Lydia Howe's Blog, page 53
November 21, 2014
When Life Hands You Lymes #47 - Giveaways
Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen! Today we've got a lot of giveaways to talk about, so we'll get those out of the way (and hopefully y'all will enter them because I've got some really good stuff I'm wanting to get into y'alls hands)!
Check out the giveaways here:
Mrs. Mommy Booknerd's Blog
Nayu's Reading Corner
Bookworm Blather
Writing in Wonderland
and on my blog, a $50 GiftCard
Plus, today I'm guest posting/being interviewed over at In The Bookcase, so y'all will want to be sure to check it out! Tomorrow we'll be wrapping up this blog tour right here on Noveltea.
And now it's time for the 47th segment of my fictional story, When Life Hands You Lymes . Oh, and this post is late today because I had to go get my blood drawn. ;)
“How did your day go?” Mom asked, meeting me at our front door. I gave her a surprised head to toe sweep, trying to figure out why she was standing outside instead of sitting at her desk. Not seeing anything amiss, I summoned a smile, “It was a day.” “I hate to tell you this, but your afternoon has had a little change of plans.” The story of my life. I mumbled the words under my breath, knowing better than to say them out loud. No doubt a new John Maxwell or Darren Hardy book would show up in my room, just waiting for me to read if Mom knew the state of my very pessimistic thoughts. Mom’s eyebrows lowered as she studied me. “Ok?” I finally realized she must be waiting for some kind of response from me. Whatever news she had I just wanted her to get it over and done with. I wasn’t in the mood to be around anyone. I just wanted to curl up in a dark place and cry myself to sleep. The deep kind of sleep that you don’t wake up from for a long, long time. “We’re going to the Health Department so we can get your blood drawn.” I let my backpack hit the front porch with a thud. Yea. More of my life blood being sucked out of my body and sent to a lab. Pretty much the way I always dreamed of starting my junior year of high school. Turning around I started down toward Mom’s garage. “Your backpack.” Mom was right behind me, pushing my arm through the strap. “Thanks.” My word of gratitude wasn’t so much for her giving me back my backpack but for her lack of a lecture. What in the world was wrong me with? I knew better than to be acting like this. Mom didn’t say anything when I punched the seat warmer on before I’d even buckled up, but I did notice that she turned the A/C off. I bit my bottom lip and squeezed my eyes hard, facing the side of the BMW. This really isn’t cool, God. I let out a huge puff of air. Not fair at all. I stopped before I could continue my rant as images from our bulletin from the previous Sunday dropped into my brain. There’s a clinic that our church helps support in Haiti. The people wait for hours, sometimes days, to get medical treatment. Often times there’s not enough staff or medication to care for sick and certainly no modern comforts. Flies, bugs and sometimes dogs come and bite at the people as they wait in the dust and the heat. Looking at the sleek interior of my ride, I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer. Yes, I didn’t think it was fair for me to be sick when so many of my friends weren’t. But then again, neither was it fair for me to have such privileges and good care when so many millions in the world were in such need. “Thanks Mom for taking me to get my blood drawn.” With a smile Mom reached over and gave my leg a little squeeze. With a deep sigh I closed my eyes and drifted into sleep, lulled by the hum of the engine.
November 20, 2014
A Silly Fascination
I have a silly fascination with hot air balloons.
The "I don't really want to study them and I'm fine never being in one, but it's so much fun to talk about them as if I'm an experienced hot air balloon pilot and live in one" kind of fascination.
Take for instance when I'm talking to my adopted dad on the phone. Pretty much if he asks what I'm doing or where I am, you can count on my answer being somewhere along the lines of "Oh, just floating around in my hot air balloon with Frank."
Frank, of course, is the 94 year-old guy who's teaching me how to fly a hot air balloon. Ahem and Frank is just as real as me living in a hot air balloon is.
In October I went and stayed with my sister for a week. The last day I was there, there was a hot air balloon festival thingy going on. We decided to get all the children up and go watch the fun.
It's a loonnnngggg story, but we ended up in the field that all the balloons were flying over for a competition where they had to throw something onto a big target.
That meant all the balloons were flying right over us. It was totally amazing. This picture (below) doesn't show very well how close we were to the balloons, but let's just say they could call down and talk to us and we could see their features quite clearly.
Being so close to the hot air balloons was way cooler than I had imagined it would be and greatly increased my delight in the colorful objects.
Some day I might just feature one of these contraptions in one of my books...
Have you ever taken a ride in a hot air balloon? Would you like to?
