Looking for more beta readers

Hey everyone. I finally finished my book and I'm looking for more willing beta readers. I hope this story can work for young adult because there is some strong language used. I had to since it takes place during slavery times. If anyone is willing to take a look, feel free to email me.

Our plans for the new year and my new WIP

Ok... So we've finally came up with where we are moving. Tampa, Florida is the place that we will be calling home very soon. I'm so excited and I can't wait! It took us a lot of arguments, picking, unpicking, and finally picking for sure the right place. My husband is already looking for a band to join and I'm on the look out for legal assistant jobs. They seem to have a decent amount of both.

On the writing front, I've started yet another story. I couldn't help myself. My first try at writing upper middle grade. My main character is 13 and I already posted some of my work. I've gotten some pretty good feedback already and I can see how to improve what I have. Well, that's all I've got for now.

Teaser Tuesday

It's been quite some time since I have done one of these. I just started a new story today and I wanted to share some of it. It is still in rough draft form so grammar may be of and other things. I would love feedback since this is my first attempted at upper middle grade. Or is it middle grade. Not sure yet but working on it.

Julie looked around the lunchroom for her friends. It didn’t take long to spot the large group of people toward the back of the room. She piled on a salad, drizzled some olive oil on it, and grabbed a milk. Julie had caught the group mid conversation and she had to be caught up before putting in her two cents.



“I can’t believe you of all people haven’t heard!” Nina said. Julie couldn't help but to notice the new color added to Nina’s naturally blond hair. This weeks color was black. She made Julie think of a skunk but she wasn’t going to tell her that. Nina would never stop changing the highlights in her hair.
“What haven’t I heard? Tell me already!” Julie said, getting excited about god knew what.
“We are just got a new student and she is weird.” Nina went on. Julie but back the laugh at the way Nina had held out the word weird. “At least, I heard she was. I haven’t seen her. I also heard she is going to be in our class! I can’t wait to see what she looks like.” Nina said, spewing with excitement. Julie tried not to look bored but Nina saw her face.



“What? Don’t you want to check this girl out or at least find out the story on her?” Nina asked, confusion showing on her heart shaped face. Her eyes were lined with black eyeliner and it set off her already large eyes. Julie’s sometimes boyfriend, Kyle Wolf, known as Wolf, jumped in.
“I’ve seen her and she is pretty weird looking. I wouldn’t date her!” Wolf said, high-fiving a buddy next to him. Julie rolled her eyes and smacked her lips.
“Is girls all you think about? Isn’t that why we keep breaking up? Maybe if you get your eyes to yourself, we’d be hanging out still.” Julie said. That got a snicker out of the whole table. Wolf was not to be out done.
“We’ll be back together. We’ve only broke up, uh, let me see how many times…” Wolf looked up and pretended to be thinking. Nina rolled her eyes at the gesture.
“At least a thousand times and we always get back together. We’ve known each other for the whole thirteen years we’ve been alive.” Wolf finished. Julie said nothing to that but she turned back to Nina.
“Well, the faster we eat, the sooner we can get to homeroom and she this mysterious girl.” Julie grinned and dove into her salad.

It's been some time

I've been forgetting to update my blog from time to time. Life is always so hectic anymore since I started school again. That's going crazy already and I just started last month. What was I thinking going another 2 years? I had a great but boring Thanksgiving. I spent all day with my husband and the children. My mom kept them for 2 days. I haven't gotten any writing done in the last few weeks since I had to catch up on some school work. I did come up with several new story ideas for a middle grade novel. They are based on cat characters. I got a new kitten and he gave me some ideas. No news on my full still out. They said they have it and haven't read it yet. I'm still holding out hope but I know how things can go.

It's been awhile

I thought I would update everyone since it has been some time. The agent who has my full has not gotten to it yet so more waiting for me. I'm so nervous when gmail tells me I have an email or the phone rings. It's killing me.
Work is all crazy since the boss lady is not being very kind. Now I have to talk to her boss and that will be no fun. I haven't been writing as much as I would like since I have been in school. I thought I was done but I thought I should go ahead and get my 4 year degree. What could it hurt. I always wanted to work for the FBI but you had to have a 4 year degree. At the point, so long ago, I didn't see myself getting one but here, halfway through. Still planning on moving as far as we know but we just don't know where to go. Everything is always so busy in my life. Right now I'm about to get myself ready for my crappy job with the crappy pay.

Changes

So two new things. I made the mistake of looking over the wip I was working on before this current one demanded my attention. I really got into it again and I'm thinking about working on it. It's been stalled for almost 2 months. The problem is that I'm so close to finishing the one I'm working on now. What to do?
Next, I think I want to study wicca. Not sure as of yet but I am looking and reading up on it. I've gone to so many different types of churches but none seemed right. I also was curious about wicca and thought it sounded good. I guess I'll see what happens.

