Book Nibbles...Sort of

As I mentioned before, the week of Christmas I wouldn't be pimping out any particular book but I am sort of.  And a movie.

This week on Book Nibbles, I'm showcasing The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, both movie and novel.

Here is a link to the trailer and site for the movie. 

As for the novel, you can check it out here on Amazon.

My two cents...
I tried reading the book.  Honestly.  Forty pages in and I just couldn't stay focused and not because of the story or writing style.  There are a lot of names and places mentioned during the beginning of the book and I found myself trying to figure each out and commit it to memory.  Alas, I failed.  However, I've been told by many that the first 60 pages or so are hard but once you get past them, you'll sail through.  Heck, I have a friend who read the entire book in one day.  Now, I'm a fast reader, but dang.  That book is long! 

I did, however, see the movie the other night and WOW!  Totally intense, graphic, on the edge of your seat kind of stuff.  And from what I understand, it is very true to the book only changing a few details and from what I understand those are minor. 

There is only a few things I did not like about the movie and those are really my own personal hang-ups.  The rape.  Yikes, I cannot handle a movie with rape but I pulled my big girl panties on and forged through and didn't let it ruin the movie for me.  And it didn't.  It was great and the cliffhanger ending totally puts me in Twilight mode waiting for the next installment.  (waiting like a silly girl!)

I will warn you, the movie is graphic.  I mean, rape aside, there is consensual sex, violence, blood, foul language and torture. 

Now, you may wonder.  Will I give the book another try so I can read #2 to prepare for the movie.  I don't know.  I want to but the same thing happened with the Harry Potter series.  I watched all the movies, up to 6, and then tried to read the books.  Got to #3 and was totally done with it.  The movie did help to play out the scenes and names in my head but I just couldn't get into them enough where I devoured the entire series in a matter of days. 

Which leads to my question, have you read the book and seen the movie?  Or are you like me and enjoy the visual only?

Customer Service

Today's topic has nothing to do with books or writing, really.  I guess I could make a stretch at the end but you're smart enough to see through my attempt.  No today, I'm fired up about customer services.  Customer service in all industries.

Let me back up a bit and say I graduated college with a degree in Marketing Management.  I studied all aspects of marketing and applied those teachings to real life.  First off, you have to know where to place that product and how to get your target audience in the door.  Next, and this is the tricky part, you need to keep them there and sell them the product.  Finally, once the sale is said and done, you need to have follow-up.  Make that person not only love the product, but if something were to go wrong or if they have follow-up questions, there needs to be good service. 

All of this brings me to a point. In this day with the bad economy and people being better shoppers, don't you think that customer service should be job #1?  That in order to seel the deal and hope for repeat business, don't you think there needs to be, now more than ever, better customer service?  I do.

First off, I consider myself a savvy shopper.  But a loyal shopper.  If you snatch me on the first time around and it was a great experience, I'm likely to keep coming back.  And recommend you to my friends. 

This holiday season has plagued me with bad customer service.  I understand, it's busy, I get it.  Heck, I worked retail at large department stores and small specialty shops.  I get it.  But not once did I let my mood interfere with my job. 

Today, I called my car dealer to get my car in for routine maintenance.  My car is new so this is only my 2nd time needing service and after un-stellar customer service the first time, I'm more unlikely to enjoy the second but I'm stuck getting service from this particular dealer because I paid for a maintenance package.  My bad.  Anyway, my husband also gets service from the same name of dealer, just a different shop and different make of vehicle and when he goes in, they treat him like a god which has made him purchase 2 vehicles from this dealer in the years we've been married.  First off, the service dept at my place could care less what I want.  Then when I make the comment of needing a loaner since I will have 2 kids with me and sitting at a repair shop for 2+ hours is not an option, he tells me I need to speak with my salesman.  I mention that the salesman is hard to get a hold of and last time didn't return my call and I was stuck sitting at the shop.  You know what he said?  Nothing.  So fine, I call my salesman and he assures me he'll have a car waiting for me.  I'll have to get back with you on that.  It would have been nice if the service was like "listen, I understand, he's busy but here's what I'll do.  I'll follow-up with him today and make sure he gets your message or that he knows to have a car for you."  Was that really so hard?

Next, I had to exchange a necklace chain at a locally owned jewelry store; a place I've shopped at for 12 years or more and have sent most of my friends to when they needed jewelry.  Not to mention my in-laws are customers as well as close friends to the owner.  My husband, bless his wonderful heart, had a necklace with the birthstones of me, my grandmother and my daughter made for us.  I love it!  So the lady there, and I've used her before but has never been a "fan" was like too busy to really focus on my needs.  I mean, she didn't even smile.  I almost wanted to be like, do you know who I am, but I came off my high horse and kept my wits.  Then I needed to have other items repaired or cleaned and you'd think I asked her to work late on Christmas.  If I was bothering her so much, I could take my business elsewhere. 

I don't know, maybe it's me.  Maybe I expect too much for my money.  I used to think I got bad service if I dressed poorly but the more I think about it, my appearance shouldn't matter. 

What are your thoughts?  How many times do you get bad service somewhere before you say something or discontinue going there?  I'd love to hear what you think.

Happy Holidays!

Today is Christmas Eve and while hopefully most of you have your shopping done, if you don't, be careful.  My presents are wrapped, my cookies are baked and my stockings are hung by the chimney with care.  And while I don't wear a kerchief, I can promise you I'm laying around the house in my pjs. 

If I don't talk to you again this week, please have a Merry Christmas, a Happy Holiday and a Bright New Year!  2012 is already shaping up to be a good year for me and my family. 

Thank you for spending a little time with me and I hope to talk with you soon!  Here's a clip from my favorite Christmas movie.  I'm curious.  What's your favorite holiday movie?

Gosh, it get's me everytime!  *balls like a baby*

Book Nibbles

So this week, I'm featuring a book I hope to start reading soon:

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
Book Two in the Infernal Devices Series

Here is a blurb about the book:  In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

You can buy the book here.

The Infernal Devices series is a preclude to the Mortal Instruments series but you don't have to read this series in order to understand MI and vise versa.

I'm anxious to start the second book but nervous as well.  All over Twitter are reviews after reviews and while each one sings the book's praises, they all share one common theme.  The book will make me cry like a big baby.  I know, Merry Christmas to me.

