Jacqueline E. Smith's Blog, page 29

New Project

Hello, friends!  I hope you all had a delightful weekend.  Yesterday was my sister’s birthday, but she wasn’t home, so we’ll be celebrating tonight and tomorrow.  We were still pretty busy over the weekend, however, making preparations and doing some last minute birthday shopping.  I’m really excited for her to see what I got her.  I’m pretty much best big sister ever.

Along with shopping and birthday antics, I’ve also been thinking about my new Young Adult Project that I began for NaNoWriMo.  I’ve decided that I am, in fact, going to publish it under my name.  I’m saving my super secret pen name for the books I actually want to keep a secret.  I’ve also made it my goal to have the new book ready for publication Spring 2015.  I’ve even made a Pinterest teaser board for it.

https://www.pinterest.com/windtrailpub/untitled-young-adult-project/

So, yeah.  It’s coming along nicely.  I finished Chapter 14 last night.  I’m not kidding, I am having so much fun writing this book.  I think my favorite part is that I have absolutely nothing planned for it.  I’m just writing it.  In a weird way, I think it makes writing easier.  The story is evolving the way it’s supposed to and I can’t wait to share it!

In other news, I went out to visit a dear friend of mine at her farm and I want to share some of the pictures.  One of these days, I’m going to take my real camera out there and take some pictures, but for now, iPhone photos will have to do.

There’s something about a Texas sky…

Work in Progress

Before I send any of my works in progress off to my editor, before I begin sharing titles and plot details, before I even finish the manuscript, I send the project, chapter by chapter to one person.  My sister.  She is the only person who gets to read everything I write, no matter what.  That’s because she’s basically the only person in the world I trust to be completely honest with me.  She’s not going to look me in the eye and tell me that a book is good when it, in fact, is not.  She tells me what works and what doesn’t work, if something fits a character, if the plot is just totally and completely useless, etc…  It takes a good friend to tell you that they love your writing.  It takes a sister to tell you the truth.

I know I can trust her, not only because she’s my sister and I know she’s not afraid to be honest with me, but because she’s an even bigger reader than I am.  Seriously.  I read a lot.  KJ devours books.  She is the ultimate book consumer.  This is why she is always my primary reader.  She doesn’t edit.  She just reads.

Last night, we were texting about a lot of different things and all of a sudden, she says to me, “Not gonna lie, but I think the reason I like so much is because it’s the greatest source of wish fulfillment I have ever read.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Cemetery Tours, but you are an amazing YA author.  Like, if I was fifteen and you weren’t my sister and I found this in a store, I would eat it up.  And I’m not just saying that because it’s wish fulfillment.  I’m saying that as someone who literally went to the library every day in 7th grade and read every YA book there.”

Can I just tell you that is the best compliment I have ever received from anyone?!  Especially my sister.  She and I are always supportive of one another, but neither one of us are the type to say something like that unless we really mean it.  It meant more coming from her than it would anyone else because I know she hates phony compliments as much as I do.  I really didn’t know what to say!  I can tell you right now, however, that she’s got me so, so, so excited to keep writing this book and to finish it hopefully this month so I can get it out ASAP!  Don’t worry, I’m not going to rush it or put out a book that’s low quality just because I’m eager to share it.  But I am so, so, so excited about it now!  Her words totally and completely made my whole day.

Cemetery Tours 3 is still definitely on its way, and so is the new series I’ve been talking about.  That’s what I want to do with my life.  I’m telling you, I want to be Meg Cabot who has like, a million different series.  I’m just interested in so many different things and types of stories.  I used to think that my addictive personality was something of a curse.  I love the ocean and I love Scotland and I love ghost stories and I love boy bands and I love fantasy and I love magic and I love forests and I love chick lit and I love folklore… I used to wonder what I was going to do with myself with so many different interests… Interests that really have absolutely nothing to do with one another.

I can’t believe it took me so long to figure out the answer was writing.

