Saturday, August 27, 2011

Going Dark While Revising

To my wonderful blog readers who I truly appreciate more than words can say. Thanks for reading and supporting. Thanks for commenting and giving me inspiration. Thanks for being there for me. I love my little blog because of you guys and this is just a heartfelt post to let you all know how much y'all mean to me. Especially during a time where I can't always comment back or visit the blogosphere like I used to. Cause I admit it - I just can't keep up with everything going on in life anymore. And it doesn't help that I seem to be getting more absent-minded with age. So I'm going to have to let the little blog go dark for at least one month in order to really do the best that I can on my revisions.

Yes - revisions. I admit to being scared when I got my editorial notes on Prophecy. They looked incredibly intimidating. They reminded me of this:


I admit to leaving it on my desk and circling it warily for a week, too afraid to even touch it. Silly me. When I finally began to read through it, it really dawned on me why a good editor is so important to the publication of a book. Her comments, her questions, her notes were brilliant. She wasn't telling me how to rewrite my book, she was showing me how to make it stronger, tighter, better. Pacing, the bane of my existence, is now something I understand how to correct. I can see so much clearer now. I feel like dropping to my knees and bowing before her chanting "I'm not worthy."

Before I got my notes, I knew my editor was good because my agent told me she was good. But now I know just how brilliant she is from what is now going to be an amazing learning experience for me. And I'm ready. I'm excited. I'm also still scared cause the one thing it isn't going to be is easy. Everytime I see the word tighten scribbled on the side of a page, that's exactly what my chest does. When a word choice is questioned, I agonize over what would be a better one. The word "anachronistic" sends me into a  panic. My mind is consumed by the revision process. And it is going to be great for my book. But that means I'm going to have to be more focused than before and make a sacrifice. As hard as it is, even at my now limited blogging level, I'm going to have to stop blogging for a little while. I hope that when I come back, I can share with you what I learned and how I've grown. So please don't forget me while I'm gone.

Like the Terminator, I'll be back.


Sunday, August 21, 2011

A happy anniversary

It's been a crazy time lately. Trying to get the girls ready for school. Trying to catch up on everything that piled up while I was gone. And trying to work on my revisions. It makes for a crazy time and I can't help but wonder if I'll ever be able to catch up. But in the midst of the craziness, Da Man and I celebrated our 17th anniversary. Wow! 17 years!!! We had a lovely meal out with the entire family and then came back home where, after swearing up and down that he hadn't bought me a present, I went up to my new little desk and found a little blue bag sitting on top of my manuscript.


After gaping at it in shock for a long moment, I tore into it only to find this little beauty!!


17 years and he still has the power to surprise and overwhelm me with how wonderful he is. So this is my little tribute to the Oh man who is my best friend, my greatest supporter, and my soulmate. Thank you for always being there for me through all that life sends our way. For being a great father to our girls and a wonderful husband. For never letting me give up no matter how much I whine and for holding my hand when things get rough. I am truly blessed in my life and I never forget it. Happy Anniversary!

Now, next year, there's this beautiful diamond necklace I've been eyeing... ;o)

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Possess by Gretchen McNeil

I'm really excited about the release of my friend Gretchen McNeil's debut book Possess that is out August 23rd from Balzar & Bray. Gretchen is a fellow Inkie from the Enchanted Inkpot and a terrific person whom I adore. Her book has an absolutely perfect cover and title.


How cool is that? You can tell it's gonna be scary, right? It's got demons and possessions and exorcisms and a whole lot of awesomeness! So Gretchen sent out a bunch of tattoos to help launch her book and Oldest was really excited and invited a bunch of friends over for a Possess tattoo party.




The girls had a great time with their Possess tattoos and now they are officially part of Gretchen's Get Possessed scavenger hunt! Oh and Gretchen? The tattoos are a huge hit! You may need to be sending a whole bunch more over to the Oh household. 

Don't forget - August 23rd! Possess or be Possessed!

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