So while I'm hunkered down during Christmas break, I might find myself stuck in a world of cogs and English gentlemen whilst a tear falls from thine eye.

My Signing!

I know, my signing was on the 11th and it's the 19th already but I had to let it digest.  Come down from the high!
Phew!
Sooooo, it went really well.  Like, OMG good!

There were 3 authors signing and one of them was a good writer friend of mine from high school, Sarah M. Anderson (no relation).  She recently had a Harlequin release for a Man of His Word (she was featured here a while back).  The entire signing took about an hour, while I sold out in 30 minutes!  Yeah!  I know awesome!

Here are a few images from the event.

 Yes, that'a pineapple ornament.  Don't ask!

Sarah, me and the rats!

All in all, it was a great experience and I'm so happy Sarah, my family and friends were able to share with me.  Through it all, they have been my rock and I couldn't have done any of it without them.

But I'm curious, for writers, have you done a signing before?  How was it?  Any tips?  Readers, have you ever been to a signing?  Who was the author?  If you could attend any signing in the entire world, who would it be?

Book Nibbles

First off, thank you for the comments and ideas about naming this segment.  I've combined the ideas and came up with Book Nibbles!  So, as a thank you to my commentors, I'm sending you both a prize.  Please email me at jenandersonauthor@gmail.com with your addys.

Now I just need a cute picture!

It's Thursday and that means a new book for you to nibble on.  Here are the deets:

Kentucky Blues by Cat Shaffer

Here's the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Kentucky-Blues-Cat-Shaffer/dp/1935817043/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323958973&sr=8-1

Review from Beyond Her Book:

"Once I opened the cover of Cat Shaffer’s book, I was hooked. I liked the characters, the suspenseful situation, and the concept of discovering one’s mother might be a “cougar” challenges the imagination. In the end, Kentucky Blues was touching, intriguing, tense, exciting, and satisfyingly romantic."

 

I haven't had the pleasure of reading this book yet but you can be sure it is on my TBR list.  Cougars?  Ex-boyfriends?  I think I could really enjoy this book.  If you've read it tell me what you think. 

 

Here are some more vital stats:

Author:  Cat Shafferwww.catshaffer.com

Published by Turquoise Morning Presswww.turquoisemorningpress.com

Release: August, 2010

Print ISBN: 9781935817048
Digital ISBN: 978-1-935-81712-3

Category:  Romantic Suspense
Heat Level: Sensual
Length: 65,700 words
Price:  Print, $14.99; digital $4.99

Blurb:

Elise Drummond never forgot her first love—and never expected to learn via the grapevine that he was back in Brookville and living with her mother. Sam McCade had broken her heart, and she wasn’t about to let him destroy her mother’s as well. A quick trip back to Kentucky to lay down the law and she could head back to the safe life she’d built for herself in Kansas City.

 

Happy Reading!

New YA Contest

Hey folks, for those that love YA and love a good and easy contest I think I've found one.  Check out YA Highway and their 3rd Annual Writer Giveaway.  Books, ARC, critiques...oh my!

Something New

To support my fellow authors, I'm going to try something new on the blog.  Each week, except during Christmas, I will feature a book.  I will include as much info about the book as possible as well as where you can get your hands on a copy. 

First in our line up is Raeliksen, Book One in the Emerald Isle Trilogy by Renee Vincent.  Here's where you can get your hands on a copy:
http://www.amazon.com/R%C3%A6liksen-Emerald-Isle-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B003YDXNKO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1323358374&sr=8-2#_



Here's what Goodreads says:
Mara, the daughter of an Irish clansman, was raised to believe the men of the North are heathens - murderous pagans without a moral bone in their bodies. Despite warnings of the Northmen's raids, and the growing threat of another incursion, Mara is continually drawn to her favorite place - the River Shannon.

Here's an excerpt found on Coffeetimeromance.com:
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/showthread.php?t=11592

I'm currently reading Raeliksen and hope to be done today.  I'm a sucker for an Irish romance and Renee's book 1 is no exception.  Her description of the Irish country and sea are spot on.  I've visited the country and reading Raeliksen I feel I'm right there standing on the cliffs watching the water break against the rocks below. 

From the start of the book, there is action.  An attempted kidnapping, a bloody nose, racing horses, dark caves, and the smell of rain.  I feel like I'm there right along the Princess while she tries to wrap her head around the actions of the Viking she's with.

If you enjoy historical romances, especially with an Irish flare, I highly recommend this wonderful novel.  I can't wait to finish so I can start book 2.

Now, I need suggestions on what to call this new adventure.  Let's have a contest to have some fun with it.  The winner will not only get to name my book pushing endeavour but will also win a new, hot off the presses book mark!

Leave your ideas below and a winner will be selected before next Thursday.

Welcome Sarah M. Anderson!

First off, I have to say how excited I am to have you.  Sarah and I went to high school together and she and I will be doing a joint signing on December 11th!  She's got the kisses, I'll bring the hugs!

Welcome Sarah!  Tell us a little about A Man of His Word.

The official blurb is: Attorney Rosebud Donnelly has a case to win. And she never lets anyone see her sweat.  But her first meeting with Dan Armstrong doesn’t go according to script.  No one warned her that the COO of the company she’s fighting would be so…manly. From his storm-colored eyes to his well-worn boots, Dan is an honest-to-goodness cowboy.  But is he honest? Her yearning for the Texas tycoon goes against reason, against family loyalty, against everything she thought she believed in.  And yet, in Dan’s strong arms, Rosebud feels she might be ready to risk everything for one more kiss….

Why a western theme?  Are you into Native American culture? Do you have a family history of it?

My parents were history teachers, so instead of vacations to Disneyland or Sea World, we went to Kitty Hawk (first plane flight) and Mount Rushmore. I was horse crazy when I was a girl, and the Lakota Sioux were a horse-intensive culture. The moment I showed the slightest interest in American Indians, my parents encouraged me to learn more. To them, it was about education. To me, it was almost an obsession. I learned how to bead and collected American Indian art (trust me, not normal for a twelve-year-old girl).

I grew out of it, however. I discovered boys and Jane Austen novels, and for a long time, I forgot about American Indians and horses. When I started writing, my stories were set on my in-laws’ farm in central Illinois. However, the fourth book I wrote featured a heroine who wanted to get away from the family farm. She wound up going west and met a cowboy who was also an Indian. That book worked. The dialog was snappy and funny, the sex was sexy, and the characters were real. The whole thing didn’t suck, which was a first. I had fun writing it, and people had fun reading it. My writing went west and I never looked back!

