Are You Writing Now? Begins!

Wow, it kind of felt like this day would never come. Gwen and I have been plotting and planning, we announced the group and had sign ups, and all that was left to do was wait for the big day. Which is here. Yay! And about two days ago I realized I hadn't quite figured out what my monthly goals were.

I've never really set goals for myself before. I always shy away from them. Deadlines sends my muse into hiding. NaNoWriMo? No way! It's not like I can't crank out the words when inspired. It's just any type of deadlines don't inspire me.

Anyways, so what are my goals for the month of March?

First goal needs to be finish Being Vampire. Haven't really worked on it for a couple of weeks. Of course, I haven't really worked on much of any of my writing. Been a wee bit tired from my surgery. Hard to  concentrate on writing when all I want to do is sleep. I think I caught a cold this weekend too. So, I'd really like to get Being Vampire finished. I have the ending summarized and I know what needs to happen. I just need to write it.

My other goal for the month is to finish third Influence short Lor inspired. That should be easy enough. The shorts are only a few thousand words.

There are my goals for the month; now let's hear yours.

Life and Writing

This past weekend I did not write at all. I had writing that needed to be done, the ending to Being Vampire is drawing near, but writing just wasn't an option. Something a bit more important was on my mind. This past Monday I had to go to the hospital for a Laparoscopy.

I have never had any kind of surgery before. My visits to hospitals have been minor. The biggest thing I had ever had done at a hospital was some stitches and that was a loooong time ago. So, I was quite apprehensive about this procedure. Especially about being put under. I don't handle being numbed too well, so the idea of being knocked out terrified me. I couldn't imagine the moment I'd pass out, and it ground my writing to a halt. How could I focus on what my characters were saying when scenarios of me in the hospital were playing through my head like a bad horror movie? Oh, the joy of an over active imagination.

I spent the weekend knitting and not thinking about writing. No thinking and no worrying. It was actually quite relaxing. Sometimes, us writers put so much pressure on ourselves to get that word count up. We feel guilty when we skip a day of writing or if our word count for the day is only in the hundreds. Even when we have a good reason, we fret over not getting any writing in. As writers, we are quite the obsessive bunch!

But not letting myself worry or fret has left me feeling refreshed. I am ready to jump back into writing, to finish my sequel or start another Influence short. The night after my surgery, I had inspiration and that's something I haven't had in a while. As important as it is to write every day, it's also just as important to take a break. To spend a weekend NOT thinking about writing. NOT worrying about writing. Even if the time is spent reading a book (which we all know helps our writing), or you talk with your friends about their writing, let yourself take a break. Your muse will thank you and your writing will feel fresh.

Also, next week is the first post for the Are You Writing Now accountability group. You can still sign up and get encouragement to reach your writing goals.

Being Human Blog Tour

I've decided to have another book tour for Being Human - a proper one - hosted by Ever After PR. Also, being the dork I am, I wanted to because of leap year and have one of the days land on Feb 29th. Although, there is slightly bad timing on my part. The start of the tour, I will be laid up because of minor out-patient surgery, which annoyingly, has been scheduled to have me at the hospital at 6am. I might be a zombie that day and would really appreciate it if my friends and followers helped me out that day and tweeted the link for me. Anyways, here's the schedule and what you can expect.

Feb 20 - Kathleen K. - guest post - http://www.celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/2012/02/being-human-by-patricia-lynne-guest.html
Feb 21 - Crystal D. - review - http://crystaltrentdotson.blogspot.com
Feb 22 - Karen G. - guest post - http://www.karenshealthylifestyle.blogspot.com/2012/02/guest-post-author-of-being-human.html
Feb 23 - Asha - review, giveaway - http://ashabutterflys.blogspot.com/2012/02/being-human-book-tour-review-gveaway.html
Feb 24 - Mandie S. - book highlight, giveaway - http://ereadingonthecheap.com/being-human-book-tour-and-bookgiveaway/
Feb 25 - MaryAnn - review, giveaway -  http://www.chapter-by-chapter.com/2012/02/blog-tour-being-human-by-patricia-lynne.html
Feb 26 - Vidya - excerpt, guest post, giveaway - http://www.vidya-booksaremagic.blogspot.com/2012/02/guest-post-and-giveaway-being-human-by.html
Feb 27 - Karen D. - review, giveaway - http://broad-mindedbooks.blogspot.com/p/give-aways.html
Feb 28 - Carole S. - review - http://www.caroleraesramblings.com/2012/02/book-review-being-human.html
Feb 29 - Melissa H. - review, giveaway - http://readingitall.blogspot.com/2012/02/being-human-by-patricia-lynne-review.html
              Trista Z. – review, giveaway - http://blondiezbabbles.blogspot.com/2012/02/being-human-ya-review-giveaway.html

