The Ball Crashes: Wordcount Blogathon, Day 7

I have been juggling for weeks now. Each day, a new ball seems to be added. And usually by me, because I love to help other authors and support this amazing community that has so often supported me and kept me writing.

But, yesterday I let a writer friend down, and a ball dropped.

My biggest fear when I drop one ball... how many others have I dropped and not even noticed?

This freaks me out and causes me to start checking and double-checking everything else I do. Which in turn takes me more time and makes my already overwhelmed life even more overwhelming.

The movers may be on their way, but I'm going to be reading this lovely lady's book tonight and tomorrow and posting the review here on Monday and on Mom in Love with Fiction on Tuesday. 

Thanks, Rachel, for understanding a mom-of-three's mental breakdown with a looming cross-country move (movers come at 8am on Monday, 6/10!).

A bit about her book to get everyone excited...

About The Faerie Prince (Book 2 in the Creepy Hollow series)
(from the author's website)

Guardian trainee Violet Fairdale is just weeks away from one of the most important occasions of her life: graduation. After messing up big time by bringing a human into the fae realm, Vi needs to step up her game and forget about Nate if she hopes to graduate as the top guardian of her year. Everything would be fine if she wasn’t forced to partner with Ryn, her ex-friend, ex-enemy, current ‘sort of friend’. They might be trying to patch up their relationship, but does she really want to spend a week undercover with him for their final assignment? On top of that, the possibly-insane Unseelie Prince is still on the loose, free to ‘collect’ as many specially talented faeries as he can find—and Vi is still at the top of his list. Add in faerie queens, enchanted storms, complicated not-just-friends feelings, and a murder within the Guild itself, and graduation is about to become the least of Vi’s problems.

Add it on GoodReads.

Please stop back by on Monday here to read the review. 

The Art of We'll See: Blogathon, Day 6

Early in 2012, I wrote a post about saying No: The Art of No. 

I struggle with saying No. Actually, my kids say that I only struggle to say it to everyone except them. But I digress...

An excerpt from that post:

My life is full of many blessings, one of which is working from home. My husband shoulders the responsibility of our financial well being. Although I'm constantly busy, I feel guilty. Guilty that I don't have to juggle a full time job and children.

That guilt propels me to say Yes, to try and make up for all the missing volunteers at school and to ease my own guilt for being luckier than others. I also want my children to get a top notch education, and part of that falls on me.

During a move, I feel even more guilty. Guilty that my children are being torn away from their friends and consistency. Guilty that I can't fulfill any long-term commitments I made (e.g., a 2-year committee assignment).

A week from tomorrow, my children and I will get in a car and drive away from Maryland. I have not let this reality truly sink in yet. So, during what is an insane time for me, I have become even worse about saying No.

It should be easier than ever... people would understand. But I still find myself shaking my head vertically versus horizontally. 

The nice thing about starting over is that you are handed a clean slate. I know myself well enough not to commit to becoming great at No right away. Too much of a change. Instead, I'm going to start telling people that I will get back to them. Then, I will take some time to consider why I would say Yes. 

It's a start.

What is your art for saying No?

5 Favorite Apps: WordCount Blogathon, Day 5

Today is the first theme day for the WordCount Blogathon. From Michelle Rafter's website:

June 5 - Theme Day #1. Participants are encouraged to write on the same theme: My 5 favorite apps. The post could be about apps you use for writing — or keeping yourself away from distractions while writing — smartphone apps, or plugins or widgets that you use to run your blog.

First, I must confess that I usually have to hand my phone or iPad to one of my daughters (yes, including the 8 year old) to make it do what I want. That being said, I have a few apps that I use almost every day.

Kindle
Although I own a Kindle, I have the Kindle app on both my iPhone and iPad. Basically, they are my backups for when I forget to charge my Kindle and I'm sitting at a two-hour sports practice with nothing to do. It's happened more times than I care to admit. 

Voice Memos
When an idea strikes, I want to record it. But I don't type very fast on either my iPad or iPhone, so I will record what I'm thinking and go home and type it up.

Calendar
If I didn't have my phone constantly dinging me with where I need to be, I would be roaming around the world wondering where I should be going. You know the feeling--you walk into the kitchen and stand there because you have forgotten why you went in there.

Scramble With Friends
Totally for distraction. I only play word games, and sometimes I need to step away from writing, motherhood, work, editing, whatever. Plus, Scramble is interactive. I play it with my word-loving friends. 

Networked Blogs
Since the prompt mentioned plug-ins, I love this one. It ties my blog posts to my Facebook account and shares my posts when they go live. I was having trouble getting the images to show up correctly on Facebook when I manually entered my posts via a link. Now they show up and I don't have to remember to go to Facebook and do it. Win-win!

I am looking forward to reading everyone's posts today on this subject. I'm sure there are some great apps out there, especially for a technology-challenged writer like myself.

