Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Making Dreams Come True...


This saying really captures how I'm feeling right now, because I have definitely been paying the price to get this book done. As a mom of two little girls, I don't have much time to sit down and edit. This means that my evenings, after the girls go to bed, are spent locked to my couch with my trusty lap top and the paper edit spread out next me.

I relish my alone time. It is a little piece of heaven to sit in a silent house and not have a two year old pulling my arm and dragging me all over my apartment. The hours following bedtime are my favorite time of the day, without question.

This past week I have sacrificed this special solidarity to my WIP. Every free moment I have had has been spent with TRANSFORMATION. I have longed to curl up with a good book or to watch a great movie, but I haven't allowed myself those pleasures. It's been all about my book.

And it's paid off.

In one week I have finished eleven of twenty-three chapters. (It was originally twenty-two, but I added a chapter during this round of editing.) This is my second to last round of editing, the one that requires the most attention. I'm attempting to make my WIP shine and it is time consuming. I'm lucky if I can get one chapter done in under an hour.

It has been difficult, and every evening I have to force myself to grab my paper edit and set it on my lap. But within minutes I am pulled into the world I have created. It feels like all I do is blink and it's midnight and I have to force myself to finish up and go to bed.

This has been an amazing journey. The difference between my first draft and my current draft is almost comical. I have to wonder if people would even think they were the same book. (Okay, that might be stretching it a bit, but it is pretty drastic.)

If I can keep up with this pace, I will definitely make my goal of finishing by June 30th. Even if I can't keep it up, all I need to do is one chapter a day and I should still be able to meet my goal. That is if I can get all the formatting, back cover synopsis, and the layout done in a few weeks as well. I can't think about that...one thing at a time Kimmel.

The point is, it's worth it to me. I long to hold the finished product in my hands, to feel that sense of accomplishment that is reserved for only published authors. I want to join the club.

So now I have to ask, what price are you willing to pay to have your dreams come true?

Friday, May 27, 2011

The HUGE question all aspiring authors have to address...

Are you going to search for a literary agent, or try and self-publish?

This question has been on my mind a lot lately. More than I really expected it to be actually. When I started this whole process and someone would ask if I was planning to try and get it published I would just chuckle and say, "We'll see, right now it really sucks, so I don't know."

And I really didn't. To me the idea of publishing my work in progress was almost ludicrous. Who would want to read that garbage? Okay, garbage may be a little harsh, but it just felt like I had rambled for 200 pages. I had a hard time seeing the substance that was there.

But now, as I've been editing I can see the potential that my book actually has. Particularly now that I have finally received feedback from my beta readers. I have a vision for my book and it will make it there, I'm determined. I actually want people to read it.

In my efforts to solve this terribly daunting question, I came across two websites that didn't really help my indecision. The first was from a site called quietwrite.com. The author of this particular post was looking for advice on this matter and listed their concerns for each method.

Their concerns were reassuring in that now I know I am not the only aspiring author out there who feels this way. It's always nice to know you're not alone. But on this matter, I was hoping to be alone. It would be so much easier to have someone swoop in with a magic answer and tell me what to do.

It didn't help that this particular post created more questions than I already had. For example, they wanted to know if it would be more difficult to write under a pen name because they were hesitant to use their real name if their first book flops. I had never even thought about that one. What if my work in progress flops? Will I ever be able to write again?

The second was a site called howto-publish-a-book.com. This particular article was helpful in that it made me really wary to try and get an agent. It lists all the things you have to be concerned about with dishonest agents. I am a paranoid person, I don't need any more reasons to be wary of people I just met, particularly people that I am hoping will help me.

The little blip it had on self-publishing focused mainly on the issue of the investment of your book and having the responsibility of trudging from book shop to book shop trying to convince the owners to sell it. With websites like creatspace available, it just doesn't seem like accurate, up to date, information.

So, what was the point of this rant? I only looked at two websites after googling and they freaked me out and were no use to me. This is one question that the internet won't be able to answer for me.

I came up with my own, simple answers:

As aspiring authors, we have to go with our instincts. If you're uncomfortable with the possibility of losing your creative liberty, if that is your favorite part about writing, then you're probably better of self-publishing. At least you know you will always love what you do.

If fame and publicity are more what you're seeking, going with a literary agent will probably be your best bet. They will be able to help you make the necessary contacts you need and make sure you're known, because it's in their best interest as well.