Today I'm guest posting and hosting a giveaway over at Nayu's Reading Corner ! I'd be delighted if y'all would check it out. :)
And don't forget to check out Mrs. Mommy Booknerd's Book Reviews and Writing In Wonderland to check out the giveaways I’m hosting there.
Plus, check out this post for your chance to win a $50 gift card and this post to see the prize for the quote puzzle and comments game.
Find Action Kids' Club here (e-version) and here (paperback).
The "I don't really want to study them and I'm fine never being in one, but it's so much fun to talk about them as if I'm an experienced hot air balloon pilot and live in one" kind of fascination.
Take for instance when I'm talking to my adopted dad on the phone. Pretty much if he asks what I'm doing or where I am, you can count on my answer being somewhere along the lines of "Oh, just floating around in my hot air balloon with Frank."
Frank, of course, is the 94 year-old guy who's teaching me how to fly a hot air balloon. Ahem and Frank is just as real as me living in a hot air balloon is.
In October I went and stayed with my sister for a week. The last day I was there, there was a hot air balloon festival thingy going on. We decided to get all the children up and go watch the fun.
It's a loonnnngggg story, but we ended up in the field that all the balloons were flying over for a competition where they had to throw something onto a big target.
That meant all the balloons were flying right over us. It was totally amazing. This picture (below) doesn't show very well how close we were to the balloons, but let's just say they could call down and talk to us and we could see their features quite clearly.
Being so close to the hot air balloons was way cooler than I had imagined it would be and greatly increased my delight in the colorful objects.
Some day I might just feature one of these contraptions in one of my books...
Have you ever taken a ride in a hot air balloon? Would you like to?
Today I'm guest posting and hosting a giveaway over at Nayu's Reading Corner ! I'd be delighted if y'all would check it out. :)
And don't forget to check out Mrs. Mommy Booknerd's Book Reviews and Writing In Wonderland to check out the giveaways I’m hosting there.
Plus, check out this post for your chance to win a $50 gift card and this post to see the prize for the quote puzzle and comments game.
Find Action Kids' Club here (e-version) and here (paperback).
November 19, 2014
Redundantly Pensive
I'm having a hard time blogging today. I'm in a pensive mood and it seems like everything I start to write about would be rather redundant. So, being the logical person I am, I decided to go back to my posts from last year and repost one of them. (Not redundant in the least...)
I posted this in November of last year and it made me smile when I talked about how we'd be moving in a month. That had been the plan. Who knew it would be June before we finally accomplished that task?
Anyway. This post was good for me to read because it's talking about change and I've had a lot of changes in my life recently. Hopefully y'all will enjoy it, too.
(Oh yes! And don't forget to check out Mrs. Mommy Booknerd's Book Reviews to read my post from today. Also, don't forget to check out my giveaway at Writing In Wonderland and check out this post for your chance to win a $50 gift card and this post to see the prize for the quote puzzle and comments game. Find Action Kids' Club here (e-version) and here (paperback).)
* * *
The rain is seeping into me, making me feel pensive and giving me the urge to reminisce. I have so many wonderful memories of growing up. It seems like this year has really been a great turning point, the end of one era, the beginning of the next. Yesterday I gave about half my room a deep cleaning, going through boxes, drawers and piles of paper. Then I took the first step and boxed up a few things that I knew I wouldn't be needing in the next month and a half before we move.
Yes. Move. Not only have several of my good friends and co-workers married and moved out of town (and out of state) this year. Not only did my brother and I sell most of our dairy goat herd. Not only did I finally get a book published and moved on to book-signings and traveling more. Not only did I get over the six-year bout with Lyme disease. But now we're going to be moving also.
Our new house is just down the road about a tenth a mile, and we aren't selling our house that we live in now, still it's a big change. I won't be living in a barn any more. I know, it's a pity right? Who else would mind moving out of the hayloft of an old barn? Really I am excited about moving, but it does pose the question in my mind, asking what the next five or ten years of my life holds.
Does anyone else here take great comfort in realizing that God sees everything, beginning to end? I do. It really helps me when I think about how He's holding me, directing me, helping me. I'm excited about what my twenties will be like. What God has in store for me, the different challenges and adventures I'll go through. Changes can be hard, but pretty cool as well.
This year has been wonderful for me, but very stressful and hard at the same time. One of the verses that I keep reminding myself of is First Samuel 30:6 "And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God."
But David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. Just think about it! So often I've gone to other places for encouragement, but in reality, every other form of encouragement is frail and fallible and will eventually let me down. Not that I don't still get encouraged other places, but I need to not put my peace into other peoples/things hands. God will never let me down though, so when life gets confusing and hard I can go to Him for encouragement. I am so thankful for all God has given me, especially His encouragement and peace!
