New Year. New Novel.

I participated in National Novel Writing Month last year and completed more than half of my new novel. I was months behind when I wanted to write these two words in the said novel, but I finally did it

last night. Hallelujah. I did it after years of not thinking I could write anything else. 

First draft - check✅. 

Here's to revisions and edits.

I'm so proud of myself and hope good things come from this book. Although, I feel I've accomplished that already. 

Happy dance time.

How's your writing going?

Hugs,

Writing Jewels 

Favorites from 2016

2016 wasn't one of my most adventurous and extravagant years, but I do have to say I had some favorites. 

My favorites (in no particular order. Just as they come to mind)

• Concert: ColdPlay (wow, oh wow, they are amazing). Best concert EVER!
• A band I love: ColdPlay (why did I not catch the ColdPlay train earlier?)
• New person: my niece, Olive. She's a cutie pie and crawling now at only 8 months old. She's going to conquer this world.
• Trip: San Francisco. I took one trip this year and it was a work trip, but I filled it with some fun when I wasn't at the conference. 
• Experience in San Francisco: riding a rental bike to the Golden Gate Bridge.
• Music to listen to at work: Taylor Swift
• New album: OneRepublic's "Oh My My"
• Job: Mine, of course. I heart it and my coworkers. Cheers!
• Fiction book: "The Selection" series by Kiera Cass. There were many a read-until-3AM-nights to finish this series. Couldn't get enough of it!
• Non-fiction book: "Seabiscuit" by Laura Hillenbrand
• Author book signings: Marissa Meyer, Ally Carter, Kiersten White, & Robin M. King (ok, that's 4, but 4 amazing authors I must give props to)
• Hiking buddy: my dad. Love you.
• Christmas tree: mine, of course.
• New friend: Allison. You're a gem of a gal.
• Season: summer
• Birthday: again, mine, of course.
• Movie: Zootopia
• TV revival: Gilmore Girls 
• New thing: ankle boots

What are your 2016 favorites?

Hugs

Writing Jewels

Author Book Signing: Marissa Meyer

Another author book signing under my belt; however, this wasn't the first time I've met Marissa Meyer, but she wowed me but once again at her STARS ABOVE book tour event in Salt Lake City. She's the amazing author of the LUNAR CHRONICLES series. Must read books!

 

Some things I learned from Ms. Meyer:

 

To stay motivated while writing or rather to "trick your mind to write" she mentioned...

 - Set small goals so it doesn't feel like such a huge project, even if it is just one sentence a day.

 - Bribe yourself for productivity

 - Write in a different environment. ie: enjoy writing by candle light

 

Something remarkable Marissa shared with us: she started crafting stories as a little girl. She vocalized the stories and her mom wrote them down.

 

I love author signings and reading and books. And I love Marissa Meyer's books. She's one of my favorite authors to date!

 

Have you had to chance to meet one of your favorite authors? What's some advice they gave for writers?

 

Hugs,

 

Writing Jewels

Author Book Signing: Ally Carter

With great joy, I met Ally Carter yesterday at a book signing. She is a delight, so funny, and quite engaging. I think I was the oldest person there. haha

 

For those whom don't know who Ms. Carter is, you definitely should. She wrote some amazing series, including GALLAGHER GIRLS, HEIST SOCIETY, EMBASY ROW, and CHEATING AT SOLITAIR.

 

All of these series are MUST reads!

 

The lovely Ally signed all of her books that I own. I said she didn't have to because of the long line and her poor hand, but she still did. What a wonderful gal!

 

Tidbits I learned from her talk:

 

1. For aspiring writers, just write and don't worry about being published so much. Just enjoy the experience.

2. The first draft is, as she put it, "dirty water." Don't dwell on what you've written. You need to get it all on paper or computer, then you can worry about clearing up the "dirty water." That's what editing and revising are meant for.

3. She mentioned that for a good while, when she first starting writing and eventually when she was traditionally published, she had a day job. Ultimately, she quit her job and focused solely on her writing (she could support herself by then). I asked her "how she did both the day job and writing?" (I have a stressful day job and would rather chill when I get home). She didn't necessarily give me any pointers, but I did pull from her answer that I don't have a publisher giving me deadlines and that makes it easier, so feel blessed to not have that added pressure with juggling a day job and writing. Phew! That makes me feel better.

