Jacqueline E. Smith's Blog, page 51
January 9, 2014
Hi, Friends!
Just so you know, I will probably not be all that active in the next few days. I’m on a roll with this new short project I began working on a few nights ago and I really believe that if I keep my nose to the metal and the pedal to the grindstone, then I can get the first draft finished and ready for editing by next week.
If I finish early, I will let you know.
Just to make sure you don’t miss me too much, here is an adorable picture of me in the early days of my writing career.
Talk to y’all soon!
January 7, 2014
Changing the Game
Okay… I might have stumbled upon a new path tonight.
I had a meeting with a colleague of mine today (technically, he’s my high school English teacher/mentor, but since I’m a published author now, I like to go ahead and say we’re colleagues), and he came up with a really neat idea for a short book. Well, I began writing it tonight and if I keep making the progress that I’ve made, then it could very well be ready for the first round of editing within a week or so.
I want and NEED to get the sequel to Cemetery Tours finished, but I feel like I need to work on this while the drive is there. Besides, if I can get this new short book done and in the editing room, then I can take that time to finish the sequel and when the sequel is being edited, I can be publishing this new book!
I think this could work, guys. It might mean pushing the sequel back by a month or so, but I don’t really have a fixed date anyway. That’s the beauty of being your own boss. I make my own deadlines. Unfortunately, I’m a very flexible and easy-going boss, which could potentially mean I never get anything done, but I want this to work too much to not do anything ever.
So yeah… that’s what’s going on in my fuzzy little brain right now.
Also… Got ANOTHER review! I think this one might be my favorite one yet!
I scare the hell out of people, guys!! Yay!
Stuff that I Need to Do
Dear Me,
This is what you need to do this week.
1) Finish Cody’s Book. You promised him you would edit it and tell him how you feel about it. You’ve had the book for over a month now. Time to stop bragging about how you’re editing a book and actually do it.
2) Read/Review Heather’s other two books. You got them, they’re cute stories, and she’s your friend.
3) WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE WRITE.
4) Taxes. Trust me, I hate that word as much as you do, but if you want to have your own business, you’ve got to do your taxes.
5) Stop watching so much Sherlock. Seriously, I know Benedict Cumberbatch is just about the dreamiest guy ever, but watching him every other hour is not going to miraculously make him love you. Stop trying and start writing.
6) Stop wasting so much time on Pinterest. Everyone knows how much you love killer whales. You don’t have to pin two hundred pictures to prove it.
7) Take some time to read your new books. Reading is good for the writer’s soul.
8) WRITE.
9) Think of new and creative ways to beg people to review your book. Hey, my birthday is next week! Review my book!
10) Stop thinking that watching Nicholas Sparks movies is the same thing as having a boyfriend. It’s not. I promise.
Love,
Your Inner Responsible Adult
PS – Cemetery Tours got another good review on Amazon! Woo-Hoo!
January 5, 2014
COLD
Look at this. Just look at this!
THIS IS NOT OKAY!
I don’t want to be the coldest I’ve been in three years!!!
At least it’s not going to snow or ice or anything, or else we’d have another Ice-Apocolypse situation on our hands. Texans can’t handle this. We just can’t. We are not designed for cold.
Want to know something about the human body? Whenever the brain thinks the body might be in danger of freezing, it sends out a message to the body to stop the flow of blood to our non-vital extremities (fingers, hands, toes, feet, nose, ears, etc…) in order to warm and preserve our important body parts, like the lungs and the liver. That’s why, when we get cold, our fingers and toes get numb.
Well, when Texans (or at least when I) go outside and it’s even a little itty bitty bit cold, our extremities go numb almost immediately.
Our brains equate the cold with death.
Okay yeah, that’s a little extreme, but seriously. My brain gets very melodramatic when it detects temperatures below 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It has absolutely no faith in my body’s ability to survive in cold. I will have even less inclination than usual to drag myself out of bed tomorrow morning. Monday. Ugh. Gross.
The good news is… Cemetery Tours got another great review.
Sadly, reviews will not keep me warm at night, but they do make me happy, which means, my fellow Texans, that it is possible to be cold and happy at the same time.
Goodnight.
Lazy Day
After such a hectic and action-packed winter break, it’s been really nice to just take the weekend off, watch some movies, lounge around with my kitties, and read some new books. I’ve also gotten a lot of writing and brainstorming in, which is always welcome.
