A Recap Just for You

Hi there, friends and dear followers.

Since I've been out of bloggosphere-land, I thought I would let you know what I've been up to the past few months.

I'm enjoying my new job. I've been working in a medical field position for over 4 months now. It is crazy how time flies. I'm currently taking some training courses to get a certificate to allow myself the option for movement at the hospital in the future. Sweet-tastic!

Writing-wise: I have been querying out my second book, BOUND. I haven't been super religious about it, but at least it's out there. Of course, as to be expected, I have received some rejections, but the others I figure no news is good news. :D

Every once in a while, I have been flipping back and forth between two writing projects. In other words, whichever one piques my interest at the moment I focus on. My laptop had to go to the computer doctor to get rid of a nasty Trojan virus, so it was out of my hands for a week or so right when I was on fire with my projects. Drat, huh? Slowly but surely I will get there.

If you've read my sidebar's "About Me" section, you will know I'm sort of (well, totally am) a TV junky. I have been rewatching The X-Files series. I'm on the downward spiral of this madness by being in the 8th season. I grew up on this show and still loveth it to deatheth. Plus, the Mulder eye candy is an added bonus. hehe

I've been staying up on Once Upon a Time and Downton Abbey, too.

I've settled in nicely in my new apartment in Salt Lake City, Utah. Unfortunately, I will be moving again in May with the lease being up. That'll be four moves in a year and a half. Crazy-town all the way. I really wish I could just settle myself into a place, but that seems to be a far distant goal. No prob. Life moves forward regardless. If anything, I look forward to having a bathtub again!

In addition to all of that fun jazz, I've read Endlessly by Kiersten White--loved loved loved it! I'm currently reading Reached by Ally Condie. The Salt Lake City County Library system has been my BFF lately. It has supplied me with audio book listening pleasure for weeks on end now (I love me some audio books). The list has included all of the "Shiver" series by Maggie Stiefvater; "Finale" by Becca Fitzpatrick; "Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian" by Eoin Colfer; and the first two books in the "Leviathan" series by Scott Westerfeld. Oh, how I love his books. I started "Goliath" today and am enjoying it already.

Well, these are the haps in my life over the past while. What have you been up to? Have you read any good books? Are you a TV junky like yours truly?

Writing Jewels

I'm Back in Style

Well, hello there, dear friends and followers! I'm back with a new look for Writing Jewels--my little bloggy friend. Isn't she sooo perty! I think so. As I was pondering making my way back into blogosphere-land, I knew I had to have a new look, a fresh start to my writing/blogging adventure.

Here I am back in the saddle again, or rather back typing out my thoughts and hoping they reach eyes that need to read them. And get lots o' comments. *hint hint nudge nudge*

To be completely honest, and I know this sounds totally melodramatic, I'm deathly afraid of blogging again, but my heart tells me it's time to kick my butt (which is rather tough to do) in gear and join social networking again. Suffice it to say, I needed a break. It was imperative for me to walk away, rest, and re-evaluate my desires and goals. Frankly, I still want to walk away. My body and mind ache for rest (yet, it always does). And the re-evaluation of my desires and goals is still being mulled over.

All I know is I have, have, have (times a trillion) to be published. I don't think I could live with myself if I didn't do everything in my power to attain such a brilliant, shiny but rather lofty goal.

I echo the words of author Joe Konrath: "There's a word for a writer who never gives up: published."

Julia King will not give up! Yes, third person. Does that mean I'm one nut short of a fruitcake? Don't answer that, please. :)

And I hope you don't, either. Give up, I mean.

This journey sometimes brings me down to the depths of a crispy hell. Yet, it often times raises me to the gorgeous climbs of heaven, pearl studded and wrapped in giddy glory of joy!

Strap in; this is roller coaster land, baby!

So, I'm back, y'all. I hope to see you around and that you'll join forces with me in this journey to become a published author.

Writing Jewels

Thanksgiving: Sabbatical Style

I know, I know. I've been AWOL for a few weeks now. There is reason behind this madness. But I will get to that later.

Since tomorrow is the U.S.'s Thanksgiving holiday, I'd like to offer my thanks.

I am thankful for:

• God: I know I don't have as much faith as I should but for some reason You still stick around. I appreciate your unconditional love and great patience with me. I love you
• My family: my constant strength and support. No. Matter. What! I love you all
• My job: it couldn't have come sooner. It is stressful at times but enjoyable anyway
• Love: it is what turns the world around
• Friends
• Sleep: it is my fuel, although I can't seem to get enough of it
• Moose Tracks ice cream: Numms. Need I say more?
• My writing, even though it stresses me out
• Books: they draw me into beautiful worlds of wonder
• My love of traveling: bring on Australia and Tasmania this coming summer
• Pajamas
• My car: Miss Razlyn
• Pay checks
• The ability to walk
• Seeing, feeling, hearing, tasting
• Clothing, especially skinny jeans
• The miracle of watching a helicopter take off
• Warm blankets
• Not getting so many headaches as I did before (miracles)
• Hot showers
• Snow
• Sun
• Rain
• Wind
• Music
• My random giggling for insignificant things
• Mowing the lawn in the summer
• Nutella
• Make-up
• Water
• Puppy dogs
• The pitter patter of the little girls feet as she runs around upstairs
• And many, many more wonderful things that bring joy to my life

Anyway, I need to be more grateful. Isn't that the case with us all, though? What are you grateful for?