I posted this in November of last year and it made me smile when I talked about how we'd be moving in a month. That had been the plan. Who knew it would be June before we finally accomplished that task?
Anyway. This post was good for me to read because it's talking about change and I've had a lot of changes in my life recently. Hopefully y'all will enjoy it, too.
(Oh yes! And don't forget to check out Mrs. Mommy Booknerd's Book Reviews to read my post from today. Also, don't forget to check out my giveaway at Writing In Wonderland and check out this post for your chance to win a $50 gift card and this post to see the prize for the quote puzzle and comments game. Find Action Kids' Club here (e-version) and here (paperback).)
* * *
The rain is seeping into me, making me feel pensive and giving me the urge to reminisce. I have so many wonderful memories of growing up. It seems like this year has really been a great turning point, the end of one era, the beginning of the next. Yesterday I gave about half my room a deep cleaning, going through boxes, drawers and piles of paper. Then I took the first step and boxed up a few things that I knew I wouldn't be needing in the next month and a half before we move.
Yes. Move. Not only have several of my good friends and co-workers married and moved out of town (and out of state) this year. Not only did my brother and I sell most of our dairy goat herd. Not only did I finally get a book published and moved on to book-signings and traveling more. Not only did I get over the six-year bout with Lyme disease. But now we're going to be moving also.
Our new house is just down the road about a tenth a mile, and we aren't selling our house that we live in now, still it's a big change. I won't be living in a barn any more. I know, it's a pity right? Who else would mind moving out of the hayloft of an old barn? Really I am excited about moving, but it does pose the question in my mind, asking what the next five or ten years of my life holds.
Does anyone else here take great comfort in realizing that God sees everything, beginning to end? I do. It really helps me when I think about how He's holding me, directing me, helping me. I'm excited about what my twenties will be like. What God has in store for me, the different challenges and adventures I'll go through. Changes can be hard, but pretty cool as well.
This year has been wonderful for me, but very stressful and hard at the same time. One of the verses that I keep reminding myself of is First Samuel 30:6 "And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God."
But David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. Just think about it! So often I've gone to other places for encouragement, but in reality, every other form of encouragement is frail and fallible and will eventually let me down. Not that I don't still get encouraged other places, but I need to not put my peace into other peoples/things hands. God will never let me down though, so when life gets confusing and hard I can go to Him for encouragement. I am so thankful for all God has given me, especially His encouragement and peace!
November 18, 2014
Life, it's Weird
Last night my family was sitting around doing various things but not necessarily with each other, so being the familish person that I am I decided to take my computer down and work on my projects while kinda hanging out with them.
I had two bloggie author interviews to work on, some research to do and emails to send. Earlier in the day I had written and sent a guest post to a blogger, as well as updating my blog and spending a while working on my writing.
It hit me again while sitting there. I am an author. Answering interview questions, promoting my book and doing research is all part of my job. I get paid to sit for hours behind my computer and move my fingers in weird patterns to convert my thoughts into little black lines on the screen in front of me.
My life is so weird.
What about you? What do you fill your days with? Do you sometimes sit back and view your life with a little bit of shock, like How in the world did I get here?? It's crazy how we can end up right where we wanted to be and still find it amazing and weird and wonderful and strange.
This book launch didn't go quite the way I was expecting it to and it's been kinda hard on me. I knew one of my problems was that I wasn't stepping back so I could see the big picture. During the early years of being a writer it seems like so much of your time, energy, resourses and life is spent pouring into a project without much payback, but that's ok. It's a learning curve. It's the compound effect. Some day everything with catch up with me and I'll see the difference these years made.
For now though? For now I'm working on being delighted with the life I get to live each day. I'm striving to be ok with not having the results I dreamed of. I'm working on being content with a slow process. It's been good for me.
Life isn't all about arriving at a certain milestone. Life is a road, a journey. I sometimes forget that. Today I'm remembering it.
Today I'm posting over at Bookworm Blather where I'm giving away a copy of one of John Maxwell's books. The book is great, y'all should really check it out. :)
Also, don't forget to check out my giveaway at Writing In Wonderland and check out this post for your chance to win a $50 gift card and this post to see the prize for the quote puzzle and comments game.
Find Action Kids' Club here (e-version) and here (paperback).
I had two bloggie author interviews to work on, some research to do and emails to send. Earlier in the day I had written and sent a guest post to a blogger, as well as updating my blog and spending a while working on my writing.
It hit me again while sitting there. I am an author. Answering interview questions, promoting my book and doing research is all part of my job. I get paid to sit for hours behind my computer and move my fingers in weird patterns to convert my thoughts into little black lines on the screen in front of me.
