Let It Snow...

I only made it to work one day this week because of the weather. I live an hour from where I work and my car has no traction beyond regular tires. I live in Oregon, in the northwest. We've been hit with one storm after another. I thought you might like to see some pictures. We are at about 10" and counting right now.

These pictures are from much earlier this morning. We have gained a lot more snow since they were taken.

Review: The Twilight Saga

Ok, So I figured it was about time that I posted my thoughts on this book series. Two Words.

Loved It!

Start to finish, I loved each book. I'm quickly beginning to lose count how many times I've read through them and to be honest I was very late in jumping on the band wagon.

I knew that I wanted to read the book before seeing the movie and once I picked it up I was hooked.

I know that many people didn't like the last book. I loved it. I like having everything wrapped up. It gives me a sense of completion. I liked the addition to Bella and Edward's family and that they got married. I know some people will disagree me with me greatly.

I also understand why part of the book was written from Jacob's perspective. Because it's written from Jacob's perspective we get much more information than if it was to be from bella's perspective if you consider what is currently going on with her. I know I'm probably not saying much but I don't want to spoil it for anyone who has not read the last book yet.

Anyway, I loved it. I bough my copies about the time the movie came and haven't stopped reading them yet. Well my husband currently has twilight so when I start over this time I'll have to start at new moon, but you get my point.

I also loved the movie. I liked the book better but I thought they did do a good job portraying the emotions of the book. I also thought that they did an extremely good job casting the Cullens and Bella.

~Keep Reading

The End

Well after many sleepless, okay near sleepless nights I have finished the first draft of Pelegra and the Son of Merek. Now I just have to finish editing. The beginning is already edited I think it is currently at version three or so. The rest of it still needs a couple of edits.

Regardless, I can't even express the joy that I felt when I read the last sentence. The last sentence of my book.

I plan on being finished with edits (since that and work is pretty much my life) by the beginning of December. Then I will start submitting again.

Well that's all for now, lots to do....

Keep Reading,

Jina

Sick, sick, sick...

I'm home sick with bronchitis and sinusitis and it sucks.
On the writing front, I have made some good progress with edits.
I belong to a writers group that meets approximately two times a month and it has been a great experience. Getting feedback from other writers is very valuable and helpful. If you are serious about writing and publishing then I recommend it.

Well my cough medicine has kicked in so I'm going to go back to sleep now.

Keep Reading...

One down and one to go....

Well I heard back from one of the agents that I submitted to and they declined. That's ok. It's very subjective and I'll keep trying. I am happy they took the time to consider me. I'm still waiting to hear back from the other one.

I've been crazy busy with work and life in general but I"m getting back into my writing. I've been sick and that didn't help matters either.

Even though I've been busy. I remember one of the prints on my wall, "Ambition, the world makes way for those who know where they are going" I don't know who the print is by. It helps me focus and remember that I know where I'm going. It's simply a matter of the first step.

Well back to writing, until next time....

Personal Pick Me Ups...

I think that every person (writer or not) deals with days they are down, grouchy, cranky, and completely bitchy. It happens. It's part of life. When I am in an exceptionally bad mood I can't focus. Not on my writing. Not on cleaning the house. Not on anything. I'm not really good for anything but sulking.

However, one of the ways I have learned to combat this crankiness is to focus and think about things that make me happy. I also try and do things that I find relaxing (right now I'm listening to a brain sync meditation track by Kelly Howell--www.brainsync.com and I'm blogging.)

I journal. Regularly. On the back inside cover of my journal I've written notes to myself. Things like remember if you are bitchy then pause, breathe deeply, and imagine Pelegra. That almost always calms me down. I've written things I'm thankful for. I remind myself that writing is my dream and worth every second of effort. Most importantly I remind myself to believe. Believe in my dream. Believe in myself.

Anyway, so I suggest that you have a happy book--a small notebook with happy thoughts--or even just one page. something you can go to for a personal pick me up.

I've also taken to buying inspirational prints. Technically I think they are motivational prints and I realize that sounds cheesy but I really like the two that I have. One of them is of rings left in water after a drop has fallen and says "Serenity: the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." and the other one is of a dock looking across a body of water at a mountain and says "ambition: the world makes way for those who know where they are going." Oddly enough I bought both of them at Blockbuster.

So when I am down I read my notes to myself and study my prints and they help me remember to keep working toward my goals and believe that I can accomplish them.

The Magic Words

Requested Material. Two. Magic. Words.

Ok, so there are other magic words we all wish to hear, like "I love your book I want to publish it" but hey, baby steps.

For right now the magic words are requested material. Out of the slush pile, or well maybe at least moved to the top. I hope.

I mailed off my two submissions today, to the agents that requested them from the Willamette Writers Conference. I used priority mail so they should have them by Friday at the latest.

So now it's the waiting game...