Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Oh, how I love this Holiday season.

Waiting Patiently! LOL

No really. I do. :)

The cooler weather. The beautiful decorations. The love and sharing.

I think I finally wrapped my last gift today.  I'm a bit shocked and more than a little relieved. Everything seems to be falling into place. No flickering lights outside the house just yet, but that's not half bad considering at one point I was in a panic trying to figure out how on earth I would get everything done.

Divide. Prioritize. Conquer. That's been the key for me. And then pick your battles.

I won't lie. I miss seeing the house all lit up at night when we come home, but in the big scheme of things it hasn't ruined Christmas for me or my kids.  And just because the Christmas cards didn't all go out at once, it doesn't mean I failed at wishing others a Merry Christmas. Shoot. Some of my friends and family may even be getting two doses of Christmas cheer from the Ohnoutka's since I misplaced my dang list. Again. LOL Someone will probably find it wrapped in one of the gifts. I won't live that one down anytime soon. But it won't be the strangest thing I've ever unwrapped. I found a set of car keys one year. LOL The look on my sister-in-law's face was priceless!

All of this chaos and coming to grips with it helped me really focus on the true meaning of the season. The most precious gift of all didn't come wrapped in fancy paper or ribbons, and had no price tag.  Jesus was and is God's gift to us and proof that love really does conquer all.

So close your eyes. Take a long deep breath. Make a plan of your own to divide and conquer. Then go out and spread some love.

And if you're looking for some great last minute gifts, be sure to check out the sidebar for some really great books. There's something for everyone on your list. :)

Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with love, laughter and many blessings!

I leave you with my favorite Christmas tune. Just in case you needed a little boost.

Susan Muller - The Secrets on Forest Bend

Another day. . . another dead body.

When Detective Adam Campbell learns that a WWII gun is connected to several murders he’s investigating, he hopes that tracking down the killer will be as easy as tracing the gun’s history. When he meets Jillian Whitmeyer, the last known owner of the weapon, the case becomes anything but simple.

Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t real.

Adam soon learns that people who get close to Jillian have a bad habit of turning up dead. Jillian claims that the spirit of her sister, accidentally killed with that same gun, is responsible for the deaths. She warns Adam that he is likely to become the next victim. Adam’s been a lousy judge of women in the past, and this one’s obviously a nut case. Or is she? How does a just-the-facts detective deal with a ghostly serial killer and the sexy-as-hell sister she won’t set free?

Get your copy here! 

http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Forest-Bend-ebook/dp/B006JP48NU

You Could WIN! Check out the Christmas Kindle Fire Event

It's TIME!

Here's your chance to win!! A New Kindle Fire (a $199 Amazon gift card for the purchase) and tons of great books to boot! What are you waiting for? It's easy. :)

It might take a second to load the form, but it's worth it!

For more information: http://takingtimeformommy.com/2011/11/christmaas-kindle-fire-event-christmaskindle/

Dare to Dream and Make it Happen!!

Good Morning!

As I was running around getting the kids ready for school, I was trying to figure out how to manage my time better as I listened to the radio. Boy did this song hit home! With every dream, there is a price. That price is what you are willing to give, be it time, sweat or tears, to achieve it.  "Dare to Dream" and then get out there and make it happen!!

Excerpt from Lyrics of the song: "How Bad Do You Want It" - Tim McGraw


People always ask me
"Son what does it take
To reach out and touch your dreams?"

To them I always say

Are you hungry?
Are you thirsty?
Is it a fire that burns you up inside?
How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Are you eating, sleeping, dreaming
With that one thing on your mind?


How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Cause if you want it all
You've got to lay it all out on the line


I get to make my living
Doing what I love
Every night I give my heart and soul
Sometimes that ain't enough
But brother, if you're like me
Looking down that road


Be careful of that wild wind, son
Sometimes it don't let go
Can you feel it?Can you taste it?
Can you hear it knocking at your door?


How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Are you eating, sleeping, dreaming
With that one thing on your mind?


How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Cause if you want it all
You've got to lay it all out on the line


There's always a price you pay no matter what you do
If you're gonna climb that mountain to the top
It always comes down to


How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Are you eating, sleeping, dreaming
With that one thing on your mind?


How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Cause if you want it all
You've got to lay it all out on the line



For me, the price is going to be getting up earlier or going to bed later and kicking procrastination in the pants whenever it shows its ugly head. Whatever it takes to get those words down on the paper, I must do. Can you say more caffeine! LOL  Just thought I'd share. :) Off to write now!

Target of Betrayal - Live

Finally after months and months of edits and more edits, Target of Betrayal is alive, a mean available as an e-book. LOL Still waiting on the print version, but it shouldn't be much longer.

I'm excited, exhausted and relieved. So hubby ask me today, now that it is finished, what I plan to do with all my free time. Imagine his surprise when I smiled and told him "Now I can focus fully on my new NaNo story." I was almost jumping up and down. He's like, you're writing another one? Yep. It's official. He thinks I'm crazy. :)

Even with all the extra hassles of getting Target up and running, the NaNo story is coming along quite nicely so far. But then, for me, the first few days are always the easiest. Those last ones are down right brutal!

Thanks for all the support and encouragement through these trying months! I appreciate you all so much!

Amazon  

Barnes & Noble  

Good luck to all my fellow NaNo'ers!!! Write, Write, Write!

Border Heat by Teri Thackston

Don't miss this one!

Great Suspense!



Murderous drug runners, a wildfire in the Texas desert and the President's runaway daughter…Game Warden Shannon Walker didn't sign up for any of this. Add a sexy Secret Service Agent, unexpected betrayal and an escape into the desert, and the border becomes hotter than Shannon can handle.

Rescue Me, Somebody Please!

Just kidding. Although, I must say, I've felt this way several times lately.

October has come, and as I sit here staring at my computer, procrastinating as usual, I'm realizing the month's almost gone! Time flys when you're having fun and when your not, well, I think it flys faster. LOL We started out with football games, tennis matches and Homecoming. Now we're winding down. The fundraiser for tennis was a huge success and the team is off today for a trip to Regionals, (Yay Go, Team!)

