Body Surfing by Anita Shreve

A book I bought to feed my aching burning need for summer.  Le sigh.  I have all kinds of fumbling thoughts about the book.  Great book I just mean I'm all over the place about what to say.  I bought the hardback on clearance from B&N for like, $6 bucks.  Steal!

It's about a young woman, who after one divorce and becoming a widow, she decides to take a ridiculously overpaid position as a tutor for a Cap Cod family.  Sydney (MC) gets herself caught in a love triangle with her 16 year old pupil's older brothers.

My biggest compliment to Anita would be how amazing she develops and explains the relationships the MC has with everyone else.  Everyone else consisting of five other important characters:  Julie the pupil, Jeff and Ben the older brothers of pupil, and Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, the parents of the pupil.  Each relationship is pivotal to the growth of Sydney, especially after the death of her second husband.

Anita Shreve creates these bonds or riffs, that have you totally loving or hating each character for different reasons. There are moments in the book where I saw it coming, but it didn't detour me from finishing it.  I hear Anita has written several books with this particular beach house being the scene.  Grab your tissue, because in the end I wept.

Now before you run out and buy this book, I must warn you, many negative critiques compared it to Nicolas Sparks or Harlequin romance.  I read neither because I find them too cheesy.  I did not however, find this cheesy but more like a soft tug at your heart strings and a big yearning to vacation for a summer in Massachusetts.

I've got nothing.

With nothing really to post about, I'm going to talk about random stuff.

But first, why do I have nothing to post about?  Because every waking second I am not taking care of my family or my home, I am WRITING!  Like a mad fiend.  And because of this mad writing, I'm dreaming in dialogue, obsessively.  For instance, I did something in my dream and my mind thought:  End quote, she said with fear in her eyes, period.  OMG, like every night.  It's so distractive that it I can't even remember what I'm dreaming about.  Also, I've cut back on my blog reading and commenting because of this obsessive writing.  Sorry guys, but when your knee deep in your WIP it is hard to pull yourself out.  Just think, come this August my youngest will be in Kindergarten and WAHOO, Moma's gonna have all kinds of writing time!!!!

Also, most of you know back in early January I quit my PTA position and I have actually been sleeping soundly through the night.  One would think this was good but no, it's impeding on my blog reading time.  Insomnia gave me more waking hours than I realized.  I used to wake up between 4-5am, grab my coffee and cuddle up to the morning blog.  Well now that I am sleeping so well I can barely roll out of bed at 7am. So goes life.

Two really interesting blogs I read in the past couple of weeks I wanted to share.

Whitewashing is Racist  over at Hello Ello 2
Though I knew things like this happened I did not realize to what extent, probably because I am white.  Also, most importantly, I did not know it had a name.  And I agree withe Ello 100%, whitewashing is racist.

SNIS Sexy New Idea Syndrome over at Frankie Writes
I'm infected, I know it!  I bet you are too or have been at some point.  So the big question is, Should you abandon a current WIP for SNI?  OR  Do you simply work on two WIP at the same time?  What do you think?

That's all the nothing I've got for today.  And tomorrow I will FINALLY do my review of Body Surfing by Anita Shreve.

It feels great to be loved!

Especially from my super duper critique buddy Diana over at Writing Roller Coasters!  She wasn't sure of the awards rules and neither am I so...

Here are three blogs I think are creative that have already received this award so instead of giving it to them again, I'll just mention them here and why I love them.

Write on Target - Debra Schubert  Her subliminal Mondays are so freaking cute and funny.  The phrase I like to abuse when something really makes me laugh out loud obnoxiously is "Cackle like an old lady."  because that's what I think I sound like.  Her Monday blogs usually get that reaction from me.

Into the Void  He keeps it sweet, simple and short but always thought provoking.

Natalie Bahm - There's just some kind of natural wisdom the oozes from her blog posts.  I'm not sure if she even realizes it.  I always enjoy reading what Natalie has to say.

What are the kids calling Marijuana these days?

Marijuana, weed, reefer, grass, Mary Jane, doobie, dope, hooch, and pot are just a few names.  Depending on your generation one or more of these names sounds familiar or even dated.  I grew up in the eighties so weed or grass is what I knew.   That is not an admission to ever doing the drug.  Whether you smoked it or not, you knew the names. 

So what the heck does this have to do with writing?

I have a character that smokes weed and I ‘m not sure if by calling it “weed” that makes me, as the author sound…old.  Yes, I realize the title to my post makes me sound old anyway but…I am.  Ancient if you ask a teen I’m sure.  Most of the time I avoid using “cool” trendy teen lingo that can date my book or me.  The last thing you want to do is write a YA novel and use a term or phrase that your target audience can’t relate too.   