What attracts you to romance?  Were you always an avid reader of it? 

I will admit that, during the years I was pursuing Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in the Victorian novel that I not only did not read romance, but I looked down my nose at it. Of course, I didn’t consider Jane Austen romance—that was culture! But the nice thing about life is that it provides you with perspective. I discovered a few books set in Victorian England that seemed just like the books I had studied, but they were labeled ‘romance’. My knee-jerk reaction was to dismiss them out of hand, but the thing was, they were really well written and I enjoyed the heck out of them. Plus, I’ve reached a stage in my life where the news—wars, recessions, abuse, death—feels very personal and hopeless. I’ve discovered that the happily-ever-after that is all but guaranteed by romance novels gives me more hope and satisfaction than reading CNN does. I’m a convert!

Often, romance writers take a pen name.  Did you consider one?

I did, but I already have a nickname, so I decided that I didn’t want to add a third name to the list of things I have to remember. Some days, I wish I had taken a pen name—not because people bully me for writing romance, but because I’d like to have another layer of privacy between my public persona and my family life.

Switch hats for a minute.  Mom, wife - how do you manage it all?

You are asking that question at the wrong time! Normally, it’s not that hard. I only work part time outside of the house, and I pick up my son every single day from school. It helps that I have an extremely patient and supportive husband. However, at this point, with the holidays here, A Man of His Word being released tomorrow (!), a book due on Jan. 6^th, I don’t think I’m managing much of anything right now!

What does your family think?  Are your kids old enough to understand what you're doing?

My son is in first grade, and this year I went to speak for career day. I took in bookmarks the kids could color and talked about writing. He’s very proud of me being a ‘real-life arthur’, as he says it. I don’t think he grasps the whole concept of ‘romance’, being as he still occasionally thinks girls have cooties. The rest of my family is very supporting. My grandmother, Goldie M. Lucas, was a published poet and author, and just about everyone in the family believes I received her writing gifts.

What are you working on now? What’s next?

My second book, which will be out in July, just got a new title: A Man of Privilege. James Carlson is a prosecutor building a case, but he needs the testimony of a reformed hooker. The third book, tentatively titled A Man of Honor, will be out in September, which means it’s due in January. Nick Longhair left the reservation to make his name. But when he has to go back home, he discovered his high-school sweetheart has a baby that may be his.

Both books take place in the same world as A Man of His Word—Rosebud Donnelly, the heroine from that book, pops up in each of the next two. However, they’re not true sequels, just loosely connected stories.

Thanks for having me today, Jennifer! I’ll give away a signed copy of A Man of His Word to a commenter who tells me what the first romance they remember reading was! I’m also giving away a custom-made Locket of Love (worth $185) on January first. Everyone who comments is entered to win!

This post is brought to you as part of the A Man of His Word Blog Tour. U.S. residents only. For a complete tour schedule and rules, visit www.sarahmanderson.com. Comments on this blog will be entered to win a signed copy of A Man of His Word. All blog comments are added to the Jewelry Grand Prize list. Jewelry Grand Prize announced on January 1^st, 2012 to one randomly drawn name on the list. Next tour stop is the Writing Playground on December 6^th.

Beginning December 6th, 2011, A Man of His Word is available! Visit your favorite bookseller, at Amazon, or for the Nook.

Bio: Award-winning author Sarah M. Anderson may live east of the Mississippi River, but her heart lies out west on the Great Plains. With a lifelong love of horses and two history teachers for parents, it wasn’t long before her characters found themselves out in South Dakota among the Lakota Sioux.  She loves to put people from two different worlds into new situations and to see how their backgrounds and cultures take them someplace they never thought they’d go.

When not helping out at school or walking her rescue dog, Sarah spends her days having conversations with imaginary cowboys and American Indians, all of which is surprisingly well-tolerated by her wonderful husband and son.

Where am I?

I'm busy these days.  And not just with holiday stuff, although shopping for both sets of in-laws takes up a bit of time and that NaNo things was time consuming.  I jest.  Ha Ha!

Anywho, if you don't follow me on Twitter you might not know that I'm over at BookBuzzed.com today giving away a copy of Men In Uniform.  Tomorrow I'll be blogging over at Honeycreekbooks.com and on December 11th, you can catch me and a writer high school bestie at Barnes and Noble in Fenton, MO doing a signing. 

My calendar hasn't looked so full in awhile. 

Come check out all the fun and if we don't speak again soon, have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Honey Creek is Alive!!!!

Just a quick note today.  Honey Creek, the small town I love and write about launches this week.  Please come check out our new site and enter to win some great prizes.  Remember, the first book, Bloom, doesn't release until January but we're having lots of fun until then.

honeycreekbooks.com

I'm a Writing Vampire

Or I have an aversion to sunlight.  I'll explain.
When I started out writing, I wrote at night.  After the kids were tucked in bed, after the dinner dishes were cleared and after I done any work from my day job.  Sure, I was tired but when else was I going to write.
Don't get me wrong, I still have kids, a husband, a day job and a new side job.  I'm still ultra busy and now that I'm published I need to continue to write.  I've tried to write during the day when I'm home on the weekends or when I get an idea I want to flush out right away.
But yet, I'm not as creative or productive.  It's like the sun sucks  the creative juices right from my body and I'm left frail and clutching onto any thread of an idea I may have had.  But when the sun hides away or sets, my fingers fly across my keyboard and the ideas can't stay in my head. 
So with a warm cup of coffee or tea (if I may be gross, like warm blood) and no sunlight to be seen, I can crank out 2K words or more.  I jump from one scene to the next, reaking havoc in my path.  I drain the life from my character and leave them grasping to hold on.  And with every sip from my cup, a new idea forms and I'm off again. 
Why do I even shed light on this little aversion?  I'm getting down to the last 8K words on NaNo and while my child was home sick yesterday, I could barely crank out anything.  I thought perfect, she's home, no day job work to stop me, I can try and finish or at least get close.  Yet, the sun shown brightly in my living room and I could barely do anything.  Yet, as soon as the sun sank, I cranked out 2K no problem.  And today?  She's back at school and it's a rainy, yucky, OVERCAST day and all I want to do is take my MC and throw her off a cliff and see what happens.
*rubs hands and grins* Yep, I'm a writer.  Only question is am I writing vampire.

