where she can learn and grow. Where other players can give her some competition and make her even better. Can we say scholarship material? Yeah. It’s like that.
And since I’ve been experiencing a similar-type snub, I’m trying to learn from Happy’s example. I don’t need my friends to make me good. All I need is to keep going, keep pushing forward and working hard. Put my heart and soul into my work, the way she did in that game. The rest doesn’t matter. I have already won. And the tears I’ve shed will be worth it.
(*Evil coach lady couldn’t look at us in church today. Even though she teaches Happy’s class now. (Bad form, even for an evil coach.) She is embarrassed and humiliated. She should be.*) Tee hee.
Lesson of the day: Carry on and be like Happy.
One of the things you learn when you become a parent is how to cheer for your children in their chosen art or sport. In our family, the boys are the artists and the girls the sportswomen. This took some discovering, but over the years, my husband and I have done our best to help nurture them all in whichever way is necessary. We want to encourage them to move forward with whatever sport or art in which they have passion.
Unfortunately, whenever large groups of girls play sports together, it has the potential to become a popularity contest more than a sports competition. Sometimes, it’s a lot of both, and that’s where things get very difficult. Something like this happened this year to my eleven-year-old daughter. I’ll call her Happy in this post. (As in the dwarf, not the emotion.)
It all started with an adult. The woman is the wife of one of our church leaders, and someone Happy has looked up to in the past with a bit of awe and respect. This woman decided to put together a basketball team, using all the girls in our neighborhood and ward. After coaching girls’ basketball (city league) for several years, she’s learned how to circumvent the city’s way of dividing the teams up so they are evenly matched. This woman picked her favorite and best players, leaving out only one girl in a very large area. In fact, she went to lengths to recruit girls from other areas to fill her team, deliberately leaving that girl out—for reasons unbeknownst to anyone other than the wicked coach herself. That poor lone girl is my Happy.
There’s more to explain here, but that would make for a long story. Suffice it to say, all of Happy’s friends got on the team. Except Happy. Who is a very good basketball player and has no idea why she was ousted. Neither do her parents.
Even more unfortunate, none of Happy’s friends understood why she wasn’t on the team. They asked her about it. Repeatedly. Telling her how they were recruited and wondering why they don’t get to play together. The friends didn’t understand that they were making Happy feel even worse. Happy was heartbroken.
She cried herself to sleep for two weeks. So did her mother.
Happy was hurt. But I was angry. So angry at this wicked, awful woman (I’m trying to be G rated here) who had the nerve to hurt my child so deeply. And guilty. My DH and I became certain that it was somehow our fault—that we’ve somehow done something to make this happen. Offended someone or said the wrong thing. But it didn’t matter at this point. No degree of arguing with the city people would get her on that team. Even if she wanted it anymore. Which she didn’t. (Side note, wicked, awful coach-lady wouldn’t return our calls either. She knew what she’d done.)
I could think of no solution to help my daughter feel better other than to offer for her to not play basketball this year.
That was the wrong thing to say. How dare I even suggest it? Happy loves basketball. Always has. And she’s good at it. Very good. Why wouldn’t she play just because some stupid crazy-lady wants to create a ringer team and not invite her? Happy tells me she’ll play anyway. In whichever team the city places her. And she’ll practice hard. Very hard so that when Happy’s new team plays against the ringers, she can wipe the floor with them. All by herself if necessary.
Then the day came when the two teams played each other. Happy had been preparing herself mentally, physically, and emotionally for a long time.
*Switching to commentary mode*
They tip the basketball. Happy is off. She has the ball. She’s fast. She plays hard. She is aggressive. She runs, she shoots, she scores, she rebounds. She’s…amazing. Incredible. Fantastic.
Happy doesn’t miss. Happy’s coach is ecstatic. Doesn’t want to take her out. She wouldn’t come out anyway.
**End commentator mode. **
In the end, Happy’s team missed a few too many baskets and lost by one point. But Happy felt good. She played hard. She showed them what she’s made of, what they missed out on. She kicked their butts to China and then brought them back on a wooden platter. She shined the floor with them. Even though the other team won.
