Gearing Up to Get an Agent Blog Badges!!!

The 2012 GUTGAA badges are finally here! Aren't they great? Thanks to the lovely Tara Tyler and A.J. Locke for making them!

We will also have another badge coming in a couple of weeks from Talynn (Ink in the Book). Her computer had to be rushed to the gadget hospital so she couldn't make this post. We look forward to seeing it when it's done:)

So, if you want to join in any part of GUTGAA, be it the agent's pitch contest, small publisher's pitch contest, prizes or the fun bloghops, sign up HERE and grab a badge below. Please note, you must be signed up in the initial linky list to join in any part of the blogfest.

Badge grabbing is simple to do. Just copy the code below the badge of your choice and paste it on your blog...or whatever it is you want slap it on!

That's it. If you have any questions or problems, please let me know in the comments below. 

Thanks for spreading the word!

Oh, one more thing. If you're ever in need of getting a grab me box below your badge you really should go HERE to do it. It saved me from losing my mind.

<div align="center"> <a href="http://deanabarnhart.blogspot.com/2012/07/sign-up-time-for-gearing-up-to-get.html" title="Deana Barnhart" target="_blank"><img src="http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m216/deanabarnhart/Untitled-2.jpg" alt="Deana Barnhart" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

<div align="center"> <a href="http://deanabarnhart.blogspot.com/2012/07/sign-up-time-for-gearing-up-to-get.html" title="Deana Barnhart" target="_blank"><img src="http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m216/deanabarnhart/Untitled-4.jpg" alt="Deana Barnhart" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

<div align="center"> <a href="http://deanabarnhart.blogspot.com/2012/07/sign-up-time-for-gearing-up-to-get.html" title="Deana Barnhart" target="_blank"><img src="http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m216/deanabarnhart/Untitled-5.jpg" alt="Deana Barnhart" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

<div align="center"> <a href="http://deanabarnhart.blogspot.com/2012/07/sign-up-time-for-gearing-up-to-get.html" title="Deana Barnhart" target="_blank"><img src="http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m216/deanabarnhart/Untitled-6.jpg" alt="Deana Barnhart" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

<div align="center"> <a href="http://deanabarnhart.blogspot.com/2012/07/sign-up-time-for-gearing-up-to-get.html" title="Deana Barnhart" target="_blank"><img src="http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m216/deanabarnhart/button02-1.jpg" alt="Deana Barnhart" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

<div align="center"> <a href="http://deanabarnhart.blogspot.com/2012/07/sign-up-time-for-gearing-up-to-get.html" title="Deana Barnhart" target="_blank"><img src="http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m216/deanabarnhart/button01-1.jpg" alt="Deana Barnhart" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

<div align="center"> <a href="http://deanabarnhart.blogspot.com/2012/07/sign-up-time-for-gearing-up-to-get.html" title="Deana Barnhart" target="_blank"><img src="http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m216/deanabarnhart/GUTGAAbutton1-1.jpg" alt="Deana Barnhart" style="border:none;" /></a></div> One more thing. If you're ever in need of getting a grab me box below your badge you really should go HERE to do it. It saved me from losing my mind.

Hookers and Hangers Blogfest: Part Two

Interested in the Gearing Up to Get an Agent Blogfest/Pitch Contests? Go HERE!

It's the Hanger's portion of the Hookers and Hangers Blogfest brought to you by the Falling for Fiction ladies. 

Here are the rules if you don't know what I'm talking about:

Hookers & Hangers Blogfest July 16th & July 18th

We all know how important the first and last lines are in every chapter. This blogfest will hopefully get your HOOKERS and HANGERS polished making it impossible for readers to put down your book and leaving them begging for more!

On July 16th, post the first sentence from each chapter.

On July 18th, post the last sentence from each chapter.

Post as many as you like! 

And here are my Hanger sentences to a few of my chapters from Ripple.

1) It would make what I did to Seth meaningless and I’m not ready to be that kind of person.

2) Before I can respond, the strange man from across the way bounds out of nowhere, rushes Flip, and punches him square in the face.

3) I register the whomp whomp in my ears the second I disappear.

4) There's a knife sticking out of my belly.