Done. Easy as that. And, for good measure, if you make a decision and then you hesitate, you know it's the wrong one. As the most indecisive woman on the planet, I use that trick daily. It works.


Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Transformation Update

With my sister's wedding last week, I didn't get as much editing done as I would have liked. I have, however, finished plugging in my corrections from the paper edit for the first half!

I have also heard back from my beta readers, which makes me SO happy! This week I will be working on going through their feedback and deciding which advice I will choose to use. The beta feedback has proven to be invaluable for the re-write of the first chapter, so I know it will really help the rest of my revisions.

I have really enjoyed hearing about what parts were surprising and which ones were really liked. It's harder to hear which areas need a lot of work, but I'm glad I know where to put my attention as I approach this next round of editing.

The best comment so far though, was, "Wow, this is Kimmel's mind." I guess my novel is a lot different than expected, but in a good way. It's definitely darker than what was anticipated, but I like it like that and I hope all of you will too.


Monday, May 23, 2011

Book Reviews

I was pa-rousing the blogging world today, trying to get caught up on everything I've missed this week, when I came upon this fascinating post. It is from a blog titled Down The Rabbit Hole, which I just love.

This particularly post is about whether or not people should/do write negative book reviews on their blogs. This really stood out to me because it's been something I've been thinking about a lot as an aspiring author.

This particular blogger, Amber, is of the mindset that she will absolutely tell the truth, but in a kind way. She tries to make sure to explain what it is that she doesn't like and press the fact that it might just not be her particular cup of tea.

I thoroughly agree with this perspective. I have been receiving feedback from my beta readers these past few days and one in particular has expressed concern that I make sure and read her comments with a tone of respect. She wanted to make sure that I knew she wasn't trying to come across as impolite.

I thoroughly appreciate her for being honest with me. That's why I asked her to read the book in the first place. How can you improve upon something if no one tells you what's wrong with it?

It is difficult to read something you wrote in an objective fashion. You are either going to love it, or hate it. It's hard to see it in the middle. It's hard to miss plot holes or undeveloped characters because the story is complete in your own mind.

Criticism, good and bad, is such as important part of the writing process.

As I contemplated my position on the matter, I read through the comments that were posted. There were a few commenters who said that if they didn't like the book, they just avoided doing a post at all. To them, it was a win-win situation. But from the author's perspective, I don't think it is a win-win at all. It's just taking the easy way out.

Negative reviews can have such a strong impact on an author, why would you deny them that? If you present your reasonings with respect, you shouldn't feel bad about it. It was the truth.

I am afraid of the reviews that may appear about my book, though it has nothing to do with whether or not they were bad. I hope that if and when I do get a bad review, the reader will be kind enough to explain why they didn't like it so that I can take that feedback and improve.

As my Dad always says, I have tender feelings, but it's only if someone is being blatantly rude.

I can handle the truth. Can you?


Writing Contest

I was chatting with my friend Jenni on facebook and she informed me of a writing contest that is going on now through May 29th.

They have posted a picture and the contest is to write a story based on the picture that is 1,000 words or less. I am in love with this challenge. This is a great way to practice your writing. It takes skill to capture a whole story in less than 1,000 words.

I was up for the challenge. I tackled the short story within minutes of reading about the contest and I'm happy to announce that I have submitted my entry. The winner will be announced on June 6th.

It would be amazing to win. The prize is to be published in a blog post. Being recognized for your writing skills is the best prize that could have been offered.

If you feel up to the challenge, check out the contest at:

Good luck and happy writing!

Friday, May 20, 2011

WriT - Finding Time to Write

I've been in Seattle for my little sister's wedding this week so life has been crazy. More so than usual anyway. The wedding is actually today, and I was sure I wouldn't have time to get a post up for the day. My plan to write it early in the week in reserve for today failed miserably. Nine kids under one roof under the age of five does not a good writing environment make.

This problem helped me come up with my topic for today. Finding the time to write.

A quick Google search brought up this article.

I really liked it because it goes over something that is right in front of our faces...time. There are so many instances in a day where we aren't doing anything but waiting, so why not write instead?

One of my sisters asked me a couple of days ago how I manage to keep my house together with two little kids. The answer boils down to priorities. I find the time to do the things that are important to me.