Why, oh why is life so crazy?

So, let me update the world about my woes and the small amount of good things that have been happening. First, we got a 7 month old kitten. He's a cutie pie and the kids love him. I also got a freelance writing job, which means extra money. Now, the ugly. My email and ebay account was hacked into. I haven't been able to get into my account since Monday night. It was so hard but it's fixed. My ebay account was harder since the hacker tried to buy everything. It's fixed and I'm back in the game. I never use a credit card so that was helpful.
Writing update: Took a break from the story after reaching 40,000. Just a little bit longer and it'll be ready to edit. Still no word back on my full but I refuse to nudge. We'll just have to see what happens.

WIP is slowly coming along

It's been a little while since my last update. Still working on the current novel. I thought I would have it done by now but things happen. I signed up for college again for another 2 years. I'm not doing anything with my degree until I move so why not. Anywhoo... this is a short post but write more later.

Writing and life updates

Well.... the writing is coming along. I haven't wrote too much in the last few days. I didn't meet my goal so that upsets me but I've been so busy and drained. I hope to get back to writing this week sometime soon.

On life... well, let me see. We have the city picked out where we would like to go. It's a place in New Jersey called Hoboken. Nice location and it seems like the type of spot I'm looking to live in. We'll see what happens with that.

Here I go again!

My mind will not stop coming up with ideas. They sound good to me but maybe they all sound that way to me. This one involves superhero characters. I have never wrote this kind of novel and I wasn't sure if you can make it into a novel but I guess you can. These will be my own superhero creations. I hope it works out the way I plan it although I haven't started outlining it yet. I must finish this book first and maybe work on the last book I was working on. The current one begged to be wrote and so I placed the other on hold.

Current Wip Update

Well... Here is the latest info about my wip. I have just hit the halfway mark and I'm so excited about it. I have passed up the total count of the story I was working on before this one. I have a goal of at least 60,000 but I think it'll be over that. I really hope this story turns out the way I have it planned because I love it so far. I want this story to evoke feelings of sadness, anger, happiness, hopelessness, and more. The reader should feel all those at some point in the story.

Teaser Tuesday is here again!

Here is more from my new wip. I'm happy to say that I love my story even more than I did before. Here is the scene setup. William who is white is falling for the house slave but no one must now. He wants to take her away and has asked his parents if he could buy her and also take his sister. Here is the aftermath:

“What are you doing in here, William?” Samuel said. William wheeled over to his mother and looked at her face before saying anything.
“I heard some of what you were saying. All my life I have dealt with the bickering and fighting. I can tell when you two fight because ma wears heavy makeup. I have lived with the fact that my farther beats my mother and that everyone knows it. I heard them whisper about it when I was a child. That is the reason why I left home as soon as I could. I got tired of it and so did Lucas and Josiah. I have been gone so many years and I come home to see that nothing has changed. Do you two ever stop to think how you affected all of us children? Poor Ava still lives here and has to deal with it. I want to let you know that I’m leaving home again when I heal and I hope that is sooner than later. When I leave, I am taking Ava with me. You two can argue as loud as you want and ma won’t have to hide her face from her children.” William took a breath and looked at his father’s shocked face and read the pain in his mother’s eyes. He took a deep breath and tried to prepare his self for what he was about to say. William was afraid of his father and he wanted nothing more than to please him but he had to say what he had to say.
“I want to take Elizabeth with me also. She is Ava’s best friend and I would hate to separate them. I will buy her from you if that is what it takes.” William stopped talking, his eyes never leaving his father’s. A sob escaped Sara and she fainted against the pillows. William did not go to her and neither did Samuel. The two men, one standing and one sitting, looked ready for a battle. The tension in the room was so thick that William felt like he was smothering. He knew asking for Elizabeth was going to cause all kind of arguments but he was ready to do what he had to do. Things were changing inside him and he had to go with the flow. Samuel looked at his son a little longer and then begun to laugh.
“Are you kidding me? This must be some kind of stupid joke or something. This is a joke right?” Samuel asked. William slowly shook his head and looked down at the ground. He hadn’t come home to take anything from his parents but he hadn’t expected to feel the way he felt about Elizabeth. He had almost forgotten her until he came home. Things were changing inside of him and he had no idea where these changes came from. He didn’t want to believe it had something to do with his new feelings for Elizabeth.
“This has to be some kind of sick prank and I don’t think it is funny at all! Who do you think you are to come to my house and try to break my family up! I think that you have lost your mind and that you may want to go back to your room.” Samuel said. His voice has grown quiet and the color had drained from his face.
“I did not come here to hurt or to take anyone. Ava is having a hard time here and she wouldn’t mind being with me. She has not received a letter from that young guy in the army and she is beginning to think he died. She is not happy here and she will be with me and Elizabeth.” William said. He had found his backbone again and he sat staring up at his father with dark eyes. Samuel told Sara to go across the hall to her room so he could talk in private to his son. She walked over to her son and kissed his cheek.
“I love you and I never will stop but you can’t take my only daughter from me. Once she is gone, I will have no one. Why would you want to take that from me?” She asked. William was not prepared for his mother to say anything and he was slightly taken aback. He always had a weakness for his mother but he has grown tired of her antics. She always felt the need to speak out against her father and to embarrass him in front of people. She could always cry and get her way but not anymore. He was going to leave the house and he was taking both girls with him and no one was going to stop him. She went to caress his face but he pulled his face away and that sent her crying from the room. He hated to hurt his mother but he was doing what he felt was the right thing to do. Samuel said nothing until the door shut behind him and only then did the color return to his face and William knew he was in for a rough ride. He wished he could stand and face his father like a man but he was going to have to do it from his wheelchair. Elizabeth had been helping him and he could now stand for a few moments that wasn’t going to help him now. He needed a miracle and he didn’t believe in them anymore.
“Is it that your mother was right after all? Have you fallen for that nigger wench?” Samuel asked. The tension in the room kicked up another notch but William held his ground against his father. William knew better to say what he was going to say so he changed his mind. He shouldn’t have brought it up until he was able to walk again. There was nothing much he could do if his father tried to hurt him and so he lied.
“I have not fallen for her. I have someone and she would love to have these girls come and live with us. Elizabeth can be Ava’s servant. Don’t you see what is happening with this war? The south doesn’t stand a chance and when the North wins, things are going to change. Things you aren’t going to like. They will win and the slaves will have to be released. It is only a matter of time. The confederate army is so poor and so many men are out there fighting and starving. I know that you don’t want to think such thoughts but I’ve seen what is happening out there. I fought and almost lost my life with many of those other boys and men. People are being asked to donate their clothes, homes, and everything in it to support the southern cause. These are our belongings and we shouldn’t have to give them up.” William took a deep breath and carefully looked at his father. Samuel’s face had been red but the color was slowly draining from it. He raked his fingers down his face and sat down in a chair. He looked deflated and William thought his father might cry. Samuel heaved a long sigh and his shoulders slumped.
“Please don’t tell Ava or your mother about that little part yet. I know those girls aren’t going to want to part with their things. All those fine dresses and curtains. Your mother takes such pride in them. Hearing that they have to give up their things is going to break their heart but it is something that must be done to help our cause.” Samuel said. His voice was quiet and defeated.
“It may be your cause and it was once my cause, but it is not anymore. Look what our own southern people are doing! Our neighbors just tried to kill us.” William steeled his self.
“When I leave, I am taking both of those girls with me and no one is going to stop me. All these people are going to lose everything when the north wins and you all will be left with nothing. You would have given your all your stuff to the army and they are going to lose anyways.” William turned away and left without another word. He pretended not to hear the low growl that Samuel let out.

Teaser Tuesday (new wip) Strong Language

Okay folks. Here is a sample of the new novel I'm working on. What is happening in this sample is that a slave plantation is being attacked and things get bad. This is my first attempt at a YA with no fantasy elements and I'm finding it fun. Still trying to get the speech of the 1860's down though.