My life is so weird.
What about you? What do you fill your days with? Do you sometimes sit back and view your life with a little bit of shock, like How in the world did I get here?? It's crazy how we can end up right where we wanted to be and still find it amazing and weird and wonderful and strange.
This book launch didn't go quite the way I was expecting it to and it's been kinda hard on me. I knew one of my problems was that I wasn't stepping back so I could see the big picture. During the early years of being a writer it seems like so much of your time, energy, resourses and life is spent pouring into a project without much payback, but that's ok. It's a learning curve. It's the compound effect. Some day everything with catch up with me and I'll see the difference these years made.
For now though? For now I'm working on being delighted with the life I get to live each day. I'm striving to be ok with not having the results I dreamed of. I'm working on being content with a slow process. It's been good for me.
Life isn't all about arriving at a certain milestone. Life is a road, a journey. I sometimes forget that. Today I'm remembering it.
Today I'm posting over at Bookworm Blather where I'm giving away a copy of one of John Maxwell's books. The book is great, y'all should really check it out. :)
Also, don't forget to check out my giveaway at Writing In Wonderland and check out this post for your chance to win a $50 gift card and this post to see the prize for the quote puzzle and comments game.
Find Action Kids' Club here (e-version) and here (paperback).
November 17, 2014
Giveaway and Music Contest
Happy Monday, Everyone! I thought I'd start off y'alls week by giving you the chance to win one of these wonderful Action Kids Deluxe Packages! Looks fun, right? Check out this blog to see how you can enter the giveaway. (I'm giving away three of them, so y'all have more chances to win. :) Please note: Not all three of the giveaways will be exactly the same.
And because it is Monday and common hearsay says that some people don't find quite as much pleasure in Mondays as I do (a whole week to look forward to and make differences in and accomplish goals!), I decided to share another spectacular thingy-majing with you. Well, maybe Monday's only part of the reason I'm sharing it with you.
Enter The Greg Howlett Studio Recording Contest.
Every year Greg Howlett hosts a music contest and then lets the public vote for the winner out of the top ten entries. A really good family friend of ours, Aaron Smith, is one of the finalists with his beautiful piece, Celtic Joy.
Aaron shared Celtic Joy with us a while ago ands since then I've enjoyed hours of listening to it while writing. Now you get the chance to listen to it as well, and, if you feel so inclined, to vote for him. Listen to all the entries (and vote!) here .
* * *Check out this post for your chance to win a $50 gift card and this post to see the prize for the quote puzzle and comments game. We have another giveaway going on here. Find Action Kids' Club here (e-version) and here (paperback).
Oh, oh, oh! One more thing before I go! I just looked up to see beautiful, big snowflakes coming down. Happy, happy Day!
And because it is Monday and common hearsay says that some people don't find quite as much pleasure in Mondays as I do (a whole week to look forward to and make differences in and accomplish goals!), I decided to share another spectacular thingy-majing with you. Well, maybe Monday's only part of the reason I'm sharing it with you.
Enter The Greg Howlett Studio Recording Contest.
Every year Greg Howlett hosts a music contest and then lets the public vote for the winner out of the top ten entries. A really good family friend of ours, Aaron Smith, is one of the finalists with his beautiful piece, Celtic Joy.
Aaron shared Celtic Joy with us a while ago ands since then I've enjoyed hours of listening to it while writing. Now you get the chance to listen to it as well, and, if you feel so inclined, to vote for him. Listen to all the entries (and vote!) here .
* * *Check out this post for your chance to win a $50 gift card and this post to see the prize for the quote puzzle and comments game. We have another giveaway going on here. Find Action Kids' Club here (e-version) and here (paperback).
Oh, oh, oh! One more thing before I go! I just looked up to see beautiful, big snowflakes coming down. Happy, happy Day!
November 15, 2014
Thanksgiving
Today part of our family is celebrating Thanksgiving, so I thought I'd share a list of ten things I'm thankful for, in a random order, of course.
1. My writing. Despite all the frustrations, stress and heartache that goes into being an author, I'm thrilled that I get to be one and I'm very thankful for the opportunity.
2. My family. Seriously, I have the best family. I'm actually quite privileged to have two families and both of them are top-notch. I can't imagine life without them. They encourage me, make me laugh, inspire me and love me no matter what.
3. Living out in the country. I can't imagine living in a city or town. I'm a country girl through and through. I'm so very thankful that my parents decided to raise us kids where hay fields and woods go as far as the eye can see.
4. All the opportunities I've had this year. Not only have I gotten to do some pretty amazing things at home such as publish a book, move to our house we built and be the maid of honor in my wonderful friend's wedding and but I've also spent four months travel through Asia, Europe and the States.
