Save The Date

Do you like going to writing conferences? Do you like to keep some cash in your wallet? Do you like to learn hands on and practice as you are being taught? Great! Me too.

Music, Thoughts, and Color

I know it's not Friday but I couldn't wait and it seems that I've been absent long enough that perhaps the rules are more like guidelines? Yes? I think so too.

These are favorites for me lately. Yeah, I'm one of those people who can listen to the same song on repeat over and over, all day. Are you?

Here's three of my long list of current favorites.

So while I'm working on revising Damnation and finishing Finished--needs a better name. I've been reading a lot. I think I've already logged about 20 books for this month.. But a couple of my favorites are these:

 And this idea has me thinking of a way to implement something similar in my own house.

I saw this on pinterest and its from getyourgreenon.wordpress.com I love the idea, though perhaps in another color with another word. . . I'll keep you updated.

Winner

Gayle you won!

Send me your address and I'll ship it out. :)
Deanna-henderson@hotmail.com

Such a long time!

Sorry to y'all out there in blogger world, I've been MIA for a while---two months now. So here's a recap/my excuse for blog silence.

A) The CRAZIEST move I've ever had, and I've moved quite a bunch. In short, we were bunking in with relatives for two and a half weeks over thanksgiving and while I was out of town(more on that part later).

B) Thanksgiving/Christmas and a Wedding. My only other sibling got married on New Years Eve to a great guy she's dated for 7 years. It was happy, crazy, wonderful---more later too.

C) My Grand Dad on my fathers side passed. He had suffered with Cerebellar Ataxia, and more recently was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

But now, I recommit to a semi-regular blog presence. To review, I blog on books, writing, authors I admire, music I like, occasionally home decor, cooking, family stuff, and gardening/outdoors and travel. Pretty much, if it interests me I'll throw in on.

Since I've been absent I thought I'd start with a book giveaway. 

TO WIN:
You must be a follower of this blog
Leave me a comment
Check back to see if you won

The book is a signed copy of Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld.

You have until Sunday, January 13th to enter
Winner will be announced on Monday the 14th

Cindy M. Hogan

My good friend Cindy M. Hogan allowed me to interview her here as her new book, Created, comes out. Cindy is a Director with me at iWriteNetwork and one busy momma, writer, marketer extraordinaire!

1- Why did you first start writing? 

It was all because of a crazy dream, not knowing anyone in the movie business and getting a bit schizophrenic. Basically, I had this ultra-real dream and thought it would make a great movie. I discovered, I didn't know who to tell, so I started writing down what I dreamed. That's when the characters in my story took over my brain. 

2- What do you do to continually hone your craft? 

I read all kinds of craft books about character arcs, descriptions, scene structure, etc. I also go to workshops and conferences. Most of all, my critique groups teach me so much.Oh, and writing, and analyzing that writing.

3- How do you market yourself and your books?

I have a blog, a FB page, and use Twitter. I am also a member of a lot of online groups that I participate in on a daily basis. Occasionally, I do blog tours, contests, and guest posts. Most of all, I think interacting with people you adore or admire is the best marketing tool, ever.

4- What is your favorite part about being a writer?

There is nothing better than the satisfaction of writing a scene that deeply moves you in one way or another, where you find yourself holding your breath, crying or shouting with joy. It's also fun to get fan mail everyday. :)

5- How do you fit writing, marketing and everyday life all together?

Scheduling-which I'm horrible at. You have to know when to say no for sure. It's all about balance. I make a list everyday-because I love the satisfaction of checking something off, and try to decide the most important things. I do them first. Some days I just don't get to everything even when everything on my list is important. While I try to keep up with everything, sometimes things fall through the cracks. When that happens, I know I'm out of balance and need to rearrange a few things. It's so important to have a heart to heart with yourself every week. Ask yourself if what you are doing brings you joy. If not, make the necessary changes.

BTW- I never spend more than one hour on social media except when I'm doing some sort of promotion. Social media can take you away from what is most important-writing.

 

Suggest three books for us (other than your own.)  :)

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Clockwise by Elle Strauss

 

Cozy up!

My parents are buying a new house and they are doing some remodeling before the big move. I helped with a little design perspective, here's the fireplace I designed. It's not done yet, still needs paint and the carpet needs some fixing too but the overall look is there.

There's more to come, stay tuned! :)

The doTERRA Story

Here's a short video about DoTERRA. It talks about how they source the plants to make the oils as well as a couple uses.