But, even with all life's distractions and the wonderful memories we've made along the way, I'm happy to report that I managed to stay on track. "Target of Betrayal" is due out the first of November. Yes, I'm doing a happy dance. This is the first story I ever wrote, finished back in 2007. The first draft was a whopping 104,000 words. Yikes! Needless to say, it has gone through one heck of a major overhaul. :)

Now it's time to get ready for NaNoWriMo! This is National Novel Writing Month for those of you trying to make sense out of the abbreviation. The goal? Write 50,000 words in 30 days. It's alot of hard work, but so rewarding. My first attempt was back in 2007. I'd finished one manuscript and was worried I might not be able to do it again. NaNo helped me set goals, priorities and realize writing was definitely something I wanted to do. If you ask my hubby, I've become a bit obsessed over the years. LOL

He just doesn't understand my new battle cry.

 "I get to write something new! Yippee!"

After all this editing, I'm about to burst with all the great possibilities. All I have to do is pick one idea floating around in my head, focus and then smoke up those computer keys. :) One of my goals this year is to challenge myself to write a simple romance. Those of you who know me are shaking your head. I can see you! And hear you! "What no guns? No herione being chased by the bad guys, her time running out?" Did you see the word CHALLENGE above. LOL And I never said there wouldn't be guns! 

Let's Get This Party Started!

Here's a link in case I've enticed you to check it out. :) 

 National Novel Writing Month 

  

Wacky Wednesday Links

My final run through is done and off to the editor on the next book, Target of Betrayal. Whew...I didn't think I'd ever get to the end on this one. It's a great feeling.:) I'm now working on the final edits for the cover and having way too much fun. LOL I promise to share soon!

Until then here are a few of the links I've come across this past week.

Amazon Algorithm Exposed - Very interesting

http://ebooksuccess4free.wordpress.com/2011/09/13/amazon-sales-rank-secret-algorithm-exposed/

Another great resource for saving your sanity during the formatting process. :)
http://www.cjs-easy-as-pie.com/

Kristen Lamb's Blog -
Three Keys to a Successful Author Platform - All This and a Bag of Chips (Love her Blog titles!)

The Writer's Guide to E-Publishing -
What's So Special About Indie by Scott Nicholson - Worth a read. :)

And don't forget about the Northwest Houston Lone Star Writer's Conference coming this October 15, 2011!
It's not too late to register!!!     Northwest Houston RWA

TxDOT vs. Christie Craig

Have you heard about this?! It's just unbelievable! Christie Craig is an amazing writer and this is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

I was born in Texas. I've lived here my entire life. And this just really makes my blood boil. Texas is so much better than this. Going after an author because of the title of her book? Really? "Don't Mess With Texas" has taken on an entirely new meaning for me. And it's not a good thing!

Please check out this site for more info and spread the word.

http://wildwickedwacky.blogspot.com/2011/10/txdot-v-christie-craig-write-in.html

Writer or not, this affects us all. There are tax dollars paying for a frivolous law suit. TxDot putting this much effort and money into this over a book title really scares the heck out of me. What else will they do?

I'm off to steam a bit more! And see who else I can contact.  Oh, wait! Rick Perry is running for President! I'm going to see what he thinks about this little lawsuit.  Want to join me? :)


Snail Mail: The Honorable Rick Perry, PO Box 12428, Austin, TX 78711-2428


Website: http://governor.state.tx.us/contact/

Phone No: (512) 463-2000

Twitter: @GovernorPerry (mention @TxDOT and @Christie_Craig)


Please say you will!

Wacky Wednesday Links

Summer break, kids, and back to school really put a kink in my plans to have the next book out by the end of summer.  Two chapters to go and then I'll do one last read through and it's off to the editor. Whew! Better late than never, right? LOL

Taking a few mintues to share some really valuable resources. :)

Google Calendar - A must to keep track of all life's little distractions.
http://www.ehow.com/how_6186026_can-calendar-onto-computer-desktop_.html


 Self Publishing a Book -25 things you need to know:   http://reviews.cnet.com/self-publishing/

 7 Ways to Write a Great Book Review - Now this is a great way to help support your favorite authors. Fan mail and great reviews help us know we are on the right track and doing our job. Entertaining the reader.

How about using Skype to sell your books!  The Savvy Book Marketer 

Want a challenge? Try writing 10,000 words in one day. :) It's doable. Honest!
http://www.murderati.com/blog/2011/8/4/10000-words-in-one-day-no-wayway.html


And a few must-read Ebooks regarding Indie Epublishing to help you find your way.


1. The Indie Journey: Secrets to Writing Success by Scott Nicholson

2. How I Sold 1 Million eBooks in 5 Months! by John Locke

3. How I Sold 200,000 E-Books, A Guide for the Self-Published Author by H.P. Mallory

4. Let’s Get Digital: How To Self-Publish, And Why You Should by David Gaughran


Okay, back to work for me! Enjoy your day and remember to Dream Big! :)

Laughter, You Know You Want It

School is in full swing around here and along with it comes an extremely hectic schedule. I'm talking about the kind of schedule that has you wondering just exactly what day it really is. LOL Time to start working in lots of those laughter moments to decompress and save my sanity. 

Did you know, when we laugh, our entire body relaxes. A good, hearty belly laugh can actually relieve physical tension and stress as well. I've read this relaxed state can even last up to 45 minutes after. No way! Really? Boy, could I use that!

The Physical Benefis:

* Laughter boosts the immune system.
* Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals.
* Laughter protects the heart.
* Lowers stress hormones
* Decreases pain
* Relaxes your muscles
* Prevents heart disease

Mental Health Benefits:

* Adds joy and zest to life
* Eases anxiety and fear
* Relieves stress
* Improves mood
* Enhances resilience

Social Benefits:

* Strengthens relationships
* Attracts others to us
* Enhances teamwork
* Helps defuse conflict
* Promotes group bonding

Now with all these wonderful benefits, why have I not been using this little trick?  It's not that big a deal that I woke up this morning to a leaky pipe and had to call the plumber. Right?  Did he just give me a $400.00 estimate? Now there's a good belly laugh for you!  Needless to say we still have no water because Hubby is determined to fix this leak all by himself.  I'm laughing, really I am.  I did make some great head way on my edits as I waited for the plumber to show up. That's a good thing.

