Auralee Wallace's Blog, page 2

Officially Old: Arguing over Music in the Mini-van

Have you ever been just driving along in your car, not thinking much of anything, just going about your day, when all of the sudden the radio begins to play one epic song after another? It’s glorious right? Like a gift from the Gods.

Well, that happened to me yesterday morning on my second trip to the hardware store to return a portion of my Christmas lights (I went 4 times! But that’s another story). There was just one little problem.

I had my kids in the car.

This is my non-official transcript of the drive.

Scene: I had just flipped stations, and what do I hear? A flute? The gently strumming of a guitar…it couldn’t be…could it?

Me: Oh! Everyone stop talking immediately. It’s Fernando!

7 year old: Who’s Fernando?

9 year old (with audible eye roll – seriously, I can hear it): Here we go.

Me: Who’s Fernando? Who’s Fernando! I have obviously failed you in your music edu–(I had to cut myself off to sing obviously)

Mere seconds pass.

7 year old: You still haven’t told me who Fernando is.

Me: Can’t talk. Singing.

7 year old: Seriously, who is Fernando?

9 year old: Her boyfriend. D’uh.

Me: It’s not just about a boyfriend. It’s —  (Chorus starts – obviously needing my accompaniment).

3 year old: Too loud!

Me: Sorry baby. I turn it down – one click

Song ends. Then to the joy of my young 80’s soul, this comes on (WARNING: This video may give you nightmares):

Thirty seconds of blissful uninterrupted singing on my part pass. Then:

7 year old: I don’t understand this song at all.

Me: You don’t have to understand it. Just feel the mus–(Chorus comes on.)

9 year old: Do you have to make that face when you sing?

Me: Yes, otherwise my clenched fist in the air would look weird.

3 year old: Too loud!

Me: Sorry, baby.

9 year old: Can we please listen to something from this decade?

Me (grumbling flips stations): Oh my God! I can’t believe this! Seriously, everybody stop talking! Mommy loves this song.

9 year old: You love every song.

Me: Every awesome song.

7 year old: I don’t understand any of these.

Me (talking hurriedly so as not to miss my singalong with the falsetto): It’s about a young man feeling like he’s a creep and a weirdo and not worthy of a beautiful girl – you know, kind of like Phantom of the Opera.

7 year old: I understood maybe half of the words you just said.

9 year old: Could we listen to something that isn’t miserable?

Me: It’s not…okay it kind of is…aaand I missed the falsetto.

7 year old: What’s a falsetto???

At this point, I grab the iPod. I know what they want to hear.

It’s what they always want to hear…

3 year old: Turn it up.

 

SIDEKICK RETURNS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!!!

Available Dec. 8th Escape Publishing…

Preorder: Amazon / iTunes / Kobo / Amazon UK / Amazon AU / Amazon CA

Bremy St James is back in a brand new adventure, mixing chaos, humour, sex, and superheroes in this fresh, funny, flirty series. It’s the superhero romance you didn’t know you needed…

 

Fresh off thwarting the crime of the century, Bremy St. James is back and more determined than ever to fight by the side of the city’s top superhero, Dark Ryder. There’s just one problem: Dark Ryder’s disappeared.

To make matters worse, Bremy’s evil billionaire father, Atticus, is taking her lack of family loyalty verypersonally, and Bremy’s last tie to her old life, her reason behind her choices – her sister – is distancing herself as well.

With Atticus plotting revenge and Dark Ryder missing in action, Bremy has to make a choice: flee the city and leave her problems behind, or stay and make her dreams of superheroism a reality  all on her own.

Who knew being awesome would be so hard?

Note: Escape is updating their NetGalley lists, and is looking to connect with reviewers and bloggers each month who might be interested in reviewing Escape titles.

If you’re interested in joining the list of reviewers, please email kcuthbert@eharlequin.com.au with your name, where you blog/review, and the email your NetGalley account is associated with.

SIDEKICK RETURNS COVER REVEAL!!!

Available Dec. 8th Escape Publishing…

Bremy St James is back in a brand new adventure, mixing chaos, humour, sex, and superheroes in this fresh, funny, flirty series. It’s the superhero romance you didn’t know you needed…

 

Fresh off thwarting the crime of the century, Bremy St. James is back and more determined than ever to fight by the side of the city’s top superhero, Dark Ryder. There’s just one problem: Dark Ryder’s disappeared.