Okay, that's all I've got for you today. I can't wait to read yours! Click HERE if you want to check them out too:)

Sign Up Time for the Gearing Up to Get an Agent Blogfest/Pitch Contest

Wow! That title is a mouthful! But it is true. Today's the day sign ups begin for GUTGAA!

UPDATE: For the GUTGAA SCHEDULE go HERE:
For the AGENTS participating in the Pitch Contest go HERE:
For the 1ST ROUND JUDGES for the AGENT Pitch Contest go HERE:

And if you're here for the Hookers and Hangers Blogfest go HERE ...but you should sign up for GUTGAA too:)

What is GUTGAA?
GUTGAA stands for Gearing Up to Get an Agent. It is a blogfest I started last year in the hopes that those of us striving to reach "agented" status could come together, polish those pitches and have fun at the same time. It ended with agent Kathleen Rushall judging a pitch contest. Quite a few of us who joined in the fun did get an agent (including me) and as I've said over the last few weeks I want to take my victory and pay it forward.

GUTGAA will be bigger this year!
I have put together a team of volunteers who I've been bouncing ideas off of in hopes of making this year's blogfest even better and I think everyone entering will be excited about what we have in store. Of course I am still working out the kinks, but so far this is what I've got for you. (Yes, I am about to break out the bullet points again.)

-The blogfest/pitch contest will take place in the month of September. Just like last year you will sign up below for admission to any part of the fun, but every week during the blogfest will also have separate sign ups. Meaning if you are too busy to make a full month commitment in Sept, that's okay. 

- There will be a meet and greet. Last year tons of friendships were kindled and connections made and I hope to do the same this year.

- There will be random drawings for prizes throughout the month.

-Our agent pitch contest will be so much fun. We are up to 8 agents who will accept ADULT, YA and MG. I'm shooting for 10 agents to join in!  And I can't wait to reveal the them to you when the time comes. 

-But wait! The agent pitch contest isn't where it ends. I realize that getting an agent isn't the only avenue for authors these days. Being traditionally published may not be the route you want to take and I sure don't want to exclude you. So this year I am also throwing in a small publishing house pitch contest! I have been back and forth over this decision. After all, the blogfest is called Gearing Up to Get an Agent, but in the end, I've got some small press editors on board so I had to go with my gut and welcome them into the fun too. So far we have four ready to get their pitch reading on!

-This years pitch contests will be open to YA, Adult and MG (possibly chapter book and picture books from one agent) so get those entries polished! And yes they need to be finished manuscripts please. 

-Blog Buttons. I will have them out to you by the end of the week. We had some great designers put them together and they were all so good I thought I would let you pick the one you wanted for your blog!
UPDATE: Blog Badges are ready!! Go HERE to pick out your favorite and display it on your blog:)

-Twitter Hashtag. Yes, we will be using Twitter and the hashtag will be #GUTGAA

Sound like fun? Do you want to jump on board? If so just sign up in the linky below, spread the word and we'll see you at GUTGAA!

ATTENTION: If the linky list is giving you problems just leave your NAME, BLOG ADDRESS and EMAIL in the comments section below and I will get you added:) Thanks!

Hookers and Hangers Blogfest is Here!!!

If you're here to sign up for the GUTGAA Blogfest/Pitch Contest go HERE!




The time has come for the Hookers portion of the Hookers and Hangers Blogfest.
Here are the rules according to the lovely ladies at Falling for Fiction:Hookers & Hangers Blogfest July 16th & July 18th

We all know how important the first and last lines are in every chapter. This blogfest will hopefully get your HOOKERS and HANGERS polished making it impossible for readers to put down your book and leaving them begging for more!

On July 16th, post the first sentence from each chapter.

On July 18th, post the last sentence from each chapter.

Post as many as you like!I've got four hookers for you today from Ripple. So without further ado, here they are:1) I hate time travel. 2) The second fist hits flesh, the acidic taste of a Ripple fills my mouth and the earth shimmers in such quick succession, that I drop to my knees.3) Knox's words spark a flame in me and I figure, necklace or not, I'm getting out of this prison. 4) Walking down the endless hallway, with visions of young love struggling to survive, has me thinking of the mysterious man named Ry. 

