And the Race with Words Begins


I can attribute my writing journey to one thing...

Le Tour de France

My dad is an avid cyclist. He introduced me to Le Tour de France years ago. He taught me the ins and outs of the tour. I guess I can say he has a major role in my love for writing, too. Bless the man's heart. Willingly, he reads everything that I write, be it during the first draft, editing, or revising stages. He catches typos and things that don't make sense. I think he's read my books more times than he probably would ever desire to. I love him for it, though.

All this does have a point, I assure you. LOL

So, Le Tour de France commences tomorrow. Of course, for the full three weeks of racing, I'll be watching it from the comforts of my room on Versus  (a sports tv station).

Three years ago, for my graduation-from-university-present-to-myself, I went to Paris, France. I saw the tours traditional last day as they rode onto Champs-Élysées (a main road in the gorgeous city). Yes, I saw the cyclists fly past me at least six or so times, and (*giggles*) witnessed one of my famous crushes, Lance Armstrong, as he zoomed past me, too. *Swoon*
Anyway, this trip, of which included an excursion down to Italy, brought about the idea for my first book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND. I know it's totally cliché, but I fell in love with Paris so much that when I came home I dreamed about it all the time. One of those dreams turned into an idea for a book. 

I feel so grateful and blessed that over a period of eleven years (+/-), I was led to Paris through my love of Le Tour de France and traveling. These experiences were the catalyst to commence my own race with words. Otherwise, I really don't think I'd be writing. 

Over the next three weeks, you'll know what's keeping me busy--watching some wicked awesome cyclists and maybe, just maybe, their ripped legs. *blushes* Oh, and beta'ing some books, too.

So, how did you start writing? What initially inspired your writing journey?

Writing. Jewels.

Do You Write What You Read/Like?

I'd like to think of myself as a prolific reader. I've ventured into many different genres (MG, YA, Adult, Suspense, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Dysopian, Fantasy, Paranormal, etc...). I enjoy everything from Brandon Mull to Stephenie Meyer to Dan Brown.
But, my favorite genre to feast upon is YA, more specifically anything with a fantastical or paranormal element. I like these books because they place me right smack in the thick of a different world. It's enjoyable to read different twists and takes on supernatural beings. I love to wrap my mind thoroughly into the realms of these stories. And I do. When I finish a book, I typically think about it for days afterward.

With all this said, I write what I read/like, at least in the YA arena. My first book is a YA Paranormal Romance. The one I'm editing is an Urban Fantasy. I've also got a few other ideas up my sleeve--a YA Dystopian, YA Sci-Fi, and another YA Paranormal Romance.

I could definitely never write a Contemporary piece of literature. People wouldn't get past the second page if I did. Writing something non-fiction would make me dig my eyes out with a spoon (no offence to non-fiction writers). I don't think I have it in me to write an Adult work because I adore being in teenagers minds far too much. That sounded weird, I know.

So, do you write what you read/like? Have you ever tried to write something that doesn't fall under your typical reads? How do you decide what genre you write?

Writing. Jewels.

Positive Affirmations

Yesterday, I was talking to a few people at the university I work at. We got on the subject of mathematics courses. In general, many people are or were (*coughs* me) terrified of the tricky subject. One of my coworkers said: "I hate math." Another employee instantly responded with: "Saying that, subconsciously, will condition you to really hate math. You will not succeed in the subject because of that negative self talk." I can't remember her exact wording, but in essence that was the gist.

I took this to heart, friends. As authors, it's a good practice to repeat positive affirmations to ourselves, even out loud. We are freaking amazing for taking this difficult road to write. Often times I fall prey to the negative talk about myself.

Anyway, it's time to throw all that negative junk in the garbage. We are good enough for whatever we do, be it writing, painting, needle pointing, cooking, parenting, sleeping... Well, you get the point.

Recently, I taped up signs around my bedroom and bathroom that say:

I am a New York Times Bestselling Author



I see this phrase no matter what direction I face in my little neck of the woods. I hope that subconsciously it will reinforce that my dream to achieve that very lofty goal WILL happen. It's all about being positive and keeping your eyes dead on your target, whatever it may be.

So, what are your goals? What kind of positive affirmations or positive self talk do you use to keep you going?

Writing. Jewels.

Do You Like Action?

Okay, get your heads out of the gutter. I don't mean that kind of "Action"... I mean the important element of action that must occur in the first chapter of your book. I received notes back from an editor and one of the points she stated was getting to the pivotal point of action straight away. Granted I had maybe six paragraphs before the main action sequence, but it wasn't something that caught her attention. And to be honest, it was a little bit of an info dump if anything.

*shrugs sheepishly*

So, I took out some of that and jumped right into the action in the second sentence of my novel. It's more intriguing now and definitely will capture the reader's attention right off the bat.