5. Friends. Friends. What can I say? They're amazing. They are so good at encouraging me at just the right moments. I get notes, texts, emails and voxes letting me know they're thinking of me. They are something I'm very thankful for.
6. Blogging. Blogging inspires me. It helps me to connect with other people. It provides an instant outlet for my writing. Blogging is one of my favorite things to do. I'm so very thankful to be a blogger.
7. My Office and Library. Let's just say they're everything I dreamed of. I feel incredibly special and happy and privileged when I think that this is my workspace that envisioned and then with the help of my parents made into a reality. Such a wonderful writing environment.
8. The Bible on audio. Despite loving to read, I'm an audio learner and listening to the Bible is wonderful. I get so many thoughts that I haven't ever got while reading the Bible. I feel as if I know the people in the Bible personally. I can relate to them. The Bible has become so much more real to me during the last few years when I've listened to the audio over and over again.
9. Candles. I know some people might consider this a small thing, but we weren't able to have candles at our old house, so moving and being able to have candles burning is something I do not take for granted.
10. Books. Books are wonderful, helpful, interesting, entertaining little things. I'm very thankful to have them in my life. Both for reading and writing.
* * *
Today I'm posting over at Sam's Blog , so if you get a chance, you should really check it out!
And don't forget to check back over at Writings of Rosie to enter the giveaway I'm hosting on her blog.
Check out this post for your chance to win a $50 gift card and this post to see the prize for the quote puzzle and comments game.
Find Action Kids' Club here (e-version) and here (paperback).
1. My writing. Despite all the frustrations, stress and heartache that goes into being an author, I'm thrilled that I get to be one and I'm very thankful for the opportunity.
2. My family. Seriously, I have the best family. I'm actually quite privileged to have two families and both of them are top-notch. I can't imagine life without them. They encourage me, make me laugh, inspire me and love me no matter what.
3. Living out in the country. I can't imagine living in a city or town. I'm a country girl through and through. I'm so very thankful that my parents decided to raise us kids where hay fields and woods go as far as the eye can see.
4. All the opportunities I've had this year. Not only have I gotten to do some pretty amazing things at home such as publish a book, move to our house we built and be the maid of honor in my wonderful friend's wedding and but I've also spent four months travel through Asia, Europe and the States.
5. Friends. Friends. What can I say? They're amazing. They are so good at encouraging me at just the right moments. I get notes, texts, emails and voxes letting me know they're thinking of me. They are something I'm very thankful for.
6. Blogging. Blogging inspires me. It helps me to connect with other people. It provides an instant outlet for my writing. Blogging is one of my favorite things to do. I'm so very thankful to be a blogger.
7. My Office and Library. Let's just say they're everything I dreamed of. I feel incredibly special and happy and privileged when I think that this is my workspace that envisioned and then with the help of my parents made into a reality. Such a wonderful writing environment.
8. The Bible on audio. Despite loving to read, I'm an audio learner and listening to the Bible is wonderful. I get so many thoughts that I haven't ever got while reading the Bible. I feel as if I know the people in the Bible personally. I can relate to them. The Bible has become so much more real to me during the last few years when I've listened to the audio over and over again.
9. Candles. I know some people might consider this a small thing, but we weren't able to have candles at our old house, so moving and being able to have candles burning is something I do not take for granted.
10. Books. Books are wonderful, helpful, interesting, entertaining little things. I'm very thankful to have them in my life. Both for reading and writing.
* * *
Today I'm posting over at Sam's Blog , so if you get a chance, you should really check it out!
And don't forget to check back over at Writings of Rosie to enter the giveaway I'm hosting on her blog.
Check out this post for your chance to win a $50 gift card and this post to see the prize for the quote puzzle and comments game.
Find Action Kids' Club here (e-version) and here (paperback).
November 14, 2014
When Life Hands You Lymes #46
Hey everyone! Believe it or not, I didn't forget about the When Life Hands You Lymes post today. I just didn't have it ready until now. :)
I'm actually taking a jump in the story again, because, as you know, I'm posting it as I write it so therefore it's not seamless and all that good stuff that goes into polishing up a story.
And now, sit back, relax and enjoy the #46th segment of my fictional story, When Life Hands You Lymes...