To make matters worse, Bremy’s evil billionaire father, Atticus, is taking her lack of family loyalty verypersonally, and Bremy’s last tie to her old life, her reason behind her choices – her sister – is distancing herself as well.

With Atticus plotting revenge and Dark Ryder missing in action, Bremy has to make a choice: flee the city and leave her problems behind, or stay and make her dreams of superheroism a reality  all on her own.

Who knew being awesome would be so hard?

SIDEKICK MAKEOVER

Okay, so SIDEKICK got a makeover. What do you think?

September Goal Results!!!

Okay, so I didn’t exactly achieve perfection. In fact, a lot of days went like this:

 

That being said, more than a few days were like this:

So let’s get to it.

21 Day Fix Results: Okay, so I started late, and I didn’t exactly follow the diet the first week, okay, fine, maybe the first two weeks, but I hit every workout, and I now wear the smug smile of “The Have-Exercised.”

As for the program itself, I kind of love it (Don’t get me wrong. I swear from beginning to end while I am doing the workouts, but I still kind of love it.) I’m switching to THE BEAST next. I still haven’t reached Serena Williams of the soccer field status, but it’s coming. This will be me soon…just with less screaming maybe.

Meditation: Well, it turns out 20 minutes a day was a little beyond my reach. 5 minutes, however, well, that’s my sweet spot.

Has it changed my life? Not yet. But I’m planning on keeping it up.

Writing: Oh ho, that’s the best part. Most writers are aware of the plotter vs. pantser dilemma. Well, I’ve figured it all out – for me at least. But that’s for another post.

That’s all for now.

Bring on OCTOBER!

Afterthought: Oh! And I am debating posting before and after pics. On the one hand, I love looking at before and after pics of workout programs. On the other hand, it seems weird. Like it’s all, “Look at me! In a…bikini?” Sure thing Kim Kardashian. ‘Cause that’s normal behavior. I will ponder…

Part Six of My *Very Personal* Journey to Publication: Are you a REAL writer? Fighting Impostor Syndrome

In the years before I became a published author, I spent many an hour scouring authors’ webpages trying to figure out how they accomplished the seemingly impossible task of getting published. While no one journey in particular held the magic answer for me, I did learn a great deal from reading those experiences. As a result, I thought I would share my own history in a series of posts. As I mentioned in the title, these are my VERY PERSONAL experiences. I am in no way trying to argue that there is one right way to do things. 

So I bought three more books on writer’s craft today. Does that surprise you?

Behold my desk as it stands this very moment.

Messy I know. This sampling represents a tenth, twentieth, maybe even thirtieth of the books I own on writer’s craft. (I know there’s some fiction in there too – but stay with me). I thought about my collection today as I read an article about Impostor Syndrome (Why You Feel Like a Fraud And How to Overcome It). It had some pretty interesting research in it. Give it a read if you have a second. The point that stuck with me is that one of the ways to battle Impostor Syndrome is to focus on learning not perfection. I think this is why I love the books on writer’s craft so much. They offer the hope that with hard work I can improve my skills. I can continually get better at the thing I love. This a good, creative place to be.

I can tell you of the three books I have written so far that are now out of my hands (published or in the process), there are things I would change about each and every one of them. BUT if I waited until I was completely satisfied, they would never get out there.

If you are a writer who is waiting for the moment when you feel like you’ve magically transitioned into a REAL writer in order to get your work out there (whether it be to contests, agents, publishers or just a friend), let me humbly suggest that that particular moment is probably not going to come – AND while you wait, you are missing out on valuable feedback.

Take it from me. I thought when I won my first contest I would feel as though I arrived. Nope. Didn’t happen. How’s about when I got my first ebook deal? Nope…not yet. My agent? No…still not there. Three-book deal? Funny…but no. You see, I could always push the “arrival” destination back or away. After all, I don’t have a proven sales record yet. And what is that sales record? Do I need to be a bestseller before I consider myself legit? And what then? Do all the critics have to like me?  Methinks the destination is a mirage.

Okay so this may all feel a little…

But I still have moments when I battle with the REAL writer phenomenon and I have found these tips help – so take from it what you will!

 

Reviewer? Blogger? Want Access to Escape titles?

auraleewallace:

SIDEKICK RETURNS IS COMING OUT SOON…

Originally posted on The Escapades:

If you’re a reviewer or a blogger, then this post is just for you!

Escape is updating their NetGalley lists, and is looking to connect with reviewers and bloggers each month who might be interested in reviewing Escape titles.

