How Do You Find "The One"... To Read...

If you're like me, time is a valuable commodity. So picking up just any book to read isn't exactly the smartest use of time.

But, again, if you're like me, you HAVE to read. Like breathing. Or eating. Or sleeping. You just have to read.

So how do you choose "The One"?

There are so many options out there for readers to access books and their choices.
Goodreads
Amazon reviews
Review sites
Blogs
Friends
Facebook
Publishers
Fave authors
Etc.

What do you do to whittle through the ever-growing pile of TBRs?

I Want To Attend My Character's Wedding...

I finally got around to seeing Breaking Dawn: Part 1. For those of you living under a rock, it's #4 in the Twilight series. (grin)

Anyway, Bella is at her wedding and a significant shot of her looking at the guests encompasses a view of Stephenie Meyer in the crowd. I'd heard she was going to do a cameo in this film (and produce it), but I didn't realize her cameo would bring me to tears.

Tears. Yes, I am preggo and insurance commercials do me in, okay?

Dang it, this picture is bringing tears to my eyes. COME ON!

But anyway, my hubs looked at me like I was nuts. I had to point at the screen, swallow, and say, "Meyers gets to attend her characters' wedding. She actually gets to watch them walk down the aisle and say their vows." 

The emotion of the moment overwhelmed me. I loved the dress, the flowers, the vows, the hair, Edward's hair, all of it. But that moment... where the author is watching her characters... that moment did me in.

Can you imagine seeing a significant scene or moment in the life of a character you love played out in front of you?

Why I STOP Reading Your Book...

So I started reading novels - romance and otherwise - when I was 8 years old. Back then, it was all about fitting in as many words as I could. I wanted words more than I wanted food - which says a lot. My third grade teacher told my mom that if Mother wasn't careful, she would lose me to reading. I have no idea what that means. My mom reads as much as I do. Maybe we'll crash into each on the pages.

But I read. And read. And read. Anything and everything. If I didn't have a book nearby, I'd pick up the cereal box, the newspaper, magazines, the phone book, just to read. Most of the time, the books I'd find were my mother's romance novels lying around. I'd read them and want more.

As I got older, I found myself putting away 30 to 40 novels a week. The library said on numerous occasions that I had maxxed out my limit. Kind of annoying, but whatev.

And now, that I'm writing, mothering, working, producing babies, helping husband, and whatever else I have on my plate, I find that my thirst for reading has become more focused - more like a craving. I want a specific flavor or tone at certain times. I will buy a book based on a recommendation/cover/back copy/review, etc, and then settle into the bath (the only time I have to read) pick up my Kindle and turn to page one.

Two paragraphs in, if I don't like it or I'm not grabbed or the water has more excitement and promise, I'm putting the Kindle down. Seriously, two (2) paragraphs.

It might be that it started with:

TOO much description

No action

No hint of what's to come

Too much hint/foreshadowing

No characterization

All tell

All show (really, this is a possibility)

Different tone for the genre/story/back copy than I was expecting - this one annoys me

Overuse of overly large words (I'm not stupid, but I enjoy smooth reading not work)

Overuse of analogies/literature references/history references/etc. - not in school peeps

Too much description

Not enough description

Too much description

Seriously, too much of anything can ruin a story. Too much in the first page or so, means I'm lost as the reader and I can't harbor any semblance of caring for the story or, more importantly, for the characters. And yet, at the same time, not enough of anything turns me off too.

Wow, rereading that, I'm a picky reader. But I'm time-challenged, as are most readers out there. We have way too much to do and not enough time in the day to do it.

I treat movies the same way but give them ten minutes. If it hasn't grabbed me, I'm done and turning to a book.

But the most important thing to remember? Reading really IS subjective and what grabs me or doesn't will most likely affect someone else differently. This is why we have genres and so many authors. Everyone had needs and not one person can meet all of them.

The above list also turns me off my own work, after I've taken a break after the rough draft. I'll reread it and if any of the above apply, I get annoyed and start exercising my red pen. So annoying

What makes you stop reading or writing? I'd love to know!

Do You Have What It Takes To Beta?

I'm an alpha - Jacob Black and I would get along 'cause I run in my pack and don't take orders well from others. (can you tell I just watched the Breaking Dawn - Part 1 this weekend?)

But does being an Alpha personality mean you can't Beta for someone else? Heck, No! But being a Beta also doesn't require you to be a writer or even in the writing industry.