The rush of bodies all around me made me sick to my stomach. Gasping, I leaned against one of the grungy walls and hugged my English book tight to my midsection. I closed my eyes and forced myself to breath deeply. In, out. In, out. In - Just then the horrible smell of some kid who hadn’t gotten proper hygiene ingrained in their brain yet attacked me, full strength. I felt panic, and my breakfast, rising up at an alarming rate. No longer trying to hide it, I rushed to the bathroom and lost my breakfast, although sadly, not the panic. I washed my mouth out then peered at my face in the mirror. I was a wreck. Not that I looked horrible, I just felt horrible and that meant my confidence was about a minus five which is really not a cool place to be. I readjusted shirt, I ran my finger over where I had accidentally splashed some water leaving darker splotches on the maroon fabric. I gave an exasperated sigh and then pulled out my phone and sent Katie a quick text. I’m not feeling very Madalynish. Prayers would be nice. Then, squaring my shoulders, I took a deep breath, etched a smile on my face and exiting the bathroom made my way to my English class. The first day of school was not going too well so far. Definitely not according to plan. My plan? It had seemed so simple the night before. I would wake up, find out my whole summer of sickness had been a nightmare and would dive back into school with my head held high, my health in perfect condition and my world firmly under my feet which would be encased in cute sandals.
I tapped the toe of my tennis shoe on the floor under my desk as I listened to Mr. Kromer talk. I tried to keep my mind focused and take notes like a good student, but I kept getting distracted. My shoes, for one thing, kept coming to mind. Katie had given me several cute pairs of summery footwear she’d gotten on sale, but instead of wearing any of those delightful pieces of girly fashion I was left wearing my tennis shoes. I had been so cold when I got out of bed that the thought of not having warm, fuzzy socks on (yes, in August) was to much to bare. No wonder I felt so weird. I was weird. Weird and totally unlike my usual, predictable self. “Having fun?” Julia’s voice broke into my thoughts. I almost gasped when I realized I was out in the hall with the rest of the kids, making my way to my next class. Or I was supposed to be, anyway. I wasn’t even sure which class I had next. I gave a fake laugh as I looked at my schedule. Math was next. “Since when have I ever not had fun at school?” I evaded giving her an answer. Ever since she had lectured me on how I needed to snap out of my supposed sickness, I’d felt a tightening in my chest whenever I was around her. Not that I felt anger toward her, just a deep since of being alone. “See ya.” I abruptly changed directions so I could go to my locker and change out books.
I'm actually taking a jump in the story again, because, as you know, I'm posting it as I write it so therefore it's not seamless and all that good stuff that goes into polishing up a story.
And now, sit back, relax and enjoy the #46th segment of my fictional story, When Life Hands You Lymes...
The rush of bodies all around me made me sick to my stomach. Gasping, I leaned against one of the grungy walls and hugged my English book tight to my midsection. I closed my eyes and forced myself to breath deeply. In, out. In, out. In - Just then the horrible smell of some kid who hadn’t gotten proper hygiene ingrained in their brain yet attacked me, full strength. I felt panic, and my breakfast, rising up at an alarming rate. No longer trying to hide it, I rushed to the bathroom and lost my breakfast, although sadly, not the panic. I washed my mouth out then peered at my face in the mirror. I was a wreck. Not that I looked horrible, I just felt horrible and that meant my confidence was about a minus five which is really not a cool place to be. I readjusted shirt, I ran my finger over where I had accidentally splashed some water leaving darker splotches on the maroon fabric. I gave an exasperated sigh and then pulled out my phone and sent Katie a quick text. I’m not feeling very Madalynish. Prayers would be nice. Then, squaring my shoulders, I took a deep breath, etched a smile on my face and exiting the bathroom made my way to my English class. The first day of school was not going too well so far. Definitely not according to plan. My plan? It had seemed so simple the night before. I would wake up, find out my whole summer of sickness had been a nightmare and would dive back into school with my head held high, my health in perfect condition and my world firmly under my feet which would be encased in cute sandals.
I tapped the toe of my tennis shoe on the floor under my desk as I listened to Mr. Kromer talk. I tried to keep my mind focused and take notes like a good student, but I kept getting distracted. My shoes, for one thing, kept coming to mind. Katie had given me several cute pairs of summery footwear she’d gotten on sale, but instead of wearing any of those delightful pieces of girly fashion I was left wearing my tennis shoes. I had been so cold when I got out of bed that the thought of not having warm, fuzzy socks on (yes, in August) was to much to bare. No wonder I felt so weird. I was weird. Weird and totally unlike my usual, predictable self. “Having fun?” Julia’s voice broke into my thoughts. I almost gasped when I realized I was out in the hall with the rest of the kids, making my way to my next class. Or I was supposed to be, anyway. I wasn’t even sure which class I had next. I gave a fake laugh as I looked at my schedule. Math was next. “Since when have I ever not had fun at school?” I evaded giving her an answer. Ever since she had lectured me on how I needed to snap out of my supposed sickness, I’d felt a tightening in my chest whenever I was around her. Not that I felt anger toward her, just a deep since of being alone. “See ya.” I abruptly changed directions so I could go to my locker and change out books.