If you’re interested in joining our list of reviewers, please email kcuthbert@eharlequin.com.au with your name, where you blog/review, and the email your NetGalley account is associated with.

We can’t wait to see what you think of our titles!

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September Totally Super Attainable Goals to Perfection: Update

Okay, so there may have been a week delay to my starting perfection. I completely forgot how chaotic the first week of school can be. I also forgot that I kind of needed to finish editing a book. And I think I repressed the fact that I was going away on the weekend to visit family. All that being said, perfection started today!!!

Goal One: 21 Day Fix

Well, I had a little bit to eat and drink last night as my going away party for my bad habits, sooo let’s just say I’m pretty sure I looked – and I know I felt – like these two:

That being said, I didn’t quit at the 12 minute mark like I really, really wanted to…so there’s that.

Goal Two: Meditation

Twenty minutes felt like a really long time for my first day, so I cut it down to five. But even at the shorter length, my brain was still all:

But, hey, I am positive there was a moment or two, when I achieved total nirvana.

Goal Three: Write like there’s nobody watching.

Now this is where everything was coming up Auralee (although, that right there, was a totally awkward sentence). In a .gif, this is how I feel about my new book:

With maybe a little:

Day One done. Twenty to go!

September Totally Super Attainable Goals to Achieve Perfection: GOAL THREE!!!

I have always loved September. Crisp Air. Ripe Apples. And the all important BACK TO SCHOOL. Many people choose Jan.1st for resolutions, but for me it’s September. When I was kid, I was always thrilled about the prospect of what the new school year might hold. As an adult, I am thrilled by the prospect of rebuilding my personality and not answering every question with “What? No. Stop it.” (For the record, I have awesome kids – but seriously now, it’s a long summer.)

GOAL THREE: WRITE LIKE NOBODY’S READING!!!!

Disclaimer: I think this post is really just an excuse for me to post dancing .gifs. Because dancing .gifs are the most awesome .gifs…after maybe animals being jerks to other animals.gifs. 

Okay, so for my final goal to achieve perfection in 21 days, I’ve decided to focus on writing with complete and total abandon! Kind of like what Ray Bradbury suggests in Zen in the Art of Writing.

You see. I experienced a bit of a shock when my first book SIDEKICK came out. As an introvert, it was pretty uncomfortable being exposed to the world of social media. Many readers got exactly where I was coming from…others did not. It made it difficult to get back into the writing swing of things. I felt a wee bit guarded which resulted in my work looking a little like this:

I wanted to please everyone, to silence all of my critics, to be a cool kid! And that resulted in my feeling very awkward and somewhat fake.

This was a problem because suddenly I had an agent, and she sold a new series of mine, and I had work to do! I didn’t have time for all the navel gazing. Worse yet, the actual act of writing stopped being as fun…which was tragic.

Don’t get me wrong. I pulled myself together and made things happen.

But it wasn’t easy.

Now it’s time for change. It’s time to let her loose.

I have almost come to accept that not everybody is going going to appreciate what I do.

And that’s okay-ish. Humour is subjective. Believe me, sometimes I look at my own stuff and think Woah, what is the matter with you? But truth is, I’d rather go too far, then not far enough because I was afraid of what people might think of me.

So for the next 21 days I’m going to write like this:

At the very least, it should be fun.

Now, for a random dancing dog .gif.

September Totally Super Attainable Goals to Achieve Perfection: GOAL TWO

I have always loved September. Crisp Air. Ripe Apples. And the all important BACK TO SCHOOL. Many people choose Jan. 1st for resolutions, but for me it’s September. When I was kid, I was always thrilled about the prospect of what the new school year might hold. As an adult, I am thrilled by the prospect of rebuilding my personality and not answering every question with “What? No. Stop it.” (For the record, I have awesome kids – but seriously now, it’s a long summer.)

GOAL TWO: MEDITATE LIKE A BOSS!

You see, the other day I was watching Deepak Chopra on TV and what really struck me was the level of hope and compassion he had for humankind. I mean, I watch the news and I feel like this:

But I want to feel like this about humanity:

Alright, that may be a bit of a stretch, but we’ll see what 21 days of meditation will do for me. Standing in the rain looking sad certainly never helped anyone…whereas Oprah just gave these people a car…and look how happy she is…AND she meditates. Ergo sum ipso facto BAM! Logic by Auralee.

A out.