I'm headed to check out the other Hookers in the blogosphere. It's not to late if you want to get in on the action either. Just click on the Hookers and Hangers pic above and get yourself signed up.

Friday Free For All...In Bullet Points

UPDATE: I almost forgot to tell you that my agent and I were interviewed on Cupid's blog HERE. You should check out what Sarah says because she gives some very good querying pointers.

Now back to the regularly scheduled post:)

I'm a list maker.

When I get in planning mode I make tons of lists that eventually get buried under new lists and so on and on and on.

This past week I've been in that list making mindset as I plan the second annual Gearing Up to Get an Agent Blogfest.

Don't know what I'm talking about? GO HERE to learn more.


I'm excited about this years blogfest for so many reasons. 


Let me list them for you...

• I got an agent. Yep. Old news. I know you're sick of hearing it. But because of this, I am determined, more than ever, to pay it forward through this blogfest. I want to be your cheerleader and I hope this blogfest shows it. 
• Like last year, GUTGAA will end with a pitch contest.
• There will be more agents!
• There will be surprises!
• There is a new blog badge!
• There will be prizes!
• And there will be fun!!!!
• The month long party will start September 3rd! 
• Sign ups will begin this coming Monday, July 16th!
• We will be very interactive on Twitter...because I have discovered that I LURVE Twitter so very much:) @deanabarnhart for those who want to chat it up:)
• The hashtag will be #GUTGAA.
• Spread the word!!!!
• Can't wait to see you there!

Do you have any questions? Do you just want to cheer? I'm good for both if you want to put them in the comments below:)

Keepin' it Real

I love people! I love them so much it may come off as stalkerish at times. I could people watch all day in an attempt to guess what has happened in their lives to make them who they are.

Observing others this way doesn't always lead to good results. There are soooo many wonderful, strong individuals out there who, if they don't know who they are, sure act like they do. Especially in the writing world! With so much talent everywhere I look, I begin to wonder what gives me the right to think I'm good enough to work/write alongside them. I don't have a college degree. I'm not on-the-spot-hilarious like so many of my twitter friends (you know who you are:). I don't have unending knowledge about the classics. And I sure can't name drop or flash around my credentials. I have to be honest, comparing myself over the past couple of weeks to some of these people has left me feeling a bit inadequate.

Fast forward to today. My eight-year-old daughter has a cousin sleeping over and they got into a disagreement about something. My daughter is the kind of girl who wears her emotions on her sleeve, so when one thing bothers her, her whole world if off kilter. Well, this argument of theirs led her into telling me how she tries so hard to please people and no one ever likes her ideas so she just goes along with what others want.

Of course being the mom who loves my daughter for who she is (drama and all), I tell her that not everyone is going to like her ideas or want to do what she wants or believe what she believes, but it doesn't mean she has to conform. She has to be who she is and be proud of it. The rest will fall into place.

Umm...big lightbulb! Here I am telling my daughter the exact thing I need to do for myself.


This got me thinking. What is so wrong with being inadequate? Why can't my signature mark be that I am an underdog who refuses to lay down? I may not have a college degree, but I have a degree in living. I know what it feels like to be on the other end of addiction and make it out alive. I can say I've actually lived in a hotel room and caught the school bus from a three man tent in a campground. I've been made fun of for being the chubby girl in school and  know what its like to be sent into the supermarket by an embarrassed father with a bag full of pennies just so my family can eat dinner. Being on the downside of life has taught me that sometimes it isn't your experiences that define you, but how you choose to process those experiences. 


I may not be schooled in all the classics, or even pop culture for that matter, but I can still appreciate the beauty in the knowledge that I do have. I am just as capable as a fully educated person to read the words in a book and have them bring me to tears from the mere beauty of how they were placed on the paper. And yeah, I may not be able to name drop, but I sure have met amazing people who aren't "somebody" in today's society, but whose stories have made an impression on my life forever.


I didn't mean for this post to be all about me, but I guess I needed to keep it real. For myself. Maybe sometimes we need to reassess who we are and where we come from in order to make the next best step to where we're going.

