My Hectic Life & A Giveaway

Hi. It's me. I'm still alive. It’s been such a busy few months, and we have entered THE craziest month of the year. Let see. Let’s recap some of the highlights shall we.

Besides all my usual crazy life stuff  and my full time job, I was able to find the time to go to a book signing… very exciting. I got to meet Cassandra Clare, yes THE Cassandra Clare. The genius behind The Mortal Instruments (the first in the series becoming a big motion picture in 2013, but I’m sure you already know that) and The Infernal Devices.

She was in Toronto visiting the sets of the film, and dropped by the Indigo bookstore for a scheduled book signing. It was a full house.

Cassandra Clare, Toronto 2012

I have to thank my hubby for accompanying me on the 5 hour drive to Toronto, and for waiting in line for another 5 hours with me. He’s a keeper!

As a BIG, and I mean HUGE, fan of NASCAR, I couldn't resist planting my butt on the couch and teeter on the edge of my seat to watch the last big race of the season. Homestead Miami. I did it hard core with subscriptions to driver scanners and the whole bit. Unfortunately, my guy had some unfortunate car issues and didn't get the cup this year, but hey... there is always next year, right?

www.jimmiejohnson.com

 Go Jimmie Go!

But the biggest killer was that, for the past three months, I've been taking a Savvy Authors editing/mentoring workshop given by Heather Howland, Senior Editor at Entangled Publishing. I learned so much and am working hard to incorporate all of that knowledge into my manuscript.

Now, we're in December… need I say more? 

Work Christmas parties, friend’s Christmas parties, Family Christmas parties, oh and should I mention Christmas? There is also New Year parties and…. You get the picture.

So, because I’m not your typical schedule blogger, I wanted to host a little giveaway just to show how much I appreciate those who stuck around for my little rants or random posts in 2012. You are the best! So how about a giveaway for the book of your choice… how does that sound?

For a maximum value of $15, you can pick any book you want at the Book Depository. Giveaway open internationally a long as the Book Depository ships to your address.

Good luck to everyone and I look forward to reading about your busy month.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I've Been Tagged: The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

I have been tagged by my RT Con Pal Katherine Skye for this circulating blog hop. It’s an opportunity to discuss my latest project. Be sure to check out Katherine’s work in progress as well.

     What is the working title of your book? 

       Magnetic Shift

     Where did the idea come from for the book? 

       I’m a NASCAR junkie and they always tell us writers to write what we love. :)

     What genre does your book fall under? 

       Young Adult Paranormal Romance

     Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? 

       Not sure, but I did write this story while hubby was deep into playing Resident Evil 6, the video game. So the hottie in my story closely resembles Leon Kennedy from those games… lol

     What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? 

       A teenage girl adamant about keeping her magnetic ability a secret must embrace her emotions and her ability and risk exposing herself to save the boy she loves.

     Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

       I will be seeking agent representation for traditional publishing.

     How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? 

       Three weeks for the first bone dry draft… much longer to revise and edit though. Still working on it.

     What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

       Not sure…

     Who or What inspired you to write this book?

       My dreams, my need to write, my love of the sport and my hubby

     What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

       It’s a paranormal set in the world of NASCAR with a yummy stock car driver. What more could a girl want? :)


Now for step two of the blog hop, it’s my turn to nominate 5 wonderful writers. But the ones I know have already participated. I’ve nominated 1 awesome writers and I’m leaving it open for anyone else to join in.

• Amalie Howard

Smart Chick Kick it Tour

I've been so busy lately, writing, revising and editing, that I've neglected to keep you up to date, but today I got the opportunity to attend the Smart Chick Kick it Event at the Chapters in Point-Claire, Quebec and I just had to share.

This event was organized by Kelley Armstrong & Melissa Mar and 2012 is their third (and final!) Smart Chicks Kick It tour. I missed it last year when they came to Ottawa, Ontario and I was glad to have had the chance to attend this year.

The authors were amazing, up beat, very entertaining and they were kind enough to sign books and take pictures with their fans and readers.

Kelley Armstrong & Myself

Me & Rosemary Clement-Moore

Me, Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Me, Melissa de la Cruz & Melissa Marr

I had an awesome time. Makes me anxious for the RT Convention next May. I love going to these type of events.

Now I must crawl back into my cave and get to work. Creativity doesn't take breaks. I know. I've asked.

Has anyone here ever attended any similar events? Books signing, launch party etc... let me know in the comments. I'd love to read about it.

Review: Obsidian

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This one started off a little rushed and choppy, I think, but I persisted. Having read the hype about this book, I knew something was there. I'm happy I did. A quarter through this book, I could not put it down. I finished this it in one sitting, completely hooked. Let me tell you, it was a late night, but sooo worth it.