 

Anyway, I thought these would be of use to my writing friends out there! What is some advice you've been given from writers when you've been at book signings or other events?

  

Hugs,

 

Writing Jewels

Happy 2015! & Happy 2016!

Bon voyage to 2015. Welcome 2016! This is our year! All of our year!

2015 was a fun year for the Jules. A lot happened and I'm happy to share a bit of my year.

• Became an adult, officially. Ditched my twin bed for a queen-sized bed fit for a King.
• Attended Comic Con for the first time & saw Matt Smith there (Doctor Who). Smitten.
• Celebrated my 33rd birthday.
• Saw U2 in concert for the 5th time. I love those boys.
• Did a bit of hiking in the Utah mountains at the beginning of the summer.
• Colored my hair very blonde. Loved it!
• Traveled Down Under to Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia. On a broken foot, to boot. No pun intended, as I was wearing a boot cast. Nothing holds me back. Although, it probably should have. Loved loved loved the trip!
• Broken foot is healing, hopefully will be 100% better one of these days.
• Read 47 books. The goal was 50, but I came in pretty darn close.
• Trying my hand at painting. I'm somewhat good. Read "somewhat" very loosely.
• Toyed around with some writing ideas.
• Spent good times with family and friends.

How about you?

 

2016 is going to be a year of joy! I'm certain of it. Not sure if I will be adventuring unless if someone wants to pay for me to go to Africa with them... Maybe Morocco? Any takers? :)

 

I plan to get back to my writing roots, hone in my painting skills, and reading 50 books. I would definitely like to start dating someone whom I will eventually marry. If you know any LDS great guys, let me know. :)

 

Well, happy to be blogging again. Not sure if I will consistently blog, but Id' like to say hello and hope you have a delightful new year!

 

Hugs all the way from Bag End...

Writing Jewels

The Peru Experience

I returned home from a two-week vacation to Peru recently. The tour turned out to be quite an enjoyable time but life changing too. I relaxed and gained a new outlook on life.

 

Pre-Peru Julia lived her life longing for the time when she was able to crash into bed at the end of the day.

 

Post-Peru Julia lives her life taking in all she can throughout the day until she is able to happily tuck herself in bed at night.

 

This may make me sound like a depressed person (of which occasionally is the case), but that is not the point; the point is that something changed in me in Peru.

 

Here's how it happened: The first day of the tour we were in the Amazon jungle and I was tired. All I could think about was hitting the sack at the end of the day. In my mind I scolded myself saying: "Julia, you are in Peru only once in your life! Enjoy it! Every minute of it!" The rest of the tour, I lived deeply every experience from nighttime caiman spotting in the jungle, to scaling the endless steps of Huayna Picchu, to enjoying countless Incan ruins, to visiting native communities on the Uros Islands of Lake Titicaca, to strolling along the streets of Cusco. 

 

I pulled so much strength and resolve from this tour and, surprisingly, without even knowing it. It was about a week after I arrived home that the realization of this delightful paradigm shift had occurred and I am happy for it. 

 

The thing is I have to work hard on keeping this resolve. There have been a few times since returning home that I have found myself sliding back into my old stress bucket ways, and I have to take a few deep breaths and exhale a healthy "Don't sweat it."

 

Life should be beautiful and enjoyable, not a routine of longing to go back to bed all the time.

 

Have you had a similar experience? Are you hoping to have this kind of a change occur in your life? I just hope you don't have to travel across the world to figure it out.

 

And for those who want to see some pics, here you go:

Relaxing in the Amazon jungle at my bungalow.

 

 Julia's gone native.

 

 I made friends with some alpacas.

 

 Cristo Blanco high in the hills of Cusco.

 

 My alpaca friend I named Frazzila May.

 

 Julia at Machu Picchu! This place is wondrous and magical.

 

Uros floating reed islands on Lake Titicaca near Puno, Peru.

 Eating alpaca. It was beyond delicious.

 

 Eating guinea pig, a Peruvian delicacy.

