Mia Castile's Blog, page 5
April 10, 2012
If I said it in a Vlog, then it must be true.
So I vlogged today, in the middle of trying to figure out what's going on with microsoft word; in the middle of cleaning house; in the middle of writing, blogging, and everything else I was supposed to do. Sometimes it's easier to say it than to do it. I talked some more about Becoming A Butterfly, because it's release is fast approaching. I'm so excited about this series and story. Reviews are going up on Goodreads, and more will be coming soon. So here it is, enjoy, don't laugh, except at the funny parts. I usually think I'm more funny than I actually am though. Comment here or on Youtube. Thanks for taking a few minutes to watch.
To request a copy of our novels for review, interviews or to participate in a blog tour please contact Jodie.
Jodie@entwinedpublishing.com
March 24, 2012
Don’t bother me… I’m writing.
I find that when I’m in a zone, or writing and the plot is flying out of my finger tips, the rest of the world melts away. This can be good *for my plot* and bad *for the rest of my family*. Lucky for me they understand and realize that writing is something I love. When I write the world around me melts away, and I’m in background infused into the setting; I just watch my characters interact. They become live, breathing creatures. Creatures of habits, Creatures of surprise, Creatures who make me laugh and cry.
Writing when you’re in the zone, can almost be euphoric, it’s a high because your ideas are takingshape by forming words. The first book I finished writing was The Ocean a few years ago, I think it was fitting since it was the first book I began when I was sixteen. I found some old chapters a few months ago, and the difference from what it began as to what it became is amazing to me. Finishing it, changed my life. It proved to me that this was not only something that I love but it was something that I could do. Everyone has those what if’s. This was one of those what if‘s that I had carried for a long time. I can remember being a young girl staring at a dark ceiling, and thinking I want to be an author. I knew what my pen name was going to be, and I knew what I wanted to write, fiction.
I love disappearing in my stories, creating a new world, a world where the reader can disappear into the background and watch the characters become living creatures too. So when I’m staring at my computer, fingers typing away, and eyebrows furrowed my kids know they have to tap my arm, and maybe ask me their question twice to get my attention. My husband knows that when I say “sure give me just a minute.” It probably means give me an hour. I’m lucky that they are so understanding, and am grateful that they support and are proud of me. But when I’m in the zone… Don’t bother me, I’m writing.
Don't bother me… I'm writing.
I find that when I'm in a zone, or writing and the plot is flying out of my finger tips, the rest of the world melts away. This can be good *for my plot* and bad *for the rest of my family*. Lucky for me they understand and realize that writing is something I love. When I write the world around me melts away, and I'm in background infused into the setting; I just watch my characters interact. They become live, breathing creatures. Creatures of habits, Creatures of surprise, Creatures who make me laugh and cry.
Writing when you're in the zone, can almost be euphoric, it's a high because your ideas are taking by forming words. The first book I finished writing was The Ocean a few years ago, I think it was fitting since it was the first book I began when I was sixteen. I found some old chapters a few months ago, and the difference from what it began as to what it became is amazing to me. Finishing it, changed my life. It proved to me that this was not only something that I love but it was something that I could do. Everyone has those what if's. This was one of those what if's that I had carried for a long time. I can remember being a young girl staring at a dark ceiling, and thinking I want to be an author. I knew what my pen name was going to be, and I knew what I wanted to write, fiction.
I love disappearing in my stories, creating a new world, a world where the reader can disappear into the background and watch the characters become living creatures too. So when I'm staring at my computer, fingers typing away, and eyebrows furrowed my kids know they have to tap my arm, and maybe ask me their question twice to get my attention. My husband knows that when I say "sure give me just a minute." It probably means give me an hour. I'm lucky that they are so understanding, and am grateful that they support and are proud of me. But when I'm in the zone… Don't bother me, I'm writing.
March 12, 2012
I’ve walked this road a thousand times.
The water clock empties twice a day when it turns from 12:59 (completely full) to 1:00 both AM and PM
Saturday El Senor and I took the kids to the children’s museum. Doing so brought about a lot of childhood memories, as my little ones raced past the water clock. The presenter said it was installed twenty years ago, and the crowd gasped. Yeah, I remember before that, before it was ever there. Growing up, my favorite floor was always the fourth, where the science exhibit was and still is, and the wooden carousel from Broadripple. It is 95 years old. (and no I don’t remember before it was in the museum) I laughed as my children ran down the ramps in the middle of the building that linked each floor, in exactly the same manner as I did as a little girl.