Well, I have decided to take a wee sabbatical away from my blog. Not forever, of course. Just for a little while. Suffice it to say, a break from blogging and writing is in order for the Jewels! I will come back soon. I don't know when soon will arrive but hopefully at the beginning of next year with new year's resolutions and the such.

Sigh. Super sigh. Super duper crazy sigh.

I'm grateful for you all. I will see you around the bend of next year. Have a wonderful Holiday season! Much love. I bid you farewell, a short adieu.

    Writing. Jewels.

Month of November Goals

Happy November, dear friends! I hope your Halloween was spooktacular! Well, I'll just jump right into my goals.

Here is how my month of October goals panned out:

• Recuperate from spraining my ankle Uh... It turns out that I fractured a bone in my foot. I had to wear a hideous boot for a freaking month. Luckily I'm out of the montrousity of ugliness. But I've got to rehabilitate my poor foot now. Silliness, I say
• Read BEYONDERS: SEEDS OF REBELLION by Brandon Mull Check. Great book
• Finish listening to DIE FOR ME by Amy Plum Super Check. I loved this book sooooo much. Read it. Now
• If I have time, I'll edit some or all of one of my writing projects Nope, I did open up one of my projects and read the first chapter to my new roomie. She LOVED it! Just you guys wait...
• Start my new job, love it, and learn it fast Check on all accounts
• Find a new place to live in Salt Lake City before I'm driven mad by the long commute Check and it didn't happen soon enough. I truly was going crazy driving two hours a day.
• Enjoy my half birthday... Check. I loveth growing old. haha

Well, I'm feeling good about my goals and hope to have success in the coming month. Here are my month of November goals:

• Finish listening to the audio book CHIME by Franny Billingsley
• Listen to the audio book SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater (I just got a library card and by golly I'm gonna use it--bring on the audio books. Yes!)
• Read FINALE by Becca Fitzpatrick
• NaNoWriMo--50K and/or finish writing my dystopian book called SPHERICAL
• Do something social at least once a week
• Have a super fantastic Thanksgiving Holiday *gobble gobble*
• Be better at reading and commenting on other blogs. So sorry for being anti-blogospher-social

How did your month of October goals go? What are your month of November goals?

    Writing. Jewels.

 

Angels Night Out: Becca Fitzpatrick et al... And Happy Halloween

First of all... HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

*BOO*

Did I scare ya? Obviously. *grins*

Anyway, last week I had the amazing opportunity to meet Becca Fitzpatrick, author of the HUSH HUSH saga. The release party (called "Angels Night Out") for the last book in the series, FINALE, took place that night at the Provo Utah Library (where Fitzpatrick envisioned some of the scenes in the first book). What the perfect setting for the event, eh? Well, the party was sort of this cocktail-esque-with-hot-guys-strutting-around-the-ballroom-in-tight-jeans-and-t-shirts-while-serving-drinks-and-hor-dourves type of an unforgettable gala. And did I mention there was nummy-to-my-tummy cupcakes? Oh, nope, you're still swooning over the gorgeous hot guys, aren't you? Admit it!

The cool thing about the party was dressing up. On the ticket it said,

"Patrons are encouraged to wear angels wings and dress in red, black, or white."

Oh, I wore each one of the colors and wings to boot. Aren't I to die for? Well, the cool person is right next to me: Becca Fitzpatrick. So cool!

Well, not only was Becca and I to die for... BUT... the model (Drew Doyon) who posed as HUSH HUSH's character Patch on the book covers attended the event as well. Now how is that for way-beyond-the-universe cool? Well, it was awesome! And I've got the picture to prove it.

Three other amazing authors were in attendance, too: Kresley Cole, Tonya Hurley, and Elizabeth Miles. They were a delight to talk with and gave me some killer good advice (more to come on next week's Insecure Writer's Support Group post).

Have you ever been to a book release party? Have you met some really awesome authors? Who? Let's share and gloat for a bit. haha

    Writing. Jewels.

Better Late Than Never... Posting, Finally

Hi friends!

I haven't had any real time to prepare a post for today, as I always post on Wednesdays. Ugh! I moved last weekend and have been getting a new job under my belt (of which is going splendidly). *grins*

Well, as I said, I moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. I never thought I would live in this neck of the woods, but alas, I am here. Very exciting, indeed. And I am through with a long commute to work, now. Yes! No more griping Julia at the wheel. *grumble grumble* Not a good combination, especially if I'm tired and heaven forbid hungry. Plus, I will be saving a bunch of money from the gas tank.

Here are some pics of the move:

Before...

 My crap made it upstairs at my old pad...

After... at my new place... My poor books haven't found a home yet. :(

Anyway, this is the third, count it, the third time I've moved in 10 months. Crazy-town for sure. Thus be the transiant life. I'd love to settle down into a permanant dwelling. Perhaps, I will do that sometime soon.

Anyway, what is the most times you've moved in a short period of time? Do you like moving? Detest it? Do you use movers or family/friend muscle (and your own too)?

Thanks for stopping by, folks! Have a great week until I see you again. Ciao!

    Writing. Jewels.