Come on ya'll, let's get this laughter started!!  I'm off to find me something to laugh about! Lord knows I need it right about now!

From "Faithful Deceptions" by Melissa Ohnoutka

My book is being featured today! :)

From "Faithful Deceptions" by Melissa Ohnoutka

Money dictates the rules of this game and the victim could be anybody— regardless of sex, age or race...

A wicked grin eased over Dustin’s face, his entire body frothy with victory. Once again, success. This was one of those magic moments that made the multitude of tedious planning hours and hard work worthwhile. Moments that lured him back again and again. It had been a long time since he’d actually been the one to pull the trigger. After Rodney and Dwayne’s little screw up with the Senator’s daughter, he had no choice but to kill her himself and had been itching to do the delectable deed again ever since. He loved to smell the fear. To see the moment his victim realized he and he alone controlled their fate.

Dustin waited only long enough for Agent Bryce to lower his head in defeat. Then the second earth shattering explosion rang out beneath the blanket of rain soaked trees. It was done.

Now to plan his most horrifying, unimaginable affliction against another human being.

Patrick Roark, bodyguard his ass, would pay a hefty price for his treacherous betrayal.

And he knew jus the sweet little trick to use too.

Heather McCorkle - The Tour of Secrets

If you've been following Heather's Blog Tour, then you know the drill. :) Scroll down to find out the next secret about Heather.  If you've just stumbled upon this page, then Welcome!  You must check this out!

I am so excited to be apart of Heather McCorkle's Tour of Secrets blog tour for her debut novel The Secret of Spruce Knoll. She's running a fabulous contest to kick off her new release due out on August 15. Heather will also be having a live chat on YA BOUND scheduled for August 30 with a seperate give away as well.

Heather’s official bio:

I am an author of young adult fantasy, in all its many sub-genres. Helping other writers and supporting fabulous authors is my passion. When I’m not writing or surfing my social networking sites, I can be found on the slopes, the hiking trails, or on horseback. As a native Oregonian, I enjoy the outdoors almost as much as the worlds I create on the pages. No need to travel to the Great Northwest though, you can find me here, on my blog four days a week, and Monday night’s on Twitter where I co-moderate the #WritersRoad chat with my good friend TS Tate.

Heather’s debut novel is a young adult urban fantasy. Don't you just love this cover!!

The Blurb:

Following the tragic death of her parents, Eren Donovan moves to Spruce Knoll to live with her aunt. Little does Eren know the entire town of Spruce Knoll is filled with “channelers”~a magical group of people who immigrated to the small Colorado town when they were driven out of their own lands.


Channelers are tied to the fate of the world. As the world slowly dies, so do they~and they alone have the power to stop the destruction of Earth. Now, Eren learns she not only lives among them, but she is one. When she meets local boy Aiden, his charm convinces her that being a channeler may not be all bad.

I can’t wait to read this book!!!  I already know I'm going to have to fight off my two teenage daughters to be first. LOL Isn't that a rule? Mom's get first dibs in everything, right?

Secret Time!



Tell us Heather, do you have an interesting writing quirk?   Like a favorite shirt, or slippers you wear to boost that creative spark?  Maybe it's music or lighting a candle? 


I do have an interesting writing secret. Whenever I'm stuck (I don't want to say the foul words writer's block. It's like Voldemort, if you say it, you may bring it on...) there is one thing that almost always works. I take a shower. No seriously! I have no idea why it works but it does. My very best writing ideas, plot breakthroughs, character developments, all come to me when I'm in the shower. 




Here's what you can win by entering the contest:

1st place:

*$50 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble (or the Book Depository if you're over seas).

*Autographed copy of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll

*Special swag bag

2nd place:

*Swag bag filled with:

*Autographed copy of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll

* Spoiled by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan

*Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

*Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

* A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

3rd place:

*Autographed copy of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll

*Swag bag

The Rules: You can just be a follower of Heather's Odyssey and leave a comment on her post saying you'd like to enter to win. But if you want extra points/entries here's how you can get them:

+1 for being a follower of Heather's Odyssey and commenting. (Must follow for the contest.)

+1 for each blog participating in the giveaway that you follow and comment on.

+2 for adding The Secret Of Spruce Knoll to your To-Read shelf on Goodreads or Shelfari.

+3 for tweeting or posting on Facebook about the giveway.

+4 for Blogging about The Secret Of Spruce Knoll giveaway.

+5 for placing a link on the sidebar of your blog about the giveaway.

To enter this great contest click here: HeatherMcCorkle.blogspot.com
The contest ends August 31!

Wishing everyone the best of luck!

Thanks so much Heather! Hope tons of readers discover your wonderful book! :)

Come Sail Away With Me!

You'll Be Very Glad You Did! :)

From Jennifer Bray-Weber's Website

Sail into a world of fearless pirates and spirited women, where clashing swords, superstition, and fickle seas are as plentiful as the rum. Danger lurks in every port. Betrayal is rampant. And there is always the Devil to pay.

Discover the pirate captains who seek fortune and the lasses who steer them into uncharted waters of the heart. Having lost all, these pirates honor a brotherhood creed to take all that they may, including the women who taunt them.

Hoist the sails. Adventure awaits those who chance Romancing The Pirate.

The Blurb:

Lianna Whitney, who was gently bred but must now empty slop buckets and fight off randy seaman in a port tavern, unexpectedly comes into possession of a golden medallion. When the man who left it with her is immediately murdered by soldiers of the Royal Navy, she's afraid to admit she has it. Unsure who to trust, she's caught up in crossfire between a navy officer and a pirate captain, who, realizing she possesses the object he's been paid to find, whisks her away to his ship.