Why November?

As many have heard, it's Write a Novel in a Month, month.  Throw the confetti.  Sound the horns.

I'm a newbie to NaNoWriMo (isn't it a cute abbreviation) this year but I can't help but ask, "Why November?"

And here's why I want to know.

November is the worst month for me and probably others as well.  November kicks off the holiday season.  My hub's bday is in November.  The launch of Honey Creek Books is in November.  November is one month prior to December and we all know what happens in December.  Why not February?  Or March?  Those months are open for me.

Except I'm sure when those months roll around, I'll be saying the same thing as I am now.

I'm busy.

Wake up Jen, we're all busy.  And that I believe is the hook for NaNoWriMo.
Let me explain.
Anyone can participate but to have a certified NaNoWriMo novel, you need to start with word one on November 1 and end with word 50,000 either on or prior to November 30.  So you have to make the time to write almost 2K words a day on average.  You have to push yourself and among the hustle and bustle of your busy life, crank out a novel.  Now, no one said it would be perfect.  The point is not to correct or rewrite.  Just write, write, write and fix later.

But I think the draw is the challenge of it.  It's like extreme sporting for writing.  Extreme writing.  And in the end, the survivor doesn't win money or a prize or ruler of the island.  The winner has a finished, an unperfected manuscript and the praise among their peers for the accomplishment.  Many have tried and failed.

So to my fellow NaNoers, I say write on and prosper.  Sure this month sucks but when it's all said and done, you will come out a better person.
 Happy Writing!  

Men In Uniform

In honor of Veteran's Day, the authors of Turquoise Morning Press have gotten together and written an anthology of sweet romance stories about men in uniforms.  These valuable men dressed in their best stand proud defending our country and we just wanted to say thank you!
Thank you!
Why did I felt I needed to write a story for this anthology?  I'll tell ya.
Various members of my family have enlisted in different branches of the military.  My grandmother even met and fell in love with one before he was shipped over seas only to loose his life defending our country.  I, like most, understand it's hard work and often times thankless.  And for me, my small little romance is just one way I can say thank you.  Not only to the men but to the woman that stay home waiting for their safe return.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

If you're interested in purchasing Men In Uniform or learning about the many books offered by TMP, please check out the bookstore at http://www.turquoisemorningpress.com/p/turquoise-morning-press-book-store.html.

Funny Cards

Before I can tell you the funny, I have to tell you the sad.  Some of you may know my grandmother passed away in July.  She'd been diagnosised in June with Liver Cancer and battled barely a month.  Coincidentally, the day I took her to the ER with symptoms, I was offered a contract from TMP for my Honey Creek novella.  Yeah, it was one of those days.

Anyway, so I'm the oldest grandchild by 10 years and I was even listed as her POA.  Not fun but I needed to step up and be an adult because you see in my eyes, I was always a kid when it came to her.  She was more like my mother and bestfriend and to say I'm healed would be a lie.

So, we've been going through her things slowly, weeding out 85 years of stuff.  And let me tell you, she had some stuff.  While it's hard to throw some away, others not so much.  If you've every had to clean out a loved ones stuff after they've passed you might understand.  Some of it is was sad, like you can't stop crying and others are so funny, you almost feel bad for laughing. 

My grandmother was very good about sending birthday cards.  And she took such care in picking out the perfect card.  She had two shoe boxes full of various cards from holiday, to get well to birthday.   I decided instead of throwing away the cards, I'll just add them to my dwindling collection and try to use them. 

While going through the box, sorting out bad ones and trying to find evelops to others I came across a few particular cards that I think were intended for me.  The first one was Merry Christmas Granddaughter and it was covered in red and green glitter.  Very pretty and I'm sure I would've loved it.  The second was a Mother's Day card for a granddaughter.  It too had a glittery butterfly on the cover.  Grandma knew I loved a little sparkle.

I cried a bit at the cards and then looked up at my daughter, who is 10 and said, "I have the perfect card for your daughter when you get older, married and have kids.  We can all thank Grandma for doing some advanced shopping for me!"

We all had a good laugh and maybe it was a be there moment but I couldn't help but share it with you.  I miss her everyday but it's moments like this with the card that I really cherish the time we had.

Thanks.

Fear of the Rejection Reaper

Recently I received notes from an agent about the first three chapters of a YA Paranormal I'd written won't let die.  I'd won the opportunity for a free critique with an agent from an agency I love. I mean I stalk these poeple. 

Anywho, I got her notes and saying it felt like she stabbed me in the heart is an understatement.  My stomach churned and tears stung the backs of my eyes.  My life was over.

Let me clarify, her notes were positive and she was very nice.  And the changes ranged from major to not so bad.  But if you've ever been in this situation, you know exactly how I feel.  My world had come to an end.  And yes, I'd completely forgotten that I have 3, not 1, 3 not 2, 3 novellas for a YA series releasing next year by TMP as well as short romance coming out in a few weeks.  All of this greatness completely elluded me. 

Until a cheerleading birdie from OH reminded me. 

I sent my friend the notes and she was like Jennifer, hello *taps computer screen*, you have a series coming out next year.  You have a short story out soon.  And these notes are not that bad.  Completely doable.

So I pulled my big girl panties on digested the agents comments.  What at first sounded like major surgery, in the end was more like a colonoscopy.  Painful, uncomfortable but completely okay with the right sedation! 

It's tough people.  And yes, you are going to receive many No's.  In college I took a sales course and I learned a valuable lesson that I still remember today.  With every No, you get closer to that Yes!

Happy Halloween!

Honey Creek

I may have mentioned, a few thousand times, about my YA series being released by Turquoise Morning Press in 2012.  And I may have also mentioned, another hundred times, the books are based on a small, cute town called Honey Creek in Ohio.  Well, things are cookin' over in Honey Creek. 

So here are the details...

Welcome to Honey Creek, Ohio, a place where anything can happen. Nestled in the lush green of rolling Midwestern hills, crops, combines and crows pepper the landscape, but inside Honey Creek there’s a whole lot of mischief going on.

The best way to learn about Honey Creek, Ohio is to talk to someone who lives there. I've asked my friend Jenny to tell you a little about living in Honey Creek. Jenny?

