Stranger Things Have Happened

I feel like I'm nervous all of the time now that I'm mere chapters away from finishing my first draft (and by first draft I mean first draft of the first book that I actually plan to do something with). I have trouble falling asleep because my brain won't shut up. I'm busy stitching together all the loose ends in my mind, making sure it's all going to actually WORK. And since I just registered for a conference this summer, complete with an agent meeting, I can't stop thinking about THAT.

Before I really started researching how to get published, I had NO idea how much went into it. How much love, stress, rejection. I didn't think about the YEARS that author spent on their baby getting it out to the world. The number of drafts, the querying, the sleepless nights waiting to hear back about submissions, this round of edits, that round of edits, etc. etc. ETC. For the consumer, it just shows up on the shelf at the store (or these days, online) and they either read it or don't, love it or meh.

What really got me thinking about this was going through the blog archives of Stephanie Perkins, way back to the beginning when she was painting her writing desk and working on the first draft of Anna and the French Kiss. Her posts were about normal things, things you and I blog about. Then as the years go by her posts get sprinkled with good news about this and that. DREAM AGENT LANDED, BOOK SOLD, BOOK RELEASE DATE, SEQUEL RELEASE DATE, etc, etc. She's friends with ladies like Laini Taylor, Kiersten White, Maureen Johnson and Beth Revis. She's got John Green vlogging about Anna and the French Kiss and telling everyone to buy it!

Go back to your favorite author's blog archives and speed through in minutes what they went through in years. It's extremely motivating to see proof that they were normal, unpublished writers once upon a time. We can do this. Stranger things have happened. 

Calling anyone who's been to a writing conference!

I'm taking the plunge in 2012. I'm going to my first writing conference. Just the thought of meeting with an agent face to face while they listen to me blab on about my story makes me want to curl up in a ball.

The thing is, when I go on job interviews, I get so nervous I lose control of everything that comes out of my mouth. I'm not the best at thinking on my feet when they spring random questions on me. I panic. I don't exactly lie... but I do pretty much feel like I'm making things up just so I'm saying something instead of sitting there going UUUHHHHH..........

Meeting with an agent sounds like a job interview times a gazillion. I won't even be ready for one until this summer, but I'm already nervous about it (though I hope a lot of that is because I haven't even written my query yet, thus, I have NO CLUE what my pitch will be).

Have you been to a writing conference? Did you meet with an agent? Did they put you at ease right away or did you blabber on without much control?

Friday Five (TV Show Edition)

1. I'm a newer fan of The Big Bang Theory. So far I've watched the first few seasons very slowly through Netflix (it hasn't been available instantly), and I've been keeping up with the new season. I haven't yet seen how Amy Farrah Fowler became part of the group but WOW is she funny. Last night's episode when Sheldon gave her the tiara... please someone else tell me they laughed as hard as I did.

2. Arrested Development, where have you been all my life?! I'm well into season two on Netflix instant and it's so golden. Tons of big name guest stars, lots of quirky humor, and Jason Bateman. That is all.

3. What was THAT on The Vampire Diaries last night??? Are they trying to pair Klaus and Caroline now?!?!?! I'm still loving this show. I never know where they're going with anything.

4. BONES came back on last night! I still have to look away when they show the dead bodies (MAN they look GROSS) but I love every single one of the characters on this show. I meant to record the spin off show, The Finder, but I forgot! I guess I'll have to catch up online before next week!

5. Downton Abbey is FINALLY back for a second season (you lucky UK residents have already seen it!!) and it's fabulous! Funny how they start you off disliking Mary and now we're rooting for her and Matthew (at least I am! ;). And Anna and Mr. Bates... sigh. This better work out for them or I'll be SUPER SAD!

Bonus - I'm still completely sucked into Revenge. What a wild ride this show is! Some of Emily's actions seem a little sloppy sometimes, but just when I'm sure she's going to get caught, she doesn't. And having "Amanda" around makes me nervous! I don't like Jack with her!! *bites nails*

Double bonus - Alcatraz starts on Monday!!!

How our Playlists are Built. Or What I'm Listening To and Why

Music is EVERYWHERE! Inside our cars, in stores, when we're on hold, in movies, on television... it's coming out of my computer right now! The other day, I was remembering how I came across my all-time favorite band, Switchfoot.

It's the most random of stories, but I'm thankful for it, as it's literally changed my life... and my shoes.

I was still in high school, watching a cheesy Disney movie called Model Behavior about a girl who ran into someone that looked just like her and they switched places. It had Justin Timberlake in it, so of course I watched it. Being the music nut that I am, this song came on in the movie and I fell for it. Forget Justin, forget everything but this song. I hopped online and researched the soundtrack (this was before iTunes) and found out the band's name was Switchfoot, the song: Let That Be Enough. Then I stumbled across their CD in a bookstore and I remembered that was the same band. I bought it and quickly became OBSESSED. I shared it with my parents, and they became equally obsessed. Together we've watched this band put out five MORE albums (seven altogether.. I think), loving each one even more. Their concerts are family bonding time, I tell you.

So, that's my big story about how I became an accidental Switchfoot fan. Here are some flash stories about why I'm listening to some other great artists you may love too!