If I can bring anything to this world and to others, I want it to be encouragement to the underdogs, that the sky is the limit. Just because you may not seem accepted in this crazy world we live in, your place is just as significant as the next persons. Your story matters! You matter!

For those of you that don't know Lisa Chickos, you should get to know her. She is one of those people that my mouth falls open for. She lives her life to the fullest in every way possible and it shows. She actually, also just landed an agent and you talk about going through ups and downs to get there. I love her story of determination. You should totally read it if you haven't.



Anyway, when Lisa was beginning her new wip she blogged about picking three words to describe the person you want to be. And that even if you aren't that person yet, you will strive to be more like those words if you can only identify them. Needless to say, with all of these thoughts of who am I floating around in my head, I began to wonder, what are my three words?


Here is what I came up with:

Lover - not just a Marvin Gaye kind of lover, but a lover of people and what makes them unique. A lover of opinions, change, diversity, of LIFE!
Willing - The day I allow myself to set my heels in the dirt and stay the same is the day I'll be ready to die.
Optimistic - My dad used to tell me when I was little (and still does) that things have a way of working themselves out. And you know what? As pissed off as that makes me sometimes, it's the truth. No matter how sucky life can be, it's always changing and as long I can stay optimistic I will continue to believe everything that happens in my life will be for my good.


What about you? Do you believe your story matters? What are the three words you want to live your life by? 

Friday Free For All!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

I first want to tell you all that I'm overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and congratulations I received when I announced that I got an agent. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I LOVE THIS WRITING COMMUNITY!!!

As it turns out, getting an agent isn't the only big thing happening in my life right now.

My hubs is being transferred which mean we are moving. AGAIN! If you have followed this past year and a half with me you'll know my family packed up and moved from Alabama in October 2010 to Kentucky. We were so excited because KY is where we met, and our family is here.

We stayed in my parents basement (yes, with kids and a dog) until we could sell our house in AL. Then we moved out of the basement about a year later and into a house. About six months after that, we moved one last time into our dream home.

Of course when things are going just the way you want, something has to pull the rug out from under you. I am no exception and one month after moving into said dream home, we got word that we would be moving. AGAIN. This time...wait for it...all the way back to Alabama!

Oh geez!

It's a good move for us, but sad because we are leaving family (my hubs grew up here, I went to high school here). But that's life I suppose.


So this weekend we will be heading to Bama to find a house and next month we will say goodbye to this....

And hello to this...

But in my heart I will always bleed blue!

What about you? Anything new happening in your life? 

I'm Telling You It's True! I Got Agent!!!

I almost didn't want to do this post, because I know how it feels to be the writer who checks in to the blog-o-sphere only to read yet another "I got an agent" story. To be so happy for them while at the same time battling the "why them and not me" thoughts. I know how many hours us writers slave over our words, making them just so, only to get the query door slammed in our face over and over and over again. Believe me, I know.

So, yes, I ALMOST didn't want to do this post.

But I say almost, because while I don't want to seem like I'm rubbing it in, I also want everyone out there trying so hard to get a foot in an agents door, to believe that it IS possible! And that when it does happen, you deserve to be happy about it!

I wasn't one of those queriers with a 50% request rate. I didn't even have 30%. I got rejection after rejection.

Still I kept on.

I would enter contests and get ripped to shreds, or be given a chance...but just barely. Still, I kept entering them...and I'm here to tell you that the "just barely" is sometimes all it takes.

Here is my story if you want to hear it...

Back at the beginning of the year I wrote my goals out for the whole blogger world to see. One being that I would query Ripple (then Ripple Effect) and get an agent this year.

Soon after that I was blog hopping and came across Cupids fabulous blog and her Blind Speed Dating Contest. To get into the contest you had to get past the bouncers first. During this round there were submissions getting multiple comments from bouncers telling them, "you're in!"

I got one bouncer comment.

And it wasn't a straight forward, "Yes! You're in!" My bouncer was torn, but let me through anyway. Gennifer Albin, I will be forever grateful for you taking that chance on me!