Captain Zane Fox is not interested in the mystical healing powers the medallion is said to hold, even though the legends claim it can bring a dying man back to life. He only plans to procure the medallion, drop the chit off at the next port where she'll be safe, and collect the money he was promised. However, as Zane and Lianna fend off the growing dangers of his occupation and attempt to outrun the Royal Navy, the two are also fighting the attraction they feel for one another. Lianna wants nothing to do with a pirate, opting instead for her new found independence, and he certainly has no use for another anchor - this one around his neck - regardless of how fetching she is. But when they are captured, Zane must choose between recovering the medallion or saving Lianna from the noose. And soon, it becomes clear to him that the medallion is not the only treasure worth risking his life for.

**I don't read many Historical Romance's much less ones with Pirates running about. But I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one in the series Jennifer has planned. You'll love and root for her characters and think about them long after reading that last page!

 Get your copy today!

Amazon      Barnes & Noble      Smashwords

2011 Lone Star Writers Conference

Northwest Houston Romance Writers
Annual Writer's Conference

**Looking for a great conference?
Check out http://www.nwhrwa.com/!

 DATE: 
October 15, 2011

WHERE:
Houston Marriot North at Greenspoint

255 N Sam Houston Parkway East

Houston, Texas 77060


CONFERENCE FEE: $125.00
Registration began August 1, 2011.

Keynote Speaker:

INSTRUCTOR BIO

Alexandra Sokoloff is a screenwriter who has sold original suspense and thriller scripts and adapted novels for numerous Hollywood studios, for producers such as Michael Bay, Laura Ziskin, David Heyman, and Neal Moritz. Her adaptation of Sabine Deitmer's psychological thriller COLD KISSES was filmed in Germany. Alex is the author of the supernatural thrillers THE HARROWING, THE PRICE, THE UNSEEN, and BOOK OF SHADOWS, and a new paranormal romance, THE SHIFTERS. She is also the author of SCREENWRITING TRICKS FOR AUTHORS (AND SCREENWRITERS!), a workbook based on her internationally acclaimed blog and workshops. She is a Thriller Award winner and a Bram Stoker and Anthony Award nominee.

Alex has served on the Board of Directors of the WGAw, the screenwriters' union, and the board of Mystery Writers of America, and is the founder of WriterAction.com, an online community and resource center of 2000+ professional screenwriters. In her spare time (!)she performs with Heather Graham's Slush Pile Players, and dances every chance she gets.

Visit her website at: http://www.alexandrasokoloff.com/

And her blog on Screenwriting Tricks for Authors at http://www.screenwritingtricks.com/


WORKSHOP:


SCREENWRITING TRICKS FOR AUTHORS (and Screenwriters!)

Are you finally committed to writing that novel but have no idea how to get started? Or are you a published author - but know you need some plotting help to move your books and career up to that next level?

Screenwriting is a compressed and dynamic storytelling form and the techniques of screenwriting are easily adaptable to novel writing. You can jump-start your plot and bring your characters and scenes vibrantly alive on the page - by watching your favorite movies and learning from the storytelling tricks of great filmmakers.

In this workshop, based on award-winning author/screenwriter Alexandra Sokoloff’s internationally acclaimed Screenwriting Tricks For Authors blog and workbook, you'll learn how to use techniques of film writing such as:

- the High Concept Premise
- the Three-Act, Eight-Sequence Structure
- the Storyboard Grid
- the Index Card Method of Plotting
- as well as tricks of film pacing and suspense, character arc and drive, visual storytelling, and building image systems - to structure and color your novel for maximum emotional impact, unbearable suspense and riveting pacing, no matter what genre you're writing in.

You'll start to create your own personalized workbook of genre tricks based on your favorite books and movies and tailored to your own brand of storytelling, and a collage book to build visual image systems. And the emphasis on premise is invaluable for crafting that all-important query and pitch.

In this rapidly changing world of publishing, more and more agents and editors are looking for novels that have the pacing, emotional excitement, and big, unique, "high concept" premises of Hollywood movies (and the potential for that movie or TV sale!).

Whether you're just starting to develop a book or script, or rewriting for maximum impact, this workshop will introduce you to an easy, effective and fun process to help you make your book or script the best it can be.

Throw in an Awesome Agent and Editor line-up and you really don't want to miss this one! ;)
For Registration and more info click here:  www.nwhrwa.com/conference.htm

Wacky Wednesday Links

Good morning! 

Someone please tell me why summer is flying by.  I know it's hot and we need rain, but I'd still like to make some more summer memories with the kids. LOL I'm not a fan of those early school mornings.

Let's switch subjects.  Maybe if I don't think about it time will stand still for at least a few minutes.  :) 

On to a  few interesting links I found.

Kristen Lamb's Blog - Highly recommend this blog.  There is always great information on just about anything you can think of. 

Today it's Cover Art:
http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2011/07/15/creating-cover-art-down-dirty-tips/

I love creating covers.  Maybe a little too much. LOL  I should be writing, right? :)  The best advice I can offer is to study covers from your favorite books.  What's the background look like?  How big is the font?  Where is everything placed? 

The most important thing to remember is to use legal photos.  You can find free ones, but it's tricky and then there is always a slim chance they aren't as free as you thought.  Do your research first!  Before you design the best cover in the world and then find out you can't use it.  It will save your sanity!

Still fighting with Smashwords over formatting?

Smashwords Formatting For the Lazy Part 1


And for inspiration!

Forbes.com top 10 highest paid authors for 2010:

James Patterson,
Stephenie Meyer,
Stephen King,
Danielle Steel,
Ken Follett,
Dean Koontz,
Janet Evanovitch,
John Grisham,
Nicholas Sparks,
and JK Rowling.

Know what they all have in common? They write alot of books! :)

Now I for one like that fact.  Why?  It's obtainable.  All I need to do is sit down and write.

Self-Sabotage, It's a Fine Art

Writer or not, it doesn’t matter. We’ve all got this one really cool thing we love to do. Maybe it’s photography, painting, crafting, scrapbooking, coin collecting, etc. Or a sport like baseball, tennis or, yes I’m going to include it even though every ounce of my being is screaming not to, golf. (We’ll get back to this one)

Whatever it is makes us happy, gives us a sense of self-worth or belonging. It’s something we can share with others who love the same thing. So we make friends along the way. But the downside is it takes you away from your family, your job, your responsibilities. So, we end up feeling guilty about wanting to spend time on it. That makes us unhappy. And if we’re honest about it, everyone around us suffers right along with us.