Being an Author
Being an author isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Being a writer rocks.
Being an author though? That can be hard at times. Really hard. It takes perseverance. It takes tenacity. It takes discipline. It takes someone who is strong. Someone who is willing to go through round after round of rejection and still bounce back, ready to run again. It takes someone who can handle failure and grow from it. It takes someone who realizes that it's a process and processes take time.
Sometimes I forget those things and I stumble and fall.
Sometimes being an author is scary. Sometimes being an author can be like getting punched and not really knowing why. Sometimes being an author is pouring years of your life into a book and not knowing how the readers will respond to it. Sometimes being an author seems like way to much work and heartache.
Then I remember these things and I rise up, clambering over the defeat to run at it again...
Being an author is a way to influence the world. It's a way to entertain, motivate and inspire. It's a way to open a new world for my readers. It's a way to multiple my life because through my books I can reach far more people than I ever could on my own.
Being an author means I will have books that outlast my stay here on earth. It means I can help others learn about the love of reading. It means that someday I'll have kids reading until they can hardly keep their eyes open at night because they have to see what happens next. It means that good friends will come along side me, encouraging me, urging me to keep going.
Being an author means I've crossed the world from being a reader, to having people be able to read about my own world and thoughts. It means children will have a better chance at a successful life. It means I've stayed the course, I've been dedicated, I've taken the leap and worked to make my dreams come true.
Being an author isn't all it's cracked up to be. But it's more. More than mets the eye. More than non-authors will understand. More than I ever imagined. It's a deep, crazy journey that's well worth it.
I am, and always will be, an author.
Today I'm posting over at Writings of Rosie ! Check it out and enter the giveaway on her blog for your chance to win that ^ fun giveaway!
Check out this post for your chance to win a $50 gift card and this post to see the prize for the quote puzzle and comments game. Find Action Kids' Club here (e-version) and here (paperback).
Being a writer rocks.
Being an author though? That can be hard at times. Really hard. It takes perseverance. It takes tenacity. It takes discipline. It takes someone who is strong. Someone who is willing to go through round after round of rejection and still bounce back, ready to run again. It takes someone who can handle failure and grow from it. It takes someone who realizes that it's a process and processes take time.
Sometimes I forget those things and I stumble and fall.
Sometimes being an author is scary. Sometimes being an author can be like getting punched and not really knowing why. Sometimes being an author is pouring years of your life into a book and not knowing how the readers will respond to it. Sometimes being an author seems like way to much work and heartache.
Then I remember these things and I rise up, clambering over the defeat to run at it again...
Being an author is a way to influence the world. It's a way to entertain, motivate and inspire. It's a way to open a new world for my readers. It's a way to multiple my life because through my books I can reach far more people than I ever could on my own.
Being an author means I will have books that outlast my stay here on earth. It means I can help others learn about the love of reading. It means that someday I'll have kids reading until they can hardly keep their eyes open at night because they have to see what happens next. It means that good friends will come along side me, encouraging me, urging me to keep going.
Being an author means I've crossed the world from being a reader, to having people be able to read about my own world and thoughts. It means children will have a better chance at a successful life. It means I've stayed the course, I've been dedicated, I've taken the leap and worked to make my dreams come true.
Being an author isn't all it's cracked up to be. But it's more. More than mets the eye. More than non-authors will understand. More than I ever imagined. It's a deep, crazy journey that's well worth it.
I am, and always will be, an author.
Today I'm posting over at Writings of Rosie ! Check it out and enter the giveaway on her blog for your chance to win that ^ fun giveaway!
Check out this post for your chance to win a $50 gift card and this post to see the prize for the quote puzzle and comments game. Find Action Kids' Club here (e-version) and here (paperback).
November 13, 2014
The Cape
I dreamed last night that I owed Amazon $70,000 for books that I've bought in the last 14 years. It was a traumatic experience as I tried to figure out how many years of complete income it would take me to pay it back. Ahem. I guess maybe I should cut back on how many books I buy. I was quite happy to wake up and realize that I won't actually be in debt for the next twenty or so years.
Today my sister, Helena, and one of our friends gave me this beautiful purple cape to celebrate the release of Action Kids' Club! It's so wonderful and happyish to know that my family believes in me and stands behind me and thinks I'm amazing. :)
In the short few hours since this delightful gift was bestowed up on me, I've discovered I can also wear it on top of my skirt which leaves me with all kinds of sparkles. You can't tell from the picture, but my shirt sparkles, and the cape sparkles, and I'm wearing sparkly socks. It's just a sparkly kind of day. I've been wearing sparkly socks since the day my book was released and I plan on doing it until the blog tour is over. It makes life happier.