Sure thing. Honey Creek, Ohio, is about as Midwest as one central Ohio town can get. In fact, if you want to describe Honey Creek, you can simply do it by the numbers, and you only have to count to two. Mostly, you can get by if you can just count to one.

For example, Honey Creek has:

• Two gas stations, two churches (one Methodist, one Church of Christ), and two bars (one by the tracks, the other one at the edge of town).
• One stoplight, one restaurant, one school, one post office, one funeral home, one fire station, one grocery store, and one hardware store. Oh, and one pizza place. That’s important. And one railroad track ran through it all.

I’ll just add that at the last census, Honey Creek had 829 people living within its corporation. Most of those people work someplace other than in Honey Creek because as you can see, there are only one or two places for people to work, here. Unless they farm. Lots of people around Honey Creek farm, you know, corn and soybeans and the like, but they don’t live in Honey Creek, they live on the farms.

About the biggest thing to ever happen to Honey Creek, was when the Corp of Engineers came in and dammed up the creek about 1972. Flood control, they said. When that happened, a lot of farm land got taken over by the lake. The old mill outside of town stopped operating full time, too. Now it’s a tourist attraction and just grinds a little corn now and then to sell. The men all complained that the fishin’ in the creek wasn’t as good any more. But, as time went on, things changed.

They started changing when the beach went in. And the boat docks. And the game preserve was designated. And the camping grounds were created. And the lodge and cabins were built.

When town people started to work at Honey Creek State Park, and when lake people started coming in to Honey Creek to buy things, suddenly, the lake was a good thing.

My name is Jenny Miller Carver. I grew up in Honey Creek and I’ve lived here all my life. I was 14 when the lake went in and by the next summer, I was spending every single day of my summer vacation on that beach. We’d ride our bikes out, (a whole five miles) my friends and me. We lived to spread our old quilts on the sand, lather up with Iodine and baby oil, and bake. Of course, we’d squint a peek at the “cutest lifeguard on the beach” now and then. Greg Carver never gave me the time of day until I turned 16 and lost 15 pounds. But I snagged him, I did, and married that “cutest lifeguard on the beach.”

That was a lot of years ago and things are both the same, and different, in Honey Creek, but I tell you, living here is still wonderful. I want to tell you more about how my story unfolds, and the people of Honey Creek, but I’ll have to leave that for another day....

Honey Creek has their own website and  twitter feed .  January marks the first month in a long line of releases for this small, unsuspecting little town.  Currently, you can follow us on Twitter @HoneyCreekBooks and once we get the blog and site up and running, you can check us out there.  I hope you're all as excited about the HC (kind of like the OC except waaaaaay cooler!) as much as I am. 

Catch'ya later!

It's Alive!

Drum roll please............


JenAndersonAuthor.com is now open for business!

A couple of years ago I set out on this writing journey, not really sure where it would lead but hopeful one day I'd see my name in print.  Within the last 4 months my life has been taken over.  In a totally, completely awesome way!

Up until I actually heard the words "we want to print your story"or "I want to represent you as an author" (hasn't happened yet) I'd been waiting.  Waiting to hear news.  Waiting to get headshots.  Waiting to set up an author site. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

And I was okay with waiting.  At least my on-hold music was better.

Then 4 months ago I got the call.  Or rather, I met the publisher who thought they were going to represent and then I got the email confirming.  I hit the ground running.  By the next week, I got headshots done.  Then I shouted to the rooftops my news.  Then I started planning my author site. 

I thought I could handle the creation myself and even purchased a Web Design for Dummies book.  Needless to say, I needed some help.  The only type of byte I know about when a vampire sucks your blood.  And html.  Is that short for hotel motel?  No clue!

My good friend Nick swooped in and saved me from myself.  And now I have a finished projuct I am so beyond jazzed about.  My site is simple, cute and easy to navigate. 

When you get some time.  Come check me out.  I'd love to hear what you think.

A Little Pimp Service

I may have mentioned I'm included in a Veteran's Day anthology published by TMP called Men In Uniform.  It's full of sweet romance, with a little suspence, stories involving men in uniforms.  The anthology will be out November 21, 2011 and it will officially be my FIRST print publication!

*blinks* Yeah, I said it!

When offered the opportunity to submit a short story, I jumped at the opportunity.  Right on the heels of news about my novella being out in April, I struck while the writing iron was hot.  With help from my writer bestie, Julie, I submitted Knight In Armor and was over joyed when I got my acceptance letter.  I hooted, hollered and may have done a cartwheel or two!

Drum roll please...

*grins* How cool is it to see my name on the cover of a book?  Let's just say I'm at a loss for words...finally!

As soon as the book releases, I'll let you all know where you can grab a copy.  Heck, send it to me and I'll even autograph it. 

Stress, thy name is Mom

I recently did a guest post over at the authorialmomblog and it got me thinking.  How do moms and dads work full-time, write, be functioning people in society and still be a parent at the same time? 

Let me break it down.  I work full time.  No secret.  I'm a wife, a mom, I love to cook, read mountains of books, beta for my lovelies all while tackling this new career as an author.  All these, no secret.  Did I forget to mention that I'm now the PR/Marketing Manager at TMP?  Yeah, that one might have been a secret.  Now as much as I'd love to drop one of these tasks, I can't.

So how do I juggle them all?

The answer.  Have no clue but I'll manage.

Today, mom role tool over and I have two kids home with strep.  Great!  Great?  I know what you're thinking.  Jennifer, sick kids does not equal great.  In my book it does.

I love my kids and if you have older kids you know that as they get older, they don't act like they need us anymore.  Sure, clean their clothes and do their laundry, they need but the constant cuddling or hugs or pats, not so much.  And that's what I miss.  But when they're sick, Yeah!  I get my kiddies back.  They want my lovin'.

But that's only part of the great.  The other part is...wait for it... wait...

I can get crap done around the house!  The laundry, the dishes that have piled up higher than the laundry, the dusting, vacuuming and WRITING!  Yeah, I said it.  I have all day to write.

But what about the sick kids you ask.  And that's where the dilemma is.  What? You ask.  Yeah, so between running around making sure each kid is comfy I have to juggle between clean clothes and another 1000 words.  And throw my new job in the mix and find review sites for their books.  Some might think, why bother.  Drop something and move on.