“It looks as if there are some union soldiers fighting. The city is being attacked and we are to move underground into the tunnels. The masta is helping the others to get ready. I was told to wake you and pack as much stuff as I can. Things have gotten louder. Take a minute to listen while I get this stuff packed up.” Elizabeth said. She turned back to her duties and did it with as much speed as she could. William sat still and listened and he couldn’t understand how he had been sleeping through it all. The sounds of guns and cannons filled the city. If he really sat still, he could hear the faint sounds of people screaming. It sounded like it was coming from no more than a mile away.
“Are they heading this way and how did they get into the city?” William muttered. Elizabeth shrugged her soldiers.
“I guess that could be why the masta wants everyone underground.” Elizabeth said. She paused and looked back at William.
“The masta says that some of the slave owners are killing their slaves to avoid having to let them go if the North wins. He also says it is not safe outside and he will not let me go get my family. They are all alone out there were slave owners can come and kill them. I am not going below ground without them.” Elizabeth said. She begun throwing the rest of William’s things in a bag. He wheeled his way over to her and grabbed her arm. He could hear his father yelling for them and the cries of his mother.
“You have to go down. It is much too dangerous to stay up here. Maybe Tom or someone could go out there and bring them back or maybe they could hide!” William said. Elizabeth chuckled and turned on him.
“Are you serious? Tom wouldn’t help a nigger if his life counted on it. He hates us and could care less if they died. No one thinks about my people and I will not leave them out to die. There is nowhere for them to hide and they cannot run. They will be caught and killed right away. I have to stay with them.” Elizabeth said. Samuel came bursting in the door at that moment.
“Under ground now! I can hear them getting closer and I saw houses going up in flames in the distance. Someone is out for blood.” He grabbed the handles of William’s chair and pushed him to the trapdoor. There was a maze of tunnels below the house and no one but the people living in the house knew about it. Elizabeth ran ahead and threw the bags down in the tunnel. The screams of her people outside made her quicken her pace. They were asking for help and she was going to do whatever she could to help them. Next, she made sure that the masta and everyone had whatever they needed. Samuel called her name but Elizabeth headed out the back door. She sprinted to the slave homes to check on everyone. Most of the people were crying but the males just looked scared. The fires were getting closer and Elizabeth knew she had to hide her people.
“Is everyone well?” Elizabeth yelled over the noise. No one answered and she had to whistle to get everyone’s attention. Everyone said they were well and she tried to come up with a plan. Elizabeth ran outside to try and find a place that would be safe but time was running out. She could hear feet running up the drive and she began to panic. She turned around to see Tom Clayton standing in front of her.
“Bring them under ground!” Tom yelled. Elizabeth looked at him a minute longer and then told the slaves the new plan. Elizabeth waited until the last one was in the house before heading in.
“Where do you think you’re going? I got a plan for you, my dear.” Tom said. Elizabeth struggled against his embrace and she almost fainted when she saw the first group of white men come around the back of the house. She tried to back up but Tom had a firm grip of around her.
“You’re not going anywhere. They want to hang them a nigger and I’m going to help them out.” Tom said. He laughed and Elizabeth spat in his face. Tom’s laughter stopped and his hand connected with her face before she could brace herself. She tried again to pull away as the angry mob of men crept toward her.
“Don’t burn the house, take the nigger wench and do as you wish.” Tom ordered. The big man in front grabbed Elizabeth and she tried to scream but he put his beefy hand over her mouth and began dragging her off. Elizabeth bit him and tried to get to the house. She reached for the door knob, missed, and fell down. A sweaty hand clamped around her ankle and she knew it was over.
“Get your hands off me!” Elizabeth screamed as she kicked at the hand around her ankle. She heard the voice say something but she couldn’t make it out above the pounding in her ears.
“Get that darkie and hang him up!” Tom said. Elizabeth looked around and saw her friend, Joe struggling with one of the men. She had to help him because he was old and there was only one of him. The guy let go of her ankle to pursue Joe and Elizabeth seized on the change. She grabbed a log from the garden and smashed Tom over the head. Blood quickly started to run down his face. He spun around and came toward her with a nasty smile. Blood had fallen around his eyes and stained his teeth. Elizabeth backed up and tried running, Tom gave chase. Elizabeth tripped over a rock and went down. Tom was on her in a second. He started ripping at her clothes and the only thing she could do was beg through the tears, stinging her eyes. Tom refused to listen and his rough hands kept tearing at her clothes. The next thing Elizabeth knew, Tom was flying through the air. Samuel picked her up and took her to the house.
“Head below and do not let anyone come up!” Samuel roared. Elizabeth nodded her head and went below. Mistress Sara was shaking and crying while William tried his best to console her. Ava looked at her mother with blank frightened eyes. Elizabeth ran to her and wrapped her long arms around her best friend. Ava said nothing but she lay her head on Elizabeth’s shoulder. The angry shouts of men could be heard and that was when Elizabeth realized that most of the slave men were missing. She jumped up and looked around. All the women and children were there but none of the men.
“Where are they?” Elizabeth asked Joe. He looked up at her with tears running down his cheek.
“They outside with the masta, helpin to fight that angry mob of white men.” Joe said. Elizabeth collapsed to the floor. She couldn’t loose anyone else after what had recently happened to her. She didn’t want against her master but she had to make sure her family and friends were as safe as they could be. She looked around at the people she cared for the most. Sara was watching her with puzzled eyes but not William. His intense gaze told her that he knew what she was up to and not to think about it.

Love and War (Title name in progress)

So, this is my new work in progress. It is now at almost 11k and climbing. This story is wonderful and I love working on it. When I sit at my computer and open this doc, the words just seem to flow from my fingers. I love that it is happening so smoothly. I'm sure I'll loose steam at some point but it hasn't happened yet. Pretty soon it is going to pass the word count of my stalled wip. I hated to start another story before I finished the other but it was calling out to me. Wish me luck!

The Outlining Process Update

Well I'm getting my outline in order. My husband, who came up with this idea, has been so helpful. I think this is going to turn out to be a very great story if I do it just right. It's going to be my fist attempt at doing a novel with no magic. I'm up to it and willing to put my all into it. I've been getting books on the time period and watching movies. I'm learning a lot.