By the way, I'm posting over at Apassionata today which is my illustrator's blog! Check it out and find out more about her through the interview we did. Check out this post for your chance to win a $50 gift card and this post to see the prize for the quote puzzle and comments game. You can get more entry points each day. :)
And, last but not least of all, find Action Kids' Club here (e-version) and here (paperback)!
Today my sister, Helena, and one of our friends gave me this beautiful purple cape to celebrate the release of Action Kids' Club! It's so wonderful and happyish to know that my family believes in me and stands behind me and thinks I'm amazing. :)
In the short few hours since this delightful gift was bestowed up on me, I've discovered I can also wear it on top of my skirt which leaves me with all kinds of sparkles. You can't tell from the picture, but my shirt sparkles, and the cape sparkles, and I'm wearing sparkly socks. It's just a sparkly kind of day. I've been wearing sparkly socks since the day my book was released and I plan on doing it until the blog tour is over. It makes life happier.
By the way, I'm posting over at Apassionata today which is my illustrator's blog! Check it out and find out more about her through the interview we did. Check out this post for your chance to win a $50 gift card and this post to see the prize for the quote puzzle and comments game. You can get more entry points each day. :)
And, last but not least of all, find Action Kids' Club here (e-version) and here (paperback)!
November 12, 2014
Two Days Old!
Hey Everyone! Check out
Willa Nicole Scribblings
for the blog tour stop for today! And, leave a comment for your chance to win
this
prize!
I am so excited to now have Action Kids' Club up on Goodreads ! Y'all can check it out and mark it "Want To Read" if you feel so inclined Which, by the way, would be a big help to me!. I'm having a fun just looking at it up on the site, being happy that it's out there. :)
Also, if you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, Action Kids' Club is only $0.99 on Kindle! (And, if you buy it you can get a lot of entries for this giveaway of a $50 gift card!)
And, because it looks so wonderful to see it up and ready to sell, I thought I'd also share a screenshot of the book on Lulu, which is where you can buy the paperback version.
So, other than celebrating my book release what have I been up to? It's a busy week at work which means lots and lots of time spent in the kitchen. My wonderful-amazing-cousin-friend-almost-sister, Aubrey, is my co-worker and she's so much fun to work with. I've been greatly inspired to write a book where the main character is a cook and most of the book takes place in the kitchen. Only, I have so many other projects I'm in the middle of... If Aubrey was a character, she'd be the one that every reader wished they knew in real life. I'm pretty privileged.
Today is one of those wonderful, wet, cold days that's perfect for curling up with a good book (reading or writing, either would be fine with me..,), a cup of hot coffee and this song playing over and over again. Ahem, not that I will be curling up with a book, I'll be in the kitchen, but it's the perfect day for that nonetheless.
Now, why don't you tell me what you've been up to recently for your chance to win this prize! And don't forget to spread the word about Action Kids' Club entering the big, wide world. Thanks!
I am so excited to now have Action Kids' Club up on Goodreads ! Y'all can check it out and mark it "Want To Read" if you feel so inclined Which, by the way, would be a big help to me!. I'm having a fun just looking at it up on the site, being happy that it's out there. :)
Also, if you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, Action Kids' Club is only $0.99 on Kindle! (And, if you buy it you can get a lot of entries for this giveaway of a $50 gift card!)
And, because it looks so wonderful to see it up and ready to sell, I thought I'd also share a screenshot of the book on Lulu, which is where you can buy the paperback version.
So, other than celebrating my book release what have I been up to? It's a busy week at work which means lots and lots of time spent in the kitchen. My wonderful-amazing-cousin-friend-almost-sister, Aubrey, is my co-worker and she's so much fun to work with. I've been greatly inspired to write a book where the main character is a cook and most of the book takes place in the kitchen. Only, I have so many other projects I'm in the middle of... If Aubrey was a character, she'd be the one that every reader wished they knew in real life. I'm pretty privileged.
Today is one of those wonderful, wet, cold days that's perfect for curling up with a good book (reading or writing, either would be fine with me..,), a cup of hot coffee and this song playing over and over again. Ahem, not that I will be curling up with a book, I'll be in the kitchen, but it's the perfect day for that nonetheless.
Now, why don't you tell me what you've been up to recently for your chance to win this prize! And don't forget to spread the word about Action Kids' Club entering the big, wide world. Thanks!