This morning when I woke up (way later than I intended, by the way), I thought about maybe going out to Target or maybe to Barnes and Noble. I didn’t particularly have anything in mind to buy, but it would have at least gotten me out of the house. Then I thought about it some more and realized that I spend so much time running around that it would be nice to spend one more day inside, writing, reading, watching movies. Besides, as an independent writer and publisher, there is literally never nothing to do. There’s always a manuscript to be working on or a marketing plan to devise or a blog to be writing or a friends’ book to be editing/reviewing.
I read a quote somewhere about how a writer never really stops being a writer. Even when they’re not writing, something is always inspiring them. In my experience, I’ve found this to be very true. It doesn’t matter where I am, I’m either plotting the next chapter or the next manuscript or narrating my own life inside my head.
So today, even though I am being very lazy with my sweat pants and Bath and Body Works candle and my Nicholas Sparks movies, I’m still going to be working and writing. Because that’s what writers do.
January 4, 2014
The Block
I’ve only seen the movie Pitch Perfect once (unheard of, I know), but one of the funniest moments in my opinion was when Brittany Snow’s character was confessing to her fellow singers that she had “The Nodes.” My sister is a singer, so I know that vocal nodes are actually quite serious and nothing to laugh at, but her delivery was priceless and I cracked up.
I think that every branch of the creative and performing arts has some version of “The Nodes.” I’m not really sure what actors’ or artists’ might be, for for writers, it’s The Block – Writer’s Block, that is.
At one time or another, every writer has experienced writer’s block. I’ve had some writers tell me that it’s the reason they quit working on their manuscript. ”I have writer’s block and I can’t get past it. I can’t write. I bet Stephen King never gets writer’s block.”
That might be a poor example, because I feel like if there’s one person in the world who has more than enough weird and twisted ideas to last him a lifetime, it’s Stephen King, but you know what I’m trying to say.
It’s easy to believe that Writer’s Block = Failure. If you have writer’s block, then there’s clearly something wrong with you and you’re not meant to write, but that’s simply not the case. Writer’s block is a pain, but it’s also, unfortunately, an inevitable part of life as a writer. And when you think about it, of course you’re going to experience some kind of setback. This story is precious to you and you want it to be perfect. If what you’re writing is, in your mind, less than perfect, then it’s going to be difficult to go on. If you know where the story’s going but you’re not sure how to get there, then you’ll probably drive yourself crazy trying to figure it out.
The key is not to let writer’s block intimidate you or scare you away. If you give me a copy of Cemetery Tours, I can go through and highlight every single part that I struggled through, that I rewrote ten times over, that made me think I was just the lousiest writer ever. The good (or bad news) is that writing your manuscript is actually the smallest and least stressful part of writing and publishing a book. It doesn’t matter if the first manuscript sucks, because guess what? You are going to read and read and reread that manuscript over and over and over again while you’re editing. But the best thing about editing is that it’s like endless second chances to make a great book.
The only cure to writer’s block is to keep writing. Even if you have to force yourself to press your fingers to the keys, keep writing. Heck, you can even skip the part that’s giving you trouble and write what you know, then find a way to connect the two. Once you’re finished, printing off the manuscript and reading it on paper instead of on a computer screen present a whole different perspective and experience. It’s so much easier to read and edit and to make sense of things when you have the paper in your hands as opposed to scrolling mindlessly through a word document.
Writer’s block is very real and it’s a huge nuisance, but it is NOT invincible. No matter how much it threatens, do not let it overcome you. Write your way through. You’ll be glad you did.
January 3, 2014
A Very Sugary Review
Hi everyone! Just a quick updated tonight. It’s Friday night, which of course means I’ll be going out on the town, partying at the clubs. No, just kidding. I’ll totally be sitting on the couch, with my blanket and my kitty, reading and writing. Maybe I’ll get a little wild by popping open a bottle of water and watching a Disney movie. Livin’ it up in the new year, yo.
Anyway, the real reason I’m writing this is to share my review of Heather Ellis’ latest book, The Sugary-Sherburts and the Stone Witch.
Five Stars!
What a fun read! The Sugary-Sherburts and the Stone Witch, written by young author Heater Ellis, tells the magical and fun-filled tale of Herbert, Charlotte, Kit, and Kat Sugary-Sherburt. The family lives in the town of Thornton, a city made entirely out of chocolate (when can I move in?). As it turns out, Kit and Kat’s adventure with the Stone Witch, a dastardly and terrifying witch who lives in a castle on top of a cloud, is actually a sequel. After following this fantastic adventure, of course I’m going to have to read the first. I’m so curious to find out what happened!