I remember in high school watching this black and white movie on television late one night about “Reefer Addicts.”  It was a 1950’s serious attempt at creating a movie to discourage teens from smoking marijuana.  Now I agree, smoking marijuana is not good for you but they depicted the “reefer addict” to look like a strung out woman on never ending acid trip.  My best friend and I laughed so hard we peed our pants.  I don’t want my readers to look at my book as a joke.

But there are some cases in my writing that if I could use a relatable term, it would really round out my scene.  It will be a few years before my boys become teenagers (I’m scared) and let’s hope by then I’m published. So asking my kids is out. So how do I find out these words?  What do you do when you have a groovy whack scene you want pimp out with sweet verbiage, man?  Oh that’s just sad, yo.

Get the Plug out!

Ah yes, I need more time.  Unplugged Week is the third Monday of every month.  It's time to unplug from all things blog, commenting, tweet, FB, email, and all internet distractions that keep one from their WIP.  This holiday kept the kiddos and hubby at home.  Happy for the me but not for my WIP.  I'm knee deep in the thick of things and don't want to stop.  Writing time is sparse so a week off comes just in the nick of time. See all the fabulous people next week!

P.S.  Thank you Diana for my award.  I'll post about it next week.

the summer i turned pretty

Some summers are just destined to be pretty

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer — they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.

(inside cover)


A book by Jenny Han. She captivated the voice, moments and life of a sixteen year old girl. From the nagging older brother who knew just how to say that embarrassing thing that was so true (I had an older brother) down to the unrequited crushes. She gives life to a teen voice that I have never felt through any other YA book I have read. It's a simple quick read, which I hope never sounds insulting or slow, it just means nothing overly complicated but paced smoothly.

The title itself “ the summer i turned pretty” snagged me. I’m thirty-something and I just now feel I can own the title myself. She captivated the sixteen year old girl in me perfectly. She immortalized the emotions I, and I am sure every young girl, felt when treated like a child for being the youngest, the way she translated a crush or more importantly, quantified a loss. A loss of summer, youth, and a life. And I am ever so excited to learn there is a trilogy to be had. Continuing with book two...

Which comes out April 27.  I'll be pre-ordering today.

Becca Fitzpatrick and Me

I would love to say here's the interview with Becca and me but no...just a photo.

And an autograph!  Last night I went to my first book signing ever!  For Becca Fitzpatricks's book, Hush, Hush and the way I felt, you would have thought I was standing in line to get Tom Cruise's Zack Efron's autograph.  I felt sixteen, even though I was one of maybe three woman who did not have "teen" in their age but I didn't care.

It was so much more than I expected.  (Stand in long line, get book signed, leave)   Becca was on tour with Lisa Mann, author of the Wake Series.  Together they talked about their books, how their book covers were created, read a passage aloud from one of their works, answered questions from the audience and then signed books.  It was about an hour and totally invigorating, inspiring and all things that feed the hopes of becoming an author one day.

Becca's dedication in her book says "And to Justin.  Thanks for not picking the Japanese cooking class - love you."  Justin is her husband and the story behind the thanks is how she became a writer.  Every year for her birthday her husband tries to buy her a unique gift.  The year she turned twenty-four he debated between Japanese cooking class (which made more sense because she studied nutrition in school) or 8 week Creative Writing course.  He chose the latter and it changed her life forever.  That is where she started Hush, Hush and seven years later, it sits on the book shelves.

I definitely plan to attend a lot more book signings.  Hearing their stories in person fuels so much more inside me as a writer than just reading it from their blog/website.  I can only imagine how phenomenal a writer's convention would be.  Thanks for letting me gush.  I had lots of fun and would have LOVED going with a writer buddy so afterwards we could grab coffee and talk books.  (*hint hint* Di)

Is Summer Here Yet?

On the cusp of Valentines and I'm itching for summer.  Though it is closer for me than most, since I live in  SoCal.  (Southern California)  My mother called, told me Tennessee got four more inches of snow.  I felt this relief because Tennessee hasn't seen a good snow in years.  Not like when I was a kid where is snowed at least seven to ten times through the winter.  The last few years, lucky to see one snow.  This will be the third and it makes me breathe a little easier, that global warming stays at bay.  But I digress...

There's just something about hot sand between your toes, cool waves crashing at your ankles and sun kissed skin.  Laying on the beach, tuning out the world and letting the sun warm you is purely sensual.

First, I always download music.  It feeds my soul, my muse I guess.  No I don't do playlists for books, but there are songs that liven me when I'm not writing, electrify me almost.  And books, four to be exact, that I purchased Saturday night and they all shared the same theme, summer.  I didn't notice until yesterday but my habits of late speak to me in volumes.  And I realized something.  I love YA, reading it, writing it, craving it.  Because inside this XX year old body lives a sixteen year old girl who refuses to grow up.