If you ever make to Indianapolis, The Children’s Museum is a must see, from the dinosaurs climbing in the front window to the many
The curious Dinosaurs peek in at newly arrived visitors to the museum.
other dinosaurs in the Dinosphere exhibit. It wasn’t crowded but there were definitely a lot of children running around laughing and having a great time. It was amazing to see it from a different perspective. I’ve been there with my children a few times, but something about this visit brought back nostalgia.
This T-Rex was named Stan after the amateur paleontologist Stan Sacrioson who discovered him
When I was a little girl, after my parents divorced, my father visited us every Sunday between church. Some days he took us to Chuck-e-Cheese, sometimes we went to The Children’s Museum. My sister and I knew that place like the back of our hands. Thinking about those days I realize that somethings never change, but at the same time, they never stay the same. I experienced a similar feeling of nostalgia when we took the kids to Disney World this summer, I’m taller now, but I walked the same walkways I had years ago. Though it was completely different, it felt the same. I’m just glad and feel so blessed to be able to pass down the same experiences to my children that I hold dear. Maybe one day they will look back as they take their own children to these places and have the same happy feelings I do with them now.
I've walked this road a thousand times.
The water clock empties twice a day when it turns from 12:59 (completely full) to 1:00 both AM and PM
Saturday El Senor and I took the kids to the children's museum. Doing so brought about a lot of childhood memories, as my little ones raced past the water clock. The presenter said it was installed twenty years ago, and the crowd gasped. Yeah, I remember before that, before it was ever there. Growing up, my favorite floor was always the fourth, where the science exhibit was and still is, and the wooden carousel from Broadripple. It is 95 years old. (and no I don't remember before it was in the museum) I laughed as my children ran down the ramps in the middle of the building that linked each floor, in exactly the same manner as I did as a little girl.
If you ever make to Indianapolis, The Children's Museum is a must see, from the dinosaurs climbing in the front window to the many
The curious Dinosaurs peek in at newly arrived visitors to the museum.
other dinosaurs in the Dinosphere exhibit. It wasn't crowded but there were definitely a lot of children running around laughing and having a great time. It was amazing to see it from a different perspective. I've been there with my children a few times, but something about this visit brought back nostalgia.
This T-Rex was named Stan after the amateur paleontologist Stan Sacrioson who discovered him
When I was a little girl, after my parents divorced, my father visited us every Sunday between church. Some days he took us to Chuck-e-Cheese, sometimes we went to The Children's Museum. My sister and I knew that place like the back of our hands. Thinking about those days I realize that somethings never change, but at the same time, they never stay the same. I experienced a similar feeling of nostalgia when we took the kids to Disney World this summer, I'm taller now, but I walked the same walkways I had years ago. Though it was completely different, it felt the same. I'm just glad and feel so blessed to be able to pass down the same experiences to my children that I hold dear. Maybe one day they will look back as they take their own children to these places and have the same happy feelings I do with them now.
March 5, 2012
I made a Vlog
In this vlog I discuss the new book.
I'm a little out of practice, so it's a little long and full of umms. So much so, you could probably play a drinking game to it, and the vlog is long enough you might get drunk! All jokes aside, I'm pretty serious in it and would love for you to give me six minutes to watch the whole thing. Leave a comment here or on Youtube, I'd love your feedback.
If you or someone you know might be struggling with depression, or self harm, please speak up and get help. You are not alone.
http://www.inspireusafoundation.org/
February 22, 2012
Today, I’m writing a blog
-Toad The Wet Sprocket
“I’m going to blog today.”
“I’m going to blog this week.”
“I’m going to blog this month.”
“I’m going to blog at some point.”
“I really need to write a blog.”
“I don’t want to blog.”
It shouldn’t be a chore, but sometimes it feels like it is. I have this mental image of my blog having meaning, changing lives, making the world a better place, however, I’m no doctor, or scientist (madd or other) and can only affect my small bubble in the world. So when I strip down and climb out of the outer pressure what am I left with? The fact that I love to write. I write descriptively, creatively, and emotionally.
I was talking with a friend the other day, and as we discussed our writing projects, his eyes lit up, causing my eyes to light up and my heart to race with excitement. he said “You’ve inspired me to write.” and I laughed because I felt exactly the same way, because he had inspired me to write. I came home and worked on a few of my smaller projects.