And maybe years ago, I would have but I can't.  I'm on a quest.  A quest to be a published author, which I've accomplished but I have to maintain now.  And in the meantime, this awesome opportunity fell in my lap and you bet your sweet bipy, I'm gonna work my butt off to do the job right.  But being a mom and wife, I can't neglect them as well.  So during the week and sometimes weekend, my craft sits and gathers dust but that's okay because I have days like this one where I can make up for lost time.

So while my kids zone out to Disney, I get to write and write and write because sure my plate is full from seconds and thirds, today I got to take one thing off of it.  My day job!   

How do you manage?  Any secrets to share.

Authorial Mom

Hey, I'm over at authorialmom.blogspot.com today with my first interview!  Wheee!

For the Love of...

Last night I watched Julie & Julia.  The movie about a girl in NY who blogs about following Julia Child's cookbook for a year and preparing every recipe in the book just to see if she can and because she loves to cook.  Super cute movie BTW.  After watching the movie I felt inspired.  Not inspired enough to buy the same cookbook and prepare the same recipes (not much into French cuisine) but inspired to share with you my love of cooking.

Remember a few posts back when I mentioned how a book I'd read inspired me to plan a trip and travel somewhere and I asked you to share any similar situations.  This is the same idea.

I love to cook.  Not bake.  But cook.  I can sit and watch the Food Channel (yes I know it's called the Food Network but around my house we insist on calling it the Food Channel) all day.  In fact, while I was staying with my grandmother during her hospital and hospice stay we watched the channel all the time.  Each recipe and show got us talking about whether it was good or what we'd change about it.  My grandmother was a huge fan of Iron Chef because of the Japanese guy on it.  He's a famous actor in Japan and since she's Japanese, he wore a soft spot in her heart.  Plus, she had taped episodes from Japan's version (and they might have started the idea) and we'd watch those for hours.  I didn't understand a single word they said but I didn't have to.  I could tell they were sauteing something in this pan and braising something in the next.  

Anyway, no one taught me to cook. I didn't take a class and I didn't spend hours in the kitchen being taught as a kid.  I watched my grandmother cook and I absorbed.  The same thing happens when I watch a Rachel Ray (love her) show or a Giada at Home show.  I watch and I memorize the ingredients and how a dish is prepared. Just like them, I love to create a dish from scratch.  Sometimes, I watch what they make and I alter it to fit my needs.  I love to cook but I don't advertise it with my friends.  Sure my family knows I do and can attest to the great taste but like my writing, if I have no proof, I feel silly talking about it.  Because like Julie in the movie, I too love to cook after a long crappy day of work and just create something tasty to share.  The sound of my knife tapping away as I chop ingredients or the sizzle of garlic cooking in a pan drenched in EVOO are all things that I enjoy about cooking.  No one bothers me or demands things from me.  It's just me and my pan of yummy smelling stuff.

What about you?  Do you love to cook?  Or is there something you just love doing that you're not an expert at or you don't make money doing?

Friendly or Friend Overload

I recently noticed a friend of mine from one part of my life was friends with someone else I knew from another part of my life.  I was so excited I tagged them and said "Yeah, I feel like I made a connection."  Later I got an email from one of them asking me who the person was she friended which she then explained she accepts everyone that asks. 

This all got me thinking.  Is it a good idea to friend on Twitter, FB, Google+ and any other social media website all those people who request to be your friend?  I know on Twitter unless you're private you have not control and you could find yourself being followed by a squirrel.  But what about the rest. Is it overload? 

As an author with a book coming out in April (I'm counting down) and maybe a short this year, I wonder if liking everyone and knowing everyone in the social media way, does it help your sales?  If I throw my name out there and like everyone and want everyone to like me will it bolster my sales.  Will someone discover a new author?  Or will I feel over-exposed and want to crawl back into my writer hole?

I could ask my friend how it's helping her but like me, hers isn't out until next year as well.  So I'm throwing my question out to the masses.  What do you think?  How do you roll?  Should I like everyone?  Should I stay right where I'm at and be selective with my friendship?

I'd love to hear what you think. 

What's new?

My "To Do" list is never ending.  I think as a mom, that's a given.  But for those of us who are moms, authors and have day jobs, our lists keep growing and growing and growing and... You get the point. 

Sometimes I need to sit back and just do nothing for a moment and enjoy crossing what I've done from the list before I add more.  And yes, I do keep lists.  I'm notorious for running to the store and buying everything I don't need and forgetting what I really need.  Which is usually milk.  I even wrote a list the other day telling my kids what they were going to do the next day.  Yeah, it's that bad.

Right now I'm having a sit back, drink a glass of wine and reflect moment.  Last weekend, I submitted my second novella for my series to my publisher.  I'm a little nervous this time around and am constantly asking my crit partner "Are you sure this doesn't suck?"  Of course, she's as sweet as sugar and she'd never tell me anything sucked but she hasn't told me I needed to change the entire story either.  I'm waiting to hear back if a short story I submitted will get published this year.  Yeah, I'm biting my nails, tapping my foot and stalking my email.  But I'm learning to be patient with writing.  I went to a dirt track race for my birthday wearing a custom made shirt made by moi.  Yeah, I had to dress up for the night.  They drive fast cars.  On dirt.  And I had seats in the "luxury box". 

I'm trying to finish a book I started reading like two weeks ago.  Yes, I'm feeling okay it's just that the book was a very slow go and now it's picking up but life won't allow me to read.  Speaking of buying books, FYI my publisher TMP now sells books!  Right on!  I know!  So if you haven't visited yet, jump on over and take a look see.  Mine with be there in April.  Go to: http://www.turquoisemorningpressbookstore.com/  My friend Julie is featured and we all know she rocks.  Plus, the other authors I've gotten to know from email loops and they are all awesome pants!  Don't walk, run to the site and buy.

So that's all I've done aside from day job (which not too thrilled with right now) and mom job.  What's ahead?  Beta reading, finishing this book I'm reading so I can share what I thought with the world, start on book #3 (I told them I'd turn in Nov.) and maybe work on that world hunger thing.  Although, that's been done to death.  I might need to try and find a new, obscure cause.  

Thanks for listening and I'd love to hear what you have on your lists.   

Show me Your Irish!

I just got back from a weeklong vacation with my mother-in-law’s side of the family.   And they’re Irish (which means I’m Irish by association; this is important to remember later.).  Before I continue, I must point out that they aren’t your typical Irish family.  Sure they’re loud and passionate and always right but they don’t drink.  Except for the kids in my generation.  The adults are all non-drinkers.  So while the rest of us are stumbling around the adults sit back and laugh at us.  It’s a great time!

