A.M. Hooper's Blog, page 4
September 29, 2011
the cat?
So I got to Sub Zero after I close the tanning salon and my sister and one of my favorite employees are there. Couple that with my ridiculous husband, and we're in for a most excellent hour.
While Sean (one of our favorite employees) is shooting my sister with one of my bookmarks folded up and shot from a rubber band sling, my hubby is towel whipping everyone in sight. Mind you, customers are still sitting enjoying their ice cream while we're all being obnoxious in the back. In fact, at one point, some customers came up and asked for some lids for their ice cream (that's right- if people can't finish their ice cream, they take it home for later. Oh yeah- it's that good), and they ask my sister-
"So what, you bring in the obnoxious night crew after 8?"
and then my brilliant little sister says, "They're the owners!" I of course proceeded to blame our lack or propriety on my husband, which he never really refutes, so it works out pretty well, my obnoxious side.
Now you should know that I suck at towel whipping... and shooting things with rubber bands... and basically anything that involves jokingly hurting other people. Since I can't fight back, I usually stand there and whine, or I slap my hubby. this somehow encourages him to keep going- he likes conflict, or something- I don't know, he's a boy!
So we're in the middle of the towel fight (the four of us) and katie is in her hyper mood, so she starts spouting off crap she learned in psychology that day.
"Did you know a cat can live if you cut it's head off above the (insert smart word here)?"
"What?" I ask, confused by her vocabulary.
Katie restates the above phrase, and Sean agrees.
"Oh, yeah because (blah blah blah something smart.)
Meanwhile, heath is still whipping everybody.
Katie: "I learned it in psychology today."
Me: "Oh! Like that guy who got a rod through his head and he still lived-"
Katie: "Yeah, and he was a totally different person because it went through his frontal lobe or-"
Sean: "Yeah, and he was like, angry or something.
Heath stops whipping the towel: "The cat?"
Yes, love, the cat. haha it was funnier if you were there, but that basically sums up my husband's listening abilities. ADD for sure. The nigh ended with me getting one good towel snap in and heath and sean whipping katie til she had welts. Yup. We're all really nice. But we laugh a lot, so it's okay :)
While Sean (one of our favorite employees) is shooting my sister with one of my bookmarks folded up and shot from a rubber band sling, my hubby is towel whipping everyone in sight. Mind you, customers are still sitting enjoying their ice cream while we're all being obnoxious in the back. In fact, at one point, some customers came up and asked for some lids for their ice cream (that's right- if people can't finish their ice cream, they take it home for later. Oh yeah- it's that good), and they ask my sister-
"So what, you bring in the obnoxious night crew after 8?"
and then my brilliant little sister says, "They're the owners!" I of course proceeded to blame our lack or propriety on my husband, which he never really refutes, so it works out pretty well, my obnoxious side.
Now you should know that I suck at towel whipping... and shooting things with rubber bands... and basically anything that involves jokingly hurting other people. Since I can't fight back, I usually stand there and whine, or I slap my hubby. this somehow encourages him to keep going- he likes conflict, or something- I don't know, he's a boy!
So we're in the middle of the towel fight (the four of us) and katie is in her hyper mood, so she starts spouting off crap she learned in psychology that day.
"Did you know a cat can live if you cut it's head off above the (insert smart word here)?"
"What?" I ask, confused by her vocabulary.
Katie restates the above phrase, and Sean agrees.
"Oh, yeah because (blah blah blah something smart.)
Meanwhile, heath is still whipping everybody.
Katie: "I learned it in psychology today."
Me: "Oh! Like that guy who got a rod through his head and he still lived-"
Katie: "Yeah, and he was a totally different person because it went through his frontal lobe or-"
Sean: "Yeah, and he was like, angry or something.
Heath stops whipping the towel: "The cat?"
Yes, love, the cat. haha it was funnier if you were there, but that basically sums up my husband's listening abilities. ADD for sure. The nigh ended with me getting one good towel snap in and heath and sean whipping katie til she had welts. Yup. We're all really nice. But we laugh a lot, so it's okay :)
September 28, 2011
I follow this chick's blog and I seriously LOVE it! I was...
I follow this chick's blog and I seriously LOVE it! I was like, I wanna be more like her- after all, the best writers learn by gleaning tactics from other writers. This girl isn't a writer (I don't think) but she probably could write some pretty hilarious books, like about dating or something. Problem is, I'm not single, so I don't have hilarious stories like I used to have. I am married, though, and my husband is insanely obnoxious. So I'm sitting here wondering about this hubby of mine, and our lives are pretty freakin' busy right now. I mean we work between 65-80 hrs per week, and we live 45 minutes away from work, and we're selling our businesses and goodness we just have so much going on! When do I have time for funny stories? I don't even work at Sub Zero (our ice cream store) hardly any more, so I don't have ridiculous, ranting stories to tell either. hmmm, what to write. I realize now why my husband automatically tunes me out after my stories last for longer than 3.5 seconds.