One of a Kind Amazing: WordCount Blogathon, Day 4

Day 4 of the WordCount Blogathon.

My second book just came out in paperback a couple of weeks ago. Some great 5-star reviews are pouring in, and I'll be sharing them soon. 

When I added my novel to GoodReads, I marked it as read. Up popped the star rating and "write a review" request.

I hovered over the stars.

My thoughts...

1) Of course I'd give my own book 5 stars.
2) Does anyone really want to see an author's 5-star rating?

I am so proud of Chasing Memories, but I know I'm not objective--it would be like asking parents to rate their children. Oh wait, that might not be a great example, because on any given day my rating might change on that one. Especially if the rating was based on behavior, listening skills, or independence.

So I'm wondering, should an author rate their own book?

It doesn't help that star ratings are so subjective.

First, they mean different things on different sites. On Amazon, a 3-star rating means "It's OK" while a 4-star rating means "I Like It." However, on GoodReads, a 3-star rating is "Liked It" and a 4-star rating means "Really Liked It." 

So, if I like a book, would I give it a 3-star rating on GoodReads and a 4-star on Amazon?

And shouldn't there be a "one of a kind amazing" for those books that defy the star system? 

If such a rating existed, what book(s) would you nominate? 

For me, the first would be The Book Thief. I'm looking forward to seeing what others would say. Every single suggestion will be added to my TBR list. Because, who doesn't want to read a "one of a kind amazing" book?

My Butt Hurts When I Write: WordCount Blogathon Day 3

It's Day 3 of the WordCount Blogathon. I wanted to share a story today.

Imagine the scene...

Daughter #3 finally has me to herself for a fifteen minute car ride. 

"Mom," she says with a nice long pause for effect, "my butt hurts when I write."

My favorite DD#3 pic

My kids often come to me for writing-related questions. Me or I is a favorite topic of conversation as is any verb paired with have. But, this one had me for a second.

I start with a simple question. "Did it happen today?"

"Yes. At school."

It was starting to come together. We had been really working on her writing all year. I even started a second grade writing club that met at my house every Tuesday after school. My baby was finally loving writing so much that she actually was sitting still too long enjoying it. 

"I'm so sorry your butt hurts when you write, honey. You should take a break every now and again and move around and then go back to writing." Such a proud Mama moment.

Until...

"Mom!" You can imagine it, right? A long and drawn-out Mom--a one syllable word made into three or four. "I said, "My butt hurts when I wipe!"

Princesses & A Toad: WordCount Blogathon Day 2

Today, my plans were thrown off by the loss of a toad.

Yes, my three girls have an infatuation with toads. We have eight: Alex, Jeanette, Polly, Jacob, Julie, Bella, Colin, and Walker.

This morning my daughter woke me with huge crocodile tears. She went to check on the toads this morning, and Jacob was dead. Then, the next daughter came in crying. Then, her friend came in (who was sleeping over) and tears were flowing down her face.

In true mom fashion, I flew into action. I found a small box and wooden cross, and then dug a hole in the front yard in a shady spot (per my daughters' requests). Finally, I went to the computer and printed The Rainbow Bridge. It's a poem I have long loved, and it's a must read for all people who have love animals and have lost one.

My favorite lines: All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. (read the whole poem here)

So, here I sit at 10:35pm writing post 2 for the Blogathon. It is a full hour before yesterday's post went live. Maybe tomorrow I will post by 9:35pm. 

Note: My A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) update post will be up tomorrow.

Kicking Off Blogathon: Day 1

Wow. June 1 snuck up on me. The first day of the month should never start on a Saturday. It's too confusing.

If only I ran the world.

Today is the start of my third time participating in Michelle Rafter's WordCount Blogathon.

I'm so excited to interact with old friends and meet new ones.

For my new friends, a few hats I wear...

Mom
I am mom to three wonderful girls (ages 13, 11 & 8). As moms know, this "hat" could have a subcategory that included: chauffeur, cook, maid, counselor, soother, personal trainer, tutor, caretaker, boogeyman-wrangler, and countless other responsibilities. *smiles*

Wife
I have been married for 18 years to an amazing man. I'd follow him anywhere. Literally, I have followed him anywhere. Each of my kids was born in a different state, and we are now in the process of moving to CA.

Writer
My first YA novel, Chasing Memories, just became available in paperback (Kindle coming soon). I also co-authored an award-winning novel, Depression Cookies, with my mom.

Editor
I have edited two published novels and am working on several others. I am an editor at Indie Books Gone Wild. Some amazing folks over there, so be sure to check it out.

Blogger
I've been blogging since late 2010, and my first attempt at 30 days of straight blogging was my first Blogathon in May 2011. Lately, I've been in a bit of slump. 

I'm so looking forward to a fun month. Hopefully the rest of my posts will be a little more timely. Pressing publish at 11:32pmEST is cutting it a bit too close!