1. My kids have become better than an alarm clock. They both get up at 7 am every day. SonA helps SonB get out of his crib, and then they come in our room. It's a pretty cute wakeup call... but I do wish there was some way to get them to sleep in, at least on Saturday. Oh well!
2. There are certain books that maybe aren't the best to read when you're pregnant, emotional, and already having really weird dreams every night. Though it was really good, all the zombies and death and hopelessness and zombies was a little much for me right now. Lesson learned. Wait to read Carrie Ryan's books until I'm NOT pregnant. And when I'm not going to cry at the part where Catcher talks about the little boy he couldn't save...
3. Isn't it amazing how a book can completely change your mood? I knew I needed something to read that was a little bit... um, less horrorifying after the way The Dark and Hollow Places affected me. I picked up Hex Hall, and so far it was just what I needed. A snarky, fun protag and no zombies in sight. At least, not yet. My dreams were noticeably less filled with half-destroyed bodies of the dead coming after me and my children and my unborn baby.
4. Writing is like eating. You think you're full, and couldn't ever eat again after you stuff yourself (or do a writing marathon); but without fail, you always get hungry again. In the same way, I always want to write again, no matter how burned out I may feel one day. By the next, I am craving it again.
5. Is anyone else a little bit freaked out by how expensive gas is? And that they're predicting it's going to go even higher... and no one seems to be that bothered about it? Wasn't everyone freaking out about gas being this expensive a couple years ago? Why is it okay now? I'm nervous it's going to stay this price forever now. Ugh.
So those are my thoughts today. What's on your mind this Friday? Have a great weekend!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Get used to it
There are a few different things you have to get used to if you want to be a published author. One of the biggest ones is... waiting. There's lots of hard work, and deadlines, and goals, and writing, and all that. But then there's the wait. We work, we hope, we send off our stuff. And then we wait. And wait.
Hurry up... and wait some more.
Writing, reading, editing, revising, copy editing, printing, PUBLISHING a book takes time. There are moments of hurrying and then there is waiting. Waiting for the response from a CP, waiting to hear back on a query, waiting to hear back on a request, waiting for revision notes from your agent, waiting on editors to respond to submissions, waiting for your edits, waiting for your publication date.
Another time when there is a lot of waiting? When you're pregnant. I have no idea why that would be on my mind, but it is. It has nothing to do with the little person rolling and spinning and kicking and stretching in my belly; basically making herself very well known. How is that I feel like I've been pregnant forever, and still have so long to go? And yet, at the same time, I can't believe I'm going to have another baby in about 10-12 weeks! A whole new person, a lovely, untouched soul entering the world in such a short time, who will be completely reliant upon me... that'll make you pause for a minute, to say the least.
So, back to writing. Getting an agent can be like this, and having your book coming out on a shelf (aka published) does, too. You want something so badly. You go through all the ups and downs, the pain, the longing, the hard work (that's usually more applicable to writing, not pregnancy), the nausea (usually more applicable to pregnancy, than writing), you get the idea. It takes time and work and effort and patience to publish a book, or to bring a baby into the world. Because ultimately, you can't rush things. And you shouldn't want to. No matter how uncomfortable I already am (hello ligament pain, aren't you fun! not to mention a few other side effects that are new this time around but I won't mention), I definitely don't want my baby coming out too soon. I want her to be fully developed, full term, healthy, happy, strong.
The same goes for my "book baby"--I don't want it out in the wild prematurely. I want it to be fully developed and the best it possibly can be before it hits a shelf. And that means I have to wait. Wait for this baby to be done cooking, wait for the timing to be right for my book.
Hmm... did that analogy actually make sense? Or did it just end up sounding like the ramblings of a crazy preggo who's trying to convince herself it's a good thing she still has about two and a half months to go? Eh, I tried.
What about you? What are you waiting for? And do you ever get used to it?
Hurry up... and wait some more.
Writing, reading, editing, revising, copy editing, printing, PUBLISHING a book takes time. There are moments of hurrying and then there is waiting. Waiting for the response from a CP, waiting to hear back on a query, waiting to hear back on a request, waiting for revision notes from your agent, waiting on editors to respond to submissions, waiting for your edits, waiting for your publication date.
