Learning

"Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go." E. L. Doctorow

I find this to be incredibly true. I am learning everytime I sit down to write (or stand when I only have a second to scribble an idea down)

I wrote for hours today. It was so much fun and relaxing. (The kids were at grandma's today)

I hope I have another day like this again soon.

Hair tip of the day:If you are in serious need for a bang trim, but the rest of your hair is fine, I strongly incourage you to still go into your salon. I fix homecut bangs every week. Your stylist will usually have an option for you to just come in for a bang trim and only charge you $4-6. And you may be lucky and they won't charge you at all. But believe me...it's worth the trip!

Inspiration

My first inspiration to write came from R.L.Stine. I began reading goosebump books at a babysitters house in the 3rd grade. I instantly fell in love.
He has sold over 350 million books, and is still creating stories and T.V. show. I could only hope to have half of the success he has. (But who am I kidding I would like to have the same success or more hehe...I can dream can't I)

My second inspiration came from V.C. Andrews. I was obsessed with the Flowers in the Attic Book Series. I read other books by the name V.C. Andrews but they were written by other authors using her name. Though the books were good, they were not the same.

The last author that really gave me that extra push was none other than J.K. Rowling. I admire her more than any other writer, not just because I am a big fan of Harry Potter, but because of her story. She is a genuine person, and I LOVE HER!

I should also mention that I adore Steohenie Meyer. Though I was already writing when she came out with the Twilight Saga, I am still in complete AWW of the love story she created.

Now that I look at my own writing I  realize how every single one of these authors have inspired me. Not only can my writting be creepy and twisted (R.L. and V.C), but it can also be magical and filled with unconditional love (J.K. and Stephenie)....I love so many aspects of these books. It really makes sense to me now how I try to achieve everything that I love in every novel I write.


What books and authors inspire any of you to write? What favorite books do any of you love to reread?

The Souless

Really excited! Just started a new short story. I will post the entire story soon, but for now.....


I hadn't fooled my psychiatrist into thinking that I was normal. He was the only one still suspicious of me, and I found that unnerving. It's not that I had much to hide, but since the accident I knew that I couldn't possibly be the same as I was before. It was just a fact that I wasn't normal, and that I didn't trust Dr. Jonathon Barry. I could taste the bitter harshness of his soul and I didn't like it one bit.


Hair tip of the day:Do Not Brush Wet Hair

Never use a brush on wet hair, and do not over-brush wet hair. Wet hair is more easily damaged than dry hair (when hair is wet, its hydrogen bonds have been broken and the hair is therefore in a more vulnerable state). On wet hair, it is best to use either a wide-toothed comb or a wide-brist...led brush with rounded tips.

Hair tip of the day of borrowed from my friend and coworker Abby Silcott...thanks girl!

Just Write

Failure is not the worst thing in the world. The very worst is not to try. Anonymous

I have underestimated the challenges that life brings. I realize that maybe I have filled my plate too full and the contents are spilling over. Tomorrow will be a new day...

Tonight I will just write. No goals, no worries....just write.

The Ansley Files

   Small excerpt from my WIP...  

    The taste of death lingered patiently at the back of my throat. It was bitter and dry, and I was finding it uncomfortably familiar. I swallowed hard pushing the lump of sickness  farther down, but I knew that it wouldn't take long before I tasted it again.

So I am proud to say that my WIP is back on track. For now I will call it "The Ansley Files" I don't plan on titling it for a while.

I have been so lost. It is hard for me to balance kids, work, cleaning, and friends with finding time to write. I have made a hard decision though. I WILL NOT WRITE AT WORK! I used to love writing in my spare time at work, but I have realized that I obsess over it when I should be concentrating on growing my own business. I do love my job, and I would hate to be distracted from it, or not put my full attention into my WIP as well.

That being said....I have rewritten my first chapter 10 bagillion times and I have finally found the perfect beginning that I have been fantasizing about for months.

Goals:

I would like to write at least 3000 words a night (when the kids are asleep).

If I can at least finish my first draft with 55000 words in the next month I will consider that I major success for myself. With it completely outlined and already started, this shouldn't be a problem...we shall see ;)

HAIR TIP OF THE DAY:

Loreal is one of the largest companies in the beauty world! They own both redken and pureology (which are two of my favorites), and many other companies that you may not know they own.

In this economy I realize that it is sometimes hard to buy the professional beauty products your hair craves. So if you need to buy shampoo or conditioner from Walmart or Target, buy something made by Loreal. It won't be professional quality, but it will be the next best thing. 

USA TODAY ARTICLE....LOVE IT!

http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2011-02-09-ebooks09_ST_N.htm?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4d55917dc73cd10d%2C0

Authors catch fire with self-published e-books......MUST READ!!!!

This article gives me hope. The main reason I write is because I love to create and share stories. I can't help but  think....I HAVE A CHANCE!

Now, of course I will try the traditional way to get my work published, but I like the fact that I will be able to share my work with the world regardless. It is a dream of mine to have people worried about the character's lives I have created. I want them to wonder WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?!?!

Stories are not meant to be trunked...they are meant to be shared, and I congratulate these authors for taking their own fate into their hands!


TIP OF THE DAY: Believe it or not, but crimping is IN! I know, I know....it absurd....BUT TRUE!!!! I have a favorite texture iron to recommend to all of you....SAM VILLA'S "TEXTUR" Iron is now for sale....check it out!
www.samvilla.com
I have personally trained with this man and he KNOWS what he is talking about!!

Make a scene

Okay...so I have been hard at work (both actual work and writing). And I have just started an amazing book that has really helped my writing ability.

Make A Scene by Jordan E. Rosemfeld

It really made me think...WOW ...that was what my novels have been missing!