December Goals

It’s the final month of 2014.  It’s a time for wrapping things up, but it’s also a time to think about new beginnings.  As a matter of fact, in the Episcopal Church, Advent is the beginning of the New Year.  We’re just kind of rebels that way.

Anyway, I have a lot of goals for this new month. And I know it’s going to be a busy month, so I should probably get a head start on all of them!

My first December goal is to finish at least one of my works in progress.  I genuinely believe I can finish the first draft of the Chick Lit YA book that I began working on for NaNoWriMo.  It’s just been so easy to write and it’s a whole lot of fun.  I’m thinking (or at least hoping) that I might be able to get it out fairly quickly.

My next goal is to put together a Jones Family History Scrapbook in time for our semi-annual holiday get-together.  I’ve been doing a lot of research into both sides of my family tree.  At first, I thought my dad’s side was more interesting than my mom’s, but that’s only because he had a lot more to find at the beginning.  It turns out on my mom’s side there are Sons of the American Revolution, Lords, Ladies, Kings, Queens, and Native Americans.  I thought that was SO cool, especially because I’ve lived my entire life thinking that I was fully European.  But as it turns out, my 9th great-grandmother was a member of Powhatan tribe.  It’s all so fascinating to me, so Im really looking forward to sharing it with my family.  Thankfully, I don’t think any of them actually read this blog, so it should be a surprise. I’ve also stared an Ancestry board on Pinterest to kind of sort of help me keep track of everybody.

https://www.pinterest.com/jackiesmith114/ancestry/

Third goal is to clean out and donate all the stuff I no longer use.  This is actually kind of a never ending goal as every time I get rid of stuff, more stuff seems to appear out of nowhere to take its place.  I still haven’t quite worked out the physics of this phenomenon, but I am constantly trying to overcome it.  I’d love to be a person who exists with as few material goods as possible.  I really don’t like clutter and I don’t like spending money on stuff that I don’t need and rarely use. Unfortunately, I’m also a very sentimental person and I have a hard time giving away gifts or things that meant a lot to me or someone I love.

Fourth goal is, as always, to keep spreading the word about Cemetery Tours and hopefully get some holiday book sales!  Ghosts are great for Christmas!  Doesn’t everyone know this? Hey, only three days in and already 137 have signed up to enter my new Giveaway! If that isn’t an awesome Christmas present, I don’t know what is!

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/117688-between-worlds 

What are some of your holiday/end of the year goals?

Chapter 12

Last night, I went back and reread all three of my Works in Progress, and I realized something.  I’ve written exactly twelve chapters of each.  I’m in the process of writing each of their chapter 13s.  I figure, hey, that’s not bad.  All three of these books are half-finished.  But then I thought, well maybe if I had just concentrated on one of these books instead of all three, I’d be that much closer to getting another book ready to publish.

One of my problems, or quirks, or personality traits, that has actually taken me quite a while to come to terms with is the fact that I get addicted to certain things. It’s why I don’t let myself watch too much television or why I have to limit myself when I go and reread Harry Potter.  I have an addictive personality.  I become so focused on one thing that I enjoy that I begin to completely neglect other aspects of my life.

The three stories I’m working on now could not be more dissimilar.  The first, of course, is Cemetery Tours 3.  The second is the first in a new series that features a touch of mythology and made up places.  The third is pure YA chick lit.  Like, hardcore.  And I love all of them!  That’s something that really surprised me last night.  I still love all of these stories, even though I go through different phases while writing them.

I’m not sure if it will be possible to get all three of them out next year, but I’m hoping to at least have 2/3.  My guess is that those two will probably be Cemetery Tours 3 as I’m already very committed to that series and the YA Chick Lit.  To put it simply, it’s an easier book, will probably be shorter, and more of a fun project.  The new series will take more time.  It’s a lot more complex than I thought it would be, and I don’t feel I’m very good at complex.

I’m still going to try though.

A Letter to my Younger Self

Browsing Instagram, I saw a post that read, “If you could write a letter to your younger self, what would you say?”  That really got me thinking.  All throughout my life, I’ve made it a point to never forget my former self, to remember her hopes and dreams, and to hopefully never disappoint her.  I want to be the person that she wanted to be.  I know I’m not where she thought I would be, but I also like to think she’d be proud of me.  This is my letter to her.