There is a solution. One I’m still working to perfect. The main thing is to find a routine that works and keeps everyone happy. Organization plays a huge part and scheduling is a must.  This is the toughest part for me, but slowly I'm managing to put everything down on a calendar and then stick to it.

Here's the biggest myth I learned about my own self-sabotaging.

I’ll just take care of everything else first. – This only made me tired and frustrated. At the end of the day, I had a clean house, organized closets and drawers, happy hubby and kids due to the meals I scheduled for the entire week, and a weedless garden.

The only thing missing—my sanity. I wasn’t spending any time doing what I love and my attitude stunk. Not to mention the mounting self-doubt. I started thinking maybe I should just quit writing all together. I’ll be honest. The mere idea of quitting had me depressed, not wanting to spend time with anyone or do anything at all.

Let’s face it. There will always be something that needs tending to, something to fold, a call to return, a bill to pay, a kid to run here or there. It’s a never ending cycle. Life has a pesky way of getting in the way, doesn’t it?

So what’s the answer to this one?

I won’t pretend like I’ve found a magical secret. But I have learned it’s okay to let things slide occasionally and have a life outside my family. I can share part of my day with good friends and still be able to spend quality time with the most special people in my life too.  Heck and even get a few of those unending chores done along the way.

How do I do it? It means I’m getting up a little bit earlier and going to bed a little bit later. For right now, it’s working. It's not easy since I love my sleep.  But this is allowing me to be more productive with my writing and it feels so good.  I’m keeping up with most of the daily chores and even asking the kids and hubby to pitch in and help out a little more. This doesn't mean I'm a failure. Heck no! After all. We are a team. :)

No more excuses or blaming others.

No more self-sabotage! (Repeat this every time you try to make an excuse and go do something else. I think my record is 67 times in one day so far. LOL But it works like a charm!)

Onward and Upward!

Who’s with Me? :)

(Oh, yeah.  The golf thing. LOL  Still trying to get hubby to work on that one.  It's his one thing he loves to do.  Need I say more?)

The Writing Must Go On!

Ever had one of those days?  Well, I'm having one of those weeks! LOL

I missed a great RWA Conference in New York City.  The entire state of Texas is suffering from a severe drought.  And our Internet trouble is the Worst it's ever been!

We need a new desktop computer to replace the dinosaur we've been using.  I've known that for some time now and have managed to work around the minor inconveniences that pop up.  These are bad enough.  But when the Internet won't cooperate and keeps knocking you off every five minutes, things get pretty ugly around here pretty fast.  Grrrr.... I need to know what's going on out there in the world.  The suspense is killing me!

One thing I've learned from this little irritating experience is that I must not let these disturbances distract me.  The writing/editing must continue.  So off I go to one of my secret writing spots (kids are out for summer vacation- can you say major distraction!) with my laptop, I-pod, paper, pens and pencils, notebooks for jotting down quick thoughts, and a nice cold Dr. Pepper.  I'm not hard to please.  Just need a few certain things before I can sit down and have what I consider to be a productive day.

And even though the Internet is giving me fits, I still managed to find two interesting links to share. :)  Take that you nasty Gremlins! LOL


Great video on How to write that dreaded synopsis:

http://whodareswinspublishing.com/Video_Audio_Clips.html

Myth Buster:

http://davidgaughran.wordpress.com/2011/06/18/self-publishing-myth-1-you-will-never-make-any-money/

Whatever you've got planned today, I Hope it's a Terrific Thursday!

Book of the Day - Faithful Deceptions

This is really cool!

My first book “Faithful Deceptions” is being highlighted this week on Marketing Tips for Authors . Those who leave a comment will be entered into a drawing to win a free Kindle copy of the book. This is a great blog to follow.  I find endless amounts of helpful information each time I visit.

Faithful Deceptions is also The Book of the Day over at:  E-Readers News Today.

I highly recommend both these sites for promoting your books.  :)

Shattered Souls of Innocence Live TODAY!

I'm so excited to announce the release of my Short Story Prequel, "Shattered Souls of Innocence."  This is more of a Suspense/Thriller and links my two novels together.  A Bonus for those who've read "Faithful Deceptions" and a Teaser for "Target of Betrayal" due out this summer.  You can find this story on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Thanks for reading!
Hope you enjoy!

Wacky Wednesday Links

Talk about Wacky! This picture says it all! LOL


We Love to Travel!

 These links are a bit all over the place.  Story of my life these days. LOL  Hope you find something you like and can use. :)

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that My Short Story Prequel -Shattered Souls of Innocence is due to release real soon! I must warn you though.  It's a teaser for the novel Target of Betrayal. What does that mean exactly?  Well, if I've done my job right, you'll be itching to read this next book.  LOL

Now to the links!

Niche-Marketing - Be Creative when thinking about who your readers are.

http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2010/07/26/boost-your-book-sales-with-the-magic-of-niche-marketing/

How about a Video Blog (Thanks to Marie for sharing this link!)
This is Not for me, but I love watching them. :)

http://desktopvideo.about.com/od/videoblogging/ht/howtovlog

Tip Sheets -Best Kept Publicity Secret?

Self Publishing Coach.com

So you are wondering about true sales numbers?  Great post by Victorine Lieske.

http://victorinewrites.blogspot.com/2011/03/sales-growth-over-time.html

How to Publish an Ebook for Multiple Platforms

The Savvy Book Marketer


How to Get Your Book Mentioned in a Newspaper - Lots of great suggestions here!

This was very interesting!  Marketing Methods that DON'T work.

http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2011/06/book-marketing-methods-that-dont-work.html

My Guest - Suzan Harden!

I have a guest today! One of the great things about writing is getting to meet so many wonderful authors along the way.  Suzan's been working hard and now has two books released.  I've got my copies and can't wait to start reading!  Welcome Suzan! 