Mindy Gledhill - Anchor

The song Anchor was on an episode of Bones and I fell in love with it. After previewing the album snippets on iTunes I knew I had to have the whole thing. It's such a great addition to my playlist!

Stacy Clark - Connect the Dots

I SHAZAM'd her song Touch & Go in a store at the outlet mall. The whole album is golden. Thank God for phone apps! :)

Erin McCarley - Love, Save the Empty

iTunes suggested this because I bought Stacy Clark's Connect the Dots. They were so right! I LOVE it!

The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow

I don't make a habit out of watching the country music video channel, but out at the lake, it's pretty much the only channel that works. When I was there almost a year ago, this amazing song called Barton Hollow came up, and I googled the band on my phone. Turns out, this duo is one half Joy Williams, and I was a fan of hers from WAY back. I'm an even bigger fan now. These two are amazing. Check out their Christmas songs too. WOW.

Jem - Finally Woken

When I worked in a cubicle a couple years ago, I often traded iPods with the guy that faced me (we used our OWN earbuds, don't worry!), and this album was on his. I still love it... even though it makes me picture sitting in a cubicle sometimes. hahaha. 

SINGLES:

Riverside by Agnes Obel

This song was on an episode of Revenge. It's gorgeous.

Trouble is a Friend by Lenka

From the movie Easy A. Such a fun song.

Girls Just Want To Have Fun - Glee

Did anyone else fall in love with Finn's rendition of this song? It's the way Greg Laswell sings it, as heard in the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic. I don't know what it is... but I LOVE this version.

Last but not least, the song getting the most love on my playlist right now is:

Safe & Sound by Taylor Swift featuring The Civil Wars

It's such a sweet song, and it makes me think of the relationship between Katniss and Prim.

So that's it for this edition. I hope I've introduced you to some new music!

Have you randomly run across your favorite songs too? How? And what are they?

Turning Envy into Support (When Blogging Friends Become Authors)

Well, now that we all know how we really feel about those ahead of us in the publishing game (see other post), it's time to do more. SUPPORT. I'm making it one of my goals this year to lend better support to our blogging author friends. They made it! Now let's help spread the word for them. After all, isn't that what social networking is all about??

Books I've read:

The Role of a Lifetime by Jennifer Shirk

Tangled Tides by Karen Amanda Hooper

Books I've bought:

Bestest. Ramadan. Ever. by Medeia Sharif

The Next Door Boys by Jolene B. Perry

Nightshade City by Hilary Wagner

Untraceable by S.R. Johannes

Books I plan to buy soon:

The Circle of Friends by L. Diane Wolfe

Eternal Starling by Angela Corbett

My Very UnFairy Tale Life by Anna Staniszewski

This in no way exhausts the list of amazing blogger-turned-authors, but they're the ones that have been on my mind lately. Who else can we add to the list?!

Friday Five

1. Now that I don't go into an office three days a week, life has been going a little slower, and I like it. I'm getting things done that I want/need to get done. Feels good. Looking back, I see how stressed out that little part time job made me, and it wasn't worth it. Blessing in disguise!

2. I'm just over 63,000 words on my WIP. For a contemporary YA it may be a bit high for a first draft, especially considering I'm not done yet, but the plan is to just write and write, get it ALL out, then revise revise revise. I'm sure some big chunks will end up going bye-bye *bites nails* but I'd rather whittle down than try to find more things to add later.

3. Handy got me a hammock for Christmas! We hung it up a couple days ago (but it might rain later today, so we'll have to take it down) and I've been loving it! The weather has been great (though the mosquitos came back out to play yesterday) so I've been able to read and write out there! Love being outside!

4. I got a 13" MacBook Pro!!! It's the cutest little thing, and it's FAST!! Since I named my iMac HoneyCrisp after my favorite apple (at the time), I've named the MacBook after my newer favorite apple that debuted down here in Texas for the first time this year: SweeTango! Sweetie or Tango for short, depending on my mood!

5. I'm sad the holiday season is over. I don't want to take my lights down.

Maybe I won't.... :)

It's not easy being green (with envy)

The publishing world is jam-packed with things to be jealous about.

Oh, they got an agent! How great! 
Translation: omg why don't i have an agent? oh yeah, i'm still on my first draft. i suck.


Oh, they sold their book to a publisher! I can't wait to read their book!
Translation: omg i'm so far from that. what am i doing? i suck!


Oh, that's such a pretty cover! It will look fab on my bookshelf!
Translation: omg they lucked out on that. there's no way my cover will end up that cool. i suck!

Oh, they're having a launch party! I can't wait to meet them!
Translation: omg am i ever going to have a launch party? i suck!!!


Oh, they got a movie deal! Can't wait for that to come out!
Translation: omg i suck so bad. 


Seriously, it's exhausting being excited for everyone ahead of you, isn't it? It really is exciting to hear people are making their dream come true, but when you have the same dream, that little envy worm curls itself up inside your ear and tells you lies. It tells you that you can't make your dreams come true. That you'll never get an agent, you'll never sell your book, and even if you do you'll get a crap cover and no one will want it!

This new year presents a clean slate, envy free and full of possibilities! It's up to us to put in the work to make our dreams come true. Let's not waste our energy being jealous of everyone else. Let's channel that into making it happen for ourselves. 


What are you going to make happen in 2012??