New novel idea

I know this again! Can't help it. I remember when I was seven I wrote my first "book". It took place in the middle ages and yes it had knights and Kings. I haven't wrote a historical novel in so long. Well never wrote one. This one will be a YA historical fantasy book. The main character is a girl unlike my current one. I think I have the plot I want but I'm doing an outline to get a better idea. I don't want to start since I'm already in the middle of one but this novel is calling me name.

New story idea

The hubby and I just watched Conan and I got a new story idea. Well, sort of. I know it will take place back in the middle ages but that's about it. No plot or anything. I already have to finish the novel I'm working on and edit another so I can send out more queries. Not sure what my plan of action is yet. I think I can begin research and make an outline. I can let the idea stew while working on the other things.

R.I.P Michael Joseph Jackson

On June 25 2009, a very wonderful person was taken from us. His name was Michael J. Jackson. I heard the news while at work and my heart stopped. I couldn't believe it and I still can't. He was only 50. Now people are crawling out of the wood work to talk about his drug use but none of these people helped him. People always want to smear someone's name when they can't defend them self. We love you Michael and your music and spirit will live on. He is and will always be The King of Pop. The title that no other will ever hold!

Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

It took me only 45 days to write my first YA novel. Here I am on my second and I swear, it hasn't gotten any easier. If anything it's harder. My 11 year old stepdaughter kindly came up with a name for this novel but the story is killing me. I've also been so busy with life that I haven't had the time. When I sit down to write, I stare at the computer screen for the longest time. I miss being able to write like I did on the last story but the thoughts aren't coming to me as fast. Life has been unfair to myself and my family in the last few months and it's still a bumpy road. I have 2 weeks until I graduate college and then my writing will really take off. I will write the story that is going to win me an agent. I think I'm writing it now.

My 2nd Teaser Tuesday

I first wanted to thank all my purgie friends for helping me to deal with this awful mess I'm going through. Now on to Teaser Tuesday. This an an excerpt with Kenji (main character) Kishi (next main character) and the princess. A second battle is on the way and the group is about to be sent out but because of the princess's high status, she can't fight. She is determined and makes the group promise to let her go. Her mother knows something is up and is trying to figure out what it is. Here it is:
“I just wanted to see the gang off. Is there a problem?” the princess asked. The Queen took a look around at the large group. No one looked back at her except Kishi, Kenji, and Panthra.
“No, nothing’s wrong bit you guys should really get going. You’ve already wasted more minutes then you should. Kressara, head on back to the house.” The Queen said. Her daughter didn’t move one inch.
“Did you hear what I said?” The Queen asked. She turned her full attention on her daughter and everyone else was forgotten. Kressara shifted her body toward her mother. Kishi quickly read her aura to see what was about to happen. It was a bright pulsing red. Kressara was ready to do battle. She caught Kenji’s eye and he knew what was happening. Kishi sent the princess a message to stay calm. She knew the princess received it when she broke contact with her mother and looked at her. The Queen did not miss it but she said nothing.
“I told you that I wanted to see my friends off and that’s what I’m going to do.” Kressara’s eyes flashed black and back again. Both women stood with their bodies erected and leaning toward each other. Kressara’s hands were balled into fist. The Queen’s eyes were jet black now and her aura glowed for all to see. It was an icky grey shade with lightening bolts running through it.


Thanks guys in advance for your blunt but kind and helpful words!!

Writing breakthrough?

I haven't been able to work on my story in so long. It was beginning to upset me. Well I finally started to write again today. I'm taking it slow so I won't get stuck. Writer's block is awful. I still have several queries out there and a full. I'm hoping to get this story done in the next three months.

Full Request

A couple days ago I got a full request from a really great agency. This is on a story that got no request last year! I'm excited but not holding my breath. I just hope if the reject me, they give some great feedback. That's all I ask. Well, that's all for now!

No Teaser for me either

No teaser for me this week. Things at home have been so stressful and the such. I'm falling apart but I know that things are going to get better soon. At least I hope so. I need to get some writing done so I better go. I haven't been able to write in weeks and I miss it.

Daily Happenings

Well I think I came up with a name for my work in progress. Well my stepdaughter did. She picked the name: Cardia and beyond. That's the name of the city that the story mainly takes place. Things are so hectic as always in my life. I was going to go ahead and get my 4 year degree but I'm done for now. I'm so tired of school and deadlines with that and I never have time to work on my writing. My story is coming along so slowly. I will go back but not at the moment. Writing is my passion and my very first love since I was a child. I know this is what I want to do. At least I'm still working and that's a plus.
I got to go out last night and that was so fun. The whole crew from where I work went out and I danced on the stripper pole! Everyone couldn't believe it, me included.

Here is my next Piece for Teaser Tuesday:Sorry about the formatting and I'm still working on this part.