Some awesome requirements to be a Beta reader are:
Love reading.
Kind honesty (emphasis on KIND)
Tact
Love reading
Understand the different genres
Love reading
Understand what you like and don't like in a genre or subgenre and if you should be reading it
Love reading
Have some knowledge on the topic you're reading about
and did I mention Love reading?

That's the biggest one and I can't stress it enough. If you don't love reading, why the heck are you beta-ing for someone? Furthermore, if you're a writer and you don't love reading... uh... how the heck are you a writer?

I'm a CP and a Beta for various people and I gotta say, I know if I love something and/or if I hate it within pages. Pages people. More on this Wednesday.

What's the most important thing to you as a writer in a Beta or you as a Beta?

It's Time for People Worthy of Crushing On!

Just in case you haven't been over to any of these sites - I suggest you do it.

I have platonic crushes on all of these people in no particular order (a couple of them don't even know i do! hehehe). They are each awesome and awe-inspiring for different reasons and I suggest you scoop them to see why.

Rebecca Zanetti
Maggie Fechner
Brooklyn Ann
Jolene Perry
Gwen Stewart
Melanie Jacobson
Peggy Eddleman

Have anyone for me to add to my list of people I stalk? Please PLEASE list them in the comments. And if you notice I don't follow you - for Heaven's sake, let me know that as well. I can't keep up with all the traffic and I need a nudge now and then.

Have a great weekend!

Getting a New Comp is Like Getting a Divorce.

Yes, I know I am missing the emotional impact and devastation involved in obtaining a divorce. But, for the record, multiple family members of mine have been through divorce - multiple times - so I don't think I'm missing it entirely.

But I got a new comp this week. First one (despite my laptop which I don't count) since 2003. Seriously. I have had the same computer (which has been awesome) for almost 10 years. Whew. And it was starting to act like it had dust for blood. 

So yesterday I go about setting it up (for which I could NOT have done anything without my mom's help and sacrifice on time and gas - Thank you so much Mom!), and I'm in love with it. But I pushed it aside, because it needed to be audited for work. So I pulled the old one back and started rehooking it up and getting it ready again. When I rebooted it - or tried to - nothing happened. The dang thing abandoned me at the first sign of being replaced. Urgh.

So, I unhooked everything from it again, rehooked up to the new one, contacted my work and got some awesome service from the support department - an emergency audit so I could work this morning - and glared at the old comp. Little punk.

I kicked it out of my office.

The new comp is all shiny and fast. But I got up this morning to work and realized... oh crud, all of my autocorrect and dictionary installations were gone - kaput - with the old comp. Crying out apple pie! Those abbreviations and fast types were added over a 7 year period.  I don't know if I can even remember them all.

My eyes have teared up. My soul feels defeated. I glanced longingly at the old comp peeking at me from the hallway. But the new comp promises to be faster, reliable, won't flash me blue screens or have ill-tempered moments of despair.

The old comp and I are divorcing. The new one has some things to prove and new tricks to learn, but I have faith I can train this one like I did the old one. Maybe.

Here are some examples of my autocorrect entries:

ca = cancer

pt = patient

lue = left upper extremity

rs = right shoulder

etc. WAAAAHHHH

Have you had any similar experiences with comps? What kind do you have and what do you like about it?

Have a great day!

Looking for a CP or a Beta? Matchmaking over at...

Rachael Harrie's blog. She's already collected a large amount of writer's looking. Head on over and see what you think. You might just find the "One".

Contagion and Preparedness

I watched Contagion with my husband this weekend - not a movie for kids regardless of the PG-13 rating. I was more freaked out than when I watched five minutes of The Ring about 8 years ago.

But the freaked out was a "Am I prepared for something of this magnitude?" freaked out rather than a "oh my word that thing is demonic" scared.
My preparedness level was a question throughout the night as I tossed and turned, unable to get comfortable. The houses were looted and people were shot for food. Animalistic qualities became the norm.

I know I have some things in my search for being prepared, but do I have everything I need? Everything my neighbor needs? Because when it comes down to it, we're all trying to survive.

Do you have preparedness issues? Not sure if you have the time or funds?

Seriously, watch this movie. I think you'll rethink where that five bucks goes.

Catering to the Parents of Kids Who Read...

As you know (if you've been with me for a while now), I have four kids (currently). I'm homeschooling them and the biggest thing I'm pushing is reading. For all of them.