Everyone who mattered saw. And she knew it.
This time, for her, it wasn’t about winning or losing or about who likes who more than someone else or who doesn’t like someone else or who was popular. It was about proving to herself that she has value. That she is as good as them. Better even. And that she doesn’t need her friends (even if she loves them) to make her into a good player. She is already good. And the rest doesn’t matter. She has won. And the tears were worth it.
Epilogue: Mom and dad are now thinking we have a star on our hands and wondering about putting her in a more competitive league where she can learn and grow. Where other players can give her some competition and make her even better. Can we say scholarship material? Yeah. It’s like that.
And since I’ve been experiencing a similar-type snub, I’m trying to learn from Happy’s example. I don’t need my friends to make me good. All I need is to keep going, keep pushing forward and working hard. Put my heart and soul into my work, the way she did in that game. The rest doesn’t matter. I have already won. And the tears I’ve shed will be worth it.
(*Evil coach lady couldn’t look at us in church today. Even though she teaches Happy’s class now. (Bad form, even for an evil coach.) She is embarrassed and humiliated. She should be.*) Tee hee.
Lesson of the day: Carry on and be like Happy.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A Party Made of Wicked Awesomeness
And Other Random Things
In case you have forgotten or didn’t already know, Thursday is my day to blog over at LDS Writer’s Blogck. My post today is about a writer’s journey being an uphill climb. I posted some great pictures with it, so if you have a minute, click here to check it out. You won’t be sorry, promise.
Also, last week I attended a party made of wicked awesomeness, and I’ve been so overwhelmed with getting back into the groove after my vacation with the family, that I’ve been remiss in blogging about it. Which is totally my bad, since I really, truly had a fabulous time and was so excited that when the list of authors was put together, my name ended up on it. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Suzzette and Elana put it together, Elana being the party planning goddess of the Sith Lord Variety (find the explanation of the Sith Lord thing on Elana’s post here), and Suz being the hostess who rearranged her entire house just so we could all hang together. (She must have a very buff furniture-moving-type husband who didn’t mind that his wife kicked him out of the house for the night.) Those two are da’ bomb, I tell ya!
I had a fab time hanging with some authors I already know, and meeting a bunch more who will now expand my ever-growing circle of writing comrades. Plus, there was food. And prizes. And games that had us all laughing until we cried. So. Much. Fun.
Check us out, toasting to our own awesomeness with sparkling cider.
Right to left, standing:L.T. Elliot, Mary Campbell, Me (in the pink sweat shirt), Alaina Evans, Elana Johnson, Angie Lofthouse, Carolyn Vawdrey, Michelle Argyle, Suzzette Saxton, Windy Aphayrath.
Kneeling:Jenn Wilks, Tess Hilmo, Ali Cross, Natalie Whipple
You’ll notice that every one of these ladies has that something special glowing in her eyes, that little spark that says, “I’m going to be big someday.” And I know it’s absolutely true. So check out all their blogs and websites, and become a follower and all that jazz. You know how writers love fans and followers.
Wait. Somehow, that statement makes me sound like the Pied Piper. Yikes. But I’m not. I promise.
Cue creepy Star Wars-type music.
*Waves hand in a half circular motion.* You will become a follower.
End music.
Anyhoo… on my personal writing journey, another hurdle has been jumped. The Sharp Edge of a Knife went to press today. Should be available sometime around January 31st. Yahoo! Excited, nervous, excited, nervous, happy. I think. Now I should probably get to the part where I plan my launch party. That will be my major task for Friday. That, and finishing up the Sharp Edge website.
In my plan for the New Year, I’ve decided that if I plan one major task each day, maybe I’ll accomplish that one thing and then a few smaller ones. So far, it’s kind of working. Who knew?
In case you have forgotten or didn’t already know, Thursday is my day to blog over at LDS Writer’s Blogck. My post today is about a writer’s journey being an uphill climb. I posted some great pictures with it, so if you have a minute, click here to check it out. You won’t be sorry, promise.