It’s a scary proposition to start your own business. Even scarier in today’s economy. And scariest of all? A business in arts and entertainment, one of the most unstable fields you can enter. But that’s exactly what I did in April. I started my own publishing company, Angry Sheep Publishing.

I have to give full credit for the sheep analogy to my online friend, Angela Benedetti. Angie writes for Torquere Press, an e-publisher specializing in LGBT romance. One day we were both bemoaning the current either-print-or-digital-only tug-of-war in publishing. She mentioned that it didn’t matter who she spoke with on which side of the debate. She was always accused of following the other side’s herd. And dammit, she wasn’t a sheep. She could think for herself.

I agree with Angie’s general philosophy—not every type of publishing is right for every writer and a story should be available in as many formats as possible. I also believe there’s room for everyone at the table. It didn’t help that I was getting the either-you’re-with-us-or you’re-against-attitude from some of my other writer friends as well. So after I vented to my husband later that night, he suggested I change the name of my blog from ‘Wild, Wicked & Wacky’ to ‘The Angry Sheep.’

Well, I didn’t change the name of my blog, but Angry Sheep Publishing was born.

Taking the indie publishing route has been scary, yes. I’m fully responsible for content, covers, editing and marketing. But also it’s also exhilarating. I’ve stretched myself further artistically than I thought possible.

Should every writer self-publish? Honestly, that’s up to each writer. I’m not going to lie. It’s damn hard work. But then I look at the cover for Blood Magick, the one my husband and I did all by ourselves, and I get a thrill that I made this e-book possible.

And someday, hopefully soon, I’ll have a print version of Blood Magick available as well.

***

Blood Magick is the first novel of Bloodlines, an urban fantasy series.

Blurb

It’s not the family you’re born to. It’s the Family you join.

Blood

Caesar Augustine has survived on it for millennia, but his friend Natasha believed she was close to a cure for vampirism. When she dies and her lab notes disappear, Caesar’s only chance to walk in sunlight again is finding her granddaughter Bebe, the one witch Natasha would trust with her research. But getting Bebe to trust him is another matter altogether.

Magick

Dr. Bebe Zachary has feared and mistrusted vampires for seventeen years, since the night she witnessed two of the bloodsuckers brutally murder her parents. When Caesar Augustine comes to her with an insane story that her grandmother’s death was no accident, the last thing she wants to do is believe him. Except her cousins have challenged Bebe for leadership of their coven, somebody definitely wants her dead too, and Caesar is the only the person standing between her and the grave.

Blood Magick is currently available through the following retailers:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

XinXii

Wacky Tips

Sorry I dropped the ball.  No Wacky Wednesday Tips to share this week.  I've actually been working! Really hard too! LOL 

Be sure to check back on Friday! Suzan Harden will be stopping by the blog to share her experience with self publishing.  She's on a roll.  Two books out and still more to come!

Wacky Wednesday Links

It's official!  I'm now dedicating Wednesdays for Link Sharing! 

Since I can't stop myself from bouncing around the web and clicking on all the wonderful information links, I'm going to at least be productive while I procrastinate and share my finds with you. :)

It's a win, win situation as far as I can see.

Please feel free to share your favorites with me as well.  Who knows, if it's one I find really valuable there might even be a prize waiting for you.  Be sure I can contact you though, or at least check back and see if your name is in the winners box. 

I don't know how many times I've tried to give something away and then can't contact the winner. :(

So, without further rambling from me, here is what I've found this past week!  Some really cool gems!


WHERE TO -

Legally purchase photos:

http://www.dreamstime.com/

http://www.bigstockphoto.com/

http://www.istockphoto.com/

http://www.gettyimages.com/

Legally purchase music: 

http://www.shockwave-sound.com/index.html 


MobiPocket Ebook Creator

 CJs Easy As Pie Kindle Tutorials

How About a BOOK Trailer

http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2011/05/12-easy-steps-to-the-making-of-a-book-trailer/

No Returns!  I had no idea I could do this!

http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/

Gift Cards for YOUR Ebook!
Way Too cool! :)  Talk about possibilities!!

http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=4154


Looking for a Great Contest for that manuscript?

Last Day for $5.00 Early Bird Discount!!
Northwest Houston RWA Lone Star Writing Contest
Enter Here!

$15.00 for members of NWHRWA
$20.00 for non-members

But hurry! Discount ends May 25!

Sharing Secrets with Tess St. John

Good morning all!

Today I'm visiting my good friend Tess St. John!

She's an amazing writer with her very own new release out this month.  "Second Chances" is a wonderful historical romance full of great characters and emotional twists.  I highly recommend picking this one up!

Stop by her blog , say hello and see what's up next! :)

Second Chances -- Out Now
Chances Are Series -- Book One

Lady Emma Easton’s elopement to an elderly earl shields her from an abusive father, until her husband’s death leaves her vulnerable once again. When she learns her father is scheming to marry her off to a brutal man, only one man can protect her—the earl’s trusted friend, Viscount Drake.

After losing his wife, Lord Harold Drake vowed never to marry again. But his heart warms to the young widow he’s promised to protect. Emma’s love frees him from the darkness that’s consumed him. But now Drake must protect her from her father’s evil whims, or face losing her forever.

BUY E-book:
 Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords

Have a Wonderful Weekend!
And don't forget to make time to READ! :)

Wild, Wicked & Wacky

Yep, that's where you can find me today! LOL

Wild, Wicked & Wacky

Stop in and see why you need to rest a bit after your book goes live.  The "What's Next" will have you running in circles if you don't have a game plan.  How do I know this?  It's my reality.  But, I'm working on a plan.  Really I am.  One that will give me the time I need to write, design covers, format, market and still keep my sanity. :)

All suggestions WELCOME!

Self Published and Lived to Tell About "IT"

So far anyway. LOL

Good morning!

I'm over at   MUSETRACKS  today!  This is Part 2 of an interview I did with my good friend, Stacey Purcell. You can find Part I here:  Self Published and Lived to Tell About It. 