See, I used to think he just had add or something, and couldn't pay attention to me, but now I realize it's probably my stories. When I was a teenager, my very sweet older brother told me that, if I could find a guy who would listen to my stories, I should just marry him. bahaha instead I found a guy whose eyes glaze over after 3.5 seconds, but doesn't tell me to shut up, so it's okay. I only complain every now and then. What could I say that's interesting anyway?
I do have to say, though, that he is extremely helpful with my writing. He used to just piss me off, because he wouldn't read my books, but now I just read him a line of poetry I'm working on and he compliments the crap out of it until I'm satisfied and go back to my writing. Plus, I told him I wanted to write a romance novel, but I needed a plot. I told him he had 5 seconds to make up a plot for me (this was one of those extremely demanding days of mine- they happen about twice a week, if he's lucky). BAM! He delivered! Granted, it's really easy to come up with a romance novel plot- but COME ON! he's a boy! but he did it. I said the word cowboys, he instantly thought of indians and fighting, I told him to scrap the indians part, schazam! he gave me a plot. Now I'm voraciously writing about a cowboy wooing a young girl. It's brilliant! Maybe I'll start posting the chapters on here... hmmm, intriguing.
Now I'm sick of blogging and I'm gonna go work on my book. Be good, I'll think of an AMAZING story for next time!
amber
See, I used to think he just had add or something, and couldn't pay attention to me, but now I realize it's probably my stories. When I was a teenager, my very sweet older brother told me that, if I could find a guy who would listen to my stories, I should just marry him. bahaha instead I found a guy whose eyes glaze over after 3.5 seconds, but doesn't tell me to shut up, so it's okay. I only complain every now and then. What could I say that's interesting anyway?
I do have to say, though, that he is extremely helpful with my writing. He used to just piss me off, because he wouldn't read my books, but now I just read him a line of poetry I'm working on and he compliments the crap out of it until I'm satisfied and go back to my writing. Plus, I told him I wanted to write a romance novel, but I needed a plot. I told him he had 5 seconds to make up a plot for me (this was one of those extremely demanding days of mine- they happen about twice a week, if he's lucky). BAM! He delivered! Granted, it's really easy to come up with a romance novel plot- but COME ON! he's a boy! but he did it. I said the word cowboys, he instantly thought of indians and fighting, I told him to scrap the indians part, schazam! he gave me a plot. Now I'm voraciously writing about a cowboy wooing a young girl. It's brilliant! Maybe I'll start posting the chapters on here... hmmm, intriguing.
Now I'm sick of blogging and I'm gonna go work on my book. Be good, I'll think of an AMAZING story for next time!
amber
September 24, 2011
one of my humorous sub zero experiences
After not blogging for over a week, I realized something: my heart's not in blogging. Cliche? Not really. Here's the thing. Who the HECK wants to read about my business and my writing, blah blah blah. When I'm browsing people's blogs, I only read the funny ones. So I thought, BAM! I'll write a funny blog. Problem: I'm not that funny. But then I went to my ice cream store to work last night, and I realized that, while I may not be any sort of comedic genius, my customers are infuriatingly so. Thus, while plastering my "I am so sick of explaining the menu- can't you people read?" smile across my face, I had quite the adventure with a particular customer.
Customer = mother of a couple crazy little children who doesn't seem to be paying much attention to her kids... or the menu... or anything, really... just enjoying the general splendor, I presume.
So, with the line backed up to the door, and the rest of her family's orders taken, the lady steps up to the counter, but only after I holler to get her attention.
Hi! What can we get for you? I ask. Her brows furrow, like she forgot she was in an ice cream store and had absolutely no idea why I would be asking such an absurd question.
Oh! I don't know! She exclaims, laughing- because that always makes it better that you're about to be a pain in my butt. Laugh. I smile, the smile that says, "You really couldn't even have glanced at the menu while you waited at least ten minutes in this freaking line?" I smile harder.
There's so many choices! She says. Then, turning to her daughter, she asks her what she wants. The little girl pipes up that she wants chocolate (apparently they're sharing, but apparently mom doesn't know if she really wants chocolate. She was just stalling so she could blame her indecision on her kid). Hmmm, chocolate, she mutters, like it's an interesting idea.
She proceeds to scan the menu, giggling every now and then about the amount of choices and about how she doesn't know what she wants. My ever present smile was pushing at the corners of my mouth, trying to maintain its brightness. Good thing the BYU football game was on. I stared at the TV.