Also, last week I attended a party made of wicked awesomeness, and I’ve been so overwhelmed with getting back into the groove after my vacation with the family, that I’ve been remiss in blogging about it. Which is totally my bad, since I really, truly had a fabulous time and was so excited that when the list of authors was put together, my name ended up on it. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Suzzette and Elana put it together, Elana being the party planning goddess of the Sith Lord Variety (find the explanation of the Sith Lord thing on Elana’s post here), and Suz being the hostess who rearranged her entire house just so we could all hang together. (She must have a very buff furniture-moving-type husband who didn’t mind that his wife kicked him out of the house for the night.) Those two are da’ bomb, I tell ya!
I had a fab time hanging with some authors I already know, and meeting a bunch more who will now expand my ever-growing circle of writing comrades. Plus, there was food. And prizes. And games that had us all laughing until we cried. So. Much. Fun.
Right to left, standing:L.T. Elliot, Mary Campbell, Me (in the pink sweat shirt), Alaina Evans, Elana Johnson, Angie Lofthouse, Carolyn Vawdrey, Michelle Argyle, Suzzette Saxton, Windy Aphayrath.
Kneeling:Jenn Wilks, Tess Hilmo, Ali Cross, Natalie Whipple
You’ll notice that every one of these ladies has that something special glowing in her eyes, that little spark that says, “I’m going to be big someday.” And I know it’s absolutely true. So check out all their blogs and websites, and become a follower and all that jazz. You know how writers love fans and followers.
Wait. Somehow, that statement makes me sound like the Pied Piper. Yikes. But I’m not. I promise.
Cue creepy Star Wars-type music.
*Waves hand in a half circular motion.* You will become a follower.
End music.
Anyhoo… on my personal writing journey, another hurdle has been jumped. The Sharp Edge of a Knife went to press today. Should be available sometime around January 31st. Yahoo! Excited, nervous, excited, nervous, happy. I think. Now I should probably get to the part where I plan my launch party. That will be my major task for Friday. That, and finishing up the Sharp Edge website.
In my plan for the New Year, I’ve decided that if I plan one major task each day, maybe I’ll accomplish that one thing and then a few smaller ones. So far, it’s kind of working. Who knew?
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
A New Weekly Feature: Author / Book Spotlights
Over the last few months, I've read a lot of blogs about authors and books. Well, okay, make that the last few years. That's what I'm interested in, and so that's what I read about. Anyway, since I don't have any official book reviews scheduled for a while, I've decided to do a weekly spotlight on both authors and their books. What do you think?
I'm thinking of scheduling the spotlights for mid-week, so watch for them each Tuesday or Wednesday. The first author whose books I'll be spotlighting is Anna del C. Dye, author of The Silent Warrior Trilogy.
The saga started with book one, The Elf and the Princess:
Menarm was a great and prosperous kingdom, known throughout the lands for its friendly, hard-working people and fair trade. But a bitter struggle of succession between brothers left the kingdom devastated, the people divided. Some stayed with Fenil, who had conquered the crown, others followed Renil to the north, founding a new kingdom.
Now Adren, the last princess of the vanquished realm of Menarm, finds herself alone in a world where women live in the shadows of men. Not only must she battle her enemies, but also a truth that could obliterate her last hope for happiness and bring dishonor to all those whom she hold dear. On her quest, she finds unlikely allies in a powerful prince and a defiant mercenary, only to be devastated by an ancient elf.
Book two, Trouble in the Elf City:
It’s been three years since the war between the Orks and Tahitans destroyed the proud kingdom of Menarm. Adren, the land’s last princess, has settled comfortably into her new life as wife to the elf Dellin in the kingdom of Lothia.
But all is not well. And when a mysterious enemy shatters their peace, an enemy the elfs appear powerless to fight, complete annihilation seems imminent. Will Adren witness the destruction of yet another kingdom and once again find herself alone in the world? Or can the Silent Warrior come to her rescue and save them all?