If you had asked me a year ago if I would try and write, I would have laughed at you. Partly from lack of confidence. I sincerely doubted my ability to write anything that people would want to read. Plus, I didn't have the time. Or so I thought.

Now, my life is just as crazy as it was a year ago, if not more so. And yet, I wrote a book in a month. And I've done three rounds of editing in four months. Writing has become important to me and I make the time.

So instead of asking yourself if you have the time to write, you should ask is it important to me to write? Because if it is, you'll make time, even if the only time you write is while you sit on the toilet.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

WIP Update

This has been a great week for TRANSFORMATION!

My plans to get the rights to my original cover weren't successful, so my good friend Jenni put together this new cover for me! We have full rights and are good to go with it. I am so excited about it. I actually like it better than the original, which I didn't think was possible. The intensity in these eyes are much more appropriate for the tone of the book.

I also finally finished my paper edit. I thoroughly enjoyed this round of editing because it was easier to read it from the view of an actual reader. There's something magical about curling up in a chair with a book, even if that book is in a large three ring binder.

I now have the task of plugging all of the changes in. I thoroughly enjoy work like that, so it should be done relatively quickly. Once that is complete, I will have the enormous task of using my beta reader feedback to fix any problems that I haven't caught yet.

Last night I sat down and rewrote my first chapter. It was something I had been dreading. The first Chapter is such an important part of the book. If people don't like what they read right from the beginning, it's more likely they'll give up on it.

I've really been feeling the pressure to get my first chapter just right. I knew that it had to go through a major overhaul. It was way too long and pretty slow. I even had a difficult time getting through it and I was the one who wrote it.

For whatever reason, last night I was driven. I wanted to tackle that first chapter. I still can't believe I was able to sit down and work through it in one sitting. The chapter is half the original size and lacking a chunk of the original content, but now it's where I want it to be.

Before I would allow myself to turn in for the night, I read the chapter out loud. It was amazing. Not necessarily the chapter, but the experience of hearing my book in a new way. It actually felt like I was listening to a real novel. Which is good, because that is what this is.

As of right now I am on the right track to finish editing by June 30th. I am confident that I can meet that deadline. This has been an incredible journey and it just keeps getting better.


Friday, May 13, 2011

Once a perfectionist, always a perfectionist?

As I've approached the ever increasing goal date set for me to finish my final draft of TRANSFORMATION, I have become more aware of a trait that I have.


I am a perfectionist.


And that terrifies me.


I have let my need to be perfect stop me from finishing so many projects in the past. I have half written poems and incomplete sketches hidden in drawers throughout my apartment.


Frustration is something I am extremely familiar with. If it does't come out the way I had envisioned it in my head, I give up. I usually don't even allow myself the time to go try and fix it. It's just not good enough.


But, I do have one thing in my favor. I can acknowledge that my perfectionism is, in fact, a weakness. And with recognition comes the ability to fix it.


I came across this article which outlines some steps to overcome perfectionism in writing.


Thankfully, my fear may be a little premature. As I've worked on TRANSFORMATION, I have continued to tell myself it doesn't need to be perfect. And with each new edit, it continues to get better. I can see that.


However, I anxiously wait for the day that my perfectionist tendencies take over, inhibiting me from moving on. Maybe even preventing me from ever being published.


So, it is with that thought, that I review the five pointers that were listed to help conquer perfectionism.


1. Expose the beast through your writing.

Now, I'm not sure how useful this step will be for me. The author, Mary Anne Hahn, suggests writing about it in a journal or maybe even write an essay about your experiences with it. This just feels like homework to me. However, I do think if you can take the time to do it, it can help.


2. Read about perfectionism and how to conquer it.

I thought that was what I was doing. But she does go ahead and list some books that she recommends about perfectionism. I haven't read them yet.


3. Stop yourself from thinking that your work needs to be "the best," and simply do your best. This one I really like. As I go through the final edit of TRANSFORMATION, I will be reminding myself that this was the best that I can do right now. It will have to do. And then I'll have to believe it, which is much harder than just saying it.


4. Remind yourself why you write in the first place.

If you have a great reason for writing, this one will work wonders for you. If you just enjoy writing, it will also do wonders. For me, the joy is in the journey. So, I just need to remind myself that I enjoyed getting to the end, even if the end isn't what I had hoped that it would be.