Another time when there is a lot of waiting? When you're pregnant. I have no idea why that would be on my mind, but it is. It has nothing to do with the little person rolling and spinning and kicking and stretching in my belly; basically making herself very well known. How is that I feel like I've been pregnant forever, and still have so long to go? And yet, at the same time, I can't believe I'm going to have another baby in about 10-12 weeks! A whole new person, a lovely, untouched soul entering the world in such a short time, who will be completely reliant upon me... that'll make you pause for a minute, to say the least.
So, back to writing. Getting an agent can be like this, and having your book coming out on a shelf (aka published) does, too. You want something so badly. You go through all the ups and downs, the pain, the longing, the hard work (that's usually more applicable to writing, not pregnancy), the nausea (usually more applicable to pregnancy, than writing), you get the idea. It takes time and work and effort and patience to publish a book, or to bring a baby into the world. Because ultimately, you can't rush things. And you shouldn't want to. No matter how uncomfortable I already am (hello ligament pain, aren't you fun! not to mention a few other side effects that are new this time around but I won't mention), I definitely don't want my baby coming out too soon. I want her to be fully developed, full term, healthy, happy, strong.
The same goes for my "book baby"--I don't want it out in the wild prematurely. I want it to be fully developed and the best it possibly can be before it hits a shelf. And that means I have to wait. Wait for this baby to be done cooking, wait for the timing to be right for my book.
Hmm... did that analogy actually make sense? Or did it just end up sounding like the ramblings of a crazy preggo who's trying to convince herself it's a good thing she still has about two and a half months to go? Eh, I tried.
What about you? What are you waiting for? And do you ever get used to it?
Monday, April 11, 2011
Winner!
Thank you all for your kind comments, feedback on my blog, and for entering the giveaway.
The random number generator has spoken, and the lucky winner (of a prize of their choosing) is...
RUTH!
Yay! *tosses confetti*
She asked for a critique, so Ruth please email me at sarablarson21 (at) gmail (dot) com, so we can figure out the details. Congrats again!
Happy Monday everyone. How was your weekend?
The random number generator has spoken, and the lucky winner (of a prize of their choosing) is...
RUTH!
Yay! *tosses confetti*
She asked for a critique, so Ruth please email me at sarablarson21 (at) gmail (dot) com, so we can figure out the details. Congrats again!
Happy Monday everyone. How was your weekend?
Friday, April 8, 2011
Friday Five (and last chance!)
1. Today is your last chance to enter my blogiversary/300 follower giveaway where you get to name your own prize. Make sure and click HERE to enter if you haven't already. All you have to do is comment and tell me what you would want to win if you get picked. 2. Since I finished my WIP, I had to catch up on my other job this last week. I work from home, cutting/gluing/etc a gazillion preschool projects every month, and it's pretty boring. So I watch TV or movies to occupy the time. I can't exactly write or read and wield scissors unfortunately. However, that means I also caught up on a few other things... like: 
Love this show. Love everything about it. I still have an episode or two to go to be all the way caught up, so don't tell me. ;)
Ah, hello there McDreamy. I do adore you. Except that last episode? Glee's Anatomy? Oh my heavens. That did NOT work. Abort! Abort!
The new man in my life, who is very close to ousting Mr. Darcy from his place of honor. They are at least tied. I give you: Mr. Thornton.
And YES!!! they actually kiss in this movie. And Oh. My. Word. Was it ever amazing. I almost think the moment when he puts his hand on hers is almost more breathtaking than the actual kiss. Almost. That whole scene was just... perfect.
In case you have no clue what I'm talking about, I stayed up until 1 am watching this last night. LOVE it.
Love this show. Love everything about it. I still have an episode or two to go to be all the way caught up, so don't tell me. ;) 
Ah, hello there McDreamy. I do adore you. Except that last episode? Glee's Anatomy? Oh my heavens. That did NOT work. Abort! Abort! 
The new man in my life, who is very close to ousting Mr. Darcy from his place of honor. They are at least tied. I give you: Mr. Thornton. 
And YES!!! they actually kiss in this movie. And Oh. My. Word. Was it ever amazing. I almost think the moment when he puts his hand on hers is almost more breathtaking than the actual kiss. Almost. That whole scene was just... perfect. 