She asks some tough questions let me tell ya! :)

Love to see you there!

Organization is Way Over-Rated

Today I'm Sharing my post from Everybody Needs a Little Romance

It's been a long few days.  I'm working hard to get my edits finished on the second book "Target of Betrayal" as well as writing a short story to tie both books together.  But I'm really loving the way the stories are working out, so it's been fun.

My biggest dilemma for the week:

To organize or not to organize, that is the question for today. I could organize my life. Really I could. If I really wanted to.

I know things would run smoother and I wouldn't forget things like lunches or important school function dates. But I already have a filing system. Is it my fault that I'm the only one that understands it? Surely not. Those stacks there on the desk are in order, I assure you. Just tell me what the heck you're looking for and I'll be more than happy to get it for you.

See, now was that so hard? Now, there is no meltdown. No hyperventilating, because the important paper I strategically placed in that one certain location is no longer there. Ugh….

Please tell me I'm not alone in my madness. LOL I've read there are two ways to file. Vertical and horizontal. See it's just a preference.

So what say you? Vertical or horizontal? Should I waste precious writing time trying to organize things so another member of my family, who will remain nameless, is able to find things?

Yes, I'm procrastinating again. Guess what book I've just bought! LOL I'll let you know if it works after I read it. Here's a link in case you just can't wait that long!

"Eat That Frog" by Brian Tracy

Focus Please and More Dr. Pepper!

Good morning!

Procrastinating big time. Should be doing edits and working on the short story I've decided I must do to tie my books together nice and neat.  I sure wish I could actually see what was going on up there in my  head.  I wonder if it looks like my office.  Stuff must be scattered everywhere! LOL

As I've zipped about the Internet from blogs to websites, I found several interesting things and thought I'd share. :)


Need pictures for your blogs?  Not so fast!  Are you sure about the copyrights?

http://joconquerobstacles.com/2011/04/14/are-you-breaking-the-law-but-don%e2%80%99t-know-it/


This site is amazing!  So much information about publishing all in one spot!

Your Self Publishing Coach!


And just because this entertains me again and again.

J.A. Konrath


New to Publishing and Marketing?

Be sure to check out these spots:

Kindleboards.com
Nookboards.com
Mobilreads.com
Bookbuzzr.com
Google Books

Now back to work for me!

Wishing everyone a Wonderful Day!

The Aftermath



Okay, so you've written a novel.  Spent months, if not years, working on edits and polishing your baby till it's nice and sparkling clean.  Even gone the extra mile and learned all the different formatting required to publish your masterpiece and design a great cover.  It's out there and you're so excited.  But now what?

Marketing.  Getting that book out into the world where readers will notice and want to read it is a hard and time consuming task.  Even if you've gone the traditional publishing route, alot of the marketing will be left up to you.  Unless you are a best selling author, not much time and energy will be spent on your book.  So what do you do?

Here are a few tips I've come across.  All books are different.  Some will work, some won't.  You just have to dig your heals in and give it all you've got.  It won't happen over night, but if you spend some time everyday working on new avenues for getting noticed it will happen.

Press Release Sites

https://www.pr.com/
http://www.prlog.org/pub/account.html
http://www.pressking.com/user/new
http://www.free-press-release.com/
http://www.clickpress.com
http://www.1888pressrelease.com/
http://www.24-7pressreleases.com/
http://www.express-press-release.net/
http://www.free-press-release-center.info/
http://www.PressMethod.com
http://www.Newswiretoday.com

Sites for Book Reviews

A Romance Review
All About Romance
Angies Romance Reviews
Cataromance Reviews
Coffee Time Romance
Contemporary Romance Writers
Dear Author
EHarlequin
Joyfully Reviewed
Love Romances More
Marilyn's Romance Reviews
Pink Heart Society Reviews
Reader to Reader
Reviews - Once Upon a Romance
Romance by the Blog
Romance Junkies
Romance Reader at Heart
Romance Reviews
Romancing the Blog
Romantic Times
Sheikh Book Reviews
Simply Romance Reviews
Smart Bitches Trashy Books
The Literary Times
The Romance Reader
The Romance Reader Connection

Extras
 
* Postcards with Book Cover and description of book to pass out when you are out and about. Also a great way to give someone an autographed souvenir for purchasing your e-book.
* Book marks with same info - Hey, I still use them. LOL
* Pens, Business cards, Magnets, etc. (easy to accidentally leave behind ;)
 
Networking & Blogging
 
Set up a blog where you can have links to purchase your books and share bits about your life or writing.  It's free.  And it's a great way to connect with your readers.  Then branch out to other bloggers.  Now I'm not talking about visiting blogs for the sole purpose of plugging your book.  Not cool.  Search the web for things you really enjoy.  Follow the blogs.  Comment on the posts.  People really do make the extra effort to click and see who you are. :)

Set Up Author's Page

* Amazon.com - (Don't forget the UK!  You have to set it up on both)
* Amazon.co.uk  https://www.amazon.co.uk/
* Goodreads
* Shelfari

 
I'm still brain storming and although it hurts sometimes (LOL) it's paying off.
 
Best of luck!  And if you have any ideas you'd like to share, I would love to hear them!  I'll even send a FREE print copy of my book for the best new idea! :) 

Guest Blogger - Killer Fiction

I'm over visiting the ladies of Killer Fiction today.  Click on over and give me some pointers on how you conquer your fears. :)

Trust me, I need all the help I can get! LOL

Have a Beautiful Weekend!!

Interesting Thoughts

Found this to be very interesting and had to share.  
 
Selling to Traditional Publishing May Not Give YOU the Safety and Security Your Looking for in Your Writing Career.

Hmmm....

Check it out.  I'd love to hear more thoughts on this. :)

Dean Wesley Smith
http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=3665

Marketing Tips from a Teenager

Ahh....Spring is in the air.  I can feel it, smell it, almost reach out and grab it.  I for one am so glad to see the cold leave until next fall I could do a happy dance.  Hope my neighbors aren't watching. :)  There are many reasons I decided to remain in Texas, but the warmer climate tops this list.  Cold is fun to visit, but I could never live there.

