THE WORST IS OVER

Hi everyone! I am happy to be blogging again. It feels as if I haven't done so in ages. But moving on...

My brother has finally finished reading and editing my book. He showed me where I was going wrong on the technical aspect and man, were there tons of problem areas. Though, he did mention that I had made him uncomfortable with some of the love scenes. Goal! He also said that he sees me, his baby sister, in a new light and he is a bit shocked. Sorry, can't be helped. People need to end up together some time.

I have yet to start making some of the changes he has suggested. Most are changes that many of you have suggested as well. So, I must say he did a rather good job. I am actually very impressed.

I have a ton of work to do on the manuscript, but oh well. It is necessary.

I still have a knot in the pit of my stomach because of the A-Z challenge. I have a few ideas but nothing concrete yet. I just don't want to disappoint all my new followers. But April is almost here. So good-luck and see you guys there!

CREATIVE BLOGGER AWARD!

I have been awarded this beautiful award by the talented and awesome Deirdra Coppel of http://astorybookworld.blogspot.com/ and http://www.knightess.com/.

Thank you Deirdra for this wonderful award. I truly appreciate it.

SILLY HUMAN

I just thought I had to share these pictures of my cat, Katie, interrupting me during one of my many editing sessions. She felt very sorry for me and felt that I needed a break. Katie also likes to actively help with my writing endeavors by jumping onto the computer desk and running across the keyboard. What can I say? I have one artistic cat. But unfortunately, she also loves the delete button. Luckily for me, Microsoft Word has an undo feature.

PROBLEM SOLVED

As many of you know I have not been blogging as regularly as I used to and as a previous post suggested, I have been a bit out of it lately. I have been trying to run at full steam 24/7 and it is impossible.

I accepted that I can only do so much and that there is no use worrying about things that I cannot do or get to. Once I allowed myself to calm down a bit I managed to come up with a few ideas for posts in the upcoming A-Z challenge. And yes, I was seriously freaking out but it is now a thing of the past.

I have not been writing either, but I did partake in a few awesome blogfests and I met a lot of very cool people. But I found that social networking, like most things that are fun, is very addictive. I was so worried about not stopping by every one's blog to leave a comment that in the end I drove myself absolutely crazy and the next day I had a total melt down at work, because everyone there was just adding to my already heavy load.

So, I came up with the easiest solution that is so simple it is ridiculous. I will only visit a few blogs a day. That way I can visit everyone at least once a week and that will be my strategy for the whole A-Z challenge as well. I know it is not the point of a blog hop or a blogfest but that is my only solution. I can honestly not stop by 30 blogs a day, everyday and manage to write. I am sorry if this plan offends anyone but that is what I have to do to stay sane.

Speaking of blogfests...I will also not be participating in any new blogfest for a while, aside for the A-Z challenge. I like taking part in blogfests but then I still get overwhelmed trying to read every one's entries in a limited amount of time. I have found myself only visiting 8 bloggers but getting 16 comments and in the end I feel like a jerk because I can't return the favor.

See! I over think everything. But that is my strategy. Good-luck with all the writing endeavors. Hope that inspiration is abundant for all.

THE BROKEN HEART BLOGFEST ENTRY

http://itsinthebookde.blogspot.com/2011/01/announcing-broken-heart-blogfest.html


Ok, this is my entry from my current work in progress. It is undergoing editing at the moment so I apologize if it is not up to standard yet.


‘’You don’t have to leave’’ Alex said, trying to sound comforting but failing at it.
‘’There is a whole werewolf army out there that would like nothing more than to rip me to pieces. Of course I have to go. I have to figure a few things out’’ I said, sounding as if I was in a hurry.
I didn’t want to look at Alex. He would have some awkward look in his eyes.
I turned, not wanting to look at him and stared at the broken window. He caught me staring and gave a deep sigh. I of course pretended that I hadn’t noticed the window and turned back to my kitchen to rummage for something to take with me.
‘’I never did apologize for what I did. I am sorry. I was just—’’
‘’I don’t need your apology Alex’’ I snapped.
‘’Do you know where you are heading?’’ he said truly concerned.
I paused for a second, looking at him head on.
‘’No. I am just going to drive. Do you mind if I keep your truck for a little while longer?’’
He gave a little laugh ‘’consider it yours’’.
I turned back to the cupboards.
‘’What are you looking for?’’ he said walking into the kitchen and coming to stand next to me.
‘’Nothing’’ I said moving away from him.
‘’Is that what it is going to be like? You…running away every time I am in sniffing distance?’’
‘’It is my natural instinct to avoid you’’ I lied.
‘’You do it because weirdly enough you’re still afraid of me’’.
‘’Can you blame me?’’.
He walked out of the kitchen.
‘’You’re going to have to stop at a blood bank. And you might as well buy everything else you need when you get to your destination. You need some company?’’ he said.
I looked at him startled.
‘’I have to do this alone. It might take a while for me to fix everything and I think it would be better if you stayed here with your family’’ I tried to sound appreciative of the offer but I sounded harsh.
I grabbed my duffle bag and walked past him to the front door. I was halfway out of the door when I heard him talking.
‘’Don’t forget these’’ he said handing me my biker boots.
I took the boots from him, trying my best not to touch his skin.
‘’Thanks’’ I said walking past him to the kitchen counter and picking up my old apartment keys. ‘’The apartment and everything in it belongs to you. So you can sell it or do what ever you like’’ I said waiting for him to take the keys from me.
‘’I bought it for you’’.
‘’I won’t be using it anymore. I think I had enough of city life’’ I said dangling the keys for him to take.
He reached up and took the keys from my fingers.
‘’Thank you for everything. You are awesome’’ I said hesitating beside him.
He looked at me, wanting to reach out for me but hesitating. I in turn was staring at him too, not sure how exactly I was supposed to say goodbye to my soul mate.
It was a really awkward moment and it didn’t help that both of us were naturally stubborn people. Neither of us was going to show weakness in front of the other by giving in and giving an emotional response.
‘’See you when I see you’’ I said, smiling as I walked out the door.
As I walked out of the apartment I could hear him sigh and it didn’t sound like a sigh of relief. He sounded upset—in pain even.
I walked to the truck and put all the stuff on the back seat. I hesitated for a second, looking up at the broken window one last time and then I saw Alex staring down at me.
I gave him a big smile. But he didn’t respond.
I looked at him for one more second and then I was in the truck, driving away. Away from my past and heading into my future, finally getting to make the fresh start I always wanted.

THE BROKEN HEART BLOGFEST

http://itsinthebookde.blogspot.com/2011/01/announcing-broken-heart-blogfest.html

The basic idea is to write about a heart breaking or one that is already broken. Show us the wretched emotions, the anger, depression, fear, whatever happens after the happy honeymoon lovey-dove V-day stuff is over and all that is left is a broken heart.

Sounds like a cool blogfest.

OUT OF IT

I woke up this morning in a state of panic. I realized that the A-Z challenge is just 3 weeks away and I have not even written one post in preparation for it. I am usually very organized and I always have something to blog about but lately I have come up blank. Though, there is still some time left for me to get ready.

I don't know how so many of you manage to be part of a large online community, find time to visit every one's blog and find time to write. I take my hat of to you guys. You are truly awesome.

My amount of followers has only recently increased so I am a newbie at blogging time management. So I am sorry if I don't get to every one's blog regularly. I am working out a schedule so I should find a solution soon.

I have recently bought myself a large white board on which to work out my plots and strategies for revision. Right now I am working on trying to show more than tell, but it is not easy.

I don't know if it is just me but this post even reads a bit heavy. I don't know what is going on with me. Writing suddenly seems so difficult.