So. Holy crapola, I was in the door! It was like being the wannabe who got entrance into the high school party that only the cool kids go to:)

Finally, the day came around for agents (who were going by undercover names) to browse the entries. If they liked yours, they'd shoot and arrow at you (hence the whole cupid thing). The more arrows, the better. Again, there were entries getting multiple arrows. Agents were bantering back and forth at how much they wanted this one or that.

I got one arrow.

It was from the Ryan Gosling cupid and the words were music to my ears, "Hey Girl, I know people are saying dystopian is over but I think you have something special here. You've been struck with Honorary Cupid Ryan Gosling's arrow (partial request; 1 arrow)."

My cupid turned out to be Sarah Lapolla, the unbelievably amazing agent from Curtis Brown of all places! I sent her my 100 page partial. Then she requested a full (telling me, by the way, that my story was more sci-fi than dystopian). And the rest is history. I couldn't be more thrilled if I tried! All because two people gave me a chance.

I truly felt like the underdog, and now I feel on top of the world!

I hope that if your feeling beat up and pushed around; ready to quit writing, querying or whatever it is you may be trying to do, that you won't. Because I'm hear to tell you...five years after I started this writing journey, that you can do this! Cheesy, but true:)

I know I still have a long road ahead and that is just fine by me. I have a lot to learn. I'm hoping my journey into the sunset continues on and on and on.

What about you? I'd love to hear where you are and how you're feeling about your writing journey.  

***

Speaking of getting an agent, don't forget about the second annual GUTGAA blogfest coming up in August. If you're ready to get Geared Up to Get an Agent or know of some agents, editors or authors wanting to pitch in and help, go HERE.

Calling All Gearing Up to Get an Agent Helpers!!!

source

In my last post I mentioned the upcoming prep I would be doing for the second annual Gearing Up to Get an Agent Blogfest. If you were here last year for the month long GUTGAA event, you may remember the fun we had. If not, go HERE and check it out.

Basically, it's a fest divided up into four weeks where we hone in on areas and that, with some polish, can get us that much further toward publication. I have a lot of fun things and contests in mind, but last year I realized just how much work goes into a month long interactive blogfest...and HOLY CRAP it's a lot!

So, this year I'm trying to be smart and I'm calling all HELPERS! Anyone willing to help, please let me know in the comments section below and leave your email.

Here is the kind of help I'm needing:

Basic helpers - If you have great ideas or are willing to help man the separate events, I'd love to hear from you.

A very cool Blog Button for the blogfest. If you look to the right of my blog you will see the one from last year. I need a new one and I'm so NOT tech savvy.

Agents and Editors - Last year I had help from some fabulous authors and the ever awesome agent, Kathleen Rushall, who helped me judge the contests. This year I would love to have more! I'm not deluded enough to think I have agents and editors browsing my blog, but authors, if you have an agent or editor, or know of any that are looking to add to their list of clients, then I'd love to hear from you!

Authors - If you have a keen eye for editing and are willing to giveaway some critique time, please let me know!

Prizes - I would love to make this years blogfest bigger and better, so if you have anything to contribute for prizes...yep, please let me know

Success Stories - I've heard from a few of you about how this blogfest actually helped you land your agent. If you are one of those lovelies, then I would love to share your story!

I think that's it for know. My brain is just getting into planning mode, so be on the lookout for a survey (I really want to find out what you think would make this blogfest a success), sign ups, and more info.

This is just tentative, but I'm thinking of having the blogfest around August of this year.

What do you think? Are you ready for a blogfest that will get your writing in gear for publication???  

A Winner and Some Summer Goals

First things first, we have a business card winner!!

Judy Dudich! You won!!!

I will contact you shortly:)

Now, to my post....

Huh? You mean now that school's out I have to stop being a slacker?

You mean my kids are going to want me to take them to the pool and the park and have fun? I can't write, query agents, and do writerly things non-stop?

HA!

I'm living a pretty deluded life if I think that's what I've been doing.

I've been a slacker in all areas lately.

It's what happens when you have a very very sick grandmother, your daughter is in a big musical (40 min away from your house and practicing all the time), and you're living in limbo because you don't know if you're going to have to move....AGAIN! Oh well. It's life right? I'm fine with it. Worse things have happened. And things are beginning to slow down where I can actually think straight again.

