• This Writer’s Journey . . .


    Writing is a journey, one I truly love and enjoy, but it can sometimes feel rather lonely. Hour after hour, alone, at the computer, pouring your heart and soul into each word. But I’ve learned I’m not alone, in fact, I’ve been blessed to be in contact with some amazing people, both writers and non-writers.

    I want to share a bit of that with you. Each week I’ll be spotlighting someone I’ve come in contact with during my journey. Thanks for stepping along side of me-all of you-during this exciting time!

    KM Wilsher.

    I wasn’t really sure how to start this segment ofThis Writer’s Journey because I couldn’t figure out what to mention about how she inspires me since she inspires me in so many ways. But here’s my feeble attempt. . .

    We met at a local critique group about seven or eight months into my writing journey if I remember correctly. She sat near me and another one of my friends in the group.

    And we clicked.

    There really isn’t another way to describe it.

    She writes fantasy (check out her blog: HERE), and I don’t really read a ton of fantasy, but we decided to start swapping chapters.

    She’s got such an elegant style of writing. Her characters are endearing. The worlds she creates are intriguing and beautiful. There’s a bit of her heart and soul in every single word she writes.

    KM has a strength about her, too. She hasn’t had the easiest life. All that she endured during her years of addictionand breaking free from it shaped her into a fabulous, loving, and self-less woman. Her smile brightens my day and inspires me to continue on even when the path to publication seems too tough to navigate.

    Thank you, KM.

    Previous weeks on This Writer’s Journey: Nicole Baart,Coleen Coble,Diana Sharples,Michelle Sutton,Christian Miles,Kendall Grey,Michele Trent,Cari Hawks Foulk.

  • Too funny . . .


    I saw this on the web a few weeks ago. I had to post it here. Have you seen this? It’s hysterical.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9fc-crEFDw&feature=player_embedded#]

    ~~~

    I get asked all kinds of questions about writing when people find out I’m a writer.

    “Oh, are you published yet?”

    “I’ve always wanted to write. You know I’ve written . . . .”

    “How do you get started as a writer?”

    “You?” **eyes nearly burst from their sockets** “A writer?”

    “What’s paranormal romance?”

    “You’re not published yet?”

    Most people don’t know much about the process. For some writers publication happens very quickly, but for most, it takes a long time. Lots of ups and downs. Laughter and tears. Doubt and confidence.

    But isn’t it like that for anyone trying to make their dream a reality? I mostly think of Olympic or professional athletes. Look at the blood, sweat, and tears they shed.

    So I say:

    Keep at it! No matter what your dream!

  • Top Five. . .


    Well, did you all survive Christmas? I know I sure did. The fact that I got to spend it with family, especially my mother in law, Lynn, who was diagnosed with cancer over Thanksgiving, made this the best Christmas ever.

    I got to thinking–yeah, I know that’s dangerous–but really, I thought back over 2010 and a few things came to mind. So, I thought it might be fun to go through the top five things that made 2010 interesting.

    I said interesting because I can’t say the best, since some pretty not-so-fun things happened this past year. But there were also some that stood out . . .

    So, here is Number FIVE:

    I ran the AFLAC Iron Girl with my BFF!

    Yep, just happened in November, too. You might remember me posting about it.

    I look back at that and smile because it wasn’t just that ONE day me and Michele ran together…it was the week in and week out training we did together.

    We’d meet up at 5:15AM–yes, AM!–and run twice a week, but it wasn’t so much the actual running I remember, but more the camaraderie.

    It was a time to laugh, time to process troubles, and a time to just be.

    She’s a true friend so that’s why that event made the top five things of 2010!

    ~~~

    So, what’s your number five?

    ~~~

  • This Writer’s Journey . . .


     

    Writing is a journey, one I truly love and enjoy, but it can sometimes feel rather lonely. Hour after hour, alone, at the computer, pouring your heart and soul into each word. But I’ve learned I’m not alone, in fact, I’ve been blessed to be in contact with some amazing people, both writers and non-writers.

    I want to share a bit of that with you. Each week I’ll be spotlighting someone I’ve come in contact with during my journey. Thanks for stepping along side of me-all of you-during this exciting time!

    ~~~

    Cari Foulk is my agent.

    Okay, so, I signed with her nearly a year ago, but that’s still WAY cool to say. It’s surreal. I mean, less than three years ago, I never even dreamed I’d be a writer, let alone one represented by an agent.

    Like I’ve said a zillion times, this path to publication is an adventure, and I’m really thankful to have Cari walking beside me.

    To have someone who is invested in my writing enough to take on the challenge of getting it published is so comforting. Even more, the fact that she’s in it for the long haul, with all my novels, puts me at ease as well.

    I’ve met some awesome writers who are represented by Tribe Literary Agency, and we lovingly call one another Tribesters. We hang out on Facebook and Twitter a lot, bantering, talking writing, and encouraging one another.

    Cari has fostered a Tribe, that’s for sure.

    I love her wicked-sharp sense of humor, wit and dedication. Thanks, Cari, for all you do!

  • Christmas Check up . . .


    How is the holiday season going so far for you?

    We’ve got quite a change for this year’s celebration. Good things and not so good. 2010 has proved to be a most eventful year.

    The first few months of 2010 turned out to be very crazy. I got a new job after four months of unemployment, got a book contract, got an agent, and thenlost a book contract because the publisher closed its doors.

    **whew** Right?

    Oh, it gets even more exciting . . . I found myself unemployed again here this past September, but then a couple months later, I landed the best job ever! Assistant to a bookstore manager.

    What better job for a writer, right?

    Right after starting that spectacular new job, we got some devastating news. . . my sweet mother-in-law, Lynn, got diagnosed with cancer. At first it looked pretty grim–but as testing went on, we’ve been told she may be a candidate for surgery after all.

    So, if you pray, pray. . . she’s only 62 and I’m so not ready to lose the one who inspired my pen name.

    Yep, she’s why I picked Lynn. . . but that’s a post for another day.

    Christmas 2010, if everything goes right, will be hopping here. Everyone is converging here in the desert to escape the frigid midwest weather. But most of all, I’m just thankful we can all be together, especially with my mother-in-law’s health concern hovering over our heads.

    Looking back over the year, it sure made me focus on the true meaning of Christmas. For me it’s Jesus’ birthday, and second to that, celebrating the love of family and friends. I’m so blessed!

    ~~~

    How are the holidays going for you? What are your plans?

    ~~~

  • This Writer’s Journey . . .


    Writing is a journey, one I truly love and enjoy, but it can sometimes feel rather lonely. Hour after hour, alone, at the computer, pouring your heart and soul into each word. But I’ve learned I’m not alone. In fact, I’ve been blessed to be in contact with some amazing people, both writers and non-writers.

    I want to share a bit of that with you. Each week I’ll be spotlighting someone I’ve come in contact with during my journey. Thanks for stepping along side of me-all of you-during this exciting time!

    ~~~

    Michele Trent, she’s a friend of the non-writing persuasion. My best friend to be exact.

    When you see me mention going running with my friend on Facebook or Twitter updates, that’s her. In fact, this past November, we ran the Aflac Iron Girl race. Yep, that’s us wearing our finisher medals!

    I figured it was only appropriate to spotlight her here since it’s her fault I’m on this writing journey to begin with.

    Yep. You read right. It’s all her fault.

    She was the instigator who said, “Well, just take the next step,” when I asked her what I should do with the first novel I’d ever written.

    Bless her heart, she read that novel, too. *ducks head in shame *

    She’s my biggest cheerleader and bestest friend. Thanks, Michele. You’re such a blessing to me.