5. The last and final pointer, to take a writing workshop.

I am a stay at home mom. I have two very young children who require a lot of time and attention. I do not have the time, or energy, to dedicate to a writing workshop right now. However, once my life gets a little less hectic I think this would be a brilliant thing to do.


And there you have it. The five things you need to know in order to not let Perfectionism get you down. I may not have done the article the justice it needs, so I highly recommend you read it for yourself.


I don't ever want to give up because something I wrote wasn't good enough. And I don't ever want to watch someone give up because they thought what they wrote wasn't good enough. People admire effort, even if we don't realize it. And writing is hard. If you finish something, no matter what it is, people are going to respect you for it.


Even if they didn't like it. We'll just hope they keep that opinion to themselves.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Sometimes a good movie makes me think...

What makes an idea original? That is the question I need answered.

From the very beginning of the process to write my novel, I have asked myself that very question. Why? Because I keep stressing about whether or not my plot is original enough. I have many discussions with Jenni, and she keeps assuring me that most ideas are inspired by something that already exists. Nothing is truly original anymore.

And I suppose that's true, which I find very sad yet reassuring.

As I've pondered about this, which has been a lot of pondering, I've come to one conclusion and it can be summed up by a quote from the movie, "The Holiday."

To quote Arthur Abbott, played by Eli Wallach, "I counted. Nine movies are opening today. I remember when nine movies would open in a month. Now, a movie has to make a killing the first weekend, or they're dead. This is supposed to be conducive to great work?"

Now, I realize movies are not books, but the same principle applies. Just yesterday I read a post celebrating books Birthdays, or to be more specific, books that were being released yesterday and it consisted of 19 new Titles. (That's an awesome blog by the way, you should check it out.)

Now, don't get me wrong. I in no way think that these books are anything short of amazing. What I mean is, with so many new novels being written every day, how is it possible to come up with a TRULY original idea?

As writers, we are reviewed on so many aspects of our work including writing style, clarity, character development, ending approval, and so forth. The originality of our plot can be overlooked if we blow the reader away with our ability to capture the reader and pull them along unwillingly from page to page in a story so intense they can't physically put the book down until they've come to the conclusion.

Most authors are going to be faced with the phrase..."It was beautifully written, but it reminded me a bit of ______." (Please fill in appropriately, there are literally thousands to choose from.)

Now, the question I ask is this. Is it fair? Should we, as authors, be forced to stress about whether or not our book will be passed on simply because it reminded them a bit of a story they once read. Shouldn't our ability to write a beautiful story and spread a great message be the cornerstone by which our novel is judged? Or is that asking too much?

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

WIP Update

It's that time of the week again. I have been busy working on my paper edit, with only 8 Chapters left to go! I am getting increasingly excited to go through and add all the changes from the paper edit.


I have also heard back from one of my beta readers who is halfway done. It wasn't as scary as I thought it was going to be. In fact, it was quite fun to read through what she liked and what she thought needed to be changed in order to make sense or build a connection to the reader.

It's interesting that as the writer, I can't go through and read it objectively. I want to, believe you me, but it's just not possible. It's so hard to tell if I think something sucks because it really does, or if it's just because I want it to be perfect and it's not. The feedback that I've gotten so far has helped me to realize that it's just because it's not perfect yet, not because it actually sucks. There is hope for it yet.

I am getting excited to hear back from my other beta readers. They should be getting back to me within the week, so that's something to look forward to.

I have also started the process of getting the rights for my mock cover. It was scary e-mailing the artist, because I REALLY want him to say yes, but it's hard to say whether or not he will. I look forward to hearing back from him so I can move forward. If he chooses to say no, I need time to get another one done. Or rather, my awesome friend needs time to get another one done. She rocks!

My goal is to have everything done by the middle of June so I can work on getting my Proof by the end of June. There's a lot to do, and it's a little overwhelming at times, but I look forward to the challenge.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

A sample of my writing

I was rearranging some things on my bookshelf the other day and I discovered my writing portfolio from the Creative Writing class I took in College. I had been extremely nervous for that class. On my first day, I discovered I was the only one out of the 30 students who wasn't an English Major or Minor. I was extremely intimidated.

But, I took the class anyway, determined to walk away a better writer. It was an interesting experience for me. Because I lacked confidence in my writing ability, I tried harder than anyone else in the class. The rest just coasted through it. For them, it was just another stop along the way to getting their degree.