Dear Jackie (or Jacqueline… I’m not sure if you’re still in that phase or not),

I hope you’re doing okay.  I hope you’re happy.  If you’re still in elementary school, I know you’re not.  I know you think you’re too tall, too fat.  You don’t like the fact that you’re ten years old and people think you’re in your late teens.  You don’t like your hair or your glasses or your crooked teeth.  You don’t have a lot of friends because you’re always off in your own head.  You’re different and you don’t know why.

I’m writing to you today to reassure you and to prepare you for the days to come.

First of all, life is going to get better for you.  In fact, it’s going to be awesome.  Your high school years are amazing, and you’re going to meet your best friends in the world, the friends who are going to be with you for the rest of your life.  They’re amazing.  I can’t wait for you to meet them.  You’re going to meet some boys, too.  They’re super cute, but don’t lose your head over them.  High school crushes don’t last.  Stay focused on your dreams and your goals.

I do have to warn you, not all of your dreams are going to come true.  And that’s okay.  Yes, you will be devastated, but you’ll eventually learn that everything that happens happens for a reason.  You have so many wonderful opportunities and adventures waiting for you, I’m actually a little jealous.  And you’ve found new dreams, dreams that suit you perfectly.  You’re going to chase them, and I hope you keep chasing them.  I know I’m doing my best!

Unfortunately, your days are not all going to be smooth sailing.  High school is awesome, but you have a lot of hard times waiting for you and your family.  They will make you question everything you believe, and the after-effects are going to stay with you long after everything has passed.  But these times will also help you to find your way, and you’ll discover a strength that you never knew you had.  Be patient and remember that everything has a purpose.  And try to forgive.  It’s something I still struggle with, but I know that your heart is still very open to the innate goodness in people.  I’m sorry to say that’s something I’ve lost over the years.  Maybe you can help me to get it back.

I know I’m making it seem like you and I have nothing in common, but that’s not true.  I still love all things ocean and yes, I’m still obsessed with Disney Princesses.  But I’ve also grown in ways that I’m sure you never expected.  For example, I have a tattoo.  I know you think they’re totally taboo and would never in your wildest dreams see yourself getting one, but trust me, you’ll love them.  You’re also going to learn to love your hair, once you figure out how to work with it.  You’re going to spend three summers working at a summer camp (you definitely didn’t see that one coming).  I also know you have that weird thing against popular music?  I still don’t really understand that one, but you get over it really fast.  Granted, a lot of what’s popular today is really stupid, but there is some good stuff out there.  Don’t worry.  You’re a smart kid.  You’ll figure it out.

That’s something I really want you to know.  You are smart.  I know you don’t think you are because you haven’t quite figured out how to pay attention in class and you get nervous taking tests, but you are smart.  It comes as a surprise, not only to you, but to everyone around you, because let’s face it, you’re kind of goofy (and I say that with love), but you are.  Please promise me you’ll remember that.

Unfortunately, you’re going to struggle with self-esteem issues all your life.  High school is fine, but college and grad school get a little rough.  I can’t tell you why.  I can only tell you that I’m finally beginning to overcome them.  Hang in there, and don’t let self-doubt or self-image get you down.  You are worth so much more than you think you are.

I know this is getting far too serious, but there are still things I feel I should warn you about.  First of all, don’t take Calculus.  Just don’t even bother.  You won’t understand a bit of it, and it will end up being the only C you’ll ever get in your life.  Second, do not, I repeat, do NOT drive in ice.  You will total your car.  Trust me.  Third, getting your wisdom teeth out is going to be the worst physical experience of your life.  Brace yourself.  It’s truly horrible.

Finally, I wanted to tell you that I’ve been doing a lot of digging into our ancestry and family history.  I want you to know that you were right.  You are descended from Kings and Queens of Ireland, Scotland, England, Denmark, Sweden, France, and even Jerusalem.  You are, in fact, a Princess.  Trust me, I’m just as excited about it as you are.  That’s definitely something I haven’t grown out of.