Book Three, Elfs in a Conquered Realm:
King Paletin and Adren, the last Princess of Menarm, set forth on their mission with a team to find the hidden treasures of the now vanquished Kingdom of Menarm. Led by the young strategist, Zyrthal, the team is strong in number and sure of purpose, yet they find themselves facing ruthless mercenaries who are determined to claim the kingdom’s riches for themselves.
Once again, the Silent Warrior is called upon to rescue the captured team, but he has begun to battle demons of his own and has become unsure of his abilities as the champion of Adren. The shadows in his heart become all the more magnified with the disappearance of the two half-elf princes from the dead kingdom.
Front Street Reviews has praised Dye’s works as “fluid and flawless” and has said in their complimentary review of Elfs in a Conquered Realm that “it should come as no surprise that one will find this story as fulfilling as the first two in the trilogy. Her talent for writing fantasy will leave her name forever entrenched in our memories as we hope to read more of her stories long into the future.
I'm thinking of scheduling the spotlights for mid-week, so watch for them each Tuesday or Wednesday. The first author whose books I'll be spotlighting is Anna del C. Dye, author of The Silent Warrior Trilogy.
The saga started with book one, The Elf and the Princess:
Menarm was a great and prosperous kingdom, known throughout the lands for its friendly, hard-working people and fair trade. But a bitter struggle of succession between brothers left the kingdom devastated, the people divided. Some stayed with Fenil, who had conquered the crown, others followed Renil to the north, founding a new kingdom.
Now Adren, the last princess of the vanquished realm of Menarm, finds herself alone in a world where women live in the shadows of men. Not only must she battle her enemies, but also a truth that could obliterate her last hope for happiness and bring dishonor to all those whom she hold dear. On her quest, she finds unlikely allies in a powerful prince and a defiant mercenary, only to be devastated by an ancient elf.
Book two, Trouble in the Elf City:
It’s been three years since the war between the Orks and Tahitans destroyed the proud kingdom of Menarm. Adren, the land’s last princess, has settled comfortably into her new life as wife to the elf Dellin in the kingdom of Lothia.
But all is not well. And when a mysterious enemy shatters their peace, an enemy the elfs appear powerless to fight, complete annihilation seems imminent. Will Adren witness the destruction of yet another kingdom and once again find herself alone in the world? Or can the Silent Warrior come to her rescue and save them all?
Book Three, Elfs in a Conquered Realm:
King Paletin and Adren, the last Princess of Menarm, set forth on their mission with a team to find the hidden treasures of the now vanquished Kingdom of Menarm. Led by the young strategist, Zyrthal, the team is strong in number and sure of purpose, yet they find themselves facing ruthless mercenaries who are determined to claim the kingdom’s riches for themselves.
Once again, the Silent Warrior is called upon to rescue the captured team, but he has begun to battle demons of his own and has become unsure of his abilities as the champion of Adren. The shadows in his heart become all the more magnified with the disappearance of the two half-elf princes from the dead kingdom.
Front Street Reviews has praised Dye’s works as “fluid and flawless” and has said in their complimentary review of Elfs in a Conquered Realm that “it should come as no surprise that one will find this story as fulfilling as the first two in the trilogy. Her talent for writing fantasy will leave her name forever entrenched in our memories as we hope to read more of her stories long into the future.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
The Ultimate Gift
The Ultimate Gift
This past week my family had the opportunity to go on a trip to a place I’ve always wanted to visit. As a young girl, I remember dreams of visiting a paradise where palm trees grew coconuts and everywhere you looked, the ocean was within view—or at the very least close enough to smell. I’ve always wanted to go to Hawai’i, but didn’t actually do it until my own kids are nearing adulthood.
My husband’s mother, Carol, had a similar dream. She always wanted to go to Hawai’i, and had big plans for her retirement. Unfortunately, she died before she got to make the trip she’d been dreaming of all her life.
One of the lessons I’ve learned through her untimely passing is that I should never put off the dreams that are most important to me. If you want something badly enough, generally you can find a way to get it, even if it requires some degree of sacrifice in other areas. Then, along the way, there are hundreds of other lessons to be learned, and other experiences to be had. This is what makes up our mortal life and the growth of our spiritual strength. Not to mention the creation of memories you’ll carry with you forever.