If you have animals, I'm sure you've noticed that the changes in weather triggers weird behavior in your pets.  For some reason the coming of this new season also triggers something in teenage girls as well.  With two, I've learned this the hard way. LOL  This thing is called "The Need for Clothes".  What they wore last year at this time certainly isn't an option and the fall wardrobe won't cut it either.  Don't even make the mistake of suggesting this one.  If your lucky, they'll quit rolling their eyes by the time they are ready to start making their Christmas list.

Anyway, so off we go to the local mall to see if we can reign in this need that causes moodiness if left untreated for very long.  Here's where the brilliance sets in.  At least I think it's smart now.  At the time, I was mortified.

The Sony store sits smack dab in the middle of the mall and is a favorite hot spot for my two.  Just looking and playing around on the different computers and other technical gadgets makes their day.  They don't even have to buy a single thing.  We used to call this window shopping in my day.  I'm somewhat technically challenged so I don't see the fun in all of it.  Once they'd had their fill, they came back giggling and acting like the darn cat that swallowed a huge canary.  I was pooped out and resting on a near by bench.  Of course I just tell them I'm people watching, you know doing research for my next book.  That's when my middle daughter explains her new marketing strategy for selling my new release.  I knew I was in trouble before she even started. 

Apparently, she'd made her way around the store and decided it would be cool to plug in my website on every computer in there.  She left it open to the spot where you can easily find and purchase my book.

Chills rushed my body.  I was cold then hot.  I couldn't move at first and then I wanted to run.  My picture is on that page too.  OMGOSH!  I dug out my sunglasses, ducked my head and couldn't get out of the mall fast enough.  These two stinkers are still laughing about it! LOL 

Now that it's over and I've had time to think about it and the initial shock that someone might recognize me in the mall from the picture on the webpage has worn off, I see the brilliance in her thinking.  How many people go through there?  What if they saw it? Even if it managed to catch one persons eye, it was worth it.  And best of all it was free.  Surely, no law was broken by doing this, right?  Oh, that would be my luck. LOL I just told her if she ever does this again, to make sure I'm not with her!

Teenagers!  You got to Love'em!!

I've updated my website to look more professional just in case.  ;)
www.melissaohnoutka.com

Free Books!

Everybody Needs A Little Romance

Stop in and say hello!  One lucky commenter will win award winning author Sandra Edwards' "Broken Wings/Vegas, Baby 2pk!  I highly recommend both stories.  What better way than to get them both at once! :)

http://tiny.cc/o6qa9

So Why Human Trafficking?

With the release of my new book "Faithful Deceptions", I've had several people ask me why I chose to focus on human trafficking. 

Well, it all started with a miniseries on Lifetime back in 2005 called "Human Trafficking, staring Mira Sorvino and Donald Sutherland. If you haven't seen it, I recommend it.  It's a mind boggling story.  I was in the middle of finishing another manuscript, but after watching this movie my muse jumped up and said, "Out of my way, sister!"

I sat down to write a brief outline of the thoughts bouncing in my head and the next thing I knew I couldn't stop.  Six months later, Faithful Deceptions was finished.  The rough draft anyway.  I've actually been working on the edits and revisions for this manuscript off and on since 2007.  After my first RWA conference in Dallas, I let it sit for awhile and finished the story I was working on to begin with.  Then switched to writing a middle grade book and Young Adult for a change of pace.  At least I thought that was why back then.  Now I'm thinking it had alot more to do with how the story and the human trafficking affected something deep inside me.  The research has always been a fun part of the writing for me.  Not so much with this story.  The things I read and learned were almost too much to bear.  And I had two young daughters at the time.  It really shook me up.

Maybe this subject is something I need to bring more out in the open.  Human Trafficking is not a crime that only happens in foreign countries like so many of us think.  I was one of those people.  Then I found out  how many cases actually take place right here in the United States.  The Walmart in my home town is actually a stopping point for those coming in from Mexico on their way into the U.S. with these young girls. Horrified isn't even strong enough a word for how this makes me feel.  I could sit back and thank the good Lord above that I have no real life experiences to draw on.  But I feel like there's more I should do to bring this out in the open.

This horrifying reality will be woven through my next several books.  And I think I'm the one most surprised by this sudden realization.  Funny how a story can grasp hold and not let go.  How it can dig so deep within you there's no escape, no alternative but to see it through.  Heavy sigh.  Another reason I love to write?  The possibilities, shocking truths and breathtaking journeys one's imagination can take you through.

My First Interview!

Good morning!

Not only is today my youngest brother's birthday, which makes it pretty darn special all on its own, but it's also a big step for me too.

Today you can find me visiting my good friend Autumn Jordon at: AJ's Notes.  Gosh, my very first interview.  So exciting. LOL  Please stop in and say hello.  I'm giving away a $10.00 Amazon gift certificate for one lucky commenter! Be sure to leave your name and email address when you comment so I'll know where to send your prize if you win. :)

Hope to see you there!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE BROTHER! :)

So You Want to Shoot a Gun

After wonderful week filled with excitement due to my New Release, "Faithful Deceptions", I was ready for a little rest.  But first....FIELD TRIP!!!

My wonderful RWA chapter took a field trip Friday night to a shooting range.  What terrific research.  I grew up around guns, can shoot them and I'm a pretty good shot.  LOL But that said, I respect guns.  Even after all the experience I've had handling them, I still never get too comfortable around them.  Learning everything I can about gun safety is a very high priority in my book.  We had an hour of great instructions and safety rules before we even thought about stepping into the firing range.



.460 Magnum Revolver on the end.

 We were able to shoot a variety of calibers and brands.  My friend allowed her husband to bring his Smith & Wesson’s .460 Magnum Revolver and yes, I shot that baby too! LOL  Talk about adrenaline rush!!  And intimidation!  Wow!  Biggest hand gun I've ever seen.  Needless to say I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. :)

Bulls Eye! No, really! LOL

Can't wait for the next one and the chance to get my license!  Like I said, Awesome Research!!  The fun was an added bonus! :)