What's good with chocolate? she asks, interrupting my only chance at sanity. I turn to her and smile.
What's good with chocolate? I ask, just to make sure I understood correctly. What's good with chocolate? I was thinking. Have you never had chocolate ice cream before? I mean, I know nobody eats as much ice cream as I do, but for the love of all that... good... you can put anything in chocolate! Brownies, cookie dough, strawberries. Heck, you can put chocolate in chocolate!
Well, you can put just about anything in chocolate! I exclaim in the most dramatic voice possible to mask my annoyance. I add a smile, just for effect. I begin rambling off the list of mix ins, and then she interrupts me:
Okay, but what flavors go well with chocolate? I inhale deeply before rattling off the long list of flavors.
COME ON PEOPLE! caramel, strawberry, cake batter, more chocolate... what doesn't go with chocolate. Lime is the only flavor I can think of that doesn't go with chocolate. Whatever.
After I finish rambling off about ten choices, she narrows her eyebrows in deep thought and looks back at the menu. HELLO! I just recited nearly the entire menu! I turned my gaze back to the BYU game, which relieved my fury long enough for me to decide I should just suggest something to her. So I say, my favorite is chocolate and cake batter. Now remember, there's about twenty people in line behind this lady, and I'm like, 99 percent sure she knows it. Although you never can tell: trying to conceive what could possibly mix well with chocolate was throwing this lady into a world of confusion.
Hmmmm, she mutters, by now completely forgetting she had a daughter with which she was sharing the ice cream. Cake batter, she muses. That would be good. Do you want to do cake batter, dear? she asks, turning to her adorable little daughter (her only saving grace) who by now was so distracted that she didn't even hear her mother, let alone respond. The mother doesn't really notice her lack of a response and says, yes, let's do that. Chocolate and cake batter.
So, I proceed to make her ice cream. In the middle (regretfully), I ask, "What would you like mixed in?" That all too familiar confused expression crosses her face again. I almost sigh in exasperation. Really? So, not surprisngly, she asks what would go well with that. So I tell her I like to mix brownies with it. After some thought, she decides I'm pretty smart (since I make 400 ice creams per day) and she agrees to the brownies. I finish putting together the ice cream, and then, just because I can't control my spiteful personality (although you could say I was just trying to save the next victim potential heartache), I tell the lady that, just so she knows for next time, if she orders this again, it's called sweet nothings. It's on our favorites list- it's my favorite, so I know it well- that's why I know brownies go well in it- duh. I gesture toward the favorites menu, just because I know that confused look is crossing her face- and I was still looking at the ice cream. I finish my task, look up and flash a customer service smile, and see that she's still staring at the favorites list.
I move quickly on to the next group of people and hear her mutter, "Oh, yes, it is similar, isn't it?" to her husband.
SIMILAR? IT'S THE EXACT SAME FREAKING THING!
It was a good thing the line was busy because otherwise I would have fairly leaped over the too-high sneeze guard, grabbed the woman by the throat... and then blamed the incident on one of my employees.
Please be aware, while you may presume this is a rare occasion, and the direct result of an overworked, stressed out 22 year old girl, this is actually pretty normal because this is the kind of customer we deal with daily. And you're right, she's not that bad. But try 500 of them in a day.
Be grateful next time your customer service representative is smiling- he/she wants to kill someone... and it's probably you.
Customer = mother of a couple crazy little children who doesn't seem to be paying much attention to her kids... or the menu... or anything, really... just enjoying the general splendor, I presume.
So, with the line backed up to the door, and the rest of her family's orders taken, the lady steps up to the counter, but only after I holler to get her attention.
Hi! What can we get for you? I ask. Her brows furrow, like she forgot she was in an ice cream store and had absolutely no idea why I would be asking such an absurd question.
Oh! I don't know! She exclaims, laughing- because that always makes it better that you're about to be a pain in my butt. Laugh. I smile, the smile that says, "You really couldn't even have glanced at the menu while you waited at least ten minutes in this freaking line?" I smile harder.
There's so many choices! She says. Then, turning to her daughter, she asks her what she wants. The little girl pipes up that she wants chocolate (apparently they're sharing, but apparently mom doesn't know if she really wants chocolate. She was just stalling so she could blame her indecision on her kid). Hmmm, chocolate, she mutters, like it's an interesting idea.
She proceeds to scan the menu, giggling every now and then about the amount of choices and about how she doesn't know what she wants. My ever present smile was pushing at the corners of my mouth, trying to maintain its brightness. Good thing the BYU football game was on. I stared at the TV.
What's good with chocolate? she asks, interrupting my only chance at sanity. I turn to her and smile.