I know this is getting kind of long, so I’ll let you go.  I just wanted you to know that everything is going to work out for the better.  There will be times you don’t think it will.  You’re gong to feel lost, abandoned, hopeless, scared, small, even worthless.  But you’re also going to experience tremendous joy, excitement, love, achievement, adventure, creativity, discovery, and hilarity.  And those times far outweigh the heavy and the negative.

Keep dreaming, keep believing, and be yourself.  It will all be worth it in the end.

Love,

Your 26-Year-Old Self

December Tidings

Well, here we are!  I can’t believe we’re already to December.  I hope all of my American friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, full of family, food, and all around good times.  I hope all of my non-American friends had a just as splendid weekend with just as much food, family, and good times.

To start the holiday season off, I’m happy to announce the Cemetery Tours Christmas GoodReads Giveaway!  https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/117688-between-worlds

Much like the first event, I will be giving away TWO signed copies of BOTH of my books in celebration of the holidays!  I know what you’re thinking.  Ghosts are for Halloween, not Christmas!  Well I think a man named Ebenezer Scrooge would disagree with you!  If ghosts at Christmas are good enough for Charles Dickens, then they’re good enough for you too.

Also, as it is officially December, NaNoWriMo is officially over.  I’d like to offer my sincerest congratulations to those who made 50,000 words!  Sadly, I am not one of them, but I kind of realized I wasn’t going to be around mid-November.  There was just way too much going on!  However, I am so very happy that I participated in NaNoWriMo, because it got me writing a new book that, before, I hadn’t even considered.  Now, I’m 32,000 words in and I’m hoping to finish sometime this month!  It’s so much fun and I’m still really loving it.  Of course, Cemetery Tours 3 is still in the works as well!  I’m so excited, because I’ve had several reviewers mention that they can’t wait for the third one!  I hope it lives up to their expectations!

It’s funny.  I always tried to keep my expectations for life and for my writing career moderately low.  At least, I pretend that they’re low.  That’s because every day, you hear things like, “You’ll never make money writing,” or “This will never be a full-time career.”  I don’t want to seem naive or ignorant, so I go along with it.  But the truth is I want it to be my career.  I want this to be my living.  Yes, it’s a long shot, but this is the only life I’m going to get.  I might as well try.

Anyway, I wish you all a very happy December!  Keep reading, keep writing!

Thankful

Usually, I can always think of something blog about.  Books, writing, polymer clay dragons, but today I’ve kind of got nothing, except to say that I hope that our nation, heck, that our entire world, can find peace.  That’s probably a long shot, but it’s something I know a lot of people are praying for.

As it is the week of Thanksgiving, however, and I probably won’t be posting again until after the turkey comas have come and gone, I would like to dedicate at least a little bit of my blog to the people, places, and things for which I am thankful.  I know, I run the risk of sounding terribly hokey, and I apologize.  But it is the season.

I’m thankful, first and foremost, for my family, my parents and my sister.  They are, without a doubt, the most important part of my life, and I’m so grateful for their love and constant support.

I’m thankful for my sweet kitty, my Midnight.  She has been through a whole lot in her life, but I hope she knows just how loved she is and that she is safe and sound inside her forever home. I think she does.

I’m thankful for friends who make me laugh and listen to me when I’m crazy and who I know I can count on no matter what.

I’m thankful for books and for the gift of words.

I’m thankful for my home.

I’m thankful the opportunities I’ve had in the past year.  To be honest, getting to participate in book events, being asked to speak (I’m actually speaking at a writer’s group on Saturday!), I just never could have imagined that I’d get to do stuff like this.  I made the decision to become an author five short years ago.  It’s insane to look back and think about how far I’ve come.  And I’m hoping it’s just the beginning.

I’m thankful for this holiday season and all the joy it brings.