The story was compelling and such a great read. Looking forward to reading the next. Loved, loved, loved it.

A MUST read!!!

View all my reviews

Check out my new look

My new website's look that is.

It’s been many months in the works and with the help of my graphic junky friend, these were the final results. And I must say, I’m very pleased with how it all turned out.

To help me celebrate my new look launch, I’m going to host another giveaway.

This one is an advanced reader’s copy (ARC) of a debut novel by Susan Dennard titled SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY, soon to be available from HarperCollins on July 24, 2012. It's a swashbuckling tale complete with gadgets, ghouls, romance, and rogues.

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

Giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents. Contest closes June 22nd Midnight EST. Follow instructions for each entry below. Entries will be verified.

Good luck to you all and let me know what you think of the changes. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sharing the Wealth Giveaway #2

     As I mentioned in my previous post, I received a lot great advice, information, books and goodies at the RT Booklovers convention last month.

     I had such a great time, and I wanted to share with all of you, some of the things I brought back with me.  

Welcome to my Sharing the Wealth Giveaway.

     Throughout the month of May, I will be hosting a few giveaways, giving away books and swag to some lucky winners.  

Sharing the Wealth Giveaway #2

     Second on the list is another that I’ve been anticipating, and to have received an ARC of it myself was a treat. That’s why I just had to pick up a second one for you. I also had the pleasure of meeting the author who signed both ARC copies and offered me extra bookmarks and swag for the lucky winner.

     Josephine Angelini’s STARCROSSED series has had a fantastic start and I look forward to continuing the journey with Dreamless.

    

Giveaway open to US and Canadian residents-Contest closes May 23rd Midnight EST.
Follow instructions for each entry below. 

Entries are verified.

Good luck to all of you. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sharing the Wealth Giveaway #1

   At the RT Booklovers Convention last month, I received a lot of great advice, absorbed a lot of information and received a lot of books and goodies.

     I had such a great time, networking and making new friends, but don’t think for a minute that I forgot about all of you.

     I brought back a few goodies for you too.

   Welcome to my Sharing the Wealth Giveaway. 

     Throughout the month of May, I will be hosting a few giveaways, giving away books and swag to some lucky winners.

     Sharing the Wealth Giveaway #1 

     First on the list is one I’ve been anticipating for a while. And after spending some one on one time with this author, picking apart my manuscript and guiding me to solve a few of my plot holes, I’ve gained much respect and admiration for her and her work.

     Stacey Kade’s THE GHOST AND THE GOTH series is a fun read with great voice. And to celebrate today’s release of the third novel in the series, BODY & SOUL, I want to give one away. Even better, I want to give a signed copy away. One I had her sign especially for you.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents-Contest ends May 11th Midnight EST.
Follow instructions for each entry below. Entries are verified.

     Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor… (Sorry, I’ve been addicted to Hunger Games quotes lately.)

RT Convention Recap

     I’m back!

     I'd promised to post about my adventures during the week but in all honesty and to my surprise, I did not have the time. Really, it was that intense.

 

     On my first night, I headed down to the bar to meet up with a few online connections I’d made and got the pleasure of meeting Linnea Sinclair and Stacey Kade, our pre-con teachers for the beginner class. This experience alone made me realized how valuable being at the bar could be. Lots of great Networking opportunities.

     The pre-con class was a great experience. Lots was repetition of what I’d learned through online research and such but the ability to ask questions and get better understanding face to face really helped me a lot. I also got the opportunity to sit with Stacey Kade for a one on one session to talk about my own story and what I could do to improve it. All in all, I really recommend this class.

     Another great thing about taking the pre-con class is that you are at the hotel 2 days prior to the official start of the convention. This means the hotel is quiet. You can scout the place, locate all the rooms where the workshops and socials will be, giving you an advantage when navigating the crowds when the other conventioneers arrive.

     The convention portion was intense. So many authors to meet, connections to make, business cards to hand out, workshops to go to, socials to attend and networking and schmoozing at the bar. Needless to say, I hardly got any sleep all week, but with all I’ve learned and the friends I’ve made it was all so worth it.

Saturday Book Fair and Signing

     One of the highlights for me, my major Fan Girl moment, was finding my biggest inspirations and Twitter friends randomly chit chatting in the lower lobby. I was so excited to finally meet them in person.

Amalie Howard, Me and Kristi Cook

     A unexpected perk to this event was the amount of free books and swag I got just for attending and participating. It’s insane. I’m actually going out to buy a new bookshelf this weekend.

Look at all this stuff!! Lookout for Giveaways :)

     On my last day in Chicago, hubby brought me to the C2E2 Comic Book Expo where I got to meet the swoon worthy Chad Michael Murray, one of the stars of the hit TV show One Tree Hill and movie A Cinderella Story, signing copies of his debut graphic novel.