Math was easier. UNTIL I figured out that they all have different tastes. A duh moment, I know. But I'm the type of reader that devours anything with symbols on it. I don't care what genre or age group. But my kids are different.

My oldest prefers nonfiction, usually animals. The middle one likes princess stories or things with food. And the third one likes stories that Mommy can use strange voices with. The youngest one likes anything that rhymes.

Now? They're going crazy with the books I bring them to read, many of the stories and books I get are by referral and from the internet. I actually refused to purchase a well read series for the middle one when I saw the author's not quite appropriate site. I'm serious. What if, by some wierd chance, I allowed my 7 year-old to use the internet and he stumbled across this site because he was looking for something for his sister? I wouldn't be amused with the questions it would bring up. Not even a little bit.

An author should hide their opinions of things if it will go against their brand or their demographic. Seriously, if you write stories for little girls, don't... PLEASE... post suggestive articles on your blog/website about pedophilic ideals or activities. I'm a mom and that just makes me want to come to your house and beat the crap out of you.

IF you don't like kids, don't tell me that. For the love, I'll just wonder what kind of message is in your book.

Now, if you're a writer of MG or YA or even picture books and you have a section on writing on your blog AWESOME. If you have recipes, or some other adult (but APPROPRIATE) topic featured, AWESOME! Because whatever gets the adults to your site, will help them buy for their kids.

I'm a follower of Peggy Eddleman's and she writes MG. When her book comes out, guess whose bookshelf it's going on? Yep, because her site is awesome, supportive, informative, and she never NEVER debases her demographic - kids. I like that.

Now here's a question. What if you have a blog and you're an adult writer that may or may not cross over into the YA sector? That's a future topic, but feel free to answer it here in the comments. I'd like to know!

Have a great weekend!

I Found A New Addiction... And I Like It...

For the love of all that's chocolate! Not only do I Facebook, Tweet, Blog, have 5 different emails, etc. I also have to be on Pinterest? Seriously?

Yes, Seriously!

Yesterday, I made these adorable little eggs with bacon treats with my kids. SO dang easy.... OOOOH and tasty.

The kids had a blast and we delivered them to friends and family afterwards. Oh, man. Pinterest. You have sucked me and I like it!

Do you Pinterest? Let's follow each other! I love new ideas. And I gotta say, my creative juices are starting to flow again.

Thank you Pinterest!

What Makes You Feel Better?

This seems to be the pregnancy year. I can name 15 people in my small community who are expecting in the next 9 months. Holy cow. Is something in the water?

Okay, so last night - after a day of all carbs (no, I didn't pig out, it's the only thing that kept the nausea away), I succumbed to the nausea and found myself surrounded by my small children while I threw up into the toilet. They were so scared for me. I felt bad for them seeing that.

But it was my fault. I knew I should have had more protein throughout the day. But I gave in and had roasted marshmallows, and cereal, and a small bagel, and pasta. No protein anywhere in sight.

Hubs pulled out my emergency ginger tea - that stuff is EXPENSIVE - and I forced myself to down some. Blech. I don't like ginger because I only seem to need it when I'm preggo and can't justify it when I'm not.

But I digress. My daughter got me a string cheese. I laid down. On the floor. All four of my kids cuddled me. That was the best medicine ever. Oh, and the oldest reprimanded the baby in the belly for making "mommy feel yucky".

My kids are awesome!

What makes you feel better when you're down or out?

Trials for Your Characters... Come From Where?

Do you allow your characters to make their own choices? Like children.

I've learned in my writing that if I don't let them make the choices themselves, the writing is stiff and boring and not much happens. But when I let them loose, oh baby! hold on to your seat. Drama all over the place.

This seems to be a common theme when I loose my children this way. Yesterday, I made vegetarian vegetable soup (yep, the canned stuff) and pb&j's for the kids for lunch. 

I gave them crackers for their soup and sat down to my own meal. Halfway through my split pea soup (oh, baby! a fave), I actually took notice of what I was watching them do. I about gagged.

All four of them were treating the lunch like a fam fave (grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup). They actually dipped their pb&j's in their veggie soup. I'm gagging now as I type this. And they LOVED it. Then they tried getting me to try it. I ran from the table screeching that I was about to throw up.  The little devils laughed. Ugh.

But what a fun lunch. Had they not done what they wanted, they wouldn't have tried a new experience. I wouldn't have been alternating between dry heaves and laughter.

Everyone's choices are different.

What do you think?