It only took thirty minutes to sell out of the sweet purple apples Kenji had been selling. He went in search of the others and he found Panthra quickly but Kishi was nowhere in sight.
“Where the hell is she? Have you see her at all since we got here?” Kenji asked.
“No, but I hope we hurry and find her. Some of these people look creepy. I recognized most of them but there was some new ones mixed in.
A scream filled the air and they both knew who it was. Panthra took off in a sprint on all fours and Kenji wasn’t far behind. A large brute of a man had Kishi up against a wall with a knife to her throat. He was trying to grab a handful of everything and Kishi was struggling.
“Get your damn hands off of her before I break them both!” Kenji yelled as he walked closer to the man holding Kishi. He could see Panthra out of the corner of his eyes. She was coming at the man from behind and he hadn’t noticed. Kishi locked eyes with Kenji and he knew what she was saying. She was begging him not to kill the man. The man didn’t let her go but instead pulled out a small sword and pointed it at Kenji.
“I suggest you keep right on walking little boy. This girl here is nothing but a tease and I’m going to show her what happens to girls like her.” The man said. He smiled and licked his lips. Kenji could see the man’s rotten teeth and smell his dirty unkempt clothes.
Panthra was directly behind the man now and she was ready to pounce. She had crouched on all fours and her fur was standing on end.
“This is your last chance. She doesn’t want you dead.” Kenji said nodding in Kishi’s direction. “I will kill you anyway or I could let my other comrade do my dirty work.”
A sharp metallic sound came from behind the man and he spun around to see one angry cat. Panthra stood at over six feet tall and the man had to look up at her. Her razor sharp claws glistened in the sun.
“There’s no one around to here you scream when I slit your throat. Do you still want more time to think about that?” Panthra said.

Silver Phoenix Contest

Cindy Pon will release her debut novel, titled Silver Phoenix:Beyond the Kingdom of Xia, this summer. Check your local bookstores or you can go online to order it.

No title for the new novel yet

Hello everyone! I finally reached 11k on my story and I am still so excited about it. I don't have a title yet but some ideas are coming to me. I thinking about naming it after the name of the city. I'm not sure but the title has to sound tough. There are many battle scenes in this book and I want my title to convey that. I haven't gotten as far with the book as I would like but life calls. I've been working, which I haven't done in 2 years, busy with my new stepdaughter, and school on top of that! Oy, as a friend of mine would say. I'm determined to get in at least 2k today. I've got to take my husband to work and then writing time. I want to take my time on this story and get it as good as I can the first time around. It will sure making editing a little easier.

my new novel

I've almost reached 10k! It's coming along quite nice but I see some holes I will need to fill. I read a lot about pacing and I see where I need to fix some things. There will be many small battles throughout this book but toward the end there is a huge battle. I want my readers to feel it coming and be afraid. I want them to have tension build up in them. I want them to feel for my characters whose lives are at stake. I know how to do that now so I'm going to get to work on that. I like to edit as I write because I am known to deviate from the main story. Here's an example. I finished my first YA a few months back. It was nothing like the outline I wrote for it. It started that way but somewhere along the line, the plot change completely. Don't know how that happened. I made an outline of this one but it's flexible.

2 more days until my stepdaughter gets here

My stepdaughter will be visiting in two more days! I'm so nervous and excited. I worry how she will feel about me and how my hubby will deal with some of the problems she has. For the first time I posted up a part of my story on my blog. People liked it and offered some great tips. I love where this story of mine is heading and I like that other people are liking it also. I just hope and agent feels the same way when it comes to the time. I like writing from a boy's point of view but it's hard. My hubby acts like a 17 year old even though he is almost 35 so that helps too!
Well I better get back to writing. I keep telling myself that I'm going to hit the 6,000 mark but I have yet to do it. I hope to get it done today.

Teaser Tuesday

I see that all my peeps on AbsoluteWrite on putting up teasers so I thought I would give in. This is an excerpt from my newest novel that I am working on. Leave comments if you like.

Kenji looked around at the mess in front of him. Bodies of the people he loved littered the road. He tried in vain to make sense of what had just happened. Princess Kressara had been kidnapped, and the adults were either dead or kidnapped. He looked at himself and saw all the blood. At some point during the battle, blood had splashed him in the face. The stench of it burned his nose. He walked around in circles as tears streamed down his face. How had this happened? Kenji stopped just as quickly as he started and looked around one more time. A rumble formed in his chest and could be heard rising in this throat.

“Why!?” He screamed. He screamed again. The sound of his voice bounced off the rocks and throughout the empty city.