Who Do You Love? Valentine's Book Boyfriend Event

Let's face it, we love the boys who reside in the pages of books. And what's not to love? They are daring, funny, charming, strong, courageous and more. It tough not to be swept off your feet. Kathy at I write, I read, I Review is hosting the Who Do You Love? Contest and Give Away. The rules are simple. Tell us which book boy you love and why, and then link back to Kathy's post. You have until the 17th to join the fun.


At first, I was a little stumped. There are tons of book boys who share my heart with my hubby. Then I realized the answer was insanely obvious. Mikhail from Dawn of Darkness! The book is by my writing partner, Daniel A. Kaine and I got to beta read a draft.

I Heart YA Giveaway Hop

Okay, I kinda lied. I said I was going to do this later in the week, but everyone else in the hop is getting their post up today. Soooo, I'm going to go against my routine (which is already driving me nuts thanks to Lor's story w/ my characters that we both posted on our blogs today. lol) and post the hop today so people doing it today don't miss out on my give away.

I love YA, like love, love, love it! If asked to choose a genre it's the first one to pop out. I'd easily pick a YA over a romance any day. While YA does deal with tough issues, I like YA because it's relaxing and I often get swept away in the world the author creates in the pages. Anyone can read it too. Adults or young adults. It's very versatile. Which is probably why I like to write it too.


 
This hop is hosted by For Those About to Read, Fictional Distraction, and Michelle Madow.

Thanks so much for an awesome blog hop and don't forget to check out the list of participants and enter to win in their giveaways. For my giveaway, I'll be offering up my writing partner's debut novel, Near Death. Giveaway ends February 20th.

