Tonya Coffey's Blog, page 2

What a Weekend

I talk about my kids a lot. They are my inspiration and my joy in this world. I try each day to make their life easier and enjoyable but sometimes things happen.
Saturday was my oldest sons sixteenth birthday. My husband and I wanted him to have a party, so a month ahead of time we tried to get in touch with the local gym to rent it for him and his friends. Well, it didn't happen. A church group had it rented instead, the only other weekend was two weeks after his birthday. So no party.
I felt bad and asked him what he wanted. He loves old cars and he decided he wanted to spend the day at a car show. The car show was the last of the season and they had a car give away. He is young and he actually expected to win the car because it was on his birthday. Well, he bought a ticket and waited. He didn't win. He was okay about it.
We went to eat at his favorite restaurant. Since we don't live in the county where this all takes place, we didn't know the restaurant was closed for remodeling. He was upset yet again.
We tried to do things for the rest of the afternoon to make his day worth while but it just went to heck when we went to Kroger to pick up his cupcakes. He wanted cupcakes in the shape of a car. I ordered the cupcakes on Tuesday and asked to pick them up on Saturday at 1. I didn't get there until 8. The baker hands me not a car shaped cake or white cupcakes but chocolate, something he does not like.
Again, his birthday was awful. He didn't get his car cake, his car, or hid dinner. I felt so bad. What does a mom or dad do in a situation like that?
At least I didn't have to pay for the cupcakes or the two extra white cupcakes they threw in just for him.
I hope next years is better.

My Luck

I've been writing for many years. When I first started it was on a word processors. I'm talking the ones that look like a type writer but fill in the words after you write a line.
Then my husband decided we, the kids, needed a computer for school. Well the first one we bought had windows 98 on it. We used it until I enrolled in a writing class. He felt sorry for me and bought us windows Vista. I was so happy to have something that worked so well. It had Microsoft office on it and it was the first time I ever used the program.
After using it and getting my first book accepted, he showed his gratitude by updating us again with windows 8. Once again I was using something I thought only the wealthy could offered. I was proud!
Well, my luck, lightning strikes the internet box and fries the computer. I was devastated because, according to the local computer shop, it would be cheaper to buy a new one. Augh... So, I'm back on my trusty Vista but the downfall is, I don't have Microsoft office. I'd love to have the program but my husband is frugal. lol. I love the man but he believes money should be spent on food and utilities. lol.
So instead of asking for a new desktop I'm asking for a lap top for my birthday.

At Last!

My writers block is over! Thank the Lord above. I've asked most days to give me strength to sit at my table and write something, anything. After closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I picked up my pencil and just started jotting down things that began to pop in my head. After a few ridiculous sentences, that made me laugh, I was back. I have written six chapters since then and I am excited. Book 3, Pink Moon, is well on its way to becoming a novel.

LOST

I have found myself in a slump. It doesn't matter what I do or how I attempt to do anything, I can't write a single word.
Being able to write my feelings isn't easy, it has taken me a month to realize there is something wrong with my mental capacity to comprehend what was happening in my brain. To sum it up, I'm crazy.
I have this idea of what I want to happen in the story. Of where it will go and with whom but I can't seem to take my thoughts and articulate them on paper. With my frustrations, I've sat in front of the television and caught up on seasons I haven't seen yet or haven't had the chance to start.
I wonder what I can do to start my process again. I haven't had this much trouble in the past but I hope it will soon be over and I can continue my future of being an author.

Excitment

I'm pretty excited about my second book. I know all writers get anxious and all that when they get closer to finishing.

I decided to start a giveaway, again. I wanted more people to see the book and maybe fall in love with the cover and read it. I didn't realize how hard it would be to promote your book. I'm one of those people who goes to town (grocery store and pay the bills)once a week. I go to Walmart maybe three times a month but I doubt it. If it's a special occasion then I go more.
I'm trying hard to talk to schools about the book. They don't seem to be interested unless I donate two books to them. I would love to donate to each and every school but I can't afford it. But I'm not in it to get rich only to share my stories with others.
So, the reason for this ramble, I'm going over Snow Moon. I've reworked it and added some things. I started reading it from the beginning and realized how much I loved these characters. They are my family just as my kids and husband are. I would be lost if they weren't in my life. If I couldn't read what they were up to.
That makes me laugh and so does Micha.
I was worried about Micha in the book. I made him a little emotional. He has been through so much in the short time he has known Jessa but before that, he's been through more. We find that out in this book.
I can't wait to share this book with you and the world. I think you will be surprised by Micha's life and their relationship. I hope it turns out the way I want.

Snow Moon

OK, so I wrote book 2 pretty fast since I was excited about telling Jessa and Micha's story. I wanted to let the reads understand the struggles Micha faced before he got to the place he is with Jessa. Even now, in the book, he has a hard time trusting people and himself. He is put through "the ringer" to keep peace for him and the the realms.
I know this book will have more of a YA feel then the first. Jessa has things to think of and Micha is put in a situation that most men can't handle well. Doing this, I'm afraid of loosing younger readers. Will I push them away because the characters kiss more or Micha is feeling all these emotions a "man" isn't suppose to feel?
I hope when readers pick up this book they will feel the emotion, the fear, the sorrow that the characters feel. I want you to lay the book down when you are finished and take a breath, wondering if love does conquer all.