 

In front of what is considered Peru's white house in Lima.

Hugs

 

Writing Jewels

You Don't Want to Miss This Book: REMEMBRANDT

Hello friends! Long time no write... Well, for me, at least in the blogoshere.

 

I had to blog about something that is just fantastic! So HELLO!

 

My sister-in-law, Robin King, has a publishing deal through Walnut Springs Press for debut novel called:

 

REMEMBRANDT.

 

Robin's novel is due to be released in November 2014. I have read REMEMBRANDT and it is amazing! She revealed the to-die-for cover last week on her blog. Since I love the book and it's cover ever so much, I'm going to show it off here on my blog, too!

 

Take a look at this pretty little gem:

Find it here on Goodreads. Go ahead, add it to your to-read shelf. You know you want to. ;)

 

Oh, and the blurb to tempt your fancy all the more:

 

"Alexandra Stewart doesn't just walk down memory lane, she lives on it. Her eidetic memory records her experiences and plays them back, DVD style. It's great when she wants to ace a test, but not so great when she topples over a cute boy in the hallway and the humiliation plays back over and over and over . . . Brown University seems like the perfect place for the seventeen-year-old to forget her past. Hope for a normal life comes in the form of a handsome new running partner who makes her heart race and body perspire even before she laces up her shoes.

When her Russian professor gives her a puzzle that seems impossible to solve, Alex discovers that he has a secret - one that will catapult her into a world of cryptic codes and covert missions. As she tries to find a balance between the two different worlds vying for her attention, Alex wonders if she can have relationships with the ones she cares about while hiding a clandestine life, uncovering the truths of an underground enemy.

One thing is for certain, whatever happens will be forever etched into her memory. And some things are better left forgotten."

 

Isn't the cover gorgeous?

 

I hope you have been doing well.

 

Hugs

 

Writing Jewels

And Then There Was Sight

Hi all. It has been some months since I last posted. Where has the time gone? Where have I gone?

I've been here, just not so much in blogosphere-land. Sorry for being out of touch. I am not sure how often I will be posting from here on out, but I wanted to check in and say hello.

What have I been up to? Well, the day job has been insanely busy. I had a breakthrough for one of my book's plots. Gotta love sleepless nights, huh?

Speaking of sleepless nights, something else has played a part of my distance from bloggy-world. I had corrective eye surgery, PRK, on February 20. I decided to go for this eye surgery because I just wanted to see, I mean really see. It is miraculous to not need to rely on contact lenses or glasses to function during the day. To see the patterns on the ceiling when I wake up in the morning is spectacular.

Why did I segue to this topic with sleepless nights? Well, that is exactly what I went through for 4 weeks. The first week was filled with excruciating pain and intense discomfort. Suffice it to say, I was in agony. It was to be expected, and I knew that beforehand. I just didn't expect it to be so debilitating. When I thought I would only need to take off three days of work, it turned in to six. Even after that amount of time, I couldn't see properly. Work was not a walk in the park for a week and a half with having to catch up with emails and projects, being light sensitive and exhausted, and not being able to drive or see a computer screen properly. I had to wake up every two hours during the night to put in eye drops too, not so conducive to a good night's sleep, huh?

But...

After 5 weeks post surgery, I. CAN. SEE!!!

It is pretty amazing and will only get better over the coming months. The pain may have been unbearable and boring being at home in the dark for a week, but I think it will be worth it. It already has been worth it.

I said I was bored. All I could do was listen to audio books, and I listened to four books. Not too shabby.

How have you been lately? Any book plot breakthroughs?

Hugs

Writing Jewels

Year of Entertainment: TV and Books

Is it really 2014? Another year has been swept away into the wide expanse of time to usher in a great new year full of numberless possibilities. What a good feeling! Another good feeling is noting all the great TV shows and books I feasted upon last year. As an account, I list them here. Hopefully, you see some that will capture your attention to watch or read!

TV Shows:

• Switched at Birth seasons 1-2
• Touch season 1
• Doctor Who season 7
• Psych seasons 1-6
• Lie to Me seasons 1-3
• Fringe (I have 6 episodes left and I done. Love this show!)