So here are a few songs I've downloaded and the books I've purchased and I have to say, that sixteen year old wants a second chance because the first time around sucked.

Music...(Artist - Song Title)

1. La Roux - Bulletproof (Let me just say, I don't do Techno and these first four are...go figure.)
2. La Roux - Tigerlily
3. Silversun Pickups - Panic Switch
4. Metric - Gold Gun Girls  (Downloaded the whole Fantasies album, pretty good)
5. Dan Auerbach - When the Night Comes  (Slow mellow rock, reminds me of Stand by Me meets Wonderful World)
6. Sam Roberts - Love at the End of the World (This song is like Johnny Cash meets KISS.  Sorry couldn't find for playlist, check iTunes)

DISCLAIMER:  I'm infamous for loving a single song and very rarely love a group as a whole so know that these particular songs move me, not necesssarily the artist.

Books...

Body Surfing by Anita Shreve

Nice smooth book with gentle emotional pulls.   Other reviews say Harlequin Romance/Nicholas Sparks, I read neither and enjoyed this.  Started and finished it on Sunday.  See my review Friday.

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Almost finished with it and I find it spellbinding, magical and all things sixteen.  I can't wait to review this book.  New favorite author.

Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly

"What better time than summer for a little romance?"  Says the hook on the back cover, I can only hope.

The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan

1915, Niagara Falls and Romance.  Saw a review on a blog recently so I thought I'd give it a try.  Barnes and Noble Hardcover on sale for $3.98  Who could resist?

Sexy, Graphic & Naughty

Okay the edgy title made you click but here are a few blogs I wanted to share...barely riskay but heated.

Anissa Off the Road - Let's Talk about Sex, Baby...
Oh the controversy of sex in YA novels. Do or don't?  I'd love to be real in my book but society keeps me stifled.  What about you?  Feel free to discuss on Anissa's post.  (or here)

Cassandra Claire - Graphic Novel Updates - with pictures!
Hot guys gone novel.  Graphic novel that is.  Did you love the City of Bones, Ashes and Glass?  Well you will be happy, impressed and maybe a little turned on by the graphic novel pictures for her famous Immortal Instruments Series gone Graphic.  I'm not a graphic novel fan but after seeing this, I might be one.  (on a side note, I personally think the graphic novel images of the Twilight series is well, um...odd looking.  They look half asian, half opossum.  OH and there she said it, something negative on her post that will one day bite her in the...)

Suzanne Young - The Naughty List is out...Today!!!
It looks like a good read and maybe some bad boys will get spanked.  (okay, way to perverse)

Keep your Saturday clean!

Every woman should have a Patch.

After reading Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, I needed a cold shower.  Not because there was anything edgy or provocative, well unless you count this hot kiss on page 301:

"His hands slid up my neck, searing hot.  Pressing his thumbs gently into my throat, he tipped my head back.  I felt this lips come against mine so hard he stopped whatever name I'd been about to call him from coming out.  His hands dropped to my shoulders, skimmed down my arms and came to rest at the small of my back.  Little shivers of panic and pleasure shot through me.  he tried to pull me against him, and I bit him on the lip."

Grrrr.... Patch has to be the baddest, hottest, love interest I have ever encountered.  They don't make bad boys like him anymore.   Or how about moments before, when they got caught in the rain and she describes him taking off his wet clothes, in the dark on page 285.  MC, Nora says:

"My clothes are soaked.  I don't have anything to wear."

I hear the sound of we fabric sliding like a squeegee over his skin.  "Lucky me."  His shirt landed in a wet heap at our feet.

Lucky girl I tell you.  Too bad this was a YA novel.  Sigh.

Hush, Hush, one of many stories about fallen angels lately, tops my list of good reads.  The main character Nora did not  light a fire in me necessarily but her love interest Patch sure did.  Her best friend Vee had me cracking up out loud from time to time.  At one point, this bitch of a girl, skinny popular thing gives Vee some crap for being plus size.  This is Vee's response: 
"You've got food stuck in your teeth, "  Vee told Marcie.  "In the crack between your two front teeth.  Looks like chocolate Ex-Lax..."  


Trust me, the girl deserves it, she is down right mean.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to attending the Hush, Hush book signing next week.  Becca Fitzpatrick will be in my area, check out her schedule an see if she plans to be in your neck of the woods any time soon.

She has excellent descriptives and colorful verbs. You will enjoy ever ounce of Vee and you'll wish you could enjoy every ounce of Patch.  If you haven't done so, check it out.

Have a delicious weekend everyone!  See you dolls on Monday.  I'm off to download some more indie tunage on my iTouch.

Blog Lovin' All Around!

Hurry up because there are lots and lots of blog contests out there so, here I am making a shameless plug trying to get me some free lovin's.