Finally, I’m thankful for you, all of you reading this.  To everyone who has supported not just me, but any author, traditional or indie, a huge THANK YOU.  I know several of you are authors yourselves, so I know you’ll agree with me when I say that we owe our readers everything!  Thank you so, so much.  You make our worlds go ’round!

Cool Things

So, I’ve been so preoccupied with my trip to Lubbock and seeing my sister’s first professional production (it was AWESOME by the way) that I haven’t really been keeping y’all up to date with a lot of the really cool things that have been happening lately.

So first, a few pictures from the trip.  Lubbock wasn’t quite as awful to me this time around, but I did suffer some nasty hay fever and my friend totally burned the back of my hand with a fresh-out-of-the-oven baking sheet.  Thanks, Rachel.

Seeing my sister, though, was absolutely the best!

We caught up on a lot of important issues, like final exams, The Hunger Games, and the new One Direction music video.

There were also several Christmas decorations around, which I loved.

There was also tea and and an awesome Lubbock sunset.

Then I hopped on a plane and flew home.  I had a great time, but now that it’s over, I’m so excited for Thanksgiving week, I can’t even tell you!

Okay, finally on to the other cool updates.

First of all, I got to meet one of the most iconic writers of our time and a fellow Texan, Anne Rice!

My friend and fellow writer (soon-to-be published author) Savannah graciously accompanied me and we had a lot of fun browsing old books, enjoying White Rock Coffee, and of course, fangirling over writing.  We really lucked out too, because I didn’t realize we needed a ticket to meet Anne Rice.  A very kind and thoughtful man overheard our conversation, walked right up to us, and gave me an extra ticket!  What a cool guy!

Ms. Rice, in case you were wondering, was very polite and soft-spoken.  She signed my copies of The Vampire Chronicles and Prince Lestat, which I am very much looking forward to reading.  Then, I gave her a copy of Cemetery Tours.  I’m not sure if that was a gutsy move, or a very presumptuous one, but I wanted to give it to her A) because I admire her work and B) as a way of saying thank you.  I have no idea if she’ll read it or not, but she was very gracious.

The next cool thing to happen is I finally ordered a dragon from Donna’s Dragons!

This is Simon the NaNo Dragon.

For those who don’t know, Donna is an independent artist who makes polymer clay dragon statues.  Ever since I stumbled across her on Facebook, I’ve been in love with her dragons!  You can find her on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/DonnasDragons

Cool thing number three is that Cemetery Tours is featured in Pose Magazine’s December Issue as Book of the Month!  I am so humbled and honored and I want to send a huge thank you out to editor Tiffany Jones for including my book in this month’s issue!

You can find the issue here: http://www.joomag.com/en/newsstand/pose-magazine-december-2014-pose-magazine/0457396001416541990

Another really, really cool thing is that I recently joined Ancestry.com.  I’ve always been curious about my ancestors and where I come from.  I have found a lot of Yankees, Sons of the American Revolution, Swiss people, and Scots.  It just so happens, however, that one of those Scots is Robert the Bruce.

This is a picture of Robert the Bruce I took at Stirling Castle in Scotland a few years back. I had no idea at the time that he is, in fact, my 22nd Great Grandfather.

It turns out my dad is a direct descendent of Kings Robert I (the Bruce), II, and III of Scotland.  This is a really cool thing for me, not only because of how much I love Scotland (I love it a whole lot) and Robert the Bruce is remembered as being one of its greatest heroes, but because growing up, I wanted nothing more in life than to be a Princess.  Well, maybe I just have a minuscule fraction of Robert’s DNA swimming around in my veins, but you know what?  It still counts.  Childhood dream is officially a reality.

Finally, and perhaps this isn’t as cool as all of that, but after taking a few days off, I went back and reread my NaNoWriMo project.  Y’all, I really love it.  I love Cemetery Tours also and I’m still so excited and proud of it and the third one is definitely coming next year, but I am really enjoying this new book.  I can’t wait to finish it and get it out there.  Granted, I’m not sure the same crowd that liked Cemetery Tours will be as into this new one as I am, but that’s okay.  There are a lot of readers out there.  And I love you all.