What's good with chocolate? I ask, just to make sure I understood correctly. What's good with chocolate? I was thinking. Have you never had chocolate ice cream before? I mean, I know nobody eats as much ice cream as I do, but for the love of all that... good... you can put anything in chocolate! Brownies, cookie dough, strawberries. Heck, you can put chocolate in chocolate!
Well, you can put just about anything in chocolate! I exclaim in the most dramatic voice possible to mask my annoyance. I add a smile, just for effect. I begin rambling off the list of mix ins, and then she interrupts me:
Okay, but what flavors go well with chocolate? I inhale deeply before rattling off the long list of flavors.
COME ON PEOPLE! caramel, strawberry, cake batter, more chocolate... what doesn't go with chocolate. Lime is the only flavor I can think of that doesn't go with chocolate. Whatever.
After I finish rambling off about ten choices, she narrows her eyebrows in deep thought and looks back at the menu. HELLO! I just recited nearly the entire menu! I turned my gaze back to the BYU game, which relieved my fury long enough for me to decide I should just suggest something to her. So I say, my favorite is chocolate and cake batter. Now remember, there's about twenty people in line behind this lady, and I'm like, 99 percent sure she knows it. Although you never can tell: trying to conceive what could possibly mix well with chocolate was throwing this lady into a world of confusion.
Hmmmm, she mutters, by now completely forgetting she had a daughter with which she was sharing the ice cream. Cake batter, she muses. That would be good. Do you want to do cake batter, dear? she asks, turning to her adorable little daughter (her only saving grace) who by now was so distracted that she didn't even hear her mother, let alone respond. The mother doesn't really notice her lack of a response and says, yes, let's do that. Chocolate and cake batter.
So, I proceed to make her ice cream. In the middle (regretfully), I ask, "What would you like mixed in?" That all too familiar confused expression crosses her face again. I almost sigh in exasperation. Really? So, not surprisngly, she asks what would go well with that. So I tell her I like to mix brownies with it. After some thought, she decides I'm pretty smart (since I make 400 ice creams per day) and she agrees to the brownies. I finish putting together the ice cream, and then, just because I can't control my spiteful personality (although you could say I was just trying to save the next victim potential heartache), I tell the lady that, just so she knows for next time, if she orders this again, it's called sweet nothings. It's on our favorites list- it's my favorite, so I know it well- that's why I know brownies go well in it- duh. I gesture toward the favorites menu, just because I know that confused look is crossing her face- and I was still looking at the ice cream. I finish my task, look up and flash a customer service smile, and see that she's still staring at the favorites list.
I move quickly on to the next group of people and hear her mutter, "Oh, yes, it is similar, isn't it?" to her husband.
SIMILAR? IT'S THE EXACT SAME FREAKING THING!
It was a good thing the line was busy because otherwise I would have fairly leaped over the too-high sneeze guard, grabbed the woman by the throat... and then blamed the incident on one of my employees.
Please be aware, while you may presume this is a rare occasion, and the direct result of an overworked, stressed out 22 year old girl, this is actually pretty normal because this is the kind of customer we deal with daily. And you're right, she's not that bad. But try 500 of them in a day.
Be grateful next time your customer service representative is smiling- he/she wants to kill someone... and it's probably you.
September 13, 2011
get a franchise!
Tip 1 for today: GET A FRANCHISE!
If you're going to start a business, but you've never done it before, I'd recommend that you get a franchise. Though there may be some downsides- royalties, following orders, not having the final say all the time- franchises, if they're good, guarantee business. At least, they're set up to bring in instant revenue.
We first opened a Sub Zero Ice Cream store. While corporate wasn't really the easiest to work with, we had sales the day we opened. Why? Perhaps because we're in utah and people ADORE ice cream (who doesn't? if you said, 'I don't,' you should quit reading my blog haha). But also, we weren't some random, hole-in-the-wall shop. We were a branded name.
We just opened a tanning salon, and while I think business should pick up here soon (it's not tanning season yet), I think we would have been tons busier if we were a franchise. However, advertising is going out some time this week and it's going to get kind of chilly outside soon (bleh). anyway, that's my tip if you've never opened a business before (or just buy an established business- haha, wouldn't we all).
BUT, make sure it's a good franchise, or else they're just taking your money. I see people close all the time and I have to say you can usually pin point exactly why they go out of business. Not like I'm some brilliant business person, but our experience with franchises has proved much more reliable than going at it on our own (but hey, it's only been three weeks with the new venture. Will someone tell my husband to QUIT FREAKING OUT!)
amber
If you're going to start a business, but you've never done it before, I'd recommend that you get a franchise. Though there may be some downsides- royalties, following orders, not having the final say all the time- franchises, if they're good, guarantee business. At least, they're set up to bring in instant revenue.