Miss Ellis is a wonderful writer. Her spirited voice and whimsical vocabulary (“The wind whirled…” “The rattling rooftops”) combined with an obvious flair for story-telling and imagination creates a wonderful world that puts one in mind of the workings of Roald Dahl and the legendary Dr. Seuss. As I read, I could see everything that Miss Ellis described, from the Sugary-Sherburts’ modest, chocolatey home (with a swiss roll doorknob!) to the wicked witch, Ola, as she wreaks havoc on … well, I’m not going to tell you. You’ll just have to read it!
This book is wonderful gift, not only for young readers and lovers of fairy tales, but for aspiring young writers as well. Heather Ellis is a fantastic role model and a fine example of a young person who still believes in following her dreams. Congratulations, Heather, on the fun and fantastical world you’ve created!
You can find the book on GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
And on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sugary-Sherburt...
You can also visit Heather’s blog here: http://heatherellisbooks.wordpress.com
Or her website here: http://www.heatherellisbooks.co.uk
Enjoy and support the world’s awesome young authors!
January 2, 2014
The Sugary-Sherburts
Something I like to do as a semi-active blogger is to scroll through tags that interest me, Books, Authors, Reviews, etc… If I find a blog that I like, I’ll follow. About a month back, I was scrolling the Author tag and happened across the blog of Miss Heather Ellis (http://heatherellisbooks.wordpress.com). She is a young author from England and she’s just published her third short story book for kids, The Sugary Sherburts and the Stone Witch. As it turns out, Heather is a kid herself, just ten years old.
How cool is that? I mean, seriously? To be a published author of not one, but THREE books at ten years old? Want me to tell you what I was doing when I was ten? I was either running around the house, throwing my Beanie Babies across the floor so that I could pretend to save them from “tornadoes,” or dressing up like the Spice Girls and singing “Wannabe” at the top of my lungs. That was the kind of kid I was.
Anyway, I told Heather that I would love to read one of her books, and after a long month of waiting, the Sugary Shuerburts finally arrived in Texas!
This is a picture that Heather sent me… the Sugary Sherburts about to begin their journey across the pond!
And this is shortly after their arrival in Texas! Note: This is the package, not the actual book cover. I just love the drawing!
I just had to take a picture of the postage stamp. Europe is so cool.
Anyway, this is the actual book!
Again, how cool is this?!
I showed the book to my sister (who also plans to read and review), and she said, “That’s so cool! It reminds me of Matilda!” Well, it just so happens that on the back of the book, Heather lists Roald Dahl as one of her influences! Such a great author and such a good story (my sister is a HUGE fan of the new musical adaptation).
This is me and the Sugary Sherburts!
I’m so excited to read not only The Stone Witch, but Heather’s other books as well. You can find a list of them here at her Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Heather-Ellis/e/B00CWB21BQ/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1388696143&sr=8-1
You can also find Heather on Twitter: heatherellisbks
And on GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19396808-the-sugary-sherburts-and-the-stone-witch
Stop by and check her out! This kid is going places!
January 1, 2014
Lighthouses
It’s the first day of the new year. That means I should probably write some long and profound post about the promise of new beginnings, lessons of the past, and what it means to start fresh. But to be totally honest, that all seems wildly overdone, so I’m going to write about something different.
Lighthouses.
I can’t pinpoint the exact moment I realized I had a fascination with the historic beacons that light the way for ships and sailors to make their way safely back to shore, but I can tell you it began with a trip to Hobby Lobby.
Now, I’ve been obsessed with all things oceanic since I was seven years old and my parents took me to SeaWorld for the first time. One day, I’d love to make enough money to have a permanent place by the ocean, but for now, I’ll have to stick with traveling and daydreaming. And pinning an absurd amount of photographs to my personal Lighthouse Pinterest board.
http://www.pinterest.com/jackiesmith114/lighthouses/
As it is, I’ve only had the privilege of seeing a handful of lighthouses firsthand, and I’ve never actually been able to explore one. I did get awfully close to Pigeon Point in California, however.
I also sailed right past the one on Alcatraz on a tour of the Bay.
I really want to take a tour of Alcatraz one day, as it’s supposed to be one of the most haunted places in America and, as you all may know, I sort of have a thing for the paranormal.
Other lighthouses I have seen but not actually visited include…
The first two pictured are in Scotland. The white one sits in between Oban on the mainland and the Isle of Mull. The second can be seen from the Isle of Inchcolm. The third lighthouse is in Monterey, California, not far from the Aquarium.
