YA Mania!

What's that thumping sound? Can you hear it? I can! We're hopping once again. This time we are jumping up and down for YA. I'm crazy about young adult books, aren't you? That's why I write it ( and read it.) Thanks to Kathy for hosting this event for us YA fans. You can visit here site here: http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2011/11/young-adult-giveaway-hop-jan-27th-to.html. Be sure to check out all the wonderful blogs participating in this giveaway.
We're offering the chance to win an e-Book copy of WISHLESS - my YA novel released in August of 2011. All you have to do is sign up with Rafflecopter below (read more.) I look forward to meeting some new readers. Hope you'll hang here for a while!

Say It Ain't Snow & My Winners

Well, it had to happen sooner or later. Our first snowfall of 2012. At least it's a Saturday. Blogger has a list about as long as her arm entitled "Things To Do When I'm Stuck Indoors." So, guess I'll have at it. And maybe, just maybe, I'll have enough time to spare to do something really good too - like writing or reading. One can hope, right?

Now for our Dreaming of Books Winners: Congratulations to Lisa F.and BJ G.! They each received an e-Book copy of WISHLESS just for visiting The Hook during the giveaway. Perhaps if they are trapped inside today too they will choose to have a little read : )

There will be more contests coming real soon. Please do stick around. I appreciate seeing your pretty smiling faces. And I mean it sincerely. What a lovely bunch of followers. I'm blessed for sure.

Enjoy the weekend, folks. May all your shovels be light.

Pass The Write Out (with Author X)

"I just wrote the perfect sentence," she said. "And you think I would be happy about it."
Yes. Author X and I were dishing the literary dirt again. "I take it that you aren't happy about it?" I asked.
"Of course not. You know how it goes. Your best stuff ends up on the cutting room floor."
She was right. It was William Faulkner who said, “In writing, you must kill all your darlings.” 
'Tis sad but true. Edits are often most brutal when they happen to your personal favorite slice of creative pie. 
Currently I'm still elbow deep in the first draft of Book 3 (ish) a.k.a. The Honeymoon Phase. It's pretty much all hearts and flowers now. No need to break out the heavy artillery...yet. But my dear friend Author X is in Re-writeland where "Delete" is always the trending topic. It's not fun, not kind and for the most part ranks up there with having your gums scraped. 
If ever a writer tells you they enjoy the editing process, be warned. They are pulling your leg. Hard.
I wished her well and sent her about her duties, armed with a healthy supply of white-out, red pens, and a hug for luck.
Twenty four hours later she appeared at my door. Her hair was unkempt, her eyes all hollowed out and dragging around grey circles. She was dehydrated. I didn't ask how it went. Didn't have to.
"Chapter Five didn't make it," she reported, her mouth falling at the edges. "It was quite the carnage."
"I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?"
She shook her head."Perhaps, there ought to be some sort of eulogy, some formal way of saying goodbye..."
Perhaps. Farewell fine paragraphs, I knew ye well. Perhaps not. Until then we'll continue plugging away - one carefully chosen word at a time, wielding our mighty pens and swords. And of course, control, alt, delete.

Okay gang, Rafflecopter has chosen our latest winners! Stay tuned for the announcement coming tomorrow. Thanks to all who entered. You guys put the fizz in my seltzer!!

I'm Dreaming of Books!

It's time for another fun-filled hop n' stop and this go-round we're doing it in our p.j.'s! Now I ask you, what better way is there to travel? I've been dreaming about books for as long as I can remember. To this very day, reading is the second to last thing I do before I turn in at night, just before I thank God for the gift of one more day (and beg for a winning 7- figure lottery ticket. Yes, I jest.) To celebrate the beauty of the written word I'm raffling off TWO e-book copies of WISHLESS. All you have to do is follow the directions on Rafflecopter below (click READ MORE.) It's easy, I promise.
Thanks to Martha at Martha's Book Shelf http://marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com/ and Kathy at I'm a Reader Not a Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2011/11/are-you-dreaming-of-books-sign-up-for.htm   for hosting this event. And keep hopping. There's so many great blogs on board. See for yourself! http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=114769

More Like I'll Be Seein' Ya

I'm not a fan of goodbyes. It's no wonder then that I'd been putting this one off for so long. Even putting off addressing this particular subject. Avoidance thy name is Me. But for the sake of closure I'll brave the waters.
We are officially no longer the owners of the house we lived in for a great part of our lives. I went to visit, a couple days ago, about 24 hours pre-closing. It was an eerie shell of a sight. All undressed and barren. Like a carcass lying helpless in the roadway. I didn't stay for very long. Didn't really wish it well. I wanted to. Truth be told it was just too difficult. So I'll do it now. The shock has sort of worn off (a little) and it's the least thing I could do.
Dear 347:
The time has come for us to part ways. It's sadder and harder than I ever thought it would be. You've been a loyal comrade through the years, though we never really said so. We resided within you, often thanklessly. We called you a dozen different names but most often you were known as "home." You took a lickin' and kept on tickin' - like a Timex made of brick and mortar. We dressed you up in colors to suit our changing mood. We slammed your doors, nicked your walls, though really we meant no harm. We always knew that when it was cold and wet you'd keep us warm and dry. We grew into and out of ourselves beneath your rafters. We sang  a whole slew of happy birthdays and lit a bunch of merry Christmas trees behind your modest facade.
Yet, life is about change. You understand, don't you? I know you'll be very happy with your new family. And we'll keep our memories of you forever.
Damn, I suck at goodbyes. So instead..."I'll be seein' ya" sounds like a better option. Just know this:
You will always be Home to me. 

To-Do List (Part 1)

Here at The Hook we believe that resolutions are for amateurs. So in the spirit of starting anew in bold and beautiful fashion, here is the first installment of my things-to-do list for the next 365:

1) finally craft the perfect eyebrow arch

2) listen to an entire Little Wayne song

3) peel the skin off an apple in one continuous piece

4) learn to play "Stairway to Heaven" on the oboe

5) petition HR to bring back Pajama Fridays

6) ban use of the word "whatever"

7) teach old dog a new trick

To be continued...

Okay, perhaps Blogger's tongue is semi-in cheek - (although those Pajama Fridays were very- shall we say...interesting.) Here's hoping that 2012 is the Year of the Book - for all those writers and readers and lovers of the written word. To the lovely folks who hang out here and put up with my silliness - I thank you. 2012 will bring many new contests and chances for me to repay your patience and kindness.
And speaking of contests - congrats to Christie Cote - our latest winner of a signed WISHLESS paperback!
Sending love, luck and happiness to one and all.