Let me back up a bit and offer some info.  We went to Ireland last year.  (If you haven’t gone you must.  It was absolutely beautiful and the history is amazing!)  During and after the trip, my kids are now super aware of everything Irish.  At least flag colors, certain words and possibly part of the culture.  So my kids are all excited about being part Irish and we all think that’s pretty cool.

So a few weeks before we went on vaca, we were at the pool and my son said “Hey Dad. You wanna see my Irish?”  I refrained from jumping up, rushing towards him with a towel to cover whatever he was calling his “Irish”.  The entire scene played out in my head in slow motion.  Instead, I turned my attention towards them in time to see my son lift his swimming trunk legs to expose his white as snow thighs.  We all laughed and thought he was gosh darn cute.  For the next couple of weeks, he’d continued his little bit.

Vaca time and I was chatting up my husband’s cousin who is also super proud of her Irish heritage.  My son again said to his cousin, “Hey you wanna see my Irish?”  Now, I was little more prepared and he showed her his thighs again which compared to his now tan skin was more white than before.  He then turned to me and said, “Mom.  Show me your Irish.”  Now I could’ve played dumb and been like I’m not Irish, but I just didn’t want to admit that (did you remember?)  Instead, I turned to him and said, “Mommy’s Irish is not something everyone should see.  It’s covered up.”  He then said, “Why?  Is it your butt?” 

How does this relate to writing?  Let me explain.  Writing is personal and very hard sometimes to show other people.  You work and work to make it just right but still, you’re never sure if it’s good enough.  Just like my Irish.  It’s personal and hidden and I work out to make it look good but never really sure.  (Is this a bit of stretch???)  I like to be as free as my son and show off my Irish all the time just like my writing.  I’m sure one day I’ll feel okay showing both whenever asked.

So I ask you.  Show me your Irish!

Outline, Outline, Outline

When I first started out on this writing journey, I'd read everywhere I needed to make an outline.  Uhhgg.  Really?  Was I back in 9th grade english?  I hated outlining then and with age my dislike never changed.  So, I thought, heck, I'll just wing it.  And sure I wrote a 75K word YA Paranormal but I never got anyone to look at it.  I started again on my second YA Para and 65K words later I had another finished product.  Still no agent but I did make a "rough" outline and the writing did go easier. 

But I still wasn't a believer.  Until I started working on a novella for submission to TMP.  There were parameters to the story that needed to be met and maybe, just maybe, that drove me to the insane act of...wait for it...making an outline.

AAAAHHHHHH!

I know.  It took me a few minutes to come to grips.  So, I made an outline.  Again, it was still rough but more complete than the previous.  And ya know what?  I am now the proud owner of a YA novella that will be published next April by TMP!  *toots horn*

I know what you might be thinking.  So what, total luck.  And sure, maybe but let me prove my point some more. 

You've recently read how I'm having a rather tough summer with family illness and now her recent death and during this time, I've tried pouring my pain into my writing by working and completing another novella for the same publisher but my juices just weren't flowing and I didn't find myself thinking about the characters.  My reasoning?  I honestly believe if I had an outline created for this new story, my juices would have a place to flow to.  Structure, form, purpose.  So, now I back track, read what I've written and create a much needed outline to follow and create another novella I hope to get picked up as well.

If you're new to writing, I know it can be overwhelming.  You have stars in your eyes and fire in your belly to see your name in print, or like me, on an e-book.  But first, you have to do the leg work.  We can't all be top selling authors over night.  Heck, I read an article about how JK Rowling outlines.  Really, she does.  Do the leg work, take your time becuase with hard work and passion, it can happen to you as well.  And remember, ask for help.  There are tons of places to find writing budies.  Good luck!

I Don't Wanna...

The summer hasn’t turned out as I’d hoped.  I had plan to work from home, take my kids to the pool and spend some quality time with my Grandmother and getting her out of the house.  Well, June 5^th came and blew my little world apart.  A week later, my Grandmother was diagnosed with liver cancer, released from the hospital only to return the next day because she was bleeding.  A week after that we were told by the liver specialists they couldn’t treat my Grandmother until she was stronger.  However, since June 5^th, she’s become completely dependent on me, my uncle and nurses only being able to feed herself.  Try to imagine having to help walk your grandmother or mother to the restroom, then help her sit on the toilet and then clean her up.  Hard.  Hard.  Hard.

Thursday, the same week, we enrolled my Grandmother into respite care at a nursing home while my aunt and uncle went out of town.  We all thought it was the best place since she needed round the clock care and I still had a job and a family to take care of.  She was in there one day and starting vomiting.  They tried to control it but were unable to especially when blood was present.  Let me jump back and state the liver specialists told us she would retain large amounts of fluids and swell, her mind would start to go from the toxins and she’d start to bleed because the blood wasn’t able to get through the liver and had to go somewhere. 

Saturday, she was rushed to the ER where I met her and was finally admitted that evening with a lower bowl obstruction.  They inserted a tube in her stomach to drain her allowing the obstruction to move on its own since surgery was not an option.  Monday, with the tube still running from her nose to her stomach, my Grandmother decided she didn’t want to fight any longer.  Her Dr also informed us the same day that even if she were to get stronger, which didn’t look likely, she was no longer a candidate for any cancer treatment.  She’s in the late stages and her body was shutting down. 

Currently, she’s enrolled in a hospice facility and we wait.  Funny party?  She looks better today than she has this entire time.  Seriously.  I told her she has to act goofy so people don’t think I’m lying.

But in all honesty, these past few weeks have been the hardest.  I became her power of attorney, allowing me to make sure her medical wishes are acknowledged.  This one time, I don’t want to be the adult. 

The best part has been talking with her.  She’s still coherent and her first night without machines, we talked the entire night.  Our time together has been great.  Seeing her as she is has given my heart some peace.  I’m okay with her leaving this world because I know it’s what she wants and her happiness without pain is all we’ve ever wanted.

Thank you.

PS.  She’s still alive.

It all started with a glass of wine, 1 jack and diet and 2 long island iced teas…

This post is well over due and I’m sorry for the delay.  Since I came back from conference, life has thrown me one curve ball after another.  Rollercoaster ride doesn’t even begin to describe my life and it’s only Wednesday!