We first opened a Sub Zero Ice Cream store. While corporate wasn't really the easiest to work with, we had sales the day we opened. Why? Perhaps because we're in utah and people ADORE ice cream (who doesn't? if you said, 'I don't,' you should quit reading my blog haha). But also, we weren't some random, hole-in-the-wall shop. We were a branded name.
We just opened a tanning salon, and while I think business should pick up here soon (it's not tanning season yet), I think we would have been tons busier if we were a franchise. However, advertising is going out some time this week and it's going to get kind of chilly outside soon (bleh). anyway, that's my tip if you've never opened a business before (or just buy an established business- haha, wouldn't we all).
BUT, make sure it's a good franchise, or else they're just taking your money. I see people close all the time and I have to say you can usually pin point exactly why they go out of business. Not like I'm some brilliant business person, but our experience with franchises has proved much more reliable than going at it on our own (but hey, it's only been three weeks with the new venture. Will someone tell my husband to QUIT FREAKING OUT!)
amber
September 12, 2011
Get Inspired!
WOW!
Today my sister-in-law had her baby, and it was the first person on that side of the family to have a baby so we were all stoked and we went to the hospital and waited and it took over ten hours, but she was SOOOO ADORABLE! She was so cute, it was unbelievable. And I'm the first one to say a baby isn't very cute. But this one ;) frickin adorable.
I only tell you this because this blog post is gonna be terrible! I'm supposed to write about my writing, but in all truth, I tried to write today and it just wasn't coming! It could be that I haven't gotten very much sleep in the past few days (we moved back into our house, the one we own, so I'm not renting anymore, woot woot!). Anyway, I couldn't write. That used to happen to me a lot, but with this new novel, I usually sit down and the words start flowing! It's amazing! miraculous, even! I love it.
People always talk about writer's cramp, but I only get that if I don't know what to write about, so I only write when I'm feeling inspired. What if you're never feeling inspired? you ask.... GET INSPIRED! Try to immerse yourself in something related to your book. If you don't like the stuff going on in your book, it's no wonder you have writers cramp. If you don't like it, why would anyone else?
This new novel I'm working on uses all sorts of symbolism from the bible, so I study the scriptures before I start writing. It works great! If you're writing a romance, go talk to your spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend. If you don't have one of those, or if you do but he/she is not romantic AT ALL, watch a chick flick! If you're writing horror... well, I don't have any tips for that because I hate horror. If your book is set in the woods, go for a hike! If it's set in the city, go walk around the city or shopping mall. I've often found that people on their own can be quite inspirational. I used to think I was really judgmental of people, but I realized I'm actually just evaluating to create characters in my novels. Anyway, that's how I get inspired. It's always useful to listen to music. It inspires you like nothing else (it doesn't have to fill the general sense of 'inspirational,' but just listen to whatever you're writing about, whether love songs, rock and roll, emo, or whatever best fits the feel of your book).
I've come to realize that it's not really the story that pulls people in (though an amazing plot helps), but rather the emotions and relationships and feelings that attach a reader to a story. So put your emotion into it, dang it! That's where I failed on my first book, but you just wait til you read the new book ;)
a. m. hooper
Today my sister-in-law had her baby, and it was the first person on that side of the family to have a baby so we were all stoked and we went to the hospital and waited and it took over ten hours, but she was SOOOO ADORABLE! She was so cute, it was unbelievable. And I'm the first one to say a baby isn't very cute. But this one ;) frickin adorable.
I only tell you this because this blog post is gonna be terrible! I'm supposed to write about my writing, but in all truth, I tried to write today and it just wasn't coming! It could be that I haven't gotten very much sleep in the past few days (we moved back into our house, the one we own, so I'm not renting anymore, woot woot!). Anyway, I couldn't write. That used to happen to me a lot, but with this new novel, I usually sit down and the words start flowing! It's amazing! miraculous, even! I love it.
People always talk about writer's cramp, but I only get that if I don't know what to write about, so I only write when I'm feeling inspired. What if you're never feeling inspired? you ask.... GET INSPIRED! Try to immerse yourself in something related to your book. If you don't like the stuff going on in your book, it's no wonder you have writers cramp. If you don't like it, why would anyone else?