Books: note - bold titles are my favorite reads of the year

• The Last Guardian (Artemis Fowl) by Eoin Colfer
• Wings by Aprilynn Pike
• So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld
• The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
• The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible As Literally As Possible by A.J. Jacobs
• Angelopolis by Danielle Trussoni
• Until I Die (Revnenants) by Amy Plum
• The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
• The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test) by Aimee Carter
• If I Should Die (Revenants) by Amy Plum
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
• Arise (Hereafter) by Tara Hudson
• Inferno by Dan Brown
• Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma
• Spells (Wings) by Aprilynne Pike
• Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
• The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White
• Cinder  (Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer
• Illusions (Wings) by Aprilynne Pike
• Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer
• Half-Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer
• The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer
• Destined (Wings) by Aprilynn Pike

Through my journey with the written word this year, I have found a new favorite author--that being Marissa Meyer, author of The Lunar Chronicles series. She blew me away with her retelling of Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood stories. Her writing style is unique and simply amazing. Out of all the books I read last year, I'd recommend hers the most. Oh, I can't wait for the next two books to be released. The dates won't come fast enough. The first two books covers are fantastic, huh?

And of course, TV-wise, I'd recommend Psych for sure, but if you enjoy some good sci-fi, then check out Fringe.

What are some of your favorite reads and watches from 2013? Have you read or seen any of the TV shows or books I listed above? Are you as much of a TV and book junky as me?

Hugs

Writing Jewels

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas

Hello all!

I would like to wish you a truly magnificent Christmas and holiday season. For my post today, I thought this song would bring joy and the true meaning of Christmas into your hearts.

Enjoy.

Hugs

 

Writing Jewels

Christmastime: A Beautiful Time of the Year

During this time of the year, there are so many enjoyable activities that tempt our holiday fancy.

 

It is a beautiful time of the year!

 

I'm going to spend my time doing the following activities:

Relax like these cute pups...



 Spend time with loved ones...

Read...

 

Perhaps read some more...

Put a puzzle together...

Watch Fringe...

And write...

 This is going to be the life.

 

What are you doing during Christmastime?

 

Merry Christmas to all and to all happy writing!

 

Hugs

Writing Jewels

What the Body Needs...

I attended an essential oils party. I had used a particular oil this company produces some years ago and was only going to purchase it. That was not to be the case.

 

With a stroke of pure destiny and, I think, a miracle from God, the presenter randomly brought up an oil that she normally doesn't discuss. She passed around the bottle and said we all could taste it. The moment the oil registered with my taste buds, I knew, absolutely KNEW, my body needed this herb. Because of my excitement, the presenter read what the oil is used for.

 

Oddly enough, it helps with so many physical ailments I have suffered with for over a decade. A little while later, she read from another book of how it can help emotionally. I almost started crying by how spot on it was for me and what I struggle with on a daily basis.

 

Obviously, I ordered a bottle of it with high hopes that it will aid in my physical and emotional well-being. I did this because my body reacted so clearly that it was for me. I bought it because I need greater motivation in so many areas of my life, especially writing.

 

This "party" I attended was heaven sent. An essential oil might improve my bodily pains, energy level, clarity, confidence, and so many other aspects of my life.

 

My eyes cloud over with emotion as I type this. I want to share my stories that are kept prisoner in my brain; my mind that more often than not holds me back. I want to be free. My body must know a path to offer me that freedom. The freedom to create. The simple act of tasting an oil has opened my mind to the possibility of liberation. Sigh.

 

I hope it works! I will keep you posted. :)

 

What are your thoughts on the body knowing what it needs? Has giving your body what it needs set you free so you can fully embrace your talents and ultimately life? Has it helped your writing?

 

Hugs

 

Writing Jewels

IWSG: "Dam" These Insecurities

It's December! Yay! And the first week, to boot. That means it's Insecure Writers' Support Group Wednesday. Click here for more information about the amazing IWSG.

 

This month I'd like to share some "dam goat" pictures found at this link.

 

Amazing, huh? Talk about the hooves on those goats. They must walk in some sticky sap before they scale that steep climb.