It meant so much more to me. I had never wanted to be a writer, but I was honestly curious about whether or not I could actually do it. My Dad writes and would love to be published someday, if he can ever find the time to finish the book he's been working on since I was a little girl. I wanted to know if it was in my blood.

That was a truly fun Semester for me. I walked away feeling proud of what I had learned and what I had been able to write throughout the three months.

As I read through it all this morning, I decided it would be fun to share a bit of what I've written. I'll post little bits, here and there, just to shake things up.

This first piece was inspired by my fear of having kids. My twin sister always wanted to be a Mommy growing up, but I wanted to be a nurse. I dreaded babysitting jobs and the idea of being responsible for another human being was terrifying to me. And so, a short story was born.


"Revelation"

As the hair stands up on the back of my neck I turn. Over my shoulder I see
the squished, dirty, turned up nose of IT. IT's staring at me. ITs small eyes are deep and penetrating as it tries to force the question [what is your problem?] into my mind. I ponder about this without any serious motivation. How dare IT try to make me feel guilty; to make me hate myself. But that's just it, isn't it? I do hate myself. I look at IT again, but this time I'm not afraid. I tame the hairs on the back of my neck by breathing deep, slow breaths. As I peer over my shoulder I stare, I analyze. But its' not enough. I must face IT. I turn, placing my back to my only escape, the gate leading out of the park. I stand there, my hands at my side and I watch. IT stares back at me, ITs hands covered in dirt. If this were a cowboy movie, we'd both be waiting to draw our pistols, but instead I'm waiting to see IT differently. I don't know what IT's waiting for.

The minutes are slowly ticking away and still we stare. This is just a game to IT, but I need to understand. My eyes begin to move as I examine IT a piece at a time, starting at the ground. ITs shoes are untied and one of ITs socks is pulled up to the center of ITs calf while the other is buried deep within the shoe. IT's wearing jean shorts that are caked in dust brought up from the dry, summer heat. ITs shirt is green and it's tucked into the front of ITs shorts while hanging out at he back. ITs neck is long, like a giraffe, making ITs head appear small, disproportionate. Dirt is smeared across ITs face and ITs eyes are still staring at me, never leaving my own. It's been attempting to make eye contact this whole time, bit I wasn't ready. I think I'm ready. My eyes shift to the left and they meet ITs eyes within seconds. The park continues to be alive around us as we're trapped in our own unique embrace. As I stare I realize this is nothing to be scared of. Almost as if to drive my point home IT smiles at me, showing me two missing front teeth, and then IT says, "Hi, I'm Tommy."

The sounds of his voice hits me with so much force I actually lose my balance and stumble. Tommy, his name is Tommy. For the first time in my life I see him for what he is, a little boy. I'm at a loss for words and all I can do is give a slight smile, a wave, and then leave.



It will also be located under my new page "Sample Work" located directly under my header.

WriT Day

I am fickle when it comes to my interests, and they are always changing. Lets take reading as an example. If you were to ask me what my favorite genre was I would probably stare at you with a blank expression on my face as I tried to figure out a pattern to what I read. The problem is when I read too many books in one genre I need a break before I can go back to it.

It all boils down to tension. My poor little brain and heart can only handle so much. When I refer to a book as a page turner, it means that I literally couldn't put it down because I HAD to know how it ends, for my sanity.

Now, I know this is done on purpose. I know authors spend hours upon hours calculating the perfect amount of tension, slowly building it until it hits the breaking point. This is great, it's what they're supposed to do. But I am having a hard time with it.

As a writer, it is my job to create appropriate tension, to pull my readers in and make them invested. But as a NEW writer, it is heartbreaking for me to put obstacle after obstacle in front of my characters. Haven't they had enough?

The answer is no. It's tension that moves the story along. It's something that I NEED to get better at. So, as I approach my next round of editing, I will be relying on the information that I learned from an amazing article. Just follow this link to read it for yourself. I know I'm glad I found it. Thank you StumbleUpon!

And on a completely different topic, my friend Jenni posted this on her facebook page and I fell in love with it. It completely captures how I am feeling right now, reaffirming that I just need to practice, practice, practice. Enjoy!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

WIP Day

It's time to talk about my Work In Progress...Transformation. This is just a mock cover for my work. I don't have the rights to this image yet and I'm not using it for profit, but I do plan on getting in contact with the photographer! It's perfect. To see the original, go here.