Respect

I live in a small town. It's something that I'm proud of. I know most of the people and they know me. Growing up you are taught respect. At least you were taught who and what to respect. But it doesn't seem like people, especially the younger generation, know what it is.
Earlier this week, my husband and I were returning home from a trip. We came upon a funeral. The Hurst out in front and the cars with their lights on followed. My husband pulls over to allow the funeral to go past.
When I was young, I was taught this was a person last chance to have the world view him differently. It didn't matter what he did in life, he was moving on in death and it was respectful to them and their loved ones to show compassion for them.
As we set there and patently waited for the last car to drive by, a younger boy and girl came barreling up the road and passed us with no regards to the funeral or to us who were sitting on the shoulder of the road. The car shook as the boy drove by and I was appalled by the boys disrespect.
I know some of you might think this is crazy and maybe in the city you don't do this type of thing but here we do or at least I thought most people did. It just so happened yesterday it happened again.
I'm curious though, how many of you pull to the side of the road as a funeral passes? Do you feel the way I do?

Bus Accident

I'm a parent and the worst thing for me is to know that my child was put in a harmful situation while in school supervision.
Last Friday evening when my kids got home from school, they told me they were in an accident on the bus. I said, "What!?" They went on to tell me the bus driver fell asleep was about to hit a second bus, head on, before he woke up and jerked the wheel, sideswiping the other bus. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I then ask my kids, was the police called or an ambulance to make sure all the kids were safe. NO! They didn't call anyone. NO ONE! I was mad.
We decided to contact the bus garage itself and ask why no one thought it was important to call the parents of the kids on board but they said there was no actual accident, the mirrors only hit.
I couldn't believe my ears, the kids on the bus took pictures of a broken window, broken mirror and a shattered side window. When is an accident serious enough to call the parents, blood?
There is a page on Facebook that revolves around the board of education, it was posted on there that there was a wreck. A lady from the bus garage said people should get their facts straight before they accuse others of things. She basically said every child on the bus was a liar. That didn't sit well with me.
I understand if the bus only touched mirrors then the bus garage would have to deal with the aftermath. What gets me is the bus driver didn't think about the kids. He drove on to school and laughed about it. He didn't ask if anyone was alright or see if the smaller kids needed their parent.
Yesterday, I found out the bus driver went to the hospital when he dropped off the kids. He wouldn't be back to work until Wednesday because he had a concussion. How is this right, if it wasn't a serious enough accident to call the police or the parents?

Book Signing

My local library hosted me a book signing when my book first came out. I was thrilled they wanted to support me and show others in the county that we were more than factory workers.
I had read online articles and blogs about a first time authors success at book signings. I was a little bummed when I read most first time authors won't even sell ten books. That was sad to me but I understand. We aren't coming out of the gate with a thousand fans. We have to build the audience and hope the ones who know about us will tell their friends and so forth. I've been lucky. I sold more than ten at two signings. But I'm not only interested in the money, as my husband is. I want to share my worlds with everyone else. I think they are so amazing and fun that I can't contain them and what better way than to write a book and share it with the world.
Once again I have been lucky enough to be invited to an author's day. I'm excited to meet other local authors and hear what they have to say about their books. I only hope I can articulate my own vision.

A Mother's Ramblings

I find myself wondering if I'm the only mother in the world to look at their children and wish I could put them in a bubble and not let them go out into the world and experience it for themselves. Of course I know I'm not the only one. I think it's a mother's instinct to protect their children at all costs but I come to a realization this weekend that my boys were going to do what they wanted with their life and it didn't matter what I said.
I always encouraged them to be what made them happy. That a job was a job but if you loved what you did it could be a great life. We come from a small town and most of the people around here are teachers or factory workers. I'm not saying factory work is bad, my husband works at a factory. I just don't want them to work and work and have nothing to show for it.
When my oldest son was young he had this idea that he was going to be a doctor. I was thrilled. Well for years, twelve of them, he has focused on it. But this year he had decided that he wants to join the Marines. I felt as if my heart fell to the ground. I wasn't mad at him for wanting to do something he felt was right. I was upset because I know what happens to soldiers. So I ask myself for days, can I handle both of my sons going into combat? I don't know. All I do is think the worst. Look what happened to other families.
My youngest son, he has said since he was four he would be a soldier. I keep telling myself it's a faze but if he big brother joins, there's no doubt he will too.
I guess I'm being selfish because they are my children. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has sit and pondered on what would happen or have faith that nothing will happen at all. I believe that's all I can do. I will trust that God knows what's best.
And for the ones whose mouths are hanging open at my ramblings, I believe what our soldiers do is wonderful and I thank each of them for it. My dad was in the military, my uncles, cousins,niece, nephew and my father-in-law.
If my children do decide a career in the military is what they want, I will stand beside of them with pride and honor because that's what a mother does. They support their children even if it makes them cry.