 

How does this relate to my writing insecurity? Sometimes I feel like other writers can scale the writing climb better than I can. I'm not like the goats who can get all the way up there and hang on. I'm not strong enough or talented enough or good enough.

 

Or blah blah blah blah...

 

This is my insecurity in so many areas of my life. It sucks. Why can't I feel like I'm good enough? "Dam" this feeling of inadequacy.

 

Do you have these feelings? Are you struggling to keep climbing or staying put without falling off the writing roller coaster?

 

Hugs

 

Writing Jewels

A Little Fun: The Day of the Doctor

I'm a Doctor Who fan.

 

Yes, the Doctor is pretty much the coolest. Bow ties and fezzes are too.

 

Well, I feel privileged that I was able to see the 50th anniversary showing of Doctor Who: Day of the Doctor in the theater.

 

 

Here's a photo of my ticket stub:

 

The movie was an hour and twenty-five minutes worth of AWESOME!

 

And there were tons of people dressed up for the event. I have no idea "Who" these kids are but tons of people (me included) took pics of them in their brilliant costumes:

 

 

Adorable!!!

 

It was fantastic to be in a theater room full of hundreds of Whovians. The energy was thick in the air and the laughing and gasping and all of the above brought happiness to my soul.

 

My favorite parts were as follows:

 

1. The Doctor (David Tennant) holds up the little box and says: "It's a machine that goes ding."

2. The Doctor (David Tennant) and the Doctor (Matt Smith) appreciate each others' spectacles.

3. The beginning bit where the Doctor (Matt Smith) thinks the movie is going to be in 12D, not 3D. 

 

I plan on attending the 75th and 100th anniversaries too. This show will make it, especially since it has made it this far. It is the longest running sci-fi TV show. Bam! 

 

Have you seen this movie or the show? What are your favorite TV shows that you would love to see in the movie theater?

 

Hugs

 

Writing Jewels

Are Authors the New Rock Stars?

I don't know how middle and high schoolers are now, but books weren't the high topic at the lunch table back then for me, and I don't remember hearing much discussion from my peers. My crowd enjoyed music, like a ton! I'll admit it, when I read, it was for class; it wasn't for fun.

Sadly enough, I didn't really start loving words until I read the Harry Potter series and then came the Twilight Saga. That's when my book collection started and I haven't stopped devouring words since.

Was literature discussed as much before Harry Potter? I assume so; however, it seems like reading is the talk of the town now, and in all age ranges, to boot.

Many movies these days are brought to a theater near you because of books. Goodreads floods the internet with countless reviews to tempt our reading fancy. E-books are available at the click of the mouse.  

Has reading taken over the world on a higher scale than it was ten or fifteen years ago? If so, great! If not, no worries!

Are authors the new rock stars? I'd agree with that statement. 

Hugs

Writing Jewels

Etymology Fun

If you know me (of which you most definitely should *wink wink*), you know I love dogs. I giggle whenever I see one on the street. Of course, I have to live vicariously through others to get my doggy fix.

That happened the other day at work. I heard a coworkers say, "There's a dog outside." What did I do instantly? I booked it to the door to catch a glimpse of the four-legged buddy... and yes, to play with the little guy. After being pawed, licked, playing "come here" for a couple minutes, and asking the owner thepup’s name, I went back to work twenty shades of happy.

This got my cubicle mate and me chatting about dogs and it led to Pit Bulls. I brought up how this breed of dog, I've heard, is a rather nice dog. They've gotten a bad rap over the years. She brought up one of the ways the Pit Bull received it's name: because they would be placed in the pit with bulls to calm them down enough for the owners to handle them. Of course, the dog would bite the bull on the nose until it calmed down. So. Pit. andBull. Interesting, huh? There are other ways that this breed may have received its name--all cruel, if you ask me.

This got me thinking of word etymology. It is intriguing how words came into being.

I decided to Google funny or strange word etymologies. The one I found most interesting is on a site called Listverse. Click HERE to view it.

My favorite from this list was "Jargon". Let's just say I had a college professor who loved to "hide behind unintelligible gobbledegook."

What are some of your favorite word etymologies? Were you surprised by any of the word etymologies on Listverse?