In case you have no clue what I'm talking about, I stayed up until 1 am watching this last night. LOVE it. That was a long #2, so let's make it #3 and #4 shall we?
So finally, #5. I used to be able to stay up until 1 am to write no problem. Even when I was pregnant with SonB. But this pregnancy is kicking my butt I guess. I'm tired. I'm in pain. I'm craving sugar like it's oxygen. But despite all that, I am so grateful for this new baby that's coming. Pregnancy is such an amazing miracle (albeit an uncomfortable one), that I am grateful for every day. I don't take it for granted--you can't when it's hard to get and stay pregnant. When I feel her moving, or when I think about holding her in my arms this summer... it is all worth it. Every bit. Also, I better get used to being tired, because sleep deprivation? Here I come. Oh baby. Literally.
What's on your mind today?
(P.S. I'll post the winner on Monday!)
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The Dentist of Writing
Some people REALLY hate going to the dentist. I'm not one of them. Of course, I've had very few cavities in my life, and I do hate getting those filled. But the regular checkup and cleaning, I'm okay with. (I'm going today, in case you were wondering. Hoping for no cavities again...)
What does this have to do with writing? There are parts of the process that people really seem to hate. Maybe it's getting that really tough feedback and having to revise a big chunk of your book, or maybe it's writing the synopsis, or sending out the query... it varies from person to person.
But the truth is, if you want a "healthy" manuscript and writing career, every step is necessary. Not just the so-called fun ones, but the ones you might not like as much. Some people actually learn to like and enjoy the whole process, though perhaps in different ways. I do think that's possible, even though it might be hard. Others may only be able to come to tolerate parts of it. But the point is, you have to do it. All of it. You have to brush and floss, and all the little things that aren't too bad. And you have to go to the dentist--even if it's because of a cavity, or heaven forbid a root canal. You have to fix the problems. Or else your teeth will eventually rot out of your head, and the only way to salvage the situation is to get rid of 'em all and go for dentures. With all of that icky paste and the toothless grin at night and all of that stuff. Ew. You don't want to have to go there, right?
Hmmm, this analogy might be kind of out there. Oh well. I have to go to my appointment now, so it's what you get. ;)
Don't forget to enter my giveaway - only two days left, and so far your odds are pretty good at being the winner! Click HERE for more details and to enter.
What does this have to do with writing? There are parts of the process that people really seem to hate. Maybe it's getting that really tough feedback and having to revise a big chunk of your book, or maybe it's writing the synopsis, or sending out the query... it varies from person to person.
But the truth is, if you want a "healthy" manuscript and writing career, every step is necessary. Not just the so-called fun ones, but the ones you might not like as much. Some people actually learn to like and enjoy the whole process, though perhaps in different ways. I do think that's possible, even though it might be hard. Others may only be able to come to tolerate parts of it. But the point is, you have to do it. All of it. You have to brush and floss, and all the little things that aren't too bad. And you have to go to the dentist--even if it's because of a cavity, or heaven forbid a root canal. You have to fix the problems. Or else your teeth will eventually rot out of your head, and the only way to salvage the situation is to get rid of 'em all and go for dentures. With all of that icky paste and the toothless grin at night and all of that stuff. Ew. You don't want to have to go there, right?
Hmmm, this analogy might be kind of out there. Oh well. I have to go to my appointment now, so it's what you get. ;)
Don't forget to enter my giveaway - only two days left, and so far your odds are pretty good at being the winner! Click HERE for more details and to enter.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Tag, you're it!
The lovely Christine Bryant is hosting me over at her blog today for "Tag-You're It Tuesday!", where I got to answer one question and then tag someone else to be "it" for next week. Carolina Valdez Miller tagged me last week (thanks Carol, it was fun!).
Make sure and go HERE to check it out and see if you got tagged!
Also, don't forget to enter my contest in the last post. You get to name your own prize (and don't be shy about it, I really DO want you to pick something you want). Hope you're having a great week!
Make sure and go HERE to check it out and see if you got tagged!
Also, don't forget to enter my contest in the last post. You get to name your own prize (and don't be shy about it, I really DO want you to pick something you want). Hope you're having a great week!