Life and updates

Well my husband and his new found daughter are getting along great. I can't wait to meet her although I feel bad for her birth mother. We will be meeting Skye soon so until then, nothing new.
I stopped sending out query letters for now and started working on the new novel. I'm at 2k and it is coming along. My main character this time is a male and for some reason I find it hard to write from a male. Wish me luck!

Update and results

Well we found out today that the little girl is my husband's daughter. We are all excited. Things are going to change but it's good. We get to talk to her and soon we will be meeting her. Well that's all for now.

Today's my birthday and countdown to Paternity has started

Today I turned 26 so Happy Birthday to me. On the other front, my husband did the paternity tests on the 17th. The countdown has began. We could get the results as early as Tuesday or sometime that week. I am so nervous. What if she isn't his? I hope that she is though. So does my husband. I know that our lives are going to change if she is too. There is so many things that we have to change and that we have to do. So many people to talk to and who has to get into our personal lives. That part I hate. I hope that all this is worth it in the end. I have already felt a bond with this child. I feel for her. It is a lot to go through for a child.
Some other news is that my husband got me a job where he works. Nothing much but after not working for almost 2 years. I'm excited. I am working on the outline for this new novel. I just got some world building notes. I knew nothing about that when I wrote my first novel but I am going to use it this time. Well write more later.

New book and I'm so excited

I thought I was going to do another fantasy book but I have not been able to vome up with a plot for it yet. My husband keeps getting on me about doing a horror but I've been resisting. I finally gave in and already started research. I can't wait. This is going to be gruesome!!!

My latest news

The outline for the next story is going slower than I hoped. I am so swamped. Always doing something for someone else. I have so many crazy things going on in my life that I don't even have time for me. There is all this stuff with the paternity testing coming up and I am so nervous for my hubby. We are holding things together and we hope the little girl is his.

Joined Twitter and plotted new novel

I finally caved in and joined Twitter. I still don't know much about it but I am hanging in there. There are a lot of agents on there and I think that can be helpful.
I also finally game up with a plot for my next YA. I am so excited!!

Nothing New

Nothing new has been happening. I sent out another query yesterday but nothing yet. I am getting so tired of the game. After working hard on a novel, you have to work harder to get someone to fall in love with your book. It's hard work and many people have givin up. I, on the otherhand is plotting my new novel!!! We'll see what happens.

Update

Well nothing new but still busy. I fell behind in school and finally got caught up. My hubby will be getting testing done to see if the 11 year old girl is his so I am stressed about that. I don't know what I am going to do but I am very happy. I am just a mess right now. I have so much to do but never enough time or motivation. I hope next week gets better.

Loving the hair

I just got my hair done and it looks good. I really like and the hubby does too. I feel and look a lot better.
No news on the writing front. A lot of non responders and I am about to resend to them.

New Hair Do For Me!!

Tomorrow morning I am driving 30 miles to get some mirco braids put in my hair. My real hair is so short that some people thought I was a guy. I am ready to grow it out and it gives me more confidence. I love the way I feel when my hair is done. I will be posting pictures soon.

Happenings on the homefront

Well I got the first 5 chapters back from one of my beta readers and she helped a lot. I think it will help me when I send sample pages or requests out. I hope that will be soon. I am so ready to get an agent. I keep telling myself that 2009 is the year. Some great agent is going to come along and love my book. It's not about money. I just want people to read my book and at least like it. Word of mouth.
My oldest soon has been acting out at home and school recently. He's 6. I could not figure it out what was going on and I had a chat with the teacher. She informs me how sneaky my son is. Their behavior is rated by color in their notebooks. Green is good, yellow is warning, red is bad as heck, and blue is a tyrant. He had been getting yellows for weeks but sneaking and coloring them green. He even had 2 blues thrown in there but colored them yellow. Is that sneaky or what? My eight year old daughter is going on 21. She is so sassy and she is so much like how I was and how I am. It's scary as hell!! Who wants their daughter to be like them? Not my husband. He says I am hard as hell to love with. That's his way of saying how much he loves me!

Crickets in the inbox

All is silent over here. I have not gotten nothing on the writing front. My story is still out with 2 beta readers but it takes time. I want to strike while the iron is hot, so the saying goes. I have so much love for this story and I think it can work with some help.
The publishing industry isn't doing so hot and that is never good news for writers. There are still deals being made out there but now agents are even more picky about what they request. There is something I don't understand. If agents love your story but there is a minor problem, why don't they take the person on and have the revise? I had an agent love the plot but said there was a problem and she told me what. Nothing bad but I am fixing that though. Well got to go!

Request rejected

Well the 3 chapters that were out has been rejected. This time she gave feedback that was helpful. She said that there was too much telling and not enough showing. I sent the novel out to the beta reader and I hope to hear something back in the next two weeks or so. I'm not down though. I feel pretty good because she did compliment the story plot so I know I am getting close.

I got another request!!!