Hugs

Writing Jewels

IWSG: Where's the Muse?

Wow, is it really November already? I feel like I just posted my October Insecure Writers' Support Group post. The first Wednesday of the month has arrived. Again. Time is flying too fast.

For more information about IWSG click HERE.

My insecurity this month is about my muse... or lack thereof.

 

Has my moment of words passed?

 

Talk about being insecure, right?

 

Multiple stories swirl in my mind, but to actually complete another book seems like climbing Mt. Everest--minus the frost bit nose and toes falling off. Thank heavens.

 

I know I will continue writing, but some days, man, it's just tough. Motivation rippled through my body and soul for years, and now... Well, now, where is it?

 

Perhaps other things are taking precedence, or I just need to give myself a good kick in the butt. Who knows, but I still have my ideas, and maybe I don't need to write them all in a year. I've got time. Time is on my side.

 

Thanks for letting me vent this insecurity. It has been plaguing me for quite some time now and causes great stress on my brain. No fun at all.

 

Do you feel this way sometimes? How do you pull yourself out of this awful place?

 

Hugs

 

Writing Jewels

Halloween Post... Um... A little Late

Hi friends!

 

I mentioned a couple posts ago I had a supercool Halloween costume in the works. Well, I wish you a belated Halloween from...

 

The Tardis

 

Yup, this shows just how dorky I am, but I will declare my love for Doctor Who any day!

 

If you do not know what the Tardis is, I will explain.

 

It is Doctor Who's time traveling police box that can take him anywhere in time or space. Pretty nifty, eh?

 

And it is bigger on the inside than on the outside.

 

Tardis stands for "Time and Relative Dimension in Space."

 

And is quite possibly the coolest space machine. Like. Ever.

 

I hope you enjoy my rendition of the amazing box.

 

As Doctor Who #11 (Matt Smith--swoon) would say: "You sexy thing!" And man, I exude sexiness all the way. Tehehe

 

What did you go as for Halloween? Do anything fun?

 

I sure did... I wore my costume to work, went Trick or Treating with my niece and nephews, and made an appearance at a party. Then I went home and slept like the dead. Dun Dun Dun.

 

Hugs

 

Writing Jewels

I Own It!

Something exciting happened this month. I'm going to share all about it. Zoom back to 2008. The hand-me-down car I'd been driving kicked the untimely can. Enter car shopping hunt. My parents joined me on the adventure. I distinctly remember my father telling me this:

 

"We need to shop around. You won't buy the first car you look at."

 

Umm... I purchased the first car I looked at and drove her home that evening. Oddly enough, I loved the make and model when it was first released, even down the color and sporty version.

 

My little 2006 Toyota Corolla S has gone through a lot of good times with me. I love her--my little Razlyn (yes, I named her).

 

Speed forward to now. The last payment was made this month and the title arrived in the mail. I officially own something bigger than a twin-sized bed or a desk lamp. I'm proud of myself for completely paying for her, doing this all on my own. And my confidence in myself is heightened.

I am no longer in car-debt-land. Wahoo!

 

It's sort of like how I feel when I complete a book. I stuck through until the bitter sweet, happy end. I conquered the words and made something great, becoming a scrumptious jewel.

 

Any who, thanks for reading my rambles. Any thoughts?

 

Hugs

 

Writing Jewels

Famous Last Words

Blast tired eyes and comfy, warm blankets. Drat to breath slowing and clouding out reality. Tisk tisk to not writing down a great idea.

I blame myself. Yet, blaming it all on an inanimate object would make me feel better.

What I'm eluding to is this: Last night as I was tucked tight in my bed, I had a killer idea for a blog post. Of course, I had that angering thought pass through my head that goes like this:

"I'll remember it in the morning. Just go to bed."

To any writer, those are your famous last words... I'll remember it in the morning.

Did I remember the fantastic idea in the morning?

Nope.

I tried to grasp hold of it throughout the day with no luck.

Suck. Super Suck. Super Duper Suck!

So, write down a brilliant writing idea. You'll thank yourself later, or when you wake up thinking you'd remember it.

Has this happened to you? Or were you smart and wrote it down?

Silly me.

Hugs

Writing Jewels