So with my clear head in place, I want to be better. I want to be as good as I hoped I would be when this year started out and I set my fantabulous goals. 

This summer I'm going to kick it up a notch and....

-Spend quality time with my kids


-Start writing that new idea I've been blabbing about


-Start querying again


-Figure out this moving situation once and for all


and

-Plan my Gearing up to get an Agent Blogfest (Stay tuned for more info on this)


In order to make this happen, I may not be my best blogging self throughout the summer. I will still be blogging of course, but it won't be my regular Tuesday/Friday schedule. I do hope you understand:)


What about you? Do you all have any big summer goals you can't wait to start on?

Wilde's Fire Editor Judged Contest!

If you are looking to enter to win free business cards, go HERE!

I'm all kinds of pumped because today is the first day for the amazing editor judged contest hosted by Sharon Bayliss! It's a two-fold contest to help spread the word about the newly released, Wilde's Fire by Krystal Wade (who is also the editor for the contest) and to get some great feedback, plus a possible full request for us writers from Curiosity Quills. There is still time to sign up, so if you have a polished, shiny manuscript you're ready to pitch go HERE to enter!

For the first part of the contest we have to enter our query and first 500 words on our blog to get critiques before doing a final submit. I'm sure those of you that have been here and seen me post my query and 500 before for similar contests are probably groaning. But don't leave just yet, I have tweaked some things so I'd love any new feedback you can give:) Thanks! And if you're entering the contest I will gladly return the love on your blog:)

QUERY:
The day bombs rain down on the earth annihilating the time machines Kali Addison's dad invented, it's her seventeenth birthday. She gets a couple of unexpected presents. A dead family. And the truth: Time machines have nothing to do with science and everything to do with her.
 
Stripped of her loved ones, and her father's work in ashes, fate would have it, Kali is now a freakin' time machine. And those responsible for ridding the world of them, know all about what Kali's capable of. Too bad she doesn't. Maybe the oh-so-hot guy, who shows up every time she's catapulted into the past, can help her remember. But knowing the truth would mean facing a life she forgot for a reason.
 
Now she must decide what's more important; continuing to live in the dark, or embracing the danger of who she's always been. If she chooses wrong. It's times up. For everyone.

Mystical mixes with real life fears of love and loss in this sci-fi/fantasy mashup novel for young adults, RIPPLE EFFECT is complete at 99,000 words, and has series potential.
        
I am a member of SCBWI and David Farland's Writers Group. More important, I am a seventeen-year-old, stuck in a thirty-three year old body, writing books to fill the void.
       
If you would like to consider RIPPLE EFFECT, I will be more than happy to send you the full manuscript.

FIRST 500 WORDS:
            I hate time travel.
            It's the one thought I have in my head as I crane my neck to take in the massive Clandestine in all its bland glory.
            The Commoners appear just as dull as the timeport with their solemn expressions and outfits the color of dirty snow.
            Today, I match them.
            Sage tugs my arm and I pop out of my head just in time to climb the steps with the others. I pause at the plaque by the entrance and read:

This Clandestine is dedicated

to those valiant Commoners who

fought the battle of time and won.

2035

            I can't help the laugh that slips. If those Commoners only knew what they set in motion.

            "Would you stop it already?" Sage elbows me. "You're starting to sweat and it's messing up your makeup." She unzips her gray suit just enough to pull a tissue out of her bra and pushes it into my hands. "And you'd better take off your sunglasses. You know you won't get in wearing those."
            "I hope not," I mumble, but still let her drag me through the sliding glass doors while I blot my face. I keep the glasses on, even though she's right. I won't get through the first check point with them.  Preparation for a journey through time doesn't allow for distractions like color or commotion. That includes accessories. But I don't care. I want to act like an indignant child, so I will.
            Not only is the Clandestine bland, but there are no windows here either. So no way to enjoy the cool spring breeze or hear the birds chirp me a happy birthday song.
            Nope.
            I get to be serenaded by the whispers of curious onlookers wondering why I'm time travelling with them. I'm beginning to have second thoughts about it myself.    
            At least my friends; Sage, Greer and Flip, are letting me pick the "when" we travel to as my birthday present. I can't understand how they think it's a present at all knowing how much I despise this whole scene. I guess I'm the idiot for agreeing to it.
            Oh well, maybe luck will rain down on me and no one will notice the inventor's daughter is about to use one of his public time machines. Or maybe I'll experience a first and won't get sick when I travel. And maybe, just maybe, the tracker chip they insert into our arms before we leave won't kill us if we cause a Ripple.
            Nah.
            Luck doesn't free-flow into my life too often. Something is bound to go wrong. It's why my nerves are beaten to a pulp and my nails gnawed to nubs.
            No joke, picking at my fingers has become an art form. We all need our distractions I suppose. And my nail obsession is working well, until we hit the back of the line to the first check point and my friends start goofing off like we're at a party.
           