I also have to give a shout out to Jenni Merritt who designed the cover for me. It's BEAUTIFUL!

It's pretty scary putting this out there, but I think it's the best way for everyone to get a feel for my book without me telling too much of what it's about.

It's YA fiction, though I'm still undecided on the subcategory.

I had about a week to come up with a story idea for NaNoWriMo in November. I had never heard of it until the middle of October and by the time I decided to join up I didn't have much time.

Lucky for me, I keep a dream journal. I went back and read all the dreams I've had within the past six months. Transformation was a result of combining two of those dreams. Granted, the book changed a lot as I wrote. It didn't end up anything like I had originally plotted out, but that's part of the fun. Besides, it's so much better than I had planned.

My first round of editing consisted of going back and reading the whole thing while making notecards of what each chapter was about. There were so many plot wholes it was embarrassing.

My second round was focused on fixing all of those holes. I would catch as many spelling and grammatical errors as I could on my own, but I mainly wanted the story to make sense from beginning to end.

It was at this point that I sent it out to Beta Readers. It was still pretty rough, but I wanted to get an idea of how the story would be accepted before I started hacking away at it. I hope to hear back from each of them within the week, but things usually don't go according to plan.

While I wait for their reviews, I have printed out a hard copy and I've been working on a paper edit. I LOVE the paper edit. It is so much easier to read through the eyes of a reader and not the writer. And even though it's practically bleeding from all the red pen marks in it, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to cross things out, particularly if it was cringe worthy to begin with.

After the paper edit I will go back and make the changes to my file. Then, I get to go through what my Beta Readers suggested and make any necessary changes there as well.

The final edit will be combing through it, catching any final spelling errors or grammatical changes that are needed. I'm hoping I won't need any more edits, but you never know.

I plan on making a weekly update as to my progress, thoughts, and fears. This is what is going to keep me working. It's difficult to get the courage to work on it every day. There are days that I am in love with it and days that I think it is a big pile of pooh and will never be good enough. But as long as I end on a day that I love it, I will prevail.

Blogging Schedule

I like order. There is a calendar in my room that I cannot live without. When November hits I'm out there looking for its replacement for the upcoming year so I don't miss a beat. I learned the hard way that life turns into complete chaos if I let the New Year start without one.

On that note, I want to create a blogging schedule to make sure I keep up with this blog. It is here to help me, but it can't do that if I don't use it.

For now, the schedule will go as follows. Tuesdays will be my WIP (Work In Progress) day. I know it's typical to do it on Wednesday, but I like to be different. This will force me to make sure I'm moving forward with my editing. It would be embarrassing to go a week without anything new to report. I hope this will keep me working.

With Tuesday taken up, Friday will be WriT day! (Writing Tips) I just made that up, isn't it clever? There is so much to learn and so many ways to strengthen my writing. As I learn, I will share it all with you.

I'm considering taking on Book Reviews, but I don't want to take on too much right now. If I find it's not too much to handle I will adjust my schedule.

Phew! I can breathe easier now. I have achieved order, and it feels good!

Monday, May 2, 2011

Premiere Post

I am so excited to begin my foray into the writing world! A good friend of mine, Jenni Merritt, is an extremely talented Aspiring Author who managed to drag me into writing. She invited me to participate in NaNoWriMo back in November and lo and behold, I won. I actually wrote a book, a 68,000 word book to be more specific.

I have never imagined myself to be a writer. Unlike my friend, I did not grow up dreaming about my future and how many books I'd write or scrambling to write down book ideas before they left me forever. I wrote poetry, which I liked, but I had no desire to pursue it Professionally. In fact, I could go years between writing poems and feel no sense of regret from it. But now, my world has been turned upside down.

I really love writing. Who knew? It's amazing how a simple idea can come to life beneath your fingertips. I was in awe as my story twisted and turned in ways that I hadn't anticipated. I loved the journey, and now I can honestly say I am an addict. I will always write, whether or not it takes me anywhere.

This blog is dedicated to that journey. I plan on posting the things I learn along the way as I try and navigate my way through this intricate world. Anything is up for grabs; editing tricks and tips, muse inspirations, dealing with rejections, and possibly even book reviews. Because, how can you write if you've never read? I look forward to this journey and I hope you all enjoy the ride with me!