This is my lighthouse collection.
I’m not really sure why I felt like writing about lighthouses today, and truthfully, I’m not sure I’ve actually even said anything worth reading. I just wanted to start my new year off talking about something I love and that really stirs my imagination. I think it’s good to remember, as the holidays season draws to a close and we all head back to the hustle and bustle of everyday life, to remember that there are places and buildings and people that really inspire us and that serve as a reminder that there is so much more to life than we often allow ourselves to experience.
I’ve been in the real world, and to be honest, nothing has ever felt less real to me. Stories, books, fairy tales, adventure, and lighthouses… those have always seemed the very foundation upon which life and dreams and reality are supposed to be built and based.
Maybe I’m setting myself up for disappointment. At almost 26, I’m probably supposed to be a little more interested in getting married and settling down and mortgages, but it hasn’t hit yet. Maybe accepting “reality” just isn’t part of the way I’m programmed. Maybe I’m just a late bloomer. But until the day comes when I do decide to finally take my place in the “real world,” I’ll be hard at work on my next novel and daydreaming about beacons of light over a vast and timeless sea.
Lay down your head and close your eyes
And rest your weary soul,
For the lighthouse shines through fog and rain,
And night as black as coal!
Though winds are lashing and waves are crashing
On coral reefs below,
The beacons call and beckons all
With its majestic beam aglow.
When stars are out and seas are calm,
And eventide draws nigh -
The seafarer rocks in a cradle of waves
To the Lighthouse Lullaby.
- The Lighthouse Lullaby, Anonymous
December 31, 2013
How Do You Measure a Year in the Life?
How about Instagram!
Seasons of Instagram…
Every good blogger knows that a New Years Eve post is essential. Thanks to Instagram, it is so much easier to keep track and look back on the highlights of a year.
To start off… the last moments of 2012.
Keepin’ it classy…
And the first moment of 2013…
The rest shall follow in no particular order.
In 2013…
I played in snow…
Met a baby screech owl…
Ate my favorite frozen yogurt on my birthday…
And adopted a penguin.
Visited a museum.
And took a road trip to one of my favorite cities in the world to see my sister perform in the All State Choir (for the second time).
I found out something about myself that I already knew…
And discovered that this cool little statue that I bought in January 2002 is actually a pencil sharpener…
I cleaned out the back room in my parents’ house and discovered a whole mountain of 1990s treasures.
(We still have our Furbies too…)
I got to see my sister play Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. Of course, I wanted a picture with Audrey II…
I also saw a pink Hummer.
And discovered this really creepy scarecrow that lurks in the upstairs of our office at work. I bet it comes to life when no one’s looking.
Welcomed some new friends…
And had a lot of fun with old friends…
Rented a car for the first time…
And took a great trip to the Gulf Shores!
Visited my old camp at Lake Texoma… another one of my favorite places in the world…
And built a new home for a wolf spider!
My sister and I took our Dad to see Roger Creager in Concert for his 65th birthday. We got great seats on the lawn, right in front, and afterword, we all got to meet Roger. That was one of the coolest moments, seeing my Daddy get a “Happy Birthday” from one of his favorite country outlaws!
He got to meet Chuck Taylor from The Range and we all got a lot of free stuff since we got there so early.
Went Downtown to get the rights for my new company, Wind Trail Publishing.
And of course, wrote, edited, and published my first book (with a lot of help from great friends!). At one point, Cemetery Tours made it to #92 on the Top 100 Kindle Bestsellers List in Contemporary Fiction!
I participated in my very first 5K…
And ate the very best cake I’ve ever had in my life…
I got to go bowling…
And see Bon Jovi in concert… in a fancy box… for free!!!
My poor baby car, Niles, was in a minor fender bender…
But we fixed him and now he is like new! :)
I read some books with my oldest friend…
Including brand new books by my two favorite authors…
I hosted my first pool party…
And enjoyed the summer sun.
I discovered the self-satisfaction that comes from posting a “Transformation Tuesday…”
Around the same time that my sister was elected Prom Queen!
I straightened my hair for Halloween…
And took my very first trip to Lubbock.
I enjoyed a fun-filled Thanksgiving full of laughter.
And survived Icemageddon 2013…
The whole family enjoyed a wonderful Christmas… with a toilet.
And celebrated 21 Christmases with this sweet girl!
Now… onto 2014!!! I’m ready!