This new novel I'm working on uses all sorts of symbolism from the bible, so I study the scriptures before I start writing. It works great! If you're writing a romance, go talk to your spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend. If you don't have one of those, or if you do but he/she is not romantic AT ALL, watch a chick flick! If you're writing horror... well, I don't have any tips for that because I hate horror. If your book is set in the woods, go for a hike! If it's set in the city, go walk around the city or shopping mall. I've often found that people on their own can be quite inspirational. I used to think I was really judgmental of people, but I realized I'm actually just evaluating to create characters in my novels. Anyway, that's how I get inspired. It's always useful to listen to music. It inspires you like nothing else (it doesn't have to fill the general sense of 'inspirational,' but just listen to whatever you're writing about, whether love songs, rock and roll, emo, or whatever best fits the feel of your book).
I've come to realize that it's not really the story that pulls people in (though an amazing plot helps), but rather the emotions and relationships and feelings that attach a reader to a story. So put your emotion into it, dang it! That's where I failed on my first book, but you just wait til you read the new book ;)
a. m. hooper
September 9, 2011
Blast!
So I've always wanted to go to graduate school. Before I met my sweet (haha) husband, I was going to be a professor. Then he married me and screwed up my dreams... LOL JK. But now I'm working on applying to graduate school at the university of utah and byu. I know, I know, that's ridiculous to apply for both, but BYU is closer to me, and the U will pay for a doctorate program if I get in. Plus I bet school is a lot easier at the U. BYU kicked my butt.
Anyway, I'm studying for the GRE right now, which, if you didn't know, is like the ACT for grad school. As it happens, I took this lovely test about a year ago. Well, my scores pretty much sucked, totaling a mere 1080 (that's crappy, fyi), and then I find out they revamped the test! Apparently it's now a more user friendly test.
WHAT!
Why couldn't they realize that BEFORE! Everyone knew the GRE was a death sentence, utilized by fun-sucking entrance examiners to sum up the entirety of our abilities in a number !
So, in my stress-resistant mind, I'm like, no worries, I'll retake the test. They made the test more user friendly (a.k.a. easier), so I'll pay more money and take it again. No matter I had to take the crappy test first; now I can redeem myself. AS A PLUS: If you register and take the GRE before Sept. 30th, it's HALF PRICE! And the test costs like 150.00, so that's freaking awesome. Then, like the diligent student that I am, I begin studying for the test (example of my studious character: the first time I took the GRE, I glanced over the study material 2 days before the exam). I start reading about the scoring (which makes absolutely no sense now, because they changed that too, so I don't even know what I'm shooting for) and I discover
The GRE scoring is CUMULATIVE!
BLAST!
That means that this time around has got to be brilliant because they're gonna average it with my last scores. But I REALLY REALLY want to take the test for half price.
Conclusion: I now have to study like mad for the GRE so I can get a really good price on the test, but still get a really good score so that my cumulative GRE score will land me entrance into the psychology program of my choice, along with full tuition wavers and stipends; and I must do all of this while trying to run/sell my ice cream store and tanning salon, and while getting everything in place for our Kneaders' Bakery.
Action: Blog, twitter, and work on my new literary fantasy novel because the whole situation is rather infuriating.
Anyway, I'm studying for the GRE right now, which, if you didn't know, is like the ACT for grad school. As it happens, I took this lovely test about a year ago. Well, my scores pretty much sucked, totaling a mere 1080 (that's crappy, fyi), and then I find out they revamped the test! Apparently it's now a more user friendly test.
WHAT!
Why couldn't they realize that BEFORE! Everyone knew the GRE was a death sentence, utilized by fun-sucking entrance examiners to sum up the entirety of our abilities in a number !
So, in my stress-resistant mind, I'm like, no worries, I'll retake the test. They made the test more user friendly (a.k.a. easier), so I'll pay more money and take it again. No matter I had to take the crappy test first; now I can redeem myself. AS A PLUS: If you register and take the GRE before Sept. 30th, it's HALF PRICE! And the test costs like 150.00, so that's freaking awesome. Then, like the diligent student that I am, I begin studying for the test (example of my studious character: the first time I took the GRE, I glanced over the study material 2 days before the exam). I start reading about the scoring (which makes absolutely no sense now, because they changed that too, so I don't even know what I'm shooting for) and I discover
The GRE scoring is CUMULATIVE!
BLAST!
That means that this time around has got to be brilliant because they're gonna average it with my last scores. But I REALLY REALLY want to take the test for half price.
Conclusion: I now have to study like mad for the GRE so I can get a really good price on the test, but still get a really good score so that my cumulative GRE score will land me entrance into the psychology program of my choice, along with full tuition wavers and stipends; and I must do all of this while trying to run/sell my ice cream store and tanning salon, and while getting everything in place for our Kneaders' Bakery.
Action: Blog, twitter, and work on my new literary fantasy novel because the whole situation is rather infuriating.
