Thursday Inspiration

Okay, so this week, all my blogs were scheduled because I'm trying something new to get myself organized. But today I had to come out of edit-mode to share something I saw on Nathan Bransford's blog. (Thanks again!)

This video pretty much says it all for me today. It's very short and so worth watching.



Don't forget that today is my day to post on LDS Writer's Blogck. Come on over and say hi.

Sun and Snow, Launches and Spotlights

I woke up this morning to sunshine, only to have a snowstorm roll in by mid afternoon. Drat! I even let my son ride his bike to school because it was kind-of-sort-of-warm I suppose this now means I shall have to take the truck to pick him up when school gets out. Can't have him riding home in the snow, now can I?

In other news, today is Thursday, which means I posted something of meaning and value on the LDS Writer's Blogck. So, if you find this post rather dull and boring, or if you just can't get enough of me--which is most likely the case--you can click here and read about why every novel should have a theme song, and how music can chase away writer's block.

A quick reminder that tomorrow is the day of the big contest announcement. You might see a little blinking picture up on my sidebar. That's the only hint I'm giving, but I will say you don't want to miss this one.


Sigh. I have bad news and good news. The bad news is that the Barnes and Noble in Orem, UT where I was planning to launch The Sharp Edge of a Knife will not have my book in the system in time for me to launch next week. **frowns** BUT the good news is I am still planning to launch this month and will make a big announcement about where as soon as I figure it all out. If you just can't wait to own a copy, don't fret. The Sharp Edge of a Knife is right now, this minute, available online. Go ahead and order it, and if you like it, be sure to leave a review. If you ever meet me, I'll still sign it for you, promise.

And now, before I forget and become all entangled in my own issues, I'm going to move on to this week's author spotlight, Sarah M. Eden, who's newest book, Courting Miss Lancaster, is being released next week.

NG: Hi Sarah, tell us a little about yourself.

Sarah: My family has lived in the arid deserts of Arizona since before the invention of air conditioning. So insanity runs in my family. Not something most people would include on a resume, but it's great for an author. Writing requires a certain degree of mental instability. And a tendency toward insomnia.
             

I write a lot at night and while my kids are at school and any time I am supposed to be cleaning my house. My 6-year-old describes my books this way: “Kissy, romantic books where the people lived a long time ago and talked funny.” Yep, pretty much. I write clean romances that take place in Regency England (think the first two decades of the 1800s: Napoleon, Jane Austen, Mad King George). The endings are always happy, the characters are usually funny.

NG: That sounds, well, achingly familiar. Interesting. And what inspires you to write?

Sarah: Perhaps the single greatest source of inspiration for me lies in the fact that writing gives me an excuse to avoid responsible things. “Wow, I have very large piles of dishes on the counters (yes, plural) of my kitchen. Sorry. I need to write.” “The PTA is hoping I will bake 6 dozen cupcakes for the bake sale in a half-hour. Sorry. I need to write.” “What is that, children? You want dinner? There are frozen waffles in the freezer. Mom needs to write.”
             

Inspiration? Check. 

NG: Hm. Once again, I can relate all too easily. This is almost eerie. Okay, one last quick question and then I'll let the readers check out the trailer. What is your greatest writing challenge?

Sarah: I have a deep and unshakable need to consume large quantities of unnecessary and useless calories (and by this I mean Cheetos). This need creates another need—to exercise my backside, hips and gut off. These very real needs often get in the way of my writing.
             

To my joy, I have managed to invent, in many different versions, a contraption made up of very large books, packing tape and the back of the sofa in my living room which allows me to type while spending some quality time with my elliptical machine while burning calories to which I'd rather not become too permanently attached. I would take a picture, but it's pretty embarrassing. Embarrassingly awesome!
            

 I am also developing a system by which I can type and eat at the same time. I call it “Click, click, click, chew.” Fascinating. I'm thinking of writing a book about it. 

NG: Okay, now you've really got me intrigued. I might have to try that trick with the elliptical. Um, you haven't patented the invention yet, have you? Wait, don't answer that. I don't want to know. Pretend I didn't ask that question.