A Special Confetti Valentine by Lor

Today I have a special post by my good friend, Lor. She has an affection for confetti and came up with a fun little story involving Drew and Tommy and asked to borrow them. Being curious, I couldn't say no. Although Drew might have wished I had said no. Anyways, enough chit chat, Happy Valentine's Day and enjoy the story.

~~~~

The icy night air stood soundless. A light covering of snow blankets the ground in a white shimmering veneer. Stray small boxes litter the ground. Above me a heart shaped balloon lays in the clutch of a naked tree. A discarded pink, red, and white card with what looks like some sort of cartoon character flutters in the trivial chilling breeze.

Walking down the path I steer myself towards the residence of my friend Patty. Patty is a human an exceptionally delicious smelling human. If not for my superior age I do not think I would be able to control my desire in her company. Although afterwards I know I would feel immense repentance. Patty has always been excellent to me in spite of the world we now inhabit. A world where vampires such as I are known, openly detested, hunted, and persecuted.

When I first met Patty she merely looked at me through her window. She did not scream nor did she call Vampire Forces. She simply acknowledged me for what I am. A vampire. We conversed for several weeks through her open skylight before she finally invited me in.

Book Review: Insivible

Lola’s not pretty. Lola’s not popular. Lola wishes she could disappear … and then one day she does just that...

For seventeen-year-old Lola Savullo, life is a struggle. Born to funky parents who are more in than she could ever be, Lola’s dream of becoming a writer makes her an outsider even in her own home. Bullied and despised, Lola still has the support of her best pal Charlie and Grandma Rose.

Not only is she freakishly tall, Lola’s a big girl and when forced to wear a bathing suit at her summer job as a camp counselor, Lola’s only escape from deep embarrassment seems to be to literally vanish. Soon after, she discovers the roots of her new “ability”.

Slowly, with Charlie’s help, Lola learns to control the new super power. The possibilities are endless. Yet power can be abused, too…

Then, when tragedy strikes, Lola must summon her inner strength, both at home and at school. She has to stand up for herself, despite the temptations and possibilities of her newfound super power.

A coming-of-age story that will warm the heart.

I found Invisible to be a fun and enjoyable read. The teenage characters were realistic, often reminding me of my high school days. The author captured the intense emotions that defines a teenager's years. Of course, the only difference is most teenagers can't vanish.

From the interactions with her grandma, to feeling like she had nothing in common with her parents, to enduring bullies, Lola's emotions were raw and deep and spot on for a girl like her. I loved the way she grew and opened up as the story progressed. Between realizing she is beautiful, that she had a lot more in common with her parents, I was cheering Lola on the whole way. As she was plotting with Charlie and Jon I was silently pleading for her not to sink to the bully's level.

My only qualm was the author's use of present tense. It kept throwing me off when I'd turn on my Kindle. But once I got reading, the tense didn't bother me. This was more personal than anything because most of what I read is in past tense and I also write in past tense. Other than that, the writing was beautiful and flowed smoothly. I thought the beginning was a little slow, but it picked up speed and I was eager to turn the pages. This is a great read for both parents and their teenagers. If I was handing out stars, I'd easily give this author four gold ones.

Also, check out the other stops on the Invisible tour hosted by Ever After PR.  http://everafterpr.com

Near Death Character Interview

Ooooooh! I have a treat for you today. A very, very special guest. My writing partner, MB gave me a choice of characters from her book, Near Death, to grill. Seeing how the main characters always get the spotlight, I thought I'd shake things up a bit and ask a few question of a character who, while a smaller role, is very important to the story. So let's give a warm welcome to Maxim and cross your fingers that he doesn't strangle me out of annoyance.

1)Let’s start with the basics. Tell us a bit about yourself, about your past. Don’t be cryptic either like you were to Gabe, Chris and the others.

Maxim: My past is of no concern to you. All you need know is that like Christoph, I am atoning for my…misdeeds. 

Working to achieve your dream

Guest Post by Marie Landry

Having the world's best idea will do you no good unless you act on it. People who want milk shouldn't sit on a stool in the middle of a field in hopes that a cow will back up to them.” - Curtis Grant

I know several people who have been saying for years that they want to do certain things—get their dream job, make more money, buy a house, get a diploma/certificate/degree, etc—but those things take a lot of hard work that some people aren’t willing to put in.

Dreams don’t come cheap; you have to work for them. I get so frustrated when I hear people say they want something that could be attained with a little hard work, but it’s like they expect things to fall out of the sky and into their laps. That rarely happens, and even if it did, wouldn’t it feel better to haveworked for something? The sense of accomplishment is so rewarding when you know you’ve done something big. With hard work—and sometimes great risk—comes great rewards.

Think of the people you admire and respect the most. In the majority of cases, it’s probably someone who is successful and who has gone after their dreams. It’s not always easy, and there are usually setbacks along the way, but if you decide what you want to do in life, set goals, and work to achieve them, anything is possible.

Spread Love not Hate Blog Hop

I forget how I stumbled upon this blog hop. Probably Twitter, I find a lot of info there. Anyways, it started with a sad story. An author, who had just published her first book, had someone mock her accomplishment and start bullying her. I know, horrible. It was a reminder that bullying can and will continue outside of high school. It was also the start of the Spread <3, not Hate blog hop.


Bullying was never a big problem in my life, something I consider myself lucky. It did happen to me, as I imagine it does to everyone. Most were minor instances and the sting didn't last long. I remember a girl on the bus ride throwing something at me. People who I thought had been my friends taking an xboyfriend's side and mocking me with him. And the biggest instance was a rumor spread about me in seventh grade camp that I kissed another girl. I felt like everyone but my two best friends were against me. I know that wasn't the case now, but at the time, that's how I felt. I saw others bullied. Sadly, like most teens, I ducked my head and continued on my way. I knew bullying was wrong, but let's face it, high school is tough and teenagers can be cruel. I didn't want to draw attention to myself.