Words are so important, and the difference between: a poison or medicine, a weapon or tool, a gloomy or sunny day. One time, I was with my sister Christmas shopping, when she went up to a soldier in uniform who was also shopping and thanked him for his sacrifice for our freedom. The initial shock on his face was replaced with a simple smile and a nod. She and I both teared up as we walked away, but she told me she always tried to make a point to thank those who served our country. We didn’t know what kind of life he lived up to that point, and whether or not he ever thought of that again, but in that moment we were grateful, and regardless of any other effect, it impacted my life. Now, I try to always thank a soldier when I see them in uniform.
Words inspire, actions inspire, people inspire.
Today I wrote a blog, thinking about the wonderful people I’ve been blessed to share my life with and who inspire me. Next week, month or simply the next time I blog, I hope to inspire you.
Today, I'm writing a blog
-Toad The Wet Sprocket
"I'm going to blog today."
"I'm going to blog this week."
"I'm going to blog this month."
"I'm going to blog at some point."
"I really need to write a blog."
"I don't want to blog."
It shouldn't be a chore, but sometimes it feels like it is. I have this mental image of my blog having meaning, changing lives, making the world a better place, however, I'm no doctor, or scientist (madd or other) and can only affect my small bubble in the world. So when I strip down and climb out of the outer pressure what am I left with? The fact that I love to write. I write descriptively, creatively, and emotionally.
I was talking with a friend the other day, and as we discussed our writing projects, his eyes lit up, causing my eyes to light up and my heart to race with excitement. he said "You've inspired me to write." and I laughed because I felt exactly the same way, because he had inspired me to write. I came home and worked on a few of my smaller projects.
Words are so important, and the difference between: a poison or medicine, a weapon or tool, a gloomy or sunny day. One time, I was with my sister Christmas shopping, when she went up to a soldier in uniform who was also shopping and thanked him for his sacrifice for our freedom. The initial shock on his face was replaced with a simple smile and a nod. She and I both teared up as we walked away, but she told me she always tried to make a point to thank those who served our country. We didn't know what kind of life he lived up to that point, and whether or not he ever thought of that again, but in that moment we were grateful, and regardless of any other effect, it impacted my life. Now, I try to always thank a soldier when I see them in uniform.
Words inspire, actions inspire, people inspire.
Today I wrote a blog, thinking about the wonderful people I've been blessed to share my life with and who inspire me. Next week, month or simply the next time I blog, I hope to inspire you.
February 14, 2012
And the Winners are. . .
The Points Matters contest had an amazing turn-out. I counted almost a thousand total tweets for the contest. But like all good things it came to an end last night at midnight with a few tweets sliding in at the last minute.
That being said I'd like to announce the winners.
In 3rd Place were @uniquelymoi and @mrsteemae_books. Congratulations. Your prizes are a Swag package including a personalized poster, bookmark and postcard.
Second Place went to @Ladyreaderstuff and @candyco01. I applaud you,too. Your prizes were a copy of one of my books and the swag.
And the Grand prize goes to, drum roll please, earning 657 points on her own and over 600 tweets alone, was the twock star @alemavis.
The first prize included both of my printed novels, and accompanying swag.
So I commend you all, and ask that ONLY the winners fill out this form at the bottom, so that I can mail out your prizes soon. Thank you to all who participated and earned points.
[contact-form]
February 1, 2012
A Party is Still a Party Wherever it is.
Everyone loves throwing a party and being a host/hostess; the attention to details and the appreciation with ooh and ahhs. However, no one loves the aftermath, the clean up, the discerning of trash or keepsakes, the broken collectibles from the guy with a lamp shade on his head or the chasing stragglers out of your front yard.
Luckily for me, my amazon free party was completely virtual. I want to thank everyone who shared my links on facebook and twitter; and I want to thank those who clicked on those links and downloaded nearly 3000 copies of my novels. You don't know what it means to me to know that my books have reached so many people because of this promotion. If you liked what you've read then stay tuned, this year promises to be full of more promotions, giveaways and new endeavors for myself and Entwined Publishing. We are growing and creating. It is an exciting time to be in the publishing industry.
FYI.
I still have the #Pointsmatter #Happybdayentwined contest continuing on here, Twitter and Youtube until February 13, 2012. If you haven't read the rules to it, you can find them on my blog post Because Points Matter. If you are already participating, you rock and blow me away with your attention to details. It's definitely turning into a close tight race! Good luck to all my participants, is it wrong to say that I find myself rooting for all of you? I do.
That said, I can't even begin to express how blessed I feel and amazed I am at all of those around me.
Sincerely,
-Mia