September 8, 2011
Book Review
So I'm going to cheat with today's book review and post a link to a book reviewer blog that is the best I've ever seen. This chick actually speaks her mind (I think it's 2 girls actually) and she hates twilight, so I have a soft spot for the blog :) You can find her stuff HERE, and make sure to read her review on do and don't reads (she just reviewed hush hush and hunger games- very entertaining and insightful- who knew they could exist in the same sentence).
I'm also going to post a link to buy my novel, which you can find HERE, or you can buy the ebook for only $3.94!
[image error]If you follow the links above, you can even read the first few pages to see if it's something you want to buy! Here's what one of my readers wrote about his reading experience (yes, a boy :P):
"I have to admit, I'm not into romance novels, but this book had just the right amount, packing in action and suspense to keep me hooked. The action is very Jason Bourne-ish, while the romance reminds me of Twilight, but without the vampires :) With twists at every corner, this book was quite the page turner. I couldn't put it down! I can't wait to read the rest of the series!"
The book is a YA novel, with romance, actions, suspense, etc. Sometimes I think it would be a better movie than a book, but whatever. That's my cheap review for today! Look for a more in depth review next Thursday!
DISCLAIMER: for book reviews, don't take things harshly. I rated one of my favorite author's books a 3. That means it was a good read. Whenever I publish a review, I'll be sure to explain what each point out of 5 means. FYI- 5: freaking awesome 4: really good, I enjoyed it immensely 3: good read, if you're not looking for book of the year (e.g. novella romance) 2: Wasn't really a fan, but I got through it (I read almost every book, even if it sucks) 1: I couldn't even handle it, likely because of really poor grammar- I'm a sucker for a love story, so I read even the worst of them. So you would basically have had to fail English 4 years in a row to get a 1.
To review, if you get a 4 or 5, I would recommend your book; if you get a 3, I would still lend the book to my sister; if you get a 2, I would tell people your book sucked; if you get a 1, quit reading my blog because my review is probably going to piss you off. Anyways, I'll only use this scale for my blog because I don't want to crush anyone's feelings. Remember, I gave a 3 to one of my favorite authors- I read the whole book and enjoyed it, but it wasn't a best seller- catch my drift? just so we're clear.
I'm also going to post a link to buy my novel, which you can find HERE, or you can buy the ebook for only $3.94!
[image error]If you follow the links above, you can even read the first few pages to see if it's something you want to buy! Here's what one of my readers wrote about his reading experience (yes, a boy :P):
"I have to admit, I'm not into romance novels, but this book had just the right amount, packing in action and suspense to keep me hooked. The action is very Jason Bourne-ish, while the romance reminds me of Twilight, but without the vampires :) With twists at every corner, this book was quite the page turner. I couldn't put it down! I can't wait to read the rest of the series!"
The book is a YA novel, with romance, actions, suspense, etc. Sometimes I think it would be a better movie than a book, but whatever. That's my cheap review for today! Look for a more in depth review next Thursday!
DISCLAIMER: for book reviews, don't take things harshly. I rated one of my favorite author's books a 3. That means it was a good read. Whenever I publish a review, I'll be sure to explain what each point out of 5 means. FYI- 5: freaking awesome 4: really good, I enjoyed it immensely 3: good read, if you're not looking for book of the year (e.g. novella romance) 2: Wasn't really a fan, but I got through it (I read almost every book, even if it sucks) 1: I couldn't even handle it, likely because of really poor grammar- I'm a sucker for a love story, so I read even the worst of them. So you would basically have had to fail English 4 years in a row to get a 1.
To review, if you get a 4 or 5, I would recommend your book; if you get a 3, I would still lend the book to my sister; if you get a 2, I would tell people your book sucked; if you get a 1, quit reading my blog because my review is probably going to piss you off. Anyways, I'll only use this scale for my blog because I don't want to crush anyone's feelings. Remember, I gave a 3 to one of my favorite authors- I read the whole book and enjoyed it, but it wasn't a best seller- catch my drift? just so we're clear.
Revamp
alright, so here's the deal: I haven't figured out what to blog about because I don't just do one thing. For instance (and look for an updated bio) I own an ice cream store, tanning salon, and soon kneaders; I write novels of varying interests and genres; I love to travel; I pick a new interest every week- this week it seems to be blogging and social networking, but I'm about to shift into photography; I also love to read, so here's how it's gonna work: (also, I changed my blog design, cuz I'm not just an obsessed writer- I'm a young, 22 year old, happily married girl with a crazy life! And it's pink- I used to loathe pink because I thought it made me seem like a girl, which I associated with being stupid; then I had a revelation- I'm a girl! Shocking, I know, but now I embrace it. Mostly because I love shoes, but a little because being a boy would suck. They can't wear make up if they're ugly, and they smell weird haha- you love the little rascals, don't you).