• Kristin Creative - Announcing the 100 Follower Contest!!
• BJ Anderson - Win Twinkies! and $20 B&N giftcard!
• Cruising Altitude - The Mighty 100 Celebration
• Writing Roller Coasters - Sweetest Giveaway
• Personal Demons - Win Free Books!
• more coming

There are tons more...check out Shooting Stars to see a list.

Throwing in the towel and calling it quits!

No, I'm not giving up on my writing, NEVER!  Bwhahaha!

After reading Suzette Saxton's post over at Shooting Stars last week, "Permission to Quit"  (Sir, yes Sir!)  I find myself asking the same thing.  When do you give up on reading a book that you have to force yourself to finish?  When in a book, is it a fair point that you say; "Ok, this book ______, I'm not going to finish it."  Lately, I would fill in the blank with; stinks, blows or drags.  Sure, I do not expect every book to be "OMG, what happens next!"  but I at least want to look forward to reading just a few minutes before I go to bed.  Recently, two books wore me down and I found myself skipping around, flipping a couple of pages and not really missing much in doing so.  I finished them because, I didn't have anything else to read.

So how do I save myself next time from the dreaded, ugh, I have to read that?  When do you cash in and call it a day?

Roller Coaster Book Giveaway!

If you want this book...        or this book...           go here.

Diana over at Writing Roller Coasters has a really cool giveaway to celebrate her 100+ followers mark.  Now if your not reading her stuff you should.  She has wonderful insight and advice on writing.  And lucky me, gets to have her as a critique buddy.  *cue warm sunshine*

"Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever. "

A quote by Lance Armstrong (paraphrased I believe.) Beyond the pain of exercising this speaks to me on all levels, especially writing. Exercise or writing, no matter how painful it can become, push through it.

Void over at Into the Void posted a quote on his blog the other day:

"Those who do not find time to exercise now, will have to find time for illness later."

He asked his stalkers followers to apply this exercise quote to writing and either comment or blog about it.  Exercise and writing are my two favorite loves.  Besides the hubby and kids of course...Well, unless it's screaming like a banshee, bouncing off the walls day then I reserve the right to put them third on my top fav's list. 

First exercise, I love love love exercise. *needle scratches record sound* No wait, I hate hate hate exercise BUT, (you only have a big BUT if you don't exercise) I love love love how it makes me look and most importantly, feel.  Alive, strong, healthy, free, happy, all positive highs I get afterwards.  I have a semi-strict schedule:  1 day per week - 1 hour trainer and 1/2 hour cardio, 1 day per week - repeat trainer session/cardio by myself, 2 days per week - boxing class, 2 days a week - 1 hour intense cardio (minimum burn 800 calories.)  

Included with that exercise, no heavy carbs after 3pm:  no sweets, breads, pasta, rice, or potatoes.  No don't freak, I eat all those foods, carbs are our friends but after 3pm they turn into fat.  They are like the cute little Gizmo, fuzzy, sweet, lovable, feed that booger after midnight and it turns into a nasty Gremlin.  REPEAT AFTER ME: Carbs are good, post 3pm carbs bad.  (If you want to know why, email me and I'll explain it.)

Now, back to Void's quote.  In the last two years I have been to the doctor...twice; skin rash and viral infection in my lungs.  As a matter of fact in the last 13 years of knowing my husband, he has gone to the doctor twice; a spider bite and a cold.  Our children, who are very active in sports, have only missed school once this year, 24hr stomach bug.  Despite tons of kids, friends and family surrounding us who are always sick, even dear friends who have had the swine flu.  Point being...Void's quote speaks truth:  take the time to exercise or take the time to be sick.  I choose exercise.

Now relate it to writing.  Just like exercise, if you're not writing you will lose your muscle, your strength, your skill.  Writing is the say way.  Some people say write every day, crap or not.  I don't agree with one blanket statement for everyone because we all live different lives.  But I do think, just like my physical exercise, you need to schedule it in or you won't do it.  The more time I spend writing in my WIP the easier the words flow.  When I take too many days off, just like when I do from the gym, I find it hard to get going again.  You would be surprised at how quickly your muscles will weaken if you don't use them.  Same with your brain.  (Try doing long division with your fourth grader and you'll figure than one out quick.)

Pick a writing schedule and stick with it.  Caitlin Kittredge wrote a great post "Write Here, Write Now."  Which I found out about from YA Highway.  A few things that hit home with me: set goals and just write.  Setting goals, whether 500 words a day or per week, set a realistic goal.  So you may start slow on the treadmill at 3mph (hehe, sorry Void) but at least you're on the treadmill.  You can always tweak your schedule and adjust it as your life changes.  But exercise or writing, you can't expect to get better if you're not doing it.

Your turn.  Tell me how Void's anonymous quote relates to your writing.