If you think about it, the same thinking applies to our personal dreams and aspirations as well. Like my dream of writing and becoming a bestselling author. But that’s another blog.
How can we deny ourselves this growth? These memories? I challenge you all to go after what you want most in life and to find a way to do that thing that so draws you. Never put off the things you love or desire, hoping that tomorrow opportunity will fall in your lap. Do the thing that drives you because sometimes, tomorrow doesn’t come.
This was the type of thinking that brought us to one of the islands I’ve always dreamed of visiting, and what made us decide to take the whole family as a Christmas gift. It was expensive, and the kids missed a week of school, and we came home to the depressing cold and snow and icky, yucky Utah inversion air. But the only thing we’ll ever regret is that our time there passed so quickly. And that we didn’t take two thousand pictures instead of one thousand.
The whole experience reminded me how important it is to give our children time, experience, and love. These are the gifts that will never break, wear out, or be forgotten. It is the ultimate gift of family.
Live for today, plan for tomorrow, learn from yesterday, then let it go. Now, go out and do something you’ve always wanted to do, but have been putting off. You won’t be sorry.
**By the way, though I had several entries to my current contest, no one actually guessed the right name. So…I’m extending the deadline until midnight, Friday, January 22nd, and giving everyone who already guessed the opportunity to guess again. If at some point in the past I happened to tell you my first name, go ahead and throw it out there, as long as I told you the answer before December, 2009. If you have that kind of memory, you should be rewarded. Please remember, close family members do not get to enter this contest. Sorry! (By the way, the prize is from Hawai’i.)
This past week my family had the opportunity to go on a trip to a place I’ve always wanted to visit. As a young girl, I remember dreams of visiting a paradise where palm trees grew coconuts and everywhere you looked, the ocean was within view—or at the very least close enough to smell. I’ve always wanted to go to Hawai’i, but didn’t actually do it until my own kids are nearing adulthood.
One of the lessons I’ve learned through her untimely passing is that I should never put off the dreams that are most important to me. If you want something badly enough, generally you can find a way to get it, even if it requires some degree of sacrifice in other areas. Then, along the way, there are hundreds of other lessons to be learned, and other experiences to be had. This is what makes up our mortal life and the growth of our spiritual strength. Not to mention the creation of memories you’ll carry with you forever.
How can we deny ourselves this growth? These memories? I challenge you all to go after what you want most in life and to find a way to do that thing that so draws you. Never put off the things you love or desire, hoping that tomorrow opportunity will fall in your lap. Do the thing that drives you because sometimes, tomorrow doesn’t come.
This was the type of thinking that brought us to one of the islands I’ve always dreamed of visiting, and what made us decide to take the whole family as a Christmas gift. It was expensive, and the kids missed a week of school, and we came home to the depressing cold and snow and icky, yucky Utah inversion air. But the only thing we’ll ever regret is that our time there passed so quickly. And that we didn’t take two thousand pictures instead of one thousand.
Live for today, plan for tomorrow, learn from yesterday, then let it go. Now, go out and do something you’ve always wanted to do, but have been putting off. You won’t be sorry.
**By the way, though I had several entries to my current contest, no one actually guessed the right name. So…I’m extending the deadline until midnight, Friday, January 22nd, and giving everyone who already guessed the opportunity to guess again. If at some point in the past I happened to tell you my first name, go ahead and throw it out there, as long as I told you the answer before December, 2009. If you have that kind of memory, you should be rewarded. Please remember, close family members do not get to enter this contest. Sorry! (By the way, the prize is from Hawai’i.)
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Take a Guess While I'm Gone
I’m out of town this week, so I hope you aren’t anxiously waiting for a new blog from me. Before I leave, though, I couldn’t help but sharing a few things with you, my faithful readers.
First, The Sharp Edge of a Knife is right now at the typesetter, which means it will be going to print very soon, which means I will be scheduling a launch party as soon as I get back in town. Yahoo!
Second, check out the cover! As soon as I get home I’m going to get to work planning the launch party, so watch for more info on that to come.