Friday, April 1, 2011
One year + 300 =
Wow, can you believe I've been blogging for over a year? (My exact blogiversary was March 27th) AND I reached 300 followers in that time. I am seriously blown away. I am so grateful to all of you who think I have anything of value to say; that my posts are worth your time to stop by and read and comment on. Every comment I get brightens my days, every new follower makes me so happy. And best of all are all of the friends I have made through blogging. You guys seriously rock.
So... let's have a giveaway, shall we?
CELEBRATION TIME!!!
*Cue the confetti!*
I want this to be a great giveaway, something to really make you feel glad you stop by my blog as often as you do. So.... I'm leaving it up to you! What does that mean? Read on...
All you have to do is comment on this post and tell me two things: 1. What is your favorite part of my blog, or what are your favorite posts of mine (helping me figure out what I can do to improve my blog even more for the coming years) and 2. tell me what YOU want to win! That's right, your wish is my command! Do you have a certain book you're pining for? Would love a critique of some sort? You name it, you got it! (Please keep it within reason, I'm unfortunately pretty tight financially; so as much as I'd love to give you a Kindle, or twenty books, or something crazy like that, I can't.) The contest will remain open until Friday, April 8th at 10:00 pm MST. I will announce the winner on Monday morning! Also, I must limit it to the U.S. and Canada, for the aforementioned reason... unless any of my international followers pick something that doesn't need to be mailed, in which case, enter away!
THAT'S IT! Easy right? This isn't an April Fool's joke, I'm totally serious. You name your prize. The random number generator picks you, and whammo! You get it!
If you really want to earn extra entries, you may do the following:
Tweet/FB: + 1 point each (leave me links so I can verify)
Blog sidebar: +1 point (leave linkage)
Old Follower: +2 points
New follower: +1 point
Blog post: +4 points (leave linkage)
Refer a new follower (the person must give you credit): +4 points
If you do the extra stuff, please be so kind as to add up all of your points for me in your comment. I'm pregnant, remember? That pregnancy brain stuff is no myth, let me tell you.
So, there you have it! I am so grateful to all of you, and am very excited to make someone's wish come true! Hope you all have a great weekend, and I can't wait to see what you come up with. :)
(P.S. don't you hate it when you format a post, and preview it, and it looks fine, and then when it actually posts, blogger squishes the thing into one paragraph? Three times in a row? No matter what you do? Love that. So much.)
So... let's have a giveaway, shall we?
CELEBRATION TIME!!!
*Cue the confetti!*
I want this to be a great giveaway, something to really make you feel glad you stop by my blog as often as you do. So.... I'm leaving it up to you! What does that mean? Read on...
All you have to do is comment on this post and tell me two things: 1. What is your favorite part of my blog, or what are your favorite posts of mine (helping me figure out what I can do to improve my blog even more for the coming years) and 2. tell me what YOU want to win! That's right, your wish is my command! Do you have a certain book you're pining for? Would love a critique of some sort? You name it, you got it! (Please keep it within reason, I'm unfortunately pretty tight financially; so as much as I'd love to give you a Kindle, or twenty books, or something crazy like that, I can't.) The contest will remain open until Friday, April 8th at 10:00 pm MST. I will announce the winner on Monday morning! Also, I must limit it to the U.S. and Canada, for the aforementioned reason... unless any of my international followers pick something that doesn't need to be mailed, in which case, enter away!
THAT'S IT! Easy right? This isn't an April Fool's joke, I'm totally serious. You name your prize. The random number generator picks you, and whammo! You get it!
If you really want to earn extra entries, you may do the following:
Tweet/FB: + 1 point each (leave me links so I can verify)
Blog sidebar: +1 point (leave linkage)
Old Follower: +2 points
New follower: +1 point
Blog post: +4 points (leave linkage)
Refer a new follower (the person must give you credit): +4 points
If you do the extra stuff, please be so kind as to add up all of your points for me in your comment. I'm pregnant, remember? That pregnancy brain stuff is no myth, let me tell you.
So, there you have it! I am so grateful to all of you, and am very excited to make someone's wish come true! Hope you all have a great weekend, and I can't wait to see what you come up with. :)
(P.S. don't you hate it when you format a post, and preview it, and it looks fine, and then when it actually posts, blogger squishes the thing into one paragraph? Three times in a row? No matter what you do? Love that. So much.)
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