Thanks, Sarah for that wonderful insight into your life as an author. To order a copy of Courting Miss Lancaster, click here. Or watch this way cool trailer: 

To learn more about Sarah M. Eden, click here.

Lots of Random

What is it about fate that makes certain weeks extra busy, and others extra slow? And why haven't any slow weeks been thrown my way lately? Seriously, sometimes I think it's a miracle that I get any sleep at all. Just saying.

Not that I'm complaining, mind you. I'm actually very excited about everything I have going on right now. But, you know, there aren't enough hours, yadda yadda. The good news is this is a cool, fun, interesting week. Here's the rundown:

1. Today I blogged on Writing Fortress (aka Cedar Fort Authors) about why networking is important. Click here to read more.

2. The winner of the $20 Barnes and Noble gift card has been posted, along with a few random Monday comics on LDS Humor. (Yes, posted by yours truly.) And while I'm talking about winners, the contest winners for all the other contests I posted about last week have also been chosen. I'm not one of them, but scroll down and click on the links to see if you might be one of the lucky ones.

3. Tomorrow, right here on this blog, I'll be reviewing a book called Love Your Body by Brooke Parker R.D.. It's a short read with excellent suggestions on how to rethink your eating and dieting habits. PS This is NOT a diet book! I'm not a big dieter, but I do think eating right is important. Check back on Tuesday to read more about it. Also, as a bonus, enter to win one of five copies of the book, being given away by the publisher. Yahoo! More free stuff.

4. Wednesday I've been asked to present at the League of Utah Writers meeting. This is a great honor. I'll be bringing my coauthor Cindy Beck with me, and we're speaking about our journey From Proposal to Publishing and Promotion. (Aka how Mormon Mishaps and Mischief came to be.) The meeting is being held at the library in Provo, UT, room 201 from 7-9 pm. Oh yes, and it's free to the public. That is, unless you're a heckler. Then you'll be forced to buy my books as payment.

I'll also have a few books handy for purchase, and will sign them for you if you ask nicely. Or if you bribe me with chocolate. Either way.

5. Thursday is my regular posting day at LDS Writer's Blogck. Since I've been busy taking care of Monday-Wednesday's obligations, I have no idea what I'm blogging about there. I'll surprise you. But still come leave comments. They make me so happy.

6. Friday I'm jumping on a plane bound for Phoenix. (Okay, not literally jumping. We all know what happened when Kramer did that.) Yahoo! Off to the ANWA Writer's Conference. I'll be spending the rest of the weekend hanging with my ANWA sisters, learning, relaxing, and writing. Along with some other authors, I'll be signing right after the conference, probably somewhere in the hotel, so if you're in the Mesa area come by and say hi. I'll even sign a book for you. **Crossing my fingers I'll have copies of The Sharp Edge of a Knife before Friday**

7. What else?  Oh yes, March 5th is the day I'll post about my next way cool giveaway. This is in conjunction with a blog tour for my good friend Rachelle Christensen's new release, Wrong Number. You don't want to miss this one, people. So mark your calendars. Also, you MUST read this book. It's a page turner, I tell ya.

8. I'm also still looking for a way awesome, incredible, cool grand prize to give away on my blog tour for The Sharp Edge of a Knife. Speaking of that, I'm also STILL waiting for confirmation on the launch date. I have a tentative schedule, but it all depends on how fast the bookstore can get books. One way or another, I'm launching in mid-March, even if I have to change locations. I'll let y'all know asap.

9. There's still time to register for the LDStorymakers Conference in April. And if you hurry, you'll be able to just squeak by inside the deadline for the first chapter contest. Great prize this year, too. Check it out and register, if you know what's good for you. I'm going, which means all the cool people will be there.

Am I missing anything? Seriously? Because I know I am--not including my kids' indoor soccer games, basketball, music, yadda yadda yadda. What is it? Remind me already!

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?

My Day on the Blogck

Thursday is my day to blog at the LDSWriter's Blogck. Come on over and read Coming Out of the Clouds.