Here’s the blurb:
The hand gripping my shoulder clenched, holding me tighter against the back of the seat. “I said, pull over,” Gayle demanded. “I’ve used this knife before, and I will not hesitate to use it again.”
When Mel Petersen leaves for work on the morning of February 7, 1958, he has no idea what awaits him. A few miles from his house, Mel picks up a pair of young men who appear to be college students, hoping to prevent them from having to walk in the cold. What Mel doesn’t know is that the men are actually convicts on the run, who are desperate to get away by any means necessary.
When one of his passengers holds a knife to Mel’s throat, he has no choice but to submit to the demands of the criminals. Mel hopes he has what it takes to talk his captors into letting him live so he can return to his wife and children, but fears they will kill him before he has the chance.
Based on a true story, The Sharp Edge of a Knife follows Mel and his captors on an unforgettable ride that will have you questioning the depth of your faith and sitting on the edge of your seat as it grabs your attention from the first sentence and keeps you riveted until the very end.
Third, I want to have a contest while I’m gone this week. So… On both of my current books, I’ve used the initials D.N.Giles for my author name. You all know what the N stands for, but I’ve had lots of questions about the D. Here’s the deal. You have one chance to guess my first given name (one that is on my birth certificate but to which I have never answered, nor will I ever—that means you, Keith!). Email me your guess sometime between now and January 15th, and the person who comes up with the correct answer gets a prize. I’m not sure what yet, but it’ll be good, I promise.
If more than one person guesses the right name, I’ll put all the correct entries into my random generator and draw the winner that way. Unless there are only two correct answers, in which case I may just give away two prizes.
Don't put your guesses in a comment though, or you might hurt your chances of winning. Family members are not eligible to enter this contest, since you've known me forever and already should know the answer. Sorry!
How does that sound? Good? Great! Good luck with your guesses and keep writing!
*This week I've also blogged at LDS Writer's Blogck and Writing Fortress. Check out my posts there as well.
First, The Sharp Edge of a Knife is right now at the typesetter, which means it will be going to print very soon, which means I will be scheduling a launch party as soon as I get back in town. Yahoo!
Here’s the blurb:
The hand gripping my shoulder clenched, holding me tighter against the back of the seat. “I said, pull over,” Gayle demanded. “I’ve used this knife before, and I will not hesitate to use it again.”
When Mel Petersen leaves for work on the morning of February 7, 1958, he has no idea what awaits him. A few miles from his house, Mel picks up a pair of young men who appear to be college students, hoping to prevent them from having to walk in the cold. What Mel doesn’t know is that the men are actually convicts on the run, who are desperate to get away by any means necessary.
When one of his passengers holds a knife to Mel’s throat, he has no choice but to submit to the demands of the criminals. Mel hopes he has what it takes to talk his captors into letting him live so he can return to his wife and children, but fears they will kill him before he has the chance.
Based on a true story, The Sharp Edge of a Knife follows Mel and his captors on an unforgettable ride that will have you questioning the depth of your faith and sitting on the edge of your seat as it grabs your attention from the first sentence and keeps you riveted until the very end.
Third, I want to have a contest while I’m gone this week. So… On both of my current books, I’ve used the initials D.N.Giles for my author name. You all know what the N stands for, but I’ve had lots of questions about the D. Here’s the deal. You have one chance to guess my first given name (one that is on my birth certificate but to which I have never answered, nor will I ever—that means you, Keith!). Email me your guess sometime between now and January 15th, and the person who comes up with the correct answer gets a prize. I’m not sure what yet, but it’ll be good, I promise.
If more than one person guesses the right name, I’ll put all the correct entries into my random generator and draw the winner that way. Unless there are only two correct answers, in which case I may just give away two prizes.
Don't put your guesses in a comment though, or you might hurt your chances of winning. Family members are not eligible to enter this contest, since you've known me forever and already should know the answer. Sorry!
How does that sound? Good? Great! Good luck with your guesses and keep writing!
*This week I've also blogged at LDS Writer's Blogck and Writing Fortress. Check out my posts there as well.
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