Giveaway! 250 Business Cards!

Summer's almost here! How are you feeling about it? I love the time I get to spend with my kids, but hate how my writing time seems to diminish. I just have to keep doing the balance chant and maybe one day it will work.

Until then, I've got some good news...no I don't have an agent yet. The good news is for you!

A GIVEAWAY!

I've been blabbing about doing one since my birthday in March, but a major case of slackeritus got the best of me.

Until PrintRunner came to my rescue offering to give me and a winner 250 business cards each.

This offer came about during the writer's conference I attended a couple of weeks ago. Any writer who has been to a conference knows how great it is to have a handy dandy business card available to pass around.

If you agree check out the details below. And good luck!!!

Here are the deets of the Giveaway:
-Tell me in the comments your name, email address and why you could use some business cards.
-Giveaway ends Friday, May 25th 2012
-Once I winner is chosen at random I will submit your name and email to PrintRunner and they will contact you about the design.
-Open to US residents only, ages 18 years old and up.
-Standard shipping to winner is free. If you want the shipping rushed, winner must pay the extra shipping.
-You don't have to, but it would be nice if you followed PrintRunner on Twitter and liked them on Facebook.

Description of cards: 
Business Card Size and Style Business Cards - 2x3.5 (Standard)
Quantity 250
Colors 4/4 Color Both Sides

Paper 14 pt. UV Coating on Front, 14 pt. UV Coating on both sides,

Proof NONE
Rounded Corners NO
Ready To Ship In  3 Business Days

For those of you who don't know, PrintRunner is an online printing company that does quality printing for less. If you don't end up being the winner you can try their business card printing services and see for yourself.

Check Me Out!

I'm feeling pretty special today!

Angie, who I just met in person and is as cool as I thought she would be, interviewed me on her Won't You Be My Neighbor Tuesday. I love the way she actually chats with her guests to make it a fun conversation. So if you get a chance, go check out my pageant answers and how I blog in a southern accent:)
INTERVIEW

Do you have anything exciting going on this week?

Also, don't forget to stay tuned this week for more details on my blog giveaway!

Sure, I Can Do That...

I think it only fitting to share with you some of the things I took away from this past weekends writer's conference I attended. Since...well...they were awesome!

The biggest thing that's sticking with me is from a motivational talk Kevin Anderson did. If you don't know him, you should. He is AMAZING. He's written over 50 books and been on the best seller list over 50 times. Those are some crazy odds!

And the way he tells it. He started young. He never gave up. Even after he got an agent. Even after he was published. He didn't sit back and smile in his new author status and say, "I made it!".

No. He went full force. If he was asked to do something, he said, "Sure, I can do that." He made major bank, but still continued to say, "Sure, I can do that." He said it was this 'go get it' attitude that allowed for more and more opportunities to flow his way.

I love this idea! The fact that his resume is longer than most short stories and that he is still willing to learn and grow and DO. What an inspiration! Not just in writing, but in life. And one I hope to carry with me throughout my own.

What about you? If you were uber loaded down with money and sittin' pretty on the best sellers list, would you say, "Sure, I can do that."?

Stay tuned next week for a giveaway here on my blog. Let's just say, you will enjoy this one if your headed to your own conference in the near future.

Have a great weekend!

On a Conference High!

I'm still coming down from my conference high.

This past weekend I attended the LDStorymakers Conference and had a blast!