Yesterday I sent a query to what I thought was a good agency. Turns out this company , which I will not name, is referring people to a vanity publisher. There is a thread on absolutewrite.com/forums about them and it is not hard to find their name. I was not mad about that. I thought it was funny and a wonderful women on the thread wrote an interesting article about it all. Don't mess with her or she'll bite!!!!
On a good note, I got another request. This time it was a 3 chapter request but it is an awesome agent. I am crossing my fingers but I have been let down before. It hurt like hell but I am ready for whatever. Writing is one of the hardest jobs besides being a mother. I know about that, I got three kids and gray hairs at 25!! It hurts when you believe so much in your story and others don't. I fell in love with this Young Adult novel. It was amazing. I worked on it day in and day out. I neglected my husband for 45 days to get it down. The words just poured from my fingers. I wrote until my fingers cramped!! I did all this and someone requests a full. I was so excited and I called everyone. Eight days later I got a form reject from this agent at a huge agency. A freaking form. Most agents give some type of feedback on your novel but no, a freaking form!!!!! I cried for an hour. Nothing could comfort me that day. It seemed to all happen so quick. I sent her an email and got an out of office reply. Two days later she requested my full. She was like the third agent and queried. I learned that you must have a thick skin if you want to be a successful writer. I wanted to be a writer since I was seven years old. That was my dream and that is what I will be. I am excited about this 3 chapter request but I am not giving my hopes up. I am going to treat them all has rejections so if someone does offer, I burst with happiness. I know this sounds crazy but it is true. Writing is my passion. I always say that I would not know what to do. I think I would go crazy and have to be locked up!! I love writing because I can lose myself in my story. I can create anything I want. Any type of person. They can be any color and live any place they want. I can make new worlds. People would be reading the books I write and they can go to this places and see through the eyes of every character. Well anyways, today is day one that my 3 chapters are out. That should not take to long and she will do one of three things. Request the full, offer rep, or worse of all, reject me. Until then I am going to keep sending those queries out. The right agent is out there and I will find them. That is because I believe.

Today, history will be made

Today the first African American president will be sworn in. I voted for the first time because of Barack Obama. He is going to pull this country together and let it rule wants again. I just want to say I Love You Obama and you gave everyone hope. Not just the other African Americans but for everyone.

I passed the math class

Well I passed my math class. I am so excited about that. On to the next classes. I think I am down to six classes left. Trying to find a job is proving to be harder.
On the writing front, I sent out another batch of queries. I hope I can get at least one request from it.

Silent Inbox

Well, it has been silent in my inbox. I have several queries back but only one reject in the last few days. I just finished the semester at school but the math class killed me. I am not sure if I failed but I hope not. I guess I will find out but I am so scared that I did. On the writing front, I have made the choice to start writing fiction again. I have several stories that I started and would like to finish. My husband brought this to my attention. He says they sound really good so we will see what happens.

Today is a bad day

I just got an R from Maya Rock at Writershouse. I cried so hard. There was no feedback and that is what upset me the most. I hear that she rejects a lot of people so I don't feel so bad now. I did revenge query and I sent out 8 more. We will see what happens.

Finally Monday!

I was not sure if I was going to make it to today. The children went back to school and I am so happy about that. They were driving me bunkers. I am still waiting to hear something back about the full that is still out. I got a R today from a query I sent on Dec 16th. I had forgot about it. I still have things to send out and I am sure I will be hearing something back from someone this week.

My Holidays

My holidays went great. The family went over to my mothers. (myself, husband, three kids). That was for Christmas. We had a nice time. New Years was boring. We went over to a nearby friends house a little after midnight to play some games. I came home and went to sleep. Happy New Years to me!!!! The kids have been out of school for almost 3 weeks and they have been driving me insane!! My daughter is 8 and my son is 6 and they are forever arguing. He did this and she did this is all I hear. School resumes tomorrow and no one knows how glad I am. They hit and bite, complain, and tattle all day. I have no sleep from the little one and I think my hair is going gray at 25. I turn the big 26 in a couple of months.

Holiday are all over

Well all the holidays are over and I am so happy for that. I sent out a lot of queries and I have not heard anything back. I did get 1 rejection and my full is still out. I am so nervous on that. I really like the agent that has it. I have heard nothing but good things about her so I hope she likes what I wrote. She seems to reject fulls within a week. My week is up Monday. I keep telling myself that I will be okay with a rejection but I probably won't. I am keeping strong and keep my mind busy but it is hard. I have not heard anything back from Firebrand yet either. I heard some people say that already got their rejections so I am not sure if this is a good sign. Maybe they have not gotten to mine yet. I keep telling myself that about the agent who has my full. Maybe she had not read it yet which still gives her time to hate it. I hope I hear something from someone soon. My inbox is getting lonely without agent requests or rejections!!!