Monday: I'll write about my writing
Tuesday: I'll blog about my business- not because I think I'm brilliant at business, but because maybe you can learn from my mistakes or observations
Wednesday: I'll blog about travel- trips I'm planning, trips I wish I was going on, and helpful tips I've learned about the places I'm traveling to.
Thursday: I'll blog about a book- maybe a review, but if I haven't read a book, then I'll write about a book I heard about. I can't promise amazing reviews, but I'm overly critical (studied literature in college- learned to criticize every aspect of a book lol) so it will definitely be truthful. Beware: I'm a hopeless romantic
Friday: I'll blog about a random hobby, such as photography or some other random thing, like people watching (I sit in my tanning salon and watch people walk by all day long- some fighting, some laughing, but all interesting). I may also write about my hubby on this day, cuz he's kind of cute and he's really immature, so it's almost like he's a child I take care of :) I may also blog about school on this day, but only sometimes, because I don't want to bore people, but hey, if there's one thing I'm good at, it's school- so watch for helpful tips!
I probably won't blog on Saturday, but if I do, it will likely be me venting or celebrating. I'll try to keep up, or else expect two blogs on one day to make up for something else. I'm gonna guess I'm gonna slack off the most on Thursdays (book review days).
Thanks for reading!
Monday: I'll write about my writing
Tuesday: I'll blog about my business- not because I think I'm brilliant at business, but because maybe you can learn from my mistakes or observations
Wednesday: I'll blog about travel- trips I'm planning, trips I wish I was going on, and helpful tips I've learned about the places I'm traveling to.
Thursday: I'll blog about a book- maybe a review, but if I haven't read a book, then I'll write about a book I heard about. I can't promise amazing reviews, but I'm overly critical (studied literature in college- learned to criticize every aspect of a book lol) so it will definitely be truthful. Beware: I'm a hopeless romantic
Friday: I'll blog about a random hobby, such as photography or some other random thing, like people watching (I sit in my tanning salon and watch people walk by all day long- some fighting, some laughing, but all interesting). I may also write about my hubby on this day, cuz he's kind of cute and he's really immature, so it's almost like he's a child I take care of :) I may also blog about school on this day, but only sometimes, because I don't want to bore people, but hey, if there's one thing I'm good at, it's school- so watch for helpful tips!
I probably won't blog on Saturday, but if I do, it will likely be me venting or celebrating. I'll try to keep up, or else expect two blogs on one day to make up for something else. I'm gonna guess I'm gonna slack off the most on Thursdays (book review days).
Thanks for reading!
September 6, 2011
who knew
So this weekend I'm visiting my family and my 13 year old sister is like, "So I've been publicizing your book- I tell everyone I read it over the summer." And I'm like, "What? You read my book?"
Apparently I've been trying to market my book to the wrong age group. Another group of 12 year old girls and boys is raving about my book, when adults, like, early twenties, seem to say, 'eh, it's pretty good.' I wrote A Penny's Worth: The Cephas Bourdon Series for Young Adults (YA), which I supposed includes 13 year olds, but I really meant it for 17 year olds.
Revelation!
I guess I'm going to try to market my book to the younger age; I guess I did write in a simpler form. The next book I'm working on, though, requires a slightly higher comprehension level. Although, is there really a lot of difference between 13-17 where comprehension is concerned? :) probably not.
I'm wondering right now if I should be blogging about my life, my writing, book reviews, or something else altogether. I like to read clever blogs, but I'm not that witty. Dilemma!
Any suggestions?
Apparently I've been trying to market my book to the wrong age group. Another group of 12 year old girls and boys is raving about my book, when adults, like, early twenties, seem to say, 'eh, it's pretty good.' I wrote A Penny's Worth: The Cephas Bourdon Series for Young Adults (YA), which I supposed includes 13 year olds, but I really meant it for 17 year olds.
Revelation!
I guess I'm going to try to market my book to the younger age; I guess I did write in a simpler form. The next book I'm working on, though, requires a slightly higher comprehension level. Although, is there really a lot of difference between 13-17 where comprehension is concerned? :) probably not.
I'm wondering right now if I should be blogging about my life, my writing, book reviews, or something else altogether. I like to read clever blogs, but I'm not that witty. Dilemma!
Any suggestions?
September 3, 2011
trying to self-publish? check out this blog
This is a blog by one of my friends, Cindy Bennett. She self-published, and is super successful. She helped me a TON with formatting my book, and uploading it in general, and now she's writing about it in various segments on her blog. Find it here. It's really helpful- if anyone knows anything about self-publishing and formatting, it's Cindy Bennett.