Chad and me... *swoon*

     Now that I’m home, exhausted, overwhelmed, yet grateful of my experience, I have marked my calendar to attend again next year in Kansas City.

     What can I say…I’m a sucker for sleep deprivation.

My RT Journey Begins

   
     By tomorrow, I will be on my way to my first writer’s convention.

     We (my hubby and I) plan to drive down to Toronto where we will stop to visit with friends and then proceed to London Ontario where we will be staying the night. The plan is to cross the US border in Sarnia the following morning, which should leave us with only seven or so hours before we reach our destination on Sunday.

     I am attending the Pre-con Beginner class on Monday and Tuesday before the Convention starts on Wednesday and look forward to learning all I can from the authors and editors scheduled to speak to us. I am also anxious to attend the various workshops given throughout the week.

     But what I’m most excited about, is meeting, in person, the authors and friends I’ve made through social medias that have influenced me along the way and have encouraged me to continue pursuing my dream.

     I will try to continue to update you all during my hectic week of learning and networking and hope you will follow along on my journey. If you are planning on being there, let me know. I'd love to meet you.

I’m so Excited, so Here’s a Giveaway

     
        In less than a month’s time, the Hubby and I will be making the 14-hour drive to Chicago, so that I can attend the RT Booklovers Convention. (He will be attending the C2E2 Comic Book Convention going on the same weekend.)

        This is my first convention, and I am extremely excited to go. My goal is to learn all I can and have a great time doing it. I will get to meet and be instructed by many different and amazing authors and editors, and I’m looking forward to coming home ready to apply what I’ve learned to my current WIP.

        I will be sure to blog my experience during this fun-filled week.

        All this talk about meeting authors brought me back to my trip to San Francisco last October when I met 4 fabulous authors. I completely forgot that I had bought a giveaway treat for you, my followers and have yet to host the giveaway that I’d promised. So There goes.

        I have here, a copy of Becca Fitzpatrick’s SILENCE to giveaway to one lucky winner. What’s so special about this particular novel you ask? Well…not only is it her third book in the HUSH HUSH series and an AMAZING read, but as you can see from the above picture, I got this one signed just for you.

      Open to all who wish to win this great hardcover book. (International)   

        Contest closes on March 30 2012 at Midnight

My Writing Journey ... So far

     I've been on a roll these past few days with my witting and loving every minute of it.

     That’s a lie.

     Yes, being on a word count roll is something to be proud of, but it’s not been easy, and it doesn’t mean I haven’t veered off course or been stuck a few times, having to figure out where I might have gone in the wrong direction. I’ve been agonizing over my ending and shed a few tears about not knowing what to do with my characters next. I’ve had plenty of moments where I just sat at my laptop wanting to write, but nothing poured out.

     I recently shelved my second manuscript without finishing it. I loved my characters, but somewhere down the line, I lost my plot line and the story fell apart. I mourned the death of my story and made the grave decision to put it away and start something new.

     This new WIP has me excited again and wanting to write.

     I guess the message and the lesson learned, is that writing the story isn’t always as simple as we want it to be. I mean, I always thought editing, revising, writing query letters and synopses were the hard part and that writing the first draft was the easy part, but I’m learning that this isn’t always the case. Not for me anyway.

     I’d always pictured writers sitting at their desks, hashing away at the keys, producing page after page of story off the top of their heads and enjoying every minute of it. Now I know that’s not true for at least 75% of writers including me. I can actually say I’d rather revise and edit than sit down and write the story from scratch, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy it even though it’s hard. Writing the story is just as hard or just as much work as the rest of the process.

     With all that said, I now realize what an accomplishment it is to complete a Novel, and how proud I should be that after all that hard work, I'm eager to do it again and again whether I get published or not.

Happy New Year

       Another year has come and gone. 2011 was a good year. It’s the year I decided to take my writing to the next level, the year I took my three week road trip to California and the year I met up with long lost friends and spent the last night of 2011 with. I met many great authors online and in person that have inspired me, like Kristi Cook, Amalie Howard and Becca Fitzpatrick to name a few.

      This year I feel different, I know what my goal is and I’m looking forward to achieving it. This year is my writing year. I know what I want to write, I know my audience, I just need to continue to learn and hone my skill and do the best I can in hopes that it will pay off.

      I have so many things to look forward to in 2012 like the many great novels coming out this year that I desperately have to get my hands on, my big trip to Chicago in April to attend my first RT Convention and the Nationwide Nascar and Rolex Series Grand-am race in Montreal in August. I’m also heading up north to visit my sister in October.

      This is going to be a great year, and I wish you all the same.

      I’d love to hear how your 2011 ended and what you look forward to in the new year.