There is a recipe to every "scene" to make it great.

I suggest that if you are writing a novel then this book is a MUST!!!

On another note: I have just got back from Las Vegas for continuing education in my profession, and I would like to end each blog with a tip. Too many people are suffering from BH (Bad Hair), and I believe it is our job (as the doctors of hair) to help others. Especially others who have had there hair messed up by their own stylist.

Tip of the Day:   Pay attention to what your stylist or color specialist is doing to your hair. Never EVER let them bleach any part of your hair that is already bleached (unless your are going lighter and your hair is in good condition). On a weekly basis I see hair that has been fried to a crisp and breaking off. It is also imperative that if you are coloring your hair at home NOT to pull the blond color through to the ends each time! I am sure you have all seen orange roots and white fuzzy ends on someone!
Recommendation: Try a reconstructor to repair your damaged hair. Purology has a great one that I use myself!! It is in the green bottle! Protein is what your hair needs to rebuild itself.

Mama needs the big coffee cup today

Goals for today:

         The mommy stuff.....laundry, dishes, pick up toys, vacuum

         The "me" stuff that I need to do.....exercise (I can't keep ignoring this one), color my hair (it's kind of expected in my profession to keep up on this one)

         The stuff I want to do......Write ( I promise to give myself at least an hour of quiet time for this, if not more)

Note: I am finding it incredibly hard to focus my time on what really needs to be done, and what I want to do. I feel incredibly guilty when I do something for me.

Extra goal: manage time correctly!

So here I go...

What I have learned...or at least what I remember...

When I began writing seriously I knew that it would be harder than just writing a story in my notebook. BTW I start every story with pen and paper. I don't move on to the computer until the outline is almost finished and the first chapter is done. What did surprise me, however,  is how important it is to network. Almost every author has a blog, facebook, or twitter!

Things are changing. When I had first researched query letters (the letter an author writes to get an agent ) everything was done by snail mail. Now it seems that more and more agents prefer e-queries. And lets face it, that is better for the earth and easier for me as a writer.

Besides all of the books I have read on writing, I have also found that there are so many people out there blogging about how to become a published author.

I used query shark to perfect my letter. http://queryshark.blogspot.com

I used agent query to look up the agents I was interested in. www.agentquery.com

 Not to mention countless blogs that have helped me learn how the publishing world works, and what I need to do to achieve my dreams....see my blog links.

The funny thing is that I still feel like I don't know nearly enough to fully capture my potential. I am constantly asking for advise from other authors or agents.

Everyone has always told me to enjoy writing and to write for only myself, but I think that is a bit ridiculous. I will always write for myself, yet I need to keep in mind my target audience, and what I need to do to catch an agent and hopefully a publishers eye. I am not saying that I would compromise what I want to write about. I am just saying that I shouldn't ignore what people want.

I have been a huge procrastinator lately. I can't say that I have writers block, because the ideas are constantly flowing, but I am finding it hard to sit and put my ideas into words. Write everyday. I haven't been doing that, and I think that it has bitten me in the rear. Hopefully this blog will help me get back into the swing of things :)

The industry is changing. Not all stories are meant for printed books. The Internet has created an entirely new way for authors to get their work out into the world. In some ways this is exciting....in others it makes me sad. I love the feeling of hold a book.

I have also learned that I need to over come my fear of rejection. It is not only from agents that rejection bothers me. It also comes from friends or acquaintances. I am scared that they will hate my writing, or that they won't want to read my blog. Honesty. Its hard for me to even admit this. Yet, I know that if I don't get my name out there, send more queries, participate in the Internet world of writing, I will get no where.

The insanity that is ME!

I am a writer....I am a writer....I am a writer...

It is a small sentence, yet it holds little meaning to most people who hear me say it. To some people, to be a writer  probably means that they need to be published to use  the title of  "writer."  To me, however, it means that I write, and I enjoy writing. I create stories and put them on paper for myself and others to read. I write down my thought and feelings. I blog on multiple websites. I am a writer.

I don't know if I will ever be published, but I do know that I will work hard at trying to be.  I take that back...I need to be an optimist....I will be published someday. That sounds better! I will say though, if I don't persist then I will get nowhere. It is imparative for me to work hard if I choose to achieve something to that magnitude .

So...blogging....why am I doing it?

• I would like to share my experiences with others and hopefully help someone like I have been helped by others.
• It will hold me accountable. I am making a promise to myself. I will continue to write, and I will finish my wip (work in progress). I will post my progress on here for everyone to see.
• I would like to share my knowlegde with others. I have researched a lot on query letters, agents, publishing, and much more.
• I want to learn as I go.
• I like to be connected.
• It's fun.
• It will give me a chance to write more than I already do!
• I can make friends!
• I would like to perfect my voice. This blog will be good practice for me.

I am a mommy.

The most important people in my life are my kids. They give me a reason to wake up every morning (and boy do I love sleep).

The Family!!

Aiden- my son, the strong little man is 4.

Brecklyn- my creative little girl is 3.

They are my life.

Find me on facebook to see pictures!!!

I love my job!  WHAT?

I am a licensed cosmetologist, and I work at a salon where I am my own boss! LOVE IT!!

To work on hair is to work on any piece of artwork. Some canvases are blank, and others may need to be fixed, shaped, or just plain colored over.

I am a people person. I love to meet new clients, and visit with my regulars who soon become my friends.

My job gives me the freedom to be there for my kids. Take them to dance class, or this summer baseball. It also gives me the freedom to write. I am a lucky person. I once worked for a boss who thought writing was a waste of time. I hope to someday mail her a copy of my published work!!

The future...

I can only hope for the best, and work towards my goals. For everything else...we will see....