This just in...

I'm writing again!

Hurray!!!!

Okay, thought I'd share. I have no idea what prompted my new motivation, but I'm loving it.

Talk soon.

<3,
Steph

Book Snob

I'm not the only one, right? Do you ever start reading a book only to find yourself yelling at the author, "Show me, don't tell me!!!!!" Or roll your eyes at every plot hole, unrealistic character twist, or editorial error? (Okay, I let the editing errors generally go by. I used to be a textbook editor, I know how it goes.)

Since when did I become such a book snob?

Well, since I became obsessed with writing and polishing my own manuscripts. It's quite ridiculous. Who am I to critique a published author's work? They paid their dues. I should applaud their success. But, it doesn't always work that way.

I'd like to think subjectivity has something to do with it, but that's not always the case.

What about you? Are you a book snob?

Hand me a match, would ya?

Have you ever felt like time is rushing by and there's nothing you can do to stop it? Lots going on in my little world.

As for a query update, I currently have 3 partials out and I'm eager to hear back from each and every one. It's always exciting to have an agent review your work. It's even more exciting when they ask for a full (fingers cross! Wait, I have talent. Why wouldn't they ask for a full. *Repeats positive pep talk*)

BUT, and that's a big but (not butt, I have been working out) when it comes to writing, I've been bad and haven't written nuttin' since March! (I know, what kind of writer am I?) My Muse went on spring break and I think she's still in Mexico, or wherever fairy-like creatures hang these days. I've got a couple story ideas floating around, but honestly, I'm having too much fun reading to write a lot. Seriously. I read a book a day. The library LOVES me. It's research people, research.

I'm on the cusp of writing, or so I tell myself, I just need that spark. Looks like I better go hunt down the lighter fluid...

Jumpin' on the Bandwagon

I finally did it. Numerous people told me to read the Sookie Stackhouse novels, AKA TrueBlood, and after years of putting it off, I finally did. And guess what? I liked them. A lot.

Why did I wait so long to read them? Well, every now and then I like to thumb my nose at pop culture. You know, read the lesser known authors, ignore the masses.

What about you? Is there a book you took forever to read (for whatever reason) and then low and behold, you read it and liked it?

Doesn't that just grind your gears?

It can't just be me. Someone else has to have the same pet peeve. Last week the fifth and final book in the Garnet Lacey series came out and I ran out to B&N to buy it, but guess what, I couldn't find it.

But that's not my pet peeve.

It took some digging, and an employee helping to track it down, but eventually we did and to my horror, the book looked NOTHING like the rest in the series. Nothing. How can they change the final book? The layout/font/page design was exactly the same, but the cover wasn't. It's ugly. And not Garnet at all :(

Above are the first four books, the fifth one is below. See? They don't match. At all.

I've seen this before with one of Candace Havens' series, and I think in her case she switched publishers (or imprints). Now I'm just wondering what happened with Tate Hallaway's Garnet Lacey series. Does she care? Does she love the new cover? Did she have any say it???? Why oh why is it so different???? Looks like I have some research to do.

I'm back. I think...

In case you can't tell (and I haven't whined about it enough), I've been super freakin' busy (and yet I still feel like nothing's been accomplished).

Anywhooooo...

My brief re-entry into the real world has me treading back to the comforts of writing. Looking for a money-paying occupation has made me realize how much I really enjoy writing and all the baggage (I use that term lovingly) that comes with it. If only bills could be paid with good intentions (or I could hurry up and win the lottery already).

However, with the future uncertain (my crystal ball is broken) it looks like I'll have to find a way to balance fiction with reality--and no I'm not talking about writing a memoir a la Frey--but rather finding an 8-5 and still finding time to write. Which really isn't a enormous deal. I did it for YEARS. It's just the past 18 months that have really spoiled me.

So, wish me luck in my job hunt. At least the economy looks better in Pitt versus the lovely State of MI. See, I'm already thinking positive. Come on Karma, work your magic.

It's a Sun Thing

It's May so that means the sun is rising earlier and earlier and so am I. There's something about summertime and early morning writing sessions. Come winter my butt's not outta bed until 9 a.m. and then I spend my writing hours sitting on the dryer trying to stay warm. Sunshine is the key to my writing motivation--which has been seriously lacking given my current life's status (I'm sure I wasn't nearly as stressed in my former lives--lol).

So, what about you? Does your writing schedule/motivation change with the seasons? Or if not, what does cause it to change?

All I've got to say is "Let the SUN shine!!!!!"