Enjoy your weekend!  Mine is rainy and cold, but that’s okay, because I have warm pajamas and a kitty.

Old Deuteronomy

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  As an older sister, your little sister is the most important person in your life.  She’s the one you would take a bullet for… or volunteer for the Hunger Games for.  She’s also your built in best friend and she’s stuck with you for life, no matter how many times you embarrass her.

My sister KJ and I are seven years apart in age, but she is my absolute, very best friend.  She’s my favorite person in the world and I am always so stinking proud of her, more proud than I am of my own accomplishments.

Tomorrow, I get to fly out to Lubbock to see her in her first professional production.  She’s a vocal performance major.  She’s been performing since I don’t even know when.  She loves singing.  She loves it the way I love writing.  It’s her thing.  And she’s good at it.  Oh my gosh, she is so good, and I’m not just saying that because she’s my baby sister and I’m biased.

Since the moment my family found out that she was going to be a singer in Lubbock Moonlight Musical’s production of Cats, we’ve all been ecstatic.  Cats is one of our favorite musicals.  We own the DVD featuring the London cast and have watched it about a million times.  And of course, my mom and I just love cats in general.  We’re total cat people.  Dad and sister?  Eh, not so much.  But that’s their loss.  What makes this performance even cooler is that she is working with professional actors, including the incredible and hilarious Todrick Hall and Ken Page, the original Old Deuteronomy.

I didn’t really realize how cool this whole experience was for her, however, until last night when she sent the text, “I remember being a little kid and watching Cats and seeing Ken Page.  If I had known that one day, I would get to sing with him…”

That’s when it all kind of became real to me.  This is only the beginning for her.  She’s always had it, that natural charm, talent, and determination, that helps her excel in everything she does.  I’ve always been envious of her in that respect.  Best of all, she’s making her dreams come true doing what she loves.  This is a huge moment for her, and I can’t wait to be there tomorrow night.

Sister on a Segway.

And to those wondering, yes, I will totally be stalking Todrick Hall and Ken Page after curtain call.

NaNo Update

Hello friends and fellow writers!  How goes it?  I hope you are all warmer than I am.  In case you don’t know anyone who lives in Texas, it totally snowed here last night.

Look at that.  Snow.

So yeah, it is uncommonly cold around here for November.  I mean, I actually really love snow.  It’s so rare here that every time it comes, it’s like seeing snow for the first time.  Of course, I’m not a fan of the hazardous driving conditions (both the roads and already dangerous Texas drivers), but I love snow itself.  It’s magical.

As far as NaNoWriMo goes, I’ve fallen a bit behind.  I’m still working on my book every single day, but if I’m being totally honest with you and myself, I’m not thinking I’m going to finish it by November 30.  Why, you ask?  Several reasons.

1) I’m fairly certain the book is going to end up being longer than 50,000 words.

2) I’m still working on Cemetery Tours 3.

3) I’m going out of town this week to see my sister in her first professional musical production.

4) My sister is coming home for Thanksgiving next week and I plan on spending as much time as possible with her.

5) The holidays are a time for family, not obsessively trying to finish a novel.  It is very important to finish what you start, but for me, finishing this book in thirteen days is not worth what I would have to give up with my friends and family.

Don’t get me wrong.  I WILL finish this book.  I absolutely love it.  I’m having a blast writing it, and I do think NaNoWriMo is still a good thing.  It encouraged me to begin this project that I wouldn’t have even touched otherwise!  Now I’m kind of thinking I’ll be ready to publish it before the next Cemetery Tours!  But I’m not sure I’ll be one of the ones who is able to claim that they finished within thirty days.  And that’s okay.

Again, I’m so thankful that NaNoWriMo exists.  I’m going to participate every year, I’m sure.  I might never finish within the thirty days, because let’s be honest, November is a crazy busy month!  It’s the beginning of the biggest holiday season of the year!  But I will finish it.  That’s a promise.

Peace out!