Here are some of the highlights:

-Spent six hours in a super thorough crit group. Who was the host? The fab Elana Johnson! I would like to get inside that woman's brain (maybe). Her ideas on how to shape our manuscripts were fabulous.

-Got to meet so many of my blogging buddies. Seriously, does everyone who blogs live out west? There are too many to even name...because I just tried and it was over 20!

-I got to have breakfast with most of my online crit group.

-Did my first ever in person pitch to an editor. Yes, I did get a request. No, it wasn't a full. Yes, it was still cool. Just being able to sit down (once the nerves left my body) and chat with her, was priceless. It's true people. Agents and editors are people too:)

-The learning. Unbelievable how much I was able to pack into my brain about writing. If you haven't been to a writing conference, you really need to go!

-Some quality time with my lil sister. She's sixteen and an aspiring writer and it was because of her that I was able to jump on a plane and go to this conference in the first place. Oh to have the perks once more of living at home and getting awesome Christmas presents. At least she included me in this wish of her:) Thanks Caity!

I would love to post some pictures, but for some reason I can never find my stupid sd card reader when I want to. I'm sure you've seen a lot of them just from the other blogs though, so yeah.

All in all, it was a blast.

Now, it's time to get to work!

Have you ever been to a writer's conference?

A to Z Blogger Challenge: Letter Z

ZOOLANDER

Holy smokes, the blogger challenge has come to an end! I don't know about you all, but I had a blast, even though I went a bit incognito toward the end. I love all you crazies who took this challenge on. You've really inspired me!

Now, to close, I'd like to share a quote with you from Hansel in ZOOLANDER, because...well, Z is a hard letter to think up...and some days when I tell people I'm a writer, this is kinda how I feel.

 "I wasn't like every other kid, you know, who dreams about being an astronaut, I was always more interested in what bark was made out of on a tree. Richard Gere's a real hero of mine. Sting. Sting would be another person who's a hero. The music he's created over the years, I don't really listen to it, but the fact that he's making it, I respect that. I care desperately about what I do. Do I know what product I'm selling? No. Do I know what I'm doing today? No. But I'm here, and I'm gonna give it my best shot."

Hansel, ZOOLANDER

***

As far as getting back to my regular blogging...

I am taking the rest of the week off because I'm leaving for a writer's conference Wednesday. So, for those bloggers going to StoyMakers, I'll see you there. For those who aren't, I'll see you when I see you (which will be next Tuesday on my blog if you want to join me:)

Have a great week!

 

A to Z Blogger Challenge: Letter Y

YOU

source

Through this whole A to Z blogging challenge, you've heard so much crap about me that I thought it would be a nice change of pace if we turned the tables. So what about it? Tell me anything fun, happy, interesting, boring, average...whatever you want...just tell me about YOU!

A to Z Blogger Challenge: Letter X

Dang it! I'm so mad! I had set up this post and with the new blogger thing, it never went up. Sorry about that A to Z bloggers. I guess that makes this post that much more meaningful:)

Xanthippe

 This means an ill tempered woman. Been there. Done that. Nuff said.

When do you show your Xanthippe side? (Sorry quys, I don't know what your word equivilant would be...even though I'm fine with you acting like an ill tempered woman if you want.)

source

A to Z Blogget Challenge: Letter W

Writer's Butt Check-In

So much for banishing Writer's Butt this month. Too much going on (which is hardly an excuse, but it's all I've got). Still, I have to be accountable like I said I would, so you get the ugly truth.

How about you? Are you still hard at work banishing you Writer's Butt? If you have one, that is.

A to Z Blogger Challenge: Letter V

VERY HAPPY!

That this month is almost over!

The A to Z Blogger Challenge has been fun, but WOW! I am VERY anxious to finish it. It's really put me to the test. For those of you who blog every day and return the love to your visitors...YOU'RE AMAZING! I don't see how you do it. I feel like I've run a marathon or something:)

I'm also excited about the month coming to an end because I'm headed to the StoryMakers Conference next Wednesday! I'm so VERY ready to get a fire under my butt for my next WIP as well as meet a lot of my blogger buddies in person. I can't believe how many are going! It should be a blast.

Is there anything you're VERY HAPPY about in your life?