I bring this up so that you won't be placed in the same predicament. The first chapter is crucial to make sure your reader moves on to the next chapter. If you dive right into the conflicting action, you'll suck them in. They most likely won't think: "Meh, that was okay."

So, how do you do this? Streamline that first chapter. Yes, you have to give some back story and describe the setting; however, it can be done with little cues here and there. As in the first chapter of my book, I show that it is cold outside by my MC shivering or the puff of air misting from his mouth. I give hints that he is crossing Pont Neuf Bridge. I let the reader know that something crucial happens in the Seine River. I even bring up the simple word Paris once.

The reader can tell now that it is winter-time and the book is set in Paris, France. It's those little cues that will allow you to jump right into the action instead of going on and on with back story, when the conflict has to arise quickly to capture attention. You want your audience to continue reading, right? Well, give them a reason to.  

What are your thoughts on this topic? How do you set up the first chapter?

Writing. Jewels.

PS: I'd like to thank the beautiful Elise Fallson for the 7X7 award. It made me smile so big I almost blew up all of the lightbulbs in my bedroom.

To Do List: Make it Funny

A little something to giggle over:

I think I've been a little bit too serious lately. I've been trying my darndest to work hard and to be productive that I've forgotten to find joy in life. My personal life has definitely been put on the back burner, but for good reason: writing. Somehow I need to find balance, though. Currently, I don't have writing deadlines, so why am I putting so much pressure on myself? Well, because I want to be published. The thing is I know deep down inside I will... eventually. Why sweat the small stuff, then? 

There's a point when you have to take inventory of your life. You know yourself better than anyone else. You know how much you can handle. You know when taking a break is the best option, be it from the small stuff or the big stuff in your life.

For me, I get stressed way easily. I call myself a "stress bucket". It sort of runs in my family. If I don't step back and take it easy for a bit, I definitely will be so burned out, it'll take me weeks to get back into the game. I need a full 8 hours of sleep. I must eat. I must have my down time by reading, watching a favorite tv show, or going on a hike. I need to work as well, be it my full time job or writing. I have yet to figure out how to balance out these things with including spirituality, exercise, and family/socializing. But, I'm a work in progress. And so are you.

Let's be kind to ourselves during the journey.

So, just for the heck of it, here are some things on my funny to-do list:

• I've always wanted to go to a semi-nice restaurant with a group of friends, order our food, and then whip out a game of Monopoly. I want to see how long it takes for us to get kicked out.
• I want to go into a department store, find some handsome, young bloke, kiss him right on the lips, and then walk away. (I most likely will never do this one, but it sure is fun to think about). *smacks lips*
• Go to a vineyard in, say California or better yet Italy, and ask for a drink of grape juice. Yes, plain, un-fermented grape juice. I don't drink, therefore grape juice is the only option.

Well, what I'm getting at is don't take life too seriously. Have fun. Relax if you need to. Work when you need to. And make sure you laugh along the way.

Do you sometimes take yourself too seriously? How do you find balance in your life? And, what are your funny to-do list items?

Writing. Jewels.

Always Follow Your Heart

The heart is fragile. I'm not talking about the heart as in the organ that resides within the body, but the heart that makes the world go around. The heart that aches sometimes. The heart that jumps for joy sometimes. The heart that keep us going, following our dreams.

The heart is such a complex word when associated with feelings deep inside. I think I may have felt every feeling this little heart of mine can handle. The ups and the downs. And in the end, it's my heart that I try to follow to lead me to happiness. But it's a tricky thing following your heart. It can sometimes be painful, downright agonizing. On the upside, it can lead to immense joy that can't be measured in any earthly way.

Writing is my dream. It is what my heart is telling me to do. I want to succeed so blasted much. My heart is full of this dream. Yet, it can be so darn right sad sometimes. I've been led down a road I never thought I would take. That of being a writer. If someone would have told me at the very beginning just how hard this route would be, I'm not sure I'd have chosen it. I am glad someone didn't tell me that at the beginning, though. It would have kept me from growing in ways unimaginable.

Would I give up the last two and a half years of hard work? Nope. Never.

My heart is still driving me forward, even when it feels like its on its last beat. And it's taking a lot of patience. More than I thought possible. But as the saying goes: Patience is a virtue. One that I don't possess much of. Haha My patience is being tried in other parts of my life, so it's doubly hard. Argh!

I know I will be published one day. The patience will pay off. And my heart will be stronger for it. I guess what I'm trying to say is: Don't give up. Keep on typing away. Be proactive. And for heaven's sake, believe in yourself. Follow your heart!

Now, I have to eat my words. *gobble gobble gobble*

What is your heart telling you? Where is it leading you?

Writing. Jewels.