First off, the Lori Foster conference was AMAZING!  I met so many awesome ladies there.  And now we’re all besties on Twitter!  Before I left, I’d blogged about voice and if Julie and Nikki would sound in person how they do in my head.  And they do.  Completely!  Julie is not only sugary, sweet on-line but in person I could just eat her up.  Nikki was the devilish little vixen I thought she was and we had a blast together.  I think I held up the naughty side of our conversations so Julie didn’t feel too dirty to contribute.  LOL!

I couldn’t believe how Julie and Nikki stuck by me the entire weekend; someone they’d just met (even though we talk everyday on Twitter or email).  I love these two and can’t WAIT until our next conference together.

I met TONS of authors and bloggers like: J.A. Saare; Keri Ford, Maddie James (AKA Kim Jacobs) Bells (Bellie7 on Twitter) and many more.  Nikki will have a funny story about how I reacted after meeting JA. 

Besides all the new people and info I learned, I received some 99.9% confirmation news which caused me to hug Kim (at the time, soon to be publisher) and I’d just met the woman. 

And yes, I signed a contract with TMP this morning for my YA Honey Creek novella.  I don’t have dates or anything yet but when I do, I’ll pass the info along.  On a side note, my friend Julie will be the launching story for the Honey Creek line!  Goooooooo Julie!

Now for those who are wondering, the contract news was the highlight of my week but the lows started Monday morning.  I went grocery shopping for my grandmother (she’s 83) and when I dropped off her stuff, she didn’t look well, at all.  So I took her to the ER thinking she has some sort of blockage because her stomach was so distended.  Hours later, turns out her liver and pancreas were covered in tumors and they told her she has cancer, just not sure what kind yet.  They admitted her and ran a bone marrow test the next morning and it’s now Wednesday and we don’t know anything.  I’m amazed at how frail she’s gotten since Monday.  I don’t think she’s given up completely yet but I know she’s tired.  She’s not in a lot of pain, just discomfort.  My uncle and I have been taking turns sitting with her.  Both of us are here now but neither one of us wants to leave or tell the other one to leave.  And that’s okay. 

Thank you for the thoughts and prayers and I will try and keep you informed.  My grandmother is a strong woman who’s lived a long life.  I have a feeling she’s going to be punching and kicking for a while longer.

What will they sound like?

I’m attending a Reader and Author Get Together this weekend and I’m stoked!  I’ve never been to a conference before and I’ll be the virgin in my group.  I’m meeting up with my writer friend Julie and her crazy book blogger Nikki.  Along with them, there are other writers we all know and follow on Twitter (if you haven’t joined, what the heck are you waiting for?  An invitation?  Forget it.  No invite needed!)  Watch out Ohio, here comes trouble!

When you read a book, do you have a particular voice planted in your mind on how the characters sound?  And by voice, I mean, their pitch.  How they actually sound when they speak.

I do.  Sure some writers will describe how their characters sound with a thick Irish brogue or a lithe sounding voice, but usually I make my own determination.

So you have their voice in your head and you’re walking through life pretty content and then BAM, the movie turns into a book.  Are you disappointed?  Did they get it right?  For example, when you watched Twilight, did Robert do Edward justice?  Personally, no but don’t worry Twi-Hards, I am so Pro-R.Pat/K.Stew but when I heard Edward’s voice in my head when I read, he sounded nothing like Robert.  What about Harry Potter?  Did Daniel do it for you? 

So, what does this have to do with my conference this weekend?  I’ve never met either of these ladies but I already have in my head what they sound like.  Am I right?  Who knows?  Will I be disappointed?  Only if they sound like 95 year old woman who chained smoked their entire life.  Why?  They might sound sexier than me! 

Ha! Ha!  But seriously.  I’m going to be spending an entire weekend with them.  I have a feeling the squealing will never stop while the drinks keep on flowing.

I’ll let you know if Julie’s voice sounds as sugary and sweet as she writes and Nikki’s is as sultry and quick as I imagine.  Let the good times roll!

And the winner is......

I've recently increased my Twitter Universe becuase a writer bestie of mine gushed about me *waves to Julie*.  And while I am in complete aww of her and her writing abilities and the many, many tips she shares, I am humbled by her compliments.  As an unpublished, trying to make my way through the slush, writer, I constantly second guess myself.  Am I good enough?  Will people like it?  Am I just foolin' myself?  Then, I have this super-fantastic group of writers who support me constantly and that group is growing.

What does this have to do with winners?  Let me tell ya.

So, I got my first 2 comments on my blog this week!  *happy dance* And one of those comments was from Angela at http://angelawritenow.blogspot.com/ and she said I'd won an award.  Me?  *blushes*  *faints* Thank you, thank you very much.  I'd like to thank the Academy...

Anywho, So I checked out her blog, which you have to read if you like snarky, funny, awersome chics and she was paying if forward with blog awards.  I know, right?  And I was on there for the  Stylish Blogger Award.  Finally, someone recognizes my knack for color coordinating!



So here's how it works:
Here are the rules of this award:
1. Thank and link to the person who nominated you.
2. Share seven random facts about yourself on your blog.
3. Pass the award along to five buddies whose blogs epitomize said theme.
4. Contact those buddies to congratulate them.

Here are my buddies:
Julie Anne Lindsey http://blog.juliealindsey.com/
Amy Spalding http://www.theamyspalding.com/
Nikki Brandyberry http://nikkibrandyberry.wordpress.com/
Gabriela Lessa http://aspiringwriterworld.blogspot.com/
T. Rommel Blossom http://www.myblossomingmind.blogspot.com/

7 Random Facts:
1. I love 80's music and 90's hip/hop rap and shake what my momma didn't give me...a butt.
2. I once took an art test in a magazine and even scored an interview with an art school in CA but never made it.
3. I love eating cold Thin Mint cookies dunked in Peanut Butter!
4. I was a cheerleader in HS and while most don't think it's a sport, it totally is! 
5. I'm a Leo and while we love attention and the spotlight, I myself love the thought of it all but get shy and nervous when it actually comes time to put myself out there.
6. Most of my friends thought I was a complete b**** when they met me becuase I'm super shy when meeting new poeple but once I'm in I can talk your ear off for an hour.
7. When I was a kid I was told that if I did too many cartwheels my kidneys would turn upside down and to this day I still believe it and tell my daughter the same thing.